Kulmani Gupta Highlights Challenges Faced by Noida’s Packaging Industry Amid Rising Raw Material Costs
By Hindustan Times | Fri Sep 17 2021
The packaging industry in Gautam Budh Nagar, encompassing Noida, is grappling with significant challenges due to a sharp increase in raw material prices and transportation costs. Entrepreneurs report that essential materials like paper and aluminium foil have seen price hikes of up to 70% during the pandemic, while international carriage charges have surged fivefold.
Kulmani Gupta, President of the Noida chapter of the Indian Industries Association (IIA), stated that the district houses over 800 packaging units, providing employment to more than 20,000 individuals. He emphasized that packaging is integral to various sectors, including garments, automotives, home appliances, and more. The dependency on imported raw materials has made these units vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, leading to substantial operational losses.
Entrepreneurs like Rajesh Bhatia and Ashish Malhotra echoed these concerns, highlighting the doubling of craft paper prices and the steep rise in aluminium costs, respectively. These increases have not only strained production capacities but have also led to a significant reduction in order values, threatening the sustainability of these businesses.