§1What this business is
Masks are designed on a computer, then front fabric, filter layer, dry-fit and net layers are cut and stitched with elastic, clips and stoppers on flat-lock, overlock and lockstitch machines. Samples are checked for permeability, stiffness and filtration before packing. The report plans two models (O1 and O2) for people facing city air pollution and dust at work.
Capacity: 300 masks per machine a day on 15 machines; 9,00,000 masks a year at full capacity (report plans 50% in year 1 to 60% in year 5, split 60% O1 and 40% O2).
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
Someone with garment or tailoring experience who can manage a large sewing team and sell to pharmacies and industries.
Who it is not for
Someone who cannot manage 45 people or wants a steady, non-seasonal product.
Advantages
- Simple sewing work — creates many jobs (45)
- Low machine cost per worker
- Masks are sold year-round to workers in dusty jobs, with peaks in smog season
- Machines can switch to other stitched products
Drawbacks
- Demand jumps and falls with pollution news and health scares
- Wage bill is the biggest cost after raw material
- Thin net margin (about 4%)
- Cheap imported and unbranded masks compete hard
Skills you need
- Garment cutting and stitching
- Production supervision
- Filtration and fit testing
- Selling to pharmacies, retailers and industries
Why difficulty 3/5: Sewing is easy; a large workforce and swinging demand are hard.
§3Market
Who buys
- City commuters
- Construction and factory workers
- People with allergies
How it sells
- Pharmacies and retail shops
- Industrial safety suppliers
- Online marketplaces
Good to know
- The report quotes an Assocham estimate: India's anti-pollution mask market rising from USD 6.16 million (2017) to USD 16.86 million by 2023.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lockstitch sewing machines | 15 | ₹1,80,000 (₹12,000 each) |
| Flat-lock sewing machines | 2 | ₹1,00,000 (₹50,000 each) |
| Four-thread overlock machine | 1 | ₹40,000 |
| Cutting machine and packet patti cutter | 2 | ₹33,000 |
| Permeability tester | 1 | ₹1,78,000 |
| Filtration tester | 1 | ₹1,00,000 |
| Stiffness tester | 1 | ₹14,500 |
| Slotted-angle racks, 9 levels | 40 | ₹1,00,000 |
| Design desktops, laptops, printers, scanners and thermal label printers | — | ₹4,67,075 |
| Generator and 4 KW power backup | — | ₹1,06,000 |
| Furniture/decoration and air conditioner | — | ₹1,90,000 |
From: PMEGP sample project report — Anti-Pollution Mask (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
- Front fabric, dry-fit layer, net layer and filter layeraverage raw material ₹14.05 per O1 mask and ₹19.00 per O2 mask
- Elastic, ribbon piping and threadstitching items
- PU clips, PU stoppers and labelstrims
From: PMEGP sample project report — Anti-Pollution Mask (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
§5Licences & registration
- GST
- Udyam
- Fire / pollution registration as required
- BIS certification if sold as a respiratory protective device (e.g. IS 9473 for filtering half masks)
- Legal Metrology registration for packaged goods
- Trademark for the brand (optional)
§6Schemes & subsidies
PMEGP sample project at ₹25 L; CGTMSE can cover the collateral-free loan.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: Plant, machinery and office equipment ₹15.00 L (list totals ₹14,99,575: 15 lockstitch, 2 flat-lock and 1 overlock machines, cutters, racks, printers, laptops, testing kit, generator, furniture, AC) + working capital ₹10.00 L = ₹25.00 L. Premises rented. Detailed finance: own ₹1.25 L, bank term finance ₹13.75 L, working capital from bank ₹10.00 L (the summary page shows own ₹2.50 L and term loan ₹12.50 L).
Working capital: Working capital ₹10.00 L from the bank; the report keeps a large finished-goods stock (₹13.85 L in year 1).
Year not printed on the report — check current machinery prices.
§8Export potential
Export council / board: AEPC
- The report prints no HS code; confirm the ITC(HS) line with DGFT before exporting.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Demand swings after health emergencies end
- Labour turnover
- Claims about protection level without certification
- Price competition
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working anti-pollution mask making unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (GST, Udyam), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Anti-Pollution Mask Making?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.