Stone paper

Stone paper (also known as rock paper, paper from waste marble, mineral paper, or rich mineral paper) is a paper-like product manufactured from calcium carbonate bonded with high-density polyethylene (HDPE). It is used for stationery, leaflets, posters, books, magazines, bags, packaging, wallpaper, adhesives, tags, in-mould labels, plates, trays, containers and many other uses.

History

The process for creating stone paper was first developed by the Lung Meng Tech Co. of Taiwan during the late 1990s.^[1] Stone paper has been patented in over 40 countries, where it is marketed under a variety of trade names such as GPA UltraGreen, MIST Paper, Parax Paper, Terraskin, ViaStone, Kampier, EmanaGreen and Rockstock, Pixz Printing, KYStone Paper and Nu Stone.

Properties

Stone paper has a density range of 1.0-1.6. which equals or is slightly more than ordinary paper and a texture somewhat like that of the outer membrane of a boiled egg. It may be recycled with Number 2 plastics or remade into stone paper again, and is not biodegradable but is photo-degradable and compostible under commercial conditions. It is suitable for stationery, bags, packaging, adhesives, grease proof paper, wrappers, containers and many other applications.

The RPD and RBD papers have a number of advantages over traditional paper made from wood pulp. It collects no static charge, is acid-free with a neutral pH value, has no grain, is water, grease and insect resistant, and tears with difficulty due to a latex-like texture.

Having no grain, stone paper possesses a smoother surface than most traditional paper products, obviating the need for a coating or lamination. It burns cleanly without toxic fumes. The source of the calcium carbonate is waste material collected from marble quarries and offcuts which are ground and reduced to fine white calcium carbonate powder. The production of stone paper uses no water, acid and no bleach or optical brighteners. Stone paper is compatible with inkjet or solid ink printers e.g. Offset, Letterpress, gravure, flexographic, but does not respond well to very high temperature laser printers.^[2]

Applications

• The making of maps, charts, field notebooks and waterproof journals that will resist tearing and stains and will not collapse in contact with water.
• Manufacturers' tags and labels that will stand up to deliberate mutilation or normal wear and tear
• Posters, banners and outdoor signs which will withstand weathering
• Manuals that will survive rough handling and constant use
• Packaging and wrapping which will only rip with difficulty
• Shopping and garbage bags that are durable ^[3][4]
• Underwater diving notepads which are fully waterproof ^[5][6]

References