Japanese paper manufacturer Oji Holdings Corp. and Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. have developed a breaktrough way to produce transparent paper made from plant fibers in sheet form, which could be used in display panels. The companies said the sheet paper is stiff and tough enough that users can bend and fold it into any shape they want. It is stronger than a glass plate and does not stretch even when pulled on.

The fibers used to form the paper are 4nm - 1/20,000th the thickness of a strand of hair. The fiber's weighs and thickness can vary from less than half that of tissue paper to that of drawing paper.

The two companies plan to commercialize it in 2016 as a replacement for the thin plate glass used as display panels for mobile phones, televisions and other electronic devices.

The paper is the result of a cross-development plan the companies announced in 2009, aimed at to mass producing the so-called cellulose nanofibers in sheet form.