When we discuss sustainability, one of the major areas of focus happens to be paper production. Besides the manufacturing process, there happens to be a strong emphasis on the materials that are made use of. This is where the carbon footprint takes off.
Germany happens to be known for being the pioneer when it comes to paper consumption. It is well to be noted that on a per capita basis, almost 600 grams of paper get used every day, but the amount of domestic wood available is not sufficient. The fact is that Germany imports raw materials from countries like Brazil, Sweden, as well as Portugal, which not only results in long transport routes and obviously some consequently high emissions, but it also happens to have a major impact when it comes to the flora and fauna of other countries. To cut this issue short, the German market has been making use of recycled paper for quite some time now. Recycled paper happens to be a widely recognized, leading alternative to virgin fiber. Significantly, the pulp manufacturing process is shunned in production, thereby resulting in an average energy as well as water savings of up to 60%.
Additionally, a study which is conducted by the Technical University of Darmstadt has gone on to confirm a decrease in terms of emissions, chemical usage, CO2 emissions, as well as waste production. Recycled paper helps in the reuse of wood fibres numerous times. The practical example spills out the reuse of corrugated cardboard almost 25 times.
Recycling happens to be a beneficial practice. Now, what if the primary product also has a positive environmental impact? Well, in that scenario, this improvement would boost the sustainability of the recycled paper and also minimize its stress on the environment.
An evaluation and analysis of six sustainable paper alternatives has been conducted primarily based on criteria like raw material, CO2 emissions, water consumption, as well as chemical additives.
- Grass paper
Grass paper happens to be produced by drying grass in the sun, which is commonly referred to as hay. Grass is a quickly renewable raw material that can be harvested many times in a year, and it grows abundantly near roughly every door. The raw material is transformed into resource-saving paper after getting compressed into grass pellets. In the production process, the sustainable product conserves 99% more water and 97% more energy vis-Ã -vis paper production from wood. In the manufacturing process, a dip of up to 25% in CO2 emissions is hit.
This new type of natural paper happens to have numerous potential applications and can be used for a variety of purposes, like printing paper, labels, along with packaging material.
- Paper made from apple fibres
The paper, which is made from apple fibres, was first brought to the market in Bolzano, a South Tyrol region, in 2007. Apparently, the engineer was looking out for a method to efficiently make use of the leftover apple residues that came out during the juice production. He went on to devise a method to convert dried and ground apple pomace into paper by way of using FCS-certified cellulose. This production process does not have any kind of chemical bleaching, and cellulose gets used to the most minimal extent possible. Uncoated paper happens to have a distinct texture, which is perfect for creating top-notch prints as well as packaging.
Apple paper happens to be just as good as conventional recycled paper, as it possesses the same level of durability and can be printed as well as processed with equal efficiency. It is well to be noted that the paper made by Apple does not have the scent or flavor of apples.
- Bamboo paper
Bamboo happens to be renowned for being one of the fastest-growing wood types which is found around. A single giant bamboo stalk has the incredible ability to grow as much as 70 cm in one day. The plant has a major environmental impact, and it goes on to absorb a substantial amount of CO2, thereby resulting in a highly positive environmental equilibrium. In order to produce paper from bamboo, the fibres go through processing with sugar cane bagasse, which is a waste product that gets derived from sugar production and has cellulose. Bamboo paper, just like apple paper, makes use of the residues from the food industry that would, in other cases, require expensive and environmentally harmful procedures of disposal.
Unlike trees, bamboo happens to have a unique ability to keep growing even after it has been harvested, which means that it does not produce any kind of dead tissue that would later go on to release CO2 into the environment. The paper is already highly white due to the raw material quality which is used. The color of it happens to have a slight greenish and bluish hue, and interestingly, the natural properties of bamboo make it possible to significantly reduce the usage of chemical agents for surface treatment in the production of paper. Bamboo fibres are indeed highly durable, making them an excellent choice in terms of paper production.
- Paper made from limestoneÂ
Rockpaper, one of the companies, has come up with an innovative method to turn limestone into a fabric that almost nearly resembles paper. This unique product, also called Rockpaper, happens to be the result of their groundbreaking invention. The company has the capacity to eliminate the usage of raw materials like wood and water in the production process. It is well to be noted that the paper is not treated with any kind of chemical bleaching agent or even acid, which means it does not disturb the groundwater. The burning of the material does not release any kind of toxic gases into the atmosphere, and the paper is made up of a maximum of 80% stone meal and a small quantity of non-toxic polyethylene.
The company happens to follow the Cradle-to-Cradle concept across its production process, making sure that no waste products get generated and any waste that comes up is recycled for use in new productions. During the production process, 5,700 kilowatt hours happen to be saved as compared to one ton of conventional paper to it. Besides, its positive environmental impact, the company highlights more positive characteristics of its product. The paper happens to be known for its waterproof properties, durability, and resistance to tearing. The texture of the material goes on to absorb less printing ink, which can lead to cost savings. Rockpaper happens to be a versatile material that can be efficiently used in screen printing, offset printing, and also digital printing.
- Paper made from hemp fibres
When taking into account paper made from hemp fibres, it is indeed mandatory to first examine the blending ratio. The hemp papers that are at present available are made by mixing hemp fibres with recycled cellulose. In 2021, Bavaria, one of the companies, achieved a major milestone by successfully producing paper, which is made entirely from hemp fibres. It is a highly durable paper with a favourable environmental impact and a significantly pleasant texture. Hemp paper is a sustainable kind of paper that is made from a blend of pressed hemp pulp, chalk, potato starch, as well as water. It is composed only of renewable raw materials.
It is well to be noted that hemp happens to be a highly renewable raw material that can be cultivated and also harvested with ease. The production of hemp paper does not save energy or water significantly as compared to conventional virgin fiber paper. In contrast, hemp paper can be recycled more frequently and does not require the use of dyes or bleaching. The paper is known for its exceptional durability as well as its resistance to tearing. Additionally, it is also naturally waterproof and suitable for all printing processes, thereby offering the processing company a high level of flexibility.
- Paper made from silphia fibre
Silphia fiber happens to be a byproduct of bioenergy production. Rather than burning or storing the residue in a way that gives out a lot of emissions, it is directed into a new production path. Fibre can be used as a cellulose replacement. But it is only possible to save almost 35% of cellulose. Roughly 35% of the virgin fibre or recycled material used in paper production gets substituted with silphia fiber. The silphia plant happens to share similar properties with hemp, thereby making it a useful plant as well. This product has a lifespan of almost 10 years and requires very less pesticide usage.
The fact is that the current trend is moving towards making rapid use of renewable raw materials so as to supplement recycled paper. By doing so, one can avoid the need to buy additional recycled material from foreign sources. Customers who do not want to make use of recycled paper or any of the available choices still have the option to use material sourced from sustainable forestry. The FSC as well as PEFC labels are still considered sustainable products that can be recycled back into the production cycle. When considering sustainability for the printing industry, the first crucial question to ask is: what is at present the most sustainable option available to make a choice from? By sticking to this practice, the impact on the environment can be minimized.
