Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) successfully organised the 18th edition of PaperTech recently at Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), Hyderabad. The event, themed “Make Indian Pulp & Paper Industry World Class,” brought together key stakeholders from the Paper Industry to discuss advancements in sustainability, technology, and environmental performance.

Mr. Pawan Agarwal, President of The Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), highlighted the evolution of the Indian Paper Industry over the last 18 years and noted that PaperTech had played a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s progress. “The Indian paper industry has undergone momentous changes, taking landmark initiatives in renewable raw material sourcing, offering eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics, and adopting processes with minimal environmental footprints,” Mr Agarwal remarked.

A significant focus of PaperTech 2024 was on sustainability, with Mr. Agarwal emphasizing the industry’s continuous efforts to reduce its carbon footprint through clean and green technologies. He acknowledged that member mills have made significant investments in upgrading operations to improve energy efficiency and reduce water consumption. Notably, Indian integrated mills have reduced water usage from 200 cubic meters to under 50 cubic meters per tonne of paper.

In line with India’s vision for a sustainable future, the Paper Industry has also played a vital role in promoting farm forestry and creating employment opportunities in rural communities. “The growing of trees for raw material has increased green cover and contributed to carbon sequestration, improving the industry’s sustainability,” said Mr. Agarwal.

With the global push to reduce single-use plastic and e-waste, the paper industry stands as a key solution provider. Mr. Agarwal highlighted how paper-based alternatives can address these issues, given their biodegradability, recyclability and sustainable production methods. He urged for greater adoption of paper products in everyday use and emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about paper’s positive environmental impact.

IPMA President also pointed out the challenges faced in sourcing wastepaper due to global supply chain disruptions. He called for an increased focus on making India self-reliant (Aatmanirbhar) in paper recovery, through better wastepaper segregation and collection practices. Mr. Agarwal advocated for shifting terminology from “wastepaper” to “recovered paper” to enhance its perception and support recycling efforts.

In a forward-looking announcement, Mr. Agarwal stated that around 40 paper mills would soon be part of India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) as the industry transitions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With energy consumption already down by 20% in the last five years, the paper industry is on track to further reduce its environmental impact.

“We are full of hope for a brighter future ahead. Indian packaging paper is now finding a strong market abroad, and PaperTech will continue to drive innovation and sustainability to align with global standards,” he added.