sal steel ltd profit loss Management discussions

The objective of this report is to convey the Managements perspective on the external environment and steel industry, as well as strategy, operating and financial performance, material developments in human resources and industrial relations, risks and opportunities, and internal control systems and their adequacy in the Company during the Financial Year 2021-22. This should be read in conjunction with the Companys financial statements, the schedules and notes thereto and other information included elsewhere in the Integrated Report. The Companys financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) complying with the requirements of the Companies Act, 2013, as amended and regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) from time to time.

Source: World Economic Outlook as per International Monetary Fund & Indian Economy Forecast as per Indian Brand Equity Foundation.

INSIGHTS ON GLOBAL ECONOMY

The global economy is projected to grow 0.4 percent in 2022 and 2.2 percent in 2023.The 2022-23 global forecast is expected to grow as compared to 2021-22.

A tentative recovery in 2021 has been followed by increasingly gloomy developments in 2022 as risks began to materialize. Global output contracted in the second quarter of this year, owing to downturns in China and Russia, while US consumer spending undershot expectations. Several shocks have hit a world economy already weakened by the pandemic: higher-than-expected inflation worldwide—especially in the United States and major European economies—triggering tighter financial conditions; a worse-than-anticipated slowdown in China, reflecting COVID- 19 outbreaks and lockdowns; and further negative spillovers from the war in Ukraine.

The baseline forecast is for growth to slow from 6.1 percent last year to 3.2 percent in 2022, 0.4 percentage point lower than in the April 2022 World Economic Outlook. Lower growth earlier this year, reduced household purchasing power, and tighter monetary policy drove a downward revision of 1.4 percentage points in the United States. In China, further lockdowns and the deepening real estate crisis have led growth to be revised down by 1.1 percentage points, with major global spillovers. And in Europe, significant downgrades reflect spillovers from the war in Ukraine and tighter monetary policy. Global inflation has been revised up due to food and energy prices as well as lingering supply-demand imbalances, and is anticipated to reach 6.6 percent in advanced economies and 9.5 percent in emerging market and developing economies this year—upward revisions of 0.9 and 0.8 percentage point, respectively. In 2023, disinflationary monetary policy is expected to bite, with global output growing by just 2.9 percent.

As of April 2022, India was the worlds second-largest producer of crude steel, with an output of 10.14 MT In FY22, the production of crude steel and finished steel stood at 133.596 MT and 120.01 MT, respectively.

INDIAN ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

The Indian economy has fully recovered to the pre-pandemic real GDP level of 2019-20, according to the provisional estimates of GDP released on May 31,2022. Real GDP growth in FY 2021-22 stands at 8.7%, which is 1.5% higher than the real GDP in FY 201920. These figures are associated with stronger growth momentum, indicating increased economic demand. The investment rate in the fourth quarter increased to its highest level in the previous nine quarters. Moreover, capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector rose in the fourth quarter, as against the third quarter, implying a build-up in demand, which is consistent with the growth objectives of the Indian economy.

Future capital spending of the government in the Indian economy is expected to be supported by factors such as tax buoyancy, streamlined tax system, thorough assessment and rationalisation of the tariff structure and digitisation of tax filing. In the medium

term, an increase in capital spending on infrastructure and asset-building projects is set to increase growth multipliers. Furthermore, revival in monsoon and Kharif sowing helped the agriculture sector gain momentum. As of July 11, 2022, the South-West monsoon has covered the entire country, resulting in 7% higher rainfall than the normal level.

India has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy in the world, and is expected to be one of the top three economic powers globally over the next 10-15 years, backed by its robust democracy and strong partnerships.

Market Size

In FY22, the production of crude steel and finished steel stood at 133.596 MT and 120.01 MT, respectively. In FY22, crude steel production in India is estimated to increase by 18%, to reach 120 million tonnes, driven by rising demand from customers. The consumption of finished steel stood at 105.751 MT in FY22. In April 2022, Indias finished steel consumption stood at 9.072 MT (MT - Million Tones)

In FY22, exports and imports of finished steel stood at 13.49 MT and 4.67 MT, respectively. In FY22, Indias export rose by 25.1% YoY, compared with 2021. Indias per capita consumption of steel grew at a CAGR of 4.43% from 46 kgs in FY08 to 74.10 kgs in FY19. (MT - Million Tones)

Government Initiatives

Government has taken various steps to boost the sector including the introduction of National Steel Policy 2017 and allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the steel sector under the automatic route. According to the data released by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), between April 2000-March 2022, Indian metallurgical industries attracted FDI inflows of US$ 17.1 billion.

The Governments National Steel Policy 2017 aims to increase the per capita steel consumption to 160 kgs by 2030-31.

The Government has also promoted policy which provides a minimum value addition of 15% in notified steel products covered under preferential procurement.

In 2019, the Government introduced Steel Scrap Recycling Policy with an aim to reduce import.

The industry is also benefiting from the developments happening across various industries. The new Vehicle Scrappage policy will help in reducing the steel prices since the policy enables recycling the materials used in old vehicles. In the healthcare front, major steel producers are now exceeding their production capacities to produce oxygen cylinders for COVID patients. In 2021, Indian Railways is planning to procure over 11 lakh tons of steel from Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) for the track renewal and laying new lines across the country.

In October 2021, the government announced guidelines for the approved specialty steel production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.

In October 2021, India and Russia signed an MoU to carry out R&D in the steel sector and produce coking coal (used in steel making). Road ahead

The National Steel Policy, 2017 envisage 300 million tonnes of production capacity by 2030-31. The per capita consumption of steel has increased from 57.6 kgs to 74.1 kgs during the last five years. The government has a fixed objective of increasing rural consumption of steel from the current 19.6 kg/per capita to 38 kg/per capita by 2030-31.

In FY22, demand for steel is expected to increase by 17% to 110 million tonnes, driven by rising construction activities. Tata Steel is planning to set up more scrap-based facilities that will have a capacity of at least a billion tonnes by 2025. Tata Steel in India is also

planning to expand its annual capacity from 34 MTPA to 55 MTPA by 2030.

Huge scope for growth is offered by Indias comparatively low per capita steel consumption and the expected rise in consumption due to increased infrastructure construction and the thriving automobile and railways sectors.

Opportunities

There is a significant growth being witnessed in Construction sector as the government is spending on Infrastructure projects and the sector is considered to maintain the same level of momentum and demand with a gradual rise in Investment resulting in creating market for the Steel Industries in the Country.

Further the Capital goods market has also improved with rising manufacturing capacity utilization and infrastructure investment which has boosted demand for Construction and earthmoving equipment.

Also Consumer durable growth is driven by segments like Air-conditioner, Refrigerators and furniture supported by lowering of GST and hike in Import Duty and indirectly giving a good demand to steel industries

As per the National steel policy crafted during FY 2018-19, the crude steel production target for India is set at 300 MT by 2030. Share of sponge iron in steel making will be 80MT, which will create huge opportunity for sponge iron industry.

Threats

Presently there are no visible threats in the short and medium term in the sponge iron industry. However availability of key raw materials and environmental concerns might pose significant challenge in the future.

Outlook

The domestic consumption is considered to move at a same momentum as is evident in the demand pull visible in infrastructure, automobile and other sectors. Government is also driving the economy by investing in housing, roads, and ports and in other infrastructure projects.

Favourable domestic demand and remunerative prices in both domestic and international markets are likely to bolster steel production further in the years to come, resulting into more demand for sponge iron.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE WITH RESPECT TO OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Production of sponge iron during the year was 107270 MT as compared to 1,29,294 MT as compared in the previous year. Production of Ferro Chrome was 10553 MT as compared to 17,854 MT in the previous year.

Accordingly, sales for sponge iron during the year was 107744 MT as compared to 1,28,270 MT in the previous year. Sales of Ferro Chrome during the year were 10856 MT as compared to 18000 MT in the previous year.

Company has a power generation plant of 40 MW. During the year 84950 MWH of power was sold by way of Captive Consumption as against 88113.75 MWH in the previous year.

During the year under review Total Revenue from operation has increased from 322.87 Crores to 534.53 Crores as compared to previous years turnover. Company has registered a net Profit of 16.24 Crores in comparison to net profit of 12.42 Crores during previous year.

RISK AND CONCERNS

The process of Risk Management in the company identifies inherent risks in its operations and records residual risk after taking specific risk mitigation steps. The company has identified and categorized risks in the areas of Operations,

Finance, Marketing, Regulatory Compliances and Corporate matter.

The volatility in price of sponge iron, excess supply of sponge iron in the market will have an effect of squeezing margins and poses risk to the profitability. New customers, new market and cost reduction have been identified as the mitigation measures.

Also, the enforcement of recent Tariff policy guidelines on power by Government of India that requires the State Electricity Regulatory Commission to ascertain sale price of power based on cost of generation will have an impact on the revenue from export of power.

Fluctuation of import coal price, increase in USD-INR exchange rate, may lead to increase in cost of production. This is mitigated by continuous evaluation of international coal price vis-a-vis Indian coal price and accordingly the action plan for procurement has been formulated.

INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEM AND ITS ADEQUACY

The Company has adequate internal control procedures commensurate with its size and nature of its business. The objectives of these procedures are to ensure efficient use and protection of the Companys resources, accuracy in financial statements and due compliance of statutes and Companys policies and procedures.

HUMAN RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

The Company is working on enhancing its competencies to take care of current and future business. Its employee strength as on March 31, 2021 was 452. Human Resource and Industrial Relations departments have developed systems and policies on recruitment, performance management, learning and development, and employee engagement. The Workers union of the Company has maintained healthy and cordial industrial relations, and has been an equal partner in implementing Companys policies and achieving stretched operational targets, year on year.

CAUTIONARY NOTE

Cautionary Statement The above Management Discussion and Analysis describing the Companys objectives, projections, estimates and expectations may be "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Companys operations include external economic conditions affecting demand/supply influencing price conditions in the market in which the Company operates, changes in Government regulations, tax laws, and other incidental factors.