Paper Mills and Dealers Must Work Together to Create New Demand, Say Industry Leaders at FPTA’s 65th AGM

Paper Mills and Dealers Must Work Together to Create New Demand, Say Industry Leaders at FPTA’s 65th AGM

The Pulp and Paper Times

Hyderabad, October 2026: The three-day FPTA 65th Annual General Meeting & Conference 2026; hosted by The Federation of Paper Traders’ Association (FPTA), the apex national body representing paper traders; in collaboration with the Telangana Paper Merchants’ Association (TPMA), was inaugurated by H.E. Sri Shiv Pratap Shukla, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana; at the Novotel HICC, Madhapur.

More than 1,000 paper traders from across India are attending the Conference, being held from October 3rd to 5th, 2026. The prestigious event returns to Hyderabad after 19 years and has added significance for the city as Sri T. Kishan Singh, Managing Director, Tirumala Balaji Paper Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, is set to take over as Nominee President of FPTA.

H.E. Sri Shiv Pratap Shukla, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana; addressing the gathering said, The paper industry does not deplete natural forests, as raw timber is ethically sourced from fast-growing agroforestry crops like poplar, cultivated specifically by farmers for quick harvest cycles. Popular slogans like "Save Paper, Save Trees" misinform the public; therefore, industry leadership must actively educate society that paper production supports rural farming economies rather than destroying natural forest habitats. While broadcast and digital channels produce fleeting news that is quickly forgotten or recycled, physical newsprint remains the trusted, authentic medium for daily reflection, focused reading, and public dialogue. Although digitization may lead to a "less paper" world, a completely "paperless" society is impossible because history, culture, official governance, and formal representations will always be anchored on physical paper. To address tax discrepancies, such as an 18% GST on paper alongside 0% on notebooks, the industry must pursue constructive representation over hostile agitation. As a ₹1-lakh-crore tax-paying sector, trade bodies should present clear, structured memorandums to state representatives, the Finance Minister, and the GST Council to achieve tax equity across states through persistent, strategic engagement. Beyond commercial interests, public campaigns should advocate for responsible usage, teaching younger generations to respect and preserve paper rather than waste it. Paper remains the fundamental driver of literacy, publishing, and cultural continuity, guiding learners from childhood slates to complex educational and intellectual pursuits. Ultimately, paper safeguards India's rich intellectual tradition, carrying forward a legacy of global knowledge leadership that traces back to ancient learning centers like Taxila and Nalanda. As India advances toward becoming a developed nation and global leader by 2047, the paper industry serves as an essential engine for commerce, education, and national pride.

Sri Sushil Kumar Khetan, Ceo & Whole Time Director, Emami Paper Mills Ltd.; said, The Indian paper industry has a promising future, with rising consumption and significant headroom in per-capita usage. Paper remains essential across education, publishing, printing, pharmaceuticals and packaging. The dealer and distributor is not merely a link between mills and customers but the eyes and ears of the industry, with a growing role as a market developer. Packaging, particularly for FMCG, food, pharmaceuticals, retail and e-commerce, will be a major growth engine, while specialty and value-added papers offer further opportunities. Customers increasingly demand quality, consistency and service, not merely competitive pricing. The industry must embrace sustainability, recycling, automation, digitalisation, AI and process innovation to become globally competitive. Mills and dealers need to move from transactional relationships to strategic partnerships, jointly understanding customer needs and creating new demand. The future lies not merely in selling more paper, but in creating more reasons for India to use paper, while building an innovative, sustainable and globally competitive industry.

Sri A.S. Mehta, President & Director, Jk Paper Ltd.; said, the paper ecosystem is around four "minars", like the minars in Charminar: manufacturing, distribution, selling, and customers. While geopolitical volatility and raw material constraints cause prolonged market impacts, the core lesson is building self-reliance, Atmanirbhar. To stay competitive, paper distribution and sales must evolve alongside manufacturing by adopting digital tools, AI, and deep customer insights. Additionally, the industry must prioritize sustainability through raw material security and resource-efficient technology. Despite global uncertainties, India’s rising income levels present massive long-term market potential for paper and packaging applications. Rather than dwelling on negative headlines, paper trade stakeholders must rethink traditional models and discover "another way" of selling to create and realize sustainable value across the entire ecosystem.

Chief Guest Sri Rajesh Ponnuru, CEO, ITC-PSPD; The Indian paper industry is a vital pillar of national progress and employment, supported by over 5 lakh farmers, 600 mills, 6,000 traders, and 1 lakh printers. Reimagining its raw material model, the sector is deeply inclusive and sustainable sourcing 75% of fiber from recycled materials, 8% from agro-residues, and 20% from tree-based farming, while matching top global resource-efficiency standards. Paper traders play a crucial role in managing complex supply chains, supporting MSMEs, and facilitating the shift from single-use plastics to eco-friendly packaging. However, to maintain global competitiveness and safeguard domestic investments, structural challenges must be addressed. Key among these is rectifying the inverted duty structure under GST and implementing protective trade measures against unfair foreign competition. As India progresses economically, sustained growth relies on nurturing this farmer-partner model through continuous innovation, trade policy alignment, and collaborative industry leadership.

Sri Abhishek Vijaywargiya, President, Telangana Paper Merchants’ Association, said, When historians write the story of civilisation, they speak of great nations, leaders and inventions. Yet, behind them all was paper, the medium that preserved ideas, recorded discoveries and carried knowledge across generations. Before a scientist made a breakthrough, a doctor earned a degree, an entrepreneur built an enterprise or a leader governed a nation, each first learned from a book and recorded thoughts on paper. A notebook may cost only a few rupees, but the future written in it is priceless. We are not merely trading a product; we are moving knowledge, opportunity and aspiration. In the age of AI and digital transformation, the future is not paper versus digital, it is paper and digital together. Growth and sustainability must move hand in hand.

Sri T. Kishan Singh, President Nominee, FPTA, said, paper traders serve as the vital link between paper mills and consumers, supplying publishers, notebook manufacturers, printers, converters and several other industries. Paper is not just another commodity; it is part of our lives, our economy and nation-building. Our message is simple, Support paper, Use paper, Love paper. He urged the Government to recognise the sector’s needs, particularly the shortage of suitable warehouse space. Finding affordable locations to store paper and efficiently supply it to industries is a major challenge, including in Hyderabad.

India is the world’s third-largest paper-producing country, with annual production capacity of around 25 million tonnes, growing at approximately 5.8–6% annually. The paper and paperboard trade volume is estimated at 23.84 million tonnes, while the paper and related-products trading sector has an indicative turnover of around ₹50,000 crore, growing by about 7–10% annually. The combined Andhra Pradesh and Telangana market is estimated at around ₹3,600 crore, including approximately ₹1,650 crore in Telangana and ₹1,000 crore in Hyderabad.

The industry sees considerable scope to increase consumption through education, publishing, printing, packaging, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, FMCG and manufacturing, besides promoting sustainable paper-based alternatives to single-use plastics.

Chief Guest Sri Rajesh Ponnuru, CEO, ITC Ltd. (PSPD); Guests of Honour Sri Pawan Agarwal, President, IPMA & CMD, Naini Papers Ltd.; Sri A.S. Mehta, President & Director, JK Paper Ltd.; and Sri Sushil Kumar Khetan, CEO & Whole Time Director, Emami Paper Mills Ltd., graced the occasion. The meeting was presided over by Sri Rajesh Jain, President, FPTA and joined by Sri T. Kishan Singh, President Nominee, FPTA; Sri Abhishek Vijaywargiya, President, TPMA; Sri Prasad RG, Chairman, Reception Committee, FPTA 65th AGM; and Sri Ashish Jain Bhansali, Hon. Secretary, TPMA.
 

Published at : Oct 06, 2026 02:42 AM (IST)

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