KOREA PACK ICPI WEEK 2026 KINTEX exhibition floor

KOREA PACK & ICPI WEEK 2026 Field Review: Stress-Testing Korea's Packaging Export Edge

KOREA PACK & ICPI WEEK 2026 ran from March 31 to April 3 at KINTEX with 1,500 companies from 24 countries across 5,000 booths. Sustainability, automation, and digital transformation framed the show. Here is what it means for Korean packaging exports.

April 30, 2026 · PackingMaster
Paper tube industry restructuring in 2026, supplier closures and a market that still functions

Why the Market Still Functions Even as Paper Tube Suppliers Close: 2026 Industry Restructuring Report

Although closures continue in Korea’s paper tube and core industry in 2026, downstream industries such as film, textiles, paper rolls, and corrugated packaging report few supply disruptions. This report analyzes three key variables–profitability erosion, base-paper price increases, and succession gaps–and explains how the market is being reorganized around larger suppliers. It also summarizes the real value B2B purchasing teams are losing and four conditions that define resilient suppliers.

April 29, 2026 · PackingMaster
International Paper acquires NORPAC containerboard mill in Longview Washington

International Paper Acquires NORPAC for $360M: North American Containerboard Consolidation and What It Means for Korea's Packaging Industry

International Paper announced on April 16, 2026, its $360 million acquisition of NORPAC (North Pacific Paper Company), a Washington State containerboard mill. The deal strengthens IP’s West Coast footprint and accelerates the shift to lightweight recycled containerboard. We analyze what this means for North American market dynamics and Korea’s paper packaging sector.

April 29, 2026 · PackingMaster
Paper packaging adhesives and waterproof grades

Paper Packaging Adhesive Guide: From PVAc to D4 Moisture-Resistance Comparisons

PVAc emulsion adhesive (locally known as ‘PoriZol’) is widely used in Korean paper packaging. This guide compares cross-linked PVAc, PUR hot melt, and PUD for wet conditions, while treating EN 204 as a wood-adhesive reference rather than a paper-packaging standard.

April 28, 2026 · PackingMaster
Waterproof paper angle board with coating cross-section

Waterproof Paper Angle Boards: Coating Types, Applications, and Eco Alternatives

How waterproof paper angle boards keep their strength in cold-chain logistics, ocean export, and high-humidity environments: coating chemistry, applications, and the eco-friendly alternatives now replacing PE and wax.

April 28, 2026 · PackingMaster
Pulp price surge and Korean paper industry pressure

Pulp Hits the Ceiling Again: FX, Freight, and Fines Crush Korea's Paper Industry in 2026

International pulp prices are up over 20% year-on-year. With the won at ₩1,500/USD, container freight up 30%, and a ₩338.3B antitrust fine on top, Korea’s paper industry is facing a four-front squeeze.

April 28, 2026 · PackingMaster
WEPACK 2026 Shenzhen exhibition floor

WEPACK 2026 Recap: 137,157 Visitors Make Shenzhen the Global Paper Packaging Battleground

WEPACK 2026 in Shenzhen closed with a record 137,157 visitors. Corrugated, folding cartons, labels, automation, carbon neutrality: every major current of the paper packaging industry was on display. Here is what mattered for global packaging buyers.

April 28, 2026 · PackingMaster
EU PPWR 2026 implementation

EU PPWR August 12 Countdown: What Exporters Must Do Now

The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation applies in full from August 12, 2026. Packaging that fails to meet the new rules cannot enter the EU market. Here is what the regulation requires and how Korean exporters are preparing.

April 27, 2026 · PackingMaster
Korea paper cartel fine

Korea's Paper Cartel: Six Mills Hit With Record ₩338 Billion Fine

Korea’s Fair Trade Commission announced KRW 338.3 billion in decision-stage fines against six paper manufacturers for a printing-paper cartel. The figure must be separated from later post-leniency payments.

April 27, 2026 · PackingMaster
Paper angle board product photo

What Is a Paper Angle Board? Types, Specifications, and Uses

Paper angle boards are among the most widely used protective packaging materials in logistics and manufacturing. This guide covers their laminated structure, size specifications, and industry applications.

April 26, 2026 · PackingMaster