You'd think finding out where RAW rolling papers are made would be easy. Pick up a booklet, check the packaging, and there's your answer.
Spain, right?
Well, mostly. RAW has deep roots in Spain's paper-making tradition, but the story stretches a little further than that. Some of its paper comes from France, some of its pre-rolled cones are made in Ireland, and a small Spanish village you've probably never heard of plays a bigger role than you might expect.
Even Alcoy, the town so closely associated with RAW, has an interesting place in all this.
In This Article
- RAW's Spanish roots and the history of Alcoy
- Why some RAW paper comes from France
- What happened to "Made in Alcoy, Spain"
- Why Ireland makes RAW pre-rolled cones
- Where different RAW products are made
- Frequently asked questions
Let's start with the town that helped put Spanish rolling papers on the map.
What's So Special About Alcoy, Spain?
Long before RAW became a familiar name in rolling papers, Alcoy was already in the paper business.
This town in southeastern Spain has been making paper since the 1700s. Over the centuries, the area developed a reputation for producing remarkably thin, lightweight sheets, including the kind used for hand-rolled cigarettes.
It's the sort of specialist craft that takes generations to perfect, and Alcoy became one of the places known for doing it well.
RAW built much of its identity around that heritage. For years, Alcoy featured prominently on its packaging, giving the brand a strong connection to a place with centuries of paper-making experience.
There's just one detail worth clearing up.
RAW-branded rolling paper booklets have been manufactured in Benimarfull, a small village near Alcoy, rather than in Alcoy itself.
One of the manufacturers involved is Iberpapel, a company that shares the region's paper-making heritage.
So the Spanish connection is real. It's just a little more geographically complicated than the name on an older pack might suggest.
And that's before France gets involved.
Wait, RAW Papers Are Made in France?
Some of them, yes.
RAW has confirmed that its Organic Hemp paper is made in southern France. It leaves the paper mill in large rolls and travels to Benimarfull, Spain, where it's cut and converted into the little booklets we all recognise.
In other words, France makes the paper. Spain turns it into the finished booklet.
It's a perfectly ordinary manufacturing arrangement, but it's easy to miss when you're holding a pack that proudly celebrates its Spanish roots.
Some of that paper is also prepared for use in RAW's pre-rolled cones, which brings another country into the story.
First, though, there's something you might have noticed if you've been buying RAW papers for a while.
Whatever Happened to 'Made in Alcoy, Spain'?
Remember seeing Alcoy printed on older RAW booklets?
You weren't imagining it. The town used to feature much more prominently in the brand's packaging and advertising.
But the wording eventually attracted attention for reasons that had nothing to do with the quality of the paper.
RAW's manufacturing claims became the subject of a legal dispute, with questions raised about whether products advertised as being made in Alcoy were actually manufactured there.
Court proceedings established that the paper involved in the case was made in France and converted into booklets in Benimarfull, not Alcoy. Certain advertising claims about Alcoy were subsequently prohibited.
That doesn't erase the town's paper-making history or RAW's association with the region. It does, however, explain why the wording on newer packaging may look different from what longtime customers remember.
And if you happen to find an older pack with different wording, don't immediately assume something is wrong. Packaging changes happen.
Of course, counterfeit rolling papers are a separate issue. If you're curious, we've covered that in our Guide to Spotting Counterfeit RAW and Elements Rolling Papers.
Now, back to that other country.
Why Are Some RAW Cones Made in Ireland?
Ireland might not be the first country you'd associate with rolling papers, but it has a place in RAW's production story.
Some boxes of RAW pre-rolled cones identify Ireland as their country of manufacture. HBI, the company behind RAW, has worked with Irish manufacturing partners, including Abellio Productions, to produce cones using automated equipment.
And there's some practical thinking behind the location.
Ireland has an experienced manufacturing workforce, while its relatively humid climate can be helpful when handling paper as thin and delicate as rolling paper.
Anyone who's ever struggled with a dry, brittle sheet will appreciate why that might matter.
But Ireland isn't the only country involved in cone production. Court records confirm that HBI cone products have also been assembled in Indonesia and Moldova.
So if you've noticed different countries listed on RAW packaging, there's a reason for it.
There's also a distinction worth remembering: making the paper and shaping it into a finished cone are two separate jobs. The countries involved don't have to be the same.
If you're curious about the different styles and sizes, you can explore our RAW Pre Rolled Cones.
Are All RAW Papers Made in the Same Place?
Not quite.
RAW has several product lines, including Classic, Black, Ethereal, Organic Hemp and pre-rolled cones. While they share the same brand, that doesn't mean every product follows exactly the same manufacturing route.
We know RAW Organic Hemp paper has been produced in France and converted into booklets in Spain. We also know certain cones have been manufactured in Ireland and elsewhere.
What we shouldn't do is take the manufacturing details of one product and assume they apply to everything RAW sells.
If you're curious about a particular pack, check the information printed on it. That's a much better starting point than assuming every RAW product comes from one country.
A Few Questions Worth Clearing Up
Are RAW rolling papers made in Spain?
Yes. Spain plays an important role in RAW's production, particularly Benimarfull, where RAW-branded booklets have been manufactured. Some paper, including RAW Organic Hemp, starts out in France before arriving in Spain.
Are RAW papers actually made in Alcoy?
RAW has strong historical ties to Alcoy, but confirmed booklet production has taken place in nearby Benimarfull. They're two different towns in the same paper-making region.
Are RAW papers made in China?
As far as we know, genuine RAW rolling papers aren't manufactured in China. Confirmed production of RAW Organic Hemp papers involves France and Spain. That said, RAW makes a variety of products, so it's always worth checking the packaging if you're curious about where a particular item was made.
Why do some RAW cones say Made in Ireland?
Because some RAW cones are manufactured there. The country where a cone is formed isn't necessarily where the paper itself was made.
Are RAW Classic and Organic Hemp made in the same place?
Not necessarily. Different varieties may use different manufacturing arrangements, and the confirmed details for Organic Hemp shouldn't automatically be applied to Classic, Black or other RAW papers.
So, Where Are RAW Papers Really Made?
Turns out, there's a little more travelling involved than you might expect.
Spain is still at the heart of RAW's story. Alcoy brings the history, and nearby Benimarfull is part of the modern manufacturing process. France supplies RAW Organic Hemp paper, while Ireland and other countries have played a role in producing finished cones.
It's a neat reminder that the simplest-looking products can have surprisingly complicated origins.
Next time you pick up a booklet of RAW papers, take another look at the packaging. That tiny country-of-origin label might have more of a story behind it than you realised.
Explore RAW at Matchboxbros
Whether you're loyal to RAW Classic, prefer Organic Hemp, or like the convenience of ready-to-fill cones, there's plenty to explore.
Browse our RAW Rolling Papers, or take a look at the Complete RAW Collection at Matchboxbros.
Sources & Further Reading
- RAW's Official Manufacturing Statement — Information about Organic Hemp paper production in France and booklet manufacturing in Benimarfull, Spain.