A Brief Introduction to Paper and Paper Manufacturing in India

The earliest form of paper was possibly papyrus that was used in ancient Egypt and made from reeds of the Cyperus Papyrus plant. The process used a drying and rough weaving process to turn the pith of the plant into a thick sheet that was used for writing. Paper, as we know today, however, owes its origin to the Chinese. Archaeological and historical research shows that the material was in use as early as 200-100 BCE in the country.

Over the course of centuries, the knowledge of paper manufacturing ultimately moved outwards from China. The material spread to other areas such as Japan, Central Asia and the Middle East and there on to the rest of the world. By the end of the 16th century, paper was being made throughout Europe and Asia including India. In fact, Indian paper was in great demand in the Middle Ages, and the country exported the material to other nations and empires.

The paper industry has been growing strongly in India ever since paper was first produced in Kashmir. It received a major boost after independence when paper manufacturing companies built larger factories that automated production and helped meet the demand from within the country. Paper and paper board manufacturing shot up from 116 thousand tonnes in 1950-51 to 1,149 thousand tonnes by 1980-81. This increased to 3,090 thousand tonnes by the turn of the 21st century. Domestic production stood at 12.2 million tonnes in 2014-15. The estimated turnover of the industry is currently around INR 50,000 crore (or USD 8 billion) and it employs over 2 million people directly and indirectly.

Earlier, small paper manufacturing companies mostly used to produce a form of glazed paper. However, the advances in technology and the need for different types of the material from different quarters saw a proliferation in the types of paper. A paper manufacturer in India may now manufacture a range of different papers such as copier paper, inkjet paper, newsprint, kraft paper, offset paper, writing paper, and packaging board, among others. Different techniques are employed to produce the various types and each has its own specific demand in the country.

The industry mostly relied on wood pulp and bamboo in the initial days, though growing awareness of the environment means that manufacturers are rapidly shifting to recycled materials. Manufacturers are coming up with advanced technologies and creative ideas to meet the needs of their customers and address environmental concerns at the same time. A paper manufacturer in India now employs different techniques to produce paper. These include promoting the recycling of waste paper as the feedstock and opting for eco-friendly ways of manufacturing. In terms of numbers, waste paper and recycled fibre contribute around 47% of the raw materials while wood and bamboo add 31%, and agricultural residue such as bagasse and wheat straw chip in with 22% in the overall production numbers for an average paper company in India.

The industry has seen robust growth in India in the past and is likely to continue doing so in the future as rising population numbers fuel demand. This is despite growing concerns about the industry’s future due to increasing digitisation. Demand is expected to shoot up from 13 million tonnes to approximately 20 million tonnes by 2020. Experts believe the per capita consumption of paper will increase in the future from the current lows of around 13 kg as rising literacy levels lead to increased consumer demand for paper. The future looks bright for the industry and a paper company in India can only expect to reap the benefits.

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