Dubai firm leads way in green paper making

Dubai: It's simple. Want to help curb global warming? Put your old papers in a recycling bin.

That is what Anckur Bhatia, managing director of the Oasis Paper Industry (OPI), has been trying to get people to do.

OPI is a Dubai-based manufacturing company that is producing environmentally-friendly paper. Apparently, it is the only manufacturer in the GCC that makes paper "without using any chemicals."

Bhatia said: "We are not just a manufacturing company, we are about showing our community the need to recycle and be eco-friendly."

OPI recycles and produces new paper without using virgin pulp, which is made from trees, or dangerous chemicals that could harm the environment.

This process costs more and takes a longer time to produce because they have to find alternatives to make the paper without hurting the planet.

One way is by collecting waste paper from companies that OPI has already sold paper to. Another is to buy waste paper from firms.

Bhatia said: "Recycling should be everyone's motto, the only time the environment will take care of us is when we take care of it, and this should at least start through recycling."

How the paper is made

1. Waste non-glossy or laminated paper is collected and stored in a special container.

2. It goes to a beater and is ground for an hour to break it down.

3. Cotton is added to the paper while it is being mixed with water to turn it into a thick paste. This process takes seven hours.

4. This paste is then transported through pipes to a bigger collection well where water-based, chemical-free colours are added - if necessary.

5. It is sent to the sheeter - a machine that flattens the paste to form paper, and separates the water from the paper. The water is also recycled for a month.

6. The paper is then dried in the sun and cut for distribution. From 2,000 to 3,000 sheets of paper are produced per day.