Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has developed a photocatalytic newsprint, which is newsprint coated with photocatalytic materials of titanium oxides, in collaboration with the Yomiuri Shimbun. Exposed to sunlight or other light with ultraviolet rays, this paper decomposes odorants to purify the air. This is the world's first application of the photocatalytic technology to newsprint.

What is photocatalyst?
Exposed to light, titanium oxides cause a chemical reaction. A material that causes a chemical reaction by absorbing light is called a photocatalyst. With the use of this function of photocatalysts, it is possible to decompose organic compounds in the air and formaldehyde, which causes the so-called sick house syndrome.
Titanium oxides are non-hazardous materials commonly used in cosmetics and paints as well as in the paper-milling process.

Features of photocatalytic newsprint
Nippon Paper Industries' own technologies have been employed to give the newsprint both an air purification effect and printability.

(1)	Distinguished air purification effect
	The photocatalyst coated on the newsprint decomposes various odors from our daily life, such as those of cigarettes, sweat and pets.
(2)	Distinguished printability
	With technologies developed by Nippon Paper Industries, the leading manufacturer in the newsprint market, it is possible to achieve high-speed printing with this newsprint using an off-set rotary press. With excellent ink-holding properties, it produces a high-quality printing finish.
(3)	Distinguished durability
	With conventional technologies, photocatalysis led to degradation of paper itself. This problem has been overcome using a unique technology that successfully slows paper degradation.

Applications of photocatalytic newsprint
The newsprint decomposes odorants to purify the air when it is placed in a location where it is exposed to light, such as the surface of a wall, in the form of an advertisement, or in a poster or calendar.