What Is a PP Woven Bag Machine?
A PP woven bag machine is a complete system that produces polypropylene woven bags used for cement, fertilizer, grain, and other bulk materials. Unlike paper valve sack lines, PP woven production requires multiple steps: extrusion → weaving → cutting → printing → sewing/sealing.
PP woven bags are preferred in tropical and high-humidity markets because polypropylene is inherently moisture-resistant, tear-resistant, and more durable than paper bags. They dominate cement packaging in India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa.
Complete PP Woven Bag Production Line
A full production line consists of several machines working in sequence:
Production Flow
- Extruder & Tape Stretching Line → Converts PP granules into flat yarn/tape
- Circular Loom → Weaves PP tape into tubular fabric
- Lamination Machine → Adds PE or BOPP film for moisture barrier (optional)
- Printing Machine → Prints brand/product information on fabric
- Cutting Machine → Cuts fabric to bag length
- Sewing Machine → Sews bottom and/or valve; closes bag
Investment Overview
| Component | Price Range (USD) | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Extruder + Tape Line | $25,000–$80,000 | Yes |
| Circular Loom (×4–8) | $15,000–$55,000 each | Yes |
| Lamination Machine | $20,000–$45,000 | Optional |
| Flexo Printer (4-color) | $15,000–$35,000 | Yes |
| Cutting Machine | $8,000–$18,000 | Yes |
| Sewing Line | $5,000–$15,000 | Yes |
| Total Line | $120,000–$400,000+ | — |
Types of PP Woven Bag Machines
By Bag Style
| Bag Type | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Mouth Sewn | Top is left open, sewn after filling | Standard cement bags |
| Valve Bag | Has a valve for filling, both ends sealed | Premium cement, chemicals |
| Block Bottom | Flat square bottom, stand-up capability | Retail cement bags |
| Liner Bag | Woven bag with inner PE liner | Moisture-sensitive cargo |
By Machine Origin
- Indian Machines — Five Fingers, S.K. Machines, Yukesh; affordable, good support in South Asia and Africa ($9,000–$55,000 per machine)
- Chinese Machines — Competitive pricing, wide range; dominant in global export ($15,000–$80,000 per machine)
- Taiwanese Machines — FOR DAH, Peashin, Hao Yu; premium quality, higher cost ($35,000–$150,000 per machine)
Key Specifications
- Fabric Weight — Measured in GSM (typically 55–120 GSM for cement bags)
- Mesh Count — Tapes per 10cm in warp and weft directions (10×10 to 14×14)
- Bag Dimensions — Width (390–700mm), Length (300–1200mm) for standard cement bags
- Bag Weight Capacity — 20kg, 25kg, 40kg, or 50kg bags
- Production Speed — Measured differently per machine (looms in meters/hour, sewing in bags/min)
- Lamination — PE or BOPP lamination for moisture barrier
- Printing — 4, 6, or 8 color flexographic printing
Top PP Woven Machines Compared
Five Fingers FF-VP40 (Valve Bag)
- Type: Complete valve bag line
- Speed: 30–40 bags/min
- Features: Precision valve formation, gusseting, hot air welding
- Price: $42,000–$55,000
- Origin: India
- Best for: PP woven valve bags, high-speed production
Five Fingers FF-LP45 (With Liner)
- Type: Complete open-mouth line with liner
- Speed: 35–45 bags/min
- Features: Liner insertion, auto cutting, auto sewing
- Price: $38,000–$50,000
- Origin: India
- Best for: Moisture-resistant cement bags
Yukesh YK-CPU100 (Budget)
- Type: Semi-auto complete line
- Speed: 80–120 pcs/hour (not per minute)
- Features: Basic cutting, sewing, conveyor
- Price: $9,000–$15,000
- Origin: India
- Best for: Startups, small-scale operations in developing markets
FOR DAH FD-900 (Premium Multi-Wall)
- Type: Complete multi-wall line
- Speed: 40–80 bags/min
- Features: 6-ply capability, PP laminated cloth + paper, integrated printing
- Price: $150,000–$350,000
- Origin: Taiwan
- Best for: Premium multi-material production
Pricing Guide
PP Woven Complete Line Pricing
| Scale | Total Investment | Monthly Output |
|---|---|---|
| Micro (manual/semi-auto) | $30,000–$80,000 | 100,000–300,000 bags |
| Small (4 looms) | $120,000–$200,000 | 500,000–800,000 bags |
| Medium (8 looms) | $200,000–$350,000 | 1,000,000–1,500,000 bags |
| Large (12+ looms) | $350,000–$600,000+ | 2,000,000+ bags |
Price Factors
- Number of looms: Each circular loom adds $15,000–$55,000 to total investment
- Lamination: Adding lamination capability costs $20,000–$45,000
- Valve vs open-mouth: Valve bag machines cost 20–40% more than open-mouth
- Origin: Taiwanese machines cost 2–3× more than Indian/Chinese equivalents
PP Woven vs Paper Valve Sacks
| Feature | PP Woven | Paper Valve Sack |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture Resistance | Excellent (inherent) | Poor (requires PE liner) |
| Tear Strength | Very High | Moderate |
| Printability | Good (flexo on fabric) | Excellent (high-quality print) |
| Environmental Impact | Recyclable plastic | Biodegradable paper |
| Cost Per Bag | $0.08–$0.15 | $0.10–$0.25 |
| Filling Method | Open-mouth or valve | Valve (standard) |
| Dust During Filling | Higher | Lower (valve system) |
| Popular In | India, SE Asia, Africa | Europe, Middle East, Americas |
How to Choose
Step 1: Determine Market Requirements
- Does your target market prefer PP woven or paper bags?
- Are there regulatory requirements (some countries mandate specific materials)?
- What bag weight capacity is needed (25kg, 40kg, 50kg)?
Step 2: Select Line Scale
Calculate your monthly demand and choose the number of circular looms accordingly. Each 4-shuttle loom produces approximately 4,000–6,000 meters of fabric per day.
Step 3: Value-Add Features
- Lamination — Required for moisture-sensitive markets (coastal areas, tropical climates)
- Liner insertion — Alternative to lamination, adds inner PE bag
- Valve system — For premium cement brands wanting dust-free filling
Step 4: Choose Origin
- Budget-first → Indian machines (Five Fingers, Yukesh)
- Balance of quality and cost → Chinese machines
- Premium quality → Taiwanese machines (FOR DAH, Peashin)
Maintenance Tips
- Daily: Clean extruder die heads, inspect loom tape tension, check sewing needle condition
- Weekly: Lubricate loom shuttle mechanisms, clean printing plates, inspect lamination rollers
- Monthly: Replace worn tapes/yarns, calibrate cutting length, deep clean ink system
- Quarterly: Full loom overhaul, extruder screw inspection, lamination roller resurfacing
Frequently Asked Questions
How many circular looms do I need? For a 1,000,000 bags/month factory, plan for 6–8 four-shuttle circular looms running 24 hours. Each loom produces roughly 150,000–200,000 bags worth of fabric per month.
Can PP woven bags be recycled? Yes. PP woven bags are 100% recyclable. Used bags can be collected, cleaned, shredded, and re-extruded into new PP granules. This is a growing trend in sustainability-conscious markets.
What is the lifespan of a circular loom? With proper maintenance, 10–15 years. Shuttle mechanisms may need replacement every 3–5 years depending on usage intensity.
Can I produce both cement and fertilizer bags on the same line? Yes. PP woven lines are versatile and can produce bags for cement, fertilizer, grain, chemicals, and other bulk materials by simply adjusting bag dimensions and printing.
Compare PP woven machines side by side using our Equipment Comparison Tool or browse the complete machine directory.