From Waste to Wealth: The Inspiring Journey of Pakka Ltd.

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In the heart of Ayodhya, a vision took root amidst the fields of sugarcane. Back in 1981, KK Jhunjhunwala had an ambitious idea: to create paper from sugarcane waste. With limited resources and undeterred determination, his wife sold her jewelry to fund this vision, leading to the birth of Yash Papers. For two decades, KK built a niche in kraft paper production, crafting an identity out of sustainability and innovation.

Yet, as the tides of business ebbed and flowed, Yash Papers faced mounting challenges and financial distress. On the brink of selling the venture, KK’s son, Ved Krishna, stepped in to breathe new life into the struggling enterprise. Fresh from his sports management studies in London, Ved was thrust into a whirlwind of union issues and heavy losses. But where others saw a dead end, Ved saw an opportunity for revival.

"It took me about two to three years to put things back in order," Ved recalls. As stability returned, Ved's vision extended beyond mere recovery. He began exploring opportunities for expansion by manufacturing specialized grades of paper using the same sugarcane waste that had once been his father's muse.

In 2019, the company rebranded as Pakka Ltd., embodying the ethos of "packaging with soul." This rebranding was more than just a name change; it was a transformation into a leader in biodegradable products. Pakka Ltd. pioneered eco-friendly solutions, such as Chuk tableware, meticulously crafted from sugarcane residue.





Pakka's innovative packaging and commitment to sustainability resonated with esteemed brands like Haldiram, IRCTC, Rebel Foods, Air India, KFC, Inox, and Bikanerwala. The company's growth was exponential, morphing into a Rs 414 crore sustainable packaging powerhouse with an annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes. Plans were already in motion to scale this capacity to 80,000 tonnes, underscoring their belief that waste is not waste, but a treasure trove waiting to be repurposed.

This journey from waste to wealth is not just a tale of business acumen but also a blueprint for combating climate crises. By reducing plastic waste and embracing biodegradable solutions, Pakka Ltd. showcases that profitability and sustainability can go hand in hand. They have proven that a billion-dollar business can indeed emerge from the most unassuming of beginnings, making a profound impact on both the market and the planet.

In the words of Jerry Greenfield, "Recycling, packaging, businesses are changing all of those things because that’s what consumers want." Pakka Ltd. has not only heeded this call but has also set a precedent that innovation and environmental stewardship are the pathways to a brighter, more sustainable future.

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