Specialty paper is a general term for papers with special uses and smaller production volumes, also known as special-purpose paper or art paper, covering 12 major fields including culture, packaging, construction, and medical. Its raw materials include plant fibers, synthetic fibers, and inorganic fibers. Through papermaking processes and coating treatments, it is endowed with properties such as waterproofing, fire resistance, and antibacterial properties. For example, carbonless copy paper uses microencapsulation technology to achieve its copying function, and nano-waterproof paper enhances its hydrophobicity by adding nanomaterials.
This category originated from carbonless copy paper developed in the United States in the 1940s. Since 2010, China's industry has gradually expanded, reaching a production volume of 4.12 million tons in 2022, forming regional industrial clusters in Quzhou and Zhutai Town. Production technologies involve microencapsulation structures, security thread anti-counterfeiting, and fiber reinforcement processes. Products include rust-proof paper, aramid paper, and paper-based brake pads, used in financial anti-counterfeiting, aerospace components, and environmentally friendly building materials. The industry faces challenges such as rising wood pulp prices and reliance on imported technology, and is transitioning towards green and low-carbon development.
