Among those present at the signing ceremony was Worthwell Papers, attending as the India representative of one of New Zealand’s leading paper mills, WML Paperboards. With a diversified product portfolio spanning grease-resistant boards, kraft back boards, and other specialty grades, WML brings to India solutions aligned with the growing demand for sustainable packaging, high food safety standards, and performance-driven applications. The portfolio is also expected to support India’s expanding packaging exports.
The FTA, which renders the WML portfolio 100% duty-free in India, comes at a time when manufacturers are actively seeking viable alternatives to single-use plastics, driven by regulatory changes and evolving consumer preferences. Coupled with WML’s strategic focus on expanding its presence in India over the medium to long-term, this development marks a pivotal moment in the company’s growth journey in the region.
Worthwell Papers is working closely with WML Paperboards to introduce and scale this portfolio in India, leveraging its established distribution network, warehousing infrastructure, and strong customer base. The collaboration aims to ensure consistent availability, efficient logistics, and technical advisory support for converters and end-users — enabling packaging optimisation, cost efficiency, and sustainability.
Speaking on the development, Mark Mills, business development manager at WML Paperboards Limited, said, “This is a strategic association to build our presence in the Indian market. We see significant potential for our paperboard products, and with the FTA now in place, we are very optimistic about the future of our offerings in India.”
Anubhav Gupta, managing director at Worthwell Papers, added, “With WML Paperboards’ diverse and differentiated product portfolio, aligned with strong demand across food and beverage packaging as well as specialised mono-carton applications, we see this FTA coming just at the right time. As India’s packaging industry transitions into its next phase of growth, we believe this strategic FTA will further strengthen the market potential for WML in India. Underpinned by our established warehousing network and WML’s robust, reliable supply chain, we are excited about the opportunities and the journey ahead.”
The India–New Zealand FTA is expected to catalyse trade flows in the paper and forestry segment, encouraging innovation, cost efficiencies, and a faster transition towards environmentally responsible packaging. Industry stakeholders believe that such collaborations will play a key role in shaping the next phase of growth for India’s packaging ecosystem.