LEIPA Nova | Interview with Antonio Bellante, CEO of LEIPA Group GmbH
LEIPA Group GmbH, headquartered in Schwedt/Oder, is one of the leading medium-sized producers of paper based on recycled fibres. Antonio Bellante, who has been with the company since 2012 and as CEO since March 2023, has placed a strong emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and premium materials. With LEIPA Nova, this family-owned company is launching a new product that embodies these priorities.
Mr. Bellante, you have been part of LEIPA’s management since 2020. What insights have you gained in recent years, both socially and in day-to-day operations?
“The past few years have shown how important it is to take a stance, both on social issues and in terms of corporate responsibility. For LEIPA, it was clear from the beginning that the company should not only be a market leader in recycled paper, but also a driving force for conscious design. LEIPA Nova was created in this spirit.”
Your company is considered particularly innovative among medium-sized businesses. What is the secret?
“Our employees are the DNA of our innovative strength. Every idea, every product and every further development has its origins in the expertise and creativity of our team. As a medium-sized company, we have the advantage of being close to people and decisions – short distances, flat hierarchies and strong teamwork. These are our strengths.”
What distinguishes your company from larger corporations?
“We combine the professionalism and performance of an industrial enterprise with the values of a medium-sized business: proximity, trust, responsibility. This not only makes us an attractive employer, but also gives us a clear competitive advantage in the market.”
The LEIPA Group has launched a new product called LEIPA Nova. Can you tell us more about it?
“LEIPA Nova is a paper made entirely from recycled fibres, designed to deliver quality while supporting purposeful communication. With LEIPA Nova, we are not only setting new technological standards, but also maintaining a consistent focus on sustainability. For us, innovation always means responsibility – towards our customers, our employees and our environment. This product marks an important milestone, demonstrates how we unite economic success with ecological responsibility.”
What sets LEIPA Nova apart from conventional papers?
“What makes it unique is the combination of ecological responsibility with a high-end look and feel. Many recycled papers reveal their origins. LEIPA Nova merges sustainability together with a visual and tactile quality that enhances brand presence and conveys messages with clarity.”
Sustainability is often an overused term in the industry. How do you ensure LEIPA Nova is more than marketing rhetoric?
“We only use recycled fibres in combination with 100% green electricity certificates in our manufacturing process. This is a consistent approach without compromises.”
For which applications is LEIPA Nova particularly well suited?
“We see LEIPA Nova in premium print products such as magazines, books, and sophisticated communication materials—wherever printing serves not only to inform but also to make a statement.”
How did your first customers respond?
“Many were surprised by the impact a recycled paper can have in terms of texture, color brilliance, and brightness. Printers in particular were impressed by the excellent processing and printability characteristics – both in general and in comparison to virgin fibre papers. The feedback confirms that our product is seen as a deliberate choice, not as a compromise.”
Looking ahead, what role should LEIPA Nova play in three years?
“LEIPA Nova should be established as a synonym for sustainable paper solutions. Companies won’t just communicate content – they also signal a clear positioning.”
Where do you see your greatest challenge in shaping the future, both for the company and for yourself?
“For the company, it will be about strengthening its position as an international provider of recycled paper, with a focus on the highest quality and the continuous improvement of its types of paper. Personally, I see my role as offering direction, driving innovation, and at the same time safeguarding the values that have shaped LEIPA.”
How important is the unique culture of a long-established family business in this context?
“It plays a major role. In a family business, thinking is long-term, measured in generations rather than quarters. At the same time, there is a strong bond with employees, the region, and the product itself. This creates a profound sense of responsibility.”
What do you say to companies still hesitant to adopt LEIPA Nova?
“Companies that take responsibility today build long-term trust. LEIPA Nova is a tool for this. I am convinced that in the future the question will not be whether to take this step, but only when. I’d like to thank the employees whose commitment has been essential to the development of this product.”