Product Description: Blue print papers are types of coated papers used to make photocopies of engineering designs and plans. These papers are widely used in civil engineering, architectural and drafting works. Once original designs and plans are prepared, several copies of these designs and plans are made using blue print papers. At a time when there are many civil engineering works, there is a large demand for blue prints papers.
Market Potential: As stated in many other project ideas, the construction industry (buildings, roads, bridges, dams and other civil works) is expanding at an unprecented level. As a result, consumption of blue print papers has been increasing every year during the last ten years. Unfortunately all the blue print paper requirements of the country have been met through imports. But there is a possibility of producing this product in the country. A plant that could produce one ton of blue print paper per day has the scale of economies which makes it financially viable.
Source of Raw materials: The main inputs are a type of paper or plastics made for this purpose and different kinds of chemicals. The inputs will be imported.
Process and Technology: The main purpose in the coating operation is to produce a sheet with an even semi absorbent surface for printing. This is affected by covering the fibers on the surface of the paper and filling hollows between them with finally divided matter, mixed with an adhesive or size when the paper is calendared. The result is a smooth even surface which reproduce the half ton lots of the printing plate much more accurately than any plain paper. The coating is applied in a continuous web of paper on one or both sides at the same time and at a speed to 1200 r.p.m.
Estimated Investment: For a plant which can produce 250 tons of blue paper per year, the estimated investment will be:-
Building/shade 300m2 at Birr 1500/m2 = Birr 450,000
Machinery …………………………………….. = Birr 200,000
Working capital …………………………….. = Birr 300,000
Total = Birr 950,000
Benefits: similar to other project ideas.
Location: Bahir Dar, Debre Birhan.