The IX International Conference on the Pulp and Paper Industry in Istanbul brought together producers, suppliers, consultants and industry leaders to discuss how the sector is adapting to a new economic reality.
For corrugated packaging, one of the most relevant parts of the programme was the presentation by Alexey Serbinov, responsible for strategic development at Sybox, who spoke about new corrugated board products and the development of more functional packaging solutions.
His presentation showed how a producer can move from basic production challenges toward more specialized, value-added packaging formats — especially when the market is changing, costs are high and supply chains are under pressure.
“When Sybox started 16 years ago, there was no history, no people, no own raw material — and the costs were high. For a company in corrugated packaging, these are not small difficulties. They affect everything: investment decisions, production planning, product quality and the ability to compete. But this is also where development begins. Step by step, a company has to build its own experience, its own team, its own technological base and its own approach to the market. New corrugated board products do not appear only from equipment. They appear when a producer understands what customers need and learns how to turn production limitations into practical solutions,” said Alexey Serbinov, responsible for strategic development at Sybox, during his presentation.
From Basic Production To Value-Added Packaging
The Sybox case was important because it was not only about one company. It reflected a broader question for the corrugated board industry: how to build production, technology and expertise when old business models no longer work in the same way.
For producers, the next stage of development is not limited to standard boxes. Future growth will depend on digital printing, die-cutting, special packaging, multi-point gluing and more complex packaging formats.
This is exactly where corrugated board producers can create additional value. The market does not only need more square meters of board. It needs packaging that can solve logistics, retail, branding and sustainability tasks at the same time.
Technology And Localization
A major part of the conference focused on equipment, engineering competence and localization. Speakers discussed not only how to replace imported equipment, but also how to build service, repair, component production and technical expertise inside the market.
This is becoming a key issue for the pulp and paper sector. Without engineering competence and reliable local support, even strong production assets can become difficult to develop in the long term.
For corrugated plants, localization is not only a political or economic slogan. It is a practical question: who can service machines, provide spare parts, support upgrades and help plants remain productive when supply chains are unstable?
Exports And New Market Routes
The conference also highlighted export logistics and the growing role of Asian and Middle Eastern markets. Participants noted that producers continue to face high costs, logistics barriers and changing trade routes.
At the same time, demand for paper, pulp and packaging products remains visible in several export directions. The challenge is no longer only production capacity, but the ability to adapt products, logistics and commercial strategy to new market conditions.
For packaging companies, this means that export growth will depend not only on price. It will also depend on product flexibility, stable quality, certification, delivery reliability and the ability to understand different regional markets.
What This Means For Corrugated Board Producers
The main conclusion from Istanbul 2025 is that the pulp and paper sector is not simply trying to survive. It is trying to rebuild its operating model: more local technology, more flexible exports, more specialized products and stronger engineering competence.
For the corrugated board industry, the signal is clear: standard packaging will remain important, but the next stage of competition will be in smarter, more functional and more locally adaptable solutions.
Materials for this article were prepared by our correspondent in Turkey, Alexey Serbinov.
corruga.expert
