Factory tour at Steinbeis Papier in Glückstadt

That’s the first thought that comes to mind when you find yourself standing next to a paper machine the size of a house. It’s loud. It’s hot. And you can feel the force as massive sheets of paper are pulled at high speed across the rollers. For web workers and implementers of the Steinbeis website – who typically spend eight hours a day behind a computer – it was a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Inside the production area, it’s a good ten degrees warmer than outside! A compelling reason to start the factory tour as early as possible – especially in early August. And since the machines run 24/7, there’s nothing to miss, no matter when you start. Sturdy shoes on, safety vest zipped, mask in place, and cameras at the ready.

Large trucks arrive non-stop to deliver this precious raw material, and giant wheel loaders feed the hungry sorting systems and conveyor belts every few minutes. The first stage of sorting is fully automated: compressed air pistols shoot specific paper pieces off the belts, instantly identified by high-speed cameras. At the end of the line comes manual sorting, requiring sharp eyes and quick hands. The processed paper is compressed into bales and stacked on a surreal-looking wastepaper lot.

The paper is shredded, dissolved in water, and cleaned of ink using air and soap. Finer and finer screens filter out everything but individual paper fibers, which are then fed into the paper machines. The two mighty machines – PM6 and PM4 – drain, dry, and smooth the pulp. The finished paper is removed in nearly 5-meter-wide rolls, cut into smaller reels, or processed into office paper. Like magic, the resulting pallets find their own way into the high-bay warehouse.

What remains is a newfound respect and appreciation for that small sheet of paper I’m now using to jot down my final notes. Knowing how much work, energy, and heart goes into just 5 grams of fiber, it almost breaks your heart to throw it in the bin.

It’s good to know that companies like Steinbeis are out there, giving my sheet of A4 a second life.