More initiatives needed for jute pulp production: Experts

Massive initiatives, including holistic research and long-term plans, are needed to increase the production of jute-based pulps cheaply to meet global demands, discussants at a dialogue have said.

They made the remark during a webinar titled “Paper Pulp from Whole Jute Plant (WJP): Potential and Way Forward” organized by the Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) on Monday.

Representatives of Ministry of Textiles and Jute, Bangladesh Jute Research Institution, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation and private run paper products producers participated in the meeting.

Ferdaus Ara Begum, Chief Executive Officer of BUILD presented the keynote paper titled on “Reviving the Past Glory of Jute: Jute-based Pulp & Paper for Industrial Diversification”.

Ferdaus Ara Begum said, “If the government and all concerned ensure the necessary facilities for producing the quality-based pulp production then it can earn huge foreign currency after meeting the local demand.”

“The pulp sector is still outshining despite several challenges,” she said.

There should be an immediate survey for land availability for jute plant and a study can be initiated to understand its feasibility and financial aspect, she suggested.

Abul Kasem Khan Chairperson of BUILD, said, “This is the time to consider developing a jute pulp and paper Act considering the sustainable development fund and climate change issue.”

Monjurul Alam, former director general of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute said, “We are working to increase production. Only 8 lakh hectares of lands is used for production of jute-related pulp in the country which is not enough for meeting the whole demand. More land must be used.”

Sarwar Jahan, Director (Pulp & Paper), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) said that it is not feasible to run the small-scale pulp industries because whole jute plant-based pulp costs more than $1100 per ton. Furthermore, existing technology needs to be more cost effective.

Mustafizur Rahman, Deputy Managing Director, Bashundhara Paper Mills Ltd said the capacity of producing high quality paper needs to be increased for production.

Mamunur Rashid, Consultant, Magura Paper Mills suggested that adopting bioprocess facilitate production of paper of over 70 percent, which is more in demand.