Rating Rationale
June 26, 2024 | Mumbai
Aarti Pharmalabs Ltd.
Rating reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A+/Positive'; Rated amount enhanced for Bank Debt
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.700 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.400 Crore)
Long Term RatingCRISIL A+/Positive (Reaffirmed)
Note: None of the Directors on CRISIL Ratings Limited’s Board are members of rating committee and thus do not participate in discussion or assignment of any ratings. The Board of Directors also does not discuss any ratings at its meetings.
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A+/Positive' rating on the long-term bank facilities of Aarti Pharmalabs Ltd (APL).

 

The ratings continue to reflect the established market position in the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) business marked by diverse product profile and established customer base, experienced management, healthy profitability driven by integrated unit and strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to fluctuations in raw material prices, intense competition and regulatory risks and large working capital requirement.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL Ratings has consolidated the business and financial risk profiles of APL and its subsidiaries and joint ventures, which are strategically important to, and have a significant degree of operational integration with APL. These companies are Aarti Pharmachem Ltd, Aarti USA Inc. and Ganesh Polychem Ltd.

 

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 presence in the API business:  The product portfolio is diversified with more than 125 products in APIs, intermediaries, Xanthine derivatives and specialty chemicals and products that cater to more than 14 therapeutic segments along with 40-50 products under development at any given point of time. APL has around 45% of export sales to regions such as the US, Europe and Russia, which includes export customers such as Liconsa Laboratories, Caribbean Refrescos and domestic clients like Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Zydus Healthcare Ltd, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. The company has clocked revenues of around Rs 1853 crore in fiscal 2024.

 

  • Experienced management: The promoters have been in the pharma industry for more than 35 years. They are technocrats and have extensive technical expertise and experience in projects, operations, process development, and local and international markets. This has led them to build healthy relations with customers and suppliers.

 

  • Healthy operating margin driven by integrated operations: APL has healthy operating profitability of 20-21%, which is due to backward integration into manufacturing of intermediates for APIs and strong research and development team. With the development of new products and large economies of scale, operating margin is expected to remain at similar level over the medium term.

 

  • Strong financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is strong with networth of Rs 1517 crore as on March 31, 2023. With low reliance on external debt, capital structure has been comfortable with gearing and total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratios of 0.14 and 0.44 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2023. It is expected to remain at 0.12-0.15 and 0.35-0.45 time, respectively, over the medium term backed by healthy accretion to reserve. Despite debt-funded capex of Rs 250-300 crore over the medium term, capital structure is expected to remain healthy over the medium term due strong networth.  Debt protection metrics is healthy with interest coverage and net cash accrual to adjusted debt ratios of 16.36 and 1.14 times, respectively, for fiscal 2023 and estimated at 21 and 1.18 times, respectively, for fiscal 2024.  Financial risk profile is expected to remain strong with healthy accretion to reserve and low reliance on external debt.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Susceptibility to fluctuations in raw material prices, intense competition, and regulatory risks: Although the company has the ability to pass on a certain amount of increase in raw material prices to its customers, operating margin is susceptible to sharp changes in input prices. Further, more than 33% of raw material is imported from China, which exposes the company to foreign exchange (forex) risks. Moreover, the API industry is highly competitive due to the presence of numerous domestic as well as global entities, which exerts pricing pressure on individual companies.

 

  • Large working capital requirement: Operations are working capital intensive as reflected in gross current assets (GCAs) of 206 days as on March 31, 2023. APL provides a credit period of 80-90 days to its customers and is expected to remain in a similar range going forward. Inventory holding is high at 137-140 days because of the variety of products and high shipping time for imports and exports. Inventory holding is expected to remain in a similar range going forward. Overall, operations are expected to remain working capital intensive with GCAs of 218-225 days over the medium term.

Liquidity: Strong

Expected cash accrual of Rs 250-275 crore should comfortably cover repayment obligations of around Rs 0.18 in fiscal 2025. In addition, it will act as a cushion to the liquidity of the company. Bank limits of Rs 375 crore have been utilised at 63% over the 12 months ended March 2024. Company has healthy cash and bank balance of Rs 69 crore as on September 30, 2023. APL has sufficient gearing headroom, to raise additional debt to meet its capex and incremental working capital requirements.

Outlook: Positive

CRISIL Ratings believes the credit risk profile of APL will improve over the medium term backed by increasing revenues and profitability while sustaining financial profile.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Upward factors:

  • Improvement in scale of operation and sustenance of operating margin, leading to cash accrual of more than Rs 300 crore
  • Improvement in working capital cycle and sustenance of financial risk profile

 

Downward factors:

  • Decline in revenue or operating margin below 17%, leading to lower net cash accrual
  • Larger than expected debt-funded capex or higher working capital requirement weakens capital structure.

About the Company

APL, formerly known as Aarti Organics Ltd) was incorporated 2019 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Aarti Industries Ltd (CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+). APL has taken over the existing pharma business of AIL effective July 2021. It is promoted by Gogri family with Mr. Rashesh Gogri as the chairman who looks after the overall business operations of the company.

 

APL is engaged in the manufacturing of APIs, intermediates and xanthine derivatives. APL facilities are located at Tarapur and Dombivali (Maharashtra) and Vapi (Gujarat). It is setting up a unit in Attali, Gujarat.

Key Financial Indicators

As on / for the period ended March 31

Unit

2024

2023

2022

Operating income

Rs crore

1853

1945.23

1199.94

Reported profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

217

201.66

122.25

PAT margin

%

11.71

10.37

10.19

Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth

Times

0.15

0.14

0.25

Interest coverage

Times

22.72

16.36

17.38

Any other information: Not Applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL Ratings` 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.

CRISIL Ratings will disclose complexity level for all securities - including those that are yet to be placed - based on available information. The complexity level for instruments may be updated, where required, in the rating rationale published subsequent to the issuance of the instrument when details on such features are available.

For more details on the CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels please visit www.crisilratings.com. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.

Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)

ISIN Name of the instrument Date of
Allotment
Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity
Date
Issue size
(Rs. Crore)
Complexity
Level
Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Cash credit NA NA NA 375 NA CRISIL A+/Positive
NA Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits NA NA NA 25 NA CRISIL A+/Positive
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 200 NA CRISIL A+/Positive
NA Long Term Loan NA NA Mar-2029 100 NA CRISIL A+/Positive

Annexure – List of entities consolidated

Names of Entities Consolidated

Extent of Consolidation

Rationale for Consolidation

Aarti Pharmalabs Ltd.

Full

All these companies collectively are referred to as the group and have significant managerial, operational, and financial linkages.

Aarti USA Inc.

Full

Ganesh Polychem Limited

50% JV

Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2024 (History) 2023  2022  2021  Start of 2021
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 700.0 CRISIL A+/Positive 08-05-24 CRISIL A+/Positive 21-02-23 CRISIL A+/Stable   --   -- --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Cash Credit 75 Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited CRISIL A+/Positive
Cash Credit 75 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A+/Positive
Cash Credit 75 State Bank of India CRISIL A+/Positive
Cash Credit 75 Citi Bank CRISIL A+/Positive
Cash Credit 75 Standard Chartered Bank Limited CRISIL A+/Positive
Long Term Loan 100 Citi Bank CRISIL A+/Positive
Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 25 Not Applicable CRISIL A+/Positive
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 200 Not Applicable CRISIL A+/Positive
Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk

Aveek Datta
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
M: +91 99204 93912
B: +91 22 3342 3000
AVEEK.DATTA@crisil.com

Prakruti Jani
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
M: +91 98678 68976
B: +91 22 3342 3000
PRAKRUTI.JANI@crisil.com

Rutuja Gaikwad 
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
B: +91 22 3342 3000
Rutuja.Gaikwad@ext-crisil.com


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


Ankita Gupta
Associate Director
CRISIL Ratings Limited
D:+91 22 4097 8104
ankita.gupta@crisil.com


BOTLA LAKSHMAN KUMAR
Manager
CRISIL Ratings Limited
B:+91 22 3342 3000
BOTLA.KUMAR@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 Ratings. However, CRISIL Ratings alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites and portals.


About CRISIL Ratings Limited (A subsidiary of CRISIL Limited, an S&P Global Company)

CRISIL Ratings pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, we set 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 33,000 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. We have also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including ratings for municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs).
 
CRISIL Ratings Limited ('CRISIL Ratings') is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CRISIL Limited ('CRISIL'). CRISIL Ratings Limited is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI").
 
For more information, visit www.crisilratings.com 

 



About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading, agile and innovative global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. 

It is India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions with a strong track record of growth, culture of innovation, and global footprint.

It has delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 100,000 customers through businesses that operate from India, the US, the UK, Argentina, Poland, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

It is 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


CRISIL PRIVACY NOTICE
 
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 is part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale ('report') that is provided by CRISIL Ratings Limited ('CRISIL Ratings'). To avoid 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 Ratings providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL Ratings 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 Ratings 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 to 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 Ratings 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 Ratings assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL Ratings may disseminate its opinions and analysis. The 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 Ratings or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the entity to which the report pertains.

Neither CRISIL Ratings nor its affiliates, third-party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, 'CRISIL Ratings Parties') guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the report, and no CRISIL Ratings 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 RATINGS 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 Ratings 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. Public ratings and analysis by CRISIL Ratings, 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 website, www.crisilratings.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee - more details about ratings by CRISIL Ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL Ratings and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL Ratings has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL Ratings does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and/or relies on in its reports. CRISIL Ratings has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL Ratings has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to:
https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html.

Rating criteria by CRISIL Ratings are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL Ratings public website, www.crisilratings.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL Ratings, you may contact the CRISIL Ratings 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 prior written consent from CRISIL Ratings.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL Ratings Limited. CRISIL Ratings is a wholly owned subsidiary of CRISIL Limited.

 

 

CRISIL Ratings uses the prefix 'PP-MLD' for the ratings of principal-protected market-linked debentures (PPMLD) with effect from November 1, 2011, to comply with the SEBI circular, "Guidelines for Issue and Listing of Structured Products/Market Linked Debentures". The revision in rating symbols for PPMLDs should not be construed as a change in the rating of the subject instrument. For details on CRISIL Ratings' use of 'PP-MLD' please refer to the notes to Rating scale for Debt Instruments and Structured Finance Instruments at the following link: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/credit-ratings-scale.html