Fineotex Chemical Limited (FCL)

Adding my research here:
Fineotex Chemical (FCL) is a specialty chemicals producer with a focus on textiles chemicals. FCL manufactures over 400 specialty chemicals and enzymes to textile, garment, construction, leather, water treatment, agrochemicals, adhesives and other industries. Over the last 4 years, it has also entered into oil drilling chemicals and home care and hygiene segments. However, 94% of revenue is still textile chemicals.

The finishing segment is a large growth driver

FCL’s chemicals form a very small part of the cost for textile companies

However, it is a critical application product

This makes it very sticky as textile companies rarely switch the supplier

FCL’s established position also allows them to attract new clients, by using existing clients as ‘reference customers’

They also enable conversion of utility cost into chemical cost for the customer

Most major textile companies are customers of FCL

FCL had acquired Biotex in 2011

They recently did greenfield capex to take total installed capacity to 79000 MTPA from the earlier 43000 MTPA, at a cost of Rs 27 Cr

The plants (even Ambernath one) are fungible

Production in Ambernath facility began in Nov 2021 and its contribution to Q3FY22 sales was low; contribution is expected to be higher in Q4FY22.

Peak utilisation in Ambernath facility is around 85%

Utilisation is expected to reach optimum level around Mar-Apr 2022

Asset turnover on this is expected to be >8x

Ambernath plant itself could earn revenue of Rs 350 Cr

They are looking to increase higher-margin products

Any new expansion will be funded internally

They are looking to increase penetration and wallet share with the customers

Growth rates are expected to be strong, driven majorly by volume growth but also pricing, because of a trend of increasing realisations

OPM is expected to be >23% on a sustainable basis

Disc- no holdings as of now
Edit- added a tracking position
Edit on 8 May- sold the tracking position, no holdings now

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