The Sri Lankan multinational Haycarb PLC reported a revenue of Rs. 5.9 billion and profit before tax of Rs. 458 million for the six months ending 30th September 2016. The profit after tax stood at Rs. 374 million. The turnover increased by 8%, while the profit before tax and after tax recorded a growth of 10% and 7% respectively compared to the first half of the previous year.

Haycarb PLC Managing Director Mr. Rajitha Kariyawasan said that while the company’s initiatives to strengthen raw material supply chain networks in Sri Lanka and Thailand have made progress, the raw material supply chain in Indonesia faced setbacks due to adverse weather conditions and increased exports of charcoal.

He further said that “while depressed conditions in the gold mining sector continues to impact the profitability, the raw material situation in Indonesia will be an additional challenge the company will have to contend with, in the short term. On a positive note he added that successes in marketing and new product development initiatives resulting in the acquisition of new customer accounts and product segments increased the market reach of the company which is reflected in the improved top and bottom line. This was complemented by lean initiatives that streamlined processes which brought in cost efficiencies and productivity improvements.” He expressed confidence that the environmental engineering arm Puritas (Pvt.) Ltd., will continue on its strong growth trajectory in the second half of the year.

In the background of increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability worldwide Haycarb remains positive in its medium to long term outlook in its activated carbon and water treatment systems businesses.