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Debt Sustainability Assessment in the Biogas Sector: Application of Interest Coverage Ratios in a Sample of Agricultural Firms in Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Mattia Iotti

    (Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy)

  • Elisa Manghi

    (Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Bonazzi

    (Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy)

Abstract

The biogas sector in Europe and Italy is attracting growing investment, combining agricultural activity, the circular economy, and renewable energy production. Firms in the sector widely use debt capital and, for this reason, there is a need to evaluate the structure of investments, financing, and debt service capacity calculated by applying interest coverage ratios (ICRs). ICRs are widely used by banks in granting loans, and calculation of ICRs allows managers and policy makers to correctly evaluate firms’ performance in the sector. In this research, based on a sample of 160 observations, the structure of investments and sources of financing of firms in the biogas sector, operating in northern Italy, are analyzed. ICRs are calculated with different approaches to establish which ICRs provide the most reliable results in the application. The research analyzes the correlations and highlights significant differences between ICRs. The research highlights some important findings: (a) the NWC is negative in 109 out of 160 observations and, therefore, constitutes a source of financing in the majority of observations; (b) ICRs based on EBITDA and CF are above the threshold value of “1” in 143 and 145 observations, respectively, while ICRs based on EBIT, OCF, and UFCF are above the threshold value of “1” in 132, 133, and 122 observations, respectively. The research allows the conclusion that the ICRs based on EBITDA and CF tend to overestimate results; ICRs based on EBIT, OCF and UFCF are preferable, and can therefore be applied by managers, banks, and policy makers and be used as debt covenants. For the calculation of the repayment of the NFP, the research has highlighted that ICRs in which the cost of the debt is deducted from the numerator are preferable. The research can thus be usefully applied and expanded to other territories, or by considering a larger sample with the aim of inferring conclusions of general validity.

Suggested Citation

  • Mattia Iotti & Elisa Manghi & Giuseppe Bonazzi, 2024. "Debt Sustainability Assessment in the Biogas Sector: Application of Interest Coverage Ratios in a Sample of Agricultural Firms in Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-34, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:6:p:1404-:d:1357064
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    1. Elena Rond'os-Casas & Germ`a Coenders & Miquel Carreras-Sim'o & N'uria Arimany-Serrat, 2025. "The use of financial and sustainability ratios to map a sector. An approach using compositional data," Papers 2509.06468, arXiv.org.
    2. Dariusz Kusz & Tomasz Nowakowski & Bożena Kusz, 2024. "The Capacity of Power of Biogas Plants and Their Technical Efficiency: A Case Study of Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Elena Rondós‐Casas & Núria Arimany‐Serrat & Miquel Carreras‐Simó & Germà Coenders, 2026. "Using Financial and Sustainability Ratios to Map Sectors. An Approach With Compositional Data," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(4), pages 4797-4809, July.

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