Recently came across a few listed cos. dealing in chlor-alkali products and its derivatives
Was pleasantly surprised to find such companies commanding 20-30% operating margins
Major players are operating at 90% + utilization and have CAPEX plans for 1-2 years...small 🧵
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What is Chlor-Alkali?
The chlor-alkali process is a widely used electrolytic process that yields chlorine and caustic soda (NaOH - Sodium Hydroxide)
Caustic soda is used in making of soap & detergents, drainpipe cleaner etc.
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Caustic soda is produced through the electrolysis of sodium chloride (NaCl) solution
3 main types of processes used to make caustic soda:
a) Mercury Cell Process
b) Diaphragm Cell Process
c) Membrane Cell Process
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Forms of Caustic Soda
Caustic soda/(NaOH) is primarily available in 3 different forms
a) Solid Caustic Soda
(i) Caustic soda pearl/Bead lets or Soda Grains
(ii) Caustic soda flakes
b) Liquid Caustic Soda/Caustic soda lye solution/NaOH in an aqueous solution
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Basic difference between Lye and Caustic Soda:
Lye can refer to either sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH), while caustic soda refers to sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
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What is Electrochemical unit realization?
The electro chemical unit (ECU) realizations represent combined weighted average realization of caustic soda, chlorine and hydrogen (wherein chlorine and hydrogen are co-products of caustic soda)
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Industrial ECU realization trend
ECU realizations: ₹23k/MT in FY21, rebounded to ₹55k/MT in FY-22
By April 2023, dropped to ₹33k/MT due to oversupply, impacting caustic soda players' profits
Attached; some manufacturer's ECU realization in chart form
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Key Raw Materials used to make Caustic Soda & its suppliers in India
o Key raw materials are salt (sodium chloride), water & energy in the form of electricity
o Key suppliers of raw materials in India include Tata Chemicals, Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals and Nirma Ltd
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Usage & applications of Caustic Soda
a) Chemical Industry
b) Paper and Pulp Industry
c) Textile Industry
d) Aluminum Industry
e) Water Treatment
f) Petroleum Industry
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Key Indian & Global Players List
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Sources referred:
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Agrochemical is an important industry for India, considering we have the largest population to feed to
2022-23 was bad for the industry with pricing challenges and excess supply from China
A lot of stocks are down 50% from highs
We decided to look at industry details 🧵
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Agrochemicals are chemical substances used in agriculture to enhance crop production, protect crops from pests, diseases, and weeds, and promote agricultural productivity
It refers to pesticides, including fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, and nematicides
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Types of Agrochemicals:
Pesticides - includes fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, and nematicides & others
Fertilizers - Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus, etc.
Others - Bio-Pesticides, Plant growth regulators, Soil conditioners, Defoliants and Desiccants, etc.
Was going through the details of a forging company which sounded extremely bullish and guided for 20% growth in FY 24 on the back of energy crisis in Europe
Decided to delve further into forging and machining industry
Here are the details 🧵
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What is Forging?
Forging is a metalworking process where a piece of metal is shaped by compressive forces, typically using a hammer, dies or a press
It's used to create complex shapes that cannot be made through other methods
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What's machining?
Machining is a precision mfg method that involves refining metal parts to precise dimensions, shapes, typically after the forging process, by using techniques such as scraping, grinding & milling to make it suitable for specific applications