Chemicals / Caustic Soda

Primo Chemicals Ltd

₹00.1667

PRIMO

Company Overview

Primo Chemicals Limited, originally incorporated in 1975 as Punjab Alkalies & Chemicals Ltd, officially changed its name to Primo Chemicals Limited on December 19, 2022. The company holds the distinction of being the largest producer of Caustic Soda in Northern India. It operates two manufacturing units utilizing advanced Membrane Cell Technology at its Plant Complex located in Naya Nangal, District Ropar, Punjab, India. The company's shares are actively traded on both major Indian stock exchanges, under the symbol PRIMO on the NSE and with the scrip code 506852 on the BSE.

Primo Chemicals Limited is a significant player in the production of caustic soda within the North Indian region. Its primary product is Caustic Soda Lye, with a daily production capacity of approximately 500 tons. The company has successfully increased its Caustic production capacity from 300 TPA to 500 TPA, resulting in a combined manufacturing capacity of 165,000 TPA of Caustic Soda.

Product Portfolio and Applications

The company's core business involves the manufacturing of a range of chemical products. Its primary offerings include:

- Caustic Soda Lye

- Hydrochloric Acid

- Liquid Chlorine

- Sodium Hypochlorite

- Hydrogen Gas

- Stable Bleaching Powder

- Caustic Soda Flakes

- Aluminium Chloride

The key products in Primo Chemicals' portfolio are Caustic Soda Lye, with by-products such as Hydrochloric Acid, Liquid Chlorine, Sodium Hypochlorite, and Hydrogen gas.

These products are vital for various industrial applications:

- Caustic Soda Lye and Caustic Soda Flake are used extensively in the Paper & Paper Pulp, Soap & Detergents, Textile, Dye Stuff industries, the Aluminium industry, Fertilizers & Refineries, Viscose & Rayon production, and Water demineralization processes.

- Hydrochloric Acid finds applications in Water demineralization for Power & Fertilizer Plants, Metal pickling, and the preparation of various metal chlorides.

- Liquid Chlorine products are crucial for water treatment plants, paper manufacturing, chloromethanes, and numerous other chemical processes.

Financial Performance

Primo Chemicals has demonstrated strong and consistent revenue growth in recent financial periods. For March 2025 (Q4 FY25), the company reported standalone net sales of Rs 155.42 crore, marking a substantial 51.67% increase year-on-year. The company also achieved an impressive EBITDA growth of 313.7% during the same quarter, while its net loss significantly decreased to Rs 1.12 crore.

For the full financial year FY25, Primo Chemicals reported audited standalone and consolidated results. The consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at Rs 355.98 lakhs, and standalone PAT was Rs 235.21 lakhs. Revenue has shown consistent upward momentum for the past six consecutive quarters, growing from ₹95.13 Cr to ₹159.84 Cr (in ₹), with an average quarterly increase of approximately 9.8%.

Key Financial Metrics:

- Revenue (Q4 FY25): ₹155.42 Cr (51.67% YoY Growth)

- Net Profit (FY25 Consolidated PAT): Rs 3.56 Cr

- EBITDA Growth (Q4 FY25): 313.7%

- Revenue Growth (Avg. per quarter): ~9.8% over the last 6 quarters

Market Position and Valuation

As of April 2025, Primo Chemicals has a market capitalization ranging between ₹662-664 crore. The latest reported Price-to-Earnings (PE) ratio for Primo Chemicals Ltd as of April 25, 2025, is 59.54, and the Price-to-Book (PB) ratio stands at 0.53. The company's stock has experienced some volatility, with a 52-week high of ₹29.48 and a 52-week low of ₹26.56 recorded on the NSE.

Industry Standing and Growth Prospects

Primo Chemicals operates predominantly within the chemicals sector, focusing on the production of caustic soda and its allied products. As the largest caustic soda producer in Northern India, the company holds a strategically important position in the regional chemical industry landscape. It has modernized its operations by adopting membrane cell technology, which is notably more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly compared to older mercury cell technologies.

The Indian chemical industry continues to benefit from robust demand across various end-user sectors, including textiles, paper, aluminum, and water treatment. Primo Chemicals is well-positioned to leverage this demand, owing to its established market presence and substantial production capabilities in Northern India.

Technology and Infrastructure

The company has consistently invested in upgrading its manufacturing technologies and improving its infrastructure. In a significant development in March 2021, the Board of Directors approved the proposal to acquire and install a Captive Power Plant with a capacity of 35 MW, utilizing second-hand plant and machinery from Durva Infratech LLP. This strategic investment in captive power generation is anticipated to significantly reduce power costs, which represent a substantial operational expenditure in chemical manufacturing.

Primo Chemicals holds ISO 9002 certification, underscoring its commitment to quality management. The company has also expanded its installed capacity for caustic soda, liquid chlorine, and hydrogen gas to 99,000 MT, 87,714 MT, and 277,200 NM3, respectively. Furthermore, it has focused on process optimization, including upgrading membrane cells in its 100 TPD caustic soda plant to reduce power consumption and has successfully absorbed the technical know-how for the membrane technology in its 200 TPD Membrane Cell converted Caustic Soda Plant.

Primo Chemicals represents a focused investment opportunity in the chemical sector, underpinned by its dominant position in caustic soda production in Northern India, its adoption of modern technology, and its strategic alignment with growing demand from diverse industrial applications.