Production of Substances > Paper

Paper is a material that’s made from cellulose fibres, which come from plants like grass, wood, or recycled waste paper. These fibres intertwine to form a network, creating the sheets of paper we use. 

• Coniferous trees like pine are often used to make paper because their wood is suitable for forming pulp.
• First, the bark is removed from the logs. The wood is then broken into small pieces.
• These wood pieces are mixed with chemicals and soaked for a long time. This mixture turns into a mushy substance called pulp.
• During this soaking, a chemical reaction helps separate the fibres needed to make paper.
• Sometimes, dyes are added to the pulp to make different colours of paper.
• The pulp is spread out and passed through rollers to squeeze extra water and form thin sheets.
• These sheets are then dried, and the paper is rolled onto reels.

The process of manufacturing paper

1. Rubber
2. Paper
3. Synthetic fibres or threads

• Nylon
• Rayon
• Dacron, Terylene, Terene

• Since paper comes from trees, using less paper means saving more trees. This is important for the environment.
• Don’t tear out blank pages in your notebooks. Use the blank sides of printed papers like advertisements, envelopes, and calendars for notes or crafts.
• Help and support those who collect and recycle paper. This process turns used paper back into usable paper again, reducing waste.
• Using a pencil and slate for practice can reduce your use of paper.