§1What this business is
The small KVIC unit presses naphthalene flakes (with camphor or phenol) into balls on a tablet machine with a ball-shaped die. The larger sample report refines crude naphthalene first: it is melted with steam, treated with sulphuric acid, neutralised with caustic soda, washed hot, purified by steam distillation or sublimation and then made into balls. Sold through kirana and general stores and to institutions for toilets and urinals.
Capacity: Sample report: 150 tonnes a year (0.50 tonne a day, one 8-hour shift, 300 days); year 1 at 60% = 90 tonnes at ₹65,000 a tonne. KVIC: sales ₹5.00 L a year at full capacity.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A chemical trader who can secure naphthalene supply, starting with the small pressing unit.
Who it is not for
Someone without chemical-safety training (for the refining version).
Advantages
- Household product with long-standing demand
- Small KVIC version needs very little money
- Simple pressing process for the small unit
- Also sold to offices and institutions
Drawbacks
- Refining crude naphthalene uses acid and caustic — hazardous
- Raw material supply must be secured (steel-plant coke ovens and refineries)
- Pollution NOC needed
- Low price per kg
Skills you need
- Chemical handling and safety
- Tablet-press operation
- Raw material sourcing
- Distribution to shops
Why difficulty 3/5: The small pressing unit is easy; the refining unit handles hazardous chemicals.
§3Market
Who buys
- Households (woollen clothes storage)
- Offices, hotels, railways and institutions (toilets and urinals)
How it sells
- Kirana and general stores
- Wholesalers
- Institutional supply
Good to know
- Both reports say demand grows with population and urbanisation.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| KVIC equipment set: steam-jacketed MS kettle, steam distillation kettle, sulphuric acid storage tanks, delivery pump, edge runner, rotary tablet-making machine, tools | 1 set | ₹25,000 |
| Steam-jacketed MS kettle with 3 HP stirrer, 2,500 litres (acid treatment) | 2 | ₹3,50,000 (₹1,75,000 each) |
| Steam-jacketed MS kettle with 3 HP stirrer, 2,000 litres (neutralisation) | 2 | ₹2,90,000 (₹1,45,000 each) |
| Steam-jacketed MS kettle with condenser and steam injection, 2,000 litres | 1 | ₹1,20,000 |
| Sulphuric acid storage tank (10 tonnes) with delivery pump, 1 HP motor and pipeline | 2 | ₹1,50,000 (₹75,000 each) |
| Edge runner with 7.5 HP motor | 2 | ₹90,000 (₹45,000 each) |
| Boiler, 100 PSI, 250 kg evaporation, with chimney | 1 | ₹1,50,000 |
| Miscellaneous tools and equipment | 1 lot | ₹50,000 |
| Electrification | 1 lot | ₹75,000 |
From: KVIC Project Profile — Naphthalene Balls (PMEGP) · PMEGP sample project report — Napthalene Balls (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
- Naphthalene flakes, camphor, phenolKVIC unit; raw material ₹1,30,440 a year
- Crude naphthalene (solid or liquid, 40–60% naphthalene)from steel-plant coke ovens and oil refineries; secure supply first
- Sulphuric acid and caustic sodafor refining
- Packing materialpouches; pouch sealing machine
From: KVIC Project Profile — Naphthalene Balls (PMEGP) · PMEGP sample project report — Napthalene Balls (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
Suppliers in Building Business Bazaar
Falcon Machineries · Ahmedabad →Himadri Specialty Chemicals Ltd · Kolkata →Labdhi Chemicals · Mumbai →Mahindra Vijay Engineering Company · Ahmedabad →Manish Minerals and Chemicals · Mumbai →Sre Latha Engineering Works · Madurai →Batliboi & co. silver Jubilee · Bengaluru →
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam
- GST
- NOC / consent from the State Pollution Control Board (the report says the unit uses hazardous chemicals)
- Fire NOC
- Factory licence for the larger unit
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
PMEGP (both are PMEGP reports) and CGTMSE fit; MUDRA fits the small KVIC unit (the sample report's bank finance is ₹21.61 L).
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: KVIC profile ₹1,30,610 = work shed (200 sq ft) ₹40,000 + equipment ₹25,000 + working capital ₹65,610. PMEGP sample report ₹24.00 L = plant & machinery ₹12.75 L + furniture ₹1.00 L + pre-operative ₹0.74 L + working capital ₹9.52 L (2,500 sq ft building rented or owned, no cost shown).
Working capital: Sample report: working capital ₹9.52 L (bank ₹8.57 L); raw material ₹28.80 L in year 1. KVIC: ₹65,610.
Year not printed on either report — check current machinery and chemical prices.
§8Export potential
Not classified here: naphthalene balls may fall under the chemical heading or under insect-repellent preparations depending on form; check ITC(HS).
§9Risks — where people fail
- Acid or fire accidents
- Raw material shortages
- Pollution-board action
- Health concerns about naphthalene
§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 naphthalene balls unit unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam, GST), 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 Naphthalene Balls Unit?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
- KVIC Project Profile — Naphthalene Balls (PMEGP)
- PMEGP sample project report — Napthalene Balls (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.