JK Paper is likely to opt for a further price hike of its uncoated category paper products, a possible rise that could range from Rs. 700 to Rs. 1,000 a metric tonne.
The hike is being proposed to offset the over 30 per cent rise in cost of inputs such as wood, coal and other raw materials, according to JK Paper Ltd vice-president (marketing and sales – paper) A.K. Ghosh. The revised price is likely to come into effect from November-end or December first week.
The company had hiked prices of its uncoated paper by Rs. 1000 a tonne earlier this month. It has in its portfolio three variants of uncoated paper products, costing between Rs. 53,000 to Rs. 55,000 a tonne.
The latest hike became inevitable following the steep rise in the diesel prices last month. “We are left with no option but to opt for increase in price to partly offset the hike in prices of raw material,” Mr. Ghosh told The Hindu .
JK Paper, according to him, had 28 per cent market share.
