Printed products to cost more

Ludhiana, March 5, 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 at Nalagarh, the frequent increase in the prices of kraft paper and other raw material was condemned by the members. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. 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. Mr. -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 (₹1,456) a tonne. The user industry has been told that prices would be raised further by $20 each at least four more times this month. The printing and packaging industry, mainly the corrugated manufacturers, is worried as the economy is just recovering from the pandemic impact.

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 packaging sector has grown by 10-15% and the growth will continue. I feel the demand will increase for every kind of paper. Apart from Covid related challenges, the printing industry is facing the twin blow of continuous price hikes in paper, plates, chemicals, ink and other raw material and substantial rise in input cost. He said, it is not possible to withstand such increase therefore the cost of printed products are bound to increase at least by 18 to 25 per cent by next couple of days. 

Offset Printers Association is all geared up to help the members of the association to fight the increase in raw material on a daily basis, 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. 

Offset Printers Association further sorts to help the fellow printing by providing the daily price update of various raw material like duplex board, inks & chemicals. Moreover the members were motivated to purchase the raw material collectively so that raw material purchased collectively could be purchase at even cheaper prices in high volume. 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. The member also showed concern as to the present scenario and the various number of printing industry which is already closed and many which are at the brim of closing down any day sooner or later. The most effected industry who has been hit and damaged from all four sides is printing and packaging industry and further more with increase in global crude oil prices would further inflate the price of raw material and further elevate the problem the printing and packaging industry is already in.