Cotton buds are short spindles with one or both ends coated with absorbent cotton padding. Such buds have long been used for various cosmetic and personal hygiene tasks, particularly for cleaning the ear. Cotton buds design has advanced significantly.
While infant care is one of the most popular uses for cotton swabs, they are commonly used in other areas as well. These other applications have their own special design requirements. For example, cotton buds used to apply colour cosmetics can be made with special flocked tips made of non-woven fibers.
What is a Cotton Bud & How it is Made?
There are three primary components involved in cotton buds manufacturing: the spindle or stick, which forms the body of the buds; the absorbent material coated onto the spindle ends; and the package used to contain the cotton buds.
Spindles can be sticks made of wood, rolled paper, or extruded plastic. They can be made to different specifications depending on the intended use. Personal care products are fairly small and lightweight and are only about 3 in (75 mm) long.
Cotton is most often used as an end covering for buds because of its absorbent properties, fiber strength, and low cost. Blends of cotton with other fibrous materials may also be used; rayon is sometimes used in this regard.
Packaging can be done with a clear plastic pet with several size varieties as per requirement.
Is Cotton Buds Manufacturing Business Profitable?
The increasing penetration of cotton buds into modern retailing as well traditional grocery retailers has increased the sales volume. Furthermore, manufacturers diversifying their product ranges from adult-centric to baby and children-centric also helped sales to grow.
Suggested Read: Top Small Scale Manufacturing Business Ideas
Local non-brand products which are becoming popular across rural India and also in smaller cities will be the key focus for all manufacturers as they are priced much lower when compared to branded products and value shares are increasing year on year.
Cotton Buds Manufacturing Project Synopsis
Here is the project cost of starting a cotton manufacturing business with a plant capacity of 75000 pieces:
| Plant Capacity: 75000 pieces | Plant & Machinery: Rupees 6 Lakh |
| Working Capital: Rupees 11 Lakh | Total Capital Investment: Rupees 22 Lakhs |
| Return: 55% | Break-Even: 48% |
The actual cost of the project may deviate from a change of any of the assumptions. We can modify the project capacity and project cost as per your requirement.
Rupak Chakrabarty
Rupak is the founder of MUVSI. He is a small business consultant by profession. His mission is to make people know how to make money and understand personal finance for a better living.