In India, a team of students have won a regional science exhibition by developing paper based on algae pulp.
The students, from Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh School, explored algae pulp because algae is easy to cultivate, requiring only stagnant water, sunlight and carbon dioxide. “Algae also contains high amount of cellulose and negligible lignin which reduces the time, energy and cost of producing paper from it. When we compare it with wood the cost of making paper from algae is half and the output is double thus saving forest and biodiversity,” Kartik Chandna, one three students on the team, tells Times of India.
The students were able to produce the paper in less than 12 hours. The paper has been sent for processing to ascertain whether different textures and colors can be obtained.