MIAMI, January 20, 2003 – Aluminum & Paper Wholesale is introducing Reprograf, a tree-free paper manufactured from 100% sugar cane fiber (bagasse), to the U.S. market. An eco-friendly alternative to wood-based paper, Reprograf is the latest entry in the small, but growing industry of paper made from “non-wood” sources. While most tree-free papers sell for a premium, Reprograf is cost-effective and can compete with high quality brands of office paper, generally made of virgin wood pulp. “Although most businesses are trying to be more environmentally sensitive, many can’t afford to pay the extra premium for doing so,” said Erik Sanudo, president of Aluminum & Paper Wholesale. “The fact that Reprograf is affordable means more businesses, even small businesses, can choose to help the environment, while continuing to save money on office paper.” Made of 100% post consumer waste, Reprograf is a multi-purpose, high-speed, laser quality paper that is 20-pound, acid-free and 90 brightness. Manufactured from the sugar industry, post consumer fiber is used along with the latest paper producing technology. The greatest benefit of using tree-free paper is reducing the rate of deforestation and maintaining forest habitats. Approximately 9,300 trees are destroyed for every 500 metric tons of paper. According to the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, annual global consumption of paper is projected to rise to more than 400 million tons by 2010. These figures underline the increasing importance of using non-wood sources for paper. Bagasse is an optimal source, since sugar cane is one of the world’s most widely grown crops. Aluminum and Paper Wholesale is a distributor of aluminum and paper goods based in Miami, Florida. For any other information, please go to their website at www.treefreepaper.us