PAPEXPO 2025, India’s first dedicated exhibition for the paper industry, hosted by the Paper Foundation, an NGO and supported by Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India, was inaugurated by Mr Narendra Paruchuri, MD, Pragathi Offset Printers Pvt Ltd.,Mr Soumyajit Mukherjee, Cmo, Emami Paper Mills, Dr Ajay Satia, MD, Satia Industries Ltd., Mr Rushabh Shah, Md, Three M Paper Boards Ltd., Mr Abiali Jani, Director, Jaini Sales at Hitex Exhibition Centre.
Mr M K Goyal, General Secretary, Ippta, Mr Nataraj, Deputy Director, Indian Institute of Packaging, Hyderabad, Mr Nirmal Kuhad, CEO, Papyrus Expo LLP., Mr Arvind Sharma, Director, Papyrus Expo LLP. & Mr B R Rao, President, Paper Foundation; & Director, Papyrus Expo LLP., graced the occasion.
PAPEXPO 2025, a landmark three-day event, will unite the entire value chain of India’s paper industry under one roof, making it one of the most comprehensive gatherings in the country. Supported by key industry bodies like the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), IPPTA, and FPTA, the event will be held from June 6–8 at HITEX, Hyderabad.
Mr Soumyajit Mukherjee, Cmo, Emami Paper Mills said, I find lot of innovations being showcased at this Expo, against the regular Expos we visit. The diversity of the display we see here and an opportunity for paper industry to showcase is a very good sign for the industry in the coming days. The pulp and paper industry in India is worth 80 crores, it engages around 2 mn people.
The paper industry has various verticals, the newsprint, recycled and virgin writing and printing paper, coated paper, craft paper, recycled and virgin packaging boards, speciality papers and tissue paper. Newsprint is a dying vertical across the globe, pre-covid the total requirement of newsprint was 2 mn tonnes and today the requirement is limited to 1 mn ton, 50% drop in consumption of newsprint is seen due to digitalisation.
The vernacular languages are keeping the newsprint alive, but there is a very positive indication from the media industry is that, the newspaper is going to back with a bang in a couple of years as the digital media popularity wanes, as digital media makes us to consume what it offers and newspaper will provide what interests us. Writing and printing paper is growing at 3% CAGR, the demand is rising due to rise in literacy rate, the Government’s Sarva Siksha abhiyan and other initiatives are providing the impetus.
Coated paper is also declining due to dropping circulation of magazines and reduction in the promotional material of brochures, danglers etc., which are going the digital way. The craft packaging segment is seeing 8.5 %, a robust growth due to the flourishing e-commerce and the demand will only increase in times to come. The recycled packaging board is growing at 6% to 7%, and its scope is huge.
Mr M K Goyal, General Secretary, Ippta said, PAPEXPO 2025, is a part of the initiative of make in India. It is important for all of as an Industry for all of us to come under one umbrella. Import to some extent is killing the local industry. Paper industry may not get any sops from the Government, we have to learn to survive on our own.
The other worrying aspect is the mis-information campaign against the paper usage, we are a victim of the marketing gimmicks of mobile phone industry to enhance its consumption, we didn’t the precaution at that time. Despite all this the industry continues to grow and will grow in the years to come. The consumption of printing and packaging paper will only increase and that is positive outcome.
Mr Nataraj, Deputy Director, Indian Institute of Packaging, Hyderabad said, there is enormous need to host such expos across India. We conduct trainings to educate the industry and there by enhance the paper and allied products consumption and ultimately grow the industry. I urge the paper industry stakeholders to visit IIP and make use of our laboratory testing and findings in growing the industry further.
PAPEXPO is India’s very own dedicated paper industry showcase—a first-of-its-kind platform proudly hosted by Paper Foundation, an NGO we established to promote and uplift paper usage across the country. Despite being one of the fastest-growing economies, India still ranks among the lowest in per capita paper consumption. PAPEXPO aims to change that.
A key focus of PAPEXPO is to dispel the long-standing myth that paper consumption contributes to deforestation. In reality, nearly 80% of the paper produced and used in India comes from recycled sources—making it one of the most sustainable industries in the country. Through this platform, we aim to highlight the eco-friendly evolution of paper and its vital role in sustainable development, says Mr Nirmal Kuhad.
Mr B R Rao, speaking on the occasion said, The Foundation seeks to unite all stakeholders of the paper ecosystem on a single platform to foster collaboration, awareness, and innovation In India, 80% to 82% of paper is produced from recycled materials such as wastepaper, agricultural residue, and sugarcane bagasse.
The Indian paper industry does not contribute to deforestation; in fact, it operates without reliance on forest timber. The Foundation is also dedicated to advancing paper as an eco-friendly alternative to harmful materials, by encouraging and funding research, especially to find alternatives in domains like packaging and other sectors.
Mr Arvind Sharma said, the paper industry plays a pivotal role in India’s economic growth by creating extensive employment opportunities across the country. As a major contributor to the nation’s tax revenue, the paper industry stands as a vital pillar in strengthening India’s economy.
Over 100 national and international exhibitors will display cutting-edge innovations across paper manufacturing, converting, printing, packaging, and recycling. More than 15,000 visitors are expected. Leading players like EMAMI PAPER, WEST COAST, SATIA INDUSTRIES, SHAH PAPERS, and TIRUMALA BALAJI PAPER will showcase premium products and sustainable solutions.
Hosted by the Paper Foundation, PAPEXPO is India’s first dedicated platform to promote the responsible and expanded use of paper. With per capita consumption still at just 15–16 kg, as against the global average of 57 kg. The Foundation aims to dispel the myth that paper harms the environment. In India, over 80% of paper is made from recycled sources like wastepaper, agri-residue, and bagasse, making it among the world’s most sustainable industries.
Exhibitors will represent paper and pulp manufacturers, packaging companies, machinery suppliers, publishers, exporters, and traders—mainly from states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, alongside global participants. Attendees will include key decision-makers from paper mills, trading houses, packaging, and publishing sectors.
India’s paper market is growing steadily, projected to reach USD 13.2 billion by 2033. The packaging segment alone is expected to hit USD 13.72 billion by 2025. Tissue paper is the fastest-growing segment (11–13% CAGR), while exports reached USD 9.96 billion in 2024. Imports, including newsprint and specialty paper, stood at ₹11,196 crore.
The Paper Foundation seeks policy support from the Telangana Government and continues to champion sustainability, recycling, and green innovation. PAPEXPO 2025 aims to position India as a global leader in eco-conscious paper production.