Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Electronic Filing System. http://estta.uspto.gov ESTTA Tracking number: ESTTA1122131 Filing date: 03/22/2021
IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD Proceeding 88432226 Applicant Stone Paper Global Technologies Ltd. Applied for Mark STONE - PAPER TREE FREE PHOTO DEGRADABLE Correspondence HOWARD LESLIE HOFFENBERG Address IP AND BUSINESS LAW OFFICES OF HOWARD L HOFFENBER 10940 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD SUITE 1600 LOS ANGELES, CA 90024 UNITED STATES Primary Email: [email protected] Secondary Email(s): [email protected], [email protected] 310-670-5825
Submission APPLICANT'S SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE AND DECLARATIONS Attachments Evidentiary Submission Part I of II SN88432226 .pdf(4066480 bytes ) Evidentiary Submission Part II of II SN88432226.pdf(5540847 bytes ) Filer's Name Howard Hoffenberg Filer's email [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Signature /Howard Hoffenberg, 32,239/ Date 03/22/2021 IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
Applicant: STONE PAPER GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD. Serial Number: 88432226 Filing Date: May 15, 2019 Mark: A composite mark comprised of the literal phrase "Stone - Paper" with the word "Stone" in gray and the word "Paper" in green separated by a gray hyphen, with there being above this literal phrase four stones of progressively smaller size with shadows in various shades of gray that are positioned in an arcuate array going from a foreground to a background with there being a leaf on top of the first stone in the foreground and two leaves adjacent to two stones in the midground where the leaves are of varying shades of green and there being beneath the literal phrase in side by side fashion a gray circle with a green tree inside of it and the words "Tree Free" beneath it; to the right of the tree icon is a gray circle depicted as an arrow with the tip of the arrow at the top of the open circle; inside the circle is a gray symbol depicting the sun; beneath are the words "Photo Degradable" in gray; the color white is for background purposes and is not a feature of the mark.
Examining Atty.: PENDLETON, CAROLYN A Law Office: 103
APPLICANT’S SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE AND DECLARATIONS
Applicant, STONE PAPER GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD., sbmits evidence and declarations that it wishes to make of record.
Respectfully submitted,
Date: March 22, 2021 /Howard L. Hoffenberg, Reg. No. 32,239/ Howard L. Hoffenberg, Esq. IP and Business Law Offices of Howard L. Hoffenberg, Esq. 10940 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1600 Los Angeles, California 90024
DECLARATION OF SAM FARHANGI
I, Sam FARHANGI, declare:
Foundation
1. I am the Chairman and CEO of applicant, Stone Age Packaging, Inc.,
and am the Chairman and CEO of the current assignee, Stone Paper
Global Technologies Ltd.
2. The matters stated herein are of my own personal knowledge and I
can competently testify thereto. As to the opinions and evaluations of
consumer mind set stated herein and as for those opinions and
evaluations, I believe them to be true to reasonable high certainty.
3. As CEO of the applicant, I oversee and am familiar with all
aspects of applicant’s business from product design, to
manufacturing and through sales and marketing. More
particularly, as I declared in my January 20, 2020 declaration,
part of my job duties is to oversee a network of US distributors.
Another commitment within my job duties is to directly
interface with US end user customers to ensure quality
business performance.
Recognition of Stone Paper as a Brand in a Revised Two Sides Report
4. Two Sides is an independent environmental consulting firm out of
Chicago, Illinois. As the name implies, Two Sides challenge
organizations making misleading statements related to forestry related
industries and other environmental attributes. 5. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and exact copy of a briefing
document by Two Sides entitled Stone Paper® (mineral paper) Revised
February 2021.
6. Having seen an earlier more complex version of this report, I
contacted Two Sides to complement their efforts in the fight against
greenwashing and public deception. They were mainly interested to
discuss the international presence of Stone Paper as a brand name.
They heard what I had to say in regards to the problem of
greenwashing by a few independent international traders and
distributors, apparently, they did their research of the market
worldwide and upon their investigation agreed to render a more
complete report for both North America and Europe. Their
investigation from the content available on the public domain resulted
in the confirmation that the primary significance of Stone Paper to US
consumer is a brand name for mineral paper. On page 4 of this
briefing document, Two Sides wrote:
“What is Stone Paper®?
Stone Paper® is a widely used registered brand name for a
mineral paper-like material … The trademark, licenses and
manufacturing of Stone Paper® are owned and managed by
Stone Paper Global Technologies Inc. [i.e., applicant.]” …
[paragraphs] ….
Stone Paper Attached as Exhibit A(bis) is patent excerpts on our manufacturing process and attached hereto as Exhibit A(tris) are material safety sheets on raw materials. Response to Office Action, we submitted webpage https[...]agood.com
(our-factories), a Swedish finished product trader in the market for
mineral paper. In that webpage, the Swedish company called A Good
Company wrote “[w]e wouldn’t be what we are without our network of
ambitious suppliers. This phrase was followed by several captioned
pictures including the following:
Limestone is not an ingredient of the mineral paper they carry.
Mindset of US Consumers in Making a Purchasing Decision and Global Internet Sites
10. The prevailing perspective of US customers is that mineral
paper is not a technologically sophisticated product and
commensurately, US consumers generally do not utilize all
available internet resources, regardless of country of origin, to
learn about mineral paper. The mindset of US customers is a
visceral understanding as to the durability of mineral paper and
its ecological friendliness. US Customers purchasing decisions
predominantly focus upon the printability, yellowing and edge quality of the mineral paper. The mind set of US customers is to
process these factors at a Gestalt level; e.g., how good is the
mineral paper at printing, not yellowing and having a quality
edge. US Consumers do not customarily go to foreign websites
in a fever to assemble information on a technical product.
11. The above observation by myself on the mental state of US
consumers from interacting with them is reinforced by the
examiner’s own evidence; namely, February 17, 2020 Office
Actin, web pages https://markets.businessinsider
com/news/stocks/the-world-market-for-stone-paper-2024-14-
4-billion- opportunity-analvsis-by-application-reaion-
1028327923. This incomplete document which the examiner
selectively relied upon establishes that US consumers mindset
is such that mineral paper is a commodity product and not a
technologically sophisticated product.
12. The pages from foreign websites attached by the examiner are not
likely to have been viewed by any significant number of US consumers
and not relevant to the primary significance of the term stone paper to
US consumers.
A. Most recently, in the August 19, 2020 Request for
Reconsideration After Final Action Denied, the below pages from
foreign websites were attached by the examiner. None are likely
to have been viewed by any significant number of US consumers and are not relevant to the primary significance of
the term stone paper to US consumers:
a. Uzbekistan to produce paper from stone by foreign technologies Trend News Agency (Baku, Azerbaijan) May 29, 2019 Wednesday
b. https://agood.com
c. Reviving a Lost Art, One Wall at a Time The New York Times November 24, 2014 Monday, The International New York Times Copyright 2014 The New York Times Company Section: Section ; Column 0; Style Desk; Pg. Length: 884 words Byline: By FELICIA CRADDOCK Body TOURS, France - - During an interview in his paint- flecked workshop last month, Francois-Xavier Richard
B. In the August 6/7, 2019 Office Actions, the following pages
from foreign websites were attached by the examiner. None are
likely to have been viewed by any significant number of US
consumers and are not relevant to the primary significance of
the term Stone Paper to US consumers:
a. webpage https[…]karststonepaper.com;
b. https[…]www.stonepaper.co nz (about-rockstock);
c. https[…]wvw.treehugger.com (paper-notebook-made-
stone);
d. http[…]www.stonepapersz.com; e. https[…]paperontherocks.com (how-do-you-make-
stonepaper – However, while not relevant as surrogate
evidence of the primary significance of Stone Paper to US
consumers, the web page is a potent adverse admission
by the examiner that limestone is not an ingredient of
Stone Paper brand mineral paper. Written therein is the
observation that rich mineral paper is made from grinding
calcium carbonate and not stones. In particular, the
following is written: “The calcium carbonate is ground to
a fine powder and combined with the heated resin.”
f. https[…]paperontherocks.com (how-do-you-make-
stonepaper) and
g. https[…]imstoneqifts (qray-rock-book-l).
C. In the February 7, 2020 Office Actions, the following pages from
foreign websites were attached by the examiner. None are likely
to have been viewed by any significant number of US
consumers and are not relevant to the primary significance of
the term stone paper to US consumers:
a. https://www. stone-paper,corn/en/whv-stone-paper;
b. https://fmdling.info/en/welcome/ and
c. https://www.linkedin. corn/cornpanv/the-stone-paper-
cornpanv-ltd 02/14/2020 07:05:04 PM. 13. From my grasp of the market for mineral paper, A good is a
Swedish company ordering finished products and has almost no sales
in the United States. Verbiage used by A good in their website is not
surrogate evidence of the primary significance of the phrase “stone
paper” to US consumers.
14. From my grasp of the market for mineral paper, I am unaware of
any sales of mineral paper from Uzbekistan, let alone to US
consumers. A news report by Trend News Agency (Baku, Azerbaijan)
published on the Internet is not surrogate evidence of the primary
significance of the phrase “stone paper” to US consumers.
Foreign Registrations in Rebuttal to the Examiner’s Foreign Websites
15. Of course, I agree with the Commissioner of Trademarks, and of
course, the Commissioner of Trademarks got it right, in writing in his
February 1, 2021 decision on petition that “[a]s to the additional
foreign registrations, petitioner submitted a Canadian registration
with its January 20, 2020 response which the examining attorney did
not find persuasive in light of the other evidence of record.
Furthermore, the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP)
is quite clear that third-party registrations, even from the USPTO, are
not conclusive on the question of descriptiveness. Each case must
stand on its own merits …”
16. With all due respect, the Commissioner of Trademarks, he
misapprehended the reason for, and probativeness of, the foreign registrations. The foreign registrations are being proffered in rebuttal
to the examiner’s pages from foreign websites. The theory being that
the official trademark authority of governments outside the United
States recognize our mark, Stone Paper, as a protectable trademark.
Accordingly, the examiner misses the point that the webpages from
foreign websites show merely descriptiveness (or genericness).
17. For this reason, I make of record more foreign registrations as
follows:
A. Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a true and exact copy of a notice of
a grant of protection in New Zealand.
B. Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a true and exact copy of a notice of
a grant of protection in Australia.
C. Attached hereto as Exhibit D is a true and exact copy of a notice of
a grant of protection in European Union
D. Attached hereto as Exhibit E is a true and exact copy of an Israeli
certificate of registration.
E. Attached hereto as Exhibit F is a true and exact copy of a notice of
a grant of protection in United Kingdom
F. Attached hereto as Exhibit G is a true and exact copy of a notice of
a grant of protection in Brazil
G. Attached hereto as Exhibit H is a true and exact copy of a notice of
a grant of protection in Singapore H. Attached hereto as Exhibit I is a true and exact copy of a notice of
acceptance of our application in United Arab Emirates finding no
grounds for refusal and still subject to an opposition period.
I. Attached hereto as Exhibit J is a true and exact copy from Trade
Marks Directory Services (CPA Global) watch notice notifying us of our
South Korean application publication and start of opposition period
following no grounds for refusal.
Policing the Market
18. With recent grant of protections worldwide, I attempt to police the
market for generizors.
19. Attached hereto as Exhibit K is a true and exact copy of an e-mail
string with shopify.com as a major US marketplace confirming they
know Stone Paper as a brand name and not as a generic term.
20. Attached hereto as Exhibit L is a true and exact copy of a web page
by a well-known US seller on the internet entitled The MICHELIN
Guide invites you to join our virtual Family Meal. This publisher
recognizes Stone Paper as a brand for mineral paper.
21. News reports on the Internet are difficult to police because, as the
Board knows, news reporters enjoy First Amendment rights that are
not enjoyed by vendors.
The Examiner’s Dozen News Reports do Not Equate with the Primary Significance of the Term to US Consumers
Exhibit M(bis) is a redacted check payable to Stone Paper and banks will only checks payable to brands and not generic or merely descriptive terms certification institute based out of Oakland, California where the
manager recognizes Stone Paper as a brand of mineral paper.
27. Most recently, the below news reports attached by the examiner to
the August 19, 2020 Request for Reconsideration After Final Action
Denied. These new reports are not likely to have been viewed by any
significant number of US consumers to shape their thinking and are
not relevant to the primary significance of the term stone paper to US
consumers:
a. Making gift wrap sustainable; On the Money: Making gift wrap sustainable Winston-Salem Journal (North Carolina) December 1, 2019 Sunday Copyright 2019 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC All Rights Reserved Section: C; Pg. 2 Length: 721 words Byline: DEEANN DURBIN The Associated Press
b. On the Money: Making gift wrap sustainable Missoulian November 27, 2019 Wednesday Copyright 2019 ProQuest Information and Learning All Rights Reserved Copyright 2019 Missoulian Nov 27, 2019 Section: ISSN: 07464495 Length: 737 words Byline: DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer Dateline: Missoula, Mont
c. Eco Friendly Gift Options CBS - 7 WSPA (Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina) April 5, 2019 Friday Copyright 2019 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC Distributed by Newsbank, Inc. All Rights Reserved Section: ENTERTAINMENT Length: 216 words Byline: Tammy Jones
Copyright 2018 The Washington Post All Rights Reserved The Washington|Post washingtonpost.com Distribution: Every Zone Section: METRO; Pg. C03 Length: 724 words Byline: John Kelly Body d. Two groups plan weekend rally against proposed Spicewood rock crusher and quarry The River Cities Daily Tribune (Marble Falls, Texas) September 6, 2018 Thursday Copyright 2018 The River Cities Daily Tribune, Victory Publishing Co., Ltd. Distributed by Newsbank, Inc. All Rights Reserved Section: SPICEWOOD Length: 446 words e. Court ruling limits future discharges into Clark Fork from former Smurfit pulp mill Missoulian August 8, 2017 Tuesday Copyright 2017 ProQuest Information and Learning All Rights Reserved Copyright 2017 Missoulian Aug 8, 2017 Section: ISSN: 07464495 Length: 501 words Byline: Rob Chaney Dateline: Missoula, Mont. f. Clifton School District's fix list includese roofs, boilers northjersey.com April 3, 2015 Friday Copyright 2015 northjersey.com, North Jersey Media Group, Inc. Distributed by Newsbank, Inc. All Rights Reserved Section: EDUCATION Length: 678 words Byline: Maggie Katz g. EARTH-FRIENDLY TOYS Herald News (Passaic County, NJ) February 26, 2011 Saturday, AE Edition Copyright 2011 North Jersey Media Group Inc All Rights Reserved Section: LIFE; Pg. E01 Length: 1039 words Byline: Colleen Diskin, Staff Writer E-mail: [email protected] h. Eyecatehers The Atlanta Journal-Constitution November 8, 2009 Sunday, Main Edition Copyright 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution The AtlantaJournal-Constitution ajc.com Section: FEATURES; Pg. 16E Length: 296 words Byline: Nedra Rhone, Sabine Morrow i. Eco-friendly cosmetic bags look pretty, too Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas) October 29, 2009 Thursday Copyright 2009 Fort Worth Star-Telegram All Rights Reserved Found on DFW•com Section: E; Pg. 5 Length: 147 words j. Playing in the world of Harry Potter at summer camp Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine) July 18, 2009 Saturday Copyright 2009 ProQuest Information and Learning All Rights Reserved ProQuest SuperText Copyright 2009 Sun Journal Section: LEWISTON/AUBURN Length: 514 words Byline: Bonnie Washuk, By Bonnie Washuk, Staff Writer k. SOME ENCHANTED EVENINGS The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colorado) April 15, 2008 Tuesday Copyright 2008 ProQuest Information and Learning All Rights Reserved ProQuest SuperText Copyright 2008 Freedom Newspapers, Inc. Section: LIFE; Pg. LI1 Length: 2799 words Byline: MELISSA CASSUTT
l. in addition to being referenced above, Uzbekistan to produce paper from stone by foreign technologies Trend News Agency (Baku, Azerbaijan) May 29, 2019 Wednesday
m. in addition to being referenced above, Reviving a Lost Art, One Wall at a Time The New York Times November 24, 2014 Monday, The International New York Times Copyright 2014 The New York Times Company Section: Section ; Column 0; Style Desk; Pg. Length: 884 words Byline: By FELICIA CRADDOCK Body TOURS, France - - During an interview in his paint-flecked workshop last month, Francois-Xavier Richard
28. I had no clue about a mineral paper bath-time coloring set, until
examiner’s office action. From my perspective, the referenced
merchant is insignificant in market with meniscal consumer visibility.
The verbiage used by the merchant in conducting business that is
reported in The Record (Bergen County, NJ) on February 26, 2011 is
not surrogate evidence of the primary significance of the phrase “stone
paper” to US consumers.
29. The three news reports which refer to Alicia Silverstone – i.e., Plain
Dealer (Cleveland, OH), December 2, 2009; The Atlanta Journal-
Constitution November 8, 2009 and Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas),
October 29, 2009 - appear to come out of press release(s). I had no
clue about Alicia Silverstone’s activities, until examiner’s office action.
Alicia Silverstone’s activities are insignificant in market with meniscal consumer visibility. The verbiage used by the journalists in 2009 in
connection with Alicia Silverstone’s press releases is not surrogate
evidence of the primary significance of the phrase “stone paper” to US
consumers.
30. The below news reports attached by the examiners February 17,
2020 USPTO Official Notice, are not likely to have been viewed by any
significant number of US consumers to shape their thinking. They are
reflective of news reporters being incentivized to use our brand name
of Stone Paper, as opposed to the generic term mineral paper, to boost
readership of their news reports and are not reflective of the primary
significance of the term stone paper to US consumers:
d. https://markets.businessinsider com/news/stocks/the-
world-market-for- stone-paper-2024-14-4-billion-
opportunity-analvsis-bv-application-reaion-1028327923;
e. https://www. greenerpackage. com/renewable
resources/bright future stone paper
f. https://www. qrandviewresearch. com/industrv-
analysis/stone-paper-market
Examiner’s Webpage Attachments that are Not Currently on the Internet
31. I cannot navigate to the below webpage attachments by the
examiner and I suspect that the web pages are no longer on the
Internet:
a. https://lockergnome. com/2012A34/D2/stone-paper/ and b. http://www. getfiberstone.com
The Stone Graphic Component of Our Logo
32. In the August 19, 2020 Request for Reconsideration After Final
Action Denied, the examiner exhaustively attaches pages from our
websites featuring our logo and imagery.
33. As I declared above, Stone Paper brand mineral paper is not made
by crushing limestone; rather, we make Stone Paper brand mineral
paper from mined virgin calcium carbonate mineral. As a side note,
eggshell is composed of 97% pure calcium carbonate, but we don’t
declare our paper is made from eggshell.
34. We introduced to the market the stone graphic as part of our logo.
Prior to our introduction of the stone graphic as part of our logo, the
stone graphic had no significance in the mineral paper industry. From
my interacting with US consumers, the primary significance of the
stone graphic in our logo is an indication of the smoothness,
luxuriousness and the spa type comfort vibe transmitted to
consumers generated by the mineral paper which comes from our
company. The mind set of US consumers is NOT to think that the
stone graphic in our logo is limestone, that limestone is made from
calcium carbonate and the stone graphic component of our logo is
descriptive of an ingredient of mineral paper just as the apple imagery
of Apple Computers is not an indicative that the new compostable or biodegradable Apple Computer casing is made from anything related
to cellulose fiber coming from an apple tree.
35. Attached hereto as exhibit O is a signed declaration from Hsien Ho
Liang (English name Henry Liang) of Taiwan Lung Meng Advanced
Material Co designated as the Original Design Manufacturer (ODM)
declaring that Stone Paper mineral paper is not manufactured from
any limestone. Furthermore, he declares that Stone Paper is a
proprietary name accompanied by the proprietary logo mark
containing elliptical smooth stone shape images for the mineral paper
they manufacture.
Wrap-up
36. This declaration by myself is just one component of our case that
the examiner’s position is frivolous. I have already submitted another
declaration with attached exhibits. Further, exhibits have been
submitted and arguments have been made in a response to office
action, after final response to office action and requests for
reconsideration.
37. The examiner has attached several dozen webpages to office
actions out of the billions of pages on the World Wide Web (Internet).
Just because somebody puts something in writing on the Internet
does not mean that it is so. The moniker of our times is fake news.
38. The primary significance to US consumers of Stone Paper is a
brand for mineral paper. The statements herein are made with knowledge that willful false
statement and the like so made are punishable by fine or imprisonment,
or both, pursuant to 18 USC 1001 and that such willful false statements
may jeopardize the validity of the trademark application and any
registration issued thereon.
Executed this 3rd day of March in the year 2021 in Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada subject to the penalties of perjury of the
United States of America.
______Sam Farhangi EXHIBIT A
REVISED - FEBRUARY 2021
® Stone Paper (mineral paper)
BRIEFING DOCUMENT PREPARED BY TWO SIDES
Page 1 Briefing Document: Stone Paper
Briefing Document: Stone Paper®
Revised February 2021
Contents
Editors comments ...... 3 Summary ...... 3 What is Stone Paper®? ...... 4 Manufacturers, Distributors and Brands...... 4 Stone Paper ...... 4 Limex ...... 5 Green Claims ...... 5 Environmentally friendly raw materials...... 5 Making use of waste...... 6 Saving water...... 7 No harmful chemicals...... 7 Significantly lower Carbon Footprint...... 7 Recyclability ...... 8 Degradability...... 9 Certifications...... 9 Two Sides and Regulator Activity...... 10 Australia ...... 10 France ...... 10 Netherlands ...... 10 UK ...... 11 Conclusions ...... 11 Appendix: Full list of Stone Paper traders and brands...... 12
Page 2 Briefing Document: Stone Paper
Editors comments
This briefing document has been researched from information available in the public domain and prepared for Two Sides by Truffula, an independent environmental consultancy, in response to statements being made about the environmental benefits of mineral paper.
There is no intention to denigrate this type of mineral based material in any manner, only to challenge some of the misleading and inaccurate statements being made by independent traders and distributors.
In this document, the term mineral paper is used to describe all its various brands which are made from a mix of calcium carbonate and high-density polyethylene and sold as an alternative paper-like material to traditional paper made from cellulose-fiber (trees).
Two Sides will review or update this briefing paper should new or more detailed information emerge or be provided.
Summary
Stone Paper products, also known as limestone paper, rock paper, generically referred to as bio-plastic paper, mineral paper or rich mineral paper, are a type of strong and durable paper-like material manufactured from calcium carbonate bonded with small amount of resin high-density pol eth le e . Wikipedia, (December 2019)
Mineral Paper is sold u de diffe e t a d a es as a alte ati e to o e tio al pulp pape , s theti pape s a d plastics.
Most mineral papers on the market appear to originate from Taiwan, although a Japanese manufacturer is now making a similar material. Brand names include Stone Paper, Karst, Mineral Paper, Mineral Print, Armen Paper, RocStar, RockStock, ViaStone (all from Taiwan) and Limex (from Japan).
The extent, tone and credibility of environmental claims related to mineral paper vary depending on the outlet. Some traders focus solely on technical characteristics, as an alternative to plastic or synthetic papers. Others compare their product to conventional paper but in a relatively balanced and objective way. However, there are many mineral paper proponents that have taken an aggressive, anti-paper position to promote their offer.
In many cases, these claims are misleading or unsubstantiated. Two Sides and affiliates have challenged misleading claims made by independent traders and distributors carrying mineral paper brands and similar goods in Australia, France, The Netherlands and the UK and, in the latter three countries, the advertising regulator has been involved. Complaints about the claims have been upheld in France, The Netherlands and the UK, a supplier of Limex agreed to amend its communications.
In particular, it can be concluded that:
• Mineral paper, at least relative to its polymer binding agent content, is considered a composite material. • The e appea s to e o o je ti e e ide e that it is ade f o a sto es let alo e aste sto es . • While mineral paper does not contain wood, the comparative environmental claims related to this are exaggerated, unsubstantiated and biased. • The production of mineral paper does not appear to consume water during manufacturing, but the comparative water consumption of conventional paper production is often exaggerated. • While mineral paper may not contain harmful chemicals, it should not, as a holder of polymer resin components be considered to be chemical free.
Page 3 Briefing Document: Stone Paper
• Carbon Footprint comparisons appear to be based on incomplete and outdated information. Any relative benefits of mineral paper are likely to be much smaller than claimed. • Due to high percentage of mineral content, mineral paper cannot currently be recycled in practice by consumers, either in paper or plastic recycling streams through traditional recycling facilities. • Relative to its binding agent content, mineral paper left in the environment will to some degree, fragment leading to oxidized microplastics which causes its chemical disintegration and eventual 'polymer degradation', a scientific term used to describe change in a matter's chemical properties. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.html • Due to its inorganic composition it is not biodegradable or compostable. • The significance of certifications held is, in many cases, limited.
What is Stone Paper®?
Stone Paper® is a widely used registered brand name for a mineral paper-like material made from calcium carbonate with a polymer resin as a binder. It is found on the global market, available in sheets, reels and finished printed products such as notepads, journals, calendars and other stationery items. The trademark, licenses and manufacturing of Stone Paper® are owned and managed by Stone Paper Global Technologies Inc.
The manufacturing process consists of mining virgin calcium carbonate mineral to produce a fine powder that is then mixed with a polymer resin, typically High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or possibly polypropylene. The ratio, depending on the specific product, is between 20 – 40% polymer resin and 60 – 80% calcium carbonate. This mixture is made into pellets before being heated, extruded, calendared and wound into reels. A coating is applied to assist printability before slitting and cutting into the required format. It can subsequently be printed and converted in a similar way to conventional paper, though not by laser or copiers due to the heat involved.
Stone Paper products are sold under different sub-brand names, as a alte ati e to o e tio al pulp pape , s theti papers and plastics. Some distributors focus simply on the technical characteristics, but several traders make contentious claims about the p odu ts environmental benefits using anti-paper rhetoric.
Manufacturers, Distributors and Brands
Most mineral papers on the market appear to originate from Taiwan, although a Japanese manufacturer is now making a similar product called Limex.
Stone Paper
The original mineral paper is designed and manufactured by Taiwan Lung Meng Advanced Composite Materials Co Ltd, hi h as fou ded i . It lai s to hold pate ts to the te h olog i o e ou t ies a d it s possi le the p odu t a be produced under licence elsewhere, though there is no current evidence of this. Documents referring to raw materials suggest that al iu a o ate is f o Lih Hsia g I dust ial Co po atio a d the i gi pol eth le e is f o Fo osa Plastics (both in Taiwan).
Lung Meng, as a production facility, manufactures the Stone Paper branded products on order under its categories titled as: S-Eco, S-Board and S-Thermo (the latter for thermoforming applications). Lung Meng holds ISO9001, ISO14001 and Cradle to Cradle certification.
According to its website, Lung Meng has appointed various country representatives. There also appears to be numerous other distributors and outlets, particularly for completed stationery items. Most products are sold under the Stone Paper brand, but other notable brands manufactured by Lung Meng include RocStar, Rock Stock and ViaStone. See Appendix for full list of brands and traders.
Page 4 Briefing Document: Stone Paper Limex
The Japanese company, TBM Co Ltd, is the manufacturer of similar products to those of Stone Paper, marketed as Limex. The o pa sta ted i i po ti g Lu g Me g s p odu t f o Tai a ut sta ted its o p odu tio i Japa i . It plans to open a second production facility in late 2020.
The Limex product appears to be similar in technical characteristics to products made with mineral paper – it too is a mix of calcium carbonate and polymer resin in similar proportions. It is not clear exactly what resin is used; company literature states it is a pol olefi , which could be HDPE, but there is a suggestion it could be polypropylene (PP).
Based on its website, TBM appear to have a genuine commitment to sustainability, for example including the UN Sustainable Development Goals in their strategy. It states an ambition to develop bio-based resin and to create systems for collecting post-consumer waste product for recycling, though no timeline is indicated. Distribution channels for Limex appear to be less well developed than those of Stone Paper. In Japan, Raksul Inc has been selling Limex business cards since 2017. Times Bridge Management Global Inc has been established in San Francisco, USA and appears to be a sales subsidiary. Itochu Corp (a Japanese trading company with interests in a wide range of sectors and companies, including Kwik Fit and First Response Finance) appears to be an investor in TBM and possibly a distributor through Itochu Europe plc. TBM also appears to have some connection to Ricoh, though this may just be for compatibility testing. Green Claims
The extent, tone and credibility of environmental claims related to mineral paper vary depending on the outlet. Some traders focus solely on technical characteristics, as an alternative to plastic or synthetic papers. Others compare their product to conventional paper but in a relatively balanced and objective way. However, there are many mineral paper proponents that have taken an aggressive, anti-paper position in order to promote their offer (particularly in Australia, France, The Netherlands, UK, and to some degree in Canada).
Below are some of the typical green claims being made about mineral paper and similar products, and an analysis of their credibility.
Environmental Claim Comments
Environmentally friendly raw materials.
While many suppliers are clear about the The binder used to hold the mineral powder together is high density type of raw materials used, some imply that polyethylene (HDPE) – a type of polymer glue. all the raw materials are environmentally friendly. HDPE resin will be at least 20% and as much as 40% of the product composition depending on the type of material. Stone Paper products consists entirely out of waste and recycled p odu t . While in principle HDPE could be made from biomass (such as corn starch) there is no evidence of this currently being used for any of the mineral ade ith % e led ate ials papers.
Page 5 Briefing Document: Stone Paper
e o-friendly tree-free pape Some suppliers claim that recycled HDPE is used but there is no evidence to suppo t this. Lu g Me g s appa e t esi supplie , Fo osa Plasti s, A s all i fusio of o -to i esi makes no mention of recycled raw materials in its 2018 CSR Report. It see s o e likel that it ill e i gi HDPE resin derived from fossil -10% non-to i esi fuels.
ou d ith a s all pe e tage of o -toxic The virgin calcium carbonate used seems to be extracted esi through mining.
Making use of waste.
Several suppliers claim the calcium While in principle it is possible that the calcium carbonate may be a by- carbonate used is a quarrying waste. product of quarrying (in the same way that much wood pulp is derived as a by-product of timber processing), there is no objective evidence to Pape made from recycled sto e support the assertion that the raw material would otherwise go to waste. Therefore, there appears to be no objective evidence that it is made from The CaCO3 is gathered as a waste material any stones let alone waste stones. f o ua ies ea TLM s pla t Lung Meng does not make the claim on their website and their calcium Cal iu a o ate o igi ati g f o aste carbonate supplier, Lih Hsiang, appear to commercially market refined ate ials f o sto e ua ies calcium carbonate powder.
“ ap a d ua aste The validity of this claim is particularly important as it influences the claims about carbon footprint (see below). We use aste a le a d li esto e f o nearby construction industry fa ilities
Saving trees.
Almost all suppliers refer to Stone Paper Stone Paper products do not contain wood or any other cellulose fiber. products being a better option because no However, the argument that this makes the product better for the wood is used, some more aggressively than environment predisposes that harvesting trees is inherently bad. others. As Two Sides can demonstrate, well-managed planted forests reduce the pressure on natural forests and can provide many other “a e t ees environmental benefits.
to of pape e ui es atu e t ees The figure of 18 or 20 trees per ton cannot be substantiated (as it depends on the type of paper, species of tree and how much of the tree is No t ees. No guilt utilized by paper or other industries).
We ould kill t ees too. But h should we The 20 trees reference appears to originate from Paper Calculator from the ha e to? Environmental Paper Network, a US- based NGO collective. They calculate 20.1 trees for a coated paper, based on a mix of hardwoods and softwoods Fo a to of ood pulp pape , t ees need to be cut down which are then 6-8 inches in diameter and 40 feet tall. replaced with fast growing trees that destroy the bio-di e sit .
LIMEX sheets a sa e ate a d fo ests
Page 6 Briefing Document: Stone Paper
Saving water.
Most suppliers refer to Stone Paper It appears that water is not directly used in the production of Stone Paper products saving water, but figures vary products. Reference is made to 27 gallons circulating in a closed loop widely. system, for cooling machines. Therefore, claims of saving water compared to conventional paper appear to have some validity. “a e gallo s of ate However, the specific figures are open to dispute. The figure of 7480 A out . thousa d gallo s of ate a e gallons (about 34,000 liters) appears to come from Lung Meng and is necessary to make 1 metric tonne of around the average amount of water utilized in paper production (per t aditio al pape tonne). The figure of 15.5 thousand gallons (about 71,000 liters) appears to originate from The Paper Task Force (a US based research project led by , liters of water are necessary to the Environmental Defence Fund NGO with commercial partners) in 2002. produce wood pulp paper. During the The figure of 500,000 liters (made by Armen Paper, France) is completely production of 1 ton of wood pulp paper unsubstantiated and may be a miscalculation – 35,000 liters is 7% of 2,770 liters out of 35.000 is lost. So, using 500,000 liters and 7% is the average amount of process water actually Stone Paper products saves 2,770 liters consumed during paper production. of ate 93% of the water used in the European paper industry is returned. For Fo so e pape s, this ep ese ts a sa i g that actually consumed, an average figure for the European industry is of water consumption equivalent to 500 000 2,700 liters pe to e, so the lai that usi g Stone Paper saves 2,770 liters per 1 to liters of ate can be justified.
No harmful chemicals.
It appears that the production of Stone Paper products does not involve Stone Paper products uses no harmful bleaching. It does not appear to contain harmful chemicals. che i als No haza dous o te t The product also appears to meet the requirements of standards (such as RoHS) that limit substances such as heavy metals. However, it can be Haloge F ee argued that these standards are not likely to be even relevant to virgin paper or stationery products. Indeed, it is unlikely that virgin conventional paper would contain such substances either.
It would be misleading to imply that Stone Paper products are chemical free, as at least 20% is polymer resin, which is a product of the petrochemical industry.
Significantly lower Carbon Footprint.
Many suppliers claim that the carbon There appear to be two sources that carbon footprint claims are based on, footprint of Stone Paper products are much both related to the Lung Meng products. Those efe i g to % lo e lower than that of conventional paper. are from a Eu opea stud . Those efe i g to % s alle o i e al pape kg a e f o No th A e i a esea h.
Page 7 Briefing Document: Stone Paper
The e issio is % lo e tha ood pulp The European study was commissioned by Gaia-Concept and undertaken pape by Dennis Hol in 2013. This appears to be a reasonably thorough and se si le life le assess e t, usi g a adle to gate s ope (i cluding raw mineral paper 482 kg CO2, Pulp paper materials, manufacture and delivery to The Netherlands). However, the 1431 kg CO2 carbon emissions related to the main raw material, calcium carbonate, a e e luded e ause it o side s this to e aste f o the life le of B epla i g to of ood pulp pape ith a othe p odu t . E e if theoretically the calcium carbonate was waste, 1 ton of Stone Paper products, e a … presumably it would still require some processing, so it seems strange to Reduce 900kg of CO2 exclude this raw material entirely. This may account for the relatively low figure of 474kg CO2e per tonne of mineral paper. The study compares this Less CO2 to a carbon footprint for coated paper of 1,431kg CO2e/t, based on an LCA conducted for the American Forest & Paper Association in 2010. mineral paper 600kg CO2…Vi gi Pulp Paper 1,500kg CO2 The North American calculations are published by Stone Age Packaging of Canada and appear to date from around 2014. It gives the carbon footprint mineral paper has a 60% smaller of Stone Paper products as 600kg CO2/t, which appears to be based purely a o footp i t tha egula pape on energy and oil consumption (excluding raw materials and transport impacts). This compares to conventional paper of 1,500kg CO2/t, which is taken from 2002 data published by the Paper Task Force.
Eurograph provides a more accurate and realistic average carbon footprint for the European graphic papers sector of 670 kg/t fossil CO2 emissions. This gives Stone Paper products a reduced advantage of 70kg – 196kg CO2e/t (12 – 41% saving), assuming its claimed carbon footprint is correct.
I ealit , it see s likel that the al ulatio s fo Lu g Me g s “to e Paper products are inaccurate, as they exclude key raw material i pa ts ithout p ope justifi atio . It s i te esti g to ote that TBM s figures for Limex gives the carbon footprint as a much larger 1,666kg CO2 per tonne. Recyclability
Many suppliers promote Stone Paper Stone Paper products can only currently be recycled in a closed loop products as fully recyclable, though system, i.e. at the production facility where it is made – e led some are more circumspect. o e ti g used i e al pape i to i e al pape pellets.
‘e la le to i fi it Some suppliers suggest that it can be recycled as part of a Catego (HDPE) waste stream. However, due to its high mineral content, whether “to e Pape p odu ts a e e la le disposed of as a plastic or as a paper, it is likely that mineral paper unless ith plasti combined with a compatible material, could not be recycled but would be rejected as a contaminant in a traditional recycling facility. Because of Mate ial recyclable this, Waimakariri District Council, in Australia, has advised residents that i e al pape a t e e led ut ill ha e to go i the u ish ag o % e la le bin.
Page 8 Briefing Document: Stone Paper
It a e recycled just like regular paper, Some Stone Paper suppliers do acknowledge that Stone Paper products th ough the pape o plasti st ea cannot normally be recycled by consumers. Stone Age Packaging admits e la ilit ea s the p odu t a e ade f o its o aste ut asserts that its low volumes will not affect or damage existing recycling st ea s. Via“to e states that the fa ilities fo [ e li g] do ot u e tl e ist a d e o e ds that the p odu t should e disposed of incineration for e e g e o e . I F a e, a te h i al guida e spe ifies that filled HDPE with a content of CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) higher than 7% cannot be recycled in the HDPE recycling process.
Ka st lai to ha e i ple e ted a p odu t euse a d e li g p og a whereby it takes back products from customers and every six months returns batches to the mill for recycling. However, there is no objective evidence to support this claim.
The reality is that very little, if any, mineral paper will be recycled in practice i t aditio al e li g fa ilities, a d so lai s to e % e la le a e particularly misleading. This compares to an actual European recycling rate for conventional paper of 72.3% in 2017.
Degradability.
Suppliers that do mention degradability are clear it refers to P odu ts a e photodeg ada le photodegradable properties, meaning that the products will eventually degrade when exposed to natural UV light. Stone Paper products are easily broken down by su light… i a pe iod of to o ths Current concerns about plastic waste have highlighted that this is not necessarily a desirable feature for some applications. Photodegradable is HDPE takes a out -18 months to start not biodegradable – while the calcium carbonate is benign, the HDPE eaki g do portion will to some degree fragment, leading to oxidized microplastics.
Certifications. Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Lung Meng holds C adle to C adle “il e e tifi atio fo its “to e Pape Kiwa Castor Gaea p odu t. Ce tifi atio i ol es a assess e t of e i o e tal a d so ial performance across five critical sustainability categories: material health, ISO9001 & ISO14001 material reuse, renewable energy and carbon management, water ste a dship, a d so ial fai ess . The link below demonstrates the Carbon Neutral requirements for Silver certification. https://www.c2ccertified.org/get- certified/levels/silver/ v3_1 B Corp
Environmental Choice Gaia Concept has been awarded the Kiwa Castor Gaea certificate. Kiwa are an international testing, inspection and certification body. The Castor Gaea criteria refer to circular economy principles and requires the achievement of a minimum scoring threshold. Without access to the underlying rating it is difficult to judge how significant the certification is, but it appears to be based purely on self- declared information.
Page 9 Briefing Document: Stone Paper ISO9001 is an international standard for quality management systems. ISO14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems. They apply to organizations rather than products. Lung Meng holds both certifications, though the ISO14001 certificate on its website is out of date. Karst has partnered with the Australian carbon offsetting company, Carbon Neutral. There is evidence it has bought a relatively small quantity of offsets, though it is unclear what proportion of its activities or sales this relates to. Ka st featu es a Ce tified B Co po atio logo o its e site. B Co p Ce tifi atio is a easu e of a o pa s so ial a d e i o e tal performance. RockStock has been awarded the Environmental Choice certificate, an environmental labelling programme initiated by the New Zealand Government. It appears to be based purely on self-declared information. I te esti gl , o e of the e ui e e ts is that app op iate e li g fa ilities must be available nationwide in New Zealand or widely available in the ou t he e the p odu t is sold – it is doubtful whether mineral paper can meet this requirement in practice.
Two Sides and Regulator Activity
Australia
Two Sides Australia has written to Karst challenging their misleading claims about mineral paper and deceptive conduct about spreading misconceptions on the paper and pulp production.
France
Two Sides France has undertaken extensive research on claims made by mineral paper distributors and made unsuccessful attempts to contact traders of the product. Complaints were subsequently filed with the French regulator, the Advertising Ethics Jury (JDP) about misleading claims being made by Armen Paper and Mineral Print. These complaints were upheld in February and May 2019 respectively. The JDP found that it was misleading to claim mineral paper is % chemical p odu t (because of the presence HDPE resin), that claims of lower CO2 emissions were not supported by objective evidence, and that claims of a tonne of paper requiring 20 trees to be cut were not justified. The JDP o luded that the lai s thei i o plete a d u su sta tiated atu e, a e su h as to islead the consumer as to the composition of the mineral paper and its real impacts on the e i o e t .
Netherlands
Papierenkarton.nl complained to the Dutch Advertising Code Committee about misleading claims being made about mineral paper and its comparison to conventional paper. The Committee found that the claims were misleading with regards to the environmental benefits of mineral paper, specifically a s all percentage of non- toxic esi ; claiming that the product 'almost entirely' consists of minerals; that the product is safely broken down by atu e ; that mineral paper can be recycled epeatedl ; and that mineral paper has a carbon footprint 67% lower than pulp pape is not substantiated. Gaia-Concept appealed the ruling but in October 2019 these pertinent findings were upheld.
Page 10 Briefing Document: Stone Paper
UK
Two Sides UK wrote to Itochu Europe plc regarding misleading claims about the Limex product in November 2018. This was followed by a complaint to the UK s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in March 2019. The ASA considered that further investigation was justified in relation to whether referring to the Limex product as paper was misleading; claims that it took 20 trees and 100 tonnes of water to produce one ton of paper were misleading; claiming Limex is an eco-friendly alternative to paper was misleading and whether the full life cycle environmental impact could be substantiated. The ASA advised in April 2019 that the complaint was resolved, as Itochu Europe had agreed to remove such claims and provide citations for figures used in future.
Conclusions
Mineral paper does appear to be an innovative product with some potentially attractive characteristics, such as being waterproof. It may have environmental benefits when compared to plastic products or synthetic papers. However, while some suppliers of mineral paper focus on these attributes, many independent traders and distributors have chosen to aggressively and negatively `compare the sustainability of their product against conventional paper. In most cases, these claims are misleading or unsubstantiated and have been found by regulators to be false advertising.
In particular, it can be concluded that:
• Mineral paper, at least relative to its polymer binding agent content, is considered a composite material. • There appears to be no objective evidence that it is ade f o a sto es let alo e aste stones'. • While mineral paper does not contain wood, the comparative environmental claims related to this are exaggerated, unsubstantiated and biased. • The production of mineral paper does not appear to consume water during manufacturing, but the comparative water consumption of conventional paper production is often exaggerated. • While mineral paper may not contain harmful chemicals, it should not, as a holder of polymer resin component, be considered to be chemical free. • Carbon Footprint comparisons appear to be based on incomplete and outdated information. Any relative benefits of mineral paper are likely to be much smaller than claimed. • Due to high percentage of mineral content, mineral paper unless combined with a compatible material, cannot currently be recycled in practice by consumers, either in paper or plastic recycling streams through traditional recycling facilities. • Relative to its binding agent content, mineral paper left in the environment will to some degree, fragment leading to oxidized microplastics which causes its chemical disintegration and eventual 'polymer degradation', a scientific term used to describe change in a matter's chemical properties. • Due to its inorganic composition, it is not biodegradable or compostable. • The significance of certifications held is, in many cases, limited.
Page 11 Briefing Document: Stone Paper Appendix: Full list of Stone Paper traders and brands.
Company Name Role Country Brand Website Taiwan Lung Mend Original Design Taiwan www.taiwanlm.com Advanced Composite Manufacturer _ Materials Co Ltd
Karst Trader Australia Stone Paper https://karststonepaper.com (stationery) (and global) Stone Paper Chile Country Chile Stone Paper www.stonepaper.cl SPA Representative Shanghai Lung Country China Stone Paper Meng Technology Paper Co., Representative Ltd. Great Stone Tech Country China _ Co., Ltd. Representative Stone Age Country Canada Stone Paper www.stonepapertech.com Packaging Representative AAGroup/Stone Paper division Country Italy Stone Paper www.stone-paper.it Representative Ogami Trader Italy Repap www.ogamicollection.com Sodinor Country France Ecosprint, www.sodinor.com Representative Ecoboard Armen Paper Trader France Stone Paper https://armenpaper.bzh Feuille de Pierre Trader France Stone Paper www.feuilledepierre.fr Mineral Paper Trader France Mineral Paper www.mineral-paper.com Mineral Print Trader France Stone Paper www.mineral-print.fr I o lue Trader France RocStar https://rocstar.fr/ Stone Paper Country Germany Stone Paper http://stone-paper.nl Innovations Representative Kamatani Shigyo Country Japan Stone Paper www.kamatani.jp Co Ltd Representative KY Industrias Country Mexico KY Stone Paper www.kystonepaper.com Representative Gaia-Concept B.V. Country The Stone Paper http://stone-paper.nl Representative Netherlands The Stone Paper Country New Rock Stock www.stonepaper.co.nz Company Representative Zealand UniEco Country South Korea Mineral Paper www.mineralpaper.co.kr Representative EmanaGreen S.L. Country Spain Stone Paper www.emanagreen.com Representative Sphera International Trader Taiwan Stone Paper www.spherai.com
Nuco Country UK Nu Stone Paper www.nuco-international.com International Ltd Representative Tier 1 International Inc. Country USA ViaStone www.viastone.com Representative
Page 12 Briefing Document: Stone Paper EXHIBIT A(bis) In the process for the manufacture of a single-layered environmental friendly paper of the present invention a composition comprising about 56% to about 80% by weight of inorganic mineral powders as main components, about 43% to about 18% by weight of polyethylene and about 1% to about 2% by weight of additives is used. The inorganic mineral powders include at least two components selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, kaolin, mica, zinc oxide, dolomite, glass fiber, hollow glass microbead, silica, chalk, talc, pigment, titanium dioxide, silica dioxide, bentonite, clay and diatomaceous earth and mixtures thereof, which have been sintered or not. Polyethylene includes high density polyethylene or a combination of high density polyethylene and at least one selected from the group consisting of medium density polyethylene (i.e., linear low density polyethylene), and low density polyethylene. The additives include those conventionally used in the art, such as coupling agents, lubricants, dispersant agents, and antistatic agents. [0033]
The coupling agent is for instance a silane coupling agent such as beta-(3,4- epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxy-silane.
[0034]
An example of lubricants is N-oleyl palmitamide. The antistatic agent is, for example, N,N-bis(2- hydroxyethyl)cocoamine or N,N-bis)2-hydroxyethyl)stearyl amine.
[0035]
After a series of treatment steps of mixing, extruding, milling, and polymerizing, the combination of the above-mentioned raw materials turn into granulates. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 2 a, the granulates are fed into an extruder 10 (a single extruder) for producing a paper film. A forming mould 1 having an -shaped gate has an inlet on its surface. The inlet defines an inner passage 101 in the forming mould 1 and the inner passage 101 communicates with the gate of the forming mould 1∘. When the temperature of the extruder 10 is set at a temperature above the melting point of the granulates, for example, a range from about 150° C. to about 220° C., the granulates melt and are then transported to the inlet of the forming mould 1 through the single inner passage 101 by the force directly coming from two rotating screws of the extruder 10. The melted granulates are moulded as a paper film tube 3 having an hollow -shape from the gate of the forming mould 1. The paper film tube 3 moulded from the gate of the forming mould 1 has a temperature as high as 150° C. to 220° C. and is cooled down by a cooling∘ wind. Preferably, this is a vertically blowing wind from a cooling means 2 provided above the gate of the forming mould 1. Keeping the cooling wind blowing vertically can ensure that the shape of the paper film tube 3 is maintained as that of the gate of the forming mould 1. The temperature of the paper film tube 3 should be cooled down to about 80° C. to about 120° C. at a distance within about 700 mm from the gate of the forming mould 1, so the next step can be continued.
[0036]
Next, the paper film tube 3 is inflated, for example by pressured air through a passage (not shown) in the forming mould 1. At the same time, one end of the initially moulded paper film tube 3 is drawn by a leading roller 6. The rotation speed of the leading roller 6 is controlled so that the paper film tube 3 is substantially air-tight. The rotating speed of the leading roller 6, the amount of the extruded materials from the extruder 10, and the required thickness of the paper film tube 3 are suitably controlled so that the paper film tube 3 is inflated three to eight times at a distance of about 200 mm to about 700 mm from the gate of the forming mould 1. The purpose of the inflation and drawing is to simultaneously stretch the paper film tube 3 in two directions, i.e., latitudinally and longitudinally, resulting in an environmental friendly paper 4 having a structure with two dimensional strength. Under the action of inflation, the density of the environmental friendly paper 4 can be reduced from that of the combination of the raw materials about 2 g/cm3 to about 0.5 g/cm3, saving an amount of up to about 40% volume when compared with the density of pulp which is about 0.7 g/cm3 to about 0.9 g/cm3. Because the drawing force from the leading roller 6, the environmental friendly paper 4 is drawn into a folding means 5 provided between the leading roller 6 and the cooling means 2 so that the environmental friendly paper 4 is symmetrically folded into a folded flat paper. The purposes of the leading roller 6 include drawing the initially formed paper film tube 3 with a low rotation speed so that the wind from the cooling means 2 is evenly blown thereto and stabilizing the paper film tube 3, and maintaining the paper film tube 3 air-tight so that the paper film tube 3 is evenly inflated. Also, the rotation speed of the leading roller 6 is an essential factor to the longitudinal stretch and the required thickness of the paper film. Of course, the rotation speed should be suitably adjusted to comply with the amount of extruded materials coming from the extruder 10. Then, the folded environmental friendly paper passes a cutting means 7 so that the folded paper is cut into two sheets of paper. The two resulting sheets of the environmental friendly paper are each subjected to treatment of a surface corona means 8 so that numerous microvoids are formed on the two surfaces of each environmental friendly paper and better adhesion can be obtained therefrom. The environmental friendly paper is then collected on a roll 9. During the process for the manufacture of a single- layered environmental friendly paper, the thickness of the paper can be suitably controlled within a range from about 30 μm to about 150 μm, the width can be about 0.2 m to about 3.2 m, and the density can be about 0.4 g/cm3 to about 1 g/cm3.
EXHIBIT A(tris) Page 1/5 Material Safety Data Sheet
Indentification of the substance / preparation and company
Product Information :
Product Number :5.
Product Uses: Plastic/Rubber/paper /paint filler
Information on Producer/Supplier Name Addresses Phone :
Emergency Phone / Fax 886-2-2321-2021, 886-3-996-2561
Hazardous Identification: Major Hazard Effect Hazard Warnings for Health : 1. When breathed it stimulates the respiratory organs, feel sneezing and slightly stimulating on nose. 2. When the eye is attacked, it will be slightly stimulated and feel tear-dropping. 3. When eaten in big quantity, there will be intestinal clogging and constipation.
Hazard Warnings for Environment : To notice loading equipment and ventilation facilities to avoid the powder flying in the wind.
Physical and Chemical Dangerous Burning with 600 up, it can produce CO and CO2
Special Harm Nil
Major State -----
Composition/Information on Ingredients Single English Name CALCIUM CARBONATE Synonyms Page 2/5 Chemical Abstracts Number (CAS No.) 00471-34-1
Percentage for Chemical Ingredient (%) 97~99% CaCO3 mixed with slight SiO2 and MgO Mixing : Chemical Character Hazardous Components Name Concentration / Percentage Hazard Symbols ------
First Aid Measures : Emergency and First Aid Procedures Inhalation Keep away from pollution source at once, and move to a clean place of fresh air. Skin Contact Wash with warm water for at least 12 minutes. Eye Contact Wash with warm water for at least 10 minutes. Ingestion Rinse mouth thoroughly with water, then drink 240-300 ml of water to dilute the material in stomach. Do not induce vomiting, immediately sent to the hospital.
Major Disease and Harm Effect None
First-Aid Personal Protection : Normal first-aid personal protection
Prompt to Doctor When eaten, do not vomit and sent to the hospital immediately.
Fire Fighting Measure :
Suitable Extinguishing Media : Non-flammable substance, therefore not applicable
Special Exposure Hazards : Non
Special Extinguishing Procedure : Non
Special Protection Equipment : Normal protection equipment
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Protection : Non hazardous, to avoid leaking and confine entering.
Environmental Protection : Keep airing, and moving the effect chemical.
Methods for Cleaning Up: Cleaning dry CaCO3 for retrieve to avoid dust in the wind. Page 3/5 Handling and Storage Handling : 1. Partially ventilated with blower and then conducted to a dust collecting system. 2. Using with dust-proof and damp-proof safety glass. 3. Using with dust-proof breathing mask and damp-proof glove. 4. Keeping away from wet and damp working conditions.
Storage : Keeping in dry and cool place with good ventilation.
Exposure Control / Personal Protection Engineering Control With good ventilation, partially ventilated with blower and then conducted to a dust collecting system. Control Factor TWA/STEL/CEILING Biotic Index Personal Protection Equipment Respiratory Protection Dust-proof breathing mask. Hand Protection Damp-proof glove. Eye Protection Dust-proof and damp-proof safety glass Skin & Body Protection Wear working uniform Hygiene Procedures : Keeping work environment clear, and washing the hands and foots after work.
Physical and Chemical Properties / Characteristics Appearance : Solid Form Powder
Color : White Odor : Odorless pH value 8-10 Boiling Point / Boiling Range: not applicable Flash Point Decomposition Temperature 600 up Test Method Open Cup Close Cup Spontaneous Temperature ----- Exposure Limits not explosive Vapor Pressure ------Vapor Density ------Volatility: Not available Specific Gravity 2.7 Solubility in Water 1-2mg/100ml
Stability and Reactivity Page 4/5 Stability Stable
Special Conditions of Hazardous Reaction : -----
Conditions to Avoid : -----
Incompatibility : 1. Fluorine: Burnable 2. Magnesium (Mg): Explosible
Hazardous Decomposition Products : CO, CO2
Toxicological Information Acute Toxicity None
Local Effects None
Sensitive : None
Chronic Slight hazardous
Exceptional Effect None
Ecological Information Possibility of Environmental Impact/Move : In its solid state, calcium carbonate is a natural mineral of the earth. In its dissolved state, the substance is a natural and indispensable component of natural waters. Therefore, unfavorable effects to the environment may be excluded. And, with dust collecting equipment in the process of manufacturing, it would not cause air pollution. But, due to contents of slight stearic acid, it would float on water and must be degreased by cleaner.
Disposal Information Waste Disposal: 1. Waste must be disposed of in accordance with local environmental control regulations. 2. Disposal of non-hazardous waste or sanitary landfill.
Transport Information International Transport Regulation -----
The United Nations Number (Un-No) -----
Internal Transport regulation -----
Special Transport Way and Note : ----- Page 5/5 Regulation Information
Apply Regulation (Taiwan) * Regulations for labor safety and health installations * Literacy regulations for hazard and hazardous materials * Methods and Facilities Standards for the Storage, Clearance and Disposal of Industrial Waste * Traffic Regulations
Other Information Reference
Name LIH HSIANG INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION Make Unit Addresses/Phone RM804, NO.130, CHUNG HSIAO E.RD., SEC.2. TAIPEI, TAIWAN. R.O.C. TEL: 886-2-2321-2021, 2351-9633 Name (Sign) Make People Professional Post Sale Manager C.G. SHIAU Make Date 2011/03/10 EXHIBIT B
EXHIBIT C
EXHIBIT D
EXHIBIT E 330412 09/02/2021
נסח סימן מסחר Trade Mark Extract
מספר סימן Trade Mark No. 330412 תאריך הגשה Application Date 10/08/2020
סחורות/שירותים Goods/Services סוג: Class: 16 16 מוצרים דמויי-נייר מינרליים נטולי עץ; נייר ביו- Mineral paper-like products which are פלסטי; נייר אקולוגי, דהיינו נייר נטול עץ; קרטון ;tree free and wood free; bioplastic paper אקולוגי, דהיינו קרטון נטול עץ; יריעת נייר eco-paper, namely tree-free and wood אקולוגי, דהיינו יריעת נייר נטול עץ לעטיפת מזון; -free paper; eco-cardboard, namely tree נייר תרמי אקולוגי, דהיינו נייר תרמי נטול עץ; free and wood-free cardboard; eco-paper נייר מינרלי, דהיינו נייר עשיר במינרלים; קרטון film, namely tree-free and wood-free food עשיר במינרליים; יריעת נייר עשיר במינרלים, ,wrapping paper film; eco-thermal paper כלומר יריעת נייר עשיר במינרלים לעטיפת מזון; namely tree-free and wood-free thermal נייר תרמי עשיר במינרלים; מוצרי נייר עשירים paper; mineral paper, namely rich במינרלים; מוצרי נייר נטולי עץ העשויים ;mineral paper; rich mineral cardboard ממינרלים; נייר; קרטון; נייר רגיש חום; יריעת rich mineral paper film, namely rich נייר, דהיינו יריעת נייר לעטיפת מזון; יריעת נייר mineral food wrapping paper film; rich לאריזת מזון; מוצרים דמויי נייר המיוצרים מסידן mineral thermal paper; rich mineral paper קרבונט המלוכד עם פוליאתילן ; כל הסחורות products; tree-free and wood-free paper האמורות לעיל מתייחסות לסחורות נטולות עץ ;products made from minerals; paper ומתכלות באור. ,cardboard; thermal paper; paper film namely food wrapping paper film; food
עמוד 1 מתוך 3 3 330412 09/02/2021
נסח סימן מסחר Trade Mark Extract
packaging paper film; paper-like products manufactured from calcium carbonate bonded with polyethylene; All of the aforesaid goods relate to Tree Free and Photo Degradable goods.
Owners Name: Stone Paper Global Technologies Ltd. Address: 666 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC V6C 3P6, Canada Identification No: 8426103
המען למסירת הודעות Address for service שם: בוסתנאי, עורכי-דין Name: Bustanai, Law Offices כתובת: דרך בגין 150, מגדל WE, תל אביב, ,Address: WE Tower, 150 Begin Road 6492105, ישראל Tel Aviv, 6492105, Israel
יומן שינויים Changes
תאריך מהות האירוע מהות האירוע תיאור בעברית תיאור בלועזית תאריך האירוע בעברית בלועזית הפרסום Publication Description Description Nature of Nature of Date of date ( English) ( Hebrew) event event event ( ( English) ( Hebrew) 09/02/2021 קובל Accepted
מספר מיופה: 5968 ןיכומיס: 1585/1
עמוד 2 מתוך 3 3 330412 09/02/2021
נסח סימן מסחר Trade Mark Extract
בנסח זה אין מידע בדבר שעבודים על הסימן, ככל שישנם. מידע בדבר שעבודים, מצוי ברשם המשכונות וברשם החברות, לפי העניין . . In this extract there is no Information regarding pledges, if any. Information regarding pledges can be found in the Pledges Register and the Companies Register, as the case may be.
עמוד 3 מתוך 3 3 EXHIBIT F
Search for a trade mark - Intellectual Property Office Page 1 of 2
Skip to main content Intellectual Property Office
Trade mark number UK00801525532
Status Registered
Overview
Trade mark
Dates
Filing date 13 February 2020
Date of entry in register 07 September 2020
Renewal date
https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00801525532 3/22/2021 Search for a trade mark - Intellectual Property Office Page 2 of 2
13 February 2030
Goods and services
Classes and terms
Class 16
Names and addresses
Owner(s) name
Stone Paper Global Technologies Ltd. 666 Burrard St., Suite 500 Vancouver BC V6C 3P8, Canada
Country of Incorporation Canada
IPO representative name
RICHES, MCKENZIE & HERBERT LLP Suite 1800, 2 Bloor Street East Toronto ON M4W 3J5, Canada
Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office
https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00801525532 3/22/2021 EXHIBIT G
EXHIBIT H
EXHIBIT I
337125
EXHIBIT J Trade Marks Directory Service Notification
We report details of a trade Mark Application / Registration that has been advertised
Sam Farhangi Opposition Date: Stone Paper Global Technologies Ltd 666 Burrard Street, 17 Apr 2021 Suite 500 Vancouver, BC V6C 3P6 Journal: Canada South Korea
Client Name: References: Stone Paper Global Technologies Ltd
Mark Watched Mark Found Word Mark: STONE PAPER Stone - Paper Tree Free Photo Degradable
Classes: 16 16
Mark Found Mark Date: 13 Feb 2020 App/Reg No: 1525532 (A) Publication Date: 17 Feb 2021
Applicant Name: Stone Paper Global Technologies Ltd.
Additional Information Goods and Services: Class 16: Eco-paper, namely, tree-free and wood free paper, eco-board, namely, tree-free and wood-free cardboard, eco-film, namely, tree-free and wood-free food wrapping paper film, eco- thermal paper, namely, tree-free and paper-free thermal paper, rich mineral paper, rich mineral board, namely, rich mineral cardboard, rich mineral film, namely, rich mineral food wrapping paper film, rich mineral thermal paper, rich mineral paper products , namely, tree-free and wood-free paper products made from minerals, namely, paper, cardboard, thermal paper, paper film, namely food wrapping paper film, food packaging paper film. (Eco paper, ie, non-green paper and wood free paper, eco board, ie, tree free and wood free cardboard, eco film, ie, tree free and wood free paper film for food packaging, eco thermal paper, ie, tree free and wood free thermal paper, Rich mineral paper, rich mineral board, ie rich mineral cardboard, rich mineral film, ie paper film for packaging rich mineral foods, rich mineral thermal paper, rich mineral paper products, ie trifree and woodfree paper products made of minerals, ie Paper, cardboard, thermal paper, paper film, that is, paper film for food packaging, paper film for food packaging)
(*) Translations provided upon request for subscribed classes
Tel : +44 (0)207 549 0660 Email: [email protected] Web: www.cpaglobal.com 07 Mar 2021 No: 1525532 (A) Page 1 of 2
Full Document
07 Mar 2021 No: 1525532 (A) Page 2 of 2
EXHIBIT K ------Forwarded message ------From: Jacqueline Kadey
I will attend to this. Regards
Jacqueline Kadey
Compliance Officer
Stone Paper Global Technologies 666 Burrard St, Suite 500 Vancouver, BC. V6C3P6 Canada
Toll Free: 1-800-861-1317 CA Dir: 1-604-961-9433 US Dir: 1-757-278-1193 Email: [email protected] www.stonepapertech.com
------Forwarded message ------From: Jenni Bick Customer Service
Hi Jacqueline,
Thank you for taking the time to let us know about this. It is great to have more information about the paper used to make these notebooks. I suggest you contact the importer of the notebooks, Fiorentina Ltd. We are a retail store, and get all of our product information from our wholesale suppliers. The product name is not "generic," but is provided by our supplier. I am not in a position to adjust our product descriptions until I am advised by them to make changes.
In this case, your concern would best be addressed directly to them. You can contact them by email at [email protected].
Thanks again, Jenni Bick
On Mon, Jul 6, 2020 at 6:35 PM Jenni Bick Bookbinding (Shopify)
You received a new message from your online store's contact
form.
Name:
Jacqueline A Kadey
Email:
Phone:
Body:
I am writing with reference to your Website and your Stonit hard cover stone paper notebook.
Stone Paper Global Technologies Group is the inventor of mineral paper making technology, marketed internationally under the Stone Paper brand, and is also the creator and proprietor of the trademark STONE PAPER around the world.
We are the global holder of Intellectual properties in various forms related to Stone Paper materials.
With reference to your article mentioned above, our paper is not made of any stones, rocks, pebbles, or any waste materials, but made of pure Calcium Carbonate mineral which is extracted from mines. The Calcium Carbonate is ground into a fine powder mixed with a small amount of non-toxic resin as a binding agent to hold the Calcium Carbonate powder together.
For purposes of information accuracy and to avoid any misrepresentations, we respectfully ask that you edit your article to reflect the correct information. Furthermore, it would be greatly appreciated if you would use the name Stone Paper to reflect the brand name of the mineral paper as opposed to a generic product name.
We would be more than happy to assist you with the edits if you wish.
We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Regards
Jacqueline Kadey
Compliance Officer
Stone Paper Global Technologies
666 Burrard St, Suite 500
Vancouver, BC. V6C3P6 Canada
-- Customer Service
JENNI BICK CUSTOM JOURNALS One of a Kind Handmade Books toll free 833 . 705 . 7485 // jennibick.com
--
Sam Farhangi
Founder & CEO
Stone Paper Global Technologies 666 Burrard St, Suite 500 Vancouver, BC. V6C3P6
Toll Free: 1-800-861-1317 CA Dir: 1-604-961-9433
US Dir: 1-757-278-1193 Email: [email protected] www.stonepapertech.com EXHIBIT L
THE MICHELIN GUIDE
PRESENTS
VIRTUAL FAMILY MEAL
CALIFORNIA
SAVE TO MY CALENDAR
OCTOBER 27, 2020
4:00PM PST/7:00PM EST
MARK YOUR CALENDARS and join us for an hourlong virtual gathering featuring chefs from California and around the world.
Highlights include roundtable discussions, cooking and conversation, sustainability spotlights, new discoveries, and compelling stories of support, togetherness, innovation, and the future of the industry at large.
Tune in on October 27th, 4:00PM PST / 7:00PM EST
FIND OUT MORE
PRIVACY POLICY UNSUBSCRIBE VIEW WITH IMAGES
UPDATE PROFILE
This email was sent to: [email protected] Copyright © 2020 Michelin North America, Inc. All rights reserved. The Michelin Man is a registered trademark owned by Michelin North America, Inc. Michelin North America, Inc. 1 Parkway South Greenville, SC, 29615, US
EXHIBIT M
EXHIBIT M(bis)
EXHIBIT N
LICENSED MARKS:
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Silver
THE LICENSED MARKS IDENTIFIED ABOVE MAY BE LICENSED TO: Taiwan Lung Meng Advanced Composite Materials Co., Ltd
FOR THE BELOW LISTED CERTIFIED PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NAME: Stone Paper
Only the following products are considered Certified Product(s) within the scope of this certification and the associated Trademark License Agreement:
Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute R-Eco, R-Film, R-Board, R-Thermo, S-Eco, S-Board, S-Thermo,R-Film (A), S-Film (A) R-Eco (C2S), S-Eco (C2S), R-Film (C2S), S-Film (C2S), R-Board START DATE (C2S), S-Board (C2S), 07 March 2018 R-Film (C1SA), R-Film (C2SA), S-Film (C1SA), S-Film (C2SA) CERTIFICATION # 3397 EXPIRATION DATE 24 June 2021
LEAD ASSESSMENT BODY: MBDC
Certified under Version 3.1 of the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard Use of Licensed Marks is subject to terms and conditions of the C2CPII Trademark License Agreement and Trademark Use Guidelines. Cradle to Cradle Certified™ is a registered trademark of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute EXHIBIT O
PROOF OF SERVICE
I am employed at the IP Law Offices of Howard L. Hoffenberg at 74-710 Highway 111, Suite 102, Palm Desert, California 92260 in the County of Riverside of the State of California. I am over the age of 18 and not a party to the within action.
On March 22, 2021, I am serving the foregoing document(s) described as:
APPLICANT’S SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE AND DECLARATIONS on each person whose name appears below at the address specified adjacent to that person's name:
[email protected] by attaching a true copy(s) in an email for electronic sending in the manner specified below.
[ ] I deposited such envelope in the mail at Los Angeles, California.
[ X ] I am "readily familiar" with the practices at the Law Offices of Howard L. Hoffenberg for the processing of email correspondence for sending via mailing. Under those practices the foregoing document would be attached to an email and a send command made.
I swear or affirm under the penalties of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on this 22nd day of March in Riverside County, California.
/Howard Leslie Hoffenberg, Reg., 32,239/ Howard Leslie Hoffenberg