Balkrishna Industries Limited

Balkrishna Industries Limited

2,109.80
INR
-0.40
(-0.02%)
73.49EPS
29.67P/E
421.51BMarket Cap
Nov 06Next Earn

Q4 FY2026 · Earnings Call TranscriptMay 9, 2026

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to the Balkrishna Industries Limited Q4 FY '26 earnings conference call. This conference call may contain forward-looking statements about the company, which are based on beliefs, opinions, and expectations of the company as on the date of this call.

These statements are not the guarantees of future performance and involve risk and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. As a reminder, all participant lines will be in the listen-only mode, and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions after the presentation concludes.

Should you need assistance during the conference call, please signal an operator by pressing star then zero on your touchtone phone. Please note that this conference is being recorded.

I now hand the conference over to Mr. Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director.

Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Rajiv Poddar

Thank you, Yusuf. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us today.

Along with me, I have Mr. Bajaj, Senior President and Director Commercial, and our CFO; Mr.

Satish Sharma, Senior President and Director of Strategy and Business Development; Mr. Ravi Joshi, our Deputy CFO; Mr.

Sushil Mishra, Head of Accounts; and SGA, our IR advisors. At the onset, let me start by saying we have been resilient in a challenging external environment.

While macroeconomic uncertainties continue to persist, at BKT, we remain confident in our ability to deliver sustainable and profitable growth over the medium to long term. Our financial performance has remained stable, reflecting the strength of our integrated business model and disciplined cost management.

We are now witnessing raw material price upticks due to supply chain disruptions, and are closely monitoring the situation while maintaining a steady balance between superior product mix and price hikes to partially offset this impact. I shall now discuss the performance updates of each of our business.

Let me first begin with our OHT business. We are pleased to report a quarter marked by continued sequential improvements in volumes, supported by gradual normalization across key markets.

H2 performance was significantly better than H1. This resulted in a strong operational year for the company, where we delivered our highest ever quarterly volumes in Q4, and also the highest ever volumes annually in the financial year '26.

From end market perspective, in Europe, H2 showed good recovery over H1, driven by easing in channel inventories. Similarly, in the Americas market, we were witnessing improving traction supported by higher channel activity.

We have created a sharper focus in our go-to-market strategy for Americas in order to realize the true potential of the BKT product range in that market. India continues to outperform all markets and witness a sustained momentum.

We are cautiously optimistic for the geography given the weather forecast of IMD for the upcoming monsoon season. I shall now share some insights of our carbon black business.

For the financial year '26, our carbon black business recorded marginal revenue growth on year-on-year basis with third-party sales at 9% of overall business. In December '25, we commissioned our new line for carbon black, taking the total capacity available to us at 265 KTA.

I'm pleased to share that we have witnessed full utilization levels for the new lines, supported by a mix of internal consumption and external third-party sales. To ensure energy circularity model, company increased the captive power plant capacity at Bhuj to 64 MW during February '26.

We are now targeting the balance part of carbon black capacity to come on stream in Q1 of financial year '27. In specialty carbon black, we have already secured approvals for select grades across plastics, pressure pipes, and power cables and inks.

Moving to our on-road highway business, during the quarter, we continued to make progress on our long-term growth roadmap with a strong focus on product diversification and market expansion. We have entered the truck bus radial segment with a new product launches in February '26.

This segment is aligned with infrastructure growth, increasing radialization trends, thereby helping us to tap the replacement market opportunities that lie for us. Further, we have relaunched the two-wheelers tires, where we have introduced select products targeting domestic market.

The distribution network and channel infrastructure for the on-highway segment is being built, with products being placed in the market starting April '26, along with focused marketing campaigns with Ranveer Singh, our brand ambassador, to popularize our entry in these newer segments. The early response from the market has been encouraging, reflecting acceptance of our product quality and performance.

Building on this momentum, the company plans to introduce the passenger car radial, or PCR tires, by the end of the current calendar year, following a phased and calibrated approach. At BKT, we see our entry in these newer segments as a strategic adjacency that complements our existing strengths.

At overall level, while macroeconomic uncertainties persist, we remain focused on the following: volume growth with margin discipline; leverage our carbon black capabilities to improve efficiency and quality; and lastly, to scale up progressively our on-highway business. Let me now share an update on the BKT brand.

During the year, we undertook a repositioning of the BKT brand architecture by differentiating the corporate and the regular lines by adding Tires and Carbon to product branding, aimed at making it more contemporary and emotionally engaging while retaining its core attributes of performance and reliability. The same must have been noticed by all of you during the ongoing T20 league in India.

Integrated product and brand building initiatives across major digital and print platforms under the campaign Elevate Your Drive with our brand ambassador Ranveer Singh has received strong engagement and positive customer response. These initiatives have enhanced brand recall, supported new product launches, and strengthened BKT's positioning across domestic and international markets.

Now, let me quickly share insights on sustainability as highlighted in our FY '25 report. As part of our long-term strategy, sustainability continues to remain a core focus area at Balkrishna Industries.

During the financial year '25, we have made steady progress across our ESG priorities. During the year, our S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, or the CSA score, improved to 58, reflecting the steady progress of sustainability initiatives taken by us and reinforcing BKT's position among the leading Indian tire manufacturers on sustainability performance.

As a part of our CSR activities, we have entered into a partnership for establishing Narsee Monjee SkillTech University in Mumbai through a committed contribution of ₹25 crores staggered over the next few years. As a part of this initiative, a dedicated BKT School of Engineering and Technology will be set up, reinforcing the company's focus on promoting skill-based higher education aligned with our industry needs.

Lastly, an important development as a part of commitment to robust governance, transparency, and global best practices, the board has approved the appointment of Deloitte Haskins & Sells Chartered Accountants LLP as joint statutory auditor on the recommendation of the audit committee and subject to approval of shareholder at the ensuing AGM. Moving on to our ongoing and new capex programs.

As a part of our ongoing capex plans, we have completed the following: a new line of carbon black facility in Bhuj, taking our capacity to 265,000 KTA; increased the power plant capacity in Bhuj from 40 to 64 MW. In February '26, we completed Phase 1 of the commercial vehicle radial tire project with a capex of ₹750 crore, adding fungible capacity of 800 tires per day for CVR and OHT.

We are now working on the completion of the balance carbon black project, which will take our overall capacity to 360,000 KTA, and Phase 2 of the commercial radial vehicle tire project, and also the PCR tire project, which is scheduled to launch in FY '27. These projects are expected to be completed as per schedule.

The Board of Directors has approved an additional capex of ₹2,000 crore, which will support capacity expansion and infrastructure development across both OHT and on-road tire categories, AI-enabled automation across on-highway tire category, and also the company sustainability initiatives. This spend is intended to drive long-term cost efficiency, enhance operational resilience, improve sustainable performance, and create scalable platform for future growth.

With this, I now move on to operational highlights. For the quarter, our OHT sales volume stood at 85,280 metric tons, a growth of 5% year-on-year.

For the financial year '26, our volumes stood at 317,356 metric tons. Our standalone revenue for the quarter stood at ₹2,894 crores, registering a growth of 2% year-on-year.

This, however, includes a realized loss on foreign exchange pertaining to ₹47 crores. For the financial year '26, standalone revenue stood at ₹10,656 crores, registering flattish performance on year-on-year basis.

This, however, includes realized loss on foreign exchange pertaining to sales of ₹164 crores. The standalone EBITDA for the quarter was at ₹663 crores, with a margin of 22.9%.

The margin was particularly impacted towards the end of the quarter on account of headwinds faced due to geopolitical scenario and its impact on supply chain. For the financial year '26, the standalone EBITDA was at ₹2,423 crores, registering a de-growth of 10% on year-on-year basis.

The margin, however, stood at 22.7%. Profit after tax for the quarter was recorded at ₹295 crores, while for financial year, we have recorded a PAT of ₹1,222 crores.

Our capex spend for the year was ₹2,800 crores approximately. As on 31st March, the gross debt and cash and cash equivalents were ₹4,049 crores and ₹3,154 crores respectively.

Accordingly, we have a net debt of ₹895 crores. The Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend of ₹4 per equity share, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming AGM.

This is in addition to the ₹12 that we have paid per share for the previous three quarters. With this, I now conclude my opening remarks and leave the floor open to Q&A.

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you very much, sir. We will now begin the question and answer session.

Anyone who wishes to ask a question may press star and one on their touchtone telephone. If you wish to withdraw yourself from the question queue, you may press star and two.

Participants are requested to use handset while asking a question. Ladies and gentlemen, we'll wait for a moment while the question queue assembles.

First question is from the line of Raghunandhan from Nuvama Research. Please go ahead.

Raghunandhan N.L.

Good morning, sir, and thank you very much for the opportunity. For FY '26, how much was the contribution of US to volume, and considering that now the tariff is 10%, will we see US going back to 10% of volume in FY '27?

Rajiv Poddar

That is our ambition, and that is what we are targeting for the year.

Raghunandhan N.L.

How much was it in FY '26, sir, approximately, if you can indicate?

Rajiv Poddar

It was just short of 10%, but close to that number.

Raghunandhan N.L.

Understood. On the commodity basket, how much was the impact in Q4 and the expectation for Q1?

If you can also indicate how much price hike has been taken so far?

Rajiv Poddar

Price hike we have taken between 3% to 5% already across various geographies, and we are targeting round two in this very month towards the end of this month. We'll continue to watch this, and maybe we may have to take further price hikes.

Regarding the impact, I'll hand over to Mr. Bajaj.

Madhusudan Bajaj

Raw material prices has gone up by approximately 4-5% for the last quarter, the quarter which we ended.

Raghunandhan N.L.

What would be the expectation for this quarter, sir? That is June quarter?

This

Madhusudan Bajaj

quarter, it should Approximately, it may go up around 7% to 8% more.

Raghunandhan N.L.

Understood, sir. When you say 7% to 8%, it is as a percentage of revenue or the raw material basket increasing by 7%

Madhusudan Bajaj

to 8%? On raw material price hike.

Rajiv Poddar

Sir, does that answer your question?

Raghunandhan N.L.

Yes, thank you. On the freight cost, how much was the freight cost in Q4 as percentage of revenue, given the geopolitics, and how do you see it for future?

Rajiv Poddar

It was about 4.5% to 5%, and we expect it to go up marginally, the way things are, subject to no further disruption.

Raghunandhan N.L.

Got it, sir. One question...

Operator

Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Raghunandhan.

May we please request you to rejoin the queue, sir, for the follow-up question?

Raghunandhan N.L.

Sure,

Operator

thank you

Raghunandhan N.L.

very much.

Operator

Thank you, sir. Ladies and gentlemen, in order to ensure that the management is able to address all the questions from the participant, please restrict yourself to two questions only.

Should you have a follow-up question, please rejoin the queue. Next question is from the line of Siddhartha Bera from Nuvama.

Please go ahead.

Siddhartha Bera

Thanks for the opportunity, sir. Sir, first question is on this outlook.

You said that in the second half, you have seen a pick-up in Europe as well as North America is also improving. Given this backdrop, for the next year, would it be possible to give some volume guidance, how much are we expecting for the OHT business?

On that, given that we have now started CV radial tires also, some color there, how much are we expecting to sort of sell in FY '27?

Rajiv Poddar

We've stopped giving guidance due to the geopolitical scenarios and uncertainties, but we are, of course, expecting growth, but we don't give guidance on that.

Siddhartha Bera

Thank you. About this, sir, CV radial tires?

Rajiv Poddar

The business has just begun, and we are hopeful to reach our stated vision by 2030, and we are working towards that.

Siddhartha Bera

Understood. Sir, on the capex side, you said additional 2,000 crore capex which has been announced now.

With that, how much are we expecting the total capex for FY '27?

Rajiv Poddar

In this financial year, about between 1,500 to 1,800 crores.

Siddhartha Bera

Understood. Thanks.

I'll come back in the queue.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Pramod Amte from InCred Capital.

Please go ahead.

Pramod Amte

Hi. Thanks for taking my question.

If I have to look at your presentation slide 16, you are talking about overall capex till FY '29 of 6,800 crores. This includes the recent announcement of 2,000 crores?

Rajiv Poddar

Yes.

Pramod Amte

Where is this incremental 2,000 crores going into? Because your vision was anyway put out for FY '30.

Is it going into some surprises in capex cost or you are adding more moulds? What is that revision of almost 30% in capex?

Rajiv Poddar

I'll read my commentary again: the Board has approved additional capex of ₹2,000 crores, which will create capacity extension and infrastructure development across both OHT and on-highway tire categories, AI-enabled automation across on-highway tire categories, and the company's sustainability initiatives. This spend is intended to drive long-term cost efficiency, enhance operational resilience, improve sustainability performance across the company, and also create a scalable platform for future growth.

Pramod Amte

It's a combination of both capex and the productivity improvement, if I heard you right?

Rajiv Poddar

Yes, sir.

Pramod Amte

Thanks. The second one, since the capacity is coming on stream now for CV almost ready, and car should be end of the year, what is your current distribution network, how much you plan to increase by end of the year?

Can you give some sense?

Satish Sharma

I'm Satish Sharma this side. The primary distribution in the form of distributors is nearly complete for both the categories, and the number of dealerships will be added as per the ramp-up of sales.

Pramod Amte

It need to be significant, right, sir, if I'm not wrong?

Satish Sharma

It will be in line with the...

Pramod Amte

Sorry, I didn't get it.

Satish Sharma

It will be in line with the sales ramp-up.

Pramod Amte

Sure. Thanks, and all the best.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Arjun Khanna from Kotak Mutual Fund.

Please go ahead.

Arjun Khanna

Thank you for taking my question. Sir, the first question is on the American piece.

There is a refund of the reciprocal tariffs. Just want to understand, have we filed for the refund?

Will we get part of it or will the importer/distributor get, if you could throw some color on this matter, sir?

Ravi Joshi

In US, we are importer on record, whatever process is required, we have already filed, but as of now, we have not received anything.

Arjun Khanna

Fair. What is the quantum that we would have filed, sir?

Ravi Joshi

Quantum, as of now, I'm not handy with the number.

Arjun Khanna

Sure. Since we're importer of the record, ideally it should come back to us, that's the fair understanding, or do we need to pass part of it to our dealer/distribution?

Ravi Joshi

As a fair practice, obviously we are supposed to pass back part of it what was recovered from the customers.

Arjun Khanna

The second query is regarding the two-wheeler tires segment, which we have done a lot of marketing also on. What would our capacities be at this point in time?

Satish Sharma

Presently, we are having a capacity about 100,000 tires a month. Again, it'll go up as per the market response.

Arjun Khanna

Sure. In terms of our outsourcing arrangements, what is the peak scale-up that we can do on this front?

Satish Sharma

At the moment, we don't see it as a limiting factor.

Arjun Khanna

Perfect. Sir, just the last query is on the PCR side, which we have endeavored to launch by the end of this calendar year, as mentioned in the opening remarks.

In the presentation, you've talked of premium positioning. Could you help us understand what does this mean?

Are we planning only on certain inch rim sizes? Are we looking at premium to the market leader, which I understand is Bridgestone, or if you could just explain a little bit on the product positioning?

Satish Sharma

What it implies is that we are not discounting our products. We'll be in line with the market leaders.

That's what it means.

Arjun Khanna

Sure, fair enough. Thank you and wishing you all the best.

Satish Sharma

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Sagar Parekh from Renaissance Investments Managers.

Please go ahead.

Sagar Parekh

Hi. Am I audible?

Operator

Yes, please go ahead.

Sagar Parekh

Hi. Thanks for taking my question.

My question is on the on-highway tire strategy. Just wanted to make some sense.

Could you firstly give us qualitative aspect of how you are planning to scale up your on-highway? Overall, what would be the peak revenue and between TBR, PCR, and the two-wheelers?

Currently, how many distributors are on board? If something on the qualitative side would be helpful.

Rajiv Poddar

Our stated vision is ₹5,000 crores revenue by 2030. We are holding on to that position.

The distribution, like I said, the primary distributors are all complete. We're about 90 in all for these categories.

The dealerships will be expanded as per the sales ramp-up.

Sagar Parekh

Right. How would be the margins in this versus our off-highway?

Rajiv Poddar

As we have mentioned in the past, we are as a company looking to keep a sustained EBITDA levels, which we will continue to do.

Sagar Parekh

So 23% to 25% is sustainable in your view in spite of the on-highway scale-up?

Rajiv Poddar

That is company as a whole, yes, it is. That is we are yet maintaining our position.

Sagar Parekh

Right. In terms of near-term if I have to look at FY '27, because of the raw material cost pressures, is it fair to say that near-term there could be some margin pressure or you think that the price increases would fully mitigate the impact of the RM pressure?

Rajiv Poddar

At this moment, we are seeing the pressure to come. We are evaluating the situation and see how much we can pass on, but at this moment, we may have some price pressures.

Margin pressure. Margin pressure.

Sagar Parekh

All right, yep. Thanks for taking my question, and that's it.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Vijay Kumar Pandey from Axis Capital.

Please go ahead.

Vijay Kumar Pandey

Hi, sir. Thanks for taking my question.

Couple of, sir, questions...

Operator

Mr. Vijay, your voice is very low.

Vijay Kumar Pandey

Am I audible now?

Operator

Yes, please go ahead.

Vijay Kumar Pandey

Sir, wanted to check on the TBR tires, do you expect this segment to start generating revenue from this quarter or will it be only in the later part of this year or later part of FY '27? You can just let us know on this.

Rajiv Poddar

The impact will be very very insignificant in the first quarter, but thereafter it will start gaining in prominence.

Vijay Kumar Pandey

Okay. Second is that in terms of the export demands of Europe, in Europe, some certain OHT players, they are guiding for flattish to mid-single digit growth.

Is our expectation also around that level to grow for FY '27 or will it be lower? Because just want to understand the dynamics in play there.

Rajiv Poddar

As I mentioned earlier, it's too volatile to give any guidance, and we'll continue to monitor. All we can say is that we are geared up to support the market as and when required.

We are doing everything that we need to do to make sure we're in the best position to get market share whenever the market is there for it. This was firmly demonstrated in H2 of this last financial year.

Vijay Kumar Pandey

Sir, this ₹2,000-crore capex which we plan to do, this will be entirely for FY '27 or it will be segregated between next two years?

Rajiv Poddar

It will be staggered over the next few years.

Vijay Kumar Pandey

Okay. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Joseph George from IIFL Capital.

Please go ahead.

Joseph George

Thank you. Am I audible?

Operator

Yes. Yes, please go ahead.

Joseph George

My question is in relation to the capex guidance that you put out, ₹6,800 crores. Two questions on that: one is, does this amount, ₹6,800 crores, include anything that you have already spent, or is that the number that we should think of from FY '27 to '29?

That is the first question. Second question is Sorry?

No,

Rajiv Poddar

to answer the first question first is yes, this is including what we have already spent.

Joseph George

How much of the ₹6,800 have you already spent?

Rajiv Poddar

Around ₹3,000 crores.

Joseph George

Only ₹3,800 crores is left for the remaining three years, which is '27, '28, '29.

Rajiv Poddar

Yes.

Joseph George

Okay. The second part of the question is, this is entirely project capex or does it include maintenance as well, and if it doesn't include maintenance, how much should we think of maintenance per annum?

Rajiv Poddar

This is only project, and maintenance is about 200-odd every year, which will be extra, which is also in the past has been always mentioned extra.

Joseph George

Understood, sir. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Yash Agrawal from Nirmal Bang Securities.

Please proceed.

Yash Agrawal

Hi, sir, thank you for the opportunity. I just wanted to understand in the carbon black business, if you could share the split between captive consumption and the external sales?

Additionally, what are the expected revenue contribution and EBITDA margins for this business?

Rajiv Poddar

30% we are consuming locally from the current capacity and 70% is sold in the market, and margins are as per industry average.

Yash Agrawal

Also the second on your revenue growth guidance by 2030, as you have mentioned in the PPT, like the five-year CAGR is 17%, and since in FY '26 last year sales versus largely sales was flat, can we assume that the four-year CAGR would be above 20% to reach our revenue growth expectation?

Rajiv Poddar

As the projects and capacities come on board, you'll see the jumps coming up. That is why it would be closer to the second part of the stated five-year vision.

Yash Agrawal

Sir. Thank you.

That's all from my side.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Siddharth from iThought Wealth Analytics LLP.

Please proceed.

Siddharth Srikumar

Hi, sir. My first question is, what is company's thought on the on-highway tire segment, long-term thought process behind entering this segment?

Satish Sharma

Long-term thought is that we are entering into an adjacent business which we see as a growth-intensive, which provides sufficient growth levers to the company.

Siddharth Srikumar

Okay. You will be able to make the same kind of return on capital in the off-highway and on-road?

Rajiv Poddar

As we have mentioned, we look at it as a company as a whole, and we have maintained we will be able to keep our sustained levels of EBITDA between 23% and 25%, that is our endeavor.

Siddharth Srikumar

Okay. My second question is, what is BKT's positioning in US and Europe in the VF tire category?

Rajiv Poddar

In what ways are you asking?

Siddharth Srikumar

What is BKT's market position? Who's the number one, who's the number two, like that.

Where does BKT stand there?

Rajiv Poddar

We have positioned ourselves as a premium player in that category. That's all we can answer for that.

Siddharth Srikumar

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Next follow-up question is from the line of Raghunandhan from Nuvama Research.

Please go ahead.

Raghunandhan N.L.

Thank you, sir, for the opportunity. Sir, on the Euro-INR, what was the realization for Q4, and what is the hedge rate for FY '27?

Satish Sharma

₹99 for this quarter per euro.

Raghunandhan N.L.

Thank you. How do you see the hedge rate for FY '27, given that current price is about 111?

Satish Sharma

It will be higher than this, but it is not fully hedged, we are unable to predict.

Raghunandhan N.L.

We should get a better realization compared to 99, hopefully that will act as a support?

Satish Sharma

Definitely better. Definitely better.

Raghunandhan N.L.

Understood, sir. Just a clarification, the TBR capacity you mentioned was 800 tires per day.

Would that be right, sir?

Rajiv Poddar

That is for the Phase 1. Phase 1.

Raghunandhan N.L.

How much will it increase to?

Satish Sharma

To about 3,800.

Rajiv Poddar

To about 3,800. So

Raghunandhan N.L.

800 tires per day now, and it will increase to 3,800 tires per day. Is that understanding correct?

Satish Sharma

Yes.

Raghunandhan N.L.

Got it. On the PCR tires, how much capacity will be starting with then this year?

Satish Sharma

We will start around the end of the year, calendar year, as already mentioned, and in the first phase, we should be getting to 6,700 tires per day.

Raghunandhan N.L.

6,700 tires per day capacity, correct?

Satish Sharma

Yeah.

Raghunandhan N.L.

Thank you, sir. On the channel inventory, would the channel inventory be at normal levels currently, or do you see that there was destocking which happened in FY '26 and that would be an opportunity to do some restocking this year?

Rajiv Poddar

No, we see it at normal levels.

Raghunandhan N.L.

Last question. In your opening remarks, you alluded to improving product mix and price hikes as your efforts to support the margins.

If you can elaborate on that, how is the product mix improving for us?

Rajiv Poddar

We are moving more towards the high-end radialized products, the specialized products like IF, VF technology products, we are working on those as a product mix.

Raghunandhan N.L.

What would be the share, sir, of radial tires in our mix?

Rajiv Poddar

I don't have that handy with me.

Raghunandhan N.L.

Sir. Thank you for all the inputs, sir, very helpful.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Hardik Sharda from Mahavir AMC.

Please go ahead.

Hardik Sharda

Oh yeah, thank you for taking my question, sir. My question is regarding recycling of tires.

How much of the content is, from percentage point of view, is required to be used in raw materials? Hello, am I audible?

Ravi Joshi

No, it's not. Your voice is coming muffled.

Hardik Sharda

Is it clear now, sir?

Ravi Joshi

Better.

Hardik Sharda

My question is from a recycled point of view. As a total raw material cost or content, how much is a percentage of recycled content?

Ravi Joshi

We are as per industry norms.

Hardik Sharda

From a government policy point of view, is it stringent or how is the on-ground replication of the policy? See,

Ravi Joshi

government doesn't mandate anything on the recycled product to be used in the tires. Whatever mandate is there related to, that is EPR, where the producer is supposed to buy the certificate from the recycler, which is we are buying as per the norms.

Hope that helps.

Hardik Sharda

Okay. Yeah.

Does it affect the performance of the tire?

Ravi Joshi

No.

Rajiv Poddar

Why should it? Otherwise, why would we use it?

Hardik Sharda

No, I thought it's from a circular economy point of view. That clears my question.

Ravi Joshi

Sir, sorry to interject. Again, I'm repeating: government doesn't mandate any recycled product to be used in the tire.

Hope I'm clear. Government only mandate to buy certificate, not the material, and those certificate are being bought as per the norms.

If I'm not using any recycled product or there is no mandate, then how it will affect the performance, right?

Hardik Sharda

Got it. Understood, sir.

You just have to buy the credit and not the recycled product. Understood.

Thanks, that was my question.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Shriram R from Sampada Capital.

Please go ahead.

Shriram R

Thank you for the opportunity. Sir, what will be the value proposition for us in the on-highway business?

In terms of retail pricing, what will be the average cost advantage versus the other players?

Rajiv Poddar

It will be at par with the industry. What do you expect me to tell you on this?

Shriram R

No, what

Rajiv Poddar

in terms of value proposition...

Shriram R

Sure.

Rajiv Poddar

Please go ahead.

Shriram R

No, in terms of retail pricing, whether we will be 15% cheaper than the market leader or something on those lines. What are your thoughts on that?

Rajiv Poddar

Our price positioning is at par with the market leaders. On par with the market leader,

Shriram R

okay. Then how do you expect to gain market share over there?

What is your route to entry?

Rajiv Poddar

We have faith on our product quality and the value proposition that the product and the other operations excellence points which are embedded in our strategy. In this earnings call, possibly we can't be explaining all those points to you.

Shriram R

Okay. You did mention that we need to incur about ₹3,800 crores of capex, what will be the source of funding for the same, sir?

Rajiv Poddar

It will be a mix of both. We are yet working on it.

Shriram R

Then in that case, we have about ₹4,000 crores of debt in the book, can we assume that it's peak debt that we have in the books today?

Rajiv Poddar

Sorry?

Shriram R

Can we assume that ₹4,000 crores is our peak level of debt, or will it go...

Rajiv Poddar

We can't assume anything. It's a volatile world, it's a moving world.

Projects are being announced, we can't assume anything. We'll keep on making announcements as and when we make changes to it.

Shriram R

Fine, sir. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Vijay Kumar Pandey from Axis Capital.

Please go ahead.

Vijay Kumar Pandey

Sir, just a follow-up. Wanted to understand about the other expenses.

The other expenses has moved significantly in this quarter and also for full year, if you can just highlight what is driving that and how do you see that going forward?

Rajiv Poddar

As I mentioned in my opening remarks, this was our highest ever quarter and best numbers, it is in line with that increased production, the other expenses to make those conversion costs, etc., which has been accounted for. There is no theoretical jump, it is just the increased numbers because of the increased production.

Vijay Kumar Pandey

Okay.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Siddharth from iThought Wealth Analytics LLP.

Please go ahead.

Siddharth Srikumar

My question is answered. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you, sir. Ladies and gentlemen, we will take this as the last question for the day.

I now hand the conference over to the management for the closing comments.

Rajiv Poddar

Thank you, everyone, for taking time out and joining us. We look forward to meeting you next quarter.

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you so much, sir. On behalf of Balkrishna Industries Limited, that concludes this conference.

Thank you all for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines. Thank you.