Dolly offers jute innovations to replace plastic

Jute is an eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable natural fibre, also popularly known as the golden fibre. It is traditionally used for making packaging sacks and ropes, as jute fibres are strong and versatile.

Kolkata-based Dolly Creations has been converting this natural and eco-friendly fibre to produce jute goods such as file folders, pencil pouches, foldable pen stands, calendars and product packaging bags for the past 22 years. Additionally, the company also produces paper bags from old newspapers, making it one of the sustainable products producers in the country.

According to Sanjay Agarwal of Dolly Creations, jute bags are “sturdy and have a great aesthetic appeal” and they are used for branding, gifting and product packaging purposes.

“In terms of advertisement and brand recall value, a jute bag works out the cheapest, as it lasts for nearly five years and the cost per view is negligible. Its utility and functionality are also unmatchable,” says Agarwal.

Agarwal graduated from St Xavier’s in Kolkata but had to discontinue further studies due to financial issues. His father ran a small business in Jorhat, Assam. Without any basic training or skill in the jute products manufacturing business, and after a series of failed business ventures and accumulated debts, Agarwal started Dolly Creations in 2000, with only four employees and Rs 1 lakh borrowed money.

“Innovations and creating value-added jute products is a passion for us,” says Agarwal, and perhaps the reason why his company is running successfully today.

“We create bags with social messages, so that the person using those bags, too, feels a sense of pride and the brand gets an additional emotional edge,” he adds.

As of today, Dolly is producing jute bags for notable companies such as Tata, DPS, Soch, Ultratech, Rotary, Manyavar, Rupa, Zola and more. Agarwal asserts that almost all sectors or industries can use Dolly products.

“Many corporates use our bags to distribute in trade fairs. Most clients have been with us for a long time, helping us to grow with them,” he adds.

However, things were jittery for a brief duration during the Covid pandemic. “The pandemic has spared none, nevertheless, let’s take it in our stride,” says Agarwal.

But recovery has been very fast, and the only gripe Agarwal has today is bringing back the workforce. “Getting people to work for you is a herculean task,” concludes Agarwal.