Publication Policy

WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP) upholds the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and quality in all stages of the publication process. The journal’s policies are designed to ensure ethical conduct, fairness, and equal opportunity for all contributors, in accordance with international best practices for scholarly publishing.

1. Editorial Independence and Objectivity
   • All editorial decisions are made solely on the basis of academic merit, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
   • The editorial team operates with complete independence and does not allow commercial, institutional, or personal influence to affect decisions.
   • Editors, reviewers, and authors must adhere to ethical and professional conduct throughout the publication process.
2. Peer Review Policy
   • WBP follows a double-blind peer review system to ensure impartial and unbiased evaluation of all submissions.
   • Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent experts in the relevant field.
   • Reviewers assess the scientific validity, originality, methodology, and contribution of the manuscript.
   • The editorial board reserves the right to reject manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s academic or ethical standards.
3. Authorship and Acknowledgment
   • Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made a substantial intellectual contribution to the research and writing of the manuscript.
   • All authors must approve the final version before submission and publication.
   • Contributions that do not meet authorship criteria (e.g., technical support, data collection, funding) should be listed in the Acknowledgment section.
   • Any change in authorship after submission must be justified and approved by all authors.
4. Originality and Plagiarism
   • All submitted manuscripts must be original works that have not been published elsewhere or submitted simultaneously to another journal.
   • The journal employs plagiarism detection software to verify the authenticity of all submissions.
   • Any form of plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or data manipulation is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate rejection or retraction of the article.
5. Open Access and Copyright Policy
   • WBP supports open scientific communication while maintaining appropriate intellectual property rights.
   • Published articles may be made available under a Creative Commons license (if applicable) or traditional copyright terms, depending on journal policy.
   • Authors retain the moral rights to their work, while granting the publisher the right to distribute, reproduce, and archive the article in print and electronic formats.
   • Any reuse of published content must properly acknowledge the original source and citation.
6. Data Availability and Transparency
   • Authors are encouraged to provide access to supporting data that underpin their research findings.
   • Data sharing enhances reproducibility, trust, and collaboration within the scientific community.
   • If data cannot be made public, authors must clearly explain the reason (e.g., confidentiality, proprietary restrictions).
7. Ethical Compliance
   • Authors must ensure that research involving human participants, animals, or sensitive materials complies with relevant ethical standards and approvals.
   • Any ethical statement or institutional approval number must be clearly included in the manuscript.
   • WBP adheres to the ethical standards established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and ICMJE.
8. Correction, Retraction, and Withdrawal Policy
   • If significant errors or ethical concerns arise after publication, the journal will issue a Correction, Retraction, or Editorial Note as appropriate.
   • Retractions are made in accordance with COPE guidelines to ensure academic transparency and accountability.
   • Authors may request withdrawal of a manuscript before final publication, with valid justification and editorial approval.
9. Archiving and Digital Preservation
   • WBP ensures long-term preservation of all published articles through digital archiving systems and repositories.
   • Published issues remain accessible permanently to maintain the integrity of the academic record.
10. Policy Review and Updates
    • The publication policy is periodically reviewed and updated to align with evolving international publishing standards, ethical practices, and technological advancements.

Peer Review Process

At WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP), the peer review process serves as a critical quality control mechanism to ensure that all published manuscripts meet the journal’s high academic and ethical standards.

The process is objective, transparent, and confidential, designed to maintain the credibility and scientific rigor of every publication.

1. Overview
   

   The peer review process evaluates a manuscript’s originality, technical quality, validity, clarity, and contribution to the field of research.

   WBP follows a double-blind peer review system, ensuring that:

   • The identity of the author(s) is not disclosed to the reviewers.
   • The identity of the reviewers remains confidential to the author(s).
     This process promotes fairness, impartiality, and unbiased evaluation of all submissions.
2. Stages of the Peer Review Process Stage 1: Submission Acknowledgment
   • Upon submission through the online submission system, the corresponding author receives an acknowledgment email confirming receipt of the manuscript.
   • Each submission is assigned a unique manuscript ID for tracking throughout the review process.
   Stage 2: Preliminary Editorial Screening
   • The manuscript is first reviewed by the Editorial Office or Editor-in-Chief for:
     • Scope and relevance to the journal.
     • Formatting and language compliance.
     • Ethical standards and originality check (via plagiarism detection tools).
   • Manuscripts that do not meet the basic criteria may be rejected without external review (desk rejection).
   Stage 3: Reviewer Selection and Invitation
   • Suitable reviewers are selected based on their expertise, research background, and publication record related to the manuscript’s topic.
   • Typically, two or more reviewers are invited to evaluate the paper.
   • Once reviewers accept the invitation, the manuscript and review guidelines are provided to them.
   Stage 4: Review and Evaluation
   • Reviewers critically evaluate the manuscript for:
     • Originality and significance of the research.
     • Appropriateness of the research design and methods.
     • Accuracy of data and interpretation.
     • Structure, coherence, and clarity of presentation.
     • References, ethical compliance, and overall contribution to the field.
   • Reviewers provide a detailed report and recommend one of the following decisions:
   • Accept without revision
   • Minor revision (small changes needed)
   • Major revision (significant changes required)
   • Reject
   Stage 5: Editorial Decision
   • The Editor evaluates all review reports and makes a decision based on the reviewers’ feedback and the manuscript’s merit.
   • The decision is communicated to the author(s) along with constructive comments and reviewers’ suggestions for improvement.
   • If revisions are requested, authors must address each reviewer’s comment point-by-point and resubmit the revised manuscript within the given timeframe.
   Stage 6: Revision and Re-evaluation
   • Revised manuscripts are checked to ensure that reviewers’ comments have been adequately addressed.
   • In cases of major revisions, the manuscript may be sent back to the original reviewers for re-evaluation.
   • After all concerns are resolved, the editor makes the final acceptance decision.
   Stage 7: Final Decision and Proofs
   • Accepted manuscripts proceed to copyediting, typesetting, and proofing before publication.
   • Authors are given a chance to review the proofs and confirm final corrections.
   • The final version is published online or in print with a unique DOI and citation details.
3. Reviewer Guidelines and Ethics
   Reviewers play a vital role in maintaining the journal’s integrity. They are expected to:
   • Maintain confidentiality of all materials under review.
   • Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback.
   • Disclose any conflict of interest that may influence their judgment.
   • Avoid using any unpublished information from the manuscript for personal research or advantage.
4. Duration of the Review Proces
   • The initial editorial screening usually takes 1–2 weeks.
   • Peer review generally takes 3–6 weeks, depending on reviewer availability and response time.
   • Authors are notified promptly about the editorial decision.
     WBP strives to maintain a timely and efficient review process without compromising quality.
5. Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest
   • All submitted manuscripts and review reports are handled confidentially.
   • Editors and reviewers must declare conflicts of interest related to the manuscript’s content, authors, or funding sources.
   • If a conflict exists, the individual will be recused from the review or decision-making process.
6. Appeals and Complaints
   • Authors who disagree with an editorial decision may submit an appeal with a detailed justification.
   • The appeal will be reviewed by a senior editor or independent expert not involved in the initial decision.
   • All appeals are handled fairly and transparently in accordance with the journal’s ethical standards.
7. Post-Publication Review
   • WBP welcomes post-publication discussions, comments, and corrections to enhance research quality.
   • Any valid concerns raised about published work will be investigated according to COPE guidelines and may result in corrections, retractions, or editor’s notes.

Copyright Policy

At WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP), we are committed to upholding the intellectual property rights of authors while ensuring that published research remains accessible, credible, and ethically managed. Our Copyright Policy defines the ownership, rights, and responsibilities associated with all materials published in the journal.

1. Ownership of Copyright
   • Authors retain the copyright of their work upon publication in WBP.
   • However, by submitting a manuscript and upon acceptance, authors grant the publisher — Deutscher Fachverlag GmbH — a non-exclusive license to:
     • Publish, reproduce, and distribute the work in all formats (print and electronic).
     • Archive the article in the journal’s databases and authorized repositories.
     • Use the published material for indexing, abstracting, and citation purposes.
   • This license ensures that the author maintains ownership while allowing the journal to disseminate and preserve the research.
2. Author Rights and Permissions
   Authors publishing with WBP are free to:
   • Share their final published article (PDF) on personal or institutional websites, repositories, or academic networks with proper citation.
   • Use the content of their article in future research, lectures, books, or teaching materials.
   • Retain all patent and proprietary rights associated with their research.
   • Reuse figures, tables, or excerpts from their own published article in new works, provided they cite the original publication in WBP.
3. Publisher Rights
   The publisher retains the right to:
   • Distribute and promote the article through print, online platforms, and databases.
   • Include the article in third-party indexing and abstracting services (e.g., Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, and other scientific repositories).
   • Use the content for academic and archival purposes, ensuring long-term preservation and discoverability.
4. Licensing and Open Access
   • Articles published in WBP may be made available under specific open access or subscription-based licensing terms, as defined at the time of publication.
   • Authors opting for open access publication will have their work distributed under a Creative Commons License (e.g., CC BY-NC or CC BY), which allows sharing and adaptation with appropriate credit to the author and journal.
   • For subscription-based articles, readers may access full texts through institutional or personal subscriptions, while abstracts remain freely available to all.
5. Copyright Transfer Agreement (CTA)
   • Upon acceptance of a manuscript, authors are required to sign a Copyright Transfer Agreement (CTA).
   • This agreement confirms that:
     • The work is original and has not been published elsewhere.
     • The authors grant WBP the right to publish, reproduce, and disseminate the article.
     • All co-authors have agreed to the submission and publication terms.
   • The CTA ensures transparency and establishes the legal framework for publication rights.
6. Use of Third-Party Material
   • Authors are responsible for obtaining written permission to reproduce any copyrighted material (e.g., figures, tables, or illustrations) from other sources.
   • Proper acknowledgment and credit must be provided in the manuscript.
   • The journal reserves the right to remove or replace content if adequate permissions are not submitted.
7. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement
   • WBP enforces a strict anti-plagiarism policy using plagiarism detection software during the editorial process.
   • If any copyright violation or unethical reuse of content is detected, the article may be rejected, retracted, or corrected, depending on the severity of the violation.
   • Authors found guilty of plagiarism or copyright infringement may be blacklisted from future submissions.
8. Archiving and Long-Term Preservation
   • All published articles are archived in secure databases to ensure long-term digital preservation and accessibility.
   • The journal may also deposit articles in international digital repositories for research visibility and citation enhancement.
9. Reproduction and Distribution
   • No part of the published material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the publisher, except under fair use provisions or as permitted by applicable copyright laws.
   • Proper credit must always be given to the original author(s) and WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP) when referencing or reusing any part of a published work.
10. Policy Updates

This Copyright Policy may be updated periodically to comply with international copyright standards and best practices in academic publishing. Any revisions will be published on the official WBP website and apply to all subsequent submissions.

Plagiarism Policy

WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP) maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of plagiarism and unethical publication practices. Upholding the integrity, originality, and credibility of academic research is fundamental to our mission. Every manuscript submitted to WBP is carefully screened to ensure that it reflects authentic and original scholarly work.

1. Definition of Plagiarism
   Plagiarism is the unethical act of presenting another person’s intellectual work — including text, data, images, figures, ideas, or results — as one’s own without proper acknowledgment or citation. WBP considers the following as forms of plagiarism:
   • Direct Plagiarism: Copying text, figures, or data verbatim from another source without citation.
   • Self-Plagiarism (Text Recycling): Reusing significant portions of one’s previously published work without appropriate reference or acknowledgment.
   • Mosaic or Patchwork Plagiarism: Borrowing ideas or phrases from multiple sources and combining them to form a new text without crediting the original authors.
   • Paraphrasing Plagiarism: Rewording another author’s ideas or text without proper attribution.
   • Image or Data Plagiarism: Using tables, figures, or datasets from previously published work without permission or acknowledgment.
2. Plagiarism Screening Procedure
   All manuscripts submitted to WBP undergo a mandatory plagiarism check before being sent for peer review.
   The journal uses reliable and widely recognized plagiarism detection software (such as Turnitin, iThenticate, or Grammarly Premium) to evaluate text similarity.
   The process includes:
   • Checking the entire manuscript, including title, abstract, main text, tables, figures, and references.
   • Comparing the manuscript against a global database of published papers, theses, conference proceedings, and web content.
   • Generating a similarity report that highlights matched text and similarity sources.
3. Acceptable Similarity Threshold
   To maintain the highest publication ethics, WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP) accepts manuscripts only if the overall similarity index is less than 8%.
   • Similarity below 8%: Acceptable; the manuscript proceeds to editorial review.
   • Similarity between 8–15%: Subject to editorial scrutiny; authors may be asked to revise or rephrase overlapping content.
   • Similarity above 15%: Considered unacceptable and will result in rejection without review.
   • Copying from a single source exceeding 5% is considered a serious violation, regardless of the total similarity percentage.
   Authors are encouraged to self-check their manuscripts using plagiarism detection software before submission to ensure compliance.
4. Actions in Case of Plagiarism
   If plagiarism is detected at any stage — before or after publication — WBP will take strict action according to its ethical guidelines:
   Before Publication:
   • The manuscript will be rejected immediately.
   • The authors will be notified with the plagiarism report and requested to revise if minor overlaps are found.
   • In cases of severe plagiarism, authors may be blacklisted from future submissions.
   After Publication:
   • If plagiarism is proven post-publication, the journal will issue one or more of the following actions:
     • Retraction of the article from the online archive.
     • Publication of a formal retraction notice stating the reason.
     • Notification of the author’s institution or funding agency.
     • Temporary or permanent ban on future submissions.
5. Self-Plagiarism Policy
   • Authors must not republish their own previously published content without clear citation and justification.
   • If overlapping content (e.g., methodology descriptions) is necessary, it must be rewritten and properly referenced.
   • Duplicate submission of the same manuscript to more than one journal is strictly prohibited and considered unethical.
6. Reviewer and Editor Vigilance
   In addition to automated software screening, reviewers and editors are trained to:
   • Identify unattributed ideas, paraphrased content, or re-used visuals.
   • Report any suspected case of plagiarism directly to the Editor-in-Chief.
   • Ensure that any overlapping content is critically evaluated before acceptance.
7. Author Responsibility
   Authors are solely responsible for:
   • Ensuring their manuscript is original and properly cited.
   • Obtaining permissions for any copyrighted materials used in figures, tables, or text.
   • Declaring that the submitted work has not been published or under review elsewhere.
   • Reviewing the plagiarism report (if shared) and making necessary revisions before peer review.
8. Institutional and Ethical Alignment
   The WBP plagiarism policy aligns with the guidelines of:
   • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
   • World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)
   • International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
   • International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
   These standards ensure that all published research upholds academic integrity, fairness, and originality.
9. Educational Approach for Minor Similarities
   WBP understands that some degree of similarity may occur due to common terminologies, methods, or standard phrases.
   • In such cases, the editorial team will educate authors, particularly early-career researchers, on best practices in paraphrasing and citation.
   • Authors may be invited to revise and resubmit the manuscript with reduced overlap.
10. Summary Statement

    At WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP), we strictly enforce the rule that plagiarism must be less than 8% in all submitted manuscripts. This policy ensures the publication of authentic, high-quality, and ethically sound research that contributes meaningfully to the global academic community. The journal remains firmly committed to promoting academic honesty, originality, and scholarly excellence in all its publications.

Open Access Policy

The WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP) is firmly committed to the principles of open access publishing, which ensures that scientific research is freely available to the global community without barriers of subscription or access fees. WBP believes that unrestricted access to scholarly work accelerates the dissemination of knowledge, fosters innovation, and promotes collaboration among researchers, educators, and professionals worldwide. Through its open access policy, WBP seeks to make all published research permanently accessible online for reading, downloading, and sharing, thereby advancing transparency, visibility, and the overall impact of scientific discoveries.

All articles published in WBP are made freely available online immediately upon publication. Readers can access, download, copy, distribute, print, and link to the full texts of articles without requiring prior permission from the publisher or the authors, provided that proper acknowledgment and citation of the original work are maintained. This unrestricted access aligns with the journal’s mission to enhance the reach and utility of high-quality research in materials science, paper and wood technology, industrial engineering, and related disciplines. The open access model ensures that the work of authors reaches a wider audience beyond academic boundaries, including industry experts, policymakers, and research institutions.

To sustain the costs associated with open access publishing—such as manuscript processing, editorial management, peer review coordination, digital archiving, indexing, and web hosting—the journal may require an Article Processing Charge (APC) after the manuscript has been accepted for publication. This fee supports the operational and infrastructural needs that enable the journal to maintain its high standards of publication quality and global accessibility. The APC structure, if applicable, is transparently communicated to authors prior to acceptance, ensuring complete clarity and fairness in the publication process.

Authors publishing in WBP retain full copyright ownership of their work while granting the publisher a non-exclusive license to distribute and promote the content. All articles are typically published under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, as long as the original author and source are properly cited. This licensing approach empowers authors by ensuring that their research remains freely available and reusable while maintaining proper academic credit.

The open access policy of WBP not only benefits the readers but also significantly enhances the visibility and citation potential of published articles. Studies have consistently shown that open access articles receive greater readership, wider dissemination, and higher citation rates compared to subscription-based publications. WBP is proud to contribute to this ecosystem by promoting scientific exchange without limitations of geography or institutional access.

WBP also adheres to international best practices and ethical standards in open access publishing, as outlined by the Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI), the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge, and the Plan S principles. The journal supports interoperability with repositories, databases, and indexing services to ensure the long-term preservation and discoverability of published research. Authors are encouraged to deposit their published articles in institutional or subject repositories, with appropriate acknowledgment to WBP as the original source.

In adopting and promoting open access, WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP) reaffirms its dedication to advancing global scholarship. By removing access restrictions, the journal enables researchers, students, and professionals around the world—regardless of economic or institutional background—to engage with and benefit from cutting-edge research. This open access vision ensures that knowledge serves as a shared public resource, fueling further innovation and contributing to the continuous development of science and technology in the fields WBP represents.

Article Processing Charge (APC)

The WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP) operates under an open access publishing model, ensuring that all published articles are freely and permanently available online for readers worldwide. To sustain the cost of high-quality editorial management, peer review, production, and digital preservation, the journal charges an Article Processing Charge (APC) only after a manuscript has been formally accepted for publication. Importantly, there is no fee required at the time of submission — authors can submit their manuscripts free of charge for initial editorial and peer review consideration.

WBP maintains a transparent and ethical APC policy designed to support open access publishing while ensuring fairness and accessibility for researchers across the globe. The APC covers the comprehensive costs associated with the publication process, including:

editorial assessment, coordination of peer review, copyediting, typesetting, DOI assignment, digital archiving, online hosting, indexing, and long-term content preservation. This fee supports the journal’s commitment to maintaining rigorous publication standards and ensuring that all articles remain freely available to readers without any subscription barriers.

For overseas authors, the Article Processing Charge (APC) is set at USD 1800 per accepted article. This fee becomes payable only after the manuscript has successfully passed peer review and received a final acceptance decision from the editorial board. Once payment is received, the article proceeds to production and is published in the next available issue of the journal.

The submission process itself is entirely free. Authors are encouraged to submit their manuscripts without any upfront payment for evaluation, editorial screening, or peer review. This ensures that all submissions are judged solely on the scientific quality, originality, and relevance of the research, not on the author’s ability to pay. The APC is applicable only to manuscripts that are formally accepted for publication after undergoing a thorough and unbiased peer review process.

WBP recognizes that researchers may face financial constraints, particularly those from developing regions, early-career scholars, or authors without institutional funding. Therefore, the journal offers a waiver or partial discount on the APC in genuine cases of financial hardship. Authors seeking a waiver are encouraged to contact the editorial office at the time of submission or upon acceptance by providing a brief justification of their request. All waiver applications are reviewed confidentially and considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure fairness and inclusivity.

The journal’s APC policy aligns with international best practices in open access publishing and complies with ethical standards established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA). By maintaining transparency and fairness in its fee structure, WBP ensures that publication costs are clearly communicated to authors from the outset, eliminating any hidden or additional charges.

In summary, the Article Processing Charge (APC) for WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP) is designed to sustain open access dissemination while supporting equitable participation from the global research community.

• Submission Fee: Free of charge (no payment required at submission)
• Article Processing Charge (APC): USD 1800 for overseas authors (payable after acceptance)
• Waivers/Discounts: Available upon request, subject to editorial approval

Through this transparent and inclusive APC policy, WBP continues to uphold its commitment to making high-quality research accessible to everyone, everywhere, while supporting authors in disseminating their work globally without financial or institutional barriers.

Article Withdrawal Policy

The WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP) maintains a strict and transparent Article Withdrawal Policy to uphold the integrity of the academic record and ensure ethical publishing practices. Authors are advised to carefully review their submission before finalizing it, as withdrawal requests are only accepted under specific and justified circumstances.

Once a manuscript is submitted to WBP, it immediately enters the editorial and peer review process, involving significant time and resources from editors, reviewers, and the publication team. Therefore, article withdrawal is not encouraged after submission unless there are genuine and unavoidable reasons such as accidental duplicate submission, serious technical errors, or ethical concerns identified by the author.

If an author wishes to withdraw a submitted manuscript, a formal withdrawal request must be sent via email to the editorial office at submission@wbp-online.de The request must clearly mention the manuscript title, submission ID, and a detailed reason for withdrawal.

In accordance with the journal’s editorial policy, the following conditions apply: Withdrawal Period:
1. Authors may request the withdrawal of their manuscript within 5 working days from the date of submission. After this period, withdrawal requests will only be considered under exceptional circumstances and with proper justification.
Approval Requirement:
2. All withdrawal requests are subject to editorial board approval. Authors will receive written confirmation once the withdrawal is officially accepted by the journal.
Post-Acceptance Withdrawal:
3. If a manuscript has already been accepted for publication or is in the production stage, withdrawal is strongly discouraged. In such cases, withdrawal will only be permitted with a clear written request and explanation.
Article Processing Charge (APC):
4. In cases where the Article Processing Charge (APC) has already been paid, it is important to note that the APC will not be refunded under any circumstances, even if the author requests to withdraw the article. This is because significant editorial, peer review, and processing work would have already been completed by the time of withdrawal.
Improper Withdrawal or Unethical Conduct:
5. Withdrawal of a manuscript without proper justification or failure to communicate with the journal after peer review initiation may be considered unethical behavior. Such actions may result in blacklisting of the author(s) from future submissions to WBP or notification to their affiliated institutions.
Withdrawal after Publication:
6. Once an article is officially published online, it cannot be withdrawn. In cases where ethical issues or significant errors are identified post-publication, the journal will instead issue a formal Retraction Notice in accordance with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines to maintain the transparency of the scholarly record.

The WOCHENBLATT FÜR PAPIERFABRIKATION (WBP) strongly advises authors to ensure that their submission is final and that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the manuscript before submission. This avoids unnecessary withdrawal requests and helps maintain the integrity and efficiency of the editorial process.