Paper industry must adopt sustainable practices, technology: Telangana Governor
Hyderabad, Oct 3 (TNT): Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Saturday called for greater adoption of technology, recycling, digitalisation and resource-efficient practices by the paper industry to ensure sustainable growth and strengthen its contribution to the economy.
Addressing after inaugurating the 3-day Federation of Paper Traders’ Association (FPTA) 65th Annual General Meeting and Conference-2026 , hosted by the Telangana Paper Merchants’ Association (TPMA) at Novotel HICC here, the Governor said paper continued to play an important role in education, publishing, printing and packaging despite the growth of digital media.
He said the industry should actively educate the public about responsible paper consumption and sustainable sourcing, while stressing the need to balance commercial growth with environmental responsibility.
The three-day conference, which will conclude on October 5, has brought together more than 1,000 paper traders from across the country and returned to Hyderabad after 19 years.
Speaking on the occasion, FPTA President Rajesh Jain highlighted the association’s initiatives during his tenure, including educational webinars, industry programmes, an international study tour and policy representations on issues concerning the paper trade.
Emami Paper Mills CEO and Whole Time Director Sushil Kumar Khetan said the Indian paper industry had significant growth potential, particularly in packaging and specialty papers, and called for greater adoption of sustainability, recycling, automation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and process innovation.
JK Paper President and Director A.S. Mehta stressed the need for self-reliance, digital tools, AI and sustainable resource utilisation to strengthen the paper industry’s competitiveness amid global uncertainties.
ITC Ltd. (PSPD) CEO Rajesh Ponnuru said the paper industry supported a large ecosystem involving farmers, mills, traders and printers.
He highlighted the industry’s use of recycled fibre, agro-residues and tree-based farming and called for addressing structural challenges affecting the sector’s competitiveness.
TPMA President Abhishek Vijayvargiya said paper continued to serve as an important medium for preserving knowledge and supporting education, while stressing that paper and digital technologies could grow together.
FPTA President Nominee T. Kishan Singh said paper traders played a crucial role in connecting mills with consumers and highlighted the shortage of suitable and affordable warehouse space as one of the major challenges facing the trade.
According to industry data shared at the conference, India is the world’s third-largest paper-producing country, with annual production capacity of around 25 million tonnes and an annual growth rate of about 5.8 to 6 per cent.
TNT TS
