Product Quantum (Rs. Cr) (SEBI) Quantum (Rs. Cr) (Other FSR) Long Term Rating Short Term Rating Regulated By
Bank Loan Ratings 0.00 38.00 ACUITE BB | Stable | Reaffirmed - RBI
Total Outstanding 0.00 38.00 - - -
Total Withdrawn 0.00 0.00 - - -
Note:- For activities or ratings of instruments falling under the purview of Financial Sector Regulators other than SEBI, the grievance / dispute redressal mechanisms and investor protection mechanisms provided by SEBI shall not be available.
 
Rating Rationale

­Acuité has reaffirmed its long-term rating of 'ACUITE BB' (read as ACUITE double B) on the Rs. 38.00 crore bank facilities of Ajinkya Chemtech Private Limited (ACPL). The outlook is ‘Stable’.

Rationale for Rating
The rating reaffirmation factors in the steady growth in operating performance, albeit a modest scale of operations, supported by increased demand for specialty crop protection products and improved realizations. Further, the rating considers the ongoing patent filing process for the company's organic viricide and organic nematicide products, which is expected to support product differentiation and provide opportunities for expansion into institutional and export markets. The rating also factors in the company's established track record in the agro-input industry, experienced promoter profile, and presence across multiple states, supported by an established distribution network. The rating, however, remains constrained by the company's below average financial risk profile, moderately intensive working capital operations coupled with high reliance on working capital borrowings, and exposure to regulatory and compliance risks associated with the agro-input industry.


About the Company

­Incorporated in 1994, Ajinkya Chemtech Private Limited (ACPL) is engaged in the manufacturing of organic farming input solutions like Bactericide, Nematicides, Miticides, Plant Growth Regulators, Organic Fertilizers like Granules & Seaweed Extract, Micronutrients & Water-Soluble Fertilizers. ACPL sells ~60 per cent of under its own brands and rest to the wholesalers. ACPL sells through 300-400 dealers’ network across various states. ACPL is promoted by Mr. Harshanan V Patil and Mrs. Manjusha H Patil. The company has a manufacturing unit located at Pune.

 
Unsupported Rating
­Not Applicable
 
Analytical Approach

­Acuité has considered standalone business and financial risk profile of ACPL to arrive at the rating.

 
Key Rating Drivers

Strengths

­Experienced promoters and Established Track Record
Established in 1994, Ajinkya Chemtech Private Limited (ACPL) has an operational track record of over three decades in the agro-input industry. The company is promoted by Mr. Harshanan V. Patil and Mrs. Manjusha H. Patil and is engaged in the manufacturing of crop protection and crop nutrition products, including organic farming input solutions. The promoters have extensive experience in the agro-chemical and agricultural input sector, which has aided the company in establishing relationships with customers, dealers and suppliers over the years. The company is also supported by a team of technical and operational personnel involved in manufacturing, product development, marketing and farmer outreach activities.

Steady growth in operating performance albeit modest scale of operations
The operating scale of the company remained modest, albeit improving, and stood at Rs. 151.65 crore in FY2026 (Prov.) as against Rs. 140.21 crore in FY2025, reflecting a growth of around 8 per cent. The increase in revenue was primarily supported by the launch of new products and higher demand for specialty organic crop protection products, particularly the organic viricide and organic nematicide portfolio. Demand was also aided by increasing preference for residue-free agricultural inputs among export-oriented farmers, especially in fruits and vegetables, where compliance with stringent residue norms is becoming increasingly important. Further, the company reported revenue of Rs. 40.96 crore in Q1FY27 as against Rs. 37.34 crore in Q1FY26. The operating profitability of the company improved, with the operating profit margin increasing to 3.25 per cent in FY2026 (Prov.) from 2.23 per cent in FY2025. The improvement was primarily attributable to a better product mix with higher contribution from specialty products, operating leverage benefits arising from growth in scale of operations, and relatively lower administrative and selling expenses incurred during the year. Consequently, the net profit margin also improved to 1.02 per cent in FY2026 (Prov.) from 0.69 per cent in FY2025. Acuite believes that the company's ability to increase revenue, improve scale of operations and profitability levels through increased contribution from specialty products will remain a key rating monitorable going forward.


Weaknesses

­Below Average Financial Risk Profile
The financial risk profile of the company remained below average, marked by a low net worth, high gearing, and average debt protection metrics. The net worth of the company stood at Rs. 15.97 crore in FY2026 (Prov.), compared to Rs. 11.76 crore in FY2025. The improvement is primarily on account of accretion of profits to reserves. Further, Acuité has considered promoter unsecured loans of Rs. 5.18 crore as quasi-equity, as these are subordinated to bank debt and are supported by an undertaking from the management regarding non-withdrawal. The company's total debt stood at Rs. 39.77 crore as on March 31, 2026 (Prov.), comprising Rs. 1.72 crore of long-term debt, Rs. 36.58 crore of short-term debt, and Rs. 0.06 crore of current maturities of long-term debt. The gearing of the company remained high at 2.49 times as on March 31, 2026 (Prov.), as compared to 2.53 times as on March 31, 2025. Further, the debt protection metrics remained average. The Interest Coverage Ratio (ICR) stood at 1.43 times in FY2026 (Prov.) as compared to 1.55 times in FY2025. The Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) improved to 1.43 times in FY2026 (Prov.) from 1.19 times in the previous year. The Debt-to-EBITDA ratio improved to 7.53 times in FY2026 (Prov.) from 8.24 times in FY2025. The Net Cash Accruals to Total Debt (NCA/TD) ratio stood at 0.04 times in FY2026 (Prov.) as against 0.03 times in the previous year. Acuite believes, the financial risk profile of the company would remain below average on the back of low net worth base.

Moderately Intensive Working Capital Management
The working capital operations of the company remained moderately intensive, marked by Gross Current Asset (GCA) days of 130 days in FY2026 (Prov.), as against 114 days in FY2025. The increase in GCA days was primarily driven by higher inventory levels and elongation in the receivables cycle. The debtor collection period increased to 93 days in FY2026 (Prov.) from 81 days in FY2025. The company generally extends a credit period of 60-90 days to its customers. Inventory holding also increased to 37 days in FY2026 (Prov.) from 32 days in FY2025. On the other hand, creditor days remained range-bound at 1 day in FY2026 (Prov.) and FY2025. The company typically avails a credit period of up to 30 days from its suppliers. Further, the average utilisation of the fund-based working capital limits remained high at around ~94.76 per cent during the six-month period ended June 2026. Acuite believes that the company's working capital operations would remain moderately intensive on the back of elongated collections.

Exposure to agro-climatic risk and regulatory changes
The company operates in the agro-input industry, which is subject to various regulatory requirements relating to product approvals, registrations, manufacturing standards and marketing practices. Any changes in government regulations, environmental norms, product registration requirements or compliance frameworks could impact product availability, increase compliance costs and affect business operations. Further, delays in obtaining or renewing product registrations and approvals may also adversely impact growth prospects and profitability.

Rating Sensitivities

Potential triggers (individual or collective) for an upward rating action:
  • Consistent improvement in the scale of operations and profitability with revenue surpassing Rs. 200 Crore
  • Improvement in financial risk profile
  • Successful commercialization and scaling up of patented specialty products
  • Improvement in working capital management
Potential triggers (individual or collective) for a downward rating action:
  • Significant decline in revenue and profitability
  • Further elongation in working capital cycle
  • Increase in debt levels, thereby increasing gearing to above 3 times
  • Adverse regulatory developments impacting operations or product approvals
Liquidity Position
Adequate

The company's liquidity position is adequate, supported by net cash accruals of Rs. 1.60 crore in FY2026 (Prov.) against no scheduled debt repayment obligations during the year. Further, the company is expected to generate cash accruals in the range of Rs. 2.59 crore to Rs. 3.00 crore, which are expected to remain sufficient against its modest debt repayment obligations of Rs. 0.06 crore to Rs. 0.08 crore over the medium term. The working capital operations are moderately intensive, as reflected in GCA days of 130 days in FY2026 (Prov.) compared to 114 days in FY2025. The reliance on fund-based working capital limits remains high, with average utilization of around ~94.76 per cent during the six-month period ended June 2026. The current ratio remained range-bound at 1.10 times as on March 31, 2026 (Prov.), similar to the previous year. The cash and bank balance of the company stood at Rs. 0.06 crore as on 31st March 2026 (Prov.).
Acuite believes that the company's liquidity position is likely to remain adequate over the near to medium term, supported by expected cash accrual generation against its debt repayment obligations.

 
Outlook: Stable
­
 
Other Factors affecting Rating
­None
 

Particulars Unit FY 26 (Provisional) FY 25 (Actual)
Operating Income Rs. Cr. 151.65 140.21
PAT Rs. Cr. 1.55 0.97
PAT Margin (%) 1.02 0.69
Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth Times 2.49 2.53
PBDIT/Interest Times 1.43 1.55
Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable)
­Not Applicable
 
Any other information
­None
 
Applicable Criteria
• Default Recognition :- https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-52.htm
• Manufacturing Entities: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-59.htm
• Application Of Financial Ratios And Adjustments: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-53.htm
Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument

Date Name of Instruments/Facilities Term Amount (Rs. Cr) Rating/Outlook
29 Apr 2025 Cash Credit Long Term 7.00 ACUITE BB | Stable (Assigned)
Cash Credit Long Term 31.00 ACUITE BB | Stable (Reaffirmed)
17 Mar 2025 Cash Credit Long Term 31.00 ACUITE BB | Stable (Assigned)
­

Lender’s Name ISIN Facilities Listing Status Regulated By Date Of Issuance Coupon Rate Maturity Date Quantum
(Rs. Cr.)
Complexity Level Rating
Indian Bank Not avl. / Not appl. Cash Credit Unlisted RBI Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 38.00 Simple ACUITE BB | Stable | Reaffirmed
Note:- For activities or ratings of instruments falling under the purview of Financial Sector Regulators other than SEBI, the grievance / dispute redressal mechanisms and investor protection mechanisms provided by SEBI shall not be available.

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