The success story began 30 years ago, on 12th September 1994, when Voith's high-performance PM 1 paper machine was put into operation. This machine marked a significant advance in the production of newsprint and enabled Palm to increase its production capacity considerably. Within a short time, the annual output of the PM 1 increased from an initial 150,000 tonnes to 210,000 tonnes. To date, PM 1 in Eltmann has produced an impressive 4,660,000 tonnes of graphic paper.
Five years later, on 3rd September 1999, M 3 was put into operation - one of the most powerful machines of its kind in the world. With a working width of 8.1 metres and state-of-the-art technology, PM 3 reached an unprecedented speed level and on 26 July 2008 was the first paper machine worldwide to break the speed barrier of 2,000 metres per minute.
The Palm family's decision to build a paper mill in Eltmann was based on several strategic factors: the central location in Germany, an optimal connection to the motorway, the proximity to the Main-Danube Canal and a high potential of motivated workers. Construction began in early 1991 and the factory site was completed within just 18 months.
In addition to technological development, Papierfabrik Palm ascribes great importance to the training and satisfaction of its employees. Since September 2024, the company has been training environmental technologists for wastewater management in addition to the established professions of industrial mechanic and paper technologist, and from 2025 it will also be offering training as an electronics technician.
Since 1872, Palm has stood for values such as outstanding product quality, innovative manufacturing and processing methods, customer proximity and reliability. These principles have made the family business a leading supplier in the paper industry from the very beginning. Together with continuous investment in technology and employees, these are the foundations for the ongoing success of Papierfabrik Palm.