Rating Rationale
November 24, 2020 | Mumbai
Alkyl Amines Chemicals Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Positive'; ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.288.35 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A+/Positive (Outlook revised from 'Stable' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1 (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its outlook on the long-term bank facilities of Alkyl Amines Chemicals Limited (AACL) to 'Positive' from 'Stable' while reaffirming its rating at 'CRISIL A+'; the rating on the short-term bank facilities has been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A1'
 
The revision in outlook reflects expectation of continued improvement in AACL's business risk profile supported by sustained growth in revenue and profitability across key product segments - methylamines and speciality chemicals ' owing to significant ramp up in utilisation of the enhanced capacities. Revenue and operating margin grew by 17.2% and 660 basis points, respectively, in fiscal 2020. While the Covid-19-induced lockdown and other restrictions impacted the revenue growth during the first half of fiscal 2021 which was moderate at 7.3% and operating margin further improved by 890 basis points as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Capacity enhancement being carried out for the methylamines and acetonitrile segments and healthy demand, especially from the pharmaceutical sector, should further boost operations. Revision in outlook also reflect strengthened financial risk profile supported by significant decline in debt levels, improved capital structure and overall financial flexibility of the company, likely to be sustained over the medium term.
 
The ratings continue to factor in AACL's established market position in aliphatic amines and its derivatives and growing speciality chemicals segment, driven by a strong in-house research and development (R&D) capability, and well-diversified product and customer portfolios. The ratings also take into account a strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to volatility in commodity prices and sizeable working capital requirement.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Leadership market position
The Indian amines industry is oligopolistic and AACL is one of the leading players with over 100 products. The company continues to be the market leader in the ethylamine segment and is among the foremost manufactures of methylamine, diethyl hydroxylamine, and dimethylamine hydrochloride (DMA HCL) in India. It had commissioned a new methylamine plant at Dahej in March 2018. Market share in the methylamines market improved significantly since fiscal 2019 as the capacity utilisation at the new plant augmented to optimum levels. The company further enhanced its DMA HCL, isopropyl capacities in fiscal 2020 and is in the process of enhancing capacities for methylamine and acetonitrile during fiscal 2021 among other smaller capacity enhancements. The acetonitrile market has been favourable in fiscal 2020, as the acrylonitrile production declined significantly, impacting supply of acetonitrile (acetonitrile is a by-product during the manufacturing of acrylonitrile), resulting in steady demand and healthy realisation. Ramp up in utilisation levels in the new capacities and healthy demand should continue to drive growth over the medium term.
 
Operating margin improved to 26.2% in fiscal 2020 from 19.6% in the previous year; supported by growth in volumes, increase in realisation in some of the key products, especially methylamines and acetonitrile segment. The margin further rose to 32.2% during the first half of fiscal 2021 due to increase in realisation owing to favourable market conditions. However, the operating margins is likely to moderate over the medium term as the realisation moderates, however shall remain above 20%
 
* Strong financial risk profile
Financial risk profile improved in fiscal 2020, supported by healthy increase in accretion to reserve and steady growth in accruals, thereby reducing dependency on outside debt to meet working capital requirements. Long-term debt also declined significantly in fiscal 2020, backed by repayment and absence of any net debt addition. Adjusted networth improved to Rs 535 crore as on March 31, 2020, from Rs 364 crore a year earlier, while total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratio moderated to 0.5 time from 1.06 times. Debt protection metrics were healthy, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to adjusted debt ratios improving to 25.6 times 2.3 times, respectively, from 11.4 times and 0.5 time a year before. Capital expenditure (capex) is projected at around Rs 150 crore per fiscal over the medium term, likely to be funded by internal accruals. Financial risk profile is likely to be sustained over medium term
 
Weaknesses
* Working capital-intensive operations
Operations are likely to remain working capital intensive over the medium term. Gross current assets were moderately high at 104 days as on March 31 2020 (133 days as on March 31, 2019), driven by inventory and debtors of 42 days and 62 days, respectively. Credit of 60-90 days are provided to customers with good track record and inventory of around 60 days is maintained owing to the large product portfolio and bulk purchase of ethanol and methanol to take advantage of better prices.
 
* Exposure to volatile commodity prices
Cost of raw material inputs (alcohols, ammonia and acetic acid) and the company's products (amines) has been volatile, thus impacting profitability. Domestic ethanol prices are dependent on the cyclicality in the sugar industry and methanol prices are driven by crude price movements and demand-supply dynamics in the international markets. Market prices of amines and other speciality chemicals are also volatile depending up on the demand-supply dynamics in the market. Thus, profitability may remain constrained by any unfavourable price movement.
 
However, the company has taken steps to manage prices of raw materials, especially alcohol, by contracting the purchase from sugar manufacturer's and source from international markets as per price dynamics. Steps have also been taken to pass on the hike in prices of raw materials by entering into contracts with customers, such as formula-based, quarterly, and half yearly pass-on, and quarter-based quotations. Nevertheless, the company is likely to remain moderately susceptible to fluctuations in the prices of raw materials and of its products.
Liquidity Strong

Net cash accrual is expected to be around Rs 215-250 crore per fiscal over the medium term (Rs 197.9 crore in fiscal 2020) should comfortably cover yearly debt obligation of Rs 38 crore. Capex of Rs 150 crore per fiscal (Rs 80 crore in fiscal 2020) is expected to be funded by internal accrual. Bank limit of Rs 65 crore was utilised at an average of 4.4% during the 12 months through September 2020. Cash and bank balances were comfortable at Rs 85.6 crore as on September 30 2020. Healthy capital structure also supports financial flexibility.

Outlook: Positive

AACL should significantly benefit from its leadership position in the amines market, ramp up in enhanced capacities, sustained operating efficiency backed by volume growth and strong financial risk profile.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward factor
* Substantial and sustainable increase in revenue and profitability, driven by enhanced market position and product diversification, leading to cash accrual of over Rs 240 crore on a sustainable basis over the medium term.
* Sustained financial risk profile backed by healthy capital structure and strong debt protection metrics

Downward factor
* Steep decline in revenue or operating margin dropping below 20% owing to loss in market share, resulting in cash accrual of less than Rs 200 crore
* Large, debt-funded capex or acquisition or sizeable stretch in working capital cycle deteriorates the financial risk profile.

About the Company

AACL, incorporated in 1979, is promoted by Mr Yogesh Kothari and his family members and DSP Financial Consultants Ltd. The company, based in Mumbai, manufactures aliphatic amines such as ethylamine and methylamine, amine derivatives, and specialty chemicals at its facilities in Patalganga and Kurkumbh in Maharashtra, and Dahej. The company also has an R&D facility in Hadapsar, Maharashtra.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2020 2019
Revenue Rs.Crore 994.3 847.7
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Crore 215.3 83.7
PAT Margin % 21.6 9.9
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.16 0.45
Interest coverage Times 25.6 11.4

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon
rate (%)
Maturity date Complexity level Issue
size
(Rs.Crore)
Rating assigned with outlook
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA NA 6.8 CRISIL A1
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA NA 45 CRISIL A+/Positive
NA Export Packing Credit NA NA NA NA 25 CRISIL A+/Positive
NA External Commercial Borrowings NA NA Aug-2023 NA 113.09 CRISIL A+/Positive
NA Foreign Exchange Forward NA NA NA NA 9.4 CRISIL A1
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA NA 70.6 CRISIL A1
NA Line of Credit NA NA NA NA 5 CRISIL A+/Positive
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA NA 13.46 CRISIL A+/Positive
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  210.95  CRISIL A+/Positive/ CRISIL A1      23-08-19  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1  28-06-18  CRISIL A+/Stable  08-06-17  CRISIL A/Stable  CRISIL A/Stable 
            16-08-19  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1  07-06-18  CRISIL A+/Stable  15-05-17  CRISIL A/Stable   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  77.40  CRISIL A1      23-08-19  CRISIL A1  28-06-18  CRISIL A1  08-06-17  CRISIL A1  CRISIL A1 
            16-08-19  CRISIL A1  07-06-18  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1  15-05-17  CRISIL A1   
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bank Guarantee 6.8 CRISIL A1 Bank Guarantee 6.8 CRISIL A1
Cash Credit 45 CRISIL A+/Positive Cash Credit 45 CRISIL A+/Stable
Export Packing Credit 25 CRISIL A+/Positive Export Packing Credit 25 CRISIL A+/Stable
External Commercial Borrowings 113.09 CRISIL A+/Positive External Commercial Borrowings 113.09 CRISIL A+/Stable
Foreign Exchange Forward 9.4 CRISIL A1 Foreign Exchange Forward 9.4 CRISIL A1
Letter of Credit 70.6 CRISIL A1 Letter of Credit 70.6 CRISIL A1
Line of Credit 5 CRISIL A+/Positive Line of Credit 5 CRISIL A+/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 13.46 CRISIL A+/Positive Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 13.46 CRISIL A+/Stable
Total 288.35 -- Total 288.35 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Chemical Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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