From next month, we are going to be making the latest in eco friendly paper; not only made from waste straw, but using an 112 year old paper manufacturing machine!
The wheat straw pulp produced from our pilot plant installed this month, will be used by Frogmore Paper Mill, one of the world’s oldest mechanised paper mills, and today still a working paper mill producing around 100 tonnes of specialist grade paper every year.
Now operated by the Apsley Paper trail charity, the historic paper machine dates from 1895. It is possible to visit the museum, based in Hemel Hempstead, and specifically, two ‘fourdrinier’ paper machines that are each well over 100 years old – plus all the associated production equipment. Two store sheds (1880 and 1924) at the southern end of the mill site have been converted into a purpose built, heated visitor centre where you can learn about the fascinating history of paper, demonstrate hand papermaking and letterpress printing and set out on a guided tour of the mill and its historic equipment.
Clearly this is just a fun thing to be doing while we are piloting the micro mill concept to convert waste straw into unbleached pulp suitable for the paper industry. If you would like to find out more, please read about the ECOPULPING project or contact us.
