Rating Rationale
November 12, 2024 | Mumbai
Navabharat Limited
Ratings reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A-/Positive/CRISIL A2+'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.264.48 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL A-/Positive (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 reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL A-/Positive/CRISIL A2+’ ratings on the bank loan facilities of Navabharat Limited (NBL).

 

The ratings factor in the established market position of NBL in the palm oil business, sound operating efficiency aided by fully integrated operations, efficient working capital management and the comfortable financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to intense competition, changes in climatic conditions and fluctuations in the average oil extraction rate.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL Ratings has evaluated the standalone business and financial risk profiles of NBL.

 

Unsecured loan of Rs 10 crore from directors as on March 31, 2024, has been treated as neither debt nor equity as these loans are not interest bearing and are likely to be retained in the business over the medium term.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Established market position in the domestic palm oil segment and fully integrated operations: Over the past three decades, NBL has established its market position in the domestic palm oil business and built 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, thereby enhancing its product and revenue diversity. 

 

NBL has around 26,000 hectares of palm plantations 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 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 across the palm process mill, solvent extraction units, oil refinery, palm kernel oil extraction unit, multi-effective evaporative plants with zero liquid discharge and the captive biomass power plant. Working capital is managed efficiently as reflected in low gross current assets (GCAs) of 37 days, driven by receivables and inventory of 2 days and 22 days, respectively, as on March 31, 2024. Return on capital employed (RoCE) was also healthy at 13.72% for fiscal 2024.

 

  • Comfortable financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is supported by a healthy networth of Rs 255.96 crore, and comfortable gearing and total outside liabilities to tangible networth ratios of 0.78 time and 1.49 times, respectively, as on March 31, 2024. NBL avails an overdraft limit against fixed deposits to fund the working capital and adjusting the same on a net basis, will help strengthen the capital structure. NBL is undertaking a large debt-funded capital expenditure of Rs 100-120 crore for setting up a new refinery capacity, while forward integrating to newer product categories. However, the capital structure is expected to remain strong over the medium, supported by steady accretion. Debt protection metrics are adequate with interest coverage and net cash accruals to adjusted debt ratios of 4.33 times and 0.35 time, respectively, for fiscal 2024

 

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. The industry also has several edible oil variants, 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 availability and quality of FFBs, which in turn depend on climatic conditions such as timely monsoon, and on the OER. Shortage of FFBs or steep decline in OER (as seen in fiscal 2021) could weaken operating efficiency and performance significantly.

Liquidity: Strong

Fund based bank limit (cash credit) remained unutilized for the 12 months through July 2024. Expected cash accrual of over Rs 90 crore should more than suffice to cover the term debt obligation of Rs 18-38 crore over the medium term. Current ratio was moderate at 1.15 times as on March 31, 2024. The promoters are likely to extend support via equity and unsecured loans to cover the working capital requirement and debt obligation, if required. Liquidity is also supported by unencumbered fixed deposits (including unutilized portion of overdraft) and liquid investments of Rs 74 crore as on March 31, 2024.

Outlook: Positive

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

Rating sensitivity factors

Upward factors:

  • Growth in revenue along with steady operating margin, resulting in cash accrual above Rs 80 crore
  • Timely completion of the planned capital expenditure

 

Downward factors:

  • Sharp weakening in operating performance with reduction in operating margin below 3.5%
  • Any large, debt-funded capex or significant cash outflow via dividends, commission or 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

Unit

2024

2023

Operating income

Rs.Crore

1828.05

1708.95

Reported profit after tax

Rs.Crore

19.15

72.83

PAT margin

%

1.05

4.26

Adjusted debt/adjusted networth

Times

0.84

0.77

Interest coverage

Times

4.05

10.14

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 Instrument Date Of Allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity Date Issue Size (Rs.Crore) Complexity Levels Rating Outstanding with Outlook
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 28.00 NA CRISIL A2+
NA Fund-Based Facilities NA NA NA 17.00 NA CRISIL A-/Positive
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 145.00 NA CRISIL A2+
NA Rupee Term Loan NA NA 31-Mar-28 36.00 NA CRISIL A-/Positive
NA Rupee Term Loan NA NA 30-Jun-29 38.48 NA CRISIL A-/Positive
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 91.48 CRISIL A-/Positive 29-08-24 CRISIL A-/Positive 01-06-23 CRISIL A-/Positive 03-03-22 CRISIL A-/Stable 31-12-21 CRISIL A-/Stable CRISIL BBB+/Stable
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST 173.0 CRISIL A2+ 29-08-24 CRISIL A2+ 01-06-23 CRISIL A2+ 03-03-22 CRISIL A2+ 31-12-21 CRISIL A2+ CRISIL A2
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Bank Guarantee 28 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A2+
Fund-Based Facilities 16.5 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Fund-Based Facilities 0.5 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Letter of Credit 100 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A2+
Letter of Credit 45 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A2+
Rupee Term Loan 38.48 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Rupee Term Loan 36 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Positive
Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk

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
Senior 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') provided by CRISIL Ratings Limited ('CRISIL Ratings'). For the avoidance of doubt, the term 'report' includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the report. The report is intended for use only within the jurisdiction of India. 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 provision or intention to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL Ratings does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities. Access or use of this report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL Ratings and the user.

The report is a statement of opinion as on the date it is expressed, and it is not intended to and does not constitute investment advice within meaning of any laws or regulations (including US laws and regulations). The report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe to 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 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 and its associates do not act as a fiduciary. The report is based on the information believed to be reliable as of the date it is published, CRISIL Ratings does not perform an audit or undertake due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and/or relies on for preparation of the report. THE REPORT IS PROVIDED ON “AS IS” BASIS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, CRISIL RATINGS DISCLAIMS WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, ERROR-FREE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, NON-INTERRUPTION, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR INTENDED USAGE. In no event shall CRISIL Ratings, its associates, third-party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents 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.

The report is confidential information of CRISIL Ratings and CRISIL Ratings reserves all rights, titles and interest in the rating report. The report shall not be altered, disseminated, distributed, redistributed, licensed, sub-licensed, sold, assigned or published any content thereof or offer access to any third party without prior written consent of CRISIL Ratings.

CRISIL Ratings or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the entity to which the report pertains or its associates. Ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by CRISIL Ratings. 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.

CRISIL Ratings has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for managing conflict of interest. For more detail, please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html. Public ratings and analysis by CRISIL Ratings, as are required to be disclosed under the Securities and Exchange Board of India regulations (and other applicable regulations, if any), are made available on its websites, www.crisilratings.com and https://www.ratingsanalytica.com (free of charge). CRISIL Ratings shall not have the obligation to update the information in the CRISIL Ratings report following its publication although CRISIL Ratings may disseminate its opinion and/or analysis. Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee.  Rating criteria by CRISIL Ratings are available on the CRISIL Ratings website, www.crisilratings.com. For the latest rating information on any company rated by CRISIL Ratings, you may contact the CRISIL Ratings desk at crisilratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

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.crisilratings.com/en/home/our-business/ratings/credit-ratings-scale.html