Chalk making or chalk production business can be initiated as home based and small scale basis. In developing countries still chalk is used for writing in blackboards in schools. Apart from schools, educations and training institutes, chalks are used by tailors, furniture makers, construction workers and by many industries. Chalks are actually round shaped sticks and it comes either as white or in colours.
In developing countries like India, the number of school going children is increasing year after year. The students enrolled in primary levels are increasing with spread of literacy and Govt. regulation for making primary education compulsory. So it is predictable that, the demand of white chalk and colour chalk will be in increasing mode for coming years. Any entrepreneur can initiate chalk making business with small startup capital investment.
CHALK MAKING BUSINESS REGISTRATION
In starting chalk making business first determine your company’s ownership pattern and register with ROC accordingly. Apply for Trade License and Pan Card. You will need to open a Current Bank Account. You may register your business as SSI Unit. The BIS specification for chalk crayons are IS : 2694-1963 moulded white school chalks and IS : 4222-14967 moulded coloured chalks. It is advisable to obtain a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from Pollution Control Board.
CHALK MAKING RAW MATERIAL
In chalk making the major raw material is Plaster of Paris, the scientific name is calcium carbonate. Other than this you will need to have China clay, white cement, lubricant, and different colours. Colours are required only if you want to produce colourful chalks. Generally card board packaging is used for chalk packing purpose.
CHALK MAKING MACHINES
There are several manual and automatic chalk making machines are available globally. According to the desired production quality and output you will need to select the right machinery. For manual operation there two types of machines you will find. One is aluminium and other one is gun metal.
You can also establish a fully automatic chalk making operation. Automatic chalk making setup includes suppling water automatically, mixing material by electric mixer, filling and taking off mould all the work are in a round assembly line. You will get 120,000 to 150,000 pieces per day production output out of these machines.
You will also need some equipment such as Scrapers, Paint brushes, Dryer, Hand gloves etc.
CHALK MAKING PROCESS
Cleaning of moulds applying lubricant consisting of Kerosene and Groundnut oil in ratio 4 : 1 → Setting moulds in wooden frames → Mixing of plaster of paris and china clay in a enamel bowl along with other additives like whitening agents / colouring agents → Adding water in required quantity slowly till a homogenous mixture is formed → Pouring mixture into moulds → Allowing for settling → Removing excess materials from moulds → Slowly removing chalk sticks from moulds → Placing in wooden trays for initial drying and then under sunlight. Testing for strength and smoothness in writing and packing in wooden boxes.
