The Federation of Paper Traders’ Associations of India (FPTA) serves as the unified national voice of paper and paper-board traders. It champions paper as a renewable, recyclable, and inherently sustainable resource while proactively safeguarding the commercial interests of traders across the country.
FPTA’s origins trace back to a decisive 1953 meeting in Delhi, where industry leaders came together to challenge restrictive government controls on newsprint. Their collective resolve set the stage for a national body that formally took shape on 16 February 1959 at its first conference in Mumbai, inaugurated under the leadership of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Today, FPTA brings together nearly 36 regional associations, representing thousands of traders of every scale. The federation advances industry development through seminars, training programs, policy briefings, market intelligence, and its annual conventions. In addition, it enforces a rigorous code of conduct and works to strengthen transparency, competitiveness, and sustainability across India’s paper trade.
In an exclusive interaction with The Interview World at Paperex 2025, Raghav Kothari, Hon. Secretary; Krishan Mohan Gupta, Convener of the Taxation Committee; and Ajay Gupta, President of the Paper Merchants Association (PMA), Delhi, illuminate FPTA’s pivotal role in supporting paper traders nationwide. They also explain how the federation is deepening collaboration between traders and the government, offer their perspectives on policy measures to boost domestic paper production and curb imports, recommend strategies to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, and outline key initiatives to scale the paper sector, empower traders, and enhance sustainability.
Here are the major takeaways from their compelling conversation.
Q: How is Federation of Paper Traders’ Associations of India is supporting paper traders through targeted solutions and hands-on guidance, and in what ways is it helping strengthen collaboration between the traders association and the government?
A: Let me briefly introduce the Federation of Paper Traders’ Associations of India (FPTA). As the apex body representing 36 associations across the country, FPTA brings together nearly 6,000 paper traders under one national platform. Across India, we promote paper usage, encourage collaboration, and drive awareness about new innovations and applications in the paper industry.
We regularly visit paper mills around the world, undertake annual international study tours, conduct managing committee meetings, and run structured knowledge-exchange programs. Our grand Annual General Meeting further strengthens unity within the fraternity. Collectively, we present industry concerns to the government, ensuring that policymakers clearly understand the challenges faced by traders.
Currently, one of our major concerns is the disruption caused by GST, particularly in the notebook segment and the broader education sector. Even before GST implementation, the industry needed a lower tax rate. In the last two months, post Diwali, the market has experienced a slowdown. Meanwhile, rising imports are intensifying pressure on domestic producers. The government must recognize the strong support that countries like Indonesia and China extend to their paper industries, through extensive plantations, capital incentives, and policy backing. Without similar support in India, our domestic mills will struggle to compete.
We believe consumers should have choices, but not at the cost of weakening or shutting down Indian industry. While FPTA traders deal in both domestic and imported paper, we remain committed to the spirit of Make in India and Swadeshi, as emphasized by Prime Minister Modi. Our goal is to ensure a robust and resilient Indian paper ecosystem.
Over the last four to five years, many young entrepreneurs have entered the trade, bringing renewed energy. Yet, paper remains a cyclical business, and we are currently navigating a downturn. Nevertheless, we expect improvement in the coming years. Through continuous representation to the Finance Minister, the GST Council, and even the Prime Minister’s Office, we highlight the real impact government policies have on traders and the industry.
Above all, FPTA remains committed to fostering collaboration, driving learning, and empowering its members through collective strength.
Q: Given low-cost imports affecting domestic output, what policy measures do you recommend the government adopt to strengthen local production and effectively reduce dependence on imported paper products?
A: First, the government must stop viewing the paper industry as a “sin industry.” This perception is entirely misplaced. Paper is a renewable, plant-based resource, much like growing vegetables or harvesting fruit. The industry relies on planned plantations, not on cutting natural forests. Therefore, this myth needs to end.
Second, while the government has aggressively promoted digital adoption, it has overlooked the serious consequences of e-waste. The surge in electronic waste is now a major contributor to global pollution. In this context, promoting paper usage becomes even more critical. If the government encourages responsible paper consumption, both imports and domestic production can grow sustainably.
Consider a simple example. Until a few years ago, companies routinely issued printed balance sheets. That entire segment disappeared after the MCA mandated online publication. Yet despite a massive increase in retail investors and DMAT accounts, very few people actually read balance sheets online. It is unrealistic to expect people to study dense financial documents on handheld devices, especially when smartphones have replaced more than 20 gadgets and drastically reduced our attention spans. Studies show that average focus on a single task has dropped from 160 seconds to barely 40–50 seconds. In such an environment, printed documents remain essential for comprehension and serious analysis.
Digital tools offer convenience, but promoting digital cannot mean undermining paper as a medium. The government should strike a balance by supporting paper use where it adds value and clarity.
Another critical priority is plantation development. The government should allocate degraded land and extend support to the paper industry so it can expand plantations, secure raw material, and remain competitive. Many Indian paper mills have been in operation for over a century, yet they now face immense pressure to match global competition. Without policy support, these longstanding enterprises will struggle to survive.
The paper sector employs more than two lakh people directly and supports many more through allied industries. If policymakers fail to recognize paper as a legitimate, strategic industry, neither traders nor manufacturers, nor the vast workforce around them, will be able to sustain themselves.
The government must therefore treat the paper industry not as a liability, but as a vital, renewable, job-creating sector essential to India’s economic and environmental balance.
Q: With carbon neutrality becoming central and paper being carbon-based, what guidance and technologies are you recommending to manufacturers today to significantly reduce their overall carbon footprint?
A: Take ITC PSPD as a model. The company has achieved carbon-positive status because it plants more trees than it harvests and operates with near–zero water discharge by recycling and reusing resources internally. Any industry seeking to adopt sustainable practices can learn from this benchmark.
As climate change accelerates and temperatures rise, India urgently needs more enterprises to move toward carbon-positive operations. The impact is visible everywhere, Delhi’s high AQI levels, for instance, make even everyday breathing difficult.
Therefore, if the government strengthens policy support for such initiatives, it will greatly benefit the sector. Our industry strongly recommends that policymakers study ITC’s best practices, adopt them as national benchmarks, and encourage their implementation across paper mills. This approach will help the entire industry transition toward carbon-positive, environmentally responsible growth.
Q: What major innovations and strategic initiatives do you plan to introduce over the next 5–10 years to help this industry expand, scale sustainably, and enhance overall business growth?
A: One idea I strongly support is the creation of a dedicated Paper Park, similar to the textile parks established across the country. A Paper Park would generate high synergies, encourage shared infrastructure, and enable scale-driven efficiencies. India is one of the few markets where paper consumption continues to grow, while many developed countries are experiencing a decline, except in packaging. This growth trajectory positions India as an attractive destination for large investors, and a Paper Park would significantly amplify that potential. Such a cluster would benefit the entire industry.
Another crucial area is innovation, particularly in enhancing paper usage and strengthening sustainability. The government can play a transformative role by supporting industries that manufacture paper-based alternatives, such as paper bags, to replace plastic. At the same time, stricter enforcement is essential. Just as penalties for traffic violations have increased sharply, from ₹200 to ₹1,000 and even ₹5,000, the government can implement similarly strong deterrents against using non-sustainable materials.
By tightening regulations on harmful alternatives and incentivizing sustainable paper-based solutions, the government can effectively shift consumer behaviour and accelerate India’s transition toward environmentally responsible products.
