HERALD: How did you come about this idea of using waste paper for secondary packaging?
AJAY GRAMOPADHYE: I was working with World Wild Life for 10 years in Goa as education officer and I would go to schools and colleges and talk to people. We set up nature clubs and work was done but over a period of time I realised something had to be done instead of just talking. I wanted to do some business and had earlier worked on projects like electricity from waste though my first project was to develop a brick from waste. This project faced hurdles but it is still on. In 2011, I had developed samples but it did not take off. On June 5, 2012 on World Environment day, I started this project. I had to sell this idea and no one in Goa would accept it. Western India yes had the market for such a product and my family has been in business for generations with our printing press which meant I could talk to some of the clients. I went to our client Crompton Greaves and they exhibited a very keen interest. This offcourse is for their Goa plant I am talking about. It took me two and a half years to set up the project. I was very clear that I would start the business when I had a client in my hand and not the other way around.
HERALD: How did you fund this project?
AG: I had to go to a bank and I have to thank the bank manager who helped move the papers very fast. It helped that our family had conducted business with the bank for generations.
HERALD: Specifically what is secondary packaging?
AG: The outer box is called primary packaging. It is usually hard and protects the material inside from the elements. Inside the box, the product could be placed on a tray with grooves in it. That is known as secondary packaging. It is a very huge market even in Goa. It is a 100% replacement for thermocol.
HERALD: How big is it?
AG: Approximately 10 lakh pieces a month. The advantage is it saves 70% in terms of space. I am the first in Goa and the fourth in Western India. It is very simple technology. Today I have three clients one of whom is from outside Goa and this has come through word of mouth. The mould I have to say is made in China which I rely on. There are people in India who do it too but the quality does not match.
HERALD: How is it doing business in Goa?
AG: It is easy, I have never had any problems. See, I knew what I was doing. I had the passion for the environment which people knew. I have a small semi automatic machine which has a capacity of 3 lakh pieces. I have manufacturing units in Marcel and Betki.
HERALD: what are the challenges you face?
AG: During the monsoon, the absence of the sun is a problem. The product is dried out in the sun. During the monsoons I have to use a heater. From manufacturing 7000 pieces a day it drops to 3000 during the monsoon.
HERALD: what are your plans for the future?
AG: More clients for sure and yes, another interesting project which will be announced shortly.
