Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited

Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL) is an Indian paper manufacturer established by the Government of Tamil Nadu to convert sugarcane-processing residue, especially bagasse, into newsprint and other paper products. The company was incorporated and listed by the state government in April 1979 under India's Companies Act, 1956. Its principal manufacturing complex is at Kagithapuram in Karur district, with additional operations at Manapparai in Tiruchirappalli district, while its registered office is in Guindy, Chennai. TNPL began manufacturing in 1984 with an initial installed capacity of 90,000 tonnes per year. The business subsequently expanded beyond its original newsprint mandate into printing and writing paper. A major development came in January 1996, when the company began commercial newsprint production on Paper Machine No. 2. The machine was supplied by Voith Sulzer Paper Technology, with Larsen and Toubro acting as its Indian licensee. TNPL's paper portfolio includes newsprint reels and printing and writing paper supplied in both reel and sheet formats. The company has manufactured paper in a range of basis weights, including approximately 49 GSM newsprint and 50–80 GSM printing and writing grades, with some products extending to 90 GSM. A defining feature of TNPL's industrial model is its use of bagasse, the fibrous residue left after sugarcane is crushed. The company has developed supply relationships with nearby sugar mills, including Sakthi Sugar Mills. Under the arrangement described in reference material, bagasse is supplied to the paper mill while steam is provided to the sugar mill, creating an integrated resource and energy relationship. TNPL has also pursued elemental-chlorine-free bleaching, acid-free paper production, wastewater treatment, methane recovery and renewable electricity generation. Its environmental infrastructure includes a biomethanation plant that converts treated effluent into methane for use in a lime kiln, reducing dependence on furnace oil, as well as captive power-generation equipment and wind-energy assets whose surplus electricity can be exported to the state grid. The company has supplemented its manufacturing activities with forestry and rural-development programmes intended to secure future pulpwood supplies. Its Farm Forestry and Captive Plantation schemes were introduced during 2004–05. By 31 March 2009, the schemes had covered approximately 40,291 acres in Tamil Nadu, involving thousands of farmers and additional captive plantations on institutional and government-linked land. TNPL also established a clonal propagation and research centre and participated in an agro-forestry research project led by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University's Forest College and Research Institute. TNPL sells directly to newspaper publishers and other paper users in India. Reference material identifies The Hindu, Malayala Manorama and Ananda Bazaar Patrika among newspaper customers for its newsprint. Around 18% of its printing and writing paper production was reported as being exported to approximately 20 countries. The company has also had a branded-products arrangement involving use of the World Wide Fund for Nature's Panda logo. TNPL's public-company status dates from its stock-market listing in 1997, and its shares have been associated with the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India. Its positioning combines state-backed industrial production, paper-sector scale, agricultural-residue utilization and environmental process management.

Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited was created as a Government of Tamil Nadu initiative to manufacture paper using bagasse, a sugarcane residue available from the state's extensive sugar industry. The company was listed by the state government in April 1979 under the Companies Act, 1956. Its industrial conception linked paper production with agricultural-resource utilization: rather than relying exclusively on conventional wood fibre, TNPL was designed to use a locally available by-product while developing longer-term plantation resources. Commercial manufacturing began in 1984 with an initial capacity of 90,000 tonnes per annum. The company was initially associated with newsprint and writing paper, but its product range developed into a broader printing-and-writing portfolio. In January 1996, TNPL commenced commercial newsprint production on Paper Machine No. 2. The machine was supplied by Voith Sulzer Paper Technology and installed with Larsen and Toubro as its Indian licensee. This expansion strengthened TNPL's ability to supply newspaper publishers directly and gave it a more substantial position in India's newsprint market. TNPL's production system has been built around cooperation with nearby sugar mills. In the model described for its operations, sugar mills provide bagasse and receive steam from the paper mill. This arrangement helps connect the paper plant with the sugar-processing economy and supports the company's use of agricultural residue as a raw material. Its products have included elemental-chlorine-free, acid-free newsprint and printing and writing papers supplied in reels and sheets. Newsprint is generally produced in reels for newspaper customers, while other grades are offered across a range of basis weights. Environmental and energy programmes became an important part of TNPL's operating history. The company obtained ISO 9001:2000 certification for development and supply of newsprint and paper and ISO 14001:2004 environmental-management certification. It commissioned a biomethanation facility using anaerobic treatment to recover methane from effluent streams. The gas was used in the lime kiln as a substitute for furnace oil. TNPL also developed captive generation at its mill site and wind-energy facilities in Tirunelveli district, with surplus power available for export to the state grid. These projects positioned the company as an industrial user of both waste-to-energy and renewable-energy systems. The company also invested in pulpwood supply and forestry research. In 2004–05 it introduced Farm Forestry and Captive Plantation schemes. The Farm Forestry programme involved farmers across Tamil Nadu, while the Captive Plantation scheme used land belonging to companies, government departments and educational institutions under revenue-sharing or lease arrangements. By 31 March 2009, the reported plantation area under these initiatives totalled approximately 40,291 acres. TNPL established a clonal propagation and research centre with hedge gardens, mist-chamber and nursery facilities, and participated in a Tamil Nadu Agricultural University-led agro-forestry project focused on improved short-rotation clones and contract farming. TNPL became a listed company in 1997. Its shares were associated with the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India, while the Government of Tamil Nadu remained a significant shareholder. The registered office is in Guindy, Chennai, and manufacturing activities have been associated with Kagithapuram in Karur district and Manapparai in Tiruchirappalli district. The company's environmental record has also attracted local criticism. In September 2009, three Pugalur-area organisations alleged that TNPL effluent releases had caused public concern and potential harm. TNPL denied discharging effluent into the named channel and cited its mill-development plan, chlorine-dioxide-based bleaching process and reductions in water consumption. The episode illustrates the regulatory and community issues that accompany large pulp-and-paper operations, even where substantial treatment and resource-recovery infrastructure is in place. TNPL's documented business model therefore combines state ownership, listed-company governance, agricultural-residue pulp sourcing, newspaper-sector supply, exports and environmental technology.

• 2009

  Pugalur effluent controversy

  [1]Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  Local farmer and consumer organisations alleged that TNPL effluent had affected the Pugalur channel area; the company denied the allegation and described its environmental controls.

• 2004

  Second wind-project phase and forestry programmes

  [1]Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  The second wind-project phase began in March with three 1.25 MW turbines. TNPL also introduced Farm Forestry and Captive Plantation schemes during 2004–05.

• 2001

  First phase of wind project begins

  [1]Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  The first phase of a small-scale grid-connected wind project began operation on 30 March with four 750 kW wind-electricity generators in Tirunelveli district.

• 1997

  TNPL becomes a listed company

  [1]Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  TNPL shares became publicly listed, and the company was subsequently treated as an other company rather than remaining solely within the Government of Tamil Nadu's public-sector-undertaking classification.

• 1996

  Paper Machine No. 2 starts newsprint production

  [1]Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  Commercial newsprint production began in January on Paper Machine No. 2, supplied by Voith Sulzer Paper Technology with Larsen and Toubro as Indian licensee.

• 1984

  Manufacturing begins

  [1]Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  The company commenced production with an initial reported capacity of 90,000 tonnes per year.

• 1979

  Company established by the Government of Tamil Nadu

  [1]Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  TNPL was listed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in April 1979 under the Companies Act, 1956, with a mandate to manufacture paper from bagasse and produce newsprint and writing paper.

A state-promoted Indian integrated paper manufacturer differentiated by bagasse-based pulp sourcing, newsprint production, broad printing-and-writing grades, and investments in plantations, wastewater treatment and renewable energy.

• Newsprint · 1996

  Newsprint

  TNPL manufactures newsprint primarily in reel form for newspaper establishments. Reference material describes a typical basis weight of approximately 49 GSM and identifies Indian newspaper publishers such as The Hindu, Malayala Manorama and Ananda Bazaar Patrika among its customers. Production uses an elemental-chlorine-free bleaching process and is based substantially on bagasse-derived fibre.

• Printing and writing paper

  Printing and writing paper

  The company's printing and writing paper range is supplied in reels and sheets across grades generally described from 50 to 80 GSM, with the wider TNPL range extending toward 90 GSM. The papers are described as acid-free and elemental-chlorine-free. TNPL serves domestic users and exports a portion of this production to international markets.

• Sustainable paper · 1984

  Bagasse-based paper

  Bagasse-based paper is central to TNPL's industrial identity. Bagasse is obtained from sugarcane processing and supplied through relationships with nearby sugar mills. The approach reduces reliance on conventional virgin-wood fibre and connects the paper mill with the agricultural economy of Tamil Nadu.

• 2009

  Allegations concerning effluent discharge near Pugalur

  Three local organisations alleged in September 2009 that TNPL effluent releases into or affecting the Pugalur channel had created concerns about adverse effects on residents and agricultural users. TNPL denied releasing effluent into the channel and cited its environmental-improvement programme, elemental-chlorine-free bleaching and water-use reductions.

  Source

Read more

• 2004Farm Forestry and Captive Plantation schemes

  Tamil Nadu, India

  TNPL developed two plantation models to support future pulpwood supply and rural participation. Farm Forestry involved farmers across Tamil Nadu, while Captive Plantation used larger blocks of land held by institutions, companies and government departments.

  Outcome. By 31 March 2009, the two programmes were reported to have covered about 40,291 acres and involved 8,235 farmers in the Farm Forestry programme.

  Source
• TNPL Effluent Water Lift Irrigation Scheme

  Pugalur and surrounding areas, Tamil Nadu, India

  Through the TNPL Effluent Water Lift Irrigation Society, treated effluent water was used for irrigation of dry land for local farmers, subject to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board norms.

  Outcome. The scheme was reported to irrigate approximately 1,250 acres and serve about 250 farmers.

  Source

• 2004

  Expansion of plantation and renewable-energy strategyStrategy

  Background

  The company sought to strengthen fibre security while reducing dependence on fossil fuels and improving environmental performance.

  Action taken

  TNPL expanded Farm Forestry and Captive Plantation programmes, developed clonal propagation and research facilities, and operated wind-generation and biomethanation projects.

  Aftermath

  The programmes created a larger reported plantation base, supported farmer participation and enabled methane and wind power to contribute to the company's energy system.

  Source

• 1996

  Commissioning of Paper Machine No. 2 for newsprintGeneration change

  Background

  TNPL sought to expand and modernise its newsprint capability beyond its initial production base.

  Action taken

  The company commenced commercial production on Paper Machine No. 2 in January 1996 using equipment supplied by Voith Sulzer Paper Technology and licensed in India by Larsen and Toubro.

  Aftermath

  The investment expanded TNPL's newsprint-making capacity and supported direct supply to newspaper publishers.

  Source

1. 1Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limiteden.wikipedia.org
2. 2Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited official websitetnpl.com