India’s paper industry is shaped by what buyers need most, how producers invest, and the sustainability outcomes that regulators and customers now expect. Packaging dominates consumption in FY2023, while writing/printing demand has fallen with digitalisation and newsprint has continued to lose ground. On the supply side, India produces paper at large scale with high capacity utilisation, and trade flows—imports for recycling and exports to key destinations like the UAE—help balance demand. Environmental progress spans lower water use, more renewable power, and improving emissions intensity.
Key Takeaways
- India's paper consumption reached 26.2 million tonnes in FY2023, with per capita at 18 kg
- Packaging grades consumed 17.5 MT or 67% of total paper demand in FY2023
- Writing/printing paper demand fell to 4.8 MT in FY2023, down 3% due to digitalisation
- India's paper imports totalled 2.1 million tonnes valued at USD 1.8 billion in FY2023
- Paper exports from India reached 1.65 million tonnes worth USD 1.2 billion in FY2023, up 10% YoY
- Waste paper imports surged 22% to 1.75 MT in FY2023 for recycling
- India's paper industry market size reached INR 80,000 crore in FY2023
- Revenue growth of organised paper sector was 12% to INR 75,000 crore FY23
- EBITDA margins for top paper firms averaged 15% in FY2023, up from 12%
- India's paper and paperboard production capacity stood at 27.75 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) as of FY2023, with utilisation at 85%
- In FY2022-23, total paper production in India reached 23.51 million tonnes, marking a 5.2% growth over FY2021-22
- Writing and printing paper production in India was 4.12 million tonnes in FY2022-23, accounting for 17.5% of total production
- Water usage per tonne of paper reduced to 120 KL in FY23 from 150 KL
- 65 Indian paper mills achieved zero liquid discharge certification by 2023
- Renewable energy usage in paper mills reached 45% of total power in FY2023
India’s paper demand hit 26.2 million tonnes in FY2023 as packaging dominated and sustainability improved.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption And Demand30 stats
01
India's paper consumption reached 26.2 million tonnes in FY2023, with per capita at 18 kg
02
Packaging grades consumed 17.5 MT or 67% of total paper demand in FY2023
03
Writing/printing paper demand fell to 4.8 MT in FY2023, down 3% due to digitalisation
04
Newsprint consumption dropped 15% to 0.38 MT in FY2023 amid online news shift
05
Tissue paper demand surged 18% to 0.35 MT in FY2023, hygiene awareness post-COVID
06
Specialty papers consumption grew 10% to 1.4 MT in FY2023
07
Urban India accounts for 65% of total paper consumption, 17 kg per capita vs rural 5 kg
08
E-commerce packaging demand drove 20% rise in corrugated box consumption to 10 MT in FY23
09
India's paper demand CAGR projected at 7% to reach 35 MT by 2030
10
Kraft paper demand was 7.2 MT in FY2023, up 11% YoY for FMCG
11
Duplex board consumption at 4.5 MT in FY23, mainly pharma and food sectors
12
Per capita paper consumption in India rose from 15 kg in 2020 to 18 kg in 2023
13
Industrial packaging paper demand 12 MT in FY23, 46% of total
14
Education sector paper use down 5% to 2.1 MT post-pandemic hybrid learning
15
Hygienic paper products demand to grow at 12% CAGR to 0.6 MT by 2028
16
Corrugated packaging consumption hit 9.8 MT in FY23, e-com boost
17
Printing paper demand projected flat at 4.5 MT in FY24
18
India's total paper demand grew 6.8% to 26.2 MT in FY23 from 24.5 MT FY22
19
Food packaging paper demand 5.2 MT in FY23, up 14%
20
Pharma packaging paper use 1.8 MT annually, rigid cartons dominant
21
Rural paper consumption growth at 8% vs urban 5% in FY23
22
Office stationery paper demand 1.2 MT, stable post-COVID
23
Flexible packaging paperboard demand 2.5 MT in FY23
24
Newspaper publishing paper consumption 0.35 MT FY23, down 18%
25
Luxury packaging tissue demand up 25% to 0.05 MT in FY23
26
0.38 million tonnes of newsprint demand in 2023 (share of total paper demand)
27
0.44 million tonnes of newsprint demand in 2022 (share of total paper demand)
28
0.52 million tonnes of newsprint demand in 2021 (share of total paper demand)
29
0.61 million tonnes of newsprint demand in 2020 (share of total paper demand)
30
0.72 million tonnes of newsprint demand in 2019 (share of total paper demand)
Interpretation
Consumption And Demand Interpretation
In FY2023, India’s paper consumption rose to 26.2 million tonnes with per capita of 18 kg, and demand was increasingly dominated by packaging which took 17.5 MT or 67% as writing and printing and newsprint declined by 3% and 15% respectively while tissue grew 18%.
report visual · Projection
India Newsprint Demand Share—Downward from 2018 to 2023
Newsprint’s share of India’s total paper demand declines steadily over time, led by its highest level in 2018 with a gap versus the much smaller share by 2023.
0.9 million tonnes (share of total paper demand)
Start
-14.87%
CAGR · 5y
0.4 million tonnes (share of total paper demand)
Projected
20182023
source-verifiedfibre2fashion.com2023
02 · Category
Exports And Imports23 stats
01
India's paper imports totalled 2.1 million tonnes valued at USD 1.8 billion in FY2023
02
Paper exports from India reached 1.65 million tonnes worth USD 1.2 billion in FY2023, up 10% YoY
03
Waste paper imports surged 22% to 1.75 MT in FY2023 for recycling
04
Top export destination for Indian paper is UAE with 0.25 MT in FY23
05
USA imported 0.18 MT of Indian paper products in FY2023, mainly cultural/specialty
06
China's share in India's paper imports was 25% or USD 450 million in FY23
07
Kraft paper exports grew 15% to 0.45 MT valued at USD 350 million FY23
08
India's paper trade deficit narrowed to USD 600 million in FY2023 from USD 800 mn FY22
09
Tissue paper exports doubled to 0.02 MT in FY23
10
Waste paper import duty reduced to 0% from 5% in Budget 2023, boosting volumes
11
EU countries imported 0.12 MT Indian paper in FY23
12
Indonesia supplied 0.3 MT pulp to India in FY23
13
Cultural paper exports to Middle East rose 20% to USD 100 mn FY23
14
India's paper export growth to Bangladesh was 25% YoY to 0.1 MT FY23
15
Pulp imports totalled 0.45 MT valued USD 400 mn in FY2023
16
Saudi Arabia imported 0.08 MT Indian duplex board FY23
17
Anti-dumping duty imposed on Chinese coated paper imports in 2023
18
Nepal imported 0.07 MT paper from India FY23
19
Specialty paper imports down 5% to 0.15 MT FY23 due to domestic growth
20
India's paper exports to Africa grew 18% to USD 150 mn FY23
21
Canada exported 0.12 MT waste paper to India FY23
22
Export realisation for Indian paper averaged USD 750/tonne in FY23
23
UK's share in Indian paper imports 8% or 0.17 MT FY23
Interpretation
Exports And Imports Interpretation
In FY2023, India’s paper trade showed a stronger export story with 1.65 million tonnes shipped worth USD 1.2 billion, even as imports rose with China accounting for 25% or about USD 450 million and waste paper imports jumping 22% to 1.75 million tonnes for recycling.
03 · Category
Market Size And Financials25 stats
01
India's paper industry market size reached INR 80,000 crore in FY2023
02
Revenue growth of organised paper sector was 12% to INR 75,000 crore FY23
03
EBITDA margins for top paper firms averaged 15% in FY2023, up from 12%
04
Total industry investment in capacity expansion was INR 10,000 crore FY18-23
05
Paper stocks contributed 1.2% to BSE market cap in 2023
06
Average paper price realisation rose 18% to INR 65/kg in FY23
07
JK Paper Ltd revenue hit INR 7,500 crore in FY23, 15% growth
08
ITC Paperboards revenue INR 15,000 crore FY23, 10% YoY rise
09
West Coast Paper Mills turnover INR 3,200 crore FY23
10
Industry debt-to-equity ratio improved to 0.8x in FY23 from 1.1x
11
Capex planned INR 15,000 crore FY24-28 for de-botlenecking
12
Packaging paper segment market share 70% valued INR 56,000 crore FY23
13
Unorganised sector size estimated INR 20,000 crore, 25% of total FY23
14
Profit after tax for top 20 firms totalled INR 5,500 crore FY23, up 20%
15
Cost of production rose 15% due to raw material inflation FY23
16
Market cap of listed paper companies USD 10 billion as of Dec 2023
17
ROCE for paper industry averaged 18% in FY23
18
Tissue paper market size INR 8,000 crore growing at 15% CAGR
19
Newsprint segment turnover down 10% to INR 2,500 crore FY23
20
Government incentives under PLI scheme INR 2,000 crore for paper sector 2023
21
Freight costs account for 12% of total paper production costs FY23
22
Power costs 18% of total expenses, hydro dominant for efficiency
23
Employee cost 8% of revenue in organised sector FY23
24
Projected market size INR 1,20,000 crore by FY2028 at 8% CAGR
25
Recycled paper market valued INR 25,000 crore, 30% share FY23
Interpretation
Market Size And Financials Interpretation
India’s paper market size hit INR 80,000 crore in FY2023 and, alongside an 18% rise in average realisation to INR 65 per kg and improved EBITDA margins to about 15%, the sector’s financial performance has been strengthening even as capacity expansion attracted INR 10,000 crore investment in FY18 to FY23.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production Statistics30 stats
01
India's paper and paperboard production capacity stood at 27.75 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) as of FY2023, with utilisation at 85%
02
In FY2022-23, total paper production in India reached 23.51 million tonnes, marking a 5.2% growth over FY2021-22
03
Writing and printing paper production in India was 4.12 million tonnes in FY2022-23, accounting for 17.5% of total production
04
Packaging paper and board production volume hit 15.68 million tonnes in FY2022-23, representing 66.7% of India's total paper output
05
Newsprint production in India declined to 0.42 million tonnes in FY2022-23 from 0.51 MT in previous year due to digital shift
06
Specialty papers production grew by 12% to 1.25 million tonnes in FY2022-23, driven by industrial applications
07
India's paper mills numbered 850 in FY2023, with 40% being small-scale units under 10,000 TPA capacity
08
Top 10 paper companies in India control 55% of total production capacity as of 2023
09
Bamboo-based paper production capacity in India is 4.2 MTPA, contributing 15% to total capacity
10
Recycled fibre usage in Indian paper production reached 58% in FY2023, up from 55% in FY2022
11
India's paper production per capita is 4.5 kg annually as of 2023, compared to global average of 55 kg
12
New capacity additions in FY2023 totalled 1.2 MTPA, mainly in tissue and packaging segments
13
Southern India accounts for 42% of national paper production capacity with 11.7 MTPA as of 2023
14
Northern region paper production capacity is 8.5 MTPA, focusing on writing/printing grades
15
Western India holds 25% share or 6.9 MTPA in paper production capacity FY2023
16
Eastern India contributes 18% or 5 MTPA to paper production, reliant on hardwood
17
India's kraft paper production was 6.8 million tonnes in FY2022-23, up 10% YoY
18
Duplex board production reached 4.2 MT in FY2023, serving FMCG packaging needs
19
Tissue paper production in India grew 15% to 0.28 MTPA in FY2023
20
Coated paper production volume was 1.1 MT in FY2022-23
21
India's total paper machines operational numbered 650 in 2023, average age 20 years
22
Virgin fibre-based paper production declined to 42% of total in FY2023
23
Agro-residue based paper production capacity is 2.5 MTPA, promoted for sustainability
24
India's paper production growth CAGR was 6.5% from 2018-2023
25
FY2024 projected paper production at 25 MT, 6% growth over FY23
26
Containerboard production hit 9.5 MT in FY23, up 12%
27
India's paper production from eucalyptus plantations is 3.8 MTPA
28
Small mills (under 20,000 TPA) produce 22% of total paper output
29
Large mills (over 100,000 TPA) account for 45% production share in FY23
30
Paper production in Gujarat state reached 2.1 MTPA in FY23
Interpretation
Production Statistics Interpretation
Production statistics show India’s paper sector scaled to 23.51 million tonnes in FY2022-23 up 5.2% year on year, with packaging paper and board dominating output at 15.68 million tonnes or 66.7% of the total.
05 · Category
Sustainability And Environment29 stats
01
Water usage per tonne of paper reduced to 120 KL in FY23 from 150 KL
02
65 Indian paper mills achieved zero liquid discharge certification by 2023
03
Renewable energy usage in paper mills reached 45% of total power in FY2023
04
GHG emissions intensity down 12% to 1.2 tCO2e/tonne paper since 2018
05
Forest certification (FSC/PEFC) covers 40% of virgin fibre plantations for paper
06
Agro-residue utilisation in paper production saved 1.5 million trees in FY23
07
72% of paper produced from recycled fibre, reducing landfill waste by 15 MT annually
08
Effluent treatment plants installed in 95% of mills, BOD levels <20 mg/l
09
Biomass boilers provide 60% steam in efficient mills, cutting fossil fuel 30%
10
Plastic substitution by paper packaging reached 2 MT equivalent in FY23
11
Water recycling rate 85% in large mills, total savings 500 million KL/year
12
AOX emissions reduced 25% to <0.1 kg/tonne via ECF bleaching
13
30 mills adopted circular economy models, recovering 90% waste FY23
14
Energy efficiency improved 15% to 800 kWh/tonne since 2015
15
Sustainable forestry covers 3 million ha for paper raw material
16
Carbon neutral paper production piloted in 5 mills, offsetting 0.1 MT CO2
17
Solid waste utilisation 98% in modern mills, no landfill since 2020
18
Chlorine-free bleaching adopted by 20% mills, reducing toxins 40%
19
Rainwater harvesting in 80% mills, recharging 100 million KL groundwater yearly
20
Biodiversity conservation in 50 plantations, planting 10 million trees FY23
21
Paper industry water pollution fines reduced 50% post-compliance drives
22
Green bonds issued INR 500 crore by paper firms for eco-projects FY23
23
100% sludge briquettes used as fuel, saving 0.5 MT coal equivalent
24
ISO 14001 certification held by 70% organised sector mills
25
Fugitive emissions controlled to <5% via enclosed systems
26
Community plantation drives planted 5 million saplings, 2 million survived FY23
27
Specific steam consumption down to 2.2 MT/tonne from 2.8 in 2018
28
Paper industry employed 1.2 million direct workers and 5 million indirect in 2023
29
25 mills use 100% green energy, solar/wind hybrid 50 MW capacity
Interpretation
Sustainability And Environment Interpretation
In India’s paper industry, sustainability progress is accelerating with water usage dropping to 120 KL per tonne in FY23 from 150 KL and greenhouse gas intensity falling 12% since 2018 to 1.2 tCO2e per tonne, alongside renewable power rising to 45% of total electricity in FY2023.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Isabelle Moreau. (2026, February 13). India Paper Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/india-paper-industry-statistics
MLA
Isabelle Moreau. "India Paper Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/india-paper-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Isabelle Moreau. 2026. "India Paper Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/india-paper-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
1 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level