SSL International, known for its Durex and Scholl brands, lifted its operating profits by 19 per cent but recorded a first-half loss after the closure of a Spanish condom factory contributed to £34.2m ($71m) of charges.

SSL provided for £29.4m of costs related to the transfer of condom production from Spain to sites in Thailand and India, as well as the closure of a technical centre in Cambridge. The moves were announced in September when no costs were estimated.