Archean Chemical Industries’ IPO set to open next week; GMP at ₹90/share

• Archean Chemical Industries plans to raise ₹805 crore through fresh issue of shares through the IPO along with an offer for sale of ₹657 crore by promoters and existing shareholders.
• The price band of the IPO is set at ₹386- 407 a share.
• The IPO proceeds will be utilised towards redemption of non-convertible debentures and general corporate purposes.

The initial public offering (IPO) of specialty chemical company Archean Chemical Industries is set to open on November 9 and close on November 11.

The price band of the IPO is set at ₹386- ₹407 a share.

Archean Chemical Industries plans to raise ₹805 crore through fresh issue of shares through the IPO along with an offer for sale of ₹657 crore by promoters and existing shareholders.

The IPO proceeds from fresh issue will be utilised towards redemption of non-convertible debentures, and general corporate purposes.

“We believe the redemption (or earlier redemption) of the NCDs will reduce our outstanding indebtedness, debt servicing costs, improve our debt to equity ratio and enable utilisation of our internal accruals for further investment in our business growth and expansion,” said the company in its red herring prospectus (RHP).

The company is a speciality marine chemical manufacturer in India, focused on producing and exporting bromine, industrial salt, and ‘sulphate of potash’ to customers around the world.

It is also the only manufacturer of ‘sulphate of potash’ from natural sea brine in India. Sulphate of potash, also known as potassium sulphate, is a high-end, specialty fertilizer for chlorine-sensitive crops and also has medical uses.

Key geographies where the company exports its products include China, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Belgium and the Netherlands. In FY22, it exported products to 18 global customers across 13 countries.

Majority of the company’s sales are derived from selling to Chinese companies. As of FY22, 36.3% of its revenue comes from China, 29.68% from India, 19.46% from rest of Asia, 6.23% from Japan, 5.62% from South Korea, 1.79% from Africa and 0.92% from Europe.

The company said in the draft filing to SEBI that it faces pricing pressures from foreign companies that make products at cheaper prices. “We face pricing pressures from foreign companies, principally in Israel (Dead Sea area), China and North America, that are able to produce chemicals at competitive costs and consequently, may supply their products at cheaper prices,” said the company in its red herring prospectus (RHP).

Since most of its revenues are derived from foreign lands, it carries cross-border risks as well.

“There can be no assurance that China, Japan, other Asian countries, and the European community, among others, where we seek to sell our products will not impose trade restrictions on us in future,” said the company.

The global chemicals market was valued at approximately $5,334 billion, with China accounting for a substantial market share (39%), followed by the European Union (15%) and the US (13%).

The profitability of the company has more than doubled to ₹188 crore in FY22 from ₹66 crore in FY21.

On the other hand, the company is also benefiting from the China Plus One policy executed among nations. China Plus One is the business strategy to avoid investing only in China and diversifying business into other countries.

The company says that government initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan also help specialty chemicals companies like itself.

“This campaign is especially expected to benefit the specialty chemicals sector, with several players hoping to position themselves as an alternative to China as the Coronavirus crisis prompts companies to diversify their supply chain,” said the company.

The shares of the company are currently commanding a grey market premium, or GMP, of ₹90 per share. GMP is the premium at which IPO shares are traded in an unofficial market before they are listed on the stock exchanges.

SEE ALSO: Titan’s Q2 net rises 34%, says headroom to grow market share is huge
Five Star Business Finance IPO set to open on Nov 9; price band at ₹450 to ₹474 a share