Based in the southern city of Tainan, the manufacturing company strives to adopt eco-friendly practices. After 17 years of R&D at a cost of NT$1.5 billion (US$49.84 million), Lung Meng commercialized imSTONE in 2009.
“Despite some problems along the way, we’ve remained adamant in our pursuit of high-performance eco-products,” said Danison Ho, the company’s general manager. “The launch of imSTONE is a testament to our commitment.”
Stone paper is composed of 80 percent calcium carbonate and 20 percent nontoxic resin. (Staff photo/Chen Mei-ling)
Stone paper’s unique manufacturing process involves grinding waste marble into a fine powder that is then shaped into pellets before being stretched and cut repeatedly, which uses only a small amount of water. By contrast, conventional paper manufacturing requires not only wood but also large volumes of water and various chemicals including acids and bleaching agents.
According to Ho, imSTONE saves 20 trees and 7,480 gallons of water per metric ton and reduces carbon emissions by 900 kilograms compared with pulp-based products. It is cheaper to produce, too, at US$363 versus around US$750 per metric ton.
Making stone paper involves grinding waste marble into a fine powder, followed by pelleting, stretching, coating and die cutting. (Staff photo/Chen Mei-ling)
Possessing numerous properties not found in regular paper, this innovation is durable, waterproof and bug- and flame-resistant, making it ideal for items like books, food packaging and shopping bags. Moreover, it is recyclable and decomposes under direct sunlight after six months.
Winner of a prestigious Red Dot Design Award and holder of the globally recognized Cradle to Cradle sustainable product certification, imSTONE is sold in more than 20 countries and territories.
“Paper remains a key part of our daily lives and demand is always there,” Ho said. “We’re proud to have created a green alternative to pulp-based items.” (E) (By Kelly Her)
One of stone paper’s major properties not found in regular paper is its waterproofness. (Courtesy of Taiwan Lung Meng Advanced Composite Materials Co.)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
(This article is adapted from Going Green in the September/October 2019 issue of Taiwan Review. The Taiwan Review archives dating to 1951 are available online.)