You all know how paper is made, or at least know that it comes from trees. But, as many people dedicate their lives to promoting, the trees on our earth are limited. We can not keep cutting them down on such a large scale and expect there to be no repercussions. Most people don't turn to the production of paper when they are thinking of ways to reduce deforestation, but what kind of solutions lie within the paper industry? The answer is stone paper. This stone-based paper has making a name for itself in the paper market in only the last few years (PackWorld). But what is so unique about this mysterious stone paper?
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| Picture Credit: stoneagepack.com |
First off, the most obvious of the reasons, is its eco-friendly appeal. Deforestation has been a constant problem globally ever since those bearded lumberjacks wearing flannels and wielding axes have been around. It is not a problem to be overlooked, as almost 50% of the world's forests have been cut down (Rainforest Alliance). Stone paper offers a great alternative to people who want to help in slowing down the clearing of our trees. The majority of this paper is made up of calcium carbonate, which is one of the most abundant resources we have. With a plethora of calcium carbonate to go around, it is no wonder people who strive to preserve this world lean towards the more welcoming sound of a stone-based paper.
Another reason stone paper has been making a rise in the market are all of the qualities it holds. If you think of some of the properties you wish regular paper had but doesn't, there is a good chance that stone paper actually does have it. For example, stone paper is water proof (Palladino). Yes, both markers and ball-point pens will leave a lasting mark on stone paper, even withstand water damage. This alone puts stone paper in a higher position by convenience standards. Another great quality held by stone paper is its durability. While lumber-based paper tends to tear too easily, stone-based will almost stretch when you put tension on it. Of course, after some tension it will tear, but the idea is that it is much harder to rip accidentally than regular paper.
A final, and maybe less credible, reason for stone paper's popularity is simply because of its unique look and history. In a world where people will go to great depths to stand out, it is to no surprise that many people see the use of stone paper notebooks as a way of looking uncommon. The paper itself has a slightly different look compared to regular paper, and the feel of it differs vastly from a lumber-based product. Ogami, an Italian based company, has taken head of this market and offers some of the higher quality stone notebooks, that have a high-class look to them. Many people find this as their motive for buying stone, and although it isn't the most noble of the reasons, it is still a valid one in today's market.
As a packager, I look at this and think to myself, "So what does this have to do with packaging?" Well, one of stone paper's biggest markets is the packaging industry. It is commonly found in the food and beverage form of packaging. This is because of all of the qualities talked about above. Its a light, durable, inexpensive, natural resource that promotes a more eco-friendly view than lumber-based papers. So it is clearly an advantages option for packagers and companies looking to stand out amongst their competitors.
Palladino. "This Paper Is Made From Stone, But It Isn’t Exactly Eco-Friendly." WIRED, 2013,
Rainforest Alliance. "Statistics." Rainforest Alliance, 2014,
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