Shwet Vashishtha1
1 R.P.P.T. Laboratory, National Test House, Ghaziabad, India
Original language: English
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Abstract
India’s tissue paper sector is undergoing a meaningful structural shift, transitioning from a peripheral product category to one of the fastest-growing segments within the national paper industry. This review examines the structural drivers, capacity expansion patterns, and market transition dynamics that are reshaping India’s tissue landscape, with particular attention to the ongoing migration from traditional machine-glazed paper toward dedicated soft tissue grades. Secondary data from IPMA, FAOSTAT, IMARC, Papermart, and company disclosures are used to assess production trends, installed capacity growth, per capita consumption trajectories, and investment activity. India’s tissue sector grew from approximately 60,000 TPA in 2009 to an estimated 238,000 to 248,000 TPA of installed capacity by 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of roughly 10 to 11 percent over this period. Despite this expansion, per capita tissue consumption in India stands at approximately 0.18 kg, compared to a global average of 5.6 kg and North American levels near 27.8 kg, indicating substantial headroom for long-term growth. Demand is driven by urbanization, institutional consumption in hospitality and healthcare, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, rising disposable incomes, and increasing penetration of organized retail and e-commerce. On the supply side, strategic investments by companies such as Andhra Paper, TNPL, Gayatrishakti Paper and Boards, and Jani Sales, as well as APRIL Group’s acquisition of Origami, signal confidence in the segment’s long-term trajectory. The article also addresses structural constraints including data fragmentation, cultural preferences for water-based hygiene, fiber procurement challenges, and the dominance of the unorganized sector. The findings suggest that while tissue production capacity is adequate, the primary challenge for the Indian industry lies in driving consumption growth rather than manufacturing scale.
Author Keywords: tissue paper, India, MG paper, soft tissue grades, Capacity expansion, Hygiene awareness, Containerboard, Paper industry, Swachh Bharat.
