Quiz: Beautiful world of paper

Unfortunately, you are wrong. Although the word "paper" goes back to the Egyptian material "papyrus", the Chinese are considered to be the actual inventors of modern paper made from fibres. In the 1st century, the imperial eunuch Cai Lun documented the production of this innovative material. This new medium, in contrast to parchment made from animal skins, revolutionised the way in which information was recorded and shared.

Unfortunately, you're wrong. Melitta Bentz, a German housewife, changed coffee culture forever when she invented the disposable paper coffee filter in 1908. Frustrated by the standard methods of making coffee at the time, she experimented with different materials to find a solution. Finally, she perforated the bottom of a tin can, placed a piece of blotting paper from her son's exercise book on top and poured hot coffee over it. The result was amazing: the coffee was clearer, more flavourful and had no coffee grounds.

Unfortunately, you are wrong. Until the middle of the 19th century, the main raw material for paper production in Europe consisted of rags made from linen, hemp or cotton. These rags were used together with spinning and rope-making waste. Even into the 20th century, travelling rag pickers were on the move, collecting or buying these textiles from house to house and then selling them on to paper mills.

Unfortunately, you're wrong. Origami is a Japanese art form of paper folding that is over 1000 years old. It involves creating various shapes, figures and objects from a square sheet of paper by folding it without cutting or gluing. The resulting models range from simple geometric shapes to complex animal figures, plants and even abstract designs. Origami was originally used for ceremonial and religious purposes in Japan, but today it is a popular artistic activity.

Unfortunately, you are wrong. In total, paper consumption refers to the areas of hygiene paper, packaging paper and graphic paper for printing and writing. Despite digitalisation, total global paper consumption has risen from 130 to over 400 million tonnes in the past 40 years - much more than the global population in percentage terms. The increase comes from the packaging paper sector. The market for graphic papers has been declining for several years as a result of digitalisation.

Unfortunately, you're wrong. in 2017, Luxembourg recorded an annual per capita consumption of 422 kilograms of paper, which was the highest in the world. Belgium followed with 306 kilograms, possibly due to its large number of EU authorities. Then comes Germany with 249 kilograms. China, on the other hand, tops the list with its consumption in total figures, but at 79 kilograms per capita, the country is only just above the global average of 56 kilograms.

Unfortunately, you are wrong. Paper consumption in Europe varies in its product form. Graphic paper, which is used for press products, advertising materials and in offices, accounts for 35.6 per cent of total consumption. Packaging accounts for the largest share of consumption at 51.5 per cent. Sanitary papers, including toilet paper and tissues, only account for 6.6 per cent, although they are essential for everyday use.

Unfortunately, you're wrong. Of course, it depends on the paper structure and size, but standard paper can be folded a maximum of seven times. However, this assumption has been bizarrely disproved: Schoolchildren in the USA were able to combine 16 kilometres of toilet paper into a single sheet and fold it an impressive 13 times. The resulting folded piece of paper reached a height of 80 cm and could even stand on its own.

Unfortunately, you're wrong. Making paper aeroplanes is one of children's favourite activities. But it was adult academics who worked on the world's largest paper aeroplane to date. With an impressive wingspan of 18.21 metres and a weight of 24 kilograms, it was created in 2013 by staff and students at TU Braunschweig. A new world record was set with a flight of over 18 metres.

Unfortunately, you are wrong. Almost all nations around the world today use the paper formats defined in the German DIN 476 standard from 1922 as part of the internationally recognised ISO 216 standard. Within this standard, the DIN A4 format is the most commonly used. With an aspect ratio of 1:1.414, it corresponds to dimensions of 210 millimetres wide and 297 millimetres high. Officially, only the USA and Canada still use other standards, but in countries with a strong US influence such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and the Philippines, US formats are still widely used despite the official introduction of ISO standards.

Unfortunately, you are wrong. Watermarks are pictorial marks in the paper that are created by variations in the thickness of the paper and are thus recognisable through different light passages. This technique was first introduced in Italy at the end of the 13th century and was originally used to identify the paper mill that produced the paper. Nowadays, watermarks are used in a variety of ways, including as security features on banknotes, stamps and various personal documents.

Unfortunately, you are wrong. The latest life cycle assessment study by the Federal Environment Agency shows that savings of 78 per cent water, 68 per cent energy and 15 per cent_{CO2 equ.} emissions are possible. And Steinbeis Papier achieves savings potentials that even exceed the Federal Environment Agency's life cycle assessment values: By switching to ReThinkingPaper, customers save 79 per cent water, 73 per cent energy and 42 per cent CO₂ _equ. emissions compared to conventional paper.

Unfortunately not quite correct. Strict criteria must be met for certification with the Blue Angel. Graphic recycled paper (copy paper) must contain 100 per cent waste paper as a fibre raw material and printing, press and label paper must contain at least 75 per cent. At Steinbeis Papier, all papers are made from 100 per cent recovered paper. There are strict maximum limits for water emissions as well as for manufacturing and paper finishing materials. Naturally, the use of chlorine and halogenated bleaching agents is prohibited. Other additives must be authorised in accordance with recommendation XXXVI of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). All recycled papers from Steinbeis fulfil these standards and have been awarded the Blue Angel accordingly.

Unfortunately, you're wrong. The proportion of waste paper in total domestic paper production in 2022 was around 79 per cent. In that year, the German paper industry produced around 21.6 million tonnes of paper, cardboard and paperboard packaging and used around 17.9 million tonnes of waste paper for this.

Unfortunately, you're wrong. Sanitary papers such as tissues, kitchen rolls, napkins and other hygienic papers should not be disposed of in waste paper as they are often contaminated with dirt, oils or other substances. As a general rule, correctly separating and recycling waste paper can actively contribute to protecting the environment and conserving resources. Every single separation measure makes a big difference and helps to preserve the paper cycle.