MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

29.04.2013

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

BROMINE COMPOUNDS LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

P.O. Box 180, Beer Sheva (8410101) Maklef House 12 Kroitzer Menachem Street BEER SHEVA     8489425           

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.12.2012

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

11.01.1961

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Manufacturers, exporters and marketers of bromine compounds and other industrial chemicals based on minerals extracted from the Dead Sea, the world’s largest bromine source (methyl bromide, sodium, potassium and ammonium bromides, etc.),

 

 

No. of Employees :

5,495

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

A

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

56-70

A

Financial & operational base are regarded healthy. General unfavourable factors will not cause fatal effect. Satisfactory capability for payment of interest and principal sums

Fairly Large

 

Status :

Good

Payment Behaviour :

Regular

Litigation :

Clear

 

 

NOTES :

Any query related to this report can be made on e-mail: infodept@mirainform.com while quoting report number, name and date.

 

ECGC Country Risk Classification List – March 31st, 2013

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.12.2012)

Current Rating

(31.03.2013)

Israel

A2

A2

 

Risk Category

ECGC Classification

Insignificant

 

A1

Low

 

A2

Moderate

 

B1

High

 

B2

Very High

 

C1

Restricted

 

C2

Off-credit

 

D

 

 

ISRAEL - ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

 

Israel has a technologically advanced market economy. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 spurred a brief recession in Israel, but the country entered the crisis with solid fundamentals - following years of prudent fiscal policy and a resilient banking sector. The economy has recovered better than most advanced, comparably sized economies. In 2010, Israel formally acceded to the OECD. Israel's economy also has weathered the Arab Spring because strong trade ties outside the Middle East have insulated the economy from spillover effects. Natural gasfields discovered off Israel's coast during the past two years have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Leviathan field was one of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds this past decade, and production from the Tama field is expected to meet all of Israel's natural gas demand beginning mid-2013. In mid-2011, public protests arose around income inequality and rising housing and commodity prices. The government formed committees to address some of the grievances but has maintained that it will not engage in deficit spending to satisfy populist demands.

Source : CIA


Company name and address      

 

BROMINE COMPOUNDS LTD.

Telephone             972 8 629 72 22

Fax                       972 8 628 04 44; 629 78 48

P.O. Box 180, Beer Sheva (8410101)

Maklef House

12 Kroitzer Menachem Street

BEER SHEVA       8489425                   ISRAEL

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A private limited company, incorporated as per file No. 51-027339-4 on the 11.01.1961. Since 1962 parent company (DSBG) has the State sole concession for extracting bromine and its compounds (current license is till 2030).

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital NIS 289,999,999.80, divided into -

            1,611,111,110 ordinary shares (1,595,659,395 issued) of NIS 0.18 each,

            1 special share of NIS 0.0001 (issued),

of which shares amounting to NIS 287,218,691.1001 were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

Company is fully owned by DEAD SEA BROMINE COMPANY LTD. (DSBG), a fully owned subsidiary of ISRAEL CHEMICALS LTD. (ICL), a public limited company whose shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE).

ICL is controlled (51.8%) by The ISRAEL CORPORATION LTD. (TIC), also publicly traded on TASE, controlled (51.5%) by OFER Group, owned by Ofer family, and controlled by Idan Ofer (some 90%) and Udi Angel.

POTASH CORPORATION OF SASKATCHEWAN (PCS) holds 13.71% of ICL (during March 2010 invested some NIS 1.5 billion in 2.5% of ICL shares).

The State of Israel holds one single special share in subject, given the fact subject holds rights on Israel national resource.

 

Up till November 2000 parent DSBG shares were traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. In November 2000 subject’s “grandparent” ICL reached full control over DSBG after it acquired 10.8% of its shares from the public in consideration of NIS 270 million.

 

In October 2012 TIC announced on negotiations with PCS on a merger deal, where PCS will take over full ownership of ICL in a shares swap deal (TIC will become a shareholder in PCS). At this stage PCS announced it is backing from the transaction due to the Israel government objection (see more CHARACTER).

DIRECTORS

 

1.    Nir Gilad, Chairman of ICL,

2.    Stefan Borgas, CEO of ICL,

3.      Yossi Rosen,

4.      Asher Greenbaum,

5.      Eli Amit,

6.      Victor Medina,

7.      Avisar Paz,

8.      Yair Orgler,

9.      Yossi Lastigzon,

10.    Avi Dueitchman, CFO of ICL,

11.    Udi Buch,

12.    Shlomo Maoz,

13.    Amir Makov,

14.    Avraham (Beiga) Sochat (former Minister of Finance).

 

 

GENERAL MANAGER

 

Nissim Hadar (also of parent co. DSBG).

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Subject is part of ICL Industrial Products (ICL-IP), headed by the DEAD SEA BROMINE GROUP (DSBG). ICL-IP sales comprised 21.5% of ICL total 2012 sales.

Manufacturers, exporters and marketers of bromine compounds and other industrial chemicals based on minerals extracted from the Dead Sea, the world’s largest bromine source (methyl bromide, sodium, potassium and ammonium bromides, etc.), for agricultural and industrial purposes, mainly plastics industry and chemicals for oil/gas drilling, etc. and are also used as flame retardants, mainly for the electronics industries. Most of ICL-IP products are bromine-based (the rest is chlorine-based, magnesia-based and others). Most of the bromine extracted is for ICL own production (76%), the rest is sold to 3rd parties.

97% of sales are to overseas markets.

Yearly production capacity of bromine compounds is 400K tons (202K tons produced in 2011) and 280K tons of elementary bromine (254K tons produced).

 

Among local suppliers: SIG INDUSTRIES, PETRUS TECHNICAL SUPPLY, ATEKA, AMGAL CHEMICALS, MODCHEM, LEAD CONTROL, A.D. SINUN, YAMATON, HAL DOR IMPORT, PURE CHEMICALS, APPLIED CHEM, SEVEN SEAS SHIPPING (shipping services), E.S.T. PROJECTS, etc.

 

Subject and DSBG are operating from head offices in Maklef House, 12 Kroitzer Menachem Street, Industrial Zone, Beer Sheva. Plants are situated in Sodom (at Dead Sea shores), and in the Negev Desert, in Ramat Hovav, and DSP plant in Mishor Rotem (near Dimaona).

ICL-IP also operate from plants in the USA (2 plants), China (3 plants), Germany, France, Ireland and in the Netherlands, as well as from a Logistic Center in the Netherlands, and from marketing and service offices in several other countries.

 

There are 12,280 employees in the ICL Group (of which 5,495 employees in Israel), of which 2,660 employees in ICL IP Division, to which subject belongs.

 

 

MEANS

 

Financial data is included in the consolidated statements of parent company, ISRAEL CHEMICALS LTD., which shows:

                                                                                                 US$ (thousands)

ASSETS                                                                            31.12.2011                 31.12.2012

Current assets:

     Cash and cash equivalents                                                   330,121                   288,509

     Investments, deposits and short term loans                           144,126                   172,440

     Customers                                                                        1,327,513                1,074,207

     Other receivables                                                                 181,531                   231,347

     Other assets                                                                          48,703                     63,517

     Stock                                                                                1,410,930                1,480,044

                                                                                             3,442,924                3,310,064

Non-current assets:

     Investments and other non-current assets                              517,881                   645,365

     Fixed assets                                                                     2,575,988                3,049,973

     Intangible assets                                                                  746,305                   741,380

                                                                                             3,840,174                4,436,718

                                                                                             7,283,098                7,746,782

                                                                                           ========               ========

 

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities                                                                    1,753,523                1,926,135

Non-current liabilities                                                              2,424,681                2,420,643

Equity                                                                                    3,104,894                3,400,004

                                                                                             7,283,098                7,746,782

                                                                                           ========               ========

 

ICL’s current market value US$ 15,342.4 million.

 

Total assets of ICL-IP as of 31.12.2012 summed up to US$ 1,750.2 million (was US$ 1,643.3 million as of 31.12.2011).

 

On the 04.12.2011 ICL signed an agreement with 7 international banks to receive a line of credit of US$ 650 million.

 

Subject is an “Approved Enterprise” and as such enjoys tax benefits and State incentives, including from The Chief Scientist Office. DSBG received an approval from the Israel Investment Centre (IIC) for a US$ 50 millions expansion plan for the Bromine plant in Sodom. In 2000, IIC approved investment plans for subject (jointly with sister DEAD SEA BROMINE CO.) for the sum of US$ 140 million.

 

There is 1 charge for an unlimited amount registered on the company’s assets, in favor of a foreign company CRYSTAL PURCHASING LTD.

 

 

REVENUES

 

Subject pays royalties to the State of Israel as part of the rights given for mineral production from the Dead Sea.

ICL-IP Div. sales:

2009 sales were US$ 1,015.1 million, making a gross profit of US$ 236.5 million and an operating profit of US$ 20.9 million.

2010 sales were US$ 1,313.2 million, operating profit of US$ 206.6 million.

2011 sales were US$ 1,513 million, operating profit of US$ 297.7 million.

2012 sales were US$ 1,436.6 million, operating profit of US$ 230.7 million.

 

DSBG ended 2010 with a consolidated net profit of US$ 73,699,000.

DSBG ended 2011 with a consolidated net profit of US$ 175,086,000.

DSBG ended 2012 with a consolidated net profit of US$ 144,860,000.

 

                                                                           ISRAEL CHEMICALS LIMITED

                                                                      Consolidated Statement of Income

                                                                                         US$ (thousands)

                                                                                         Year ended 31.12

                                                                             2010                2011                   2012

Sales                                                                5,691,537            7,067,834            6,672,241

 

Gross profit                                                      2,432,076            3,155,663            2,757,179

 

Operating income                                              1,346,127            1,925,965            1,576,515

 

Income before taxes on income                         1,295,423            1,871,708            1,526,159

 

Net income                                                       1,028,617            1,523,016            1,305,133

                                                                      ========          ========          ========

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

Subject's subsidiaries:

BROMINE COMPOUNDS MARKETING (2002) LTD., 100%,

TETRABROM TECHNOLOGIES LTD., 100%,

CHEMADA FINE CHEMICALS LTD., 26%.

 

Also part of ICL Industrial Products and DSBG, headed by parent company DEAD SEA BROMINE COMPANY LTD. (among others):

TAMI IMI INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH &DEVELOPMENT LTD.,

DEAD SEA PRICLASE FUSED PRODUCTS, General Partnership,

ICL-IP AMERICA INC., USA, owns HY YIELD BROMINE, 80%, USA.

ICL-IP JAPAN LTD., Japan,

LANDCAM LIMITED, South Africa,

BROMINE & CHEMICALS LIMITED, UK,

EUROCLEARON B.V., the Netherlands, owns CLEARON CORP., USA,

ICL-IP EUROPE B.V., the Netherlands, holds several subsidiaries, including BROMOCHEMIE HOLDINGS B.V., ICL IP TERNEUZEN B.V., SINOBROM (75%, China), LIANYONGANG DEAD SEA BROMINE COMPOUNDS LTD (60%, China), BROMISA INDUSTRIAL E COMERCIAL LTDA (Brazil), and others.

ROTEM AMFERT NEGEV B.V., Holland

 

Other companies part of the ICL Group, among many others:

ICL Fertilizers Division:

ICL FERTILIZERS LP,

ROTEM AMFERT NEGEV LTD., producers, exporters and marketers of a varitey of products based on phosphate rock mined in the Negev Desert, including phosphate fertilizers, phosphoric acid and specialty fertilizers.

FERTILIZERS AND CHEMICALS LTD., manufacturers, importers and marketers of fertilizers and chemicals, mainly for the agriculture sector, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, industrial chemicals, feed additives, etc.

DEAD SEA WORKS LTD., producers, manufacturers, exporters and marketers of potash and other chemicals from the Dead Sea. Owns ICL IBERIA SCS, GRUPO EMPRESARIAL AGROMEDITERRANO S.A and IBER POTASH S.A. of Spain, CLEAVLAND POTASH LIMITED of the U.K., ASHLEY CHEMICALS (HOLLAND) B.V.

EUROCHIL HOLDING B.V., Germany

AMSTERDAM FERTILIZERS DEUTSCHLAND OHG (AMFERT GERMANY)

AMSTERDAM FERTILIZERS B.V., the Netherlands

ROTEM HOLDING GmbH, Germany

ZUARI ROTEM SPECIALTY FERTILIZERS, 50%, India

P.M. CHEMICALS SRL, Italy

ICL ASIA LTD.

 

ROTEM BKG LLC, USA

ROTEM DU BRAZIL LTD, ICL BRAZIL LTDA, both of Brazil

ICL FERTILIZERS (INDIA) PRIVATE LIMITED, India

ICL Performance Products (ICL-PP):

ICL PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS INC.

B.K. GIULINI GmbH, a subsidiary in Germany

BKG PURIPHOS B.V.

PEKAFERT B.V., holds EUROCIL LUXEMBOURG

ASTARIS INC. of the U.S.A. and Brazil

ICL NORTH AMERICA INC, USA.

ICL Metallurgy, headed by DEAD SEA MAGNESIUM LTD., producers, manufacturers, exporters and marketers of magnesium and related products, producing magnesium from the Dead Sea.

Others:

MIFALEI TOVALA LTD., land transportation, bulk transportation

I.D.E. TECHNOLOGIES LTD., 50%, desalination facilities and water treatment,

ICL FINANCE B.V., The Netherlands, ICL FINANCE INC., The USA, ICL FINANCE  & ISSUING LTD., ICL FINE CHEMICALS LTD., TWINCAP FOERSAEKRINGS AB (Sweden), and many others, including companies in the ICL Group and ISRAEL CORP. concern.

 

BANKS

 

Bank Leumi Le’Israel Ltd., Beer Sheva Branch (No. 921), Beer Sheva.

Bank Hapoalim Ltd., Beer Sheva Branch (No. 631), Beer Sheva.

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

In November 2007 a motion for a class action lawsuit on the sum of NIS 1 billion was filed against subject to the Beer Sheva District Court, regarding environmental damages and risks to the local population due to emission produced from the Beer Sheva plants. In April 2012 the sides reached a compromise, according to which ICL Group will invest NIS 9.3 million in improved plants infrastructure and contribute NIS 1 million to a local education center.

 

There are several other claims, mainly due to environmental issues, none seem to be significant at this stage. DSBG and ICL have been investing tens of NIS millions in recent years in environmental protection ends.

Apart from that, nothing unfavorable learned.

 

Subject meets ISO 9000, ISO 14000 quality standards.

 

DSBG is considered of the world’s leading company in the bromine market, with estimated production capacity of 40% of the total bromine production in the world and lead in the bromine-based flame retardant products market. Imports amount to US$ 100 million per annum. In addition, it is a world’s leading producer of specialty phosphates based on purified phosphoric acid.

ICL is a multi-national concern, among the world's leading suppliers of minerals and one of the largest industrial concerns in Israel. It is ranked as the world's 6th largest potash manufacturer (has 9% market share), the world's largest producer of PK fertilizers (compound of potash and phosphate fertilizers), and leading producer of specialty phosphates based on purified phosphoric acid.

 

ISRAEL CORP. (TIC), current market value US$ 5,083 million, part of OFER Group, is Israel’s largest holding company, one the largest and most influential groups in the Israeli market, operating worldwide also in the fields of energy, shipping, high tech & electronics and real estate.

 

Canadian PCS, which holds some 14% in ICL, is the world’s largest potash producer (20% market share). As noted above, PCS started negotiating with TIC several months ago with view of gaining full ownership of ICL (by merging it into PCS, allocating PCS shares to TIC), in a strategic move facing the global Potash market which forces mergers in order to face competition. PCS is publicly traded on NYSE and Toronto (TSX: POT, NYSE: POT) with market value of US$ 35.25 billion. Under the circumstances, TIC will become the major shareholder in PCS with some 20% stake. Yet, such a transaction requires the State of Israel authorization (the State holds a golden share in ICL since it controls the State's natural resource), and lately the Israeli Minister of Treasury announced he will object such deal. In the end of April 2013 PCS announced the time is not right for the merger. Moreover, in case PCS sees that a merger is not practical it may turn to acquire ICL's Jordanian rival and sell its holdings in ICL.

 

ICL Group, including subject's ICL-IP Div., were adversely hit by the global economic crisis (thus subject's markets, such as the electronics, construction, automotive, oil drilling got hurt). ICL took massive cost saving steps to face the depression. Yet, since 4thQ-2009 worlds markets recovered and financial results improved (ICL-IP 2011 sales reached all-time record).

 

DSBG signed long term cooperation agreement with the DOW CHEMICALS, including with subsidiary DOW AGROSCIENCE (in value of US$ 100 million per annum). Also signed a joint venture agreement with the Chinese leading chemical company SHANDONG HAIHUA SHAREHOLDING COMPANY LTD., for a joint establishment of a manufacturing and marketing plant in China for bromine compounds, with investment of US$ 30 million (equally split).

 

DSBG also signed in 2001 an agreement with one of the largest Japanese companies, D.K. (manufacturers and marketers of chemical products), for the formation of a joint venture, for manufacturing and marketing of delaying combustion chemical products for the Far East market.

 

In September 2005, ICL acquired ASTARTIS, producers of phsphate-based products of the USA and Brazil, for a sum of US$ 255 million.

 

In early 2007 ICL acquired also the assets and activities of Canadian FIRETROL, which develops phosphoric based products for fire extinguishing (in forests, etc.).

In August 2007 ICL acquired American SUPRESTA, manufacturers of phosphorus products for fire safety, in consideration of US$ 352 million (by ICL own finance). SUPRESTA is the leading company in its field in the world. ICL's products for fire safety were so far based on bromine, and the purchase expands this line of products to the new area.

 

In November 2007, ICL-PP Div. acquired BIOGEMA of France, producers of fire extinguishing products, for several US$ million and in January 2008 acquired the water treatment activities of the HENKEL, for US$ 89 million. Also as part of ICL strategy to expand its Industrial Products and Performance Products market share, during 2009 ICL acquired of 6 European companies in the fields of water purification (MEDENTECH of Ireland) and hygiene (including PRIMALAB of France, HYPROCLEAN of Germany and EKULINE’s cleaning products Div.), for estimated total sum of US$ 40 million.

 

ICL Group's plants started to benefit from the shift of Group's use in natural gas as energy source (replacing the ISRAEL ELECTRICITY CORP. conventional electricity power) from the end of 2008. ICL expected to save US$ 100 million per year due to the shift of energy source. In March 2008 subject signed an agreement with TETHYS SEA, to supply natural gas to subject in value of US$ 260-330 million. In addition, in July 2012 ICL announced on investing US$ 320 million in the erection of a new 250mW natural gas-based power station in Sodom site. The project, expected to end by 2015 2nd half, is designed to meet the forecasted growth in demand for ICL potash and bromine production capacity, while saving electricity costs.

 

In May 2010 it was reported that DSBG is benefiting from the decrease in bromine salt levels in China's bromine production sites which led to lower Chinese production and higher bromine prices. Hence, since the beginning of 2010 subject moved to produce to 85%-90% of its production capacity, compared with some 46% in 2009.

 

In June 2010 it was reported that ICL signed transportation contracts with ISRAEL RAILWAYS for cargo from the Dead Sea and Negev Desert until 2021, in volume of NIS 1 billion.

 

In December 2010 the Israeli Parliament voted to cancel ICL special tax benefits (hundreds NIS millions), as part of a revision concerning royalties from State resources (ICL has been enjoying both from low royalties rate and tax benefits) and the assumption that ICL also paid less than it had to, thus it has to compensate the State. This will have certain negative implications on ICL Group’s future results. After long mediation process, royalties for certain minerals were elevated and negotiations towards the fees update continue.

 

Latest ICL acquisitions in the specialty fertilizers field: In February 2011 acquired EVERRIS (formerly SCOTTS GLOBAL), for US$ 270 million. In April 2011 acquired Spain's largest specialty chemical manufacturer FUENTES MENDEA, for US$ 122 million. In July 2011 acquired Mexican COSMOCEL QUIMICA, food additives and specialty chemicals manufacturers, for US$ 35 million. In October 2011 acquired the activities of American HALOX, a global leader in phsphate-based products for the colors and coatings industry in the building field, for several tens US$ million, and 50% (on top of 50% already held) of Belgian fertilizer components maker NUTRISI HOLDINGS, which holds 50% in NU3, the world's largest manufacturer of soluble NPK.

 

In December 2011 subject bought CHEMTURA’s 50% share in their TETRABROM TECHNOLOGIES bromine compounds joint venture, the world's largest flame retardants manufacturer, becoming the sole owner of the operation.

 

Subject developed a bromine compound, which eliminates the mercury pollution of coal burning of power plants. Following the expecting of a significant demand increase (due to strict environmental laws), in November 2011 it was reported that subject intends to invest some US$ 100 million in the expansion of Ramat Hovav plant.

 

The local Chemical industry is considered one of the strongest in the market, with impressive growth trend in recent years. The industry employs 30,000 workers. Total turnover of the local Chemical Industry in 2008 amounted to US$ 24 billion, comprising 30% of Israel’s total industrial turnover.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Good for trade engagements.

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.54.29

UK Pound

1

Rs.83.88

Euro

1

Rs.70.67

 

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Report Prepared by :

PRL

 

 

RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

RATING

STATUS

 

 

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

>86

Aaa

Possesses an extremely sound financial base with the strongest capability for timely payment of interest and principal sums

 

Unlimited

71-85

Aa

Possesses adequate working capital. No caution needed for credit transaction. It has above average (strong) capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Large

56-70

A

Financial & operational base are regarded healthy. General unfavourable factors will not cause fatal effect. Satisfactory capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Fairly Large

41-55

Ba

Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal commitments.

 

Satisfactory

26-40

B

Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively below average.

 

Small

11-25

Ca

Adverse factors are apparent. Repayment of interest and principal sums in default or expected to be in default upon maturity

 

Limited with full security

<10

C

Absolute credit risk exists. Caution needed to be exercised

 

 

Credit not recommended

--

NB

New Business

 

--

 

This score serves as a reference to assess SC’s credit risk and to set the amount of credit to be extended. It is calculated from a composite of weighted scores obtained from each of the major sections of this report. The assessed factors and their relative weights (as indicated through %) are as follows:

 

Financial condition (40%)            Ownership background (20%)                  Payment record (10%)

Credit history (10%)                   Market trend (10%)                                Operational size (10%)

 

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL : This information is provided to you at your request, you having employed MIPL for such purpose. You will use the information as aid only in determining the propriety of giving credit and generally as an aid to your business and for no other purpose. You will hold the information in strict confidence, and shall not reveal it or make it known to the subject persons, firms or corporations or to any other. MIPL does not warrant the correctness of the information as you hold it free of any liability whatsoever. You will be liable to and indemnify MIPL for any loss, damage or expense, occasioned by your breach or non observance of any one, or more of these conditions

This report is issued at your request without any risk and responsibility on the part of MIRA INFORM PRIVATE LIMITED (MIPL) or its officials.