In 1981, K.K. Jhunjhunwala started a paper mill with a unique vision—to use sugarcane waste (bagasse) as the primary raw material. Inspired by his father’s sugarcane mill, he saw value in what others considered waste.
Funding, however, was a challenge. In a heartfelt gesture of support, his wife sold her jewelry to help him realize his dream, and thus, Yash Papers was born. Over the next two decades, the company thrived, producing low-GSM kraft paper under K.K.’s leadership. But after undergoing heart surgery in the mid-90s, K.K. decided to step back. He hoped his sons would take over, but neither showed interest at the time, and attempts to sell the company in 1998-99 were unsuccessful.
A Struggling Business Gets a New Direction
In 1999, Ved Krishna, K.K.’s elder son, returned from London, where he was studying sports management, to take over the company. What he found was a business in distress—declining revenues, unhappy workers, and poor management. It took 2-3 years of hard work to stabilize things.
Once the business was back on track, Ved shifted focus to specialized paper grades for industries like food and pharmaceuticals. However, success was short-lived. After K.K.’s passing in 2010, a series of missteps nearly led to the company’s collapse. It was the goodwill built by K.K. that kept them afloat, with suppliers and customers continuing their support.
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This difficult period led Ved to a crucial realization: he needed to stop imitating his father’s leadership style and instead follow his own passion for sustainability and ecology.
In 2014, Ved pivoted towards sustainable food packaging solutions, launching the brand CHUK, which produces biodegradable and compostable tableware made from sugarcane bagasse. Today, big brands like Haldiram’s, Rebel Foods, and Café Coffee Day use their products. They also expanded into flexible packaging for items like chips, chocolates, and biscuits, blending innovation with environmental care.
Sustainability at the Heart of Growth
In 2019, the company rebranded as Pakka Limited, reflecting its mission of ‘packaging with a soul.’ Ved stepped down as CEO and MD to focus on strategy, innovation, and long-term goals, handing daily operations to a skilled team.
Pakka Limited now operates in three key verticals: paper, molded products, and flexible packaging, all made from sugarcane waste.
Sustainability is woven into their operations—from their 8.5 MW biomass energy plant, powered by locally sourced rice husks, to recycling 95% of cooking chemicals and minimizing waste discharge. With an annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes, the company plans to scale up to 80,000 tonnes in Ayodhya and a massive 1,30,000 tonnes at a new facility in Guatemala.
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Ved’s vision is clear: build a business that’s financially successful while reducing environmental harm. With an ambitious revenue goal of ₹1,400 crore by 2025, Pakka Limited stands as a shining example of sustainable innovation.
Ved sums up his mission beautifully: “The most important thing in life is knowing why you’re here. I’m here to create products that make a real difference for our planet.”
The story of Pakka Limited is a powerful reminder that with purpose, resilience, and innovation, waste can truly be transformed into wealth—leaving behind not just profits, but a healthier planet for future generations.
