Turkish cardboard packaging for export to Russia

For the first time ever, the Turkish company Ankutsan will attend the coming edition of Fruit Logistica in Berlin. Ankutsan manufactures corrugated cardboard boxes for the transport of fruits and vegetables.

“Aside from simple cardboard material, we also provide boxes based on innovative nanotechnology, that won’t absorb water at all,” explains Ismail Danali of Ankutsan.

The company was founded in 2002. Ankutsan currently has four different factories in four different Turkish regions, which are able to create any type of corrugated cartons. A new factory is currently being constructed in Istanbul. All factories have a surface area of 40,000 square meters, apart from a smaller location in Istanbul of 20,000 square meters. The new factory in Istanbul will have the same size as the bigger factories.

“We’re providing our logistic solution to 31 different countries on four different continents. Our markets range from the Middle East and Central Asia to Scandinavia, Western Europe, Africa and both Americas."

According to Ismail, the business for corrugated cardboard boxes has increased. “When the activities with the sector for the export of fruits and vegetables grow with 1%, our business will increase with at least 10%. The main market for Turkish produce is Russia. Transport to Russia needs boxes that are as strong as wood. The boxes need to last at least two to three weeks, sometimes even two to three months. These boxes need special treatment, specialised machinery for production and special paper. Our company is capable of providing just that.”

Ankutsan faces major competition from similar companies in Turkey. There are over a hundred companies that provide cardboard boxes, though not all companies are actually able to provide the necessary base materials. At least 50 companies produce their own cartons, with Ankutsan being one of the four biggest providers of corrugated cardboard boxes.

One of the main challenges Ankutsan is facing is the rising costs of raw materials. According to Ismail, the costs for paper have increased by 30% in the last year. “In order to produce good and strong boxes, we import our paper from Scandinavia, Canada and the US. The paper we need can only be produced in the climates of these northern regions. We can’t use Turkish paper, as the boxes would go soft due to humidity. Canadian paper doesn’t get soft at all.”

Ankutsan is the only company in Turkey that employs innovation in nanotechnology to produce cardboard boxes. “If customers are willing to pay a little more, we create boxes using this technology. The resistance against water of these boxes is so strong, you can actually drink water from them. Our department for research and development is being supported by the Turkish government, which means we get paid by the government whenever we invent new technologies,” concludes Ismail Danali. 

For more information:

Ismail Danali

Email: ismail.danali@ankutsan.com