Paper industry driving rural jobs and MSME growth, set for major expansion by 2030: Shripad Naik

Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik has said that the paper industry continues to play a vital role in rural employment, MSME development, packaging, education, and overall social progress.

He said India’s paper production capacity is expected to rise to 32 million tonnes by 2030.

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“With demand growing at 7–8 per cent annually, the country’s paper production capacity is projected to expand from 24 million tonnes to 32 million tonnes by 2030,” Naik said while speaking at the 17th edition of Paperex 2025.

Indian Paper Manufacturers Association President Pawan Agarwal said the paper industry today utilises nearly 25 to 50 per cent bamboo in its total wood-pulp blend—a significant increase made possible by the Union Government’s decision to deregulate bamboo transportation from the northeastern states.

Paperex was organised by Informa Markets in India in collaboration with IARPMA and supported by the World Paper Forum.

Discussing emerging trends, Pavan Khaitan, President of the Indian Pulp & Paper Technical Association (IPPTA), said that packaging, tissue, specialty grades, and recycled-fiber innovations are reshaping market demand, while digital mills, AI-enabled quality systems, barrier coatings, and energy-efficient technologies are setting new benchmarks in the industry.

Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets in India, said the paper and packaging industry is undergoing rapid transformation driven by innovation, sustainability, and the country’s fast-expanding demand landscape.