Paper consumption to double at 13.95 MT by 2015

New Delhi, Sep 11 (UNI) Paper consumption in the country is expected to double to 13.95 million tonnes (MT) from its current 7.2 million tonnes (MT) by 2015, growing at 7-8 per cent annually.

''The growth in paper is inevitable and is likely to contribute significantly to the Government's target of achieving an overall growth of 12 per cent in manufacturing,'' Indian paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) Secretary-General Narayan Moorthy said in a statement.

The growth in paper industry has so far mirrored the growth in GDP.

However, with all-round increase in economic development, living standards and literacy rates combined with increased government spending on education, the growth in paper consumption is expected to be in multiples of GDP.

Currently, the total domestic demand for paper is 7.2 million tonnes, whereas the production is trailing at 6.7 million tonnes. It is estimated that the production capacity would rise to 8.5 million tonnes by 2010-11, while the domestic demand would rise to 10 million tonnes.

UNI