“Woodfree” paper means a paper without mechanical wood pulp for printing and publishing. Freesheet or uncoated paper is known as “woodfree paper.” It is produced mainly from the chemical pulp from cotton, linen, or other non-wood fibers like bamboo, sugar cane, or flax.
The expression “woodfree” comes from the past when papers were made of wood pulp, and therefore, the paper turned yellow and went bad over time because of lignin. Lignin is a natural polymer in wood, making the paper more acidic and predisposing it to degradation.
The wood fibers are eliminated before the pulping, thus creating a more substantial, whiter, and not-so-yellow paper. Woodfree Paper produces books, brochures, newspapers, magazines, and business stationery in the printing and publishing industry.
Woodfree paper has numerous benefits compared to traditional wood-containing paper. Its excellent printability permits sound reproduction of pictures, graphics, and text. Additionally, it offers better opacity that prevents text from being read through once printed on both sides of the paper. Moreover, woodfree paper lasts longer and is more resistant to aging, thus making it suitable for archival purposes.
While the print industry benefits from woodfree paper, it is also vital for the environment. Alternative fiber sources can significantly reduce the demand for timber and, therefore, deforestation. Also, recyclable woodfree paper is a greener option for the publishing and print industry.