Packaging paper demand to grow: Pawan Agarwal

The demand for packaging paper and paperboard segment of the paper Industry is poised to grow in double digits in the next decade being an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic, said Pawan Agarwal, president of the Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) and MD, Naini Papers.

He was speaking at a seminar on barrier coating of paper to replace single-use plastic, organised by the Indian Pulp & Paper Technical Association (IPPTA).

According to industry data, out of a total domestic paper market of 23 million metric tonnes, packaging paper and board has come to account for 15 million metric tonnes growing at 8-9% in the last few years.

“A lot of demand is coming from leading brand owners across FMCG, pharma and food and beverages to switch from single-use plastic to paper packaging. However, for widening its usage across segments, effective barrier coating of paper is imperative.” 

The only alternative to single-use plastic which is technically feasible and economically viable is paper which combines the properties of versatility besides being environment friendly. Unlike any other product, paper is biodegradable, bio compostable and 100% recyclable, he added.

“Global plastic production has reached approximately 500 million metric tonnes annually. Of these an estimated 240 million metric tonnes become waste, (averaging about 30 kilos per person worldwide) and end up polluting our environment. Barrier-coated papers offer safe, functional and sustainable packaging solutions that are biodegradable and recyclable. By investing in such sustainable materials, we can reduce our environmental footprint and pave the way for a circular economy,” said Pavan Khaitan, president, IPPTA.

The market for barrier-coated papers, (board and packaging included) is projected to reach about $11 billion globally by 2030 and this translates to almost a 5% CAGR growth during this time. Given a country with a large population and aspiring young demography, nearly 10% of this demand for barrier-coated packaging will come from India across several sectors including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and e-commerce, Mr Khaitan added.

"Barrier-coated paper represents a major leap in sustainable packaging. The IPPTA seminar is a platform to collectively explore and embrace technologies that can reduce single-use plastic dependence and strengthen India's circular economy" said SVR Krishnan, vice-president, IPPTA.

Developing cost-effective, high-performance barrier coatings that are also environmentally-friendly requires concerted research and development efforts.

Collaboration between industry, research institutes, researchers, experts and policy-makers is essential. According to IPPTA secretary general MK Goyal, IPPTA is at the forefront of collaborative efforts in the industry by creating a platform for a very useful and informative exchange of knowledge. Over 175 experts from all over the world are participating, which is the first-ever for a technical conference in the Paper Industry.

(Source: Agency)