Rating Rationale
June 30, 2020 | Mumbai
Chembond Chemicals Limited
Ratings downgraded to 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable/CRISIL A2'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.19 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB+/Stable (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A-/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A2 (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A1')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has downgraded its ratings on the bank facilities of Chembond Chemicals Ltd (Chembond; part of the Chembond group) to 'CRISIL BBB+/Stable/CRISIL A2' from 'CRISIL A-/Stable/CRISIL A1'.
 
The downgrade reflects expected moderation in business risk profile on back of lower-than-expected scale-up of operations and profitability in the key segments thereby impacting net cash accrual and return on capital employed (RoCE) over the medium term. Revenue and profitability in fiscal 2020 were also lower than expected and declined by 11% and 3.1%, respectively. The RoCE weakened to 6.3% from 15.6% in the previous fiscal, and is likely to remain below expectations over the medium term. Though liquidity profile is expected to remain strong, the cushion the group had, in the form of liquid assets, in the past has also declined significantly, to around Rs 61 crore as of March 2020 (from Rs 147 crore as of March 2017), primarily on account of the acquisitions undertaken during this period.
 
Revenue and profitability is expected to be impacted in fiscal 2021 on account of disruptions in economic activity due to restrictions and lockdown in India amidst COVID-19 outbreak. While, the operations of the group have resumed, it is currently at considerably reduced scale at around 50%. Growth in revenue and profitability shall remain a major rating sensitivity factory.
 
The ratings reflect the Chembond group's established market position with presence in diversified sub-segments in the specialty chemicals sector with healthy financial risk profiles. These strengths are partially offset by working capital-intensive operations and exposure to intense competition in the speciality chemicals industry.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL continues to combine the business and financial risk profiles of Chembond with those of its subsidiaries (see annexure). This is because all these entities, together referred to as the Chembond group, are owned and managed by the same promoters and have significant operational and financial linkages.

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 with presence in diversified sub-segments: The group enjoys a leadership position in India in the water treatment chemicals segment. High brand visibility of primary products has enabled cross-selling of other chemicals such as industrial coatings and construction chemicals. The group also supplies industrial enzymes for applications in animal feed, textiles, and alcohol processing. Customer base is spread across the automobiles, steel, fertilisers, refineries, petrochemicals, power plants, and infrastructure segments. The group has developed an in-house technology to manufacture polymers organically. It had lost a major revenue stream from toll manufacturing from a reputed multinational corporation in fiscal 2019. This loss in revenue was expected to be compensated by ramp-up in operations in segments such as material division, and animal health and nutrition segment. However, growth in these divisions has been lower than expected and could only partially compensate for the loss of revenue from toll operations. Scale-up in operations and improvement in profitability will remain key rating sensitivity factors.

* Healthy financial risk profile: Networth was large at around Rs 198 crore (adjusted for intangibles) as on March 31, 2020, while total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratio was strong at 0.2 time. These are likely to remain at similar levels over the medium term. Debt protection metrics were robust, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios of 22 times and over 1.4 times, respectively, for fiscal 2020. Surplus liquid funds, estimated at around Rs 61 crore as on March 31, 2020, should ensure minimal reliance on incremental working capital debt, backed by no significant capital expenditure (capex). Capital structure and debt protection metrics are expected to remain stable over the medium term.

Weaknesses
* Working capital-intensive operations: Gross current assets were estimated at around 153 days as on March 31, 2020, largely driven by receivables of 112 days. There are no significant receivables above six months. Receivables cycle is expected remain stretched in fiscal 2021 due to disruptions related to Covid-19, though no significant bad debts are expected. Inventory is usually maintained at 30-40 days and is likely to remain steady. Working capital cycle is supported by sizeable credit from suppliers (payables of 70-100 days). However, operations will remain working capital intensive over the medium term.

* Exposure to intense competition: Competition is intense in the surface and water-treatment chemical sector due to moderate capital requirement and easy availability of raw materials. Customer profile is strong and includes players such as Reliance Industries Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), Indian Oil Corporation ('CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), Gail India Ltd, and Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. However, the group is not the only supplier to these clients, which restricts its bargaining power. Additionally, any vendor rationalisation by customers or loss of price competitiveness because of technological disadvantages may constrain revenue. Recently acquired businesses in the automotive segment also has significant competition, thereby constraining growth. However, diverse nature of the customer profile and spread across industries and geographies minimise adversities such as loss of customers in any segment or industry. 
Liquidity Strong

Net cash accrual was estimated at Rs 4.7 crore in fiscal 2020, and is likely to be Rs 7-14 crore per fiscal over the medium term against nominal debt obligation and capex of Rs 5-10 crore over fiscals 2021 and 2022. Bank limit of Rs 12 crore was largely unutilised over the past 12 months. Liquid assets of around Rs 61 crore as of March 2019 also support liquidity.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the Chembond group will benefit over the medium term from its established market position and healthy relationship with key customers.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward Factors
* Improvement in revenue growth and operating margin leading to sustained net cash accrual above Rs 25 crore
* Sustained financial risk profile backed by strong capital structure, adequate liquidity, and robust debt protection metrics.

Downward Factors
* Subdued revenue growth, and operating margin sustaining below 5% over the medium term resulting in net cash accrual below Rs 10 crore, despite improvement in overall economic condition
* Stretch in working capital cycle or large, debt-funded capex/acquisition  weakening capital structure and overall financial flexibility.
About the Group

Set up in 1975 by Dr Vinod Shah, Mr Ashwin Nagarwadia and Mr Parviz Dastur, Chembond manufactures speciality chemicals and provides a range of products for diverse industrial applications. It offers metal-treatment chemicals, water-treatment chemicals, and industrial enzymes through its subsidiaries and joint ventures (JVs). The company also manufactures chemicals for the construction and infrastructure sectors, and high-performance coatings for structural protection from corrosion, for floors and walls in clean rooms, and for shop floors and building exteriors. The company diversified into equipment-based solutions for water treatment. Additionally, it trades in building construction chemicals. Manufacturing and blending plants are in Tarapur (Maharashtra), Baddi (Himachal Pradesh), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), and Dudhwada (Vadodara, Gujarat). Warehouses and branch offices are in Ahmedabad (Gujarat), New Delhi, Faridabad (Haryana), and Kolkata (West Bengal). 
 
In 2001, the Chembond group formed a JV with Ashland Inc, USA, and simultaneously acquired Drewtreat Chemicals Ltd for water-treatment chemicals. Pursuant to the sale of water-technologies business globally by Ashland Inc to Solenis Netherlands BV (Solenis). Solenis took over the minority stake in the Indian JV, Chembond Ashland Water Technology Ltd; the JV was renamed Chembond Solenis Water Technologies Ltd effective August 21, 2014. On April 27, 2017, Chembond entered into an agreement to acquire the equity shares of Chembond Solenis Water Technologies Ltd from Solenis Netherlands BV, after which the said entity became a wholly owned subsidiary of Chembond.
 
In November 2017, Chembond acquired 100% stake in Phiroze Sethna Pvt Ltd (Phiroze Sethna), which manufactures sealants and adhesives for the automotive industry. Phiroze Sethna also has a wholly owned subsidiary, Gramos Chemicals India Pvt Ltd, which manufactures products used in paint shops in the automotive industry.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2020 2019
Revenue Rs crore 268 301
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 3.1 19.8
PAT Margin % 1.2 6.6
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.05 0.05
Interest coverage Times 22 46

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 levels Issue
Size
(Rs.Cr)
Rating Assigned  with Outlook
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA NA 3.00 CRISIL A2
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA NA 16.00 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Chembond Chemicals Limited Fully consolidated Parent company. Common promoters and significant operational and financial linkages
Chembond Clean Water Technologies Ltd Fully consolidated Chembond owns majority stake in the company and asserts control. Common promoters and significant operational and financial linkages
Chembond Water Technologies Ltd Fully consolidated Wholly owned subsidiary of Chembond. Common promoters and significant operational and financial linkages
Chembond Biosciences Ltd Fully consolidated Wholly owned subsidiary of Chembond. Common promoters and significant operational and financial linkages
Chembond Material Technologies Ltd Fully consolidated Wholly owned subsidiary of Chembond. Common promoters and significant operational and financial linkages
Chembond-Calvatis Industrial Hygiene Systems Ltd Fully consolidated Chembond owns majority stake in the company and asserts control. Common promoters and significant operational and financial linkages
Chembond Polymers and Materials Ltd Fully consolidated Wholly owned subsidiary of Chembond. Common promoters and significant operational and financial linkages
Chembond Water Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. Fully consolidated Step down subsidiary of Chembond. Common promoters and significant operational and financial linkages
Phiroze Sethna Pvt Ltd Fully consolidated Wholly owned subsidiary of Chembond. Common promoters and significant operational and financial linkages
Gramos Chemicals India Pvt Ltd Fully consolidated Wholly owned step-down subsidiary of Phiroze Sethna Pvt Ltd. Common promoters and significant operational and financial linkages
Chembond Distribution Ltd Fully consolidated Wholly owned subsidiary of Chembond. Common promoters and significant operational and financial linkages
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  16.00  CRISIL BBB+/Stable      02-05-19  CRISIL A-/Stable  28-03-18  CRISIL A-/Stable  24-02-17  CRISIL A-/Stable  CRISIL A-/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  3.00  CRISIL A2      02-05-19  CRISIL A1  28-03-18  CRISIL A1  24-02-17  CRISIL A1  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 3 CRISIL A2 Bank Guarantee 3 CRISIL A1
Cash Credit 16 CRISIL BBB+/Stable Cash Credit 16 CRISIL A-/Stable
Total 19 -- Total 19 --
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
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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