AP-Concept
AP-Concept is a European recovered paper recycling and waste management company that processes 500,000 tonnes per annum, supplying sorted recovered paper to paper mills — primarily in Germany — and providing shredding, waste management, and logistics services to industrial, commercial, and public sector customers across Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersWest Malling, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AP-Concept does
AP-Concept is a European recovered paper recycling and waste management company, founded in 2001 as a joint venture between Steinbeis Holding GmbH and KG Ludwig Melosch Vertriebs-GmbH & Co. The company operates from its main facility in Glückstadt, Germany, with additional subsidiaries in the United Kingdom (founded 2012, headquartered in East Malling, Kent) and the Netherlands (founded 2020). AP-Concept processes approximately 500,000 tonnes of recovered paper per annum, collected from public sector, industrial, and commercial sources primarily in Germany and neighbouring European countries, and supplies sorted, quality-graded recovered paper to paper mills — predominantly in Germany. The company employs approximately 40 people across operations.
The company's core technical asset is a fully automated, multi-level sorting facility in Glückstadt featuring a 60-meter sorting line with annual capacity of 100,000 tonnes (expanded to 112,000 tonnes in 2015 with NIR installation). The facility uses near-infrared (NIR) sensors, optical infrared detection, PaperSpike technology for graphic/non-graphic paper separation, and compressed air extraction systems to remove foreign materials and grade paper quality. AP-Concept also offers reel splitting (up to 2.5m width and 1.6m diameter), extraction and compaction systems, professional shredding and data destruction (compliant with the Federal Data Protection Act and DIN standards), container management, and marketing/logistics services through a European network of paper recycling mills.
AP-Concept generates revenue primarily through the sale of sorted recovered paper to paper mills (transaction-fee model) and through professional services fees for waste management consulting, shredding, and logistics to industrial, commercial, and public sector customers. The company operates a B2B enterprise sales motion with customized, quote-based pricing and direct customer relationships, supported by multi-language country-specific websites (German, English, Dutch). Reported annual turnover is €60 million. Certifications include bvse accreditation under section 56 of Germany's KrWG, ISO certification, and GDPR compliance.
AP-Concept firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AP-Concept
- Legal name
- AP-Concept UK Limited
- Website
- https://ap-concept.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AP-Concept is a European recovered paper recycling and waste management company that processes 500,000 tonnes per annum, supplying sorted recovered paper to paper mills — primarily in Germany — and providing shredding, waste management, and logistics services to industrial, commercial, and public sector customers across Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AP-Concept industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Waste Management and Recovered Paper Recycling
- NAICS
- Materials Recovery Facilities (56292), Materials Recovery Facilities (562920)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953), Papers & Allied Products (2600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Recovered Paper Collection & Sorting (OCC, ONP, Mixed Paper) (IMAMAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Paper & Fiber Recovery Facilities (Old Corrugated Containers, Mixed Paper) (EUAIADAH)
Keywords
Where AP-Concept is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West Malling
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
AP-Concept business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Recovered Paper Sales: Processing and selling recovered paper to paper mills, primarily in Germany. Revenue generated from the sale of sorted, quality-graded recovered paper materials to recycling facilities. Materials sourced from public sector, industrial and commercial sources.
- Waste Management Services: Integrated waste management and recycling services including disposal strategies, container systems, and resource utilisation. Service fees for developing customized waste management approaches for customers.
- Shredding and Data Destruction Services: Full and professional shredding services offered in conjunction with a shareholder company, Germany-wide. Documents shredded in accordance with Federal Data Protection Act and DIN standards. ISO-certified sites and processes.
- Marketing and Logistics Services: Transportation services using shareholder vehicle fleet, marketing of leftover stock and damaged paper (reels or bales), and container management services.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels2 records
AP-Concept product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AP-Concept processes and recycles approximately 500,000 tonnes of recovered paper per annum through its 60-meter fully automated sorting facility, supplying sorted materials primarily to paper mills in Germany. Its offering includes integrated waste management consulting, extraction and compaction system installation, professional DIN-compliant shredding and data destruction, reel splitting, container management, and European-wide marketing and logistics for recovered paper.
Product overview
AP-Concept operates a comprehensive recovered paper recycling business built around its core asset: a fully automated, multi-level sorting facility featuring a 60-meter long sorting line with an annual capacity of 100,000 tonnes. The company's portfolio spans advisory and strategy services, industrial extraction and compaction systems, professional shredding and data destruction, marketing and logistics coordination across a European mill network, reel splitting services at its Glückstadt plant, and container management solutions. The sorting facility uses NIR sensors, optical infrared detection, PaperSpike technology, and automated separation to process recovered paper sourced from domestic, industrial, and commercial sources. Together, these services provide integrated closed-loop recycling solutions for the paper industry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Waste Management Services Integrated waste management and disposal services for recovered paper, including disposal strategies tailored to specific requirements, resource utilization planning, and sustainable practices for industrial, commercial, and municipal clients.
- Sorting Facility for Recovered Paper Fully automated, multi-level recovered paper sorting facility featuring a 60-meter sorting line with NIR sensors, optical infrared detection, PaperSpike technology, and compressed air extraction to identify and remove foreign materials from the material flow.
- Shredding and Data Destruction Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Processing 500,000 tonnes of recovered paper per annum
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AP-Concept
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AP-Concept technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
AP-Concept partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Steinbeis Papier Fabrik GlückstadtcorePaper mill related to Steinbeis Holding. AP-Concept provides recovered paper materials for recycling at this facility. The mill shares were taken over by Steinbeis Holding Munich in 2009.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves15 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AP-Concept competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ALBA Group: Major German recycling and waste management company with significant recovered paper operations and processing facilities serving paper mills across Europe. Directly competes with AP-Concept for recovered paper sourcing and mill supply.
- Tönsmeier: German family-run waste management and recovered paper specialist serving paper mills. Mid-market German peer with similar business model of recovered paper collection, sorting, and mill supply.
- Interseroh: One of Germany's largest recovered paper and recyclables sorters and traders, operating MRFs and supplying German paper mills. Highly comparable to AP-Concept in core activity of recovered paper collection, sorting, and mill supply.
Others
- Stora Enso: Major European paper and paperboard manufacturer and a potential customer of AP-Concept's sorted recovered paper. Comparable on the demand side as a German/European paper mill consuming recovered fiber feedstock.
- Steinbeis Papier: Related-party paper mill at Glückstadt operated by JV shareholder Steinbeis Holding. Direct customer of AP-Concept for recovered paper and the integrated anchor of its off-take position.
- Papierfabrik Palm: German paper and packaging manufacturer and large consumer of recovered paper. Relevant as a comparable downstream mill customer in the same sourcing market as AP-Concept's primary off-take.
Broad incumbents
- Remondis: One of Europe's largest privately-held recycling and waste management groups with national collection networks and MRFs, including recovered paper. Larger incumbent competing across AP-Concept's service lines and geography.
- SUEZ Recycling and Recovery Germany: European environmental services group with German operations covering recycling, MRFs and paper fiber recovery. Comparable in service scope but larger and broader than AP-Concept's focused mid-market position.
- Veolia Deutschland: German arm of global environmental services group, providing waste collection, sorting and recycling including recovered paper. Operates at much larger scale but overlaps with AP-Concept in recovered paper and industrial waste services.
Emerging players
- Reisswolf (BDSW Shredding): German secure shredding and data destruction specialist. Overlaps with AP-Concept's shredding service line offered via shareholder company; comparable in confidential paper destruction.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AP-Concept social profiles
Digital presenceAP-Concept compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
AP-Concept financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AP-Concept leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
AP-Concept funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AP-Concept M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AP-Concept
What does AP-Concept do?
AP-Concept processes and recycles approximately 500,000 tonnes of recovered paper per annum through its 60-meter fully automated sorting facility, supplying sorted materials primarily to paper mills in Germany. Its offering includes integrated waste management consulting, extraction and compaction system installation, professional DIN-compliant shredding and data destruction, reel splitting, container management, and European-wide marketing and logistics for recovered paper.
Is AP-Concept a public or private company?
AP-Concept is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was AP-Concept founded?
AP-Concept was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AP-Concept based?
AP-Concept is headquartered in West Malling, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does AP-Concept make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Recovered Paper Sales are the primary driver. The others are waste Management Services, shredding and Data Destruction Services and marketing and Logistics Services.
Who are AP-Concept's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ALBA Group, Tönsmeier and Interseroh. Others are Stora Enso, Steinbeis Papier and Papierfabrik Palm. Broad incumbents are Remondis, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery Germany and Veolia Deutschland. Reisswolf (BDSW Shredding) is listed as an emerging player.
Does AP-Concept have an API?
No public API is recorded for AP-Concept.
What industry is AP-Concept in?
AP-Concept's product category is Waste Management and Recovered Paper Recycling. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMAKAA, Recovered Paper Collection & Sorting (OCC, ONP, Mixed Paper), with a secondary code of EUAIADAH, Paper & Fiber Recovery Facilities (Old Corrugated Containers, Mixed Paper). Its NAICS code is 56292 and its SIC code is 4953.