The corrugated box manufacturing industry in India is facing significant challenges due to the continuous rise in kraft paper prices, leading various regional associations to consider or initiate strikes as a form of protest.
Himachal Pradesh: The Himachal Pradesh Corrugated Box Manufacturers Association has threatened a nine-day closure of approximately 250 units if paper mills do not roll back the recent hikes in kraft paper prices. Manufacturers report that due to the monopoly of paper mill owners, kraft paper is supplied 15 to 20 days after placing an order, making it difficult to meet customer demands. An emergency meeting was scheduled for October 1 to address the crisis.
Uttar Pradesh: The Uttar Pradesh Corrugated Box Manufacturers Association (UPCBMA) has announced a strike starting October 5, protesting against arbitrary price hikes by paper mills, which have increased prices by up to 25% in the last three months. In Kanpur, around 290 out of 300 units will halt production for a week. The association estimates a loss of over ₹1,000 crore across the state due to the recent surge in paper prices.
Eastern India: The Eastern India Corrugated Box Manufacturers’ Association (EICMA) conducted a voluntary shutdown of their units from March 11 to 13, 2021, to protest the relentless rise in input material prices, including a 60-65% increase in kraft paper and board prices within four months. Other expenses, such as steel stitching wire, starch, labor, energy, and transportation costs, also rose by 40-50%, creating a difficult situation for the industry.
These actions reflect the widespread distress among corrugated box manufacturers across India, who are struggling to cope with escalating raw material costs and seeking intervention from the government and regulatory bodies to ensure fair pricing and the survival of the industry.
