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Stone paper products, also referred to as bio-plastic paper, mineral paper or rich mineral paper, are strong and durable paper-like materials manufactured from calcium carbonate bonded with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin. They are used in many of the same applications as cellulose-based paper.[1][2]
Properties
editStone "paper" consists of roughly 80% calcium carbonate, 18% HDPE and 2% proprietary coating.[3] It has a density range of 1.0–1.6 g/cm3 (0.58–0.92 oz/cu in), which is equal to or slightly higher than that of ordinary paper, and a texture somewhat like that of the outer membrane of a boiled egg. It is not biodegradable or compostable, but is photo-degradable by the ultraviolet (UVa) light in daylight.[4] Thus stone "paper" does not meet archival standards and requires special measures for long-term conservation.
Because it is not made from cellulose fibers, stone paper can have a smoother surface than most traditional products, eliminating the need for additional coating or lamination.[5] The calcium carbonate is mined from quarries or precipitated from limestone.[3] The production of stone paper uses no acid, bleach or optical brighteners.[6] It can be recycled into new stone paper, but only if recycled separately at dedicated civic amenity sites or other recycling/waste processing points.[7][6]
Stone paper products are compatible with inkjet or solid ink printers (e.g., offset, letterpress, gravure, flexographic) but do not respond well to very high temperature laser printers.[8][9]
Sustainability
editComparisons have been made between stone paper and traditional paper for applications like book printing in Europe.[10] If stone paper replaced coated and uncoated graphic printing stock in Europe, it could potentially reduce CO₂ emissions by 25% to 62%, water consumption by 89% to 99.2%, and wood usage by 100% compared to current European consumption, which is mostly of virgin paper.[3][11] The environmental benefits of stone paper relative to recycled paper are much less substantial.[3][12][13]
References
edit- ^ "Stone Paper carbonate with a plastic resin as a binder. It is found on the global market, available - [PDF Document]". vdocument.in. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ "Journalist with a focus on solutions introduces stone paper". FOX40. 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
- ^ a b c d Bliss (April 23, 2020). "The Sustainability of Stone Paper Products in European Book Paper". Pebble Printing Group. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Chu, Cancy; Nel, Petronella (2019). "Characterisation and deterioration of mineral papers". Aiccm Bulletin. 40: 37–49. doi:10.1080/10344233.2019.1672951. hdl:11343/290162. S2CID 210749648.
- ^ "Stone Paper – The Facts Explained". Two Sides. 2021-02-01. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
- ^ a b Palladino, "This Paper Is Made From minerals, But It Isn't Exactly Eco-Friendly", WIRED, 2013
- ^ "Stone Paper products, Not as Recyclable as You Might Think", Waimakariri District Council, 2018
- ^ "Paper Made From Minerals". Kampier.com. 2005-11-30. Archived from the original on 2013-03-09. Retrieved 2013-03-16.
- ^ "Stone Paper® Partners With Health Industry Leaders in Mask Production Around the World". PRWeb. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ Jonathan, Tame. "Two Sides Campaign Update, Europe, Q1 2020" (PDF).
- ^ "Stone Paper Market Size to Grow by USD 1.83 bn from 2020 to 2025| 17000+ Technavio Research Reports". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ "Stone Paper Introduces New Repurposing Technology In Mineral Paper". TrendingNG | Latest local and international news, politics, sports, education and entertainment. 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ "Stone Paper® Introduces New Repurposing Technology to Aid in an Environmentally Restorative Future | ManufacturingTomorrow". manufacturingtomorrow.com. Retrieved 2021-11-08.