Rating Rationale
January 04, 2019 | Mumbai
Punjab Alkalies and Chemicals Limited
Long-term rating upgraded to 'CRISIL B/Stable' ; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.88.35 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL B/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL C')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4 (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its rating on the long-term bank facilities of Punjab Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (PACL) to 'CRISIL B/Stable' from 'CRISIL C', while reaffirming the short-term rating at 'CRISIL A4'.

The upgrade factors in the continuous improvement in financial risk profile, in the absence of any major debt funded capital expenditure plans. Gearing is estimated to remain below one as on March 31, 2019, with comfortable interest coverage. Operating margin has also grown sharply to 21% in the first half of fiscal 2019, from 6.3% in fiscal 2018. Further, company's reduced liability in terms of electricity costs has resulted in the improvement in operating margins and hence the business is expected to generate significant cash accruals of upwards of Rs. 35 crore in fiscal 2019, thus aiding the liquidity of the company over the medium term.

The ratings continue to reflect the company's average financial risk profile, susceptibility to changes in government regulations, and exposure to intense competition from importers and other domestic players. These weaknesses are partially offset by the established and diversified clientele and end-user industry base, and improvement in operating margin.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has treated Fully Convertible Debentures of Rs. 27 crore as equity on account of their permanence in business and non-convertible debentures of Rs 4.06 crore as debt due to their near term redeemability.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Weaknesses
* Average financial risk profile: Networth was negative due to net losses in the four fiscals through March 2018. Debt protection metrics are also adversely affected by negative accretion to reserves. Net worth turned positive at around Rs 20 crore as on September 30th 2018. Debt protection metrics is expected to improve and remain above average over the medium term. The company does not have any major plans to undertake capex over the medium term.

* Susceptibility to changes in government regulations, and to intense competition: The company faces intense competition from established players that have integrated operations backward, and also from Chinese players in the global market.

Strength
* Established and diversified customer and end-user industry base: PACL has been manufacturing caustic soda and chlorine for over four decades, leading to healthy relationships with suppliers and customers. The products are used in various end-user industries such as paper, soaps and detergents, textile, and pharmaceuticals, and thus, the company remains shielded from slowdown in any particular segment.

* Improvement in operating margin: Operating margin improved significantly to 6.3% in fiscal 2018, against -6.4% in the previous fiscal, mainly aided by reduction in power cost.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes PACL will continue to benefit from its established and diversified customer and end-user industry base. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' in case of significant improvement in financial risk profile, backed by growth in revenue and operating margin. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' in case of pressure on financial risk profile, particularly liquidity, owing to low cash accrual, considerable increase in working capital requirement, or any large debt funded capital expenditure.

Liquidity
Liquidity is aided by absence of bank limit utilisation and any term debt obligation, with the exception of annual liability of an electricity bill of Rs 12-14 crore over the next three years. Net cash accrual is expected to improve gradually, to be in the range of Rs 35-40 crore, marked by growth in operating margin. Current ratio was weak at 0.59 time as on March 31, 2018 but is not expected to adversely impact the operations of the company.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1975, PACL manufactures caustic soda and chlorine at its plant in Ropar, Punjab. The company is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange with 33.5% stake owned by Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. 

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 338.6 269.8
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore -4.8 -27.7
PAT Margin % -1.4 -10.3
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times -0.6 -0.7
Interest coverage Times 2.7 -4.95

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.Cr) Rating assigned with outlook
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 2.03 CRISIL A4
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 5.62 CRISIL B/Stable
NA Proposed Long
Term Bank Loan
Facility
NA NA NA 80.7 CRISIL B/Stable
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  86.32  CRISIL B/Stable      24-09-18  CRISIL C  29-09-17  CRISIL C  17-02-16  CRISIL C  CRISIL C 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  2.03  CRISIL A4      24-09-18  CRISIL A4  29-09-17  CRISIL A4    --  -- 
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 2.03 CRISIL A4 Bank Guarantee 2.03 CRISIL A4
Cash Credit 5.62 CRISIL B/Stable Cash Credit 5.62 CRISIL C
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 80.7 CRISIL B/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 80.7 CRISIL C
Total 88.35 -- Total 88.35 --
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

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

Vinay Rajani
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1835
M: +91 91 676 42913
B: +91 22 3342 3000
vinay.rajani@ext-crisil.com

Nitin Kansal
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 124 672 2154
nitin.kansal@crisil.com


Himank Sharma
Associate Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 124 672 2152
Himank.Sharma@crisil.com


Ojaswini Gupta
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 124 672 2178
Ojaswini.Gupta@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