Mondi develops recyclable packaging solution for Turkish fresh produce exporter

TURKEY – Global packaging and paper group Mondi has partnered with Özler Tarım, a leading Turkish exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables, to co-develop a recyclable corrugated packaging solution designed to protect produce during long-distance shipping while improving supply chain efficiency.

The customized packaging features a double-wall corrugated fiber structure with a flat-stackable design, enabling more efficient production, storage, and shipping.

Engineered to withstand humidity, stacking pressure, and the physical stresses of long sea journeys, the solution ensures fresh produce arrives intact in export markets such as Canada, the US, Europe, Ireland, the UK, and East Asia.

“Mondi’s fully recyclable corrugated solution aligns perfectly with our environmentally conscious export model,” said Mehtap İncesöz, Planning and Supply Chain Manager at Özler Tarım.

“Its enhanced strength prevents collapse and product loss, ensuring quality and improving customer satisfaction. The positive feedback we’ve received from our markets about this packaging has been rewarding.”

By adopting the new solution, Özler Tarım reports a 15% increase in production capacity at its Adana facility and a reduction in costs linked to packaging defects, such as compensation claims for damaged goods.

The improved durability not only reduces food waste but also contributes to the company’s sustainability goals.

From Mondi’s side, the project exemplifies its customer-centric approach to innovation.

“We deliver tailor-made solutions for each customer’s unique needs. Our work goes beyond packaging, it’s about creating holistic value by improving efficiency and advancing sustainability,” said Metin Morhayim, Sales and Marketing Director at Mondi Corrugated Turkey.

The collaboration builds on Mondi’s broader investment strategy to expand sustainable containerboard production.

In 2023, the company invested €125 million (US$134 million) in its Kuopio mill in Finland to increase capacity for fruit and vegetable packaging.

More recently, Mondi acquired and began converting a paper mill in Duino, Italy, with a €200 million (US$236 million) investment to produce recycled containerboard for local and international markets.

As global food exports continue to grow, packaging plays an increasingly critical role in preventing losses along the supply chain.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nearly 14% of food produced globally is lost before reaching retail, with inadequate packaging and transport cited as key contributors.

By providing recyclable, durable, and efficient solutions, Mondi and Özler Tarım aim to demonstrate how innovation in packaging can directly support food security, reduce waste, and boost competitiveness in international trade.

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