Cropper (J) Regulatory News (CRPR)

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 7 OF EU REGULATION 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 AS AMENDED. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

2 July 2026

James Cropper plc

("James Cropper", the "Company" or the "Group")

Debt refinancing

James Cropper plc (AIM: CRPR), the Advanced Materials and Paper & Packaging group, is pleased to announce the completion of a refinancing of its debt facilities. This refinancing provides the Group with a more flexible funding platform to support delivery of its medium-term strategic priorities.

The new arrangements improve the Group's cash flow and balance sheet flexibility through access to a new invoice discounting facility of up to £15m committed for at least three years, which provides flexible working capital funding to enable more efficient management of the Group's liquidity.

As part of the refinancing, the Group will make a part-repayment of £7.1m on its existing UK bank loan, funded from the Group's cash resources and the new invoice discounting facility, with the remaining balance repayable in reduced quarterly instalments through to March 2030.

In addition, the maturity of the Group's US bank loan has been extended by 12 months, with the final repayment of $3.2m deferred to December 2027, improving liquidity headroom during this period.

Alongside the debt refinancing, the Group has agreed to make a one-off contribution into its defined benefit pension schemes of £0.6m, with the previously agreed contribution schedule reduced by £0.35m in aggregate across the period to September 2027. In addition, the Group has agreed to bring forward the next triennial actuarial valuation of the pension schemes by 12 months to March 2027. 

Andrew Goody, Chief Financial Officer, said: "This refinancing builds on the significant progress we have made in strengthening the Group's balance sheet through improved operational performance and continued focus on cash and working capital management, with net debt at 28 March 2026 less than 1x adjusted EBITDA.

"The refinancing materially improves our liquidity and financial flexibility. By improving access to committed working capital funding and extending the maturity profile of our debt, the new arrangements provide greater headroom to support both operational requirements and strategic growth initiatives.

"Importantly, the refinancing allows us to deploy capital more efficiently, which we expect will allow the Group to reduce cash financing costs. I am grateful to our lending partners for their continued support and to HSBC Invoice Finance for helping deliver this important enhancement to our funding structure."

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About James Cropper

James Cropper plc is globally recognised for its specialist capabilities in the design and manufacture of advanced materials and paper products. Operating through two principal businesses - Advanced Materials and Paper & Packaging - and built upon 180 years of innovation, the Group serves a diverse range of customers with high-performance solutions tailored to specialised applications.

The Advanced Materials business develops cutting-edge nonwoven materials and electrochemical coatings for sectors including aerospace, clean energy, and defence. The Paper & Packaging business offers premium creative papers and bespoke moulded fibre packaging together with leading recycled-fibre capabilities and products, supporting the transition to a circular economy.

Headquartered in Burneside (UK), with additional manufacturing sites in Crewe (UK), Launceston (UK), and Schenectady (USA), James Cropper leverages deep expertise in material science and longstanding partnerships with industry-leading businesses and brands to develop bespoke solutions that meet complex technical and aesthetic specifications.