Uflex appoints Arun Sharma as CFO to lead US$1.8B global packaging operations

INDIA – Uflex has appointed Arun Kumar Sharma as Chief Financial Officer, tasking him with managing global treasury and taxation for India’s largest flexible packaging company as it expands its aseptic liquid packaging business.

The Noida-headquartered multinational, which reported consolidated revenue of ₹15,183.75 crore (US$1.82 billion) for FY25 with a net profit of ₹142.32 crore (US$17.0 million), has operations across nine countries including India, UAE, Mexico, Poland, Egypt, Hungary, Nigeria and the CIS. 

Sharma, a strategic financial leader with over three decades of experience in corporate finance, global treasury, investor relations, risk management and financial restructuring, previously served as CFO at Jubilant Pharmova and held senior roles within the Jubilant Bhartia Group, including CFO of Jubilant Pharma Holdings Inc. USA.

New CFO’s Brief Includes Debt Reduction and Margin Improvement

Sharma steps into the role as Uflex carries a debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 1.15x, with a net debt of around ₹5,000 crore (US$599 million) and interest coverage of 1.39, indicating potential focus areas. 

The company’s EBITDA margins currently stand in the 11 percent range, and the new CFO will likely prioritize net debt reduction and margin improvement while balancing capital expenditure for the ₹600 crore (US$71.9 million) capacity expansion in the aseptic packaging segment. 

Uflex has been investing in expanding its post-consumer recycled resin capacity to meet global sustainability targets, with the company reporting a 5 percent year-on-year growth in sales volume despite macroeconomic headwinds.

Global Expansion and Sustainability Commitments Under New Financial Leadership

The appointment signals an intent to tighten internal controls and improve financial transparency for institutional investors as the company balances high capital expenditure for new recycling plants with debt reduction. 

Sharma’s international experience across North America, Europe and Asia will be critical for managing currency volatility across European and Egyptian subsidiaries and navigating persistent high interest rates affecting debt servicing costs. 

Uflex remains focused on its global expansion strategy, with its vertical integration into polyester films and chemicals positioning it better than pure-play converters to manage input cost fluctuations derived from crude oil. 

The market will watch for Sharma’s approach to improving interest coverage ratios and executing the company’s sustainability commitments while maintaining financial discipline across its global operations.

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