PAPEXPO 2025: India’s First Dedicated Paper Industry Expo Champions Sustainability and Innovation

Making a historic mark in the nation’s manufacturing sector, PAPEXPO 2025, India’s first exclusive exhibition for the paper industry, was inaugurated at HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad.

By admin On Jul 19, 2025

Mr Narendra Paruchuri (Center), MD, Pragathi Offset Printers Pvt Ltd.; flanked by (L-R) Mr B R Rao, President, Paper Foundation; & Director, Papyrus Expo LLP.; Mr Arvind Sharma, Director, Papyrus Expo LLP.; Mr Nirmal Kuhad, CEO, Papyrus Expo LLP.; Mr Moolchand Parekh, Finance, Papyrus Expo LLP; Mr Soumyajit Mukherjee, CMO, Emami Paper Mills & Mr Kishan S Thakur, Owner, Sri Balaji Paper Trading Co.,; inaugurating the PAPEXPO 2025 - Bharat ka Apna Paper Show, hosted by Paper Foundation, A Non-Profit Organization and supported by Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India, today at HITEX Exhibition Centre.

Organized by The Paper Foundation, a non-governmental organization, and supported by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, the three-day event (June 6–8) proved to be the best platform for the paper industry of India. The inauguration marked the beginning of the event which was attended by prominent industry stalwarts like 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, Mr. M.K. Goyal, General Secretary, IPPTA, Mr. Nataraj, Deputy Director, Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Mr. Nirmal Kuhad, CEO, Papyrus Expo LLP, Mr. Arvind Sharma, Director, Papyrus Expo LLP, Mr. B.R. Rao, President, The Paper Foundation & Director, Papyrus Expo LLP.

Setting the tone:

Bringing together stakeholders from every segment of the paper industry, PAPEXPO 2025 aims to position India as a global leader in eco-conscious and sustainable paper production. The event featured participation from over 100 national and international exhibitors, and it attracted more than 15,000 industry professionals, including manufacturers, traders, printers, packaging companies, publishers, and policymakers.

At the heart of PAPEXPO 2025 are discussions around sustainable paper production, circular economy models, and eco-friendly packaging solutions. Industry leaders shared the following insights:

Mr. Soumyajit Mukherjee noted a transformation in the sector, with a decline in newsprint but steady growth in:
- Writing & Printing Paper (3% CAGR)
- Kraft Packaging (8.5% growth)
- Recycled Packaging Boards (6–7% growth)
Mr. M.K. Goyal urged for self-reliance under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, emphasizing the need to tackle misinformation surrounding paper and imports.
Mr. Nataraj from IIP advocated for more such industry expos across India and invited companies to leverage IIP’s advanced testing and R&D infrastructure.
Mr. Nirmal Kuhad highlighted that over 80% of India’s paper is produced using recycled sources such as agri-residues, wastepaper, and sugarcane bagasse—making it one of the most sustainable industries in India.
Mr. B.R. Rao reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to funding research and driving policy support to promote paper as a green alternative in packaging.
Mr. Arvind Sharma emphasized the industry’s significant contribution to employment and tax revenue, reinforcing its importance in national economic development.

Promoting Green Innovation and Dispelling Myths:

PAPEXPO 2025 not only celebrates India’s progress in sustainable paper manufacturing but also works to dispel long-standing myths about deforestation associated with the industry. It showcases how modern papermaking in India relies heavily on recycled and agro-based raw materials, supporting both the environment and rural livelihoods.

The event was backed by strong support from Government as well as many industry bodies like Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Indian Pulp & Paper Technical Association (IPPTA), Federation of Paper Traders Association (FPTA) and Ministry of MSME.