It is important to understand that paper is not just used for office supplies. It is needed for a variety of purposes. Among the essential requirements of paper are bags, packaging, newspapers, books, magazines, paper towels, gift wraps, and labels. Even currency notes are made of paper. 

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) prepares a yearly report on international pulp and paper capacities. About 30 countries represent 85% of the paper production capabilities of the world. Here are some of the major paper producing countries in recent times:

1. China

The country that made paper for the first time is the top producer of paper today. In the year 2004, the country’s total production of paper was 49.5 million metric tons. The 2015 data shows that the production of paper has more than doubled just 11 years later. The production of paper according to the 2015 data was 107.100 million metric tons. 

This includes 8.850 million metric tons of sanitary and household paper. China’s paper exports also increased between the years 2011 and 2015. The growth predictions show that China may soon overtake Germany as the number one paper exporter.

2. United States of America

The paper industry in the United States began in 1730, which makes it older than the country itself. There was a time when the United States was the top paper producer and consumer in the world. Today, the country is in the second position with an overall production of 72.397 million metric tons of paper. 

Recycled or reclaimed paper makes up 66.8% of its paper consumption. The United States recovered 52 million tons of paper in 2015. This was nearly 315 pounds of paper per person in the country.

3. Japan

In Japan, the papermakers are greatly respected and considered national treasures. This explains why there are beautiful art papers, such as Unryu, Chiyogami, or Ito-iri in the country. As technology reduced the demand for paper-based products in Japan, the domestic paper manufacturing industry has experienced some decline. 

Nevertheless, it ranks third with an overall production of 26.228 million metric tons of paper according to 2015 data.

4. Germany

With a yearly production of 22.608 million metric tons, Germany is certainly not the world’s top producer of paper. However, it is currently the leading exporter of paper in the world. What really keeps the country’s paper manufacturing industry strong is the increasing demand for packaging material.

5. South Korea

Contrary to the fears of analysts, paper manufacturing in South Korea has not decreased. In 2015, 11.569 million metric tons of paper was produced in the country. This was only a slight drop from the 11.653 million metric tons the previous year.

6. Brazil

This South American country has a considerable reputation for reforestation. It produces around 10.357 million metric tons of paper annually. Several world records are held by the paper and pulp mills in the country. A mill in the province of Mato Grosso does Sul is believed to be the world’s largest single-line mill. 

It produces craft paper by using plantation eucalyptus as raw material. Another mill located in Tres Lagoas breaks its own world records frequently for the daily production of pulp.

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According to Japanese pronunciation, the word is pronounced as ‘origami’. Only hands are used in this form of art to create a shape out of a piece of paper. You can’t alter the material with the use of scissors or any other implement. Even markings are not done on paper in origami.

Origins of origami

The exact origin of origami is still unknown. Many are of the opinion that this Japanese art in its original form came from China. The Chinese paper folding craft is called ‘zhe zhi’. There are people who dispute that origami’s principles have been a part of Japanese culture. They believe that it existed long before the invention of paper. 

In those times when paper was not invented, materials like leather were used for decorative folding. Many others argue that origami has its roots in Europe. They are of the opinion that folded boat designs were seen in the early 15th century. They also say that decorative napkin folding was commonly seen in those times in well-to-do homes. 

It’s quite possible that each of these cultures might’ve come up with their own form of paper folding. However, origami has now become a cornerstone of Japanese culture. The history of Japan says that origami was once a craft of the elite. This is true to a great extent considering the fact that paper was expensive in those times. 

It was also a rare commodity. Handmade paper that came from China first made its way into Japan during the 6th century. It was brought by Buddhist monks. Origami was first used as decoration in Japan during religious ceremonies. Such decorations were also used during Shinto weddings in the 17th century.

Origami during the Shogun period

The period between 1603 and 1868 in Japan is often referred to as the period of Shoguns. During this period, origami was a part of the young warriors’ training program. They were given the task of completing origami folds of increasing levels of intricacy. It was their test of precision and strategy. 

By the end of the 18th century, the paper was more readily available in the country. This meant that citizens could learn origami as a pastime. Books with clear instructions on how to create a variety of folded shapes were published. In the 19th century, origami was introduced into the mainstream school curriculum. Akira Yoshizawa is believed to have brought origami to mainstream international acclaim. 

Born in 1911, he was widely regarded as the ‘grandmaster’ of Japanese origami by his death in 2005. He had made more than 50,000 origami creations by 1989 and had published 18 instructional books. The introduction of the wet fold was among his most popular contributions to the origami technique.

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