Surgical Face Masks (SFMs) have been in huge demand due to the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) which emerged from the Wuhan city of China that has infected millions of people worldwide. Prior to the occurrence of COVID-19 which is also known as SARS-CoV-2, face masks were used in only hospitals and healthcare centres.
As per the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry, approximately 240 million disposable masks are produced by manufacturers every year for domestic use. People never thought that they shall be using them in 2020 or further in their day-to-day lives. SFMs and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits have become a necessity for survival.
Types of Face Masks, Manufacturing Units and Material Used
With the enormous demand of face masks worldwide, numerous SME and MSME manufacturing units have emerged and started manufacturing surgical face masks in large numbers on a daily basis. The production capacity ranges between 20,000 – 1,00,000 masks per day, however the number shall vary from manufacturing unit to unit.
To prevent this deadly virus, people are using three types of face masks named as homemade cloth masks, surgical masks and N95 respirators. Surgical face masks are manufactured using non-woven fabrics made from plastic material like polypropylene that are available in two layer or three-layer forms.
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How to Start a Face Mask Manufacturing Business?
To start face mask manufacturing business, business owners need to understand that India surgical mask market is divided into two channels. The first channel is a product based in which the market is further segmented into manufacturing of N95 respirators, basic surgical masks, anti-fog surgical masks, fluid/splash resistant masks, etc.
Distribution is the second channel in which the surgical market is categorized into medical stores, pharmacies, clinics, healthcare centres, drug stores and hospitals. Considering these two channels, business owners can choose from these two business divisions, such as mask production and distribution or both.
Steps to Start a Surgical Face Mask Manufacturing Business in India
Step 1: Plan and document a Business Plan – Written plan should consist of all the business details, information of equipment and machinery, total budget, details of employees, working capital or investment to be made, marketing and advertising strategies, etc.
Step 2: As per Company Registration Act, applicant needs to get the business registration done as private limited or public limited company, sole proprietorship firm, partnership firm or limited liability partnership under Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
Step 3: Obtain ISI standard registration which is mandatory and Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) registration, if applicable
Step 4: Finalize or rent space at a particular area/location to install equipment and machinery with followed procedures and required amenities
Step 5: Obtain Shop and Establishment Act License from the respective state authority, as per the state in which the business is situated
Step 6: Purchase and install equipment/machinery and related items in the rented or chosen space
Step 7: Hire skilled workers to initiate the manufacturing process after providing machinery training
Types of machines that can be used in the face mask manufacturing process:
- Face Mask Machines
- Mask Inner Ear Loop Welding Machine
- Non-Woven Mask Blank Making Machine
- Tie on Mask Making Machine
Example of an ideal face mask manufacturing machine is mentioned below:
Non-Woven Face Mask Making Machine
Fully Automatic Tie Face Mask Machine
Price: Rs. 15 lakh (approx.)
Machine Details:
- Capacity: 60 to 80 pcs per minute
- Usage/Application: To Make Tie Face Mask
- Model: KP-1001
- Size: 3000 mm x 1500 mm x 1200 mm
- Power Source: 5KW
- Power Supply: Single Phase
- Brand: KP Tech
Specifications:
- Supply Power: AC 380 v or 220 v 50 Hz
- Net Weight: 800 Kg
- Designed Speed: 80 Pcs per minute
- Optimum Speed: 60 Pcs per minute
- Dimension: Mask Machine: 2000 X 600 X 1200 mm
Feeding Frame: 1600 X 550 X 1400 mm
Conveyor Belt: 1770 X 330 X 900 mm
Face mask manufacturing business is picking up real pace, as the demand of face masks have surged significantly in the last few months. MSMEs and small businesses owners have shifted from their existing businesses and newly ventured in the manufacturing of all types of face masks to combat deadly coronavirus and to eventually earn good profits.
Presently, there is not much competition and not many face mask manufacturing units in India, therefore they are being imported from other nations. This particular market segment is yet to be explored and capitalised. Therefore, business owners, entrepreneurs and enterprises can opt for business loans, term loan or working capital loan to start a new business or to modify from their current business into face mask manufacturing units. At paisabazaar.com they can easily check and compare from all the available business loan options from almost all the leading financial institutions.
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