Cardboard Packaging Sector Records Its Largest Exports to Qatar

Turkey's paperboard packaging sector achieved USD 2 billion in exports to 194 countries during the first 11 months of 2019, representing a 16 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. Ali Can Duran, Vice Chairman responsible for Paperboard Packaging at the Istanbul Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association, stated that the most important markets are the United Kingdom, Germany, Iraq and France. Duran noted that the average unit price per kilogram in paperboard packaging is USD 2.32, and emphasized that as environmentally conscious, sustainability-based policies become more widespread, plastic consumption is expected to decline significantly in the coming years, with paperboard largely taking its place. Turkey's paperboard packaging sector achieved USD 2 billion in exports during the first 11 months of 2019, representing a 16 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. Ali Can Duran, Vice Chairman responsible for Paperboard Packaging at the Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association, stated that the sector exports to 194 countries and holds the position of Europe's 5th largest paperboard packaging producer, controlling 11 percent of the European market.

"We Aim to End the Year with USD 2.2 Billion in Exports"

Noting that the sector's average unit price per kilogram is USD 2.32, Duran stated: "During the first 11 months of 2019, our sector's exports exceeded USD 2 billion, reaching the highest export value in the last 6 years. We aim to end the year with USD 2.2 billion in exports. The United Kingdom, Germany, Iraq, France, Israel, Greece and the United States are leading among our most important export markets. The unit price per kilogram we apply for exports to Qatar is USD 4.24, and USD 4.05 in the United States. Our objective is to reach the USD 4 target in all countries where we conduct exports. Sustainable environmental policy implementations are becoming more widespread, and this is reducing plastic consumption. We expect this trend to continue and accelerate in the coming years, and we are working to ensure that these developments have an even more positive impact on paperboard packaging exports."

In the Digital Age, Paper-Paperboard Packaging Will Also Transform Into Smart Packaging

Duran said they consider it important to recognize the environmental damage caused by plastic packaging, which is preferred because of its lower cost, and to discontinue its use. He noted that the paperboard packaging sector has reached a much more preferred position through its investments in technology and innovation. Ali Can Duran, Vice Chairman responsible for Paperboard Packaging at the Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association, who noted that Turkey holds the position of Europe's 5th largest paperboard packaging producer and controls 11 percent of the European market, stated: "As in all sectors, companies that develop themselves through smart and technological investments and invest in human resources suited to the digital age will increase their productivity and competitive strength, and in addition to domestic sales, they will increase their exports and become the driving force of the sector. In the digital age, paper-paperboard packaging will also become smart packaging, and will take on important roles especially in food packaging. For example, in refrigerated and frozen foods where the most significant development will occur in the future, new solutions will be provided that can inform consumers when the cold chain has been broken and can provide warnings regarding shelf life," he said.