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Saving Gaia: Taiwan's stone paper offers new solution

A Taiwanese company may offer a new solution - making paper without having to chop down a single tree. Its paper is water-resistant, bug-resistant, does not burn easily and is actually made from stone.

By Victoria Jen, Channel NewsAsia's Taiwan Correspondent
POSTED: 22 Jun 2015 09:45 UPDATED: 22 Jun 2015 11:17 

 
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TAINAN CITY, Taiwan: Paper production can be one of the most polluting industries: while consuming a large amount of water, demand for clean, high quality paper also means cutting down trees for virgin pulp.

As such, businesses and governments around the world have been trying to reduce paper use to save the environment.

But with demand for paper still riding high, a Taiwanese company may offer a new solution - making paper without having to chop down a single tree.

Its paper looks ordinary enough, but unlike the usual paper, it is water-resistant, bug-resistant, and it does not burn easily. What is more amazing is that it is actually made from stone. To be exact, it is made from waste marble that is left over from flooring or other products.

For the past 17 years, Taiwan's Lung Meng Technology Company has been turning marble waste into high quality paper. Located in Tainan City in southern Taiwan, the company has invested no less than US$50 million to perfect the technology.

The first step of its paper production is to grind the marble into powder. It is then mixed with high-density polyethylene at the ratio of 80:20. After boiling at 160 degrees Celsius, the stone pulp is being blown into a thin film.

Jacky Wang, manager at Lung Meng Technology Company, said: "Our paper-making process does not use any chemicals or water. The only water we use is for cooling purposes. In fact, the bathrooms use the most water in our factory!"

Taiwan's Lung Meng Technology Company

Compared to normal paper production, making one ton of stone paper not only saves 20 trees, but also reduces water use by nearly 7,500 gallons.

The paper is also photodegradable after being exposed under sunlight for six to eight months. Best of all, stone paper can be immersed in water for days without falling apart.

Even though it costs 20 per cent more than regular paper, stone paper is gaining popularity in Europe and the US.

"We now have patents in more than 40 countries around the world. Since our material is environmentally friendly, it's more popular with advanced countries that are more environmentally conscious. Right now, they're our major customers," said Wang.

The company counts the White House among its prominent customers.

Paper bags made from stone paper produced by Taiwan's Lung Meng Technology Company. (Photo: Victoria Jen)

"Most of our stone paper is used to make bags. Because it's water resistant, it's very popular with restaurants. Another popular merchandise is the notebook," Wang added.

Stone paper can also be made into a variety of products, including calendars, lanterns and even purses.

(Photo: Victoria Jen)

With its Midas touch, Lung Meng Technology has successfully turned stone into a profitable business. It has now expanded to China and is expected to go public next year.

- CNA/al

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