JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd
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JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd
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Earnings Call Transcript

Earnings Call Transcript
2024-Q4

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Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to JK Lakshmi Cement Limited Quarter and Year Ended 31st March 2024 Conference Call hosted by PhillipCapital India Private Limited. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Vaibhav Agarwal PhillipCapital India Private Limited. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

V
Vaibhav Agarwal
analyst

Yes. Thank you, Michelle. Good evening, everyone. On behalf of PhillipCapital India Private Limited, we welcome you to the earnings call of JK Lakshmi Cement for the quarter and year ended 31st March 2024. I need to highlight that JK Lakshmi Cement is also the holding company of its listed entity, Udaipur Cement Works Limited, and therefore, this call is also open for discussion about the performance of Udaipur Cement Works Limited.

On the call, we have with us Mr. Arun Kumar Shukla, President and Director; and Mr. Sudhir Bidkar, CFO at JK Lakshmi Cement. I would like to mention on behalf of JK Lakshmi Cement and its management that certain statements that may be made or discussed on this conference call may be forward-looking statements related to future developments and which are based on current expectations. These statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, which may cause actual developments and results to differ materially from the statements made. JK Lakshmi Cement Limited and the management of the company assumes no obligation to publicly update or alter these forward-looking shipments, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise.

I will now hand over the floor to the management of JK Lakshmi Cement for the opening remarks, which will be followed by interactive Q&A. Thank you and over to you sir.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Good afternoon. Good afternoon to all of you, and thanks for attending this call. We hope -- I think you have -- must have gone through our presentation, which we have already uploaded over the website. Right -- but before that, I think I'll give you a brief glimpse of what has happened in the quarter 4 of last year and also for the whole year. So we have been through a very good journey at JK Lakshmi Cement and Udaipur Cement Works Limited with respect to the progress which we have made.

As I said, around a year back or even more than that, that we are trying to bridge our gap with respect to our competitors in terms of EBITDA per tonne. And that is what I think we have been trying to do for the last 18 months or so. In my earlier conversations and during meeting with you I have told you that what all areas we are working on. And perhaps all those things are well-directional, and we have started getting advantage out of that.

So that resulted into -- that effort has resulted into bridging our gap with respect to EBITDA per tonne and with respect to competitors. Quarter 4, if you see -- I think, yes, our volume is a little bit on a lower side, primarily because of the fact that we have reduced our volume from our outsourced unit. And also, our focus was really kind of improve our efficiency at across the value chain, right? In terms of renewable energy, we have progressed very well. Quarter 4, we are at 47% at the group level and individually at JKLC and Udaipur Cement Works Limited, we are at 39% and 46% level.

So renewable energy also we have progressed very well. On AFR front, which is one of our prime focusing year with respect to manufacturing costs. There also we have progressed very well. Last quarter, we have closed our TSR at 7%, which was 4% last year. And quarter 4, if you look at the quarter 4 alone, then our TSR was 11.27% including the Jaykaypuram and Durg. On premium product front also, we have progressed very well. Yes, I think where segment is on little lower side, but west and north where sizeable premium segment is there, our premium proportion is more than 25% in these 2 markets, right?

On supply chain, we have progress on reducing our lead. Lead is at 372 kilometers at the end of quarter 4. And if you look at last year, I think our lead reduction is more than 25 kilometers, right? Along this supply chain, also, we have done quite a bit on improving our direct percentage, then using technology to improve our customer experience, right? So this is all supply chain part of it. On project front, first phase of AFT, we have already concluded, which I told you during our last conversation. Udaipur Cement Works Limited, we commissioned our grinding stations of 2.5 million tonnes on 28th of October -- 28th of March 2024, right?

And Durg Railway Project, first phase, we are almost -- we are likely to conclude very soon. We have already started loading clinker from that site to our different locations for selling as well as transferring clinker to our grinding stations. So this is on project front. What else I think -- this is what I think, I'll just take you for questions. If anything I missed out, I just wanted to give you a brief as to how we have progressed. You have seen our EBITDA per tonne last quarter. And we are happy that whatever actions we have taken, we have been on the right track. So now I take a pause, and I wait for your questions. Our CFO, Mr. Bidkar, and I'm here to answer your questions.

Operator

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

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Congrats on a good set of numbers, predominantly on the margins front, third consecutive quarter of good performance. Am I audible?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Yes, yes. Very well. Please go ahead.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Sure, sure. Sir, could you discuss on, first, the expansion plans? How would this Udaipur expansion -- not Udaipur, this Gujarat -- Surat expansion? And then what are the plans on the East expansions and also touch upon what are the thoughts on the Northeast expansion? What sort of CapEx and expenditure you're looking for the Northeast expansions in FY '25? And what is your plan for next 2 years in terms of -- because you're looking at 30 million tonnes by FY 2030?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Thank you, Rajesh. As far as Surat grinding unit is concerned, we are doubling the capacity from 1.5 million to 2.7 million. So that is on screen going at per the original schedule. As regards to the expansion in Durg, we are talking of a 2.3 million clinker and a 4.6 million cement capacity. There, we are talking of one -- 3 split location grinding unit and 1 grinding unit at the integrated plant in Durg. That will cost us close to about INR 2,500 crores. So we have -- in the first phase, we'll go with the clinkerization plus grinding unit in Durg, that is the integrated plant and in UP, Prayagraj. Then we'll have the other split location located grinding units in Jharkhand and Bihar.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

So Udaipur, when you're looking at Surat, the expansion this year only FY '25, it will be operational?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Yes, towards the end of the year. And -- but as first phase of Durg is concerned, that is FY '26 towards the end and second phase towards the end of FY '27. From the cost, it is about INR 225 crores for the Surat grinding unit and INR 2,500 crores for the Durg expansion. The Northeast project, we are presently in the process of acquiring land, which is still some time away before we can talk of the exact time line for that project there.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

And sir, this INR 330 crores is already paid for the acquisition?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

No, we have not paid, that is being phased out. We have paid about INR 125-odd crores only.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

So this INR 1,500 crores includes everything or this is over and above this INR 330 crores?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

This INR 1,500 crores is for the project. So the INR 325 crores would be over and above that.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. So around INR 1,800-odd crore and by when do you -- is it fair to assume that this will get commissioned, if at all, by FY '27 and/or FY '28, because it is a greenfield project?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

That will take some time, I'm not able to give a time line because we are working on those external approvals like land acquisition, environmental clearance and all that. So once those are in place, then 2 years thereafter, we should target the start of the greenfield.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. And coming back to the operations, could you give the non -- this RMC revenue and noncement revenue and EBITDA for the contribution in Q4?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

The non-revenue -- non-cement revenue was INR 154 crore -- in this quarter were INR 154 crores.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

And RMC is how much in that?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

RMC INR 86 crores out of that, INR 21 crores in UP and [Technical Difficulty].

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. And EBITDA margin for this non-cement revenue would be around 4%? Or better than that?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

5%.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

How much?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

5%.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

And sir, how are you looking at the Gujarat market, just wanted to ask because this is a very critical market for you and Duramix also, you have been guiding that you're making good profitability in Gujarat market. So any views given that Ambuja is ramping up its plant in the Sanghi unit and would be billing under ACC and Ambuja brand. So what is your thought process? Do you see pricing erosion and that could have a bearing on players like you because for you, Gujarat is a big market in terms of your total volumes?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

As I said before, [Technical Difficulty] that actually a market is not going to behave in one way.

Operator

I'm sorry to interrupt. Sir, your voice is breaking. Sir, your voice is breaking.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Pardon me. Now audible?

Operator

Yes sir. Can you please repeat?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

What I said is that West market is not going to behave irrationally because as a rational person, I believe that market is going to behave rationally and therefore, it's not going to be [Technical Difficulty] with respect to the pricing trend, right? And that happens everywhere, not only for West, but everywhere. And that's what still I believe. And we are discussing this for the last maybe 2, 3 quarters, but perhaps it is not much of a change. And the West is behaving the same way as other markets are behaving, North, East or even other market trends. No kind of radical change in terms of price dynamic.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. Okay. And lastly, in FY '24 from Q4 onwards, what was the sale cost...

Operator

Sir, I am sorry to interrupt. Mr. Ravi, could you please hold the line. I would request the management to just disconnect and connect back. Sir I will disconnect your line and connect you back as the audio is breaking right now. Ladies and gentlemen, the line for the management has been reconnected. Over to you, sir. Mr. Ravi, can you please go ahead with your question now. Mr. Rajesh Kumar Ravi?

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Hello, am I audible now?

Operator

Yes, sir, please continue.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Sir, what are the cost levers you're looking at in FY '25 in terms of fuel and other efficiencies versus FY '24?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

So one of the major cost driver for us would be improving TSR. So as I said that last quarter, our TSR was 11.27%. And FY '23, it was 4.11%. And last quarter was 7.01%. So I think this is going to be one of our major lever for improving efficiency one. Second, we are also working on further improving our renewable energy proposal. And as I said that in quarter 4, we were at 47% of renewable energy.

We are planning to enhance our capacity on solar. So we are working on that. Another 7-megawatt at Sirohi, then I think we are working at other locations also. That is still under planning. So maybe next time I'll tell you. So solar is another area where we are going to work. Our -- this AFR facility at Udaipur also will get commissioned during September. So we have not yet commissioned, so that will also get commissioned. So this is going to be TSR and renewable energy is going to be a major driver as far as cost goes. Apart from that, all those cost levers because we are heavily working on digital and technology. How we are going to really improve our efficiencies across plant operations -- that is what we are working on. We are working with some organizations also to really come out with some kind of digital solutions. So these are the major activity as far as cost to us.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Sir, this TSR at more than 11%. Sir, how is your costing per kilo cal versus your normal fuel cost? Because blended, you are close to 1.7%, 1.8%. so increasing the TSR, how is that helping in terms of costing also, sir? I understand it is helping your green mix for sure.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

The cost of TSR is about 1.2 now. That varies across locations. East, it is a little on the higher side, and in North part of it, it is on the lower side. On an average, you can take about 1.5, 1.2 whereas if you take conventional fuel, means about 1.8 plus because blended is about 1.68.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Saving for every event.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

For the saving.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

And last one, what was the [indiscernible]?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

We are a very responsible corporate and we have committed to be carbon neutral by 2047. So in a way, this is also going to help us to reduce our carbon footprint. So over and above, cost efficiency is also kind of renders our responsibility towards our commitment to mitigate carbon footprint.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

And sir, how has been the trade and blended share in Q4?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Yes. So trade was 56% and blended 66%.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

56% and 66%, okay. Okay.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Mangesh Bhadang from Centrum Broking.

M
Mangesh Bhadang
analyst

Congrats on a good set of numbers. Sir, my question is related to the volume. So we have had flattish volumes at consolidated level and we have commissioned our Udaipur clinkerization unit in October. So I just wanted to understand, is there any -- have we done any clinker sales from that plant or what kind of contribution or utilization that plant would have had in this quarter at the consolidated level?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Yes. So yes, since we commissioned our grinding station during March -- end of March 2024, and we commissioned our clinkerization unit in October. So yes, we had some excess clinker with us, which we sold in the market, right? So capacity utilization at UCWL, what is it? Yes. I'll just let you know.

Clinker as well as cement. Cement, I think anyway, I think it was not there. 80% is cement. Cement over 90% last quarter, last quarter 90% and clinker line 2. Just hold on, and we'll just let you know.

M
Mangesh Bhadang
analyst

Sir, basically, the next question was, have we capitalized any costs related to UCW in this quarter?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Sorry, I think come again, I just missed a few questions.

M
Mangesh Bhadang
analyst

Have we capitalized any costs related to UCW in this quarter?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Capitalization was only up to the period of implementation. Other than that, there's no capitalization.

M
Mangesh Bhadang
analyst

Okay. Great. And sir, secondly, so we have seen substantial improvement in our cost over the past couple of years. So I just wanted a couple of the actual operating parameters, like what is the change in the specific heat consumption of the kiln as well as the electricity consumption per, say, tonne of cement. So how have these parameters changed over the last 2 years? And definitely, with the new kiln coming up, there should be an improvement. So what kind of numbers we are expecting on that side?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Okay. So our cost, the last quarter on consolidated level if you look at 5.3. So our power cost was 5.3. And of course, the per kilo cal cost was 1.68, right? And...

M
Mangesh Bhadang
analyst

So electricity consumption, not in terms of rupees in terms of the units for tonne of production, units required. So around 73, 74. How it is?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Yes. 69 units power for tonne of cement.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Prateek Kumar from Jefferies.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Congrats for good results. My first question is on your -- I mean, you talked about CapEx number. Just can you repeat your CapEx numbers expected for FY '25-'26? Total CapEx numbers, including project, working capital -- project or other maintenance CapEx?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Yes. You want for the next year?

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

For FY '25 and FY '26? .

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Yes . Yes. FY '26 -- FY '25 rather, including the Durg expansion, we would do close to about INR 1,200 crores which will have -- which will include about INR 600 crores on Durg expansion and including the normal CapEx of about INR 50 crores. And FY '26 would be another INR 1,000 crores.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Okay. You said INR 1,800 crores in between and earlier in the call?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Sorry.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Earlier in the call you said INR 1,800 crores CapEx for FY '25?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

That was only for Northeast. That is separate. That is over 3, 4 years. You are talking about financial year wise?

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Okay. Okay. That was the Northeast CapEx. Okay.

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

That was INR 1,800 crore is for the Northeast, which includes INR 1,500 crores for the project and INR 300 crore, that is only for Northeast. And that this INR 1,300 crores, INR 1,200 crores, which I'm talking is only in JK Lakshmi. That is another company.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Right. Okay. And in the opening remarks, you highlighted some reasons for volume load being slower. Can you highlight those again? Because it's not very clear.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Volume, I said that if you look at consolidated level on FY '24, we grew by about 5%, right? If you look at a quarter basis, then we are almost flat. Now the reason which I mentioned was that we have reduced our sales from some outsourced units. And I'll just tell you a little in detail.

We had one an outsourced grinding station in Punjab. So that was taken over by some other players. So we had to stop selling from that grinding station. We also reduced our volume substantially from Amethi outsourced plant because the kind of margin or profitability we wanted, I think that was not coming.

So that was second. And there are other some sources where our volume uptick was low and that was a deliberate one. So that was one reason why volume is low. Second, I think all of you should understand. If you look at quarter 4 only JK Lakshmi Cement, stand-alone, our utilization was 89%. And if you look at 65-35 kind of ratio of 66-34 blended versus OPC, so this is the optimal what we could have sold, right?

So I think we have utilized our full capacity given the product mix which we have, right? And if you look at overall basis also our capacity utilization was 81%, which is above industry average. And again, I'll go back to that rational that our looking at the product mix which we have, that is what we could have done. And that also includes that July, September month, which is cyclically low in demand, right? So that is why our volume was on lower side. In fact, in quarter 4, we were lacking volume. We did not have volume to kind of sell, right? Demand was there. If you look at Udaipur, Udaipur utilized 90% of capacity. JK Lakshmi, 89%. So this is what I think best you could have done.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Okay. And what would be your -- like FY '24 year-end capacity is like 16.5 million tonne as I guess 14 million earlier and 2.5 million was commissioned consolidated capacity? What would be year-end capacity of FY '25, '26, yes, '25-'26, right?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

'24-'25, you're asking, right?

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Yes. So FY '25 and then FY '26?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Yes. So I think we have taken a ramp-up plan. Based on that, we'll definitely achieve on an overall basis consol basis 70% and then next year on 80%. That is what we have said. Because 70% includes that 2.5 million additional capacity, which we have already put up and 1.35 million also, which will come during the last quarter of this financial year.

P
Prateek Kumar
analyst

Sure. In FY '26, 2.4 million tonne capacity will come at East locations?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

FY '26, I think will have full 1.35 million tonnes from Surat. And we'll have, of course, I think, good capacity utilization of Udaipur also. Udaipur line 2, 2.5 million tonnes. Any clarification, you can -- So overall basis, you just remember 2 figures, 70% and 80%. This is what we are targeting.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Praveen from Anandam Enterprises.

U
Unknown Analyst

My first question is, what is the current status of conveyor belt at Durg and when it will be completed?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

So conveyor belt, the status is, as you know, that this 5 conveyer belt passes through a stretch of land, which belongs to Steel Authority of India Limited Bhilai Steel Plant. We are pursuing this matter with them, and that is on the final stages of approval. So we can get this approval in the next maybe a month or so. Once that approval is in place, we'll start working on that. But in parallel, we have already started kind of getting ourselves ready. Once we have this approval in our hand, we'll just right away start working on that. So I think maybe a month or 2, we need to wait for approval and then maybe another 6 months, we'll take to put this online.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay, sir. Sir, my second question is, what is the current capacity utilization of Udaipur Cement's new greenfield plant of 2.5 million tonnes?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

So current, I think we have just started in -- maybe in April, I think let's say. So it's about 40% around.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay, Sir. Sir, my third and last question is how much sales you have reported from contract manufacturing sales? And where do you report it in this sale?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

So we have not...

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

We have not included anything.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

That volume, we have not included, right?

U
Unknown Analyst

Sorry, sir. Can't hear you properly.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

So unit volume is not part of the volume, which we have reported.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Uttam Kumar Srimal from Axis Securities Limited.

U
Uttam Srimal
analyst

Congratulation on good set of numbers. My question pertains to, sir, pricing, how is the current pricing in the region where we are operating in West, East and North. Further, second question is on power and fuel. You said our PCL cost is 1.68. So any further reduction we are expecting in ongoing going quarter?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Yes. So first question first. So you asked about prices, right? So I'll just give -- I'll take you back a little back. If you look at quarter 4, prices went down by about close to 5% with respect to the preceding quarter, right? And if you look at whole year prices, the kind of data we have with us, price has dropped by about 1.5% if you compare that with FY '23, okay?

So prices have gone down. And I think all industry players, they have worked on kind of taken advantage of softening fuel costs and then kind of other efficiencies, which we have been driving in our organization, right?

So price trend has not yet reversed. The kind of trend which was prevailing in the quarter 4 of this last year, that still persist. And that is because of the fact that we are through this national election. Once that election is over and results are out on 4th of June, demand will improve. So demand is on lower side.

One, that is triggering not a very good movement in price trend upwardly. In fact, prices are either going down, our prices stable in some of the markets. So price-wise, I think things are, I would say, as it was there in quarter 4. Demand is on lower side. That is what the state of the affairs today.

But I see that once elections are over, quarter 2 is going to be a little better than quarter 2 of last year. And once demand improves, then prices also will inch up. This is what I believe. -- because that is a good dynamics of demand and price. Since demand is low, prices are kind of under pressure. Once demand improves a bit, definitely prices also will go up a bit.

U
Uttam Srimal
analyst

Okay. Sir, with regard to power and fuel, so any further decline we are expecting in terms of k cal cost?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

No, I don't think so because if you look at international prices of pet coke and imported coal, that is, in fact, going a little bit upward. And from the fact that we do have some supply chain issue because of the conflict, geopolitical situation, which is there, right? So I don't think that, that is going to go down further. Maybe this is going to be kind of around range bound, it will go a little bit up maybe or may be stable. That is what I see. But definitely is not going to go down from here.

U
Uttam Srimal
analyst

Volume growth we're expecting this year FY '25?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

So as I said, we have planned along with additional 2.5 million plus 1.35 million, close to 4 million tonne additional capacity. Our plan is to achieve 70% utilization, and that translates into about close to 10% plus of volume growth. That is what we are targeting. That excludes all outsourced unit and everything.

U
Uttam Srimal
analyst

This is on a consolidated basis . On stand-alone basis, sir, if you can elaborate on that?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Very difficult because see, last quarter also, if you see Udaipur Cement Works Limited, we have grown by 33% in terms of volume growth. And in case of JKLC, it is maybe negative. I think better to look at a consol level, that would give you a better picture.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Tushar, an Individual Investor.

U
Unknown Attendee

My first question is, I just want to confirm the time line of your new Surat grinding unit. You mentioned in your commentary last quarter of FY '25.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

So Surat, we are commissioning this 1.35 in 2 phases. First phase, we are going to commission in the month of October, which is going to be 1.35 divided by 2 kind of things, around 0.7 million tonnes, right? And the next phase we'll be doing around last quarter or maybe March, April of FY '25 -- '26.

U
Unknown Attendee

March, April of FY '26?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Yes, yes. Because first, we'll kind of do this grinding and then we have pre-grinder plan also, which we'll be doing around quarter 1 or quarter 4 of this year.

U
Unknown Attendee

Okay, sir. And second question is, what are the savings possible from railway sliding that will get commissioned in September 2024?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

So [indiscernible], I think it's very difficult to really pinpoint. So I think you need to understand. This is going to help us to be more competitive in the markets of Odisha because now -- till now, we have been supplying clinker by road, which was costly. So now it will go by rail. So I think that advantage we'll get.

We have not also been able to reach out to some of the market where we want it to be, which is better in terms of pricing and also the [indiscernible] cost is lower. And particularly, I'm talking of Eastern part of MP and some part of Eastern market like Bihar and Jharkhand, right? And incoming which we take like coal and gypsum, there also we are going to get advantage.

So we are going to add a good access to the market one. We'll set better price second. But if you really want to know the kind of cost or distribution cost reduction, then it's going to be on account of the incoming which we bring in and the outdoing which we'll take to some of the market. So maybe I think we have not yet kind of clearly quantified it, but I can tell you that how much benefit we'll get out of it.

U
Unknown Attendee

Okay, sir. And sir, just the last question, can you provide any time line for expansion at Agrani cement?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Sorry, come again?

U
Unknown Attendee

Time line for expansion at Agrani cement that you recently acquired?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Agrani, okay?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

We are working on this external clearances. Once that is in place, we'll take 2 years from thereafter. So environmental clearance and after that land acquisition. Once those are in place 2 years after that. So maybe it takes about a year, 8, 9 months for those things that get completed by say, April of '25, March, April of '25, then 2 years thereafter. So maybe March, April of '27.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Shravan Shah from Dolat Capital.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Congratulations on the good profitability, INR 1,000 EBITDA per tonne second time -- second quarter in a row. Sir, just still need a clarity in terms of the CapEx absolute at consol level. So if you can help me, you have mentioned INR 1,200 crores for FY '25 and INR 1,000 crores for FY '26. Sir, total CapEx for Durg is INR 2,500 crores, Northeast is INR 1,800 crores, plus railway siding, plus WHRS, solar. So what is total that total cost out of that how much we have already spent and how much to be spent in FY '25-'26 because it seems the number is on the lower side because last time you said INR 4,000 crores plus kind of CapEx and that too in the Q4, we were looking at a much higher CapEx total FY '24, we were looking at INR 1,500 crores, but we have done INR 1,000 crores. So will it also spill over in FY '25? And based on this, how do we now look at the net debt number for FY '25, '25-'26 and maybe possible peak net debt?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

As far as CapEx is concerned, we are talking of about INR 1,200 crores in FY '25, that is only and only in JK Lakshmi. Another INR 1,000 crores thereafter and INR 1,200 crores in FY '27. So INR 1,200 crores plus INR 1,000 crores, INR 2,200 crores plus another INR 1,200 crore. That is as far as JK Lakshmi is concerned. Then coming to UCWL, they have about INR 300 crores remnant CapEx for the expansion, which will come in FY '25. Thereafter, for next 2 years, other than a maintenance CapEx of maybe about INR 15 crores, INR 20 crores, there will not be much. Third, on the Northeast project. One is the acquisition cost, which we are talking of 125 already paid in FY '24, another 200 gets paid in FY '25. And thereafter, we have the expansion, then it will be about INR 350 crores and then another INR 1,200 crores thereafter in FY '26 and '27, that is about INR 1,500 crores.

So those are broadly. So in line with these CapEx, our debt would be maybe -- we are talking of a debt equity of 2:1 overall for the project. So we'll have contract additional debt to that extent. As of now, we are talking when we see our debt position as far as JK Lakshmi is concerned, it's almost negligible.

And going forward based on this CapEx, it will be there. We are talking our gross debt on a stand-alone basis for JK Lakshmi as of March '24, about INR 700 crores, cash of INR 500 crores, so net debt of INR 200 crore for JK Lakshmi. On a consol basis, we have INR 2,000 crores of debt, INR 650 crores of cash and INR 1,400 crores of about net debt.

So we don't -- it will certainly -- I will not say it will not increase. It will certainly increase based on this CapEx, which we'll have on hand. But it will be within the norm what we had set for ourselves.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

True, true, sir, but still, I just wanted to understand. So broadly. And in terms of the railway siding, WHRS or the solar, so what would be the additional CapEx? And what would be the CapEx for the maintenance? What we have right now, you mentioned is the only the expansion one.

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Around INR 1,200 crores, that includes when we have talked about JK Lakshmi, it includes partly for expansion, partly for all that. I've not given project-wise breakup. So when I say INR 1,200 crores, it includes expansion, railway siding, [indiscernible] everything, right?

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Okay. Okay. Okay. Got it. So broadly, is it fair we can have kind of a INR 4,000 crores kind of net debt peak maybe in FY '26 or '27? Because the overall CapEx would be still would be on the higher side versus the free cash flow or the cash flow from operations for the next 3 years?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Yes, net debt will certainly increase because of the CapEx of around INR 4,000-odd crores, obviously, it will go up.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Okay. Okay. Second, in terms of just to clarify, the time line, the first phase of Durg, which will be a 1.2 MTPA grinding. So clinker is definitely there, 1.2 grinding at Durg and 1.2 grinding at Prayagraj, which will be commissioned by FY '26.

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Yes. Last quarter, FY '26.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Got it. Got it. Second, sir, you mentioned in terms of the TSR and then the AFR and increasing this, so broadly, how much more from now from this quarter, how much more we can see in terms of the cost savings? Is it possible and important is how much more we can -- definitely, we have done much better in terms of the cost reduction. So just trying to understand how much more we can do?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

So Shravan, I think I told you that our TSR is going to be more than 12% this year, which was 7% last year, right? So to that extent...

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

This is a consol number you are saying?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

This is I'm talking of JKLC, right?

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Sir, I want a consol level.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

So consol level also, right now, we do not have any TSR at Udaipur because we do not have that facility, right? So Udaipur will go to a level of about 7%, 8% and JKLC will be there at about 12%. And if you take average of this, then it will be around 10% around. From right now, let's say, average is about 6% to 10%. So 4% increase in the year FY '25.

S
Shravan Shah
analyst

Okay. Got it. Got it. And then in terms of the -- broadly, the current prices is for us as a consol level, if I have to look at it, is it fair that 1.5%, 2% would be lower versus the fourth quarter average in the cement prices for us?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Yes, prices have gone down in quarter 1 of FY '25, right? And it should be about, let's say, 1% around, 1% to 1.3%.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, we will take the last question for today, which is from the line of Rajesh Kumar Ravi from HDFC Securities.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Yes. Hello?

Operator

Yes, sir, please proceed.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Could you share on the consol, what was the clinker production in FY '24? And also how much is the clinker purchase and clinker sold in FY '24, consolidated?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Yes, yes, hold on for a sec.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Sure, sure, sir. And also, Udaipur volumes in Q4, total sales volume?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Udaipur sales volume, I can give you right away. So whole year you want?

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Yes, Q4 and whole year Udaipur?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Udaipur whole -- Q4, it was 7.56, which included cement of 6.42 and 1.14 of clinker. And for the whole year, it was 24.92 which included cement of 20.97 and 3.95 of clinker.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. And JK Lakshmi consolidated clinker production?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

That we have given in our press release.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Full year, full year, sir, total clinker production?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

We have given.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Clinker production for JK Lakshmi Cement in quarter 4 is 69.96 lakh tonnes.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

69.96 lakh tonnes, this is quarter 4.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

No, no, this is for whole of the year.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Stand-alone right?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Yes, this is for stand-alone.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

And Udaipur, how much clinker production?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Udaipur quarter 4 was 5.91 lakh tonnes. For the whole of the year is 19.75 lakh tonnes.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

19.75. And sir, how much is the clinker sales on a consol basis? And how much is clinker purchase?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

On control basis, the clinker sale was 2.32 lakh tonne in quarter 4 and for whole of the year, it was 8.7 lakh tonnes.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

8.7 lakh tonnes. And also how much is clinker purchase at different places?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

There's no clinker purchase.

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Clinker, we have not purchased.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Not purchased, okay. And so what would be your CC ratio in FY '24, cement to clinker production ratio?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

It could be about 1. ...

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

It is about 1.46.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

1.46, okay. This has also marginally improved versus FY '23, which was around 1.43, 1.44. What is the outlook, sir, you're looking at increasing this blending ratio more and more. And to what level you're looking at? Obviously, the East, you will be targeting higher because in East you're setting up 5-year grinding unit, almost 2x clinker. But purely from the Udaipur ramp-up and all, are you looking at this cement to clinker ratio going up north of 1.5x in FY '25 or in FY '26?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

So definitely, I think we are trying to reach to close to 1.5 level, right? Our endeavor is there to reach that level.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Sure. And sir, last question on the CapEx, which you enumerated in detail. It seems you will be spending INR 1,700 crores this year, INR 1,400 crores on a consol basis next year. And you mentioned that the Northeast project, INR 1,200 crores, you are targeting for FY '27 alone? Or it could again get FY '27 and '28?

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Sorry.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

The Northeast project, you mentioned that you would be spending INR 200 crores this year as a balance payment for the acquisition. And then FY '26-'27, you mentioned INR 350 crores and INR 1,200 crores, right?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Around that. Some portions may be incurred this year as well, especially on the land acquisition.

R
Rajesh Ravi
analyst

Okay. So this INR 200 crore plus some. So this year, CapEx could be higher than INR 1,700 crores, consol level?

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Project cost is INR 1,500 crores. A part may get spent in the current year and balance in the next 2 years.

Operator

As that was the last question for today. I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Vaibhav Agarwal for closing comments. Over to you, sir.

V
Vaibhav Agarwal
analyst

Yes. thank you. On behalf of PhillipCapital India Private Limited, we'd like to thank the management of JK Lakshmi Cement for the call, and many thanks to participants for joining the call. Thank you very much, sir. Michele, you can now conclude the call. Thank you so much.

S
Sudhir Bidkar
executive

Thank you, Mr. Vaibhav, and thank you for all the participants. Thank you.

A
Arun Shukla
executive

Thank you, everyone.

Operator

Thank you, sir. Thank you, members of the management. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of PhillipCapital India Private Limited, that concludes this conference call. We thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines. Thank you.

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