Development and adoption of appropriate technologies for enhancing productivity in the paper and pulp sector (Paper Project Phase-I)

Context

The project aimed to strengthen the capacity and capability of the nodal technical institute of the industry (the Central Pulp and Paper Research Institute, CPPRI) and four national paper industry associations [Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), Indian Agro and Recycled Paper Mills Association (IARPMA), Indian Newsprint Manufacturer's Association (INMA) and the Indian Recycled Paper Mills Association (IRPMA)], to provide better technical and management support to the industry. The overall goal of the project was to strengthen the global competitive position of the Indian pulp and paper industry.

Activities

The main activities of the project included:

1. Benchmarking report of the Indian paper industry, including an analysis of how best available technologies (BATs) could be adopted in the Indian context.
2. Diagnostic assessment of CPPRI, including technical and managerial competencies and action plans.
3. Demonstration of advanced innovative technologies and dissemination to industry: The project facilitated bench-scale demonstrations of three innovative technologies (membrane filtration, liquor heat treatment and Ozone bleaching), with inputs from international subject experts towards the optimization of process parameters and achieving desired process efficiencies.
4. High-level capacity building programmes including technical workshops, study tours, fellowship training programmes and twinning for CPPRI with international counterpart organizations.

Key Achievements

1. Strengthened capacity of the nodal technical institution and industry associations to support Indian paper mills in the identification and adoption of best available technologies.
2. The bench-level experiments were successful in establishing the process parameters and operating conditions for the following three innovative technologies:
1. Membrane filtration for efficient treatment of process water for increased recycling of process water and reduced fresh water consumption and waste water discharge.
2. Black liquor heat treatment to improve the efficiency of the chemical recovery system .
3. Ozone bleaching of agro-based pulp to reduce the pollution load (with respect to toxicity (AOX) and colour), leading to cost-reductions in the effluent treatment in agro-based pulp and paper mills..
3. Enhanced expertise, skills and exposure to best available technologies and global best practices at CPRRI:
1. 7 expert group meetings conducted.
2. Over 200 participants trained through 5 in-country trainings.
3. 11 participants trained through 5 study tours in 6 countries.
4. 7 participants trained through one fellowship trainings.
4. Establishment of institutional linkages and partnerships with leading international technical institutions and organizations, through signing of 5 joint declarations with RISE Paper and Fibre Research Institute (Norway), China National Pulp and Paper Research Institute (CNPPRI), Le Centre Technique de l’Industrie des Papiers Cartons et Celluloses (CTP, France), Bangladesh Paper Mills Association (BPMA) and Xylem Water Solutions Private Ltd. (India).