Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+’ ratings on bank loan facilities and debt instruments of Solar Industries India Limited (SIIL; a part of the Solar group).

 

The ratings continue to reflect the Solar group’s robust market position in the domestic and overseas markets in the explosives and detonators industry, sound operating efficiency and healthy financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to regulatory changes and volatility in foreign exchange (forex) rates.

 

Revenue of the group grew by 75% to Rs 6,930 crore in fiscal 2023. This was driven by realisation growth (domestic realisations stood at Rs 70,360/tonne in the fiscal 2023 compared to Rs 50,417/tonne in the fiscal 2022) owing to increasing raw material prices, primarily ammonium nitrate and healthy volume growth of 13%. Increasing sales from Coal India Ltd (CIL; ‘CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+’) and a growing portfolio of products catering to defence and infrastructure segments, combined with the rising international presence led to growth in fiscal 2023. Order book stand at Rs 2,944 crore as on March 31, 2023, from Rs 2,982 crore as on March 31, 2022.

 

In terms of operating profitability, the group is able to pass on rising input costs to customers. The operating margin was 20.0% in fiscal 2023 and is projected at similar range of 18-21% over the medium term.

 

Liquidity will remain strong, driven by cash accrual of over Rs 700-800 crore per annum against annual capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 750 crore. Further, net gearing is expected at less than ~0.5 time aided by prudent funding of capex.

 

CRISIL Ratings takes note of the ongoing legal proceedings regarding vacation of office of the executive director, Mr Kailash Chandra Nuwal. The group filed an appeal with the Supreme Court against the impugned order passed by National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on January 22, 2022. The litigation is ongoing with the appeal proceedings in the Supreme Court and has not impacted business of the Solar group as per the management. Also, in the Annual General Meeting of SIIL held in June 2023, special resolutions did not get approved (as seen since last 3 years with no impact on operations). Same is not expected to have any significant impact on the operations as per management representation. Nonetheless, CRISIL Ratings will continue to monitor these developments and any impact on operations will be a key monitorable.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL Ratings has combined the financial and business risk profiles of SIIL, its subsidiary, Economic Explosives Ltd (‘CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+’), and other subsidiaries and stepdown subsidiaries. This is because all these entities, collectively referred to as the Solar group, have common management and significant business and financial linkages.

 

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:

Robust market position

With market share of around 24% in the explosives industry, the group is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of explosives and initiating systems in India. Its manufacturing unit in Nagpur is the world’s largest single-location cartridge plant. It is one of the few players with complete product range and capability to develop and supply customised products. In addition to healthy growth in the domestic market, it has expanded significantly in the overseas market over the past few years. It is the largest supplier of explosives to CIL. The group entered into the defence business in 2010 and gained competitive advantage by setting up high-energy explosives, delivery systems, ammunition, rocket/missile integration, pyros, igniters and fuse manufacturing facilities. Limited shelf life of explosives, continuous consumption by the armed forces, the Make in India focus and typical long-term defence contracts provide steady medium-term revenue visibility.

 

The group will maintain its robust market position, backed by orders worth Rs 2,944 crore as on March 31, 2023, in the domestic market and continued growth in the international market.

 

Sound operating efficiency with significant backward integration

Majority of raw materials (apart from ammonium nitrate) such as detonator components, emulsifiers, sodium nitrate and calcium nitrate are manufactured internally, leading to cost savings, quality control and stable operating margin of 18-21% over the five fiscals through 2023. Also, all the bulk explosive manufacturing units are located in 50-60 kilometre radius from the major mining regions. The group has the ability to pass on fluctuations in raw material prices to customers through a price escalation clause in the contracts.

 

Strong financial risk profile

Tangible networth was Rs 2,689 crore and gearing 0.43 time as on March 31, 2023. Debt protection metrics were comfortable, reflected in interest coverage ratio of 15.04 times and net cash accrual to total debt ratio of 0.75 time in fiscal 2023, against 15.09 times and 0.48 time, respectively, in fiscal 2022.

 

Weaknesses:

Exposure to regulatory risks

The explosives industry has high entry barriers; players require industrial licensing and various clearances from government, Chief Controller of Explosives and Directorate General of Mines Safety. Furthermore, as per the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012, ammonium nitrate (key raw material; accounts for 65% of the total raw material cost) is classified as an explosive. Hence, its production, distribution, sale and stocking require a licence. Sale of explosives is regulated by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation and the Joint Chief Controller of Explosives to prevent misuse of end products. Though the group takes precautions at all stages of the manufacturing process and is a member of SAFEX (an international apex body that promotes global best practices on safety standards in the explosives industry), it remains susceptible to regulatory risks.

 

Susceptibility to volatility in forex rates

Partial import of raw material and operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, South Africa and Turkey expose the group to adverse currency fluctuations. In fiscal 2023, the group incurred translation loss of Rs 80 crore because of currency devaluation. To safeguard against volatility in forex rates, it has begun borrowing debt in local currency in the overseas markets, which reduces forex risk considerably. Also, it has started billing in USD in some markets. It hedges all imports and keeps exports open. However, on account of overseas presence, forex risk will persist.

Liquidity: Strong

Cash accrual, expected at over Rs 700-800 crore per annum in fiscal 2024 will comfortably cover annual debt obligation of ~Rs 350 crore. Cash and equivalent stood at around Rs 260 crore as on March 31, 2023. Expected capex of Rs 750 crore in fiscal 2024 will be funded through a mix of debt and surplus cash accrual. Unutilised bank limit will be sufficient to meet incremental working capital requirement. The group has a policy of paying 30% of profit after tax (PAT) as dividend but is expected to conserve cash over the medium term in light of growth opportunities.

Outlook: Stable

The Solar group will continue to maintain robust market position in the domestic explosives industry and witness healthy revenue growth in the overseas and defence businesses. Also, the financial risk profile will remain strong.

 

Environmental social and governance (ESG) profile

The ESG profile of the group supports its strong credit risk profile.

 

The explosives (chemical) sector has a significant impact on the environment owing to high water consumption and waste generation and also greenhouse gas emission. The sector’s social impact is characterised by health hazards, leading to higher focus on employee safety and wellbeing and the impact on local community given the nature of its operations.

 

The group has continuously focused on mitigating its environmental and social risks.

 

Key ESG highlights

• The group has undertaken focussed efforts towards reduction in emission and energy intensity with initiatives such as installation of online continuous emission monitoring system at the boiler stack, conversion of chiller compressors of chlorofluorocarbon gases to A134. It has achieved 29% reduction in total energy intensity and 27% reduction in emission intensity in fiscal 2022.
• It has undertaken initiatives to achieve zero liquid discharge, use of treated effluent treatment plant water for gardening purposes and handling of sewage effluents in the sewage treatment plant. It achieved 33% reduction in water intensity.
• The group focuses on health and safety management, and is committed to achieving 'zero harm’ and works on developing safety leadership at all levels.
• Percentage of local suppliers by value are at par with the industry average.
• SIIL has reported that Mr Kailash Chandra Nuwal, Executive Director and Vice Chairman of Solar Industries India Limited has vacated office of Director with effect from November 7, 2019 on account of failure to make disclosures of his shareholding and directorship in AG Technologies Private Limited in the correct / complete format, either on the date of becoming a director thereof or facilitating, without the prior approval of the Audit Committee, a Rent Agreement between Solar Industries India Limited and AG Technologies Private Limited, which was related party. There is an ongoing litigation related to the same as mentioned above.
• It has adequate governance structure with presence of investor grievance redressal mechanism, whistle-blower policy and extensive disclosures.

 

There is growing importance of ESG among investors and lenders. Continued commitment to ESG principles will play a key role in enhancing stakeholder confidence and ensure ease of raising capital from markets where ESG compliance is a key factor.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Upward Factors

• Significant scale up in operations with increasing geographic diversity while maintaining profitability at current levels of 18-20%
• Sustenance of financial risk profile

 

Downward Factors

• Weaker-than-expected operating performance, with operating margin falling below 15-16% for the group, on a sustained basis
• Significant moderation of capital structure and debt protection metrics owing to sizeable, debt-funded capex or acquisition or working capital requirement
• Lower-than-expected contribution from the defence business
• Major disruption in operations because of untoward incidents or the ongoing dispute/litigation

About the Solar group

The Solar group is one of the largest domestic manufacturers of bulk and cartridge explosives, detonators, detonating cords and components. It has manufacturing facilities in 29 locations in India, and plants in Nigeria, Zambia, Ghana, South Africa, Turkey and Tanzania (with Indonesia, Thailand and Australia coming up). In fiscal 2010, the group entered the defence sector to manufacture high-energy explosives, delivery systems, ammunition filling and pyros fuses.

Any other information: Not applicable

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	Commercial paper	NA	NA	7-365 Days	50	Simple	CRISIL A1+
INE343H08016	Non-convertible debentures	23-Dec-2022	8.2% p.a.	23-Dec-2025	60	Complex	CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA	Letter of credit & bank guarantee	NA	NA	NA	70	NA	CRISIL A1+
NA	Cash credit$	NA	NA	NA	65	NA	CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA	Cash credit*	NA	NA	NA	30	NA	CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA	Cash credit^	NA	NA	NA	250	NA	CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA	Letter of credit & bank guarantee	NA	NA	NA	372.8	NA	CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA	Cash credit#	NA	NA	NA	6	NA	CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA	Letter of credit	NA	NA	NA	50	NA	CRISIL A1+
NA	Term loan	NA	NA	Sep-2025	263	NA	CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA	Cash credit$	NA	NA	NA	25	NA	CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA	Letter of credit & bank guarantee^	NA	NA	NA	120	NA	CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA	Fund-based facilities^	NA	NA	NA	100	NA	CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA	Fund-based facilities^	NA	NA	NA	100	NA	CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA	Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits	NA	NA	NA	27.7	NA	CRISIL AA+/Stable

*Interchangeable with other fund-based facilities

^Interchangeable with non-fund-based facilities

#Interchangeable with fund-based facilities

$Interchangeable with fund based & non-fund-based facilities

Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated

Names of entities consolidated	Extent of consolidation	Rationale for consolidation
Economic Explosives Ltd	100%	Wholly owned subsidiary
Solar Defence Ltd (Note i)	100%	Wholly owned subsidiary
Solar Defence Systems Ltd (Note i)	100%	Wholly owned subsidiary
Emul Tek Pvt Ltd	100%	Wholly owned subsidiary
Solar Avionics Ltd (Note i)	100%	Wholly owned subsidiary
Solar Explochem Ltd (Note I and iv)	100%	Wholly owned subsidiary
Solar Overseas Mauritius Ltd	100%	Wholly owned subsidiary
Solar Mining Services Pty Limited, South Africa	87.58%	Step-down subsidiary
Nigachem Nigeria Limited	55%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Overseas Netherlands B.V.	100%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Explochem Zambia Limited	65%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Patlayici Maddeler Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi	100%	Step-down subsidiary
P.T. Solar Mining Services	100%	Step-down subsidiary
PATSAN Patlayici Maddeler Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi (Note - ii)	53%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Nitro Ghana Limited	90%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Madencilik Hizmetleri A.S	100%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Overseas Netherlands Cooperative U.A	99.99%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Overseas Singapore Pte Ltd	100%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Industries Africa Limited	100%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Nitro Zimbabwe (Private) Limited	100%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Nitro chemicals Limited	65%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Mining Services Pty Ltd, Australia	100%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Mining Services Cote d’Ivoire Limited SARL (Note- i)	100%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Venture Company Limited	55%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Mining Services Burkina Faso SARL	100%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Mining Services Albania	100%	Step-down subsidiary
Solar Nitro SARL (note i and iii)

Note i: The entity has not commenced its business operations

Note ii: The entity is under liquidation

Note iii: The entity is incorporated on December 05, 2022

Note iv: The entity is incorporated on April 29, 2022