Indian Paper 2005, an international trade fair and technical conference on the paper industry was inaugurated today by the Hon.
Minister for backward classes welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, Shri. S M Velusamy amidst the presence of eminent industry captains, international experts, scientists, technologists, Government dignitaries and state representatives from various paper associations from the pulp and paper industry. Other dignitaries included Mr. S R Rabinder, President Kraft Paper manufacturers association of South India, Dr. A G Kulkarni, Director – Central Pulp and Paper Research Institute and Mr. P G Mukundan, Managing Director, Sai Expocon India Pvt. Limited. Speaking on the occasion, the minister outlined the major contributions made by Tamil Nadu in attracting investments. He said, “The Industrial climate and the overall infrastructure in Tamil Nadu is vast improving which is shown by the flow of investments into the state. The government is making all efforts to make Tamil Nadu the 1st state in India - a vision envisaged by the chief minister Dr. J Jayalalithaa”. He requested the paper industry to set up more paper mills in Tamil Nadu and ensured all government support and concessions in raw material availability, water, power, etc, He quoted how the government support given to the corrugated box sector improved employment in that sector and the uniform duty structure which was brought in helped corrugated box manufacturers yield better prices”.
‘Indian paper 2005’, is being held from today to the 4th September 2005 at the CODISSIA TRADE FAIR COMPLEX’. The fair is being organized by Sai Expocon India Pvt. Ltd and co-sponsored by Central Pulp and paper research institute, Kumarappa National Handmade Paper institute (both Government of India Research bodies) and Kraft Paper Manufacturers Association of South India. Indian Paper Foundation, an umbrella organization for the benefit of the Indian Paper industry, supports Indian Paper 2005.
The international trade fair brings together over 60 participants from across the globe including Paper machinery manufacturers, materials and service providers, Newsprint equipment & machinery manufacturers, Technology providers, Paper, Board and corrugated box manufacturers and Packaging specialists and also showcase the latest developments and technology. International Delegations from South Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, besides delegations from the Middle East and Malaysia are also attending the trade fair. This fair will also fulfill the long cherished desire of the industry owners and professionals to organize an “International Trade Fair” on pulp, paper and conversion industries in the southern region, the hub of South Indian Paper industry.
Coinciding with the trade fair, a technical conference on cleaner production in pulp and paper industry will be conducted. The conference, which will be inaugurated tomorrow, (2nd September) will also focus on environment friendly processes and raw materials to ensure a cleaner production in the manufacturing of pulp and paper. 23 technical papers including a special paper on use of biotechnology for pulp and paper making to make the industry environment friendly will be presented.
Welcoming the gathering, Mr.Rabinder put forth some of the burning issues faced by the paper industry that need to be considered by both the state and central governments. They include:
·Need for a raw material policy to ensure continuous and sustained availability of forest raw material as well other raw materials
·To allot degraded forestland to the wood based paper mills
·Legislation for much use of recycled fibre
·Creation of a technology up gradation fund on the lines of the scheme available for textile and other industries
·Single excise duty structure for all paper mills (The present system of slab of 8% duty for certain clearances and 12% for others is detrimental to the general interest of the paper industry)
·Implementation of VAT in Tamil Nadu so that the paper mills in Tamil Nadu do not lose their pricing edge over the neighbouring states.
·Evacuation facilities for the paper mills for setting up wind mills to produce power through non-conventional route and hence enjoy the benefits given by the central government.
Dr Kulkarni in his address said that there are over 400 paper mills in India and the paper industry is one of the core industries, which is growing at a phenomenal rate of 6% per annum. The projected demand is 8.3 million tones by the year 2010, which is double of the current production in India. The domestic newsprint production does not cater fully and India still imports 40% of newsprint. He added that economical liberalization has also brought in its way a very stiff competition from the global players and unless the Indian paper industry keeps pace with the developing technologies, they will not be globally competitive and sustainable. To this effect he put forth 5 major issues, which the paper industry has to address:
1.Ensuring sustained availability of good quality of raw materials: He suggested this could be done through the modern forest management& clonal propagation and enhancing recovery of indigenous waste paper to propagate use of recycled fibre. (Currently 70% of recycled fibre is being imported).
2.Technology up gradation and modernization to bring down the cost of production.
3.Resource conservation by implementation of total recycle concept of natural resources like fibres, water, chemicals, energy, etc,
4.Improving quality of paper and paper products because India is a member of WTO and with the reduction in the tariff structure, there is a threat of dumping of imported products.
5.Environmental management and consorted efforts to address issues such as higher levels of AOX, colour inn the effluents, solid waste disposal and air pollution due to malodorous gaseous emissions.
Delivering the vote of thanks Mr. Mukundan detailed the vision of Sai Expocon. He said, “This is only a beginning. We would like to be a facilitator for a two-way growth for any industry by providing a platform for their growth not only in terms of capacity expansion but also induction of state-of-the art technology in the manufacturing process to be competitive in trade barrier free world. Sai Expocon is also taken a motto of taking the exhibition to the door steps of the industry to enable the smallest of the small to take advantage of the fast growing trade which other wise wouldn’t be possible because of the financial and other constraints of small scale units”.
Indian Paper 2005, Mr. Mukundan said is being launched to encourage mills to plough investments in the areas of technology up gradation & modernization and green field projects & viable pollution control technologies to keep with the growing demand. “The investment is estimated to be millions of dollars”, added Mr.Mukundan.
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