Concerns over the health and environmental impacts of chemicals in everyday thermal paper receipts – commonly found at grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations – have prompted a search for safer alternatives. Despite a 2020 ban on certain bisphenols in Switzerland,recent studies revealed continued presence of the chemical in nearly one-fifth of receipts tested [[3]]. Now, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) are reporting a potential breakthrough: a wood-and-sugar-based coating that could offer a lasting and health-conscious replacement for traditional thermal paper.
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) have developed a potential alternative to the controversial chemicals found in many thermal paper receipts, offering a more sustainable and health-conscious option. The innovation centers around a wood-based coating and a color-developing agent derived from plant sugars.
Traditional receipts often contain bisphenols, hormone-disrupting toxins that can be absorbed through skin contact and have been linked to reproductive issues. While Bisphenol S remains permitted for use in receipts and other thermal papers within the European Union, Switzerland banned hazardous bisphenols in 2020.
However, a recent study indicates that even after the Swiss ban, approximately one-fifth of thermal papers tested still contained Bisphenol S a year later, raising concerns about continued exposure. The commonly used non-biological substitute, pergafast, is considered less dangerous than Bisphenol S, but is still flagged as potentially problematic for both health and the environment.
Wood- and Sugar-Based Color Developer
As detailed in Science Advances, the EPFL team created a thermal paper coating using lignin, a primary component of wood. They then utilized plant-based sugars as the color-developing agent. According to the research group, the ingredients for this plant-based mixture can be directly extracted from non-edible biomass, offering a sustainable sourcing solution.
The EPFL reports that the print quality of the yellowish, wood-based coating is comparable to that of conventional thermal paper. Lab tests using a standard printer produced clear images, and logos remained legible even after a year. This distinguishes the new coating from existing bio-alternatives, which often suffer from poor readability and rapid fading. The development represents a significant step toward reducing reliance on potentially harmful chemicals in everyday transactions.
Patent-Pending and Potential Startup
The alternative, which is healthier for consumers, could eventually be cost-competitive with commercial thermal paper, according to Jeremy Luterbacher, co-leader of the EPFL research team. Researchers are currently working to optimize the quality of the already patented biological color developer and prepare it for large-scale production. The EPFL team is even exploring the possibility of forming a startup to commercialize the innovation.
A truly safe receipt may soon be a reality, though likely still several years away. In the meantime, consumers can opt out of printed receipts altogether as a guaranteed health-conscious alternative.
Anita Vonmont (SRF) / ain
