When most people think about paper, they don’t imagine rocket ships, nail polish, or ice cream. They certainly don’t think about artificial intelligence or carbon capture. But the story of paper — what it is, where it comes from, and how it’s used — is one of the most quietly revolutionary in modern industry.
Papermaking isn’t a relic. It’s a discipline built on reinvention. And it’s still evolving.
A New Era: More Than Just Paper
Today, “papermaking” is something of a misnomer. The science behind it reaches into industries as varied as aerospace, agriculture, cosmetics, and consumer electronics.
Tree-derived materials like cellulose are used in:
- Ice cream (as a thickener)
- Chewing gum and toothpaste
- Lotions, detergents, and nail polish
- Insulation for spacecraft
- Sustainable textiles and shoes
- Bioplastics and smart packaging
Nearly 5,000 products contain paper or wood-derived components. And behind every new use, there’s a process engineer rethinking how natural materials can work harder for us (and the planet).
The Evolution of an Industry
What makes this evolution so compelling is how quietly it’s happened. While other industries loudly announce their embrace of sustainability, the pulp and paper sector has been doing the work for decades, reducing water use, improving energy efficiency, and replacing petroleum-based inputs with renewable alternatives.
Mills today don’t just make paper. They’re bio-refineries. They reclaim waste heat, generate power, and extract high-value biomaterials from trees. They are laboratories for sustainable manufacturing.
At events like our annual Paper Days, students tour facilities that are digitized, optimized, and innovating in real time.
Why the Story Still Matters
Papermaking didn’t survive because it resisted change; it survived because it embraced it. From scrolls to AI-powered mills, the art and science of transforming wood into something greater has proven itself endlessly adaptable.
And it will continue to evolve. Through research, through talent, and through the organizations dedicated to connecting the two.
At UMPPF, we don’t just teach students about engineering. We immerse them in an evolving industry through hands-on learning, scholarships, and real-world experience. They learn how to think critically about complex systems — and how to build new ones.
But this story isn’t just about students or engineers. It’s also about curiosity. It’s about asking where our materials come from, what they can do, and how they might do it better.
So this season, as you sip hot cocoa (yes, that has cellulose in it too), wrap gifts in kraft paper, or mail a package in a fiber-based box — remember: you’re holding a piece of one of the oldest, most innovative industries in your hands.
And that’s something worth celebrating.
Want to learn more? Explore the surprising ways paper shapes your everyday life:
Beyond Toilet Paper: Surprising Items Made With Paper
Or see how we support future engineers:
Scholarship Opportunities
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