How paper is made: Processing and transporting the paper

We’ve made it to the final stage of the paper making process.

We’ve taken you through growing the Eucalyptus globulus trees, harvesting the wood from them, converting the wood into pulp, and then manufacturing paper from the pulp. The fifth and final stage is processing and dispatching the paper ready to be used.

In the processing stage, the large reels of paper are cut into individual sheets.

These can be large format sheets to be used in the printing industry, or smaller sheets such as A4 and A5 sizes for domestic and office uses. These sheets of paper are then sent to the reamer to be organised into reams; stacks of 500 sheets of the same size paper. The reams of paper are then packaged up and placed in pallets, ready for transportation.

The reams of paper are then dispatched and delivered all around the world.

The Navigator Company group exports their paper to 123 different countries. The paper products are dispatched by either road, sea or rail. The group’s exports account for around 3% of all goods exported by Portugal and represent almost 1% of the entire country’s GDP, so it plays an important part in driving the country’s economy.

Once the paper lands on the desks of printers, designers, offices and homes, there are practically limitless possibilities as to what happens next as paper has so many different uses.

Plus, since it’s recyclable, the journey doesn’t end there as paper can be recycled, repurposed and reused time and again.

So, there you have it; from the forest to your desk, paper goes on a fascinating journey before you come to use it.

If you want to find out more about The Navigator Company and their paper, click here to read more.