At the operating level, EBITDA for the quarter ended 31 March 2018 stood at Rs 2,29.3 crore as compared to the quarter ended 31 March 2017 when it was Rs 225 crore thereby up by 2%. The consolidated net profit for Q4 FY 2017-18 at Rs 71.1 crore dropped by 28% w.r.t. the same quarter in the previous fiscal. This is primarily due to increased depreciation cost on account of commissioning of Aseptic Packaging Plant and higher tax outgo.

Consolidated top line for FY 2017-18 stood at Rs 6,720.5 crore recording a 9% YoY growth. EBITDA for the fiscal ended 31 March 2018 remained more-or-less muted at Rs 9,02.6 crore. During FY 2016-17, the EBITDA stood at Rs 8,98.9 crore. Consolidated net profit for FY 2017-18 has been Rs 310.5 crore as compared to Rs 3,48.5 crore in FY 2016-17.

While approving and adopting the audited annual accounts for the FY 2017-18, the board has recommended dividend of 20% subject to approval by the shareholders of the company.

Talking about the numbers for the whole FY 2017-18, Rajesh Bhatia, Global CFO, Uflex, said, “The tangible volumes are perfect and most reliable growth indicators for flexible packaging industry. We produced more and sold more in FY 2017-18. The total production volume has been up by 8.5% in FY 2017-18. The total sales volume has also echoed the same trend and has been up by 8.6% in FY 2017-18 when compared to the previous fiscal.”

Talking individually about films segment, he said, the sales volumes grew by 8% in FY 2017-18. While for the packaging segment, the sales volumes grew by 12% in FY 2017-18.

“Aseptic packaging, which was commissioned during FY 2017-18, is gradually ramping up and we are already supplying to more than 12 customers. The trial runs are ongoing with some of the large customers and will surely culminate into sales in the current financial year,” he added.

 Ashok Chaturvedi, chairman and managing director, Uflex, said, “As I reflect upon the last financial year, I am filled with a sense of joy about the path-breaking flexible packaging innovations that our engineers came up with. These innovations are progressive and bring real value to the businesses of our clients spread across the globe. Particularly noteworthy have been the innovations made in developing specialty films customized to plug specific need-gaps in the identified markets. Nothing is more gratifying to me than receiving calls from my clients about how our packaging solutions are bringing about positive changes in their business.”

He also added that the technology transfer tie-up with Comiflex SRL bore its first fruit as the company developed and launched the first Gearless CI flexo printing press in March. “Uflexo Elisa as we have chosen to call it is an eight-colour central impression gearless flexo printing machine with an additional station for special purpose registered coating applications. The first machine has been installed at our converting plant. More machines are being manufactured to order,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chaturvedi said Asepto is gaining a firm toe-hold in India. Given its startling aesthetics and superior pack functionalities, the excitement for the product is building up both in India and Overseas. The journey for Asepto hereon will be truly stellar, he said.

“In a big move, the Indian government recently notified the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018, acknowledging the merits of multi-layered flexible packaging. This is a very encouraging development that ushers us all into a whole new era of reinvigorated collaboration fostering partnerships and embracing genuine concern for a triple bottom line approach covering environmental, economic and social aspects,” he concluded.