India remains the fastest-growing paper market worldwide, with domestic consumption of packaging paper and paperboard rising by 8.2 per cent in 2023-24, according to a report by the Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA).
The IPMA report for 2023-24 highlights that the market for packaging paper and paperboard in India is expanding at an annual rate of 8.2 per cent.
The domestic packaging paper and paperboard market currently stands at about 15 million tonnes, accounting for nearly 65 per cent of the total paper, paperboard, and newsprint market of 23 million tonnes.
Factors such as the demand for better-quality packaging for FMCG products, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, coupled with a booming e-commerce sector and increasing healthcare expenditure, are driving the growth of the packaging paper and paperboard market in India, the report states.
Moreover, the ban on single-use plastics has boosted the demand for paper as a sustainable, environment-friendly alternative.
“Overall, the demand for paper in India is growing at 6-7 per cent per annum, making it one of the fastest-growing markets in the world,” the report noted.
The writing and printing (W&P) paper segment, traditionally associated with paper consumption in India, is growing at around 3 per cent, with copier paper demand rising at a faster rate of 4.5 per cent.
Despite this growth, per capita paper consumption in India remains low at 16 kg, compared to the global average of 57 kg.
In developed countries, the per capita consumption exceeds 200 kg.
"Per capita paper consumption in India is projected to increase over time with increasing levels of literacy, higher growth of organised retail and need for packaging, and overall economic development," said Pawan Agarwal, President of IPMA.
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