In response to the growing demand for clean and environmentally friendly products, stone paper (cellulose-free paper) was first produced in Canada approximately 15 years ago and has been part of the global economic cycle for around 10 years. Despite its rich forest resources, Vancouver Island in Canada is considered the birthplace of stone paper, primarily due to the need to prevent deforestation and reduce the depletion of oxygen resources.
The Ilam Stone Paper Factory is the first stone paper production plant in Iran using Blowing technology. With an annual production capacity of 5,000 tons, the factory has been established on a 27,838-square-meter site in the Sarableh Industrial Estate in Ilam Province.
The required raw materials for the stone paper production line include micronized calcium carbonate powder and polyethylene, both of which can be supplied by domestic suppliers.
To achieve the factory’s annual production capacity, approximately 4,000 tons of micronized calcium carbonate powder, with 80% of the particles below 12 microns (accounting for 75% of the total feedstock), and approximately 1,250 tons of polyethylene and zinc stearate (accounting for 25% of the total feedstock) are required.
The target market for the Ilam Stone Paper Factory includes the production of writing paper, notebooks, cement bags, and other products. Due to its water-resistant and non-flammable properties, higher strength compared with conventional cellulose-based paper, the limited availability of forest resources, 100% recyclability, contribution to reducing paper imports and foreign currency outflows, export potential, and other distinctive characteristics, the production of stone paper products is of significant importance.
The production range covers thicknesses from 60 to 4,000 microns, with a basis weight ranging from 80 to 400 grams per square meter.
Stone paper offers exceptional strength at higher thicknesses and is highly resistant to tearing. For this reason, one of its important applications in Iran is the production of cement packaging bags. Conventional cellulose-based cement bags are made using five layers of paper covered with a polyethylene layer. The polyethylene coating is used to prevent cement from penetrating through the paper and escaping from the bag. However, in cement bags made from stone paper, no additional coating is required because polyethylene is already used in the composition of the stone paper itself.
Another significant application of stone paper is the production of disposable tableware and containers. As these materials are considered environmentally friendly, they can return to the natural environment more readily and cause less environmental harm.
The vision of Pars Tamin Mining Development Company for the next phase is to establish a stone paper factory with an annual production capacity of 60,000 tons. Following the successful commissioning and operation of the current project, preparations for the development of the next phase will begin.
