Papierherstellung. Zanders Feinpapiere AG. Bergisch Gladbach 1988. UHD-Version

Zweitkanal Alltagskulturen im Rheinland11 minutes read

Josef Roth recounts the traditional paper-making process using rags as raw materials until the 1950s, transitioning to wood pulp and modern automated production techniques. Paper production now involves advanced machinery and computerized systems, with employees overseeing quality control and maintenance for efficient and high-quality output.

Insights

  • Rags were a crucial raw material for paper production until the 1950s, highlighting the historical significance of traditional papermaking methods and the shift towards wood pulp as a primary material in the industry.
  • From manual labor with hand scooping and watermark creation to modern automation and computer-controlled processes, the evolution of paper production reflects advancements in technology, efficiency, and quality control measures over time.

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Recent questions

  • How was paper traditionally made?

    Using rags and water to create pulp.

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Summary

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Evolution of Paper Making: From Handcrafted to Automated

  • Josef Roth describes his work as a paper maker in Bergisch Gladbach from 1919 to 1970, where rags were used as an important raw material for paper production until the 1950s.
  • In the old work organization, materials were cut, beaten rhythmically to break down fibers, and mixed with water to create paper pulp, requiring a lot of energy generated by a mill wheel.
  • Paper mills usually purchase pulp in rolls, with wood pulp playing a significant role as a raw material since the second half of the last century.
  • Pulp factories use materials with high cellulose content like needles and hardwood, often located where these plants grow, such as in North America, Scandinavia, Spain, and Portugal.
  • The pulp and water mix, called fabric, undergoes refinement through machines like the Dutch, which shorten processing time and improve paper quality.
  • Hand scooping by creators involves gautschen, creating a watermark, and ensuring fibers are felted properly to form paper sheets.
  • Hand creators, who have declined in number since the 19th century, produce 30 to 300 sheets per hour, with excess water removed through pressing and drying processes.
  • Paper machines, like the one in operation since 1889, automate production, with calendars used to refine paper surfaces through steel or elastic-covered rollers.
  • Today's paper production is automated and computer-controlled, with employees monitoring quality, maintaining machines, and conducting random samples to ensure production efficiency and high-quality paper output.
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