Premium-quality cardboard and paperboard products have always been a strength of the PAPSTAR brand, which has its origins in the cardboard factory founded by Oswald Matheis in Schleiden-Olef in 1873. The administration and logistics centre at the current location in D-53925 Kall was moved into in 1981/1982.
HISTORY
Time travel
There are everyday objects that are very simple, almost mundane. And yet their design and form are unique; they evoke memories and stir emotions.
Can you remember your first currywurst ‘on the go’? Or summers at the outdoor swimming pool, where lunch consisted of a portion of chips with mayonnaise?
Inextricably linked to these memories are the typical cardboard bowls with wavy edges. Or cardboard plates: no children's birthday party in the garden or picnic in the park would be complete without these equally characteristic circles with ridges around the edges. They were absolutely essential – not only for eating pasta salad or crumbly marble cake, but also as a substitute for a Frisbee or for making funny masks. There's no question about it: the paper plate and the chip tray are two pieces of German cultural history. In this country, this history goes back to Hermann Henschel from Luckenwalde.
In 1867, the trained master bookbinder and inventor became the first manufacturer of paper plates. His motivation: he wanted to package food more hygienically for medical reasons. This trend also led to inventions in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century, such as the paper cup invented by Lawrence Luellen and Hugh Moore, which originally had the shape of a cone.
Today, more than ever, hygiene is one of many good arguments in favour of disposable tableware. But let's return to Germany, back to the 19th century. In 1873, shortly after Hermann Henschel's invention, Oswald Matheis founded his cardboard factory over 600 kilometres further west, in Olef in the Eifel region – the nucleus of today's PAPSTAR company.
Timeline
2024 - 2026
After more than 25 years as managing director of the PAPSTAR GmbH and chairman of the board of PAPSTAR Holding AG, Bert Kantelberg is stepping down, but will remain with the PAPSTAR Group as a member of the supervisory board.
Tom Kantelberg will be appointed sole managing director of PAPSTAR GmbH and, as of 1 January 2026, will also become chairman of the board of PAPSTAR GmbH.
As part of the successful relaunch of the corporate website papstar.com, the PAPSTAR logo is also undergoing a rejuvenation in the sense of a complete harmonisation of the font and image composition with a newly adjusted flower logo.
2022
2020
Bert Kantelberg founds RICK Produktion GmbH, Schleiden-Olef, together with PAPSTAR Holding AG. This in turn acquires 100 percent of the shares in the predecessor company 'CL. RICK Produktionsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG'.
As PAPSTAR is convinced of the benefits of solutions based on circular material flow management, PAPSTAR Solutions GmbH is founded as a spin-off. This company not only takes over the distribution and technical maintenance of Oklin brand bio-converters, but also offers consulting services and, in the events sector, takes care of the supply of products made from renewable raw materials and individually tailored waste disposal concepts.
2019
2018
PAPSTAR has been awarded the GREEN BRANDS Award for the first time in recognition of its commitment to people and nature. This internationally recognised seal of approval, a registered and protected EU guarantee mark for ecological sustainability, honours brands and companies that have demonstrated a high level of commitment to the environment, sustainability and ecological living and production conditions.
As a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), PAPSTAR is committed to the globally established goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and aligns its business activities with the ten universal principles of the Global Compact in terms of human rights, labour standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption.
2018
2015
At the company's site in Kall (Germany, 53925), the first Oklin brand bio-converter will be put into operation, among other things for the fibre-recovery processing of disposable tableware made from renewable raw materials.
The company structure changes: PAPSTAR GmbH & Co. KG (partnership) becomes a GmbH (limited liability company).
2012
2012
With the establishment of PAPSTAR Service GmbH, service competencies at the point of sale are being outsourced.
A quality and environmental management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001 and 14001 is being established for the company's location in Kall (Germany, 53925).
2009
2008
PAPSTAR is setting the course for the future with the introduction of its ‘pure’ product line (disposable tableware made from renewable raw materials).
The word and figurative mark PAPSTAR (wave with integrated white lettering) will be entered in the register by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) on 21 January, with international registration under number IR699977 taking place on 19 March.
1998
1997
Foundation of CL. RICK Produktions-Gesellschaft mbH & Co. KG (now RICK Produktion GmbH, a company of the PAPSTAR Group): Oswald Matheis GmbH & Co. KG is deleted from the commercial register on 31 December 1996 in order to be merged with PAPSTAR and RICK Produktions-Gesellschaft.
After many years as the driving force behind PAPSTAR, Clemens Rick († 25 April 2012) is stepping down to take over production in Schleiden-Olef with his own company. His son-in-law Bert Kantelberg takes his place as sole managing director. Rick transfers his shares in the distribution company to his partner Gernot Langes-Swarovski, one of Austria's best-known entrepreneurs.
1997
1994
By unanimous shareholder resolution, Bert Kantelberg is appointed sole managing director of PAPSTAR Vertriebsgesellschaft mbh & Co. KG and thus stands at the helm of the company alongside Clemens Rick.
PAPSTAR supports the introduction of the Dual System in Germany (system for the household collection and disposal of used sales packaging). ‘Der Grüne Punkt’ (The Green Dot) was deliberately founded before the Packaging Ordinance came into force on 12 June 1991 by an association of companies operating in Germany in the food and packaging industry, including PAPSTAR – a second disposal system in addition to the existing public waste disposal system, hence the name ‘Dual’.
1991
1984
Clemens Rick pushes the clear black-and-white image for PAPSTAR; the Stuttgart-based graphic design studio "Stankowski + Duschek" also develops the distinctive wave as a symbol for the aspiring company.
After one year with the company, Bert Kantelberg (pictured with Markus Mörsch, current Director of Purchasing) establishes the first international branch, PAPSTAR B.V., in Tilburg (North Brabant), the Netherlands.
1984
1983
There is cause for celebration at PAPSTAR in Kall: 110 years of Oswald Matheis combined with the presentation of the new sales and logistics centre.
PAPSTAR Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG is gradually relocating to its current location in Kall (administrative headquarters and logistics centre).
1981/1982
1980
As part of an expansion of its product range, PAPSTAR is having an additional promotional logo developed for ‘new, dynamic household products’.
PAPSTAR Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG is officially established.
1979
1975
Flowers from PAP STAR: Oswald Matheis GmbH & Co. KG focuses on bright colours, primarily a vibrant orange. In the same year, PAPSTAR (written as one word for the first time) becomes an independent brand.
Clemens Rick becomes a partner in Oswald Matheis GmbH & Co. KG and thus plays a key role in shaping the company's future policy and development.
1974
1972
PAP STAR (claim: For more leisure-time entertainment) is registered as a pure word mark with the "Madrid Agreement on the International Registration of Trademarks of 1891".
As managing director of Oswald Matheis GmbH & Co. KG, Clemens Rick creates the name and product brand PAP STAR. What is striking about the spelling is the space between PAP and STAR.
1969
1969
Takeover of the cardboard factory Oswald Matheis GmbH & Co. KG Schleiden-Olef by Gernot Langes-Swarovski († 21 January 2021), later sole shareholder of PAPSTAR Holding AG.
1873
Foundation of the Oswald Matheis cardboard factory in Schleiden-Olef.
