As an alternative to paper made from timber, stone paper is made from waste stone. But exactly what is it? Sydney James from Moxon London explains…
At Moxon one of our key brands is Karst with its journals and desk pads made from stone paper, but you might be thinking…
What is stone paper?
Stone paper is a hard wearing material made from calcium carbonate and polyethylene resin. Stone paper has a very smooth finish, as it is not fibrous, making it much more silky to touch than wood-based papers. To produce stone paper, there is no need for timber, water or any chemicals like bleach or optical brighteners often used in paper manufacture.
Karst’s stone paper is made from waste stone from construction sites and industrial waste dumps. They collect discarded limestone from wherever they can, wash it and grind it into a fine powder. The powder is mixed with a HDPE (high-density polyethylene) resin, which is compostable or photodegradable, meaning it decomposes over time from sunlight, leaving only calcium carbonate behind. After the two ingredients are mixed, the resulting paste is rolled out to the desired thickness – it can create thin writing paper or thick card.
Aside from being environmentally friendly, stone paper is also waterproof and difficult to tear. Drawing and writing on this paper can create an elevated experience for the writer, artist or notetaker. Pens glid over the paper; it is very satisfying to use. Notebooks made from this paper can withstand bad weather or even a bottle leaking in your bag. Karst’s notebooks and journals look beautiful and they will stay looking that way – even after being at the bottom of your bag.
Experience Karst’s stone paper for yourself at London Stationery Show (14-15 May) on the Moxon London stand (G254). Registration is now open.
