Ashoka Rolls LLP highlighted its focus on next-generation ceramic and high-performance rubber roller coverings designed to meet the evolving demands of modern paper mills. The company is also going to start two manufacturing units- one is South and one in East India, to cater flawless rollers to clients for fast delivery. In an exclusive interview with Paper Mart, Mr. Manoj Gupta, President, Ashoka Rolls LLP, shares insights into the company’s latest roller innovations, their impact on machine uptime, sheet quality, and maintenance cycles, and how material science and surface engineering are being leveraged to extend roll life. He also offers his perspective on key industry trends, challenges, and the technologies shaping the future of paper manufacturing.
Paper Mart: What are you displaying here at Paperex 2025? How has your experience been so far?
Manoj Gupta: At Paperex 2025, we are showcasing our new-generation ceramic and high-performance rubber coverings for roller solutions, along with coating technologies for paper mills, with a strong focus on extending the service life of rollers used in paper machines.
The response at the exhibition has been very positive, with strong interest from paper mills and OEMs looking to upgrade from rubber to PU, improve roll life, and address challenges such as premature wear, uneven nip, and surface defects. The technical discussions have been particularly valuable, as many visitors are seeking customized solutions rather than standard coverings, which aligns well with our capabilities.
Overall, Paperex 2025 has served as an excellent platform for technical exchange, generation of new leads, and strengthening relationships within the paper industry.
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PM: Your recent innovation focuses on advanced rollers-ceramic and PU. Could you elaborate on how these new roller technologies improve machine uptime, sheet quality, and maintenance cycles compared to conventional rollers?
MG: Our recent innovation in advanced roller technologies, including ceramic-coated rollers and high-performance rubber rollers, is aimed squarely at three core mill priorities: machine uptime, sheet quality, and maintenance reduction. Compared to conventional rubber or metal rollers, ceramic rollers offer extremely high wear resistance, with surface life typically three to five times longer than rubber or chrome. Their chemically inert surface resists starch, coating chemicals, fillers, and cleaning agents, preventing swelling or surface degradation, while a stable friction coefficient over time reduces slippage and web breaks. Ceramic rollers also eliminate the need for frequent regrinding or recovering, are easier to clean with reduced chemical usage and downtime, and require only periodic inspection. As a result, maintenance cycles are extended by years, not months.
The owners of the company, Mr. Brij Bhushan Gupta (Founder & Chairman) and Mr. Mohit Gupta (Director), bring a great vision and rich experience, and their expertise drives our commitment to quality and innovation through Ashoka Rolls LLP plants in Ahmedabad and Ghaziabad.
We are showcasing our new-generation ceramic and high-performance rubber coverings for roller solutions, along with coating technologies for paper mills, with a strong focus on extending the service life of rollers used in paper machines.
PM: Given your expertise in manufacturing rolls for the paper industry, how is Ashoka Rolls LLP leveraging modern material science and surface-treatment technologies to extend roll life and reduce downtime for paper mills?
MG: At Ashoka Rolls LLP, the approach is practical and mill-oriented, combining modern material science, advanced surface engineering, and application-specific design to directly improve roll life, uptime, and operating stability in paper machines. The focus is on engineered coverings rather than generic rubber, supported by ceramic surface technologies that extend service life at critical operating points. Advanced surface engineering and finishing, along with strong bonding and thorough core preparation, ensure consistency and reliability. In summary, Ashoka Rolls LLP leverages advanced polymers, ceramic coatings, precision surface engineering, and controlled manufacturing processes to deliver rolls that are long-life, stable, and predictable in performance, helping paper mills run faster, longer, and with fewer interruptions.
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PM: How do you envision the future of the paper industry? What are some of the major trends and challenges we are seeing today in the industry?
MG: The paper industry is clearly evolving rather than declining. Its future will be shaped by sustainability, performance-driven materials, and smarter manufacturing, even as mills face increasing pressure on costs, energy consumption, and quality expectations.
The industry’s path forward lies in higher efficiency, greater sustainability, and improved precision. The key challenge is no longer demand, but the ability to operate faster, cleaner, and more reliably under tighter operational constraints. In this context, technologies such as advanced PU and rubber coverings and ceramic rolls are no longer optional upgrades; they have become essential enablers of the next generation of paper manufacturing.
Our recent innovation in advanced roller technologies, including ceramic-coated rollers and high-performance rubber rollers, is aimed squarely at three core mill priorities: machine uptime, sheet quality, and maintenance reduction.
