Paper production capacity to expand to 32 million tonne by 2030: Shripad Naik

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Power & Minister of State for the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik on Wednesday said that with increasing demand paper production capacity will expand to 32 million tonne by 2030 in India.

Speaking at the 17th Edition of Paperex 2025 in Yashobhoomi (IICC) at Dwarka area, the minister said paper industry continues to play a vital role in rural employment, MSME development, packaging, education and social progress.

"As we work toward the vision of a developed India by 2047, innovation, digitalization, recycling and global collaboration will shape a competitive and self-reliant industrial ecosystem," Naik said.

Paperex scheduled from December 3 to December 6, 2025, is organized by Informa Markets in India in collaboration with the Indian Agro & Recycled Paper Mills Association (IARPMA) and supported by the World Paper Forum.

"The paper industry today utilises nearly 25 per cent to 50 per cent bamboo in its total wood-pulp mix, a significant rise enabled by the Union Governments decision to deregulate bamboo transportation from the northeastern states. This policy shift has not only strengthened raw material availability for mills but also boosted the local economies of the region through enhanced bamboo supply," Pawan Agarwal, President, Indian Paper Manufacturers Association, said.

“The Indian paper sector comprises nearly 800 mills and has a strong rural footprint linking farmers, local communities and an extensive labour base of nearly 5,000 direct and indirect workers per mill, the industry plays a critical role in rural livelihoods and employment generation," Pramod Agarwal, President, Indian Agro & Recycled Paper Mills Association, said.