A4 Paper is a lucrative business and in this article, we will bring to you the Steps To Start A4 Paper Business In Nigeria.
A4 papers are used in many offices and schools in Nigeria. Business centres also make use of them and there is high demand of A4 papers in Nigeria.
Starting an A4 paper business in Nigeria is therefore a lucrative one. A4 papers are made from paper and pulp. These raw materials are processed with the machines and then distributed.
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The process of making A4 papers involves technology. There are different uses of A4 papers for different purposes. A lot of people need to scan a picture, photocopy something or print a document on A4.
The Origin Of Paper
The first use of paper was in Egypt and the papers came from papyrus. Later the Chinese produced paper and the paper came from fish nets and tree bark.
The first paper mill in Europe was in Jativa and this was in Spain. Paper mills spread through France, England, Germany and Italy by the 15th century.
Connected fibres make up paper and these fibres can be from trees, cloth rags and cellulose fibres. Linen and cotton fibres make papers like A4 papers.
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What Are The Raw Materials For Making Paper?
Most of the materials used in making paper comes from harvested wood. The other materials are from fibers from vegetable matter, recycled newspaper, recycled cloth and saw mills.
Trees which are coniferous are more preferable since they contain cellulose fibres and examples of such trees are fir and spruce.
These trees are referred to as softwood. Hardwood are the deciduous trees and they are leafy. Nevertheless due to the increasing paper demand and technological advancements, most of the trees are now used.
Plants like bamboo can form pulp. Others like sugarcane and straw can serve as raw materials for pulp. Jute fibres, hemp and flax can make ropes and textiles including paper. Linen rags and cotton are also raw materials. Other raw materials include fitters, like clay, titanium oxide and chalk.
Steps To Start A4 Business In Nigeria
In order to start this business you need to take some steps and they are here below:
1. Training
Making A4 papers is an industrial activity and it involves training especially if you are joining the business. Your training can be informal or formal training.
Here you get to know about the machines for making these A4 papers and how to use these machines to achieve optimal results.
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2. Know your market
Research on the market before production of these A4 papers. This will help you market the A4 papers immediately you produce them.
Identify business centres, cyber cafes and distributors. You can inform potential distributors about your production. Who are the potential buyers and in what quantity can they buy?
Market research will give you an idea of the quantity of papers for your customers in months, weeks and days. Feasibility study will enable you to understand the market so ask questions where necessary. Get a business plan and integrate the market research into the plan.
3. Capital for your A4 business
You may source for loans from banks through government sponsored loans from different banks in Nigeria. Your capital can come from your personal finance or loan.
4. Get the machines
Many people prefer importing and distributing, however local production can help the Nigerian economy. The machines for production are imported and they come in different prices.
The machines should be maintained often in order to ensure optimal production. You can purchase machines directly from manufacturers through importation. Ensure you are buying durable and efficient machines.
Pulp making machines and printing machines are the machines you need for the business.
5. Your business location
It is advisable to locate your production centre close to schools, offices and cyber cafes. The land should be large enough to accommodate the paper making machine.
The location you choose for your warehouse should be accessible to enable movement of goods to their market destinations. The location should have a warehouse and office for meeting people.
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6. Registration
Registering will make your customers know you are into genuine business. This can be with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria.
7. Labour for your A4 business
Running a paper factory and distributing the papers to wholesalers is not a one man thing. You have to hire the staff to operate the machines, transport them and so on. You can start by hiring a few staff and more as time goes on.
The Machines For Making A4 Paper
A4 paper converts the jumbo roll to A4 paper. Example of such machines are Kingsun A4 packaging and cutting machine. This machine are for cutting of lines. Packing machines are another category of machines. Pulp making machines and printing machines are the machines you need for the business.
The Processes Of Making A4 Papers:
1. The Pulp making process
Many methods are for the conversion of logs. The logs undergo tumbling in order to discard the bank. These logs then go to the grinders and these grinders which grinds the wood turns it to pulp by making it go through moving slabs. Filtering is next to remove the foreign objects.
The wood chips are then heated inside a chemical solution. This process takes place in vats referred to as digesters. The chips then go inside the digester after they are boiled at a pressure that is high inside sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide.
It is the chips that melt the pulp after which they go through filtering. Bleaching can enhance colourings and the pulp can then go to the paper plant.
2. Beating process
Squeezing the pulp and pouring it is next and this is the beating process. Various materials like clay, chalk and chemicals can serve as filler materials. It is the additives that will enhance the quality and opacity of the end products.
Sizing of papers follows and this influences the manner in which papers react. Papers gets too absorbent without sizing. Starch can make papers to become water resistant. Different papers use different sizes.
Making the pulp to paper
The pulp is turned to paper using the Fourdrinier machine. This process involves making the pulp go into the machine on a belt that is moving comprising of mesh. Squeezing across rollers is next and then the water is drained off. The paper then enters the press section where pressing takes place between the rollers.
After this the paper then moves through different cylinders so as to remove the water remaining. A huge machine can have between 40 and 70 drying cylinders as components.
Finishing the paper
The paper after drying now go into some large reels where it undergoes processing which depends on its optimal utility. Compaction and smothering of paper happens by letting the paper pass through rollers which are referred to as calendars.
The paper now go through the vat and it can obtain coating by rolling or brushing. Coating lets you add pigments or chemicals to the surface of the paper making up for the fillers and sizings. You can make use of fire clay for coating after which it goes through calendar rollers for the last time. Cutting to A4 sizes is next.
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Promoting your A4 business
You can do this through advertising online or word of mouth. This will tell people what you do.
Conclusion
A4 paper business is lucrative in Nigeria due to the huge demand. Schools, cyber cafes and offices and business centres all need A4 papers.