Dalmia Bharat Ltd
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Earnings Call Transcript

Earnings Call Transcript
2023-Q3

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Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to the earnings conference call of Dalmia Bharat Limited for the quarter and 9 months ended 31st December 2022. Please note that this conference call will be for 60 minutes. [Operator Instructions] This conference call is being recorded, and the transcript of the same may be put on the website of the company. [Operator Instructions].

Before I hand over the conference to the management, I would like to remind you that certain statements made during the course of this call may be based on historical information or facts and may be forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on expectations and projections and may involve a number of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, opportunities and growth potential to differ materially from those suggested by such statements.

On the call, we have with us Mr. Puneet Dalmia, MD, Dalmia Bharat Limited; Mr. Mahendra Singhi, Managing Director and CEO, Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited; Mr. Dharmender Tuteja, CFO, Dalmia Bharat Limited; Mr. Rajiv Bansal, President and Chief Transformation Officer; and other management of the company.

I would now like to hand the conference over to Ms. Aditi Mittal, Head of Investor Relations. Thank you, and over to you.

A
Aditi Mittal
executive

Thank you, Mithila. Good morning, everyone. Wish you all a very happy New Year, and I hope that you all had a great start to the year 2023. We welcome you all to the quarter 3 earnings call of Dalmia Bharat Limited. Hope you had a chance to go through the results and the earnings presentation, which is uploaded on our website and can be downloaded from there.

I will now hand over the call to Mr. Dalmia for his opening remarks. Over to you.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Thank you, Aditi. Good morning, everyone. It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you for the Q3 FY '23 earnings call of Dalmia Bharat Limited. Hope you and your families have had a good start to the new year 2023.

We are meeting at a very opportune time. When the government has just laid out the first Amrit Kaal budget, which is certainly a progressive direction by the Government of India to give a boost to a technology-driven and knowledge-based economy within the country. The budget once again reiterates the government's focus on building physical infrastructure to a massive 33% increase in allocation toward CapEx, which is INR 10 lakh crores this fiscal and the extension of 50-year interest-free loan to states.

It is also heartening to see how the government has allocated INR 35,000 crores towards reaching net 0 emissions and achieving energy transition. Green growth has rightly been listed amongst the 7 key priorities of the government. Even while the most global economies are showing signs of slowdown, my personal faith and optimism on the economic prospects of India is quite strong. And we truly believe that the next few decades belong to our country. The Cement sector has a very crucial role to play in India's growth story, and I'm personally very bullish on the long-term prospects of the sector.

We remain committed to our interim capacity milestone of 75 million tonnes by financial year '27 and long-term goal of 110 million to 130 million tonnes by 2031. In line with our vision to diversify and build a pan-India cement company, we have signed definitive agreement for acquisition of cement assets of Jaiprakash Associates Limited, located in Central India. The plants are very strategically located and will give us an entry into a very lucrative high-growth market of Central India. We are very excited about this opportunity as the transaction is at an attractive valuation and comes at a time when we are at the cusp of an infrastructure and CapEx cycle, and private CapEx starting to kick in.

Continual optimization of cost is an integral part of our DNA. And this has once again led us to deliver 1 of the lowest total cost per tonne and an industry leading EBITDA per tonne of INR 1,021 per tonne this quarter. Even as we grow further, amongst other things, our financial priorities will include improving our capacity utilization, sustenance of our total cost leadership and deliver industry-leading earnings growth and ROCE backed by a very strong, well-capitalized balance sheet. Dalmia Bharat is at an inflection point, where we have added capacity, diversified into new regions, and now I will personally be spending time upon strengthening our organization and building an institution which is scalable and sustainable.

As we steer towards building Dalmia 2.0, one of my key priorities will be to invest personal time and resources into our human capital to build leadership teams which are future ready and aligned to our long-term goals. We are making collective efforts to multiply our people power and create leaders of tomorrow.

As a part of our ongoing HR transformation, we have, during the quarter, launched a leadership development program called Lakshya, which has a combination of retention come performance-related metrics and includes personalized leadership, coaching, trainings and career development programs. We will ensure scalability of our organization structure through extensive automation and digitization, review of our key policies and systems, strengthening our compliance and risk framework as per best global practices and increased trust on fulfilling our ESG responsibilities.

With the swiftness of transformation, which I'm witnessing across our company and our people, I believe that we are just getting started and the best is yet to come. I'm personally very happy with all that we have achieved this far, and I'm very excited about the journey that we have set ourselves on.

I will now hand over the call to Mr. Singhi to take you through the other details. Thank you. Mr. Singhi, over to you.

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Happy morning, all dear friends. Thanks, Puneetji, for such encouraging thoughts. Friends, let me start by saying that we have once again delivered an industry-leading volume growth of 11.5% Y-o-Y to 6.3 million tonnes and our revenues have grown by almost 23% to INR 3,355 crores. So on a 9-month basis, the volume growth is 17.5%. And we are quite hopeful that we'll be able to deliver at least 1.5x the demand growth than the average industry.

Our Y-o-Y and revenue growth at 21% is also there. Demand growth was healthy across each of our regions and price level was also stable with each showing a very stable recovery in pricing. In terms of cost, due to the higher cost of input materials, the raw material cost has remained on the higher side at INR 804 per tonne. The power and fuel costs also increased 29% Y-o-Y to INR 1,529 per tonne.

The commission cost of fuel did see some respite from being at USD 215 during the last quarter to around USD 195 during Q3. In fact, the purchase cost during the quarter was around $185. And it is expected that during the upcoming quarters, the fuel prices could stay around $180.

Our freight cost continues to remain one of the lowest in the industry at INR 1,114 per tonne. The total EBITDA for the quarter stood at INR 644 crores, which is a 57% growth on Y-o-Y basis, and it translates to INR 1,021 per tonne. We are glad that after many subdued quarters, due to high inflation, we have been able to manage the cost and have now crossed the threshold of INR 1,000 a tonne. We remain committed to confuse the explore levers of long-term cost saving and are implementing suitable measures that will enable us to retain our cost period of sales both in production cost and in logistic costs.

During the quarter, we have commercialized 25 megawatts renewable power, which takes our total capacity to 154 megawatts. During the quarter, renewable power constituted almost 24% of our power consumption mix. We remain on track to take our renewable power to 173 megawatts by year-end and 328 megawatts by FY '24.

Another lever which adds to cost efficiency and sustainability is the announcement of our low carbon cement or blended cement, which was highest ever for the quarter at about 83%. What has really been encouraging is that in South, which has scheduled to be deemed and is the operating market, we have managed to sustain our low carbon cement percentage at around 63%, which otherwise used to be below 50%.

Our teams will continue to make efforts to move to 100% low carbon cement in all our regions in a few years. Friends, we have been able to further bring down our carbon footprints to 462 kg per tonne of cement, which is probably one of the lowest inversed cement sector as well that also matches the target which we had given 3 years back.

Dear friends, Puneetji had already mentioned that we have signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of cement assets of JP in Central India, totaling to 5.2 million tonnes of cement and 3.3 million tonne of clinker at an enterprise value of INR 3,230 crores. We are very excited about this opportunity. And as we speak, JP and ourselves are actively engaged in completing the process for the remaining part of that reason and which we plan as per the framework agreement.

With regard to organic expansion, our OnPoint projects are expected to get completed to the targeted guidelines. We remain committed to our interim capacity expansion target of 75 million tonnes by FY '27 and 110 million to 130 million tonnes by 2031. I do hope that our team will take all our actions forward so that we always remain cost competitive as well are able to enhance our low-carbon cement production.

Thank you, Friends. And now I would request my colleague, CFO, Mr. Tuteja, to take over. Thank you.

D
Dharmender Tuteja
executive

Thank you, Singhiji. Good morning, all. Continuing on the CapEx, the total CapEx spend during the quarter and 9-month period has been about INR 900 crores and INR 2,100 crores, respectively. During current full year, as was mentioned in our earlier calls, will be spending close to INR 3,000 crores to 3,200 crores. In terms of incentive, during the quarter, we had accrued income of INR 61 crores and during 9 months, INR 180 crores. In terms of collections, we collected INR 25 crores during the quarter and totaled INR 133 crores during 9 months. The incentive receivable as of December 31 stood at around INR 700 crores.

On the debt side, our gross debt increased by about INR 750 crores and the closing debt as on December 31 stands at INR 4,050 crores. Net debt increased by INR 247 crores during the quarter due to the CapEx and the net debt-to-EBITDA on December 31 was 0.39x. With respect to our investment in IEX, we'll continue to evaluate this and will take appropriate call on divestment at opportune times.

With this, I would now like to open the floor for question-answer. Thank you.

Operator

We will now begin the question-and-answer session. [Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Rajesh Ravi from HDFC Securities.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Yes, am I audible?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Yes, please.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Yes. Congratulations to the team for a great set of numbers, all on performance. Sir, my question first on the housekeeping. Could you share what was the per kilo cal hosting in Q3? And how is the scenario in Q4?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Yes. Per kilo calorie for the quarter was around INR 2,100 per kilo calorie. And it looks like that the next quarter would be around this number, maybe 3% to 5% here and there.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. Great. And how was it in Q2, sir? Versus Q2, how much is the drop you have seen?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Exactly, I may not be able to say. But then maybe again, 3% to 5% only. But I'm not sure of this number.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Okay. Last quarter, it was 2.52 per calorie -- per K cal. And this quarter, it is 2.42. There's a marginal drop because of the fall in the set good prices.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. 2.5 to around 2.4. Okay. And in Q4, you're not looking major dip from 2.4?

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Yes, the sector prices are marginally down at the last quarter to this quarter, maybe $4, $5 per tonne. So around similar corresponding drop can be there in this also.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. Okay. And yes, coming to these 2 plants, maybe, what is the status in terms of utilization and profitability?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

So utilization is slowly improving. And in the month of January, it was around, say, 55%, and it's improving. And the profitability now prices in Western India, particular in Maharashtra, they are stable. So now probably could it be better.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. So in terms of costing, are they in line with your company average or way over?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

It's higher at the moment than it was expected also. It's going slowly in the best secondary phase as well as higher green fuel and green power. It will come also to the company standards.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. By when do you expect the cost to normalize to company's level, sir?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

In another 9 to 12 months.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. And lastly, on the JP acquisition, we see that compared to what you had earlier announced in December, this is more a rational and the operational assets, which we are going ahead with. So this ballast repair which was under contention with UltraTech. That is not part of this current deal?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Friends, another one was also very rational. And this is the process in which we are going. So in the first month, we have completed the assets which are linked to Reva and the grinding units , and the balance are also under the process.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. Okay. So that will happen later. Okay. And sir, in terms of could you give us what sort of limestone availability is there at the plants and what optionality we have in terms of expansion opportunities? And what can be the first year after you get them acquired, how much time you'll be able to start production? And what sort of industry are you looking at this?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

I would say that there is subsequent limestone availability whatever we have been able to address that. And then second is that for some time, we have been also able to see the operation of the skills, and they are operating as per the stated capacity. So we are quite hopeful and quite bullish that we will be able to produce the required quantity of clinker and cement. And as far as expansion is concerned, once we are able to stabilize operations, we'll sure share with you.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

May I just request the operator so that there's only 1 question asked from analysts so that everybody gets a chance to ask questions.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Sumangal Nevatia from Kotak Securities.

S
Sumangal Nevatia
analyst

Firstly, many congratulations to the management on progress on multiple fronts. Very strong quarter, the progress on JPA deal and also the divestment of the refractory business. Since I just have chance for 1 question, I have a question on capital allocation to Mr. Dalmia. Sir, now if you see IEX is almost INR 2,000 crores, where the last partial divestment happened almost 2 years back. And now also with this successful refractory divestment, the cash equivalent at DBRL is roughly around INR 3,000 crores and our stake would be around INR 1,200 crores to INR 1,300 crores.

So the question is, I mean, given that we are now pursuing a sizable actuation, can we now expect some divestment of these noncore assets to fund our acquisition? Because if you see, I mean, it kind of matches with the size of the acquisition which we are doing in the first phase. And if it can be funded through these divestments, it could be a very significant re-rating event for us from a capital allocation perspective. So sir, any broad timeline and direction on this will be very helpful.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Sumangal, I have -- we have already created. We were the first to announce and create a very formal capital allocation policy and framework, which was very detailed. And we are going to be very consistent with that. So I can tell you that we are going to keep our net debt to EBITDA below 2 and we will ensure that our growth is funded with a very strong and well-capitalized balance sheet.

Now what are the decisions that we will take along the way will be evaluated time to time from by the management and the Board and appropriate calls will be taken. I think these companies are publicly listed companies. And I don't think I can give a very definitive and clear timeline in terms of which I will be able to. We're going to decide this. But I can tell you that we are very strict in terms of monitoring our capital allocation policy and our capital allocation framework, and we will be well within that in this phase of growth.

S
Sumangal Nevatia
analyst

Understood, sir. Sir, our capital allocation policy was quite encouraging. But I mean, at least directionally, do we look to keep the project also under control and use it some time in the future. I mean this broad directional sense.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Sumangal, I think I've answered what I had to.

S
Sumangal Nevatia
analyst

Okay, got it. No problem. If I can just squeeze in 1 more question. I mean, on the pricing environment...

Operator

Sorry to interrupt you Mr. Nevatia, may we request you to please rejoin the queue. We have participants waiting for their turn. [Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Pinakin Parekh from JPMorgan.

P
Pinakin Parekh
analyst

My question is on the capacity addition road map. Now the company has reiterated the target to reach, a vision to reach 75 million tonnes by F '27. And at this point of time, the ongoing projects takes it to 49 million tonnes by FY '24. If we add Jaiprakash, it goes to 54 million tonnes. There is still a very material gap of 21 million tonnes. And the timeline says 3 years. So when should we expect announced growth projects to get announced? Or is this 21 million tonnes going to be predominated by M&A and acquisition?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

In fact, we are doing our groundwork. And maybe in a year's time, you'll be able to know capacity-wise that how we will be putting up new capacity. So yes, we are confident whatever study we have done that we should be able to reach 75 million tonnes. And at the right time, we'll be able to share with all of you also our specific action plan.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

I just want to add to what Mr. Singhi said, our growth has always been a mix of organic and inorganic. So we are going to have an organic plan in place to go to 75 million tonnes to the extent we think it is appropriate at this point in time. As you know, some of our organic expansions are in progress, and we are making a blueprint to further grow it. And the inorganic opportunities are something that we continuously evaluate. And I think JP is 1 such example. I think our focus right now is to complete this acquisition, ensure that we bring it to the efficiency parameters and the market share that Dalmia hopes to gain in these markets. And only after that, we will examine what makes sense in terms of more inorganic deals.

S
Sumangal Nevatia
analyst

Sure, sir. Just to understand, is this F '27, 75 million tonne a hard number? Or is it more like a vision of increasing capacity? It may be 1 year or 2 or 3 years later. How should we look at that? Because it's a very material jump going from 54 to 75 in 3 years' time.

R
Rajiv Bansal
executive

Puneetji, can I take this.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Yes. Rajiv, go ahead.

R
Rajiv Bansal
executive

So when we laid out a vision of 110 million to 130 million, that was the vision because that time you have 26 million tonne capacity, and we wanted to see given the opportunity in the marketplace. We said we clearly see an opportunity to exit our expansion.

Then w the said costing even main of 49 million tonnes by FY '24, which we are absolutely on target to lead. And then we spoke about saying that because we have come on the capital allocation framework and we said we don't want to increase our net debt to EBITDA more than 2, so we have secular growth. We need to grow at least a 15% CAGR year-on-year. And that's the reason we put a 75 million tonne target.

Now it is not a hard target set, but you don't see the economic condition is still volatile. And also we, as a prudent manager, we'll keep evaluating the opportunity that we have. But standing where we stand today, we believe the opportunity is huge. With all the announcements going under the government, you see the private CapEx, we see the pent-up demand coming, election year coming. We believe that we are on the right track. But as a prudent management, we keep looking at our strategies based on the risk parameters that these have been defined with RMC and we keep changing our plant. But yes, our increment versus 75 million tonnes, it may go up here and there. But given where we stand at, we will confirm it, will do it.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Indrajit from CLSA.

I
Indrajit Agarwal
analyst

Congratulations on a good set of numbers, particularly on costs. My question is on the power costs. You mentioned that your per K cal cost went down from 2.5 to 2.4 odd. But when I look at Slide 14 of the presentation, power cost per tonne has reduced from our 1,500 to 1,200. That's about 25% reduction. So are there -- is there a change in mix or anything else that has gone into this cost? And how sustainable do you think this reduction is?

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Dharmender?

D
Dharmender Tuteja
executive

The reduction in the power is also contributed by increasing green power proportion, which has increased to now 24%. Previous quarter it was around 15% to 17% or so, and that is sustainable.

I
Indrajit Agarwal
analyst

In terms of fuel mix, has there been any meaningful change in terms of petcoke coal, et cetera?

D
Dharmender Tuteja
executive

Natural mix continues to be non-petcoke for this power, which is coal, domestic coal, et cetera.

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

And like in totality also, if you look at cement plant fuel mix, then yes, petcoke has also broadly around, say, 65% to 69%. But at the same time, other fuels, which were competitively economical, that has gone up. And on that account also the cost has come down.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Amit Murarka from Axis Capital.

A
Amit Murarka
analyst

Just on power and fuel costs. So the slide mentions that you'll be going to 69 megawatts of WHRS. But for FY '24, you have a wind and solar plant, that is there any WHRS plant as well?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

There is a one WHRS, which is work in progress, so that will get commissioned in next year.

A
Amit Murarka
analyst

Sir, that will take it the 69 megawatts then?

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

And thereafter, we'll have WHRS in all skills.

A
Amit Murarka
analyst

Okay, fine. So there is no scope after that to do more WHRS?

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

After FY '24. After FY '24. But then definitely, whatever say, a new capacity would be added or the JP capacity would be added that all would have.

A
Amit Murarka
analyst

And how much savings will come from this in FY '24?

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

That definitely can be shared separately.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Girish Choudhary from Avendus Cross Spark.

G
Girish Choudhary
analyst

Good to see this operational performance during the quarter. So on this acquired capacities from JP to draw some more concrete details on the utilization of these plants, the current profitability structure. And importantly, how do you plan to ramp up and bring in synergies of the -- within the existing capacity assets of yours?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Once we are able to close the transaction and we are able to take license and start operating, then definitely, we'll be able to share our specific action plans that this is how operations would be optimized. This is how synergy will take place. We are quite hopeful that the quality of plant, which we will be inheriting as well as the bucket which will be in, it would be a very good acquisition.

G
Girish Choudhary
analyst

Just as a follow-up, when do you expect this transaction to close?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

This transaction subject to certain specific conditions. So maybe in a few months' time, that definitely document which we have signed, that should get over.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Prateek Kumar from Jeffries.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Hello. Yes. Congrats. So a question on increasing guidance. So there's been like a pertinent improvement in sizing...

Operator

Sorry to interrupt you Mr. Prateek Kumar, but there is a lot of disturbance from your background.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Hello.

Operator

Yes.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Yes, now it's clear. Now it's clear.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Yes, sorry. So I was asking regarding there is this pertinent improvement in pricing in the Eastern market in the past 3 to 5 months. They sort of continued into first quarter -- fourth quarter as well. Is there any specific reason attributable to this? I mean, while other regions are literally struggling on any price changes. So what has helped pricing in Eastern market here?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Now it looks like that demand is improving and there are good prospects as well. Whatever, say, few problems which were there in past in regard to ability others, so that is also not there. So in view of that, we have experienced better demand and better price also, and we hope that this would continue.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Okay. And any major capacities which we have commissioned, I mean small capacities you have commissioned during this quarter?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

No, please.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Satyadeep Jain from AMBIT Capital.

S
Satyadeep Jain
analyst

Just a question, Dalmia mentioned project Lakshya to strengthen the management team. I believe earlier we were looking at succession planning and strengthening the second layer of management team as a potential successful team how. And then we had some exits, I believe, last year. How -- what is the thought behind now looking at the succession planning again? And if there is, what's the progress? And that's the question.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Let me take that. We have to build a management team looking at our decadal vision. So we are looking at like by FY '31 to be 110 million to 130 million tonnes and by FY '27 to 75 million tonnes.

We have to look at what capabilities and competencies we need internally to be able to achieve that vision in a sustainable manner. So I think we need to look at what are the enablers to build this scale. We have to look at what will make our business even more sustainable. And on the basis of that, we are starting to plan today.

So as you know that a lot of new capacity is being added. We are also doing a very major acquisition in a new market. And I think there will be more such events in the next 5 to 8 years. So looking at that, we are planning, how do we train our people to take more challenging roles how do we assess them, how do we coach them, how do we support them? And on that basis, we are planning our internal human capital transformation.

So we are going to do a lot of metrics, which we will measure. And on this basis, a lot of opportunities will be given to youngsters in the group. So I think broadly, that's what I can say. We want to build capabilities for a scalable and sustainable operation of this size, and we want to give a lot more opportunity to youngsters in the company. Rajiv, Mr. Singhi, you want to add to this?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

I think this is what we are in the process, and we are quite hopeful that in fact also will have a very stringent team, which will be able to achieve the result of 75 million tonnes and 130 million tonnes.

D
Dharmender Tuteja
executive

So if I can just add to what Puneet and Mr. Singhi just said. It is part of the overall organizational development and subscription planning is a part of that. Even precision tonnage is not only about 1 day or 2 years. But how do we create a set of leaders who can potentially took over a larger role at the top of our head. So we have formed a executive council of 11 people. Each 1 of them can potentially take the highest in the company.

We have identified 41 young leaders across different banks and different social who are of high potential leaders of the future. So we are doing a very structured manner in the right manner, keeping the next 10 year vision that we have in mind. And I think friction is coming into going up into all of this.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Anupama Bhootra from Arihant Capital.

A
Anupama Bhootra
analyst

So I have a question regarding carbon credits. Since we target to become carbon negative by 2040. So how does it work? Like do we collect any certificate or do we sell any certificate like any hall man there in the company with the carbon credit certificate.

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Presently, there is no interest in carbon market, except a little bit to voluntary carbon market. So on account of that, this interest in carbon market has not got activated. And as for this COP21 agreement now in terms of carbon market may get activated in a year or 2 for that right type of machine is being worked out. And at the same time, even in India also, now Indian government and Bureau of Energy Efficiency, they are exploring ways and means to create carbon markets. And once it happens, then definitely, whatever projects we would be going to bring down carbon footprint, that will get -- that will become eligible.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Shravan Shah from Dolat Capital.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Sir, I need a couple of data points. Our trade share for the third quarter lead distance premium share, fuel mix. So please, sir.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Dharmender?

D
Dharmender Tuteja
executive

Trade percentage for the quarter was 60%. Lead distance is around 330 kilometers. On the fuel mix, we used about 70% sector and especially fuel. What was the last part that you wanted to know?

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Sorry, 70% petcoke, 16% coal.

D
Dharmender Tuteja
executive

And then balance is a combination of lignite, must made from alternate fuel.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Okay. And then broadly, what's the TSR thermal structuration rate for the third quarter?

D
Dharmender Tuteja
executive

So I will probably come back to you on that.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Okay. Just to again clarify, in terms of the CapEx for this year, we have said INR 3,000 crores to INR 3,200 crores. For the next FY '24, previously, you mentioned INR 3,500 crores to INR 4,000 crores. So is it remains the same considering the current JP expansion. So out of this INR 3,230 crores EV, how much are we planning to do through the date?

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

No. So let me see, the next year's numbers will give you during the April earnings call. I think right now, it is difficult, as Singhiji also said, the confirmation of the transition is subject to conditions and approvals, which we don't know when to happen, though we hope it will happen in the next few months. So next year, definitely will give you a bit of picture, as much clearer picture.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Okay. And lastly, in terms of the pricing also...

Operator

Sorry to interrupt Mr. Shah may we request you to please. [Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Navin Sahadev from Nuvama Institutional Equities. Ladies and gentlemen, the line for the participant got disconnected. So we'll move to the next question, which is from the line of Komal Ladha from YellowJersey Investment Advisors.

K
Komal Ladha
analyst

I wanted to know if there is any plan of any price hikes in quarter 4?

D
Dharmender Tuteja
executive

We couldn't hear the...

Operator

I'm sorry to interrupt Ms. Ladha, we cannot hear you clearly. Can you speak a bit louder?

K
Komal Ladha
analyst

So is there any way, any chance of price hike in quarter 4?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Sorry, we are not able to get your base.

K
Komal Ladha
analyst

Any price hike? Plan for price hike in quarter 4?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

It all depends on how the demand is and how supplies are. And of course, because of high cost there is effort by us also and maybe the -- as for the market also. But definitely, at the end of the quarter already would share with you that, yes, this is what the price has been.

K
Komal Ladha
analyst

Okay. And capacity utilization for the quarter?

D
Dharmender Tuteja
executive

68%, Aditi?

A
Aditi Mittal
executive

58%.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Ritesh Shah from Investec.

R
Ritesh Shah
analyst

Sir, a few parts further into the JP assets. One is, are there any tax gains that 1 can actually look at on back of the assets that we have bought. Second is, are there any liabilities if any? And will the company be infused? And third is basically, what is the status on the balanced assets?

R
Rajiv Bansal
executive

Okay. On the tax side, in term of sale, whatever costs we incurred, so that will be added to the assets in that deposition. So we're not carrying forward heavy losses on that because it is on an achievement. And on the liability side, whatever is the liability that will defer and adjust under consideration and balance will retain. So we're not taking out anything. On this transition, as Singhi, and Puneetji also told the many commissions for the concession is an advantage stage of finalization, and we'll get done soon.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Nishant Bagrecha from InCred Equities.

N
Nishant Bagrecha
analyst

Congratulations on a good set of numbers, sir. So my question, so recently, you have own a limestone block in Nawalgarh, Rajasthan. So there in the negative results of around 160 million tonne. So any update on the land acquiring there?

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Can you repeat this?

N
Nishant Bagrecha
analyst

So on this Nawalgarh limestone block, any update on the land acquiring there.

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

In fact, still we have to get the required lateral of mines from the government. And thereafter, we will start that activity.

N
Nishant Bagrecha
analyst

So for the kind of utilization...

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

At the moment, there is no land acquisition on this Nawalgarh.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Saket Kapoor from Kapoor & Company.

U
Unknown Analyst

One question on the general industry sentiment and capacity additions. So for the 9 months, industry as a whole, what has been the capacity addition in totality for the country? And how have the average utilization levels moved as per the increased capacity?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

So it looks like no exit, but doesn't come up even from the government but it looks like that the capacity utilization for the year would be around, say, 64% to 66%. And this is also based on whatever the capacity additions, which has a point of which will be updated.

U
Unknown Analyst

But the size, can you give some color what it was for last FY '21, '22 and how FY '22, '23 will be closing in terms of the absolute number of the greenfield expansion that has -- greenfield and brownfield both included?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

So the correct spending at around 40 million this year.

U
Unknown Analyst

I didn't get the numbers, sir. Come again?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

It's 40 million. That is the forecast for the current year that we gave in the earnings release.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, and on the line item trade charges, we have seen a significant increase...

Operator

Sorry to interrupt you Mr. Kapoor, may we request you to please rejoin the queue, we have participants waiting. The next question is from the line of Rajesh Ravi from HDFC Securities. As there is no response, we'll move to the next question, which is from the line of Prateek Maheshwari from HSBC Securities.

P
Prateek Maheshwari
analyst

Sir, just wanted to check on 2 things. One is the lead distance hasn't changed materially quarter-to-quarter, but there's an increase of 8% in freight cost. Just wanted to understand what has led to that? Was it any change in the rail share or something? And the other thing I just wanted to get an update on the Bihar expansion also.

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

So on freight cost, the major cost increase has come on account of imposition of busy season surcharge input by the railways from October onwards. So that's 1 of the major accounts on which freight cost has gone up. In fact, various other initiatives which we have taken. So we have been able to contain our logistic cost to this extent.

P
Prateek Maheshwari
analyst

And sir, can you share the rail share at the company level?

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

17%.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Navin Sahadeo from Nuvama Institutional Equities.

N
Navin Sahadeo
analyst

Hello.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Hello. Yes, please?

N
Navin Sahadeo
analyst

Sir, just 1 quick question. I'm sorry, I got logged out. I'm sorry if this question is a was about JPA acquisitions. So I'm sure you would have done this due diligence of these assets and hence arrived at this acquisition number of INR 3,230 crores. My question is, does it require any more CapEx on 2 counts? One is, of course, to scale since I believe this clinker, we know these assets are slightly old. So does it require, first of all, to get them at par to optimal utilization is 1. And second, of course, is a CapEx requirement to bring the overall efficiency at par to the company benchmarks.

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

As I said earlier in regard to how to bring up operational efficiencies to our company of group standard, we will share once we are able to take our start with operations. At the same time in regard to starting operations or setup expenses, there will not be much significant.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Hitendra Gupta from Systematix.

U
Unknown Analyst

Congratulations on good set of numbers...

Operator

Mr. Gupta, I'm sorry to interrupt, but there is a lot of disturbance from your background.

U
Unknown Analyst

So my question is regarding freight cost, though I understand there was a busy surcharge railways, but the cost has increased from INR 600 crores to INR 700 crores. Do you think it will be continuing going forward in the future also?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Yes, freight cost would be around that number.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And the basis going forward, the rail share would remain at 17%, sir or it would increase?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Maybe I'm just -- being just 19% only. Not much because the rail percentage more -- is higher in case of our East operations.

U
Unknown Analyst

East operations. Okay. And how much percentage of East operations we have right now in terms of dispatches over in that region?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

The reason why is the description which is not yet approved.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Surya Narayan from Sunidhi Securities.

U
Unknown Analyst

Am I audible, sir?

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Yes, please?

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes. So most of my questions have been answered. But all I wanted is, recently, the new coal prices have dropped significantly.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Sorry?

U
Unknown Analyst

Recently, the new coal prices have dropped significantly, around 42% last year. So overall, 48% from the top. So are we -- so my question is that, to what extent are the -- this coal will be dropping further so that the increasing the pet coke will be over?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Whenever we decide about procurement of fuel, we do analyze the cost, whether it's imported coal from any country as well as Indian coal. And based on that, we take decision for each plant. So at the moment, except in 1 plant, everywhere we do find that our pet coke is most economical. And wherever they are short distance coal which is available in India, we do procure that fast. So at the moment, imported coal hardly is economical.

U
Unknown Analyst

That's correct. But about the pet coke facility, Reliance has opted out to sell the pet coke to the local market. So cement companies have to positively import. So what is that is, are we sourcing pet coke from local sources or we will reset import altogether?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

We do not buy pet coke from Reliance because of logistic distance, and that's why we do import pet coke. And at the same time, 3%, 4%, we do buy from franchise.

U
Unknown Analyst

So after this Reliance announcement, any spike in the pet coke we're seeing?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Not to our knowledge.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Prateek Kumar from Jefferies.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

My question is on your net debt calculation. So sir, basically, you include the impact of net debt in IEX, while we don't include the investments in Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Dalmia refractoring our net debt calculation. So while all of these 3 should be nonstrategic on core investment only. So any specific reason there?

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Dalmia Bharat Sugar as well as Dalmia Bharat Refractories. So these being group companies. So there is no intent to sell immediately. That is why and to say strictly the DBRL is part of the associates. So that is not counted as current investment, while IEX has a current investment that is discounted for debt equity, net-debt to EBITDA.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

So even Dalmia Refractories was considered in our...

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

It was of our stake being more than 20%, so it's an associate, associate is not counted in that.

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Prateek, if I can add. See sugar is a strategic investment. So with respect to the percentage stake that we have in Sugar it is a strategic investment because in Dalmia Group, we believe that cement, sugar our core businesses that we have.

IEX, will say it's more of a treasury investment, which is done many years back, and that is something to discuss with length in terms of our intent to value to this time. And third is refractories, and if you remember, we had said that as we come out of a noncore asset. The factories we had actually destructing to concentrate all the assets would have been get a better value and that you've already done. So that is again the companies that have more than 20% stake. It's an associate, and this has shown the way as shown. But again, our intention is to see that we want to come out of the more to associates.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, we will be only taking 1 or 2 questions from the participants. The next question is from the line of Shravan Shah from Dolat Capital.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

One data point of premium share. What was in the third quarter? Second, when we say our rail share has -- is only at 17%, then the increase in various reasons surcharge, how come that can increase overall logistics that is a freight cost by close to 8% or maybe INR 82 per tonne.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Yes. So premium proportion in this quarter was 22%.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Sorry, 42?

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

22. 22.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

22.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Yes, compared to 30% in the previous quarter. And coming to the logistic cost, investment, 1 major factor was the reason surcharge that expensed about INR 65 per tonne impact and balances on account of the we were having the incentive -- the rail incentive till last quarter, which finished in this quarter. That is now basis slightly gone up.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Okay. And last, sir, in terms of the pricing since December till now, have you taken price hike in any of the reason and the current pricing, is it lower than the average of the third quarter?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

There is no price increase in the month of January, please.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

And current prices, is the -- is at par with the average of the third quarter? Or is it lower?

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Broadly. Broadly, we are there.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, this was the last question for today. I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Puneet Dalmia for closing comments.

P
Puneet Dalmia
executive

Thank you very much for all your participation and questions. As I said that we are at the cusp of inflection point at Dalmia, and we are very excited about the future of India and the future of Dalmia. So look forward to your continued engagement and guidance and critique, and thank you very much for your participation. Good day. Bye-bye.

M
Mahendra Singhi
executive

Thanks, friends. Thanks everyone.

Operator

Thank you. On behalf of Dalmia Bharat Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines.