In India’s fast-growing packaging industry, every rupee counts. Whether you’re a startup entering the corrugated box business or a mid-sized unit expanding capacity, machinery is the single biggest cost. A brand-new corrugation machine can easily run into crores. But there’s a smarter way: buying used.
Here’s why used corrugation machines can literally save you lakhs without compromising on quality.
1. Huge Upfront Cost Savings
- New corrugator (automatic 5-ply plant): ₹3–6 crore
- Used/refurbished 5-ply plant: ₹1–2 crore
- New single-facer or semi-auto machine: ₹25–40 lakh
- Used single-facer: ₹10–15 lakh
That’s a saving of 40–70% upfront. For small manufacturers, this difference frees up working capital for raw material, staff, and customer acquisition instead of locking it into equipment.
2. Shorter Payback Period
A new machine can take 4–5 years to pay back through production profits. A used machine often recovers cost in just 1–2 years.
The faster the payback, the quicker you can reinvest profits into growth—whether that’s adding die-cutters, flexo printers, or expanding distribution.
3. Immediate Availability
- New machines: Import lead times are often 6–12 months.
- Used machines: Readily available from Indian suppliers and refurbishers.
That means you can start producing and earning revenue much sooner. For contracts with tight timelines, speed to market is as important as price.
4. Adequate for Local Demand
Not every unit needs a fully automated, 300 m/min corrugator. For regional clients—FMCG distributors, e-commerce sellers, and SMEs—a 5–10 year-old used machine is more than enough to meet demand.
Why overspend on capacity you won’t use? A well-maintained used machine produces quality boxes that satisfy 80% of the Indian market.
5. Lower Depreciation Risk
- New machines lose 20–30% of value as soon as they’re commissioned.
- Used machines are already depreciated—so resale losses are much lower.
If you ever need to pivot or scale differently, you can resell your used machine without taking a massive financial hit.
6. Easier Maintenance and Spares
Most used machines in India are well-established models from brands like Natraj, Neelkanth, Champion, or Bhullar Associates. That means:
- Spare parts are widely available.
- Technicians are already familiar with them.
- Downtime is shorter and cheaper compared to imported new lines.
7. Sustainability Bonus
Buying used is not just good for your wallet—it’s good for the planet. Extending the life of existing machines reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing new ones. For clients who value eco-conscious suppliers, this can even be a selling point.
Final Word
A used corrugation machine isn’t a compromise—it’s a smart financial decision. By choosing used over new, Indian packaging businesses can:
- Save lakhs (sometimes crores) in upfront investment.
- Get production running faster.
- Achieve ROI in record time.
For startups, small-scale units, or even established firms adding capacity, used corrugation machines are the simplest way to cut costs while staying competitive in a fast-growing industry.