Onyx Testing Machines is an Indian manufacturer and supplier of laboratory testing equipment for paper, paperboard, corrugated board and packaging materials. The company is based in Thane, Maharashtra and operates as a proprietary manufacturing enterprise; public MSME records list it as a micro enterprise, with business commencement in September 2020.
Corrugman : Mr. Khan, could you tell us about your journey in the testing and laboratory equipment industry and how Onyx Testing Machines came into existence?
Hamid Khan : My journey has been closely associated with testing instruments and the quality-control requirements of industries such as paper, corrugated packaging, plastics, flexible packaging, and related manufacturing sectors. Over the years, we gained a clear understanding of the challenges faced by manufacturers in obtaining reliable, accurate and serviceable testing equipment. Onyx Testing Machines was established with the objective of addressing these requirements through a dedicated range of testing solutions, backed by manufacturing expertise, technical support and customer service.
CM : What was the thought behind establishing your brand?
HK : The decision was driven by the growing requirements of the paper, corrugated and packaging industries. We saw that customers were looking for more than just testing equipment – they needed accuracy, reliability, modern technology, user-friendly operation, and dependable after-sales support. This encouraged us to build Onyx Testing Machines as a dedicated brand with a clear commitment to these requirements. Our vision was also to develop testing equipment in India that could meet international expectations while remaining practical and accessible for Indian as well as global customers.
CM : What gap in the Indian market did you see that encouraged you to launch Onyx?
HK : The packaging industry is becoming increasingly quality-conscious. Customers are no longer looking only at production speed; they are also focusing on measurable quality, consistency and compliance. We saw a clear gap in the Indian packaging industry between affordable testing equipment and truly advanced, reliable testing technology.
Our aim is to bridge this gap and help Indian packaging manufacturers strengthen their quality systems with advanced testing technology made in India for both Indian and global markets with technical guidance, calibration support, quick service, spare-parts availability, and customized solutions for their specific quality-control requirements.
CM : What are some of the key testing solutions currently offered by Onyx?
HK : Our portfolio covers a broad range of quality-control and laboratory testing instrument for paper, corrugated packaging, plastics, and other packaging materials. These includes Bursting Strength Tester, Box Compression Strength Tester, Ring Crush Tester (RCT), Edge Crush Tester (ECT), GSM Tester, Moisture Tester, Cobb Sizing Tester, Specimen Cutter, Short Span Compression Tester, Thickness Gauge, Tear Resistance Tester, Internal Ply-Bond Tester, Drop Tester, Vibration Tester etc. This enables us to cater to different stages of the packaging value chain from raw-material inspection, process quality control, finished-package performance, and laboratory R & D testing for packaging industries.
CM : How important is testing and quality control for today’s corrugated packaging industry?
HK : Testing has become extremely important because the performance of a corrugated box depends on several measurable parameters. Strength, moisture, grammage, compression performance and board quality directly affect the ability of a box to protect its contents and withstand transportation and stacking. With customers demanding consistent packaging quality, testing provides manufacturers with objective data rather than relying only on visual or manual inspection.
CM : Onyx recently introduced a double-head bursting strength tester. What problem were you trying to solve with this development?
HK : We observed that corrugated manufacturers often need to test both the paper and the finished corrugated board. Instead of requiring separate testing arrangements, the double-head model provides a more practical solution for these requirements on a single instrument. It was developed particularly with corrugated box manufacturers in mind and is an example of how customer requirements can directly influence product development.
CM : How do you balance imported components with the objective of increasing localisation in your machines?
HK : Our approach is to maximise local manufacturing wherever technically and commercially feasible while sourcing certain specialised raw materials or
components from international suppliers when required. The core manufacturing and assembly activity is carried out in India. This approach allows us to maintain quality while progressively increasing localisation and developing a stronger domestic supply chain.
CM : What role does software and digitalisation play in modern testing equipment?
HK : Testing is increasingly moving from simply generating a measurement to generating useful and traceable data. Modern users want easy-to-understand interfaces, real-time results, graphical analysis and quick test reports. Therefore, we are incorporating smarter software and better data-management capabilities into our equipment. The objective is to make testing simpler for operators while providing manufacturers with information that can support quality improvement and process control.
CM : Who are the primary customers for Onyx Testing Machines?
HK : Our customer base extends across the packaging supply chain. This includes paper mills, paperboard manufacturers, corrugated box manufacturers, packaging converters and large end-users who maintain their own quality-control requirements. Large brands are increasingly particular about the quality of packaging materials supplied to them, which makes reliable testing equipment important throughout the supply chain.
CM : What has been the response from the corrugated packaging industry to Onyx so far?
HK : The response has been encouraging. Industry exhibitions and direct interaction with customers have helped us understand the requirements of corrugated manufacturers more closely. At Corru Pack Print India 2026, for example, we received positive feedback and saw strong interest in our range,
with machines being sold during the exhibition. Such interaction gives us valuable insight into what the industry actually needs and helps us improve our products.
CM : What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Indian manufacturers of testing equipment today?
HK : One of the major challenges is creating equipment that offers international-level accuracy and reliability while remaining commercially viable for Indian customers. Another important challenge is after-sales service, calibration and technical support. Testing equipment is ultimately part of a customer’s quality-control system, so reliability after installation is just as important as the initial purchase.
CM : What are your plans for Onyx Testing Machines over the next three to five years?
HK : Our immediate focus is to strengthen our product range, improve automation and software capabilities and expand our presence among paper, corrugated and packaging manufacturers. We also want to continuously develop application-specific equipment based on customer feedback. In the longer term, our objective is to establish Onyx as a recognised Indian brand for reliable testing solutions, not only in the domestic market but also internationally.
