Fermenta Biotech Ltd. (formerly DIL Limited) declares interim dividend of 100% (Rs.5/- per share) and also announces launch of Backward Integration Project

Mumbai, November 28, 2019 : Fermenta Biotech Ltd. (BSE: 506414) (previously known as DIL Ltd.) today announced results for the second quarter and first half of the current financial year, in a challenging global business environment. On a standalone basis for the quarter, the total Revenue (including other income) stood at Rs.85.98 Cr as against Rs.130.56 Cr in Q2FY19. The EBDITA (including other income) came in at Rs.20.82 Cr with margins at 24%. The PAT at Rs.32.66 Cr as against Rs.27.34 Cr in Q2FY19, includes recognition of deferred tax asset of Rs.16.03 Cr in the current quarter.

The Board approved an interim dividend of 100%, i.e. Rs. 5/- per equity share.

The company also announced the opening of a wholly owned subsidiary in Germany to address the demand in the European market and be strategically located closer to customers across the European continent. This subsidiary would also manufacture value-added products like D3 500 Feed grade, D3 100 Food grade, etc. in Europe through third parties. These value-added products would typically be new variants utilizing third party resources in terms of plant, equipment etc. This will strengthen Fermenta Biotech’s position in terms of quality, reach and tap into new customers without any additional CAPEX.

Commenting on the performance and merger, Mr. Krishna Datla, Managing Director, Fermenta Biotech Ltd. said, “We are pleased to announce that The National Company Law Tribunal, Bench at Mumbai has approved the Scheme of Amalgamation between DIL Ltd. and Fermenta Biotech Ltd. This would bring overall efficiency in the running and management of the business. The merger has further strengthened our balance sheet and cash flows, which has enabled us to retire a significant part of long-term debt. The Company has announced an interim dividend of 100% and is well placed to implement and execute appropriate returns to the shareholders, with the bandwidth to undertake organic and inorganic growth plans.”

“As part of our ongoing efforts to be a fully integrated entity in the entire value chain of Vitamin D3 production and products, we are pleased to announce that our multi-synthesis plant at Dahej would start manufacturing cholesterol from wool grease soon. This will bring in self-sufficiency; de-risk us from vagaries as experienced in FY2015 apart from cost savings,” he added.

Revenue during H1FY20 was Rs.170.09 crores as against Rs.214.01 crores in H1FY19. The EBDITA margins was 28.4% in H1FY20 as against 35.3% in H1FY19. Revenues and margins were under pressure due to decline in prices of Vitamin D3 Animal Feed, A major outbreak of African swine fever in several Asian countries effected consumption which also led to the price decline.  In addition, the technical issues faced by one of the largest Vitamin D3 customer of the Company at their production facility, continued to impact the revenue.

In a strategic backward integration move, the Board of Directors have decided to utilize the multi-synthesis plant at Dahej for manufacturing of Cholesterol, a key raw material, from wool grease. Production is expected to commence in Q4 FY20.

Expressing optimism about the future demand, Mr. Datla said, “Looking at the demand for Vitamin D3 backed by growing awareness, we believe that volumes will continue to grow at 15-20% CAGR over the next 5 years. We continue to look at avenues to monetise our real estate assets to strengthen our efforts towards transforming from being dependent on Vitamin D3 to a multi-vitamin and value-added ingredient based, Nutraceutical Company.”

Note: The National Company Law Tribunal, Bench at Mumbai, has approved the Scheme of Amalgamation (‘Scheme’) between the Transferee company i.e. DIL Limited (DIL) and the Transferor company i.e. Fermenta Biotech Limited (FBL) and their respective shareholders. The Scheme has become effective from September 26, 2019. The appointed date of the Scheme is April 1, 2018. Accordingly, the effect of the Scheme has been given in the unaudited consolidated financial results for the quarter and half year ended September 30, 2019 and the figures for the corresponding previous periods/year have been restated. The name of the amalgamated company has been changed from DIL Limited to Fermenta Biotech Limited.

Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)