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| Product | Quantum (Rs. Cr) | Long Term Rating | Short Term Rating |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 100.00 | ACUITE A- | Stable | Assigned | - |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 245.00 | ACUITE A- | Stable | Upgraded | - |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 5.00 | - | ACUITE A2+ | Reaffirmed |
| Total Outstanding | 350.00 | - | - |
| Total Withdrawn | 0.00 | - | - |
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Rating Rationale |
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Acuite has upgraded the long term rating to 'ACUITE A-' (read as ACUITE A minus) from 'ACUITE BBB+' (read as ACUITE triple B plus) on the Rs. 245 Cr. bank facilities and reaffirmed the short term rating of 'ACUITE A2+' (read as ACUITE A two plus) on the Rs. 5 Cr. bank facilities of Sree Metaliks Limited (SML). The outlook is 'Stable'.
Further, Acuite has assigned the long term rating to 'ACUITE A-' (read as ACUITE A minus) on the Rs. 100 Cr. bank facilities of Sree Metaliks Limited (SML). The outlook is 'Stable'. Rationale for Rating The rating upgrade reflects the steadily improving operating performance of SML that is marked by increasing revenues and healthy profitability. The group has registered revenues of about Rs. 2308.17 Cr. as of February 2026 with slight moderation in operating profitability due to correction in steel prices in FY 26. The financial risk profile continues to remain heathy, low gearing and robust debt protection metrices, efficient working capital cycle and strong liquidity position of the company. The rating continues to derive benefits from experienced management and fully integrated nature of operations with captive iron ore mines to thermo-mechanically treated (TMT) steel and captive power plant, strong dealer distribution network. Acuite notes that in September 2025, SML had acquired SAL Steel Limited, wherein the shareholding is 57.50 percent, it is expected to increase to 70.50 percent by April 2026 by way of issue of fresh shares, share warrants and open offer at a cost of Rs. 218 Cr. However, these strengths are partly offset by intense competition and volatility in steel prices in the market and post acquisition, the operations of the group remain a key monitorable. |
| About the Company |
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Incorporated in 1995, Odisha based- Sree Metaliks Limited, is an integrated steel manufacturing company. The company has iron ore mines in Khandhbandh, Odisha along with three plants in Rugudi, Anra and Angul in Odisha. The operations of the company are managed by Mr Mahesh Kumar Agarwal. The other directors are Mrs Nalini Agarwal, Mr Kaustubh Agarwal, Mr Sanjiv Saklani, Mr Kalyan Maity, Mr Rewatiraman Sharma and Ms Tuhina Agarwal. The key managerial persons are Mr Deepak Tulsyan and Mr Rahul Agarwal.
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| About the Group |
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SAL Steel Limited
Incorporated in 2003 and listed at NSE and BSE, Gujarat based, the company is engaged in manufacturing sponge iron, ferro alloys and power and the products manufactured by the company are sold in the domestic market. The company is generating 40 MW Power from waste Heat recovery Boiler (WHRB) and Fluidized Bed Combustion (FBC) boiler used for captive consumption as well as open market sales. The facilities of the company are located in Gandhidham, Gujarat. The promoters holding and controlling stake has been taken over by the promoters of SML in FY26. Presently, the operations of the company are managed by Mr Mahesh Kumar Agarwal and Mr Kaustubh Agarwal.
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| Unsupported Rating |
| Not Applicable |
| Analytical Approach |
| Extent of Consolidation |
| •Full Consolidation |
| Rationale for Consolidation or Parent / Group / Govt. Support |
| Acuite has taken a consolidated approach of Sree Metaliks Limited and SAL Steel Limited from FY 26 onwards as the latter has been acquired by Sree Metaliks Limited (present shareholding of 57.70 percent as of February 2026, further increase to 70.50% in near term), common management, similar line of business and strong financial linkages.
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| Key Rating Drivers |
| Strengths |
| Integrated operations with long track record and benefits derived from experienced promoters
The operations of the group are being managed by Mr. Mahesh Kumar Agarwal, Mrs. Nalini Agarwal, Mr. Kaustubh Agarwal. They hold experience in the industry since three decades and has over the years established fully integrated steel plant in Odisha. It manufactures sponge iron, billet, pig iron, iron ore pellets, TMT products. Further the operations are supported by a long term lease for iron ore mines for 50 years with a reserve capacity of 50 million tonnes. The group also has captive power plants which supports its operating efficiency. Post acquisition of SAL Steel Limited, SML have access to ferro chrome and pellets. The group also has long standing relationship with their customers and suppliers and has an established dealer and distribution network. Acuite believes that the experienced promoters and the relationship with the customers and suppliers will benefit the group going forward. Increase in Revenues and operating profitability The revenues of the company has increased to Rs. 2510.14 Cr. in FY 25 as compared to Rs. 2060.19 Cr. in FY 24 on account of increase in volume sold despite correction in prices of steel during the year. As of February 2026, the group has achieved Rs. 2308.17 Cr. of revenues wherein SML has contributed revenues of Rs. 2112.69 Cr. and SAL has contributed revenues of Rs. 195.48 Cr. only as plant was shut down from September 25 to February 26 on account of refurbishments and take over by current management. The operating profitability of the company has slightly increased to 17.18 percent in FY 25 as compared to 16.48 percent in FY 24 due to better integration and upgradation of facility.Going forward, the profitability margin of the group is expected to be moderate over the medium term. The group has a cumulative ongoing capex plans of general maintenance and expansion of sponge iron of 0.30 MTPA, WHRB of 20MW, pelletisation plant of 0.2 MTPA of project cost about Rs. 681 Cr. and to be funded by way of term loan of Rs. 100 Cr. (sanctioned with Axis Bank), equity infusion of Rs. 65 Cr, internal accruals of Rs. 376 Cr. and Unsecured loans of Rs. 140 Cr. to be augmented in phases in the next three years. This is expected to augment the scale of operations of the group going forward and provide further operating efficiencies due to better integration. Healthy financial risk profile The financial risk profile of the company is marked by improving net worth, low gearing and robust debt protection metrics. The tangible net worth of the group stood at Rs. 1147.14 Cr. as on March 31, 2025 as compared to Rs. 880.73 Cr. as on March 31, 2024 due to accretion to reserves. The gearing of the company stood at 0.08 times as on March 31, 2025 as compared to 0.19 times as on March 31, 2024. The Total Outside Liabilities/Tangible Net Worth (TOL/TNW) stood at 0.26 times as on March 31, 2025 as compared to 0.42 times as on March 31, 2024. The debt protection metrices of the company remain robust marked by Interest Coverage ratio of 58.04 times and debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) of 3.05 times for March 31, 2025. The net cash accruals to total debt (NCA/TD) stood at 3.52 times as on March 31, 2025 as compared to 1.53 times as on March 31, 2024. Acuité believes that post acquisition of SAL in FY 26, the financial risk profile of the group will continue to remain healthy over the medium term, with steady cash accruals. Efficient Working Capital Cycle The working capital cycle of the company is efficient as reflected by Gross Current Asset (GCA) of 66 days for March 31, 2025 as compared to 90 days for March 31, 2024. The debtor period stood at 15 days as on March 31, 2025 as compared to 20 days as on March 31, 2024. The collection cycle ranges from about 20-25 days. Further, the inventory days of the company stood at 41 days as on March 31, 2025 as compared to 54 days in FY2024. The inventory is kept for 2 months since mining activity slows down during monsoon season. The creditors stood at 18 days as on March 31, 2025 as compared to 23 days as on March 31, 2024. The company follows cash and carry model, very low credit period is extended. Acuité believes that the working capital operations of the group will remain at the similar levels over the medium term even post acquisition of SAL by SML with modest movement. |
| Weaknesses |
| Intensive competition and inherent cyclicality in the steel industry
The company is operating in competitive and fragmented nature of industry especially in primarily in steel producing industry. There are several players who are engaged in sponge iron, billets, and TMT manufacturing business in organised and unorganised sector. The company's performance remains vulnerable to cyclicality in the steel sector as demand for steel depends on performance of end user segments such as construction and real estate. Moreover, the profit margins and sales of the company remains exposed to inherent cyclicality in the steel industry. Ongoing Capex Plans The group has a cumulative ongoing capex plans of general maintenance and expansion of sponge iron of 0.30 MTPA, WHRB of 20MW, pelletisation plant of 0.2 MTPA of project cost about Rs 681 Cr and to be funded by way of term loan of Rs. 100 Cr (sanctioned with Axis Bank), equity infusion of Rs. 65 Cr, internal accruals of Rs. 376 Cr and Unsecured loans of Rs. 140 Cr to be augmented in phases in the next three years. Acuite notes that the timely augmentation of the capex plan in phases over three years would be a key monitorable. |
Rating Sensitivities
| Potential triggers (individual or collective) for an upward rating action: |
| Stabilization of SAL steel limited with respect to growth in revenues Timely execution of the ongoing capex Profitability to remain more than 17-18 percent |
| Potential triggers (individual or collective) for a downward rating action: |
| Net cash accruals declining below Rs. 250 Cr Elongation of working capital cycle |
| Liquidity Position |
| Strong |
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The group has strong liquidity marked by net cash accruals of Rs 341.98 Cr. as on FY2025 as against long term debt of Rs. 106.87 Cr. over the same period. Going forward, the net cash accruals are expected to remain the range of Rs. 278 Cr- Rs 345 Cr with a repayment in the range of Rs. 27.25 Cr- Rs. 54.30 Cr. The cash and bank balance stood at Rs. 5.81 Cr as on March 31, 2025 and Rs. 33.28 as on March 31, 2024. Further, the current ratio of the company stood at 1.84 times as on March 31, 2025 as compared to 1.85 times as on March 31, 2024. The group has capex plans to be funded by internal accruals and debt (sanctioned with Axis Bank). Any cost overrun and its funding pattern will remain a key monitorable.SML has a total OD against lien marked FD limit of Rs. 240 Cr with Yes bank and ICICI Bank. The average bank limit utilisation of the group is 34% last 6 months ended December 2025. Acuité believes that the liquidity of the group is to remain adequate over the near to medium term on account of steady cash accruals, healthy current ratio and lean working capital cycle.
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| Outlook: Stable |
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| Other Factors affecting Rating |
| None |
| Key Financials (Standalone) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Though the Rating Approach is consolidated, the Consolidated Financials will be available from FY 2026. Hence, Standalone Figures are presented. |
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| Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable) |
| Not Applicable |
| Any Other Information |
| None |
| Applicable Criteria |
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• Application Of Financial Ratios And Adjustments: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-53.htm • Consolidation Of Companies: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-60.htm • Default Recognition: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-52.htm • Manufacturing Entities: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-59.htm |
| Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument |
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*Annexure 2 - List of Entities (applicable for Consolidation or Parent / Group / Govt. Support) | ||||||
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