The recent fire that ripped through the paper plant operated by Nanya Plastics, is expected to halt the domestic production of the high-quality waterproof synthetic paper, which is widely used for packaging and printing purposes.

The company, which is part of Formosa Plastics Group, is facing significant losses, and businesses are already looking into replacements of this so-called "pearl paper".

Taking this calendar, we see the backing is glossily and smooth, as it is not waterproof, but also tear proof as this material is called pearl paper.

Every year from September to November, these calendars create peak business for printing companies, with the volume of orders rising dramatically.

However, this recent fire at Formosa Plastics Nanya Taibo City factory will dramatically reduce the supply of pearl paper. Printing companies say that prices for this material will rise around 10%.

This factory in Taibo City has a monthly output of 2,000 tons, with the fire causing a serious impact on the production line.

Formosa Plastics Nanya Chiayi Management Office said that 2 out of 6 sets of manufacturing processes were damaged affecting 1/3 of production as 4 other production lines would continue the product would not go out of stock. Large-scale domestic printers are worried about the reduction in local pearl paper, resorting to imports from Indonesia and other countries though costs are bound to increase.

To help lower these costs, these companies have decided to switch over to other forms of domestic paper.