Turkey corrugated cardboard packaging industry has closed 2020 with growth despite the pandemic. The industry, which grew by 12 percent last year, has become the 6th largest market in Europe with 2.5 million tons and 4.5 billion square meters.
2020 was difficult for the business world due to the pandemic. We recorded the year as a year that has stopped production in some sectors. The corrugated packaging industry ended 2020 with 12 percent growth compared to the previous year.
Corrugated packaging, which is critical in the supply chain, continued its production despite the pandemic by taking the necessary measures for employees. The sector, which plays an essential role in storing, transporting, and delivering primary consumer goods (food, medicine, cleaning, and medical supplies), plans to continue its success chart this year.
It managed to become the 6th largest market in Europe.
According to the Corrugated Cardboard Industrialists Association (OMUD), the production of the corrugated board sector in Turkey reached 2.5 million tons and 4.5 billion square meters in 2020. With these figures, the industry has become the 6th largest market in Europe. The sector, which is approaching TL 15 billion annually in terms of turnover, continuously works with nearly 12 thousand employees. The effect of the industry with 25 thousand people in total employment is approaching 100 thousand.
“We should ensure stability in the price and availability of waste paper.”
As an association, OMUD works to explain the characteristics of corrugated cardboard better, grow the market, and find solutions to the sector’s problems. Chairman of the Board Of Directors Buğra Sukan pointed out that despite all the difficult conditions in 2020, they are among the industries that continue to produce throughout the year without interrupting.
Sukan stated that the performance of the sector was fluctuating quarterly. He said: “While the first and third quarters showed strong growth, the second quarter saw a very sharp decline in contrast. Despite this, we finished the year with a growth rate of 12 percent. Turkey’s corrugated cardboard sector is the sixth fastest-growing market in Europe. Our goal is to climb these steps and rise to higher ranks with the understanding of providing high-quality services. For our sector to move to better points, it is necessary to ensure stability in the price and availability of waste paper, the raw material of corrugated cardboard. And improvements need to be made to increase the skilled workforce needed by the sector.
On the other hand, we should better explain the superior properties of corrugated cardboard. And we are working on preparing for another important issue on the agenda, the EU Green Agreement. I believe that these efforts will further grow our sector in the future.”
Corrugated cardboard’s raw material is a re-processable, recyclable material. Therefore, we can define Corrugated Cardboard as the type of packaging with the highest environmental harmony. We should emphasize the advantages of the corrugated board on the packaging side that comes into contact with food
History of corrugated cardboard
In the 1970s United States first used corrugated cardboard. Albert Jones produced and patented corrugated paper In 1871. G Smyth, In 1874, produced and patented single-faced corrugated cardboard. In 1874, Oliver Long produced and patented corrugated cardboard. In our country, SEKA put into operation the first corrugated cardboard factory in 1954. The first private sector corrugated cardboard factory was established in 1968. In our country today, 91 companies produce corrugated cardboard in 114 factories.
The areas using corrugated packaging are increasing day by day. It undertakes the task of keeping, protecting, transporting, and promoting the products it packs. It is between production and consumption point, reducing distribution expenditures. Corrugated cardboard can safely package all liquid, solid, granulate, soft, hard, durable, or sensitive products . Each corrugated cardboard box is designed following the product specifications it packages; it is produced considering its suitability for filling conditions, pallet, stacking, storage, and transportation. At first, people usually used it as transport packaging. At the same time, today, it strengthens many products such as books, shoes, souvenirs, vegetables, and fruits that we buy. Corrugated cardboard is a material that has managed to be very close to the user, especially in recent years when environmental sensitivity has increased.
Turkey ranks 6th in corrugated cardboard production in Europe. In annual production growth (when we exclude Romania’s minimal production), Turkey seems to have the most considerable growth rate. The corrugated cardboard sector in Turkey continues to grow every year with a surplus of 50% of Turkey’s GNP.
Turkey corrugated cardboard industry
In Turkey, the industry obtains 70% of the production of the necessary paper, which is the raw material of corrugated cardboard, from paper obtained from recycling. The industry obtains the remaining 30% from imported paper. We obtain most of the imported papers from certified, forest-operated farms, trees cut down within certain principles without disturbing the ecological balance. New ones are planted in place of the cut trees, which will reach adulthood after 8 to 14 years according to the breed.
Corrugated cardboard is one of the essential products of the packaging sector for a livable future where industry, technology, and nature are at peace. Awareness of its consumption is rapidly increasing in parallel with the development of respect for the environment.
For more information about Turkish corrugated cardboard, please visit the Modern Karton company website. Or you can check out our Stationery & Paper Listings for more companies in the industry.
