Rating: idA (Pefindo)
A Vertically Integrated Nickel Platform Reprices Into a Higher-Rate Market
PT Merdeka Battery Materials (MBMA) is one of the world’s largest integrated nickel-to-battery-materials producers, anchored by the SCM mine (~13.8mt Ni and 1.0mt Co resource) and an integrated RKEF, HPAL and acid downstream chain running at ~82% ore self-sufficiency. Backed by the Provident, Saratoga and Garibaldi Thohir consortium – with controlling shareholder PT Merdeka Energi Nusantara at 50.04% and Huayou as strategic partner – MBMA earns revenue across a dominant Manufacturing segment (82% of FY2025 sales) and a growing merchant-ore Mining segment (18%).
Indicative Structure
- Bonds: up to IDR2.0tn – Seri A (367D) 8.00%-9.00%, Seri B (3Y) 9.00%-10.00%, Seri C (5Y) 9.50%-10.50%
- Clean basis (unsecured), quarterly coupon, bullet repayment at maturity.
- Proceeds fund: refinancing of existing borrowings and working capital.
Why This Deal
- idA credit backed by an integrated, margin-resilient nickel model. Despite a 22% revenue normalisation to USD1.43bn on lower nickel prices, FY2025 EBITDA rose 34% YoY to USD219.0mn and EBITDA margin widened to 15.3%, with 1Q2026 revenue up 24.3% YoY – the payoff of ~82% ore self-sufficiency and a richer MHP/matte mix. MBMA is a well-tested repeat issuer across PUB I-III.
- Moderate leverage, but earnings are nickel-price sensitive – and the guide reflects it. Liabilities/Equity sits at 0.59x with interest coverage of 6.35x (FY2025), comfortable for the rating. The key swing factor is the nickel price: Indonesia’s ~34% RKAB quota cut and upgraded 2026 forecasts (~USD17,200-17,750/t) support prices, but a structural 261-288kt surplus and the LFP-battery shift cap the upside.
- A repriced entry point that brackets fair value. MBMA’s own 3-year coupon has moved from 8.75% (PUB I, mid-2025) to an indicative 9.00%-10.00% today. Against the secondary idA curve (3Y 8.95%, 5Y 9.20%; ~182-193bp over govt), the guide implies roughly 55-80bp of new-issue premium – landing inside live idA- prints (BW Plantation 11.00%/12.00%) and around idA+/idA peers (OKI 10.00%/10.50%, Lontar Papyrus 9.50%/10.00%).
Indicative Timeline
- Bookbuilding: 28 July – 10 August 2026
- Distribution: 01 September 2026 (indicative)
- Listing: IDX, 02 September 2026 (indicative)
Regards, Aldiracita Research