History

1973

The founding story of Bak Ambalaj begins with the production of printed and unprinted paper bags by Bak Ambalaj, the first group company established by the late Enver Bakioğlu in 1973 in the district of Kahramanlar in Izmir.

1976

PE-Extrusion introduced and the product range expanded with block bottom bags, printed PE bags and rolls.

1984

With the transition into the gravure printing process, the production was shifted to a high-quality flexible packaging materials used mainly in the food industry for automated packing.

1988

Construction of a new 22.000m2 plant began in one of the Turkey’s largest and most modern industrial zones, İzmir Atatürk Organized Industrial Zone.

1990

The company moved in its new modern facilities to continue its operations by the scope of growing.

1995

Extensive investment programme to renew and enlarge the machine park starting with the installation of a new PE-blow extruder and two wide-web 7-colour rotogravure machines.

1996

ISO 9002 certificate was granted by BVQI (Bureau Veritas Quality International) upon the completion of Quality Assurance System procedures.

1997

Hygiene Certification granted from AIB (American Institute of Baking). Installation of a new 8-colour flexo press, a solventless lamination and four slit-rewinders.

1998

“25% of Bak Ambalaj's shares went public on the 'Istanbul Stock Exchange', also known as 'Borsa Istanbul'.” The investment programme has been completed by installing a new 9 colour wide web rotogravure machine of latest technology. Investments for bread packaging production started.

1999

Entering into the bread packaging market from a separate production plant with an enlarged product ranged consisting of perforated and plain wicketed bags and centre-folded rolls.

2000

Bak Ambalaj became a well-known global player as its export sales reached 13.6 million US dollars - %45 of its total turnover.

2002

Investments in a new 10-colour rotogravure machine, solvent based and solventless lamination units and a 3-layer PE-coextrusion line have been initiated.

2003

Investments in a new 10-colour rotogravure machine, solvent based and solventless lamination units and a 3-layer PE-coextrusion line have been initiated.

2004

The company began the production of PVC and PET packages with stretch sleeve features. In addition to this, with the help of the planned investments having been put into use, the company initiated the production of stand-up-pouch and PE-based flexible packages.

2006

A new colour management system began to be used in all the phases of design and production processes. In addition to this, a new cromalin machine was put into use. In accordance with the preparations for TPM award, the review of operational processes focused on improvement began

2007

Designed both for capacity increase and production capability diversification, the second plant, BAK-2 started operations.

2009

Bak Ambalaj received its first TPM Excellence Award with a ceremony in Japan.

2011

In accordance with the 5-year-investment-plan, investments for a new 11-unit rotogravure machine capable of in-line lamination, a new lamination machine and, in parallel with increased production capacity, 3 new slit-rewinders began.

2012

Preparations for the start of the first European Logistics Centre. Slitting, transfer, storage and shipment processes were moved to BAK-3. To be able to meet the increasing cylinder capacity, 2 new warehouses were also built outside the plant area.

2013

Increase of the production capacity by the installation of a new 10-colour Flexo printing machine and a FMC machine to produce bread bags. Start of operations in the European Logistics Center in the Netherlands in order to centralize the companies' European logistics activities.

2017

  • Bak Ambalaj R&D Center has achieved a first among the printing organizations engaged in the flexible packaging industry.
  • It is now entitled to be an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO).

2018

In Turkey, an investment was made in an 8-color flexo printing machine with the first and only rotogravure unit.

2020

TSE Covid-19 safe production certificate was granted.

2021

  • In line with the sustainability goals, a step was taken to become a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC).
  • The I-REC zero-carbon green electricity certificate was received, proving that the energy used in production is generated from 100% renewable sources.
  • The first and only G7 Master Facility Colorspace Certificate was granted in Turkey for flexo printing and digital proofing output.
  • The investment was made in an automatic valve inserting machine.

2022

  • With the implementation of the nine-colored, state-of-art technology investment in partnership with Windmöller and Nordmeccanica, the lamination and printing capacity was increased.
  • The Zero Waste Certificate was awarded thanks to the sustainability-oriented approach and environment-oriented production policies.
  • The "Corporate Carbon Footprint Calculation Project", initiated on a voluntary basis with a focus on responsibility for combating climate change, was successfully completed and the "Carbon Footprint calculation ISO 14064-1: 2018 certificate" was awarded.
  • Bak Ambalaj Sustainability Report has been published.
  • The I-REC certificates, first obtained in 2021, were maintained, and focusing on sustainability, all of the energy used in production was supplied from renewable sources.

2023

  • Bak Ambalaj has left behind 50 years of success since 1973, when it entered the flexible packaging sector, aiming to achieve the best with the principles of "unity, love, determination and conviction.”
  • Bak Ambalaj R&D Center developed a reusable refill packaging design after Reduce and Recycle, expanding its efforts to create sustainable, recyclable and waste-reducing flexible packaging designs.
  • An investment was made for a Slitting Machine capable of transferring slitted bobbins up to 1,000 mm in width at a speed of up to 450 m/min.
  • 100% recyclable "Reborn Product Family" with high barrier properties for a longer shelf life, was developed as a result of R&D activities.
  • Became a sponsor for the 2nd International Packaging Industry Congress, hosted by the Packaging Manufacturers Association.