PCBL Chemical Limited has received approval under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) for its Acetylene Black Project, with a proposed investment of approximately ₹329 crore. The company disclosed this development on August 18, 2026, pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Acetylene Black is a critical conductive material used in lithium-ion batteries and various advanced industrial applications. The proposed project is expected to support the development of the domestic advanced materials ecosystem, strengthen local supply chains, and reduce import dependence.

Strategic implications

The company stated that the project will generate skilled employment opportunities and enhance its participation in the global value chain. This move aligns with broader efforts to build local manufacturing capabilities in the advanced materials sector.

The disclosure was signed by K. Mukherjee, Company Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of PCBL Chemical Limited.

PCBL Chemical reported a robust Q1FY27 performance, with consolidated revenue growing 17% year-on-year to ₹2,474 crore and profit after tax (PAT) surging 65% to ₹155 crore. The strong financial outcome was driven by effective monetization of spot market volumes amid rising crude prices, improved pricing discipline, and a favorable mix shift towards higher-margin domestic sales. Management highlighted structural tailwinds from new trade agreements with the U.S., EU, and U.K., which are expected to boost export competitiveness in the coming quarters.

The company’s EBITDA grew 23% to ₹400 crore, supported by a ₹70 crore inventory gain due to low-cost raw material utilization against higher realizations. CFO Raj Gupta noted that approximately ₹40–50 crore of this benefit may reverse in Q2FY27 as inventory positions normalize. Despite geopolitical disruptions affecting global trade routes, PCBL maintained uninterrupted customer service, leveraging agility in logistics to divert volumes to more attractive domestic spot markets when export freight costs escalated.

Operational Highlights

Consolidated carbon black sales volume remained steady at 153,513 metric tons. Domestic sales volume grew 15% year-on-year to 102,985 tons, while international volumes stood at 50,528 tons. This reallocation was a strategic move to protect margins given elevated international freight costs. Segment-wise, tire applications accounted for 91,379 tons, performance chemicals for 42,386 tons, and specialty carbon black grew 23% year-on-year to 19,748 tons. The power generation segment recorded 217 million units with external sales of 130 million units at improved realizations.

Aquapharm Chemical Update

Aquapharm Chemical, under the new leadership of CEO Rohit Narang, reported revenue of ₹394 crore and EBITDA of ₹47 crore on sales volumes of 22,985 metric tons. While home care and water solutions volumes decreased marginally, application-specific solutions posted 10% growth. The oil and gas segment saw a 35% year-on-year decline but recovered sequentially with 50% growth, indicating turnaround momentum. Narang emphasized progress in green chelates, with order bookings exceeding current capacity and qualifications underway with key accounts like P&G and Reckitt. The company is also expanding its reverse osmosis portfolio in the Gulf region.

Strategic Outlook and Capacity Expansion

PCBL’s total installed carbon black capacity now stands at 900,000 metric tons per annum following the commissioning of a 20,000 MTPA specialty black line in Mundra. Management remains bullish on the long-term outlook, citing India’s preferential trade access and shrinking Russian supply as durable tailwinds. In the battery materials space, the Nanovace pilot plant in Palej has received consent to operate for R&D and sampling, with trials progressing well for silicon-based anode materials. The company expects to deliver ₹200–250 crore in cost savings over the next four to six quarters through efficiency programs and feedstock diversification. Capex for FY27 is estimated at ₹300 crore, primarily focused on maintenance and productivity enhancements.