§1What this business is
Filter paper is placed by hand in a mould, and a vertical injection-moulding machine over-moulds melted plastic pellets around it; after water cooling the finished filter is ejected and packed. The filter stops dust from entering the engine, so every two-wheeler needs one and replaces it during servicing. Each vehicle model needs its own mould.
Capacity: 700 pieces a day; 2,10,000 a year at full capacity (report plans 60% in year 1 to 80% in year 5).
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
Someone with plastic-moulding or auto spare-parts trade experience.
Who it is not for
Someone without access to spare-parts dealers or mould makers.
Advantages
- Every two-wheeler needs a filter and replaces it at service
- One moulding machine runs the whole plant
- Good gross margin — 26–31% in the report
- Large replacement market beyond vehicle makers
Drawbacks
- A new mould is needed for each vehicle model
- Debt cover is tight in the first two years (DSCR 1.26–1.37)
- Branded and OEM filters dominate dealer shelves
- Electric two-wheelers do not need air filters
Skills you need
- Injection moulding
- Mould setting and maintenance
- Quality checks on filtration
- Selling to spare-parts dealers and garages
Why difficulty 3/5: One machine and a simple process, but tight early cash flow and mould costs.
§3Market
Who buys
- Two-wheeler service garages
- Spare-parts retailers
- Vehicle makers (original equipment)
How it sells
- Spare-parts wholesalers
- Direct supply to garages
Good to know
- The report says demand is tied to two-wheeler production plus replacement demand.
- It quotes Indian automotive filter market growth above 10% a year for 2017–2023.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single-slide table-type vertical injection moulding machine | 1 | ₹8,40,000 |
| Other machines and equipment | — | ₹40,000 |
| GST on machinery | — | ₹1,58,400 |
From: PMEGP sample project report — Air Filter (Two Wheeler) Unit (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
- Plastic pellets (e.g. PP, as per vehicle model)28,000 kg a year at ₹85/kg at full capacity
- Filter paper (3-micron)4,900 kg a year at ₹130/kg
- Packing material₹2,00,000 a year lump sum
From: PMEGP sample project report — Air Filter (Two Wheeler) Unit (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam
- GST
- Trade licence
- Pollution consent as per state category
- Trademark for the brand (optional)
§6Schemes & subsidies
PMEGP sample project at ₹25.80 L; CGTMSE can cover the collateral-free loan.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: Building/shed ₹9.00 L (civil work taken at 600 sq ft) + plant & machinery ₹10.50 L + furniture ₹0.75 L + working capital margin ₹5.55 L = ₹25.80 L. Finance: own ₹2.58 L, term loan ₹18.23 L, working capital ₹5.00 L.
Working capital: Working capital ₹5.55 L, of which ₹5.00 L is bank finance; debtors are the largest part.
Year not printed on the report — check current machinery prices.
§8Export potential
Export council / board: EEPC India
- The report prints no HS code; confirm the ITC(HS) line with DGFT before exporting.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Shift to electric two-wheelers
- Plastic pellet price swings
- Mould cost for new models
- Price competition from unbranded filters
§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 two-wheeler air filters 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 Two-Wheeler Air Filters?
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.