Aether Industries Limited (AIL) has taken a significant step in enhancing employee engagement by allotting 22,577 equity shares under its Employee Stock Option Scheme (ESOS) 2021. This move, announced on November 20, 2025, underscores the company's commitment to aligning employee interests with corporate growth.

Key Details of the Allotment

Impact on Share Capital

The allotment has resulted in a marginal increase in AIL's share capital. Post-allotment, the company's total share capital stands at Rs. 1,32,61,28,180, comprising 13,26,12,818 equity shares of Rs. 10.00 each. This represents an increase from the previous share count, reflecting the company's expanding equity base.

ESOS 2021 Overview

Aether Industries' Employee Stock Option Scheme 2021 has received in-principle approval from both BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited for a pool of 11,00,000 equity shares. This allotment is part of that approved pool, with the newly issued shares ranking pari-passu with existing equity shares.

Regulatory Compliance

The company has adhered to the regulatory requirements, including:

1. Obtaining necessary approvals from stock exchanges
2. Communicating the corporate action to depositories for crediting shares to beneficiaries' accounts
3. Seeking listing and trading approvals from stock exchanges

Market Implications

While the allotment represents a small fraction of AIL's total equity, it signals the company's focus on employee retention and motivation. Such initiatives often contribute to long-term employee commitment and may potentially enhance overall corporate performance.

Conclusion

Aether Industries Limited's recent equity share allotment under its ESOS 2021 demonstrates its commitment to employee welfare and aligning staff interests with company growth. As the company continues to expand its share capital, investors and market watchers may observe how this employee ownership program impacts AIL's performance and market position in the specialty chemicals sector.

Aether Industries Limited, a specialty chemicals manufacturer, has reported a strong financial performance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, with significant revenue growth and improved profitability. The company also announced plans for expansion of its research and development capabilities.

Financial Highlights

Aether Industries achieved consolidated revenue of Rs. 275.10 crores in Q2 FY26, representing a 38% increase from Rs. 198.80 crores in Q2 FY25. The company's EBITDA margins improved to 31% from 25% in the same period last year.

Business Segment Performance

The company's sales mix for the quarter was distributed across its three business verticals:

• Contract and Exclusive Manufacturing: 47%
• Large-scale Manufacturing: 41%
• Contract Research and Manufacturing Services (CRAMS): 9%

Notably, the Contract and Exclusive Manufacturing segment contributed more than the Large-scale Manufacturing business for the first time, aligning with the company's vision to have CRAMS and Contract Manufacturing contribute 60-70% of sales in the next two years.

R&D Expansion

Aether Industries is expanding its R&D capacity:

• Adding 24 new fume hoods in the existing facility
• Planning a new R&D extension with over 130 fume hoods
• Introducing engineering labs focusing on chemical engineering and technology scale-up

Dr. Aman Desai, Promoter & Whole-Time Director, emphasized the importance of these expansions, particularly in targeting petrochemical, oil and gas, and material science sectors.

Production Capacity Expansion

The company plans to commission three new production blocks:

• Site-3+: Dedicated to Milliken, expected to commence production in Q4 FY26
• Site-5 (Panoli): Two production blocks of Phase-1 targeted for commissioning by early Q4 FY26

Future Outlook

Aether Industries expects to maintain its growth momentum, projecting around 25% growth going forward. The company aims to sustain EBITDA margins of approximately 30%.

Investor Relations

The company participated in the 'Avendus Spark INDX' event in Mumbai, meeting with various investors and discussing publicly available information. This engagement demonstrates Aether Industries' commitment to transparency and investor communication.

As Aether Industries continues to expand its R&D capabilities and production capacity, it aims to capitalize on the growing opportunities in the specialty chemicals sector, particularly in non-pharmaceutical and non-agrochemical segments.