KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd
(PetChem) has posted a strong second quarter ended June 30, 2026 (2Q26) amid robust demand and higher product spreads due to the prolonged West Asia conflict, bolstering profitability in what was otherwise an operationally challenging quarter, says managing director and chief executive officer Mazuin Ismail.
During the quarter, it undertook major planned turnaround activities at several facilities in Kerteh Integrated Petrochemical Complex and the urea plant in Bintulu.
“We upheld our commitment to safe and reliable operations by successfully completing the turnaround activities without any major health, safety and environment incidents,” said Mazuin in his review of the group’s quarterly performance.
PetChem recorded a net profit of RM414mil versus a net loss of RM1.08bil in the year-ago quarter, turning in an earnings per share of six sen as compared to a loss of 14 sen per share.
Quarterly revenue jumped to RM7.9bil from RM6.44bil in the previous comparative quarter. This brought first-half net profit to RM815mil as compared to a net loss of RM1.1bil in the year-ago period, while revenue improved at RM14.92bil against RM14.09bil over the same period.
The board of directors declared an interim dividend of six sen per share for those listed in the record of depositors on Sept 7, 2026, to be paid on Sept 15, 2026.
According to Mazuin, the group captured market upside by prioritising domestic and regional customers, maximising spot sales opportunities, as well as leveraging strategic sourcing and trading activities to strengthen earnings.
The group’s value creation and cost optimisation initiatives contributed RM324mil to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation year-to-date.
