Hello members,
Chemical industry is one of most complex and dynamic industry. It's not generalized like other industry. It can be broadly divided into bulk chemicals and speciality chemicals.
Bulk chemical: High volume low value chemical. This is volume based low margin business. Here companies don't get higher valuation from market.
Speciality chemical: Low volume and high value chemical. they may be used primarily as additives or to provide a specific attribute to the end product. Bulk chemicals are mostly raw material for speciality chemicals.
Speciality chemical caters to Pharma API, Agrochemicals& fertilizers, water treatment chemicals, paints& coatings, home& personal care, flavour & fragrance etc.
In this speciality chemical industry too every company needs to be understood individually because of complexity of chemical, chain of chemistry, manufacturing process and industry they cater. Backward integration and efficiency of production brings superior margin in this industry.
Note: Technocrat promoter is most important in speciality chemical Companies because they have to constantly upgrade and innovate their products and new products to preserve and gain market share.
Speciality chemical boom started in india post production restriction in China due to environmental issues in 2018. It was just kick start moment for indian speciality chemical but now there are many more reasons which make this industry for long term because of China+1 policy, import substitution (Navin fluorine became bigger due to this), cheap production in india in comparison to China(at least for Speciality chemical industry). This environmental issues will come to India also when environmental norms are tighten but only those companies will suffer which are not into green chemistry.
We always say that Clean science and technology is best company in speciality chemical industry and highest P/E company. Let me put some colours on it for this uniqueness and valuation:
Few core strength of CST:
1. Clean and green production process. most of current production processes are either zero liquid discharge or release only water as discharge.
2. Technocrat Promoters. Very well qualified(ICT alumnus) and experienced(25+ years experience) promoters in chemical industry. All promoters are into day to day management.
3. Very efficient manufacturing process developed by their R&D. For example their RM cost is 30% whereas their competitors have 50-60% RM cost with respect to topline. This gives them higher margin and inflation absorbing capacity. For example in three of their products they manufacture Camline Fine Science is their competitor and you can see EBITDA margin of both companies.
CST is into exponential growth (30%+ topline growth) and expansion mode. The company had undertaken 90 cr capex in FY'21, 144 cr in FY'22 and significant capex in planned in FY'23 and FY'24( much higher than previous capex) and all capex will happen through internal accruals.
Two things which provide best valuation in industry is growth and margin. Both are available in CST as well as in Aether.
Thank you 🙏