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Doing More With Less Water

With a looming future of water scarcity, the importance of water management is always in the spotlight. It serves as a reminder that we all share responsibility and must take action both individually and at the organizational level. Against this backdrop, the water footprint of the pulp and paper industry is facing significant scrutiny. This focus is warranted as the industry is water-intensive, necessitating mills to take steps to lower their water footprint.

Over the years, implementation of new technologies and strategic partnerships have enhanced the competitiveness of mills. A noticeable contrast exists between the average water consumption of previous decades and their current water efficiency. This leads to the conclusion that the industry has made genuine efforts to improve, including substantial investments in acquiring or developing new technologies, forming advanced partnerships with solution providers, and harvesting rainwater. During our extensive interactions with various pulp and paper companies, it has been discovered that mills, regardless of their size, have taken steps to enhance the efficiency of water management in their operations. The reduction we have observed is indeed significant, with the goals they have set being pragmatically ambitious.

The accomplishments and goals of companies highlight the essential elements of managing business operations in today's environment. Emphasizing that there is a greater significance in the impact they have beyond their profits underscores the crucial role of the ESG framework in all businesses, regardless of their size and the need for consistency. Integrating ESG practices into the entire operational process is now a necessity rather than optional. Despite the challenges, this approach offers more long-term benefits than costs, positioning businesses that adopt a sustainable approach as more accountable and valuable entities.

Fortunately, this awareness is quite prevalent in the pulp and paper industry, indicating the seriousness it applies in every aspect of the operation, and thereby ensuring an efficient mechanism in place to help address eventual issues. While the pulp and paper industry has made significant progress, more needs to be done, requiring additional resources to achieve its goals. It has become evident that ambitions are somewhat constrained as mills have limited access to funding, a gap that only the government can bridge. Access to affordable capital can enable mills to adopt cutting-edge technologies, positioning them on par with global competitors.

Evidently, most mills have collaborated with global solution providers and have achieved crucial progress. The narrative, though, is different for those facing financial constraints. Policy interventions and collective efforts are needed to ensure that every mill has the opportunity to pursue larger goals. This edition of Paper Mart aims to showcase the ongoing efforts, aspirations, available solutions, existing gaps, and necessary actions. I am confident that this coverage will enable readers to understand the Indian pulp and paper sector's approach to efficient water management. Additionally, this issue maps the growth of the Indian market for compostable tableware, driven by growing consumer awareness and the government's ban on single-use plastic items.

*Written for Tulip 3P Media

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