Paper Converting Unit Takes Step Towards Backward Integration; Starts 100 TPD Writing & Printing Paper Mill

Paper Converting Unit Takes Step Towards Backward Integration; Starts 100 TPD Writing & Printing Paper Mill

The Pulp and Paper Times

U.S. Nagar, Uttarakhand: Heart Touch Paper Mills has commenced operations at its newly established paper manufacturing unit in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, with an initial production capacity of 100 TPD. Speaking about the new project, Mr. Ashok Sharma, Director, Heart Touch Paper Pvt. Ltd., said the mill has started production with a focus on recycled writing and printing paper, primarily catering to the notebook and copybook segments. Paper mill is situated at Vill. Haldua Shahu, Shivrajpur Patti, Jaspur.

The new project represents a significant step towards backward integration for Mr. Sharma’s existing converting business, Krishna Paper Udyog, which has been engaged in paper converting for around 15–17 years. According to Mr. Kumar, approximately 40–50% of the new mill’s production will be consumed in-house by Krishna Paper Udyog, while the remaining production will be supplied to the open market.

100 TPD Recycled Writing & Printing Paper Plant

The newly commissioned mill has an initial capacity of 100 tonnes per day and is currently producing recycled writing and printing paper. Mr. Sharma said the mill is initially focusing on C-grade paper with brightness levels in the range of approximately 75–85 brightness.

The paper is primarily intended for applications such as notebooks, copybooks and other writing-related products. The current GSM range is approximately 50 GSM and above, extending up to 80–85 GSM.

While copier paper is not currently part of the production portfolio, the company is considering entering the copier paper segment in the future. Mr. Sharma indicated that the immediate focus will remain on the writing and printing paper segment.

Rs. 80 Crore Investment; Additional Rs. 15 Crore Proposed

The company has invested approximately Rs. 80 crore in the new project so far, with an additional investment proposal of around Rs. 15 crore planned as part of the ongoing development programme.

The mill has also been equipped with its own utility infrastructure, including an RDF-based boiler and turbine, as part of the project.

The paper machine for the new unit was sourced from Hardayal Engineering. The boiler was supplied by Gramp Environmental, while automation and electrical systems have been sourced from New Standard Electricals, along with equipment and systems procured from suppliers in Ghaziabad and Kashipur.

Mr. Sharma described the project as largely based on indigenous Indian machinery and technology, with the main paper machine also being supplied domestically.

Capacity Expansion to 150 TPD Planned Within Six Months

Heart Touch Paper Mills is already looking at increasing the capacity of the new plant from 100 TPD to around 150 TPD.

Mr. Sharma said the company expects to achieve the expansion in approximately six months, rather than immediately moving towards a 200 TPD capacity. The planned increase will be achieved through modifications to the existing machine, including the installation of a Tri-Nip arrangement, which is expected to help increase machine speed and production capacity.

The company therefore intends to scale up production without establishing an entirely new paper machine at this stage.

40–50% Production to be Consumed In-House

One of the key strategic advantages of the new mill is its integration with Mr. Sharma’s existing converting business, Krishna Paper Udyog.

The converting unit has been operating for approximately 15–17 years and already has three Linomatic machines. The company has traditionally purchased writing and printing paper from established paper manufacturers and converted it into finished products.

Mr. Sharma said that companies such as Ruchira Papers, Bindal Papers, Katyayani Papers and Fibre have previously supplied paper to his converting operations.

With the commissioning of Heart Touch Paper Mills, the company expects approximately 40–50% of its paper production to be consumed internally by Krishna Paper Udyog.

“This is essentially a backward integration initiative,” Mr. Kumar explained, adding that the company will continue to purchase paper from outside suppliers wherever required, while a significant portion of its own requirement will now be met through captive production.

The remaining 50–60% of production will be sold in the open market.

Existing Converting Business Provides Captive Consumption Base

Krishna Paper Udyog already has an established presence in the paper converting business, producing notebooks, copybooks and other products.

According to Mr. Sharma, the company has been working in the white-paper converting segment for many years. The existing converting operations provide Heart Touch Paper Mills with a ready captive market for a substantial portion of its production.

This integration is expected to provide greater control over paper sourcing and supply while reducing dependence on external paper mills for a significant portion of the company’s requirements.

Market Extends Beyond Uttarakhand

Although the new mill is located in Kashipur, the company does not intend to restrict sales to the Uttarakhand market.

Mr. Sharma said the local market alone is not large enough to absorb the plant’s production. The company therefore plans to market its paper across several major consuming regions, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Kolkata, along with other markets across India.

The company also has an established customer base through its existing paper trading and converting activities, which is expected to support the marketing of the new mill’s production.

Quality Improvement Planned Gradually

At present, the quality and brightness of the paper are positioned around the existing production range, with brightness of up to approximately 85. Mr. Kumar said the company plans to gradually improve the quality of its products.

He referred to products available in the market from manufacturers producing writing and printing grades with brightness levels of around 85 and indicated that Heart Touch Paper Mills will progressively work towards improving its own product quality.

The company’s immediate priority, however, is to stabilise production and serve the notebook and copybook segment before expanding into additional grades.

Writing & Printing Paper Market Remains Stable

Discussing current market conditions, Mr. Sharma said the writing and printing paper market remains broadly stable, although the industry is experiencing a seasonal slowdown of around one to one-and-a-half months.

According to him, this softer period is a regular feature of the paper industry and has been observed for many years, particularly during the rainy season. He expects market activity to improve as the publishing cycle picks up.

Mr. Sharma noted that the publishing season generally gains momentum around November, when demand from the publishing and related segments begins to return.

He also said the recent change in GST on notebooks has not created any significant difficulty for his business. Since Krishna Paper Udyog already operates a converting business and Heart Touch Paper Mills now provides captive paper production, the company expects limited impact from such market changes.

New Greenfield Project, Not Revival of an Old Mill

Mr. Shamra clarified that Heart Touch Paper Mills is a completely new greenfield project, rather than the revival or acquisition of an existing closed paper mill.

The company purchased land for the project and established the manufacturing facility from the ground up. The commissioning of the 100 TPD unit marks the beginning of its paper manufacturing operations, with further capacity enhancement and development planned in the coming months.

Focus on Integration and Future Growth

The commissioning of Heart Touch Paper Mills marks a strategic shift for Mr. Ashok Kumar’s business from being primarily dependent on external paper suppliers to having its own manufacturing base.

With an existing converting operation under Krishna Paper Udyog, the new mill provides a natural captive-consumption model, with around half of the production expected to be absorbed internally and the balance sold across the domestic market.

The company is currently focused on stabilising its 100 TPD recycled writing and printing paper production, while preparing for an expansion to approximately 150 TPD within six months. Future plans also include exploring additional grades such as copier paper and further improving product quality.

The project combines paper manufacturing, captive consumption and downstream converting, creating an integrated business model that could provide Heart Touch Paper Mills with greater control over raw material supply, production and finished-product operations as it expands its presence in the Indian writing and printing paper market.
 

Published at : Aug 25, 2026 08:20 AM (IST)

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