What is the primary material used to create pulp in paper-making?

The primary material used to create pulp in paper-making is water and plant fibers. This process involves breaking down plant materials—typically wood, but can also include other types of biomass—into a slurry made primarily of cellulose fibers and water. The combination of water and these fibers allows for the creation of a malleable substance that can be spread out and dried to form paper sheets.

Using water is essential as it aids in the breakdown of the plant materials and enables the fibers to separate and become suspended in the liquid. This pulp can then be processed to produce various types and qualities of paper depending on the treatment it undergoes and the specific fibers used.

Other materials listed, such as wood shavings, recycled paper, and a clay-water mixture, may be components of different processes or products, but they do not serve as the primary basis for creating pulp in traditional paper-making. Wood shavings are more of a byproduct or filler, while recycled paper is itself a finished product that may be processed into new pulp but is not the basic material used for creating pulp from the start. The clay-water mixture is more commonly associated with ceramics or specific types of paper processes, not the fundamental procedure of making pulp.