IPMA elects Pawan Agarwal and Pavan Khaitan as President and Vice President

INDIA – The Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), the national apex body representing India’s organized paper sector, has elected Mr. Pawan Agarwal, Managing Director of Naini Papers Ltd., as its President, and Mr. Pavan Khaitan, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Kuantum Papers Ltd., as Vice President.

The announcement was made at the 26th Annual General Meeting of the association.

Mr. Agarwal founded Naini Papers Ltd. in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, in 1995 and has since transformed it into a leading manufacturer of writing, printing, and industrial-grade papers.

His leadership has been marked by a focus on quality, innovation, and sustainable practices. He also served as President of the Indian Pulp & Paper Technical Association (IPPTA) from 2017 to 2019, reflecting his longstanding engagement with the technical and strategic aspects of the industry.

Mr. Khaitan has been at the helm of Kuantum Papers, a prominent agro and wood-based paper manufacturer based in Punjab, since 1997.

Under his guidance, the company has strengthened its market position and forged key collaborations with multinational corporations.

Mr. Khaitan also currently serves as President of IPPTA, highlighting his influence in advancing research and technology in the paper sector.

The AGM also marked the appointment of Chairpersons for IPMA’s key sub-committees, strengthening the association’s focus on various critical areas of the paper industry.

Mr. Sushil Kumar Khetan of Emami Paper Mills Ltd. was appointed as Chairperson of the Commercial & Taxation Sub-Committee, where he is expected to guide policy discussions and fiscal strategies impacting the sector.

Mr. Rajesh Kumar Ponnuru from ITC Ltd. PSPD was named Chairperson of the Marketing Sub-Committee, tasked with driving initiatives to enhance market outreach, branding, and promotion of paper products across India.

In the Raw Material Sub-Committee, Mr. A S Mehta of JK Paper Ltd. will lead efforts to ensure sustainable sourcing, supply chain efficiency, and innovation in raw material utilization.

Finally, Dr. Ashok Kumar of Pudumjee Paper Products Ltd. takes charge of the Technical & Environment Sub-Committee, focusing on advancing technical solutions, environmental compliance, and sustainability initiatives within the Indian paper industry.

IPMA represents India’s INR 1,00,000 Crore (US$11.13bn) paper industry, which provides direct employment to approximately 500,000 people and indirect employment to about 1.5 million.

Its membership includes large integrated pulp and paper mills across the country, producing a diverse range of products including writing, printing, packaging, paperboard, specialty papers, and newsprint.

The sector relies on both conventional fibers such as wood and bamboo and unconventional raw materials like recycled paper, bagasse, and wheat straw.

The elections come at a time when India’s paper industry is experiencing steady growth, fueled by demand in packaging, coated papers, and specialty segments.

Industry experts note that under the leadership of Mr. Agarwal and Mr. Khaitan, IPMA is well-positioned to drive policy advocacy, sustainability initiatives, and technological adoption, while strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.

With this leadership transition, IPMA aims to enhance the competitiveness and innovation of India’s paper sector, ensuring that environmental responsibility and operational efficiency remain central to the industry’s growth trajectory.

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