Paper is one of the most widely consumed products worldwide, and for centuries it has been an integral part of our daily lives. As a basic medium for education, communication, and information for most people, it is used in books, newspapers, magazines, documents, and letters, helping to transmit knowledge. It also has a wide range of uses in commerce as well as in the home, ranging from cardboard boxes for transporting goods and packaging to protect food to hundreds of other products from printing paper to a variety of cleaning and tissue products.
As technology advances, paper’s uses have diversifies, making the lives of consumers, companies, governments, and institutions more practical, flexible and productive.
However, to fulfill this need, it is fundamental that paper production and consumption be based on sustainable standards. The industry is paying close attention to this challenge, and responding with innovation, investments, and positive results.
It is important to stress that the paper produced in Brazil comes from planted forests, a renewable resource. Moreover, paper is recyclable, with a large portion returning to the production cycle after consumption. In addition to these advantages, the industry is making strides with continuous improvements to promote cleaner production with lessened environmental impact.
Brazil is an important worldwide paper producer; alongside meeting demand from the domestic market, it exports primarily to countries in Latin America, the European Union, and North America.
Types and applications
Paper has multiple applications. It is used for printing (books, newspapers, and magazines) and writing (notebooks, cut-size office paper, greeting cards), as well as in packaging for food, drugs, and various other products. It is also used in sanitary products (table napkins, tissues, and sanitary pads), as well as for special purposes like postage stamps, paper money, coffee filters, and automobile engine air filters, among many other examples.
Types of paper can be divided into various classifications according to their characteristics and uses, which become increasingly more diverse as the industry advances and consumer needs evolve. Click on the links below to learn more: