§1What this business is

Torch cases are moulded from thermoplastics such as HDPE or polypropylene: coloured granules are pre-heated and fed to an injection moulding machine, and the moulded pieces are cooled, ejected and finished. Bulb holders and springs are made from brass strip and spring steel wire in a small metal shop and plated, and the torch is assembled and packed. Buyers are electrical and general-goods wholesalers, rural markets and institutional buyers.

Capacity: 3,00,000 torches a year.

§2Is it right for you?

Who it is for

Someone with plastic-moulding or electrical-goods trade experience and a dealer network.

Who it is not for

Someone who cannot compete with imported torches on price or design.

Advantages

  • Torches are needed in every home, shop and farm, especially where power cuts are common
  • The moulding machine can also make other plastic parts
  • Own moulds let you make your own design and brand

Drawbacks

  • The profile is built around miniature bulbs; buyers now expect LED torches, so the parts list needs updating
  • Cheap imported torches set prices
  • Moulds are costly and a new design needs a new mould

Skills you need

  • Injection moulding and mould care
  • Small metal parts and plating
  • Assembly and testing
  • Branding and dealer sales

Why difficulty 3/5: Moulding skill and design updates against cheap imports.

§3Market

Who buys

  • Electrical and general-goods wholesalers
  • Rural and small-town retail shops
  • Institutional buyers such as security agencies

How it sells

  • Electrical and general-goods distributors
  • Rural haats and fairs
  • Online marketplaces under your own brand

Good to know

  • Torches sell best with a battery bundle or a clear warranty.

§4Raw material & machinery

ItemQtyCost
Fully automatic injection moulding machine with hydraulic die closing——
Set of moulds——
Electroplating plant——
Metal fabricating unit (for bulb holders and springs)——

From: NSIC project profile — Plastic Flash Light Torches — private guide — confirm locally

  • Polypropylene or HDPE granules80 kg, as printed (period not stated)
  • Brass strip
  • Spring steel wire
  • Miniature bulbs

From: NSIC project profile — Plastic Flash Light Torches — private guide — confirm locally

In our raw material database

ABS resin →

§5Licences & registration

  1. Udyam registration
  2. GST registration
  3. Consent to establish and operate from the State Pollution Control Board (moulding, plating)
  4. Factory licence if your worker count crosses the Factories Act limit
  5. Check the current BIS Quality Control Order list — if your product is covered, you need a BIS licence before selling
  6. Registration under the E-Waste (Management) Rules for producers of electrical goods, where it applies

We can do this registration for you

§6Schemes & subsidies

PMEGP fits (₹48.86 lakh, just under the ₹50 lakh manufacturing limit); CGTMSE for a loan without collateral; Stand-Up India for SC/ST and women founders.

§7Money

How the investment is worked out: The NSIC profile prints one figure for machinery and equipment plus 3 months' working capital (raw material, utilities and salary): ₹48.86 lakh. It gives no split between the two, and land and building are not included.

Working capital: Working capital for 3 months (raw material, utilities and salary) is inside the ₹48.86 lakh total; the profile prints no separate figure.

Year not printed on the NSIC profile (an older NSIC Training-cum-Incubation Centre sheet) — check current machinery and material prices.

How to prepare a loan file

§8Export potential

Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export

8513.10Portable electric lamps designed to function by their own source of energy (torches)
  • Confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker before shipping.
  • You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.

§9Risks — where people fail

  • Price war with imports
  • Technology shift to LED and rechargeable torches
  • Plastic granule price rises
  • Unsold stock of old designs

§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan

A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.

  1. Days 1–30: Visit a working plastic torch (flashlight) manufacturing unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
  2. Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST registration), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
  3. Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.

§11Who to connect with

Not verified yet

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 Torch (Flashlight) Manufacturing?

DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.

Get a DPR / loan file made

Sources

  1. NSIC project profile — Plastic Flash Light Torches

Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.