Paper

Paper remains one of humanity’s most versatile and ubiquitous materials in consumer goods, with a history spanning nearly two millennia. What makes paper particularly extraordinary is its remarkable ability to be both ephemeral and enduring - it can serve as temporary packaging or preserve knowledge for centuries. This renewable material, traditionally made from plant fibers, combines surprising strength, printability, foldability, and biodegradability in a way that few other materials can match. In modern consumer goods, paper appears in everything from packaging and stationery to books, tissues, filters, and increasingly, as an environmentally responsible alternative to plastic in applications like shopping bags and food containers. Recent innovations include stone paper made from calcium carbonate, paper with embedded seeds that can be planted after use, antimicrobial papers for food service, and high-performance papers engineered for specific technical applications. As concerns about plastic pollution grow, paper’s natural biodegradability and well-established recycling infrastructure have renewed its importance in sustainable product design across numerous consumer categories.