Spotlight On: Natalia Ciosk, Sales Director – Poland, Czech, Slovakia and Baltics at FOLBB

Ihr Weg in die Branche

• Können Sie sich bitte vorstellen und uns etwas über Ihre derzeitige Tätigkeit erzählen?

My name is Natalia Ciosk and I am based in Poland. I have been working in paper and packaging industry since 1999. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to take on a wide range of roles in product management and sales management in different companies like Smurfit Westrock, Prowell, Papyrus, MM Board & Paper, which has given me a solid understanding of the business. Since October 2025, I’ve been working at FOLBB as Sales Director for Poland, Czech, Slovakia and Baltics.

• Was hat Ihr Interesse an der nachhaltigen Verpackungs- und Kartonindustrie geweckt?

In every role I’ve had, there have been opportunities to grow, take on new responsibilities and explore different parts of the market. That naturally led me towards sustainability, which is now such an important part of what we do.

• Was war der wichtigste Meilenstein oder die wichtigste Erfahrung, die Ihre bisherige Karriere geprägt hat?

Early on, having a mentor who shared their knowledge and believed in me made a big difference to my career. It showed me how important it is to support others as well, especially the younger generations starting out in the industry.

• Gab es besondere Herausforderungen oder Wendepunkte, die Ihrer Meinung nach entscheidend für Ihren beruflichen Werdegang waren?

This industry has gone through a lot of change since I joined over 25 years ago, from innovation to automation and shifting consumer and brand owner demands. There are always cycles of ups and downs, but each phase always brings something new to learn.

• Wie hat sich die Branche seit Ihren Anfängen verändert, und was reizt Sie am meisten an ihrer Zukunft?

When I started in 1999, corrugated packaging with flexo printing was the standard. If you compare that to what we see today in terms of technology and expertise, the progress has been huge. At FOLBB, we’re especially focused on plastic substitution – barrier boards and other cartonboard solutions. It’s an area that’s growing quickly, and where we can really support customers with tailored solutions.

Tägliche Auswirkungen

• Wie sieht ein typischer Tag in Ihrer derzeitigen Funktion aus?

There’s a lot of planning, negotiations, and reviewing results. I also spend a lot of time setting up trails, meeting customers – both in person and online – and working closely with my colleagues based at our mills. Teamwork is really important for success at FOLBB!

• Können Sie ein bestimmtes Projekt oder eine Initiative beschreiben, an der Sie in letzter Zeit gearbeitet haben und die Sie besonders spannend oder innovativ fanden?

I really find great having new opportunities, discussing with customers new solutions, then it means collaboration with mills, production- and product experts, Technical Customer Service colleagues. I think developing new project is exciting. Here, in FOLBB, we have wide range of specialties like barrier boards or safe oven boards which are enjoying great interest because this is how the consumer market is changing and looking for.

I enjoy working with customers and developing new solutions to meet their needs. It usually involves close cooperation with production teams, product experts and technical colleagues across the business. We’re seeing strong interest in areas like barrier boards and oven-safe boards, which reflect changing consumer needs.

• Wie trägt Ihre Arbeit direkt zu den nachhaltigen und ökologischen Vorteilen von Kartonverpackungen bei?

It’s a core part of what we do. At FOLBB, we produce virgin fibre cartonboard in a responsible and efficient way, helping reduce the use of plastics in packaging.

• Welchen Rat würden Sie jemandem geben, der gerade seine Karriere in dieser Branche beginnt?

It’s a really interesting industry with lots of opportunities. Stay curious, ask questions and be open to learning. Systems like dual education – combining theory with hands-on experience –can be a great way to get started. Be willing to learn from others, each experience counts!

• Was ist der eine Grund, warum Sie stolz darauf sind, in der Karton- und Faltschachtelindustrie zu arbeiten?

The people – strong partnerships, a collaborative approach, and a lot of technical knowledge. I’m still learning from customers all the time.

Über Ihre Rolle hinaus

• Was ist eine Fähigkeit oder ein Hobby, das Sie außerhalb Ihrer Arbeit haben und das Ihnen in Ihrer Rolle überraschend geholfen hat?

I’m interested in forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, which comes from Japan. It’s about spending time in nature and its positive effect on wellbeing. It may sound unusual given the industry I work in, but I really believe in the value of forests. I’m currently completing postgraduate studies in forest therapy and would like to share that knowledge more in the future.

• Was ist der beste Ratschlag, den Sie je erhalten haben?

I often ask myself, “why not?” Things change quickly – in business and in life – so it helps to stay open-minded and curious, and to always take opportunities when they come.

• Wenn Sie einen Tag lang einen anderen Job in der Verpackungsbranche haben könnten, welcher wäre das und warum?

I’d be a Packaging Supply Chain Manager, working with end users to optimise the process from materials and design through to production and logistics – and making sure everything meets sustainability goals and regulations like PPWR.

• Was ist die eine Sache, von der Sie sich wünschen würden, dass mehr Menschen sie über die Karton- und Faltschachtelindustrie wissen?

Paper and cartonboard have some of the highest recycling rates of any packaging material. There’s also a misconception that the industry destroys forests, which isn’t true – it relies on renewable resources and plays an important role in sustainable packaging.