EPL Ltd, a major manufacturer of packaging materials, forecasts further growth in July after recording a 25 percent increase in revenue in the June quarter. The company has also adjusted its near-term revenue forecast upwards to 16–18 percent while maintaining a margin forecast of 20 percent.
EPL's Global CEO, Hemant Bakshi, stated that the beauty and cosmetics business should become the primary driver of the company's future growth, although the oral care segment continues to show stable growth.
Bakshi noted that the proposed merger of EPL with Indovida, which is reported to create a large consumer packaging manufacturer with a combined valuation of approximately $2 billion, aligns perfectly with EPL's long-term strategy. He emphasized: 'We aim to become a global leader in consumer packaging focused on emerging markets. Instead of just being a supplier, we must be an innovation partner for our clients.'
EPL, formerly known as Essel Propack Ltd and now promoted by Blackstone Group through Epsilon Bidco Pte Ltd, views the beauty and cosmetics sector in the country as a second source of growth because it is one of the fastest-growing globally. Bakshi explained his strategy by saying: 'We view our business as two engines. One is our cash flow and stable growth engine, which is related to oral care. And the second growth engine, which will be driven by premiumization and market share expansion, is beauty and cosmetics.'
Although the oral care segment (toothpaste and related categories) remains a resilient business, less susceptible to inflation due to habitual daily consumption, Bakshi reported that this segment has reached maturity in both India and globally and is likely to grow at 'mid to high single-digit percentages.'
In contrast, he forecasts that the beauty and cosmetics market could grow up to 20 percent. Bakshi gave an example: 'The average woman in India consumes two or three (cosmetic) products daily, compared to women in Korea who use almost eight products a day. Thus, there will be a significant increase in per capita consumption in India over the next four to five years.'
EPL's current global market share in oral care tubes is about 35 percent, while its share in personal hygiene packaging is about 8 percent. Bakshi noted that the company's share in the personal hygiene segment is relatively low and believes its fair share should be closer to 30 percent. Even if the company does not reach this figure, doubling its share from 8 to 16 percent over the next four to five years would be a significant step.
Regarding the raw material market, Bakshi reported that the crisis in the Middle East led to an almost 100 percent increase in prices for polymer raw materials derived from petrochemical products in the June quarter. Unlike the COVID-19 pandemic period, when companies had to absorb cost inflation and lose margins, EPL was able to fully pass on the cost increases to customers this time.
Concerning the proposed merger with Indovida, Bakshi confirmed that EPL has received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and awaits approvals from stock exchanges and the SEBI market regulator, after which the process will move to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The merger is expected to be completed by the beginning of next year. According to Bakshi, Indovida demonstrated 12 percent volume growth, 25 percent revenue growth, and 62 percent EBITDA growth in the June quarter.
The merger aligns with EPL's strategy to expand beyond tubes into new packaging formats such as rigid plastics and bottles, which will give it access to new customers like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, and strengthen its position in Southeast Asia and Africa, where Indovida has a strong presence.
EPL operates 21 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries and employs over 6,000 staff representing 23 nationalities. The company annually produces over 9 billion tubes and serves more than 1,200 clients in the oral care, beauty and cosmetics, pharmaceutical and healthcare, food and nutrition, and household chemicals sectors.