It has never used a tree to make Crane paper. Crane is proof that quality, technology or supply are not inherent problems for alternative fibers. Crane supplies the paper used for currency by the U.S. Treasury and for the U.S. president's letterhead. Worldwide, nonwood fibers are frequently used as feedstock for paper. The best alternative to wood is not a fiber but a process.
Agricultural residues are a particularly attractive fiber to include in the mix.
They are also plentiful. The main barrier for the development of agricultural residues as a feedstock for paper seems to be a lack of a well-developed infrastructure. About half of the 123 to 214 million tons of agricultural residues produced annually are probably not needed to replenish fields and are available for use as pulp. U.S. paper mills use approximately 63 tons of pulp per year. Alternatives are more accessible, better quality, cheaper and have created more diversified product lines.