29 September 2022
Single-Use Plastic Ban Opens the Door of Opportunities for Paper Industry
In line with the clarion call given by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to phase out single-use plastic items, India is all set to ban the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of identified single-use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential with effect from July 1, 2022. While PET bottles can still be used, the list of items that would be banned includes plastic carry bags, earbuds and balloons with plastic sticks, plastic flags, candy and ice-cream sticks, polystyrene for decoration, disposable crockery (plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, trays), wrapping or packaging films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and PVC banners under 100 microns.
The ban on single-use plastic has suddenly triggered the need to find sustainable alternatives to plastics. While different industries are still finding ways to develop innovative and eco-friendly alternatives to plastic, the simplicity and convenience of the ‘good old paper’ cannot be ignored. According to the industry experts, there are various applications where the paper industry can chip in such as paper bags, straws, and cutlery. Even the investors have recognized the immense opportunity as there has been an upward trend in the shares of leading paper companies.
According to the industry experts, there are various applications where the paper industry can chip in such as paper bags, straws, and cutlery. Even the investors have recognized the immense opportunity as there has been an upward trend in the shares of leading paper companies
Meanwhile, companies like Flipkart, Nestle, Starbucks and McDonald’s have already switched to paper packaging. In a case study released a few months ago by WWF India, the sustainable packaging designs of Flipkart led to a transformation in the Indian e-commerce ecosystem. Titled “Designing sustainable packaging in E-Commerce: A WWF India Case Study on Flipkart Group”, the study outlined measures that businesses in the same space need to undertake and the ecosystem support needed to incorporate targets towards plastic reduction and its management in their value chain. The case study also outlined measures for businesses to venture into different designs of packaging and distribution models to improve recycling and recovery rates.
While most analysts are bullish on paper-based products, the industry has its own risks and challenges. The prices of pulp, coal, furnace oil, chemicals, and freight rates have surged that have led to input cost pressure. Moreover, the infrastructure needs a strong push.
Industries - Mr. Vadiraj Kulkarni, Chief Executive, ITC Ltd. , Mr. Pavan Khaitan, Managing Director, Kuantum Papers Ltd., Mr. R N Agarwal, Chairman & Managing Director, N R Agarwal Industries Ltd.,Mr. Pawan Agarwal, Managing Director, Naini Papers Ltd., Mr. Ved Krishna, Vice-Chairman, Yash Pakka Ltd. Mr. Ganesh Bhadti, Director (Operations), Seshasayee Paper and Boards Ltd. Mr. Partha Biswas, Chief Sales & Marketing, JK Paper Ltd. Dr. Deepak Kumar Khare, Vice President- Raw Material, BGPPL, FIP, GurgaonMr. Vaibhav Anant, Founder & CEO, BambrewMr. Gunjan Saxena, Director, Ecosure Pulpmolding Technologies Ltd. Mr. Satish Chamyvelumani, CEO, CHUK, Mr. Vinay Jain, Director, MLM India Ltd. Mr. Kishan Jitendrabhai Kaila, Director, Bell Multi Kraft Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Pradyumna Bangur, Director, Raj Dealers & Distributors. Welcomes the decision of government of India.
Source: https://papermart.in/single-use-plastic-ban-opens-the-door-of-opportunities-for-paper-industry-2/
This Post was originally published on -PAPER MART