Rating Rationale
October 27, 2020 | Mumbai
DIC India Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Stable'; ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.59.09 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A+/Stable (Outlook revised from 'Negative' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1 (Reaffirmed)
 
   
Rs.10 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL A+/Stable (Outlook revised from 'Negative' and rating reaffirmed)
Rs.50 Crore Short Term Debt CRISIL A1 (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its outlook on the bank facilities and debt programmes of DIC India Limited (DIC India) to 'Stable' from 'Negative', while reaffirming the ratings at 'CRISIL A+/CRISIL A1'.
 
The ratings continue to reflect DIC India's significant improvement in profitability. The operating margin have remained positive over the past seven quarters through June 2020, backed by change in product mix, increase in value-added products and benign raw material prices. Profitability should sustain over the medium term, given the rising share of higher-margin packaging segment and contribution from value-added products expected to improve.
 
Business may remain constrained in the calendar year 2020 (CY20) owing to the economic slowdown that resulted from the nationwide lockdown imposed by the government to curb the spread of Covid-19. However, the extent of decline should be limited, given the essential nature of DIC India's products, which are used in the newspaper and packaging industries. The operating margin is projected at 2-4%, aided by lower raw material prices (fall in crude prices), despite moderation in revenue growth in fiscal 2021. Thus, operating efficiency is expected to remain moderate over the medium term, with return on capital employed (RoCE) ratio at 4-6%.
 
Liquidity may continue to be sufficient to withstand any near-term impact on revenue. Monetisation of a land parcel in Mumbai led to a net consideration of Rs 153 crore; Rs 102 crore has been received till Sep 30, 2020. With additional working capital limit of Rs 100 crore extended by common bankers of the parent, DIC Corporation Japan (DIC Japan), at healthy interest rates should support liquidity in the absence of any yearly maturing debt.
 
Financial risk profile should remain comfortable, supported by nil long-term maturing debt and absence of any major capital expenditure (capex) plan. Gearing was 0.05 time as on June 30, 2020. Debt protection metrics were strong, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios of 14.67 times and 18.63 times, respectively, in CY20.
 
The ratings continue to reflect DIC India's established position in the Indian printing inks market and a healthy financial risk profile. The ratings also factor in the strong technological and managerial support the company receives from its ultimate parent, DIC Japan, a global leader in printing inks. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to risks inherent in the printing ink industry and weak operating profitability.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has factored in the business and need-based financial support from DIC India's parent, DIC Japan.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established position in the printing inks segment
DIC India is the second largest player in the domestic printing inks market, with presence in the newsprint, publication, and packaging industries. It is increasingly focusing on the packaging ink segment, to meet demand from the end-user industry. Stronger presence in the packaging segment may also result in higher profitability.
 
* Strong technological, managerial, and need-based financial support from DIC Japan
DIC India receives huge support from its parent, in terms of technology transfer, process improvement, and understanding of the global printing inks business. Moreover, DIC Japan is actively involved in DIC India's operations and new product development initiatives. DIC Japan operating performance showed resilience during the pandemic with H1CY20 revenue declining only by 11% (as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year) with the operating margin steady at 9.8%. Credit risk profile remains comfortable, with gearing estimated below 1 time as on June 30, 2020 and interest coverage at 27 times in CY20. As per policy, the parent will also support DIC India's financial needs in times of distress.
 
* Healthy financial risk profile
Gearing was healthy at 0.05 time as on June 30, 2020, while bank limit utilisation averaged 18% for the 12 months ended August 31, 2020. In the absence of any long-term debt, capex was funded mainly through internal cash accrual. Reliance on external borrowing is expected to remain low over the medium term. In February 2020, the company entered into an agreement with Godrej Properties Ltd, to sell its land at Chandivali for a consideration of Rs 153 crore; DIC India has received Rs 102 crore till September 30, 2020 while it is likely to receive the balance payment over the next two years.
 
Weaknesses
* Weak operating efficiency
Profitability of the company is susceptible to fluctuations in input price and ability to pass on the hike to end users as indicated by low operating margin of 0.1% and 1.4% in CY18 and CY17 respectively when prices of key raw materials (solvents, resins, pigments, oils) had grown by 9% over the two years through 2018  Furthermore, the end-user industries (newspaper and packaging segments) are unable to pass on the price hike entirely, amidst intense competition. However, DIC India has been increasing its presence in the flexible packaging segment over the past 2 years, which offers better scope for passing on the price hike. Further, change in product mix towards higher margin value added products has helped in increasing per unit realization which along with increasing share of packaging segment has resulted in improvement in operating margins estimated at 3% in CY20 which is expected to sustain over the medium term. The company's ability to improve its operating margin (by passing on any price hike) remains a key monitorable.
 
* Susceptibility to risks inherent in the printing ink industry
The printing ink segment is inherently working capital intensive. However, DIC India has improved its working capital efficiency, with gross current assets declining from 217 days as on December 31, 2018, to 157 days as on December 31, 2019, aided by prudent purchases, and liquidation of excess and slow-moving stocks. However, the operating margin remains susceptible to volatility in prices of petroleum-based raw materials and foreign exchange rates. Revenue has also been range-bound owing to sluggish demand from the newsprint ink segment. Moreover, intense competition restricts pricing flexibility, resulting in modest profitability and low RoCE.
Liquidity Strong

Liquidity remains adequate, in the absence of any long-term debt. Bank limit utilisation was low, averaging 18% during the 12 months ended August 31, 2020. The company also has access to additional working capital limit of Rs 100 crore, via common bankers of its parent, DIC Japan. Cash and equivalents were Rs 65 crore as on September 30, 2020.

Outlook: Stable

DIC India's credit risk profile will remain supported by healthy financial risk profile and parent support while business profile will remain susceptible to fluctuations in raw material prices.
 
Rating sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Healthy growth with sustenance of operating margins at 3-4%
* Sustenance of healthy financial risk profile and liquidity
 
Downward factors
* Sustained weak operating performance, leading to operating margin of 1% or below
* Any large debt-funded acquisition or capex or sizeable stretch in working capital requirement
* Weakening of credit risk profile of the parent, with debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ratio increasing above 4 times

About the Company

DIC India (formerly, Coates of India Ltd) manufactures printing ink, including newsprint ink, offset ink, liquid ink, and lamination adhesives used in the newspaper, publishing, and packaging industries. Facilities are in Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Noida, and Bengaluru. The company has the second-largest ink manufacturing capacity in India, at 60,648 tonne per annum. Singapore-based DIC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of DIC Japan, holds 71.75% equity stake in DIC.

Key Financial Indicators
As on December 31st   2019 2018
Operating income Rs crore 793 840
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 18 -9
PAT margin % 2.3% -1.1%
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.12 0.18
Adjusted interest coverage Times 6.99 1.74

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL 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. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon
rate (%)
Maturity date Issue size (Rs crore) Complexity level Rating assigned with outlook
NA Non-Convertible
Debentures*
NA NA NA 10 NA CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Short Term Debt NA NA 7-365 days 50 Simple CRISIL A1
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 32 NA CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Letter of credit & Bank
Guarantee
NA NA NA 14.7 NA CRISIL A1
NA Proposed Working Capital facility NA NA NA 12.39 NA CRISIL A+/Stable
* Yet to be issued
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  0.00
27-10-20 
CRISIL A+/Stable  21-05-20  CRISIL A+/Negative  11-09-19  CRISIL A+/Negative  26-07-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable  31-07-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable  CRISIL AA-/Stable 
            11-06-19  CRISIL A+/Negative           
Short Term Debt  ST  50.00  CRISIL A1  21-05-20  CRISIL A1  11-09-19  CRISIL A1  26-07-18  CRISIL A1+  31-07-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
            11-06-19  CRISIL A1           
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  44.39  CRISIL A+/Stable  21-05-20  CRISIL A+/Negative  11-09-19  CRISIL A+/Negative  26-07-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable  31-07-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable  CRISIL AA-/Stable 
            11-06-19  CRISIL A+/Negative           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  14.70  CRISIL A1  21-05-20  CRISIL A1  11-09-19  CRISIL A1  26-07-18  CRISIL A1+  31-07-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
            11-06-19  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 32 CRISIL A+/Stable Cash Credit 50 CRISIL A+/Negative
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 14.7 CRISIL A1 Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 9.09 CRISIL A1
Proposed Working Capital Facility 12.39 CRISIL A+/Stable -- 0 --
Total 59.09 -- Total 59.09 --
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
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support
Mapping global scale ratings onto CRISIL scale

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