#157 From Small Town to Big Business: Paper Manufacturing | Amit Mittal | Chandpur Paper| Ashish Airon

Description:In this episode of BlitzBusiness Indian Podcast, we sit down with Amit to discuss his incredible journey from a small town in Uttar Pradesh to building a successful, sustainable paper manufacturing business. He shares insights into the challenges of the paper industry, the importance of eco-friendly practices, and how his company is competing with global players using recycled materials.📌 Topics Covered:✔️ Amit’s entrepreneurial journey from a family theater business to the paper industry✔️ Challenges of transitioning from traditional to modern manufacturing✔️ How his company is using recycled paper to create high-quality products✔️ The role of technology in sustainable paper production✔️ Why India still imports paper fibers & what can be done✔️ How the company minimizes environmental impact through water recycling✔️ Growth from 800 tons/month to 3500 tons/month in production✔️ Future of the Indian paper industry & business opportunities🌱 If you're interested in sustainable business, manufacturing, or entrepreneurship, this episode is for you!Key Takeaways:1️⃣ Humble Beginnings: Amit grew up in a small town in Uttar Pradesh and started in his family’s theater business before pivoting to paper manufacturing.2️⃣ Industry Shift: The decline of theaters led him to explore new opportunities, leading to the founding of a recycling-based paper company.3️⃣ Sustainable Approach: His company focuses on recycled paper instead of virgin fiber, making high-quality products while reducing environmental impact.4️⃣ Eco-Friendly Innovations: The company developed water treatment systems that make their waste discharge safe for agricultural use.5️⃣ Overcoming Challenges: Adapting to modern technology was crucial for scaling the business and competing with global standards.6️⃣ Strategic Growth: Since 2015, the company has significantly increased production capacity, reaching 3500 tons/month.7️⃣ Global Partnerships: Collaboration with European and Chinese tech partners helped improve efficiency and quality.8️⃣ Raw Material Sourcing: India still imports 30-40% of raw materials due to quality constraints in domestic fiber.9️⃣ Market Trends: The demand for high-quality paper continues to rise, and businesses can explore domestic production to reduce imports.🔟 Future Vision: Amit aims to further innovate and expand the business while maintaining sustainability at its core.⏱ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro – Welcome to BlitzBusiness & Amit’s journey01:12 - Growing up in a small town & family business roots03:45 - From theater business to paper manufacturing: The big shift06:20 - Challenges of entering the paper industry & first steps08:35 - Why recycled paper? The sustainability angle11:10 - How the business scaled from 800 tons to 3500 tons per month13:55 - Tech & innovation in paper production16:40 - Water recycling & making waste discharge eco-friendly18:25 - Raw material sourcing: Why India still imports fiber20:10 - Overcoming industry challenges & modernizing the business22:30 - Global partnerships & learning from international markets24:15 - Future of Indian paper manufacturing & Amit’s vision26:00 - Final thoughts & advice for entrepreneurs26:40 - Closing remarks & where to follow Amit’s journeyFollow @BlitzBusinessIndianPodcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blitzbusinesstalk/, https://www.instagram.com/ashishaironX : https://x.com/ashishaironLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishairon/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/blitzbusiness-indian-podcast