Living up to its expectations as the provider of high-quality and heavy-duty custom rollers to paper mills and allied industries, Ashoka Rolls LLP has come with the most advanced new generation ceramic rolls, equipped with European technology, making it the first company to introduce the technology in India. In an exclusive interaction with Paper Mart, Mr. Manoj Gupta, President of the company, revealed that they have also developed polyurethane rollers and reinforced composite rollers for the paper industry with the latest technology.
Paper Mart: Please tell us more about your business journey, highlighting major milestones and crucial achievements.
Manoj Gupta: Ashoka Rolls is part of the Ashoka Group of Industries, which was established in 2004. The promoters of the company, Mr. Brij Bhushan Gupta, Founder & Chairman & Mr. Mohit Gupta, Director, have a great vision & rich experience of running four kraft paper machines at various locations. Being in the industry for a long time, we realize the importance of proper and timely services to be rendered by roller manufacturers. Ashoka Rolls is managed by a team of professionally qualified technocrats, who share their invaluable experience of several years to get the better output and life of rolls. We have also hired technocrats from European companies, who are working with us on the development of new generation and advanced technology, to cater to the demand of rolls in the Indian market.
PM: Please walk us through your product range and your manufacturing set up. What is your manufacturing capacity?
MG: Ashoka Rolls is engaged in the manufacturing of rubber, polyurethane (PU), ceramic and composite coated heavy duty industrial rollers for paper and allied industries, with specialization in paper machine rollers. We have two manufacturing facilities in India, one at Kheda near Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and second in Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh). Both our facilities are fully equipped with the latest machinery, tools and equipment with maximum working capacity up to 2,000 mm diameter; 10,000 mm length and 50 tons weight. We also do PU for jumbo press blind drill rollers, suction press roller, felt guide roll, applicator roll, backing roll, reel spool and size press roll.
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PM: Please share recent developments in your company.
MG: For the first time in the country, we have launched the most advanced new generation ceramic rollers for paper mills and other allied industries, equipped with European technology. Our in-house ceramic coating can be used in various types of rollers requiring a good release property as well as doctoring characteristics. Our ceramic rollers have extreme wear resistance, chemical resistance and corrosion protection, which make them an attractive choice for center-press roll, wire guide roll, felt guide roll, paper guide roll, press roll, breast roll and wire drive roll. Ashoka Rolls has also developed polyurethane (PU) rollers and reinforced composite rollers for the paper industry with the latest technology of three component ribbon flow machines. Our PU covering can be used in all paper machines. Applications include in the forming section, press section, side press and coating section. They are specially used in rollers requiring stringent operating conditions, such as high-performance coating.
PM: What kind of technology have you integrated into the system to enhance operational efficiency?
MG: Our advanced rubber and polymer technology maximizes the performance of a production line, forming, pressing, drying and a finishing section. Our roll covers are based on state-of-the-art polymer and latest technologies that provide excellent wear resistance, stable roughness & hardness and durability in a demanding operating environment, enabling trouble-free roll run period.
PM: What is your USP that makes you stay ahead of the curve?
MG: Since we have our own mill, we understand the roller requirements and the paper mill application better. We first conduct a trial test of new products in our own mill and only after successful trials, we launch these products in the market. We believe in quality rollers. Our superior PU roller is equivalent to the European standard because we procure all the material from European countries. For workmanship, we have hired technical persons having rich experience from European companies. The motto of Ashoka Rolls is to cater world-class technology to the Indian paper mill industry. We are not only catering to the Indian markets but also exporting rubber rollers to more than 15 countries.
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PM: How is sustainability intertwined with your operation? What is the current market scenario and how much will the market evolve in the next five years?
MG: We have developed new-generation technology for rubber, PU, ceramic and composite rollers for kraft mills, packaging grade, coated board, tissue paper, newsprint, and writing & printing paper. Our new generation technology coverings are specially manufactured to meet the demand of changing and challenging markets like the Indian kraft mills where speeds are being increased and paper furnish quality is going down day by day. In order to fulfill the demand for packaging grade, coated board, tissue paper, newsprint, and writing & printing paper, paper mills need to produce more high-quality products. They must also find ways to manufacture products faster while maintaining a high-quality roller covering and reducing downtime.
