Tobias Sternbeck
@tobiassternbeck.bsky.social
CEO at Beaver Paper | Transforming the Printing Industry | Eco-Friendly Innovation & Sustainability | Global Executive Leadership
By swapping water for air, mills could significantly cut their water, energy, and chemical use in the dyeing process.
If this can easily scale, it would be a huge step forward for the industry.
If this can easily scale, it would be a huge step forward for the industry.
Foam dyeing ‘most practical’ eco option – study
Landmark review concludes swapping water for air in textile dyeing and finishing could dramatically cut mills’ water, energy and chemical use
www.ecotextile.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:22 PM
By swapping water for air, mills could significantly cut their water, energy, and chemical use in the dyeing process.
If this can easily scale, it would be a huge step forward for the industry.
If this can easily scale, it would be a huge step forward for the industry.
I'd love to see the US implement an apprenticeship system like we have in Germany.
Back home, you can train at a job for three years while going to school at the same time. It prepares you quite well, and at the end, you have the opportunity to join on full-time.
Back home, you can train at a job for three years while going to school at the same time. It prepares you quite well, and at the end, you have the opportunity to join on full-time.
February 12, 2026 at 2:11 PM
I'd love to see the US implement an apprenticeship system like we have in Germany.
Back home, you can train at a job for three years while going to school at the same time. It prepares you quite well, and at the end, you have the opportunity to join on full-time.
Back home, you can train at a job for three years while going to school at the same time. It prepares you quite well, and at the end, you have the opportunity to join on full-time.
When you're working with people across multiple time zones, you have to do a lot of work to make sure communication doesn't fall through.
Especially when different languages are involved, context is everything. It's very easy for things to be misinterpreted if you're not explicit.
Especially when different languages are involved, context is everything. It's very easy for things to be misinterpreted if you're not explicit.
When Leading a Global Team, Don’t Leave Connection to Chance
Practical ideas for building trust, avoiding cultural stereotypes, and creating space for informal interaction.
hbr.org
February 10, 2026 at 3:08 PM
When you're working with people across multiple time zones, you have to do a lot of work to make sure communication doesn't fall through.
Especially when different languages are involved, context is everything. It's very easy for things to be misinterpreted if you're not explicit.
Especially when different languages are involved, context is everything. It's very easy for things to be misinterpreted if you're not explicit.
More bio-based materials are excellent, but they cannot change our industry alone. Glad to see this piece speaking to the impact that "behind-the-scenes" changes like optimizing logistics/recycling and lightweighting can have.
How Tech Advances Are Driving Sustainable Packaging Adoption - Food Industry Executive
By Salman Shahid is the CEO of OXO Packaging Key takeaways: Tech-enabled materials innovation: Bio-based, compostable, and recyclable materials (enhanced by AI, nanotechnology, and enzyme-based degradation) are reducing reliance on …
foodindustryexecutive.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:13 PM
More bio-based materials are excellent, but they cannot change our industry alone. Glad to see this piece speaking to the impact that "behind-the-scenes" changes like optimizing logistics/recycling and lightweighting can have.
I’ve been working in different time zones for 20 years. If you want to make it work, you have to be willing to adapt.
If you need me in the office at 4:00 AM for a meeting, I will be there with my cup of coffee.
If you need me in the office at 4:00 AM for a meeting, I will be there with my cup of coffee.
February 3, 2026 at 2:41 PM
I’ve been working in different time zones for 20 years. If you want to make it work, you have to be willing to adapt.
If you need me in the office at 4:00 AM for a meeting, I will be there with my cup of coffee.
If you need me in the office at 4:00 AM for a meeting, I will be there with my cup of coffee.
I like this idea of "distributed leadership". Yes, there are some decisions only I can make as a CEO. But there are plenty of others that can and should be made without me.
This is how you keep things moving quickly.
This is how you keep things moving quickly.
Leaders at All Levels: 7 Strategies to Give Your Team Real Power
Learn top tips to empower your team in this best-of video featuring leaders from GE, Bayer, Fidelity, and more.
sloanreview.mit.edu
January 29, 2026 at 1:51 PM
I like this idea of "distributed leadership". Yes, there are some decisions only I can make as a CEO. But there are plenty of others that can and should be made without me.
This is how you keep things moving quickly.
This is how you keep things moving quickly.
Andrew Winston is exactly right:
“The biggest issue in the U.S. is the very strong desire of leadership teams to keep their heads down and say nearly nothing about sustainability...it’s certainly not great for morale or moving at speed and scale."
“The biggest issue in the U.S. is the very strong desire of leadership teams to keep their heads down and say nearly nothing about sustainability...it’s certainly not great for morale or moving at speed and scale."
After a rough year, what will will corporate impact and sustainability look like in 2026?
Many companies spent last year looking to scale back (or at least stop talking about) their social impact initiatives. How will these trends evolve in 2026?
www.fastcompany.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Andrew Winston is exactly right:
“The biggest issue in the U.S. is the very strong desire of leadership teams to keep their heads down and say nearly nothing about sustainability...it’s certainly not great for morale or moving at speed and scale."
“The biggest issue in the U.S. is the very strong desire of leadership teams to keep their heads down and say nearly nothing about sustainability...it’s certainly not great for morale or moving at speed and scale."
It's tempting to think that buying a new machine or hiring more people will fix your company. But if you're working with broken processes, it's like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
Breaking Through Bottlenecks
Print service providers often invest in new equipment and talent to fuel growth, but the true limit might be hidden in plain sight: inefficient workflows.
www.piworld.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM
It's tempting to think that buying a new machine or hiring more people will fix your company. But if you're working with broken processes, it's like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
If I could give one piece of advice to the younger generation, it'd be this: Putting in the effort pays off.
I never set out to be the CEO of my company. I reached this position by doing my job as best as I could, moving around the world, and taking risks. And it paid off.
I never set out to be the CEO of my company. I reached this position by doing my job as best as I could, moving around the world, and taking risks. And it paid off.
January 20, 2026 at 2:42 PM
If I could give one piece of advice to the younger generation, it'd be this: Putting in the effort pays off.
I never set out to be the CEO of my company. I reached this position by doing my job as best as I could, moving around the world, and taking risks. And it paid off.
I never set out to be the CEO of my company. I reached this position by doing my job as best as I could, moving around the world, and taking risks. And it paid off.
My AI "advice" is to decide what problems you actually need to solve with this tech, and leave the rest behind.
It seems like a lot of businesses are treating AI like a hammer looking for a nail. AI only delivers value when it solves real problems.
It seems like a lot of businesses are treating AI like a hammer looking for a nail. AI only delivers value when it solves real problems.
2026 Is Not the Year to 'Try' AI
In 2026, printing and packaging companies must move beyond AI tools toward strategy, readiness, and agentic systems that create real operational advantage.
www.piworld.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:08 PM
My AI "advice" is to decide what problems you actually need to solve with this tech, and leave the rest behind.
It seems like a lot of businesses are treating AI like a hammer looking for a nail. AI only delivers value when it solves real problems.
It seems like a lot of businesses are treating AI like a hammer looking for a nail. AI only delivers value when it solves real problems.
The best work happens when you're not chasing quarterly profits, but building something that lasts.
That's what I love about how we work at @Beaver_Paper. Instead of looking at the next three months, we are looking at the next hundred years. And that makes a huge difference.
That's what I love about how we work at @Beaver_Paper. Instead of looking at the next three months, we are looking at the next hundred years. And that makes a huge difference.
January 12, 2026 at 3:10 PM
The best work happens when you're not chasing quarterly profits, but building something that lasts.
That's what I love about how we work at @Beaver_Paper. Instead of looking at the next three months, we are looking at the next hundred years. And that makes a huge difference.
That's what I love about how we work at @Beaver_Paper. Instead of looking at the next three months, we are looking at the next hundred years. And that makes a huge difference.
Sustainability initiatives don't have to be big to be effective. At Beaver Paper, we recently switched the plastic plugs we use in our smaller rolls to carton (cardboard).
It was an easy, low-cost investment that delivered a direct, positive environmental impact.
It was an easy, low-cost investment that delivered a direct, positive environmental impact.
January 5, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Sustainability initiatives don't have to be big to be effective. At Beaver Paper, we recently switched the plastic plugs we use in our smaller rolls to carton (cardboard).
It was an easy, low-cost investment that delivered a direct, positive environmental impact.
It was an easy, low-cost investment that delivered a direct, positive environmental impact.
This is interesting. I've seen a lot of conversations this year about pulling back from sustainability messaging (while maintaining their investments) because of the tense climate.
But this data shows that "greenhushing" actually slows progress over time.
But this data shows that "greenhushing" actually slows progress over time.
The Greenhushing Trap
Greenhushing silences the communication that drives sustainability transformation, but excessive talk can also backfire.
sloanreview.mit.edu
December 18, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This is interesting. I've seen a lot of conversations this year about pulling back from sustainability messaging (while maintaining their investments) because of the tense climate.
But this data shows that "greenhushing" actually slows progress over time.
But this data shows that "greenhushing" actually slows progress over time.
A lot of leaders think "resilience" is the same as endurance, but they're very different.
Endurance is about surviving pressure. Resilience is "about designing systems so people don’t break under it."
We would do well to understand the difference.
Endurance is about surviving pressure. Resilience is "about designing systems so people don’t break under it."
We would do well to understand the difference.
Resilience Means Fewer Recoveries, Not Faster Ones | Benjamin Laker and Yelena Kalyuzhnova
Organizational resilience shouldn’t rely on employee heroics; work systems should be redesigned to absorb pressure.
sloanreview.mit.edu
December 12, 2025 at 2:11 PM
A lot of leaders think "resilience" is the same as endurance, but they're very different.
Endurance is about surviving pressure. Resilience is "about designing systems so people don’t break under it."
We would do well to understand the difference.
Endurance is about surviving pressure. Resilience is "about designing systems so people don’t break under it."
We would do well to understand the difference.
This is cool.
This is the first-ever comprehensive picture of the people who make up the #printing industry. I'm particularly glad to see that young people are still interested in doing this work, although I still think we could do more to recruit.
This is the first-ever comprehensive picture of the people who make up the #printing industry. I'm particularly glad to see that young people are still interested in doing this work, although I still think we could do more to recruit.
Printing Industry Census Reveals Diverse Ecosystem
The first-ever printing industry census paints a vibrant picture of an industry rooted in centuries-old craftsmanship and new technology.
www.piworld.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
This is cool.
This is the first-ever comprehensive picture of the people who make up the #printing industry. I'm particularly glad to see that young people are still interested in doing this work, although I still think we could do more to recruit.
This is the first-ever comprehensive picture of the people who make up the #printing industry. I'm particularly glad to see that young people are still interested in doing this work, although I still think we could do more to recruit.
At @Beaver_Paper, we test every roll for consistent ink release, dimensional stability, and color accuracy to make sure it meets the demands of high-volume production.
Visit www.beaverpaper.com to learn more.
Visit www.beaverpaper.com to learn more.
December 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
At @Beaver_Paper, we test every roll for consistent ink release, dimensional stability, and color accuracy to make sure it meets the demands of high-volume production.
Visit www.beaverpaper.com to learn more.
Visit www.beaverpaper.com to learn more.
Dan Widmaier said it best here: "Fashion is not a truly innovative space.”
As long as cost-cutting remains the top priority, we're not going to see creative answers to the textile industry's waste problem.
As long as cost-cutting remains the top priority, we're not going to see creative answers to the textile industry's waste problem.
The sustainable fabrics market collapse
After hefty investment and hyped deals with luxury brands, many material innovation start-ups are winding down. What comes next?
www.ft.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Dan Widmaier said it best here: "Fashion is not a truly innovative space.”
As long as cost-cutting remains the top priority, we're not going to see creative answers to the textile industry's waste problem.
As long as cost-cutting remains the top priority, we're not going to see creative answers to the textile industry's waste problem.
The truth of the matter is, sustainability wins more business.
Your certifications and sustainable processes are a selling point, and more printers should treat them that way.
Your certifications and sustainable processes are a selling point, and more printers should treat them that way.
The Business Case for Sustainability
Print service providers discuss their experience implementing sustainability measures in their wide-format operations and why it's important.
www.piworld.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The truth of the matter is, sustainability wins more business.
Your certifications and sustainable processes are a selling point, and more printers should treat them that way.
Your certifications and sustainable processes are a selling point, and more printers should treat them that way.
These are the conversations we need to be having in the print and promo industry. "Swag" is only impactful when it's intentional. And for many people, that means choosing sustainable quality over mass-produced quantity.
Sustainable Promo Made to Treasure, Not Trash
Jessica Makrinos of Inkcups discusses how direct-to-object printing supports more sustainable production of promotional products.
www.piworld.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
These are the conversations we need to be having in the print and promo industry. "Swag" is only impactful when it's intentional. And for many people, that means choosing sustainable quality over mass-produced quantity.
A critical first step in helping producers comply with America's first extended producer responsibility law for apparel and textiles.
New platform aims to manage first US EPR scheme
A new organisation has been established in the US to help producers comply with the first US extended producer responsibility (EPR) law for apparel and textiles.
www.wtin.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
A critical first step in helping producers comply with America's first extended producer responsibility law for apparel and textiles.
One part of the automation conversation a lot of people are overlooking is the importance of skilled labor.
Robots may be coming to take over manual labor, but without skilled labor, who will train and maintain those robots? This is what we need to focus on - or risk falling behind as a country.
Robots may be coming to take over manual labor, but without skilled labor, who will train and maintain those robots? This is what we need to focus on - or risk falling behind as a country.
November 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM
One part of the automation conversation a lot of people are overlooking is the importance of skilled labor.
Robots may be coming to take over manual labor, but without skilled labor, who will train and maintain those robots? This is what we need to focus on - or risk falling behind as a country.
Robots may be coming to take over manual labor, but without skilled labor, who will train and maintain those robots? This is what we need to focus on - or risk falling behind as a country.
Sublimation is everywhere.
The jersey your favorite player is repping on the field, the eye-catching signage at an event, your favorite wallpaper.
And it all starts with the right sublimation paper.
The jersey your favorite player is repping on the field, the eye-catching signage at an event, your favorite wallpaper.
And it all starts with the right sublimation paper.
November 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Sublimation is everywhere.
The jersey your favorite player is repping on the field, the eye-catching signage at an event, your favorite wallpaper.
And it all starts with the right sublimation paper.
The jersey your favorite player is repping on the field, the eye-catching signage at an event, your favorite wallpaper.
And it all starts with the right sublimation paper.
Plastic is cheap, and that's what makes it hard to move away from.
Paper doesn't necessarily save you cost, but it's better for the environment. I think if we really want to get rid of our stubborn plastic addiction, businesses are going to have to think differently about cost.
Paper doesn't necessarily save you cost, but it's better for the environment. I think if we really want to get rid of our stubborn plastic addiction, businesses are going to have to think differently about cost.
November 5, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Plastic is cheap, and that's what makes it hard to move away from.
Paper doesn't necessarily save you cost, but it's better for the environment. I think if we really want to get rid of our stubborn plastic addiction, businesses are going to have to think differently about cost.
Paper doesn't necessarily save you cost, but it's better for the environment. I think if we really want to get rid of our stubborn plastic addiction, businesses are going to have to think differently about cost.
The hard part of talking about climate and sustainability is understanding that two things can be true at the same time.
Our planet is rapidly heading in the wrong direction - and at the same time, there is incredible (and often quiet) work being done to save it.
Our planet is rapidly heading in the wrong direction - and at the same time, there is incredible (and often quiet) work being done to save it.
Surprise: Corporate Sustainability Isn’t Dead | Andrew Winston
The mood at the recent climate gathering was sober, but evidence of ongoing progress worldwide offers hope.
sloanreview.mit.edu
October 30, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The hard part of talking about climate and sustainability is understanding that two things can be true at the same time.
Our planet is rapidly heading in the wrong direction - and at the same time, there is incredible (and often quiet) work being done to save it.
Our planet is rapidly heading in the wrong direction - and at the same time, there is incredible (and often quiet) work being done to save it.
We could make the biggest environmental impact if manufacturers prioritized near-shoring.
That is why the #textile industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. Excessive global shipping is a hurdle we have to get over.
That is why the #textile industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. Excessive global shipping is a hurdle we have to get over.
October 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
We could make the biggest environmental impact if manufacturers prioritized near-shoring.
That is why the #textile industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. Excessive global shipping is a hurdle we have to get over.
That is why the #textile industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. Excessive global shipping is a hurdle we have to get over.