Emami Paper Mills Limited (EPML), one of India’s leading paper manufacturers, has expanded into specialty paper grades over the past two years, including pharma, print, and oil-and-grease-proof papers. Renowned for producing premium-quality paper products and delivering exceptional services, EPML operates with a robust production capacity of 340,000 TPA, backed by a dedicated 33.5 MW captive power plant. The company has established a strong presence not only in India but also across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the USA. In an interview with Paper Mart, Mr. Soumyajit Mukherjee, Chief Marketing officer shares’ insights into the current landscape of the paper and packaging industry, emphasizing the significant growth and potential of the food packaging segment within the packaging domain. The company expects a sales revenue of INR 2000 crore in the coming times.
Paper Mart: Please tell us about your company and help us understand the manufacturing setup you have. What technologies have you integrated into the system to enhance product quality & operational efficiency?
Soumyajit Mukherjee: Established in 1981, Emami Paper Mills Ltd. (EPML) is India’s premier paper mill, renowned for crafting exquisite paper products and delivering exceptional services. With its robust production capacity of 3,40,000 TPA and a dedicated 33.5 MW captive power plant, EPML manufactures multi-layer coated packaging board, high-quality writing & printing paper, and premium newsprint.We have mastered our operational efficiency with the right technology and best product mix.
PM: What product range do you cater to the market? How much has the range diversified?
SM: We are present in three segments: newsprint, writing and printing paper, and high end both recycled and virgin grade packaging board. In the last two years we have entered the specialty grades of paper like pharma print and oil and grease proof paper.
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PM: What features make your products different from your competitors? What are your best-performing products and why?
SM: Our newsprint paper is the best domestic newsprint produced in the country, known for its runnability and other features and is being supplied to all major media houses.
Our recycled grade grey back is the only product available in the world which has top two layers of virgin pulp. Our virgin grade board is known for its consistent physical and aesthetical properties and can be compared with any international standard packaging board.
PM: In what sectors do your products find significant use? Where do you see stronger demand and what new sectors are you eyeing?
SM: In packaging boards, there is a spectrum of usage from pharma, FMCG, readymade food, agarbatti, readymade garments, imitation jewelry, confectionaries, hosiery etc. The food packaging segment is growing very fast in the country.
PM: Who are your major clients in the packaging industry? How has the portfolio grown over the years?
SM: We are present across the country catering to largest to smallest converters and overseas majorly in South East Asia, Middle East, Europe and the USA. Our endeavour is to constantly increase the customer base.
PM: How is sustainability intertwined with your operations? What initiatives are undertaken for better waste and water management.
SM: We give special attention to sustainability in terms of water and power management. We have received the Green Tech award a lot of times. We also invested a lot in our ETP for the best usage of water.
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PM: Given the scarcity of raw material in the Indian market, how do you intend to save yourself from raw material volatility?
SM: Our major raw material is wastepaper and pulp which we buy from reputed international suppliers who supply through their sustainable resources. We have always maintained long term contracts with our pulp vendors who have their own pulp mill and sustainable forestry. We are offering customers FSC grade paper and board.
PM: What are your production and sales revenue expectations for this year?
SM: We would like to produce to our optimum capacity and are eyeing a sales revenue of INR 2000 crore.
The Indian paper industry is still evolving, and specifically packaging paper and board will grow at a CAGR of 7% -8%.
PM: According to your observations, what is the current market scenario and how much will the market evolve in the coming times?
SM: The current market scenario is very challenging with strong headwinds. The demand-supply imbalance in almost all sectors is creating prices go southward which is affecting not only sales revenue but profitability also.
Imports from Southeast Asia specifically from Indonesia at zero duty is posing a big threat to the Indian paper industry. The Indian paper industry is still evolving, and specifically packaging paper and board will grow at a CAGR of 7% -8%. Even writing and printing paper is growing in India at 3- 4 %. The total market size of paper industry is around 23 million tons.
