Cosmo Films today announced the appointment of Pankaj Poddar as the Group chief executive officer to head the newly launched and fast-growing consumer business ZIGLY alongside trade verticals including Films, Labelling & Packaging, Specialty Chemicals, Ferrites, Masterbatches, and Textile Chemicals. The development came into effect immediately and in recognition of the growth the company witnessed under Poddar's leadership as CEO of the business.

With a career spanning over 26 years, Pankaj Poddar has held key leadership positions in the company across business units and verticals. As the chief financial officer at Cosmo Films in 2011, Pankaj was responsible for managing the financial operations in India and overseas. Since his appointment as the CEO in 2013, all verticals of Cosmo have witnessed year-on-year growth.

Speaking of the appointment, Ashok Jaipuria, chairman and managing director, Cosmo Films, said, "Pankaj's contribution is immense for the success of Cosmo as is visible in the last few years. R&D, Sales & Marketing competencies, expanded product range, and focus on Specialty films have led to record EBITDA and an all-time high market capitalization. Pankaj has also played a key role in ensuring diversification from the Films business into Ferrites, Speciality Chemicals and Zigly.

These will make a significant addition to the company's parameters – topline, bottom line and market valuations. He is a great asset to Cosmo with his focus, drive and implementation, bringing in benefits to the company and its stakeholders."

Commenting on his appointment, Pankaj Poddar said, "I am delighted to be elevated as the Group CEO. At this point, Cosmo Films is at the pivotal state of its growth with diversification into different sectors. Being a global leader in the films and packaging sector, we aim to be the preferred brand for Specialty Chemicals, Ferrites, Polymers & Petcare."

Pankaj started his career with a 7-year stint at Ernst and Young before joining Reckitt Benckiser, Delphi Automotive and Avon Beauty in senior financial positions. He is a regular speaker at various packaging industry forums and sits on the board of the Organization of Plastic Processors of India, Plast India and IFCA.

Established in 1981 and founded by Ashok Jaipuria, Cosmo Films today is a global leader in specialty films for packaging, lamination, labeling and synthetic paper. With the engineering of innovative products and sustainability solutions, Cosmo Films, over the years, has been partnering with the worlds' leading F&B and personal care brands and packaging & printing converters to enhance the end consumer experience. Its customer base is spread in more than 100 countries with sales & manufacturing units in India and Korea and sales & distribution base in Japan, USA, Canada, and Europe.

The company is strategically expanding beyond Films into Specialty Chemicals & Polymers as well as the pet care business.