Paper use in India will continue to grow for the next 20 to 25 years despite increasing use of electronic media.
Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) president Madhukar Mishra said that paper consumption in the country is only 10kg per capita compared to 300kg in developed countries.
He said: “We still have room to grow from 10kg to 200kg per capita.”
But he also said that there was more need of recycled materials as the industry faces a huge raw material shortage. Although much of this would come from the export market, there would also need to be more domestic recycling in India.
He added that the country was being held back by its poor infrastructure: “Issues like insufficient scientific mechanisms for recycling, transportation and logistics are major drawbacks.”
The Indian paper industry is growing at 9 to 10 per cent, which is faster than the country’s economy at 8 per cent per year.
According to IPMA data, India’s consumption of paper and paperboard will increase to 20 million tonnes by 2020 and 40 million tonnes by 2030. Current consumption is 10 million tonnes.”
