The raw materials
The raw materials used in manufacturing paper may be divided into 4 broad groups : fibrous raw materials, which constitute the main and indispensable element for paper manufacture; sizing material , used to add impermeability to paper according to the end use; loading agents, used to impart specific requisites to paper destined especially for printing; colouring agents, used to correct the base paper and for the production of coloured paper.
| Type | Essences | Process |
| Coniferous or resinous trees | fir | commonly with bisulphite |
| pine | commonly with sulphate | |
| larch | commonly with bisulphite | |
| cypress | commonly with sulphate | |
| Leafy or broad leaved trees | poplar | with bisulphate, sulphate and soda |
| beech | with bisulphate | |
| chestnut | with bisulphate and soda | |
| aspen | with bisulphate | |
| birch | with bisulphate | |
| eucalyptus | with sulphate | |
| Graminaceous | wheat straw | with soda chlorate and monosulphate soda |
| rice straw | with monosulphate soda | |
| Annual plants | alfa | with soda and soda chlorate |
| esparto | with soda and soda chlorate | |
| cane | with bisulphate | |
| compact cotton / tufts | bland alkaline treatment | |
| combed cotton | bland alkaline treatment | |
| cotone linters | with soda | |
| hemp | with soda | |
| linen | with soda | |