COVID-19 needs the compulsory wearing of face masks, either N-95 (American Standard) or FFP-2 (European Standard) to protect people from the droplets coming out while sneezing, coughing & talking.

In China, there are 1,000 factories making 2 million KN-95 / FFP-2 masks per day.  While in India, there are only 20 factories making 2 lakh N-95 masks per day.

FFP-2 (Europe EN 149-2001) / KN-95 (China GB2626-2006) respirator mask making project is also important from the national perspective of helping the society, especially people in the frontline such as doctors, health workers and public servants.

The project needs an investment of Rs. 2.00 crores on the Plant and machinery, including import duties, erection and commissioning, electricals and testing equipments (except land & building), and also Rs. 1.00 crore of working capital. The production capacity is 10,000 pieces per day, based on 10 -12 hours of working. The cost of production of the respirator mask is Rs.  15.00 each, while its retail selling price can be Rs. 100.00 (Ex-factory price can be Rs. 50.00 + 5% GST). The project is viable with a payback period of 5 months. The lead time to start the production is 3 months from the date of placing orders on a reputed Chinese equipment manufacturer.

The plant can be either automatic or semi-automatic, depending on the availability of skilled operators locally.   However, the investments are similar for both the options.  All the raw materials are available in India in large quantities.  In future, there is also a big export potential.

The project needs 2,000 sq. ft. building, 30 kW power and 12 – 15 workers & supervisors (mainly for packing).  There is no generation of any pollutants.

GoodRich offers complete project for making respirator masks, which includes the equipment supply, erection & commissioning support, manpower training, providing information on the raw material suppliers & also on the required standards, and complete co-ordination to obtain CE and FDA certificates for exporting in future.