What exactly is paper?
According to the common definition, paper is a material made predominantly from vegetable fibers of various origins. Paper-like materials such as papyrus, which was first used for writing in ancient Egypt, have been around since about the third millennium BC. Christ.
Paper as we know it today was probably first produced in China 2,000 years ago. The main innovations were that the fibers used were first crushed and boiled in water, whereas papyrus, for example, was mainly made by mechanically beating plant stems.
Parchment is also often mistakenly regarded as paper. It is suitable for writing on, but unlike common papers, it is made from animal skins.
 In our blog you will find a lot of information about paper, packaging and sustainability! |
In which industries is paper needed?
Hand on heart: Do you know of even one industry, branch of business or profession where paper or cardboard is not required? Even if you think about it for a long time, you will hardly be able to find such a sector.
packaging materials
In the wake of emerging digitization, it used to be said that we were on the way to a "paperless office" - this has remained a dream to this day. Quite the opposite: currently (as of 2022), there is a severe shortage of certain papers, such as books, even though Germany is considered the "paper factory of Europe.
This country is home to around 150 companies that produce paper, board and pulp - a total of more than 23 million tons. Per capita consumption, including packaging, is around 219 kg per year.
By comparison, the average consumption across Europe is 160 kg, while in China it is only about 77 kg.
Today, there are around 3,000 different types of paper, which can be divided into four major groups according to their areas of application. The figures describe production in Germany in t in 2021:
- graphic papers for writing, copying and printing - 6,568 t
- Packaging papers and cardboard - 13,559,000 t
- technical and specialty papers (banknote, filter, cigarette papers, etc.) - 1,513 t
- Sanitary papers (handkerchiefs, kitchen and toilet papers) - 1,484 t
It should be noted that consumption of graphic papers has fallen, while that for packaging has increased significantly. The latter is mainly due to the increase in online trade and the associated transport of millions of packages, which increased by leaps and bounds, especially during the Covid pandemic.
 How much paper from how much wood? |
The production of paper from wood
Several steps are required to produce paper from the basic material wood: First, the bark is removed and the wood is mechanically chopped into small chips. These particles are then boiled in water and solvents for several hours to dissolve out the cellulose fibers, which make up about half.
They are also referred to as primary fibers. If they are obtained from waste paper, they are referred to as secondary fibers.
This step consumes the most water and energy in paper production, with a 99:1 ratio of water to wood pulp. Other components of wood are lignin and hemicellulose. To produce a high-quality paper, they must be separated from the cellulose in the best possible way. The result is the so-called pulp from which primary fiber paper is made.
This mass is then washed onto a screen, dewatered, pressed and dried. During the process, additives such as glue are added to the pulp to optimize quality. To save wood, chalk is mainly used as a filler. Such fillers can have a content of up to 35 percent.
After this process step, the paper is usually wound into large rolls or cut into sheets and bundled. It is now available as a semi-finished product. In order to finish it and turn it into finished goods, work steps such as cutting, folding, printing, gluing, coating, etc. follow.
 How does paper become white? |
The production of paper from grass
Grass paper is still a fairly new alternative to conventional paper made from wood. It is available in large quantities, grows back quickly and can be processed for paper production in an environmentally friendly and resource-saving way, because production is purely mechanical and without chemical additives.
At the same time, it can be used for many purposes and has a very natural feel and look. Compared to production from the pulp of fresh wood fibers, grass paper has three key advantages:
- The share of chemical products is 0 percent.
- Water consumption is reduced by 99 percent. (around 6,000 liters of water per ton of paper).
- CO2 emissions are reduced by 95 percent due to lower energy consumption.
Depending on the end product, up to 50 percent of the wood pulp can be replaced by grass fibers without compromising the quality and functionality of the paper. Processing is uncomplicated, and the areas of application are highly diverse.
eco-friendly alternative
Grass paper is ideal, for example, for packaging and hygiene papers, for a large number of printed products in offset, digital and flexographic printing and for drinking cups and straws.
Even disposable food packaging is already made from the material today, helping to reduce consumption of environmentally harmful plastic. It can be recycled well and even composted.
It also offers a wonderful and interesting look that makes it ideal for unusual projects. Since grass paper is not bleached, there are natural color variations depending on the grass content and when it is harvested, usually ranging from a very light to a rich, darker beige.
 Paper instead of animal feed? |
Great variety possible: recycled paper products
The recycling of paper is about as old as the production of new goods. Excavations have shown that papyrus was already recycled in ancient Egypt.
For Europe, there is first evidence from the 18th century. The breakthrough and with it industrial use as we know it today began in the 1950s.
The use rate for recovered paper in the German paper industry is now around 80 percent. This is due not least to the high quality of the separation of different waste papers, which makes it possible to manufacture numerous products from the recycled material.
These include:
- Newspapers and magazines
- Copy and printer paper
- Cardboard boxes and packaging papers
- Exercise books
- Office supplies (envelopes, index cards, notepads, etc.)
- Congratulations and invitation cards
- Egg packaging
- Sanitary papers (handkerchiefs, paper towels, toilet paper)
The products are often marked with the "Blue Angel" seal of quality, which stands for particular environmental friendliness.
 We are your contact for all questions about recycling in the packaging industry. We look forward to hearing from you! |
Sustainability of the described variants in comparison
Due to the high consumption of paper in Germany, the recycled paper variant is certainly the most sustainable alternative. Grass is abundant, and grass paper can be produced in a particularly environmentally friendly way, but it cannot supply the required quantities.
Paper made from fresh wood fibers requires a lot of water and energy in production, as well as chemical products that are a burden on the environment. In addition, around 25 percent of the raw material required, which is processed in Germany, still comes from tropical forests, primarily from Brazil. The use of recycled paper can help to reduce deforestation there.
Conclusion
If you value sustainability, environmental protection and resource conservation, when it comes to paper and paper products, you should use recycled goods or grass paper whenever possible. The "gray" image of the first recycled products, especially in the 1980s, is long gone.
Thanks to improved production methods, the differences between recycled and virgin fiber paper in terms of feel, appearance and quality are virtually indistinguishable. Recycled paper can also be enhanced with all the finishing processes available for virgin paper. This is important when it comes to sales packaging that needs to "look the part" and also convince with its appearance.
FAQ
What is paper made of?
Basically, paper is made from vegetable fibers and water, possibly with the addition of additives such as glue or dyes. The starting materials for the fibers are mainly wood pulp and waste paper.
The latter now accounts for around 70 percent of annual production in Germany and is used to manufacture recycled paper, cardboard and board. Hemp and other annual plants (rice straw in Japan, esparto grass in Africa) are used to a small extent.
Until the 19th century, rags from cotton and linen clothing were the most important raw material for paper in Europe. Cotton is still used today for the production of banknotes such as the euro bills and securities.
