At Paperex 2025, France based Kadant Lamort, along with its sister companies Kadant Johnson and Kadant UK, reaffirmed its long-standing engagement with the Indian pulp and paper industry, dating back to the 1990s. In an interaction with Paper Mart, Mr. Amit Deep Singh, Director – Sales and Marketing, Kadant India Pvt. Ltd., shared how Kadant’s integrated portfolio– spanning fiber processing, approach flow systems, fluid handling, and doctoring solutions– is helping mills improve resource efficiency, sustainability, and operating performance. He also highlighted Kadant’s recent collaboration with Venkatalakshmi Paper Boards Pvt. Ltd., showcasing real-world value creation through advanced deinking and fiber recovery technologies. Mr. Singh noted that Kadant continues to invest in future-ready solutions, including AI-enabled monitoring and a customer service portal planned for launch in 2026 in India.
Paper Mart: Please tell us about your participation at Paperex 2025. How has it been so far?
Amit Deep Singh: Kadant Lamort, together with our sister companies Kadant Johnson and Kadant UK, has been participating in Paperex since the 1990s, and it continues to be an important platform for us. This event allows us to reconnect with peers, customers, mill owners, and industry experts while showcasing our latest technologies in stock preparation, approach flow systems, fluid handling and process optimization.
Paperex 2025 has been a great opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, understand emerging needs, and strengthen relationships across the pulp and paper community. Our team also presented in the open seminar on our latest reject handling solutions.
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PM: How does Kadant leverage its wide portfolio, from fiber-processing and fluid-handling to reject-upcycling systems, to help paper mills improve resource efficiency and sustainability?
AS: Kadant leverages its wide portfolio by delivering targeted technologies that significantly improve efficiency and sustainability within key stages of the papermaking process. Kadant Lamort’s fiber-processing and approach systems help mills enhance furnish quality and fiber recovery while minimizing energy and water use.
Kadant Johnson’s fluid-handling solutions optimize steam and condensate management to boost thermal efficiency and machine performance. Kadant UK further strengthens this offering with advanced doctor blades and doctoring systems designed to improve sheet cleanliness, machine runnability, and maintenance efficiency.
Combined with our reject-upcycling technologies that recover valuable fibers and reduce waste sent to landfill, Kadant provides mills with practical, high-impact tools to lower operating costs and operate more sustainably.
PM: How is Kadant leveraging its collaboration with Venkatalakshmi Paper Boards, which happened earlier this year?
AS: Our collaboration with Venkatalakshmi Paper Boards earlier this year allowed us to demonstrate how Kadant Lamort’s fiber processing technologies can create measurable value under real mill conditions. Following a visit to our Technology Centre, and successful raw material viability trials at our pilot plant, Venkatlakshmi Paper boards signed two loop deinking line for writing and printing grades. The line has Kadant MAK C cell, Screen one , Radiclone cleaners, Kneader and Poseidon clarifier.
Venkatalakshmi Paper and Boards Pvt. Ltd. (VLPB) is a forward-thinking company with a strong, supportive, and highly engaged management team. Known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation, VLPB produces newsprint, writing and printing papers, MG posters, and MG kraft grades using 100% recycled fiber. Their modern manufacturing practices, focus on eco-friendly production, and dedication to consistent quality make them a trusted name in the industry. This progressive mindset and openness to adopting new technologies made our collaboration especially meaningful, allowing us to work together to improve resource efficiency and support their vision for responsible, sustainable paper production.
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PM: What are some of the major trends and challenges we are seeing today in the industry?
AS: India’s paper industry is undergoing its most significant change in decades. This moment presents both challenge and opportunity and will ultimately define which mills emerge as globally competitive. The mills that succeed will be those that act quickly to modernize and align with shifting global demands.
As a trusted technology leader, Kadant is committed to supporting the industry through this pivotal time. It is our responsibility to make advanced technology more accessible and cost-effective. Kadant India has made a significant investment in localized manufacturing of capital equipment and service capabilities. Our upgraded workshop now features state-of-the-art equipment for rotor repair and rebuild services.
Kadant’s Upcycling Division and our Technology Centre are delivering next-generation reject handling and fiber processing solutions. The Technology Centre serves as a hub for applied research and industrial testing. Backed by more than 117 years of experience, it advances sustainable practices in fiber recovery, water management, and reject handling.
Many of today’s fiber processing innovations come from our lab and we continue to innovate with energy efficient solutions, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC BioFiber) and molded products. But we’re not just a supplier of solutions. We walk alongside our customers as partners. At our Technology Centre, we conduct recyclability testing and hands-on development to help mills meet their sustainability and performance goals. Together, we shape practical, forward-thinking answers to today’s most pressing challenges because your success is our shared purpose.
PM: What are some unique AI-integrated processes/practices that you see in the industry, or plan to implement in the company.
AS: AI is starting to play a meaningful role in the pulp and paper industry, and we see several promising areas where it can enhance performance, efficiency, and decision-making. Across the industry, mills are adopting AI-driven monitoring systems for predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and process control. These tools help identify anomalies early, reduce downtime, and ensure equipment operates at peak efficiency. AI is also being used to analyze fiber quality, optimize furnish mixes, and improve consistency in production.
For Kadant, AI offers exciting opportunities to further enhance the value of our technologies. Kadant views AI as a powerful enabler for smarter and more efficient operations. Our corporate office has formed a dedicated team focused on integrating AI into internal processes, helping us streamline workflows and strengthen data-driven decision-making. As this capability grows, it will gradually be reflected in our product offerings as well, through smarter diagnostics, improved system optimization, and enhanced support for our customers. In 2026, we will launch a customer service portal developed in India to help mills monitor equipment health and reduce downtime through timely issue resolution.
Our collaboration with Venkatalakshmi Paper Boards earlier this year allowed us to demonstrate how Kadant Lamort’s fiber processing technologies can create measurable value under real mill conditions.
