While Indian offset printing paper together with liner, coated stock and paperboard is in robust demand, India’s erstwhile largest producer is weakening. Lenders have taken control of BILT under debt restructuring in May 2017, converting their loans into a 51% stake. Meanwhile, the parent group of BILT , Avantha Power and Infrastructure is at the National Company Law Tribunal over debt default. There are various ideas about the group’s losses in its various businesses and ambitions.
Commercial offset printers and book printing exporters have been crying out for offset paper while prices have risen enormously in the past three years. Capacities have been added by mills such as JK Paper, Century, ITC, Emami and TNPL. International Paper, which bought AP Paper several years ago, has also managed to make that company profitable. While it is true that most of the investments are for value-added paperboard, Asian companies are also investing in new mills in the country. The perennial complaint that India is a fiber-short country has also been proven to be erroneous by mills that have assisted plantations with saplings and have been able to create sustainable fiber resources. BILT is unfortunately a perennial sad and dissappointing story for Indian printers.
If you are satisfied with your sales, you probably don’t need us!
If you are happy with your equipment, consumables, and software sales to Indian printers, you probably don’t need us. But if you want to grow your sales or improve your marketing, then talk to us. Our research and consulting company, IppStar can assess your potential and addressable markets in light of the competition. We can discuss marketing, communication, and sales strategies for market entry, and for market growth.
For suppliers or service providers with a strategy and budget, I suggest you talk to us about using our hybrid print, web, video, and social media channels to impact your product communication. We are one of the world’s leading B2B publications in the print industry with hands-on practitioner and consulting experience – an understanding of business and financials, and some of the best technical writers. Our young team is ready to travel to meet you and your customers for content.
India’s fast-growing large economy has considerable headroom for print. Get our 2025 media kit and recalibrate your role in this dynamic market. Enhance your visibility and relevance to existing markets and turn potential customers into conversations.
Founded in 1979 as a technical newsletter, Indian Printer and Publisher is the oldest B2B trade publication in the multi-platform and multi-channel IPPGroup. IppStar [www.ippstar.org] is our Services, Training and Research organization.
Naresh Khanna – 20 January 2025
Subscribe Now
