Rating Rationale
August 31, 2020 | Mumbai
Sulphur Mills Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.125.5 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL AA-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings on the bank facilities of Sulphur Mills Limited (SML).
 
Revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10% over the medium term, driven by product launches in the domestic market and registrations in the overseas markets, while the operating margin is expected to remain at 14-15%. CRISIL has made a note of the recent draft order by the central government banning 27 agrochemical molecules. While SML deals in a few of these molecules, less than 10% of its overall revenue comes from them.
 
The financial risk profile is expected to remain strong supported by healthy accrual, negligible debt and sound capital structure. Maintenance capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 10-15 crore is planned in fiscals 2021 and 2022, which will be funded through internal accrual.

The ratings continue to reflect the company's strong financial risk profile, established position in the niche sulphur-based agrochemicals segment, strong research and development (R&D) capability and healthy revenue diversity. These strengths are partially offset by large working capital requirement and exposure to inherent risks in the agricultural input industry.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of SML and its subsidiaries, Sulphur Chemical Mills (Pty) Ltd (100%), incorporated in South Africa; SM Cropcare Guatemala Public Ltd Company (99%), incorporated in South America; Sulphur Mills Do Brazil ImportACAO de Productos Agricolas Limited (99%), incorporated in Brazil; R3 Crop Care Pvt Ltd (R3), incorporated in India; Sulphur Mills Kenya Pvt Ltd, incorporated in Kenya; Sulphur Mills Mexico, incorporated in Mexico; Sulphur Mills Vietnam Co Ltd, incorporated in Vietnam; and Sml Tarim Sanayi Ve Ticaret Ltd Sirketi, incorporated in Turkey.

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
 * Strong financial risk profile
The financial risk profile is strong and should remain so over the medium term. Networth is estimated at over Rs 600 crore as on March 31, 2020, while debt is nil. Debt protection metrics are strong, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios estimated at 38 times and 4 times, respectively, in fiscal 2020. Moreover, debt is likely to remain negligible over the medium term.
 
* Established market position, supported by strong R&D capability
Strong R&D capability has helped develop a healthy product mix and transform the company from a standalone sulphur-based chemical player to a diversified manufacturer of pesticides, plant growth regulators and fertilisers. SML was the first to develop a sulphur-based water-dispersible granule (WDG) in India, and holds many patents and four original registrations for Cosavet DF, Topgun DF, Pearl and Flosul for sale in India. It also has several registrations for different WDGs and suspension concentrates for the overseas market. Furthermore, its market position in India benefits from a large distribution network.
 
* Diversified revenue profile
Revenue is estimated to grow 16% year-on-year in fiscal 2021, driven by steady demand from both export and domestic markets. Domestic sales are estimated to have accounted for 43% of revenue, and export for the remaining in fiscal 2020. The company has pan-India presence and caters to the requirement of different crop varieties. It exports to nearly 80 countries, but a large share of the revenue comes from Latin America. Revenue diversity also benefits from the company's wide product offerings and large number of registrations. As Indian soil is largely deficient in sulphur, SML started manufacturing sulphur-based fertilisers in fiscal 2008. This segment contributes 9-10% to revenue and has augmented the product portfolio further.
 
Weaknesses
* Stretched working capital cycle
Operations are working capital intensive, as reflected in gross current assets estimated at over 170 days as on March 31, 2020. Inventory remains large due to the company's bulk-buying strategy and wide product portfolio. Credit of 90-120 days is extended to customers, leading to extended receivables cycle. Although the company is able to negotiate favourable payment terms with suppliers, working capital requirement remains large. However, incremental working capital requirement is largely met through cash accrual.
 
* Exposure to inherent risks of erratic monsoon and regulatory changes
The agricultural input segment in India depends on monsoon and farm income. The fortunes of the agricultural input sector are linked to the timing and distribution of rainfall during a year. Agrochemical manufacturers are also affected by changes in regulatory requirements, such as export and import policies, registration policies and product and environment safety requirements in India and overseas. Furthermore, any ban on key products could severely impinge on the business of agro-input players.

Liquidity: Strong
Cash accrual is expected above Rs 100 crore each in fiscals 2021 and 2022, and cash and equivalent are estimated at Rs 180 crore as on March 31, 2020. The fund-based limit was negligibly utilised over the 12 months through July 2020. The company does not have any term debt obligation and has planned minimal maintenance capex of Rs 12-15 crore each in fiscals 2020 and 2021, which will be funded through accrual and cash and equivalent. With gearing estimated at 0.1 time as on March 31, 2020, SML has sufficient headroom to raise additional debt if required.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes SML will continue to benefit from its established market position, revenue diversity, and healthy product and registration portfolios. The financial risk profile will remain strong over the medium term, driven by low debt, healthy liquidity, and absence of any large, debt-funded capex.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Strengthening of market position and sustenance of healthy revenue growth while maintaining operating margin over 14%
* Maintenance of strong financial risk profile and liquidity
 
Downward factors
* Steep decline in revenue or profitability, impacting cash generation
* Weakening of the financial risk profile due to larger-than-expected capex or significant stretch in working capital requirement, with gearing increasing to over 1 time.

About SML
Incorporated in 1960, SML commenced operations in 1970 with a West German technology-based sulphur processing plant in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. It manufactures agrochemicals, including formulations of fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, and plant growth regulators as well as fertilisers and growth nutrients. In fiscal 2008, SML diversified into fertilisers with the launch of Fertis, a sulphur-based fertiliser in WDG form. Total WDG capacity is 45,000 tonne per annum (TPA) of fertilisers and 15,000 TPA of pesticides. The company is managed by Mr Deepak Shah and Mr Suketu Doshi, and their family members.
 
About R3
R3 was incorporated as Rotam India Ltd by Mr Harish Trivedi, Mr Rajiv Pandit and Mr Mukundray Bhatt in 1998 and got its current name in 2013. It manufactures and sells technicals for agrochemical formulations. In May 2018, SML acquired 67% stake in R3 for a consideration of Rs 48 crore. Mr Rajiv Pandit, Mr Deepak Shah and Mr Binoy Shah are on R3's board.
Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 1145 976
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 92 110
PAT margin % 8.1 11.3
Adjusted debt / adjusted networth Times 0.1 -
Interest coverage Times 24.5 151.3

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. The CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. 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 assigned with outlook
NA Overdraft NA NA NA 1 NA CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Letter of credit* NA NA NA 105 NA CRISIL A1+
NA Letter of credit# NA NA NA 19.50 NA CRISIL A1+
*Sublimit of Rs 10 crore towards bank guarantees
#Sublimit of Rs 0.50 crore towards overdraft
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Name of subsidiaries Extent of consolidation Rationale for consolidation
Sulphur Chemical Mills (Pty) Ltd, South Africa Full 100% subsidiary; business linkages
SM Cropcare Guatemala Public Ltd Company, Guatemala Full 100% subsidiary; business linkages
Sulphur Mills Do Brazil ImportACAO de Productos Agricolas Limited, Brazil Full 100% subsidiary; business linkages
Sulphur Mills Kenya Pvt Ltd, Kenya Full 100% subsidiary; business linkages
Sulphur Mills Mexico, Mexico Full 100% subsidiary; business linkages
Sulphur Mills Vietnam Co Ltd, Vietnam Full 100% subsidiary; business linkages
Sml Tarim Sanayi Ve Ticaret Ltd Sirketi, Turkey Full 100% subsidiary; business linkages
R3 Crop Care Pvt Ltd, India Full 100% subsidiary; business linkages
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
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1.00  CRISIL AA-/Stable      30-05-19  CRISIL AA-/Stable  17-01-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+      CRISIL A+/Positive/ CRISIL A1+ 
            30-04-19  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  124.50  CRISIL A1+      30-05-19  CRISIL A1+  17-01-18  CRISIL A1+      CRISIL A1+ 
            17-05-19  CRISIL A1+           
            30-04-19  CRISIL A1+           
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
 
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Name of Lender Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Letter of Credit* DBS Bank Limited 19.5 CRISIL A1+
Letter of Credit# ICICI Bank Limited 105 CRISIL A1+
Overdraft Facility DBS Bank Limited 0.5 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Overdraft Facility ICICI Bank Limited 0.5 CRISIL AA-/Stable

*Sublimit of Rs 10 crore towards bank guarantees
#Sublimit of Rs 0.50 crore towards overdraft
This Annexure has been updated on 02-Sep-2021 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 05-Aug-2021 received from the rated entity.

Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Chemical Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

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