HNL to up production capacity

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 30 (UNI) As part of its Expansion-cum-Diversification Project (EDP), the Hindustan Newsprint Limited (HNL)will enhance its production capacity by 1.7 lakh tonne per annum by diversifying into premium grades of writing and printing paper, its Chairman Raji Philip said today.

Briefing on the EDP to newspersons here, Mr Philip said the new project also envisaged the installation of de-inking plant with a capacity of 200 tonne per day and a captive power plant of 25 MW with all associated facilities.

Stating it would also install the single largest paper machine in the country, he claimed it would enable the HNL to become the largest single location manufacturing facility in the country.

Mr Philip said the capital outlay of the project would be about Rs 718 crore and it was expected to be completed in 30 months. The fund would be generated through loans and internal accurals.

Over the years, the HNL had been making continuous efforts to upgrade its technology, modernise machines, reduce cost, eliminate waste and conserve scarce resources like energy and raw materials.

Regarding the performance of the company, he said the capacity utilisation was 113 per cent for the last three years and it had earned a profit of Rs 15.68 crore after current tax, he added.

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