# Products
31.05.2023
100% Handmade in Northern Germany: PAUL Scissors Manufactory Uses ALBIS Solution for Environmentally Friendly Quality Scissors
Handcrafting cutting-edge scissors on site with resource-saving materials – that is the philosophy of the PAUL scissors manufactory in Harsefeld, Lower Saxony. In doing so, the company is paying tribute to the sustainability idea of its own craftsmanship tradition that dates back to the 19th century. As part of ALBIS' Smart plastics @home interview series, PAUL’s Managing Director Sebastian Vossmann shares insights into the manufactory’s self-image and shows how sustainability can warrant success in the craft sector.
Your company has been producing one-stop quality scissors for more than 130 years. Can you tell us more about the concept of the PAUL scissors manufactory?
Sebastian Vossmann: We have always been committed to the craftsmanship tradition from which we have grown as a company. We are guided by our passion for quality and diligence: With us, all scissor blade and handle pass through many experienced hands before the final product reaches the customer. Our production is 100% handmade in Germany, so we also create a strong contrast to mass production abroad and consciously focus on high-quality, sustainable products that accompany our customers for a lifetime.
Sebastian Vossmann: We have always been committed to the craftsmanship tradition from which we have grown as a company. We are guided by our passion for quality and diligence: With us, all scissor blade and handle pass through many experienced hands before the final product reaches the customer. Our production is 100% handmade in Germany, so we also create a strong contrast to mass production abroad and consciously focus on high-quality, sustainable products that accompany our customers for a lifetime.
Deburring - the scissors should be smooth, safe and balanced in the hand
How else do your products differ from conventionally produced scissors?
S.V.: Our approximately 500 scissor models are designed for a wide range of applications and can be personalized in terms of color, rounding, serration or shape, among other things, creating around 40,000 possible variations. Unlike large producers, we can respond strongly and quickly to individual customer wishes and specific industry requirements – even in smaller batches. We take an order for a single pair of scissors just as seriously as a six-figure bulk order.
S.V.: Our approximately 500 scissor models are designed for a wide range of applications and can be personalized in terms of color, rounding, serration or shape, among other things, creating around 40,000 possible variations. Unlike large producers, we can respond strongly and quickly to individual customer wishes and specific industry requirements – even in smaller batches. We take an order for a single pair of scissors just as seriously as a six-figure bulk order.
"Sustainability is a core part of our DNA"
What role does sustainability play for you as a craft business?
S.V.: Sustainability always has been a core part of our DNA as a manufactory. We have been using recycled materials for 30 years, including plastics with a recycled content of up to 60%. On our current path to carbon neutral production, we have taken further steps by largely converting our power generation to photovoltaics and by switching to environmentally friendly packaging materials.
S.V.: Sustainability always has been a core part of our DNA as a manufactory. We have been using recycled materials for 30 years, including plastics with a recycled content of up to 60%. On our current path to carbon neutral production, we have taken further steps by largely converting our power generation to photovoltaics and by switching to environmentally friendly packaging materials.
Uniquely colored handle made of recycled plastic
"The project with ALBIS came at the ideal time"
However, the most important part of our sustainability goal remains the use of sustainable materials in production. The project with ALBIS came at the ideal time – in the future, we plan to use the recommended bio- and recyclate-based Durethan® BLUE in all our scissor handles.
What added value does Durethan® BLUE create in terms of sustainability and function?
S.V.: In collaboration with ALBIS, we used this material in the handle of our allrounder scissors "The Versatile" to test whether solutions with such a high proportion of recycled and biobased raw material were suitable for our products. With its 90% share of sustainable polyamides and glass fiber, this Durethan® grade has made a significant contribution to making our production even more resource efficient.
S.V.: In collaboration with ALBIS, we used this material in the handle of our allrounder scissors "The Versatile" to test whether solutions with such a high proportion of recycled and biobased raw material were suitable for our products. With its 90% share of sustainable polyamides and glass fiber, this Durethan® grade has made a significant contribution to making our production even more resource efficient.
"Sustainability has not complicated our production one bit"
The added functional value of the new material lays in the fact that it brings all the desired properties of the old raw material, but significantly reduces the product's carbon footprint. Focusing on sustainability hasn't complicated our production one bit.
What else was important when selecting the material?
S.V.: Above all, we were looking for a polyamide that would make our products more sustainable. At the same time, many technical factors also count for us as a manufacturer: the material must be easy to process with our equipment, have good flowability to warrant an attractive surface, and be impact-resistant enough to ensure the durability of the scissors in the long term. Durethan® provides excellent coverage of all these factors.
S.V.: Above all, we were looking for a polyamide that would make our products more sustainable. At the same time, many technical factors also count for us as a manufacturer: the material must be easy to process with our equipment, have good flowability to warrant an attractive surface, and be impact-resistant enough to ensure the durability of the scissors in the long term. Durethan® provides excellent coverage of all these factors.
Handle made of Durethan® Blue
“A scissor that lasts for a lifetime” is your quality promise. How do you guarantee the longevity of your products?
S.V.: Even the sturdiest scissors eventually show signs of wear, in some fields of application sooner than in others. We want to live up to our responsibility beyond manufacturing, which is why we offer affordable regrinding and repair services. By now, we even provide these services to companies that did not originally purchase their products from us.
S.V.: Even the sturdiest scissors eventually show signs of wear, in some fields of application sooner than in others. We want to live up to our responsibility beyond manufacturing, which is why we offer affordable regrinding and repair services. By now, we even provide these services to companies that did not originally purchase their products from us.
"We produce locally in Northern Germany, and we want to keep it that way"
Where is the PAUL scissors manufactory headed in the coming years?
S.V.: We will be taking further steps on our way to becoming a CO2-neutral company. In times of global competition, craftsmanship must adapt to the spirit of the times and, in doing so, return to its original values and traditions. This is why we are focusing even more on sustainable local production: We produce all our scissors in Northern Germany, and we want to keep it that way.
Thank you for taking the time, Mr. Vossmann.
S.V.: We will be taking further steps on our way to becoming a CO2-neutral company. In times of global competition, craftsmanship must adapt to the spirit of the times and, in doing so, return to its original values and traditions. This is why we are focusing even more on sustainable local production: We produce all our scissors in Northern Germany, and we want to keep it that way.
Thank you for taking the time, Mr. Vossmann.
Sebastian Vossmann is Managing Director of the PAUL scissors factory in Harsefeld, Lower Saxony.
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