Aarti Industries Q3 2022 Concall Highlights

Operational Highlights

• Revenues for the quarter stood at  ₹2376 Cr, with a robust growth of 100.1% YoY
• Both the Pharmaceuticals and Specialty Chemicals segment outperformed during the quarter
• Revenue expansion during the quarter includes cost escalations passed on to the customers due to substantial increase in raw material prices as well as fuel and logistics costs
• Accrual of termination fees in respect of the long-term contract of  ₹631 crores resulting in higher revenues. As a result, EBITDA includes  ₹611 Crs  during the quarter. 
• EBITDA stood at  ₹356 Cr (without termination income) translating growth of 24.9% YoY basis
• Sustained revenue growth driven by volume expansion and 71% contribution from value-added products
• Higher contribution from domestic demand as the local manufacturing ecosystem continues to progress 
• The company has received demerger approval of the pharmaceuticals business from the exchanges. However the further approvals from NCLT is in the process and is expected to be completed in the next 4-5 months.
• Volume numbers for Q3FY22
• NCB – 18504 T
• Nitro-toluene – 3633 T
• Hydrogenation – 2878 TPM
•  PDA – 495 TPM 

Specialty Chemicals

• Revenues for the specialty segment sood at  ₹1657 Cr in Q3FY22 as against  ₹1063 Cr in Q3FY21.
• Revenue growth backed by about 85% utilisation across most of the operationalized facilities.

• Nitric Acid shortage during the Quarter impacted the volumes of Nitric based products. 
• 71% share of revenue from value-added products during the quarter

Pharma business

• Revenues stood at  ₹348Cr as against  ₹248 Cr in same period previous year
• Higher costs, passed on to the customer, has resulted in increased topline.
• Trial runs at the new expanded block at Intermediate facility are underway with commissioning targeted in Q4 FY22.
• Expected to sustain the growth momentum as additional capacities for APIs and intermediates are being operationalized 
• Management seems confident of regaining its 20%+ margins over the coming quarters.
• Management guidance of 15-25% growth for the next 2-3 years is on track on the back of stronger volumes from API & intermediates segment

Business strategy

• Despite a sharp rise in crude prices, the demand for specialty chemicals is expected to remain robust in the coming quarters.
• The incremental prices are easily passed on, thus higher crude prices wont impact much.
• Introducing Chlorotoluene Value Chain along with expansion & introduction of new range of Pharma APIs & Intermediates
• Adding new chemistries and Value added products – 40+ products for Chemicals and  50+ products for Pharma 

Capex

• The company has a strong pipeline of capex which is expected to be operationalized in phases over the next few years.
• Capex for FY 22-24 is expected to be   ₹4,500-5,000 crore of which  ₹1500Cr for existing products and rest for the new products
• Site development work to commence on 100+ acre land at Jhagadia. Also acquired over 120 acres land at Atali, Gujarat. 
• The major capex is in the downstream chemistries of benzene & toluene, NCB business, Acid division in the speciality chemical segment. In the pharma segment the company is increasing its API and intermediate capacities which are expected to be operational by Q4FY22.