Dear Stakeholders,
It is with great pleasure and pride that I present to you our Annual
Report growth, with sales increasing by 15%for FY 2023-24. This year at Oriental
Aromatics has been another significant year of resilience and optimism,
made possible by the coherence of challenges, our team and the support of our
stakeholders. We continue our journey of innovative and sustainable creation, excelling in
fostering generational relationships with our customers worldwide.
Today, Oriental Aromatics proudly stands as a leading fully integrated
global enterprise, excelling in the manufacturing of fragrances, flavours, specialty aroma
ingredients, and camphor. Continuous capacity expansion, process re-engineering, and
creativity in fragrance creation are at the core of our strategy. Sustaining and enriching
our generational relationships with both long-standing and new customers empowers us to
elevate our Company to new heights, despite the challenges we face in the market. Through
expanding our capabilities, diversifying our product portfolio, and entering new markets,
we have solidified our position and are poised to elevate our achievement Company to
during this yeareven greater heights.
The tireless dedication and exceptional performance of our passionate
team have been crucial in understanding client needs, exploring innovative solutions, and
delivering performing formulations. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the
stakeholders for their steadfast commitment and outstanding contributions towards
achieving the goal of sustainable growth across all our divisions. We also express our
gratitude to our stakeholders for their ongoing support.
Here, we come together to acknowledge the challenges we have faced and
the measures we have taken to overcome them. It is a time to celebrate our achievements,
share insights, and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.
Detailed Business Performance
Over the past year, we have observed a global scenario marked by
overstocking and reduced demand. However, there are positive signs of recovery in our
specialty aroma ingredients segment. Our specialty chemicals vertical faced challenges of
price erosion and demand fluctuations early in the year but made a notable comeback in the
latter half, achieving a remarkable 12% sequential improvement in EBITDA over the last two
quarters. Demand remains robust in our Fragrance & Flavour division, driven by the
strong consumption trends in India.
In FY 2023-24, our Fragrance & Flavour segment recorded
-significant on-year. Meanwhile, the camphor and turpene chemical
markets continue to pose significant especially in the camphor powder sector. Despite
competitive pressures, particularly in India, strategic adjustments in our portfolio
management helped us optimise profitability. Although the first half of the year was
challenging due to global price declines, our focus on operational efficiencies and
portfolio enhancements positions us well for positive outcomes in the coming quarters.
Production and Financial Performance
In FY 2023-24, despite economic challenges, we maintained a resilient
operational stance. Our consolidated operating revenue was C 836 crore, with a decline of
1.5% year-on-year. EBITDA stood at C 47 crore, reflecting proactive efficiency measures,
albeit a 13% decrease. hasThe most significant been the generation of operating cash flow
to the tune of
C 142 crore, resulting in improvement of our net debt-to-equity ratio,
which stood at 0.30x as of 31st March 2024, compared to 0.34x in the previous
year. This improvement is particularly noteworthy as it was achieved despite our ongoing
investments in capital expenditures (CAPEX). It reflects our disciplined approach to
financial management and underscores our commitment to maintaining a strong balance sheet
amid evolving market conditions.
Expansion and Milestones
The Company has successfully completed its ambitious five-year
programme, investingapproximately C 250 crore in expanding new plant capacities,
which began in 2020. Our products launched in the specialty space over the past five years
have been well-received by customers, with a continuous growth in demand for these
products. To support our growth ambitions, we?ve made substantial investments in
expanding our manufacturing capabilities.
Moreover, our Brownfield project for hydrogenation in Baroda is set to
commence commercial production from H1-FY 2024- 25, aimed at enhancing our capacity in
specialty aroma chemicals. The Greenfield project in
Mahad is progressing well, with trial runs of commercial lots underway
for full-scale production, reinforcing our commitment to meeting growing global demand.
Future Strategy
As we continue our journey, our Company remains committed to achieving
success through innovation, efficient customer base. By embracing innovation and enhancing
operational efficiency, we strive to create enduring partnerships. To mitigate risks and
enhance the raw material strategy by diversifying our raw material sources and exploring
alternative technologies, we aim to reduce dependence on specific inputs and build a
resilient supply chain for seamless operations.
Sustainability and Community
Engagement Initiatives
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.
We?re committed to reducing pollutants in our effluent discharge,
safeguarding local ecosystems, and achieving Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) within coming
years at our Bareilly & Vadodara facility. Our facilities in Ambernath market and
Mahad are in full compliance with ZLD standards. In Ambernath, we are currently
implementing a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) as part of this initiative, which not only
reduces our environmental impact but also enhances our operational
We?re proud of our progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions,
recognised with the EcoVadis Gold Medal for our dedication to sustainability. Our
investments in green chemistry and effluent our commitment to a sustainable future.
Environmental and social sustainability are key components of our development strategy,
and we have implemented various internal programs to meet these objectives consistently.
To address environmental challenges, we have set ambitious targets to reduce carbon
emissions, minimise waste, and conserve natural resources. Through energy-efficient
practices such as Continuous Process Re-engineering (CPR) and the adoption of renewable
energy sources, we have made substantial progress in reducing our environmental footprint.
On the social front, we prioritise the well-being and development of
our employees, ensuring a safe and inclusive work environment. In governance, we have
strengthened our corporate governance practices to ensure transparency, accountability,
and ethical behaviour. Our board of directors and management team uphold the highest
standards of integrity, ensuring fair and responsible decision-making. By addressing ESG
challenges, setting ambitious targets, and achieving tangible results, we are committed to
building a sustainable future for our Company, stakeholders, and the communities we serve.
supply chain management, and expanding its
Outlook
value and foster
Looking ahead, we are cautiously optimistic about the steady revival of
demand, supported by reduced input raw material prices. We anticipate maintaining steady
production across our existing product lines, leveraging our plant capacities efficiently.
Additionally, with the upcoming hydrogenation products and Mahad project expansions, we
are actively engaging with customers.
We are confident and new products assuming a stable demand-supply
scenario in the aroma chemicals sector.
Oriental Aromatics is delighted to share that we are on course to
establish ourselves as a global supplier in all our operational areas, holding a
significant across our product offerings. This strategic initiative aligns with our growth
vision and enables us to fortify our global network, thereby enhancing our ability to
serve our customers more effectively. We highly value the strong relationships we have
cultivated and actively engage with. our customers to understand their needs and provide
bespoke solutions.
Gratitude Note
control further underscore
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our stakeholders for
accompanying us on this journey of value creation and express our sincere appreciation to
the Board of Directors for their invaluable guidance and direction. I sincerely thank each
of you for your continuous support and trust.
Your confidence has been crucial in driving our efforts towards
sustained growth and success. We deeply value your partnership and collaboration, pivotal
in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. Your insights have guided our
decisions, contributing significantly to our achievements. Looking ahead with optimism, we
are committed to upholding excellence, innovation, and sustainability. Together,
let?s forge ahead, achieving new milestones and creating shared value.
Warm regards,
Mr. Dharmil A. Bodani
Chairman & Managing Director