Stone Paper vs.

Real Paper
What is Stone Paper?
Already since the late 1990s we have seen a new substrate gaining some popularity, the so called Stone Paper. Stone Paper is also known as limestone paper, rock paper, bio-plastic paper, mineral paper or rich mineral paper and is a novel type of paper manufactured from calcium carbonate mixed with a high density of polyethylene bonding agent. The source of the calcium carbonate is waste material collected from limestone quarries which is ground and reduced to fine white powder. It has a density some 1.6 times that of ordinary paper and a texture somewhat like that of the outer membrane of a boiled egg. It may be recycled as plastic or paper, is not readily biodegradable in landfills, but is photodegradable. It is suitable for stationery, bags, packaging, adhesives, containers and many other applications.

Properties and applications:

The paper has 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 traditional paper products, obviating the need for a coating or gloss. It burns cleanly and does not produce toxic fumes. The production of stone paper uses no water and no bleach. Stone paper is compatible with inkjet or solid ink printers, but does not respond well to the high temperatures generated by laser printers. Potential end use areas are the making of maps, charts, field notebooks and waterproof journals that will resist tears and stains and not collapse in contact with water. Others could be manufacturers' tags and labels that will stand up to deliberate mutilation or normal wear and tear or posters, banners and outdoor signs which will withstand weathering.

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Environmental aspects of Stone Paper

In making stone paper, the mineral graduates from just being a simple coating to being the heart of the product, comprising 80 percent of its composition. The calcium carbonate is ground into a fine powder and mixed together with a small amount of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE, the synthetic plastic made from catalyzed natural gas byproducts, raises the question of green washing on the part of the people behind the material. HDPE is one of the most common plastics in the world. We use it every day, even more often than we probably know. Its found in packaging like milk cartons and shampoo bottles, as well as fuel tanks, hard hats etc.. It also makes up a large part of the growing oceanic plastic gyres. In stone paper, HDPE is used as a binder to keep the calcium carbonate together in flat sheets, and to give the finished product the foldable quality of real paper. According to the EPA, its considered a Type 2 plastic, which is widely accepted at recycling centers, but not always. This material is recyclable as a plastic as well, as long as everyone in the recycling process is knowledgeable of that, and doesnt mistake it for common paper. So yes, it uses stone instead of trees to make paper, but it couldnt do so without a plastic push. The environmental advantage of Stone Paper versus paper is in its reduced energy consumption during production (lower carbon footprint) and much lower water use. But some NGOs also criticize the environmental marketing of e.g. Fibrestone, stating that Stone Paper is generally environmentally friendly just because its not made out of trees and its production consumes less power and water. In addition to issues surrounding mining (some suppliers were expanding their mines into more environmentally sensitive and remote areas), the production of calcium carbonate requires large quantities of chemicals, water, and fossil fuels. Also the use of HDPE as binder is part of the criticized aspects.

Effect on the paper industry

Stone Paper is not trying or able to eliminate paper (the green argumentation does not really fly and also sales prices around 1,300 USD per ton do not catalyze sales vs. paper). What it does is to bridge the gap between non-durable, non-waterproof paper and 100% plastic products.

Stone Paper marketed as Tree Free paper