> More importantly, this video is too short. It doesn't talk about why this paper can last a thousand years other than saying that it has.
In case anyone is wondering, it’s because it’s a more complex process that removes a lot of the impurities that degrade plant fibers like acids. The fibers are also significantly longer, get damaged less during the process compared to machine made, and don’t have lignin which tends to degrade the fibers in wood based paper.
That 1000 year number depends on controlled environmental conditions or getting left in a desert. You leave some washi paper in a rainforest and it won’t last much longer than other plant fibers.
In case anyone is wondering, it’s because it’s a more complex process that removes a lot of the impurities that degrade plant fibers like acids. The fibers are also significantly longer, get damaged less during the process compared to machine made, and don’t have lignin which tends to degrade the fibers in wood based paper.
That 1000 year number depends on controlled environmental conditions or getting left in a desert. You leave some washi paper in a rainforest and it won’t last much longer than other plant fibers.