Future-proofing operations, managing water-related risks, and turning sustainability into a competitive advantage – these were some of the insights shared by industry leaders, policymakers, and water experts at the 10th CII Pulp and Paper Summit 2025 in Delhi.
The sessions highlighted the strategic importance of water in the pulp and paper industry, ranging from operational risks such as water scarcity, regulatory pressures, and climate change impacts, to emerging opportunities in the adoption of circular water use technology and sustainable growth.
Water sustainability
In a panel discussion on technological innovations, regulatory reforms, and the shifting mindset required to achieve sustainability in a water-intensive industry, Avinash Mishra, senior advisor, CII Water Institute, emphasised the economic and environmental relevance of the pulp and paper industry.
Contributing 1.6% to India’s GDP and employing more than 5 lakh people, the sector is growing at a steady 6-7% CAGR. This growth is largely driven by packaging and hybrid paper products, spurred by increasing demand in eCommerce, education, and FMCG. However, he cautioned that the industry’s growth also brings challenges, particularly its water-guzzling quality.
Photo- IPP
Ram Santhanam, director-engineering, Haber, dwelt on the practical and technological sides, emphasizing how the industry’s mindset must shift. Decades ago, mills consumed up to 200 cubic meters of water per ton of paper. Today, that figure is down to 30-50 cubic meters, and leading mills are achieving as low as 10–15 cubic meters. Yet resistance to further innovation persists due to the belief that reduced water use compromises quality or productivity.
Santhanam emphasized that the key barrier is not technical but psychological. “If we could reduce from 200 to 30, why not push for 12?” he asked. He described his work in testing advanced filtration technologies, such as submerged ceramic ultra-filtration (UF) membranes, to reclaim water from backwater systems in paper machines.
Future-ready enterprises
In another panel discussion on the strategies for sustainable usage of water in the pulp and paper industry, SVR Krishnan, vice president of IPPTA and executive director of Khanna Paper Mills, said, “In today’s world, sustainability is not a matter of convenience but a compulsion. If businesses want continuity and success, they must treat water as a strategic priority.” He underlined the importance of collaboration and creativity as the defining traits of future-ready enterprises.
The session focused on the efficient usage of water in different companies such as ITC, Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL), and Valmet in the production of pulp and paper in a sustainable way.
Ramasahayam Veman, head of sustainability, ITC, discussed the company’s approach to water stewardship, which he described as the equitable, sustainable, and economically beneficial use of water, involving all stakeholders—industries, communities, regulators, and farmers.
“By taking action both within and beyond our facilities—such as desilting village tanks, constructing farm ponds, and improving sanitation—we have achieved AWS Platinum certification at two of our mills. This has not only improved our ESG scores but enhanced stakeholder trust,” Veman added.
N Navaneedha Krishnan, DGM environment, TNPL, spoke about their circular economy principles, which include supplying treated wastewater for agricultural use in water-stressed regions. “This water is used to irrigate dry lands, thereby supporting local farmers while promoting efficient reuse,” Krishnan added.
Sandeep Bhaskar, sales head of cooking and fiberline, Valmet India, explained how solution providers are re-engineering pulp and paper processes to minimize water consumption. “Our vision is to reduce water use by 20% across all our solutions within the next five years,” he said. He shared a key innovation— the ability to recover 100% of condensate in the evaporator process, reducing both water and energy usage. He suggested that, just like FSC or carbon-neutral certifications, companies should proudly display water-positive or water-neutral credentials.
Road ahead: Collaboration and technology
The summit concluded with the message to embrace a comprehensive approach towards water management for the industry. Most speakers pointed out that collaboration, stakeholder engagement, catchment-level actions, and technology adoption were the key.
“Water sustainability for the pulp and paper industry is not just about compliance. It is about vision, protecting ecosystems and ensuring business continuity for the next generation,” Krishnan said.
