“The next phase of growth for the paper industry will be shaped by how well capacity aligns with future demand”: Mr. Ved Krishna, Group Lead, Pakka Limited

“The next phase of growth for the paper industry will be shaped by how well capacity aligns with future demand”: Mr. Ved Krishna, Group Lead, Pakka Limited

As The Pulp and Paper Times marks its 10th anniversary, we celebrate a decade of meaningful and industry-focused journalism.

Over the past decade, we have established ourselves as a trusted voice of the pulp and paper sector, connecting paper mills, industry leaders, technology providers, and global stakeholders. With a strong readership base across India and overseas, our platform has consistently delivered credible insights, market intelligence, and exclusive industry interactions that support informed decision-making.

On this special milestone, we talked to Mr. Ved Krishna, Group Lead, Pakka Limited, about his perspective on the future of the paper business. We shared our theme, “Market Factors, Technology, and Consumer Interests Shaping the Indian Pulp and Paper Industry in the Next 10 Years.” We received very informative and deeply insightful views that everyone associated with the paper industry, in any capacity, should read. Here are a few insights.

The Pulp and Paper Times

India’s Paper Industry: The Next Decade of Transformation

Packaging will anchor growth

India’s pulp and paper industry is being reshaped by a clear demand pivot toward packaging, which today accounts for over 55–65% of total consumption. Growth across e-commerce, food delivery, and organized retail continues to accelerate this shift, with packaging demand expected to grow at 6–8% annually, outpacing traditional segments.

This evolution is also changing what customers expect from paper. There is a visible move toward high-performance, application-specific grades, particularly in food service and flexible packaging, where strength, consistency, and reliability are critical. This is reflected in how companies like Pakka are aligning their portfolios ¬– focusing on paper solutions that perform under real-world conditions such as moisture, load, and extended usage cycles.

Capacity is being built around emerging applications

The next phase of growth will be shaped by how well capacity aligns with future demand. Investments are increasingly targeted toward segments that require higher performance and consistency.

The upcoming PM4 machine at Pakka is being developed with this direction in mind, with an estimated capacity of 115 TPD and a focus on greaseproof and flexible packaging grades. Rather than incremental expansion, such investments indicate a shift toward purpose-built capacity designed for evolving applications.

This approach allows manufacturers to participate more meaningfully in high-growth segments like food packaging, where performance requirements and value realization are significantly higher.

Fibre strategy is becoming central to stability

Raw material availability continues to be a defining challenge, with dependence on imported pulp and recovered fibre exposing the industry to global volatility.

In response, there is a growing emphasis on diversified fibre strategies, particularly the use of agricultural residues such as bagasse. This not only strengthens supply security but also triggers greater flexibility in production.

Designing new capacity to effectively utilize such fibres reflects a broader shift in the industry where fibre choice is no longer just a sourcing decision, but a strategic lever for cost stability and long-term resilience.

Technology will enable performance at scale

Delivering consistent, high-quality paper – especially for packaging applications requires advanced manufacturing capabilities.

New-age machines, including those developed in collaboration with global technology providers like Allimand, a partner with Pakka Ltd. incorporate features such as hydraulic headboxes, shoe presses, and optimized drying systems. These help in better formation, improved strength at lower grammage, and higher operational efficiency.

Such advancements are critical in meeting tighter quality specifications, while also supporting resource efficiency across water and energy usage.

Sustainability and food safety are becoming non-negotiable

Consumer brands today are integrating sustainability deeply into their packaging decisions. There is a clear and growing preference for materials that are responsibly sourced, recyclable, and aligned with long-term environmental goals.

At the same time, food safety is coming out as an equally critical consideration. As more consumers become aware of what comes in direct contact with their food, expectations around safe, compliant, and reliable paper materials are increasing – particularly in food service and delivery applications.

This is moulding how paper is developed and evaluated. There is increasing focus on clean fibre sources, controlled manufacturing processes, and consistency in quality, ensuring that packaging is not only functional and sustainable, but also safe for end use.

Such shifts are encouraging closer collaboration between manufacturers and brands, with greater emphasis on material integrity, traceability, and performance assurance.

A defining opportunity for the industry

The Indian pulp and paper industry is entering a phase where growth will be defined by capability, alignment with demand, and execution discipline. Packaging-led expansion, fibre innovation, and technology adoption will collectively shape the next decade.

Investments in next-generation capacity, diversified fibre strategies, and advanced manufacturing systems indicate a clear industry direction – toward higher-value, performance-driven paper solutions. As demand continues to evolve, the opportunity lies in anticipating these shifts and building the right capabilities to support them at scale and this is where Pakka stands as a key-enabler.
 

Published at : Jul 25, 2026 08:49 AM (IST)

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