The paper mill industry in Asia is rapidly growing due to the increasing demand for paper products in the region. As a leading player in this industry, Star Paper Mill is making a positive impact by empowering the sector through its innovative product offerings and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The company's commitment to quality and sustainability has helped to set a new standard for the paper mill industry in Asia, driving growth and development in the region. Let's get more insights from Majid Rasheed, Managing Director of Star Paper Mill about this industry.
How will the paper mill industry in Asia develop? What are the primary factors contributing to the industry's growth?
We have a positive outlook on the future of the paper mill sector in Asia. The main drivers of market expansion include population growth, urbanization, increasing disposable income, and a shift towards cleaner and more environmentally friendly products. The demand for specialty papers, packaging papers, and tissue papers is fuelling the growth of the industry in Asia.
The COVID pandemic has also increased the demand for tissue paper due to heightened hygiene concerns. Additionally, there is a growing demand for sustainable packaging products like paper bags, as governments are banning single-use plastic bags and online shopping is increasing the need for carton boxes. European mills are facing rising energy costs, which presents an opportunity for Asian mills to cater to the European market.
What are the primary issues faced by customers in this market segment and how does your company address them?
The most common customer complaints in this market segment are high prices, a lack of innovative products, and inconsistent quality. At Star Paper Mill, we address these issues by offering unique and high-quality products at reasonable prices that meet our customers' specific needs. We utilize the latest technology and industry best practices to ensure consistent product quality and timely delivery.
At Star Paper Mill, we take pride in our ability to provide a wide range of hygienic tissue paper products that are of excellent quality, functionality, and affordability. Our state-of-the-art production facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is equipped with the latest technology and staffed by industry experts, setting us apart from other market players. Although we are one among the largest jumbo roll seller in the region in terms of size, we are a preferred choice for customers throughout the region.
Take us through the complete cycle of your client engagement. Share an example of how your company helped one of your clients with your products.
Our approach to client engagement involves first understanding our client's unique requirements, then collaborating closely with them throughout the production process to ensure that our products meet their quality standards and delivery deadlines.
Throughout the engagement, we have a customer support team available to address any queries or concerns. One of our major clients, who is a supplier to several hotel chains in the Middle East, was struggling with high prices and poor-quality paper products. We worked closely with them to understand their needs and create a solution that met their high standards for quality while reducing costs by 10-15 percent for various paper grades. Our valueadded products, such as lower gsm facial and high-strength hand towels, improved their customers' experience.
Describe your value-added products and their unique selling points.
Star Paper Mill offers a wide range of white tissue paper, ranging from delicate 12.5 gsm facial tissue to strong 45 gsm towels, catering to the various needs of our customers. Our unique selling features include exceptional softness, high wet strength, and excellent printability for napkins. Our modern hygiene tissue paper manufacturing mill, located in Abu Dhabi's Industrial City (ICAD) and spanning over 27,000 square meters, houses a state-of-the-art 3.6-meter deckle crescent former tissue machine equipped with the latest flexi-nip shoe press technology.
This technology ensures our products' quality and performance while minimizing their environmental impact through lower energy and water consumption. The flexi-nip shoe press produces bulkier yet soft tissue. In addition to our regular tissue paper products, we also offer value-added items such as low gsm face tissue, ultra-soft and smooth tissue, multicolor printable white napkin tissue, and towels with very high wet strength. Our products are known for their high absorbency, exceptional softness, durability, and printability, among other unique selling points.
We are now proud to serve clients across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, & the USA, with a reputation for quality & consistency in the industry
How has been the journey of the company since its inception? What is the future roadmap of your company? Are you working on any additions to your product portfolio?
Since our establishment in 2019, we have experienced significant growth in terms of our client base and geographical reach. We started production amidst a highly competitive market. However, specializing in manufacturing high-quality tissue paper products, we are now proud to serve clients across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the USA, with a reputation for quality and consistency in the industry.
As a company, we are always seeking new ways to expand and diversify our product offerings. We plan to invest in new technology and equipment to improve our manufacturing capabilities and develop innovative products that cater to our client's changing demands. Additionally, we aim to increase our global presence and solidify our position in current areas. We have also announced a new circular economy project to manufacture recycled Kraft Paper, which will be operational by mid-2024. We intend to produce eco-friendly and biodegradable products such as paper bags, carton boards, white top liners, and semikraft paper made from waste paper, in line with the UAE's commitment to becoming Net Zero in the coming years.
Majid Rasheed,, Managing Director
Majid Rasheed is an experienced Managing Director with a strong background in the paper industry. With a Science degree and an MBA specializing in Marketing, he brings a well-rounded skill set to his role. Rasheed has extensive knowledge of the Paper Industry, having completed various courses in Paper Technology from Austria and UK. With over 26 years of experience in the paper industry, he has successfully led a tissue Paper Mill in the UAE as Managing Director. Currently, he serves as the Managing Director of Star Paper Mill Paper Industry in Abu Dhabi.
.jpg "Technology in Cancer Care: A story of evolving paradigms")
.jpg "Bringing Shop Floor to Manufacturer's palm: Smart Factory Solutions for tomorrow")
