The fourth edition of Paperex South India, held from 11–13 November 2016 in Chennai, concluded successfully with professionals and suppliers from the pulp, paper and conversion industries converging at the Chennai Trade Centre in large numbers. The event provides the regional business platform with international presence, especially in the backdrop of the successful history of Paperex series of international mega events of paper and allied industries.
One of the main objectives of the event was to provide a regional business platform to link regional paper units to the international market. It also served as a platform to launch new products, technology and services as well as highlight the potential of the Indian industry to absorb and transfer latest technology. The event offers an opportunity for overseas companies to establish a manufacturing base in India by bringing in the latest machinery and technologies to upgrade existing paper mills.
Paperex South India also serves as a platform to identify alternate suppliers of machinery, equipment and spares as well as to to find ways to access raw materials. The other objective of the event is to identify the source of investments and funding as it offers more opportunity for face-toface interaction with industry players. The platform helps entrepreneurs from the paper, pulp and conversion industries to review the requirement of professionals and skilled manpower in their organizations. Participating companies in this year’s event were also able to identify new import and export opportunities even as the event offered a chance for brand building among the industry and end users.
While on one hand, the participants collaborated to learn and network with the industry leaders and professionals, on the other, experts deliberated on the future prospects of the industry that helped the participants gain first-hand knowledge on the current priorities and requirements of the industry. The discussions also aimed at anticipating market shifts and create new opportunities to learn about the impact of changes in demand, supply, consumption and production.
Discussions at the conference covered a range of topics like “The Road Ahead for Paper and Packaging”, where the keynote speech on “The Road Ahead for Recycled Fibre in Paper and Packaging” was delivered by Kasi Viswanathan, managing director, Seshasayee Paper & Boards. One of the main attractions of the conference were the technical sessions, which saw a huge turnaround of visitors. Discussions in the technical sessions covered topics like “Ecoefficient bleaching of non-wood pulps: The future is now,” “Development of enzyme-assisted eco-friendly process for re-pulping of wet strength papers,” and “Treatment of wheat straw washing wastewater in agro based pulp and paper mills for reduction in total suspended solids for improving quality,” among others.
