At 282.2 million The sales of the Plastics Thrace Group in the nine months of 2024 amounted to 269.8 million euros. euros in the last nine months, marking an increase of 4.6%. According to a related announcement, the increase in turnover is due to the increase in volumes sold by 7.6%, namely a 2% increase in the technical textiles sector and a 16% increase in the packaging sector.

During the nine months of 2024, operating EBITDA profitability amounted to 36 million. euros, reduced by 2.7% compared to the nine months of 2023, where EBITDA had risen to 37 million. euro. According to the same announcement, although the Group managed to increase the volumes sold, achieving greater market shares in a weak market, the pressure for reductions in the average selling prices, especially in the technical textiles sector, does not keep pace with the increase of a’ materials and energy costs, resulting in the slight lag in operational profitability, compared to the previous year. In absolute numbers, however, the Group remains significantly profitable and strong, gaining ever larger market shares in the countries of operation, while there is a belief that the relative lag can be limited in the following months of the year.

In terms of liquidity levels, the significantly low level of net debt demonstrates the Group’s strong financial position, the quality of its customer portfolio, its ability to invest and distribute dividends, keeping its net debt low. Specifically, the Group’s net borrowing amounted to 25.6 million. euros, remaining essentially unchanged compared to the previous months of the year, despite higher sales and seasonality, which increase working capital needs.

At the same time, as already mentioned, the implementation of the planned investment plan of the Group, amounting to 30 million, continues smoothly. euros on a cash basis, with investments made at the Group’s facilities in Greece and abroad in both branches of activity.

The Board of Directors decided to distribute a temporary dividend, for the corporate year 2024, with the total amount amounting to 3 million. euros (gross amount).

For 2024, it is estimated that the Group’s operating profitability (EBITDA), in absolute terms, will fluctuate at the same levels as an order of magnitude, compared to the previous year, as a result of the main factors, as described in detail above, estimating, however, that the lag in the level of operational profitability of the nine months, compared to the previous year, can be limited. The management of the Group monitors the developments in the market, so that it is able to implement the necessary actions, in order not to deviate from its planning. In any case, the Group remains financially strong and able on the one hand to face any difficult conditions in the market, with the least possible impact, on the other hand to implement its long-term strategic planning, with the aim of its development, while the management remains optimistic regarding the course of the Group in the coming months and overall for the next year, the result of the actions and investments that are implemented.