KleanNara expands clay-coated board exports to South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA – KleanNara has expanded exports of its Clay Coated Kraft Board to South Africa, targeting growing demand for recyclable packaging materials while strengthening its presence in an emerging market.

The eco-friendly white paperboard offers enhanced strength, water resistance and printability compared with conventional white paperboard, making it suitable for premium packaging applications including home meal replacement and household product packaging.

A spokesperson from KleanNara said that as demand for packaging materials combining sustainability and functionality continued to rise in global markets, opportunities to expand Clay Coated Kraft Board into overseas markets were increasing. 

The company will build on export competitiveness developed in existing markets, including Vietnam, while actively targeting new markets such as South Africa.

EU Regulations Accelerate Recyclable Material Demand

The global shift toward sustainable packaging is supporting the board’s export growth.

Stricter regulations, including the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, are driving demand for recyclable materials and recycled-content paper-based packaging. 

This regulatory pressure has reshaped procurement decisions across food, beverage, consumer goods and e-commerce categories, creating openings for producers with verified environmental credentials. 

KleanNara aims to capture new demand in South Africa while enhancing production stability and quality competitiveness through expanded exports, leveraging the board’s ability to integrate sustainability with functionality.

Vietnam Branch Supports Regional Expansion Strategy

KleanNara established a branch office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to strengthen regional sales capabilities and support expansion across Southeast Asian markets. 

The company identifies South Africa as an emerging market with increasing demand for recyclable packaging solutions. 

South Africa’s packaging sector serves both domestic manufacturers and regional export markets, making it a strategic entry point for suppliers seeking to build presence across the African continent. 

The country’s growing food processing and retail industries require packaging that meets international standards while supporting local sustainability commitments.

Paper-Based Substitution Trend Favours Coated Kraft Board

Clay Coated Kraft Board sits within a broader shift toward fibre-based packaging as brands seek alternatives to plastic in applications where recyclability and renewable sourcing matter.

Paperboard produced with recycled inputs supports circular economy objectives while maintaining structural performance required for transport and retail display. 

Rising demand for home meal replacement packaging, particularly in urban markets, has increased interest in formats that withstand moisture and grease while remaining recyclable.

KleanNara’s expansion reflects intensifying competition among Asian paperboard producers to supply African and European converters navigating tighter material rules and evolving consumer expectations around packaging waste.

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