PCBL Chemical , formerly known as PCBL Limited, has announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended December 31, along with a substantial interim dividend declaration.

Interim Dividend Announcement

The company's board has declared an interim dividend of 550% (Rs. 5.50 per equity share) for the financial year. Shareholders on record as of January 16 will be eligible for this dividend.

Q3 Financial Performance

For the quarter ended December 31, PCBL Chemical reported the following standalone financial results:

The company experienced a slight decrease in revenue and a more significant decline in profit compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

Nine-Month Performance

For the nine-month period ended December 31, the company's financial performance was as follows:

Despite an increase in revenue over the nine-month period, the company saw a decrease in profit after tax compared to the previous year.

Business Segments

PCBL Chemical operates primarily in two segments:

1. Carbon Black
2. Power

The carbon black segment continues to be the major revenue contributor for the company.

Corporate Update

It's worth noting that the company recently underwent a name change from PCBL Limited to PCBL Chemical Limited, reflecting potential strategic shifts or a broader focus in its operations.

The financial results demonstrate the company's resilience in a challenging market environment, maintaining strong revenue growth over the nine-month period while facing some pressure on profitability. The substantial interim dividend declaration suggests confidence in the company's financial position and a commitment to delivering value to shareholders.

PCBL Chemical Limited , a leading carbon black manufacturer, has reported a stable performance for the first quarter, demonstrating resilience in the face of global economic headwinds. The company achieved consolidated revenue of ₹2,114.00 crores and an EBITDA of ₹325.00 crores, marking a 2.5% quarter-on-quarter increase.

Carbon Black Business Shows Growth

The company's core Carbon Black business saw a 2.6% quarter-on-quarter increase in sales volume, reaching 154,093 MT with a capacity utilization of over 97%. This growth was observed across all key business segments, with domestic sales volume at 89,606 tons and international sales volume at 64,487 tons, representing a 2% year-on-year growth in exports.

Segment-wise Performance

In the Carbon Black segment:

• Tyre sector accounted for 91,140 tons
• Performance Chemicals reported 46,888 tons
• Specialty sales volume reached 16,065 tons, now contributing over 10% to total volumes

The Aquapharm Chemicals business reported steady performance with revenue of ₹382.00 crores and an EBITDA of ₹50.00 crores. The segment breakdown for Aquapharm was:

Record Power Generation

PCBL achieved its highest-ever power generation and sales volume during the quarter. Power generation increased by 11% year-on-year to 215 MUs, with external sales volume growing by approximately 14% year-on-year to 132 MUs.

Strategic Developments and Expansion Plans

The company reported several strategic developments:

1. U.S. Patent Grant: PCBL received a process patent from the U.S. Patent Office for its proprietary method of developing nanomaterials for next-generation energy storage technologies.

2. Acetylene Black Technology Transfer: The company completed the technology transfer process for its upcoming Acetylene Black expansion, positioning PCBL to meet domestic requirements and serve global customers in this niche market.

3. Capacity Expansion:

   • The first phase of a 30,000 MTPA Brownfield expansion at PCBL Tamil Nadu has commenced trial runs.
   • A new 20,000 MTPA Specialty Black line is planned in Mundra.
   • The company is on track to achieve its targeted capacity of over 1 million tons by FY28.

4. Land Acquisition: PCBL is in the process of acquiring 116 acres of land at Naidupeta in Andhra Pradesh for a Greenfield Carbon Black project focused on Rubber Black and Performance Chemicals.

Outlook and Challenges

While the company maintains a positive long-term outlook, it acknowledges current challenges including global economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and potential U.S. tariffs. The management noted that the intensity of dumping into the Indian market has moderated but remains somewhat elevated, affecting the pricing environment.

PCBL remains confident in its ability to navigate the prevailing volatility and strengthen its competitive edge. The company is focusing on expanding its product portfolio, entering new geographies, and moving up the technological curve to drive future growth.

Kaushik Roy, Managing Director of PCBL Chemical Limited, commented, "Despite the challenging macro environment, PCBL delivered a steady performance in Q1. We remain committed to our growth strategy and are well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the global carbon black market."

As PCBL Chemical Limited continues to expand its capabilities and innovate in high-performance applications, it aims to play a significant role in India's growing importance in the global supply chain for carbon black and specialty chemicals.