Mechanical pulping is a process used to produce paper from wood by physically breaking down the wood fibers. This method involves grinding wood logs against a stone or using a refiner to separate the fibers. The resulting pulp retains most of the lignin, which gives the paper a higher strength but can also lead to a darker color. This technique is commonly used for producing newsprint and other low-cost paper products. Mechanical pulping is less energy-intensive than chemical pulping, but the paper produced is generally of lower quality and less durable. It is often used in combination with other methods to enhance the final product.