Paperex offers the perfect meeting ground for industry stakeholders

Paperex, billed to be the world’s largest paper exhibition, organised by ITE India, along with 12 trade bodies, has received tremendous response from both trade and general visitors. According to the organisers, the 12th edition of Paperex has proved to be the reliable and tested platform to all connected with the paper industry, including SME exporters, entrepreneurs and investors.

04 Nov 2015 | By Dibyajyoti Sarma

All stakeholders of the industry, from paper mill owners to distributors to end-consumers, were on the ground at Pagati Maidan in New Delhi. Paperex, the biennial international exhibition and conference on pulp and paper industry, is on until today (4 November).

Over 12,000 trade visitors from around the globe are in New Delhi to attend the exhibition and to learn about more technologies and positive ecosystem.

As customers are increasingly adopting online channels to seek information, International Paper APPM, introduced a mobile app at Paperex 2015. The app will help customers to make informed purchase decisions.

Meanwhile, most of the exhibitors are optimistic about the fact that the country’s consumption of paper will go up substantially, despite the digital buzz. Currently, the country’s per capita consumption of paper is 9.8 kg, as opposed to 350 kg in the US, and the global average of 58 kg.

Consumption of paper is projected to grow to about 30 million tonnes in 2026 from about 14 million tonnes currently. Revenues are expected to reach USD 11.8 billion by 2017. Paper packaging products are now used for premium appearances in sectors such as wine and spirits and tobacco. There is a rise in overall domestic demand due to urbanisation and literacy.

Industry insiders say more than 300 million middle class are shifting from plastic to paper packaging. As per trade experts, consumers today are more responsible towards the environment. Moreover, large industries nowadays prefer paper packaging over plastic packaging as a part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

Speaking on the success of the show, Gagan Sahani, director, Paperex said there are total 500 exhibitors from over 33 countries, including group participation from China, Finland, Taiwan, France and Germany. Trade experts are hinting that the industry is entering a new phase of growth and paper packaging business will give much-needed support to the industry.