What
is Rock Paper?
Tree-Free Papers
For over thirty
years, developed countries worldwide have discovered
a number of substitutes
for wood pulp paper.
The main substitute is widely known as “synthetic
paper”, which is produced from a high proportion
of resin blended with a small proportion of mineral
powder (usually calcium carbonate). This type of synthetic
paper
satisfies the basic functions of paper but has several
inherent problems which remain to be solved. The deficiencies
are obvious:
- Inefficient compounding of resin types renders
recycling problematic. Decomposition via burning
cannot always successfully incinerate resin compound.
Burning
often induces harmful gaseous emissions.
- Unlike traditional paper, synthetic paper with a
high proportion of resin suffers plastic-like characteristics.
Not only do the plastic attributes of synthetic paper
have inferior folding and creasing properties as compared
to traditional paper, these attributes also often negatively
impact printing quality and render further paper processing
an issue.
- Due to the high proportion of resin in synthetic
paper, the cost of producing synthetic paper is higher
relative to the cost of producing traditional paper.
Consequently, its ability to be widely adopted by end-users
is low.
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What is Rock Mineral Rich Paper?
In order to produce a
metric ton of traditional wood pulp papers, an average
of four metric tons of wood
chips is utilised, which is the equivalent of felling
approximately 23 large trees.
Rock Mineral Rich Paper differs from wood pulp papers
in that, its composition consists of a large proportion
of inorganic minerals (calcium carbonate) with a small
infusion of non-toxic resin. This produces a unique
tree-free paper with a 2:1 tear ratio that is highly
water resistant and eco-friendly as well.
Indeed, Taiwan LM Technology Co.’s globally
patented papermaking technology entails that Rock Mineral
Rich Papers are manufactured without felling trees
and incurring water pollution, harmful gas emissions
and other undesirable environmental externalities.
Yet, Rock Mineral Rich Papers still feel, look, print,
and fabricate largely like traditional wood pulp paper – albeit
one which enjoys far superior durability, water resistance
and tear resistance.
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At a Glance
| |
Traditional Paper |
Synthetic Paper |
Rock Paper |
| Main Raw Materials |
~95% wood pulp, small % of other plant fibers. |
High proportion of resin and low proportion
of mineral powder. |
High proportion of mineral powder and low
proportion of non-toxic resin. |
| Production Process |
Causes pollution – Excessive use of
water, chemicals and bleaching agents. |
No pollution – No water added during
processing. Instead, high temperature is used
to melt and dissolve raw materials. |
No Pollution – No water added during
processing. Instead, high temperature is used
to melt and dissolve the raw materials. |
| Product Positioning |
Mass produced and integrated into contemporary
culture; it has yet to satisfy all users. |
Holds special properties, whereby it is closer
to properties of plastics, not paper. |
Enjoys the advantages of both traditional
and synthetic papers. It is a new generation
of paper. |
| Printing Suitability |
Overall, quite good. However it is restricted
by relative raw material scarcity, excessive
chemical-use and the destructive effects its
production and use impose on the natural environment. |
The relative lack of pores and the plastic-like
nature make printing messy and difficult. Usability
is low and even if this can be changed, production
cost is too high to be highly marketable. |
Printing ink dries at a faster rate than
on synthetic paper. Moreover, further processing
can be carried out more efficiently. |
| Further Processing Suitability |
Undoubtedly further processing is not a problem
as processing machines were made with the traditional
paper in mind. |
Not suitable, as paper is made of materials
with very different properties. Changes in
downstream papermaking technology are required. |
After coating it is very similar to traditional
paper. Moreover, in many aspects it outperforms
traditional paper. |
| Paper Industry: The Future |
The making of traditional paper utilizes
mature technology within an already well-developed
market. This makes gaining competitive advantage
difficult with limited growth prospects. Moreover,
with growing environmental concerns, the future
of traditional paper industry is threatened. |
The plastic nature of synthetic paper makes
it difficult to compete with traditional paper.
As it is costly to produce, competitive advantage
cannot be readily attained. |
Possess properties allowing it to position
itself in-between traditional and synthetic
papers and is indeed closer in properties to
traditional paper than synthetic papers. Production
cost and suitability for further processing
complements ever-changing market demands. Its
viability for mass production and eco-friendly
properties are great competitive advantages. |
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