As India’s paper industry growing at a steady 6–7% annually and packaging driving much of the demand, today, Amit Mittal, Founder and Managing Director of Chandpur Paper, spoke with TechGraph about the sector’s evolving landscape and how the company’s expertise in MG Poster and Chromo (C1S) paper is helping brands achieve higher print quality and better surface finishes. Mittal also highlighted Chandpur Paper’s focus on sustainability and innovation, with recyclable and eco-friendly grades being developed to meet the needs of FMCG, retail, and e-commerce companies, while keeping pace with the shift toward greener alternatives.
Read the complete interview:
TechGraph: Over the past 25 years, Chandpur Paper has built a strong reputation in MG Poster and Chromo (C1S) Paper. How do you see the demand for these traditional segments evolving in the next decade with the rise of packaging-driven markets?
Amit Mittal: Over the past 25 years, Chandpur Paper has established a reliable brand in MG Poster and Chromo (C1S) Paper, and we find these legacy segments remaining relevant in the next decade despite the firm upsurge of packaging-led markets. As much as packaging is fast emerging as the primary growth factor, MG Poster and Chromo papers will still be satisfying demand in sectors such as publishing, advertising, labeling, and promotional material, where print quality and finish matter.
In the changing consumer behavior scenario, we expect these products to turn into more sustainable forms, providing eco-friendly substitutes without compromising on their functional and aesthetic values. At Chandpur Paper, the decade ahead is about finding a balance between tradition and innovation, and we believe these paper categories will continue to have a strong market presence.
TechGraph: Many players in the paper industry are pivoting toward packaging solutions. What gaps do you see in the Indian packaging paper market that Chandpur Paper is uniquely positioned to address?
Amit Mittal: The Indian market for packaging paper is growing fast, but there are still some gaps that need to be filled. One of the biggest challenges is achieving balance in strength, printability, and cost, with most solutions available in the market being good in one but poor in the others.
Another limitation is the shortage of environmentally friendly and recyclable packaging grades that conform to both local and international sustainability requirements. At Chandpur Paper, our heritage of MG Poster and Chromo (C1S) Paper provides us with a special advantage of offering superior surface finish and print quality, which is becoming ever more desirable in branded packaging.
We are also working on creating sustainable, high-performing grades suited to the varied requirements of FMCG, retail, and e-commerce. By combining our precision manufacturing with an eco-friendly approach, we are set to fill these gaps and deliver packaging solutions that meet both quality, price, and sustainability requirements.
TechGraph: With sustainability becoming a critical factor for buyers, how are you balancing the push for innovation and technology with the responsibility of operating in an environmentally conscious way?
Amit Mittal: We at Chandpur Paper consider sustainability to be a driving force of our future development. Our customers today expect sustainable solutions, and we are working to live up to this commitment by integrating sustainability into every part of how we do business. We’re investing in the latest technology that encourages efficiency, reduces energy consumption and waste, and to innovate and develop recyclable, biodegradable grades to world-class levels.
Our strategy is integrated, saving water consumption, investigating alternative raw materials, and shifting towards cleaner fuels, making our manufacturing procedures environmentally friendly. In the process, we never compromise on quality or performance. Each initiative we undertake towards innovation goes hand-in-hand with our duty towards the earth, thus enabling us to provide high-performance, environmentally friendly paper solutions according to customer needs and contributing towards a greener future.
TechGraph: India is seeing increased competition from both domestic and international paper manufacturers. What are the differentiators that allow Chandpur Paper to hold its edge in quality and customer trust?
Amit Mittal: Chandpur Paper’s advantage is a combination of tradition, accuracy, and ongoing innovation that has enabled us to establish deepened customer confidence over the last 25 years. While India’s paper industry is expanding at almost 6–7% per annum, with packaging dominating the demand, segments such as MG Poster and Chromo (C1S) Paper continue to have a significant presence in publishing, advertising, and retail.
Our brand’s uniqueness is guaranteed quality backed by high manufacturing standards, cutting-edge machinery, and strong R&D, ensuring better printability, finish, and durability. We also emphasize sustainability by green practices and offering recyclable grades, a differentiator in meeting the rising demand for greener alternatives.
Furthermore, customer focus, delivery, and ability to customize solutions have reinforced long-term relationships across industries. With a competitive landscape, the balance between quality, innovation, and trust places Chandpur Paper in a position of a trusted and favored partner.
TechGraph: In packaging, especially customization and adaptability often matter as much as quality. How are you preparing to meet the diverse requirements of industries ranging from food to e-commerce?
Amit Mittal: At Chandpur Paper, we understand that packaging is no longer a generic solution for industries such as food, FMCG, retail, and e-commerce, as each has very specific needs. To evaluate this, we are broadening our portfolio by introducing grades that offer strength, printability, and sustainability, along with adaptability for varied end purposes. For FMCG and food, we are developing safe, recyclable, and moisture-resistant papers with hygiene standard compliance.
For retail and e-commerce, durability and good-quality surface finish are critical, and our experience in MG Poster and Chromo (C1S) Papers provides us with a strong competitive advantage in greater print attractiveness.
We are also making investments in flexible manufacturing lines and R&D to make it possible for faster turnaround on customized orders, so industries receive packaging that is fitted to their branding as well as functional requirements. By linking innovation to sustainability, Chandpur Paper is positioned well to address India’s dynamic packaging landscape and meet the changing needs of this country’s richly diverse packaging universe.
TechGraph: The industry has been influenced by global shifts in raw material supply, energy costs, and trade policies. What challenges in this regard have had the most impact on your operations, and how are you mitigating them?
Amit Mittal: Global raw material supply chain disruptions, higher energy costs, and shifting trade policies have actually impacted the Indian paper industry, and Chandpur Paper is not an exception. Instability in demand and supply of pulp and wastepaper, and price volatility of coal and power have been some of the key issues affecting the stability of production and pricing adversely. Besides this, changes in import-export regulations have also affected the strategies of sourcing and competitiveness in international markets.
To mitigate these challenges, we are also diversifying sources of raw materials and attempting to locate alternative fibers in order to reduce over-reliance on volatile imports. On the power side, we are reducing our dependence, one step at a time, on more clean and efficient power options, which both save money and contribute to our sustainability goals. We are also strengthening the resilience of our supply chain through long-term supplier relationships and localization of sourcing. These proactive steps help us maintain consistent quality, reduce costs, and remain competitive despite international uncertainty.
TechGraph: Looking ahead, what investments or technological shifts do you believe will define Chandpur Paper’s transition from being a recognized name in specialty paper to a top brand in packaging paper solutions?
Amit Mittal: At Chandpur Paper, we are sure that the future will also be on ongoing innovation and responsiveness. We are embracing new technologies to increase efficiency, sustainability, and quality throughout our operations. In the future, our vision will be to diversify into the brown paper segment while also creating stronger, high-performance products that meet the emerging requirements of the carry bag and packaging sector. Innovative investments in sophisticated machinery, process automation, and R&D will be the driving force in this endeavor. By synchronizing our product portfolio with changing customer needs and international standards of sustainability, we want to shift from being a well-established specialty paper producer to being a leading brand in packaging paper solutions.