Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Ltd has reported a net profit of Rs 20.45 crore on an income of Rs 563.18 crore for the quarter ended March 31.

During the corresponding period in the previous year, the company reported a net profit of Rs 19.55 crore on an income of Rs 344.73 crore.

The company has recommended a dividend of Rs 5 (50 per cent) on an equity share of Rs 10 for 2011-12.

According to a press release from the company, rising cost of inputs and low market prices have had an impact on profits. The net profit for the year was Rs 108.94 crore (Rs 148.99 crore) on a total revenue of Rs 1,538.98 crore (Rs 1,225.03 crore).

However, a recovery in market prices in the fourth quarter has helped stabilise performance in the quarter.

De-inking plant

A 300 tonne a day de-inking plant and a steam and power revamp project to expand power generation capacity to 103.62 MW from the present 81.12 MW will be commissioned in September.

The company has launched a set of projects to capitalise on reusing waste and by products.

It will commission a 600 tonne a day cement plant next month, said the release. This is based on lime sludge and flyash waste generated from the factory.

Similarly, the company is in discussions to set up a 120-tonne-a-day Wet Ground Calcium Carbonate plant on Build-Operate-Own basis.

It had earlier finalised a proposal to set up a 200-tonne Precipitated Calcium Carbonate unit on the same model. This is being set up by Omya International AG. This unit uses flue gas, a waste gas, as a carbon dioxide source to make the product.

Both are used as fillers in paper production and will help bring down use of wood pulp. The company will save up to Rs 40 crore a year.

On the NSE the company's shares closed at Rs 98.95 against the previous close of Rs 99.15.

> rbalaji@thehindu.co.in

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