Iran Food Packaging Market Overview
Iran's food packaging industry is valued at approximately USD 5-7 billion, with dairy packaging representing the largest single segment. The country's 85 million population has one of the highest per capita dairy consumption rates in the Middle East. Major dairy producers include Kalleh (market leader with approximately 30% share), Pegah, Mihan, Damdaran, and Chin Chin, collectively operating over 150 dairy processing plants. Iran produces approximately 6.5 million tons of raw milk annually, with yogurt and yogurt drinks (doogh) consuming a significant portion. The plastic packaging sector employs an estimated 45,000 workers across 2,500+ enterprises. Iran's strategic policy of industrial self-sufficiency has driven local investment in packaging machinery, yet the country still imports approximately 40-50% of its injection molding equipment by value. Chinese machinery holds an estimated 35-45% market share by volume in Iran's plastics machinery imports, competing primarily against Korean (LS Mtron, Woojin Plaimm) and Turkish suppliers.
Key Specs
- •Major dairy producers include Kalleh (market leader with approximately 30% share), Pegah, Mihan, Damdaran, and Chin Chin, collectively operating over 150 dairy processing plants.
- •Iran's strategic policy of industrial self-sufficiency has driven local investment in packaging machinery, yet the country still imports approximately 40-50% of its injection molding equipment by value.
- •Chinese machinery holds an estimated 35-45% market share by volume in Iran's plastics machinery imports, competing primarily against Korean (LS Mtron, Woojin Plaimm) and Turkish suppliers.
Finished yogurt cups — high-speed thin-wall production
Key Opportunities: Yogurt Cup Production Sector
Iranian yogurt cups follow distinct regional formats. The standard single-serve cup is 100-200 ml, weighing 4.5-7.0 g in food-grade PP with 0.40-0.55 mm wall thickness. Larger family-size containers (500 ml-1500 ml) are also significant, especially for traditional strained yogurt (mast). IML adoption in Iran has accelerated since 2018, with major brands like Kalleh and Pegah transitioning from printed labels to IML for premium product lines. A 4-cavity IML yogurt cup mold on the HMD 270M8-SPV (2,700 kN) produces 3,200-4,114 cups per hour at 3.5-4.5 second cycles, while an 8-cavity mold on the HMD 400M8-SPV reaches 6,400-8,228 cups per hour. Iranian cup geometry typically features a 70-90 mm top diameter, 50-65 mm bottom diameter, and 55-75 mm height. The domestic PP resin supply includes SABIC-equivalent grades from local petrochemical producers such as Jam Petrochemical and Shazand Petrochemical, priced at approximately $950-1,100/MT.
Import Regulations and Certification Requirements
Injection molding machines enter Iran under HS code 8477.10.00 with import duty rates of approximately 4-10% depending on specific classification and current trade policies. VAT is 9%. Iran's food packaging materials must comply with ISIRI (Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran) standards, including ISIRI 7186 for plastic food contact materials and ISIRI 2326 for migration testing. Food-grade PP must demonstrate overall migration below 10 mg/dm2 and specific migration compliance for relevant substances. Import licensing for industrial machinery requires registration with the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade. Payment settlement for Chinese machinery imports commonly uses alternative banking channels, letter of credit through intermediary banks in Dubai or Turkey, or direct RMB settlement through the China-Iran bilateral trade framework. HWAMDA has established payment processing channels for Iranian clients through its Dubai-based trade facilitation network, supporting LC and TT payment terms.
Key Specs
- •Injection molding machines enter Iran under HS code 8477.10.00 with import duty rates of approximately 4-10% depending on specific classification and current trade policies.
- •VAT is 9%.
Multi-cavity yogurt cup mold with precision cooling channels
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HWAMDA Equipment Configuration for Iran
For the Iranian yogurt cup market, HWAMDA recommends the HMD 270M8-SPV (2,700 kN) for 4-cavity startup operations and the HMD 400M8-SPV (4,000 kN) for 8-cavity high-volume production. The HMD 270M8-SPV provides 368 mm/s injection speed, 530-595 cm3 injection volume, and compact 6.2 x 1.7 x 2.4 m dimensions suitable for Iran's typical factory layouts. Its 37+37 kW dual servo pump system operates efficiently at Iran's average industrial electricity rate of $0.01-0.03/kWh (subsidized). For IML applications, the SWITEK SW8 robot integrates with both models. The mold specification uses 2344 (H13) steel with valve gate hot runners, designed for 125-200 ml Iranian-format cups with 0.40-0.50 mm sidewall and 0.35-0.40 mm bottom thickness. All machines are configured for 380V/50Hz electrical supply standard to Iranian grid specifications. The INOVA controller provides English and Farsi-compatible character display. Mold cooling uses dedicated chillers rated for ambient temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius, critical for Iranian summer conditions.
Logistics and After-Sales Support for Iran
HWAMDA ships from Ningbo to Iran via two primary routes. The sea route to Bandar Abbas port takes 20-25 days with ocean freight of approximately $2,800-4,500 per 40ft container. From Bandar Abbas, inland transport to Tehran, Isfahan, and Tabriz takes 2-5 days by truck. The alternative route via Jebel Ali (Dubai) takes 15-18 days from Ningbo, with transshipment to Iran adding 3-5 days and enabling HWAMDA's Dubai office to coordinate customs documentation. Installation and commissioning requires 5-7 days by HWAMDA engineers familiar with Iranian site conditions, including power quality assessment (voltage stabilizers may be recommended where grid fluctuations exceed +/-5%). Training covers machine operation, INOVA controller programming, mold maintenance, and troubleshooting over 3-5 days. Spare parts are stocked at HWAMDA's Dubai warehouse for rapid delivery to Iran (3-7 days via air freight or 7-12 days via land). Common spares include hydraulic seals, barrel heater bands, thermocouples, and solenoid valves.
Key Specs
- •Installation and commissioning requires 5-7 days by HWAMDA engineers familiar with Iranian site conditions, including power quality assessment (voltage stabilizers may be recommended where grid fluctuations exceed +/-5%).
Hot runner system for balanced melt flow distribution
Getting Started: Investment and ROI for Iran
A complete 4-cavity yogurt cup line for Iran includes: HMD 270M8-SPV ($55,000-70,000), 4-cavity IML mold ($12,000-18,000), SWITEK IML robot ($15,000-20,000), chiller and auxiliaries ($5,000-8,000), and shipping ($3,000-5,000). Total: $90,000-121,000. An 8-cavity line with HMD 400M8-SPV totals $140,000-190,000. The 4-cavity line produces approximately 20-25 million cups annually. Using domestic PP at $950-1,100/MT and 6 g per cup, material cost is $0.0057-0.0066 per cup. With Iran's low electricity costs ($0.01-0.03/kWh) and labor rates, total production cost reaches approximately $0.008-0.011 per cup. Domestic selling prices for IML yogurt cups in Iran range from IRR 3,000-6,000 ($0.020-0.040 at parallel market rates), yielding gross margins of 60-80%. Given Iran's import substitution incentives and domestic demand growth, payback periods of 10-16 months are achievable. HWAMDA offers flexible payment structures including 30% advance, 60% before shipment, and 10% after commissioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
HWAMDA facilitates Iran orders through its Dubai-based trade network, supporting payment via LC through intermediary banks in the UAE or Turkey, direct TT to HWAMDA's Ningbo account via approved channels, and RMB settlement under the China-Iran bilateral trade agreement. Standard terms are 30% advance payment, 60% before shipment against B/L copy, and 10% after successful commissioning. Contact sales@hwamdaglobal.com for current payment options.
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