As I reflect on fiscal 2024-25, I am pleased to share that Fermenta has
successfully navigated a defining period in its journey. This year has marked not only a
financial recovery but a purposeful and strategic turnaround—one that firmly
positions your Company for sustained long-term growth, resilience, and relevance in a
fast-evolving global landscape.
Almost 75 years ago, our founder, Dr DVK Raju, laid the foundation of
your Company with a vision rooted in scientific excellence, ethical business, and the
fundamental belief that access to quality healthcare is a right of all. These values and
principles are not just historical footnotes—they remain integral & central to
our mission and continue to shape how we operate in today's modern world.
From pioneering pharmaceutical manufacturing in independent India to
becoming oneoftheworld'stop manufacturers of Vitamin D3, Fermenta's journey has
been shaped by perseverance, agility, and a strong sense of purpose.
Today, underthe stewardship of the third generation of the Datla
family, we are witnessinga natural evolution of ourfounding vision, reimagined forthe 21st
century. Their leadership has seamlessly blended respectfor our heritage with bold
innovation, rewiring the Company's proposition fora newage.
We are proud to stand as a growingglobal nutrition companyas
well—one that combines cutting-edge innovation with responsible leadership.
Respondingtoa ChangingWorld
Over the past few years, the global environment has been volatile and
unpredictable. While the pandemic brought exceptional demand for immune-support products
like Vitamin D3,the post-pandemic period brought about rapid normalization and disrupted
the global supply chain. Your Company, too, was affected by these headwinds.
However, Fermenta chose a path of resilience over retraction. We acted
swiftly to reset our operating model. We focused on restoringsupply chain agility and
nurturing customer confidence through direct outreach and delivery execution. These steps
helped us notonlystabilizeoperations but also unlock new growth opportunities.
FY 2024-25 has thus become a turnaround year—a year where Fermenta
reaffirmed its commitmentto excellence, adaptability, and customer trust.
Innovation: The Engine of Renewal
A key pillar of our resurgence has been innovation. At the heart of our
R&D strategy lies a commitmentto delivering science-based, market-relevant solutions
that address emerging consumer needs.
Our innovations in offering sustainable plant -source Vitamin
Dsolutions have gained prestigious accolades—Best Innovation of the Year at Pride
of Maharashtra 2025 and Excellence in R&D at Fi India 2024 being
examples—but more importantly, it positions Fermenta at the forefront of the
sustainable nutrition revolution. Itdemonstratesourabilityto transform consumer insights
into differentiated products that set new industry benchmarks.
Alongside this, we continued to build capabilities in allied domains.
Our Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) plantin Andhra Pradesh contributed to India's
national food fortification initiative, directly addressing micro nutrient deficiencies.
Simultaneously, our vitamin and mineral premixes catered to both domestic and
international demand forfortified food ingredients.
These strategic expansions allow Fermenta to serve a broader set of
customers while reinforcing our long-term purpose: "Nutritional wellness for all.
On every plate. In every meal.”
Business with Purpose
At Fermenta, our mission goes beyond financial performance. We are
equally committed to making a positive social and environmental impact. Our Environmental,
Social, and Governance (ESG) framework is evolvingto address our responsibilities as a
conscious corporate citizen.
This year, we amplified our impact through communityengagementand
awareness initiatives.OurVitamin DGurucampaign continued to create awareness about the
widespread issue of vitamin D deficiency, especially in underserved regions. We
collaborated with respected global partners like the Global Alliance for Improved
Nutrition (GAIN) to contribute to capacity building in the fortification space and
workingtoward a shared goal of eliminating hidden hunger.
We also made progress in our internal ESG roadmap—focusing on
waste reduction, water stewardship, energy efficiency, and workplace diversity.
Sustainability is now embedded in our operations, productdesign, and long-term planning.
Our People, Our Strength
Behind every innovation and milestone is our dedicated team of over 600
Fermenta colleagues. Their commitment, creativity, resilience and perseverance were the
cornerstone of our success this year.
We continue to foster a work environment where every
employee—regard less of gender, background, or role—feels valued, empowered, and
heard. We are glad to see the growing number of women in our workforce, a reflection of
our inclusive and future-ready culture.
We investin continuous learningand upskilling through leadership
development programs, safety training, and cross-functional workshops. As Fermenta grows,
we want every team memberto grow with us.
Charting the Future
Looking forward to fiscal 2025-26, we are optimistic. The world is
entering a new era of nutrition—driven by preventive healthcare, rising demand for
plant-based alternatives, and a greater emphasis on wellness as a lifestyle. Fermenta is
well-positioned to thrive in this environment.
We aim to deepen our innovation pipeline and will continue expanding
our presence in key global markets while optimizing supply chain resilience through
backward integration and digital transformation.
India's evolving policy environment—through initiatives like
the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and Poshan Abhiyaan—offers meaningful
alignment with ourcapabilities.
We remain committed to partnering with government and global
institutions to deliver impactful nutritional solutions atscale.
In Gratitude
As we approach our 75th anniversary, we do so with humility, pride, and
renewed purpose. Fermenta's legacy has always been about more than products—it
has been about purpose.
Dr Raju'sdream of buildingan Indian healthcare company that stands
tall on the global stage remains our North Star. Guided by this vision, we will continueto
blend innovation with integrity, growth with impact, and business excellence with social
responsibility.
In closing, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our Board and all our
stakeholders includingthe leadership team, employees, customers, and supply partners for
their unwavering dedication. And to you, our shareholders—thank you for your trust,
patience, and continued belief in ourjourney. Together, we will shape the nextchapterof
Fermenta's story—with purpose, progress, and pride.
Praldeep M Chandan
Chairman