Furlanis’ PAP22 paper fabric ribbon will be exhibited at Avant-Garde 2023

Paper textile production cycle

The cellulosic raw material of paper yarn is not wood but abaca from Ecuador, also known as Manila hemp. More resistant and of higher quality than the others, this fibre is used as the basic material for the production of ‘washi’ paper, from which paper yarn is obtained, which is then woven or braided. In addition to its exceptional strength, paper textile is also very light (its fibre is porous and oxygen-rich), soft to the touch and lint-free. It also has an excellent affinity for dyeing, allowing for soft, durable and customisable paper textiles.

The paper used as base material must be strong, thin and homogeneous, as the yarn is made by twisting the paper, which is cut thin, up to 1 mm wide. Compared to wood pulp, abaca has a longer fibre, which makes it possible to produce stronger paper.

Manila hemp is an excellent absorber of carbon dioxide due to its high sustainability, being a fast-growing plant that takes only 3 years to mature to a height of 5-6 metres and for whose cultivation no chemical fertilisers or pesticides are used.

After twisting the paper strips, the yarns are woven into ropes or knitted or woven flat. Both yarns and fabrics can be pantone dyed and printed either by screen printing, also with lamination, or offset, or digitally, as if they were cotton.

End-of-life

Paper textiles, which are obviously biodegradable, can be disposed of in the PAP22 waste paper collection, making them particularly suitable for luxury packaging projects, combining the eco-sustainability of paper with the quality of fabric.

In addition, paper packaging is all mono-material, as it does not have to separate wrapping from woven tape or rope.

Possible incineration does not generate toxic substances.