TEHRAN - Iran has started importing environment-friendly paper which obviates the need to use wood as raw material in the paper industry, Mehr news agency reported Sunday.

Stone paper (also known as rock paper, paper from waste marble, mineral paper, or rich mineral paper) is a paper-like product manufactured from calcium carbonate bonded with high-density polyethylene (HDPE). It is used for stationery, leaflets, posters, books, magazines, bags, packaging, wallpaper, adhesives, tags, in-mould labels, plates, trays, containers and many other uses.

Stone paper does not need water or bleach during the production process.

However, Iran’s import of the product has been scanty so far, less than 1000 tons, and the country is acting cautiously in opening its market to stone paper, said Farhad Eshfaq, a technical director at Kaghaz-Sang, the Iranian company that imports the product.

SP/OSN