Profile
Legal Structure
Ibrahim Fibres Limited ('IFL' or
'the Company'), established as a Public Limited Company in 1986, is listed on
the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). As of the end of January 2026, the Company's
free float stands at ~5.0%. The registered office of the Company is located at
Ibrahim Centre, 1-Ahmed Block, New Garden Town, Lahore - 54600, Pakistan.
Background
Incorporated in 1986, Ibrahim
Fibres Limited (IFL) is a publicly listed company on the Pakistan Stock
Exchange (PSX) and a market leader in Polyester Staple Fiber (PSF) with ~76% market
share in locally produced PSF. Over the years, the Company expanded its
operations by establishing additional spinning mills and a power generation
company, which were later merged into a single entity, Ibrahim Fibres Limited,
in 2000. IFL operates one of Pakistan’s largest integrated polyester production
facilities, with a diversified portfolio spanning polyester fiber, textile
yarn, and power generation. The Company’s strategic focus on vertical
integration, operational efficiency, and innovation has driven its long-term
growth and industry leadership. With state-of-the-art manufacturing, a strong
distribution network, and sustainable business practices, IFL remains a key
player in Pakistan’s textile value chain, catering to domestic and
international markets.
Operations
Ibrahim Fibres Limited
specializes in the production and marketing of Polyester Staple Fibre (PSF) and
blended yarns. The Company’s manufacturing facilities are strategically located
in Shahkot, near Faisalabad. As of the latest available data, Ibrahim Fibres
has a total polyester production capacity of approximately 390,600 tons per
annum (TPA), while its spinning operations comprise around 240,800
spindles.
Ownership
Ownership Structure
The Ibrahim Group maintains a
majority ownership stake of ~91.80% in Ibrahim Fibres Limited, primarily
through its holding company, Ibrahim Holdings (Private) Limited.
Stability
The Ibrahim Group strategically
established Ibrahim Holdings (Pvt.) Limited to oversee succession planning and
optimize investment management across its subsidiary and associated companies,
including Allied Bank Limited. This structured approach enhances corporate
governance, ensuring financial stability and long-term sustainability for
Ibrahim Fibres Limited.
Business Acumen
The sponsors of Ibrahim Fibres
Limited possess over five decades of extensive experience in the textile
industry, complemented by professional expertise in banking, finance, and the
power sector. This diverse industry exposure strengthens the Company’s strategic
decision-making and operational resilience.
Financial Strength
The Ibrahim Group maintains a
robust financial position, with a strong net worth underpinning its business
operations. The sponsors have consistently demonstrated both the willingness
and capacity to support Ibrahim Fibres Limited, as evidenced by past financial
assistance, including an interest-free loan to sustain operations.
Additionally, the group holds a majority stake of approximately 90% in Allied
Bank Limited, further reinforcing its financial strength and strategic
influence in the banking sector.
Governance
Board Structure
Ibrahim Fibres Limited is
governed by a seven-member Board of Directors as of CY25. After the demise of Mr.
Sheikh Mukhtar Ahmad, the board is led by Mr. Mohammad Naeem Mukhtar as Chairperson.
The board structure comprises two representatives from the Ibrahim Group,
ensuring strategic alignment with the majority shareholders, alongside two
independent directors who contribute to enhanced corporate governance,
oversight, and regulatory compliance.
Members’ Profile
Mr. Mohammad Naeem Mukhtar,
Chairman of Ibrahim Fibres Limited, bringing over 38 years of in-depth
experience in finance, industrial manufacturing, and corporate leadership. In
addition to his role at Ibrahim Fibres, Mr. Mukhtar is the CEO of Ibrahim
Holdings (Pvt.) Limited and holds directorial positions in several other
companies within the Ibrahim Group, contributing his expertise in strategic
oversight and organizational growth. The Board of Directors collectively
possesses substantial industry expertise and diversified professional
experience, with long-standing tenures that reinforce stability and continuity
in the Company’s governance. The Board of Directors collectively possesses
substantial industry expertise and diversified professional experience, with
long-standing tenures that reinforce stability and continuity in the Company’s
governance.
Board Effectiveness
To ensure robust oversight, three
key committees: Audit, Human Resources, and Nomination, are actively engaged in
governance matters. Member participation in meetings remains consistently
strong, reflecting a commitment to effective decision-making. Additionally, the
Board facilitates a Directors’ Training Program throughout the year, designed
to enhance the expertise and strategic acumen of its members, thereby enabling
them to fulfill their responsibilities with greater proficiency and impact.
Financial Transparency
The external auditors of the
Company, M/s. Yousuf Adil – Chartered Accountants, have issued an unqualified
audit opinion on the financial statements for the period ending December 31st,
2024. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the Company has transitioned its
financial reporting period from a fiscal year to a calendar year. The audit for
the calendar year 2025 (CY25) is currently in progress and will be finalized in
due course.
Management
Organizational Structure
Ibrahim Fibres operates with a
well-defined, functionally departmentalized organizational structure,
meticulously segmented into distinct units, including polyester production
facilities, spinning plants, and power generation plants.
Management Team
Mr. Muhammad Waseem Mukhtar now
serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of the Ibrahim Fibres
Limited, having over 36 years of overall experience in finance and industry. He
has been a member of the Board of Directors of Allied Bank Limited since 2004,
where his strategic guidance has played a key role in the Bank’s technological
upgradation. He also serves as a director on the boards of Ibrahim Holdings
(Private) Limited, Ibrahim Agencies (Private) Limited, and ABL Asset Management
Company Limited. Mr. Mohammad Naeem Asghar, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
of Ibrahim Fibres, has been a key figure in the company for the past 35 years,
with 13 years of dedicated service as CFO. His extensive experience in
financial management, coupled with his deep understanding of the Company’s
operations, has been instrumental in navigating the financial complexities of
the business. The senior management team at Ibrahim Fibres is distinguished by
its long-standing tenure and proven track record, reflecting a profound
commitment to the Company’s success and sustained growth. Their collective
expertise and leadership have played a critical role in the company’s industry
leadership and strategic direction.
Effectiveness
Senior management conducts
meetings on an ad-hoc basis, strategically convening to deliberate on key
matters and drive informed decision-making processes.
MIS
The Company has implemented
robust and seamlessly integrated systems, adopting Oracle as its enterprise
resource planning (ERP) solution. This strategic integration enhances
operational efficiency, ensures data accuracy, and facilitates real-time
decision-making. By leveraging Oracle’s advanced capabilities, the company
generates comprehensive, insightful, and data-driven MIS reports, empowering
management with valuable analytics for informed strategic planning and
performance optimization.
Control Environment
Ibrahim Fibres maintains a
dedicated internal audit function to ensure objective oversight and
accountability. The Company also boasts a highly skilled quality control
department, further supported by its ISO 9002 certification, demonstrating its
commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality.
Business Risk
Industry Dynamics
As of 2025, global polyester
fiber production reached ~75.13mln tons, representing 57% of total global fiber
output. This reflects a decrease from ~78mln metric tons in 2024, when
polyester accounted for 59% of total fiber production, reinforcing its position
as the dominant fiber in the global textile industry. Global demand for
Polyester Staple Fiber (PSF) is expected to remain favorable, with market
projections estimating the PSF sector's size to reach USD 3,024.3mln by 2026.
The primary raw materials for PSF, namely Pure Terephthalic Acid (PTA) and Mono
Ethylene Glycol (MEG), are derived from crude oil, leading to price
fluctuations that contribute to the inherent price volatility of PSF.
Consequently, profit margins are heavily influenced by international price
trends and exchange rate fluctuations. Notably, over 80% of global PSF
production is concentrated in China, India, and Southeast Asia, regions that
are also the primary exporters of the product. In CY25, local polyester fiber
production reduced to 330,201 tons (CY24: 382,083 tons), contracted by ~13.6%
YoY, due to high energy costs and increased imports, which curtailed local
production activities. Conversely, PSF imports surged 23.5% YoY in CY25,
resulting in a market-share parity where imports now satisfy 50% of total
domestic consumption. This escalating import penetration represents a
structural headwind, as it significantly dilutes the pricing leverage of
domestic manufacturers and increases the sector's exposure to international
price volatility. The major reason for gradual increase in imports is the
anomaly of Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) as per the management. Under this
scheme, importers are allowed to import polyester duty-free, subject to an
export obligation within a one-year period, which can be done directly or in-directly. Upon fulfilling this requirement,
they are permitted to import other items without duties. This mechanism
effectively results in subsidized raw material imports, enabling beneficiaries
to price their finished goods more competitively in export markets. The
prevalence of EFS has posed challenges for local producers, as entities
operating under the scheme can offer lower-priced products, thereby
intensifying market competition.
Relative Position
Pakistan’s Polyester Staple Fiber
(PSF) industry is primarily dominated by three key players: Ibrahim Fibres
Limited (IFL), Lucky Core Industries Limited, and Rupali Polyester. The Company
dominates the local PSF production with a commanding 76% share, followed by
Lucky Core Industries (24%) and Rupali Polyester (0.13%). While, the Company’s
share in total local PSF consumption moderated to ~38.5% in CY25 (CY24:
~41.1%), reflecting a broader shift in market supply dynamics. IFL’s market
dominance is driven by its large-scale production capacity, advanced
manufacturing technology, and vertically integrated operations, allowing it to
achieve cost efficiencies and supply chain stability. The Company’s extensive
customer base, strong distribution network, and focus on quality standards
further reinforce its competitive edge. In contrast, competitors operate on a
smaller scale, with relatively limited market penetration. With polyester
continuing to be the most widely used synthetic fiber, IFL remains
well-positioned to capitalize on future growth opportunities, benefiting from
its strong industry presence, financial resilience, and strategic expansion
plans.
Revenues
During 9MCY25, Ibrahim Fibres
Limited (IFL) reported net sales of PKR 78.237bln, representing an annualized
decline of ~13.6% relative to CY24 (PKR 120.67bln). This decline was driven by
a dual-sided pressure of volumetric decline and softening average sales price, largely
driven by the influx of lower-priced imports and subdued downstream demand in
the broader textile sector. The Company’s revenue profile was heavily anchored
by its PSF segment, which contributed ~73% of total sales in CY25, while the
spinning segment accounted for ~27%. IFL’s diversified revenue mix, operational
efficiency, and strategic pricing approach supports its resilience and stable
performance amid evolving industry conditions.
Margins
During the period CY24, the
Company’s gross margins stood at ~8.1% (CY23: ~7.5%) and the operating margins
were recorded at ~5.4% in CY24 (CY23: ~5.0%). The Company’s net profit margin
was appreciated to 2.0% in CY24 (CY23: 0.3%). In 9MCY25, the Company’s margins
remained intact, where gross, operating, and net profit margin stood at ~8.3%,
~5.2%, and ~2.0%, respectively.
Sustainability
Ibrahim Fibres Limited remains a
financially robust and strategically agile entity, well-equipped to sustain
long-term growth. While expansion plans are currently on hold pending industry
stabilization, the Company’s strong forecasting and budgeting framework
provides a solid foundation for navigating economic uncertainties.
Additionally, IFL benefits from a well-diversified product portfolio,
encompassing Polyester Staple Fiber (PSF), spinning, and power generation
segments, which collectively enhance revenue stability and mitigate
sector-specific risks. By maintaining a data-driven and risk-mitigated
approach, IFL is well-positioned to uphold its market leadership and long-term
business viability while capitalizing on evolving industry dynamics.
Financial Risk
Working capital
The Company’s working capital
requirements are primarily driven by inventory procurement of key raw
materials, including Pure Terephthalic Acid (PTA), Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG),
cotton, and viscose, which are financed through a combination of internal cash
generation and short-term borrowings. The Company maintains a historically
efficient net working capital cycle with minimal receivables exposure. During
9MCY25, the net working capital cycle increased a bit, with working capital
days increasing to 83 days (CY24: 73 days; CY23: 77 days), primarily
attributable to increased inventory management.
Coverages
During 9MCY25, the Company’s Free
Cash Flow from Operations (FCFO) stood at PKR 5,350mln (CY24: PKR 8,517mln; CY23:
PKR 7,589mln), reflecting an increase attributed to changes in working capital
and operating cash flows. The interest coverage ratio improved, reaching 9.2x (CY24:
6.1x; CY23: 5.1x), demonstrating an enhanced capacity to cover interest
expenses with operating income. The core coverage ratio remained stable at 3.2x
(CY24: 2.9x; CY23: 3.1x), indicating consistent financial performance in
relation to its core obligations and operational efficiency.
Capitalization
IFL’s capital structure reflects
a low leverage profile, supported by a mix of long-term and short-term
borrowings. In CY24, the Company reported a leverage ratio of ~18.7%, with
short-term borrowings accounting for ~66.1% of total debt. During 9MCY25, the
share of short-term debt declined to ~54.2%, while the leverage ratio increased
to ~20.3%. The rise in leverage was driven by higher long-term borrowings
undertaken to fund the Company’s CAPEX initiatives.
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