Paper

Paper is a thin sheet made from matted cellulose fibers, mostly coming from plants. It is created by turning plant material into a pulp, which is then spread out and dried to form sheets. The type of paper depends on the fibers used, how the pulp is treated, and other factors like thickness and coating.

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 to make paper, most paper was made from old textiles collected by ragpickers. In 1843, a new way to make paper from wood pulp was invented, and with the growth of industry, this became the most common type of paper we use today.

Etymology

Further information: Papyrus

The word paper comes from the Latin word papyrus, which itself came from the Greek word πᾰ́πῡρος (pápūros). This Greek word referred to the Cyperus papyrus plant. Long before modern paper was invented, 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. Even though we call it paper today, papyrus and paper are different. Papyrus is made directly from plant fibers, while paper is made from fibers that have been softened and processed differently.

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.

During the 19th century, new ways to make paper from wood were developed, making it cheaper and more available for everyone.

Papermaking

Paper starts 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, keeping the fibers long and strong. This makes paper that stays white and doesn't 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 is used to dry 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 create pictures and sculptures, and sometimes even furniture. Special kinds of paper, like watercolor paper, have been used for a long time to help artists paint beautiful pictures. Even though we now use computers and phones more, paper is still important in our daily lives.

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 harm the environment in several ways. As more paper is used around the world, forests are cut down to provide wood for paper. While many paper companies plant new trees, cutting down old forests remains a big concern.

A lot of paper ends up as waste. In the United States alone, paper makes up a large part of the trash produced each year. Also, some ways of making paper can create harmful chemicals that affect both the environment and human health. The paper industry also adds a small amount to the world's greenhouse gas emissions, which affect our climate.

Current production and use

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Asia is now the leading continent for making pulp and paper, having overtaken North America. In 2021, making of regular printing paper had gone down from its highest point in the mid-2000s to less than 100 million tonnes each year. However, making of other types of paper and paperboard, like cardboard and bathroom products, has gone up a lot — more than 320 million tonnes each year.

The making of cardboard has grown a lot because of more online shopping since the 2010s, and it went up even more during COVID-19 lockdowns.