Paper majors to hike prices on rising input costs

Paper manufacturers have decided to hike uncoated paper prices by about 2 per cent with effect from July 1.

The move follows an increase in the cost of pulp and other inputs. Post-increase, uncoated paper will sell at about Rs 42,000-43,000 a tonne.

This will be the second increase in paper prices in the current financial year. Most companies had hiked prices by Rs 700-800 a tonne in June.

Ballarpur Industries (Bilt), the country's largest paper producer has decided to hike uncoated paper prices by Rs 700-800 a tonne.

"There has been a significant push in the input cost in the last one month.

"Hardwood pulp prices have gone up from $600 to $650 a tonne and so we have decided to increase uncoated paper prices by Rs 1000", said K L Chandak, executive director of West Coast Paper Mills. Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers is increasing uncoated paper prices by Rs 1000 a tonne.

"We have hiked prices because of an increase in pulp and coal prices, the two major inputs in paper production", said the director (Finance) A Velliangiri.