DCW Limited

DCW delivered a resilient operating performance in Q3 FY26, with revenue growing approximately 9.6% year-on-year to ₹520 crores, despite a challenging global chemical industry. The market was characterized by pricing pressure, uneven demand recovery, and limited supply discipline, particularly due to elevated operating rates in China. The company's strategic shift towards specialty-led growth helped stabilize its business, offsetting some of the broader market headwinds^🌐.

The Specialty Chemicals segment demonstrated strong momentum, with revenue increasing 27% year-on-year to ₹156 crores. This growth was primarily driven by an 80% increase in CPVC sales and a 19% increase in Synthetic Iron Oxide Pigment (SIOP) sales. In contrast, the Basic Chemicals segment, despite a 3.8% revenue growth to ₹362 crores, faced significant operating pressure, with its EBITDA being wiped off and reporting a breakeven for the quarter, down from ₹14 crores in the previous year. This was largely due to severe price erosion of 26% in PVC and 17% in CPVC, which was not matched by a similar reduction in input costs.

The balance 10,000 tonnes of CPVC expansion is on schedule and expected to be completed next month, which will increase DCW's annual CPVC capacity to 50,000 tonnes. This expansion is crucial for strengthening downstream integration and specialty positioning. Management anticipates a stronger Q4 FY26, supported by higher dispatches of pigments and synthetic rutile. Additionally, recent policy developments in China, specifically the withdrawal of the VAT rebate on PVC exports, are expected to improve export pricing discipline and benefit domestic PVC producers.

For the nine months of FY26, DCW reported a 5% increase in revenue to ₹1,535 crores and a 10% increase in EBITDA to ₹170 crores. PBT for the nine months saw a significant 61% increase to ₹46.2 crores. The company is steadily deleveraging, with long-term legacy loans expected to close at ₹225 crores by the end of FY26, further reducing to around ₹80 crores by FY27, primarily related to CPVC project funding. DCW maintains a healthy cash and cash equivalent of ₹220 crores and expects annual interest cost savings of approximately ₹45 crores in FY27.

DCW is exploring further renewable power substitution to insulate itself from volatile energy prices. However, plans for the next phase of renewable expansion are currently on hold due to a change in the Tamil Nadu government's renewable policy, which is deemed not conducive for adding new capacity. The company is awaiting clarity on the policy, which is currently subject to court cases, before proceeding with further investments in this area, impacting potential cost savings of ₹25-26 crores annually.

The PVC market experienced significant price erosion of 26% year-on-year in Q3 FY26. However, management noted multiple price upward revisions since January 1st, 2026, and expects the PVC segment to reach breakeven or better in Q4 FY26. They believe the prices have bottomed out and anticipate them to be range-bound between $750-$800, supported by factors like non-high crude prices. This recovery is critical for the Basic Chemicals segment's profitability, which was severely impacted in the current quarter.