§1What this business is
Raw (rock) sulphur is crushed in a jaw crusher and ground in a roller pulveriser with a cyclone and dust collector, then sieved, checked for iron and bagged. Sulphur dust can explode, so the grinding system limits air and uses inert gas, and the store must be well ventilated. Buyers are pesticide and fertiliser makers, rubber and tyre units, match and fireworks units, and agri-input dealers.
Capacity: 2 MT a day, 600 MT a year; 60% in year 1 rising to 80%.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A chemical or agri-input trader who can run a dust-safe grinding plant.
Who it is not for
Anyone who will cut corners on fire safety.
Advantages
- Many buyers: farming, rubber, matches, fireworks, chemicals
- Simple size-reduction process
- Indian Standard IS 8851 gives a clear quality target
- Raw material available from refineries (the report)
Drawbacks
- Sulphur dust can explode or catch fire
- Raw sulphur price follows world markets
- Low margin per tonne
- Needs a fire licence and safety systems
Skills you need
- Grinding and sieving to mesh size
- Dust-explosion safety
- Quality testing to IS 8851
- Selling to industrial buyers
Why difficulty 3/5: Simple grinding, but fire and dust safety must be taken seriously.
§3Market
Who buys
- Pesticide, fungicide and fertiliser makers
- Rubber and tyre units
- Match and fireworks units
- Chemical, battery and paper industries
How it sells
- Direct supply to factories
- Agri-input dealers
Good to know
- The report suggests Kanpur as a location because of its rubber, fireworks and match units.
- It says rock sulphur was imported through MMTC and is now available from Indian Petrochemicals in sufficient quantity.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Roller pulveriser with cyclone separator, dust collector and blower, 300 kg an hour at 200 mesh | 1 | ₹7,50,000 |
| Electric motor 25 HP with starter, ammeter, voltmeter and accessories | 2 | ₹80,000 (₹40,000 each) |
| Magnetic separator for iron (manual) | 1 | ₹10,000 |
| Bag stitching machine | 3 | ₹3,000 (₹1,000 each) |
| Weighing balance | 1 | ₹10,000 |
| Miscellaneous tools and accessories | 1 lot | ₹50,000 |
| Testing equipment | 1 lot | ₹20,000 |
| Installation and transportation (10%) | — | ₹50,000 |
From: PMEGP sample project report — Sulphur Powder (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
- Raw (rock) sulphur600 MT a year at ₹13,000 per MT = ₹78 L at full capacity
- Polythene-lined jute bags1,000 at ₹12
From: PMEGP sample project report — Sulphur Powder (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam
- GST
- Fire department licence (the report requires it)
- Factory licence
- State Pollution Control Board consent
- Insecticides Act registration if you sell sulphur dust as a pesticide
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
- Stand-Up IndiaCentralClosed₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore loan
PMEGP (the report was made for it), CGTMSE for a collateral-free loan, Stand-Up India for SC/ST or women founders.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: PMEGP sample report: building/shed ₹3.50 L, plant & machinery ₹9.73 L, furniture ₹0.50 L, pre-operative ₹0.50 L, working capital ₹10.38 L = ₹24.60 L. Land 7,500 sq ft rented or owned.
Working capital: Working capital ₹10.38 L (bank ₹9.34 L): 30 days of raw sulphur and 30 days of finished powder.
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
- Confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Fire or dust explosion
- Raw sulphur price swings
- Seasonal farm demand
- Worker eye, skin and lung irritation
§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 sulphur powder grinding 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 Sulphur Powder Grinding Unit?
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.