Having successfully commissioned its power boiler plant, Kerala Paper Products Limited (KPPL), a State-owned public sector unit at Velloor in Kottayam, is all set to commence full-scale operations in May.
According to company officials, two out of the three phase I plants are now ready for operations, while the repair and maintenance of the paper machine plant is nearing completion. “The activities are cruising at an accelerated pace for the production trials in an integrated manner in all the three phase I plants by the end of April and subsequently for the actual production,” they said.
Industries Minister P. Rajeeve said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was slated to inaugurate the unit soon. “The white smoke emitted by the factory chimney has lent confidence not only for the 250-odd employees here but also for the larger community that has depended on the fortunes of the company for their sustenance,” said the Minister.
The Kerala government has set aside ₹154.39 crore for the restoration of the factory, including ₹75.15 crore as working capital. The allocation also includes ₹20 crore for modernisation of the institution.
Meanwhile, attempts by the company to commence full-scale operations come at a time of an unprecedented crisis in ensuring adequate supply of imported pulp for the commencement of initial production.
“The global pulp supply scenario is witnessing unprecedented turmoil, with the pulp prices showing a sharp upward swing and hitting figures that are even higher than the prevailing prices of newsprint in the international market. The situation has got further aggravated with the onset of the ongoing (Russia-Ukraine) war,” said a top company official.
According to him, all-out efforts are being undertaken to partially offset the deficit of imported pulp by sourcing indigenous pulp from different mills till the time as the imported pulp supply and its price levels are eased out. Efforts are also afoot to source maximum quantities of white cuttings and office waste paper, besides sourcing old newspaper and other grades of paper from the local markets.
