Improved Q2, FY24 EBITDA is underpinned by enhanced BOPP film margins primarily due to festive season demand pick, partial revival of export demand and range-bound movement in raw material prices. The company continues to outperform the industry at large on the back of speciality films.

The near to medium-term BOPP and BOPET margins are expected to remain subdued, more so for BOPET films due to an industry-wide supply overhang (58% capacity increase over Dec 21 capacity in BOPET vs. 23% in BOPP and an incremental 17% more by Mar26 in BOPET against 40% more in BOPP). The company is working towards BOPET margin improvement over the next few quarters on the strength of shrink films and many other specialty films already launched.

To rationalise cost, the company is in the process of shifting its extrusion coating plant from South Korea to India and has carried out operational restructuring in South Korea in Q2, FY24. Consequently, the consolidated results are affected by one-time restructuring costs of Rs three-crore.

Under new initiatives, the company has launched its rigid packaging business under the brand name Cosmo Plastech which will manufacture thin wall containers and sheets for a wide array of FMCG products, particularly for the food industry. The company has also started metallisation of capacitor film which shall serve the rapidly growing electronics industry in India.

The company’s petcare vertical (Zigly) continued to grow rapidly and clocked a monthly revenue (GMV) run rate of about Rs four-crore on the back of expanding retail footprints with 19 stores as of September end and increased online presence. The company shall now look for consolidation in H2, FY24 before initiating next round of growth in FY 25.

The speciality chemical subsidiary has got good initial response with its packaging and lamination adhesives and shall scale up the same in a phased manner from H2, FY24. Many of these new business initiatives post higher capacity utilisation in the next three quarters will drive growth.

Pankaj Poddar, Group CEO, Cosmo First, said, “In short-term, the company remained focussed on increasing specialty sales. In the medium-term, multiple drivers including speciality BOPET films, sun shield film, rigid packaging and specialty chemicals will result in profitability enhancement and margin stabilisation. Zigly will take two to three years to turn profitable and will be a wealth creator for the stakeholders. Pet adoption is expected to grow multifold over the coming years with smaller families and rise of disposable incomes.”