When entrepreneur Hellmut Barthel from Rabenstein near Chemnitz first came to Varel and entered what would later become his factory, there was nothing there but a pre-war Zeppelin hangar. Today, more than eighty years later, the passion and dedication of generations of paper and cardboard manufacturers have shaped this into one of the largest European sites in their industry.  

Hellmut Barthel may not have fully anticipated this when, in 1947, he purchased Halbzellstoff Industrie GmbH along with its factory building (founded in 1938), began producing cardboard with a new machine, and eventually moved to Varel with his sister Gertrud. But this family entrepreneur from Saxony exemplified that entrepreneurial foresight at his paper and cardboard factory for decades—including, among other things, the early decision to switch completely to recycled paper as a raw material in 1950, with new machinery, and in 1973 to enter the corrugated paper market, using state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly systems for biological wastewater treatment and efficient energy generation.

Hellmut Barthel had also thoughtfully planned for the future of his company. When the frugal entrepreneur, who had lived on the factory grounds his entire life, died at an advanced age in 1999, the course had already been set: His shares in the company had been transferred to a foundation, which, together with the Evers and Dieball families, still forms the foundation of the company today. For decades, Hellmut Barthel has embodied these values and shaped our company. They continue to guide us to this day: foresight, responsibility, and a passion for paper and cardboard.

We place great importance on fostering a positive and understanding relationship with our community. For more than 100 years, our facility has been dedicated to industrial production, and at the same time, we are your immediate neighbors. What matters most to us is that we’re always in communication with each other—that way, we can respond as quickly as possible if you have a concern. And at the same time, we can give you a glimpse into the exciting world of our production. Our resident hotline: 04451-1380

Paper and cardboard from Varel are used worldwide in the production of packaging. Would you like to take a look behind the scenes? You can sign up for a factory tour directly through our booking tool, provided you are at least 14 years old. The tours are free of charge.