After a long phase of dullness and viable timber options for veneering, the scenario has turned positive for Kandla based units in 2023. With imported timber becoming viable and availability of core veneer options for making plywood and doors, the port-based panel industries are back in speed and production. According to industry ground reports, Kandla port has started receiving good quality Eucalyptus logs from Uruguay, Brazil, Australia, Argentina etc. Besides, a good volume of imported Core Veneers from Vietnam, Tanzania, Brazil etc is also reaching to Kandla/Mundra Ports.
20 years back, the Kandla in Gujarat has emerged as a timber hub in India due to smooth supply of imports on its port. With growing numbers of saw mills and timber yards, the place has slowly become known for plywood production also, and presently there are approximately 85 Plywood units established alone in Kandla region and if included in the surrounding district of Kandla, the numbers would reach beyond 100. Seeing the opportunity of imported timber availability, the Plywood Brands such as Century Ply, Greenply, Duro, SRG Ply, Amul Ply etc had established their units in Kandla and surrounding districts
But, the growing plantation of indigenous (Plantation) timber in other states, the charm of Kandla for Plywood manufacturing faded during last few years, and most of these industries have shifted to local plantation timber KANDLA BASED PLYWOOD UNITS, BACK IN ACTION for their survival. During last few years, the kandla based plywood industries have struggled to match the cost sheet with other manufacturing clusters based in UP, AP, West Bengal, Keala or Haryana.
Now with availaibility of raw material option to the port based industries the scenario is bright. Mr. Samir Garg, Managing Director, SRG Plywood views that seeing timber scenario, Kandla has become the most suitable for plywood production again. The available imported timber is the most suitable in terms of quality and pricing. He adds that the world timber market is looking towards India, because of reducing demand in China. Hence, there is good time for port based Plywood units in India. He says that there are approx 160 plywood presses set up in Kandla region, and all are becoming active now, with improving imported timber supply scenario. SRG Plywood is also planning to add its Plywood capacity seeing better prospects.
Mr. Rakesh Agarwal, Managing Director, Amulya Mica Plywood views that his company has recently bagged E0 certification for Plywood, and he has vision to increase the good quality plywood from here. The imported timber quality is better for producing high quality plywood compared to plantation timber, he is also planning to increase his plywood production capacity this year.