As Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd, a 50-year-old sugar producer in Uttar Pradesh, builds its first bioplastic plant, the company’s fourth-generation promoter already has ideas on how to further diversify beyond its sugar and ethanol business. Avantika Saraogi, an executive director on the board of BCML, is betting on diversifying into biochemicals and other organic materials in the face of growing environmental concerns. Her plans have an unusual moat—the company’s direct connection to over 550,000 sugarcane far ...

UK-based bioplastics company Xampla has collaborated with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to develop a test that confirms the company’s claim that its Morro materials are plastic-free and exempt from the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). These materials are derived from natural plant polymers. The validation followed collaboration between NPL and Xampla through the Measurement for Business (M4B) programme, which focused on creating a method to verify plastic-free claims. The outcome provides ...

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Aug. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Buscar Company (OTC: CGLD), a diversified holding company focused on natural resources, sustainable technologies, and pharmaceuticals, today announced a significant milestone in its path to becoming a fully reporting company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and uplisting to the OTCQX Market, the premier tier of OTC Markets. The company has successfully filed its fiscal year financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2025, on ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q3 fiscal 2025, consolidated net sales increased by 4% to $21.5 million compared to Q3 fiscal 2024 [6][15] - Gross margin reached 38.4%, an increase from 38.2% year over year, reflecting a more profitable sales mix [16] - Net income for Q3 fiscal 2025 was $122,000 or $0.01 per diluted share, down from $977,000 or $0.10 per diluted share in Q3 fiscal 2024 [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Xerus Industrial's net sales increased by 7.1%, while ZERUST Oil and Gas net sales decreased by 5.3%, and Natur Tec net sales declined by 1.2% [6][15] - Natur Tec sales were $5.8 million, representing a 1.2% year-over-year decline but a 16.5% sequential increase from Q2 fiscal 2025 [12] - ZERUST Oil and Gas sales were $1.3 million compared to $1.4 million in the same period last year, with a trailing twelve-month sales increase of 15.4% [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Joint venture sales decreased by 12.9% year over year to $2.3 million, attributed to high energy prices and regional economic pressures in Europe [7][8] - NTSC China net sales increased by 27.4% to $4.5 million, marking the second highest quarterly revenue since transitioning to a wholly owned subsidiary [8][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on supporting existing customers, expanding global relationships, and scaling in high-growth markets [5] - Planned investments in the oil and gas business are expected to contribute to future growth despite current higher operating expenses [5][16] - The company is committed to long-term growth opportunities, particularly in the Chinese market and bioplastics segment [10][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects improvements in profitability in Q4 fiscal 2025 and continued progress in fiscal 2026 despite macroeconomic pressures [6][16] - The company is closely monitoring European market trends for signs of stabilization due to government stimulus packages [8] - Management remains confident in the direction of the company and its strategic growth plan despite challenges faced in fiscal 2025 [13] Other Important Information - As of May 31, 2025, working capital was $21.7 million, with outstanding debt of $10.1 million [17] - The Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per common share, reflecting a disciplined approach to cash management [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Improvement in operational profits - Management acknowledged significant improvement in operational profits from Q2 to Q3, with nearly all business units showing progress [22] Question: Cost comparison of new technology in oil and gas - Management confirmed that the new technology is cheaper on the front end compared to traditional methods, with easier installation and better long-term protection [23][26] Question: Additional spending on sales efforts for oil and gas - The company is projected to spend about $5.3 million in the current year, an increase of $1.3 million in personnel costs compared to the previous year [30] Question: Profitability of NTSC China - NTSC China has been profitable for some time, with significant revenue growth observed over the past three years [34] Question: New developments in compostable packaging - Management is working on a project to improve the water vapor transmission rate of compostable packaging, with potential revenue expected in the next two years [40][41]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the second quarter ended February 28, 2025, total consolidated net sales decreased by 8.5% to $19.1 million compared to the same period last year [11] - Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 35.6%, down from 40.0% in the prior fiscal year period, reflecting a less profitable mix of sales [25][26] - Net income for the second quarter was $434,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, compared to $1.7 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the fiscal 2024 second quarter [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Xero's oil and gas net sales decreased by 28.5%, while NatureTech net sales decreased by 11.8%, and Xero's industrial net sales decreased by 3.7% [11] - NatureTech sales were $5 million in the second quarter, down from $5.6 million in the same period a year ago, attributed to order timing and seasonal variation [19] - Xero's oil and gas sales were $1.5 million in the second quarter, compared to $2.2 million in the same period last year, with a trailing 12-month sales increase of 7.2% [16][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Joint venture sales decreased by 15.7% year-over-year to $19.8 million, reflecting high energy prices and regional economic pressures in Europe [12] - NTIC China subsidiary reported a net sales increase of 8.1% to $3.7 million, stabilizing and approaching sales levels from fiscal 2021 and 2022 [13][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strategic investments in oil and gas sales infrastructure to support growth expected in the second half of fiscal 2025 [18] - A disciplined approach to managing cash, including adjustments to quarterly dividends and prioritizing debt reduction, is intended to position the company for future growth opportunities [10][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the increasing intensity of headwinds, including changes in U.S. trade policies and economic conditions, but expressed confidence in a rebound in NatureTech and U.S. oil and gas sales in the second half of the fiscal year [7][9] - The leadership team emphasized their experience in navigating challenging economic periods and the strength of the company's balance sheet [21][22] Other Important Information - The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per common share, with plans to adjust the dividend to one cent per share in the next quarter [30] - As of February 28, 2025, working capital was $21.4 million, with outstanding debt of $8.1 million [28][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: How are the investments in the oil and gas sales team working out? - The company hired eight people, some of whom did not work out, but expects the impact to show in the second half of the year [34] Question: What are the dynamics behind potential issues in the compostable business? - A large distributor in the U.S. has been added, which is expected to significantly boost business, along with a new line of technology in food packaging [36] Question: What is the current state of the core business? - The core business is expected to remain flat [41] Question: Can you provide more color on the gross margin decline? - Increased pricing pressures in the NatureTech business led to a decrease in sales prices, impacting gross margins [46][48] Question: What is the outlook for the oil and gas business in the second half? - The company anticipates growth primarily in oil storage tank bottoms and pipeline casings, with significant business expected from large customers [60]