Rating Rationale
June 01, 2023 | Mumbai
Navabharat Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Positive'; Ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.264.48 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL A-/Positive (Outlook revised from 'Stable'; Rating Reaffirmed)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A2+ (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 revised its outlook on the long-term bank loan facilities of Navabharat Limted (NBL) to ‘Positive’ from ‘Stable’ and reaffirmed the long term rating at CRISIL A- and has reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL A2+ rating on the short-term bank facility of the company.

 

The outlook revision reflects the belief that NBL will sustain its healthy operating performance over the medium term, driven by fully integrated operations and improving operating efficiency. Despite a drop in average price realisation in fiscal 2023, higher oil extraction rate (OER) of 19.05% (up from 17.93% in fiscal 2022 and 15.71% in fiscal 2021), along with volume growth of 15%, led to sustenance of operating income at around Rs 1,710 crore. Operating margin also remained above average at 7.10% in fiscal 2023 and is expected at 7% over the medium term.

 

The financial risk profile and liquidity have improved, supported by healthy operating performance and efficient working capital management. The capital structure is expected to remain comfortable over the medium term with gearing below 1 time despite planned capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 100 crore. Debt protection metrics should remain robust, too. Additionally liquid surplus available in the form of unencumbered fixed deposits enhance the liquidity.

 

The ratings factor in NBL’s established presence in the palm oil business, sound operating efficiency on account of fully integrated operations and efficient working capital management, and comfortable financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to intense competition and susceptibility to climatic conditions and fluctuations in OER.

Key rating drivers and detailed description

Strengths:

  • Established market position in domestic palm oil segment and fully integrated operations: NBL has been in the domestic palm oil business for over three decades. Longstanding presence has helped the company establish its market position and maintain healthy relationships with suppliers and customers. The company has integrated operations across the value chain and can produce value-added products in the same facilities, enhancing its product and revenue diversity. NBL has around 24,000 hectares of palm plantations under command in the nine mandals (allocated by the state government) of West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, with a network of more than 14,000 farmers. NBL procures fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) from the farmers through 20 collection centres. The FFBs are transported to the facility in Jangareddigudem, West Godavari, and are processed to produce crude palm oil (CPO) and refined palm oil, along with multiple by-products.

 

  • Efficient working capital management and sound operating efficiency: Operations are fully integrated which includes palm process mill, solvent extraction units, oil refinery, palm kernel oil extraction, multi effective evaporative plants with zero liquid discharge and captive biomass power plant. Working capital is managed efficiently as reflected in low gross current assets (GCAs) of 36 days driven by receivables and inventory of 2 days and 36 days, respectively, as on March 31, 2023. This has led to low dependence on working capital limits resulting in robust return on capital employed (RoCE) of 27.50% for fiscal 2023.

 

  • Comfortable financial risk profile: The financial risk profile is supported by healthy networth of Rs 223.45 crore, and comfortable gearing and total outside liabilities to tangible networth ratio of 0.83 time and 1.53 times, respectively, as on March 31, 2023. Improvement in the operating margin and capital structure have led to robust debt protection metrics, indicated by interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratio of 10.51 times and 0.49 time, respectively, in fiscal 2023. Despite availing of term debt of Rs 75 crore for capacity expansion, the financial risk profile is expected to remain healthy over the medium term.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Exposure to intense competition: Presence of several small, unorganised players across the value chain, from crushing to refining and branding, has led to intense competition in the edible oil industry. Also, the industry has many varieties of edible oils, such as soybean, mustard, sunflower, groundnut, and palm oil, vying for a share of consumption. Intense competition and customer loyalty towards specific oil types and brands, as well as competition from traditional/unrefined oils could hamper the penetration of refined oils in the edible oil market.

 

  • Susceptibility to climatic conditions and fluctuations in OER: Operating performance will remain susceptible to the availability of quality of FFBs, which depends on climatic conditions, including timely monsoon, and on OER. Any adverse change in the availability of FFBs or steep decline in OER (like in fiscal 2021) could weaken operating efficiency and performance significantly.

Liquidity: Strong

Bank limit utilisation was low at 3% on average for the 12 months through March 2023. Cash accrual is expected over Rs 90 crore against term debt obligation of Rs 23-27 crore over the medium term and will cushion liquidity. Current ratio was moderate at 1.21 times on March 31, 2023. The promoters are likely to extend support in the form of equity and unsecured loans to meet working capital requirement and debt obligations, if required. Also, the liquidity profile is supported by unencumbered fixed deposits of Rs 135 crore as on March 31, 2023

Outlook: Positive

CRISIL Ratings believes NBL’s business risk profile will continue to improve driven by steady revenue growth, backed by its established position in the CPO segment.

Rating sensitivity factors

Upward factors:

  • Operating margin sustained around 7% along with efficient working capital management leading to healthy RoCE of 18-20%
  • Further improvement in the financial risk profile and liquidity

 

Downward factors:

  • Sharp weakening in operating performance with reduction in operating margin below 4%
  • Large, debt-funded capex or significant cash outflow in the form of dividends/commission/share buy-back weakening the financial risk profile and liquidity

About the company

Incorporated in 1992, NBL manufactures CPO by processing FFBs and has integrated forward into refining of edible palm oil. The company also manufactures crude palm kernel oil.

Key financial indicators

As on / for the period ended March 31

 

2023*

2022

Operating income

Rs crore

1,709.88

1,719.45

Reported profit after tax

Rs crore

67.04

71.10

PAT margin

%

3.92

4.14

Adjusted debt/adjusted networth

Times

0.83

1.04

Interest coverage

Times

10.51

19.55

*Provisionals

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 29.5 NA CRISIL A-/Positive
NA Letter of credit NA NA NA 130 NA CRISIL A2+
NA Bank guarantee NA NA NA 28 NA CRISIL A2+
NA Term loan NA NA Nov-23 2.5 NA CRISIL A-/Positive
NA Term loan NA NA Sep-23 6.05 NA CRISIL A-/Positive
NA Term loan NA NA Oct-24 5.55 NA CRISIL A-/Positive
NA Term loan NA NA Dec-26 50 NA CRISIL A-/Positive
NA Term loan NA NA Sep-23 6.88 NA CRISIL A-/Positive
NA Term loan NA NA Oct-24 6 NA CRISIL A-/Positive
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2023 (History) 2022  2021  2020  Start of 2020
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 106.48 CRISIL A-/Positive   -- 03-03-22 CRISIL A-/Stable 31-12-21 CRISIL A-/Stable 30-09-20 CRISIL BBB+/Stable CRISIL BBB+/Stable / CRISIL A2
      --   --   --   -- 28-08-20 CRISIL BBB+/Stable --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST 158.0 CRISIL A2+   -- 03-03-22 CRISIL A2+ 31-12-21 CRISIL A2+ 30-09-20 CRISIL A2 CRISIL A2
      --   --   --   -- 28-08-20 CRISIL A2 --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Bank Guarantee 0.62 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A2+
Bank Guarantee 27.38 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A2+
Cash Credit 12.5 Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Cash Credit 8.5 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Cash Credit 8.5 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Letter of Credit 45 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A2+
Letter of Credit 45 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A2+
Letter of Credit 40 Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited CRISIL A2+
Long Term Loan 6.88 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Long Term Loan 6 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Long Term Loan 2.5 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Long Term Loan 6.05 Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Long Term Loan 5.55 Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Long Term Loan 50 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive

This Annexure has been updated on 01-Jun-2023 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 03-Mar-2022 received from the rated entity.

Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating Criteria for Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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


Nagarjun Alaparthi
Associate Director
CRISIL Ratings Limited
D:+91 20 4018 1934
nagarjun.alaparthi@crisil.com


Tom Cyriac
Rating Analyst
CRISIL Ratings Limited
B:+91 40 4032 8200
Tom.Cyriac@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