Driving sustainable growth through continuous innovation
The company has actively pursued global expansion through a
combination of strategic partnerships, capacity enhancements, and
customer-centric approach
Major initiatives undertaken by Galaxy Surfactants during FY 24-25 to drive growth and innovation? How have these influenced your business operations and market positioning?
In FY 24-25, Galaxy Surfactants
continued to drive growth and
innovation through strategic
investments in sustainability, digital
transformation, and product innovation.
Our focus on green chemistry and
eco-friendly formulations led to the
development of next-generation
biodegradable specialty such as Galseer
DermaGreen, Galseer Tresscon, and
Galseer Flexcon, addressing the rising
global demand for greener, milder
and beauty care solutions. Galaxy also
worked on developing sustainable
technologies and has come up with
products like GalEcosafe (the first
one to produce in India & AMET).
In Home Care solutions, we have
invented technologies in the field of
encapsulation of enzymes and green
process for fabric softener. These
innovations not only strengthened our
market presence but also reinforced our
commitment to regulatory compliance
and environmental responsibility,
making us a preferred partner for
leading brands worldwide.
We also accelerated our digital
transformation journey, integrating
automation, AI-driven analytics,
and ERP enhancements across our
operations. These efforts have optimized
supply chain management, improved
operational efficiencies, and enabled
better data-driven decision-making.
Additionally, our continued investment
in R&D and advanced manufacturing
capabilities has allowed us to remain
agile and responsive to evolving market
needs, ensuring the timely delivery of
high-performance specialty ingredients.
Beyond business expansion, our
sustainability and talent development
initiatives have played a pivotal role in
reinforcing our market leadership. This
year, Galaxy entered the Top 5 Club in
'Great Place to Work' in the chemical
industry. This has strengthened our
employer's brand, helping us attract
and retain top talent. Meanwhile, our
enhanced ESG commitments, including
waste circularity and responsible
sourcing, have positioned us as a
trusted and sustainable industry leader.
These collective efforts have propelled
the Galaxy towards long-term growth,
resilience, and continued market
leadership.
How did Galaxy Surfactants revenue in FY 24-25 compare to previous years? Were there specific product lines or markets that significantly contributed to this performance?
India, which constitutes a significant
portion of our business, recorded flat
performance this quarter and for the
full fiscal year. This was primarily due
to the lingering impact of the previous
quarter's slowdown, compounded by
a more than 40 per cent rise in fatty
alcohol prices from Q2 onwards, leading
to a slower-than-expected recovery in
the performance segment. However,
we remain optimistic about growth in the coming quarters, supported by
improving economic indicators and gradual market normalization.
The AMET region also experienced
flat performance. While macroeconomic
challenges persist, early signs of
demand recovery and easing supply
chain disruptions make us cautiously
optimistic. We are taking proactive steps
to strengthen our market presence and
capture emerging opportunities as the
region stabilizes.
In contrast, the Rest of the World
(RoW) has been a bright spot, delivering
double-digit growth this quarter and
for the full fiscal year. This strong
performance reflects our strategic
focus on global expansion and the
rising demand for premium specialties.
Growth in RoW has been driven by
continued momentum in Europe, APAC,
and North & Latin America. This quarter,
we achieved 9 per cent volume growth
in RoW, with YTD volume growth at 17
per cent, led by mass specialties.
On a YTD consolidated basis, revenue
has grown by 11 per cent from Rs. 3,830
crore to Rs. 4,250 crore and EBITDA
has grown from Rs. 498 crore to Rs. 510
crore, which is a 2.5 per cent growth.
On EBITDA /MT, it is broadly in line with
the performance of Rs. 19,868 vs PY
20,019/MT.
These results reflect our continued
focus on operational excellence,
cost efficiency, and strategic agility,
positioning us well for sustained and
profitable growth.
"In FY 2024-25, Galaxy Surfactants
strategically directed its capital
expenditures towards enhancing
production capabilities, expanding its
global footprint, and strengthening
sustainability initiatives"
What percentage of revenue was allocated to R&D in FY 24-25 and how does this investment reflect your commitment to innovation?
Galaxy remains one of the leading
companies in India in the specialty
chemicals space, consistently investing
in R&D talent and infrastructure. Our
innovation team comprises many
PhDs, postgraduates, engineers, and
technologists. Galaxy has recently
developed a state-of-the-art BioScience
Innovation capability equipped with
molecular biology expertise. The Galaxy
group has invested more than Rs. 150
crore in various innovation capabilitybuilding initiatives in recent years.
As a result, we are one of the leading
Indian companies in our industry, with
111 approved patents and 32 patents
applied for-6 of which were granted
in FY 25 alone. For two consecutive
years, we have won the 'Best Innovative
Ingredient' award at the in-cosmetics
global show, making Galaxy the
only Indian company to achieve this
accomplishment.
With such commitment, we have
introduced new innovative products in
areas such as mild cleansing, natural
and modern preservation, DermaCare
for sensitive skin, ultra-low dioxane
sulfates, green chemistry-based amino
acid surfactants, fabric softeners, and
encapsulated enzymes. This diverse
range of innovative products enables us
to be the only Indian company serving
various global brands in the Home Care,
Personal Care, and Beauty segments.
What were the primary areas
of focus for your capital
expenditures in FY 24-25? How have
these investments enhanced your
production capabilities or operational
efficiency?
In FY 24-25, Galaxy Surfactants
strategically directed its capital
expenditures towards enhancing
production capabilities, expanding its
global footprint, and strengthening
sustainability initiatives. A significant
milestone was the company's recent
strategic partnership with a global
customer for Engineering, Procurement,
and Construction (EPC) services.
This initiative is expected to facilitate
the establishment of performance
surfactants and specialty ingredients
plants overseas, reinforcing Galaxy's
global presence and contributing to
long-term growth.
Additionally, the company continued
investing in capacity expansion,
particularly in specialty care ingredients
catering to premium personal care
and beauty formulations. These
investments align with the increasing
demand for superior-performance and
sustainable products, enabling Galaxy
to better serve its customers and meet
growing market demand. Strengthening
production capabilities in this segment
not only drives revenue growth but
also solidifies Galaxy's position as a key
player in the personal care, beauty &
home care industry.
What strategies has Galaxy
Surfactants employed to expand
its global footprint and penetrate new
markets? How have these strategies
contributed to the company's growth
and diversification?
Galaxy Surfactants has actively pursued
global expansion through a combination
of strategic partnerships, capacity
enhancements, and a customer-centric
approach. One of the key initiatives in FY
24-25 was the company's collaboration
with a global customer for Engineering,
Procurement, and Construction (EPC)
services, which is expected to facilitate
the establishment of performance
surfactants and specialty ingredients
plants in international markets. This
move aligns with Galaxy's vision to strengthen its global presence and cater
to the growing demand for sustainable
and high-performance personal care
ingredients in developed markets.
In addition to partnerships, the
company has focused on marketspecific product innovation to meet
regional consumer preferences.
Expanding its specialty care ingredient
portfolio to cater to premium
personal care brands has been a key
differentiator, allowing Galaxy to
penetrate high-growth markets in
Europe, North America, and Southeast
Asia. By leveraging its research
and development capabilities, the
company has introduced tailor-made
solutions that comply with stringent
global regulatory standards, ensuring
relevance and competitiveness in new
geographies. Galaxy has demonstrated
revenue of CAGR of 9 per cent in the
last 10 years and 10 per cent CAGR in
Specialty Product Revenues.
Galaxy Surfactants has been
recognized for its sustainability
efforts, including achieving water
positivity by restoring more water to
the environment than it withdraws.
Could you elaborate on the strategies
and projects that led to this
accomplishment?
The company's approach is rooted in
optimizing water usage, increasing
recycling and reuse, and supporting
large-scale water harvesting initiatives.
A major milestone was its achievement
of becoming net water positive,
where more water is restored to the
environment than withdrawn for
operations. This was accomplished
through improved water efficiency
across manufacturing sites, investments
in advanced water treatment
technologies, and process innovations
that minimize water consumption.
"We have achieved 27.76 per cent
renewable energy usage in India,
and 20.10 per cent across our global
operations. Our goal is to reach 75 per
cent renewable energy usage by 2030"
One of the key initiatives driving this
achievement is the company's focus on
rainwater harvesting and groundwater
recharge projects in water-stressed
regions. Galaxy has partnered with local
communities and NGOs to develop
watershed management programs,
ensuring long-term water availability
for both industrial and agricultural use. Additionally, it has implemented closedloop water recycling systems within
its production facilities, significantly
reducing freshwater dependency. By
adopting circular water management
principles, Galaxy has not only
enhanced operational sustainability but
also contributed to local water security.
This effort has resulted in Galaxy
being 1.4X water positive consistently
for the past three years. In addition,
Galaxy is actively working towards
transitioning all its operations to run
on renewable energy sources. We have
achieved 27.76 per cent renewable
energy usage in India, and 20.10 per
cent across our global operations. Our
goal is to reach 75 per cent renewable
energy usage by 2030.
Your company received the Gold
Innovation Award at HPCI India
for the ingredient Galseer Flexcon.
Can you share the development
process and the unique benefits this
product offers to consumers?
The ingredient was developed
through extensive R&D efforts aimed
at addressing key challenges in
the personal care industry, such
as achieving high-performance
conditioning while maintaining
environmental sustainability. Galaxy's
innovation team worked rigorously
to formulate a solution that offers
enhanced sensory benefits, superior
conditioning, and improved formulation
stability-all while aligning with the global shift towards eco-friendly and
biodegradable ingredients.
Galseer Flexcon stands out due to its
multifunctionality, catering to both hair
and skin care applications. It provides
deep conditioning, reduces frizz, and
enhances softness without the use of
traditional silicones, which are often
criticized for their environmental
impact. The product has been designed
to seamlessly integrate into various
formulations, offering formulators
flexibility while meeting evolving
consumer demands for cleaner, more
responsible beauty solutions.
Key focus areas of Galaxy
Surfactants' CSR policy,
specifically regarding projects related
to water conservation, women's
empowerment, education, and
healthcare?
Galaxy Surfactants' CSR policy
focuses on six key areas: health and
hygiene, women's empowerment,
education, environmental protection,
community development, and disaster
relief. Under Aarogya Vardheeni, the
company distributed maternal and
child health kits, organized blood
donation camps, and provided medical
support for underprivileged children.
The Stree Unnati initiative promoted
menstrual hygiene awareness and skill
development for women, while Gyan
Sanjeevani supported education in
underprivileged areas in Maharashtra
and Gujarat through study material distribution, vocational training, and
building school infrastructure.
On the environmental front, the
Paryavaran Suraksha initiative includes
waste management support, tree
plantation drives, and cattle feed
assistance. Galaxy is proud to have
planted and maintained 2,09,000 trees
as of March 2025 and is working with
a vision to plant an additional 3,00,000
trees by 2030, taking the cumulative
plantation target to 5,00,000 trees.
Rural development efforts under
Samajeek Utthaan included building
water storage facilities and school
infrastructure, benefiting communities
in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Additionally, Aapda Rahat focused on
disaster relief, aiding flood-affected
families in Ankleshwar and Bharuch.
These initiatives reinforce Galaxys'
commitment to sustainable and
inclusive growth.
How does the company plan
to advance its sustainability
agenda across various operations?
Galaxy remains committed to driving
sustainable growth through continuous
innovation, operational excellence, and
responsible environmental practices.
Looking ahead, the company aims
to enhance its green chemistry,
bioscience-based portfolio by increasing
the share of biodegradable and biobased ingredients. Strengthening its
ESG commitments, Galaxy plans to
achieve net water positivity, further
reduce carbon emissions, and expand its
renewable energy usage.
The specialty chemicals industry is
witnessing strong growth, driven by
increasing demand for sustainable and
high-performance ingredients across
personal care, home care, and beauty
applications. With regulatory bodies
tightening environmental norms,
the shift towards green surfactants
and specialty care ingredients is
accelerating. Companies like Galaxy
are well-positioned to capitalise on this
trend by leveraging advanced research,
digitally advanced supply chain
capabilities, and a strong commitment
to sustainability.