Tata Chemicals held analyst meet to discuss its results for the quarter ended March 2012 and the future plans. R Mukundan, Managing Director and P K Ghose, Executive Director & CFO addressed the meet.

Highlights of the meet

• The company has reorganized overseas chemicals business under a Singapore holding structure

• The company has raised USD 375 million at TCNA (Tata Chemicals North America) which shall be utilized for capex at TCNA, funding the acquisition of EPM, loan repayments, restructuring of TCML balance sheet and balance brought back as cash for loan repayment.

• The company sees firm global soda ash demand.

• Domestic soda ash demand was flat due to delays in commissioning of some float glass line. However the company is bullish on long-term demand for soda ash. However on a quarter on quarter basis there may be variations.

• Mithapur Soda ash sales increased to 184000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 178000 tonne in Q4FY11. Production volume rose to 206000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 204000 tonne in Q4FY11.

• Tata Chemicals Europe-Sales volume was down to 185000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 198000 tonne in Q4FY11. However production rose to 199000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 189000 tonne in Q4FY12

• Tata Chemicals Africa-Sales volume was down to 120000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 133000 tonne in Q4FY11. Production too fell to 109000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 125000 tonne in Q4FY12

• Tata Chemicals USA-Sales volume was up to 588000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 581000 tonne in Q4FY11. However production fell to 527000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 578000 tonne in Q4FY12

• Tata Chemicals remained the market leader with 64% market share in the National Branded salt segment. Branded salt sales volume was up to 219000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 198000 tonne in Q4FY11. Production rose to 207000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 198000 tonne in Q4FY12

• I-Shakti Pulse is now available across 19 states

• The company launched Tata Salt Plus - Iron Fortified Iodized Salt and Flavoritz - Flavored Salts.

• 200,000 MT Salt capacity expansion in Mithapur was successfully commissioned

• Urea Sales volume was down to 254000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 303000 tonne in Q4FY11. Production too was lower at 292000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 316000 tonne in Q4FY12

• Phosphatic fertilizer (DAP, NPK) Sales volume was down to 96000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 125000 tonne in Q4FY11. Production too was lower at 78000 tonne in Q4FY12 compared to 129000 tonne in Q4FY12

• Net Debt Equity ratio as of 31^st March 2012 is 0.59.