Rating Rationale
October 11, 2018 | Mumbai
Astral Poly Technik Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.380 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Stable (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 reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings on the bank facilities and commercial paper of Astral Poly Technik Limited (Astral; a part of the Astral group).
 
The ratings continue to reflect Astral's leadership position in the chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) pipes and fittings segment, supported by established brand and entrenched market presence, and promoter's experience. The ratings also factor in strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to intense competition, supplier concentration risk, and susceptibility of the operating margin to volatile 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 subsidiary), and UK-based Seal It Services Ltd (Seal It, 80% stake); CRISIL has also consolidated Rex Polyextrusion Pvt Ltd (RPPL) where Astral currently has 51% stake and the entity shall be amalgamated with Astral on acquisition. All these companies are collectively referred to as the Astral group.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position: The Astral 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 CPVC products in the Indian market. The group complements its CPVC products with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products and has diversified product basket through Resinova and Seal It and through recent acquisition of RPPL. Established and long-standing presence has paved way for brand recall and entrenched market presence.
 
* Strong financial risk profile: Networth and gearing were healthy at Rs 103.2 crore and 0.36 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2018. Interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios were also comfortable at about 15 times and 0.6 time, respectively, in fiscal 2018.
 
Weaknesses
* Exposure to intense competition and supplier concentration: The pipes and fittings industry is highly competitive especially in the commoditised products segment, marked by low product differentiation. The segment is highly price sensitive, which prevents the prompt pass-through of any increase in input costs to customers. The group procures CPVC resin solely from principal supplier, Seikisui Chemical Co Ltd (Seikisui)
 
* Susceptibility to fluctuations in raw material prices and forex rates: The Astral group is exposed to risks related to fluctuations in forex rates as it imports around one-third of its raw material requirement. Though the group can absorb minor losses because of comfortable networth, any significant loss arising from forex rate fluctuations may impact cash accrual. The margin is also exposed to fluctuations in the prices of raw materials (PVC resins and CPVC resins), which being dictated by global crude oil prices and are volatile in nature.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the group will continue to benefit over the medium term from the diversified revenue profile, addition of products and strong market position across segments. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if revenue, profitability and cash generation increase substantially and key financial metrics remain healthy. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if significant decline in profitability, stretch in working capital cycle, or large, debt-funded capital expenditure or acquisitions, weakens the capital structure.

About the Group

Astral was originally incorporated in 1996 as a private limited company, promoted by Mr Sandeep Engineer (managing director); this company was reconstituted as a public limited company in 2007, with the launch of its initial public offering. Astral manufactures and trades in CPVC and lead-free PVC plumbing systems for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. It has four plants: two in Gujarat, one in Tamil Nadu and one in Rajasthan.
 
Resinova manufactures adhesives for construction, engineering, automobile, insulation, household, and stationary applications. The company sells its products under about 50 brands, including Bondtite, Bondset, Bondfit, Resigrip, Resicast, Zesta, Solvobond, Resibond, and Vetra.
 
In July 2018, Astral acquired 51% stake in RPPL for a cash consideration of Rs 75.225 crore. The balance stake shall be acquired through issuance of Astral share post receipt of requisite approvals and RPPL will be amalgamated into Astral. The process is likely to be completed by current year end. RPPL manufactures High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and PVC pipes.
 
In November 2014, Astral acquired 76% stake in Resinova for a consideration of Rs 212.8 crore. In November 2015, Astral acquired the balance 24% for Rs 73 crore. Subsequently, in the same year, Resinova was amalgamated with Advanced Adhesives Ltd (AAL) with effect from November 21, 2014. As per the scheme of amalgamation, AAL was renamed as 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 brand Bond-it. Astral acquired 80% stake of this company in August 2014.

ABPL has no operations at present.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 2139 2127
Profit after tax Rs crore 179 144
Profit margin % 8.4 6.8
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.36 0.3
Interest coverage Times 15 15

Any other information: Not applicable

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 External Commercial Borrowings NA NA Feb-2022 27.47 CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 10 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 31.03 CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA Jul-2020 95 CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 50 CRISIL A1+
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  50.00  CRISIL A1+  16-07-18  CRISIL A1+  20-09-17  CRISIL A1+  15-09-16  CRISIL A1+  28-12-15  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1/Watch Developing 
                    05-02-15  CRISIL A1+   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  368.50  CRISIL AA-/Stable  16-07-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable  20-09-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable  15-09-16  CRISIL AA-/Stable  28-12-15  CRISIL AA-/Stable  CRISIL A+/Watch Developing 
                    05-02-15  CRISIL A+/Positive   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  11.50  CRISIL A1+  16-07-18  CRISIL A1+  20-09-17  CRISIL A1+  15-09-16  CRISIL A1+  28-12-15  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1/Watch Developing 
                    05-02-15  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* 185 CRISIL AA-/Stable
External Commercial Borrowings 27.47 CRISIL AA-/Stable External Commercial Borrowings 27.47 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Letter of Credit 10 CRISIL A1+ Letter of Credit 10 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 31.03 CRISIL AA-/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 31.03 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Term Loan 95 CRISIL AA-/Stable Term Loan 95 CRISIL AA-/Stable
      Cash Credit# 30 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Total 380 -- Total@ 380 --
*Interchangeable with Buyers Credit
# Interchangeable with Buyers Credit, Bank Guarantee, Letter of Credit
@Please note that unsecured fund based working capital limits, provided by other banks, have also been included in the company's rated limit of Rs.380.0 crore, which are inter-changeable, with the condition that the company's utilization under the rated fund based working capital facilities will not exceed Rs.215 Crore.
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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