Thermal Paper: Identifying BPA-Free Paper Just Got Easier

UPDATE: October 2019

Recent changes in the chemical composition of Thermal Receipt Paper have made the material more environmentally-friendly and safer to handle. All of POS Supply’s Thermal Receipt Paper Rolls are now BPA-Free, and we also offer Phenol-Free Thermal Paper (BPA free & BPS free) options in many sizes, colors and quantities.

How do you know if the paper you are handling is BPA-Free Receipt Paper or not? Up until recently, it has been virtually impossible because all BPA-Free Thermal Receipt Paper looked exactly the same

as non-BPA-Free. As we discussed in our December post, a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group in July of 2010 indicated that 40% of the receipts sampled from major retailers contained BPA. While the health effects are still unclear, this study has aroused concerns among consumers as well as retailers. We are pleased to announce that the market is changing.

In November, Appleton, North America’s largest producer of direct thermal media, announced the addition of easy-to-see red fibers to its most common POS receipt paper grade “Alpha 400-2.1”. Appleton designed its 'red fiber' BPA-free paper to help consumers and retail workers quickly identify the kind of thermal receipt paper they are handling. It is important to note that all Appleton thermal paper is BPA-free, but only the most common receipt grade contains the red fibers.

At this time, offshore supplier Koehler also has BPA-free receipt paper; their grade "KT48FA". Koehler is a large supplier of thermal paper to the US. This simply means that your thermal receipt paper may be BPA-Free even if it doesn't have red fibers.

For more information about Thermal Paper, read our other blog posts:

Blog - Thermal Paper: What is it?

Blog - Thermal Paper: An Overview of Components?

Blog - Thermal Paper: Selecting the Right One For Your Application

Blog - Thermal Paper: Storage and Shelf Life Recommendations

Blog - Thermal Paper: Three Places to Never Store Rolls

Blog - Thermal Paper: Is It Recyclable?

Blog - Thermal Paper: Caliper and Basis Weight

Blog - Thermal Paper: Grades of Thermal Paper

Blog - Thermal Paper: Ways to Reduce Your Usage

Blog - Thermal Paper: What is Two-Sided Thermal Paper?

Blog - Thermal Paper: Super Saver Rolls are A Game of Inches

Blog - Thermal Paper: Paper Receipt Importance for Tax Preparation

Blog - Thermal Paper: Is My Thermal Printer Working Properly?

Blog - Thermal Paper: POS Supply's Thermal Rolls are BPA-Free!

Blog - Thermal Paper: What is Phenol-Free Thermal Paper?