What Klingele Paper & Packaging Group does

Klingele Paper & Packaging Group is a family-owned manufacturer of corrugated cardboard packaging and corrugated base papers, operating 30 production and logistics locations across 12 countries on three continents (Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Africa). Founded in 1923 and headquartered in Remshalden, Germany, the company controls the full value chain through three owned paper mills in Weener (Germany), Strasbourg (France), and Nova Campina (Brazil), which supply base paper to in-house conversion facilities producing folding cartons, shipping boxes, shelf-ready packaging, displays, trays, protective packaging, hazardous goods packaging, and large/heavy goods packaging. The product portfolio is complemented by differentiated sub-brands such as WellBag (corrugated shopping bags), BiCOBOX (thermal packaging), ECOGRIP Flat (bottle securing), and Drehfix (book packaging), plus in-house flexographic and digital printing services marketed under "Coloured by Klingele." Renewable energy infrastructure includes the Weener power station and the Catas Altas hydroelectric plant in Brazil.

The company serves B2B customers across e-commerce, food and beverage, industrial/logistics, trade/retail, and consumer goods verticals, with named customers including Zott (dairy), Lovilio (dairy), and Avesta Saw (industrial). Revenue is generated primarily through direct B2B sales organized around Key Account Management for enterprise accounts, supplemented by the Klingele-Shops e-commerce storefront for smaller and repeat orders. Adjacent revenue streams include co-packing services, technical consulting, packaging optimization, APASS Amazon certification support, and the Klingele Academy's paid industry seminars. The company is structured as a SE & Co. KG under family control, with Dr. Jan Klingele as Managing Director and Fiona Klingele as Chairwoman of the Administrative Board; no external institutional investors, private equity ownership, or public listing have been identified.

Klingele's go-to-market is sales-led with regional field sales teams, supported by marketing channels including a multilingual newsletter ("Packendes"), social media presence, Google paid search, Matomo analytics, Leadinfo B2B lead generation, and Academy seminars as a demand-generation tool. The technology stack is dominated by third-party marketing tools (Rapidmail, Hootsuite, Google) plus Valmet automation for paper mill operations. Certifications held include FSC, ISEGA, DIN ISO, BRC/IoP, and APASS, which collectively act as gating credentials for food-contact, retail, and Amazon-seller applications.

Name

Klingele Paper & Packaging Group

Legal name

Klingele Paper & Packaging SE & Co. KG

Website

https://klingele.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Klingele Paper & Packaging Group is a family-owned manufacturer of corrugated cardboard packaging and base papers, with 30 facilities across 12 countries. It serves B2B customers in e-commerce, food and beverage, industrial, and retail verticals via direct sales and vertical integration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corrugated Cardboard Packaging & Base Papers

NAICS

Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing (322211), Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing (322212), Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing (322219), Paperboard Container Manufacturing (32221), Paperboard Mills (32213), Paper Mills (322120), Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills (3221)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650), Paper Mills (2621), Paperboard Mills (2631), Converted Paper & Paperboard Prods (No Contaners/Boxes) (2670), Commercial Printing (2750)

akta.pro primary industry

Corrugated Packaging (Boxes, Sheets, Pads) (IMALACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corrugated Packaging & Boxes (RSC, die-cut, bulk bins) (IMAMAHAA), Protective Paper Packaging (Honeycomb, Paper Cushioning, Paper Wrap) (IMALACAH), Folding Carton & Paperboard Packaging Printing (IMALAKAH), Paper & Paperboard Packaging Converting & Finishing (Die-Cutting, Gluing, Windowing, Coating) (IMALACAL)

Keywords

• Corrugated cardboard packaging
• Paper manufacturing
• Corrugated base papers
• Protective packaging solutions
• Shelf ready packaging

Headquarters

HQ city

De Pere

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices30 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Corrugated Packaging Products: Sale of finished corrugated cardboard packaging products including folding boxes, shipping packaging, trays, shelf ready packaging, displays, protective packaging, hazardous goods packaging, and special packaging. Revenue is generated through direct B2B sales to manufacturers, retailers, and e-commerce companies.
2. Corrugated Base Papers (Wellpappenrohpapiere): Manufacturing and sale of corrugated base papers produced at Klingele's own paper mills (Weener, Strasbourg, Nova Campina) to internal conversion operations and external customers.
3. Professional Services (Co-Packing, Technical Consulting, Key Account Management): Klingele offers co-packing services (from picking to dispatch), technical consulting for packaging optimization, key account management, and APASS certification support. These services complement product sales and are billed separately.
4. Academy & Training Seminars: Klingele Academy offers seminars including Corrugated Cardboard Super Crash Course, Sustainability Management Crash Course, and PPWR implementation training for industry professionals. Revenue generated through seminar fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Klingele Paper & Packaging Group manufactures corrugated cardboard packaging solutions and corrugated base papers for B2B customers across multiple industries. The company operates its own paper mills in Germany, France, and Brazil to produce corrugated base papers, which feed into a network of conversion plants that produce finished packaging products including folding boxes, shipping cartons, shelf-ready packaging, displays, trays, protective packaging, hazardous goods packaging, and specialized solutions. The portfolio includes proprietary branded products such as WellBag shopping bags, BiCOBOX thermal packaging, ECOGRIP Flat bottle securing systems, and Drehfix book packaging, complemented by value-added services such as co-packing, packaging development, printing, APASS Amazon certification support, and the Klingele Academy training program.

Product overview

Klingele Paper & Packaging Group is a family-owned manufacturer of corrugated cardboard packaging and corrugated base papers, operating with a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering consists of Wellpappenrohpapiere (corrugated base papers) manufactured at their own paper mills and a comprehensive range of packaging solutions including folding boxes, shipping packaging, shelf-ready packaging, displays, trays, protective packaging, hazardous goods packaging, and large/heavy goods packaging. The product portfolio includes specialized sub-brands such as WellBag (corrugated shopping bags), BiCOBOX (thermal packaging), ECOGRIP Flat (bottle securing system), and Drehfix (book packaging). Supporting services include packaging development, optimization, APASS Amazon certification, laboratory testing, technical consulting, co-packing, flexo and digital printing, an AI Research Hub, and the Klingele Academy training program. The company operates 30 locations across three continents with integrated power generation infrastructure including the Weener power station and a hydroelectric plant in Brazil.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WellBag: A contemporary alternative to plastic shopping bags, also serving as a trendy everyday carrier bag made from corrugated cardboard.
• WellBag2Go
• BiCOBOX
• ECOGRIP Flat
• Blue Box Partners
• Coloured by Klingele
• Maistapack

Products and services

• Corrugated Base Papers (Wellpappenrohpapiere) High-quality corrugated base papers manufactured at Klingele's own paper mills in Weener (Germany), Strasbourg (France), and Nova Campina (Brazil) for use in corrugated cardboard packaging production and external sale.
• Folding Boxes and Folding Cartons (Faltschachteln und Faltkartons) Custom corrugated folding boxes and cartons for various packaging applications across industries.
• Shipping Packaging and Shipping Boxes (Versandverpackungen und Versandkartons) Shipping packaging solutions including boxes designed for automated filling lines with self-adhesive closure (SK) and tear-open thread, serving e-commerce and logistics applications.
• Shelf Ready Packaging Packaging designed for retail shelves providing maximum product protection, easy handling, and attractive product presentation for fast shelf replenishment.
• Displays Retail displays for point-of-sale product presentation and promotional activities, produced at Klingele's dedicated Display Werk Borgenhaugen plant in Norway.
• Trays (Trays und Steigen) Trays designed for smooth use in automated production and packaging lines, supporting industrial-scale filling operations.
• Protective Packaging (Schutzverpackungen) Protective packaging solutions for safeguarding products during transport and storage, particularly for fragile or sensitive items.
• Hazardous Goods Packaging (Gefahrgutverpackungen) Specialized packaging for hazardous materials meeting regulatory requirements for the transport of dangerous goods.
• Large and Heavy Goods Packaging (Groß- und Schwergutverpackungen) Packaging solutions designed for large and heavy goods requiring reinforced corrugated structures.
• WellBag Proprietary corrugated cardboard shopping bag positioned as a contemporary, sustainable alternative to plastic shopping bags, available in multiple variants including WellBag2Go.
• BiCOBOX Thermal Packaging Proprietary thermal packaging solution for shipping chilled and frozen products such as medicine, food, or fragile goods in cold-chain applications.
• ECOGRIP Flat Proprietary flat corrugated cardboard system for securing plastic bottles and containers, providing an alternative to plastic strapping or shrink wrap.
• Drehfix Book Packaging Proprietary specialized book packaging solution using corrugated cardboard, designed for the secure shipping of books via e-commerce channels.
• Co-Packing Service Complete fulfillment services from picking to shipping provided from a single source, offering turnkey packaging and dispatch operations for customers.
• Flexographic Printing (Flexodruck) Flexographic printing services for high-quality packaging surfaces, delivered under the 'Coloured by Klingele' quality promise.
• Digital Printing (Digitaldruck) Digital printing services for customized packaging with attractive designs and flexible order volumes.
• Packaging Development Service Customized packaging development services tailored to customer requirements, including structural design and material specification.
• Packaging Optimization Service Service for optimizing existing packaging solutions to improve cost, sustainability, or performance characteristics.
• APASS Amazon Packaging Certification Service supporting customers in obtaining Amazon packaging certification through the APASS (Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network) program.
• Technical Consulting (Technische Beratung) Technical consulting services provided by Klingele experts to optimize customer packaging solutions and processes.
• Laboratory Service (Laborleistung) Central laboratory services for packaging testing and quality assurance supporting customer product development.
• Klingele Academy Training and seminars for the paper, corrugated cardboard, and packaging industry including courses on corrugated board, sustainability management, and PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) implementation.
• Klingele-Shops / MyKlingele E-Commerce Online e-commerce storefront allowing customers to place smaller-volume and repeat orders for corrugated packaging online.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO₂ emissions reduction of up to 12.2% cradle-to-gate (via Valmet Bioneer bio-based press roll covers used at Klingele's Weener mill — a third-party product Klingele receives as a customer)

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Blue Box PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlue Box Partners is a network of corrugated packaging companies operating in Germany and Europe. Klingele participates in the network to jointly serve customers across the DACH region and broader European markets, extending geographic reach beyond Klingele's own production sites.
• Amazon (APASS Network)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKlingele supports customers in obtaining Amazon packaging certification through the APASS (Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network) program. Klingele advises on Amazon's packaging requirements and helps customers navigate the certification process.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Palm Wöhrle: Family-owned German corrugated and solid board packaging company with mill and converting operations in Southern Germany. Direct regional competitor to Klingele, particularly in DACH folding carton and shipping packaging segments.

Direct peers

• Mondi Group: Global paper and packaging group with significant European corrugated, containerboard, and specialty kraft paper operations. Comparable to Klingele through integrated pulp/paper mills converting into corrugated packaging serving the same FMCG and industrial end markets.
• DS Smith: UK-listed leading European corrugated packaging and recycling company with deep presence in Germany, France, and the Nordics — geographies that overlap directly with Klingele. Head-to-head competitor for e-commerce, retail-ready, and industrial corrugated contracts.
• Progroup: Privately-held German corrugated packaging manufacturer with Next Generation Paper mill (Ettlingen) and converting plants across Europe. Closest private European competitor to Klingele in scale, vertical integration, and DACH heartland.
• Packaging Corporation of America: US-listed integrated corrugated packaging producer with paper mills and converting plants. Comparable to Klingele in the integrated mill-to-corrugated-boxer model, though primarily serving North American markets rather than European.
• Smurfit Kappa Group: Largest European-listed corrugated and containerboard producer, operating across Europe and the Americas with integrated paper mills and converting plants. Directly comparable to Klingele in product mix, customer verticals (food/beverage, e-commerce, industrial), and integrated mill-to-customer model.
• VPK Packaging Group: Family-owned (Desomer) Belgian corrugated and solid board packaging producer with paper mills and converting across Europe. Direct mid-sized private peer comparable to Klingele in ownership structure, vertical integration, and European footprint.
• Mayr-Melnhof Karton: Austrian-listed producer of folding cartons, recycled folding boxboard, and corrugated sheets. Peer in DACH folding-carton and recycled paperboard markets with overlapping customer base in food, confectionery, and consumer goods packaging.

Broad incumbents

• Stora Enso: Finnish-Swedish integrated forest-products and packaging group producing containerboard, kraft paper, and corrugated packaging in Europe. Compares to Klingele in renewable-fiber, FSC-certified mill output and packaging converting, though with broader pulp and biomaterials exposure.
• International Paper: Global pulp, paper, and packaging incumbent with significant European containerboard footprint (post-Ilim/Dijou acquisitions). Compares to Klingele at the containerboard-mill level, but operates at much larger scale across broader product categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@KlingelePapierwerke
• Facebookfacebook.com/klingelegroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/klingele-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/klingele_talents

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Klingele Paper & Packaging Group