Rating Rationale
December 15, 2020 | Mumbai
Calibre Chemicals Private Limited
Ratings placed on 'Watch Developing'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.124 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.94 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL A (Placed on 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1 (Placed on 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has placed it ratings on the bank loan facilities of Calibre Chemicals Private Limited (Calibre) on 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications'.
 
The rating action follows the recent announcement on the existing promoters entering into a definitive agreement with Everstone Capital (Everstone) to sell their controlling 53% stake in the company. The transaction is likely to be completed within 5-6 months, subject to approvals from the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) board and other regulators. The existing professional management team may continue to oversee operations even after Everstone acquires the majority stake.
 
Post this transaction, Calibre should benefit from the strong parentage of Everstone. CRISIL will continue to engage with the management, for details on the business strategy and financial policies. CRISIL will remove the ratings from Watch and announce its final rating action, once key approvals and clarity on above mentioned aspects are obtained.
 
The nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, adversely affected business volume and led to a 13% decline in revenue in the first six months of fiscal 2021, over the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. Sustained growth in realisations in both iodine derivatives and peroxygens have supported revenue and operating margin which sustained at 24.1% during the first six months of fiscal 2021 compared to 23.7% in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. Inventory peaked to about 200 days as at September 30, 2020, from about 154 days as at March 31, 2020, mainly due to stocking of iodine, key raw material, amidst civil unrest in Chile and increased sourcing from Japan. The company's inventory position is expected to correct by March 31, 2021 and remains a key monitorable.
 
Revenue had grown by 17% in in fiscal 2020, year-on-year, led by improved demand for peroxygens and higher realisation in iodine derivatives. Operating margin rose to 22.6% in fiscal 2020, from 17.8% in the previous year, aided by better realisations and fixed cost absorption, and the company's ability to pass on the hike in raw material prices.
 
Operating performance in fiscal 2021 could be marginally impacted by lower volume sales in the first half. However, operating margin should sustain over 20%, mainly due to better realisations.
 
The ratings continue to reflect Calibre's healthy financial risk profile, established market position, and longstanding relationships with customers and suppliers. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to volatile raw material prices and foreign exchange (forex) rates.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of wholly-owned subsidiary, Calibre Europe BVBA, with the parent, Calibre. This is because both the entities operate in the same business, and have operational and financial linkages.

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

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Healthy financial risk profile: Networth rose to Rs 192 crore as on March 31, 2020, from Rs 142 crore as on March 31, 2019, driven by adequate cash accrual. Capital structure remains healthy with no long-term debt or debt-funded capital expenditure (capex) plans. Working capital debt increased to Rs 50 crore, with gearing of 0.26 time on as March 31, 2020, mainly due to stocking of iodine, key raw material, in light of civil unrest in Chile and increased sourcing from Japan. Working capital debt was stable at these levels as on September 30, 2020. Inventory peaked to about 200 days as at September 30, 2020, vis-a-vis about 154 days as at March 31, 2020, but may correct by March 31, 2021. Debt protection metrics are comfortable, supported by a healthy margin and internal accrual.
 
* Established market position: Calibre's established position in the domestic and global markets, stems from its revenue diversity and strong clientele. The company has been in the iodine derivatives segment for over three decades, and is one of the leading manufacturers of these products in India. Presence in the international market has also grown during the last few years (exports accounted for around 63% of total revenue in fiscal 2020), with widespread reach in the US, UK, Middle East, Belgium, and Germany. Product and geographical diversity should help shield revenue and accrual from downturn in any particular product or region.
 
* Longstanding association with customers and suppliers: Calibre has been associated with many of its key customers for over two decades. Given the limited competition, especially from established players, customers are less likely to change their suppliers. Furthermore, the company maintains high standards of quality, health, and safety, which are critical for client retention, and several products are compliant with Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) requirements. It has also maintained healthy relationships with key iodine suppliers, and is a major purchaser globally, thus ensuring steady supply of raw material.
 
Weaknesses:
* Susceptibility to cyclicality in raw material prices: High volatility in price of key raw material, iodine, due to demand-supply dynamics, has led to sharp fluctuation in the operating margin. Calibre imports iodine largely from Chile, and considering the recent political unrest, availability and prices of iodine will be a key monitorable. However, the company has gradually increased iodine sourcing from other markets such as Japan. Competition in the global chemicals market may continue to restrict the ability to pass on increase in raw material cost in a timely manner.
 
* Volatility in forex rates: Nearly 90% of the raw material is imported, exposing Calibre to the risk of sharp fluctuations in forex rates. However, with over 60% of revenue coming in from exports, the exposure to forex risk is hedged to some extent.
Liquidity Adequate

Liquidity remains adequate with expected annual cash accrual of Rs 50-52 crore, sufficient to cover the maintenance capex of Rs 5-10 crore in fiscal 2021, in the absence of any long-term debt. Bank limit utilisation averaged around 47% for the 12 months through September 2020. 
 
Rating sensitivity factors:
Upward factors
* Sustained revenue growth of over 15% per fiscal, coupled with operating margin above 20%
* Prudent working capital management

Downward factors
* Significant decline in revenue and operating profitability (to below 12%)
* Weakening of financial risk profile, with gearing above 0.7 time, due to any major, debt-funded capex, or a stretch in working capital cycle

About the Company

Set up in 1984, by the promoter, Mr Ranjit H Bhavnani, Calibre manufactures fine inorganic chemicals using the electrolysis process at its plant in the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation area in Sarigam, Gujarat. The company is India's leading producer of persulphates, perchlorates, iodates and iodides.
 
For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the company reported profit after tax of Rs 32 crore on operating income of Rs 187 crore, as against Rs 38 crore and Rs 215 crore, reported for the six month period ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2020 2019
Revenue Rs crore 465 397
Profit After tax Rs crore 75 49
PAT margin % 16.1 12.3
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.26 0.04
Adjusted Interest coverage Times 28.12 321.25
 

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 Issue Size
(Rs. Cr)
Complexity levels Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Cash credit* NA NA NA 105.0 NA CRISIL A/Watch Developing
NA Cash credit ^ NA NA NA 5.0 NA CRISIL A/Watch Developing
NA Letter of Credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 14.0 NA CRISIL A1/Watch Developing
* Interchangeable with cash credit up to Rs. 15 crore/working capital demand loan up to Rs. 25 crore/pre and post shipment finance, buyer's credit and bills discounting up to Rs 80 crore/ letter of credit up to Rs. 105 crore /bank guarantee upto Rs. 20 crore
^Interchangeable with letter of credit and bank guarantee facilities of up to Rs.5 crore
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Name of entities consolidated Extent of consolidation Rationale for consolidation
Calibre Europe BVBA Full Wholly owned subsidiary
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  110.00  CRISIL A/(Watch) Developing  25-02-20  CRISIL A/Stable      21-11-18  CRISIL A/Stable  22-11-17  CRISIL A-/Stable  CRISIL A-/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  14.00  CRISIL A1/(Watch) Developing  25-02-20  CRISIL A1      21-11-18  CRISIL A1  22-11-17  CRISIL A2+  CRISIL A2+ 
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
Cash Credit*** 105 CRISIL A/Watch Developing Cash Credit** 75 CRISIL A/Stable
Cash Credit^ 5 CRISIL A/Watch Developing Cash Credit^ 5 CRISIL A/Stable
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 14 CRISIL A1/Watch Developing Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 14 CRISIL A1
Total 124 -- Total 94 --
*** Interchangeable with cash credit up to Rs. 15 crore/working capital demand loan up to Rs. 25 crore/pre and post shipment finance, buyer's credit and bills discounting up to Rs 80 crore/ letter of credit up to Rs. 105 crore /bank guarantee upto Rs. 20 crore
** Interchangeable with cash credit up to Rs. 15 crore/working capital demand loan up to Rs. 25 crore/pre and post shipment finance/buyer's credit/ bills discounting up to Rs 50 crore/ letter of credit up to Rs. 75 crore /bank guarantee upto Rs. 20 crore
^Interchangeable with letter of credit and bank guarantee facilities of up to Rs.5 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
Rating Criteria for Chemical Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Anuj Sethi
Senior Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 44 6656 3100
anuj.sethi@crisil.com


Sameer Charania
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 4097 8025
sameer.charania@crisil.com


Ashish Kumar
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 22 3342 3000
Ashish.Kumar1@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.CRISIL or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL