Design a polymer

I once read of two Swedish inventors who discovered a way of making paper from elk dung (The Australian, 10-11 June 2000).  You are asked to propose a method for making paper from a polymer of your devising.  This is NOT a research exercise.  Rather it is intended to consolidate what you have learned already.

Your task is to come up with a polymer that will maintain or improve upon the best properties of wood-based paper. (Never mind the increase in fossil fuel source for this project.)

• What characteristics should this polymer possess? (Elastic, plastic, fibrous?)
• On what current polymer might your polymer be based? (ie, Where will you start your search?)
• Describe the ideal polymer in terms of:

• method of polymerisation reaction (addition or condensation - step or chain),
• type and degree of cross-linking, if any,
• possible or likely monomers to be included,
• thermal characteristics,
• other relevant information.