Kleannara expands eco-friendly paperboard exports into South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA – Kleannara has announced plans to widen exports of its Clay Coated Kraft Board to South Africa, responding to rising global demand for sustainable packaging materials made with recycled inputs.

The eco-friendly paperboard offers greater strength, water resistance and print quality than conventional alternatives, positioning it for premium packaging segments including home meal replacement products and household goods. 

The company said it would step up sales efforts to secure local customers in South Africa as part of a broader push into the global sustainable packaging market.

European Regulation Lifts Recycled-Content Demand

Growth in sustainable packaging demand is reinforcing the export strategy. In the European Union, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation took effect last month, tightening requirements on packaging recyclability and material circularity. 

Global customers are increasingly requesting suppliers shift toward packaging that uses recycled inputs and meets environmental standards, according to the company. 

These regulatory pressures are reshaping procurement decisions across food, beverage, consumer goods and e-commerce packaging categories, creating openings for producers with verified recycled content.

Overseas Network Supports Long-Term Contract Ambitions

Kleannara has steadily expanded internationally, including opening a branch in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in 2022. 

Drawing on its export record and overseas sales network, the company intends to pursue new customers in Europe and major Southeast Asian markets alongside South Africa, aiming to establish a base for long-term supply contracts. 

Diversifying beyond its domestic Korean market reduces exposure to regional demand fluctuations while capturing growth in economies where packaging consumption continues to rise.

Official Cites Environmental and Functional Convergence

A Kleannara official said that as global markets demanded packaging combining environmental performance with functionality, opportunities to expand CCKB overseas were growing. 

The official added that the company would continue strengthening the competitiveness of its high-value paperboard products in line with changes in the global environment and customer needs.

Recycled Board Positioned for Circular Economy Shift

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. 

Kleannara’s expansion reflects intensifying competition among Asian paperboard producers to supply European and African converters navigating tighter material rules. 

South Africa’s packaging sector, serving both domestic manufacturers and regional export markets, represents a strategic entry point for suppliers seeking to build presence across the African continent. Kleannara trades on the Korea Exchange under the ticker 004540.

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