The
story behind the
seaweed paper is one of innovation and clever
thinking that has turned an environmental problem into a nifty new
product.
The Venice Lagoon suffered from excessive algae caused by runoff from
surrounding land. Much of this material was removed annually from the
lagoon due to its effect on dissolved oxygen and subsequent negative
effects on local fish. Originally this seaweed was sent to landfills.
With a clever and a sensible thought Favini Spa of Italy combined ground
seaweed with recycled paper and virgin pulp to produce a unique
seaweed
paper. The process of making handmade seaweed paper was then
applauded and was approved by the European Community Life program for
new "clean" technologies in 1993.
Algae is an integral component in a line of biodegradable and
recyclable paper called Seaweed Paper. The paper is available in a range
of colors ranging from speckled light gray to subtle sea shades of
purple. The texture and colr of the paper varies depending on the season
and location from where the algae is collected. The paper gets whiter
with time and has a longer shelf life. The paper is widely used for
wrapping purposes.
Thai Seaweed Paper
This is a splendid and inspiring Thai paper with embedded weeds found
in Thailand. The seaweed is collected from the beach, washed, cooked and
blended. It forms a good strength and fine textured Thai paper.
Japanese Seaweed Paper
Japanese seaweed paper or
nori is an original Japanese food
product made from various species of the red alga Porphyra, including
most notably P. yezoensis and P. tenera, by a shredding and rack-drying
process that resembles papermaking. Nori is commonly used as a wrap for
Onigiri and Makisushi.
