Addressing the 19th edition of PaperTech 2025 in Hyderabad, Mr. Pawan Agarwal, President of the Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), called for collective efforts in a mission mode to position the Indian paper industry as world class, sustainable, and future-ready.
Mr. Agarwal noted that PaperTech, now in its 19th year, has grown into the flagship platform for the industry to share best practices in energy efficiency and environmental performance. “The perception of the paper industry has been steadily changing for the better, with greater recognition in Government and the policy circles about our contribution towards sustainability,” he said.
The IPMA President highlighted how the industry has transformed over the last two decades by building a robust renewable raw material base, developing eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastic, and investing in clean technologies. He underlined three key focus areas for sustainability—raw material procurement, production processes, and end-use of paper.
On raw materials, Mr. Agarwal pointed to industry-led agro forestry initiatives including plantation R&D, clonal sapling production and farmer handholding, which have boosted rural employment, increased green cover, and enhanced carbon sequestration. “We must continue to encourage farmers to grow trees at a faster pace, while also improving recovery and utilisation of wastepaper to make India truly Aatmanirbhar in fibre sourcing,” he said.
Mr. Agarwal urged for greater awareness about paper’s unique recyclability. “Paper can be recycled 7-10 times, something few products can match. We must communicate more effectively that paper is green and never too early to switch to paper-based alternatives,” he said.
Highlighting paper as a viable substitute to global environmental challenges like single-use plastic and e-waste, he stressed: “Paper is biodegradable, recyclable, and produced from renewable sources. It must be seen as part of the solution, not the problem.”
The industry, he said, has also made significant progress in reducing specific energy and water use, with organised players leading in technology adoption and process optimisation. Under the Government’s PAT scheme, the paper sector has been one of the top performers, and is now preparing for transition to the new Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
Paper industry needs to accelerate its journey towards Aatmanirbhar and Vikshit Bharat. “Paper and paperboard are essential to India’s growth story and to missions such as Clean India and Education for All,” he affirmed./p>