Building an Eco-Friendly Future: Olha Nikitenko’s Global Push for Sustainable Paper Packaging

From Ukraine to the U.S., how Olha is leading the way in environmentally conscious manufacturing 

According to Precedence Research, a market insights firm, the future for the global food packaging market looks promising, with the market expected to cross $679.71 billion by the year 2033 as consumers demand convenience, longer shelf life, and eco-friendly packaging solutions.

With sustainability on everyone’s mind, leaders such as Olha Nikitenko are shaping the future of the industry.

Olha, the development director of Alfa Paper Cup and co-founder of Pak Lab, has created a thriving food paper packaging business with a focus on environmentally responsible manufacturing. She has since become a phenomenon in Ukraine and gone global from her base in Ukraine, with ambitious plans to expand to the U.S. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability, she is right at the forefront of the shift toward greener packaging solutions.

Here is an interview we did with Olha, who shares how she deals with the challenges of building an eco-friendly future and other important lessons for entrepreneurs on resilience, growth, and the path to success in a fast-changing industry.

Olha, you have achieved a lot in the paper packaging industry. Can you tell us the key moments that shaped your path to success?  

Absolutely! I find joy in entrepreneurship because it allows me to bring my ideas to life. I graduated from college as a seamstress cutter in 2003, but then I realized it wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted to create something bigger, manage projects, and lead people. So, when my husband started a small company, I became a manager and administrator, and that was how I started my journey as an entrepreneur.

Then, in 2007, after growing my husband’s business to an extent, I set up my own company. I once told my husband it might be worth trying to make corrugated cups ourselves. So, that was how we basically started making paper products. In 2015, we partnered with Metro Cash & Carry and launched a B2B direction, expanding our business even further. Now, we have been in business for more than 20 years, and we have grown from just two people to over 200. Currently, we hold a prominent position in the packaging industry in Ukraine, and we have a huge presence in Europe.

You’ve taken on multiple roles in your companies. For example, you’re the development director of Alfa Paper Cup and co-founder of Pak Lab. So, how have you impacted their growth? 

Innovation and expansion have topped my priorities throughout my career. As the development director of Alfa Paper Cup and co-founder of Pak Lab, I lead new ventures and take charge of HR operations while refining our production processes. I introduced advanced automation with systems like CRM and chatbots to improve our operations and guarantee smooth order handling. We initially started with a small team, but we have now expanded to become a large manufacturing company, producing thousands of products for the food industry.

I have been pivotal in extending our range of products and devising customized packaging ideas while crafting unique designs for those who buy from us. We stand out from our competitors due to our ability to provide complete packaging services from concept to execution.

Your efforts have resulted in your company’s ranking among the top manufacturers in Ukraine and shipping goods to Europe. Which methods did you employ to achieve such success? 

Scaling our operations required a combination of factors. First of all, we focused on innovation. We put a CRM system in place and accompanied it with technologies like chatbots and IP telephony to optimize our operations. These systems enhanced operations that manage orders and customer relationships. Secondly, we invested in our team. I’ve always believed that a well-trained and motivated team is crucial for success. Therefore, we prioritized HR growth and internal growth opportunities. Lastly, we made careful moves in our alliances, like partnering with Metro Cash & Carry and developing our business-to-business sales. Expanding exports led us to meet European clients and enhance our international footprint.

As an entrepreneur, you’ve faced a number of challenges, ranging from war to dealing with plagiarism. How did you overcome these challenges? 

As a company doing business in Ukraine, especially given the ongoing war in that country, we faced many challenges. However, we had to be very agile in order to survive. As a result, we focused on quality and innovation. We also expanded our business at an early stage so we could shift to another market or product when we encountered difficulties. In addition, the dedication of our team was crucial. We worked together and made changes promptly while aiming toward our objectives.

Occasionally, other companies took our designs and ideas without permission, which was very frustrating. To me, this demonstrated our status as pioneers in our area. We began patenting our unique designs and models to keep our designs and models safe from theft. This marked a key move in protecting our designs and ensuring we have an edge. We also created new packaging and turnkey logos and designs for our customers, which significantly distinguishes us from our competitors. In the end, these challenges made us even stronger.

In addition to your business success, you’ve been involved in social impact initiatives. Could you tell us more about that? 

Absolutely! Giving back has always mattered to me. At our company, we hired people with disabilities in roles like packers and order pickers. That is part of our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace. Moreover, we also support humanitarian missions because we understand the role of packaging in transporting food and supplies. For this reason, we partnered with volunteers to supply our products to people in distress. When necessary, we provided essential help to our workforce that was facing hardships. For me, quality service and social improvement are equally essential for our firm’s success.

You’ve done so much in an industry that is often overlooked. What keeps you moving forward? 

I’m motivated by the desire to make a real impact. Building a business is not just about making money. It’s about building things that can stand the test of time, help others, and make a difference in the world. Whether it’s providing jobs, supporting humanitarian efforts, or developing innovative products, the impact we have keeps me motivated.

What are your plans for the future? Where do you see your company in the next few years? 

We have big plans! Our key target is to expand into foreign markets. We want to open branches of our trading and production company across Europe and America. The objective is to bring our premium packaging products to a global audience. In addition, we want to keep innovating in our field. To do that, we want to continue to create new designs, improve our production processes, and incorporate more sustainable materials. And of course, we’ll keep investing in our team because they’re the heart of everything we do.

Considering your accomplishments, what advice would you give to those following in your footsteps? 

My advice is for them to always not be afraid of taking risks and trust your instincts. When I suggested producing our own paper cups, it wasn’t a sure thing, but I believed in the idea, and it paid off. Again, surround yourself with people who support your vision and who are willing to work hard alongside you. And perhaps most importantly, be patient. Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and a lot of resilience. Keep learning, stay adaptable, and always be ready to face the next challenge head-on.

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