In an exclusive interaction with Paper Mart, Mr. Naynesh Pasari, CEO, Shree Krishna Paper Mills, shares that the company has made significant investments in ‘Packmate’, India’s first chemical-free paper. He further emphasises the importance of adopting advanced technologies to reduce water consumption and strengthen effluent treatment processes, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable and responsible paper manufacturing.
Paper Mart: If we look at your kraft paper and kraftliner business today, how would you characterise its scale and mix? How do you see that portfolio evolving over the next few years?
Naynesh Pasari: We see that in India and globally, the finished paper has an excessive supply. The prices which used to be 3 years ago, cannot continue in current times keeping in consideration the growth of input costs. I only see further competition in kraft paper segments.
PM: What’s driving demand in India right now? Are there particular segments that stand out, and which ones do you think will shape the next phase of growth?
NP: The demand is very variable now. Everything has become unpredictable due to global uncertainty and tariffs. One should understand that the segments that should have been ideally growing- such as paper bags and packaging grades, are not growing due to weak government policy and weaker execution.
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PM: Fiber security is a recurring concern in India. How are you thinking about long-term access to virgin pulp and/or wastepaper, and what are you doing to reduce exposure to quality and price volatility?
NP: To ensure fiber security, honestly there is no other way than to increase the number of suppliers and keep at least 3 months inventory. By keeping stock inventory and expanding our supplier network, we can ensure uninterrupted access to virgin pulp and reduce exposure to price volatility or quality degradation.
PM: What are the biggest cost pressures you’re dealing with today: whether it’s raw materials, energy, logistics, or compliance? How are Indian producers responding to stay competitive?
NP: Power and fuel are the biggest concerns, impacting manufacturing cost and in turn profit margins.
PM: From your conversations with customers, how are expectations evolving in India, especially around performance, consistency, and lightweighting?
NP: International customers still have concerns about Indian manufacturers, whereas Indian customers are knowledgeable now and hence look for mills with deeper understanding of the paper.
PM: Where are you really choosing to invest right now? Capacity, efficiency, sustainability, or something else? What’s guiding those decisions?
NP: Today, the paper mills are in a survival mode, hence reduction of cost is the focus area where major investments are going on.
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PM: Sustainability is becoming a much bigger part of the conversation in India. How is that changing the way you think about investments and customer relationships?
NP: We have invested heavily on packmate – India’s first chemical free paper. We feel Indian consumers have to get mature in the way they perceive paper and look for sustainable paper before they make a decision.
PM: Over the next decade, what do you think Indian kraft and containerboard producers will need to get right in order to stay ahead?
NP: In order to stay ahead of the curve, Indian kraft and containerboard producers must adapt technologies to reduce water consumption and must invest in better ETP.
Production
• Kraft Paper Grades Manufactured by your Company: High Strength Kraft, Color Kraft, Unbleached Brown Kraft (Food grade)
• Kraft Paper Manufacturing Capacity and Mill locations: Keshwana, Rajasthan
