Krafton Papers India Private Limited is starting a new journey in the paper industry. The company’s greenfield mill project is under process in Shoolagiri, Tamil Nadu. The mill will begin commercial production of high BF kraft paper by December 2023, with an initial production capacity of 250 TPD. In an interaction with Paper Mart, Mr. Bharat Rathi, Director at Krafton Papers India Private Limited, shared various details about the key features of the new mill, the machinery suppliers, and the market targeted. He divulged future plans of expanding the production capacity and diversifying into other paper grades once proper utilization of current capacities has been achieved.
Krafton Papers India Private Limited’s new paper mill is presently under construction. The new mill is slated to commence its commercial production by December 2023. The production capacity of the new mill shall be 250 TPD, and initially, the focus shall remain on the production of high BF (18-28) kraft paper, in a gsm range of 120-300. As shared by Mr. Bharat Rathi, Director at Krafton Papers India Private Limited, the goal of the new mill is to contribute a push towards the use of paper instead of plastic.
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The new mill’s premises shall be located in Shoolagiri, Tamil Nadu, and will house state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities based on automation and quality control systems. The paper machine has been supplied by Saloni Paper Machines Private Limited, the pulp mill or pulping equipment has been supplied by Parason Machinery India Private Limited, and the boiler has been supplied by Ashwini Engineering Industries. The premises will also house a Co-Gen plant, for which the turbine has been supplied by MAN Energy Solutions India Private Limited. Krafton’s focus is on quality and relevant equipment presence has been ensured at the mill premises. The mill will manufacture odor-free paper because of full-fledged ETP. Performance accessories, like brake generators for good rewinding, have also been employed. The overall cost to set up the new mill has been recorded among the initial triple digits of crores.
Mr. Rathi stated that the entire process has been designed to be a ‘green process’, wherein sustainability shall remain among the core goals of the company. There are plans to diversify into manufacturing other grades of paper in the future. These along with increasing the production capacity.
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Krafton Papers’ new mill is located in Shoolagiri, which is merely 60 kilometers from Bengaluru. Bengaluru and surrounding regions are projecting a high demand for various paper grades, including kraft paper. Mr. Rathi believes the trend will be beneficial for the new mill to launch itself into a competitive market. He expressed focusing locally in the beginning stages of commercial production and eventually expanding their market horizons. He also expressed interest in the international market, for which closeness to Bengaluru will prove advantageous to the company. Bengaluru is among the best-connected Indian cities, nationally and internationally.
Krafton Papers’ new mill is a greenfield venture for Mr. Rathi in terms of premises as well as industry. He shared with Paper Mart that he has a background in the quartz and granite industry. The high demand and projected YoY CAGR for the paper industry provide assurances and confidence to new entrants like Krafton Papers.
