New economic value for shell ginger, Forestry Research Institute: Can become high-value handmade paper material
The Taiwan Forestry Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture has discovered that the leaf sheaths of shell ginger, commonly found in Taiwan and previously mostly used for essential oil extraction, have development potential as a high-value handmade paper material due to their fine fibers. This finding offers a sustainable alternative to wood resources.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 12:26
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 12:32 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 5, 2026 at 12:37 (5 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei, May 5) The Taiwan Forestry Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture has discovered that the leaf sheaths of shell ginger, commonly found everywhere in Taiwan, which were mostly used for essential oil extraction in the past, also have development potential. Due to their fine fibers, they are expected to become a high-value handmade paper material.
The Ministry of Agriculture today issued a press release stating that the global fiber industry has long been highly dependent on wood resources, and the accompanying environmental and supply chain risks have become a focus of international attention. In order to seek more sustainable solutions, non-wood fibers are becoming key to promoting a circular bioeconomy due to their short growth cycle, high renewability, and ability to utilize agricultural surplus resources.
The Forestry Research Institute stated that shell ginger is ubiquitous in Taiwan, not only growing rapidly but also highly adaptable to the environment. In the past, it was mostly used for essential oil extraction, and the remaining leaf sheaths were often regarded as agricultural waste. The Forestry Research Institute's research found that shell ginger leaf sheath fibers are fine. Handmade paper made from shell ginger leaf sheaths not only has a delicate surface texture and good ink absorption but is also expected to become a high-value handmade paper raw material and a new option for traditional paper art materials.
According to the latest scientific experimental data from the Forestry Research Institute, shell ginger leaf sheath fibers possess excellent physical properties. The fibers are long and fine, with a length-to-width ratio exceeding 100, allowing the paper produced (the process of making paper from pulp) to achieve a perfect balance in structural strength and feel.
The Forestry Research Institute stated that the results of ink tests showed that handmade paper made from shell ginger fiber, compared to commercially available high-quality Hongxing Jingpi Xuan paper, has a denser paper quality due to its fine fibers. Its water absorption is between raw paper and sized paper, making it very suitable for calligraphy and painting creation. In addition, its ink expression is also very rich, allowing for good presentation of both rich and light shades.
Through phased development of essential oils and fibers, shell ginger has achieved full resource utilization from root to leaf, which not only reduces dependence on imported wood but also creates a second layer of economic value for local farmers beyond essential oils, enhancing the competitiveness and diversity of rural industries. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150505
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(Central News Agency reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei, May 5) The Taiwan Forestry Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture has discovered that the leaf sheaths of shell ginger, commonly found everywhere in Taiwan, which were mostly used for essential oil extraction in the past, also have development potential. Due to their fine fibers, they are expected to become a high-value handmade paper material.
The Ministry of Agriculture today issued a press release stating that the global fiber industry has long been highly dependent on wood resources, and the accompanying environmental and supply chain risks have become a focus of international attention. In order to seek more sustainable solutions, non-wood fibers are becoming key to promoting a circular bioeconomy due to their short growth cycle, high renewability, and ability to utilize agricultural surplus resources.
The Forestry Research Institute stated that shell ginger is ubiquitous in Taiwan, not only growing rapidly but also highly adaptable to the environment. In the past, it was mostly used for essential oil extraction, and the remaining leaf sheaths were often regarded as agricultural waste. The Forestry Research Institute's research found that shell ginger leaf sheath fibers are fine. Handmade paper made from shell ginger leaf sheaths not only has a delicate surface texture and good ink absorption but is also expected to become a high-value handmade paper raw material and a new option for traditional paper art materials.
According to the latest scientific experimental data from the Forestry Research Institute, shell ginger leaf sheath fibers possess excellent physical properties. The fibers are long and fine, with a length-to-width ratio exceeding 100, allowing the paper produced (the process of making paper from pulp) to achieve a perfect balance in structural strength and feel.
The Forestry Research Institute stated that the results of ink tests showed that handmade paper made from shell ginger fiber, compared to commercially available high-quality Hongxing Jingpi Xuan paper, has a denser paper quality due to its fine fibers. Its water absorption is between raw paper and sized paper, making it very suitable for calligraphy and painting creation. In addition, its ink expression is also very rich, allowing for good presentation of both rich and light shades.
Through phased development of essential oils and fibers, shell ginger has achieved full resource utilization from root to leaf, which not only reduces dependence on imported wood but also creates a second layer of economic value for local farmers beyond essential oils, enhancing the competitiveness and diversity of rural industries. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150505
Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.