Sal Leaf Plate and Bowl

Sal Leaf Plate and Bowls

Sal Leaf Plate and bowl manufacturing unit (by mechanised way) may be set up where Sal leaves are abundantly available in forest regions. The primary raw material will be naturally fallen Sal leaves, stitched together either manually or with a leaf-stitching machine, ensuring year-round availability through local collection networks. The main machinery required includes sewing machines, Ball Press machine and hydraulic or semi-automatic Plate making Machine, used for pressing and shaping the stitched leaves into disposable plates and bowls, with each machine having a production capacity of around 1,500–3,000 plates per 8 hours depending on the die size and automation. The cost of machines ranges between ₹50,000 to ₹1,85,000, depending on the model and level of automation. The production process involves collection and stitching of Sal leaves, pressing them in the hydraulic machine into required sizes, drying, quality checking and finally bundling for sale. The unit can be operated efficiently within a minimum area of 500–800 sq. ft. The finished products are eco-friendly disposable plates and bowls that serve as a sustainable alternative to plastic tableware, with wide applications in households, catering, food stalls, community functions, hotels, and religious ceremonies. The products can be sold in local markets, wholesale, eco-friendly product outlets, supplied directly to caterers, restaurants, and event organisers, while there is also strong export demand of the products, along with good sales potential through online platforms.