Mondi develops recyclable packaging for Turkish fresh produce exporter

Mondi has teamed up with Özler Tarım, a Turkish fresh fruit and vegetable exporter, to co-create a customized packaging solution that protects food products and improves operational processes.

The packaging has a double-wall corrugated fiber structure and a flat-stackable design, streamlining production and shipping processes. Özler Tarım aims to reduce food waste by improving its packaging to suit the humidity, temperature fluctuations, and long-distance shipment requirements.

Mehtap İncesöz, planning and supply chain manager at Özler Tarım, says: “Mondi’s fully recyclable corrugated solution aligns perfectly with our environmentally conscious export model. The enhanced strength of the new packaging prevents waste from collapse and product loss, ensures product quality, and enhances customer satisfaction.”

“Its robust structure withstands the humidity, stacking pressure, and movement that typically occur during long sea journeys, ensuring our products arrive undamaged. The positive feedback we’ve received from our markets about this packaging has been rewarding.”

Improved protection

The packaging is said to be a durable, sustainable, and efficient solution for Özler Tarım to export fresh produce to Canada, US, Europe, Ireland, UK, and East Asian countries. 

Özler Tarım says that it has since achieved a 15% growth in production capacity at its Adana facility in Turkey, and costs from packaging defects, such as compensation for damaged goods, have been reduced.  

Metin Morhayim, sales and marketing director at Mondi Corrugated Turkey, comments: “We deliver tailor-made solutions for each customer’s unique business needs. Our work goes beyond packaging — we aim to create holistic value by improving process efficiency and advancing sustainability goals. This project with Özler Tarım stands as a successful example of our long-standing partnership.”  

Recently, Mondi opened a mill in Duino, Italy, providing short delivery distances to local markets while serving international customers through nearby ports. The €200 million (US$236 million) investment was made to expand Mondi’s recycled containerboard capacity, driving “long-term value creation and enhance supply chain security.” 

Last year, Mondi invested €125 million (US$134 million) in its containerboard mill in Kuopio, Finland, to boost fruit and vegetable packaging production. The investment includes upgrades to the wood yard, fiber line, evaporation plant, and paper machine.