Rating Rationale
October 31, 2019 | Mumbai
Astral Poly Technik Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Positive'; ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.380 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Positive (Outlook revised from 'Stable' 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 outlook on the long-term bank facilities of Astral Poly Technik Limited (Astral; part of the Astral group) to 'Positive' from 'Stable' and reaffirmed the 'CRISIL AA-'. The rating on the short-term bank facilities and commercial paper has been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A1+'.
 
The outlook revision reflects CRISIL's belief that the Astral group's business risk profile is likely to strengthen over the medium term backed by healthy demand and increase in capacity utilisation. The Indian PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe market is expected to register compound annual growth rate of 10-11% while the CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) segment is expected to grow 20% annually till 2021. The Astral group is a market leader in the CPVC segment and among the leading players in the PVC segment (which together contribute 74% to revenue) with an installed capacity of 2.21 lakh tonne per annum across six locations in India as on September 30, 2019. The expected increase in capacity utilisation to 65-70% over the medium term (62% in the first half of fiscal 2020) shall support revenue growth of 15%. The adhesives segment (26% of revenue) is also likely to grow at a similar pace supported by extensive advertisement and branding campaigns and expanding distribution base. The geographically distributed plants (leading to saving in logistics cost), continued benefits from backward integration into CPVC, and better spread of cost on higher scale are likely to help sustain improvement in the operating margin at the improved levels around 15-16%.
 
The Astral group's financial risk profile remains strong, backed by healthy capital structure indicated by networth and gearing of Rs 1293 crore and 0.32 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2019. Debt protection measures were comfortable. While the group has continuously undertaken capex and acquired entities in the past few years, these were appropriately funded through internal accrual and fresh capital, thus sustaining the financial health.
 
The improving business risk profile is likely to strengthen the group's financial risk profile with sharp increase in accrual and likely moderation in gearing to below 0.25 time. Liquidity should remain strong with healthy cash flow and controlled working capital cycle. Also, the expected moderation in capex will help consolidate the financial risk profile.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the Astral group's leadership position in the CPVC pipes and fittings segment, supported by established brands and entrenched market presence, and the promoter's experience. The ratings also factor in 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 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 PVC products. It has diversified its product basket through Resinova and Seal It and through the recent acquisition of Rex Polyextrusion Pvt Ltd (RPPL; now merged in Astral). Established and long-standing presence has paved the way for strong brand recall and entrenched market presence.
 
* Strong financial risk profile: Networth and gearing were healthy at Rs 1293 crore and 0.32 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2019. 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.
 
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 product differentiation. The segment is highly price sensitive, which prevents prompt pass-through of any increase in input cost to customers. The Astral group procures CPVC resin mostly from its principal supplier, Seikisui Chemical Co Ltd (Seikisui). For PVC too, the group relies on a few suppliers.
 
* Susceptibility to fluctuations in raw material prices and forex rates: The Astral group is susceptible to fluctuations in forex rates as it imports around a quarter of its raw material. Any significant fluctuation in forex rates may impact profitability, which is also vulnerable to volatility in the prices of raw materials (PVC resins and CPVC resins), which are dictated by global crude oil prices, and hence, inherently volatile. Over the past four years, the group's operating margin ranged from 12% to 16%.
Liquidity Strong

The group has strong liquidity backed by healthy accruals against repayment obligations, moderate bank limit utilization, contolled working capital cycle and healthy cash bank balance. Annual cash accruals of around Rs. 350 cr should cover the repayment obligations 4 times over. Working capital cycle is well managed with gross current assets being around 4 months. Astral's bank limit utilization remains below 50% of its sanctioned limits of Rs.215 cr. Further, the group had cash and equivalent of ~Rs. 60 cr as on September 30, 2019. Healthy cash accruals, financial flexibility and moderation in capex cycle shall ensure a strong liquidity profile for Astral.

Outlook: Positive

CRISIL believes the Astral group will continue to benefit from its established market presence and improved capacity utilisation.
 
Rating sensitivity factors
Upward factor
* Sustainable growth of over 15% in topline with steady operating margin and capital structure
* Sharp and sustainable improvement in working capital cycle
 
Downward factor
* Capacity utilisation falling below 60% on a continued basis or sharp moderation in profitability
* Large capex or stretch in working capital cycle

About the Company

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. 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.
 
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.
 
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, Astral 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 Rs crore 197 176
PAT margin % 7.9 8.5
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.32 0.36
Interest coverage Times 12.4 15.1

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-/Positive
NA External Commercial Borrowings NA NA Feb-22 27.47 CRISIL AA-/Positive
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 10 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Long Term
Bank Loan Facility
NA NA NA 31.03 CRISIL AA-/Positive
NA Term Loan NA NA Jul-20 95 CRISIL AA-/Positive
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 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  50.00  CRISIL A1+      11-10-18  CRISIL A1+  20-09-17  CRISIL A1+  15-09-16  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
            16-07-18  CRISIL A1+           
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  368.50  CRISIL AA-/Positive      11-10-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable  20-09-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable  15-09-16  CRISIL AA-/Stable  CRISIL AA-/Stable 
            16-07-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  11.50  CRISIL A1+      11-10-18  CRISIL A1+  20-09-17  CRISIL A1+  15-09-16  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-/Positive Cash Credit 215 CRISIL AA-/Stable
External Commercial Borrowings 27.47 CRISIL AA-/Positive 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-/Positive Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 31.03 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Term Loan 95 CRISIL AA-/Positive Term Loan 95 CRISIL AA-/Stable
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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