Do you know where the paper we write and draw on comes from?
It is made from the wood of a tree called eucalyptus. All trees have in their cells a substance called cellulose – it is from this that the paper is made. Eucalyptus is cut and taken to industry, where its wood will be cut, debarked and chopped.
The paper is made from eucalyptus pulp
After chopping, the pieces of wood are placed in a large cooking tank. Along with the pieces of wood are placed some chemical substances. After a few hours of cooking, you have a cellulose paste. This paste goes through a washing process to remove chemical substances and impurities.
After removing all chemical substances and impurities from the cellulose pulp, it is taken to a machine called flat table, which will transform this cellulose pulp into a continuous, smooth sheet on a large mat rolling.
The large sheet, moved by the conveyor belt, passes through rollers that will press, remove excess water, compact and smooth the paper. After this process, the large sheet of paper goes through an equipment called a winder, where it will be rolled up.
The paper is rolled up, forming large rolls of paper.
After being rolled, the paper goes through reels that will cut it following size and weight standards. Then, the packaging machines separate the amount of sheets in each package, and place each package in boxes.
Afterwards, the boxes will be taken to bookstores, stationers, computer stores and supermarkets, where they will be sold.
Once ready, the paper is placed in packages and is called a ream
Paula Louredo
Graduated in Biology
