Message from Alican Duran to the Industry: Fiscal Discipline Will Be Vital in 2026

KASAD Carton Packaging Manufacturers Association Chairman Alican Duran shared sector insights at the Matset & HP Presentation Meeting, the organisation's second gathering this year.

Alican Duran noted that the tight monetary policies implemented will be felt more intensely in 2026, stating that financial tightening, credit limit reductions and cash flow management will require maximum attention from all companies during this period.

Alican Duran said, "We are maintaining our strength in terms of tonnage and compliance compared to many other sectors. Turkey's transformation into an important packaging export hub for Europe is an indicator of this dynamism. Despite recession in Europe and increasing cost pressures, we believe the carton packaging sector will overcome this temporary period and reach the point it deserves." At the meeting, Duran also emphasised that technology in the carton packaging sector has become a necessity rather than an option alongside the digital age, adding that while conventional printing remains important, digital printing and advanced technologies will play a much more critical role in the sector in the coming period.

"Digital printing is shaping the sector's future"
At KASAD's second presentation meeting of the year, Matset, a machinery and technology supplier, brought together HP, with which it represents Turkey in printing technologies, with sector representatives. The Matset & HP Presentation Meeting highlighted future projections for the carton packaging sector, digital printing technologies and high-value production models. Speaking at the meeting, Matset Sales Director Can Babataş drew attention to the transformation process in the printing sector, stating: "The printing sector has a strong structure that continuously renews itself and rapidly adapts to changing conditions. Today, digital printing technologies are at the centre of this transformation. Digital printing—with its advantages of fast production, flexible solutions, personalisation opportunities and low-run capability—has become not just a technology investment but a strategic element shaping the sector's future. Supporting this transformation with field applications will further advance our sector's competitive strength."

"We don't see technology merely as a machine"
Matset Sales Manager Önder Babataş emphasised sectoral cooperation and the importance of digital technologies. Babataş noted that they represent many brands and that KASAD operates with a "colleague" mindset rather than a competitive one, unlike other areas in the printing sector. In his remarks, Babataş also explained the advantages Scodix technology brings to production, stating, "We don't see technology merely as a machine; we believe packaging is a strategic element that enhances product perception and value, approaching the question of 'how do we better sell the product', and we aim to grow together with our stakeholders."

"The folding carton packaging market will reach 324 billion dollars by 2030"
HP Digital Packaging Systems Sales Manager Ergin Özvural noted in his remarks that the digital printing process provides a more economical and value-added production model by delivering 20–25 percent savings in electricity consumption, and made the following assessments: "Digital systems stand out in terms of skilled and unskilled personnel management; a single operator can master the machine in as short a period as three months. Software technology in machines holds critical importance. HP now provides not just hardware but intelligent software solutions enabling remote monitoring of printing processes as well as business machines and control systems. Increasing personalisation demand creates difficulties for conventional production. Through digital printing, unique products in desired quantities can be printed at the touch of a button. We anticipate that by 2030, folding carton boxes will be the second largest application area in printing, with the market reaching 324 billion dollars."

"We are creating sustainable solutions"
At the meeting, HP PWI Material Supply World Category Manager Xavier Melisse, presenting digital corrugated cardboard solutions, made the following remarks: "With these solutions, different prints can be produced consecutively and side by side without requiring die changes. This structure eliminates die changes, waste and inventory periods while reducing workflow from seven steps to four. Compared to traditional methods, production can be completed with less labour and fewer process steps. A 25 percent saving is achieved in raw material and paper usage. This digital process, working with water-based inks, enables faster market delivery while providing a strong alternative in terms of sustainability and operational efficiency."