Rating History
Dissemination Date Long-Term Rating Short-Term Rating Outlook Action Rating Watch
10-Jul-26 A- A2 Stable Maintain -
11-Jul-25 A- A2 Stable Maintain -
12-Jul-24 A- A2 Stable Maintain -
14-Jul-23 A- A2 Stable Maintain -
16-Jul-22 A- A2 Stable Maintain -
About the Entity

Nimir Resins Limited was incorporated in 1964, listed on the PSX in 1991, and reacquired by the Nimir Group in 2016 after a period as Descon Chemicals Limited. The Company manufactures surface coating resins, polyesters, textile and paper auxiliaries, and optical brighteners, with its head office in Lahore and registered office in Sheikhupura. The Board comprises eight members, led by CEO Mr. Zafar Mahmood, who brings over 31 years of professional experience.

Rating Rationale

Nimir Resins Limited ("NRL" or "the Company") is a listed entity engaged in the manufacturing of surface coating resins, polyesters for the paint industry, optical brighteners, and textile auxiliaries. Backed by a well-structured governance framework, a seasoned management team, and technologically equipped production facilities, the Company maintains a strong operational foundation. NRL operates through six distinct business lines: Textile Auxiliaries and Binders, Unsaturated Polyester Resins, Coatings and Emulsions, Pulp and Paper Chemicals, Adhesives and Graphics, and Trading and Exports. Part of the broader Nimir Group, with Nimir Industrial Chemicals Limited as the parent entity, NRL benefits from intra-group synergies, procurement efficiencies, and a formal corporate guarantee extended by the parent, which provides an additional layer of financial support. The entry of Rudolf Pakistan (Private) Limited, which holds a ~40% shareholding, continues to strengthen the Company's governance framework and is expected to progressively enhance its technological and formulation capabilities in specialty and higher-margin product lines. Pakistan's resin sub-segment continues to operate under a challenging demand and margin environment, characterized by high raw material intensity, exposure to global commodity price cycles, and a highly competitive, unorganized market structure that exerts persistent downward pressure on pricing. Segment-level margins have remained under pressure, reflecting the dual impact of elevated input costs and subdued downstream demand from the paints, textiles, and paper sectors. Despite this backdrop, NRL's diversified portfolio across its six business lines and its affiliation with the Nimir Group have supported operational resilience. Net revenue for 9MFY26 amounted to ~PKR 9,085mln, against ~PKR 9,259mln for FY25, with growth continuing the recovery trend observed through FY25 following the demand contraction of FY24. This recovery has been driven by a combination of volume improvement in the resin segment and price-driven pass-through under the Company's raw material-linked pricing strategy. Revenue continues to reflect an entirely domestic sales orientation, with customer concentration risk partially mitigated by NRL's breadth of end-market exposure across the adhesives, coatings, and construction chemicals sectors. Gross margin for 9MFY26 stood at ~11.1%, a modest improvement over FY25's ~10.1%, though it remains below FY24 levels, indicating that the segment's full margin recovery is yet to materialize amid continued raw material cost pressures. Within its business line portfolio, the Coating, Emulsion, and Polyester (CEP) segment continues to be the Company's largest contributor, accounting for ~39.2% of sales value in 9MFY26, underpinned by its established market position and technological competence, though the segment has experienced a modest volume and value contraction in line with subdued demand from the paints and coatings sector. The Company's financial risk profile remains adequate, characterized by a structurally stretched working capital cycle, a modest improvement in debt servicing capacity, and satisfactory cash flows. Capital structure continues to be leveraged, with borrowings primarily comprising short-term loans to meet working capital requirements, reflecting a gradual increase over recent years as working-capital-led borrowing needs persisted amid the Company's raw material-intensive operations.

Key Rating Drivers

The ratings remain dependent on NRL's ability to translate revenue recovery into sustained margin improvement, given the segment's structural exposure to imported raw material costs and competitive pricing pressures. Prudent management of leverage amid working capital requirements, continued strengthening of the CEP segment, and successful realization of synergies from the Rudolf Pakistan partnership are key rating sensitivities going forward.

Profile
Legal Structure

Nimir Resins Limited was incorporated in 1964 as a Private Limited Company under the Companies Ordinance in Pakistan. The Company subsequently converted to a Public Listed Company and was listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in 1991. Its registered office is located in Sheikhupura, while the principal business and head office operations are based in Lahore. The Company operates as a subsidiary within the broader Nimir Group, with Nimir Industrial Chemicals Limited serving as the parent entity. This group holding structure positions Nimir Resins Limited as an operating subsidiary with access to intra-group synergies and financial support mechanisms.


Background

Nimir Resins Limited was established in 1964 with a focus on the manufacturing of chemical products for industrial applications. Following its public listing in 1991, the Company underwent a significant structural transformation in 2010 when the then-management entered into an amalgamation arrangement with Descon Chemicals (Private) Limited, resulting in a change of name to Descon Chemicals Limited and a consolidation of operations under the Descon Group. This phase marked an acquisition-led expansion of the Company's operational base. In early 2016, the Company was reacquired by the Nimir Group, following which it was renamed Nimir Resins Limited. At the time of reacquisition, the Company was reporting bottom-line losses. Under the stewardship of the new ownership, the business was restructured and returned to profitability, representing a turnaround driven by organic operational improvement and strategic realignment. Since 2016, the Company has continued to grow its manufacturing capabilities and product portfolio through a combination of organic capacity enhancement and process optimisation, consolidating its position within the specialty chemicals segment of Pakistan's industrial economy.


Operations

Nimir Resins Limited is engaged in the manufacturing and sale of specialty chemicals for industrial applications. Its product offerings are structured across six business lines, namely Textile Auxiliaries and Binders, Unsaturated Polyester Resins, Coatings and Emulsions, Pulp and Paper Chemicals, Adhesives and Graphics, and Trading and Exports. Each business line caters to distinct industrial segments, with the Coating, Emulsion, and Polyester segment serving as the primary revenue contributor. The Company's manufacturing facility is equipped with modern production infrastructure, and operations are supported by robust quality control and assurance systems. The principal raw materials used in production are largely import-dependent, exposing the Company to global commodity price movements and foreign exchange fluctuations. The Company's customer base comprises established industrial players across the paints, coatings, textiles, paper, and adhesives sectors. Distribution is carried out through direct industrial sales relationships, reflecting a business-to-business model with a focus on long-standing customer partnerships. In the Coating and Emulsion segment, the Company has established a strengthening market position supported by technological competence and adherence to international quality standards. In the Textile Chemicals segment, the Company continues to consolidate its market presence. The Company's affiliation with the Nimir Group provides access to shared operational infrastructure and intra-group procurement efficiencies, contributing to overall cost competitiveness.


Ownership
Ownership Structure

The shareholding structure of Nimir Resins Limited comprises both corporate and individual sponsors. Rudolf Pakistan (Private) Limited holds the single largest stake at ~40.09%, positioning it as the dominant strategic shareholder and the key corporate influence on the Company's strategic direction. Among individual sponsors, Zafar Mehmood holds ~6.81%, Khalid Mumtaz Qazi holds ~6.62%, Aamir Jamil holds ~5.16%, Imran Afzal holds ~4.98%, and Umer Iqbal holds ~4.63%. The collective sponsor shareholding, encompassing both corporate and individual holdings, stands at ~80.16%, reflecting a concentrated and strategically aligned ownership base. The remaining ~19.84% constitutes the free float available to public investors on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.


Stability

The current ownership structure has remained broadly stable following the reacquisition of the Company by the Nimir Group in 2016. Executive directors possess strong sectoral knowledge and extensive industry experience, and relevant business roles are distributed among the sponsors with legally documented agreements governing their respective functions. The entry of Rudolf Pakistan (Private) Limited as a prominent corporate shareholder, holding ~40.09%, represents a material enhancement to the stability of the ownership framework. This strategic investor's participation is expected to provide additional governance oversight and long-term commitment to the Company's growth trajectory.


Business Acumen

The sponsors of Nimir Resins Limited demonstrated significant business acumen through the successful turnaround of the Company following its reacquisition in 2016. At the time of acquisition, the Company was reporting net losses, and the sponsors' strategic interventions resulted in a complete restoration of profitability. The Nimir Group's experience across related chemical manufacturing businesses has provided a strong knowledge base for managing the operational and commercial complexities of the specialty chemicals sector. The sponsors' ability to identify, acquire, and rehabilitate a distressed industrial asset reflects a track record of informed capital allocation and hands-on operational management through varying economic conditions.


Financial Strength

Nimir Resins Limited benefits from the financial backing of its parent company, Nimir Industrial Chemicals Limited, which has extended a corporate guarantee in favour of the Company. This arrangement provides an additional layer of financial support, particularly during periods of liquidity stress, and reinforces the credibility of the Company's obligations to its financial counterparties. The parent's commitment through a formal corporate guarantee reflects a deliberate financial linkage within the group structure and enhances the overall credit support available to Nimir Resins Limited.


Governance
Board Structure

The governance structure of Nimir Resins Limited is aligned with the requirements of the Code of Corporate Governance applicable to listed entities. The Board of Directors comprises eight members, including three independent directors and two non-executive directors nominated by Rudolf Pakistan (Private) Limited, ensuring an adequate degree of independent oversight alongside representation of the Company's strategic shareholder. The board has constituted two sub-committees to support its oversight functions: the Audit Committee and the Human Resource and Remuneration Committee. Both committees operate under defined mandates and contribute to the board's ability to exercise structured oversight over financial reporting, internal controls, and human capital matters. Board meeting attendance during the period under review remained satisfactory.


Members’ Profile

The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Sheikh Amar Hameed, is a pioneer in the establishment of the Nimir Group in Pakistan and brings extensive experience spanning both the banking and chemicals industries. Prior to his association with the Nimir Group in 1989, Mr. Hameed served in the banking sector for over eleven years, providing him with a strong foundation in financial oversight and institutional governance. The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zafar Mehmood, concurrently serves as CEO of Nimir Industrial Chemicals Limited. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan since 1991 and carries more than 31 years of professional experience, with over 23 years of association with the Nimir Group. The remaining board members include sponsors and experienced professionals who collectively possess knowledge and expertise relevant to the chemical manufacturing and industrial sectors. The presence of three independent directors contributes to objective deliberation and checks on executive decision-making within the board.


Board Effectiveness

The Board of Directors has established a functional governance framework through its two sub-committees, the Audit Committee and the Human Resource and Remuneration Committee, both chaired by Mr. Pervaiz Ahmed Khan. These committees support the board's oversight of financial integrity, risk management, and human capital governance. The separation of governance roles at the board level, with a distinct Chairman and CEO, supports accountability and reduces concentration of authority at the top of the management hierarchy. Board attendance has been maintained at satisfactory levels during the review period, indicating active director engagement. The Audit Committee's mandate includes oversight of related-party transactions, which is of relevance given the intra-group exposures present in the Company's balance sheet.


Financial Transparency

The external audit function of Nimir Resins Limited is performed by Crowe Hussain Chaudhury and Co., Chartered Accountants, which is listed under Category A of the State Bank of Pakistan's panel of auditors. The auditors issued an unqualified opinion on the Company's financial statements for the year ended June 2024, indicating that the financial statements present a true and fair view in accordance with applicable reporting standards. There were no qualifications or material emphasis-of-matter paragraphs noted in the audit opinion for the period under review. The Company's financial statements are prepared and published in compliance with applicable corporate reporting requirements for listed entities.


Management
Organizational Structure

The organisational structure of Nimir Resins Limited is well-defined, with clear departmental delineation and designated functional heads reporting through an established hierarchy to the Chief Executive Officer. The functional departments include Production, Marketing and Sales, Accounts and Finance, Human Resource and Administration, Supply Chain, Information Technology, Research and Development, Quality Control, and Quality Assurance. This multi-functional structure supports a relatively decentralised operating model, with individual department heads carrying defined mandates while strategic oversight remains centralised at the CEO level. The delegation of authority framework is structured to enable operational decision-making at the departmental level within defined boundaries, while capital allocation and strategic decisions are retained at the senior management and board level.


Management Team

The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zafar Mehmood, is a Fellow of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan since 1991 and holds over 31 years of professional experience. His tenure of more than 23 years with the Nimir Group reflects strong institutional continuity at the helm of management. Mr. Mehmood's concurrent role as CEO of Nimir Industrial Chemicals Limited provides him with a broad group-level perspective that informs strategic decisions at Nimir Resins. The senior management team is described as comprising seasoned professionals across the key functional areas of the business. Mr. Zafar Mehmood represents a material key-person concentration given the breadth of his responsibilities across the group, and the strength of formal succession planning arrangements at the CEO level warrants continued attention as part of governance oversight.


Effectiveness

Management has demonstrated effectiveness in executing the strategic turnaround of the Company since the 2016 reacquisition, returning the business to consistent profitability and achieving meaningful topline growth over successive years. Senior management meetings are conducted regularly for strategic discussion and decision-making, supplemented by weekly management meetings in which the performance and targets of all key departments are reviewed in detail. This cadence of structured internal review supports timely identification and resolution of operational challenges. Management's focus on the Coating, Emulsion, and Polyester segment has driven measurable volume growth, with the CEP segment recording a ~11% increase in sales volumes during FY25. During the year ended June 2025, the Company recorded sales of ~PKR 9,259mln, reflecting a continuation of revenue generation despite macroeconomic headwinds in the preceding period.


MIS

Nimir Resins Limited implemented SAP Business as its enterprise resource planning and management information system in July 2016. This platform supports financial reporting, operational monitoring, and supply chain management across the business. The deployment of SAP has contributed to improved operational efficiencies through higher levels of process automation across manufacturing and administrative functions. The system enables management to access timely financial and operational data, supporting variance analysis and performance tracking against departmental targets. The information technology function operates as a dedicated department within the Company's organisational structure, ensuring ongoing system governance and maintenance.


Control Environment

The internal audit function of Nimir Resins Limited operates independently and provides periodic detailed reports to the Audit Committee of the Board for review and assessment. The Audit Committee evaluates findings and directs remedial actions where control deficiencies are identified. This reporting structure ensures that internal audit findings receive appropriate board-level attention and are not solely within the purview of executive management. The control environment is further supported by the Quality Control and Quality Assurance departments, which operate as distinct functions within the organisational structure. The combination of a functioning internal audit department, an active Audit Committee, and defined operational oversight functions constitutes a structured control framework appropriate to the Company's scale and complexity.


Business Risk
Industry Dynamics

Pakistan's chemicals sector occupies a structurally important position in the national economy, serving as a critical input supplier to the country's largest industries including textiles and apparel, paints and coatings, construction, paper and packaging, and adhesives and graphics. Chemical products carry a weight of ~2.6% in the Quantum Index of Manufacturing, with the broader chemicals manufacturing segment accounting for ~6.5% of the LSM index. The sector's total production declined to ~2.4 million metric tons in FY25, registering a contraction of ~20.2% year-on-year from ~3.0 million metric tons in FY24, reflecting broad-based demand compression across key downstream industries during the period. Imports of chemical products stood at ~PKR 1,522bln in FY25, accounting for ~7.6% of the country's total import bill, underscoring the sector's structural dependence on imported raw materials and intermediates. While LSM growth recovered modestly to ~6.0% during 6MFY26, the recovery remains uneven and selective, indicating cautious normalisation rather than a broad-based industrial rebound. Within the resins sub-segment, which constitutes the core of Nimir Resins Limited's operations, the local production of resins declined by ~5.3% year-on-year in FY24 to ~35,597 metric tons, against a total installed production capacity of ~61,560 metric tons, implying a capacity utilisation of ~62.0% during the period. The segment's demand profile is predominantly derived from the paints, coatings, textile auxiliaries, paper and packaging, and adhesives industries all of which experienced mixed demand conditions during FY24 and FY25. Resin production is characterised by the dominance of raw material cost in the overall cost structure, with raw materials accounting for ~91.3% of the cost of goods sold in FY24, comprising primarily oil derivatives such as lignin, polyols, solvents, and acid anhydrides. This high raw material intensity creates a direct and material linkage between international crude oil prices and domestic resin input costs, exposing producers to global commodity price cycles and foreign exchange rate movements. The resin segment operates in a highly competitive environment, with the presence of numerous unorganised small-scale producers exerting persistent downward pressure on pricing and margins. Segment gross margins averaged ~13.4% in FY24 before moderating to ~11.3% in 9MFY25, while net margins declined to ~2.8% in 9MFY25 from ~3.1% in FY24, reflecting the dual pressure of elevated baseline costs and weak downstream demand in the paints, textiles, and paper sectors. A Negative outlook to the resins segment, premised on the segment's continued exposure to imported raw material price volatility, currency risk, and structurally thin margins in an increasingly competitive domestic market. The paints and coatings segment, which represents a primary demand driver for coating resins and emulsion binders of the type produced by Nimir Resins, registered total production of ~58.2 million litres in FY24, broadly stable relative to FY23. Gross margins for the organised paints segment declined to ~15.0% in FY24, with operating margins compressing to ~2.2% and net margins turning negative at ~-1.6%, primarily reflecting cost inflation and the capacity investment cycle of major players. Recovery was, however, observed in 9MFY25, with gross and net margins improving to ~19.4% and ~3.2% respectively, supported by lower input costs and improved consumer sentiment accompanying monetary easing. The paints segment is assigned a Stable outlook by PACRA, underpinned by LSM recovery and easing import conditions, though structural raw material import dependency continues to constrain the margin ceiling. Raw materials constitute ~85.1% of the paints segment's cost of production in FY24. The textile chemicals segment, encompassing auxiliaries, binders, and finishing agents of the type included in Nimir Resins' product portfolio, is directly exposed to the performance of Pakistan's textile and apparel industry. Textile sector production recorded a partial recovery in FY25 following the contraction of FY24, supported by improving export order flows, though the recovery has remained selective and below historical trend rates. Soaps and detergents production, a key demand indicator for downstream chemical segments, declined by ~21.5% year-on-year in FY25 to ~417,437 metric tons and continued under pressure into 6MFY26, contracting by a further ~6.6% year-on-year. This demand softness in the textile and personal care downstream segments has contributed to subdued offtake for textile auxiliary chemicals and specialty resin binders used in fabric processing and finishing applications. The sector's financial profile strengthened modestly during FY25, with overall leverage increasing to ~34.2% from ~26.4% in FY24, driven by a combination of working-capital-led borrowing and selective capacity investment. Interest coverage improved markedly to ~25.9 times in FY25 from ~12.1 times in FY24, reflecting the benefit of monetary easing the policy rate was reduced from ~22.0% to ~11.0% through FY25 and further to ~10.5% by 6MFY26 alongside margin recovery in certain sub-segments. Sector-level non-performing loans stood at ~2.7% as of 1QFY26, well below the overall banking sector NPL ratio of ~6.6%, reflecting comparatively stronger credit discipline across the chemicals sector. The primary credit risk factors endemic to the sector includes raw material import cost inflation driven by exchange rate movements, demand cyclicality linked to the textiles and construction industries, working capital intensity arising from extended receivable cycles in industrial sales, competitive pressure from imported Chinese and regional chemical products including resin and coating chemicals, energy cost exposure, and evolving environmental compliance requirements. For specialty chemical and resin producers of Nimir Resins' profile, the ability to maintain pricing discipline and grow volumes in higher-margin product lines represents the primary determinant of medium-term margin sustainability.\


Relative Position

Nimir Resins Limited occupies an established position in the domestic specialty chemicals and resins market, with particular strength in the Coating, Emulsion, and Polyester segment. The Company has progressively strengthened its market standing through technological competence, adherence to international quality standards, and ongoing research and development capability. In the Textile Chemicals segment, the Company continues to consolidate its market presence, while the Adhesives and Graphics and Pulp and Paper Chemicals segments provide additional revenue diversification across distinct industrial end-markets.The Company's affiliation with the Nimir Group, including the parent entity Nimir Industrial Chemicals Limited, provides competitive differentiation through shared operational infrastructure, procurement leverage, and established brand recognition within the industrial chemicals space. The entry of Rudolf Pakistan (Private) Limited as a ~40.09% shareholder introduces meaningful technological and commercial synergies, given Rudolf's international standing in specialty chemicals for the textile and surface finishing industries, and is expected to progressively enhance NRL's formulation capabilities and customer access in technically demanding segments.Among broadly comparable listed entities in Pakistan's chemicals sector, Archroma Pakistan Limited operates in textile specialty chemicals with revenues in excess of PKR 20,000mln in recent periods, representing a more focused single-segment player at a larger absolute scale. Buxly Paints Limited and Berger Paints Pakistan Limited, as organised paints sector participants, are relevant as downstream consumers of coating resins rather than direct peers. ICI Pakistan Limited, while significantly larger and more diversified, provides a reference point for specialty chemicals positioning and margin benchmarking in the organised segment. Relative to listed resin and specialty chemicals producers, Nimir Resins operates at a focused scale with meaningful market positions in its targeted segments, and its competitive positioning in the CEP segment has demonstrably strengthened over the review cycle, supported by volume growth of ~11% recorded in FY25.


Revenues

Net revenue for the 9MFY26 amounted to ~PKR 9,085mln, against ~PKR 9,259mln for FY25. Sales growth for the nine-month period was recorded at ~30.8% on an annualized basis, continuing the recovery from the ~7.9% revenue growth in FY25, which itself followed the ~8.4% revenue decline in FY24. The recovery in revenue through FY25 and into the current 9MFY26 has been driven by volume recovery in the resin segment and a degree of price-driven revenue contribution as the Company's raw material-linked pricing strategy provided pass-through against import cost movements. Revenue mix reflects local market dominance, with no export sales recorded across any of the reviewed periods, indicating that NRL's customer base is entirely domestic in orientation. Customer concentration risk is partially mitigated by the breadth of end-market exposure across the adhesives, coatings, and construction chemicals sectors, which constitute the primary downstream consumers of resin products.


Margins

Gross margin for 9MFY26 stood at ~11.1%, marginally above the FY25 gross margin of ~10.1%, reflecting a modest improvement in conversion efficiency despite raw material cost pressures. The gross margin remains below the FY24 level of ~13.6%, indicating that the full recovery in profitability is yet to be achieved. Operating profit margin was ~8.1% for 9MFY26, compared to ~7.2% in FY25, reflecting broadly stable overhead absorption and improving cost structure. EBITDA as of 9MFY26 reached ~PKR 841mln, implying an EBITDA margin of ~9.3% on net sales. A notable concern in the current period is the effective tax rate, which spiked to ~52.3% in 9MFY26, a sharp increase from ~25.0% in FY25. This elevated tax burden, likely reflecting the impact of super tax provisions or other extraordinary tax measures applicable to profitable companies, materially constrained net margins relative to the improvement in operating and pre-tax profitability, and warrants monitoring in subsequent periods. Net profit margin remained at ~2.7% for 9MFY26, unchanged from FY25.


Sustainability

The long-term sustainability of Nimir Resins Limited's operational and financial performance is supported by its diversified product portfolio across six distinct business lines, the strengthening of its market position in the Coating, Emulsion, and Polyester segment, and the strategic value added by Rudolf Pakistan (Private) Limited as a major shareholder. Management's focus on the CEP segment as a primary growth driver is underpinned by demonstrated volume growth of ~11% in FY25 and established technological capability in emulsion and coating resin formulation. The Company's manufacturing facility, equipped with modern production infrastructure and supported by a dedicated research and development function, provides a foundation for product evolution and quality improvement aligned with evolving customer specifications. Capital expenditure has remained disciplined over the review period, with operating fixed assets declining from ~PKR 1,320mln in FY24 to ~PKR 1,214mln in FY25 on a net basis, reflecting that the current capital programme is oriented toward maintenance and operational continuity rather than large-scale capacity expansion. While this preserves financial flexibility in the near term, the Company's ability to fund growth-oriented capital investment from internally generated cash flows without materially increasing leverage will be an important sustainability indicator in subsequent periods. A key structural sustainability consideration is the Company's exposure to imported raw material costs, with raw materials constituting ~91.3% of the cost of goods sold in the resin segment. The principal raw materials, being predominantly oil derivatives including polyols, solvents, and acid anhydrides, are subject to international commodity price cycles and foreign exchange rate movements. The Company does not appear to maintain formal hedging arrangements against raw material cost or foreign exchange exposure, and margin sustainability is therefore dependent on the effectiveness of cost pass-through mechanisms embedded in customer pricing. Management's ability to improve procurement efficiency through intra-group supply chain relationships with Nimir Industrial Chemicals Limited, and to progressively improve product mix toward higher-margin specialty lines, will be important determinants of margin trajectory. The strategic partnership with Rudolf Pakistan is expected to contribute technological and operational synergies over the medium term, reinforcing the Company's competitive positioning in technically demanding customer segments and supporting the longer-term revenue diversification objective.


Financial Risk
Working capital

The working capital cycle of NRL has improved modestly in the current analytical period. As of March 2026, the gross working capital cycle contracted to ~148 average days, compared to ~180 days as of FY25, driven primarily by a reduction in trade receivable collection days from ~83 days in FY25 to ~80 days in 9MFY26, and a compression in inventory days from ~97 days in FY25 to ~68 days in 9MFY26. Inventory days improvement reflects more efficient management of imported raw material stocks, with raw material inventory averaging ~51 days of consumption in 9MFY26 against ~71 days in FY25. Trade receivables of ~PKR 3,027mln as of March 2026 remain elevated in absolute terms and continue to constitute the single largest current asset component, warranting ongoing monitoring. Trade payable days of ~26 days remain broadly stable and low, indicating that the Company does not benefit from significant supplier credit extension and relies predominantly on its banking facilities to bridge the working capital gap. The net working capital cycle of ~123 average days against ~154 days in FY25 reflects a meaningful improvement in working capital efficiency, reducing the pressure on short-term borrowing requirements.


Coverages

The coverage profile of NRL has improved modestly over the primary analytical period, supported by a meaningful reduction in finance costs as the monetary easing cycle progressed through FY25 and into 9MFY26. Free cash flow from operations for 9MFY26 amounted to ~PKR 466mln, compared to ~PKR 488mln in FY25. The year-on-year moderation in FCFO reflects the combined effect of a higher effective tax rate of ~52.3% in 9MFY26 against ~25.0% in FY25, which materially constrained post-tax cash generation despite improvement at the operating profit level, and an increase in working capital requirements during the nine-month period. The FCFO to finance cost ratio improved to ~1.7 times for 9MFY26, from ~1.6 times in FY25, underpinned by the reduction in total finance cost from ~PKR 324mln in FY25 to ~PKR 278mln in 9MFY26 as borrowing rates declined in line with the interest rate environment. The EBITDA to finance cost ratio similarly recovered to ~3.1 times from ~2.5 times in FY25. Debt payback, measured as total borrowings divided by FCFO net of finance costs, stands at ~0.5 times in 9MFY26, compared to ~0.4 times in FY25, remaining at a comfortable level and indicating strong intrinsic debt retirement capacity. The FCFO to finance cost plus CMLTB plus excess short-term borrowings ratio of ~1.7 times against ~1.5 times in FY25 reinforces the assessment that debt servicing capacity is adequate and improving. Liquid cover, measured as cash and bank balances plus unutilised credit lines plus FCFO relative to finance cost plus CMLTB plus excess short-term borrowings, stood at ~4.3 times as of 9MFY26, compared to ~4.8 times in FY25, remaining at a level that provides comfortable liquidity headroom against near-term debt obligations.


Capitalization

Total borrowings as of 9MFY26 amounted to ~PKR 2,374mln, an increase of ~PKR 268mln or ~12.7% from ~PKR 2,106mln at June 30, 2025. The total debt to total capitalisation ratio increased marginally to ~39.6% at March 2026 from ~38.4% at June 2025, reflecting the incremental borrowing undertaken to finance working capital requirements during the nine-month period. The debt structure is heavily weighted toward short-term obligations, with short-term borrowings constituting ~94.9% of total borrowings at March 2026, consistent with the revolving nature of the Company's trade finance and working capital credit lines. Equity quality is strong, with shareholders' equity of ~PKR 3,647mln as of March 2026, comprising ordinary share capital of ~PKR 1,413mln, revaluation reserves of ~PKR 628mln, and accumulated general reserves of ~PKR 1,606mln. Financial flexibility is assessed as adequate, supported by the Company's established banking relationships and track record of accessing short-term credit facilities.


 
 

Jul-26

www.pacra.com


(PKR mln)


Mar-26
9M
Jun-25
12M
Jun-24
12M
Jun-23
12M
A. BALANCE SHEET
1. Non-Current Assets 1,345 1,269 1,320 1,571
2. Investments 0 0 0 0
3. Related Party Exposure 0 0 0 0
4. Current Assets 6,060 5,507 5,167 4,154
a. Inventories 2,089 2,442 2,473 1,616
b. Trade Receivables 3,027 2,295 1,929 1,943
5. Total Assets 7,405 6,776 6,487 5,725
6. Current Liabilities 1,287 1,158 1,108 1,413
a. Trade Payables 904 799 548 928
7. Borrowings 2,374 2,106 1,950 1,050
8. Related Party Exposure 22 22 22 0
9. Non-Current Liabilities 74 82 110 126
10. Net Assets 3,647 3,408 3,298 3,136
11. Shareholders' Equity 3,647 3,408 3,298 3,136
B. INCOME STATEMENT
1. Sales 9,085 9,259 8,585 9,371
a. Cost of Good Sold (8,072) (8,324) (7,420) (8,163)
2. Gross Profit 1,012 935 1,165 1,208
a. Operating Expenses (280) (272) (278) (215)
3. Operating Profit 732 664 887 992
a. Non Operating Income or (Expense) 55 (6) (8) (40)
4. Profit or (Loss) before Interest and Tax 787 657 880 952
a. Total Finance Cost (278) (324) (445) (376)
b. Taxation (266) (83) (164) (190)
6. Net Income Or (Loss) 242 249 270 386
C. CASH FLOW STATEMENT
a. Free Cash Flows from Operations (FCFO) 466 488 736 874
b. Net Cash from Operating Activities before Working Capital Changes 272 140 321 492
c. Changes in Working Capital (377) (240) (1,159) 1,404
1. Net Cash provided by Operating Activities (105) (100) (838) 1,896
2. Net Cash (Used in) or Available From Investing Activities (145) 168 (9) (70)
3. Net Cash (Used in) or Available From Financing Activities 263 6 791 (1,716)
4. Net Cash generated or (Used) during the period 13 74 (56) 109
D. RATIO ANALYSIS
1. Performance
a. Sales Growth (for the period) 30.8% 7.9% -8.4% #DIV/0!
b. Gross Profit Margin 11.1% 10.1% 13.6% 12.9%
c. Net Profit Margin 2.7% 2.7% 3.1% 4.1%
d. Cash Conversion Efficiency (FCFO adjusted for Working Capital/Sales) 1.0% 2.7% -4.9% 24.3%
e. Return on Equity [ Net Profit Margin * Asset Turnover * (Total Assets/Shareholders' Equity )] 9.2% 7.4% 8.4% 12.3%
2. Working Capital Management
a. Gross Working Capital (Average Days) 148 180 169 139
b. Net Working Capital (Average Days) 123 154 138 102
c. Current Ratio (Current Assets / Current Liabilities) 4.7 4.8 4.7 2.9
3. Coverages
a. EBITDA / Finance Cost 3.1 2.5 2.4 3.1
b. FCFO / Finance Cost+CMLTB+Excess STB 1.7 1.5 1.6 2.0
c. Debt Payback (Total Borrowings+Excess STB) / (FCFO-Finance Cost) 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.4
4. Capital Structure
a. Total Borrowings / (Total Borrowings+Shareholders' Equity) 39.6% 38.4% 37.4% 25.1%
b. Interest or Markup Payable (Days) 48.2 46.7 58.3 44.5
c. Entity Average Borrowing Rate 15.8% 16.1% 27.1% 20.0%

Jul-26

www.pacra.com

Jul-26

www.pacra.com

  1. Rating Team Statements
    1. Rating is just an opinion about the creditworthiness of the entity and does not constitute a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell any security of the entity rated or to buy, hold, or sell the security rated, as the case may be. (Chapter III; 14-3-(x))
    2. Conflict of Interest
      1. The Rating Team or any of their family members have no interest in this rating (Chapter III; 12-2-(j))
      2. PACRA, the analysts involved in the rating process, and members of its rating committee and their family members do not have any conflict of interest relating to the rating done by them (Chapter III; 12-2-(e) & (k))
      3. The analyst is not a substantial shareholder of the customer being rated by PACRA [Annexure F; d-(ii)]
      4. Explanation: for the purpose of the above clause, the term "family members" shall include only those family members who are dependent on the analyst and members of the rating committee.
  2. Restrictions
    1. No director, officer, or employee of PACRA communicates the information acquired by him for use for rating purposes to any other person, except where required under law to do so. (Chapter III; 10-(5))
    2. PACRA does not disclose or discuss with outside parties or make improper use of the non-public information which has come to its knowledge during a business relationship with the customer. (Chapter III; 10-7-(d))
    3. PACRA does not make proposals or recommendations regarding the activities of rated entities that could impact a credit rating of the entity subject to rating. (Chapter III; 10-7-(k))
  3. Conduct of Business
    1. PACRA fulfills its obligations in a fair, efficient, transparent, and ethical manner and renders high standards of services in performing its functions and obligations. (Chapter III; 11-A-(a))
    2. PACRA uses due care in the preparation of this Rating Report. Our information has been obtained from sources we consider to be reliable, but its accuracy or completeness is not guaranteed. PACRA does not, in every instance, independently verify or validate information received in the rating process or in preparing this Rating Report. (Clause 11-(A)(p))
    3. PACRA prohibits its employees and analysts from soliciting money, gifts, or favors from anyone with whom PACRA conducts business. (Chapter III; 11-A-(q))
    4. PACRA ensures before the commencement of the rating process that an analyst or employee has not had a recent employment or other significant business or personal relationship with the rated entity that may cause or may be perceived as causing a conflict of interest. (Chapter III; 11-A-(r))
    5. PACRA maintains the principle of integrity in seeking rating business. (Chapter III; 11-A-(u))
    6. PACRA promptly investigates in the event of misconduct or a breach of the policies, procedures, and controls, and takes appropriate steps to rectify any weaknesses to prevent any recurrence, along with suitable punitive action against the responsible employee(s). (Chapter III; 11-B-(m))
  4. Independence & Conflict of Interest
    1. PACRA receives compensation from the entity being rated or any third party for the rating services it offers. The receipt of this compensation has no influence on PACRA’s opinions or other analytical processes. In all instances, PACRA is committed to preserving the objectivity, integrity, and independence of its ratings. Our relationship is governed by two distinct mandates: i) rating mandate - signed with the entity being rated or issuer of the debt instrument, and ii) fee mandate - signed with the payer, which can be different from the entity.
    2. PACRA does not provide consultancy/advisory services or other services to any of its customers or their associated companies and associated undertakings that are being rated or have been rated by it during the preceding three years, unless it has an adequate mechanism in place ensuring that the provision of such services does not lead to a conflict of interest situation with its rating activities. (Chapter III; 12-2-(d))
    3. PACRA discloses that no shareholder directly or indirectly holding 10% or more of the share capital of PACRA also holds directly or indirectly 10% or more of the share capital of the entity which is subject to rating or the entity which issued the instrument subject to rating by PACRA. (Chapter III; 12-2-(f))
    4. PACRA ensures that the rating assigned to an entity or instrument is not affected by the existence of a business relationship between PACRA and the entity or any other party, or the non-existence of such a relationship. (Chapter III; 12-2-(i))
    5. PACRA ensures that the analysts or any of their family members shall not buy, sell, or engage in any transaction in any security which falls in the analyst’s area of primary analytical responsibility. This clause, however, does not apply to investments in securities through collective investment schemes. (Chapter III; 12-2-(l))
    6. PACRA has established policies and procedures governing investments and trading in securities by its employees and for monitoring the same to prevent insider trading, market manipulation, or any other market abuse. (Chapter III; 11-B-(g))
  5. Monitoring and Review
    1. PACRA monitors all the outstanding ratings continuously, and any potential change therein due to any event associated with the issuer, the security arrangement, the industry, etc., is disseminated to the market immediately and in an effective manner after appropriate consultation with the entity/issuer. (Chapter III; 17-(a))
    2. PACRA reviews all the outstanding ratings periodically on an annual basis. Provided that public dissemination of annual review and in an instance of change in rating will be made. (Chapter III; 17-(b))
    3. PACRA initiates an immediate review of the outstanding rating upon becoming aware of any information that may reasonably be expected to result in downgrading of the rating. (Chapter III; 17-(c))
    4. PACRA engages with the issuer and the debt securities trustee to remain updated on all information pertaining to the rating of the entity/instrument. (Chapter III; 17-(d))
  6. Probability of Default
    1. PACRA’s Rating Scale reflects the expectation of credit risk. The highest rating has the lowest relative likelihood of default (i.e., probability). PACRA’s transition studies capture the historical performance behavior of a specific rating notch. Transition behavior of the assigned rating can be obtained from PACRA’s Transition Study available at our website. (www.pacra.com) However, the actual transition of rating may not follow the pattern observed in the past. (Chapter III; 14-3(f)(vii))
  7. Proprietary Information
    1. All information contained herein is considered proprietary by PACRA. Hence, none of the information in this document can be copied or otherwise reproduced, stored, or disseminated in whole or in part in any form or by any means whatsoever by any person without PACRA’s prior written consent.

Jul-26

www.pacra.com