Paper Industry

Digitization, Decarbonization, Differentiation - the New Agenda of the Paper Industry

The paper industry in the DACH region is undergoing profound transformation. Key challenges include decarbonizing energy-intensive production processes, integrating digital technologies for automation, process optimization, and data-driven control, as well as shifting to sustainable materials such as fiber-based alternatives to plastic.

At the same time, high energy, raw material, and logistics costs are putting pressure on competitiveness. The industry must balance the trade-offs between recycling and CO₂ reduction while facing international competition.

Packaging papers and specialty applications are seen as growth drivers, but the implementation of political relief measures and the availability of skilled labor remain crucial for future viability.

Rising Cost and Competitive Pressure

Not only in the DACH region but globally, the paper processing industry is under massive pressure: rising energy and raw material costs, as well as international competition, threaten profitability and market position. Companies that invest in digital technologies now secure not only efficiency but also resilience. Automated production processes, intelligent energy management systems, and digital supply chain solutions help reduce costs and enable quick responses to market changes.

The Customer is Digital - the Industry Must Follow

Increasing costs, shortages of skilled labor, material transformation, and sustainability pressures are creating challenges for the paper processing industry. At the same time, customers expect digital services, transparency, and flexibility. Companies that invest in their digital supply chain, smart interfaces, and data-driven production processes strengthen not only efficiency and competitiveness – but also their market relevance.

Sustainability and Material Transformation

Like many other industries, the paper processing industry is facing growing demands to make processes more sustainable while at the same time adopting new materials for their products. Societal and regulatory change require CO₂-neutral production, circular economy practices, and resource efficiency. In parallel, innovative materials such as fiber-based plastics or biogenic alternatives are creating new requirements for machines, processes, and expertise.

Shortage of Skilled Workers and the Digital Catch-Up

The paper processing industry is facing a dual bottleneck: too few qualified workers and too little digital infrastructure. Yet this is also the opportunity. Companies that automate, digitize, and invest in digital upskilling now will reduce dependency on labor market shortages while increasing efficiency and innovation capacity. Digitization is not just a tool – it is the answer to transformation.

Our Solution: SAP Digital Manufacturing by delaware: Digital, Transparent, Industry-Specific

SAP Digital Manufacturing by delaware is the cloud-based MES solution developed in partnership with SAP, designed specifically for the needs of the paper industry.

With industry-specific extensions for cardboard and paperboard manufacturing, printing and packaging production, hygiene and tissue products, and technical specialty papers, SAP S/4HANA seamlessly connects production, logistics, and order processing. This solution ensures operational reliability and supports individual process requirements – from flexible machine control to sustainable material traceability.

The result: maximum transparency with a single source of truth, real-time control, and sustainable efficiency – for future-proof, digitally connected manufacturing in paper processing.

Your Key Benefits

Capture machine status, logistics events, and process data in real time for full visibility. Live monitoring, contextual reporting, and extended traceability deliver end-to-end insight into material and defect flows – from raw material to finished product.
Easily integrate machines with low-code/no-code tools and automate data entry and feedback. This minimizes manual errors, improves data quality, and enables streamlined, reliable, digitally controlled production.
Respond dynamically to unforeseen events and rising customer demands with intelligent last-mile order control and low-code/no-code features that allow fast process changes without complex development.
Enhanced defect detection, process-integrated defect management, and full traceability of handling units enable targeted quality control – from raw material to finished product.
Support for combined production orders and precise tracking of scrap materials enable material-number-based reprocessing. This ensures optimal resource utilization and sustainable cost reduction.

more information on SAP DM by delaware

Home of Manufacturing

We are a holistic SAP partner focused on industry-specific extensions and proprietary solutions. As a full integrator, we guide companies from ECC to SAP S/4HANA and implement best practices efficiently. With SAP Digital Manufacturing by delaware, we support the entire system and process landscape, introducing MES solutions as an end-to-end partner – structured and pragmatic.

Deep Industry Expertise

With over 20 years of experience, delaware brings deep process knowledge in printing, packaging, and paper-based manufacturing. Our expertise spans from traditional production lines to highly automated shopfloor solutions. Best practices from other industries such as metal and plastics are integrated into our solutions – ensuring more efficiency, quality, and future readiness in your production.

SAP Platinum Partner & Co-Innovator

Together with SAP, we develop pioneering solutions like SAP Digital Manufacturing by delaware – designed for energy-intensive industries with high process complexity. Our co-innovations combine deep process expertise with SAP technology, enabling sustainable solutions tailored to your specific challenges.

Locally Present, Globally Scalable

With regional presence and international experience, we provide fast, on-site support. Our deep process knowledge and extensive project experience in complex manufacturing environments enable efficient, industry-specific solutions that strengthen your SAP landscape and future-proof your production.