Method for winding a material web onto a reel in an apparatus that includes a rotatable feed roll, a carrying drum, a discharge roll and a pulper. Winding device for winding a material web onto a reel, said winding device including: a feed roll, a carrying drum, and a support belt which is adapted to guide the material web over the feed roll and the carrying drum. An external vacuum device is positioned adjacent a circumferential surface of the carrying drum which is not contacted by the support belt and the material web and a winding nip is formed between the carrying drum and the reel. A discharge roll is provided for guiding the support belt, and the discharge roll is located in the vicinity of a pulper, downstream from the carrying drum, relative to a web run direction. The discharge roll is also adapted to divert at least a portion of the material web to the pulper before feeding the material web to the reel. The carrying drum may include at least one of circumferential ridges and perforations, and the support belt is one of a perforated and an air permeable belt. Preferably, the carrying drum includes a perforated jacket.