Women to Watch: Hema Java of Java Paper Group

Java Paper Group’s sales and marketing manager, Hema Java, has been working in the company for over eight years, but she has been exposed to the world of print and packaging since childhood. Java recalls, “I have grown up overhearing my father’s conversations with customers on papers, GSM, and runnability on print machines.”

Before joining the family business, Java studied law, completed her Master’s in Business Administration, and worked at a law firm for over three years — all the while preparing for her role at Java Paper Group.

On paper packaging
The group has been around for over 45 years and plans to continue its legacy. Java shares, “We plan to keep customers at the heart of whatever we do with improved service and technological developments.” The group has several partners based in Europe and is focusing on bringing the latest developments in paper packaging to India. She notes, “One of our focus areas is offering alternatives to films and plastics in flexible packaging in the form of paper packaging. While we realise the market in India is nascent when it comes to papers in flexible packaging, we are proud to be one of the first movers in this category.”

Jaya believes that adopting paper packaging will require some adjustments in terms of the shelf life of products and the supply chain. She notes, “There is also a short-term problem of the additional cost for paper packaging, which is only until the volumes increase, making paper packaging commercially viable.” 

On sustainability
CH Java has been FSC-certified for over 15 years. Java observes, “We see the demand for FSC-certified packaging increasing at the brand owner level, which is causing a significant change in the number of printers in the country that are going in for the FSC certification.” She adds, “We make it a point that all our suppliers of papers and paperboards are FSC-certified and hold a good percentage of our overall volumes in FSC-certified stock.”

In addition, Java highlights the advantages of producing virgin fibre paperboards in India, including sustainability and traceability. She remarks, “Our Indian partners, ITC-PSPD, are the market leaders on this front. Our suppliers from Europe, such as Holmen Iggesund and Koehler Paper, supply carbon footprint details for the year, and the same is published on their websites. One of the best things about the paper industry is the tracking, traceability, and transparency in the process.”

With the average Indian consumer still learning and differentiating between biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable packaging, Java believes the standardisation of labelling will help consumers understand different categories easily.

On challenges
In a traditionally male-dominated industry, Java asserts that employing women in senior management positions in paper mills will help make the industry more inclusive. She notes, “Our point of contact in one of our largest European suppliers is a woman, which makes me feel it is time that even Indian paper mills should bring about this change.” She continues, “I do think going forward, there will be a lot more women in the industry, as I already see a handful of women in the paper trading and the printing industry joining the family businesses in the past three to four years.”

Confidence is key in the industry. Java observes, “The most important skill has been to have the confidence to speak up in a room full of male colleagues, customers, and suppliers.” She adds, “In almost 90% of the meetings I have attended to date, I have been the only woman in the room, and as time passed, I stopped feeling intimidated and learned that my perspective could be different, but I, too, have something to offer.”

For Java, no two days look the same — mornings are spent replying to emails and catching up with the team, while afternoons are spent discussing new projects, products, and ideas. Evenings are reserved for family, Java shares, “I am a new mother and spend evenings with my 6-month-old daughter.”