Infographic: TBS
Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI) PLC, one of the largest conglomerates in Bangladesh, is set to expand its business footprint into the semiconductor and property sectors.
To operate in these new segments, the ACI board has decided to form two new subsidiaries – ACI Semiconductor Limited and ACI Properties Limited – at a board of directors’ meeting held on Thursday.
An official of ACI told TBS, “We are hoping for bright prospects in both business segments in the future, which is why the management has decided to enter these segments by forming two subsidiaries of ACI PLC.”
ACI Semiconductor Limited will have an authorised capital of Tk100 crore and a paid-up capital of Tk10 crore.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard’s Google news channel
In the company, ACI will own 85% shares, which is subject to the approval of the concerned authority.
ACI Properties Limited will have an authorised capital of Tk100 crore and paid-up capital of Tk10 crore. In the company, ACI will hold 85% shares.
The official said the new business segment will enhance ACI’s business portfolio.
According to its latest annual report for the 2024-25 fiscal year, ACI owns 17 subsidiaries and five joint ventures and associate companies operating across the country through its five diversified strategic business units – healthcare, consumer brands, agribusiness, motors and retail chains.
Its healthcare division delivers innovative and pharmaceutical products, the consumer brands division with its toiletries, home care, hygiene, electrical, salt, flour, foods, rice, edible oil, paints and international businesses.
ACI’s agribusiness arm is the country’s largest integrated platform in agriculture, livestock and fisheries, while ACI Motors is a leading player in farm mechanisation, motorcycles, commercial vehicles and construction equipment.
The retail chain division operates Shwapno, the largest retail network in Bangladesh, with more than 683 outlets nationwide, including 220 newly opened stores, serving over 1,00,000 customers daily.
ACI traces its origins to Imperial Chemical Industries, a British multinational that established operations in then East Pakistan. Following Bangladesh’s independence, the business became ICI Bangladesh Manufacturers Limited before being acquired by its management in 1992 and renamed Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI) PLC.
Financial performance
For the financial year ended on 30 June 2025, ACI reported a marked performance improvement, with its consolidated loss narrowing significantly. The group posted a consolidated loss of Tk41.91 crore, or Tk7.40 per share, compared with Tk128.47 crore and Tk15.88 per share in the previous year.
Its consolidated revenue for FY25 stood at Tk13,790 crore, up from Tk12,431 crore in the previous fiscal year.
ACI’s management attributed the improvement in profitability to steady revenue growth and stronger cost control.
During the year, the company achieved a 10.93% increase in consolidated revenue and a 15.42% rise in gross profit. The growth in gross profit outpaced operating expense growth, leading to higher operating profit despite challenging market conditions.
However, the company noted that higher borrowing costs partially offset the gains. The cost of borrowings increased during the year, driven by rising interest rates and additional funding requirements for working capital and strategic investments to support business expansion.
ACI’s 25% cash dividend was approved by the shareholders in the annual general meeting (AGM) held on 28 December 2025.
In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, ACI reported a consolidated profit of Tk6.32 crore with an earnings per share (EPS) of Tk0.39, which was a consolidated loss of Tk46.91 crore and loss per share of Tk4.82 in the same time of the previous fiscal year.
Its consolidated revenue surged to Tk3,696 crore from Tk2,971 crore in Q1 of FY25.
The group achieved a 24.40% revenue growth, which was contributed to by a number of businesses as demonstrated in consolidated operating segments.
Source: The Business Standard
Read More at: csslbd.net
