Paperex 2013 continues to be a global business platform

A new business momentum was developed when Indian and overseas leaders from the pulp, paper and allied industry gathered altogether on a common platform to share during the four-day Paperex 2013 held from October 24-27, 2013 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Print & Publishing catches a glimpse of the expo which reflected the increasing capabilities and potentials for new technologies and investments in the industry.

Organised by International Trade and Exhibitions India Pvt Ltd in association with Indian Agro and Recycled Paper Mills Association (IARPMA), the eleventh edition of Paperex was inaugurated by Dr EM Sudarshana Natchiappan, union minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Government of India in presence of other dignitaries comprising Pramod Agarwal, president, IARPMA; Russell Tylor, CEO, ITE Group & chairman, Indonesian Pulp and Paper Association (APKI); Kim Willis, CEO, ITEI; N Gopalnathan, chairman, Paperex Technical Committee & CMD, Sheshasayee Paper and Boards Ltd; Yogesh Agarwal, president, Indian Paper Manufacturers Association; Rajinder Gupta, chairman, Trident Group; and Anil Kumar, senior vice president, IARPMA. In his keynote address, Rajinder Gupta delivered his ‘five-point’ advisory notes which included the need for focusing on R&D investment, environment compliance, manufacturing excellence, customer’s satisfaction and conserving human capital.

Global platform

Poised to be a comprehensive forum serving the paper industry and established itself as an international business platform for interacting with luminaries practically from all corners of the globe, Paperex 2013 witnessed the participation of 525 exhibitors from 27 countries and pulled 23,000 trade visitors from 52 countries to the exhibition floor measuring 25,000 sq m.

Technical conference

Two days of the 11th International Technical Conference on Pulp, Paper, Conversion and Allied Industries organised concurrently by IARPMA on the sidelines of the expo marked a special convention in which industry leaders delivered valuables ideas and opinions on a vast range of topics covering different ‘problems and prospects’ revolving around the industry. Attended by enthusiastic industry professionals, the main topics spreading over ten technical sessions during the conference included Global Forest and Paper Industry by 2020, Indian Paper Industry and Raw Materials, Latest Developments in Papermaking, Modern and State-of-the-Art Technologies in Fibreline, Minerals and Chemicals in Papermaking and Printing, Advancement in Papermaking Technology, Cost and Quality Optimisation in Paper with Chemicals and Additives, and so on. Dr EM Sudarshana Natchiappan, who declared the formal opening of the expo, called for preparing a conclusive report after the two-day conference and present the same to the government for reviewing so as to consider the required changes in the policy, if needed. He added that the government is keen protect the domestic industry but merger or acquisition cannot be ruled out like the one International Paper acquiring The Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills Limited which effectively brings in plant modernisation.

China in focus

Paperex 2013 witnessed the participation of international groups from China, France and Taiwan. As it was in the last edition, China Pulp & Paper Equipment Pavilion (CPPEP) at Paperex 2013 brought on stage the growing potential of Chinese paper manufacturing machines and materials which have been increasingly adopted by mills across the world. More than dozen companies (exhibitors) attractively showcased arrays of innovative technologies.

Stand of International Paper (The Andhra Pradesh Paper Mill Limited) presented its range of fine-quality papers, manufactured from its biggest integrated paper and pulp manufacturing centers in India. The company announced their tie-up with Hewlett & Packard (HP) to produce HP Everyday Papers for use in high-quality digital copier printing.

One of those pavilions which drew main attention of visitors was Handmade Paper Pavilion which heralded the awareness of eco-friendliness in the industry. Covering an entire spectrum of products and services associated with pulp, paper and allied industries, Paperex 2013 strengthened its reputation of being a global business platform for the paper industry.

Unique attraction

Amongst the crowd pullers at Paperex 2013 included the stand of Tetra Pak where showcased the items like papers for stationary and industrial use made out of pulp and roofing sheets out of polythene and aluminium of re-pulped Tetra Pak packages. Tetra Pak cartons have unique environmental attribute as these products are used only in liquid food packaging formats made from a natural and renewable resource.

SKF press meet

Under its motto ‘Beyond Bearing, Beyond Zero’, SKF India Limited, with a strong network of 20,000 distributors across India, revealed the productivity and profitability in using its services and products at a press meet. Updated with the media persons at the meet included the company’s essential solutions including self-aligning bearing systems and other related activities. The meet highlighted the process level through which how SKF could help its customers. SKF India boasts of its value proposition by combining knowledge and technologies.