One of the important topics in the paper industry is its technical aspects. As we can see, in European and American countries, the production of packaging papers such as fluting, testliner, kraft, and white-top is mainly carried out with a basis weight of less than 100 gsm. However, in Iran, these papers are still produced with higher grammages. In your list of products, I noticed that low-grammage paper is also available. I would like to know whether this approach is driven by market demand or it is an initiative from your side to introduce low-grammage paper into the market.
As you mentioned, if we look at the most efficient pulp and paper industry in the world, in my opinion, China is the leader in this field. The Chinese consume testliner and fluting papers with a basis weight of 70–80 gsm and have even replaced their older machines with equipment capable of producing such low grammages. The global pulp and paper industry is moving towards producing lighter-weight papers with higher relative strength. In fact, the concept of efficiency here means producing stronger corrugated board with lighter paper.
The foundation of this transformation first takes place in the paper industry, followed by the need to modernize corrugating and carton-making machines. Unfortunately, in our country, the condition of corrugating and carton-making machinery is not yet aligned with this global trend. However, in neighboring countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan, we are witnessing the installation of the most modern corrugating and carton-making machinery. Therefore, if Iranian paper producers can manufacture lighter-weight paper, such products can be consumed in these modern machines in neighboring countries and, through exports, contribute to improved efficiency and competitiveness.
Another point I would like to raise concerns paper price announcements. I have spoken with several paper mills regarding whether any factory announces its daily prices. Unfortunately, such a practice is not common in this industry. At the same time, I have noticed that you operate a Telegram channel where paper prices are announced every morning. If this is confidential, there is no need to answer; however, I would like to know how accurate these prices are. Are the announced prices the actual selling prices, or are they only published for informational purposes? Some believe these figures are not entirely real and only serve as reference prices.
In my opinion, the best way to verify this is through actual purchases. What is your view?
I appreciate your transparency. One of the shortcomings of the paper industry in Iran is the lack of clarity in pricing. In our company, we have tried to provide maximum transparency in announcing our prices. As you yourself have experienced, whenever a price is announced on the channel, if a buyer intends to purchase, a proforma invoice is issued immediately. Similarly, if someone intends to sell their wastepaper to us, we are ready to finalize the purchase under the same conditions. Therefore, there is no discrepancy between the prices announced on the channel and the actual transactions, whether in purchasing or selling.
Of course, for customers who purchase in large volumes, as is customary in all businesses worldwide, special conditions and discounts are offered. Naturally, the price for a small-volume buyer differs from that for a customer purchasing 100 tons. This has been our sales policy, and we have achieved positive results from it.
Thank you for giving us your valuable time during this busy exhibition. We hope that in our next meeting, we can present even better achievements and services to our customers and industry partners.
With respect and appreciation,