Page 63 - Tata_Chemicals_yearly-reports-2017-18

over the previous year. The major contributing factors for the During the year, Rallis made progress to establish the cotton
higher EBITDA performance were increased sales volumes and and rice seeds portfolio and grew revenues by 74% over the
improved plant efficiencies. previous year. Three new products were launched, viz. cotton
Anjusha for North, Hybrid Rice RIL 222 in the fine grain segment
The year under review registered Profit after Tax of US$ 6.20
and Selection Rice Akshitha in the fine grain segment.
million (` 39.96 crore) against US$1.12 million (` 7.51 crore) in
the previous year. Better cash management and collections In Agri Services, sales of GeoGreen increased by about 25%
of outstanding VAT receivable resulted in lower than budget over the previous year. Grapes RSK initiative continued its good
interest cost. performance with substantial increase in farmers seeking this
1.2.4 Tata Chemicals International Pte Limited (‘TCIPL’) service. A few additional modules for water management and
pest management were added to make it more valuable for
The primary activities of TCIPL, a wholly owned subsidiary of
the farmers.
the Company, constitute trading, procurement and managing
investments in overseas subsidiaries. TCIPL engages in trading 3. OTHERS
of soda ash in South East Asia and Middle East, and manages
procurement of some key raw materials. TCIPL is also exploring During the year, the ‘Others’ segment including pulses, spices, Integrated Report
opportunities in allied products in these markets. water purifiers and nutritional solutions achieved a total
revenue of ` 146.07 crore against ` 374.83 crore in the previous
During FY 2017-18, TCIPL revenue was US$ 86.75 million
year, down by 61.0%.
(` 559.14 crore) and Other Income representing dividend from
its wholly owned subsidiaries was US$ 14.90 million (` 96.04 Pulses
crore). Profit after Tax was US$ 5.30 million (` 34.16 crore).
Tata Sampann is the only national player in the branded
2. OTHER AGRI INPUTS
packaged pulses space. This year, pulses production in India
Rallis India Limited (‘Rallis’) saw a growth of around 20% over last three-year average. This
has resulted in low prices throughout the year. The Company
Rallis’ consolidated revenue (net of excise) was at ` 1,790.94
has continued to focus on protein delivery through pilot
crore as against ` 1,663.52 crore in the previous year, up
launches in various platforms like dal based mixes and organic
by 7.7%. Consolidated net profit stood at ` 167.02 crore,
lower by 1.9% over the consolidated net profit of ` 170.22 pulses. The Company has also realigned the go-to-market
crore in the previous year (excluding exceptional item of model to improve freshness on shelf and focused specially on
` 126.85 crore). Standalone revenue from operations (net of the modern distribution channels. Statutory Reports
excise), at ` 1,498.42 crore, were 8.1% higher than the previous
Spices
year’s revenue of ` 1,385.71 crore. Net profit, at ` 141.49 crore,
grew marginally by 1.7% against the net profit of ` 139.18 crore During the year, three new variants were added in the Tata
in the previous year. Sampann spices portfolio viz. Sambhar Masala, Pav Bhaji
Masala and Chat Masala. The “Aaj Ka Masaledar Sach” campaign
Despite the irregular monsoon pattern and constrained
continued to drive communication regarding the superiority
acreages of few key crops in important geographies, Rallis
of Tata Sampann spices. The Company continued to focus on
was able to grow the domestic business by over 11% against
modern channels and e-commerce along with investments in
the previous year. Even in areas where the industry faced
regulatory issues, Rallis has managed to maintain its business brand to create a differentiated proposition.
due to acceptance of Rallis Samrudh Krishi at both channel and Water Purifier
farmer level. Rallis’ International Business Division achieved a
revenue growth of 9% during the year, growing to ` 479 crore, Water purifier business continued to promote affordable
as against ` 441 crore during FY 2016-17. During the year, Rallis clean drinking water through alternate marketing channels
has gained 14 registration approvals in several countries and including partnering with NGOs, village level entrepreneurs
also successfully launched 5 brands around the globe. and introduction of more cost-effective products. This year the Financial Statements
water purifier business introduced community based gravity
Rallis has launched five new products during the year. These
non-electric water purification solutions targeting schools and
are Pulito, a leading fungicide used for specialty crops for the
small hamlets.
control of a wide spectrum of diseases as well as to increase
plant/ fruit health; Cenator, a new age ready - mix formulation During the current year, following the decision to give
of Fluxapyroxad + Epoxiconazole for Paddy Sheath Blight; Odis, increased impetus and greater access to clean drinking water,
which is a one-shot ready mix of well proven chemistry with the water purifier business will be taken up through a social
different mode of actions for effective control of sucking pests
enterprise foundation, Ncourage Social Enterprise Foundation.
of rice and cotton, with a significant impact on paddy crop
This Foundation was incorporated under Section 8 of the
production; Riceup, an innovative formulation, oil dispersion
Companies Act, 2013 (‘the Act’) by the Company to establish
with broad spectrum systemic herbicide for the management
and promote social businesses which provide business
of major weeds in both direct seeded rice and transplanted rice;
solutions to social issues and will initially focus on clean
and Jashn Super, introduced for the control of key lepidopteron
drinking water.
pest, which causes significant losses to commercial crops.
Board's Report 61