BILT, the country's largest paper manufacturer, has hiked paper prices across all categories by Rs 300-1000 per tonne with effect from November 1."We have increased the price of coated paper by Rs 750 per tonne and that of uncoated paper by Rs 500 per tonne," R R Vederah, managing director of BILT, said. "The paper market is firm, and there is a continuous growth in demand. Moreover, the price of pulp, the main raw material, is ruling high, "Vederah added.He, however, ruled out further price hikes in this calendar year.West Coast Paper is also reported to have raised paper price by Rs 750-1000 per tonne.BILT had increased the price of coated paper by Rs 1,000 per tonne in July and uncoated paper price by Rs 600 per tonne in September.JK Paper had increased the coated paper price by Rs 1,000 per tonne in July and again by Rs 1,000 in September. In August, it had increased the price of non-copier paper by Rs 500-750 per tonne. Last month, it had revised the copier paper price by Rs 1,000 per tonne."As of now, we don't have any plan to raise paper prices. However, based on the market demand a price rise is not ruled out," V Kumaraswamy, vice president (finance) of JK Paper, said.
