Abstract: Method is disclosed of treatment of waste paper or the like at high temperatures in the range of 160.degree. C. to about 230.degree. C. The furnish is treated in a digester with or without added chemicals but in the presence of saturated steam. The preferred dwell times are in the range of about 1 minute to about 6 minutes. The treated furnish is then discharged from the digester, preferably, but not exclusively, by an explosive discharge.The advance in the art is in an improved de-inking effect, reduced consumption of chemicals and power. Also, some furnishes previously unsuitable for re-cycling, have been successfully processed by the method of the invention.