Netpak Ambalaj Chairman of the Board Ali Avcı says that they plan to become an international supplier by establishing a world-class factory with industry 4.0 features. Noting that they aim to increase the capacity and increase the export rate from 25 percent to 70 percent with the new factory, Avcı says, "Our biggest goal is to become a global brand that produces technology in the reusable carrying bag sector and Turkey's unicorn in five years."

Netpak, which left 40 years behind in the packaging industry, started to look for alternatives to disposable or non-recyclable products in the early 2000s and started to produce environmentally friendly packaging in 2005. Netpak; In addition to producing and developing environmentally friendly products, production technologies and machines in-house, it started to produce technology in national and international markets with the technology company Ultrapak Makina, which it established in 2017. As of 2023, Ultrapak Makine continues its activities as an R&D center affiliated to the Ministry of Industry and Technology. Ali Avcı, Chairman of the Board of Netpak Ambalaj; “We are the company that produces the world's first ultrasonically welded nonwoven fabric carry bag and automation machine with our R&D studies”.

Saying that they are the leader in Turkey with a production capacity of approximately 460 million pieces per year, Avcı said; He underlines that they play a leading role in the production and technology development of bags from polypropylene raw materials and nonwoven and woven fabrics worldwide. We talked about Netpak Ambalaj's goals and plans with Ali Avcı, who drew attention to the fact that they will contribute to the country's economy by starting the export of machines with 100% domestic ultrasonic welding and automation systems they have developed in 2023.

CAN WE KNOW NETPAK PACKAGING?

We are specialized in carrying bags produced with automation from polypropylene (PP) raw material and nonwoven and woven fabrics. As the pioneer of reusable, environmentally friendly carrying bags in the packaging industry in our country, we are the first company to use the ultrasonic welding method in these products. Netpak Ambalaj, which carries the nonwoven fabric to the automation production lines with ultrasonic welding, has ensured that the 100% recyclable and reusable technical fabric finds a place in the packaging industry. We are expanding our product range by developing innovative products by using different materials apart from standard products. We also make our own machines to use in production processes.

We produce polypropylene (PP) Nonwoven, OPP Laminated Nonwoven and OPP Laminated PP Woven ultrasonically welded carry bags in different models. We are the leader in Turkey with our annual production capacity of approximately 460 million pieces. Especially our ultrasonic welding automation systems take us one step ahead of our competitors. Thanks to the ultrasonic welding automation system, approximately 10-15 kg Netpak Ambalaj Chairman Ali Avcı says that they plan to become an international supplier by establishing a world-class factory with industry 4.0 features. Noting that they aim to increase the capacity and increase the export rate from 25 percent to 70 percent with the new factory, Avcı says, "Our biggest goal is to become a global brand that produces technology in the reusable carrying bag sector and Turkey's unicorn in five years." “OUR FIRST GOAL IS TO MAKE TURKEY A MANUFACTURING BASE IN OUR INDUSTRY” 24 C e ren O r a l b a n b a n Netpak carrying our bags; We can produce fast, standard and at a cost that competes with the world.

WHERE IS YOUR PRODUCTION CENTER?

We operate in Istanbul/Esenyurt. With the increase in demand, we increased our production capacity by putting our second production facility into operation in Istanbul/Hadımköy in 2022. With this investment, our capacity utilization rates have increased to 80-90 percent. The use of reusable eco-friendly carrying bags is becoming widespread, and this is reflected in our capacity utilization rate. Our production volume may increase as the demands from the market increase.

ARE YOU PLANNING A NEW FACTORY INVESTMENT?

Due to the continuous growth in the newly developing and rapidly growing sector, we are experiencing a shortage of space. In order to overcome these difficulties and to provide the needed employment, we have a plan to become an international supplier by establishing a new factory with industry 4.0 features, at world standards, in accordance with our export targets. With the new factory, we aim to increase the capacity and increase the export rate in turnover from 25 percent to 70 percent.

HOW MANY COUNTRIES DO YOU EXPORT?

We export to 40 countries in total. With our value-added products, our average export value is 3.50-4.50 dollars/kg. We provide a significant increase in our export rate and market share with the nonwoven bags we produce and the ultrasonic technology we have developed. We will carry this value to higher levels when we realize our machines that we have designed

ARE THERE NEW MARKETS ON THE ROUTE?

In the new period, our main goal is to increase our production volume with the countries we currently sell to, and to increase our market share marginally in countries and regions where the plastic ban is on the agenda. The USA, Western Europe, Scandinavia, North Africa and the UK are our target markets where we currently sell. We expect sales momentum in Eastern & Southern Europe and Middle East markets this year. We aim to expand our export network with different locations by opening branches in America and Germany.

HOW WAS 2022?

By opening our Hadımköy factory in 2022, we increased our current production and employment capacity. Our current number of employees is around 230. In foreign markets, we grew by 57.4 percent on a dollar basis in exports. We achieved our sales targets by reaching 75 different customers from eight different regions of the world. The European Region made up 64 percent of this rate, and the USA made up 21 percent.

WHAT ARE YOUR 2023 TARGETS?

2023 started productively within the scope of production and R&D activities. We will continue our growth momentum in 2022 and increase our production and exports. We aim to grow 100% in terms of turnover in 2023. Our biggest dream; To be the largest producer of the sector both as a country and as a company globally. Upon requests, we will open branches abroad and carry out sales and production activities. We continue to develop technology by continuing our studies on automation systems in our R&D center. In 2023, we will contribute to the country's economy by starting the export of machines with 100% domestic ultrasonic welding and automation systems that we have developed.

WHAT ISSUES ARE HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR AGENDA?

Being aware of our strong infrastructure, we will focus on new products for emerging markets and expanding our markets in unused geographies. With the support of our significant technological power in global cost analysis, we will concentrate on our market by optimizing production expenses, labor and raw material costs. Expanding our export network, which reaches today from East Timor to Sweden, where we are the market leader, and from Japan to continental America, will be the greatest value we will bring to Turkey.

HOW DO YOU HAVE A ROADMAP IN R&D?

Since the first days we started production, we have continued our R&D activities without interruption and we spent 90 percent of our earnings on R&D activities. We have more than 70 patents. Our most important goal is to lead this newly developing sector in the world by using the experience we have gained as a result of long R&D activities with the machines we have developed. When we reach our goals, our country will dominate this sector in the world, and our high-tech product exports will increase.

HOW ARE YOUR INNOVATION STRATEGIES SHAPED?

Innovation is a big part of our company's overall culture. We develop innovative products and our customer network is growing, thanks to the strategies of continuous idea development and exchange of ideas. Our innovation approach; literature is based on patent research, competitor analysis, talented employees, participatory vision and support of senior management, having the right national/international funding support and methods. Carrying out these studies on a scientific basis with university-industry cooperation constitutes our innovation approach.

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO SEE NETPAK PACKAGING IN THE LONG TERM?

By 2025, we aim to be among the top 1000 industrialists in Turkey. We are currently the company with the largest capacity in Europe in the production of nonwoven bags. We aim to be one of the top five companies in the world by 2025. Our biggest goal is to become a world brand that produces technology in the reusable carrying bag industry in a period of five years and to be Turkey's unicorn.

“WE HAVE AWARDS IN MANY AREAS”

“Packaging Crescents and Stars given by the Packaging Manufacturers Association (ASD), 'Asia Star' given by the Asian Packaging Federation (APF), World Star given by the World Packaging Organization (WPO) as well as ISO Environment and Energy Award, TOBB Fastest We have many awards such as Growing 100, Stars of Export, Efficiency Project Awards of the Ministry of Science and Industry, TET Project Market Environmentalism Award. It was awarded in the Innovation Resources Category at the INOVALIG Award ceremony held within the scope of Turkey Innovation Week in 2022. Within the scope of the Women Entrepreneur Awards organized by TOBB, our board member Özge Avcı Paşaoğlu received the 'Most Environmentally Friendly Female Entrepreneur' award.”

“NETSTRONG, NETECO AND NETPAPER AMONG OUR INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS”

“With our patented and competency award NETSTRONG product, we have developed a carrying case with increased strength and carrying capacity by using less material. NETECO, for which we made the international utility model application in 2021; Our eco-friendly bag, of which 78 percent is produced from recycled materials, consists of a multi-layered structure. This product, which has many advantages such as being produced using less original raw materials by using 100% recycled (scrap) materials, and being environmentally friendly; a more economical carrying case suitable for zero waste logic. NETPAPER, on the other hand, was obtained by combining Kraft material and nonwoven material. The quality of printing on the kraft surface and the strength of the PP nonwoven bag were combined and a more luxurious carrying bag was developed.”