Insilco Ltd - Stock Valuation and Financial Performance

Insilco, a group company of Degussa AG, Germany, is the leading producer of precipitated silica in South Asia. It was formed as a joint venture company in 1988 and in April 1999, Degussa took over the majority equity holding, thereby raising their holdings to 63%, rest being widely distributed among public.

Insilco is engaged in the manufacture and sale of precipitated silica. It is subsidiary of RAG Projektgesellschaft (RAGP)

The company manufactures all types of silica, derivative thereof and minerals of silica including spray dried silica. The company has two manufacturing units located in Gajraula, UP and Patalganga, Maharashtra. They have a combined installed capacity of 30,250 MTPA. The company uses raw materials that include sand, soda ash and sulphuric acid in the manufacture of its products. Insilco is in the process of introducing new grades of silica with technical and marketing support from its promoters in Germany. It has also established two laboratories, which are engaged in developing new product grades and application of silica.

Insilco produces different grades of silica, catering to the requirement of customers in rubber and non-rubber segments. Its main customers comprise of companies manufacturing tyres, rice hulling rollers, footwear, mechanical rubber goods in rubber segment, plant protection, feed, food, detergents, battery separators and toothpaste customers fall under the non-rubber segment.

Business areas of the company:

The company's principal activity is to manufacture and sell precipitated silica. It produces different grades of precipitated silica, catering to the requirements of customers in rubber and non-rubber segments. The rubber applications include tyres, footwears, rice roller, rubber auto parts and miscellaneous rubber goods industries. The non-rubber applications include plant protection, feed, food, toothpaste, detergents, battery separator, paints, silicon rubber, frp, defoamer, pharmaceuticals and distilleries.

Milestones:

1988 Insilco Ltd., was incorporated on 19th October, and the Company obtained the Certificate of Commencement of Business of 17th November, 1988. The main object of the company is to manufacture all types of silica, derivative thereof and Minerals of silica including spray dried silica. It was promoted by Vam Organic Chemicals and Degussa AG (Germany). The Company undertook to set up a project for the manufacture of spray dried silica with a capacity of 12,000 TPA at Gujraula, Uttar Pradesh.

The Company entered into a technical collaboration agreement with Degussa A.G. of Germany for importing of technical know-how, training of personnel, assistance during the erection and commissioning and trial run. 1993 New product grades were introduced for untapped applications such as toothpaste, low priced footwear etc. 1994 Effective 1st December, the Company's scheme of expansion of capacity from 12,000 TPA to 15,000 TPA became operational. 1998 Insilco applied for an injunction against the sale of the DCW Home Products Ltd plant to International Bestfoods Ltd (formerly called Corn Products India) until it recovered its dues from DCW. 1999 Board approves the transfer of entire holding of Indian Promoter in favour of the foreign Promoter i.e. Degussa-Huls AG of Germany. Degussa Huels AG of Germany has bought the 34 per cent shareholding of Bhartiyas in Insilco Limited in a deal worth million. INSILCO the Indian arm of chemical giant Degussa AG of Germany purchased the silica division of Metazinc (India) promoted by an NRI businessman Sanjay Shah. Subsidiary of global giant  Degussa-Huls AG of Germany  acquired the Mumbai-based silica plant of Anandeya Silica  division of Metazinc (India). 2000 CRISIL upgraded its rating in respect of company's Rs.300 million PCDs from A- to AA-.