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Uproar in Europe Over HP’s Exclusive Partnerships
with KMP, ALTKIN, and Peach for OEM Toner Chips and Firmware.
HP’s recent move to partner exclusively with companies like KMP, ALTKIN, and Peach for access to OEM toner chips and firmware solutions has sparked controversy across Europe. While HP claims these partnerships are part of its efforts to support toner remanufacturing and recycling in line with stringent European environmental regulations, critics argue that the strategy has created an **unfair market advantage** for a select group of partners—at the expense of other honest toner remanufacturers.Although HP’s willingness to allow remanufacturing and recycling is a departure from its usual stance (where it’s generally opposed to third-party toner refills), the **exclusive nature of these partnerships** has caused significant disruption within the European toner industry. Some companies feel excluded from accessing the necessary tools and firmware to properly remanufacture cartridges, leaving them unable to compete on equal terms.
The core issue lies in HP’s choice to give exclusive access to these partners, allowing them to reset chips and bypass firmware restrictions that are otherwise blocking third-party refilled cartridges from working in HP printers.
As a result, **KMP, ALTKIN, and Peach** now have a significant advantage in the market, able to produce remanufactured cartridges that perform just as well as new ones, while their competitors are left struggling to keep up. While HP defends these exclusive partnerships as part of its commitment to **sustainability**, critics argue that the move stifles competition, limits consumer choice, and undermines innovation. By locking out other remanufacturers, HP essentially creates a **closed market** that favors only a few companies, pushing independent businesses into a corner.
The broader impact?
A **shrinking industry**, fewer options for consumers, and a growing concern that HP’s corporate power is being used to **monopolize** the toner market under the guise of sustainability. The situation has sparked outrage and might draw the attention of European regulators. It may not be long before this issue reaches **DG Competition**, potentially triggering an **antitrust investigation**. If found in violation, HP and its partners could face hefty fines—up to **10% of their annual revenue**—a penalty that could have global ramifications according to the LinkedIn article.(Link to original post on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7262221004733632513/)
For those interested in a deeper dive, check out our previous article on this from May 2024:
*HP’s Calculated 2025-2026 Wait for Their Toner Chips*
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