Food Container Production Machine for Iran Market

Iran's food container market is a significant segment within the country's USD 5-7 billion food packaging industry. The rapid expansion of Iran's food delivery ecosystem (Snappfood, Digikala food), urban takeout culture, and modern supermarket chains (Hyperstar/Carrefour, Refah, Ofogh Koorosh) drives growing demand for thin-wall PP containers. Iran produces approximately 200,000+ metric tons of disposable food packaging annually, with 60-70% using PP. Major packaging converters include Golrang Industrial Group (Pakshoo), Pars Pak, Iran Melamine, and numerous SMEs in Tehran, Isfahan, and Tabriz industrial zones. The domestic PP supply from petrochemical giants Jam Petrochemical, Shazand Petrochemical, Marjan Petrochemical, and Arya Sasol provides cost-competitive raw material at approximately $900-1,100/MT (lower than international prices due to domestic supply and subsidies). Iran's import substitution policies actively encourage local food packaging production, creating a protected market for domestic manufacturers.

Import conditions match those for yogurt cup machinery: HS code 8477.10.00 with 4-10% duty and 9% VAT. ISIRI food contact standards (ISIRI 7186, ISIRI 2326) apply to food containers, with particular attention to migration testing for containers intended for hot food (above 70 degrees Celsius). Containers for microwave use must pass thermal resistance testing. Iran's Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade import registration applies. Payment channels follow the same structure as yogurt cup machinery: alternative banking through Dubai or Turkey, LC through intermediary banks, or RMB bilateral settlement. HWAMDA's Dubai trade facilitation network handles Iran-bound food container machinery orders. Container molds are classified as industrial tooling and import alongside the machine under the same customs documentation. Iranian standards organizations in Tehran and provincial capitals provide food contact certification, typically requiring 30-45 days for testing and approval.

For Iran's food container market, HWAMDA recommends the HMD 400M8-SPV (4,000 kN) for 2-4 cavity molds producing 500-750 ml round containers, the HMD 480M8-SPV (4,800 kN) for 4-6 cavity 500 ml molds or 2-4 cavity 1000 ml molds, and the HMD 530M8-SPV (5,300 kN) for higher cavity configurations. The HMD 480M8-SPV provides 385-422 mm/s injection speed, 763-839 cm3 injection volume, and 1,190 x 1,140 mm platen. For round container molds common in Iran, the circular cavity layout optimizes platen utilization. Molds use 2344 (H13) steel with valve gate hot runners from YUDO, designed for Iranian-standard round container diameters (110-150 mm) with snap-fit lid integration. Iran's summer heat (40-48 degrees Celsius in central and southern regions) requires tropical cooling packages. Voltage stabilizers (50-75 kVA) and generator backup (150-200 kVA) are recommended for Iranian installations outside major industrial zones. The INOVA controller provides English interface with Farsi-compatible displays.

A complete 4-cavity 500 ml round container line for Iran: HMD 400M8-SPV ($85,000-110,000), 4-cavity round container mold ($16,000-25,000), SWITEK take-out robot ($12,000-18,000), chiller with tropical package ($6,000-10,000), voltage stabilizer ($3,000-5,000), and shipping ($3,500-6,000). Total: $125,500-174,000. Operating at 4 cavities, 6-second cycles, and 80% OEE, annual output reaches approximately 14 million containers. Material cost at 12 g per container and $1,000/MT domestic PP is $0.012 per container. With Iran's subsidized electricity ($0.01-0.03/kWh) and competitive labor, total production cost is approximately $0.018-0.024 per container. Iranian wholesale prices for 500 ml PP containers range from IRR 5,000-10,000 ($0.033-0.067), yielding gross margins of 45-65%. Iran's protected domestic market and low material costs create favorable economics. Payback period is estimated at 12-20 months.