MEL
MEL is Greece's largest and only recycled cartonboard manufacturer, producing 120,000 tons/year of coated and uncoated grades from 100% recycled paper for B2B packaging, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical customers across 30+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersGéfyra, Greece
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MEL does
MEL (Macedonian Paper Mills S.A.) is a Greek industrial manufacturer of recycled cartonboard, founded in 1964 in Patras and currently headquartered in Kato Gefyra, Thessaloniki. The company produces four core coated and uncoated cartonboard grades — TRIPLEX BR (40% of production), TRIPLEX R KRAFT, DUPLEX R, and KRAFT-KRAFT — using 100% recycled paper as raw material, at an annual production capacity of 120,000 tons. MEL is the only industrial producer of recycled cartonboard in Greece and one of the largest in Southeastern Europe, serving box-making, printing, and general packaging manufacturers in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical end-markets.
The company operates a single integrated mill at its Thessaloniki site (50,000 sq.m. of built area on 230,000 sq.m. of owned land), equipped with five biomass boilers for steam production, a 17,000 m3 biological water treatment plant, an MSK packaging line, and — as of February 2025 — a new Milltex cutting machine expected to lift cutting capacity by 20%. It holds ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and 50001 certifications, FSC Chain of Custody, and in 2022 secured the first ESG-linked green financing in Greece. Approximately 56% of production is exported directly to more than 30 countries across the Balkans, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, with the remaining 44% sold into the domestic Greek market through sales offices in Thessaloniki and Athens.
MEL is a privately held single-member anonymous company (Μ.Α.Ε.) that has been 100% owned by the Dutch conglomerate PAK GROUP B.V. since March 2012. PAK GROUP, founded in 1923, operates 19 companies spanning food, flexible packaging, cartonboard, and real estate with over USD 500 million in group revenue; with MEL, the group became the fourth-largest cartonboard manufacturer in Europe at 360,000 tons of combined annual production. MEL generates revenue through direct B2B sales of physical cartonboard under multi-year contracts (no public pricing is disclosed), and it employed between 192 and 210+ specialized workers across its facilities as of the most recent reporting. The only publicly disclosed revenue figure is EUR 50.2 million for fiscal year 2016.
MEL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MEL
- Legal name
- Μακεδονική Εταιρεία Χάρτου Μ.Α.Ε.
- Website
- https://melpaper.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- MEL is Greece's largest and only recycled cartonboard manufacturer, producing 120,000 tons/year of coated and uncoated grades from 100% recycled paper for B2B packaging, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical customers across 30+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MEL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cartonboard Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Paperboard Mills (32213), Paperboard Mills (322130), Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills (3221)
- SIC
- Paperboard Mills (2631), Papers & Allied Products (2600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Recycled Paperboard & Containerboard (IMAMAKAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Folding Carton Board (FBB) Manufacturing (IMAMAFAH), Folding Cartons (Folding Boxboard, SBS/SUS) (IMALACAB)
Keywords
Where MEL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Géfyra
- HQ country
- Greece
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
MEL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Cartonboard Manufacturing and Sales: MEL designs, produces, and markets recycled packaging cartonboard using 100% recyclable paper as raw material. Products include TRIPLEX BR, TRIPLEX R KRAFT, DUPLEX R, and KRAFT-KRAFT cartonboard grades sold to packaging, printing, and box-making industries. 56% of production is exported to over 30 countries while 44% serves the Greek market.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | TRIPLEX BR - White double-sided coated cartonboard |
| Other | Multi-year contract | TRIPLEX R KRAFT - Brown back kraft cartonboard |
| Other | Multi-year contract | DUPLEX R - White/grey double-sided cartonboard |
| Other | Multi-year contract | KRAFT-KRAFT - Double-sided uncoated brown kraft cartonboard |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
MEL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MEL designs, produces, and markets recycled packaging cartonboard using 100% recyclable paper as raw material. The company operates a 120,000 tons/year production facility in Thessaloniki, Greece, manufacturing four main coated and uncoated cartonboard grades (TRIPLEX BR, TRIPLEX R KRAFT, DUPLEX R, and KRAFT-KRAFT) for the packaging, printing, and box-making industries, with 56% of production exported to over 30 countries.
Product overview
MEL is a recycled paper and cartonboard manufacturing company producing four main coated and uncoated cartonboard products. The core product line includes TRIPLEX BR (white both sides, 40% of production), TRIPLEX R KRAFT (white/kraft), DUPLEX R (white/grey), and the newer Kraft-Kraft (uncoated double-sided brown). All products are made from 100% recycled paper and are designed for packaging applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Annual production capacity is 120,000 tons of coated cartonboard.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KRAFT-KRAFT: Uncoated double-sided kraft board with brown color on both sides, made from recovered fibers through recycling. Used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical packaging.
- DUPLEX R
- TRIPLEX BR
- TRIPLEX R KRAFT
Products and services
- TRIPLEX BR White double-sided coated cartonboard (BR designation) that accounts for 40% of MEL's production. Food packaging grade with high demand from Western European markets, also suitable for cosmetics and pharmaceutical packaging. Available in basis weights from 300-600 g/m2 with customizable thickness, brightness, Cobb test values, and stiffness parameters.
- TRIPLEX R KRAFT Cartonboard with white front face and brown kraft reverse side, popular for food packaging due to the warm brown color derived from recovered fibers. High demand from Western European markets. Available in basis weights from 320-550 g/m2, suitable for dry foodstuff packaging.
- DUPLEX R White exterior with light grey interior cardboard providing high strength for general packaging applications. Suitable for a wide range of European products. Available in basis weights from 300-550 g/m2.
- KRAFT-KRAFT Uncoated double-sided kraft board with natural brown appearance on both sides, made from recovered fibers through recycling. Features high stiffness and caliper with excellent processing performance. Suitable for food packaging, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications. 100% recyclable. Available in basis weights from 300-500 g/m2.
Quantifiable outcome
- 120,000 tons/year coated cartonboard production capacity
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use MEL
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
MEL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
MEL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries)minorEuropean paper industry confederation based in Brussels. MEL hosted CEPI recycling manager Maria Georgiadou for presentation on recycling and energy savings at EVICHE meeting. MEL organized the CEPI Cartonboard annual conference in Thessaloniki in 2019.
- CERTH (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas)minorResearch partner for the Water4paper project (T2EDK-05301) under the RESEARCH-CREATE-INNOVATE program. Co-financed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and national resources through EPAnEK. The project aims to demonstrate aerobic membrane bioreactor technology for liquid waste treatment to reduce water consumption.
- Net Zero AnalyticsminorConsulting partner for MEL's annual ESG Sustainability Reports, collaborating since 2021 to publish sustainable development reports based on GRI standards.
- EVICHE (Paper Industries Association of Greece)minorMEL's CEO Dr. Dimitris Theocharis elected first president of this newly established industry association. MEL hosted the first physical meeting at its facilities. The association aims to promote the Greek paper industry and its contribution to recycling and circular economy.
- Food Bank of ThessalyminorHumanitarian aid partnership for providing food and essential items to flood victims in Thessaly.
- SEVE (Exporters Association of Northern Greece)minorCollaboration for humanitarian aid to Turkey and Syria earthquake victims, providing pallets for material transport.
- COSMOS ConsultingminorConsulting company that prepared and submitted MEL's investment project for biomass boilers to applicable subsidy laws.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MEL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Burgo Group: Italian manufacturer of coated woodfree paper and folding boxboard with recycled and virgin-fiber mills in Italy. Direct overlap with MEL's TRIPLEX BR coated cartonboard product category serving European packaging converters.
- Reno de Medici (RDM Group): Italian-headquartered recycled cartonboard manufacturer with multiple European mills producing folding boxboard for packaging. Directly comparable to MEL in recycled fiber input, coated cartonboard output, and European B2B customer segments.
- Kartonsan: Turkey's largest cartonboard manufacturer and sister company under PAK GROUP B.V. (PAK GROUP holds 75%). Produces coated folding boxboard for packaging applications with comparable recycled/virgin fiber grades, making it the closest peer by ownership, product portfolio, and customer base.
- Heinzel Group: Austrian pulp and paper group producing market pulp, magazine paper, and folding boxboard via its Laakirchen and Steyrermühl mills. Comparable to MEL in recycled cartonboard grades sold into European packaging converters.
- VPK Packaging Group: Belgian family-owned manufacturer of recycled containerboard, solid board, and core board packaging. Direct overlap with MEL on 100% recycled-fiber paperboard serving European packaging and industrial customers.
Broad incumbents
- Mayr-Melnhof Karton: Austrian-listed European leader in folding boxboard and recycled cartonboard with multi-mill footprint. Compares to MEL on core FBB grades but operates at significantly larger scale with broader geographic reach across Europe.
- Stora Enso: Nordic forest products giant with significant European folding boxboard and containerboard operations. Competes with MEL in packaging board for consumer goods, food, and pharmaceutical applications but with vastly larger integrated pulp/paper footprint.
- Sappi Europe: Major European coated paperboard and folding boxboard producer with mills in Netherlands, Austria, Finland, and Germany. Overlaps with MEL in cartonboard for packaging but at much greater scale with broader product portfolio.
- Smurfit Kappa: Irish-listed global paper-based packaging leader with extensive European footprint including recycled-based containerboard and folding boxboard. Overlaps with MEL in recycled paperboard serving packaging converters, but at massively larger scale.
- Mondi Group: UK/Austrian-listed packaging and paper group producing containerboard, kraft paper, and folding boxboard across European operations. Comparable to MEL in folding cartonboard serving converters and brand owners across the Balkans, Europe, and beyond.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MEL social profiles
Digital presenceMEL compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
MEL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MEL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
MEL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MEL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MEL
What does MEL do?
MEL designs, produces, and markets recycled packaging cartonboard using 100% recyclable paper as raw material. The company operates a 120,000 tons/year production facility in Thessaloniki, Greece, manufacturing four main coated and uncoated cartonboard grades (TRIPLEX BR, TRIPLEX R KRAFT, DUPLEX R, and KRAFT-KRAFT) for the packaging, printing, and box-making industries, with 56% of production exported to over 30 countries.
Is MEL a public or private company?
MEL is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was MEL founded?
MEL was founded in 1964. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is MEL based?
MEL is headquartered in Géfyra, Greece, in the Europe region.
How does MEL make money?
One revenue line is on record: cartonboard Manufacturing and Sales.
Who are MEL's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Burgo Group, Reno de Medici (RDM Group), Kartonsan, Heinzel Group and VPK Packaging Group. Broad incumbents are Mayr-Melnhof Karton, Stora Enso, Sappi Europe, Smurfit Kappa and Mondi Group.
Does MEL have an API?
No public API is recorded for MEL.
What industry is MEL in?
MEL's product category is Cartonboard Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMAKAG, Recycled Paperboard & Containerboard, with a secondary code of IMAMAFAH, Folding Carton Board (FBB) Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 32213 and its SIC code is 2631.