OREANDA-NEWS. May 31, 2012. TCL India PAT for FY2011-12 up by 44 percent.

Improved realisations and better cost management at TCEL.

British salt performs to expectations.

TCML doubles operating margins on the back of improved efficiencies.

Rallis India acquires majority stake in Zero Waste Organics.

TCSAP forms equally owned JV, Natronx Technologies, to construct 450Kt of trona-based dry sorbent for air pollution control.

Commenting on the company’s Q4 and FY2011-12 performance, R Mukundan, managing director, said: “I am happy to say that our performance for the quarter and year under review has been satisfactory. We have been able to maintain decent margins in an environment riddled with uncertainties and rising input costs. While our operations have contributed towards this performance, we continue to focus on improving our efficiencies.”

“We continue to lead the market in the national branded salt category. Our portfolio has been enhanced by introduction of Tata Salt Plus — iron fortified iodised salt — and Flavoritz salts. Tata Swach and i-Shakti pulses continue to grow in a healthy manner.”

“Going forward, demand scenario for industry and farm essential businesses could face pressure due to the global slowdown and uncertain economic policies. However, the living essentials portfolio will continue to grow substantially on the back of stable demand across all its product categories.”

“Energy price volatility combined with a weakening currency does pose challenges for us, going forward. However, our performance will be driven by our core strength to build on our customer and distribution leadership position across markets. Access to low-cost resources and a focus on operational excellence would further enhance our competitive position to create stakeholder value across our businesses.”

FY2011-12 (April 2011 – March 2012) v/s FY2010-11 (April 2010 – March 2011)

Net sales at Rs13,608 crore compared to Rs11,061 crore in FY2010-11, an increase of 25 percent.

Profit from operations at Rs2,304 crore compared to Rs1,864 crore in FY2010-11.

PBT stood at Rs1,383 crore, up 23 percent from Rs1,121 crore in the corresponding period last year.

PAT (after minority interest) increased by 28 percent to Rs838 crore from Rs653 crore.

Segmental performance

Living essentials

Tata Chemicals remained the market leader with 64 percent market share in the national branded segment.

200,000MT salt capacity expansion in Mithapur successfully commissioned.

Tata Salt Plus — iron fortified iodised salt — and Flavoritz — flavoured salts — launched.

Urban India reach: ~8.5crore households via more than 1 million retail outlets

i-Shakti pulses available across 19 states.

Tata Swach voted as the 'Product of the Year — 2012'.

Industry essentials

Global soda ash demand firm.

Domestic soda ash demand flat due to delays in commissioning of some float glass line.

Demand for sodium bicarbonate in UK highest at 63KT.

Capacity debottlenecking at TCNA added 100,000MT.

Soda ash and sodium bicarb operations stable in Mithapur.

British Salt performance robust — production, sales and realisations continue to be healthy.

Cement sales crossed 500,000MT for the first time.

TCML doubles operating margins on the back of improved efficiencies.

Farm essentials

SSP debottleneck completed on November 30, 2011. Average production achieved 650TPD v/s earlier 450TPD

Babrala plant shut down for replacing the ammonia converter from March 30, 2012,  to May 1, 2012.

Haldia operations remained slow in Q4 owing to uncertain pricing for phos acid.

Formal announcement of urea investment policy awaited.