Noodles Manufacturing Plant Setup Cost

Report Overview:

IMARC Group’s report, titled “Noodles Manufacturing Plant Project Report 2025: Industry Trends, Plant Setup, Machinery, Raw Materials, Investment Opportunities, Cost and Revenue” provides a complete roadmap for setting up a noodles manufacturing plant. It covers a comprehensive market overview to micro-level information such as unit operations involved, raw material requirements, utility requirements, infrastructure requirements, machinery and technology requirements, manpower requirements, packaging requirements, transportation requirements, etc. The noodles project report provides detailed insights into project economics, including capital investments, project funding, operating expenses, income and expenditure projections, fixed costs vs. variable costs, direct and indirect costs, expected ROI and net present value (NPV), profit and loss account, financial analysis, etc.

What are Noodles?

Noodles are a type of staple food made from unleavened dough, which is rolled flat and cut into long strips or strings. They are typically made from wheat flour, rice flour, or other starches such as mung bean or potato. Noodles can be cooked by boiling, stir-frying, or deep-frying and are popular in various global cuisines, especially in Asia. They come in many shapes, textures, and flavors, ranging from soft and chewy to thin and crispy. Noodles are often served in soups, salads, or with sauces, making them a versatile and widely enjoyed food item.

Noodles Manufacturing Plant: Key Highlights

• Process Used: Extrusion process
• End-use Industries: Food and beverage, hospitality, restaurants and catering services, retail (supermarkets and grocery stores), and exports
• Applications: Used in ready-to-eat meals, instant food products, frozen food packs, restaurant dishes, and quick-cook home meals

A noodles manufacturing plant is a facility designed to produce various types of noodles by transforming raw materials such as wheat flour, water, and optional additives into finished products through a sequence of controlled processes. Key components of the plant include mixing units for dough preparation, kneading and rolling machines to develop gluten and form dough sheets, cutting machines to shape noodles, and steaming or boiling units for pre-cooking in the case of instant noodles. Depending on the product type, noodles are then dried using hot air chambers or fried in oil to enhance shelf life and texture. Cooling conveyors bring the product to ambient temperature before packaging machines portion and seal the noodles for distribution. Sanitation, food safety controls, and quality assurance systems are critical throughout the process to meet industry standards. These plants cater to diverse markets, supplying fresh, dried, or instant noodles for retail, foodservice, and export sectors.

Noodles Industry Outlook 2025:

The noodle market is developing in several key areas, including growing demand from urban consumers for easy and ready-to-eat products. Urban low-income and middle-class communities are growing in terms of population and spending power, which will create additional demand in the noodle market. Alongside the demand for noodles, the increasing popularity of Asian cuisine around the world is impacting market expansion. Innovations in product lines, such as health-based noodles made from whole grains or and/or millets or noodles made from fortified ingredients, are appealing to health-conscious consumers. The growth of e-retail, along with an improved retail infrastructure including supermarkets and hypermarkets, has expanded the consumer base. Many marketing strategies are aimed at younger demographic membership, and with a wide assortment of flavors and packaging styles the noodle industry supports consumer consumption while sustaining demand domestically and internationally. Take for example, in September 2022, Wai Wai entered a new product line in embrace of the growing Korean culture in India and introduced Spicy Korean-style hot noodles made with one of the world’s most famous chilies Bhut Jolokia. This premium style was made with three distinct flavors Akbari, Dynamite, and Pyro, and was designed specifically for consumers in several of the Northeast Indian locations. Trends, such as the growing Korean culture, combined with events reflect trending localized tastes, that aim product innovation within the noodle market.

Noodles Market Trends and Growth Drivers:

Rising disposable incomes

The noodle market in India is mainly driven by the growing per capita disposable income in the country, which has allowed for an increased ability to spend on convenient packaged food items. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), per capita disposable income has increased from US$ 2.11 thousand in 2019 to US$ 2.54 thousand in 2023. The increase in disposable income is indicative of a growing middle class with buying power that leads to a surge in demand for such quick and convenient meal options through instant noodles. Furthermore, as it becomes easier to pay for products, there has also been growth in premium or value-added noodles with consumers supporting their palate by trying flavors and health-focused formulations or willing to pay for the brand.

Emerging players and product innovation

The noodle market is being driven by new entrants and product innovations from homegrown brands to pique consumer interest through different flavors and convenient options. Take Wow! Momo, homegrown restaurant chain and leader in the QSR segment, who launched Wow! Noodles in March 2025 — their entry into the instant noodles space under Asian and Indian flavors. The brand has an ambitious revenue target of Rs 100 crore in 24 months, with plans to enter both traditional channels and its D2C website. These moves from established regional players also serve to increase competition and drive the market further by giving consumers more products to choose from, and products that cater to local tastes and preferences.

Latest Industry Developments:

• March 2025: Blue Dragon, a well-known Asian food brand from the UK, announced its entry into the Indian market by appointing Sunbeam Mercantile Ventures as its authorized importer and marketer. The company aims to innovate and develop products that cater to Indian consumers’ preferences in taste and texture.
• November 2024: FMCG companies looked to capitalize on the growing popularity of Korean-style noodles in India. Nestlé India expanded its Maggi brand by launching Maggi Korean noodles in two flavors: BBQ Chicken and BBQ Veg.
• January 2023: WickedGud, a consumer-direct health food company, introduced a new range of instant noodles made from a mixture of oats, lentils, whole wheat, millets, and brown rice. These noodles are devoid of maida (refined flour), have no added oils, and no trace of harmful chemicals whatsoever, providing a better choice for a more healthy instant noodle.

Leading Noodles Manufacturers:

Leading manufacturers in the global noodles industry include several multinational food companies with extensive production capacities and diverse product portfolios. Key players include:

• Nestlé
• ITC
• The Kraft Heinz Company
• Unilever
• Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

all of which operate large-scale facilities and serve end-use sectors such as food and beverage, hospitality, restaurants and catering services, retail (supermarkets and grocery stores), and exports.

Noodles Plant Setup Requirements

Detailed Process Flow:

The manufacturing process is a multi-step operation that involves several unit operations, material handling, and quality checks. Below are the main stages involved in the noodles manufacturing process flow:

• Unit Operations Involved
• Mass Balance and Raw Material Requirements
• Quality Assurance Criteria
• Technical Tests

Key Considerations for Establishing a Noodles Manufacturing Plant:

Setting up a noodles manufacturing plant requires evaluating several key factors, including technological requirements and quality assurance. Some of the critical considerations include:

• Site Selection: The location must offer easy access to key raw materials such as wheat flour, water, salt, edible oil, and alkaline agents. Proximity to target markets will help minimize distribution costs. The site must have robust infrastructure, including reliable transportation, utilities, and waste management systems. Compliance with local zoning laws and environmental regulations must also be ensured.​
• Plant Layout Optimization: The layout should be optimized to enhance workflow efficiency, safety, and minimize material handling. Separate areas for raw material storage, production, quality control, and finished goods storage must be designated. Space for future expansion should be incorporated to accommodate business growth.​
• Equipment Selection: High-quality, corrosion-resistant machinery tailored for noodles production must be selected. Essential equipment includes dough mixers, noodle cutters, drying ovens, frying machines, and packaging machines. All machinery must comply with industry standards for safety, efficiency, and reliability.​
• Raw Material Sourcing: Reliable suppliers must be secured for raw materials like wheat flour, water, salt, edible oil, and alkaline agents to ensure consistent production quality. Minimizing transportation costs by selecting nearby suppliers is essential. Sustainability and supply chain risks must be assessed, and long-term contracts should be negotiated to stabilize pricing and ensure a steady supply.
• Safety and Environmental Compliance: Safety protocols must be implemented throughout the manufacturing process of noodles. Advanced monitoring systems should be installed to detect leaks or deviations in the process. Effluent treatment systems are necessary to minimize environmental impact and ensure compliance with emission standards.​
• Quality Assurance Systems: A comprehensive quality control system should be established throughout production. Analytical instruments must be used to monitor product concentration, purity, and stability. Documentation for traceability and regulatory compliance must be maintained.

Project Economics:

​Establishing and operating a noodles manufacturing plant involves various cost components, including:​

• Capital Investment: The total capital investment depends on plant capacity, technology, and location. This investment covers land acquisition, site preparation, and necessary infrastructure.
• Equipment Costs: Equipment costs, such as those for dough mixers, noodle cutters, drying ovens, frying machines, and packaging machines, represent a significant portion of capital expenditure. The scale of production and automation level will determine the total cost of machinery.​
• Raw Material Expenses: Raw materials, including wheat flour, water, salt, edible oil, and alkaline agents, are a major part of operating costs. Long-term contracts with reliable suppliers will help mitigate price volatility and ensure a consistent supply of materials.​
• Infrastructure and Utilities: Costs associated with land acquisition, construction, and utilities (electricity, water, steam) must be considered in the financial plan.
• Operational Costs: Ongoing expenses for labor, maintenance, quality control, and environmental compliance must be accounted for. Optimizing processes and providing staff training can help control these operational costs.​
• Financial Planning: A detailed financial analysis, including income projections, expenditures, and break-even points, must be conducted. This analysis aids in securing funding and formulating a clear financial strategy. 

Capital Expenditure (CapEx) and Operational Expenditure (OpEx) Analysis:

Capital Investment (CapEx): Machinery costs account for the largest portion of the total capital expenditure. The cost of land and site development, including charges for land registration, boundary development, and other related expenses, forms a substantial part of the overall investment. This allocation ensures a solid foundation for safe and efficient plant operations.

Operating Expenditure (OpEx): In the first year of operations, the operating cost for the noodles manufacturing plant is projected to be significant, covering raw materials, utilities, depreciation, taxes, packing, transportation, and repairs and maintenance. By the fifth year, the total operational cost is expected to increase substantially due to factors such as inflation, market fluctuations, and potential rises in the cost of key materials. Additional factors, including supply chain disruptions, rising consumer demand, and shifts in the global economy, are expected to contribute to this increase.

Capital Expenditure Breakdown:

Operational Expenditure Breakdown:

Profitability Analysis:

Report Coverage:

Report Customization

While we have aimed to create an all-encompassing noodles plant project report, we acknowledge that individual stakeholders may have unique demands. Thus, we offer customized report options that cater to your specific requirements. Our consultants are available to discuss your business requirements, and we can tailor the report's scope accordingly. Some of the common customizations that we are frequently requested to make by our clients include:

• The report can be customized based on the location (country/region) of your plant.
• The plant’s capacity can be customized based on your requirements.
• Plant machinery and costs can be customized based on your requirements.
• Any additions to the current scope can also be provided based on your requirements.

Why Buy IMARC Reports?

• The insights provided in our reports enable stakeholders to make informed business decisions by assessing the feasibility of a business venture.
• Our extensive network of consultants, raw material suppliers, machinery suppliers and subject matter experts spans over 100+ countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Our cost modeling team can assist you in understanding the most complex materials. With domain experts across numerous categories, we can assist you in determining how sensitive each component of the cost model is and how it can affect the final cost and prices.
• We keep a constant track of land costs, construction costs, utility costs, and labor costs across 100+ countries and update them regularly.
• Our client base consists of over 3000 organizations, including prominent corporations, governments, and institutions, who rely on us as their trusted business partners. Our clientele varies from small and start-up businesses to Fortune 500 companies.
• Our strong in-house team of engineers, statisticians, modeling experts, chartered accountants, architects, etc. has played a crucial role in constructing, expanding, and optimizing sustainable manufacturing plants worldwide.