papel

Papel is a material made from cellulose fibers that are processed into thin sheets. It is widely used for writing, printing, packaging, and countless other applications. The term papel in Spanish and Portuguese derives from the French papier, ultimately from Latin papyrus.

Historically, paper originated in China, where Cai Lun is traditionally credited with inventing it around the 2nd century CE. Knowledge of papermaking spread to the Islamic world and then to Europe by the medieval period, with major industrial production developing in the 19th century.

Modern papermaking combines mechanical and chemical pulping to separate cellulose fibers from wood or other plant sources. The pulp is cleaned, sized, and formed into sheets on a moving screen (the Fourdrinier process), then pressed, dried, and often calendered or coated to achieve a smooth surface and desired thickness. The properties vary by pulp source, bleaching, brightness, and sizing.

Common types include writing and printing papers, newsprint, packaging papers such as kraft, tissue and filter papers, and specialty papers for technical uses, art, or conservation. Recycled fibers can reenter the production cycle, reducing raw materials demand.

Environmental considerations include energy and water use, chemical recovery, and the impact of bleaching and deforestation, alongside increasing emphasis on recycling and sustainable forestry.