Rating Rationale
August 14, 2018 | Mumbai
Synthite Industries Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Positive'; STD withdrawn
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.818 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Positive (Outlook revised from 'Stable' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.30 Crore Short Term Debt (Including Commercial Paper) CRISIL A1+ (Withdrawn)
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 facility of Synthite Industries Limited (Synthite) to 'Positive' from 'Stable' and reaffirmed its ratings at 'CRISIL AA-/CRISIL A1+'. Rating on Rs 30 Crore Short Term Debt (Including Commercial Paper) has been withdrawn.

The outlook revision reflects CRISIL's belief that Synthite will benefit over the medium term from its leadership position in the oleoresin and spice oil segments, and various measures undertaken to strengthen market reach and sourcing efficiency.

Operating income is expected to grow by 10-12% per fiscal over the medium term, driven by stable performance in key product categories such as oleoresins, spices, and essential oils. Operating margin should remain stable around 12%, aided by cost rationalisation through direct procurement of key raw material, better realisations from exports, and an enhanced product mix. Though operations may remain highly working capital intensive, owing to increase in scale over the medium term, healthy cash accrual should ensure lower reliance bank debt.

Return on capital employed (RoCE), estimated at 10.5% in fiscal 2018, may improve to over 12.5% in the medium term, aided by lower dependence on debt.

Company's stocking of higher cost Chilli during procurement season of fiscal 2017 had resulted in increase in working capital requirements and debt. With raw material prices moderating, debt reduced significantly in fiscal 2018 benefiting gearing and debt protection metrics. Gearing is expected to improve to 0.4 times over the medium term driven by reduction in short-term debt and healthy accretions to reserves. Debt protection metrics are also expected to remain healthy with interest coverage of 9 times and net cash accrual to total debt of 35% over the medium term. Liquidity is comfortable, aided by investments in mutual funds and any material dilution of these holdings, for deleveraging the balance sheet, may strengthen financial metrics.

The ratings continue to reflect Synthite's established brand, leading position in the spice oils and oleoresins market in India, and a healthy financial risk profile. These rating strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to volatility in raw material prices and foreign exchange (forex) rates, and working capital-intensive operations.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Synthite and its subsidiaries, due to operational and financial linkages. All the entities are herein referred to as Synthite.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Leading exporter of spice oils and oleoresins with established brand value: Synthite is India's largest producer and exporter of spice oils and oleoresins. The company, which accounts for almost 40% of Indian exports of these commodities, derives 70-75% of revenue is from the overseas market. Exports to 70 countries around the globe, also lend considerable geographical diversity.

* Healthy financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is marked by comfortable gearing and debt protection metrics. Capital structure is likely to remain comfortable, despite the working capital intensive nature of operations. Networth of Rs 937 crore as on March 31, 2017, is expected to improve further, aided by steady cash generation.

Weaknesses
* Susceptibility to volatility in raw material prices and and forex rates: Key raw materials are spices, such as pepper, chilli, and turmeric, the prices of which have been volatile due to supply constraints. The operating margin and return on capital employed (RoCE) have moderated in the past three fiscals from 15-18% and over 15%, respectively, in the past. Furthermore, as about 40% of the raw material requirement is imported and 70-75% of revenue is from exports, the company is exposed to risks related to fluctuation in forex rates, though to some extent there is a natural hedge.

* Working capital-intensive operations: That's due to a large inventory of four-five months, primarily because of seasonal procurement of raw materials; this is expected to continue. Average gross current assets were around 275 days in the five fiscals ended March 31, 2018, and are expected to remain at similar levels over the medium term. 
Outlook: Positive

CRISIL believes that Synthite's credit risk profile will benefit from its measures to improve sourcing efficiency and market penetration. Financial risk profile will also continue to remain healthy driven by healthy accruals, moderate capex plans and lowering reliance on bank for working capital funding. The ratings may be upgraded if the group significantly increases its revenue while maintaining its margins, resulting in sustained higher-than-expected cash generation. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Stable' if the group's working capital intensity increases significantly, or increases its exposure to non-core businesses, or faces steep pressure on its profitability, adversely impacting its financial risk profile.

About the Company

Synthite, which was set up by Mr CV Jacob as Synthite Industrial Chemicals Ltd in 1972, commenced operations by manufacturing oleoresins from chosen Indian spices, such as pepper, turmeric, and cardamom. It got its present name in September 2008. The company has six  subsidiaries: Synthite (USA) Inc, Synthite Lanka Pvt Ltd, Synthite (Xinjiang) Biotech Co Ltd, China, Synthite Brazil (commenced operations in fiscal 2014), ,  Synthite Beijing and Synthite Vietnam. Subsidiaries in the US and Brazil act as marketing hubs, while the Sri Lankan& Vietnamunit serves as a procurement arm. The subsidiary at Xinjiang, China, has a manufacturing set-up and will be used both as a procurement arm and export unit, while the Beijing subsidiary has a blending unit.

Synthite offers over 500 products, including spice oleoresins, essential oils, floral concretes/absolutes, seasonings, resinoids (for the perfume industry), health and functional ingredients, and application-oriented, value-added products. The company has also diversified into other businesses, including realty and hospitality; however, these remain small relative to the large spice and spice-derivative business.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs.Crore 1637 1335
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Crore 90 59
PAT margin % 5.5 4.4
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.79 0.71
Interest coverage Times 4.46 4.94

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 Cash Credit NA NA NA 0.2 CRISIL AA-/Positive
NA Export Finance Limit^ NA NA NA 150 CRISIL A1+
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 3 CRISIL A1+
NA Letter of Credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 25 CRISIL A1+
NA Packing Credit## NA NA NA 159.8 CRISIL A1+
NA Packing Credit* NA NA NA 180 CRISIL AA-/Positive
NA Packing Credit@@ NA NA NA 150 CRISIL A1+
NA Packing Credit^^ NA NA NA 50 CRISIL A1+
NA Packing Credit NA NA NA 100 CRISIL A1+
NA Short Term Debt (Including Commercial Paper) NA NA 7-365 days 30 Withdrawn
##100% interchangeability between packing credit in foreign currency, foreign documentary bill purchase, and foreign usance discount bill purchase
*100% interchangeability between packing credit in foreign currency, foreign bill purchase, foreign bill discounting, foreign bill negotiation, bill purchase, bill discounting, working capital demand loan, and short-term loan
@@100% interchangeability between packing credit in foreign currency, import letter of credit, standby letter of credit, short-term loan, and overdraft export invoice financing.
^^100% is interchangeable between packing credit in foreign currency and foreign documentary bill purchase.
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST                  27-02-15  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
Non Convertible Debentures  LT    --    --    --  24-10-16  Withdrawal  10-03-15  CRISIL AA-/Stable  CRISIL AA-/Stable 
                28-03-16  CRISIL AA-/Stable  27-02-15  CRISIL AA-/Stable   
Short Term Debt (Including Commercial Paper)  ST  30.00  Withdrawn      18-08-17  CRISIL A1+  24-10-16  CRISIL A1+  10-03-15  CRISIL A1+  -- 
            17-03-17  CRISIL A1+  28-03-16  CRISIL A1+       
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  790.00  CRISIL AA-/Positive/ CRISIL A1+      18-08-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  24-10-16  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  10-03-15  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+ 
            17-03-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  28-03-16  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  27-02-15  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  28.00  CRISIL A1+      18-08-17  CRISIL A1+  24-10-16  CRISIL A1+  10-03-15  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
            17-03-17  CRISIL A1+  28-03-16  CRISIL A1+  27-02-15  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
Cash Credit .2 CRISIL AA-/Positive Cash Credit .2 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Export Finance Limit^ 150 CRISIL A1+ Export Finance Limit^ 150 CRISIL A1+
Letter of Credit 3 CRISIL A1+ Letter of Credit 3 CRISIL A1+
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 25 CRISIL A1+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 25 CRISIL A1+
Packing Credit## 159.8 CRISIL A1+ Packing Credit## 159.8 CRISIL A1+
Packing Credit* 180 CRISIL AA-/Positive Packing Credit* 180 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Packing Credit@@ 150 CRISIL A1+ Packing Credit@@ 150 CRISIL A1+
Packing Credit^^ 50 CRISIL A1+ Packing Credit@ 50 CRISIL A1+
Packing Credit 100 CRISIL A1+ Packing Credit 100 CRISIL A1+
Total 818 -- Total 818 --
^100% interchangeability between letter of credit
##100% interchangeability between packing credit in foreign currency, foreign documentary bill purchase, and foreign usance discount bill purchase
*100% interchangeability between packing credit in foreign currency, foreign bill purchase, foreign bill discounting, foreign bill negotiation, bill purchase, bill discounting, working capital demand loan, and short-term loan
@@100% interchangeability between packing credit in foreign currency, import letter of credit, standby letter of credit, short-term loan, and overdraft export invoice financing.
@Rs 50.0 crs is interchangeable between packing credit in foreign currency and foreign documentary bill purchase.
^^100% is interchangeable between packing credit in foreign currency and foreign documentary bill purchase.
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 Criteria for rating short term debt

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