Esparto graass, or Albardin grass, was for many years a very popular paper making fibre in the UK where pulp was produced from this material by various processes. Found in substantial quantities in North Africa and Southern Spain, the fibre, which is absorbent, was introduced into Britain around the middle of the last century.
It was used in the manufacture of printing and writing and base papers for coating, the paper having a soft texture, uniform surface and good bulk.
Today there are no mills left in the UK ‘boiling’ Esparto grass to make pukp, but a small quantity of Esparto pulp is still imported, and used as part of the furnish for qood quality papers and boards. Esparto offset cartridge, for example.