Unfolding new uses for paper
- added October 12, 2008
- 0 responses
Hanji, traditional Korean paper, once had an astounding variety of uses in daily life. It was used by writers and painters in their work, and in homes on screens, doors and as floor covering.
In more recent times, however, it was confined to conventional items - fans, lamp shades, jewelry boxes - staples created for tourist dollars in places such as Insa-dong in northern Seoul.
Not any more.
Hanji has resurfaced in various forms with the potential to be used in a great number of ways again.
Versatile and durable, Korean traditional paper is now being used to develop new and interesting products.
Hanji is praised above all else for its durability, but it also has the potential to be manufactured into environmentally friendly products, according to Cha Woo-soo of the Hanji Paper Association.
Dresses made from hanji. Provided by the Hanji Development Institute
He claims hanji has been proven to last 1,000 years.
According to the Hanji Development Institute, the International Organization for Standardization certified the strength and longevity of hanji in October 2002.
Hanji gets its durability from its unique manufacturing process. Mulberry branches are stripped of their bark in late autumn. The bark is boiled and later cooled in cold water. Then it is pounded repeatedly and laid out to dry.
In an effort to make good use of hanji’s durability and strength, Cha has developed a replacement for a common modern item, plastic cards.
According to Cha, cards made from many layers of hanji are almost identical to their plastic counterparts in terms of how they can withstand wear and tear.
Hanji mosaic wall at the Wonju Hanji Festival.[YONHAP]
“It is typical for someone to carry anywhere from five to 10 plastic cards for various purposes. We have developed hanji cards which we hope can replace plastic cards in the future. I think this can be a first step towards using hanji products to protect the environment,” said Cha.
That’s not all. Yang Gil-seob, an inventor, has built audio speakers with hanji components. The speakers were invented four years ago and have been steadily developed through the years with Cha’s help.
Cha claims the speakers are comparable in sound quality to ones currently in the market.
In more recent times, however, it was confined to conventional items - fans, lamp shades, jewelry boxes - staples created for tourist dollars in places such as Insa-dong in northern Seoul.
Not any more.
Hanji has resurfaced in various forms with the potential to be used in a great number of ways again.
Versatile and durable, Korean traditional paper is now being used to develop new and interesting products.
Hanji is praised above all else for its durability, but it also has the potential to be manufactured into environmentally friendly products, according to Cha Woo-soo of the Hanji Paper Association.
Dresses made from hanji. Provided by the Hanji Development Institute
He claims hanji has been proven to last 1,000 years.
According to the Hanji Development Institute, the International Organization for Standardization certified the strength and longevity of hanji in October 2002.
Hanji gets its durability from its unique manufacturing process. Mulberry branches are stripped of their bark in late autumn. The bark is boiled and later cooled in cold water. Then it is pounded repeatedly and laid out to dry.
In an effort to make good use of hanji’s durability and strength, Cha has developed a replacement for a common modern item, plastic cards.
According to Cha, cards made from many layers of hanji are almost identical to their plastic counterparts in terms of how they can withstand wear and tear.
Hanji mosaic wall at the Wonju Hanji Festival.[YONHAP]
“It is typical for someone to carry anywhere from five to 10 plastic cards for various purposes. We have developed hanji cards which we hope can replace plastic cards in the future. I think this can be a first step towards using hanji products to protect the environment,” said Cha.
That’s not all. Yang Gil-seob, an inventor, has built audio speakers with hanji components. The speakers were invented four years ago and have been steadily developed through the years with Cha’s help.
Cha claims the speakers are comparable in sound quality to ones currently in the market.
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