Rating Rationale
April 15, 2020 | Mumbai
Astral Poly Technik Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Stable'; ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.380 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Stable (Outlook revised from 'Positive' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.50 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its rating outlook on the long-term bank facilities of Astral Poly Technik Limited (Astral; part of the Astral group) to 'Stable' from 'Positive' while reaffirming the rating at 'CRISIL AA-'. The rating on the short-term facilities and commercial paper is reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A1+'.
 
The outlook revision reflects CRISIL's belief that the lockdown following the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus disease (Covid-19), and the slowdown in the economic growth rate would restrain any improvement in the group's business risk profile.
 
The Government of India along with various state governments has taken measures towards containment of the outbreak; these include temporary closure of non-critical establishments and inter-state transportation, along-with advisory against travel and mass gatherings. The measures may impact the business risk profile due to plant shut down and thus weaken the credit quality.
 
While the government's measures are applicable till May 3, 2020 (extended from April 14, 2020), their revocation will be contingent upon a directive from the central government and the extent of the spread of the disease. A sustained long period of closure can result in significant weakening of the credit risk profile while a faster reversal to normalcy may contain the extent of deterioration. The ability to revert to operational stability and any relief measures given by the government will be key monitorables.
 
While the performance in fiscal 2020 has been broadly in line with expectations, the Covid-19 outbreak and the subsequent evolving scenario are likely to pull back the performance over the medium term due to only a slow recovery in demand. Consequently, capacity utilisation may remain around the current level with restrained topline growth, profitability and return on capital employed (RoCE). Nonetheless, the group should continue to benefit from its market leading positions in the chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) and PVC segments (which together contribute three fourths of revenue), with an installed capacity of 2.21 lakh tonne per annum across six locations in India.
 
The financial risk profile remains strong due to a substantial capital base, minimal leverage and healthy debt protection metrics. While the group has continuously undertaken capital expenditure (capex) and acquired entities in the past few years, these were prudently funded through internal cash accrual and fresh capital, thus sustaining the financial health. The moderation in expected capex and investment cycle, amidst the prevailing economic conditions, is likely to support the financial risk profile.
 
The ratings continue to reflect a leadership position in the CPVC pipes and fittings segment, supported by established brands and an entrenched market presence, and the  experience of the promoter. The ratings also factor in a strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to intense competition and to supplier concentration risk, and susceptibility of the operating margin to volatility in raw material prices and foreign exchange (forex) rates.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Astral and its subsidiaries, Resinova Chemie Ltd (Resinova; 97.45% stake), Astral Biochem Pvt Ltd (ABPL; wholly owned), and UK-based Seal It Services Ltd (Seal It; 80% stake). All the companies are collectively referred to as the Astral group.

Please refer Annexure - List of entities consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths: 
* Established market position: The group is the market leader in the domestic niche market of CPVC pipes and fittings. It enjoys the advantage of being a pioneer in introducing such products in the Indian market. The group complements its CPVC products with PVC products. It has diversified the product basket through Resinova and Seal It and through the acquisition of Rex Polyextrusion Pvt Ltd (RPPL; now merged with Astral). The established and longstanding presence has paved the way for strong brand recall and an entrenched market presence.
 
* Strong financial risk profile: The networth and gearing were healthy at Rs 1,293 crore and 0.32 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2019. For fiscal 2020, the capital structure is estimated to have been further consolidated. Interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios were also comfortable at 12.4 times and 0.7 time, respectively, in fiscal 2019, and are estimated to have remained similarly comfortable in fiscal 2020.
 
Weaknesses:
* Exposure to intense competition and to supplier concentration risk: The pipes and fittings industry is highly competitive, especially in the commoditised products segment, which has low differentiation. The segment is highly price sensitive, which prevents prompt pass-through of any increase in input cost to customers. The group procures CPVC resin mostly from Seikisui Chemical Co Ltd (Seikisui). For PVC too, it relies on a few suppliers.
 
* Susceptibility to fluctuations in raw material prices and forex rates: The group imports around a quarter of its raw material requirement. Any significant fluctuation in forex rates may impact profitability, which is also vulnerable to inherent volatility in the prices of raw materials (PVC and CPVC resins), which are dictated by global crude oil prices. Over the four fiscals through 2029, the operating margin was 12-16%.
Liquidity Strong

Liquidity is backed by healthy cash accrual against repayment obligations, moderate bank limit utilisation, a controlled working capital cycle, and a healthy cash and bank balance. Cash accrual is expected at Rs 300-350 crore, against repayment obligation of below Rs 25 crore, per fiscal over the medium term. The working capital cycle is well managed with gross current assets at around four months. Average utilisation remained below 10% of the sanctioned secured bank limit of Rs 215 crore in fiscal 2020. The unsecured limit utilisation was also below 15% through fiscal 2020. Further, the group has cash and equivalents of around Rs 120 crore currently. Healthy cash accrual, financial flexibility, and moderation in the capex cycle should ensure strong liquidity over the medium term.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the Astral group will continue to benefit from its established market presence and strong financial risk profile.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Revenue growth at a compound annual rate of 15%, with a steady working capital cycle
* Sharp and sustainable improvement in profitability
 
Downward factors
* A continuous fall in capacity utilisation to below 55% or a sharp decline in the operating profitability margin by over 400 basis points
* Large capex or investment, or a stretch in the working capital cycle.
About the Group

Astral was incorporated in 1996 as a private limited company, promoted by Mr Sandeep Engineer (managing director), and was reconstituted as a public limited company in 2007, with the launch of its initial public offering. The company manufactures and trades in CPVC and lead-free PVC plumbing systems for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
 
In July 2018, Astral acquired 51% stake in RPPL for a cash consideration of Rs 75.225 crore. The balance stake was subsequently acquired through issuance of Astral's shares, and RPPL was merged into Astral. This acquisition added a portfolio of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and PVC pipes. It now has six plants: two in Gujarat, one in Tamil Nadu, one in Maharashtra, one in Uttarakhand and one in Rajasthan.
 
Resinova manufactures adhesives for construction, engineering, automobile, insulation, household, and stationery applications. The company sells its products under 50 brands, including Bondtite, Bondset, Bondfit, Resigrip, Resicast, Zesta, Solvobond, Resibond, and Vetra. In November 2014, Astral acquired 76% stake in Resinova for Rs 212.8 crore. In November 2015, itl acquired the balance 24% for Rs 73 crore. Subsequently, Resinova was amalgamated with Advanced Adhesives Ltd (AAL) with effect from November 21, 2014. As per the scheme of amalgamation, AAL was renamed Resinova. The merger added cement-solvent solutions for joining pipes to Resinova's product basket.
 
Formed in 2002, Seal It offers sealants, adhesives, and other products under the Bond-it brand. Astral acquired 80% stake in this company in August 2014.
 
ABPL has no operations at present.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 2507 2073
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 197 176
Profit margin % 7.9 8.5
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.32 0.36
Interest coverage Times 12.4 15.1
Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate (%) Maturity date Issue size (Rs crore) Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 1.5 CRISIL A1+
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 215 CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 10 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Long Term
Bank Loan Facility
NA NA NA 58.5 CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA Mar-2023 95 CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 50 CRISIL A1+
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Astral Poly Technik Ltd Full Consolidation Companies are subsidiary of Astral Poly Technik Ltd
Resinova Chemie Ltd
Astral Biochem Pvt Ltd
Seal It Services Ltd
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
Commercial Paper  ST  50.00  CRISIL A1+      31-10-19  CRISIL A1+  11-10-18  CRISIL A1+  20-09-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                16-07-18  CRISIL A1+       
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  368.50  CRISIL AA-/Stable      31-10-19  CRISIL AA-/Positive  11-10-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable  20-09-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable  CRISIL AA-/Stable 
                16-07-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  11.50  CRISIL A1+      31-10-19  CRISIL A1+  11-10-18  CRISIL A1+  20-09-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                16-07-18  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 1.5 CRISIL A1+ Bank Guarantee 1.5 CRISIL A1+
Cash Credit 215 CRISIL AA-/Stable Cash Credit 215 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Letter of Credit 10 CRISIL A1+ External Commercial Borrowings 27.47 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 58.5 CRISIL AA-/Stable Letter of Credit 10 CRISIL A1+
Term Loan 95 CRISIL AA-/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 31.03 CRISIL AA-/Positive
-- 0 -- Term Loan 95 CRISIL AA-/Positive
Total 380 -- Total 380 --
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
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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