About the Organization
ACI PLC, formally Advanced Chemical Industries PLC and commonly known as ACI Limited, is one of Bangladesh's largest and most diversified conglomerates, with a distinguished multinational heritage. Advanced Chemical Industries PLC is a prominent diversified conglomerate in Bangladesh specialising in pharmaceuticals, consumer brands, agribusiness, and retail operations; it was incorporated on 24 January 1973 as ICI Bangladesh Manufacturers Limited, a subsidiary of the British multinational Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), and transitioned to local management, renamed ACI, in 1992 following ICI's divestment. That transition was a landmark event in the country's corporate history; in 1992 ICI Plc divested 70% of its shares to local shareholders, after which ICI Bangladesh was rebranded as Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI) Limited and continued its operations in Bangladesh.
Today the group operates at very large scale across several core sectors. ACI operates through four distinct business units, namely ACI Pharmaceuticals, ACI Consumer Brands, ACI Agribusinesses, and ACI Retail Chain, showcasing a comprehensive and diversified approach to a growing market. Its size and economic contribution are substantial; ACI PLC is headquartered at ACI Centre in the Tejgaon Industrial Area of Dhaka, employs 11,267 people as of 2024, manages over 500 retail outlets under its Shwapno chain, and contributed Taka 18,343 million to the national exchequer in fiscal year 2023-2024. The company is listed on the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges, and its mission is to enrich the quality of life through the responsible application of knowledge and technology.
Business Operations
ACI's operations span four strategic business units that together reach almost every part of Bangladeshi daily life. Its healthcare arm is a major industry player; ACI Pharmaceuticals has become one of the top pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh, employing more than 5,000 people across the country. Its consumer business is built on household names; ACI launched its Consumer Brands segment in 1995 with ACI Aerosol and Savlon, which gained prestigious positions in the market, and later expanded through offshore trading and local manufacturing. Through this unit, ACI also markets a portfolio of international brands in Bangladesh, including Colgate, Dabur products (via its Asian Consumer Care joint venture), Tetley tea, and Equal sweeteners.
Beyond pharma and consumer goods, the group is a major force in agriculture and modern retail. ACI Agribusinesses provides crop-protection, seed, fertiliser, agri-machinery, and livestock and fisheries solutions to farmers nationwide, while its retail arm operates the country's leading supermarket chain; ACI Logistics runs the Shwapno retail chain, which has expanded to hundreds of outlets and serves tens of thousands of customers daily. The conglomerate is highly vertically integrated; ACI operates 18 subsidiaries as of mid-2025, spanning pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, agribusiness, logistics, and more.
Affiliations With BUP Career Club
ACI PLC participates in the BUP Career & Education Fest 2026 as an official Participant organisation, bringing a diverse corporate perspective to the event. As one of Bangladesh’s most established conglomerates, ACI offers students exposure to multiple industries under one organisation, including pharmaceuticals, consumer brands, agribusiness, motors, retail, supply chain, marketing, finance, and operations.
This broad scope makes ACI especially relevant for students from different academic backgrounds. The organisation’s presence helps participants understand how a large-scale Bangladeshi corporation functions across varied sectors, what kind of talent it values, and how young professionals can build long-term careers within a diversified business environment.
