Mr. Pritesh Shah, Joint Managing Director, Shah Paper Mills Ltd., talks about the technology-related developments and upgradations that took place at the company.
“At SPML, we have the flexibility of making recycled, blended as well as virgin grades of paper. There’s an enhancement of value-added products and we are able to provide low-cost solutions to convertors.”
Paper Mart: Please highlight technology and quality development or up-gradation that recently took place.
Pritesh Shah: At Shah Paper Mills Ltd. (SPML), with the implementation of ERP, we have integrated the entire manufacturing process to have the advantage of efficient and faster processing of data, making it more flexible and giving real-time input. Some of the examples of the technological development at our mill include drum pulper, virgin sheet, double screening, centricleaner system, top former, film press, online QCS system, high-speed winder, and folio sheeter.
We have installed a multi-fuel boiler and condensing cum extraction turbine at our mill. Drying of the deinking sludge is done using hot flue gas of the boiler and utilisation of the deinking sludge as alternate fuel in the boiler thereby saving conventional fuel.
There has been a shift to surface-sized grades. At SPML, we have the flexibility of making recycled, blended as well as virgin grades of paper. There’s an enhancement of value-added products and we are able to provide low-cost solutions to convertors.
PM: What have you been doing to foster innovation and R&D at your workplace?
PS: We have been replacing existing low-margin products with a new product range with better margins and meeting the latest requirements of the printing and packaging industry. While the customer base remains unchanged, the upgraded latest products range gives deeper reach to the customer base with a further firm footing in market share.
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PM: What is your technology and business roadmap for the coming times?
PS: In order to ensure improvements in capacity and quality as well as the reduction in fiber losses at Shah Paper Mills, we will install a DIP Loop1 new Deinking cell. Further, to reduce the black spot/dirt in the finished paper, we plan to install a DIP Loop2 disperser.
Other machineries include centricleaner and deculator system to improve the product quality, top former, tri-nip, film size press and caliper control system at Calender, high speed tail feeding conveyor at the size press, and new design online fabric cleaner for better moisture profile and water saving.
With the major efforts by the Government to educate the masses through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA), India still has to go a long way in ensuring 100 percent literacy. Thus, providing paper to fulfill the requirements of the education segment will be a priority at SPML and we will ensure to play our part in this segment, where we already exist as an important player. SPML will be entering markets with better quality of surface-sized maplitho, thus adding a totally new segment to its customer base while competing with the best of the players in the market. Whatever inroads we will make, will be an addition to our business volumes and market reach. SPML has already started trials of white top kraft liners along with the existing product range of high-strength kraft and test liners. Thus, adding premium packaging grade to our range will enhance our market reach. Overall, this will give a major shift to SPML in the domestic market with an improved position amongst competitors.
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PM: With a plan in place to reduce carbon emissions, paper mills are switching to sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. Please take us through some of the energy-efficient technologies at your company.
PS: Some of the energy-efficient technologies at SPML include installation of VFD, high-speed turbine to improve the power/fuel ratio, energy-efficient higher capacity screw compressor replacing the reciprocating type low-capacity compressors and closed hood for dryer section.
As a part of our goal of reducing carbon emissions, we are switching over to sustainable and energy-efficient solutions to fulfill our partial requirement of power. Accordingly, we have tied up for 3.3MW of power through wind-solar hybrid energy under group captive mode which would be made available to us from the next financial year 2023.
