Being a leader in the paper industry is a mantle that Orient Paper & Industries Limited (OPIL) takes very seriously, but it was only when the organization embarked on a transformative journey that it began to unlock its true potential. What makes this experience especially fruitful is that it revolves around sustainability – the idea that a business can maximize its profitability while also keeping its stakeholders happy, and committing to the wellbeing of the planet and the communities that contribute to its growth.
The United Nations measures this in Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) goals; OPIL calls it ‘Paper with Purpose’. The organization defines this as prioritizing the environment, fulfilling its social responsibility, committing to the well-being of its customers and employees, and delivering superior paper solutions. In this way, OPIL hopes to make a lasting and positive difference not only to its growth but also to the nation. It’s a tall order but the company is already reaping the tangible benefits of moving sustainable practices to the core of its ethos.
For instance, FY23 was one of OPIL’s best years in terms of profitability margins, while FY24 witnessed the highest-ever paper production in terms of volume. These milestones are early signs of success in a transformative journey that the company embarked on recently. Amid a seismic shift in the very definition of paper in today’s digitalized era, OPIL is reorienting its identity from that of a paper manufacturing company to a solutions-driven innovation hub. The company says it is not just about a product change; it’s about a change in mindset.
A Promise to the Planet
OPIL has a strong legacy of responsible leadership, and prioritizing the planet in its operations is central to its approach. It has consistently focused on sustainable Agro-forestry, and the results have been very encouraging.
Across 1,089 villages, the company has started to engage with over 90,000 smallholder farmers in the restoration of 0.4 million acres, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and environmental stewardship. It shall bring 1,02,000 acres, more than 70 percent of which is barren, under agroforestry thereby benefitting 90,000 households and developing 50,000 acres of land to arrest erosion.
In collaboration with local stakeholders and community members, the company has implemented many initiatives focused on water conservation and management:
- In 2024 alone, it has built 1,371 water structures – 722 farm ponds, 524 wells and shallow bores, and 115 earthen dams and stop dams.
- It has harnessed 15 billion liters of water, bringing over 13,481 acres of land under irrigation.
- Today, OPIL conserves nearly 86% of the water it consumes. This commitment to responsible water management makes it a leader in ‘water positivity’.
- Some of its other environment-focused initiatives are:
- Achieved Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) across 37,347 acres of land.
- Currently, OPIL draws more than 35% of its energy from renewable sources
- Reduced energy consumption per ton by 9% in Fy24.
- 1.47 lakh tonnes of CO2e sequestration done from plantations alone.
- Soil and moisture conservation efforts have been undertaken across 5,784 acres.
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A Commitment to People
OPIL aims to reduce social and economic inequality and improve the Human Development Index of the communities it works in. This year alone, the company’s CSR outreach program has positively impacted the livelihoods of 1.86 lakh people across 564 villages, while reforming and reviving 558 self-help groups. Easy access to credit has been provided to 1,687 families and 297 enterprises run by women.
The company has also introduced heartfulness practices to help lead a stress-free life, currently impacting around 6,000 people. In addition, in FY24 alone, it helped over 24,000 patients avail specialized medical facilities. It also ensured the supply of more than 24 lakh liters of potable water to local communities.
In the area of school education, OPIL has enrolled over 75,000 children since 1963, including over 34,000 girl students.
Mission Khushi: This overarching initiative is at the core of OPIL’s transformative strategy, which aims to spread ‘happiness’ among stakeholders across the supply chain. The company regards its employees not only as resources who drive it towards its goals but as members of an extended family. It has therefore integrated values such as engagement, taking ownership, and discipline into its approach to its workforce.
Under Mission Khushi, OPIL implements several initiatives to forge closer partnerships and increase engagement with its other stakeholders such as dealers, trade partners, equipment makers, suppliers, etc. It does this through events such as knowledge-sharing gatherings, exhibitions, and collaborative meets such as Orient Stars hub meets, Paperex, Confluence and Orient Stars.
Also Read: West Coast Paper Mills: For a Better Future
Upholding Ethical Practices
OPIL believes that good corporate governance is essential to achieving long-term corporate goals and enhancing stakeholders’ value. In addition to compliance with regulatory requirements, the company endeavors to ensure the highest standards of ethical conduct across the organization.
By ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in its business operations, it builds trust among stakeholders, including investors, employees, business partners and customers. The company recognizes that these values are essential to fostering long-term relationships, which is critical to a stable and sustainable business.
Setting Green Goals
Over the years, OPIL has set many ESG benchmarks and is constantly raising the bar in its sustainability mission.
Among its targets are:
- Doubling income per acre for at least 80 percent of the company’s target group, from INR 20,000 to INR 40,000 by introducing Good Agricultural Practices such as multi-cropping and the Responsible Crop Initiative across 4 lakh acres of land. It also plans to build 9,500 water conservation structures like stop-dams, dug wells, lift-irrigation systems etc.
- Conducting soil-moisture conservation activities across 40,000 acres of land.
- Undertaking large-scale tree plantation that will generate more than 2,00,000 carbon credits per year for the next 15 years, thereby helping the company offset its carbon footprint. This year, OPIL has already surpassed its record by planting trees on more than 19,500 acres.
- Shifting its ‘green steam’ production from the current level of 33 percent to 53 percent in 24 months.
