Carton Packaging Sector to Focus on Advanced Technology Solutions in 2026

KASAD held its first presentation meeting of the new year in cooperation with Sermes Printing Machinery. The meeting highlighted the sector's advanced technology investments and the new strategic role undertaken by Sermes in the region through its Manroland Sheetfed representation. Speaking at the meeting, KASAD Chairman Alican Duran cautioned sector representatives about potential cash flow problems in the first half of the year, emphasizing the need for caution.

KASAD, representing corrugated packaging manufacturers on the national and international stage, held its first presentation meeting of 2026. At the Sermes-Manroland Sheetfed Turkey Presentation Meeting, sector representatives gathered with future projections and advanced technologies on the agenda. Meanwhile, sustainability and environmental regulations were addressed as fundamental factors shaping the sector's future.

"We are working hard to fulfill our future vision"
Sermes Printing Machinery, the main sponsor and technology partner of the meeting, shared new partnerships that will accelerate the corrugated packaging sector. Sermes Printing Machinery General Manager Oğun Yıldırım, emphasizing global partnerships, stated: "As sector representatives, we are working hard to fulfill our future vision and signing international new partnerships. As of July 2025, following the decision of Manroland Sheetfed headquarters, all sales, service and spare parts representation of Manroland Sheetfed in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Northern Cyprus was assigned to Sermes. Through this strategic agreement, we continue to guide the technological transformation of the corrugated packaging sector and accelerate its development."

Speaking at the meeting, Manroland Sheetfed Board Member and Service Director Vincent Tillemans provided information on the new regional representation undertaken by Sermes Printing Machinery, as well as the alignment of service operations with company objectives and the coordination of the global service structure. Manroland Sheetfed Product Management Leader Stefan Stillger shared product roadmaps created in line with market needs and next-generation printing technologies. Regional Sales Manager Richard Tomas-Bustillos conveyed Manroland Sheetfed's growth targets in the region, focusing on sales strategies and business development processes in South American and Eastern European regions.

"We closed 2025 steadily, entering 2026 cautiously"
KASAD Corrugated Packaging Manufacturers Association evaluated the general outlook of the sector at its first meeting of 2026. Despite economic stagnation in the European Union, the sector completed 2025 in a stable manner in terms of tonnage and turnover, and although it did not reach targeted levels in production capacity, it managed to maintain its current capacity. KASAD Board Chairman Alican Duran, in his remarks at the meeting, noted that the first half of the year would be stagnant, but expressed optimism about the second half. Duran, particularly drawing attention to cash flow, made the following assessment: "We are hopeful about 2026 but we are not hearing very good news from Europe. The recession continues. The general packaging sector will go through the first half like this. The corrugated packaging sector continues to grow despite all these crisis conditions. However, the biggest problem for 2026 will be cash flow. Sector representatives need to be very careful in the first half of the year. Along with the last six months, I think the sector will recover in 2027."

"Despite challenges, production and exports are strengthening"
KASAD General Secretary Erol Gül, in his remarks at the meeting, expressed satisfaction with the participation of new members and made important assessments regarding the sector's general condition. Noting that the sector maintained its resilient structure despite challenging market conditions, Gül emphasized that the upward trend in corrugated packaging consumption continued. Referencing the sector's export-oriented growth potential and high competitive strength in the European market, Gül shared future projections with the following data: "In Europe, by 2030, due to the effect of the green transition, an additional corrugated packaging demand of 2.1 billion euros in value, approximately 867,000 tonnes, is projected. This is a promising development for our sector and we believe that Turkey will secure its share of this potential."

Noting that they are taking strategic steps to increase exports, Gül continued: "Through cooperation with the Istanbul Exporters Associations (İİB) and with the participation of 25 members, we have revived our UR-GE group. Although our main export markets are traditionally the United Kingdom and European countries, in recent years we have gained strategic momentum and plan to focus more intensively, through our new UR-GE activities, on the US market which has risen to second place in our exports."