JK Paper reported that its net profit fell 72 per cent to Rs 7 crore (Rs 25 crore) on the back of lower demand and higher input cost. Sales were up four per cent at Rs 327 crore (Rs 314 crore).
Mr V Kumaraswamy, CFO, said besides shot supply of coal, the availability of wood was also an issue. This has pushed up production cost substantially, It has increased coated paper prices by Rs 1,500 a tonne to Rs 46,500 a tonne while copier paper the rise was about Rs 1,000 a tonne.
Raw material cost was up 27 per cent at Rs 113 crore (Rs 89 crore) and power and fuel bill rose 42 per cent to Rs 51 crore (Rs 36 crore).