Henan Jingxin Fabric Technology Co., Ltd. , founded in 2011, is one professional manufacturer and technical servicer of paper machine clothing and chemical products for pulp and paper mills.
In its paper machine clothing production base, factory has 33000 square meters , annual production capacity can get 1000000 sqm. Jingxin fabricʼs forming fabric all used the German “Perlon” brand high quality impomonofilament, and Dryer screen will used Portugal “Filkemp” brand mono-filament. In Jingxin, to produce high quality products, we introduced the most advanced 5 sets Sweden TEXO fully automatic rapier loom, 14.5 meters hot setting machine, 16 meters German Jürgens weaving machine, Austrian WIS full automatic seaming machine, etc.
The core products for paper machine clothing has Forming Fabric, Double WarpFlat Wire Dryer Fabric, Single Warp Flat Wire Dryer Fabric, Spiral Dryer Fabric, Plain Weave Dryer Fabric, Sludge Dewatering Fabric, etc.
In its paper making used chemical products production base , factory has 44000 square meters , annual production capacity can get 400000tons. The core Chemical products are: Surface Sizing Agent GS, Surface Sizing Agent WS, Wet Strength Agent, Dry Strength Agent, Defoamer, etc. Jingxin management has passed ISO 9001 quality management system, ISO 14001 environmental management system, ISO 18001 occupational safety management system certification. Due to the reliable product quality, the products sell well all over the country, and have reached long-term cooperative relations with many listed paper companies in China and the pulp and paper mills from Russia, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia......more than 15 countries.
HENAN JINGXIN FABRIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
Tel. Mobile Fax E-mail Website
：+86 394 5228866 : 0086 18838386818 ：+86 394 5106388 ：info@jingxincorp.com ：www.jingxincorp.com
SHENQIU NORTH INDUSTRY ZONE, HENAN, CHINA
for the PULP & PAPER
INDUSTRY
PRESS & DRYER PART STOCK PREPARATION • Press Felts • Drum Pulper • Dryer Fabrics • Centri Cleaners • C. I. Dryers / MG • High Pressure Screens • C. I. Press Rolls • Baskets Slotted / • C. I. Pope Reel Drum Perforated • Granite Rolls • Screw Press • Suction Press Rolls • Calendar & Calendar Rolls • Hot Disperser • Pocket Ventilation & Hood • Poly Disc Filter(PDF) • Online Felt / Screen Cleaners • Chest Agitators
PAPER MACHINE • Forming Fabrics • Head Box- Pressurised • Suction Boxes & Ceramic Covers • Suction Couch Rolls • Doctor Blades & Systems • Shower System & Nozzles • Vaccum Pumps
FINISHING HOUSE • Rewinder • Simplex Sheeter • Reel Handling System • Complete Warehousing Solutions (ASRS)
SHEETER
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL G-32, Suite No. 201, Hansraj Sethi Marg, New Delhi-110019 (INDIA) • Ph.: 011-41315501/02/03 • Fax : 011-41315506 • Mob.: +91 9810102608 • E-mail : aneja@allianceint.co, info@allianceint.co • Website: www.alliancepapermachinery.com
Also available used Equipments & Machines from Europe / USA
Design by: info@tulip3pmedia.in
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL Sales / Service Agents
Alliance International is a leading supplier of consumables, components, assemblies and new and used paper machinery. We represent well-known manufacturers in the pulp and paper industry who are known for their quality and reliable products. This enables us to provide cost effective solutions to the pulp & paper industry.
CONTENTS April-May, 2022, Paper Mart
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow of Technology .... 12
JK Paper: Riding the Technology Wave
TNPL to Revamp Kagithapuram Paper Unit and Adopt Latest Fourdrinier Wire Technology
Kuantum Papers: Integrating Innovation and Sustainability in New Product Development
Shah Paper Mills: Meeting Latest Requirements of Print & Packaging Industry
Seshasayee Paper and Boards Upgrades Machines, RDH Pulp Mill and Recovery Island
Scan Machineries: Upholding the Motto of 'Passion for Paper'
INTERVIEW
32
38
34 N R Agarwal Industries to Come up with India’s Single Largest Paper Machine in per day Capacity
Spento Papers India: Making the Right Moves
42 Keryas Paper Industry: Leading Paperboard Producer in Oman with 180,000 MTPA Capacity
48
APRIL Group: Betting Big on Pulp, Paper & Viscose
52
46 Devashray Papers: Embarking upon a New Journey
Bluecraft Agro: Addressing the Diverse Requirements of Starch for Paper & Board Industry
Servall Engineering: Keeping Pace with Technologies & Innovations
56
68
60 Moglix: Helping Companies Gain Visibility with Aesthetically Crafted Packaging Solutions
Kakati Karshak Industries: Well-Equipped to Widen the Offerings and Capabilities
66 New-Age Strategists at JMC Paper Tech
76
72 Cheema Boilers: Towards a Renewable Future
Proklean Technologies: Accelerating Sustainability in the Pulp & Paper Industry
Thai Tiger: BJC Cellox Aiming to be #1 in Tissue
94
Indian Paper Industry and Its Post Pandemic Prognosis
98
Product Watch
NEWS
Paperex 2022 Concludes on A High Note
78
Maintech: Technologies Providing Deposit-Free Coating on Dryer Section Surfaces
101 103
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow of Technology
T
he global paper & pulp market size is expected to reach USD 740.76 billion in 2030 and register revenue CAGR of 3.2 percent as per the latest report published by Reports and Data. Meanwhile, according to the industry body Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), the paper consumption in India is likely to witness 6-7 percent annual growth and reach 30 million tonnes by FY 2026-27. While India currently accounts for 5 percent of the world’s share, the production of paper in the country has been increasing every year, largely driven by an emphasis on education coupled with growth in e-commerce and organised retail segments amid single-use plastic ban. From raw material augmentation to water recycling measures, the paper mills have been taking remarkable steps in
12 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
every process of paper-making to remain globally competitive. Not just production, the export scenario of the sector looks equally promising. As per a recent statement by IPMA, paper & paperboard exports from India reached INR 13,963 crore in FY 21-22, up nearly 80 percent year on year. It further added that exports have been rising in the last few years due to capacity expansion and technological upgradation undertaken by Indian paper mills, leading to better product quality which has found wider acceptance globally.
of water and the effluent load to ETP and discharges were also high. However, the next 10 years saw tremendous technology upgradation in all sections of the mills. The pulp mills got modernised, efficient disc filters were upgraded and functioning of ETPs was greatly improved. Other technological advancements witnessed in the Indian paper industry include ECF bleaching, alkaline papermaking, a significant reduction in energy and steam consumption and improvement in the overall environmental management of the mill.
The Past: When the Industry Embraced Sustainability…
The Present: R&D and Innovation Happening in Big Ways
Until 1995, ETP was installed with conventional technology and there was less focus on its functioning. The mills were consuming a huge amount
While wood-based paper mills have been able to develop clonal saplings to grow in harsh conditions, the agrobased segment has mastered the art
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data analytics, robotics, etc., are instrumental in solving problems that seemed difficult to overcome through manual interventions. Besides increasing productivity, the manufacturing revolution will foster industrial growth and ultimately change the competitiveness of companies in an unbelievable way. While the paper industry still has a long way to go in the area of automation, the mills have understood that integrating all the functions within the industry is the need of the hour. Talking about the Industry 4.0 initiatives taken by Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Ltd. (TNPL), Mr. SVR Krishnan, Executive Director (Operations), TNPL says, “Though many companies invested heavily in ERP/ SAP systems, the effective utilisation of such systems for business performance is still less and TNPL is not an exception to this. The point is that having understood the gaps, TNPL now focuses on the training of the total workforce for the systems and also putting controls wherever needed. All the quality testing and reporting are done through ERP and also the process parameters are auto-controlled and captured in ERP.”
of fine paper making from what was previously considered an inferior raw material. Indian paper mills are continuously investing in R&D to develop a competitive advantage over other nations. An example of this is JK Paper Ltd. which has always leveraged technology for constant product upgradation. “On the pathway of moving the focus from commodity to branded and high-value categories, JK Paper Ltd. has undergone major technical up-gradation in the machines and processes for manufacturing paper. It was the first company to introduce surface-sized maplitho and laser paper in India. In a first-of-its-kind move in the branded paper segment, JK Paper joined hands with Hewlett Packard (HP) to avail of its ColorLok technology in producing copier paper,” said Mr. PK Suri, Technical Ad-
visor, JK Paper Ltd., adding “A lot of R&D work is still going on, as we have recently commissioned a new board machine in the Central Pulp Mill that has a range of special features such as making online aqueous coated boards, which can be directly used for the cups, unlike PE coating.”
The Future: On the Threshold of Industry 4.0 The fourth industrial revolution, also referred to as Industry 4.0 is here to change the face of the industry by enabling the mills to gather and analyse data across machines, which entails faster and more efficient processes for the production of higher quality products at lesser costs. Digitalisation has proven to be beneficial in areas such as energy-efficiency, productivity, reliability, safety and quality. Technologies such as automation,
“Online data captured through DCS, QCS and Power Bi is flashed to the mobile phones and iPad of all the senior executives and the controls are real-time. There are analyses on the sudden changes and long-term variations to take appropriate actions in the process. The real-time data capturing and subsequent analysis help us in taking very proactive steps towards predictive and preventive maintenance,” he added. In its latest report ‘Perspectives on paper and forest products in 2022,’ McKinsey & Company revealed that the immediate future of the paper and forest products industry will be characterised by two principal dimensions of change: sustainability and digital & analytics. As we celebrate National Technology Day on May 11, Paper Mart interacts with a few companies to know their technical reforms along with the key trends they foresee in the industry. www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022 | 13
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JK Paper:
Riding the Technology Wave Our constant endeavour, over the last decade, has been to upgrade our manufacturing processes at grassroot levels to help create customer value.
PM: What are your views on the technology and the business roadmap of the company? Mr. PK Suri, Technical Advisor, JK Paper Ltd.
Paper Mart: Please highlight the technology or quality development or up-gradation that recently took place at JK Paper Ltd. PK Suri: JK Paper Ltd. has always leveraged technology for constant product up-gradation and has been a pioneer in many areas, of the paper industry. Currently, we are integrating technology in three major product developments. Firstly, we are focusing on the reduction and elimination of single-use plastic products by replacing them with eco-friendly paper-based alternatives. Secondly, we have been working on the development of foodgrade and food safety packaging products that are aqueous-based, biodegradable, and completely devoid of plastics. Lastly, we are engaged in developing anti-fungal/ anti-bacterial/anti-microbial papers. We have already developed anti-bacterial paperboards for trial purposes. Recently, we have also introduced a
14 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
new range of copier papers, which are anti-microbial copier papers.
PM: Could you shed some light on the R&D and innovations at the company? PKS: On the pathway of moving the focus from commodity to branded and high-value categories, JK Paper Ltd. has undergone major technical up-gradation in the machines and processes for manufacturing paper. It was the first company to introduce surface-sized maplitho and laser paper in India. In a first-of-its-kind move in the branded paper segment, JK Paper joined hands with Hewlett Packard (HP) to avail of its ColorLok technology in producing copier paper. A lot of R&D work is still going on, as we have recently commissioned a new board machine in the Central Pulp Mill that has a range of special features such as making online aqueous coated boards, which can be directly used for the cups, unlike PE coating.
PKS: Our constant endeavour, over the last decade, has been to upgrade our manufacturing processes at grassroot levels to help create customer value. At JK Group, it has been a saga of continuous process development as we always strive to go ahead of our competitors in the market in terms of technology and other factors. As you might know, we have recently commissioned a bigger plant, and that can produce low-cost pulp in the country. We are the first in the industry to use petcoke in the paper industry lime kiln to reduce the cost of production. Apart from this, we also happen to be the first paper company in India to convert the waste stream (SOG) to useful methanol and use it in the lime kiln to reduce further costs and also to reduce consumptions of fossil fuels like Furnace oil. As I mentioned earlier, in our CPM unit, we have installed a new stateof-the-art packaging board machine with cutting-edge technology and unique features which only a few mills have in the world. In this way, we have always been trying to adopt newer technologies to reduce costs.
S•P•E•C•I•A•L F•E•A•T•U•R•E We are also working on how to reduce fossil fuels by replacing them with agro-based products. By adopting modern technology and process innovations, we have been able to reduce water consumption in our integrated mill to 27 cubic meters per tonne of paper which is one of the lowest in the industry. Our next agenda would be to reduce steam consumption and to generate more from the recovery boiler.
PM: Please elaborate on some of the Industry 4.0 initiatives taken by the company. PKS: We have been working on Industry 4.0 for a long time. In 2017-18,
we entered into a contract with ANDRITZ, who is the supplier for the pulp technology at our Rayagada plant. We had set up its Industry 4.0 enabled system to reduce the costs. We could optimize chemical consumptions and able to improve the quality of pulp by reducing process variations. Now, there is a company-wide digitalisation program going on across the value chains, aimed at reduction of operational costs in all the three units including the Logistics, Sales & Marketing. We have partnered with Accenture to drive this Digital transformation Journey.
Recently, JK Paper was conferred with the first-ever FICCI India Industry 4.0 Platinum Award for Overall Digitalisation Transformation category.
PM: Share your outlook on the Indian pulp and paper industry. PKS: As per today’s market, the pulp and paper industry is growing by leaps and bounds. The growth is mostly seen in the packaging segment. People are leaning towards online shopping and this change in consumer behaviour is playing a huge role in the growth of the packaging segment. The imports are now less. In the coming years, technology will play an important role in the paper industry.
TNPL to Revamp Kagithapuram Paper Unit and Adopt Latest Fourdrinier Wire Technology TNPL conceived and implemented the ideas like recovery of the paper machine boilout caustic for the reuse in the soda recovery plant, treatment of the backwater… R&D work is done in the field of ZLD approach, minimising the chloride deposits in SRP, segregating the effluent streams at source and treating them through Mechanical Vapour Recompression.
that recently took place at TNPL. Mr. SVR Krishnan, Executive Director (Operations), Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Ltd. (TNPL)
Paper Mart: Please highlight the technology or quality development or up-gradation 16 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
SVR Krishnan: At TNPL, we go for periodic CAPEX intervention for capacity enhancement with contemporary technologies. During the conceptualisation of any project, right from the selection of the technology and suitable machinery itself, the environment and the usage norms of the natural resources are kept in mind.
TNPL has always been the front runner in implementing the ‘stateof-the-art technologies’ thereby protecting the environment. TNPL is the only paper company in the country to go for a cement plant, just to mitigate the environmental issues relating to solid waste management. We have gone for the manufacture of a 600 TPD cement plant for using all our solid wastes like lime sludge, grits, fly
AIE Fiber Resource and Trading (India) Private Limited 3rd Floor, Megana Towers, Ayyappa Society Road, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500 081, Telangana, India. Phone: +91 40 6658 3451
www.paperone.com • indiapaper@aprilasia.com
S•P•E•C•I•A•L F•E•A•T•U•R•E
ash, and de-inked pulp plant sludge generated from the Kagithapuram Paper unit. The same plant was upgraded to 900 TPD after the commissioning of the coated packaging board plant in Mondipatti. At TNPL, every waste stream is considered as a by-product to make some other useful products. TNPL’s packaging board plant at Mondipatti is with the latest technology from Voith (Germany), having all the new generation equipment & components like a hydraulic headbox with dilution control, tandem shoe press, speed flow (metering size press), three-stage blade coating, and soft nip calendar. The entire machine is loaded with the complete automation, having 6 on-line scanners, for monitoring and controlling the process parameters and the final product quality, under Real Time Quality Management (RTQM) at TNPL. In our journey of continual improvements and the business sustenance, TNPL has installed and commissioned the Gen3 HW fiber line, based on Eucalyptus and Casuarina species, with the capacity of 1,40,000 TPA, supplied by Valmet (Finland) and also the recovery island supplied by Andritz along with other accessories supplied by Bossco and Raumaster were recently commissioned at Mondipatti plant, making it the most modern integrated pulp & paper mill in the country. These facilities are with the most modern technology to date, resulting in the lowest water and energy usage. It is also to be noted here that the extent of automation implemented from start to end, enables the seamless integration of the entire process with the ERP modules and also IIOT platform.
PM: Could you shed some light on the R&D and innovations at TNPL?
the paper machine boilout caustic for the reuse in the soda recovery plant, treatment of the backwater from the process streams for the reuse in the chemical preparation, dilution and also for the equipment cleaning in the process, except the paper machine felts cleaning showers and the usage of the probiotics in the fiber lines for reducing the hazardous chemical usage to a great extent. A good amount of R&D work is done in the field of ZLD approach, minimising the chloride deposits in SRP, segregating the effluent streams at source and treating them through Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) technology modules, alternate fuels for the cement kilns and power boilers in both the units, superior high-yielding clones of both Eucalyptus and Casuarina and probiotic treatment of the pulp, for reducing the consumption of chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. There is good work done by the R&D department in developing tailor-made new products for niche applications like Aura Brilliant Plus, Aura Flute Supreme, Aura Siksha and Aura Gnan grades, for various packaging, cup base and publication segments, etc.
PM: What are your views on the technology and the business roadmap of the company? SVRK: At Kagithapuram Paper Unit, we will be revamping the total steam and power systems for better efficiency, and economy and to be future-ready for meeting standards to protect the environment. Both PM1 and PM2 will be rebuilt with the latest fourdrinier wire technology for a wider range of production and quality enhancement.
SVRK: Innovation is something when great ideas are conceived and simply implemented in the process, bringing quantum benefits to the organisation.
The finishing house will be equipped with the latest technology sheet cutters along with the material handling systems with necessary automation, for enhancing the finished product quality and to reduce the converting and handling losses.
In this way, TNPL conceived and implemented the ideas like recovery of
At Mondipatti plant, we will be taking up the second phase of the mill
18 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
expansion plan (MEP - Phase: 2), with one more packaging board machine with the capacity of 200,000 TPA, one more power boiler and TG. It is also under consideration to add a Eucalyptus-based BCTMP plant, with the capacity of 100,000 TPA. As both the units have become fullfledged integrated pulp & paper mills, the wood requirement is phenomenal and we will require close to 1.2 million tons of wood and to meet this requirement of pulp wood, the company is aggressively doing its farm forestry activities, covering almost 25000 acres of land per every year.
PM: Please elaborate on some of the Industry 4.0 initiatives taken by the company. SVRK: Though many companies invested heavily in ERP/SAP systems, the effective utilisation of such systems for business performance is still less and TNPL is not an exception to this. The point is that having understood the gaps, TNPL now focuses on the training of the total workforce for the systems and also putting controls wherever needed. All the quality testing and reporting are done through ERP and also the process parameters are auto-controlled and captured in ERP. Online data captured through DCS, QCS and Power Bi is flashed to the mobile phones and iPad of all the senior executives and the controls are real-time. There are analyses on the sudden changes and long-term variations to take appropriate actions in the process. The real-time data capturing and subsequent analysis help us in taking very proactive steps towards predictive and preventive maintenance. As the automation levels are extensive, with contemporary technology, the focus now is to make the operations robust, consistent, avoiding variability, reducing the wattages/ losses and improving the bottom line. TNPL very enthusiastically follows the ‘Triple P’ Concept - People, Planet & Profit.
MOAR VALUE The Paper Village...
NUMBER
India's No.1 Tissue Paper Reel Trading Company Authorised Dealer of Orient Paper and Industries Ltd. in North India Vikas Moar Mobile: +91 9068310683 Email: moarvalue@gmail.com
Address: # 1109, Padma Tower-I Rajendra Place, New Delhi-110008
MV Customer Care: 1800-532-9300
SHRI VEER BALA JI PAPER MILL Shree Veer Balaji Paper Mill is located at Tigri Village, Muzaffarnagar, (Uttar Pradesh) is one of the leading manufacturers of Mill Board, Kraft Board & Uncoated Duplex Board. We are associated with reputed dealers all over India. We have achieved a significant growth within very short span of time. The installed capacity of the plant is 3750 metric tonne per month.
Factory: Village Tigri, Bhopa Road, Mazaffarnagar - 251001 (U.P.) Mob.: 9997992213 E-mail: infosvbjpm@gmail.com
Delhi Office: # 1109, Padma Tower-I Rajendra Place, New Delhi-110008
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Kuantum Papers:
Integrating Innovation and Sustainability in New Product Development We are currently working on the development of moisture barrier paper as a replacement for plastic packaging, which once developed, will not only add another pathbreaking sustainable product to our product portfolio but also, go a long way in reducing plastic usage.
• Installation of 380 TPD new pulp mill with oxygen delignification adopting ECF-based technology;
Mr. Yogendra Kumar Varshney, Sr. Vice President, Plant Operations, Kuantum Papers Ltd.
Paper Mart: Please highlight technology and quality development or up-gradation that recently took place. Yogendra Kumar Varshney: Technology dynamics are ever-changing and the paper industry is no exception. There have been significant changes happening in global as well as domestic paper industries. As a frontrunner in leveraging the best technology, Kuantum Papers Ltd. (KPL) has undertaken various upgradation projects in recent times. A few of them are listed below:
20 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
• Installation of a chemical recovery boiler with a capacity of 500 TPD Black liquor solids firing, with SRS system from Andritz; • Installation of 220 TPH water evaporation capacity Evaporator supplied by Andritz with 65 percent outlet concentration of black liquor with 70 percent agro & 30 percent wood mix; • Installation of new ESP supplied by HRC with the latest norms (50 mg/Nm3); • Installed DAF & Belt filter press supplied by Krofta engineering for separating solid waste from Effluent; • Upgradation of PM3 & PM4 with dilution-controlled Bellmer make Head box, Press part upgradation, Rewinder from Globe, encoder less silent drives & QCS from ABB;
• Online enzymatic starch cooking system from ADPAP; • White water clarifier from Westech & Multi-plate settler (MPS) for reuse of backwater & to reduce effluent load; • Installed 130 TPH CFBC multifuel boiler working pressure 110 kg/ cm2 & temperature 530°C& state of the art 5 field ESP having outlet emissions 50 mg/Nm3 along with 20 MWLP extraction cum condensing Siemens turbine; • Installed 8 MW Siemens make MP extraction cum condensing turbine to use Recovery boiler (Andritz) steam with pressure 67 kg/ cm2 & temperature 460 °C; • Installed ION exchange makes DM plant of 80 m3/hr capacity & softener plant (250 m3/hr); • Installed latest technology A4 cutter line 60 TPD, Synchro sheeter capacity 90 TPD from Line-oMatic.
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All these technological upgradations have led to visible savings in water & energy consumption, considerable improvement in product quality & overall enhancement in efficiency & productivity of the plant. With innovation and sustainability as our axis for new product development, we have been able to churn out quality grades in the specialty paper segment, namely thermal paper, carry bag paper, cup stock, antifungal paper for soap wrapping & photo paper.
PM: What have you been doing to foster innovation and R&D at your workplace? YKV: We, at Kuantum, have a fully equipped state-of-the-art Research and Development laboratory which is ISO 9001 certified laboratory and also approved by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) MoS&T. The lab consists of all the advanced equipment and instruments required for product testing and analysis, such as spectrophotometer, fiber analyser & high-performance liquid chromatography used for the analysis of pulp constituents of cellulose and hemicellulose for continuous quality improvement. We are currently working on the development of moisture barrier paper as a replacement for plastic packaging, which once developed, will not only add another pathbreaking sustainable product to our product portfolio but also, go a long way in reducing plastic usage. Apart from this, we are also undertaking a research project on high-yielding varieties of Eucalyptus and Poplar and also testing the efficacy of alternate pulp wood species i.e Casuarina, Subabul & Melia species.
PM: What is your technology and business roadmap for the coming times? YKV: We are an environmentally responsible company and our future plans are aligned with our green initiatives. We are going to scale up our production numbers and we plan to do so sustainably. Some of the salient features of our future roadmap are as:
22 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
• Increasing our total capacity from 150000 TPA to 350000 TPA by installing a paper & paperboard plant;
operational and financial controls and checks
• Capacity enhancement of our existing paper machine from 150000 TPA to 165000 TPA by modifying press parts and steam and condensate system;
• Working on capturing real-time data in SAP from DCS through automation for achieving zero-error real-time data input and report generation with accessibility on multiple platforms and devices.
• Utilising our pulping capacity for the tableware industry as a replacement for single-use plastic;
• Deployment of advanced and robust network security infrastructure.
• Installation of rooftop solar panel with an electricity generation capacity of up to 2 MW;
• Partnered with Tier 1 partners for implementation and maintenance of IT Infrastructure including SAP.
• Scaling up our recycling and recovery process through increased black liquor firing in the recovery boiler to achieve higher pulp production; • Further advancement of our stateof-the-art hi-tech clonal nursery for the production of quality saplings. We are planning to expand clonal saplings production to 1 crore per annum within the next five years; • Social & Farm forestry promotion in the region to provide an additional source of income to local farmers by developing barren & marginal land.
PM: Kindly elaborate on some of the industry 4.0 initiatives taken by your company. YKV: We always endeavour to remain one of the frontrunners in adopting advanced technology and implementing industry 4.0 initiatives. Some of the initiatives which we have taken or are planning to take are as follows: • Driving digital transformation at Kuantum with the best-in-class ERP SAP S4 HANA as the base. We have integrated business process mapping across all core business modules including Procure to Pay, Record to Report, Order to Cash, Production Planning and Control Plant Maintenance, Project Systems and Quality Management in SAP which is seamlessly recording data, driving processes and churning out analytical reports for decision making with all the requisite
PM: With a plan in place to reduce carbon emissions, the paper industry is switching to sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. Please take us through some of the energy-efficient technologies by your company. YKV: At Kuantum, we have defined sustainability as one of our core values and that is something we follow in letter and spirit. We have taken quite a few initiatives in this regard such as utilising waste of agriculture and plywood industry as a raw material for paper production and installation of highly efficient CFBC boiler and state-of-the-art technology turbine which has reduced energy inputs and increased energy efficiency thereby reducing carbon emissions. The by-product of the pulp mill is converted to usable fuel and is fired in the boiler to generate steam and power. We use agricultural waste like rice husk, waste wood dust and bagasse pith as a fuel for our boilers to generate steam and power, thus saving coal consumption. We are generating methane gas from agricultural waste - this is clean fuel that reduces carbon emissions. We are in the process of installing a rooftop solar plant up to 2 MW capacity and replacing conventional lights with LED. We have reduced energy consumption greatly by using VFDs for power saving. We have completed PAT1 and PAT2 cycle and have been awarded multiple times for energy conservation.
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CLYDE INDUSTRIES SOOTBLOWER DESIGN Clyde Industries RSM-H International sootblower was designed with three main objectives illustrated in the three-legged-stool below:
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Shah Paper Mills:
Meeting Latest Requirements of Print & Packaging Industry At SPML, we have the flexibility of making recycled, blended as well as virgin grades of paper. There’s an enhancement of value-added products and we are able to provide low-cost solutions to convertors.
Mr. Pritesh Shah, Joint Managing Director, Shah Paper Mills Ltd.
Paper Mart: Please highlight technology and quality development or up-gradation that recently took place. Pritesh Shah: At Shah Paper Mills Ltd. (SPML), with the implementation of ERP, we have integrated the entire manufacturing process to have the advantage of efficient and faster processing of data, making it more flexible and giving real-time input. Some of the examples of the technological development at our mill include drum pulper, virgin sheet, double screening, centricleaner system, top former, film press, online QCS system, high-speed winder, and folio sheeter. We have installed a multi-fuel boiler and condensing cum extraction turbine at our mill. Drying of the deinking sludge is done using hot flue gas of
24 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
the boiler and utilisation of the deinking sludge as alternate fuel in the boiler thereby saving conventional fuel.
cell. Further, to reduce the black spot/ dirt in the finished paper, we plan to install a DIP Loop2 disperser.
There has been a shift to surface-sized grades. At SPML, we have the flexibility of making recycled, blended as well as virgin grades of paper. There’s an enhancement of value-added products and we are able to provide low-cost solutions to convertors.
Other machinery include centricleaner and deculator system to improve the product quality, top former, tri-nip, film size press and caliper control system at Calender, high speed tail feeding conveyor at the size press, and new design online fabric cleaner for better moisture profile and water saving.
PM: What have you been doing to foster innovation and R&D at your workplace? PS: We have been replacing existing low-margin products with a new product range with better margins and meeting the latest requirements of the printing and packaging industry. While the customer base remains unchanged, the upgraded latest products range gives deeper reach to the customer base with a further firm footing in market share.
PM: What is your technology and business roadmap for the coming times? PS: In order to ensure improvements in capacity and quality as well as reduction in fiber losses at Shah Paper Mills, we will install DIP Loop1 new Deinking
With the major efforts by the Government to educate the masses through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA), India still has to go a long way in ensuring 100 percent literacy. Thus, providing paper to fulfill the requirements of the education segment will be a priority at SPML and we will ensure to play our part in this segment, where we already exist as an important player. SPML will be entering markets with better quality of surface-sized maplitho, thus adding a totally new segment to its customer base while competing with the best of the players in the market. Whatever inroads we will make, will be an addition to our business volumes and market reach. SPML has already started trials of white top kraft liners along with the existing product range of high-strength kraft and test liners. Thus, adding premium packaging grade to our range
TM
SPRAYING SOLUTIONS
AN ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED COMPANY
Prioritising Top-Notch Quality & Reliability.
Sidhumatic Robo Jet cleaner is used for cleaning the wire/felts with three jet nozzles to reduce the fresh water consumption with better cleaning of paper clothing on paper machine.
OUR PRODUCTS: • SHOWERS • OSCILLATORS • SPRAY NOZZLES • WEDGE FILTERS • ROBO CLEANERS Compound 33/16, Site-2, Industrial Area, Hindon Air Force Loni Road, P.O. - Mohan Nagar, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad-201007 UP India Contact: 09810636863, 09899889855, 09910320682, 09999070778 | E-mail: rahul_basra21@rediffmail.com, spraying.solutions@gmail.com, Info@sidhuindustries.com, sanjivbasra03@gmail.com | Website: www.sidhuindustries.com
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will enhance our market reach. Overall, this will give a major shift to SPML in the domestic market with an improved position amongst competitors.
PM: With a plan in place to reduce carbon emissions, paper mills are switching to sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. Please take us through some of
the energy-efficient technologies at your company. PS: Some of the energy-efficient technologies at SPML include installation of VFD, high-speed turbine to improve the power/fuel ratio, energy-efficient higher capacity screw compressor replacing the reciprocating type low-capacity compressors and closed hood for dryer section.
As a part of our goal of reducing carbon emissions, we are switching over to sustainable and energy-efficient solutions to fulfill our partial requirement of power. Accordingly, we have tied up for 3.3MW of power through wind-solar hybrid energy under group captive mode which would be made available to us from the next financial year 2023.
Seshasayee Paper and Boards Upgrades Machines, RDH Pulp Mill and Recovery Island The Company had drawn up Mill Development Plan – III at an estimated cost of INR 315 crores. The work on the project commenced in the financial year 2019-20 and was successfully completed in the financial year 2021-22.
Mr. Ganesh Bhadti, Director (Operations), Seshasayee Paper & Boards Ltd., Unit – Erode
Paper Mart: Please highlight technology and quality development or up-gradation that recently took place. Ganesh Bhadti: We, at Seshasayee Paper & Boards Ltd., are progressing
26 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
firmly on the technology & quality front with time. To establish and sustain our business, we took several measures to increase the production of paper and pulp in our unit: Erode. The Company had drawn up Mill Development Plan – III (MDP – III) at an estimated cost of INR 315 crore. The work on the project commenced in the financial year 2019-20 and was successfully completed in the financial year 2021-22. MDP – III, at Unit: Erode, consists of: • Upgradation of MF#3, MF#1, MG, MF#2 to improve product quality, for the manufacture of value-added products, to expand the product segments & to increase production volume.
• Upgradation and modernisation of the RDH pulp mill to increase the capacity to 154000 tonnes per annum. • Upgradation of the recovery island for sustainability & to take care of enhanced pulp production.
PM: What have you been doing to foster innovation and R&D at your workplace? GB: We work on incremental innovations that emerge through continuous development of what already exists by generating new skills and new knowledge at and through work. To make it understandable, say we practice from 3 R to 6 R which is the trend of moving from green manu-
GO
Ax chem Group
RESPONSIBLE SUSTAINABLE AXCHEM®
Is Colour of Your Effluent Is Alarming !!! AXCHEM® has extended its continual improvement technology towards environmental-friendly concept with modified & customized economical solutions to treat the pulp & paper industries effluent by reducing the effluent water colour Pt. Co. values of discharge water. This concept enables paper makers to reuse the effluent water with lesser colour for various purpose where freshwater consumption can be reduced like cleaning showers & also for agricultural purpose without hang back to farmers with respect to water colour. Objective: n Reduce the ETP discharge water Colour n Maximize the usage of effluent water into the system n Support ZLD concept n Minimize the odor of effluent treated water by decoloring concept Merits of Colour removal Technology n Maximum recovery of sludge in DAF by better coagulation & flocculation n Encourage farmers to use ETP discharge water without hesitation n Can partially reduce freshwater consumption in specific areas of plant n Reduced Suspended solids
faster sedimentation sludge and reduced suspended solids gives clear water with lesser Pt. Co. values. Case Study–An integrated mill producing woodbased pulp with variety of paper grades, generating 3 22000 to 30000 m / day of combined effluent, ending with higher Pt. Co. values after conventional effluent treatment and unable to reach the targeted reduction in colour of treated water. Axchem's team approached the mill manager to fix the issues with colour removal technology. The application started with screened products from ® AXCHEM range along with mineral coagulant from mill. The dosages of mineral coagulant were in the range of 300 to 400 ppm whereas organic flocculant & decolouring agents were 1-2 ppm & 100-150 ppm respectively.
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Mineral coagulant + Organic Mineral coagulant + Organic Coagulant + Decolourant flocculant + Decolourant
Decant water of Treated Effluent
Working Mechanism The customized Axchem's colour removal technology, encourage the suspended organic & inorganic particles to bridge each other with the help of combination of mineral coagulants/organic coagulants & organic flocculants. The decolouring agent will further help to form macro floc formation of lignin coming from pulp mill effluent along with organic & inorganic particles present in the effluent. This increases the specific gravity of flocs, resulting
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Mineral coagulant + Organic Mineral coagulant + Organic Coagulant + Decolourant flocculant + Decolourant
Axchem's colour removal technology delivered a reduction 80 – 85 % in Pt. Co. values discharge water in comparison with conventional ETP treatment.
“Let's build a new friendly relationship with Nature” Axchem Solutions India Private Limited
19, JNPC, Ponnuru Village, Parawada Mandal, Visakhapatnam – 531021, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA Email: info@axchem-india.com, Website: www.axchemgroup.com
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facturing to sustainable manufacturing. Coming to R&D activities, I agree that this is a critical factor for a business to stay competitive and get ahead of the competition. We also agree that we lag behind developed nations in terms of R&D. But there are compelling reasons. Given the low per capita consumption of paper in India and the small size of our units, it is impossible to allocate sizeable resources for R&D. Paper units have a core R&D team, undertaking applied R&D though not fundamental R&D. We have a core R&D team, manned by competent professionals, well-experienced in paper manufacturing. Our focus is on new product development, process improvements, and optimisation of products, often utilising the vendor’s expertise. Our concentration on R&D also extends to the adoption of green manufacturing and clean production concepts in our operations as well as our supply chain. We have been able to make sustained improvements in our products, develop new products to meet the specific need and requirements of our customers, reduce the use of fossil fuels and minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through our R&D efforts.
PM: What is your technology and business roadmap for the coming times? GB: In order to meet the customer demand, new products for the packaging segment were developed and introduced in the market. There is a good response on quality from the consumers and order quantity is increasing. To highlight, our new products are in multilayer products like MF plain kraft from MF1 which are received well by the customers and we are receiving repeat orders too in this product. Then, multilayer cup stock (Prime) for manufacturing paper cups is another area of development. We entered into new segments viz. paper
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bags, corrugation, deep-coloured wedding cards, paper cups (for wall), mono cartons, rigid cartons, packaging, match industry, notebook cover, etc. with our new products stated above. We manufactured and supplied tablet paper to the US market and received orders for the same product from Ivory Coast too. Also, we started marketing cut size copier with a new attractive multi-coloured laminated wrapper and carton. We have developed suitable wrappers and cartons to market Sprint Plus 80 GSM in A3 and folio sizes. We are supplying stationery items (pads) for the first time to ‘Dollar Tree’, a popular chain of stores. To add, for the first time, we have supplied copier grade reels to the US (to be converted into branded copiers in the US) and entered into new overseas markets viz. Chile and Mexico. We are in the process of developing some more new multilayer products viz. carton board, and kraft liner boards for different and new segments. We received orders for these products after the first commercial run, and expect to get more orders.
PM: With a plan in place to reduce carbon emissions, paper mills are switching to sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. Please take us through some of the energyefficient technologies at your company. GB: The Company promoted an innovative Lift Irrigation Scheme in 1985 to provide treated wastewater to farmers for growing sugarcane on about 2000 acres of dry land. The sugarcane produced is supplied to the sugar mill which in turn supplies bagasse to the paper mill. This tripartite (SPB, Farmers, and Ponni Sugars) arrangement has been in successful operations for the last 30 years. This unique Lift Irrigation Scheme has been commended for its novel and innovative strategy to turn dry lands into green cane fields.
We have had an ongoing farm forestry program since 2005 to augment pulpwood raw material availability and to become self-sustainable in meeting our wood requirements through plantations established in non-forest areas. Our farm forestry model uses unused cultivable lands owned by marginal farmers for raising eucalyptus or casuarina or Melia dubia as a commercial venture for sale to market and to paper mills including our company. The Company has a well-equipped nursery to produce clonal seedlings and has established over 20 satellite nurseries, closer to areas of cultivation and provides limited clonal seedlings (25 lakh per annum) and over 12 crore of bare-rooted seedlings from various satellite nurseries. The plantation area covered is about 15,000 to 20,000 acres annually and we expect the 3-year cycle for casuarina and 5-year cycle for eucalyptus would yield about 6 lakh tonnes of wood annually, equivalent to our current requirement of wood for pulp production. The farmers are free to sell the trees when harvested to people of their choice including our Company. Our requirements for bagasse are met by our associate sugar mill, promoted by us. We have thus ensured total raw material security and a circular economy which is being practiced for more than 3 decades. We have been constantly implementing schemes to conserve energy and water consumption besides improving our chemical recovery. We could bring down our water consumption by 35 percent in the last 2/3 years, specific steam consumption by 12 percent, and specific power consumption by 6 percent. GHG Emission has been brought down by 10 percent in the last 2 years. With the carbon sequestration through our tree farming and sugarcane cultivation together with lower usage of fossil fuels, the company has become carbon positive.
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Scan Machineries:
Upholding the Motto of Passion for Paper’ Digital Twin is a very new concept that we are looking forward to working on, especially for paper mills that would like to find the trends in physical and chemical properties of new potential paper grades to open a bigger market for them.
(L-R) Mr. Vinod Nargunam, Executive Director and Mr. Christy Selvan, Works Director, Scan Machineries Pvt. Ltd.
Paper Mart: Please highlight technology and quality development or up-gradation that recently took place. Vinod Nargunam: Scan Machineries Pvt. Ltd. has many exciting things aligned for paper mills looking for ways to improve quality with our engineered products. We have designed and developed a new generation hydraulic jet headbox jointly with a European company. Currently, we are the only Indian manufacturer achieving the highest sheet formation with better cross profiles and uniform fiber orientation. One of them was recently supplied and commissioned at Emami Paper Mills. In addition, we have started manufacturing high-end pressurised rectifier roll jet headboxes for achieving the
30 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
highest paper quality at low speeds of paper machines. Our high-speed winders are now manufactured with automatic slitter knife positioning systems for faster roll width changes and for improving safety. Scan Machineries has also started to design and manufacture calendar rolls, specifically swimming rolls (kuster rolls), with a European supplier. And one of our customers has already witnessed the quality improvement by replacing their Chinese calendar with our newly supplied swimming calendar roll. Since our products are increasingly designed to be state-of-the-art, our love for automation has also grown wherein we have now started to take up projects with DCS and SCADA systems. The DCS system has been sought after nowadays along with our products for better data-driven analytics and control making it easier for
operation and taking faster decisions in paper mills.
PM: What have you been doing to foster innovation and R&D at your workplace? Christy Selvan: We have started to work with a wide range of experienced companies in their respective product offerings for the paper industry. This has been motivating our team to keep developing and enhancing the quality of our products through frequent R&D trials and engineering at our production facility. We are always open to embracing feedback from the team of engineers and testing out new ideas.
PM: What is your technology and business roadmap for the coming times?
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VN: We see that our newly launched products – hydraulic jet headbox, pressurised rectifier roll jet headbox, and our swimming calendar rolls – have been getting an increased demand in not just the Indian market but also globally, which shows the trust of customers in our products. Our business model has always been to offer the right solutions to our customers according to their requirements. ‘Passion for Paper’ has always been our motto and we stand true to it by offering the right solutions to produce the highest quality of the paper.
PM: Kindly elaborate on some of the industry 4.0 initiatives taken by your company. CS: Scan Machineries’ automation solutions for paper mills are now active in the market. We are not just
working on the level of process and automation systems in DCS but we are also working on the engineering station level necessary for engineering the ease of control between all operations in the paper mill. We are now working with paper mills to provide those Analytics of Data and finding trends in their production processes in the form of KPIs and graphs. Digital Twin is a very new concept that we are looking forward to working on, especially for paper mills that would like to find the trends in physical and chemical properties of new potential paper grades to open a bigger market for them. For this, we require historical data on the paper mill and advanced Machine Learning (ML) models.
PM: With a plan in place to reduce carbon emissions, the
paper industry is switching to sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. Please take us through some of the energy-efficient technologies by your company. VN: One of the main energy efficiency targets in a paper mill is power consumption. This can be reduced drastically by selecting the right products, machinery and automation tools necessary to save energy while reducing costs. Scan Machineries offers consultancy services consisting of years of paper industry experience necessary to find out the mishaps where energy-efficient system solutions are applicable. Using alternate sources of energy rather than burning coal also plays a huge role in reducing carbon emissions drastically. It can be seen that gas-fired boilers and the burning of wood or bio waste can also reduce carbon emissions.
CRAFTING EVERLASTING PARTNERSHIPS ON PAPER Reotech Process Equipment Pvt. Ltd. (RPEPL), formerly known as Enmas Pulp & Paper Projects Pvt. Ltd is in the business of design, engineering, project management, manufacturing, supply, erection, commissioning and services of Process Equipment, plant & Systems for the pulp, paper and process industry in the area of chemical recovery and power. The products that Reotech supplies to the Pulp & Paper Industry on a turnkey basis are as follows: • Black liquour Evaporator plant • Chemical Recovery Boiler • Foul condensate Stripping System • NCG Handling & Burning System (LVHC & HVLC) • Re-causticizing Plant • Lime Kiln • Electrostatic Precipitator • Power Boiler Our services for Chemical Recovery Plants: • Design & Engineering Services • Retrofits - Renovation & Modernization • Rebuild & Capacity upgrades • Field Inspection services & troubleshooting • Process studies & Performance Optimization audit • Condition Assessment studies & Health Restoration • Spare parts
FEW OF OUR COMPLETED PROJECTS:
Chemical Recovery Boiler - Rebuild & Capacity Upgrade
BL Evaporation Plant Capacity Augmentation
Satia Industries Ltd., Muktsar, Punjab
Seshasayee Paper & Boards Ltd., Pallipalayam, Erode
REOTECH PROCESS EQUIPMENT PVT. LTD. Old No. 484-485, New No. 28-30 1st Floor, Pantheon Plaza, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008 Mail : proposals@reotechglobal.com Tel. +91 4461332100 Web: www.reotechglobal.com
BL Evaporation Plant JK JK Paper Ltd., CPM, Songadh, Gujarat
TRICHY MANUFACTURING FACILITY Plot No.: 233A/ 7 & 8, Pudukudi village, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu - 613402 E-mail: manufacturingfacility@reotechglobal.com Mob: +91 9025400481
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N R Agarwal Industries to Come up with India’s Single Largest Paper Machine in per day Capacity We are installing a 15 MW cogeneration plant and necessary additional ETP required for the new board plant. The product portfolio of our machine is FBB, SBS, recycled duplex board – grey back & white back boards.
machine in per day capacity. We have finalised all the major orders and currently, civil construction and detailed engineering work are in progress. Mr. R N Agarwal, Chairman & Managing Director, N R Agarwal Industries Ltd.
E
stablished in 1993 and engaged in manufacturing quality finished paper products, N R Agarwal Industries Ltd. serves both domestic and international markets with high-quality paper products. Headquartered in Mumbai (India), the Company has its manufacturing facilities located in Vapi and Sarigam, Gujarat. With products of superior quality, N R Agarwal Industries has made its presence felt in India and the globe and now plans to increase its installed production capacity by almost double with a new duplex board plant. Paper Mart interviewed Mr. R N Agarwal, Chairman & Managing Director, N R Agarwal Industries Ltd., wherein he shared some interesting details about the upcoming project.
Paper Mart: N R Agarwal Industries is coming up with a new 900 TPD project. Would you please brief us more about the development and the decision behind it? What kind of opportunities did you foresee in the industry? R N Agarwal: Yes, we are coming up with a 900 TPD duplex board plant and it will be India’s single largest paper
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We are one of the pioneers in duplex board manufacturing in the country and currently, the domestic duplex board market is growing at an annual rate of 8 percent. Due to the requirement for more packaging in the current online business environment, we believe that this growth would continue in the future also. So we decided to add on to our existing capacity and with the new efficient production line, our overhead costs would come down very much and this will make us more competitive in the market and help us to achieve a higher growth rate for our shareholders.
PM: Take us through the infrastructure setup, product portfolio, technology and machinery to be installed for the project. RNA: The new board plant is coming up in our existing campus at Sarigam, Vapi in which we already have a 300 TPD writing printing paper machine. We are also installing a 15 MW cogeneration plant and necessary additional ETP required for the new board plant. The product portfolio of our machine is FBB, SBS, recycled duplex boards – grey back, and white back boards. We have selected all the best vendors available in the field, and with their efficient design and technology, we believe
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that we will be able to commission one of the finest board machines in our country.
PM: Have you identified any area wherein N R Agarwal Industries has introduced some kind of improvisation in its upcoming project? RNA: We are installing a waste-to-energy high-pressure boiler (220 TPD) with a 7 MW turbine which will be the single largest waste heat recovery boiler in the Indian paper industry. We are upgrading our existing turbine to an energy-efficient turbine from 15 MW to 18 MW. Also, we are installing a sludge drying plant where we will dry our deinking sludge and ETP biomass and we use it as a support fuel in our boiler, thus having a zero solid waste disposal from our plant.
PM: What are the future roadmap and growth strategies of the company? RNA: We are one of the leading manufacturers of recycled board and writing and printing paper. With the new production line, we would like to establish ourselves as the top leader in the recycled packaging board segment. We are also planning to enter into the virgin grade qualities like FBB, SBS & cup stock. By the successful commissioning of
the plant, we will double our installed production capacity from 3,00,000 TPA to 6,00,000 TPA. We are having a plan to install an integrated mill with hardwood & BCTMP pulp as a future expansion and we are in the early stage of field study in that.
PM: What do you think are the key trends behind the growth of the Indian pulp & paper industry? RNA: We are entering into a new phase as we recover from the pandemic and as we grow, the two major areas related to the paper industry which have increased consumption trends are the packaging grade and tissue, due to an increase in personal hygiene and online business developments. Going forward, these two products will have a higher growth rate compared to other paper grades. We can witness the addition of production capacities in these grades. But with these growth opportunities, we also have the challenge of higher commodity prices particularly coal, chemical, and raw materials. Only paper mills with efficient operating and procurement strategies will be able to sustain this storm. We are geared up for these opportunities and challenges with our dedicated and talented team and we are confident that we will be successful in our journey.
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Spento Papers India:
Making the Right Moves We are planning to expand our capacity by 2000 metric tonnes in the next four months and start commercial production of white top kraft liner ranging from 180-200 GSM soon.
of paper products per month, out of which around 5000 metric tonnes are exported.
PM: Please tell us your infrastructure and product portfolio with its USPs.
Mr. Ramesh Vaghela, Head of Overseas Operations, Spento Papers India LLP
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ith its headquarters and mills in Morbi, Spento Papers India LLP is one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of coated white back and grey back duplex boards. Equipped with imported and most advanced manufacturing machines which are in line with international quality and standards, the Gujarat-based mill aims to fulfill the requirements and prerequisites of the consumers with the best solutions in the industry. Established in 2018, the company has gained a good reputation among its clients in a very short span of time. Paper Mart interviewed Mr. Ramesh Vaghela, Head of Overseas Operations, Spento Papers India LLP to know more about the journey and future plans of the mill.
Paper Mart: Could you present a brief overview of Spento Papers along with its crucial milestones? Ramesh Vaghela: Spento Papers India LLP is one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of coated duplex boards in Morbi, Gujarat. Established in 2018, the focus of Spento Papers India is to produce the best quality products and provide the most satisfactory customer service to fill the requirements and prerequisites of the clients. The Spento Papers’ ideology is to uniquely and sustainably manufacture the high-quality coated duplex board paper products while maintaining a healthy environment and we’ve been able to achieve that in a very short period of time. Currently, we produce about 10,000 metric tonnes
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RV: Our Company is armed with advanced coated duplex board paper manufacturing machines. The mill is spread across 700000 square feet area and the machines are imported from China. We use high-quality raw materials and operate four-wire part adaptable paper machines to produce a wide portfolio of products. We produce the grey back and white back board and white top kraft liner, and provide in reel and sheet form. In grey back board, we mainly produce light weight coated paper board called Splenta and high weight coated board called Spendura. We also produce white back called ‘Spendura Bright’. Our products compete well with the international quality and standards of coated duplex board paper finish and finesse. The paperboards have impressive attributes of high stiffness and rigidity. They have a slick surface, high smoothness, and are extensively printable, which makes further use of the pa-
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We carefully analyse the three Rs of sustainability – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in each phase, from manufacturing to exporting products, ensuring that every aspect of our business is subject to the strict environmental policy.
pers versatile with production aiding features. The coated white back duplex board features eight-level composition and uniform coating. Made from recycled paper pulp, it is eco-friendly and a food-grade product. Meanwhile, the coated grey back duplex boards are created with a white exterior and grey interior layer. The exteriors are calendared on one side, providing a white and smooth surface suited for offset printing and a coated grey texture inside. Coated with bright pulp pigments, it provides a glossy appearance and the feature also facilitates better-quality printability.
PM: Keeping your core competence in view, what are your expansion plans? RV: In the next four months, we plan to expand our capacity by 2000 metric tonnes. Besides emphasising on technology advancement, we are also planning to introduce new products in near future. We have taken a successful trial run for white top kraft liner and would start the commer-
We produce the grey back and white back board and white top kraft liner, and provide in reel and sheet form. In grey back board, we mainly produce light weight coated paper board called Splenta and high weight coated board called Spendura. We also produce white back called ‘Spendura Bright’.
cial production of the white top kraft liner ranging from 180-200 GSM soon.
PM: Let us know the names of the countries where you export your products. RV: We export to more than twenty countries and have around five hundred happy clients. Currently, we are exporting paper to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Iran, Iraq, South Africa, and North America among others. We have recently shipped our products to Spain and other European countries.
PM: What is your outlook on the Indian pulp & paper industry? RV: The paper industry is growing rapidly after the pandemic and this offers more opportunities to mills like ours. The entire market is open for us and we aim for good growth in the near future.
PM: What do you think are the key trends behind this growth? RV: The increase in the demand for packaging is the key trend that is driving the growth of the paper industry. With time, people have become more concerned about climate change and other environmental issues. Consequently, they are switching from plastics to recycled or virgin paper which is promising for the paper industry as well as good for the environment. We, at Spento Papers, follow and abide by an integrated approach with pioneering green initiatives. We carefully analyse the three Rs of sustainability – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in each phase, from manufacturing to exporting products, ensuring that every aspect of our business is subject to the strict environmental policy.
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I•N•T•E•R•V•I•E•W
Keryas Paper Industry:
Leading Paperboard Producer in Oman with 180,000 MTPA Capacity We are moving ahead to grow steadily in the MENA region with sustainable development goals… Our vision is to excel in serving the environment-friendly paper and paper products worldwide. Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Qais bin Muhammad AlYousef and his team on a visit to the Keryas Paper Industry LLC
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ocated in the Sultanate of Oman, Keryas Paper Industry LLC is considered to be one of the largest producers of paperboard in the region. With the latest state-of-the-art technology and three-ply paper machine, Keryas Paper Industry produces superior quality products from recycled waste paper. In an interview with Paper Mart, Mr. Rajasekar. V, Vice President, Keryas Paper Industry LLC, talks about the company, their product portfolio, expansion plans, technology roadmap, and more.
Paper Mart: Could you present a brief overview of your company along with its crucial milestones and market presence? Mr. Rajasekar. V, Vice President, Keryas Paper Industry LLC
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Rajasekar. V: Keryas Paper Industry LLC is considered to be one of the largest producers of paperboard in the Sultanate of Oman, with a pro-
duction capacity of 180,000 MTPA. With the latest technology, we ensure the quality of the finishing products with our three-ply paper machine. Keryas Paper Industry started in July 2021 during the tough pandemic condition with the objective to be an environment-friendly company and encourage the indigenous collection, and usage of waste paper which avoids deforesting for the manufacturing of paper. This was the dream project of our Managing Director Mr. Abdullah Omar Ali Al Hosni, who is a first-generation entrepreneur. At the age of 30, he initiated this project to make Oman clean by creating awareness of accumulation and collection of waste paper and preserving the environment by making paper from 100 percent recycled waste paper and zero discharge. We aim to promote and encourage consumers to use more and more
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non-woody, eco-friendly paper and paper products. Keryas paper industry is considered to be one of the largest producers of FSC-certified paperboards in the GCC region, located in the Sultanate of Oman with the latest state technology of DCS, QCS to ensure the quality of the finishing products with our triple-ply machine. We are located in the Sohar industrial zone in close proximity to the Sohar sea port enabling us to deliver to our clients within the shortest lead time. Due to our good and consistent quality, within 10 months of start-up, we have a strong presence in the entire GCC market, Asia, and African countries.
PM: Describe the R&D efforts, manufacturing capabilities, and machinery installed at your facility. How do you go the extra mile to ensure quality in your products? RV: The mill has its own R&D, quality control lab consisting of wet-end and dry-end testing tools to ensure we serve the market or our customers with the quality as per the standard TAPPI. We have a good team who are trained in lean, six sigma quality standards to maintain sustainable quality and develop new products which help the end customer to have better operation and quality of their final products. Our USP is ‘Value for Money’, i.e., minimum price for the best quality with timely delivery.
PM: What are the different ranges of Kraft Paper supplied by you? How do you foresee the future trends of the Kraft Paper industry? RV: Presently, the mill is producing 100 percent FSC recycled fluting medium and test liners in various grammages ranging from 110 to 200. With the global increase in population, Oman itself registered an increase of 2.49 percent at the end of 2021. Further, with the increasing e-commerce business, we would surely see the demand for the packaging products in GCC and MENA regions and cater to the needs of the market.
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Outer view of Keryas Paper Industry LLC
PM: What challenges do you face in the supply chain and how do you overcome them? RV: It is a global challenge and we have to face it accordingly, subject to the best interest of the organisation. We do have our internal strategies to keep up our pace with the logistic challenges and the world’s best logistic and shipping agents as our business partner makes timely delivery all across the globe.
PM: Has there been any recent development at Keryas Paper Industry that you wish to talk about? RV: We are in the process of implementing a complete integrated ERP for the smooth functioning of the mills. We have a new 1 MW in-house power generation with the available steam by modifying it with a cascading system. We are also going to upgrade with state-of-the-art technology in the dryer screen cleaning to have speck-free paper with better machine runnability and auto spool changing system to have better reel control in the top and bottom of the reel.
PM: What are the future roadmap and growth strategies of the company? RV: Under the guidance and vision of our Managing Director, we are moving ahead to grow steadily in the MENA region with sustainable development goals. We are aiming to run
the machine at its full capacity and develop new products in the segment to cater to the increasing demand of the market. Also, we are planning to make white top kraft liner and upgrade the machine to increase the capacity. We are coming up with a new in-house core pipe plant and focusing more on the environmental aspect with a sustainable project by upgrading our effluent treatment plant with the latest anaerobic digester. We are planning to make our factory a model plant with international standards in safety, environment, leadership training, lean, six sigma, and best place to work. Protecting the environment is vital to our work. As climate change impacts the most vulnerable, we need to act. At Keryas Paper Industry, we must ensure that our activities do not increase vulnerability even further. That’s why we have started the process of recycling to preserve the environment. Our mission is to attain customer loyalty by providing the highest standards of quality products suitable for various business segments and for all age groups across the world and to focus on innovative production processes through constant research and development as well as to use the raw materials and technology that is environmentally friendly and that further caters to the interests of the future generations. Our vision is to excel in serving the environment-friendly paper and paper products worldwide.
R•I•D•I•N•G H•I•G•H
APRIL Group:
Betting Big on Pulp, Paper & Viscose We are planning to develop a sustainable paperboard production facility at our operations in Indonesia. This will have the capacity to produce 1.2 million tonnes of fully recyclable and biodegradable folding boxboards… Mr. Wanyan Shaohua, Paper Business Head, Vice President (Commercial), APRIL Group
A
sia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL) Group is one of the largest, most technologically advanced, and efficient makers of pulp and paper products in the world. It manufactures products that are used in packaging, printing and writing paper, tissues, shopping bags, food packaging, magazines, and books. APRIL Group’s pulp and paper mill and plantation operations are in Riau province, in Sumatra, Indonesia. In addition to its existing pulp mill and plantations, APRIL Group has invested significantly in infrastructure. In a joint interview with Paper Mart, Mr. Wanyan Shaohua, Paper Business Head, Vice President (Commercial), and Mr. Suneel Kulkarni, Country Manager-Pulp & Paper, India & Subcon, APRIL Group, discuss recent developments in the company and their views on the Indian paper industry.
Paper Mart: Could you present a brief overview of APRIL 42 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
Mr. Suneel Kulkarni, Country Manager-Pulp & Paper, India & Subcon, APRIL Group
Group along with its recent developments? Wanyan Shaohua: We are one of the largest pulp and paper companies globally, with headquarters in Singapore. Our main manufacturing facility is in Indonesia, where we have almost 500,000 hectares of fiber plantations and a big industrial complex. We produce around 3 million tonnes of pulp, 1.15 million tonnes of fine paper, and 300,000 tonnes of viscose per annum. The mill uses world-class engineering and technology to produce quality pulp and paper products sold around the world. We have three pulp lines and three paper machines. We are working on increasing the current production capacity which we call a ‘debottlenecking project’. Secondly, we are planning to develop a sustainable paperboard production facility at our operations in Indonesia. This will have the capacity to pro-
duce 1.2 million tonnes of fully recyclable and biodegradable folding boxboards. We are also planning to set up a mechanical pulp-making line to integrate and support the paperboard production line. Our long-term plans also include expanding viscose production.
PM: Tell us your market presence along with your expansion plans in India. WS: In terms of market presence, APRIL Group is covering Southeast Asia, including nations like Japan, Korea, and the Indian subcontinent. These, including continents like the Americas, and Europe, are our key markets. We have sales reaching customers in more than 70 nations around the world. India is one of the most important and key markets for us. We have been in the Indian market for almost twenty years now. While we aspire to be part of India’s growth story, we also
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R•I•D•I•N•G H•I•G•H try to complement local mills instead of competing with them. We position ourselves as quality suppliers to the market and fill in the gap of demand-supply seasonally.
PM: Could you shed some light on the infrastructure and the R&D efforts? WS: With respect to the infrastructure, we have completely integrated operations in Indonesia with our own plantations. For energy requirements, we use captive power generated from biomass extracted from the wood fiber. In our integrated power plant, we have installed a recovery boiler, wherein we recover the waste coming out from the fiber and use it for power generation in our production operations. We are continuously seeking to increase the use of renewable energy in our operations. We also have two ports to support our logistics operations.
PM: What are the key trends driving the industry growth in India? WS: In India, on one hand, the disposable income of the population is increasing. That means that demand for high-quality paper and paperboard will also increase. Secondly, growing awareness of sustainability and environmentally friendly packaging has further increased the demand for paper packaging. I would like to add, though, that these trends are not just for the Indian market, but everywhere. Recently, we all have been witnessing a sharp surge in e-commerce. In fact, the entire e-commerce segment is very paper-friendly. For shipping and logistics purposes in e-commerce, packaging is required. This opens the door for further growth in the paper-based packaging segment. Also, similarly, with respect to environment-related issues, the Indian government’s ban on single-use plastics should also be considered in this context. This will create further demand for papers, paperboards, and paper-related products. At the end of the day, paper, or paperboard, is biodegradable, and sus-
44 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
tainable. Meanwhile, our paper mills have been able to recycle around 90 percent of the water and chemicals used in the papermaking process, making the paper a more sustainable product than the conventional plastic packaging. Moreover, I feel that virgin-grade paper products are much better in quality and are more hygienic than recycled-grade paper counterparts. Also, in recycled grade papers, the limited availability of waste papers is another factor that is affecting not just the Indian paper industry but across the globe. I believe the demand in the Indian paper industry, particularly for high-quality paper products, will continue to grow. We have observed this trend in the U.S. and Europe over the past thirty years, and in the last twenty years, we have seen this in China, and in other Southeast Asian countries as well. The Indian paper industry is expected to grow in the same pattern.
PM: According to you, what behavioural changes in consumers have greatly influenced the paper industry in India? Suneel Kulkarni: The growth of the consumer packaging segment is being driven by changing consumer behavior and consumption patterns. With the advent of COVID-19 and lockdowns, the people were not stepping out of their homes and were ordering food online. In this way, a lot of changes were witnessed in the packaging segment. A few years ago, we had never imagined that food delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato, would become so huge. That surge has arisen due to the pandemic. Also, because of COVID-19, there has been an increase in awareness of hygiene and the demand for tissue papers and toilet paper rolls, though the consumption of disposables is still relatively lower in India. Moreover, considering the demographic changes in the country, people are moving from rural places to big cities and growing from low-in-
come strata to mid-income strata. There has been a growing inclination towards supermarkets and shopping malls. The consumption habits are gradually changing. This increasing consumption of consumer products, in turn, has increased the demand for packaging. The writing & printing segment was severely impacted during the pandemic but is expected to stabilise in a few years. While the young generation is transitioning towards digital devices, we continue to prefer reading in the physical, paper format. For the sections of society that do not have widespread access to digital devices, the cheapest form of getting an education is still through books.
PM: What challenges is the paper industry facing? SK: At present, the biggest challenge is the cost of the raw materials. For example, over the past two years, the prices of native starch and Hexa Sulpho OBA have increased by 39 percent and 44 percent respectively. Secondly, logistics costs are not very economical, as costs have increased almost fivefold. All of this has put significant pressure on the costs of paper. Usually, people start looking for alternatives when products become expensive. They might spend on one or two reams of paper if it is affordable. But once it starts hitting the pocket, consumers start considering whether they even need this amount of product. That is the challenge the industry is going through.
PM: Please share your thoughts on the price sensitivity of the Indian market. SK: The issue of price sensitivity is prevalent in every developing country. You will witness the same phenomena, same mindset, and same approach in countries in Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Earlier, the policies of the government were not very conducive to manufacturing; hence, India has always been a consumer market, rather than a manufacturing market. However, the scenario is now gradually changing.
I•N•T•E•R•V•I•E•W
Devashray Papers:
Embarking upon a New Journey India is on its way to banning most single-use plastics as part of its efforts to reduce pollution. Hence, the demand for sustainable packaging has never been greater. As a result grocery bags, food packaging, bottles, and straws are expected to be replaced by paper products. (L-R) Mr. N.D. Desai, Managing Director and Mr. Dhruv Desai, Director, Devashray Papers (India) LLP
D
evashray Papers (India) LLP, incorporated in 2018, has a capacity of 300 tonnes per day. The company is all set to start the commercial production of décor paper, Bible paper, and white bleached kraft paper by the end of this year with imported virgin pulp (softwood and hardwood) as the raw material. In a conversation with Paper Mart, Mr. Dhruv Desai, Director, Devashray Papers (India) LLP, shares details about the venture along with the expansion plans.
Paper Mart: Could you present a brief overview of Devashray Papers (India) LLP? Dhruv Desai: Incorporated in 2018, Devashray Papers (India) LLP will be using imported virgin pulp (softwood and hardwood) as the raw material and have a capacity of 300 tonnes per day. All our machines are imported from Germany. We are using second-hand machines from Voith and hope to start the commercial production in December, this year. Located in Ahmedabad, Devashray Papers (India) looks forward to future growth and development in an innovative and changing industry. With a financial outlay of INR 500 crore, we have constructed a wide and well-functional infrastructural unit.
46 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
PM: Please tell us your product portfolio with its USPs. DD: We would be manufacturing four different qualities of paper focussing primarily on décor paper, Bible paper, and white bleached kraft paper. Currently, the demand for décor paper is around 8000 metric tonnes per month, out of which only 3000 metric tonnes are fulfilled by Indian paper mills, and the rest are imported from China. In India, décor paper is manufactured by only a few mills like ITC PSPD and Pudumjee Paper Products. We feel that in the near future, the demand for décor paper will surpass 12000 metric tonnes due to the boost given by the decorative laminate industry, and want to make the most of this opportunity. We want to compete against China by making superior quality décor paper in India.
PM: What are your expansion plans? DD: As far as décor paper is concerned, we would initially be focusing on India but gradually be expanding to the other parts of the world as well. We see a lot of scope in Turkey for décor paper. However, as I have mentioned earlier, our major target is to fulfill demands in India and compete against
China. The white bleached kraft paper we are going to manufacture will be of European standards and it is not easily available in Indian market as most of the stock lot material being imported in India, and we also aim to export white-bleached kraft paper to the European market as well.
PM: What is your outlook on the Indian pulp & paper industry? DD: Indian pulp & paper industry is highly dependent on freight charges as most of the raw materials are imported. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in global container freight charges in the last one and a half years. Now that the pandemic appears to be controlled, we expect things to get normal soon.
PM: What do you think are the key trends behind this growth? DD: India is on its way to banning most single-use plastics as part of its efforts to reduce pollution. Hence, the demand for sustainable packaging has never been greater. As a result grocery bags, food packaging, bottles, and straws are expected to be replaced by paper products. Thus, the paper industry, currently, seems to be in a win-win situation.
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Bluecraft Agro: Addressing the Diverse Requirements of Starch for Paper & Board Industry Bluecraft Agro manufactures a range of specialty and modified starches, derived from various agro commodities… Our starches contribute to the stiffness of paper and act as a bonding agent for surface sizing, binder for coatings, and adhesive in the production of various corrugated boxes.
Paper Mart: Tell us in brief about Bluecraft Agro and walk us through your journey.
Mr. Siddharth Chowdhary, Executive Director, Bluecraft Agro Pvt. Ltd.
B
ased out of Ahmedabad, Gujarat and with manufacturing units in Haryana, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Bluecraft Agro Pvt. Ltd. manufactures specialty starch and its by-products from maize. With the motto of bringing ‘Ingredients for a Happy Life’, their range of products finds application in a number of industries including the paper & board industry. The company provides a diverse array of solutions for the paper & paperboard segment, including – wet-end & sizing starches, cationic starches, coating starches, and sizing starches. In an exclusive interaction with Paper Mart, Mr. Siddharth Chowdhary, Executive Director, Bluecraft Agro Pvt. Ltd., dives in about the business story of the company, the infrastructure setup of the manufacturing facility, various solutions for the pulp & paper industry, and the future aspirations.
48 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
Siddharth Chowdhary: Bluecraft Agro Pvt. Ltd., was established in 2016 under the able leadership of a strong team of professionals with over 30 years of experience in the starch industry. Our journey began in 1993 with the commencement of the Corn Wet Milling plant at Viramgam, Ahmedabad (Riddhi Siddhi Gluco Biols Ltd.). Thereafter, we grew by leaps and bounds and were the leading manufacturers of starch and its derivatives in India. Given our expertise and the market potential for starches in India, we re-entered the business and are successfully growing ever since. Bluecraft Agro’s motto is providing ‘Ingredients for a Happy Life’ as it strives to improve the well-being of all the stakeholders in the agro-processing ecosystem and the lives of people it touches. Today, Bluecraft Agro manufactures a range of specialty starches, maltodextrin, modified starches, and sorbitol derived from maize, potato, and tapioca. We cater to the leading companies in sectors including – food,
pharma, paper & board, textiles, oil & gas, and animal feed industry.
PM: Could you shed some light on the infrastructure setup, machinery installed and technology used? SC: Headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the company has three manufacturing facilities in the states of Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, with an aggregate capacity of 1,800 metric tonnes per day. With a cohesive workforce of 2,000+ people, we dynamically cater to the needs of several businesses. We are in the process of expanding our capacities and introducing a new range of products in the near future. All our plants are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern technology, and an extensive Research & Development centre with a highly qualified and experienced team of engineers and scientists to develop and deliver superior performance products and continually seek its application in new products. We ensure delivering high-quality products by harnessing manufacturing excellence and best practices in the industry.
S•T•A•R•C•H•E•S & P•A•P•E•R
SC: We are the largest buyers of maize in India, procuring more than 650,000 MTPA while supporting the farming community in producing good quality and yield. Our operations and supply chain management processes are unparalleled in the country. It is one of our major pillars of strength and we strategically plan our maize procurement activity, ensuring the right quality and moisture levels for producing starch. Furthermore, we have not faced any major logistic challenges except for the macro-economic factors such as transporter strikes or disruption in the supply chain as seen during the pandemic, which largely impacted all industries in India.
PM: Bluecraft Agro claims to have one of the finest portfolios of modified starches for the paper industry. Please elaborate on the product portfolio specific to the paper & board segment along with USPs and clientele of the company. SC: Bluecraft Agro manufactures a range of specialty and modified starches, derived from various agro commodities. In the paper industry, ‘starch’ is a vital ingredient for producing paper and ranks third in the process of making paper. Our starches contribute to the stiffness of paper and act as a bonding agent for surface sizing, binder for coatings, and adhesive in the production of various corrugated boxes. We offer a wide range of over 15 types of modified starches for the paper industry and are the largest producer of paper grade starches in India.
PM: In what ways do your products assist the paper industry in addressing the crucial parameters like cost reduction, better quality, and enhanced efficiency? SC: Our products improve the strength properties of the paper such as breaking length, printability, stiffness, and
50 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
run smoothly on machines with no degradation of properties. Starches used in kraft paper enhance the burst factor, give better dimensional properties, and reduce cracking problems. For paper board, our starches improve ply bonding and stiffness. Most of our products are economical and offer a significant improvement in the final quality of the paper. We also work closely with our customers to understand their needs and customise solutions accordingly.
PM: How do you maintain consistency in the quality of your products? Please explain your in-house R&D facilities and procedures. SC: Our products undergo stringent quality checks, and we have a dedicated laboratory with high-end equipment for testing purposes. We ensure our products meet customer expectations and specifications by applying best practices and standard testing methodologies. Our Research & Development facility is continually working to develop new products and properties that are demanded by our customers.
PM: Tell us about your supply chain. Do you face any logistic challenges while procuring raw materials?
From the procurement of our raw material to the final production of specialty starch, we engage with and impact millions of lives in the process. We firmly believe that we are part of a bigger ecosystem, which comprises farmers, suppliers, distributors, employees, regulators, community members, customers, and consumers, and it is our duty to spread happiness to all of them through our work and efforts.
PM: What is your outlook on the paper industry and your future plans? SC: As an outcome of the pandemic, the Indian paper industry has seen a dramatic shift in demand from printing and writing paper to packaging paper segment since it gave rise to e-commerce business, primarily in the food, FMCG, and the pharmaceutical sectors. While these market dynamics change, we also need to change and produce ingredients for the packaging and corrugated paper segment. The paper packaging industry in India is expected to grow by around 7-8 percent in the next two years while the long-term demand is expected to remain stable. We have seen growing investments in the paper packaging sector recently, which gives us further scope to innovate and cater to this emerging business.
S•C•A•L•I•N•G U•P
Servall Engineering:
Keeping Pace with Technologies & Innovations We are in the final stages of finalising the technology transfer for the coating section for the paper mills. Apart from that, we are also in the process of developing some specialised presses.
(L-R) Mr. David Stone, International Sales & Marketing Director and Mr. Shreeman Ram, Executive Director, Servall Engineering Works Pvt. Ltd.
F
or over 50 years, Servall Engineering Works Pvt. Ltd. has joined hands with the pulp and paper Industry worldwide, answering its need for high-performance, futuristic machinery. Today, Servall Engineering has earned itself the unique position of the complete manufacturer. The export division has earned the company a coveted niche in the international paper industry with its envious track record and impressive portfolio that includes all the major paper-producing nations of the world. The company is now all set to increase its global reach with an aggressive approach. In a joint interview with Paper
52 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
Mart, Mr. Shreeman Ram, Executive Director, and Mr. David Stone, International Sales & Marketing Director, Servall Engineering Works Pvt. Ltd. present their views on the key strengths of the company and its future roadmap.
Paper Mart: Could you please give us an overview of Servall Engineering Works Pvt. Ltd. and its business journey? Shreeman Ram: Servall Engineering was started in the year 1971 by Mr. Ramaswamy, who was the founder and the chairman of the group. We
started off as a complete paper machine manufacturer with the first production line established in 1974. The quest for excellence in quality, design & technology has spurred our company’s electrifying growth over the years. In 1982, we had bought over the technology from Germany for manufacturing drying cylinders, press rolls, etc. for all cast requirements. Since then, we have been collaborating with a lot of companies on various projects. Some of the renowned names include Beloit, Simon Holder, Black Clawson Limited, and Jagenberg among others. In
S•C•A•L•I•N•G U•P
The expansion for Servall happened in 2022 when the company set up and started its own R&D, sales, and marketing office and workshop in the UK headed by Mr. David Stone, who is the director there and heading the international market for the company.
2016, we joined hands with Valmet, a global leader in the pulp and paper industry. For over 50 years, we have partnered with the pulp and paper Industry worldwide, answering its need for high-performance, futuristic machinery. Today, we export 2500 drying cylinders/food dryers to Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. Further, we have established all grades of paper and paperboard machines of various deckles, the maximum being 6 metres and the speed being 1000 metres /min.
SR: Much of Servall’s success can be attributed to our expertise in technology and bringing top-notch quality solutions and services to the paper industry. With its large manufacturing facility — from the state-of-theart foundry to final assembly, Servall’s manufacturing processes are under stringent quality controls to cater to the requirements of the customers. We have our manufacturing processes approved by TUV and ASME. All of our products go through rigorous quality inspection before shipping to the customers.
PM: Please shed some light on the market footprint of the company along with the expansion plans.
PM: Please tell us about the recent developments at your end along with the future plans and growth strategies for the coming years?
SR: As far as the market footprint is concerned, we are renowned all over the Indian market. In Europe and the US, we are regarded as the leading supplier of drying cylinders, press rolls, and sole plates as of now. Internationally, we have a footprint in Turkey (complete Kraft line), Egypt (rebuilds of complete machines), Indonesia, Canada, the USA, South America, Taiwan and Germany, wherein we have our own agents/distributors for the respective markets. The expansion for Servall happened in 2022 when the company set up and started its own R&D, sales, and marketing office and workshop in the UK headed by Mr. David Stone, who is the director there and heading the international market for the company.
PM: What do you think are the key strengths of the company which enable you to make your mark in the paper industry?
54 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
SR: We are in the final stages of finalising the technology transfer for the coating section for the paper mills. Apart from that, we are also in the process of developing some specialised presses which I would like to talk about once we are through with it. In the coming years, we are planning on developing and bringing certain consumable products for the machines as well. This proposition is under consideration and discussion for the collaboration with our European partners.
Paper Mart: Kindly talk about your experience of working at Servall Engineering Works. David Stone: I joined Servall three months ago. Previously, I was working for a USA-based paper machinery developer. This has been my first visit to the factory and I was impressed with how organised, well-equipped,
and prepared the company is. From concept and design to engineering, erection, execution and commissioning, Servall offers total project management and turnkey solutions, and technology-wise, it can compete with most of the companies worldwide. We have devised some very achievable and huge expansion plans for the company. Five years down the line, we will be talking on an even more elaborate scale and level.
PM: Share your outlook on the Indian pulp and paper industry. DS: I think the pulp and paper industry has been growing in India like never before, however, there is a lot of competition from the Chinese paper industry which has been making huge inroads into this space with startup paper mills. While this is not a good sign for the indigenous paper machine line providers and suppliers, the future is seemingly bright for the Indian pulp and paper industry as the demand is increasing and the quality is enhancing with time. At this point, we believe and anticipate that the domestic paper industry can become a major exporter of paper and paper products.
PM: What are the key trends driving the growth of the industry in India? DS: I would say that the increase in e-commerce is a huge growth driver of the packaging segment of the Indian paper industry. Moreover, the growth in the hygiene sector is also growing very fast, particularly, in the tissue paper segment. As the world has been becoming a lot smaller with the surge in digital and social media, the trends are now catching up much faster.
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Moglix: Helping Companies Gain Visibility with Aesthetically Crafted Packaging Solutions Moglix Solutions has been able to transform MRO procurement and packaging for global enterprises using a state-of-the-art unified procurement platform. At present, we are working with over 600 large-scale enterprises.
light on Moglix and the key accomplishments of the company so far?
Mr. Shobhit Goel, Senior Vice President – Packaging and Capex, Moglix
M
oglix is one of Asia’s largest and fastest-growing B2B commerce companies. It enables manufacturing and infrastructure companies to transform their end-to-end supply chain, from procurement to distribution. Through its digital platform, supplier and buyer network, and logistics strength, the company helps to bring down the cost, enhancing sales, improving operational efficiency, and making the supply chain touchless. The packaging vertical of Moglix claims to meet the needs of around 70 percent of e-commerce orders in the country. Paper Mart interviewed Mr. Shobhit Goel, Senior Vice President – Packaging and Capex at Moglix, to learn more about their recent developments, accomplishments, and future roadmap.
Paper Mart: To start with, could you please shed some 56 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
Shobhit Goel: With end-to-end supply chain operations from sourcing to financing, Moglix is the operating system for B2B commerce and manufacturing supply chain for 1000+ large enterprises, 18000 suppliers, and 500,000 MSMEs across 120 countries. The digital supply chain ecosystem of Moglix brings together 7 lakh+ SKUs of indirect procurement, packaging, infrastructure construction materials, made-to-order manufacturing, and supply chain cloud SaaS products to create the largest catalog for B2B commerce in India. Our vision is to create a full stack of technology-led supply chain solutions for all industrial requirements. At present, we’ve been working with over 600 large-scale enterprises. We are present across India with over 35 locations. We are funded by marquee investors, like Ratan Tata, World Bank, etc, with a total evaluation of USD 2.6 billion.
solutions, manufacturing as a service, fashion and packaging. With respect to Packaging solutions, we at Moglix, collaborate with businesses to map their packaging challenges and deliver relevant solutions in the primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging categories. Tertiary packaging includes carton boxes, corrugated boxes, stretch wrap, bubble wrap, tapes, etc. Secondary packaging refers to the packaging that goes as a second layer and further protects or labels the product. These include – mono cartons, courier bags, and paper bags. Primary packaging refers to the first layer of the packaging like tubes, glass packaging, etc. We currently serve all three types of packaging. We have dedicated manufacturing lines for all kinds of packaging material. We provide paper supplies, thus, feeding our own paper lines. We also have a range of speciality papers, as well as kraft papers that we produce.
PM: Please tell us about the product range on the platform.
PM: What do you think are the key growth trends in the paper and paper packaging segment?
SG: As I mentioned earlier, we have several verticals, such as MRO, infra
SG: Typically, the paper market grows by 10-15 percent annually. Howev-
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Our Technical Director – Mr. Benno Bader will be happy to take your queries directly through Email, Call or Video Conferencing, For more information contact: HEAD OFFICE: 9/49 Industrial Area, Kirti Nagar, New Delhi- 110 015 INDIA | Tel.: 00-91-11-45003100 (30 Lines) Mobile: +91-8287929259, +91-8130608833, +91-9321526550 | +91-9284604003, +91-7042894961 Email: sales@zenithrollers.com, industrial@zenithrollers.com | Website: www.zenithrollers.com
P•A•C•K•A•G•I•N•G S•O•L•U•T•I•O•N•S
There is a scope for improvement in R&D, and assessing the ways to make paper packaging even more sustainable and reduce the carbon footprint of the paper mills.
er, due to import substitution, India has got entailment over there. Moreover, brands are substituting plastic with paper. Over the next three to five years, we believe that the paper industry will see a significant surge, growing to over 20 percent in the near future.
PM: What are the recent developments at Moglix? SG: We work with our end customers to ensure that they get a comprehensive Packaging solution that is best suitable for the company/brand. We get inquiries from companies that are either looking for sustainable or cost-effective packaging solutions. With more than 18,000 supply partnerships across Asia and over 6,000 SKUs, we are helping brands create an impact with more sustainable packaging solutions. With our inhouse technical expertise, we help companies build customised solutions that can significantly reduce cost and are environment friendly. We use a single-window approach
that enables cost savings of up to 5 percent and operational efficiency of up to 50 percent. Recently, we witnessed several e-commerce companies adopting eco-friendly packaging practices. Our role is to help them transition to sustainable solutions, such as cotton bags, and paper bags, which are tamper-proof, waterproof as well as heat sealable. Currently, we work on different developments with various companies to help them achieve their objectives and mission. As a packaging solutions provider, we consider a range of factors and give the best possible solution to organisations looking to disrupt the packaging space.
PM: Since sustainability is a big issue in the paper industry, and Moglix is a provider of sustainable packaging solutions, how do you foresee the growth prospects of the company and the growth prospects of the sustainable packaging segment?
At Moglix, we collaborate with businesses to map their packaging challenges and deliver relevant solutions for primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging categories. We are currently present in all three forms of packaging.
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SG: We strongly believe that the future of packaging is sustainable. At Moglix, we recognize sustainable packaging solutions as a distinct segment, which is expected to evolve quickly and steadfastly. However, there is a scope for improvement in R&D and assess the ways to make paper packaging even more sustainable as it can reduce the carbon footprint of paper mills. We are working towards building customisable solutions for our customers. Further, we will continue to strive to do the best that we can, and make our planet more sustainable.
PM: What are the future plans of the company? SG: This is just the beginning! We believe that paper is a strong segment and will continue to focus on that aspect. Of course, our future is to become more of an ecosystem player by being deeply invested in paper mills, converting segments, and other segments in the industry.
PM: What are your thoughts on the Paperex show? SG: It has been a great experience. This was our first time participating at Paperex. We were happy to present our product portfolio as well as solutions in front of a global audience. We would like to exhibit at the Paperex show again, building and bringing more innovative solutions for businesses.
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Kakati Karshak Industries:
Well-Equipped to Widen the Offerings and Capabilities More than 600 paper mills are using our pumps and we have more than 10,000 installations worldwide. Kakati wishes to spread its wings into the international market in the forthcoming years. We believe we are equipped to take up the challenges and progress through them.
Paper Mart: Kindly brief up about Kakati Karshak Industries, its specialisations, products, and services offered for the pulp and paper industry. Mr. C. Venkateshwar Rao, Managing Director, Kakati Karshak Industries Pvt. Ltd.
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ounded by Mr. C. Ramchander Rao in 1965, Kakati Karshak Industries has grown from strength to strength, and has become a leading manufacturer, supplier, and exporter of liquid ring vacuum pumps, compressors, and systems in the country. With experience spanning over almost six decades, Kakati’s vacuum pumps and systems are known for providing high level performances with low power consumption. Mr. C. Venkateshwar Rao, Managing Director, Kakati Karshak Industries Pvt. Ltd., shared the business overview of the company, pumps and other equipments for the pulp & paper industry, market presence, recent projects undertaken for paper mills, and future outlook, in an exclusive conversation with Paper Mart magazine.
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C. Venkateshwar Rao: Established in 1965, Kakati Karshak Industries Pvt. Ltd. is the single leading manufacturer of liquid ring vacuum pumps, compressors, and systems worldwide. With a wide range of pumps designed for various applications, we pride ourselves on catering to the needs of the pulp & paper industry in India. We render our services in manufacturing, repairing, and refurbishing the pumps. We offer field services like on-site monitoring and performance audits that help in the efficient running of the plants in the long run. Our product range goes up to 40,000 m3/hr (up to 900 KW), and we also provide complete vacuum system audit services to determine the best possible runnability of the machine to the customer. Vacuum achieved is up to 1"hg and we make in all possible materials of construction. We have supplied to paper mills having a capacity of up to 1000 TPD and
evaporator applications with soda recovery plants up to 350 TPD. Our product finds its way into the pulp & paper industry at multiple stages, each with discrete technical requirements and types of papermaking, vacuum range, and capacity. Also, we have liquid ring vacuum pumps and pre-separators that are installed according to the demand. With almost six decades of enriched experience in the industry, our team of experts is always ready to provide the customers with the technical recommendations that best suit their financial and engineering objectives.
PM: What is the current market presence of the company – both domestic and international? How do you plan to increase your reach around the world? CVR: We are proud to inform that most of the top-notch paper mills across the country have our vacuum pumps commissioned and running successfully. Currently, more than 600 paper mills are using our pumps and we have more than 10,000 installations worldwide. At a global level, we have happy clients in more than 40 countries. We have a diverse market in
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multiple sectors ranging from – power plants, chemical engineering, and metals to the pulp & paper industry, both nationally and internationally. With periodic evaluations and upgradations, Kakati wishes to spread its wings into the international market in the forthcoming years. We believe we are equipped to take up the challenges and progress through them. Vacuum pumps have a broad range of applications and we are prepared to enter into the novel and untapped sectors to expand our reach. Due to the central government’s initiative and recent geopolitical strategies adopted by various western countries, many nations are looking at India for alternatives. Kakati being the sole company for quality products, we have had numerous enquiries from different parts of the world, especially in the last two years. The company enjoys a market share of almost over 50 percent in the pulp & paper industry in India. We strongly believe a good product speaks for itself. Energy efficiency is a top priority for us along with water conservation techniques.
PM: How does your vacuum pumping system, which is used in dewatering the paper machine, enable the paper machine to perform efficiently? CVR: The vacuum pumps and systems are incorporated at various stages of paper making like sheet formation, felt conditioning, and press performance. The appropriate estimation of vacuum range and capacity rating is the key to the effective running of the paper machine. The well-designed vacuum pump and system aid in accurate quantities of dewatering, thereby reducing the energy consumption, and enabling better-operating conditions. Kakati hosts professionals with profound knowledge of paper machine calculations and recommends the energy-efficient vacuum pumps and systems. Many paper machines in India do not concentrate on the moisture percentage of the paper before
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it enters the dryers and they end up paying more in steam. A good vacuum system selection enables the customer to run the machine at maximum speed while maintaining adequate moisture percentage before it enters dryers. The majority of our customers who have implemented our recommendations enjoy a moisture percentage of up to 52 percent after the press section at 95 percent machine design speed. Nowadays, coal and steam are very expensive, and hence ensuring maximum dewatering is the key to survival in the paper industry. We have managed to provide some of the best operating parameters in the industry and our engineers shall help any paper mill owner to achieve the below-mentioned parameters in power consumption (complete paper machine vacuum system) while giving the highest runnability. 1) Kraft paper – 25 to 40 KW/tonne 2) Writing & printing paper (recycled) – 50-75 KW/tonne 3) Virgin white writing & printing – 75 to 100 KW/tonne 4) Tissue paper – 90 to 130 KW/tonne 5) Recycled duplex board – 30 to 45 KW/tonne 6) White semi virgin duplex board – 45 to 60 KW/tonne The above figures are the best-inclass in the paper industry worldwide. We provide the lowest cost of ownership when compared to any other competitor system.
PM: What are the edge and unique strengths of the company in the industrial pumps industry? CVR: Kakati has served the vacuum pump market for over half a century, and constant exploration and expansion have been our motto. We have distinguished departments like design, assembly, machine shops, quality control, and testing, striving hard to realise the motives and perform better each day. Our Industry is equipped with adequate infrastructure that is constantly upgraded to
meet the trends. Today, the company has almost 400 employees working under the vacuum pump setup. Our factory located at the heart of Hyderabad in Nacharam IDA has around 200,000 sq ft of factory and shop area. Since its inception, Kakati’s vacuum pump has seen a sea of change in its design that reflects in its superior performance today. Our pumps have evolved and new series and models with improved efficiency and capacities have been brought up by our teams. As a matter of fact, our pumps could deliver the highest of 40,000 m3/hr in the latest design. Kakati has been the forerunner in adopting the trends and exploring the opportunities that have brought us this far and we believe shall take us further and beyond.
PM: The pump is a critical component in the pulp and paper manufacturing units – how do you ensure to supply the most efficient & reliable equipment to the paper mills? Talk to us about your recent associations/projects undertaken for the paper industry. CVR: The vacuum pump helps in dewatering and extracting the pulp from the diluted solution of pulp and water. It is, therefore, a crucial piece of equipment in the Industry. The material of construction plays a vital role in the optimal functioning of the machine. Our vacuum pumps are available in different materials to suit customers’ applications and areas of operation. We take utmost care from our end to ensure the supreme quality products and services. Prior to manufacturing, the castings are scrutinized for surface defects, mechanical, chemical testing, and hardness. Each and every pump is tested before dispatch as per the test standard of BS/HEI/ISO/ Pneurop standards. Kakati has added feathers to its cap by executing different projects successfully. As mentioned earlier, our presence is in more than 600 paper
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mills. Some of the very large plants executed recently, i.e., only in 2022, are as below: • AKSA Paper Gujarat – 400 TPD • Ambani Paper Gujarat – 450 TPD • Lemit Paper Gujarat – 450 TPD • Suvarna Durga Paper Hyderabad – 350 TPD • Amrit Paper Madhya Pradesh – 350 TPD (Under execution) • B&B Triplewall – 350 TPD (Under execution) • Sri Andal Paper – 600 TPD (Separation system by Kakati) • JK Paper Songadh – 500 TPD Apart from the above-mentioned, we have executed around 40 paper mill projects of various capacities and sizes in the last financial year alone. The above mentioned projects have been undertaken in Indian paper mills. Moreover, we have also executed projects for 1000 TPD machines overseas.
PM: What is the demand outlook of the vacuum pumps and systems in the Indian pulp and paper industry? How do you foresee the future of the segment?
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CVR: With paper being the quintessential good in day-to-day life, the pulp & paper industry is an evergreen sector paving the way to a never-ending demand. The paper consumption in India is projected to grow by an average of 6-7 percent in the next five years. This amounts to 30 million tonnes of paper by FY 2026-27. The vast scope of paper applications ensures the constant demand that propels the ancillary industries like vacuum pumps.
Industries? What is your vision for the future of your company?
Pulp & paper has always been a cyclical industry having its own highs and lows. Presently, the industry is running at an all-time high. Paper is the key alternative to plastic goods and hence the demand for paper will always be high. Higher demand for paper leads to higher demand for vacuum systems. In India, the future for vacuum pumps is bright as the geopolitical situation worldwide has pushed the Indian vacuum industry to the highest level. However, inexpensive Chinese imports shall remain a threat, and government policies to contain such imports shall play a vital role.
Being the sole largest vacuum pump manufacturer by capacity, we have spearheaded many new developments which are followed by our competitors. We aim to be the best manufacturer of gas and airflow pumps/compressors/blowers in the near future by horizontal integration. Kakati has always risen up to the needs of India and we shall now take it further to provide the most efficient product in all positive/negative displacement gas pumps as required by the nation. As a cornerstone company in the manufacturing of vacuum pumps, we, at Kakati, are always ready to embark on new heights and churn our experience to cater to the needs of the global industry.
PM: Has there been any new development at Kakati Karshak
CVR: Kakati is presently expanding its product portfolio to manufacture turbo and multi-stage centrifugal blowers ranging up to 900 KW. We have already begun servicing and providing spare parts for the above blowers. We are also doubling our production capacity and a new facility is under construction to cater solely to the foreign markets.
KROFTA INTRODUCES
ANAEROBIC TECHNOLOGY
“The photographs are indicative actual equipment may vary as per requirement”
SALIENT FEATURES OF UASB PROCESS: THE FINAL TREATED WATER CAN BE REUSED TO PAPER PULP MAKING AND MOST IMPORTANT REMOVING SMELL TO FINISHED PAPER PRODUCTS. • No need of special startup requirements. • High treatment efficiency. • Generates non-conventional energy in the form of bio-gas. • Low space requirements as compared with other treatment process. • Very low sludge production. • Low operation cost, low electric power consumption. • No moving parts inside the reactor. • Sludge can be stored for extended periods of time. • Auto operations for higher efficiency.
Krofta Engineering Limited Durga Bhawan, A-68, FIEE Complex, Okhla Industrial Area Phase-II, New Delhi – 110020. EPBX : +91-11-4724 2500 | E-mail: krofta@kroftaengineering.com | Web : www.kroftaengineering.com
N•E•X-G•E•N L•E•A•D•E•R•S
New-Age Strategists at JMC Paper Tech
JMC has not only fostered a lasting legacy by spearheading the machinery manufacturing through cutting-edge innovations and technology but also developed fruitful relationships with clients from across the globe. (L-R) Mr. Sneh Patel, Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Rajni Patel, Chairman & Managing Director and Dr. Yesha Patel, Chief Executive Officer, JMC Paper Tech Pvt. Ltd.
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ne of the leading manufacturers cum exporters of pulp & paper mill plants & machinery, JMC Paper Tech Pvt. Ltd. specialises in the design, development, manufacture, and installation of plants and claims to be a keen expert in applying state-of-the-art technology to provide cost-effective custom designed-solutions to its clients. With factories located at the well-established prime location of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, JMC Paper Tech continuously monitors global trends in the industry, ramping up its infrastructure in terms of quality and service standards. As the next generation of business leaders joins the team, Paper Mart interviews Dr. Yesha Patel, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Sneh Patel, Chief Operating Officer, JMC Paper Tech Pvt. Ltd., to know more about their roles and upcoming projects.
Paper Mart: As you both have recently joined JMC Paper Tech, what are you looking forward to in your leadership roles respectively? 66 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
Yesha Patel: I’m absolutely thrilled to have recently joined JMC Paper Tech as the Chief Executive Officer. JMC is committed to spearheading the change in the paper and pulp industry by continuously chasing excellence, innovation and sustainability and we are excited to be a part of this growth. As of now, we are getting to know our management roles. We are familiarising ourselves with the other names of the pulp and paper industry. Our future plan is to expand the footprint of the company globally. We both have completed our studies in the United States and our plan is to use that access and exposure to penetrate into North America and South America and expand the operations of JMC in the international market. Sneh Patel: I graduated with a B.Sc. degree in Computer Science from the University of North Texas in Texas, U.S.A. As the Chief Operating Officer of the company, I plan to use my knowledge in computer science to further develop the latest technology and software for JMC and help
expand the company globally. Since South America has a lot of scope for growth, we plan to focus on that region after which we will extend our reach to North America.
PM: Tell us a brief about the journey of the company along with milestones. YP: JMC has been a family-run company for over 20 years. The company began its journey in 2002 and soon became a leading name in the pulp and paper industry. In 2016, it established its manufacturing facility, spread across 6500 sq m, in the industrial hub of Sanand GIDC, Ahmedabad. The company now boasts a state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility spread over 10,000 sq m. JMC has not only fostered a lasting legacy by spearheading the machinery manufacturing through cutting-edge innovations and technology but also developed fruitful relationships with clients from across the globe by providing them with quality
N•E•X-G•E•N L•E•A•D•E•R•S products and bespoke services. We, at JMC Paper Tech, are involved in the manufacturing activities for pulp & paper mill machinery on a turnkey basis with a capacity of 500 TPD and our qualitative offerings have helped us serve valued customers from across 40 countries. Along the way, we have won a number of awards and accolades including the Award of Excellence (for the pioneering efforts made in the field of technology for paper machinery manufacturing in India) from the Indian Agro and Recycled Paper Mills Association, Glory of India International Award from International Friendship society of India and Great Achiever of Industrial Excellence Award in 2005 from Indian Organisation for Commerce & Industry.
PM: Throw some light on the product offerings along with some projects successfully executed by JMC. SP: From land development to executing civil work, designing the machinery, and providing maintenance services, JMC handles all the paper machinery needs. We provide onsite assistance to our clients such as maintenance of paper plant & machinery (after-sales service), erection & commissioning of the paper plant,
and management systems & manpower training for the new projects as well as existing plants. Our product portfolio includes single wire, twin wire & triple wire machines for high BF kraft paper plant, four-wire fourdrinier machine with top former (top dewatering unit) to produce FBB and SVS, multi-cylinder former coated board machine and newsprint, writing, & printing machine. JMC has successfully delivered over 20 turnkey projects in India and abroad. We have recently supplied 150 TPD capacity file board plant to Tirthak Paper Industries, 150 TPD capacity absorbent kraft paper plant to Gloris Paper LLP, 100 TPD capacity high BF Kraft Paper Plant to Evernew Paper LLP, 150 TPD Capacity high BF kraft paper plant to Nioni Paper LLP, 150 TPD capacity high BF kraft paper plant to Caliber Paper LLP and 120 TPD capacity high BF Kraft Paper Plant to Shivay Kraft Papers Pvt. Ltd. We have recently bagged a turnkey project of 55 TPD single wire high BF kraft paper plant of Wecycle Ltd. in Mauritius and received an order for 120 TPD mould paper plant from Maya Paper & Board Mills Ltd., Bangladesh.
PM: Has there been any new development or product launches?
YP: We have recently introduced carbon steel drying cylinders following the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Truly, ‘Made in India’, the steel dryers provide numerous advantages to the paper companies in terms of safety, speed, flexibility and costs. Steel dryers can be utilised with lower steam pressure to get a better rate of heat transfer. Also, due to their higher thermal conductivity, they consume less steam to get heated and quickly transfer the heat for paper drying which leads to an enhancement in the production rate of the paper machine. We are focussing on expanding our reach into the integrated pulp mill.
PM: What is your outlook on the Indian pulp and paper industry? SP: The per capita paper consumption in India at 13 kg is way behind the per capita consumption of 200 kg in North America. This shows that there’s a huge amount of growth still left. With the expansion of the e-commerce industry in India, the growth of the paper industry is inevitable. In the coming times, technologies like the internet of things, artificial intelligence and analytics would help the paper industry to become more efficient. Besides the safety and quality assurance of a product, such technologies leave no scope for human error.
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Maintech: Technologies Providing Deposit-Free Coating on Dryer Section Surfaces
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aintech Co. Ltd. is known for its technologies to avoid deposits on dryer fabrics, rolls, and dryer cylinders of paper machines. With an aim to support ‘eco-friendly papermaking’, the company provides its technologies to paper machines across the world. Its considerable experience and expertise enable it to provide the best combination of chemicals, equipment, and application to each customer. The technology is imported by Marubeni India Pvt. Ltd., a 100 percent, wholly-owned subsidiary of Marubeni Corporation. In an interview with Paper Mart, Mr. Shuhei Endo, Area Sales Manager, Asia Oceania Sales Division, Maintech Co. Ltd. talks about the product portfolio and growth prospects of the company in the Indian market. Mr. Shuhei Endo, Area Sales Manager, Asia Oceania Sales Division, Maintech Co. Ltd.
We want to grow in the Indian paper industry. The Indian paper manufacturers are increasing their investments in new machinery, technologies… The favourable market prospects of the industry make India a top consideration to be a global manufacturing hub.
Paper Mart: To begin with, could you please shed some light on Maintech Co. Ltd. and the key accomplishments of the company so far? Shuhei Endo: Headquartered in Japan, Maintech was established in the year 1967. Our major technology for the Indian market is solutions for deposit prevention for paper machines in the dryer section. We have been providing this technology for more than thirty years. After creating this technology in Japan, we started distributing it to the Chinese market. Soon after, we introduced this technology in the Indian market as well.
PM: Kindly describe the product portfolio of the company – the technologies you provide for the paper industry. SE: Our major customers are recycled paper-based mills. The recycled fibers
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contain a lot of deposits such as – adhesives, inks, coatings, fillers, etc. While producing recycled papers, these kinds of deposits accumulate on the machine and cause a lot of issues like sheet breaks, uneven moisture, and require frequent cleanings in addition to downtime in the production line. Cleaning the machine manually can be risky and dangerous. Besides, it requires aggressive chemicals that can harm the environment by causing pollution. Our technology can remove these contaminants, and keep the dryer section clean so that there are no sheet breaks, and thus, no more cleaning work for the operators. Thus, the customers can get 100 percent performance out of the machines and improve the overall quality of the paper. Moreover, maximising productivity and production capabilities is an important factor in this expanding Indian market. The solutions enable the paper mill to maximise the productivity of the machine and save costs. In this way, we help the paper manufacturers to address the challenges of the paper machines and remove the production bottlenecks.
PM: Tell us about the key strengths of the company. SE: Essentially, we have two major strengths. First and foremost, our strength is precipitation technology. Our technology is an integration of the chemicals and the applying equipment and also the overall experience it brings to the paper machine. Due to our expertise in developing sophisticated technology in this sector, we are capable of solving a number of challenges faced by paper manufacturers. While we have competitors in various markets including
P•R•O•V•I•D•I•N•G S•O•L•U•T•I•O•N•S China, the performance of the application of our technology and equipment is much more effective. The second major strength of the company would be our after-sales services. In many instances, the supplier of machinery or technologies is only concerned with selling their products. Thus, after-sales services which include maintenance, repairing, etc., incur a lot of costs to the customers. However, Maintech is cognizant of the fact that one of the most important considerations of the paper mills should be safe operations because their machine works 24X7. We provide after-sales support, so as to keep the application and operations in a consistent manner.
PM: How do you view the growth prospects of the company in the Indian market? SE: We want to grow in the Indian paper industry. The Indian paper manufacturers are increasing their investments in new machinery, technologies, and so on. The favourable market prospects of the Indian paper industry make India a top consideration to be a global manufacturing hub for paper production. Moreover, the manufacturing industry in China, including the papermaking industry, has been deeply impacted and disturbed due to a number of factors and India has advantages in terms of being strategically located. At this point, the paper industry is projected to have more capacity expansions and further development. With the expected expansion of the paper industry, more recycled fiber would be required. Also, the production operations should be further optimised. We believe that we can help paper manufacturers in manufacturing optimisation and capacity expansion.
PM: What are the new developments at Maintech? SE: We are focusing on the dryer screen section of the packaging machinery and concentrating on expanding in the packaging sector of India. Meanwhile, in Japan, we have been developing new technology for paper machinery – an online monitoring system to check the condi-
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tion of the machines. In the future, we would certainly like to bring this technology to the Indian market.
PM: Kindly describe the importance of Industry 4.0, automation, and technological advancements in the Indian paper industry. SE: Automation is really important in the paper industry. On visiting a number of countries, I have witnessed that paper mills are usually operated by a few people. However, in India, there are a large number of employees working at paper mills. In the future, with the rise in automation in the manufacturing systems, it would not be required to employ so many people. Also, I would like to mention that presently, the capacity and scale of paper machines are still relatively smaller in India. In order to keep pace with the capacity expansions, production lines with large capacities will further increase.
PM: What are the future plans of the company in the country? SE: We wish to grow in the Indian market first and get experience in the paper industry. Also, we wish to demonstrate our products and solutions. Perhaps, what we can do is different in this country from what we have been doing in other countries. We would like to work to increase our recognition first and thereby contribute to the development of this industry. As a matter of fact, all the paper mills, in a number of Southeast Asian na-
tions like Japan, China, Thailand, Philippines, etc., are using the technology supplied by Maintech. However, in India, the paper mills do not seem that receptive to understanding the importance of this technology. Many paper mills in the country still like to depend upon manual labour to do tasks like cleaning the machine and so on. On the contrary, in the southeast nations, everything is automated. Of course, that makes the production process more efficient. Another aspect is that India is a growing market with an increasing export share in the industry. Whether you are engaged in paper or the finished products, when you are going for exports, the quality is an important consideration. And the technology supplied by Maintech ensures a better quality of the paper. I would also like to add that, the Indian paper industry, especially the kraft paper segment is largely unorganised. The kraft paper mills still prefer traditional papermaking processes and do not automatise their production lines. They are going for capacity expansions of their machines, but neglecting aspects like using better chemicals, and increasing the runnability of the machines. The mills are not making investments in these aspects as they measure everything on a cost basis. However, the mills can get a better ROI by using these chemicals. Slowly and steadily, the paper industry needs to transform its mindset and approach towards increasing automation. It is a need of the hour for the paper mills.
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Cheema Boilers:
Towards a Renewable Future CBL has highly efficient boilers specifically designed for the pulp & paper industry to fulfill customer demands… with state-of-the-art engineering and design facilities to reduce steam generation costs.
tailor-made as per the geographical conditions, load requirements, and availability of fuel to meet the energy requirements.
Mr. Satbir Singh Cheema, Director - Marketing, Cheema Boilers Ltd.
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stablished in the year 1999, Cheema Boilers Ltd. (CBL) is engaged in manufacturing and exporting process steam and power generation equipment for various industrial applications. The company is renowned worldwide as a specialist supplier of boiler systems in all sizes and output categories. While CBL has dominated different industrial sectors with a wide spectrum of the boiler technology on varying fuels ranging from biomass to oil/gas; it is also one of the key players in the paper industry with installations recognised globally. In an interview with Paper Mart, Mr. Satbir Singh Cheema, Director - Marketing, Cheema Boilers Ltd., shares recent developments in the company and outlook on the Indian paper industry.
Paper Mart: Could you please present a brief run-through of Cheema Boilers Ltd.? Give us an 72 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
overview of the product range and solutions for the pulp and paper industry. Satbir Singh Cheema: Cheema Boilers Ltd. (CBL) is a premier engineering company with its headquarters and manufacturing unit in Punjab- North India. Our plant is spread over 30 acres of lush green land in Kurali near Chandigarh. We have a total workforce of around 1200 with a high proportion of qualified engineers from reputed institutions. Through continuous focus on R&D, CBL is now a leading resource for boilers as well as auxiliary design, innovation, manufacturing, and commissioning. CBL has installed more than 150 power and heat/steam production units worldwide in the pulp & paper industry. The company offers solutions for the pulp & paper, which are
PM: In view of the requirement for efficient boiler systems for paper mills, please describe the applications of these products and the possible future trends in the segment. SSC: With the growing customer consciousness and stringent environmental norms, the focus on energy production across the world has shifted towards renewable energy resources, which varies across different regions globally depending on the local availability of fuel resources. This is one of the key drivers for CBL to maintain the momentum in innovating new technologies. This has led to developing highly competent biomass boilers based on various combustion technologies; the latest being CBL’s water cooled vibrating grate which offers great flexibility in the available fuel options apart from catering to the difficult fuels like paddy straw very efficiently.
PM: Kindly shed some light on some of Cheema Boilers’ recent
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PM H/P AD
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projects executed for the paper mills. How do you think your solutions benefit the paper mills in the long run? SSC: CBL has recently developed and commissioned a multi fuel fired boiler. This boiler not only serves the purpose of supplying steam to industry on required parameters but is also environmentally friendly and safe to operate. The said boiler consumes about 1.5 lakh MT/year of paddy straw which is otherwise burnt in the field leading to pollution. CBL has bagged seven more orders for the same boiler (3 from the pulp & paper industry) which will consume around 9 lakh MT/year of paddy straw. Other than this, CBL has commissioned a gas-fired boiler in one of the paper plants in Oman running with natural gas. For the smaller paper mills, CBL is offering a viable solution to produce power even in smaller steam capacity requirement. For example – case-specific, we are also offering power plant solutions for smaller capacity paper mills of around 100 TPD which are running successfully for years. For larger plants, CBL is committed to bring down the utility cost. Cheema Boilers Ltd. (CBL) is contributing to meet India’s energy goals in this transition phase. One of the key focus areas for us in reducing steam generation costs as well as the carbon footprints to ensure better sustainability for the industry. CBL’s reciprocating/pulsating grates type boiler is a solution to use biomass fuels efficiently. The company has developed a highly efficient water cooled vibrating grate Bale Fired Boiler which runs on multiple fuels like rice straw bale, cane trash, mustard husk, cotton stalk, palm fiber, corn cob, wood chips, etc., that are abundantly available in India.
PM: What is the current market presence of the company – both domestically and internationally? Are there 74 | www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022
50 TPH, 67Kg/cm², Travelling Grate Boiler (Turkey)
any plans of furthering your domestic and global market presence in the near future? SSC: CBL is one of the key players in the boiler industry for both the domestic as well the export market. Today, we are among the top 500 best performing companies also recognised by the Star Export House - a Government certification, and rated among the top 5 boiler manufacturers in the country. We are on a fast track growth trajectory and believe that we would be registering a great transformation while leading the boiler industry on all fronts in the next decade.
PM: What is the future roadmap of Cheema Boilers going forward? What are your strategies and plans for the future growth of the company? SSC: CBL is steaming ahead globally across varying domains. We are offering complete solutions from supplying to commissioning on EPC basis throughout the world. In the view of a shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy, the CBL̕s R&D department
is continuously working round the clock to develop more efficient and multi fuel fired boilers. The R&D department is closely monitored by our Chairman Er. HS Cheema himself. In view of the long-term rising energy demands and related environmental concerns, the industry is destined to head towards alternate and more efficient fuel options in the future. Among them, one of the most promising is with CNIM-Martin (A French-German Collaboration) for the firing of municipal waste in their specifically designed horizontal grate which holds enormous potential in the times to come. Also, we are associated with Nu-way (Enertech Group – UK) for the promotion of their diverse array of highly durable burner ranges qualifying to the most stringent global standards. So, apart from the standard gas and liquid fuels, the tie-up gives an additional edge to deal with varying/complex fuel combinations with biogas, PNG, hydrogen, etc. along with multi-firing compatibility.
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Proklean Technologies:
Accelerating Sustainability in the Pulp & Paper Industry Paper Mart, Mr. Karthikeyan KS, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Alok Goel, Chief Operating Officer, Proklean Technologies Pvt. Ltd., share the new developments at their end, the market scope of green/ sustainable solutions, and the outlook of the paper industry towards ‘green chemistries’.
Paper Mart: Could you please shed some light on the recent developments at Proklean Technologies?
Mr. Karthikeyan KS, Chief Executive Officer, Proklean Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Mr. Alok Goel, Chief Operating Officer, Proklean Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
We have started our R&D and application laboratory and we are significantly investing in terms of introducing new products. Thus, there is a significant focus in terms of growing our product range.
F
ounded a decade ago, Proklean Technologies develops and brings solutions which are based on the idea of ‘green chemistries’ that are effective, for a number of industries, including the pulp & paper industry. With the assurance of reducing the carbon footprint by 80 percent as compared to other chemicals, Proklean has developed a
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proprietary technology to make products that are not only non-toxic and biodegradable but deliver a power packed performance in various applications. Its ‘Bio-based Technology’ is based on the usage of bio-based ingredients, combining the knowledge of applications and green chemistries for enhanced results without being toxic. In a joint conversation with
Karthikeyan KS: As a company, we are committed to the idea of developing ‘green chemistry that delivers’ – which is the motto of Proklean Technologies. We are devoting to the innovation in the industry through R&D, and product development, and expanding our product portfolio. In the paper division, we have a significant and expandable product portfolio. Meanwhile, we are ramping up the back-end infrastructure, like setting up a new facility, which will have three times the earlier capacity. Moreover, we have also set up installed processes and advanced systems, that in turn, is also helping us to cater to the industry in a better manner. We have been planning and developing a number of new products for the industry. Besides paper, we have different business divisions like textile, leather, consumer products, etc. and we are constantly exploring new verticals. Alok Goel: Recently, we have also added up and enhanced our R&D capabilities and expanded the team. We have recently set up a fully-functional R&D unit – an application lab
P•R•O-E•N•V•I•R•O•N•M•E•N•T for the pulp and paper industry, to test the shelf-life of the products that we make at an in-house level, before their commercial introduction in the market.
PM: Since Proklean especially emphasises on probiotics and green chemistry, how important do you think this is for the paper industry in terms of its market potential and future? KKS: Firstly, at an overall level, this emphasis, on sustainability and green/ environmentally friendly solutions, has become a global phenomenon, in order to cater to a number of problems related to the environment. That has been the core theme of the company. Also, the paper industry has been one of the key industries in terms of the users of chemical usage, and water consumption. Since the industry is highly water-intensive, there is a huge generation of by-products of waste. In this sense, it becomes important to promote the use of green solutions and implement them as much as possible in the operations. Then, in totality, it significantly helps the end-to-end papermaking processes and competencies of the industry. It helps the industry to minimise the usage of various hazardous chemicals and also manage and conserve water, in a much safer and environmentally friendly way.
PM: How would you describe the future of the segment and how do you plan to expand your range? KKS: We are very positive and bullish in terms of the growth of the paper industry. It also indicates the growth of sustainability all over the world. The paper has also grown as an alternative to traditional forms of packaging like plastics and is gaining importance in the current scenario. Also, as an end-use, we see a lot of packaged products in paper-based packaging forms, thanks to the rising awareness. Moreover, the significant demand of the packaging segment is also driven by double income households, the rise of nuclear families, etc. Thus, the packaged
items/products are becoming more and more popular. Hence, we foresee an upsurge of a significant demand for paper-based packaging. In this sense, we would say that we are bullish and completely committed towards this industry. Of course, the commitment also is in close relation to our expansion plans. Also, as I’ve mentioned, we have grown our product portfolio, from two products to eight products, at present. Moreover, we have another 4-6 products in our pipeline. We have multiplied our product range and we are really aspiring towards growing this further. As mentioned earlier, we have started our R&D and application laboratory and we are significantly investing in terms of introducing new products. Thus, there is a major focus in terms of growing our product range. AG: With the approach to solve the problems and challenges faced by the pulp and paper industry, and to address the problems at the grassroots level, instead of introducing something that actually causes more problems, we go through ‘solutioning’ approach, which solves the problems existing in the paper industry, by helping the companies in lowering the carbon footprint, and become more efficient in the processes.
PM: Since the company brings in sustainable solutions, and in the past few years, there’s been an increasing focus on sustainability – please tell us about the paper industry’s interests and approach towards green/sustainable chemistries? KKS: I think the industry definitely looks for good alternatives that are sustainable. The challenge was - how we can balance the ‘green’ solutions, and match it up in terms of commercial expectations. I think every industry is becoming very conscious with regard to environmental concerns. And this is the space where we have also been seeing growing acceptance. In fact, the core factor behind our success is that we have been able to manage all these aspects in the right manner, i.e. the performance, cost, as well as sustainability. Typically, this is where the gap
was in the market. Thankfully, we have been able to bridge the gap in this area. Once that was solved, we could see a growing acceptance in the market.
PM: As you have joined the company recently as the CEO, please describe your role at the company. KKS: My role is to make the organisation future-ready. I believe that building an organisation is really important and I have been putting my efforts into - how we can prepare for the future. We are at a phase where we have been looking forward to achieving exponential growth. A right organisation always maintains the right balance of people, systems, and processes.
PM: Anything else that you would like to add to the interaction? AG: I think the pulp and paper industry is in great shape. Also, the move away from plastics – has been impacting the market sales and demand for paper and paper-based products. Moreover, it is like we are traversing back to how it was before – the market demand for paper-based products, which had decreased as against the growing popularity of plastic products in the past, is now again indicating the increasing transition towards the adoption of paper-based materials. There are significant investments happening in the paper industry, which are directed towards boosting the capacities. The industry is becoming more competitive than before, at a global level. We see a good upcycle in the coming decade. KKS: In addition to the mentioned factors, consumer awareness, in terms of adoption of environmentally friendly products, has also been playing a significant role. This, in turn, has been helping paper companies to work towards the in-demand products, and focus on those areas. It is one of the core drivers of the growth of sustainability in the paper industry. Considering this, if a company is already offering solutions that are commercially available and cost-efficient, implies that the adoption would become much faster. www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022 | 77
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PAPEREX 2022
CONCLUDES ON A
HIGH NOTE
The 15th International Exhibition & Conference on Pulp, Paper & Allied Industries was held at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida from 10-13 May. Dr. Ajay Satia, Chairman and Managing Director, Satia Industries Ltd., was awarded for his pioneering efforts to establish an agro-based paper mill to ensure a sustained growth and by gradually increasing capacity and taking the company to new heights with innovative products. Meanwhile, Dr. Shekhar Desarda, Chairman and Managing Director, Parason Machinery India Pvt. Ltd., was awarded for his contributions in the development of paper machinery technologies and his role in transforming the company into a world-class technology company. The Lifetime Achievement award was conferred upon Mr. R.C. Mall and Dr. A.R.K Rao for their immense contributions in pulp and paper industry.
The inaugural ceremony of the Paperex Conference and Exhibition.
P
aperex, one of the most comprehensive platforms, was held from 10th May to 13th May 2022 with the series of exhibitions and conferences focusing on paper, pulp and allied industries. The show, visited by paper & board manufacturers, paper traders, printers, publishers, converters, packaging companies, corrugated box designers and investors & promoters, witnessed huge footfall and massive response. Over 500 exhibitors from more than 20 countries – presented their product range, latest technological advancements, machinery, and innovations at the four days-event. Paper Mart Team attended the four day event of Paperex show, which was held at India Expo Centre in Greater Noida – to highlight and bring to our readers the developments and innovations taking place in the pulp, paper, and allied industry. During the inaugural ceremony, which was graced by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, the stalwarts of the paper industry were recognised for their efforts and superlative contributions in the paper industry. Other key dignitaries in the session included Mr. AS Mehta, President of Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) and President & Executive Director, JK Paper Ltd; Mr. Pramod Agarwal, President, Indian Agro & Recycled Paper Mills Association (IARPMA); Mr. S. Krishnan, Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Government of Tamil Nadu, and Chairman & Managing Director, TNPL; Mr. Abhik Tandon, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company, Inc.; Mr. Kasi Viswanathan, Chairman, Paperex Technical Committee; and Mr. Gaurav Sood, Director, Hyve India Pvt. Ltd.
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In his inaugural address, Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad said, “In my discussion with Mr. Pramod Agarwal, I found out that there are 850 paper mills – out of which 750 paper mills are in operation. I would like to make a sincere appeal that the mills which are lying defunct – should be made operational. Because the demand for paper is huge in the country, which should also certainly increase. The output capacity of the paper mills which are operational is around 34 million tonnes. However, I came to know that the actual paper produced is only 24 million tonnes. With regard to the cost factor, the size of the paper industry is roughly about USD 10.5 billion, and the employment/livelihood opportunities are for about 5 lakh farmers, and the utilisation of degraded lands is about 12 lakh hectares. In light of the population of India which is about 130 crore, the paper production is only 2 percent of the world's paper production. Thus, in order to fulfill the increasing demand for paper, the existing paper production rate will have to be increased by 7-8 times. This is why I feel there is a huge scope of growth in the domestic paper industry. Regarding the shortcomings of the industry, Dr. Karad added, “There are two important aspects – the lack of raw materials, and the need to upgrade to advanced technologies. The paper industry should work in the direction of adopting innovative technologies which could enable it to increase the rate of production of more paper in a short span of time.” Talking about the growth in exports, the minister said, “I am proud to say that the target of total exports which we had set for ourselves was 400 billion tonnes, which we have surpassed the total exports of the country by achieving 418 billion tonnes. Moreover, 43 percent as compared to the previous year, the exports have increased more than its target. And to further increase exports, we all should make collective efforts. In my
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Dr. S.C. Desarda, Chairman & Managing Director, Parason Machinery, was awarded for his tremendous contributions. inaugural address, I wish to express that there is a lot of scope of further growth and proliferation of the paper industry. In this paper industry, 75 percent of the paper products are generated from the recycling of the waste paper. Nowadays, we have been innovating in terms of the applications and uses of paper and paper-based products. For instance, in the tableware segment, there was a huge prevalence of plastic-based materials, which has now decreased as compared to their paper-based counterparts. Moreover, there's been a growing popularity of paper straws as against the plastic straws. Even in the 'furniture' market, the paper industry has been making its foray. Thus, the growing usage of paper and paper products which are easily disposable – indicates the importance of further encouraging the growth of the pulp and paper industry. I would also like to shed light on the fact that the availability of agricultural waste can be further increased in the paper industry if it is being utilised properly. To mention a few examples, forest-based waste products, banana stems, and rice straws, which are typically disposed off or burnt, can be used in the pulp and paper industry as agro-residues for agrobased paper mills. If innovations take place in this segment, in addition to the pulp and paper industry getting its raw material requirements, the farmers will be able to increase their incomes and sources of livelihood. Notably, if the agricultural residues, which are burnt away by the farmers, are instead used in the paper industry, it will enable in further regulating the pollution levels.
Dr. A R K Rao won the IARPA Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. N. Gopalaratnam, Chairman & MD, Seshasayee Paper and Boards, received the award on his behalf. to transform this country as self-reliant. Hence, there have been a number of schemes initiated by various ministries of the government. Out of these initiatives, there have been some specific schemes for the MSME sector, including – Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) for which the government has earmarked a budget of INR 5 lakh crore, and has been extended till March 31, 2023. Moreover, in view of the idea that the facilities and provisions for the MSME sector should be made available to more industry segments, the scope of the MSMEs has been further expanded. Earlier, in the micro industries in the MSME sector, the capital investment used to be around INR 25 lakh while the turnover was around INR 1 crore. However, the industry has now achieved a turnover of INR 5 crore. The small-scale industries have achieved a turnover of around INR 50 crore, which used to be about INR 10 crore. And the medium-scale industry has now grown its turnover from INR 20 crore to INR 100 crore.”
At this point, I would like to simply state that under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi, we should make efforts
He further revealed that the Procurement Policies of the government has been amended and changed. “If the tender is valued less than INR 2000 crore in any industry, it will only be awarded to Indian companies. However, for tenders valued above INR 2000 crore, both Indian and international companies can compete and submit their bids. Thus, we should make efforts to transform the paper industry as selfreliant and the Indian government will provide its full support in this regard. Some executives, professionals, and industrialists, had visited my office to discuss the key issues and challenges faced by the paper industry. I would like to invite the industry players to further discuss the positive developments and conclusions derived from the conference
Mr. R.K. Bhandari (Joint MD) and Mr. Chirag Satia (Executive Director), received the prestigious Achievement Award on behalf of Dr. Ajay Satia, Chairman & MD, Satia Industries, who was recognised for his peerless and excellent achievements.
Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad presented the IARPA Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. R.C. Mall.
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and this exhibition. The government of India will make its efforts in further uplifting the pulp and paper industry and increasing the production of the industry. Moreover, the selfsustenance of the paper industry should be further increased. With the proposition to further enhance the respect of the farmers of the country, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi yojana (PM-Kisan) was launched. Similarly, the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana was also introduced. There are various government-led initiatives, which might not be in direct relevance to the paper industry. However, for the upliftment of the poorest of the poor citizens of the country, street vendors, etc., and their self-reliance – a number of schemes have been initiated. While discussing with the industry representatives, it came to light that there are two key challenges of the industry, which is, the availability of raw materials, and power. Through this platform, I would like to urge the industry to maximise the usage of agro-residues to fulfill their raw material requirements. Mr. S. Krishnan, Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, emphasised the importance of renewable energy. During the COP26 summit held in Glasgow, the Prime Minister expressed the commitment of India to cut its carbon emissions to net zero by 2070. This implies that we
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have to make efforts in this direction, by expanding – wind power, solar power, and different kinds of renewable power. Today, I would simply like to express the promise and commitment to stay in touch with the paper industry to address the possible challenges that we couldn't discuss today. I would personally like to discuss the issues and concerns with the delegates/representatives of the paper industry. With these words, I would like to appreciate and commend all the organisers, committees, and all the delegates present here. Further, I would conclude my speech by giving my best wishes for the success of this 4-day exhibition.” Following his interesting speech, Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad was presented a plant sapling as a token of appreciation and gratitude. Mr. Gaurav Sood, Director, Hyve India Pvt. Ltd., said, “The paper industry is not as popular as other allied industries like printing, packaging, etc. And most of us like to follow a trend to include a signature in our email like “Think about the environment before printing this email”. And many of us don't think beyond that when we think of paper. Paper is a very powerful human innovation. It is hard to imagine a life without paper. Despite technological advance-
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In his keynote address, Mr. Tandon, Abhik Tandon, Associate Partner, In his keynote address, Mr. Abhik Associate Partner, ments ments leadingleading to increased to increased computerised computerised operations, operations, paper paper McKinsey & Company, Inc., said, “It is my privilege to give the McKinsey & Company, Inc., said, “It is my privilege to give the still holds stillon holds to its onimportance to its importance as an essential as an essential commodity commodity in in keynote cum SV memorial as we inaugurate keynote addressaddress cum SV memorial lecturelecture as we inaugurate our everyday our everyday life. There life. There is no replacement is no replacement of paper of for paper its for its theedition 15th edition of Paperex the 'Post-Pandemic the 15th of Paperex on theon 'Post-Pandemic GrowthGrowth usage and usage recording, and recording, storagestorage and dissemination and dissemination of important of important and Restructuring'. At the very outset, must attribute and Restructuring'. At the very outset, I must Iattribute to Mr. to Mr. information. information. Speciality Speciality paper paper gives the gives new theprinting new printing and and S. Vishwanathan, a dynamic and versatile a freedom S. Vishwanathan, a dynamic and versatile lawyer,lawyer, a freedom packaging packaging options, options, tissue paper tissuegives paperusgives unmatched us unmatched hygiene hygiene an industrialist. Also, was regarded fighter,fighter, and anand industrialist. Also, he washeregarded as the as the and comfort, and comfort, and soand on. so There on. There is a myth is a that myththe that paper the paper of the Agro-based paper industry' in He India. He shaped 'Father'Father of the Agro-based paper industry' in India. shaped manufacturers manufacturers use wood useas wood theirasraw their materials, raw materials, but thebut reality the reality the vision of this industry, and this, in turn led to the estabthe vision of this industry, and this, in turn led to the estabis thatisonly that5 only percent 5 percent of the of specific the specific wood is wood usedisasused rawas raw lishment of lishment of TNPL, and Seshasayee Papers. TNPL, and Seshasayee Papers. material material for producing for producing paper.”paper.” The first era of global boost saw global shifts, shifts, severalseveral mega mega The first era of global boost saw global “Hyve “Hyve India has India thehas vision the vision to create to create a portfolio a portfolio of events of events for for mergers like that ofthat Smurfit Kappa,Kappa, and large in the in the mergers like of Smurfit andchanges large changes the pulp, thepaper pulp,and paper allied andindustries, allied industries, and hasand been haspromoting been promoting large-scale Asian corporations. large-scale Asian corporations. and developing and developing Paperex Paperex to our to global our global network. network. In the In lastthe last three years, threePaperex years, Paperex has received has received unprecedented unprecedented recognition recognition The second The second of change witnessed the decline of decadedecade of change witnessed the decline of and acceptance and acceptance globally. globally. Paperex Paperex is the is largest-of-its-kind the largest-of-its-kind this was accompanied by focus heavyon focus graphicgraphic papers;papers; this was accompanied by heavy the on the event in the in world, organised in India Hyve, with the event the world, organised in by India by Hyve, with the restructuring theand pulppaper and paper industry, and restructuring of the of pulp industry, and the co-the cosupport of leading associations. It is aItunified business support of leading associations. is a unified business portfolios. The external three external affected portfolios. The three factorsfactors directlydirectly affected the the platform for thefor paper for newfor business opportuniplatform theindustry, paper industry, new business opportuniindustry, andeffects their effects continued to –bethe feltrepercus– the repercusindustry, and their continued to be felt ties,ventures, joint ventures, investments, technology transfer, ties, joint investments, technology transfer, in the in the of the COVID-19 pandemic, newchain valuedynamics chain dynamics sions ofsions the COVID-19 pandemic, new value paper andindustry. allied industry. This year Paperex ready to repeat paper and allied This year Paperex is readyisto repeat (for e.g., ordering good products, stronger regional trade, and (for e.g., ordering good products, stronger regional trade, and the success story with the presence 500 leading exhibitors, the success story with the presence of 500 of leading exhibitors, more protectionism), the regulatory environment. more protectionism), and theand regulatory environment. and representation from 20 countries,” Mr.concluded, Sood concluded, and representation from 20 countries,” Mr. Sood of the key impacts hasthe been the graphic paper segments One ofOne the key impacts has been graphic paper segments thanking the partners, media partners, exhibitors, and visitors. thanking the media exhibitors, and visitors.
www.papermart.in www.papermart.in / April-May, / April-May, 2022 | 2022 81 | 81
E•V•E•N•T C•O•V•E•R•A•G•E which had already forced many paper mills globally to shut down their operations or enter into new segments. Almost 11 percent of the global graphic paper capacity has got to restructuring across Europe, Asia, and North America. During this period, China has also strongly influenced the industry. For example, environmental concerns, and trade policies – China is to intensify the restrictions on the imported recovered paper. Substitutes such as recycled pulp haven't been able to keep pace with mixed paper grades, resulting in increased demand for
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virgin pulp fiber globally. This has completely disrupted the dynamics for recycled fiber, and has forced many countries to re-evaluate similar such policies. To manifest this second era of forced restructuring, several globally diversified pulp and paper corporations, also engaged in divesting some business areas, exiting some geographies, and focussing back on their core businesses. In India, several industry players have faced supply and cost pressures of the raw material as the direct effect of some of
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these trends. However, in the 2020s, we have been ushering into a very different type of change. The third era of transformational change, when we characterised by the next wave of industry disruptions – digital and analytics coupled with increased efforts in sustainability and in addition, some permanent changes in customer behavior, such as the increase in online shopping, and the new environmental regulations, especially after post-COVID-19, is likely to accelerate during this period. This is likely to cause further disruptions, and make it harder for pulp and paper companies to plan reliably, without taking preemptive action. During this period, we have also now seen packaging efficient segments, for example, which are expected to be the key growth vectors for the industry, driving almost all of the growth that will be seen over the next five-ten years. One of the key trends enabling this will be e-commerce. It will fundamentally change how the consumers' demands for the industry output – both as – end-products such as tissue papers, and as crucial enablers such as – packaging. This demand will accelerate key product developments, and innovation trends, such as – lightweighting, new and cost-efficient materials, for e.g., hybrids of virgin and recycled paperboard grades, as well as format changes, such as in packaging. With this, we come to a crossroad – we are all at a stage with the revolving global shifts, some degree of unavoidable restructuring, and finally, we are looking at a set of new vectors that will define growth and transformation. So what
should be the priority of the industry in the light of this scenario? The answer lies in the word – TREES, it is a simple acronym to help you remember the five crucial considerations as you plan your strategy: l
l
l
l
Transform Digitally: It is going to be important to harness digital and analytics to strengthen the competitiveness of your value chain including the implementation of Industry 4.0 in operations; employing data and analytics to make a step change in commercial excellence; and implementing digital processes to improve sourcing, and reducing costs. Resource-Proofing the Company: I think enough has been said on some of this in the earlier speeches, but proactively managing in relation to resources like fiber, water, etc. – are going to be very critical. Consider if your wood or fiber supply is resilient enough to support productions and if there are any opportunities to create a competitive advantage out of this. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG): Leading on environmental, sustainability, and governance issues is going to be the need of the hour. It will require a mindset that 'it will happen', and not 'it might happen'. It will require a comprehensive relook of operations and product portfolio, but at the same time, it will create massive new opportunities for businesses in segments such as sustainable packaging. Embed New Talents: It will become increasingly impor-
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tant to retain great talents in processes and technical division. In addition, looking to attract new talents and competencies that will shape the next decade will be equally critical. l
Succeeding in the Big Bets: Carefully thinking through some of the positioning of the products against the fast moving trends, navigating both organic and inorganic options to move ahead, is going to be important. Focus on opportunities across the full value chain, from normal pulps, which we briefly spoke about, capturing growth from mega trends like surge in e-commerce, and pursuing targeted paper and packaging innovations such as functional papers, to substitute plastics.
As industry leaders, a very interesting period lies ahead, which holds some of the key imperatives for all of us to consider.” The vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. R Krishnaswamy, Vice President, IARPMA and CMD, Sripathi Paper Mills, who said, “I am touching upon this paper industry, and particularly, the agro-based paper industry, and waste-paper based industry. During the COVID period, most of the waste paper-based paper mills were largely affected, due to a lot of reasons like unavailability of containers as a lot of countries intermittently announced during the pandemic. This ended up in skyrocketing the prices of the containers, by almost threefour times of the normal prices. In addition, due to COVID, there was the closure of educational institutions like schools, colleges, and software companies that were also operating remotely. It resulted in decreased demand for paper products. With regard to availability of raw materials, in particu-
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lar, the procurement of waste papers, for the waste paperbased paper mills, was a challenge. Another challenge is that coal, which is considered as a major source for energy, has become very costly due to such policies by countries like Indonesia, Australia, etc. which used to export coal. Due to these issues, the paper industry has been undergoing some challenges, and has been experiencing losses in operations. Thus, in such a situation, we would request the Government of India to pay heed to these issues,” he concluded. The inaugural session was followed by a panel discussion on 'Paper industry: Post Pandemic Segmentation and Forecasts.' The panellists in the session included Mr. Sanjay Singh, Divisional Chief Executive, Paperboards and Specialty Papers Division, ITC Ltd., Mr. SVR Krishnan, Executive Director, Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Ltd (TNPL), Mr. Pawan Agarwal, Managing Director, Naini Papers Ltd. (NAINI), Mr. Suneel Kulkarni, Country Head- Pulp & Paper, APRIL, Mr. N. Gopalaratnam, Chairman, Seshasayee Paper and Boards Ltd (SPB), and Mr. Harpreet Singh Bagga, Director -Operations - India, Asia, MENA & Australia, MacMillan Education. The discussion threw light on the scenario of the paper industry after the pandemic. Mr. Harpreet Singh Bagga, Director Operations - India, Asia, MENA & Australia, MacMillan Education, threw light on how the education sector changed during the pandemic, with the closure of educational institutions. While the students started attending online schools, it was quite challenging for teachers to continue with their teaching as the students were without books. Talking about books as a key source of education and the rising importance of digital mediums, he said, “We decided to develop a 'Blended
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Teaching-Learning Platform', wherein we had blended products integrated with both digital and print mediums. Thus, we launched our first Blended product in 2021. And it has been very satisfactory to note that after one and a half years, we have already seen 15 percent of our revenue generated from that blended program. This has been a trend in the western world, where blended programs are designed in a way that a student reads three books and then reads the learning manuals associated with those three books. Thus, we have been seeing how the students were facing challenges without books and this is why we came up with digital products. In a few European countries like Spain, digital educational resources have always been a part of the curriculum. But the fact is that there is a very lesser usage and popularity of digital-only products. The products which have become successful today are the mixed-medium products, which are print + digital. Thus, with regard to the education and publishing industry, this has certainly been the 'new normal', which means that we would not probably continue the way we were doing before. The way forward is going to be a mix of print and digital. And I think, very clearly, our industry is going to reach the pre-COVID levels either this year or next year, and will probably surpass that in 2024, because of the changes like New Education Policy and National Curriculum Frameworks (NCF) which is going to come about. Hence, I see a huge demand for print mediums in the future. Having said that, digital will become a key component. While there are immense challenges in the digital medium with regard to school learning as to how to engage students in digital media outside of schools. Thus, it is still a challenge which we need
to address. I would like to say that the print medium is going to play a critical role in K12 education. This is the way the educational publishing industry has been progressing. However, there are other components of education like test prep which have grown significantly over the years. Moreover, in higher education, we will see an impact in the requirements of print mediums because where the learner is aged above a certain level, can have flexible learning patterns, and their pedagogy can move online quickly.” Mr. Pawan Agarwal, Managing Director, Naini Papers Ltd. (NAINI) concluded the session highlighting that while there might not be much to explore in the education sector, there are other sectors that would see huge demand for paper and paper products in the coming future. He said, “Somebody said that 'bigger the crisis, higher the opportunity'. That is always true, but we need to start preparing for the crisis, before it happens. The kind of technologies that we invest in always pays. That has been a key learning from this recent crisis. It is true that markets have grown to become a lot more volatile, and there is a feeling of uncertainty and anxiety in the market. Bad news comes in, and markets drop, and this is our own market dynamics. Post-pandemic, we won't be able to be what we were before the pandemic - this has been very clear since the early periods during the advent of the pandemic. Moreover, for the fine papers market, the takers are going to be reduced by half. It is not just the school learners who are buying paper in the forms of books and textbooks, but also the offices, and other segments. The new generation is not easily going to shift to books and print mediums and notebooks, and it is the harsh reality. This is with respect to the market of fine papers.
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E•V•E•N•T C•O•V•E•R•A•G•E However, the demand for other products, such as – tissue papers in the hygiene segment is going to go up. We have to find more applications of paper so that it can replace other substrates, for instance, plastics. Also, the demand and application of paper as a substitute to plastic, is going to expand and grow further. In the last two-three years, the market demand for every other industry segment, in
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the paper industry, has gone down except the packaging grades. Notably, the right kind of technology, the right kind of people, and the right kind of mindset are the most important factors in the industry. Also, we have to be really innovative in terms of our product quality and should look for ways to improve our logistics and supply chain in the industry.”
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I•N•D•U•S•T•R•Y S•P•E•A•K
Thai Tiger: BJC Cellox Aiming to be #1 in Tissue Thai tissue producer BJC Cellox needed a new tissue line to take advantage of growing demand for its high-quality products. ANDRITZ was chosen to supply a complete turnkey line including a PrimeLineCOMPACT tissue machine.
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erli Jucker Cellox (BJC Cellox), first established in 1990, is a dynamic, growing tissue manufacturer located some 150 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, in Prachinburi, Thailand. Since its founding the company has taken advantage of rapid growth in tissue demand in the region, and it now has five tissue machines dedicated to serving the Asian market. “There is very healthy demand for tissue in Thailand as well as in the surrounding regions,” says Mr. Apinan Laocharoensuk, Managing Director of BJC Cellox. “It is our aim to be the No. 1 tissue supplier in Thailand, as well as grow beyond our borders into other countries, for instance Vietnam.” The company makes a complete range of tissue Mr. Apinan Laocharoensuk, products for bathroom, Managing Director, Berli Jucker facial, kitchen towel and Cellox napkins under the brand names of Cellox, Zilk, Maxo, Belle, and Hygienist for AfH products. As well as the domestic market, the company also exports to neighbouring countries including Singapore, Cambodia and Burma.
Ultimately we chose ANDRITZ to supply what is now PM 5 as we knew the company was one of the leading suppliers to the tissue industry globally. When commercial discussions began, straight away we had excellent collaboration.
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High-quality and energy efficient tissue production at Berli Jucker Cellox
BJC Cellox is in an excellent position in a region that is only set to grow when it comes to consumption, “In our region tissue consumption per capita is still low when compared to other countries such as Japan or South Korea. In fact here per capita consumption is just one quarter of the amount of that consumed in those countries,” adds Mr. Laocharoensuk.
Andritz Ticked all the Boxes To assist in its ambition to be No. 1 and to cope with burgeoning tissue demand, in 2018 the management at BJC Cellox began looking very closely at all suppliers to the tissue industry in search of the best solution for its expansion needs. Mr. Laocharoensuk says, “Ultimately we chose ANDRITZ to supply what is now PM 5 as we knew the company was one of the leading suppliers to the tissue industry globally. When commercial discussions began, straight away we had excellent collaboration.” The company decided on a complete tissue production line supplied by ANDRITZ. The delivery consisted of a PrimeLineCOMPACT tissue machine with steel Yankee and shoe press as well as a complete stock preparation system, forming fabrics, press felts and shoe press belts. It also included automation with Metris digitization technology for remote support, which was to provide a vital lifeline during start-up.
I•N•D•U•S•T•R•Y S•P•E•A•K The tissue machine has an annual capacity of 35,000 t/y a year, a design speed of 1,900 m/min and a working width of 2.80 m. The Yankee diameter is 16 ft. The stock preparation system is split into a short and a long fiber line and is equipped with ANDRITZ Papillon refiners with a cylindrical refining zone. Mr. Ji Haihong, ANDRITZ Project Manager - Stock Preparation, explains, “The special geometry of our Papillon refiners combines gentle and homogeneous fiber treatment. Thanks to the compact rotor design, the refiner concept offers significant improvements in energy consumption compared to other refiners on the market.” “ANDRITZ simply ticked all the boxes with its solution of the complete tissue line,” says Mr. Laocharoensuk. “In addition, they have a remarkable USP, namely their PrimeLineTIAC, the world’s most modern tissue pilot plant. This gives us the unique opportunity to deeply exchange knowhow and to develop our products further and to achieve even better quali- Tine Kocbek, Project Manager – ty. This will bring us ahead Tissue, ANDRITZ of our competition!”
Due to the open communication and absolute respect from both sides, we mastered the challenge.
Remote Assistance during Start-Up and for Ongoing Optimisation The complete tissue production line was successfully started up in early 2021, right in the middle of the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A key part of the successful start-up was down to Metris Remote Assistance, which was utilized to the full, allowing ANDRITZ specialists from all over Europe to fully take part in the technical procedures. Some ANDRITZ experts were also on location during the start-up.
“Despite the COVID-19 situation we had full support from ANDRITZ,” says Mr. Laocharoensuk. “We had technicians on site, as well as remote assistance and I have to say that our mill team here together with ANDRITZ did a great job and we achieved a remarkable result. We even started up on time.” Mr. Tine Kocbek, ANDRITZ Project Manager Tissue, says, “Managing the start-up with remote assistance by experts from our European locations and colleagues on-site at Prachinburi was quite an experience, especially in the middle of a serious pandemic. This project to me was like my very own baby, and I must admit I had one or two sleepless nights. However due the Mr. Ji Haihong, Project Manager open communication and Stock Preparation, ANDRITZ absolute respect from China both sides, we mastered the challenge.”
Thanks to the compact rotor design, the refiner concept offers significant improvements in energy consumption compared to the market standard.
Remote assistance via Metris has continued as PM 5 now is up and running and adding another 20 t/d of high-quality tissue production to the mill’s total output of 90 t/d. Mr. Pisit Samatta, Associate Manufacturing Director, BJC Cellox, says, “One of the features we are really pleased with on the new tissue line is the remote assistance we receive from ANDRITZ when optimising the efficiency of the machine. Specialists are able to see exactly how well the line is running, and offer assistance to optimise the line even further. This was really helpful during the learning curve when we started up, and now to have remote assistance whenever we need it has come in really handy.”
Higher Quality, Less Energy Costs The tissue line from ANDRITZ is now running at 1,700 m/ min producing high-quality tissue at markedly reduced energy consumption. This is due to ANDRITZ’s focus on the ever-growing importance of energy savings in tissue production, but it’s also down to one of the key components supplied to the tissue line at BJC Cellox; the PrimePress XT Evo shoe press. When used in combination with the steel Yankee, the shoe press dewaters the paper web very gently, but very www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022 | 95
I•N•D•U•S•T•R•Y S•P•E•A•K thoroughly. By doing so it achieves a higher dry content than conventional presses. Due to the special design of the press, and the reduced need for thermal drying, as much as 20 percent of energy can be saved under optimal operating conditions. In addition, the StrataPress T press felt ensures peak performance in the press section at high machine speeds. Mr. Chusak Soysungvam, Mill Director, BJC Cellox, says, “We are very pleased with the speed of the machine and the quality of the tissue coming off the new line, the increased bulk of the tissue means we can possibly even enter new markets. “But what we are really impressed with is the amount of energy we are now saving due to the shoe press using so much less LPG. The shoe press removes a large amount of moisture before the Yankee cylinder meaning we save a lot of money in the drying process.” With the introduction of the new line from ANDRITZ, BJC Cellox is now well on its way to achieving its ambition to be No.1 in tissue in Thailand. Laocharoensuk says, “We have an ambition to be the market leader in Thailand, which will happen very soon, as well as having our expansion plans into other markets. We clearly made the right decision to select ANDRITZ for our PM 5 project. We received really professional and outstanding service and support covering all areas from commercial evaluation, technical clarification, machine installation and start-up, as well as ongoing support.”
Getting Technical Stock Preparation:
Stock preparation system consists of two lines in order to process short-fiber and long-fiber pulp separately, and includes the option of adding recycled fiber. Additionally, the lines are equipped with an approach flow system and Dis-
solved Air Flotation (DAF) for fiber recovery. The installed water system is designed to minimise water consumption, thus ensuring highest efficiency and sustainable operation.
Key Equipment: • FibreSolve FSV pulpers for efficient slushing at low energy consumption • Papillon refiners with cylindrical machine concept for optimum development of the fiber potential at low energy consumption as well as for a strong and stable end product • ModuScreen HB head box screens enabling almost pulsation-free screening at low energy consumption and optimum protection of the tissue machine • ShortFlow blending systems enabling reduced chest volumes in the approach flow and energy savings
Tissue Machine: The tissue machine has a design speed of 1,900 meters per minute, a paper width on reel of 2,800 mm, and an annual capacity of 35,000 t. It is equipped with the ANDRITZ PrimeControl automation system for an optimized production process.
Key Equipment: • Headbox and forming section: 1-layer headbox, the optimized step diffusor turbulence generator is constructed of tube bundles with inserts for optimal formation over a wide range of headbox flow rates and consistencies. In combination with the optimized nozzle geometry, gives superior paper quality. The special design features include a low recirculation flow achieved through a tapered header directly mounted to the headbox. The forming section is equipped with TransForm Synergy Plus forming fabrics for faster drainage and superior sheet quality. • Press section: PrimePress XT Evo shoe press that ensures both improved dewatering and better product quality, thus reducing the need for thermal drying. As a result, the energy demand of the tissue machine with shoe press is substantially lower. Stock blending system as part of the stock preparation
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• Drying section: PrimeDry Steel Yankee (16 ft. diameter) for drying-efficient and safe operation.
I•N•D•U•S•T•R•Y S•P•E•A•K • Shoe press in combination with the steel Yankee: The PrimePress XT Evo shoe press dewaters the paper web very gently but also very thoroughly. By doing so, it achieves a higher dry content than conventional presses. Due to the special design of the press and the reduced need for thermal drying, energy is saved. Specifically, this means that energy savings of up to 20 percent are possible under optimum operating conditions in combination with the ANDRITZ PrimeDry Steel Yankee.
The combination of a 16 ft. PrimeDry Steel Yankee and the latest PrimePress XT Evo shoe press technology enables a high drying capacity and achieves remarkable cost savings and operational flexibility as well as improved product quality
• Reel: The secondary arm of the PrimeReel is equipped with a nip load compensation system to adjust the nip pressure through the winding process. A reel spool magazine is installed to store the reel spools and to feed them to the reel via the reel spool lift and ensure efficient and automated operation.
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Kerala Paper Products Starts Newsprint Paper Production
KPPL can commence the operations with the production of newsprint grades of 42 GSM & 45 GSM while the printing paper of 52 GSM-70 GSM, mainly for notebook and textbook segments, the Minister said. May 26, 2022
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erala Paper Products Ltd. (KPPL), erstwhile known as the Velloor-based Hindustan Newsprint Ltd., has started the commercial production of newsprint grades of paper. The state government-owned paper mill had shut down its production about three years ago, attributing it to its poor financial health.
As published in a leading daily, the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the commercial production at the facility. According to the Minister for Industries, Law, and Coir in the Government of Kerala P. Rajeeve, the revival of the public sector unit signals an alternative model of industrial development. Furthermore, by taking over the company which remained defunct for a long period of time, through a resolution plan, the Kerala government has rolled out a strategic plan in four phases for its revival and sustained operations. The outlay for the revival plan consisting of the first two phases of KPPL would be INR 154.39 crore. Further, the third phase envisages capacity expansion and product portfolio diversification, with an investment of INR 650 crore in 27 months. KPPL can commence the operations with the production of newsprint grades of 42 GSM & 45 GSM while the printing paper of 52 GSM-70 GSM, mainly for notebook and textbook segments, the Minister said.
Representative Image: Paper Mills
The fourth phase of operations will be directed towards realigning the existing machinery for the production of packaging grades of kraft paper. It requires an investment of INR 350 crore, and 17 months are planned for its implementation. In the final phase, the company is expected to attain a turnover of INR 3,000 crore and more than 5,00,000 TPA of production capacity. The initial production at the mill has been planned to utilise its own captive de-inked pulp and purchased pulp from the Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Ltd. (TNPL). Afterward, the mill would undertake production with its own pulping streams in the future. www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022 | 97
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Indian Paper Industry and Its Post Pandemic Prognosis The huge disruption caused by the pandemic cannot be denied; however, it has not really changed the course or direction but accelerated the pre-existing trends. but scales truly tilted in its favour during multiple lockdowns across the globe. • Global warming has been an area of growing concern for nearly three decades, the pandemic did not dilute the human resolve to fight it, if anything, the international community is doubling down on countering it. • Geopolitical developments that have erupted recently, have been simmering for a long time.
Author: Mr. Anup Kansal, Partner & Principal Consultant, Business Transformation and Strategy Kansulting
D
uring the last two years, the pandemic has hobbled the world socially, economically, and politically. Hopefully, we are past the worst of it and can look forward to the normalisation of human activity. A lot has been analysed and said about the changes this pandemic has brought about to the normal way of human life. Let us look at some of the macro trends witnessed. • Digitisation of business and human activities was in its infancy till 2019 and multiplied several folds e.g., shift to WFH and online education. • Online businesses were showing healthy growth and gaining share,
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• During 2020, when the world battled the most uncertain and worst phase of the pandemic, the conventional ICE automotive sales plunged in all markets globally, but EV sales volume went up sharply for all major brands. While huge disruptions caused by the pandemic cannot be denied, the disruption has not really changed the course or direction but has actually accelerated the pre-existing trends. The paper industry globally and in India is not likely to be any different in this regard. The following is an attempt to decode the trends, challenges, and opportunities in various market segments in the industry from markets, marketing, and supply chain perspective.
Packaging The packaging uses a vast array of materials out of which paper and boards are the largest by volume and value. Depending upon the application and usage, paper-based packaging itself comprises at least 6 distinct segments-
Flexible Packaging: Primary packaging happens to be the most versatile and fastest-growing category. The materials used are predominantly plastic films but paper constitutes a healthy 15 percent of the pie. Most of the grades used are printing grades or the ones that can be manufactured on W&P equipment. Share of paper in flexible packaging will largely depend not on the grades or the quality of the paper but on the supply chain compatibility with the packaging industry. First is the lead time; the flexible packaging industry gets packaging films in 5-7 days, delivered. The ability to service special size, joint-free, and length-specific reels are other important expectations. In fact, on both factors i.e., lead time and special size reels, the paper industry can meet the requirements with a focused and sustained program. Businesses from the flexible packaging segment can offer improved productivity, cost reduction thru a better reel to sheet mix as well as the possibility of better price realisation. Corrugated Box: This is by far the largest and a high growth segment in packaging applications. As a shipper solution, it is practically unchallenged in terms of cost, functionality, and sustainability. For many years, this segment remained a low focus and low-tech area across its supply chain. But in recent years, box converting has already migrated to semi-automatic and automatic operations bringing about huge gains in quality, productivity, and cost. This
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phase also brought about ply reduction at a large scale even though with partial offsetting of the gain by the increase in paper GSM. This segment is generating over 0.5 million MT of additional demand every year, this has allowed investment in scale and technology in the liner and media grades. As the quality and consistency of paper are transformed by new investments, the next phase of evolution will bring about gains through GSM reduction. Currently, e-commerce contributes barely 5 percent of consumption but is growing at more than twice the rate. Besides, it is also driving the shift towards lower GSM. Another opportunity in new product development for the paper manufacturer is driven by the quest for integrating primary packaging and shipper for e-commerce-specific SKUs. Here suitable grades for micro corrugation could be an option. The water-resistant liner for the outer layer is another possibility for shipping applications. Other than new products, the industry could also build a competitive edge through supply chain competency in areas like reel size, length-specific reels, lower lead time, etc. Carton Box: Various types of multi-layer boards e.g., FBB, duplex boards, etc. are used in this segment. The main advantage of this material is its superior aesthetics and shelf presence. Processed food packaging of various types is the most wide-
ly used application. But contrary to popular belief, it is not suitable for primary packaging due to its lack of barrier properties. Therefore, all food packaging in this format comes in ‘Bag in Box’ format wherein the primary packaging is a plastic filmbased laminate. This increases the overall cost of packaging, so critical to mass-produced products. As a result, this application is losing its share to flexible packaging. On the other hand, for premium categories like liquor, cosmetics, perfumes, etc., this packaging remains the preferred option. But even in these cases, the carton box remains the secondary package. Food Service Packaging: The segment uses the widest variety of grades spanning multi-layer boards, kraft papers, printing grades and even some specialty grades. Barrier-coated grades introduced in recent years are mostly consumed in this segment. The market is fragmented and unorganised and will require an extensive marketing and channel development program to gain a high share. There is also an opportunity to work on business development with app-based food delivery services to improve the market presence in this segment. Single-Use Disposables: This is another segment of interest for manufacturers of W&P grades besides kraft grades. This too is heavily fragmented but a reasonable product and suit-
able sales channel could determine the winners in this growing segment. Industrial Applications: Multi-layer paper sacks and interleaving applications are some of the opportunities. High strength kraft and low GSM printing grades could gain handsome volumes for those willing to invest in focused business development.
Writing & Printing The printing grades business faced maximum uncertainty and volatility during the last two years. The recent price buoyancy notwithstanding, the medium to long-term demand growth prospects looks uncertain. The shift toward online activities and digitisation will take a toll on demand growth in this segment. Besides, high prices and supply uncertainties may accelerate the shift away. Within uncoated woodfree, the copier application is getting replaced by desktop printing. This has shifted the demand source from offices and jobbers to homes and institutions. This is truly transforming the copier paper into a consumer product. This shift will necessitate changes in the way cut size papers are conceived, marketed, and distributed. Coated woodfree will maintain relatively higher growth in the category. More domestic manufacturers can enter this segment and easily replace imports that constitute 70 percent of total demand.
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As demand growth slows down in the W&P sector, the industry will need to look at new opportunities that can be serviced by its existing assets with minimal or no investment. Some of the opportunities in the packaging sector discussed earlier can be handy in this regard.
Tissue Tissue is the highest growing segment in the Indian paper market albeit at a very low base. Some manufacturers have moved early into this space and are cornering the growth dividend. This is one segment where a big opportunity exists in converting, marketing, and branding domain. So far, no organised player has ventured into this, purely due to reasons of non-familiarity. Moving down the value
chain in this business is a low-hanging fruit that can increase the value by up to 200 percent with just 10-20 percent additional investment.
MT. Most of this demand is being imported from China while the Indian industry has remained focused on low-value absorbent kraft.
Specialty Grades
The global supply chain disruptions will continue at least for the rest of 2022. Sanity is expected in global commodity markets and supply chains only in 2023 or later. For the Indian Paper Industry navigating these times is of utmost importance but the next in line priority should be to prepare for the post-pandemic realities. The pace of change will be rapid and those who prepare early will fare better than others.
This might be the most ignored segment within the paper industry; perhaps no investment has been made in over half a century. The small demand spread over a bewildering variety of grades and technology constraints ensured that the segment remained neglected. But in the last few decades, India has emerged as a global hub for the supply of all types of décor laminates, engineered boards, and related materials for furniture and building construction materials. The domestic market for laminate base papers is over 3 lakh
The author is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience in paper, tissue, packaging, and chemicals.
Kanha Paper Mills Installs a 200 TPD Paper Machine from Scan Machineries
N•E•W•S
The Paper Machine, which consists of 2 pressurised rectifier roll jet headboxes, is designed, manufactured, and supplied by Scan Machineries. May 6, 2022
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anha Paper Mills Pvt. Ltd. has installed a 200 TPD paper machine at its mill in Siliguri, West Bengal. Scan Machineries was selected as the full line manufacturer and supplier for the Paper Machine and the same was successfully commissioned by the commissioning team recently.
The grades of paper that can be produced are – test liner, fluting medium, kraft paper, and white top with paper width at the pope reeler being 4100 mm. The GSM range to be produced is between 80-220 GSM with an anchor GSM of 120 GSM. The Paper Machine consists of 2 pressurised rectifier roll jet headboxes which were designed and manufactured by Scan Machineries for the top and bottom layers of the Fourdrinier
The Paper Machine supplied by Scan Machineries at the Kanha Paper Mills’ site
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Scan Machineries Rectifier Roll Jet Headbox
Paper Machine respectively. Both the headboxes are automated with separate control and degree of automation with Scan Machineries developed breast roll shaker system. A wire section with two wires consisting of many dewatering elements, ceramic tops, showers, auto guides, auto tensioner systems, and doctors were used. The press section is a double felted press type of a straightthrough press with two jumbo press rolls of high nip loads. A dryer section with a size press of a high nip load is used in between the pre-dryer and the post-dryer sections. At the end of the paper production line is a Pope Reeler which has the capacity to produce mother reels of diameters up to 2500 mm.
P•R•O•D•U•C•T W•A•T•C•H
Vertex Chem Adds New Range of Chemicals to its Product Line The newly introduced chemicals include VERPAP-SA (slushing aid), VERPAP-OGR (Oil and Grease Resistant Agent), and VERPAP BCP (Barrier Coating for Paper).
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ertex Chem Pvt. Ltd. (VCPL) has expanded its product portfolio by launching a new range of chemicals for the pulp and paper segment. Established in the year 1994, Vertex Chem Pvt. Ltd. is known for providing sizing chemicals, defoamer, deinking chemicals, finishing agents, coating additives, etc. to paper companies in India and abroad. The newly introduced chemicals include VERPAP-SA (slushing aid), VERPAP-OGR (Oil and Grease Resistant
Agent) and VERPAP BCP (Barrier Coating for Paper). VERPAP-SA is a product mainly developed for reducing the pulping time by wetting the fibers as fast as possible. It improves the wetting properties of the fibers and helps in fibrillation due to middle lamella opening in the chemical reaction. It reduces the refining load and fines in the system by enabling better formation.
VERPAP-OGR is a new oil and grease-resistant agent for paper and paper boards. It repels oil, grease and water for paper and paper board. It can be applied to either an external sizing method (size press, coating) or an internal sizing method (wet end). VERPAP BCP is an emulsion used in cup stock, paper bags, plates etc. it is highly transparent, imparts gloss to coated surface, is heat sealable and gives desired film properties & characteristics of sealing. VCPL has been manufacturing papermaking chemicals for more than 25 years. The company has set up a stateof-the-art R&D centre and advanced manufacturing facility near Mumbai in Maharashtra where it continues to search for newer products that enable its customers to be competitive in the marketplace without compromising on quality.
UFlex Comes up with a Series of New Offerings India’s largest flexible packaging company Uflex has brought a range of solutions including – coating solutions for corrugated boxes and machinery for aseptic liquid packaging.
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Flex Ltd., India’s largest multinational in flexible packaging materials & solutions and a global leader in polymer sciences, has introduced a range of sustainable products and solutions in the packaging segment for brands and converters. The company shared the new launches made during
January to March 2022 while announcing its quarterly and annual results closing on 31 March 2022. These developments are a result of UFlex’ focus on understanding the pain points of brands, analysing the desired user experience they want to deliver
while bringing them closer to their sustainability goals especially with new EPR guidelines being announced in India and other countries. Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman and Managing Director, UFlex Ltd., said, “What excites me most about the
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FLEXCOAT AQUABAN Coating
year ahead is the opportunities that will originate from the much talked about new Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022 in India, and our readiness to embrace them. As a socially responsible organisation that has been leading the way in sustainable solutions, we are setting-up India’s first U-shaped paper straw line for aseptic carton packs at our Sanand plant, which is already gaining traction from many beverage brands considering the impending ban on single use plastic. With our extensive R&D strength and innovative spirit, we are deep into creating future-ready solutions in plastic packaging for our clientele, including advanced biodegradable solutions, so that we can together step closer towards a sustainable tomorrow.”
FLEXCURE HFS Over Printable Coating
of printed papers, boards of mono-cartons, other packaging materials, and for various types of labels used in the labelling industry. Under the ‘Engineering’ Business, the company has brought – FLEXPRESS 10000 Servo Control Liquid Filling Machine for aseptic liquid packaging. The new servopowered liquid filling machine has the capacity to pack 10,000 aseptic liquid packs in an hour. Being equipped with a user-friendly Human Interface Module (HMI) integrated with an advanced Programmable Logic controller (PLC) system, the USP of this machine is its main drive system which is aided by high-end water-cooled servo motors that provide flexibility to manage multiple volume range, quick
change-over time, and prevent wear and tear of machine. Since its inception in 1985, UFlex has grown from strength-to-strength and has created a presence across all verticals of the packaging value chain – flexible packaging, packaging films, aseptic liquid packaging, holography, printing cylinders, engineering, and chemicals. With a 10,000+ strong multi-cultural workforce, the company has earned an irreproachable reputation defining the contours of the ‘Packaging Industry’ in India and overseas, by providing endto-end solutions to numerous Fortune 500 clients across various sectors such as FMCG, pharmaceuticals, building materials, automobile and more, in over 150 countries.
The company has introduced a number of solutions for corrugated packaging in areas including chemicals, engineering, and packaging films business. In the ‘Chemicals’ Business, UFlex introduced – FLEXCOAT AQUABAN Coating and FLEXCURE HFS Over Printable Coating for labelling applications. The FLEXCOAT AQUABAN Coating, a water-repellent coating for kraft paper, is used as an inner liner on corrugated boxes which helps in maintaining the structural integrity of the boxes. The FLEXCURE HFS Over Printable Coating has been specifically formulated to be applied in-line over wet or dry UV inks and is suitable for fast curing for full or flat overprint coating of all types
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FLEXPRESS 10000 Servo Control Liquid Filling Machine
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IPMA: India’s Paper & Paperboard Exports Surges by 80 Percent, Outshines Imports in FY22 The exports from India have been looking up in the last five years. In volume terms, paper exports from India have gone up four times from 0.66 million tonnes in FY17 to 2.85 million tonnes in FY22. Similarly, in value terms, the figures for corresponding years are INR 3,041 crore to INR 13,963 crore. June 16, 2022
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he exports of paper, paperboard, and newsprint grades from India have grown by nearly 80 percent to touch the highest-ever figure of INR 13,963 crore in FY 2021-22, according to the recent information shared by IPMA, citing the data released by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics (DGCI&S). Meanwhile, these exports of FY 2021-22 have also surpassed the exports achieved in the FY 2020-21. In value terms, the exports of coated paper & paperboard increased by 100 percent, uncoated writing & printing paper by 98 percent, tissue paper by 75 percent, and kraft paper by 37 percent. The exports from India have been looking up in the last five years. In volume terms, paper exports from India have gone up four times from 0.66 million tonnes in FY17 to 2.85 million tonnes in FY22. Similarly, in value terms, the figures for corresponding years are INR 3,041 crore to INR 13,963 crore. Exports have been rising since 2017-18 due to capacity expansion and technological upgradations undertaken by Indian paper mills, leading to better product quality which has found wider acceptance globally, said Mr. Rohit Pandit, Secretary-General, Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA). In the last five to seven years, paper mills in India, especially the organised sector, have invested an amount of over INR 25,000 crore in new efficient capacities and induction of clean and green technologies. Domestic paper companies, in recent years, have also intensified their marketing efforts globally and invested in market development in foreign countries, added Mr. Pandit. In the last two financial years, India has become a net exporter of paper in volume terms. UAE, China, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka are the leading export destinations of Indian manufactured paper. In the year ended March 31, 2022, the entire exports of the paper and paper products stood at 2856.7 thousand tonnes,
Image Source: IPMA
while the imports of these products were 1751.5 thousand tonnes. In the previous years, the imports of paper and paperboard products used to be significantly greater than their exports in the domestic paper industry. However, for the previous fiscal – FY 20-21, and FY 21-22, the trend has reversed – with the exports taking the upper hand as against the imports of the paper, paperboard, and newsprint grades of paper. Overall, the exports have been sharply increasing over the years. As informed by IPMA, “For the second year in a row, India’s exports of paper, paperboard & newsprint have outstripped imports, in volume terms, in 2021-22.” The paper and paperboard products that are included in the data of exports were – newsprint (in rolls or sheets); uncoated paper and paperboard; toilet or facial tissue stock, towel or napkin stock and similar paper; uncoated kraft paper and paperboard; other paper and paperboard; corrugated paper and paperboard; and paper and paperboard – coated on one or both sides with kaolin.
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Lemit Papers Orders Automation Technology from Valmet The scope of Valmet’s order includes – Valmet DNA Automation System, Valmet DNA User Interface, Blade Consistency Measurements, Optical Consistency Measurements, and Optical Low Consistency Measurements. May 31, 2022
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emit Papers LLP has ordered a mill-wide Valmet DNA Automation System with the new Valmet DNA User Interface and consistency measurements package for its mill in Morbi, Gujarat, India. The mill’s investment in automation aims to ensure a smooth start-up, optimise equipment efficiency, and achieve premium board quality. The order was included in Valmet’s orders received for the first quarter of 2022. The delivery is scheduled for the end of the second quarter of 2022.
The order is a follow-up of the Valmet IQ Quality Control System order to Lemit’s board machine. The solution will provide reliable and accurate measurements and controls for various locations in secondary fiber treatment in the pulp mill, and board-making line. Speaking about the investment, Mr. Praful Detroja, Chief Managing Director, Lemit Papers LLP, says, “We, at Lemit Papers, strive for top-notch technology and want to invest in advanced and proven technologies. We chose Valmet based on the market-wide positive reviews and the local presence. The cooperation with Valmet on the automation system will increase operational reliability and ensure high quality of our duplex board.” In the words of Mr. Ramesh Chandra, Solution Sales Manager, Asia Pacific, Automation Systems business line, Valmet, “We are delighted to supply the Valmet automation solutions to Lemit Papers. After having executed several similar projects in India, our references and local services helped to secure this order.”
Image Source: Valmet
The scope of the delivery includes – Valmet DNA Automation System, Valmet DNA User Interface, twelve Valmet Blade Consistency Measurements (Valmet SP), eight Valmet Optical Consistency Measurements (Valmet OCR), and one Valmet Optical Low Consistency Measurement (Valmet LC). The distributed control system (DCS) will cover the pulp mill and board-making line. All controls are in one platform that allows users easy access to the data as well as efficient collaboration. The consistency measurements offer reliability and accuracy for the paper quality control. With the Valmet IQ Quality Control System (QCS) which brings accurate basis weight and moisture measurements for precise multivariable MD controls, the DNA automation system will enable Lemit Papers in improving both the operational efficiency as well as the paper quality.
UFlex to set up a New Production Line for Paper Straws With the installation of the new production line, UFlex will become the first company in the country to commission a U-shaped paper straw manufacturing unit. The production is projected to start in the second quarter of FY23. June 24, 2022
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Flex Ltd. has announced its initiative of installing India’s first production line for U-shaped paper straws for its aseptic liquid packaging business. As published in news reports – the manufacturing line is being installed at its aseptic liquid packaging plant in Sanand, Gujarat.
through its aseptic liquid packaging brand Asepto, is furthering its efforts in sustainability. The paper straw manufacturing line will be equipped with fully-automated Dutch technology and will have a production capacity of about 2.4 billion straws per annum.
By becoming India’s first and world’s fastest-speed line U-shaped paper straw manufacturing company, UFlex,
Mr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, President & CEO, Aseptic Liquid Packaging Business, UFlex Ltd., said, “With the launch of
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U-shaped paper straws, we are ready to change the dynamics of the industry. We are constantly looking for strategic ways to improve the environmental performance of our products and create avenues for superior, convenient, and sustainable packaging. The line’s installation for ready-to-drink aseptic liquid packaging at our Sanand facility is a great example of our company’s commitment toward creating better and safer products for our future generations.” The U-shaped paper straws will be available in sizes – 145mm and 165mm that will be attached to and utilised for juices and other beverages. The paper straws will be food grade, moisture-resistant, and made from sustainably-sourced papers, which are 100 percent recyclable. “After the successful installation and commissioning, we aim to attain 100 million straw production in the first month and raise it to 200 million in the next couple of months. We aim to produce 2.4 billion straws annually. The aesthetics and quality
UFlex U-shaped Paper Straws
of the product are at par with global standards”, Mr. Sharma further added.
Voith Paper Webshop enables Easy Ordering for Customers Apart from Chandpur Enterprises, there are about 180 Indian customers who have already integrated the Voith Paper Webshop into their ordering process. June 8, 2022
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oith Paper Webshop enables the customers to order products and services in real-time. With the application, products like spare and wear parts, and fabrics can be ordered with just one click. Chandpur Enterprises Ltd. has been benefiting from the expansion of the product portfolio in the Voith Paper Webshop since March.
“With the help of the personalised menu and the order history, we can now quickly identify our fabrics, order them and track the delivery status around the clock. We are very satisfied with the Voith Paper Webshop and the cooperation with the Voith experts, who have been flexible to our requirements”, says Mr. Devesh K. Singhal, Technical Director of Chandpur Enterprises Ltd. Apart from Chandpur Enterprises, other Indian customers have already integrated the Voith Paper Webshop into their ordering process. In total, more than 180 customers already rely on digital applications. Under the “My Shop” section, the paper manufacturers can find all the necessary information from the original and current condition of the equipment as well as the order and quotation history, drawings, manuals, and contracts. The webshop is characterised by the highest data security standards, and different options can be booked depending on customer requirements.
Image Source: Voith
In the words of Mr. Gaurav Singh, Senior Executive Sales & Service India, Voith Paper, “Our goal is to enable our customers to optimise production with minimized downtimes. One building block for this is the quick and easy ordering of fabrics. We offer customer-specific solution packages, which we are continuously developing further on a region-specific basis. The integration of the Webshop can be done smoothly for any customer worldwide.” www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022 | 105
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Yash Pakka Demonstrates at Global Investors Summit 2022 Graced by PM Narendra Modi The brand actively supports the ‘Make in India’ initiative by manufacturing products in Ayodhya and supplying them worldwide. Some of the products showcased at the event were – compostable carry bags, compostable flexible packaging, and compostable tableware. June 8, 2022
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ash Pakka, India’s leading sustainable packaging solutions provider, made a significant impression on the guests, and invitees, at Global Investors Summit in Lucknow, held on 3rd June 2022. Organised by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the investor summit is a significant step toward achieving the state’s vision of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy.
acted with the PM to explain how they are working towards this goal by leveraging innovation. The brand also acknowledged that they actively support the ‘Make in India’ initiative by manufacturing products in Ayodhya and supplying them worldwide. Some of the brand’s products showcased at the event were – compostable carry bags, compostable flexible packaging, and compostable tableware.
The event was graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who performed the ‘bhumi pujan’ for around 2,000 projects worth INR 75,000 crore. It also saw a plethora of investors, decision-makers, senior government officials, and the local business community to understand and explore investment opportunities in the state.
The compostable tableware, which goes by the brand name Chuk, is made of bagasse, a sugar residue after the extraction of juice. This is manufactured by the company in its plant in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, and is supplied to businesses across the country as well as end-users. The carry bags are made from lime sludge, which is an industrial waste, while flexible packaging is made from a combination of bagasse-based paper and biopolymer. The carry bags as well as flexible packaging, which are also compostable, are being looked at as efficient alternatives for plastic. Through these offerings, Yash Pakka aims to strengthen its vision of ‘making a cleaner planet with the help of regenerative packaging’.
On the theme of Solutions for a Cleaner Planet– From Ayodhya to the World, the Yash Pakka stall showcased their initiative toward creating a cleaner planet. On behalf of the brand, Mr. Jagdeep Hira, Business head at Yash Pakka, inter-
Mr. Jagdeep Hira, Business head, Yash Pakka, said, “At Yash Pakka, we strive to build a cleaner planet with the help of innovation. Our compostable tableware range Chuk has been well-received by businesses and end-users across India. Likewise, the flexible packaging range and carry bags will underpin our efforts to find sustainable alternatives for plastic. It is a great privilege to present our products and share the vision of the company with the honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, and showcase our contribution to the Swachh Bharat & Make in India campaigns which he has spearheaded across the nation.”
PM Narendra Modi at the Yash Pakka stand at the Global Investors Summit 2022, in Lucknow
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Yash Pakka was among the handful of companies across industries across the state that showcased their product to the Prime Minister. The PM has always emphasised the need to drive the nation with innovation, and Yash Pakka’s participation in such an event is a testament to the fact that the brand is one of the pioneers of growth and innovation in the country.
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PackPlus – A One-Stop Exhibition for Packaging, Printing & Converting Industry The upcoming PackPlus show will have a presence of more than 300 brands from packaging, converting, package printing, finished packaging, flexible packaging, paper packaging, and allied sectors. June 23, 2022
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ackPlus, India’s most premium and business-focused event covering the entire value chain of packaging, printing, and converting industries, is scheduled to take place on 7, 8, and 9 July 2022 at Hall 11, 12 & 12A, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. It showcases the BIG 7 of the packaging industry, namely, India Packaging Show, India Converting Show, CartonTech, Print Fair, PackSol, Supply Plus & India Automation & AIDC Show.
After an overwhelming success of the 2021 edition, PackPlus is again gearing up to offer an in-person platform for live product demos, the latest machinery, innovative technologies, and several knowledge-sharing networking sessions. PackPlus will open its doors to over 300 brands from packaging, converting, package printing, finished packaging, flexible packaging, paper packaging, and allied sectors to help connect visiting professionals face-to-face with the right solution providers in New Delhi. Building on the legacy of 16 editions, in 2022, the event will bring 170+ live-running machinery and 70+ product launches on the show floor. Mr. Anuj Mathur, Chief Operating Officer, RX India, said, “It makes us very happy to bring together the entire packaging industry for a face-to-face meetup. In 2021, we delivered a very successful physical event despite a very challenging time. This year, again, we are gearing up to offer an impressive platform to our customers to launch new products, find new business opportunities and enable growth across the packaging sector. We welcome you all to India’s most established business conducting event for the packaging industry.” The concurrent networking conference, International Packaging Conclave will take place on 7 and 8 July. Over 70+ industry veterans and experts from Mother Dairy, ITC, Pepsico, Nestle, Haldirams, Mondelez, JK Paper, MTR, Del Monte, Deloitte, GSK, Emami, HP, Ecoware, and many big names will be speaking at the 2-day conference. The International Packaging Conclave is focused on the theme ‘Smart and Sustainable Packaging’. Panel discussions, case studies, and experts’ insights will highlight present challenges and best practices within the packaging industry.
After the success of the 2021 edition, PackPlus is again gearing up to offer an in-person platform for live product demos
PackPlus will focus on new technologies and innovative solutions such as FFS packaging machines, filling & bottling machines, labelling machines, food processing machines, finished packaging solutions, gravure printing machines, corrugated box-making machinery, nonwoven bag machines, paper bag making machines, and paper converting machinery. Leading participating companies include – Bobst India, Natraj Industries, Nichrome India, Hilda Automation, Control Print, A V Engineers, Ajit Industries, APL Machinery, Echaar Equipments, Elegant International, Enercon Asia Pacific System, Global Link Impex, Hi-Pack & Fill Machines, Jetpack Machines, Leap India, Mahisa Packaging, Mohindra Mechanical Works, Mutual Industries, Prakash Offset Machinery, Sahil Graphics, Vig Graphics, Worldpack Automation, among others. Attendees can pre-register to attend at the website of PackPlus to receive their entry tickets. Visit PackPlus on 7, 8 & 9 July at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
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SIG India Introduces Recyclable Paper Straws The range of SIG straws is made with paper obtained from FSC-certified sources and is available in standard shapes along with a unique telescopic format. June 16, 2022
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IG Combibloc India Pvt. Ltd. has introduced a wide range of recyclable paper straws in different dimensions and shapes. With the idea to bring sustainable alternatives to plastic straws, paper straws offer the best biodegradable options, which are both functional and biodegradable. Made with paper obtained from FSC-certified sources, the SIG straws are similar to its forest-based cartons, made from renewable paperboard. The wide range of straws is available in standard straight I-shapes and U-shapes, in addition to a unique telescopic format, serving the various needs and preferences of both brands and customers. The straws can be used with all SIG carton packs that have a straw hole, but they are especially compatible with smallsized packs. Among these, the combiblocXSlim cartons also happen to be SIG’s most popular pack in India. Further, special straws with relatively larger diameters are also available for easy consumption of SIG’s value-added drinksplus product portfolio. For beverages that contain particulates like fruit chunks, aloe vera strands, cereal, nuts, and other ingredients, the wider straws are ideal to use. While working on the product development, SIG assessed the sturdiness of the paper straws to break the closed straw holes
The range of paper straws are available in three different forms. Image Source: SIG India
and the ability to maintain their shape and usefulness after being submerged in liquids for a long time. About the product introduction, Ms. Vandana Tandan, Country Manager, SIG Combibloc India Pvt. Ltd., asserts that paper straws bring convenience for both brands as well as consumers. Moreover, this launch is in line with the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
AF&PA reports Highest-Ever Consumption of Recovered Paper by Paper Mills in the USA The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), in its Paper Industry Capacity and Fiber Consumption Survey, notes that the consumption of recovered paper increased by 3.9 percent in 2021. Further, the capacity of containerboard has reached a record high of 42.3 million tonnes. June 20, 2022
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he American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, has come up with its 62nd Paper Industry Capacity and Fiber Consumption Survey. The survey report showed that the overall capacity of paper and paperboard capacity in the USA has declined by 0.4 percent in 2021 compared with the average decline of 1 percent per year since 2012. With the survey, it is hinted that the total paper and paperboard capacity might remain flat in 2022, with rising growth
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in the boxboard and newsprint, and stable growth in containerboard and tissue papers, while a decline in the writing & printing segments. The report features the information and data on the USA paper industry capacity for 2021 and 2022 of all major grades of – paper, paperboard, and pulp, in addition to fiber consumption. Notably, the consumption of recovered paper in the USAbased paper and paperboard mills has increased by 3.9 percent in 2021. This marks the highest-ever recovered paper
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consumption by domestic mills since 2008. It also indicates the highest level of total fiber consumption at the mills and the ninth consecutive year of increases in the share from 36 percent in 2012 to 41.6 percent in 2021. The capacity of containerboard has increased for the eleventh consecutive year and reached a record high of 42.3 million tonnes. This is the fastest rate of containerboard expansion in 25 years, and as a result of increases and decreases in other grades, containerboard share of total paper and paperboard capacity exceeded 50 percent for the first time in 2021, notes AF&PA. Moreover, the boxboard capacity has surged 0.6 percent in 2021, outshining a long-term trend of a 0.4 percent decline and following a 2.5 percent decline last year. The capacity of tissue papers has remained constant in 2021.
Representative Image: Recovered Paper and Boxboard bales for recycling
Stora Enso Initiates a Biodiversity Programme for Forests in Sweden Stora Enso’s new biodiversity programme includes over 30 action plans to enhance nature values and strengthen biodiversity across its forests in Sweden. June 20, 2022
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tora Enso has introduced a biodiversity programme and related targets for its forested land holdings in Sweden. With five focus areas, the programme has specific actions and measurable targets for 2030. As Stora Enso is one of the country’s largest forest owners with 1.4 million hectares of land in Sweden and safeguarding biodiversity has been an integral part of the company’s forest management practices. The recently introduced programme is looking to bolster this approach further. The new biodiversity programme with more than 30 actions will lead to increased nature values and strengthened biodiversity across Stora Enso’s land holdings in Sweden. Some of the main targets include:
Image Source: Stora Enso
• Deadwood: More than 40 percent of red-listed forest species depend on deadwood which the company aims to increase on its land holdings by 40 percent.
Initially, Stora Enso makes use of selected forest areas in order to test and develop biodiversity management practices. This work is carried out in close collaboration with universities, environmental organisations, NGOs, and authorities to share knowledge and foster joint innovation and development.
• Broadleaved trees: Stora Enso will double the number of broadleaved trees in young forests and plant 700,000 birch trees annually. • Water: The company plans to identify four major water landscapes for restoration and remove migration barriers in all identified valuable watercourses. • Species and habitats: The new biodiversity programme is focussed on protecting four umbrella species, which in turn benefit hundreds of other red-listed species.
• Active biodiversity management: With this, the company intends to increase annual prescribed burning by 20 percent on average in the protected areas over a five-year period.
“Forest biodiversity is largely about creating a diverse forest landscape. Different structures, different ages, and different forest types are important parameters for biodiversity. Stora Enso’s biodiversity programme aims to create a mosaic in the landscape, increase variation and promote nature values throughout the forest land,” says Ms. Ida Bränngård, Head of Forest Management at Stora Enso Skog. www.papermart.in / April-May, 2022 | 109
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Asia Symbol (Shandong) Orders Fine Papermaking Line from Valmet The new PM14 at Asia Symbol will be designed to produce top-quality wood-free uncoated paper grades. June 2, 2022
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handong province, China-based Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp and Paper orders a fine papermaking line with stock preparation and extensive scope of automation from Valmet. The new high-capacity fine papermaking line will be designed to produce top-quality wood-free uncoated paper (WFU) grades. The new production line paper machine PM14 is expected to be started in 2023. The order was included in Valmet’s orders received in the first quarter of 2022. PM14 follows the long sequence of fine papermaking lines delivered by Valmet to the RGE Group, Asia Symbol’s parent company. Mr. Steven Hung, Managing Director of Asia Symbol (Guangdong), says, “We chose Valmet to deliver Rizhao PM14 because of the excellent support and partnership we’ve had in the previous projects. We rely on both Valmet’s and our team’s experience and expertise to achieve another successful start-up together.” Mr. Mika Ollikainen, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Board and Paper Mills, Paper business line, Valmet, says, “The long-lasting cooperation between Asia Symbol and Valmet is seamless. The Asia Symbol’s XinHui references have been operating reliably, and their performance is of world-class. Once again, we are building a world-leading WFU line both in productivity and quality. Valmet’s expertise supports Asia Symbol’s strong know-how of the WFU production. Our technology suits these types of fast and wide machines.” Rizhao PM 14 will be very similar to its predecessors (PM11, PM12, and PM13). The delivery will include a high-speed fine papermaking line from stock preparation to reel and winders with air systems and clothing for the whole machine line. The stock preparation delivery will include a Valmet TwinRoll Press for pulp mill dewatering; stock lines for softwood, hardwood,
Valmet Papermaking Lines. Image Source: Valmet
and BCTMP (bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp); bale handling with an automatic dewiring system; broke, white water and approach flow systems. The delivery will also include an OptiFlo Gap headbox and an OptiFormer Gap forming section with shoe and blade technology for the best paper quality, an OptiPress Linear press section with two shoe presses for excellent profiles and dewatering capacity, and OptiRun Single and Hybrid drying sections with Valmet HiRun Web Stabilizers to ensure runnability at high speeds. The drying section will be followed by an OptiSizer Film surface sizer with a supply system and an air turn device, an OptiCalender Hard calender for finalizing the end quality, an OptiReel Center center-driven reel, transfer rails, and two OptiWin Drum two-drum winders. The delivery will also include runnability equipment and a closed hood for the paper machine. The wide automation package includes Valmet DNA Automation System for process and sectional drive controls as well as runnability and condition monitoring and Valmet IQ Quality Control System. The delivery will also include paper machine clothing, spare parts, and consumables. The paper machine with a 9,350-mm-wide fabric will produce wood-free uncoated, offset and copying paper grades with the basis weight range of 50–120 g/m2. The design speed of the machine will be 1,800 m/min.
Smurfit Kappa Launches a Water-Resistant Paper – AquaStop™ AquaStop™ paper, the latest innovation in the ‘Better Planet Packaging’ portfolio of Smurfit Kappa, is designed to withstand exposure to water. June 17, 2022
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murfit Kappa has developed an innovative and sustainable water-resistant paper – AquaStop™, which is part of its new TechniPaper® portfolio, comprising an array of high-performance papers. The AquaStop™ paper is
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water-resistant due to a special kind of coating that doesn’t compromise the recyclability and can be recycled in the same way as standard paper-based packaging.
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It is the latest innovation in Smurfit Kappa’s Better Planet Packaging portfolio of products and is designed to withstand exposure to water without being damaged. In addition to being suitable for e-commerce packaging and packaging for – flowers, detergent, fruits, and vegetables where protection against water is needed, AquaStop™ is also ideal for use in humid conditions. The packaging paper remains intact in humidity, thus, it is an excellent solution for the transit of refrigerated products. Speaking about the new product, Mr. Lars Henriksson, Vice President of Product Development at the Smurfit Kappa Paper Division, said, “We’re expecting AquaStop™ to interest many of our customers, particularly those who transport goods in more demanding environments, because of the peace of mind it will give them that their products will remain in perfect condition even if exposed to water. Our product development team, along with our colleagues in Spain, has created something very special that has superior functionality, whilst at the same time remaining 100 percent recyclable.” Highlighting the features of the water-resistant paper, Mr. Saverio Mayer, CEO, Smurfit Kappa Europe, stated, “We are
AquaStop™ Paper. Image Source: Smurfit Kappa
continuously developing innovative and sustainable packaging solutions that are helping to meet our ever-growing customer needs, no matter how challenging or unusual the ask is. AquaStop™ is a must-have product for customers with complex supply chain requirements and is another example of how, at Smurfit Kappa, we have the brightest minds and most creative spirits working towards a common goal.”
Valmet Extends Fiber Image Analysis to Automatic Pulp Quality Prediction With Option C in the Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer, the pulp and paper manufacturers will be able to assess the correlations between measured fiber properties. May 2, 2022
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almet has introduced a new additional option for both new and existing users of the Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer. The new option, known as – Option C, will enable pulp and paper manufacturers to realise the true potential of their raw material by presenting correlations between measured fiber properties along with its impact on the end-product quality. A variety of pulp quality parameters, including – tensile, burst, tear, short span compression (SCT), porosity, or softness, can be assessed by the analyser with results that are fully customisable. Moreover, the leading technology provider brings additional communication protocols enabling easier integration with mill systems to provide operators with faster access to the effects of furnish and process changes. This provides optimum use of raw materials together with improved product quality. About the new option in the Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer, Mr. Tommi Niskanen, Product Manager, Valmet, states, “The Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer has been already recognized by users as the industry leader in the fiber analysis and we see the addition of Option C as a major step forward in laboratory automation. It provides a new tool for the day-to-day man-
agement of stock preparation as well as supporting process and product development efforts that improve process efficiency and product quality.” The application of the Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer is meant for regular Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer use in pulp and paper mill laboratories along with laboratory research. With a comprehensive set of features including automated fiber measurements for virgin, recycled, and synthetic fibers besides numerous other fibers such as cotton, hemp, jute, flax, and tobacco. Option C includes Windows-based Valmet Data Modeler software, models integration in the analyser as well as data communication capabilities.
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Italy-Based Cartonificio Sandreschi Orders a Wet-End Rebuild from Toscotec With the rebuild of the forming and press section of PM1, the machine efficiency will be enhanced as the obsolete parts of the paper machine will be replaced with a robust stainless steel frame. Previously, Cartonificio Sandreschi had installed several custom-made TT SteelDryers from Toscotec. May 5, 2022
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artonificio Sandreschi, a producer of high-quality cardboards from recycled paper, will modernise the forming and press sections of PM1 at the paper mill in Villa Basilica, Italy. The Italy-based paper mill has ordered Toscotec for the rebuild project.
Cartonificio Sandreschi had previously installed on PM1 several custom-made TT SteelDryers of 2,000 mm diameter to replace its existing cast iron cans. The new order involves a complete rebuild which is scheduled for the third quarter of 2022.
There will be a modification of the wet-end with the inclusion of mould cylinder at the end of the Fourdrinier section. With the rebuild of the press section, the existing frame of the first two presses will be replaced with a new stainless steel frame, the felt runs re-design and a new suction press roll will be added to increase the post-press dryness rate. Speaking about the rebuild project, Mr. Benedetto Sandreschi, Owner of Cartonificio Sandreschi, says, “We trust in Toscotec’s expertise to successfully deliver this project. Even in difficult times, we carry on investing in technology to strengthen our position and continue offering high-quality cardboard to our customer base.” The scope of the project includes the renovation of the auxiliary systems, dismantling, erection operations, commissioning, and start-up assistance. The aim of the rebuild is to enhance the machine efficiency with this significant upgrade of PM1 which will replace the obsolete parts with a robust stainless steel frame.
Image Source: Toscotec
In the words of Mr. Enrico Fazio, Sales Director of Toscotec’s Paper & Board division “It is a pleasure to collaborate with a cardboard manufacturer well rooted in the territory of Tuscany such as Cartonificio Sandreschi. In the past, Toscotec had installed its steel cylinders on this paper machine. We are now eager to start this partnership with them on a complete rebuild for the first time.”
Kraft Heinz to Conduct Trials for a Paper Bottle for its Ketchup Range The company aims to become the first brand to use Pulpex’s patented recyclable, paper-based bottle technology for a sauce product. June 23, 2022
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he Kraft Heinz Company has partnered with Pulpex to develop a paper-based, renewable, and recyclable bottle made from 100 percent sustainably-sourced wood pulp. With this, the company has become the first sauce brand
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to test the potential of sustainable paper packaging for its condiments. This tie-up is the latest step in Heinz’s journey to reduce its environmental footprint, as per the company. It further expands the
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company’s sustainable packaging goals, i.e., its goal to make all packaging globally recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025. Additionally, it is also an innovation that will enable Heinz to achieve net-zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
Lande, EVP & Global General Counsel and Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Kraft Heinz.
In this partnership, Heinz and Pulpex are jointly developing a prototype to test how the patented packaging technology could be used for the Heinz Tomato Ketchup bottle and other packaging formats in the future. According to Pulpex, the carbon footprint of Pulpex bottles is materially less than glass and plastic on a bottle-by-bottle basis. Once empty, the bottles are also expected to be widely and readily recyclable in paper waste streams.
The next step in the product development process will involve the testing of the prototype to assess performance before testing with consumers and bringing the bottle to market.
In the words of Mr. Scott Winston, CEO, Pulpex, “We are delighted to work with Heinz to bring our patented packaging technology to such a famous name in food and are excited about the potential of this collaboration. We believe that the scope for paper-based packaging is huge, and when global household names like Heinz embrace Image Source: Kraft Heinz this type of innovative technology, it’s good news for everyone—consumers and the planet.”
“We hope to bring this bottle to market and to be the first sauce brand to provide consumers this choice in their purchasing decisions, as many consumers today are looking for more sustainable packaging options,” says Ms. Rashida La
The pulp-based bottle will be the newest option available, joining the recyclable Heinz iconic glass bottle and plastic bottle, as well as plastic squeeze bottles with 30 percent recycled content (available only in the E.U.) and 100 percent recyclable caps.
Mr. Miguel Patricio, CEO, Kraft Heinz, says, “This new Heinz bottle is one example of how we are applying creativity and innovation to explore new ways to provide consumers with the products they know and love while also thinking sustainably.”
Bracell Installs a Dissolving Pulp Production Plant Supplied by ANDRITZ For Bracell’s STAR project, ANDRITZ is using its A-ConFlex™ continuous kraft, and dissolving pulping technology, enabling full flexibility in production. There are two eco-friendly hardwood fiberlines with a total capacity of 2.6 to 2.8 million TPA of bleached kraft pulp or 1.5 million TPA of dissolving pulp. June 24, 2022
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racell has installed an environmentally-friendly production plant for dissolving pulp at its STAR project in Lençóis Paulista, São Paulo. The production plant has been supplied by ANDRITZ. In April this year, one of the two flexible hardwood fiberlines which were started in September 2021 was transitioned from kraft production to dissolving pulp production. In fact, high capacity with premium quality has been achieved within a few days of the shift.
For this project, ANDRITZ is using its own A-ConFlex™ continuous kraft and dissolving pulping technology. It enables full flexibility in production, which means that switching between high-quality dissolving pulp and kraft pulp can be done in a very short time span to meet the market demand.
STAR project in Lençóis Paulista, Brazil. Image Source: ANDRITZ
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The world’s largest EvoDry™ pulp drying system from ANDRITZ, with two energy-efficient pulp drying lines enabling efficient and very fast switches between dissolving pulp and kraft pulp production, was also supplied to the Bracell mill.
With this project, the position of ANDRITZ is strengthened as the only technology supplier with solid references and experience in the continuous cooking of dissolving pulp.
Apart from being one of the largest and most sustainable pulp mills, the STAR project also abides by the highest environmental standards. It includes two flexible, environmentally-friendly hardwood fiberlines for a total capacity of 2.6 to 2.8 million TPA of bleached kraft pulp or 1.5 million TPA of dissolving pulp made from sustainably cultivated eucalyptus.
• A complete high-capacity wood processing plant, enhanced with state-of-the-art autonomous wood processing solutions from ANDRITZ to ensure optimum chip quality;
Mr. Per Lindblom, Vice President, Bracell Group, says, “We are pleased and proud to now have the largest and greenest continuous cooking line in the world for dissolving pulp at the Bracell mill in São Paulo, utilizing proven ANDRITZ technology. We started up quickly after the switch and were soon producing top-quality pulp.”
• The world’s largest EvoDry™ pulp drying system is equipped with the Metris DryQ smart pulp drying solution;
The scope of supply includes:
• Two flexible fiberlines with DD-Washer technology ensure low operating costs, low emissions, extremely high washing efficiency, and excellent fiber quality;
• The largest HERB recovery boiler in the world from ANDRITZ, with a capacity of 13,000 tons per day; and • A non-condensable gas (NCG) treatment system.
Stora Enso Brings Premium AvantForte White Top Kraftliner for Packaging With Stora Enso’s technology, AvantForte WhiteTop kraftliner has three fiber layers to maximise its strength and help converters and brand owners use less material than with traditional kraftliners. June 2, 2022
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tora Enso has made the new 100 percent virgin fiber-based kraftliner, AvantForte WhiteTop, commercially available now. The white top kraftliner targets demanding premium segments, such as fresh food, e-commerce, and shelf-ready packaging. AvantForte WhiteTop kraftliner is engineered to meet brand owners’ need for safe, high-performing, and plastic-free packaging. The new product will serve end-uses that require exceptional strength, purity, and visual appearance. Through Stora Enso’s patent-pending technology, Tri-Ply™, the product is equipped with three fiber layers to maximise its strength and help converters and brand owners use less material than traditional kraftliners. “The accelerating shift from plastic to renewable packaging in fresh foods and e-commerce is increasing the demand for high performing krafliners,” says Mr. Oscar Duarte, Business Segment Director, Kraftliners. “Our AvantForte WhiteTop product has an outstanding visual appearance and print qualities to help brand owners enhance the consumer packaging
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AvantForte WhiteTop kraftliner. Image Source: Stora Enso
experience. With this high-end product now commercially available, we look forward to supporting our customers in expanding into new premium segments and end-uses.” In addition to Avantforte WhiteTop, Stora Enso previously offers its natural-coloured AvantForte Brown product.
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