Rating Rationale
January 30, 2019 | Mumbai
ACC Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.1130 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (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 ACC Limited (ACC) at 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'.

The ratings reflect a continuing strong market position in the cement industry and a robust financial risk profile, because of strong cash flow, negligible debt, healthy debt protection metrics, and adequate financial flexibility.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of ACC and Ambuja Cements Ltd (Ambuja Cements; rated 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'). That's because post the restructuring between ACC and Ambuja Cements, ACC has now become a subsidiary of Ambuja Cements. Moreover, both the companies have a common line of business, and have entered into a master supply agreement which helps them operate symbiotically, optimising each other's plant capacities and spare inventories,  and thus, benefit from operational and financial synergies.

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:
* Healthy market position
ACC had a total installed capacity of 33.41 million tonne per annum (mtpa) as on December 31, 2018. It has a large marketing infrastructure, pan-India presence, and strong operational linkages with Ambuja Cements (29.65 mtpa capacity as on December 31, 2018). The two companies together share about 14% of the Indian cement market. A pan-India presence de-risks operations from regional price volatility and demand-supply imbalances. An established brand image helps command a premium over other brands. Realisations, too, are among the highest in the industry.
 
* Strong financial risk profile:
ACC has a robust capital structure (zero debt and networth of over Rs 9,800 crore as on June 30, 2018), and sufficient liquidity (cash balance of Rs 2,177 crore as on June 30, 2018). In the first nine months of 2018 (refers to calendar year, January 1 to December 31), net cash accrual was Rs 1,276 crore. Supported by healthy cash accrual and minimal reliance on debt, debt protection metrics are expected to remain strong over the medium term.
 
Weakness:
* Susceptibility to risks relating to input cost, realisations, and cyclicality in the cement industry
Capacity addition in the cement industry tends to be sporadic because of the long gestation period for setting up of facilities and the large number of players adding capacity during the peak of a cycle. This has led to unfavourable price cycles for the sector in the past. Moreover, profitability remains susceptible to volatility in prices of inputs, including raw material, power, fuel, and freight. Increase in pet coke prices over the past year impacted profitability of several cement players. Realisations and profitability are also affected by demand, supply, offtake, and regional factors.

Liquidity

Liquidity is expected to remain robust in the absence of external debt. The aggregate installed capacity is set to increase by 5.9 mtpa to 39.3 mtpa at the end of the ongoing capex. The capex of Rs 3,000 crore will be entirely funded through internal cash accrual. There was a cash surplus of Rs. 2,177 crore as on June 30, 2018. Unutilised bank lines and cash accrual of Rs 1,300 crore per annum will be sufficient to meet capex and working capital requirement.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes ACC will maintain its strong debt protection metrics over the medium term, supported by low debt and robust cash flow.
 
Downside scenario
*Any inorganic growth plan or larger-than-expected capital expenditure (capex), weakening the financial risk profile
*The parent, LafargeHolcim Ltd (LafargeHolcim; rated 'BBB/Negative/A-2' by S&P Global Ratings) utilising ACC's financial resources to support group companies

About the Company

ACC is India's oldest cement company, with a total installed capacity of 33.41 mtpa as on December 31, 2018. The company also manufactures ready-mix concrete, and has 50 plants across India. ACC and Ambuja Cements are part of the LafargeHolcim group. As on December 31, 2018, LafargeHolcim held 63.11% stake in Ambuja Cements, which held 50.05% stake in ACC; it also holds 4.48% stake in ACC through Holderind Investments Ltd.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs crore 13274 11145
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 925 605
PAT Margins % 7.0 5.4
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.00 0.00
Interest coverage Times 41.06 31.61
*Crisil adjusted financials for the year ended December 31;

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 Overdraft NA NA NA 155 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 975 CRISIL A1+
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
  Name of the Company Type of Consolidation
1 Ambuja Cements Limited Full consolidation
2 ACC Mineral Resources Limited Full consolidation
3 Bulk Cement Corporation (India) Ltd Full consolidation
4 Lucky Minmat Limited Full consolidation
5 National Limestone Company Private Limited Full consolidation
6 Singhania Minerals Private Limited Full consolidation
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  155.00  CRISIL AAA/Stable      25-01-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable  06-01-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  02-09-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  975.00  CRISIL A1+      25-01-18  CRISIL A1+  06-01-17  CRISIL A1+  02-09-16  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
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 975 CRISIL A1+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 975 CRISIL A1+
Overdraft 155 CRISIL AAA/Stable Overdraft 155 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Total 1130 -- Total 1130 --
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 Cement Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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