Indicative capex bands by project type
The figures below are planning bands for equipment plus installation, excluding land and buildings. They are deliberately wide, because automation level and scope boundary routinely move a project by a factor of two.
| Project type | Typical capacity | Indicative capex |
|---|---|---|
| Single processing machine | 1–5 t/h | $80K – $600K |
| Packaging line | 60–300 packs/min | $250K – $2.5M |
| Animal feed mill | 10–30 t/h | $2.5M – $12M |
| Dairy processing plant | 50–200 kL/day | $6M – $35M |
| Poultry processing plant | 3,000–12,000 bph | $8M – $45M |
| Cold storage facility | 5,000–25,000 pallets | $6M – $30M |
| Aquafeed extrusion plant | 5–20 t/h | $5M – $25M |
| Turnkey food factory | Multi-line | $15M – $120M |
The six variables that move cost most
- Automation level — manual to fully automated can triple equipment cost while halving labour
- Product mix flexibility — every additional format adds changeover hardware and controls
- Hygiene class — food, dairy and pharma standards raise material and finish costs sharply
- Country of origin — European, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, Indian and Chinese OEMs sit in distinct price tiers
- Scope boundary — turnkey responsibility typically adds 12–25% over supply-only
- Utility readiness — an unprepared site can add 10–30% in civil, electrical and cooling works
Estimate accuracy by project stage
| Stage | Basis | Accuracy | Contingency to carry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concept | Benchmarks and capacity curves | ±40% | 25–30% |
| Pre-feasibility | Budgetary quotations | ±25% | 15–20% |
| Feasibility | Levelled RFQ responses | ±12% | 10–12% |
| Pre-contract | Negotiated scope and terms | ±6% | 5–8% |
| Contracted | Signed contracts and firm freight | ±3% | 3–5% |
Never present a single number before feasibility
Presenting a point estimate at concept stage sets an anchor that the project will be judged against for two years. Present a band, name the drivers, and state what will narrow it.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
How much contingency should an equipment budget carry?
Ten to twelve percent at feasibility stage for a conventional project in a mature market, rising to 20–25% for first-of-kind technology, difficult logistics or unstable currency exposure.
Why do quotations for the same line differ by 50%?
Almost always scope, not margin: different battery limits, spares, installation responsibility, automation depth, material specification and freight terms. Levelling the quotations usually collapses most of the gap.
Should budgets be set in USD or EUR?
Set the budget in the currency of the majority of your equipment spend and hedge the remainder. Mixed-currency projects without a hedging position routinely lose more to FX than they saved in negotiation.
Can you provide indicative costs before we commit to anything?
Yes. Indicative capex bands and financing structures are provided free for buyers, before any supplier is approached.
Industrial financing
Financing routes for buying & procurement
Financing is scoped alongside the RFQ, not after supplier selection — the funding route changes the optimal supplier, currency, incoterms and delivery schedule. Global B2B Group never lends, never takes a success fee from buyers and is not tied to any institution. Below are 7 routes buyers commonly compare; amounts, tenors and eligibility are set by each institution.
Export Credit Agencies
State-backed cover (Euler Hermes, SACE, EKF, UKEF, Atradius, K-Sure) on equipment exported from the supplier's country, usually combined with a commercial bank loan.
Best for: Imported production lines and turnkey plants from EU, UK, Korea or Japan
- Eligible country content
- Equity contribution
- Bankable feasibility study
Development Banks & DFIs
IFC, EBRD, AfDB, ADB, IDB, FMO, Proparco and bilateral development windows funding industrial capex with concessional pricing and long grace periods.
Best for: Food security, cold chain, energy efficiency and job-creating projects in emerging markets
- ESG / E&S compliance
- Audited financials
- Development impact case
Commercial Lending
Bank term debt and capex facilities secured against project cash flow, equipment and corporate balance sheet, in local or hard currency.
Best for: Established operators expanding proven capacity
- Debt-service capacity
- Security package
- Sponsor equity
Equipment Leasing
Operating and finance leases that keep machinery off the balance sheet, preserve working capital and align payments with production ramp-up.
Best for: Single machines, packaging lines, handling fleets and phased upgrades
- Asset resale value
- Insurance
- Upfront deposit
Vendor Financing
Supplier-supported deferred payment and instalment structures negotiated inside the RFQ, before supplier selection narrows your leverage.
Best for: Buyers who want a single contractual counterparty for supply and payment terms
- Supplier credit appetite
- Bank guarantee or LC
- Milestone schedule
Project Finance
Limited-recourse SPV structures where the facility's own cash flow repays the debt, with independent technical and market due diligence.
Best for: Greenfield plants, integrated processing complexes and utility-scale infrastructure
- Offtake agreements
- EPC contract
- Independent engineer report
Government Programmes
Industrial localisation incentives, capex grants, interest subsidies, free-zone benefits and agri-processing schemes that reduce effective project cost.
Best for: Projects in priority sectors, special economic zones or import-substitution plans
- Local registration
- Job creation targets
- Application windows
How financing is structured
1. Scope & budget
Technical scope and realistic capex band are fixed first — lenders price the project, not the wish list.
2. Route selection
We map which of these routes may fit your country, sector, project size and sponsor profile.
3. Bankable package
Feasibility, offtake, DSCR model and equipment quotations assembled into a lender-ready file.
4. Introductions
Independent introductions to ECAs, DFIs, banks, lessors and equity partners — no exclusivity, no success fee to buyers.
Get a funding route assessment
Human-led, with no paid placement and 100% free for buyers. We return the routes that realistically fit your project, with the requirements and documentation checklists each institution publishes.
Next steps
Put this into practice
Request machinery quotes
No paid placement · Human-led · No cost to buyers
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