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History of Papermaking
Paper was invented more than 2000 years ago by the Chinese. Paper is made from fibres which can be natural or manmade. The skill spread from China to through Asia and the middle east, and was brought to Europe by the Arabs in the 12th Century when the Moors invaded Spain. The papermaking skill spread slowly from Spain through France to Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland and England by the 15th Century. Paper had been imported to Britain for the writing of documents and registers, and eventually the first paper mills in Britain started manufacture in the late 15th century. Paper was handmade by skilled craftsmen until an automatic papermachine was developed during the Industrial Revolution. Stoneywood Mill was founded in 1770, and the ownership has changed many times. The current owner is Arjowiggins who have their head offices based at Issy in Paris, and have three other paper mills in the UK at Dartford (founded 1588), Chartham (founded 1738) and Ivybridge (founded 1787), with many mills throughout France and Europe. Arjowiggins have recently built a new paper mill in China taking the modern papermaking skills back to it's country of origin. The earliest mill within Arjowiggins is in Europe at Arches and dates back to 1469. | | The Papeterie, Arjowiggins Stoneywood Mill Aberdeen 01224 802337 |
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