Devashray Papers (India) LLP, incorporated in 2018, has a capacity of 300 tonnes per day. The company is all set to start the commercial production of décor paper, Bible paper, and white bleached kraft paper by the end of this year with imported virgin pulp (softwood and hardwood) as the raw material. In a conversation with Paper Mart, Mr. Dhruv Desai, Director, Devashray Papers (India) LLP, shares details about the venture along with the expansion plans.
“India is on its way to banning most single-use plastics as part of its efforts to reduce pollution. Hence, the demand for sustainable packaging has never been greater. As a result grocery bags, food packaging, bottles, and straws are expected to be replaced by paper products.”
Paper Mart: Could you present a brief overview of Devashray Papers (India) LLP?
Dhruv Desai: Incorporated in 2018, Devashray Papers (India) LLP will be using imported virgin pulp (softwood and hardwood) as the raw material and have a capacity of 300 tonnes per day. All our machines are imported from Germany. We are using second-hand machines from Voith and hope to start commercial production in December, this year. Located in Ahmedabad, Devashray Papers (India) looks forward to future growth and development in an innovative and changing industry. With a financial outlay of INR 500 crore, we have constructed a wide and well-functional infrastructural unit.
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PM: Please tell us about the product portfolio of Devashray Papers with its USPs.
DD: We would be manufacturing four different qualities of paper focussing primarily on décor paper, Bible paper, and white bleached kraft paper. Currently, the demand for décor paper is around 8000 metric tonnes per month, out of which only 3000 metric tonnes are fulfilled by Indian paper mills, and the rest are imported from China. In India, décor paper is manufactured by only a few mills like ITC PSPD and Pudumjee Paper Products. We feel that in the near future, the demand for décor paper will surpass 12000 metric tonnes due to the boost given by the decorative laminate industry, and want to make the most of this opportunity. We want to compete against China by making superior quality décor paper in India.
PM: What are your expansion plans?
DD: As far as décor paper is concerned, we would initially be focusing on India but gradually be expanding to the other parts of the world as well. We see a lot of scope in Turkey for décor paper. However, as I have mentioned earlier, our major target is to fulfill demands in India and compete against China. The white bleached kraft paper we are going to manufacture will be of European standards and it is not easily available in Indian market as most of the stock lot material being imported in India, and we also aim to export white-bleached kraft paper to the European market as well.
PM: What is your outlook on the Indian pulp & paper industry?
DD: Indian pulp & paper industry is highly dependent on freight charges as most of the raw materials are imported. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in global container freight charges in the last one and a half years. Now that the pandemic appears to be controlled, we expect things to get normal soon.
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PM: What do you think are the key trends behind this growth?
DD: India is on its way to banning most single-use plastics as part of its efforts to reduce pollution. Hence, the demand for sustainable packaging has never been greater. As a result grocery bags, food packaging, bottles, and straws are expected to be replaced by paper products. Thus, the paper industry, currently, seems to be in a win-win situation.
