The rating action highlights Masterplast's reliance on renewing short-term bank loans against a backdrop of reduced demand and difficult economic conditions, despite improved operational stabilisation through effective cost-saving measures.

The rating action reflects weaker credit metrics, driven by lower-than-expected EBITDA in an unsupportive macroeconomic environment and potential liquidity concerns.

The Negative Outlook reflects weaker credit metrics, driven by lower-than-expected EBITDA in an unsupportive macroeconomic environment.

Scope forecasts improved cash generation driven by regulatory tailwinds and the end of the capex-heavy expansion phase (2020-2022) helping to keep credit metrics under control amid a challenging environment.

The upgrade is driven by the company’s ongoing strong business performance thanks to continuous, subsidised investments in its production capacities leading to a further improvement in credit metrics.

The Outlook change is driven by the anticipated improvement in credit metrics that lever on a growing operational cash flow following investments into the company’s production capacities and product availability in the past and going forward.

The rating is predominantly driven by the company's small scale, which limits economies of scale, diversification and the ability to offset the impact of economic cycles.