West Coast Paper Mills Limited (WCPM) is one of the oldest and the largest producers of paper for printing, writing, and packaging in India. Established in 1955, the Mill is strategically located at Dandeli in Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka. As the leading entity of the SK Bangur Group, the company is headquartered in Kolkata and was incorporated on March 25, 1955. WCPML operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility (Paper Division) in Dandeli, Karnataka, boasting a significant production capacity of 320,000 metric tonnes per annum.
The company has firmly established itself as a prominent player in the Indian paper industry, catering to diverse sectors including printing, writing, publishing, stationery, notebook manufacturing, and packaging industries. The global quality paper produced by WCPM serves the needs of innumerable industries across India, thereby contributing to the nation's development.
WCPM operates four versatile Paper Machines and two Board Machines with an installed capacity of 3,20,000 TPA. The varied functional characteristics of these machines, coupled with their swing capacity, enable the company to produce a wide portfolio of paper and boards ranging from 52 to 600 gsm. This diversified offering caters to a broad application segment, allowing the mill to sustain its market share in a sector that is sensitive to seasonal and cyclical changes. The company also benefits from a self-sustained pulp capacity of 255,000 MTPA and a captive power generation capability of 74.8 megawatts, ensuring operational independence.
Significant investments have been made in modernization, including the recent addition of a 500 TPD State-of-the-Art Voith Paper Machine with a Deckel of 5.3 meters. This advanced machine, operating at 1100 MPM with a GSM range from 52 to 90, is considered the best of its kind in the country and one of the latest globally, elevating WCPM's quality standards to international benchmarks.
The West Coast product line features well-established brands of commercial to premium grades of paper and boards. These are categorized into six distinct product segments: Writing, Printing, Business Stationery, Specialty, Industrial, and Packaging. Under the Wesco brand, the company produces premium papers, writing papers, boards, and office stationery. It also offers security and high-value grade papers, including MICR Cheque Paper, Bond, Parchment, Azure Laid, Super Shine, and Duraprint, among others.
Beyond its core paper manufacturing business, WCPM has diversified into telecommunications infrastructure. The company's Mysore Plant produces Optical Fibre Cables, catering to the requirements of India's telecom sector. In addition to paper, the company is also involved in the manufacture and sale of Optical Fibre Cable and Jelly Filled Telephone cables. WCPM has doubled its manufacturing capacity for Optical Fiber Cable by establishing a new unit at Fab City, Hyderabad, Telangana, which commenced commercial production on February 14, 2024.
West Coast Paper Mills has demonstrated resilience in its performance, despite facing industry-wide challenges in recent periods. As of recent data, the Market Cap stands at ₹3,720 Crore, reflecting a -21.2% change in the last year. The company's financial performance for FY25 presented mixed results:
Revenue and Profitability (FY25):
- Sales declined by 8.66% to Rs 4,062.29 crore in the year ended March 2025, compared to Rs 4,447.68 crore during the previous year ended March 2024.
- For the full year, net profit declined by 55.04% to Rs 311.15 crore in the year ended March 2025, compared to Rs 692.01 crore during the previous year ended March 2024.
Quarterly Performance (Q4 FY25):
- Sales declined by 2.69% to Rs 1,041.29 crore in the quarter ended March 2025, compared to Rs 1,070.10 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2024.
- Net profit of West Coast Paper Mills declined by 63.28% to Rs 43.99 crore in the quarter ended March 2025, compared to Rs 119.79 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2024.
Promoter Holding: 56.6% (As of Mar 2025) demonstrates a strong promoter commitment to the company. Promoter holding in West Coast Paper Mills Ltd has seen a slight increase to 56.55% as of March 2025, up from 56.53% as of June 2024. The company maintains transparency in its operations and adheres to international quality standards. WCPM is certified under ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, FSC (R), and OHSAS 18000:2007.
The company has consistently focused on technological upgrades and capacity expansion. WCPM has been actively pursuing the enhancement of its technologies to augment production, which has enabled it to offer uniform quality of customized, automated products and services to the Pulp and Paper and Energy industries globally. Environmental sustainability remains a core focus, with WCPM committed to harmonizing its business interests with the world's pressing need for a clean environment.
Current market metrics as of recent trading sessions indicate:
- Market Capitalization: ₹3,125.76 Cr (as of 23rd May 2025)
- 52-Week High: ₹753.50
- 52-Week Low: ₹385.10
- P/E Ratio: 10.05
The company's stock is actively traded on both the NSE and BSE. It is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) with the code 500444 and on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) with the code WSTCSTPAPR. Despite recent market challenges, West Coast Paper Mills Ltd's strong operational foundation, diversified product portfolio, and strategic investments position it as a significant and resilient player in India's paper manufacturing sector.
