Alkyl Amines Chemicals Ltd (NSE: ALKYLAMINE) Q4 2025 Earnings Call dated May. 12, 2025
Corporate Participants:
Unidentified Speaker
Kumar Saumya — Investor Relations
Udipt Agarwal — Chief Commercial Officer
Chintamani Thatte — General Manager and Company Secretary
Kanchan Shinde — Chief Financial Officer
Analysts:
Unidentified Participant
Devansh — Analyst
Rikin Shah — Analyst
Nilesh — Analyst
Bhargav — Analyst
Rajeev Rupani — Analyst
Mehul — Analyst
Rudraksh Raheja — Analyst
Vatsal Shah — Analyst
Simprit Singh — Analyst
Presentation:
operator
Ladies and gentlemen, Good day and welcome to Alkalylamines Chemicals Ltd. Q4FY25 earnings conference call hosted by Ambit Capital Pvt Ltd. As a reminder, all participant lines will be in the listen only mode and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions after the presentation concludes. Should you need assistance during this conference call, please signal an operator by pressing the star then zero on your touchstone phone. Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Kumar Soumya from Ambit Capital. Thank you. And over to you sir.
Kumar Saumya — Investor Relations
Thank you Steve. Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to Q4 earning conference call of Alkyla Mines Chemicals Limited. From the management we have with us Mr. Udit Agrawal Chief Commercial Officer Mr. Chintamani Thate, General Manager and Company Secretary Mrs. Kanchan Shinde, Chief Financial Officer. I’ll now request the management for an opening remark post which we’ll open up the floor for Q and A. Thank you. Over to you sir.
Udipt Agarwal — Chief Commercial Officer
Thank you Kumar. This is Udeep Takarwal here. Good afternoon everyone. For for joining our call today for our quarter four and annual performance review. Let me begin by giving a few opening remarks about the year that has just gone by. And then we will open the conference for detailed question answers. As you might have seen in our results we had a modest growth in the top line but there has been a significant growth in our volume numbers and because of but because of the price drops we see the partial impact coming into our top line.
The good thing is that parallelly also the prices of the raw materials also been going down. So that also has a carryover effect in our margins as you see it. So overall results mix back I would say although there is a volume growth but at the same time the pressure on prices continues and on the all our major product projects are moving forward as planned as we announced last year. So all the project, this new project at our dahed side is moving as planned. We expect mechanical completion to be over by December of this year or January next year.
So we will see the impact of that in our numbers in the next financial year. I think we will have more and more clarity and we have more discussions and I will open the floor for the question and answer now.
Questions and Answers:
operator
Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. Anyone who wishes to ask a question may press Star and one on their touchstone telephone. If you wish to withdraw yourself from the question queue you may press STAR and two participants are requested to use handset while asking a question. Ladies and gentlemen, we will wait for a moment while the question queue assembles. The first question is from the line of Devansh, an individual investor. Please go ahead.
Devansh
Wish you a very good afternoon, sir. And had a good result in Alcala Mines. Yeah, hello.
Udipt Agarwal
Yeah, good afternoon. Devesh. Please go ahead with your with your question.
Devansh
Can you please throw some colors on related to anti dumping duty on acetonitrite and something related to it. Thank you.
Udipt Agarwal
Yeah. As we all know, the Ministry of Commerce Department, dgtr, Department of Trade Remedies, actor General Trade remedies announced the imposition of the anti dumping duty on product acetonitrile originating for certain regions and countries. But this is just an announcement from the dgtr. After this there is another process which is with Ministry of Finance and that is still to be completed. Ministry of Finance typically has 90 to 100 days window after the DGTR recommendations. So the impact of that is not there as yet on our business. But you are right, there is an imposition of anti dumping duty on acetonitis.
Devansh
And anti dumping duties imposed or not. And this isn’t just investigation running on or did you get the anti dumping duty by government?
Udipt Agarwal
The investigations was completely completed by DGTR Director General of Trade Remedies. They made a recommendation and the Ministry of Finance has to approve it now. Okay.
Devansh
Okay. Okay. So thank you.
operator
Thank you. The next question is from the line of Ricken Shah from Boring amc. Please go ahead.
Rikin Shah
Hi team. Thanks for taking my question. If we can help break down what kind of pricing pressure have we seen and volume growth have we seen this quarter?
Kanchan Shinde
So this quarter volumes are more or less stable. Around 4 to 5% growth compared to previous quarter. But compared to corresponding previous year quarter, that is significant growth of around 15%. And prices now more or less remain stable compared to last year. Prices have dropped, but compared to previous quarter, the prices are stable. Margins are also stable. You can see stable EBITDA margins of around 21%.
Rikin Shah
Sure. So is the pricing pressure more to do with, you know, the dimethylamine component or is it a broad, you know, basket based pricing? We are seeing the pressure.
Udipt Agarwal
It is I think across. It is across some product groups more sub product group less ethylamines and methylamines because of the demand supply situation are more under pressure acetonitrile because of the continued dumping from China.
Rikin Shah
Okay, all right. That’s also my side.
Udipt Agarwal
Yeah, thank you.
operator
The next question is from the line of Nilesh from HDFC securities. Please go ahead.
Nilesh
Yeah. Good afternoon, sir. In our previous Conference call, you mentioned that. And the volume growth was about 8 to 10% in first half of FY25. Can you guide us how much was the volume growth for full year? FY25?
Kanchan Shinde
Around 13%.
Nilesh
Okay. And top line growth was 9. So pricing pressure I can see that about 4% because of the value. Right.
Udipt Agarwal
Yes.
Nilesh
So where you see witness, you can pricing prices. Is it in your specialty product or the ethyl or methyl chain?
Udipt Agarwal
It is more so in ethyl chain and methyl chain because of the demand supply situation here and that’s really driving the prices down. And acetonitrile we did not see any change in terms of the prices. China continued to dump and prices kind of remained very stable at a low level. Marginal difference, few rupees plus minus that is that does not have any significant impact on the overall situation.
Nilesh
Sorry sir, go ahead.
Udipt Agarwal
I was saying the acetonitrile prices remain more or less stable however at a very low level.
Nilesh
Okay. Okay. And sir, as you mentioned that in methyl and ethyl amines there are pressure. Is it because of the particularly in methylamine space, Is it because of the capacity addition in the domestic market or is it because of the China dumping.
Udipt Agarwal
Methylamines as a product do not like to travel so much. So it is primarily because of the local situation what we have here in India. So methylamines are not imported into India from China. So what we get impacted methylamines is because of the agrochemical demand. Okay, so those some of the agrochemicals are being imported into India from China but primarily and some of the derivatives are also being imported into India from China. So that is creating a little pressure upstream on the base base methylamines margin.
Nilesh
Okay, and how do you see FY26 in terms of prices for all three categories of your product basket?
Udipt Agarwal
I think methylamine and ethylamines will continue to have a similar situation. Yeah, we will see how the acetonitrile plays out opposed to the imposition of the anti dumping duty. The impact of which they expect or we expect that should be sometime in quarter financial year. Quarter two. Yeah, second half. Second part of the quarter two.
Nilesh
Just on the update on your CapEx, sir, how the CAPEX is moving the product launch at what stage the capex the ongoing CAPEX plan or the plan.
Udipt Agarwal
Is as I mentioned in the beginning, the announced capex are moving forward as planned. So there is no change in that. Last year we announced a capex of about 110, 120 crore for a new product at the Head site. So that is ongoing. Other than that, there are a few other projects which are in the pipeline but we have not decided as yet on the timelines of those and the amounts are still also being finalized. So we will be announcing as and when we are ready at this moment.
Nilesh
Okay, okay, okay. And just last bit, can you tell us about the ethylamine demand supply in domestic market overall?
Udipt Agarwal
Nilesh, as you know, you have been following our company and as you know, I mean there are two major segment of the ethyl amines demand which is one is the pharma and the other is the agrochemical. So pharmacy demand seems to be a little bit stable. Agrochemicals, it’s up and down. It’s a mixed situation. But more or less I would say is that there is a very small marginal increase in the demand over the years. That’s on the demand side. However, on the supply side, I mean you know it that we had expanded our capacity with the new plant in the previous financial year 23, 24.
So we have a new plant with the capacity and other competitors also had their existing capacity. So at this moment it’s an oversupplied situation in India.
Nilesh
Okay, okay. In terms of can you quantify how much is the demand in as per your assessment, domestic demand?
Udipt Agarwal
We see a demand which is somewhere. I mean I can give you a range. It depends on how you look at it. Yeah. Because there are few derivatives also and we generally also do not comment on the capacities and demand numbers. But directionally speaking, since you have asked it somewhere around I would say 25, 30,000 tons.
Nilesh
Yeah, thanks. Thanks a lot. Thanks a lot sir for patiently answering all my question. And best of all.
Udipt Agarwal
Welcome.
operator
Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen. If you wish to ask a question, you may press star and 1. The next question is from the line of Parga from Ambit Asset Management. Please go ahead.
Bhargav
Yeah, thank you very much for the opportunity. So my first question is assuming that the DGTR recommendation goes through, is it. Fair to say that. Hello?
Udipt Agarwal
Yeah, we are not able to hear you clearly.
Bhargav
Can you hear me now, sir?
Udipt Agarwal
Yeah, better now. Thank you.
Chintamani Thatte
Yeah, yeah.
Bhargav
Sir, I’m saying that if the DGTR recommendation on acetonite style antidumping duty goes through, then is it fair to assume that there could be an increase in realization range of around 15 to 20%?
Udipt Agarwal
Hard to say. Hard to say. Honestly speaking, as you read the recommendations of DGTR, I think the lowest is 205 or $207 per metric tonight. And highest. Yes, yeah, highest goes to $480 per ton. But I think floor gets settled at the lower end generally in the commoditized semi specialties markets. We also have to see after this, once the Ministry of Finance accepts the recommendation, how is the approach of the other importers into India? I mean primarily the Chinese, I mean how are or what is their philosophy around pricing? Okay, so we’ll have to play but.
And we have to wait and watch how, how it will play around. But overall it should help us to improve our position in the market, I would say.
Bhargav
So what is the current, what is the current pricing for us in.
Udipt Agarwal
Our. Current pricing is similar to as what we had said at the last call, also around 140 rupees and 50 rupees.
Bhargav
Okay, okay. And secondly sir, we believe that this demand for GLP drugs is now rising. Is it fair to say that every ton of GLP drug will require about 15 times acetonitrile?
Udipt Agarwal
This is true that the demand for these kind of molecules is rising. These kind of applications in the pharmaceutical industry is rising. No doubt about it. More and more pharmaceutical companies are trying to enter into this market segment which seems to be very lucrative. This is still early stages people are talking about or the customers of ours are talking about significantly higher volumes in this area at this moment. We are also trying to assess whether it is really like this as you described. I mean multiple times the demand. But I also understand that let’s be optimistic about it.
But at the same time we also know that as the drugs go generic in nature, there is also a process, process engineering which happens and the prices of the finished goods also come down and resulting the raw materials as well. Pressure comes onto the raw materials as well. But directionally, yes, your information is correct. There is a larger demand or upcoming demand in these kind of applications.
Bhargav
And basically we are in touch with those customers as well, right? I mean we are also meaning once the opportunity productivize will also be benefited.
Udipt Agarwal
Yes, true.
Bhargav
Okay. And does our name also feature in the filing when for these so that there is some entry barrier or no. What do you mean?
Udipt Agarwal
I mean, can you come again? I did not.
Bhargav
Meaning, meaning these GLP drug manufacturers, do they have to sort of disclose to someone that they are buying acetonitrile from a particular company or it doesn’t work like that.
Udipt Agarwal
Again, answer is yes and no. If it is for the innovator producing it, they probably might have to specify.
Bhargav
Sure, sure.
Udipt Agarwal
These are the key raw material suppliers or key solvent suppliers which is generally there. I mean when you file a drug master file dmf.
Bhargav
Sure.
Udipt Agarwal
If it is included, you are included there. Then the name is there.
Bhargav
Okay, great, sir. Thank you very much. And all the very best, sir.
Udipt Agarwal
Thank you.
operator
Thank you. The next question is from the line of Rajiv Rapani and individual investor. Please go ahead.
Rajeev Rupani
Yes, sir. Thanks for the opportunity. Sir, I had a question. The US has placed the tariffs on China for many goods. So I would like to understand is there additional pressure or dumping by China to India for our products? Could you please clarify?
Udipt Agarwal
The US tariff situation is evolving. Situation. Yeah. So what will happen in July? We do not know at this moment. Right. So. But to answer your question, the second part which is more interesting and more relevant for us is impact on us with respect to China dumping more into India in our kind of product. We have not seen that as yet. But depends on what happens in the next couple of months in by this moment. No, we have not seen that impact. But speculation. But the theory is right. I mean, if China is not would be less and less competitive in US market.
All those capacities needs to find a new home. And India, which has already been a dumping ground for the international producers. I expect the intensity to increase.
Rajeev Rupani
That was helpful. And my next question was the products which you are going to introduce in the future. Would we be the only producer in India for those products?
Udipt Agarwal
There are other producers, but with a. With a smaller capacities.
Rajeev Rupani
Okay. And my last question is this PLI scheme for Pharma which the government has announced. So when does that benefit accrue to us in the future?
Udipt Agarwal
Not into the pharmaceutical industry. So it is our customers who might get some benefit from it. Okay, so we are a raw material supplier to the pharma industry.
Rajeev Rupani
Okay, thank you.
Udipt Agarwal
And there is as yet I don’t think there is any PLI scheme for the chemical or specialty chemical industries. It has been in the works for last so many years. We have been hearing about it. But nothing concrete at this moment that we are aware of.
Rajeev Rupani
Okay, thank you.
Udipt Agarwal
Thanks Rajiv.
operator
The next question is from the line of Mehul from 40 cents. Please go ahead.
Mehul
Hello, sir. Thank you so much for the opportunity. So I have a question on the earlier question about new products. So what are the products which we are going to manufacture the new products.
Udipt Agarwal
As a policy we do not announce it. Yeah, so of course some of the customers where we have tested it, know about it. But as a policy we do not announce it. When the product is ready and we start selling, we will be announcing.
Mehul
Okay, and what are the timelines for. The New products
Udipt Agarwal
As I said the capex is going on and we expect mechanical completion December this year or January early January 2025 post that we would be launching the products in the market so we will see some impact of that showing up in the next financial year.
Mehul
Right. And sir in the earlier discussion you mentioned about that the tariff situation is evolving as we all know but you also mentioned that we will know in July so please pardon my ignorance but can you just share what are you referring to when you say July?
Udipt Agarwal
Yeah, July because there was an announcement from from US side that the window is for 90 days or 100 days and that period was ending in in July that’s what the time frame I. Was referring to
Mehul
Right, right and one more question.
Udipt Agarwal
And which may change at any point in time I mean we heard about a new trade pact between or new deal between China and US yesterday so situation is evolving as I said every day seems to be a.
Mehul
New day yeah, I mean yeah now yeah we are in a very dynamic world in terms of geopolitics sir on the question on the capex for the new products so which site you you are having the capex being done on which side of kilo mines?
Udipt Agarwal
This is at the hedge the H.
Mehul
And I’m just new to this company so how many sites do we have other than the H?
Udipt Agarwal
We have three sites the company started manufacturing products at site called Patal Ganga which is on the outskirts of Mumbai Second which is probably the largest also is in Kurkum Midc and third one is in Gidc Dahit
Mehul
okay sir thank. You so much and all the best.
operator
Thank you the next question is from the line of Ritrak Shaheja from I thought financial consulting Please go ahead.
Rudraksh Raheja
Opportunity Sir I’m very new to the business so please bear with me so what would your capacity utilization across different plants?
Kanchan Shinde
Average is around 60 to 70% across all the plants so some are range of 80 to 85 some are between 50 to 55 but average is 6060 to 70%.
Udipt Agarwal
And this is also a little bit could be different because if you’re talking about at the finished goods level it could be a little different because so many products which we also derivatize for example methylamines we also derivatize Right. So their base utilization would be different yeah so that’s why Kanchan mentioned that it at an average level the utilization is in that range.
Rudraksh Raheja
And sir, on. An average at best what would be our highest utilization level?
Chintamani Thatte
Around 85 Some plants 85%.
Rudraksh Raheja
Understood, understood Thank You.
operator
Thank you. The next question is from the line of Rajiv Rabani, an individual investor. Please go ahead.
Rajeev Rupani
Yes sir, I had a follow up question on the new products. So could you just at least guide us the new products, is it going to be on the specialty chemical side or there are derivatives of our minds?
Udipt Agarwal
It’s more on the specialty chemical side, Rajiv.
Rajeev Rupani
Okay, thank you.
operator
Thank you. Participants who wish to ask a question may press star and 1. The next question is from the line of Kumar Soumya from Ambit Capital. Please go ahead.
Kumar Saumya
Hi sir, a couple of questions from my side. This year every quarter we have been in the range of EBITDA margin has been in the range of 18 to 20%. So do we see the room for improvement in the next festive
Udipt Agarwal
EBITDA margin. In the range of 20%?
Kanchan Shinde
Yeah, EBITDA margin is 21%. Last year it was around 19%. So our average if you see in the past is around 20 to 21%. So we are like now stabilized at that.
Kumar Saumya
Do we expect to improve to about 21% are met in the next financial year?
Kanchan Shinde
Difficult to say. But at present we don’t foresee any because we pressure on prices continue to remain as in past year.
Kumar Saumya
Got it. And then about the capex, what is the total capex apart from that 100 crore the H Capex, do we have any more capex that we are planning. To do this system
Kanchan Shinde
around 150cr. So that is from carry forward projects from past year also and some new projects in current year. So around 150 CRV forecast for next year.
Kumar Saumya
And this includes 100 crore at the head, right?
Kanchan Shinde
Yes, yes. So for out of hundred crores we have already spent something in last year also.
Udipt Agarwal
No.
Kanchan Shinde
So yeah, all around.
Kumar Saumya
And then this year what was the total excludes that we have done
Kanchan Shinde
this year? What was
Kumar Saumya
total exports.
Kanchan Shinde
Total exports? Exports. Generally it is around 20% of the total sales 2018 generally it has continued to remain.
Kumar Saumya
Okay, thank you ma’ am. I’ll come back in a little. Thank you.
Kanchan Shinde
Thank you.
operator
The next question is from the line of Devansh and individual investor. Please go ahead.
Devansh
Hello. Yes sir. So just wanted to ask about it’s a bottom for the cycle because I just noticed that Promoter Group Project trading company is buying your shares from open market. Because it’s a good sign to add quantity at that price. Can you please share some thoughts on it?
Kanchan Shinde
Difficult to say 9 market. What is the bottom level? You never know
Devansh
Ma’ am, sorry to say but as you. As you Mentioned you sometimes you are getting anti dumping duty and you are. You will die. This will directly impact your margins too. And impact on volume, volume growth too.
Kanchan Shinde
About the volume growth and overall growth in the coming years.
Devansh
Okay, thank you.
operator
Thank you. The next follow up question is from the line of Bharga from Ambit Asset Management. Please go ahead.
Bhargav
Yes, I just wanted to know one thing that what is the probability that the Ministry of Finance may reject the DGTR recommendation? I mean in your past instances, is there any case where it has happened?
Udipt Agarwal
Yeah, it has happened in our case also when we had the sunset review for our product monoisopropylamine. That time Ministry of Finance didn’t go through the Ministry of Finance. So there have been instances. But we also see that off late quite a number of most of the cases are also passing going through Ministry of Finance. So Ministry of Finance generally accepts the DGTR recommendation. That’s what I am trying to say.
Bhargav
Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you so much.
Udipt Agarwal
But we have to keep our fingers crossed till the time final notification from Ministry of Finance is out and available to everybody.
Bhargav
And so here does it, does the pricing immediately improve or there would be some low cost inventory also in the system. So once that inventory gets absorbed and then just to get some sense,
Udipt Agarwal
I. Think there would be every time there would be an inventory effect for sure. Yes. And let’s not forget that it will not only help us, it will also be the same conditions are also applicable for other producers of acetonitrile in India.
Bhargav
No, no sir, I was referring more to the Chinese dumping which they do. So is it that before this anti dumping duty announcement they would preempt it and flood the market? From that perspective,
Udipt Agarwal
I think there would be some inventory effect. Yeah.
Bhargav
Okay. Okay, understood. Thank you. Thank you very much.
operator
Thank you. The next question is from the line of Verstal Shah from Kingstone Capital Management. Please go ahead.
Vatsal Shah
Yeah, hi. Thank you for taking my question. So. I wanted to ask the split between amine, amine derivatives and specialty chemicals. From revenue point of view.
Kanchan Shinde
Around 50% is from Amines and 30% is from derivatives and around 18 to 20% from specialty chemicals.
Vatsal Shah
Okay. And from what I understood was from a mine and amine derivative side, the problem is on the over supply situation. In local market and specialty chemicals the problem is for anti dumping duty, is that correct?
Udipt Agarwal
Internamine derivatives, not the base amines, which is the methylamines and the ethylamine. There is a oversupply situation. Yes. And specialty products, if you look at it, we say that there’s a margin pressure because of dumping from China. But at the same time, if you look at our revenue shift or revenue growth, it’s also similar across all three segments. So we are growing across all segments. Amines, amine derivatives and specialty products.
Vatsal Shah
All right. No, I was trying to gauge the situation more from the point of view of recovery. So if there is an oversupply situation for amine and amine derivatives. So like for how long will it persist?
Udipt Agarwal
Yeah, yeah. It’s the major supply, say over supply situation is in the amines. Yeah. Which is the methylamines and ethyl amines, base amines. And there, there is a significant over capacity. But we also have to keep this in perspective that when we build these plants, these plants are built for, for long term. Okay. Because these are large capacity process plant, it’s difficult to to put every smaller capacity plants every two years. Yeah. So everybody who puts up these kind of plants, they plan it for the future, not for the short term demand. So from that perspective, I think it will take a while for the capacities to be absorbed in the domestic market.
Vatsal Shah
Got it. And can you also share the amine and amine derivatives industry growth rate? Like what is the current industry growth rate?
Udipt Agarwal
I primarily find applications in pharmaceuticals and agrochemical applications. And there you know how the bulk has been growing. I’m not talking about the formulations. Yeah. That grows. So that’s typically 6, 7, 8%.
Vatsal Shah
Got it. And volume wise we are looking for around 10% in next two years.
Udipt Agarwal
Yeah, we are looking at a double digit volume growth.
Vatsal Shah
Okay.
Udipt Agarwal
Targeting it so much.
Vatsal Shah
Got it. Okay, thank you.
operator
Thank you. The next question is from the line of Rajiv Rapani. Please go ahead.
Rajeev Rupani
Yes, sir. I had a follow up question on ACN isotonitride, sir. What I believe is our competitor is commissioning 60 metric ton a day plant of ACN which will be commissioned by FY25 26 and the domestic demand is about 30,000 to 35,000 tonnes. So what do you think will be impact on the price of ACN when their plant comes up? Will we suffer some price damage and capacity utilization will be less for us?
Udipt Agarwal
Depends on the timing of the capacities which come into the picture. But if you look at the basic rule of demand supply. If there is oversupply situation in the market. Yes. Then it has an impact on the overall profitability of all the industry players. It’s not only us. So that principle doesn’t go away anywhere as and when somebody expands or new capacities come on on stream. This kind of Phenomena is observed in the market.
Rajeev Rupani
Thank you.
operator
Thank you. A reminder to all participants that you may press Star and one to ask a question. The next question is a follow up question. It’s from the line of Westernshire from Kingston Capital Management. Please go ahead.
Vatsal Shah
Yeah, thank you for the follow up. So there was a news about Aarti drugs backward integrating into some of your products. So is there like is Art drugs a significant customer of yours or like what will be the impact from them backward integrating into methylamines?
Udipt Agarwal
There is a news which we also are also following up. We are also tracking at what point in time they would be able to come in the marketplace. So we will see as and when it happens. But methylamines are may sound simple products like it’s a one step reaction of alcohol plus ammonia, but it is, it is not so simple to produce. Of course, since they have invested it into it, they will learn and come on stream. But again, the same logic applies here as well. Whenever there is a new capacity and market becomes oversupplied, there is a pressure on the margins.
Vatsal Shah
Got it. And like are they a significant customer of us or it is negligible?
Udipt Agarwal
I would not say significant but. But it’s not negligible either. They have a decent demand, I would say. But there are other customers who have a similar demand.
Vatsal Shah
Okay, thank you.
operator
Thank you ladies and gentlemen. If you wish to ask a question to the management, you may press Star and one, the next question is from the line of Kumar Soumya from Ambit Capital. Please go ahead.
Kumar Saumya
Hi sir, just one question during the quarter, how was the demand in particular for this quarter? Was it similar to what we saw in the last nine months or something? Some new development or some underlying demand trends were a little different that we.
Udipt Agarwal
Observed in this particular quarter. I would say the demand was slightly on the lower side, market demand. But that is not because of any kind of fundamentals changing or any macro indicators. It was more because of certain customers were down and they were not able to produce and or availability of other raw materials from that standpoint, but not because of any fundamental change in the market which can happen in any quarter. I would say the underlying still remain the same, no deterioration in the fundamentals.
Kumar Saumya
And so these customers that you are talking about, whether from pharma segment or agrochem segment.
Udipt Agarwal
I would say more on the applications of the specialty chemicals segment.
Kumar Saumya
Okay, got it. And are they back to normal or are they still struggling?
Udipt Agarwal
No, I think they are back.
Kumar Saumya
Okay.
Udipt Agarwal
That’s why I said there’s no change in the fundamentals of this.
Kumar Saumya
Got it. That was very important. Thank you sir.
operator
Thank you. The next question is from the line of Rajiv Rapani. Please go ahead.
Rajeev Rupani
Yes sir. I had a follow up question by. When do you think this pricing pressure on ethyl amines and methylamine goes away since you and your competitors have a good capacity. So how much time do you think will it take for capacity utilization to improve and the prices to improve? A year or two or three years. Could you just guide us
Udipt Agarwal
maybe a little longer? I wish it happens sooner but it all depends on the demand development and at this moment if you look at the capacities there’s massive over capacity and so one of your participants in the call also mentioned the Aarti industry. Aarti drugs impact. So market is going to remain long in the next few years.
Rajeev Rupani
Thank you, that was helpful.
operator
Thank you. The next question is from the line of Simpeet Singh. Please go ahead.
Simprit Singh
Hello, good afternoon. I have joined that side with the capacity utilization. Can you restrict what is the capacity utilization currently for our plants?
Udipt Agarwal
Repeat your question and your voice was very clear. I think your question is more related to the capacity utilization of our plants, right?
Simprit Singh
Yes sir.
Kanchan Shinde
Yes. So it’s around 60 to 70% average utilization.
Simprit Singh
Okay and one more question like recently promoters are buying the stakes so are both consider any buyback or any form of reward for the shareholders?
Kanchan Shinde
No, we are not aware about any such thing.
Simprit Singh
Okay ma’ am, one feedback this time I didn’t see any investor presentation on the website or any on exchange so that’s the only way for us to for a small letter to reach the management or see the presentation
Kanchan Shinde
tomorrow maximum. The presentation will get updated.
Simprit Singh
Okay ma’ am. Okay, thank you.
operator
Thank you Ladies and gentlemen if you wish to ask a question you may press star and 1. As there are no further questions I would now like to hand the conference over to the management for closing comments.
Udipt Agarwal
Thanks everybody for once again for joining the call, listening in and spending the time with us. I hope we have been able to answer some of your queries and we look forward to your continued support in the future as well.
operator
I’m sorry to interrupt sir, there’s a question.
Udipt Agarwal
Yeah please.
operator
It’s from the line of Devinch. Please go ahead.
Devansh
So just wanted to ask any guidance regarding for this FY25 or any. May. You can guide some volume expectations or your views on your demand and supply.
Kanchan Shinde
So we expected a double digit growth in next year around 10 to 15% which we have been achieving. Okay so on volume growth it will remain prices we will continue to have some pressure on prices. But let’s see. It’s too early to comment on how prices will move.
Devansh
Yeah, got it. Got it. Thank you so much. All the best for your upcoming results.
Kanchan Shinde
Thank you.
operator
Yes, sir. There are no questions. You can carry on with your closing comments.
operator
I was saying just thanks to everyone for listening in. Looking forward to the continued support just now mentioned. We remain optimistic for the future, but at the same time preparing ourselves for the challenges ahead. So cautiously optimistic approach as we move forward into the next year. The good part is that our customers are growing. The market demand is. The market is not going anywhere. The opportunity in India is large enough for us to be able to drive the growth. And with this, again, thank you for listening in and thank you. MBIT for us. Thank you.
Kanchan Shinde
Thank you everyone.
operator
Thank you on behalf of Ambed Capital Private Limited. That concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us and you may now disconnect your lines. Thank you.