Fibres of the Future: Innovative Materials at Gmund
Sustainable paper production begins with the fibres used.
A wide range of Gmund papers are made from alternative plant fibres such as hemp, cotton or regional and fast-growing annual plants. Raw materials that are no longer used, such as organic waste products from the food industry, the cosmetics industry and others, are also systematically processed at Tegernsee and used in the papers. Innovative materials are researched at Greenfibra Labs at the production site, a spin-off company of Gmund Paper. The result is paper that meets the highest standards in terms of quality, feel and design and is also produced in an environmentally friendly manner.
The individual collections from Gmund demonstrate the diversity of these approaches. Papers from the Gmund Manteco collection, for example, consist of long cotton fibres from the textile industry, supplemented by shorter cotton linters. The raw material is a by-product of cotton production and manufacturing. Each sheet of paper is made from carefully selected raw materials that are tested at Greenfibra Labs for their processability on the paper machine. The laboratory examines new materials for their properties in paper, optimises compositions from plant fibres and develops ways to transform recycled materials into high-quality paper products. This results in papers with exceptional structure and feel. The 100% hemp and 100% cotton collections utilise the specific properties of plant fibres to create papers that are particularly stable, durable and, at the same time, aesthetically pleasing.
“This is how modern paper production opens up new ecological and creative possibilities for individual brand identities.”
The production process in Gmund follows a consistent raw material cycle. Many collections are certified with the Cradle to Cradle Certified® product standard at the silver level. This ensures that every material used can be returned to the production cycle after use. As an FSC®-certified company (FSC-C006462), Gmund guarantees the responsible extraction of raw materials and compliance with social and ecological standards. Regional and alternative plant fibres for paper production, such as grass and straw, in the Gmund Mother Earth collection expand the range of materials used and create a connection to the local region. Each fibre and each plant species has properties that influence the stability, feel and structure of the paper.
Gmund Paper combines research, innovative production methods and careful selection of raw materials that are both functional and sustainable. This is how modern paper production opens up new ecological and creative possibilities for individual brand identities.