The Board of Aether Industries Limited take pleasure inpresenting the 13th Board Report along with otherReports of the Company, together with the Standalone
Particulars (INR in MM)
Income from business operationsAdd : Other incomeTotal incomeEBITDA
Less: Finance CostLess: Depreciation
Profit before Exceptional items and Tax
Less: Exceptional items
Profit before tax
Less: Tax
Profit after tax
Earnings per Equity Share:
Business operations and affairs of the Company
The Fiscal Year 2025, begun well in-line with theprevious fiscal year. The Company was able to operateat an efficient level and maintained the samethroughout the year.
The efficiency was observed increased throughout theyear and resulted into better results of the Fiscal Year2024.
The Management at the operational level, with theextensive support of the employees, strived to workbest with limited resources after the unfortunateaccident.
and Consolidated Audited Statement of Accounts andthe Auditors' Report of the Company for the FinancialYear ended March 31, 2025.
Standalone
Consolidated
2025
2024
f7,885.18
f5,956.69
f8,386.90
f5,981.72
f443.16
f442.64
f416.42
f392.07
f8,328.34
f6,399.34
f8,803.33
f6,373.80
f2,135.79
f1,619.49
f1,176.85
f1,576.94
f102.25
f85.17
f129.33
f427.97
f394.15
f450.14
f396.65
f2,167.65
f1,277.78
f2,248.58
f1,232.74
f 118.74
f137.62
f2,048.92
f1,140.17
f2,129.84
f1,095.12
f528.01
f259.19
f545.66
f270.22
f1,520.91
f880.98
f1,584.18
f824.90
511.47
f 6.74
511.95
f 6.31
511.94
The Revenue from Operations in current Fiscal Yearwere reported at f 7,885.18 MM, compared to f5,956.69 MM in the previous Fiscal Year. EBITDA, in thecurrent Fiscal Year reported at f 1,619.49 MM, comparedto f 2,028.16 MM in the previous Fiscal Year. The Profitafter Tax of the Company in the current Fiscal Year wasf 880.98 MM against the previous Fiscal Year's Profitafter Tax of f 880.98 MM.
Subsidiary, Associate and Joint Venture entities
The Company does not have any Associate or JointVenture entities. However, a Wholly Owned SubsidiaryCompany is incorporated, details are mentioned inForm AOC-1, as Annexure-A. During the Fiscal Year
2025, Company made an additional investment intothe above Wholly Owned Subsidiary worth f100.00 MM.
Name : Aether Speciality Chemicals Ltd.
CIN : U24290GJ2022PLC135180Holding : 100 %
Management Discussion and Analysis Report
There are no material changes and commitmentswhich were reported after end of the Fiscal Year.
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report
As the Company falls under top 500 listed Companiesof India basis the MCap, the Business Responsibilityand Sustainability Report (BRSR) in terms of Regulation34(2) of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and DisclosureRequirements) Regulations, 2015 for the Fiscal Year isattached herewith.
Material changes and commitments during after theend of the Fiscal Year
Change in Nature of the Business
During the Fiscal Year under review, the Companypursued the existing stream of business operationswithout introducing any new business venture.Business activity of the Company remainedunchanged throughout the Fiscal Year.
Details of revision of Financial Statement or AnnualReport
No revision of the Financial Statements or AnnualReport has been made during Financial Year endedMarch 31, 2025 neither in any of the preceding threeFiscal Years.
Accounting treatment
Since the listing of the Company, the Company has
resorted to adhering to the Indian AccountingStandards (Ind AS).
Share Capital Structure
During the year under review, the Authorised ShareCapital of the Company remains unchanged.
Authorized Capital
f 1,47,50,00,000 (Rupees One Hundred Forty-sevenCrore Fifty Lakh only), comprised of 14,75,00,000(Fourteen Crore Seventy-five Lakh) Equity Shares of f10 each.
The Company's issued share capital structure is asmentioned below:
Issued, Subscribed and Paid-up Capitalf 1,32,59,02,410 (Rupees One Hundred Thirty-two CroreFifty-nine Lakh Two Thousand Four Hundred Ten only),comprised of 13,25,90,241 (Thirteen Crore Twenty-fiveLakh Ninety Thousand Two Hundred Forty-one) EquityShares of f 10 each.
All the shares of the Company are in dematerialisationform.
During the Fiscal Year under review, in 4 (four)instances, the issued share capital of the Companywas increased, as mentioned here:
Allotment of Shares under ESOSThrough Aether Employee Stock Option Scheme 2021(AIL ESOS 2021), the Company issued and allotted39,968 Equity Shares at f 321 each to 223 employees,upon exercising their option, total f 1,28,29,728 wasreceived through this allotment.
Credit rating of the Company
The Company has secured increased credit ratings. Inthe current Fiscal Year, the Company has maintainedan excellent upward trend, and the credit rating of the
Company is ICRA A for long-term ratings and ICRA A1for short-term ratings, appraised by M/s. ICRA Limited, inline with the previous year.
The rating was opted on credit exposure of f 246.00 Cr.The Company's performance at considering otherexternal factors made this achievable.
Transfer of amounts to Investor Education andProtection Fund
The Company does not have any funds lying unpaid orunclaimed for a period of seven years. Therefore, therewere no funds which were required to be transferred toInvestor Education and Protection Fund.
Board and its Committees
The Board of the Company met at regular intervals asspecified under the norms under the Companies Act,2013 for discussing and reviewing various Board andother strategic matters. For more details, kindly refer theCorporate Governance Report. A total 4 (four) BoardMeetings were convened during the Fiscal Year underreview.
Business transactions were well-arranged throughoutthe Fiscal Year under review, and accordingly, optimumparticipation was reported from the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors and Key Managerial Personnel
The Board of the Company is duly constituted,comprising an adequate number of Executive, Non¬Executive, Women Directors and Independent Directors.
At present, the Board is comprised of a total 12 (twelve)Board members, including 3 (women) members. Thereare 4 (four) Executive Directors, 2 Non-ExecutiveDirectors and 6 Independent Directors.
No changes reported in the Board of Directors and KeyManagerial Personnel of the Company during the
Reporting period. Business transactions were well-arranged throughout the Fiscal Year under review andaccordingly, optimum participation was reported fromthe Board of Directors.
Corporate Social Responsibility
During the Fiscal Year under review, the Companyfulfilled its CSR obligation of f 29.00 MM during theFinancial Year per the requirement, adjusting theprevious years' excess spending. Details of CSRactivities in accordance with Section 135 read withSchedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, are provided inthe Annexure along with details of the CSR Committeecomposition.
The Annual Report on CSR is annexed as Annexure-B tothis Report.
The CSR Policy of the Company is available on thewebsite of the Company at: https://aether.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CSR-Policy.pdf
Directors' retirement by rotation
According to the provisions of Section 152(6) of theCompanies Act, 2013 and as per terms framed underthe Articles of Association of the Company, Ms. PurnimaAshwin Desai and Mr. Kamalvijay Ramchandra Tulsianwill be retiring by rotation at the forthcoming AnnualGeneral Meeting and being eligible, to offer themselvesfor reappointment. The Board recommends their re¬appointment.
Declaration by Independent Directors
The Board of Directors of the Company hereby confirmthat all the Independent Directors have been dulyappointed by the Company and they have given thedeclaration that they meet the criteria of independenceas provided under Section 149(6) of the Companies Act,2013 and as per the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015.
The Board's evaluation
The Board evaluated the effectiveness of itsfunctioning and that of the Committees and ofIndividual Directors by seeking their inputs on variousaspects of the Board / Committees' governance. Also,several new initiatives were introduced for the overallevaluation of the Board.
The aspects covered in the evaluation included thecontribution to and monitoring of corporategovernance practices, participation in the long-termstrategic planning and the fulfilment of Directors'obligations and fiduciary responsibilities, including butnot limited to, active participation at the Board and theCommittee meetings. The Chairman of the Board hada one-on-one meeting with the Independent Directors,and the Chairman of the Nomination andRemuneration Committee had a one-on-one meetingwith the Executive and Non-Executive Directors. Thesemeetings were intended to obtain Directors' inputs onthe effectiveness of the Board / the Committeeprocesses. The Board considered and discussed theinputs received from the Directors, and also on basis oftheir critical input during the fire accident was takeninto consideration. Further, the Independent Directorsat their meeting reviewed the performance of theBoard, Chairman of the Board and of Non-ExecutiveDirectors.
The Policy can be accessed at: https://aether.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/BoardEvaluationPolicy.pdf
Familiarization program for Independent Directors
In the reporting Fiscal Year, 2 (two) familiarisationprograms including a site visit, was hosted by theCompany for its Independent Directors. Details of sucha program is hosted on the website of the Company,accessible at: https://aether.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/FamiliarisationProgram of IndependentDirectors -FINAL.pdf
Directors' Responsibility Statement
Pursuant to Section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013,
the Board of Directors of the Company confirm that:
(a) In the preparation of the annual accounts, theapplicable accounting standards had beenfollowed along with a proper explanation relating tomaterial disclosures;
(b) The Directors had selected such accountingpolicies and applied them consistently, and madejudgments and estimates that are reasonable andprudent to give a true and fair view of the state ofaffairs of the Company at the end of the Fiscal Yearand of the profit and loss of the Company for thatperiod;
(c) The Directors had taken proper and sufficient carefor the maintenance of adequate accountingrecords in accordance with the provisions of theCompanies Act, 2013 for safeguarding the assets ofthe Company and for preventing and detectingfrauds and other irregularities;
(d) The Directors had prepared the annual accounts ona going concern basis; and
(e) The Directors had devised proper systems to ensurecompliance with the provisions of all applicablelaws and that such systems were adequate andoperating effectively.
Internal Financial Controls
The Internal Financial Control System (IFCS) of the
Company has been set out upon considering the
following measures:
(f) That IFCS are commensurate with the size andnature of its operations.
(g) All legal and statutory compliances are ensured ona monthly basis. Non-compliance, if any, isseriously taken by the management and correctiveactions are taken immediately. Any amendment isregularly updated by internal as well as external
(a) agencies in the system.
(b) Approval of all transactions is ensured through apre-approved Delegation of Authority Schedulewhich is reviewed periodically by the Management.
(c) The Company follows a robust internal auditprocess. Transaction audits are conducted regularlyto ensure the accuracy of financial reporting, andthe safeguard and protection of all the assets.Verification of Fixed Assets is done on an annualbasis. The audit reports for the above audits arecompiled and submitted to the Board of Directorsfor review and necessary action.
The Company has tried to put the best-in-class IFCS forthe optimum output.
Deposits
The Company has not accepted any deposit from thegeneral public within the meaning of Section 73 of theCompanies Act, 2013 and Rules framed thereunder.
Loans, Guarantees and Investments
Earlier, the Company had given an unsecured loanworth f 1,045.55 MM to M/s. Aether Speciality ChemicalsLimited, the Wholly Owned Subsidiary, during thereporting period. Later, it was converted into EquityShares.
Related Party Transactions
All the Related Party Transactions that were entered intoduring the Fiscal Year were in the ordinary course ofbusiness and at arm's length price.
There are no materially significant Related PartyTransactions made by the Company with Promoters(incl. Promoter Group individuals), Directors, KeyManagerial Personnel and Group Companies.
Particulars of such transactions with related parties areduly noted on accounts forming part of the FinancialStatements.
Energy conservation, Technology Absorption andForeign Exchange Earnings & Outgo
Information on conservation of Energy, TechnologyAbsorption, Foreign Exchange Earnings and outgorequired to be disclosed under Section 134 of theCompanies Act, 2013 read with Companies (Accounts)Rules, 2014 are mentioned here under:
(a) Conservation of Energy
The steps taken or impact on conservation of energy:The Company is taking all the efforts to save electricityand other resources to conserve energy and utilise thesame optimally.
Strict adherence is cultivated in all the members in theCompany to save electricity and other resources.
The Company through the Purchase Power Agreement,using the capacity of 1.6 MW electricity generatedthrough the solar, installed close to the end of the FiscalYear, as a result of it, total 15 Lakh unit of electricity wassaved out with that.
Further, additional 100 TR Brine Chiller for the new utility,additional 75HP Cooling Tower and DP 60 aircompressor became operational.
(b) The steps taken by the company for utilizingalternate sources of energy
The Company has entered into a Purchase PowerAgreement to avail the benefit in the form of rebatefrom the electricity consumed for the manufacturingfacility. The service provider will produce the electricitythrough solar power plant installed and that will lead toredemption in the electricity bills.
The Company has ordered the execution of 15 MW SolarPower Project (Auto-Tracker Modules) under CaptivePower Producer (CPP) segment of which 5MW SolarPower Plant is operational and function now.
The Company has installed Variable Frequency
Devices (VFDs) along with Distributed Control System(DCS), dedicated automated dedicated energy metersin various high-power consuming equipment tooptimize the usage.
The capital investment in energy conservationequipment (Solar Power):
The Company has, for the Solar Captive PowerAgreement, invested f374.63 MM, up to March 31, 2024.
The efforts made towards technology absorption:
The Company has developed its own technologies forthe development of various products and services,which it is selling/imparting to its various customers, allover the world.
The Company has installed an in-house SolventRecovery Plant ('SRP') for recovering the materials frommixed solvents generated and the recovered materialsare again usable for the manufacturing process. Thathas led to eliminate dependency on the outside jobwork for recovery from solvents as a cost-effectivemeasure through reduction in job work charges, whichwere exorbitant till the last Fiscal Year.
from the electricity consumed for the manufacturingfacility. The service provider will produce the electricitythrough a solar power plant installed, and that will leadto a reduction in the electricity bills.
The Company has completed the execution of 15 MWSolar Power Project (Auto-Tracker Modules) under theCaptive Power Producer (CPP) segment, which hasstarted saving into the energy bills of the Company.
The Company has, for the Solar Captive PowerAgreement, invested f374.63 MM, up to March 31, 2025.
(c)Foreign Exchange Earnings and OutgoThe Foreign Exchange earned and the ForeignExchange outgo during the Fiscal Year 2025:
Earning: f 3,314.53 MMOutgo: f 474.64 MM
Annual Return
The web-link of Annual Return as in Form No. MGT-7 ishttps://aether.co.in/investor-relations/#financial-performance-and-presentation, for your kind perusaland information.
Risk Management
A formal, enterprise wide approach to RiskManagement is being adopted by the Company andkey risks are being managed within a unitaryframework. As a formal roll-out, all business divisionsand corporate functions will embrace RiskManagement Policy and Guidelines, and to make useof these in the decision making. Key business risks andtheir mitigation are considered in the annual /strategic business plans and in periodic managementreviews. The risk management process in our multi¬business, multi-site operations, over the period of timehave been embedded into the Company's businesssystems and processes, such that Company'sresponse to risk remain current and dynamic as perconditions.
This also became helpful during the fire accident at theManufacturing Site-2. The Company has also formed aRisk Management Committee, details of which arementioned in the Corporate Governance Report, asAnnexure-G.
Vigil Mechanism
The Company has established a Vigil Mechanism cumWhistle Blower Policy to deal with instances of fraud andmismanagement, if any. The Policy has a systematicmechanism for Directors and Employees to reportconcerns about unethical behaviour, actual orsuspected fraud or violation of the Company's Code ofConduct or policy.
This mechanism is also being reviewed by the Board ofDirectors every quarter in their Meeting and suggestsimprovements / feedback / thereon, if any.
Once again in this Fiscal Year under review as well, nosuch instances have been reported under unethical andprohibited context. Vigil Mechanism cum Whistle BlowerPolicy is placed on the website of the Company,accessible at: https://aether.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/WhistleBlowerPolicyVigilMechanism.pdf
Regulatory action
There was no regulatory action from any of theRegulators or Authorities on the Company.
Secretarial Audit
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of theCompanies Act, 2013 and Rules framed thereunder,
M/s. Dhirren R. Dave & Company, Company Secretary inpractice, was appointed as the Secretarial Auditor ofthe Company for the Fiscal Year 2025. They undertookthe Secretarial Audit activity with utmost depth andintegrity. All the conducts of the Company were found inline with the stipulated norms, and the compliancesystem was found in line with the laws, and no instanceof any material misconduct was found in the audit.
The Secretarial Audit Report for the Fiscal Year endedMarch 31, 2025, is annexed herewith as Annexure-E. TheReport does not contain any qualifications, reservations,adverse remarks or disclaimers.
Cost Audit
Maintenance of cost records as specified by the CentralGovernment under sub-section (1) of Section 148 of theCompanies Act, 2013, is maintained by the Companyand accordingly, such accounts and records are madeand maintained. For the Fiscal Year under review, M/s.PAAA & Associates, Cost Accountants, undertook theCost Audit of the Company. The Board, on therecommendation of the Audit Committee for the FiscalYear 2025, have approved their remuneration, which isincluded in the Notice of the forthcoming AnnualGeneral Meeting of the Company, seeking ratification bythe Members.
The Cost Auditor has confirmed that their appointmentis within the purview of Section 143 of the CompaniesAct, 2013 and they confirm that they are free from anydisqualification.
Internal Audit
The Board appointed Ms. Riddhi Chitaliya, CharteredAccountant, as the Internal Auditor of the Company asper Section 138 of the Companies Act, 2013, to conductthe Internal Audit of the Company, for the Fiscal Yearunder review.
Employee Stock Option Scheme
Pursuant to the Resolutions of the Board of Directorsdated November 18, 2021, and Shareholders' Resolutiondated November 18, 2021, the Company has institutedAether Industries Limited Employees Stock Option PlanScheme 2021 (hereinafter "ESOS Scheme 2021"). TheESOS Scheme 2021 is in compliance with the Securitiesand Exchange Board of India (Share Based EmployeeBenefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021, later dulyratified by the Shareholders as well in the AnnualGeneral Meeting.
The Company has introduced the Aether IndustriesLimited Employees Stock Option Scheme 2021 (AIL ESOS2021) primarily with a view to attract, retain, incentivise
and motivate the existing employees of the Company.The AIL ESOS 2021 contemplates the grant of options toeligible employees, as may be determined in duecompliance of SEBI SBEB Regulations and provisions ofthe AIL ESOS 2021.
After vesting of options, the Eligible Employees earn aright (but not an obligation) to exercise the vestedoptions within the exercise period and obtain equityshares of the Company subject to payment of exerciseprice and satisfaction of any tax obligation arisingthereon. Details of the ESOP is contained in Annexure-D.
Secretarial Standards
The Company has duly complied with applicableSecretarial Standards issued by the Institute ofCompany Secretaries of India on the Board and theGeneral Meetings of the Company (SS-1 and SS-2)from time to time.
Reporting of fraud by Auditors
There is no qualification, reservation or adverseremarks made by M/s. Birju S. Shah & Associates,Statutory Auditors in their Audit Report, M/s. Dhirren R.Dave & Company, Secretarial Auditors in theirSecretarial Audit Report, and Ms. Riddhi Chitaliya,Internal Auditor in her Internal Audit Report.
Apart from it, no such instance of fraud committed toCompany by its employees or officers has beenreported to the Audit Committee under Section 143(12)of the Companies Act, 2013.
Remuneration detail of employees
Pursuant to Rule 5(1) of Companies (Appointment andRemuneration) Rules, 2014, a statement regarding topten employees in terms of remuneration drawn andother details of the employees as prescribed has to beprovided in the Board Report. Details regarding thesame are attached as Annexure-E.
Human Resources and Industrial Relations
The Company takes pride in the commitment,competence and dedication of its employees in allareas of the business. The Company has a structuredinduction process at all locations and managementdevelopment programs to upgrade the skills ofmanagers and other employees. Objective appraisalsystems based on Key Result Areas (KRAs) are in placefor various employees and the system is always beingimplemented towards an unbiased appraisal system.
The Company is committed to nurturing, enhancingand retaining its top talent through superior learningand organizational development. This is a part of ourCorporate HR function and is a critical pillar to supportthe organization's growth.
The Company has aligned and collaborated R&Dactivities with many institutions and Universities inIndia. Company has associated with NationalChemical Laboratory (NCL, Pune), Institute of ChemicalTechnology (ICT, erstwhile UDCT, Mumbai), UkaTarsadia University (UTU, Bardoli) and SardarVallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT,Surat). Also, it has contributed towards the programsfor chemical engineer aspirants which, includesindustrial training.
The Company has its own sponsored PhD programswhich are ongoing for getting PhD research anddegree done for its R&D team with above namedInstitutes.
Environment, Health and Safety Protection
The Company's Health and Safety Policy commits tocomply with applicable legal and other requirementsconcerning Occupational Health, Safety andEnvironment matters The Company has a due systemfor environmental issues, health and safety issuesconcerned with the employees and the same isreviewed at regular intervals.
Disruption of activities due to a fire accident
For Aether Industries LimitedAshwin Desai
Managing Director | DIN: 00038386Rohan Desai
Whole Time Director | DIN: 00038379July 24, 2025
On November 29, 2023, an unfortunate accident of firebreak-out resulted in the loss of 11 precious lives and 23workers were injured. The Company completely took theonus of the accident and has compensated therelatives of the deceased. The families of the deceasedwere compensated with f 5.00 MM per family,acknowledging the tragic loss they had experienced.
During the year under review, the Company receivedthe No Objection from the Gujarat Pollution ControlBoard (GPCB) to resume the operation at full capacity.Also, the clean chit was received without any fine/penalty or other obligation from the 'National GreenTribunal'.
As of March 31, 2025, the affected manufacturing facilitywas fully operative.
Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy
The Company has in place a Policy on Prevention ofSexual Harassment at Premises, in line with therequirements of Sexual Harassment of Women at theWorkplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act,
2013. There is a Committee as well to deal with andprovide the redressal in the matter, if reported. However,no such instances have been reported in the reportingyear.
Appreciation and Acknowledgement
The Directors place on record their deep appreciation toemployees at all levels for their hard work, dedicationand commitment. The Board places on record itsappreciation for the support and cooperation, yourcompany has been receiving from its Suppliers,Retailers, Dealers & Distributors and others associatedwith the Company. The Directors also take thisopportunity to thank all Clients, Vendors, Banks,Regulatory Authorities, Government and everyStakeholder for their continuous support.