Century Paper Loss: Net Loss Narrows 83% to Rs58 Million in FY26

Century Paper Loss narrowed by 83% to approximately Rs58 million in FY26, compared with a net loss of Rs345 million in the previous financial year, according to the company’s annual results.

The improvement translated into a loss per share of Rs0.15, against Rs0.86 in FY25.

Despite remaining in the red, Century Paper & Board Mills Limited (CEPB) recorded a 3.8% increase in revenue to approximately Rs39 billion, up from Rs37 billion a year earlier. Sales volumes rose 8.5%, supported by stronger demand during the second half of the financial year.

However, average selling prices declined by around 4% as import competition forced the company to reduce prices during the first half. Some of these reductions were partially reversed through price increases in the second half.

CEPB produced approximately 169,000 metric tonnes in FY26, representing an increase of around 7% from 158,000 tonnes in FY25. Meanwhile, national consumption of paper and board products grew approximately 4% to 1.84 million tonnes.

The company’s product portfolio is primarily focused on packaging boards, which account for 75% of its product mix. Container boards contribute 14%, while paper products make up the remaining 11%.

CEPB holds an estimated 10% share of Pakistan’s overall paper and board market, including 36% of the coated duplex board segment and 7% of the folding box board market. Its major customers include companies operating in the fast-moving consumer goods, tobacco, food, pharmaceutical and fast-food sectors.

The company has an annual production capacity of 282,000 tonnes, mainly focused on coated packaging boards. Its energy requirements are met primarily through coal sourced from South Africa and natural gas, supplemented by grid electricity and a smaller contribution from solar power.

Trade protection also remains an important factor for the domestic paperboard industry. An anti-dumping duty of approximately 29% on Chinese coated bleached paperboard remains in force, with the National Tariff Commission extending the measure until February 2027.

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The duty was extended following earlier attempts to circumvent the trade restrictions and now also covers two-side coated board. A sunset review must be initiated before the measure expires, subject to an application from the domestic industry.