Pratik Nikhil Gandhi, director of Taarget Papers LLP and Enkey Enterprise, discusses the evolution of the family’s paper business, growing demand for specialty papers, innovations in sustainable packaging, and the opportunities shaping India’s specialty paper market.
Representing the third generation of a family involved in the paper business, Pratik Nikhil Gandhi sees an opportunity to build on an established industry legacy while responding to the changing needs of the packaging market. Through Taarget Papers, the family is extending its presence in the paper sector with a sharper focus on specialty papers, innovative packaging solutions, and emerging applications.
“Enkey Enterprise gave us a strong foundation built on trust, relationships, and decades of industry experience. Taarget Papers was born to take that legacy forward with a sharper focus on specialty papers, innovative packaging solutions, and emerging market opportunities. We combine traditional values with a new-generation vision,” Gandhi says.
India’s packaging industry is increasingly exploring paper-based alternatives to conventional plastic and foil-based materials. However, Gandhi believes the transition requires more than replacing one material with another. Paper-based solutions must meet the functional and commercial requirements of the intended application.
“The opportunity is enormous as brands increasingly explore alternatives to conventional packaging materials. However, replacing plastic isn’t simply about switching materials. Paper must deliver the right strength, functionality, and commercial viability. The real opportunity lies in engineering smarter paper solutions, not just greener ones,” he explains.
This shift is reflected in the demand for several specialty paper categories. Taarget Papers is seeing encouraging interest in lightweight kraft papers, premium textured papers, specialty boards, and papers for food-wrapping applications. According to Gandhi, brands are looking for materials that combine functional performance with distinctive visual appeal.
The balance between sustainability and performance is another important consideration. Taarget Papers works with carefully selected international paper mills and draws on its FSC-certified operations to help customers explore responsibly sourced materials. Gandhi emphasizes that sustainable packaging must retain the quality and functionality expected by brand owners.
“Sustainability should never mean compromising on quality. With our FSC-certified operations and carefully selected international paper mills, we help customers explore responsibly sourced paper solutions that balance performance, aesthetics, and environmental considerations. Our focus is on making sustainability practical and commercially relevant,” he says.
Looking ahead, Gandhi identifies lightweight, high-strength papers and advanced functional coatings as important areas of innovation. Improvements in barrier properties, heat sealability, and fibre-based packaging could help specialty papers enter applications traditionally served by plastic and foil-based materials. He believes the next generation of paper solutions will deliver greater functionality with fewer material layers.
Food packaging is one area where these developments must be supported by careful material selection and compliance. Gandhi points out that food-grade applications require attention to material suitability, traceability, and application-specific performance. Taarget Papers works with international suppliers to identify appropriate grades and help customers evaluate relevant food-contact requirements.
Beyond functional performance, specialty papers also play an important role in premium packaging. As brands seek to strengthen shelf appeal and differentiate their products, paper characteristics such as texture, shade, thickness, and finish become part of the overall brand experience.
“Packaging is often the first physical interaction between a brand and its customer. The texture, shade, thickness, and finish of paper communicate quality before a product is even opened. We believe premium packaging begins with the right paper, not just the final design,” Gandhi says.
To address increasingly specific converting requirements, Taarget Papers is expanding its portfolio beyond conventional printing papers. Its range includes application-oriented grades such as grease-resistant and wet-strength papers, coating base papers, and papers with high-printability surfaces. These materials address requirements across packaging, labels, food applications, and printing.
The growth of digital printing, premium embellishments, and short-run packaging is also creating opportunities for specialty paper suppliers. Shorter production runs and greater customization are encouraging printers and converters to experiment with distinctive textures, premium finishes, and materials that deliver consistent print results.
Over the next five years, Gandhi expects India’s specialty paper market to become more sophisticated and performance-driven. Recyclability, responsible sourcing, circular economy considerations, and evolving extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations are likely to play a greater role in material selection. He also sees potential for India to develop beyond being a major consumer market and emerge as an innovation hub for next-generation paper packaging.
For Taarget Papers, this outlook represents an opportunity to bring international material developments closer to Indian converters, printers, and brand owners. “At Taarget Papers, our vision is simple: to connect global paper innovation with Indian creativity. We don’t just want to supply paper; we want to inspire what can be created with it,” Gandhi concludes.
