Stress laid on Ramp;D

CHANDIGARH, JULY 24 Emphasis was laid on research and development Ramp;D as well as use of non-wood fibrous raw materials for the manu...

CHANDIGARH, JULY 24 Emphasis was laid on research and development Ramp;D as well as use of non-wood fibrous raw materials for the manufacture of paper in view of the depleting forest cover in the country.

Speaking on the opening day of the two-day zonal meeting and seminar on quot;Utilisation of non-wood fibrous raw materials for manufacture in small and large paper millsquot; organised by the Indian Pulp and Paper Technical Association here, various dignitaries and representatives of paper mills dwelled on the critical issues facing the industry and stressed upon a balanced and planned approach.

Urging the industry to strengthen their R amp; D network for optimum utilisation of non-wood fibrous raw materials, Punjab Governor Lt. Gen. B. K. N. Chhibber Retd., who was the chief guest, said that the focus of the industry should be on technological upgradation of their existing units and reducing dependence on forests.

He said as the existing forest cover in the country was only 11 to 14 per cent against an ideal of 33 per cent, there was a greater urgency to educate user industries regarding dangers of over-exploitation of forest resources.

Earlier, Union Minister for State for Industry, Sukhbir Singh Badal, said that utilisation of waste paper and its recycling could enhance production of paper by 15 per cent. He said that the annual demand for paper in India was expected to rise from the present 2.8 million tonnes to 5 million tonnes.

In his address, IPPTA president Dr. A. R. K. Rao said that 2.5 million tonnes of bagasse and 30 million tonnes of rice and wheat straws are produced annually in India and even 15-20 per cent of this would be adequate to meet the paper industry8217;s raw material demand. The keynote address was delivered by Arun G. Bijur, Managing Director, SPB Projects and Consultancy Limited, Chennai. About 200 delegates are attending the seminar and will deliberate over the problems being faced by the industry and to achieve immediate and long term objectives.