Huhtamaki India Limited reported robust financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, with net sales rising 23.1% year-on-year to ₹723 crore. The growth was broad-based, supported by an equal contribution from pricing, volume, and product mix, offsetting raw material cost pressures stemming from geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East. Profit before tax surged 77% to ₹559 crore, while earnings per share (EPS) grew 77.3%, marking one of the strongest quarterly performances in recent years.

The company’s earnings conference call, held on July 27, 2026, and transcribed on July 31, 2026, provided detailed insights into these outcomes. Managing Director Kamal Taneja and Chief Financial Officer Amit Gupta highlighted that the market remained competitive yet robust, growing at a 4–5% rate despite supply chain disruptions. Huhtamaki India successfully passed through most commodity cost increases to customers through transparent indexing mechanisms, preserving margins.

Financial Performance Highlights

For the first half (H1) of FY27, top-line growth stood at approximately 12%, with EBITDA margins at 10.5%, up 2.2 percentage points year-on-year. H1 EPS was ₹9.18, reflecting a 36% increase. A one-time depreciation charge of ₹8.8 crore in Q1 impacted H1 EBIT margins; excluding this, EBIT margins grew 37% to 7.6% of net sales.

Operational Drivers and Market Dynamics

Volume growth was described as "high single-digit," with domestic and export businesses growing at similar rates. Exports account for roughly 30% of sales volume, with shipments to Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Taneja noted that customer inventory buildup due to anticipated price escalations contributed to current volumes, though the exact quantum remains uncertain. The festive season is expected to provide further tailwinds.

Raw material cost inflation, primarily linked to the Middle East crisis, was managed through frequent price reviews and index-linked contracts. Taneja emphasized that the company does not bear raw material volatility but adjusts prices transparently, working both ways for increases and decreases.

Balance Sheet and Cash Position

Huhtamaki India maintains a nil net debt position. Bank balances stood at ₹270 crore, with an additional ₹125 crore invested in liquid mutual funds. Unutilized fund-based limits amounted to ₹427 crore. Operating working capital increased due to higher inventory levels—a strategic decision to mitigate out-of-stock risks amid supply chain volatility. Accounts receivable also rose, reflecting higher sales volumes and pricing, but days sales outstanding (DSO) and days inventory outstanding (DSI) remained stable compared to previous quarters.

Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives

On sustainability, the company reduced its total incident rate by 40% year-to-date through behavioral safety programs, including a Family Safety Day initiative. A new solar captive power plant is coming online in Q3, expected to supply nearly 50% of power for the Khopoli plant, supporting Scope 1 and Scope 2 decarbonization targets for 2030. Water conservation efforts include zero liquid discharge practices and rainwater harvesting.

Innovation remains key, particularly in recycled plastic packaging and lightweighting. The Blueloop mono-material solution continues to gain traction, though adoption remains below 30%. Assets dedicated to Blueloop are utilized for other products when not producing Blueloop-specific items, ensuring efficient capital deployment.

What the Numbers Show

The simultaneous expansion in both revenue and margins indicates successful execution of Huhtamaki India’s "profitable growth" strategy. The ability to pass through 100% of significant raw material hikes without losing volume suggests strong customer stickiness and pricing power. Furthermore, the nil net debt position alongside substantial cash reserves provides flexibility for future organic investments or potential inorganic opportunities, although management currently prioritizes internal modernization and productivity enhancements.

Huhtamaki India Limited reported a robust financial performance for the second quarter of calendar year 2026 (Q2CY26), ending June 30, 2026, with net profit soaring 75.3% year-on-year to ₹437.3 crore. The growth was primarily driven by a 23.1% increase in net sales to ₹7,286.0 million, supported by a healthy mix of volume growth and pricing power that offset commodity cost pressures from the Middle East crisis. This strong operational execution resulted in expanded margins, positioning the company favorably in the flexible packaging sector.

The earnings conference call, held on July 27, 2026, at 3:30 PM IST, provided further insights into these results. Managing Director Kamal Taneja and Chief Financial Officer Amit Gupta highlighted that EBITDA rose 55.1% to ₹764.4 million, while EBIT jumped 71.8% to ₹621.6 million. These improvements reflect operational efficiencies and volume gains, although they were partially impacted by a one-time impairment charge. The disclosure was made in compliance with Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Financial Performance Highlights

For the first half of 2026 (H1CY26), Huhtamaki India demonstrated consistent momentum. Net sales for the period reached ₹13,222.3 million, an 11.6% increase over H1CY25. Profit before tax (PBT) excluding exceptional items grew by 77.5% to ₹587.9 million in Q2CY26 alone. The company’s earnings per share (EPS), excluding exceptional items, stood at ₹5.79, up from ₹3.27 in the corresponding quarter last year.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Strength

Huhtamaki India maintains a pristine balance sheet with nil net debt. As of June 2026, the company held cash and cash equivalents of ₹2,706 million, along with ₹1,253 million invested in liquid mutual funds. Unutilized fund-based limits with banks stood at ₹4,272 million, providing ample liquidity headroom. The debt-to-equity ratio remained stable at 0.1, reflecting disciplined capital allocation.

Operating working capital increased to ₹4,643 million from ₹3,051 million in December 2025, mainly due to higher inventory levels and trade receivables. Despite this, operating cash generation remained strong, supported by higher profit before tax. Net investing activities generated a cash inflow of ₹1,853 million in H1CY26, indicating lower investment deployment compared to the previous year.

What the Numbers Show

The divergence between revenue growth (+23.1%) and EBITDA margin expansion (from 8.3% to 10.5%) indicates significant operating leverage. While commodity inflation posed challenges, the company’s ability to pass on costs through pricing, combined with volume growth, drove profitability higher than top-line growth. The nil net debt position allows Huhtamaki India to pursue strategic opportunities without financial strain, reinforcing its resilience against macroeconomic uncertainties.

Sustainability Initiatives

Beyond financial metrics, Huhtamaki India emphasized its sustainability commitments. The company reported a 40% reduction in the 12-month rolling year-to-date Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR). Solar captive generation at the Khopoli plant is expected in Q3CY26, enhancing renewable energy usage. Multiple plants, including Khopoli, Rudrapur, and Silvassa, continue to maintain Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) status, underscoring the firm’s focus on water conservation and environmental stewardship.