Clean Science and Technology Ltd
NSE:CLEAN

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Clean Science and Technology Ltd
NSE:CLEAN
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Price: 1 345.85 INR -0.33% Market Closed
Updated: May 18, 2024

Earnings Call Analysis

Q3-2024 Analysis
Clean Science and Technology Ltd

Aiming to Double Turnover with Investments

Clean Science aims to double its turnover from INR 935 crores in 2023 with new investments, particularly INR 335 crores in Clean Fino-Chem. HALS production is targeted to reach 200 tonnes a month by March 2025. However, margins could be pressured in FY '25 due to initial ramp-up costs and efficiencies. Meanwhile, Guaiacol sales have recovered to previous peak levels, but the company still holds some inventory. MEHQ capacity is at 60-65% and most pharma intermediate sales are domestic, with no long-term contracts, typically lasting three months.

Product and Commercialization Developments

The company is on track with its significant product developments, as commercial shipping of 10 products is expected to start within the next two quarters. This timeline is in line with previous indications and reflects the organization's ability to execute its plans effectively despite the large capital expenditure involved and it being a greenfield project. Additionally, there is a noteworthy mention of a subsidiary company's HALS series which will be introduced for the first time in India.

Financial Expectations and Growth

The financial outlook appears optimistic, with anticipated sales growth in the range of 15% to 20%. This growth is supported by an expected improved business environment in FY24 over the previous subdued year. The company foresees normalized EBITDA margins recovering to 22% to 24% in the next fiscal year, hinting at overcoming the impact of one-off events faced in the current year.

Strategic Investments and Capacity Utilization

The company has begun construction of a pharma intermediate plant and aims to commence commercialization by September or October. To manage capacity, the firm adopts a rule of thumb that expects 80% to 85% utilization within 3 years of installation. Expansion in capacities and new projects like the HALS series and the pharma intermediate plant are part of a strategic INR 335 crore investment in Clean Fino-Chem, anticipating commercialization to commence shortly.

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Earnings Call Transcript

Earnings Call Transcript
2024-Q3

from 0
Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to the Q3 FY '24 Earnings Conference Call of Clean Science and Technology Limited. We have with us on the call Mr. Siddharth Sikchi, Executive Director and Promoter; Mr. Sanjay Parnerkar, CFO; and Mr. Pratik Bora, Vice President. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded.

I now hand the conference over to Mr. Siddharth Sikchi for opening remarks. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Thank you so much. So good afternoon to all of you. First of all, my sincere apologies to making you all come on the con call on a Saturday afternoon. However, I'm very happy to connect with all of you again to discuss the performance of our company for quarter 3 FY '24.

Business environment. We witnessed progressive recovery during this quarter across volumes compared to the last quarter. Low demand globally along with incremental capacities which came up over the last couple of years, especially in China, is putting downward pressure on price realization.

On the financial highlights. On a Q-o-Q basis, we recorded 8% growth in sales and growth is primarily volume-led with realization being steady. We are pleased to report that during this quarter, Guaiacol sales increased by 50%, led by volume growth. The pickup in volumes, contribution from principal products increased to 78% during this quarter compared to 73% during the last quarter. EBITDA increased by 14% to INR 86 crores during this quarter, while EBITDA margin expanded to 45% as against 42.5% during the last quarter. Better product mix and benefit of operating leverage led by higher revenue base compared to last quarter resulted in 20% growth impact to INR 62 crores as against INR 52 crores during the last quarter. We are also extremely pleased to report that Board has reported an interim dividend of INR 2 per share.

On Q-o-Q basis, sales declined by 18%. Decline is majorly realization led with lower realization, contributing 13% to decline and volume degrowth has been up to 5%. Sales profile is more diversified compared to last year with contribution from principal products being 78% during the quarter as against 85% during the same quarter last year. EBITDA degrew by 20% on a year-on-year basis from INR 108 crores to INR 86 crores during this quarter. However, led by better profitability across newer products and lower consumption prices, the EBITDA margin continues to be robust at 45% during this quarter compared to 46% same quarter last year. It is relevant to note that here EBITDA margin continues to be strong despite diversified sales profile and lower sales base.

Sales profile. The revenue contribution from Performance Chemicals, Pharma and Agro Intermediates and FMCG were 67%, 19% and 13%, respectively. Performance segment was most impacted with realization-led decline in sales across MEHQ and BHA. Pharma segment growth was led by DCC. This improvement was volume led. And FMCG segment witnessed realization-led decline in sales. The new HALS Series continued to demonstrate sequential uptick on a quarter-on-quarter basis with volume-led increase in revenue by 10%.

A little bit on CapEx update. We have incurred a CapEx of INR 225 crores during the first 9 months of FY '24, including investment in subsidiary of INR 215 crores. Total investment in CFCL during this quarter was INR 60 crores, thereby total equity infusion into CFCL is INR 335 crores. We are on track to commercialize the capacity for pharma intermediates by Q3 of FY '25.

On ESG, we are pleased to announce that we have published our maiden sustainability report and would be happy to have your view on the same.

We are in process of installing rooftop solar plant of 1.5 megawatts at our new facility. This will moderate our carbon footprint and also rationalize the power bill.

So all in all, to summarize the business performance, earnings scale is impacted during current slowdown. Further earnings profile has diversified with meaningful revenue coming in from new products, yet earnings quality, that is EBITDA margins continue to be upbeat at 45%. We reiterate that innovative technology and strong process engineering skills would enable the company to endure volatile times and resilient manner. Thank you so much.

P
Pratik Bora
executive

Operator, you may open the call for Q&A.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Sanjesh Jain from ICICI Securities.

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

I got a few of them. First, on your opening remarks you said that there has been a lot of capacities which have come in China and put a pressure on pricing. Where we look at the performance, it really doesn't look on that. Is it that these pressures have come in post this December or it is an ongoing process even in previous quarter and few quarters behind also you have seen that?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

No, Sanjesh, it is a very generalized statement because we have seen capacities of, say, diphenols, which has come up over the last few quarters in China. And even in our pharma intermediaries we see Chinese had raised up capacities. So there has been a stiff competition. And I think it is a very common phenomenon in all chemical segments at the moment.

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

Anything in the particularly for MEHQ/BHA, which are our principal product. Are we seeing activity on that side as well?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Not at the moment in the current technology. But of course, because they have hydroquinone on-based processes. So -- but as of now, there is no real threat in MEHQ and BHA for us.

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

And second, Siddharth, I can appreciate the percentage margin and which are very healthy. But it is also a factor that there is a significant fall in the realization, which make percentage margins slightly less reliable. How is the unit margin for us? Are they also back to that pre-COVID level which we were doing? Or how are they for MEHQ and BHA?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

On percentage-wise, yes, we are on pre-COVID levels. But of course, the absolute numbers are lower because the prices have fallen significantly, right, because of the current scenario.

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

My next is on the HALS. 770 and 701 now that we have started commercial production and supply side, what are the initial response, customer addition, which category, domestic versus international. Can you give a little bit more color on that?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Yes. For the 701, it also goes in water treatment. We have approved by some big multinationals in Europe. We have started exporting the product to China. I mean, that's again a thing because China has been supplying [ 4HT ] to the world. So we've got our -- send some material to China. We have sold something to Korea. And we are also now in the process to discuss with some customers in Europe and North America.

For 770, yes, we are approved with a lot of customers in India. And of course, we have also started talking to global customers. You would have started seeing -- we have started shipping to Europe, to Middle East, and domestically our acceptance is increasing, and we see that this is a great support to us. And as the new series will start in February-March, that will be a real support because the customers are looking for a basket rather than a single or 2 products.

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

Fair enough. You touched upon my next question, actually. Where are we in the portfolio? We previously spoke that we are looking at some 10 products within the HALS basket. Are the products completely prepared in the pilot stage and it's just that this new plant when it starts we are good to go? Where are we in those products...

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

So now the plant is going to start. So we'll -- so phase wise, in every 15, 20 days, so the capacity is installed for all the products. But of course, it would not be sensible to start every day -- everything at day 1. So we are going to start, say 1 product, say, day 1, let it stabilize for 2, 3 weeks, then start the second one, stabilize it, and start the third one. So even my people have to get trained because these are absolutely new products and processes, which we have -- I mean, doing at Clean Science. But the capacities are all installed. The INR 335 crores is installed and the plants are now about to begin.

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

So say, by another 2 quarters, we should be ready with all the 10 products commercially getting shipped. Is that a fair assumption?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

I would not know exactly the 10 products, but yes the major HALS which we have mentioned, they will all be in pipeline. And we would have already started selling, sampling and everything will happen.

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

Last question on the utilization side...

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

And again, Sanjesh, if you would appreciate that despite of the current business environment, despite of our venturing into the HALS first time in India, our timelines which we had mentioned all along that the plants will start in December, January, I think we are quite there even despite the biggest CapEx in the history of the organization and being a greenfield project.

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

No, no, I clearly appreciate that, Siddharth. It's a phenomenal execution; timeline, product, and margins are really impressive in this tough environment and no credit from that perspective. It's been a phenomenal execution. Just looking at the HALS pickup, I just wanted to understand how are you looking utilization in FY '25 and '26 from these new plants?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

I think it's a future statement.

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

I think just on hope. I'm not...

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

So typically when we install a capacity, see the general thumb rule in our mind is the capacity utilization should happen up to 80%, 85% in 3 years' time. So 30, 30, 30 thoughts. This is roughly...

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

That's roughly an assumption.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

And anything faster is a bonus to us.

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

Perfect. Siddharth, any more update on the pharma side. We have announced 1 product previously and we said that we have an ambition to put up the CapEx of INR 200 crores. Any more update on that side?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

So the pharma intermediate plant, the construction has begun. We hope to start commercialization by September, October. So that is ongoing. That is one. And there is another -- some few projects which are in pipeline, which are at pilot scale, and which we are very hopeful that in the next few weeks we will take a decision on the CapEx for those things. So there are 2 major products, which we are working on, and those in total can take up our CapEx of INR 200 crores, INR 100 crores each.

S
Sanjesh Jain
analyst

Got it. So we are on the pipeline. We are on that -- on the route map for that as well, right?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Absolute, absolutely.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Ankur Periwal from Axis Capital.

A
Ankur Periwal
analyst

So first question, you started off saying that locally pressure on realization still continues. And especially China, the demand has slowed down there. But if I look at the quarter-on-quarter numbers, there has been improvement in China sales per se. Any specific product which is driving this? Or how should one look at it?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

First of all, your voice is not clear, Ankur.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Arun Prasath from Avendus Spark.

A
Arun Prasath
analyst

Siddharth, my first question is on the -- once again on the China. Generally we get the commentary that Chinese volumes and exposure once again back. And -- but in our portfolio, that's the exposure the Chinese kind of halved, what you said around 40%, 45% is now way lower than that. Is it the result of the Chinese capacities coming up there? Or do we plan to get back those volumes? A little bit of commentary on this will be helpful.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

So, Arun, the sales to China -- or the percentage exported to China, that going down has nothing to do with any of the capacities or anything coming up in China. It's overall slowdown in the revenue, which is -- and some change in the product mix also with the highest capacity coming up, with the new products coming up, the domestic sales exposure has gone up.

A
Arun Prasath
analyst

Okay. So our volumes in China remains absolutely the same level, not -- maybe visitors in '21 levels, it has remained the same.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

No, it has lowered a little bit because of the lower demand in China.

P
Pratik Bora
executive

So the point we're trying to make is, we are not getting replaced. We are not losing market share in any of the customers -- I mean, with any of the customers.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

And also, we have derisked -- I mean, with the new product portfolio, we have derisked ourselves from the exposure we had against -- I mean when we were selling into the China market.

A
Arun Prasath
analyst

Is the HALS contribution so high that has kind of derisked already? Or is it you're talking about the other products other than say, MEHQ and BHA?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

No. So there are -- even the HALS, but even the pharma intermediates, they are now -- the Indian markets are opening up for those products as well, right? Hence, even if you see the revenues, which were predominantly from the flagship products has come down in terms of percentage. So earlier where they were contributing 85%, now are roughly close to 75%, 76%. So that 7%, 8% has been the Indian sales or the domestic sales.

A
Arun Prasath
analyst

So what I understand is, as far as our portfolio is concerned, especially with MEHQ and all, the Chinese production is yet to ramp up and hence our volume is not yet there. But once China gets back, especially on this front, are we confident of getting back those volumes? Or it will be kind of a tough competition with these captive producers there -- local producers there?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

So hopefully we hope that the economies will recover. We hope that things will again come to normalcy. And again, the demand should come up. This destocking as, I think, has hopefully come to an end, and that is why you can see our Q3 numbers -- I mean, quarter-on-quarter, our numbers have started improving. So it is not a firm answer, but I can -- I think, hopefully, the economy should move towards recovery.

A
Arun Prasath
analyst

That's right. But what I'm trying to understand here is our cost advantage over the Chinese because of the different process, is it still intact? Do you think -- or the new capacities are also -- are likely to bridge the gap?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Not at the moment. It's the advantage is still intact. Hence, that is why the EBITDA percentage remains the same, right?

A
Arun Prasath
analyst

But the new capacities are also on the -- will be -- we'll have -- over that also will have advantage that's what you're saying, right? New Chinese capacities.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

We're talking about new capacities of MEHQ at the moment.

A
Arun Prasath
analyst

Second on HALS, the price level has obviously been way lower than what used to be there. Is this the new normal because of our entry into the ecosystem? Or is it again because of the lower demand at the end category level?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

So typically, whenever there is a new entrant, I mean we have seen this across all the products when we started. I mean the existing players -- I mean, the only point of advantage they have is -- I mean, they lower the price to make our entry difficult in new accounts. It is a very natural phenomena, and I think we are used to this. So we had expected, of course, the prices have dropped more than our expectation. But we are in the game, and we will complete and we'll fight it as we have done all along.

A
Arun Prasath
analyst

No doubt on that. But the question is -- earlier we attributed the price drop to the demand cut down, are we seeing the demand bounce back on HALS side?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

See, over the last year, whatever the demand has been during entire '23, it was a subdued year. So I think '24 should be a slightly better year.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Ankur Periwal from Axis Capital.

A
Ankur Periwal
analyst

So first question on China as a market. You did mention realization led pressure and consumption over there has also been slower. Yet Q-on-Q, our revenue from China has gone up. Any specific comment, any product which has clicked there?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

In general, we are seeing a little demand picking up. But of course, I mean we would have liked the little higher price as always. And -- but I think with the lower and subdued demand, we are restricting ourselves to increase the price because we don't want to spoil the customer or I mean disappoint the customer when he's returning after a few quarters by asking him a price increase.

A
Ankur Periwal
analyst

Sure. And correct me if I'm wrong. The pricing over here is more spot. There is no longer-term contractual pricing that we enter into for the international sales.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

In China, yes, in particular, it is a quarter or a monthly price. Very rarely, people talk of a longer price. And I mean, it's a trend whenever in falling markets, nobody wants to make a long-term contract. In rising market, people all want to meet long-term contracts. It is very...

A
Ankur Periwal
analyst

And the other markets, Europe and U.S. as well over there, the pricing is still shorter than contract?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Yes. But again, Europe is a little slower than we had expected. North America, South America [ is different ].

A
Ankur Periwal
analyst

Secondly, on the product growth per se -- the segmented growth per se. Performance Chemicals has seen Q-on-Q improvement, which is a good, healthy sign. Pharma, you mentioned is largely volume-driven and FMCG decline is because of realization. Any specific product to highlight here, the new product contribution ramping up, which is setting there in performance?

P
Pratik Bora
executive

So Q-o-Q wise actually MEHQ, there has been a good growth.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Apart from that, I mean, the other products also, the new products which came in, they have also contributed in.

A
Ankur Periwal
analyst

And thirdly, on the HALS side, you did mention a decent uptake in terms of both 770 and 701. Any time lines you would like to share for the newer products? And the -- secondly, from an overall market size, while we are seeing realization-led decline or absolute shrinkage in demand for many of the products, is there any change or some dynamics changing in HALS per se across the products?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Ankur, please repeat.

A
Ankur Periwal
analyst

So 2 parts of the question. HALS, is the way we are seeing realization-led decline in other products. Are we seeing the same decline in HALS range of products or the overall market size of the segment getting decline? And secondly, how are we looking at the time line for our products?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

See, I'll tell you -- the point is, Ankur, that we are just a very new start-up in HALS, right? Even if there is a little demand subdued, we are anyways not looking to get a big market share. Even out of the entire capacity installed, we are only looking to start commercialization, say, 25%, 30%. So even in subdued markets, have a problem, but it is not that it is so low that we will not be able to sell 25% of our installed capacities.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Jason Soans from IDBI Capital.

J
Jason Soans
analyst

Just wanted an update on the -- so the inventory destocking scenario right now, you mentioned last quarter that a lot of the inventory is in excess. Just wanted an update on the destocking scenario. Right now, how do you see it across the various economies?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

So honestly speaking, I particularly feel that, I mean, we have been seeing destocking over the last entire year. And I think -- I mean, according to me, 1 year was a good time line for all the destocking to happen. So I think now -- I mean, maybe 1 or 2 particular accounts, I'm not sure. But in general, I think the destocking phenomena is now behind us. But only what is stopping us is the consumption. I think the demand or the consumption has to increase for the volumes to come back to normalcy. But the destocking phenomena is behind us now for sure. And hence, you can see gradual increase in revenues over the past few quarters for us.

J
Jason Soans
analyst

And sir, I just wanted to also understand that -- I mean, of course, you have mentioned that there is no localized competition coming in from China, and we are not seeing any local threat right now. But just wanted to know, I mean, I understand that we have an absolute wonderful process in terms of MEHQ and BHA, which gives us a very productive throughput from -- and so that's the only process advantage? Is the only thing which stops the Chinese from coming into our domain, I mean, could it be a very basic question to ask, but just wanted to ask you this.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

I also believe the same thing what you said.

J
Jason Soans
analyst

Okay. And sir, I just wanted to know, I mean, you did speak about the contribution from the principal products decreasing from 85% to 76% currently. So the new products are adding in more. So you're basically diversifying basically. So are you saying -- I just wanted to understand the interpretation of that. Are the pharma and agro intermediates that contribution is increasing? Or is there any other new products which are contributing? I just wanted some more color on what these new products are, which are leading to this diversification.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

New products are like TBHQ, the new products are the HALS, the new pharma intermediate is DCC. So these were at nascent stage, say, few quarters before. Now we have got approval. These volumes are increasing. So these will start -- we have started increasing -- I mean, the revenues have started increasing due to these new products. And hence, the percentage is changing. And plus, as the new HALS capacities now start, the percentage of the flagship product will further start reducing. So it's good for a company that we are not dependent on just few products.

J
Jason Soans
analyst

And sir, lastly, just wanted to understand if you could give me -- in your 3 segments, if a volume and realization breakup, if you could give me if it's possible -- across Performance Chemicals, agro intermediates, and FMCG chemicals?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Not possible, sir.

J
Jason Soans
analyst

Okay. And overall, if possible, any broad number?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Overall, what -- the EBITDA margin -- the numbers are with you.

J
Jason Soans
analyst

No, no. I'm saying in terms of volume and realization, so that in terms of sales.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Actually, these segments are so complex -- each products, different realization, it is too complex for us also to calculate.

J
Jason Soans
analyst

Yes, because 18% of the revenue decline year-on-year. So just wondered if a ballpark is possible.

P
Pratik Bora
executive

So 13% is realization-led and 5% is volume-led.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

13% is realization-led and 5% is volume.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Abhijit Akella from Kotak Securities.

A
Abhijit Akella
analyst

Just on HALS, Siddharth, last quarter you said sort of intimated us at 40, 50 tonnes a month is what we are doing. So sort of just wanted to get an update if that's still the run rate we are at? Or has there been some further improvement? And by the end of fiscal '25, are we still sort of looking at 200 tonnes a month? Is that the target?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

No, I think last quarter, yes, you were around the similar numbers. But I think going forward we are aiming to increase that quite a bit.

A
Abhijit Akella
analyst

Yes. So I believe last quarter what you said was 200 tonnes by March 2025 -- 200 tonnes a month by March '25. So can you sort of work with that target now as well?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

I think so. I think so we should stick to that target.

A
Abhijit Akella
analyst

And just with regard to the margin profile or ROCE profile on HALS, given the pricing pressure that you've been witnessing. During the course of FY '25, should we sort of expect some pressure on the overall blended margins as the products ramp up from there?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Yes, definitely because we are newcomers, the yields and efficiencies are not the best, plants are roughly utilized. So of course, there will be realization on margins.

A
Abhijit Akella
analyst

So I mean, roughly compared to this 45% you've seen this quarter, is there a broad number we could work with for next year for the overall company [Technical Difficulty].

P
Pratik Bora
executive

Abhijit, I mean, this question we can take probably next quarter because there are couple of new products, right? I mean the HALS Series, which will be coming in the subsidiary company. So then we'll be able to give a better view on the margins [indiscernible] should be coming up. They'll be launched for the first time.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

First time in India as well.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Krishan Parwani from JM Financial.

K
Krishanchandra Parwani
analyst

Just 1 from my side. I mean, could you just break down the total CapEx for '25 and '26 as in project wise, if possible. I think you mentioned that there are 2 CapEx, it's INR 100 crores each. And then in the last call you said about INR 30 crores for 1 pharma intermediates. So what other projects are there in pipeline? So yes, that are 2 part of the question. That's it.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

So first, I'll answer the second part. I think at the moment, we have this INR 230 crore lineup. The rest, we will come as it goes. The pharma intermediate is on -- going to happen by September. So this CapEx is committed. The first INR 100 crores, I think we should start -- I mean, if everything goes well, we should start somewhere in April or May, the first round of CapEx, I mean, of course, it will take -- it will happen during the course of 11 months. And for the next one, I think probably it will start by August or September.

K
Krishanchandra Parwani
analyst

So in a way, if we see this, let's say, INR 230 crores, it's happening in '25. Any ballpark number you have for, let's say, the overall '25, around INR 300 crores or something like that?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

No, no, no. Not like that.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Jay Jariwala, Individual Investor.

J
Jay Jariwala

So my first question is like the margins were around -- in between 40% to 50% over and around. So is there any chance of margin expansion after the CapEx?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

No, not possible.

J
Jay Jariwala

Okay. And around INR 100 crores -- INR 108 crore profit was there near the December 2022. So is there any timeline where we can expect to cross that?

P
Pratik Bora
executive

So actually, yes, that was the best quarter, I mean, till date. [ There will be ] 2, 3 quarters more where we...

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Easily.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Jay, who is an Individual Investor.

U
Unknown Attendee

Sir, in last con call 1 question was there regarding P-BQ and you said that you had a color problem -- some specific customer had a color problem, and you are working with it. So can you give any update for that? Is the matter sought out and you are supplying still...

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

I have still the same answer like last quarter. We are still working on it.

U
Unknown Attendee

Okay. And sir, my second question is regarding Guaiacol. You said that 50% increase in sales this quarter, that is great. So can you just give the idea that from the -- your peak Guaiacol sales, currently where we stand? Currently where we stand as a Guaiacol sales compared to our peak Guaiacol sales?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

I mean, the market -- the basic problem that happened because of those issues where there were death of children in South -- in Africa area, and there was a tight scrutiny on Indian producers of [indiscernible], which, of course, use Guaiacol as a raw material, plus our markets like Iran and Egypt had some currency issues. So all those factors resulted in lower revenues of Guaiacol. But I think over the quarter we have seen those issues getting resolved. And hence, the customers have come back and the demand is again looking upward, and that is how we could achieve this additional revenues of Guaiacol.

U
Unknown Attendee

That's great. Sir, my question is from earlier before this issue, our sales was suppose 100 tonnes than currently where we stand. So still we are how much behind our peak sales in Guaiacol?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Now we have come back to similar levels. But we are still holding some stocks, right? So we will have to work on selling those as well.

U
Unknown Attendee

Great. Sir, my last question is regarding this MEHQ. Recently, we have done the CapEx and increase our plant utilization. So now what is the capacity utilization in particularly MEHQ?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Closer to 60%, 65%.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Rajasekar MS, who is an Individual Investor.

R
Rajasekar MS

I just want to know what is your total investment on Clean Fino-Chem, and when is the capacity coming up?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Sorry. Can you repeat your question?

R
Rajasekar MS

What is your total investment in Clean Fino-Chem? And when is the -- when are the capacities coming up there?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Yes. Clean Science has totally infused INR 335 crores till date in Clean Fino-Chem, and the commercialization is accepted during this month.

R
Rajasekar MS

During this month. And you are also doing a lot of investments. Your peak turnover has been about INR 935 crores in 2023. With all these investments coming up, what is your increase in turnover you were expecting? Are you able -- will we be able to double the turnover with these investments?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Yes, that's the endeavor.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Sunny, who is an Individual Investor.

U
Unknown Attendee

Sir, I have a question on the pharma intermediates, the current funds as well as the proposed ones. I just want to know, are these supplied to the domestic market or this apply to the export market?

And secondly, are these much more generic products? Or also it includes patented products? And lastly, is there a contract like -- I mean, is it a long-term contract? Or it's like a short contracts -- these are pharma intermediates.

P
Pratik Bora
executive

Okay. So the first part, majority of the pharma product sales comes from the domestic market. Second, these are -- so we are a key starting material supplier. So there's no patent or generic aspect to it.

And sorry, what was your third question?

U
Unknown Attendee

Regarding the contract sizes. I mean, is it a long-term contract or...

P
Pratik Bora
executive

No, there are no long-term contracts here.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Quarter contracts.

P
Pratik Bora
executive

Quarter contracts like, yes -- 3 months contact.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next follow-up question is from the line of Jason Soans from IDBI Capital.

J
Jason Soans
analyst

Just wanted some bit of clarification. So 1 time I had interaction long back, I mean, we had envisaged the CapEx of -- this is coming from an earlier question as well for a breakup. So we had envisaged an investment of around INR 180 crores in FY '24 in Clean Fino-Chem, which is in Unit 4, and INR 200 crores for the new products, which I remember. So could you just bifurcate the CapEx once again for us, please? I mean, what is pertaining to HALS and what is for the new products?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Because it's a greenfield project [indiscernible] includes everything, including the boundary wall, including the security cabin as well, okay? But the newer CapEx will only be dedicated to the plant. Only the production blocks. Now I don't need to build another security. I don't need to build another boundary wall. So future CapEx, when we say, INR 100 crores is typically only for that production block, and maybe 2 things here and there. So when you say INR 335 crores, it doesn't mean that it is entirely going to HALS because we are also creating the common infrastructure.

J
Jason Soans
analyst

So just to again get my understanding correct, the pharma intermediates, which you said the CapEx will -- I mean, the facility will go on stream in September, October 2024, as you mentioned. And then you'll be commercializing 1 block of CapEx of INR 100 crores starting in April this year and one in August, is that right?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Provided my pilot trials are successful.

J
Jason Soans
analyst

Provided everything goes as per plan, then this is the plan, right?

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Absolutely.

Operator

As there are no questions from the participants, I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Siddharth Sikchi for closing comments.

S
Siddharth Sikchi
executive

Thank you so much. I think we finished the call in 45 minutes. I think Saturday works for us as well now. So I would like to thank again all of you for taking time out, and that's all from my side. Thank you so much.

Operator

On behalf of Clean Science and Technology Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us. You may now disconnect your lines.