NN: Rather than doing traditional business, why have you chosen this eco-friendly food paper packaging business?Sazed: After completing my BSC in computer science, I had started my business as a indenter and later on expanded to contractor business. Over the time, I went to Saudi Arabia to perform Omrah Hajj in 2010 where I was given dates and coffee in paper cups in Iftar. Those cups were biodegradable which attracted me to start the same business in our country. As production of hygienic and environment friendly food paper packaging can contribute to the green revolution of the country and can save the environment. NN: Where did you get training for this non-conventional business?Sazed: I got initial training from Malaysia but practical training comes from production at my factory. NN: How much capital is required to start such a business?Sazed: I have started the business with a capital of TK 7.3 million of which Islami Bank’s support was 4 million. At present the total capital stood at 40 million. NN: How many people get employed in your factory?Sazed: More than 60 people are directly and indirectly engaged with the production and marketing of the goods. NN: what type of products does your factory produce? Sazed: paper cup, plate, food supplying box, shopping bag and so on. Main product is paper cup. NN: How do you ensure the quality of your products?Sazed: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) are in practice in KPC factory. Products’ qualities are strictly checked in our own lab. Many foreign companies can not produce quality products as we can because polyethylene materials (a tough, light, flexible synthetic resin made by polymerizing ethylene, chiefly used for plastic bags, food containers, and other packaging) are used to produce our goods which is 100 percent environment friendly. Polyethylene used products are biodegradable that turns decomposed by 21 days when comes in contact with the soil. This is my speciality.However, Quality is the guiding principle of each of our employee. Means, providing our customers with world class products that continue to delight them.NN: What is your company’s production capacity? Sazed: We have a production capacity of 50 lakhs cups monthly and have the capacity to met large requirements. NN: What is your future plan?Sazed: KPC Industry designed disposable paper cups have an attractive look with highest quality. Our colorful paper cups with exciting prints all over it can make your cup of coffee or tea or cold-drinks a cheerful experience. We ensure all our produces to be eco-friendly as our business dose not only focus on money generation, we also focus on contribution to the national interest.NN: What are the sizes of your produced cups?Sazed: The size range varies from 120ml to 350ml currently. These cups are supplied for use for both cold and hot beverages. NN: What specialties do your products have?Sazed: We offer biodegradable and Environment friendly. It is 100 percent food grade with food grade poly lamination consistency for quality and dimensional stability also. It is comfortable in handling, hygienic, cup rigidity to contain liquid for longer period and excellent Micro-biological levels.NN: What are the obstacles in doing such business? Sazed: Sky rocking duty is the main hindrances in doing this business. We have to pay 61 percent customs duty to import raw materials, which pushes cost of our production by more than twice.Import duties on these raw materials is around 5 – 10 percent in our neighbouring countries including India. High custom duty brings down our competitiveness in the international markets.NN: Do you think that lower duty would help you to expoprt your goods?Sazed: Of course. We are trying to make authorities understand the prospect of export earnings from the sector. Many countries of the globe import disposable goods where we cannot participate due to higher duty.If the government reduces import duties, then I can assure of earning a handsome amount of foreign currencies within a couple of years.However, according to Mr Sazed, prices of an eco-friendly paper cup is TK 1.50 where plastic cup price is only 90 paisa. If the people can get paper cup at the same price of plastic, then they will prefer paper cup first and thus the country would also be benefitted.
