Established in 1938 with Straw Products Limited in Bhopal, JK Paper has grown into one of India’s leading paper manufacturers, operating three integrated mills and serving over 60 countries. Committed to sustainability, the company pioneers agro and social farm forestry, partnering with farmers and adopting resource-efficient technologies. JK Paper has significantly reduced water usage per ton, optimized energy consumption, and advanced waste management, carving a way for a greener future in India. With certifications like ISO 14001:2015, FSC COC, and FSC Controlled Wood, and adhering to the United Nations’ principles for responsible manufacturing and environmental sustainability throughout its operations, the company sets industry benchmarks in both operational efficiency and environmental stewardship.
A robust environmental management system is indispensable for the sustainability of paper companies. To achieve this, paper companies implement various measures such as adopting sustainable forestry practices, investing in clean production technologies, reducing water usage and emission, and implementing waste minimisation cum recycling programmes.
Sustainable Sourcing Practice by the Company
India ranks as the fifth largest market in the paper and packaging segment, and yet it faces significant deficiency in fiber resources. In response to increasing demand for fiber, there has been a shift from a reliance on forest resources towards embracing agro farm forestry practices. The company does not cut a single natural forest tree to make paper. Instead, they practice agro or social farm forestry, a program which the company started in 1991. In this process, they grow and harvest special varieties of trees on farmland like any other crop. These trees are then harvested and used for producing paper.
JK Paper has fostered strong collaborations with farmers near its Odisha facility, later extending these efforts to its Gujarat and Telangana units, encouraging and supporting them to cultivate fast-growing hardwood species such as eucalyptus, subabul, and casuarina. Since inception JK Paper has planted 123 crore saplings over 9.50 lakh acre land through Agro Social Farm Forestry Program, providing livelihood to over 1 lakh farmer as well.
Clonal Forestry
To maintain a constant supply of raw material, JK Paper has made investments in state-of-the-art clonal production centers. Through research and development initiatives, the company developed short-rotation clones of subabul and eucalyptus, with a duration of not more than three years, allowing farmers to generate higher annual revenues.This clonal approach has helped in ecological restoration, as well as adaptability growth and productivity at degraded sites. Furthermore, this technique aided JK Paper in overall reduction in the resources used for irrigation such as soil, water, electricity and many others.
Watch: In Pursuit of Lesser Water Footprint
Environmental-Friendly Manufacturing Process
The modern technology has enabled the company to achieve scale economies as well as resource conservation. The company has equipped its facilities with de-barkers, enhancing the processing capacity to over 40% of daily wood feed. This innovation allows for the cost-effective utilization of bark wood in green energy production. Additionally, the company has disc filters that help us in improving fiber recovery and reduce water consumption. JK Paper has also commissioned a veneer chipper to repurpose veneer waste as raw material. Their modern disc choppers ensure uniform chip size, low dust generation and lower power consumption. This will help in improving overall pulp yield percentage.
Operational Efficiency
In its JKPM unit, Rayagada, JK Paper has achieved significant reductions in water consumption by implementing various water- saving initiatives. The unit has commissioned a tertiary clarifier to reduce the color in treated effluent, ensuring effluents consistently remain below prescribed norms. Through water-saving measures, the unit has successfully reduced water consumption to 27m³ per ton of paper.
The unit has also deployed electrostatic precipitators across all boilers, along with scrubbers, dust extraction systems, dry fog systems, and bag filters. Air emissions are monitored through Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (AAQM) stations, with real-time data transmitted to the respective Pollution Control Boards.
In its CPM unit, Songadh, the team identifies areas of water loss or inefficiency, enabling the implementation of water-saving measures such as low-flow fixtures and equipment, and has initiated the recycling of primary sludge for use in low-grade paper production, reintroducing treated wastewater into production processes.
A Case Study to Look At: Secondary Sludge Converted to Biofuel
Challenge: The disposal of secondary sludge poses a significant challenge for integrated pulp and paper industries in India, as it requires effective and environmentally responsible management.
Activity: To address this issue, JK Paper (JKPM) pioneered the process of burning secondary sludge in a liquor-fired boiler, alongside black liquor, to generate biofuel. This innovative approach was approved by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Outcome: As a result of this initiative, the CPCB issued guidelines for all integrated pulp and paper industries, encouraging them to repurpose secondary sludge as a biofuel. This not only helped in efficient waste management but also contributed to sustainable energy generation, setting a precedent for the industry.
Water Resource Management
In Tapi, Gujarat, JK Paper has implemented a range of interventions to provide sustainable solutions and enhance irrigation practices. These initiatives include well renovations, solar-based mini lift irrigation systems, and the construction of bori bunds. The company built 26 bori bunds across eight villages, capturing 1.22 crore liters of water. Additionally, seven ponds were created in five villages, with a total water storage capacity of 2.05 crore liters, while farm bunding structures were developed across 51.70 acres in five villages, adding a water storage capacity of 70 lakh liters.
Furthermore, JK Paper constructed 38 drain plugs, benefiting 16 farmers across eight acres with 5.13 lakh liters of water storage, and developed deep continuous contour trenches in six villages, leading to the storage of 7.38 crore liters of water. The company also renovated five check dams, boosting water storage capacity by over 1.64 crore liters, which provided irrigation to 62 acres, benefiting more than 142 farmers.
Through these efforts, more than 386 acres of land were irrigated, and 30.27 crore liters of water were harvested, benefiting 2,605 farmers. The company also launched three solar-based irrigation schemes, benefiting 38 farmers across 34 acres. Additionally, land leveling was carried out on 53.78 acres, benefiting 119 farmers in eight villages of Songadh. These initiatives showcase JK Paper’s commitment to improving water resources and supporting local agricultural communities.
Also Read: TNPL: Redefines Sustainability with Waste-to-Cement Factory
Societal Waste Management
In Kagaznagar, Telangana, JK Paper has reached 26,610 individuals through various activities, including door-to-door awareness drives, community campaigns, road rallies, and the Swachhta Pledge. As part of their awareness campaigns, they successfully collected over 5 metric tons of dry waste from community members. They have sensitized 4,587 households and engaged 19,266 individuals in waste segregation practices. Additionally, 1,316 took Swachhta pledges to promote source segregation and sustainable practices.
The company also established three tailoring units in Kagaznagar villages, and stitched approximately 2,000 cloth bags from reused materials, effectively reducing plastic usage. To further minimize plastic waste, JK Paper installed four cloth bag vending machines (CVMs), which dispensed over 1,900 cloth bags, encouraging the community to reduce reliance on plastic carry bags.
In addition, the company established a bartan bank with 600 steel utensils, promoting the use of reusable containers and contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions. These initiatives demonstrate JK Paper’s commitment to fostering sustainability and reducing environmental impact in local communities.
In conclusion, JK Paper stands as a shining example of how innovation, sustainability, and community engagement can drive meaningful change in the industrial sector. The company actively communicates its environment credentials to dispel myths surrounding the paper industry and foster a positive perception of sustainability. The company has planned a comprehensive 360-degree campaign, emphasizing on sustainable solutions, complemented by a website revamp for improved user experience. Apart from that, JK Paper has come up with innovative products like carry bags, paper straws, HSMT, and more, to reduce the use of single-use plastics, replacing them with paper.
