Case Study: How a major European packaging provider found a customized China solution for harsh outdoor applications

Background:

A packaging material manufacturer based in Latvia faced a unique sourcing challenge within the packaging and material supply industry. They needed a highly specialized laminated scrim paper to be used for covering waste wood in forest environments. This product required a 4-meter width, waterproof qualities, laminated grid reinforcement, and over 80% paper content—capable of withstanding harsh outdoor conditions for more than two years.

The majority of global suppliers were unable to provide material wider than 3 meters, making it extremely difficult to find a viable production partner capable of manufacturing to their strict requirements.

Challenges:

– The required material needed to be 4 meters wide—exceeding the capabilities of most suppliers.
– It needed to be laminated, waterproof, contain more than 80% paper, and reinforced with a grid.
– The end-use demanded durability for over two years in extreme weather conditions.
– The product was so specialized that most suppliers declined to quote or engage in development.

CPG’s Solutions:

CPG took on the challenge of sourcing this niche product and assigned the task to a dedicated sourcing specialist. After engaging with nearly 100 suppliers across China, CPG overcame numerous rejections and successfully identified two capable manufacturers willing to explore the development and production of the material to the client’s exacting standards.

CPG facilitated clear, technical communication between the client and the suppliers to ensure full specification alignment, including structural integrity, width, paper content, and weather resistance performance.

Results:

– Two capable and willing manufacturers were found that met the client’s requirement for 4-meter wide laminated scrim paper.
– The client is currently in the sampling phase and has reported high satisfaction with the project progress.
– Through persistence, technical vetting, and supplier alignment, Polipaks moved closer to securing a sustainable long-term solution.

Client Feedback:
“We are incredibly grateful for CPG’s dedication to finding the right suppliers for this challenging project. Your effort in handling such a complex procurement task has been invaluable, and we appreciate your commitment to our needs.”

Conclusion:

Specialized sourcing solutions highlight the need for an expansive and determined supplier search. This product type was so rare that only a small number of countries, including China, were found to have any capacity or willingness to even attempt production. Most suppliers either lacked the technical capability or declined due to the low-volume, high-complexity nature of the request.

Through comprehensive outreach and dedicated engagement with nearly 100 manufacturers, CPG was able to identify two suitable partners—a process that validated the importance of persistence, market familiarity, and cultural fluency in high-specification procurement projects.

This engagement also reinforced the fact that rare and demanding material requirements are often not served by standard procurement channels. Having access to a local, technically fluent sourcing partner can make the difference between a stalled project and a breakthrough solution.

Lessons Learned:

– Highly specialized products require a persistent and broad supplier outreach.
– Effective technical communication between client and supplier is critical to ensure expectations are met.
– Even rare and complex sourcing challenges can be solved with focused effort, local supplier knowledge, and relationship-building.