Rating Rationale
April 08, 2019 | Mumbai
Nitta Gelatin India Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.91.56 Crore (Reduced from Rs.106.51 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL A-/Negative (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A2+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its ratings on the bank facilities of Nitta Gelatin India Limited (NGIL) at 'CRISIL A-/Negative/CRISIL A2+'. CRISIL has also withdrawn its rating on the Rs 14.95 cr proposed long term bank loan facility based on client's request. The same is line with CRISIL's policy on withdrawal of ratings.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the NGIL group's established position in the gelatin industry, and steady support from its joint venture (JV) partner, Nitta Gelatin Inc, Japan (NGI). The ratings also factor in the group's comfortable financial risk profile, backed by healthy capital structure and debt protection metrics. These strengths are partially offset by the susceptibility of its profitability to fluctuations in input prices and foreign exchange rates, and its exposure to the risk of disruption of operations or sub-optimal capacity utilisation because of pollution concerns.
 
NGIL's operating performance moderated in fiscal 2019, marked by 29% drop in revenues in the first nine months of the fiscal coupled with moderation in operating profitability to about 10% during the same period (as compared to historical levels of 12-13%). This was due to disruption in operations following Kerala floods in August 2019, lower water availability post the floods and blockages in the creek by agitators which in turn led to sub optimal capacity utilization levels. Further, the working capital levels had also increased in December 2018 with higher inventory being built up in anticipation of normal operations, leading to corresponding increase in borrowings.
 
Water levels have since recovered and blockage has subsequently been cleared in January 2019 and operations have now returned to normalcy. Inventory levels have also gradually reduced in February 2019. Besides, performance in the subsidiary, Reva Proteins Limited (RPL) has also improved in fiscal 2019, post resolution of effluent treatment challenges, and RPL is expected to breakeven from fiscal 2020. CRISIL therefore expects the consolidated performance to improve with operating margins expanding to about 12-13% over the medium term. Sustained improvement in business performance of NGIL and its subsidiaries along with prudent working capital management will remain a key monitorable.
 
CRISIL also notes the approval for merger of subsidiary, RPL, with NGIL vide National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) order dated March 27, 2019.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the financial and business risk profiles of NGIL (including RPL) and its subsidiary, Bamni Proteins Ltd (BPL). This is because the two companies, collectively referred to as the NGIL group, are in similar business, and have common management and significant operational and financial synergies. NGIL also has Rs. 13 Cr worth optionally convertible preference shares which has been fully subscribed by the parent. Considering the redeemable and interest bearing nature of these shares, CRISIL has treated the same as debt.

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 presence in the gelatin market with recognised brand and steady support from NGI: The NGIL group is an established player in the gelatin market. The NGIL group started producing ossein and di-calcium phosphate (DCP) in 1978 and gelatin in 1999. The group has a technological tie-up and operational linkages with Osaka-based NGI (has 43% stake in NGIL), one of the leading gelatin manufacturers in the world, and enjoys considerable brand equity.

* Adequate financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is adequate, with healthy gearing and debt protection metrics, and should remain comfortable over the medium term. The interest coverage and net cash accruals to debt (NCATD) are estimated to be about 3.9 times and 0.17 times respectively in fiscal 2019 as against 5 times and 0.15 times respectively in fiscal 2018. Gearing too is comfortable; estimated at less than 1 time as of March 31, 2019. Given the moderate capex and expected improvement in accrual, and progressive debt repayment, credit metrics will remain comfortable.

Weaknesses:
* Susceptibility to volatile input prices and foreign exchange (forex) rates: The group's two main raw materials are crushed animal (cattle) bone and hydrochloric acid. The market for crushed animal bone is highly unorganised and exposes operating margin to increase in input prices. Additionally, the NGIL group has sizeable forex exposure in the form of export sales. Although it hedges 60% of its export receivables using forward contracts, the group remains vulnerable to any steep fluctuations in forex rates.

* Exposure to risks related environmental pollution concerns: In the past, NGIL has faced interruptions in operations at its Ossein plant in Koratty, Kerala, owing to agitation by local protestors. These protests pertain to the alleged pollution of environment in the surrounding region due to effluent discharge from the plant. While NGIL has taken various measures to address these concerns, the pollution allegation case is currently pending before the High Court of Kerala. NGIL group's operations remain susceptible to such protests over the medium term as well as the verdict on pollution allegations and any stringent pollution control requirements hereon.
Liquidity

The NGIL group has adequate liquidity. Cash accruals are expected to be in excess of Rs 15 Cr per annum and will be comfortable to meet maturing debt obligations of about Rs 4-5 Cr per annum over the medium term. Further average bank limit utilisation was moderate at 47% during the 12 months through December 2018. Funding support for capex from parent NGI also underpins liquidity.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes the NGIL group's operating performance in fiscal 2019 will be subdued due to disruptions in operations and will improve only gradually over the medium term as production scales up at Kerala and RPL plants. Financial risk profile expected to remain adequate over the medium term. The ratings may be downgraded in case of continuously lower than expected revenues or margins leading to weaker cash generation or in case of steep increase in debt due to elongation in working capital or larger-than-expected capital expenditure. Further, any adverse verdict from National Green tribunal on the pollution allegation case on NGIL will also render a negative bias on the rating. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Stable' in case of sustained improvement in NGIL group's overall business performance while maintaining healthy margins and credit metrics.

About the Group

Set up in 1975, NGIL is a joint venture between Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (32% shareholding) and NGI (43%), and manufactures gelatin, ossein, limed ossein, and DCP by processing crushed animal bone and treating it with hydrochloric acid. The company also manufactures collagen peptide-based consumer products that are used in the pharmaceuticals/healthcare industry. BPL and RPL process raw materials - crushed animal bone and hydrochloric acid - into ossein, which they then supply to NGIL.

NGIL has also announced that it will be merging RPL with itself. NGIL has already received board approval for the same. The transaction is expected to be completed post receipt of requisite statutory and regulatory approvals.

On a standalone basis, NGIL's profit after tax (PAT) was Rs 15 crore on sales of Rs 327 crore for fiscal 2018, against Rs 20 crore on sales of Rs 341 crore for fiscal 2017. For the nine months ended December 31, 2018, PAT was Rs 1.0 crore on net sales of Rs 168 crore, against a PAT of Rs 9.1 crore on net sales of Rs 236 crore for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

Key Financial Indicators (Consolidated)
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 344 356
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 4 12
PAT Margin % 1.1 3.4
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.74 0.80
Interest coverage Times 5.02 6.39

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 (RsCr) Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Bill Purchase-Discounting Facility NA NA NA 40 CRISIL A2+
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 7 CRISIL A-/Negative
NA Letter of Credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 3.91 CRISIL A2+
NA Line of Credit NA NA NA 6.4 CRISIL A2+
NA Long-Term Loan NA NA Apr-2020 1.35 CRISIL A-/Negative
NA Packing Credit NA NA NA 32.9 CRISIL A2+
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 14.95 Withdrawn
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Name of Entity Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Reva Proteins Limited Full Subsidiary, business synergies
Bamni Proteins Limited Full Subsidiary, business synergies
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
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  87.65  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+  22-03-19  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+  17-04-18  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+  23-02-17  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+  21-12-16  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+ 
            16-04-18  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+      09-11-16  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+   
            16-03-18  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  3.91  CRISIL A2+  22-03-19  CRISIL A2+  17-04-18  CRISIL A2+  23-02-17  CRISIL A2+  21-12-16  CRISIL A2+  CRISIL A2+ 
            16-04-18  CRISIL A2+      09-11-16  CRISIL A2+   
            16-03-18  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
Bill Purchase-Discounting Facility 40 CRISIL A2+ Bill Purchase-Discounting Facility 40 CRISIL A2+
Cash Credit 7 CRISIL A-/Negative Cash Credit 7 CRISIL A-/Negative
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 3.91 CRISIL A2+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 3.91 CRISIL A2+
Line of Credit 6.4 CRISIL A2+ Line of Credit 6.4 CRISIL A2+
Long Term Loan 1.35 CRISIL A-/Negative Long Term Loan 1.35 CRISIL A-/Negative
Packing Credit 32.9 CRISIL A2+ Packing Credit 32.9 CRISIL A2+
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 14.95 Withdrawn Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 14.95 CRISIL A-/Negative
Total 106.51 -- Total 106.51 --
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 the Pharmaceutical Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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