Is it More Cost-Effective to Buy a Mobile Batching Plant for 80 m³ Daily Production than Buying Ready-Mix Concrete in East Kalimantan?

In East Kalimantan, demand for concrete in infrastructure and construction projects keeps rising. Whether you're working on a remote mining site, a government road project, or private development near Balikpapan or Samarinda, the daily need for 80 m³ of concrete adds up quickly. A common dilemma arises: should you continue buying ready-mix concrete, or is it smarter to invest in a mobile batching plant for sale? Let’s explore this question from a practical, cost-focused perspective.

Understanding the Real Costs of Buying Ready-Mix Concrete Daily

At first glance, buying ready-mix concrete seems simple. You place an order, and trucks deliver it to your site. But when your project needs 80 m³ per day, day after day, the costs and limitations quickly surface.

Transportation and Delivery Charges

In East Kalimantan, many projects are far from urban batching plants. The longer the distance, the higher the delivery cost per cubic meter. Plus, there’s always the risk of delays due to traffic, poor road conditions, or weather.

Quality Inconsistency

Ready-mix concrete can lose slump during transit, especially in hot or rainy weather. This affects quality and workability. For structural works, inconsistent concrete quality increases the risk of failure or rework.

Hidden Costs Over Time

When purchasing ready-mix daily, you often overlook idle waiting time for trucks, penalties for delays, or overordering due to inaccurate estimations. These indirect costs accumulate over weeks or months.

Now that we understand the drawbacks of relying solely on ready-mix, let’s consider the alternative.

What Makes a Mobile Batching Plant a Cost-Efficient Alternative?

Mobile batching plants are designed for flexibility and efficiency. If your project requires 80 m³/day consistently, owning a ready mix concrete plant for sale can make a big difference in cost, schedule, and control.

Lower Concrete Cost Per Cubic Meter

When you produce on-site, material costs go down. You buy cement, aggregates, and water in bulk at wholesale prices. You also avoid daily delivery fees. Over several months, this results in significant savings.

Improved Project Control and Productivity

Concrete is always available when you need it. No more waiting for trucks or worrying about late deliveries. You control the schedule. That means faster pour times, better planning, and fewer site interruptions.

Consistent Concrete Quality

Mixing on-site ensures every batch is fresh. Slump loss is no longer a problem. You can adjust mix designs based on the actual need—whether it’s high-strength for columns or lower grades for non-structural work.

Clearly, mobile batching plants bring value. But does this value outweigh the initial investment? Let’s take a closer look.

Cost Comparison: Ready-Mix vs. Owning a Mobile Batching Plant

Suppose you're running a project for 6 months, requiring 80 m³/day. That’s roughly 14,400 m³ total.

Scenario 1: Buying Ready-Mix

If local prices are around Rp 1,100,000 per m³ including delivery, your total concrete cost is approximately Rp 15.8 billion.

Scenario 2: Operating a Mobile Batch Plant

With your own concrete mixture plant, the estimated concrete cost (materials + operations) could drop to Rp 700,000–800,000 per m³. Even including the machine purchase (say Rp 2.5–3 billion), you may save Rp 3–5 billion or more over the project.

That’s not just cost-efficiency—it’s a strong return on investment.

What Else Should You Consider Before Buying?

Cost savings are important, but you should also consider other factors that impact your decision.

Is Your Site Accessible for a Mobile Plant?

If your project site has enough space, stable ground, and access to basic infrastructure (water, electricity or genset), installing a mobile batching plant becomes viable.

How Long Will Your Project Last?

The longer your concrete demand continues, the more value you extract from the plant. Even after your current project, you can move the plant to the next site.

Are Skilled Operators Available?

While mobile batching plants are relatively easy to operate, you still need trained workers to manage batching and maintenance. But with local training or support from suppliers, this is manageable.

In short, it's not just about cost per cubic meter—it’s about overall project control and long-term efficiency.

Conclusion: Is a Mobile Batching Plant Worth It for Your 80 m³ Daily Demand?

If your project is consistent, long-term, and located in East Kalimantan where logistics are complex, owning a mobile batching plant is usually the more cost-effective choice. It lowers your per-cubic-meter cost, improves quality, and boosts efficiency. While upfront investment is required, the payback comes quickly—especially when you're pouring concrete every day.

Let Us Help You Decide

At AIMIX, we help contractors across Indonesia evaluate whether a mobile batching plant fits their real needs. We offer complete support—from cost calculations to site layout advice and operator training.

Contact us today to explore the best solution for your project in East Kalimantan. Let's make your concrete supply more reliable, efficient, and cost-effective.