Stone paper explained

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

Stone paper has a density range of, 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 under suitable conditions.^[3] It consists of roughly 80% calcium carbonate, 18% HDPE and 2% proprietary coating.^[4]

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.^[4] The production of stone paper uses no acid, bleach or optical brighteners. It can be recycled into new stone paper, but only if recycled separately at dedicated civic amenity sites or other recycling/waste processing points.^{[6] [7]}

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

Comparisons 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.^{[4] [11]} The environmental benefits of stone paper relative to recycled paper are much less substantial.^{[4] [12] [13]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Stone Paper carbonate with a plastic resin as a binder. It is found on the global market, available - [PDF Document]]. 2021-11-08. vdocument.in. en.
2. Web site: 2021-04-20. Journalist with a focus on solutions introduces stone paper. 2021-11-18. FOX40. en-US.
3. Characterisation and deterioration of mineral papers. 10.1080/10344233.2019.1672951. 2019. Chu. Cancy. Nel. Petronella. Aiccm Bulletin. 40. 37–49. 11343/290162. 210749648. free.
4. Web site: Bliss. April 23, 2020. The Sustainability of Stone Paper Products in European Book Paper. 6 May 2020. Pebble Printing Group. en.
5. Web site: 2021-02-01. Stone Paper – The Facts Explained. 2021-11-27. Two Sides. en-GB.
6. https://www.waimakariri.govt.nz/your-council/news-and-information/2018/05/stone-paper,-not-as-recyclable-as-you-might-think "Stone Paper products, Not as Recyclable as You Might Think"
7. Palladino, "This Paper Is Made From minerals, But It Isn't Exactly Eco-Friendly", WIRED, 2013
8. Web site: Paper Made From Minerals . Kampier.com . 2005-11-30 . 2013-03-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20130309223642/http://www.kampier.com/en/comparison.php. 2013-03-09.
9. Web site: Stone Paper® Partners With Health Industry Leaders in Mask Production Around the World. 2021-11-08. PRWeb.
10. Web site: Jonathan. Tame. Two Sides Campaign Update, Europe, Q1 2020.
11. Web site: Stone Paper Market Size to Grow by USD 1.83 bn from 2020 to 2025 17000+ Technavio Research Reports. 2021-11-08. finance.yahoo.com. en-US.
12. Web site: 2020-08-06. Stone Paper Introduces New Repurposing Technology In Mineral Paper. 2021-11-08. TrendingNG Latest local and international news, politics, sports, education and entertainment. en-US.
13. Web site: Stone Paper® Introduces New Repurposing Technology to Aid in an Environmentally Restorative Future ManufacturingTomorrow. 2021-11-08. manufacturingtomorrow.com. en-US.