Paper made from seaweed: this is Favini’s latest, innovative product line. This Italian company has been producing paper for over three hundred years and is a world leader in the release industrial papers sector: special plasticised papers used to produce eco leather for the clothing, furnishings, footwear and automotive sectors. On the office papers front, the latest creation is a special paper with an ecological core produced from Venice Lagoon seaweed. Favini holds the patent for the production process for this paper, which has been named “Shiro Alga".

Shiro Alga was introduced to the public on 2^nd October of last year, at the World Venice Forum 2009. This international conference is promoted by the International Academy of Environmental Sciences (IAES), headed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Perez Esquivel; and all the information distributed at the forum was printed on ecological paper produced from lagoon seaweed.

This latest innovation is an excellent practical example of Favini’s mission: to become Europe’s point of reference for quality special and drawing papers by combining Italian style and respect for the environment. Favini can count on the manufacturing skills of two paper factories, Rossano Veneto, in Vicenza, and Crusinallo, in Verbania, to reach these aims. These two factories have departments for “special drawing products”, “release paper” and “paper technology” for the school and office sectors. Both of Favini’s paper makers have FSC certification and conform to the ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 standards, and the Rossano Veneto factory also conforms to the OHSAS 18001 standard for workplace health and safety.

Today Favini offers a wide assortment of papers and cards, and creates customised products tailored to the requirements of customers, who can order products with a particular colour, weight, shape and technical characteristics. All of this is achieved in close consultation with experts in the research and development department. In particular, the accumulated experience of 50 years in the production of release paper has enabled Favini to perfect its product line, which has become a point of reference for eco leather producers.

The main feature of release paper is versatility and a great range of applications, many of which have not been explored yet. It can be used in the production of clothing, leather accessories like belts, handbags and cases; but also as a film for plastic protectors and, in particular, for making car interiors. There are also high tech textiles for technical clothing and sportswear, digital printing, and furnishing complements for yachts and boats. The Favini catalogue includes more than 120 designs: from leather effect to textile patterns, and including geometrical and three-dimensional designs.