Printed Products to Cost More
05 March 2022: Offset Printers Association (OPA) has condemned the sharp rise in the prices of raw material, especially paper, plates and chemical, etc. The unprecedented escalation of price of paper by the paper mills is the major hurdle while consumables industries are not willing to pass on the cost making their business unviable.
During the ‘Churning Meeting’ of OPA held recently at Heritage Hotel Raj Mahal, Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, the frequent increase in the prices of kraft paper and other raw material was condemned by the members. Speaking on the occasion, Gagandeep Singh, Vice President OPA said, the prices of all types of paper in India have been increased since March 1, upsetting the user industry. Rohan Oberai, PRO of OPA said, the corrugated box manufacturers are the worst affected in view of frequent price hikes. From March 1, prices of coated and uncoated papers have been increased by $20 (Rs.1,456) a tonne.
Prof. Kamal Chopra, General Secretary added that as far as demand is concerned, the demand for paper except office paper has already reached the pre-COVID level. The demand was low in the office space segment but it improved in this quarter and it reached almost the pre-COVID level in September last. I feel that the reduced volumes will be coming back in the coming quarters and there will be further growth. The economy opened up gradually and restrictions have ended and offices are opening up due to which demand is getting back. The demand will increase further in the future because its growth drivers are intact.
The members present at Heritage hotel Raj Mahal, Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh on a 2 day meeting discussed how the prices of raw material have increased more than double In just 6 months. Further emphasis was laid on educating the members of the association to control the cost of production and importance should be given as to how raw material can be purchased cheaper without the compromising of quality of the final product.
The members of Offset printers association also emphasised the problems and how it increased as central government has increased the GST rate from 12% to 18%.The Printing community further stressed how everything is purchased in cash today but the printers further bleed when material are sold on credit ranging from 3 to 6 months that too on raw material purchased at double the prices as inflation, other national and international reasons have doubled the prices of raw materials used in printing industry.
