Paper

Paper is a thin sheet made from tangled cellulose fibers, mostly from plants. It is made by turning plant material into a pulp, then spreading it out and drying it to form sheets. The kind of paper depends on the fibers used, how the pulp is treated, and other things like thickness.

The process of making paper began in East Asia, with the earliest known example dating back to around 105 CE by a court official named Cai Lun. Before machines were used, most paper was made from old textiles collected by ragpickers. In 1843, a new way to make paper from wood pulp was invented, and this became the most common type of paper we use today.

Etymology

Further information: Papyrus

The word paper comes from the Latin word papyrus. This word came from the Greek word πᾰ́πῡρος (pápūrus). The Greek word named the Cyperus papyrus plant. Long ago, people in ancient Egypt and other Mediterranean cultures used a material called papyrus for writing. Papyrus was made from the stem of the Cyperus papyrus plant. Papyrus and paper are different. Papyrus is made from plant fibers, while paper is made from softened and processed fibers.

History

Main articles: History of paper and Battle of Talas § Papermaking

Paper has a long and interesting history. Before paper, people used other materials like papyrus, parchment, and barkcloth for writing. Paper was first made in China around the 2nd century BCE. It was later introduced to the Islamic world and then to Europe.

In the 19th century, new ways to make paper from wood were created. This made paper cheaper and easier for everyone to get.

Papermaking

Paper begins with something called pulp, which is made from fibers. These fibers can come from wood, old rags, or plants like paper mulberry. To make pulp from wood, chemicals are used to separate the wood's lignin from the cellulose fibers. This keeps the fibers long and strong, so the paper stays white and does not fall apart easily.

After the pulp is made, it is turned into paper on a special machine. The pulp is spread out into a thin layer, and most of the water is squeezed out. Then, heat dries the paper completely. The way the paper is made can give it different textures and patterns. Finally, the paper might be coated with a thin layer to make it smoother or to help ink stay in place when printing.

Applications

Further information: List of paper products and Category:Paper products

Paper is very useful for many things. Artists use paper to make pictures and sculptures. Special kinds of paper, like watercolor paper, help artists paint beautiful pictures. Even though we use computers and phones more now, paper is still important every day.

Types, thickness, and weight

Paper comes in different thicknesses and weights. In the United States, thickness is measured in thousandths of an inch, while in many other places, it is measured in micrometres. Paper can be very thin, like tissue paper, or much thicker, like card stock.

The weight of paper can also vary. In the United States, paper weight is often given by how much a bundle of 500 sheets weighs. In many other countries, paper weight is measured in grams per square metre (gsm). Common office paper is around 80 gsm, while heavier paper used for posters or art projects can be much thicker.

Types of paper

Main article: List of types of paper

There are many types of paper used for different purposes. Some common types include printing paper for books and magazines, wrapping paper for gifts, writing paper for letters, and special papers like cigarette paper or toilet tissue. Artists often use special drawing papers, and there are also decorative handmade papers from many parts of the world.

Environmental impact

Main articles: Environmental impact of paper and Deforestation

Making and using paper can sometimes harm the environment. Forests are cut down to get wood for paper. Even though some paper companies plant new trees, losing old forests is still a problem.

A lot of paper becomes waste. In the United States, paper is a big part of the trash we make each year. Some ways of making paper can create harmful chemicals. The paper industry also adds a little to the world's greenhouse gas emissions, which can change the climate.

Current production and use

Asia is now the top place for making pulp and paper, passing North America. In 2021, the amount of regular printing paper made was less than it was in the mid-2000s — under 100 million tonnes each year. But making other types of paper and paperboard, such as cardboard and bathroom products, has gone up a lot — more than 320 million tonnes each year.

More cardboard is made because of increased online shopping since the 2010s, and it went up even more during COVID-19 lockdowns.