Banganga secures approval for kraft paper operations, Unified Paper expands machinery capacity

INDIA – Banganga Paper Industries, based in Nashik, has secured approval from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to operate its kraft paper manufacturing unit until March 2029.

The approval extends operational certainty for the company, which produces a wide range of paper and pulp-based products for domestic and export markets.

Kicking off the 2025–26 financial year, Banganga reported a total income of INR 21.17 crore (US$2.41m) in Q1, with an operating profit of INR 1.5 crore (US40.17m).

The company manufactures, imports, and distributes a diverse portfolio including writing and printing paper, newsprint, tissue, coated and laminated paper, handmade paper, greaseproof paper, and specialty grades like filter paper.

The MPCB’s green light strengthens Banganga’s position in India’s expanding kraft paper market, which is seeing growing demand from the corrugated packaging sector.

Kraft paper remains a crucial raw material for corrugated box manufacturers, with demand fueled by the rapid rise of e-commerce, FMCG, and exports.

Industry analysts project India’s kraft paper demand to grow at 8–10% annually, supported by government restrictions on single-use plastics and increasing interest in recyclable alternatives.

Machinery investments strengthen industry supply

In parallel, Unified Paper Machine, headquartered in Gujarat, has announced the expansion of its operations with a new 65,000-sqft manufacturing facility, scheduled to begin commissioning in March 2026.

The plant will be fitted with advanced heavy machinery, including lathes of up to 10,000 mm capacity, a double-column machining centre for high-precision applications, and dual 30-tonne EOT cranes for large-scale handling.

Backed by an experienced engineering team, Unified Paper aims to support paper mills in India and global markets with state-of-the-art machinery designed for efficiency, precision, and reliability.

This investment reflects the ongoing modernization wave in India’s paper industry, where equipment upgrades are becoming critical to meet rising capacity demands and sustainability goals.

India’s paper and packaging sector has seen a string of expansions in recent years. In 2024, JK Paper commissioned a major packaging board machine at its Gujarat facility, while West Coast Paper Mills ramped up capacity for writing and printing paper.

Global groups such as Oji India Packaging have also deepened investments, with a new corrugated packaging plant in Sri City inaugurated earlier this year.

With Banganga securing long-term operating approval and Unified Paper bolstering the machinery backbone, India’s paper and packaging ecosystem is positioning itself for robust growth, driven by sustainability, technology, and surging demand.

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