Incorporated in 2022, the very young Kempt Tissues Private Limited is creating a niche for itself in the pulp and paper industry with high-quality tissue paper & other specialty papers. With a current capacity of 2000 TPM, the Gujarat based company is looking forward to expanding its presence in emerging markets where hygiene awareness and disposable income are on the rise. During an exclusive interaction with Paper Mart, Mr. Abhishek Agarwal, Executive Director & CEO of the company, forecast that the tissue paper market was set for a boom, owing to increasing awareness over sustainability and hygiene.
Paper Mart: Kindly tell us about Kempt Tissues Private Limited, highlighting your manufacturing facilities and capacities.
Abhishek Agarwal: Kempt Tissues Private Limited was founded by me and Mr. Dinesh Agarwal with a long-term vision of establishing the company as one of India’s leading manufacturers of hygienic paper and paper products. We are a Gujarat-based manufacturing company involved in the production of tissue paper and other specialty papers.
We are a team of professionals, who understand the customers’ needs and try to fulfill those requirements in an appropriate span of time with acceptable quality. We believe in supplying ‘quality products’ at ‘best’ prices.
Our manufacturing units are equipped with the latest and state-of-the-art technology imported from Germany (Voith). Our monthly production capacity is around 2000 tons. Our final machine deckle PM1 is 3350 mm. Our raw materials are mainly softwood pulp, hardwood pulp and some recycled grades from the US or European region. We are maintaining quality parameters in every grade according to international standards and every supply is verified by our QC team on a regular basis. We have certification like ISO 9001:2015 for quality management system, FSC COC (FSC C209630) mark of responsible forestry and food grade certificate.
PM: What grades of tissue paper do you currently produce?
AA: We mainly produce white napkin tissue HiBrite, (GSM 15-22), white toilet tissue HiBrite (GSM-15-19), white kitchen towel HiBrite (GSM 22-40), white hand towel HiBrite (GSM 22-40) and white MG poster paper HiBrite (GSM 17-50). We also have an in-house sheeting facility for MG poster paper, where we produce sandwich papers and other types of papers in sheet format.
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PM: Kindly share information about the primary applications of tissue paper manufactured by you.
AA: Our tissue paper primarily finds application in sectors such as personal hygiene, cleaning & maintenance, dining & catering and in retail and commercial segments. Our products are amongst one of the most widely used toilet papers globally. Since our facial tissue papers are softer and more delicate compared to toilet papers, they are majorly used for cleaning the face or wiping away nasal secretions. The paper towels are used for drying hands, wiping down surfaces, cleaning spills and general cleaning purposes. They’re often found in kitchens, bathrooms and public restrooms. Our kitchen rolls are more durable than paper towels and designed for tasks such as food preparation, absorbing liquids, or cleaning greasy messes.
The napkins produced by Kempt Tissues are used during meals in households, restaurants and catering services. These can range from simple, single-ply paper napkins to more premium, cloth-like versions in restaurants and events. The tissue paper is also used for packaging purposes in the retail sector to wrap fragile items or as part of gift packaging. Bulk rolls of our tissues are used in factories, restaurants and office settings for cleaning and wiping machinery, equipment, or surfaces.
PM: Shed light on your key clientele and market footprint with regard to domestic consumption and exports.
AA: Our market footprint spans both domestic and international markets. Domestically, we have a strong presence, serving a wide range of clients including tissue paper jumbo roll distributors, exporters and major tissue paper product converters across India. We operate through a dealer-distributor network model, ensuring widespread availability of our products.
In terms of exports, we cater to several international markets like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, African countries, Belgium, Mexico and many more, meeting the needs of clients looking for high-quality paper products. Our ability to maintain consistent product quality and timely delivery has helped us establish a reliable reputation in global markets. Overall, our footprint spans both domestic and international markets, with continued growth driven by consumer trends towards premium and sustainable tissue products. We are committed to expanding our presence in emerging markets, where hygiene awareness and disposable income are on the rise.
PM: What unique features or innovations set your tissue paper products and production processes apart from competitors?
AA: Our products stand out in the market due to a combination of unique features, such as the premium softness & strength of tissue papers, innovative production process, advanced technology, a strong commitment to sustainability, and a customer-centric approach. We use advanced technology to create ultra-soft, multi-ply tissue paper without compromising on strength and durability. Our tissue papers provide an exceptional balance of comfort and absorbency, making them ideal for both personal hygiene and household cleaning needs.
Our production processes incorporate cutting-edge machinery and automation, ensuring higher efficiency, faster production times and a consistent paper quality. We continuously invest in R&D to improve our manufacturing techniques, which helps us reduce resource consumption and improve the overall performance of our paper. We listen closely to consumer feedback and adapt our paper & services accordingly. Our customer-centric approach allows us to offer products in various sizes, grades and GSM options to suit different needs, from individual convertors to large-scale commercial users. Overall, our commitment to sustainability, combined with our focus on high-quality, innovative products, sets us apart from competitors in the tissue paper industry. We are constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to deliver superior paper that meets the evolving needs of consumers.
PM: How do you incorporate sustainability or eco-friendly practices into your production process?
AA: Sustainability is a core value in our production process and we take several key steps to ensure that our operations are as eco-friendly as possible. Our tissue paper products are made from responsibly sourced wood pulp coming from certified sustainable forests, recycled paper and, wherever possible, 100 percent recycled materials only. We use recycled fibers in many of our products, reducing the need for virgin materials and minimizing deforestation. Our commitment to sustainable sourcing is reflected in our adherence to global standards such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification, ensuring that our raw materials are ethically sourced.
We continually innovate our processes to minimize waste, reduce energy consumption and lower our carbon footprint. We have invested in energy-efficient machinery and have implemented smart manufacturing techniques to reduce overall energy usage. Additionally, we utilize renewable energy sources, such as solar wherever possible to power our operations, which significantly lowers our carbon footprint.
We operate on a zero-waste-to-landfill model, ensuring that all byproducts of our manufacturing process are either recycled or repurposed. Scrap materials, such as paper trimmings or defective batches, are reprocessed into secondary raw materials for reuse in our industries. This practice helps minimize waste and supports a circular economy. Water is a vital resource in tissue paper production and we take measures to ensure that our water usage is optimized and waste is minimized. We employ water recycling systems in our facilities, which allow us to reuse water during production, significantly reducing our water consumption.
We are always looking for new ways to improve the sustainability of our operations. Our R&D teams are focused on developing new, innovative materials and processes that further reduce environmental impact, such as recycled tissue paper options, and advancements in production that reduce the overall energy and water use.
By integrating these eco-friendly practices throughout our production process, we ensure that sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do, from raw material sourcing to packaging and distribution. This commitment helps us meet the growing demand for environmentally conscious products while minimizing our environmental impact.
PM: How would you describe the current market scenario for the tissue paper segment? What are the factors behind the growth of this segment?
AA: The current market scenario for the tissue paper segment is dynamic and evolving, with several key trends shaping its growth. Overall, the market is experiencing steady expansion, driven by fundamental hygiene needs, and increasing consumer preferences for premium, eco-friendly and sustainable products. The factors influencing the market today include digital & e-commerce growth, price sensitivity & competition, and growth in emerging markets.
The global focus on hygiene, particularly post-pandemic, has significantly boosted the demand for tissue paper products. Sustainability is a key trend in the tissue paper industry, with more consumers seeking eco-friendly alternatives. There is a growing shift toward products made from recycled materials or sustainably sourced wood pulp. Manufacturers are increasingly investing in innovations such as biodegradable tissue products, sustainable packaging and energy-efficient production processes. This trend aligns with the global push for environmentally conscious consumerism and is becoming a crucial competitive differentiator in the market.
While basic tissue paper products continue to have a strong demand, there is also a noticeable shift toward premium tissue paper offerings. Consumers are looking for higher-quality products with enhanced features such as added softness, moisture-locking capabilities and even skincare benefits. This trend towards premiumization is driving growth in categories like luxury facial tissues, multi-ply toilet paper and specialty paper towels.
The rise of online shopping is reshaping the tissue paper market, with e-commerce platforms becoming a significant distribution channel. Consumers are increasingly opting for convenience and bulk purchasing options online. This shift is not only convenient for the end consumer, but also opens up new opportunities for manufacturers to reach broader audiences through subscription services and targeted digital marketing.
While premium paper production is on the rise, price sensitivity remains an important factor for a large segment of the market. As a result, manufacturers are focused on balancing quality with cost-effectiveness to cater to different consumer segments. The market is highly competitive, with numerous new manufacturing companies vying for attention and price wars between competitors in the basic tissue paper segment becoming a common factor.
The demand for tissue products in emerging markets is growing rapidly. As disposable incomes rise and living standards improve, more consumers in regions like Southeast Asia, Latin America and parts of Africa are adopting modern hygiene practices. This presents a significant opportunity for tissue paper manufacturers to expand their footprint in these regions, especially as urbanization increases.
Seasonality plays a role in boosting tissue paper sales, with higher demand during cold and flu seasons or the holiday period when people tend to stock up on hygiene products. Additionally, factors like festivals or large events also drive short-term spikes in tissue paper consumption.
Taken together, these factors point towards a market that’s not only growing, but evolving to meet changing consumer demands, technological advancements and sustainability pressures. The tissue paper segment is positioned for sustained growth in both developed and emerging markets due to these diverse drivers.
