Paperille

Paperille is a fictional material used in speculative design and fiction to describe a lightweight, film-like paper composite intended to replace certain plastics in packaging and disposable products. It is typically described as a concept rather than a commercial product, used to explore sustainable material futures.

It is typically described as made from layered cellulose fibers with a plant-based coating and a micro-porous, nano-engineered structure that provides strength, barrier properties, and printability. The term combines 'paper' with the suffix -ille, suggesting a diminutive or engineered version of paper.

Manufacturing approaches are said to involve conventional paper-processing equipment augmented with barrier-coating lines and cross-lamination steps. Adhesives used are starch- or protein-based to maintain compostability.

Properties and applications include durability, tear resistance, and moisture barriers sufficient for packaging, labeling, and consumer disposables, while remaining compostable in industrial facilities and, in some designs, home-compostable.

Environmental and practical considerations: In speculative literature, Paperille is presented as reducing plastic waste and carbon footprint, but critics point to higher costs, moisture sensitivity, and regulatory and standardization gaps.

History and usage: Originated in design fiction around the 2020s; appears in exhibitions and concept catalogs.