§1What this business is
HDPE resin (97–98%) is mixed with 2–3% master colour, melted in the extruder and blown into a jerry-can mould with compressed air; the cans are cooled, trimmed, checked and packed. The report is for a 5-litre can of about 200 g. Colours often mark the contents (for example red for petrol, yellow for diesel).
Capacity: 1,000 five-litre cans a day, 3,00,000 a year; year 1 at 70%, sold at ₹36 a can. HDPE 45,000 kg a year at ₹72 a kg.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
Someone with buyers among oil packers, lubricant or chemical companies.
Who it is not for
Someone without bulk buyers — the plant needs high utilisation to pay off.
Advantages
- Used for edible oil, chemicals, lubricants, fuel and drinking water
- HDPE is light, leak-proof and resists most solvents
- Steady industrial demand
- Grinder recycles rejects
Drawbacks
- High break-even (54%)
- Machinery is most of the cost
- Cans for dangerous goods must meet strict standards
- Bulky — freight cost
Skills you need
- Blow moulding
- Wall-thickness and leak testing
- Industrial sales
- Machine and compressor maintenance
Why difficulty 3/5: High break-even; needs assured bulk orders.
§3Market
Who buys
- Edible oil packers
- Chemical and lubricant companies
- Agro-chemical firms
- Households (water, kerosene)
How it sells
- Direct supply to packers
- Packaging dealers
Good to know
- The report expects about 3% yearly global growth, driven by the chemicals, oil and lubricant industries.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Blow moulding machine | 1 | ₹14,90,000 |
| Air compressor, 15 HP | 1 | ₹2,40,000 |
| Refrigerated moisture separator | 1 | ₹1,30,000 |
| Cooling tower, 30 tonne | 1 | ₹80,000 |
| Grinder | 1 | ₹2,40,000 |
| 5-litre blow mould | 1 | ₹1,20,000 |
| Water pump, 2 HP | 1 | ₹15,000 |
| Other equipment and hand tools | 1 lot | ₹35,000 |
From: PMEGP sample project report — Plastic Jerry Cans (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
- HDPE resin (food grade)45,000 kg a year at ₹72 a kg (full capacity)
- Master colour2,200 kg a year at ₹150 a kg; 2–3% of the mix
From: PMEGP sample project report — Plastic Jerry Cans (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
In our raw material database
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam
- GST
- NOC from the State Pollution Control Board (report)
- EPR registration on the CPCB portal (Plastic Waste Management Rules, plastic packaging)
§6Schemes & subsidies
PMEGP (report is a PMEGP sample); CGTMSE for collateral-free credit. The cost is above the ₹20 L MUDRA limit.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: Samadhan report: plant & machinery ₹23.50 L, furniture ₹1.50 L, working capital ₹7.22 L = ₹32.22 L. Land own or rented.
Working capital: ₹7.22 L, bank finance ₹6.50 L.
Year not printed on the report — check current machinery prices.
§8Export potential
Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export
Export council / board: PLEXCONCIL (Plastics Export Promotion Council)
- HS codes are from the WCO HS 2022 list; confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker.
- You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Low utilisation (break-even 54%)
- Resin prices
- Losing a key buyer
- Plastic rule changes
§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 plastic jerry can manufacturing 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 Plastic Jerry Can Manufacturing?
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.