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Summary of material accounting policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Summary of material accounting policies  
Basis of preparation

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with, and are in compliance with, IFRS® Accounting Standards and related interpretations as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). IFRS Accounting Standards are comprised of standards and interpretations approved by the IASB, and standards and interpretations approved by the predecessor International Accounting Standards Committee that have been subsequently approved by the IASB and remain in effect. References to IFRS Accounting Standards hereafter should be construed as references to IFRS Accounting Standards as issued by the IASB.

The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollar, rounded to the nearest million, and have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the following:

Private and Public Warrants and Earnout Shares (as defined in note 22) are stated at fair value;
derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value; and
employee benefit obligations are measured at the present value of the future estimated cash flows related to benefits earned and pension assets valued at fair value.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS Accounting Standards requires the use of critical accounting estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and income and expenses. It also requires management to exercise judgment in the process of applying Group accounting policies. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances and are subject to continual re-evaluation. However, actual outcomes may differ from these estimates. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are discussed in the critical accounting estimates, assumptions and judgments section of this note.

Going concern

Going concern

At the date that the consolidated financial statements were approved for issue by the Board, the Board has formed the judgment that there is a reasonable expectation that the Group will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In assessing whether the going concern assumption is appropriate, the Board has taken into account all available information about a period, extending to at least December 31, 2025. In arriving at its conclusion, the Board has taken account of the Group’s current and anticipated trading performance, together with current and anticipated levels of cash and net debt and the availability of committed borrowing facilities and the separate and distinct AMPSA capital structure and aspects outlined in note 1, and as a result, it is the Board’s judgment that it is appropriate to prepare the consolidated financial statements using the going concern basis.

Recent changes in accounting pronouncements

Recently adopted accounting standards and changes in accounting policies

The Group adopted the new disclosure requirements introduced by Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7 – Supplier Finance Arrangements, effective for the annual reporting period beginning on or after January 1, 2024. Please refer to notes 19 and 23 for further details.

The Group also updated note 4 to address the recently issued IFRIC Interpretations Committee Agenda Decision – Disclosures of Revenues and Expenses for Reportable Segments (IFRS 8 Operating Segments).

The impact of other new standards, amendments to existing standards and interpretations issued and effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024 have been assessed by the Board as not having had a material impact on the Group.

Recent accounting pronouncements

The Board’s assessment of the impact of new standards on the consolidated financial statements, which are not yet effective and which have not been early adopted by the Group, including the recently issued IFRS 18 ‘Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements’ and Amendments to IFRS 9 and IFRS 7 – Contracts Referencing Nature-dependent Electricity, on the consolidated financial statements is on-going.

Basis of consolidation

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and are de-consolidated from the date on which control ceases. Subsidiaries are all entities (including structured entities) over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity.

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of an acquisition is the consideration given in exchange for control of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquired legal entities. Acquisition-related costs are expensed and included as exceptional items within sales, general and administration expenses. The acquired net assets are initially measured at fair value. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Any goodwill and fair value adjustments are recorded as assets and liabilities of the acquired legal entity in the functional currency of that legal entity. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the Group’s share of the net assets of the legal entity acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the consolidated income statement. The Group considers obligations of the acquiree in a business combination that arise as a result of the change in control, to be cash flows arising from obtaining control of the controlled entity, and classifies these obligations as investing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

(i)Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests represent the portion of the equity of a subsidiary which is not attributable to the Group. Non-controlling interests are presented separately in the consolidated financial statements. Changes in ownership of a subsidiary which do not result in a change in control are treated as equity transactions.

(ii)Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Transactions, balances and gains or losses on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Subsidiaries’ accounting policies have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

(iii)  Transactions with Ardagh Group S.A. and its subsidiaries

      Any unsettled intercompany balances between the Group and the Ardagh Group are presented as related party receivables or payables in the consolidated financial statements, within Trade and other receivables and Trade and other payables.

Foreign currency

Foreign currency

(i)Functional and presentation currency

The functional currency of the Company is euro. The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollar which is the Group’s presentation currency.

(ii)Foreign currency transactions

Items included in the consolidated financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the functional currency of that entity.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting date are translated into the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling at that date. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognized in the consolidated income statement, except: (i) differences on foreign currency borrowings that provide an effective hedge against a net investment in a foreign operation (“net investment hedges”), which are taken to other comprehensive income until the disposal of the net investment, at which time they are recognized in the consolidated income statement; and (ii) differences on certain derivative financial instruments discussed under “Derivative financial instruments” below.

(iii)Financial statements of foreign operations

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into euro at foreign exchange rates ruling at the reporting date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated to euro at average exchange rates for the year. Foreign exchange differences arising on retranslation and settlement of such transactions are recognized in other comprehensive income. Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income are recycled to the consolidated income statement when the foreign operation is disposed of.

Non-monetary items measured at fair value in foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates as at the date when the fair value is determined.

Business combination and goodwill

Business combination and goodwill

All business combinations are accounted for by applying the acquisition method of accounting. This involves measuring the cost of the business combination and allocating, at the acquisition date, the cost of the business combination to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date.

The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration transferred, which is measured at acquisition date fair value, and the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree. For each business combination, the Group elects whether to measure the non-controlling interests in the acquiree at fair value or at the proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and included in sales, general and administration expenses.

When the Group acquires a business, it assesses the financial assets and liabilities assumed for appropriate classification and designation in accordance with the contractual terms, economic circumstances and pertinent conditions as at the acquisition date.

Any contingent consideration is recognized at fair value at the acquisition date.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition.

Goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is allocated to those groups of cash generating units (“CGUs”) that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose for the purpose of assessing impairment. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment or whenever indicators suggest that impairment may have occurred.

Where goodwill has been allocated to a CGU and part of the operation within that unit is disposed of, the goodwill associated with the disposed operation is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal. Goodwill disposed in these circumstances is measured based on the relative values of the disposed operation and the portion of the cash-generating unit retained.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are initially recognized at cost.

Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination are capitalized separately from goodwill if the intangible asset is separable or arises from contractual or other legal rights. They are initially recognized at cost which, for intangible assets arising in a business combination, is their fair value at the date of acquisition.

Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. The carrying values of intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed for indicators of impairment at each reporting date and are subject to impairment testing when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable.

The amortization of intangible assets is calculated to write-off the book value of finite lived intangible assets over their useful lives on a straight-line basis, on the assumption of zero residual value. Management estimates the useful lives within the following ranges:

Computer software

    

2 – 7 years

Customer relationships

 

5 – 15 years

Technology

 

5 – 15 years

(i) Computer software

Computer software development costs are recognized as assets. Costs associated with maintaining computer software programs are recognized as an expense as incurred.

(ii) Customer relationships

Customer relationships acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value at the acquisition date. Customer relationships have a finite useful economic life and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization.

(iii) Technology

Technology based intangibles acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value at the acquisition date and reflect the Group’s ability to add value through accumulated technological expertise surrounding product and process development.

(iv) Research and development costs

Research costs are expensed as incurred. Development costs relating to new products are capitalized if the new product is technically and commercially feasible. All other development costs are expensed as incurred.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment

(i)Owned assets

Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, except for land which is shown at cost less impairment. Spare parts which form an integral part of plant and machinery and which have an estimated useful economic life greater than one year are capitalized. Spare parts which do not form an integral part of plant and machinery and which have an estimated useful economic life less than one year are included as consumables within inventory and expensed when utilized.

Where components of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.

(ii)Leased assets

At the lease commencement date or the effective date of a lease modification, the Group recognizes a lease liability as the present value of expected future lease payments, discounted at the Group’s incremental borrowing rate unless the rate implicit in the lease is readily determinable, excluding any amounts which are variable based on the usage of the underlying asset and a right-of-use asset generally at the same amount plus any directly attributable costs. The incremental borrowing rate is the discount rate the Group would have to pay to borrow, over a similar term and with a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment. The Group combines lease and non-lease components and accounts for them as a single lease component with the exception of the dunnage asset class. Extension options or periods after termination options are considered by management if it is reasonably certain that the lease will be extended or not terminated.

(iii)Subsequent costs

The Group recognizes in the carrying amount of an item of property, plant and equipment, the cost of replacing the component of such an item when that cost is incurred, if it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. When a component is replaced the old component is de-recognized in the period. All other costs are recognized in the consolidated income statement as an

expense as incurred. When a major overhaul is performed, its cost is recognized in the carrying amount of the plant and equipment as a replacement if the recognition criteria above are met.

(iv)Depreciation

Depreciation of owned assets is charged to the consolidated income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment. Land is not depreciated. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Buildings

    

20 – 40 years

Plant, machinery and other

 

3 – 20 years

Dunnage and other

 

3 – 10 years

Right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of its useful life and the lease term. Where the lease contains a transfer of ownership or a purchase option which is reasonably certain to be exercised, the right-of-use asset is depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset.

Assets’ useful lives and residual values are adjusted, if appropriate, at each reporting date.

Joint operation

Joint operation

A joint operation is a type of joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights and obligations to the individual assets and liabilities relating to the arrangement. An investment in a joint operation is accounted for by each party recognizing its agreed share of interest in any assets, liabilities and related expense or income.

Impairment of non-financial assets

Impairment of non-financial assets

Assets that have an indefinite useful economic life are not subject to amortization and are tested annually for impairment or whenever indicators suggest that impairment may have occurred. Assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount.

For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets excluding goodwill and long-lived intangible assets, are grouped at the lowest levels at which cash flows are separately identifiable. Goodwill and long-lived intangible assets are allocated to groups of CGUs. The groupings represent the lowest level at which the related assets are monitored for internal management purposes.

Non-financial assets other than goodwill that suffered impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.

The recoverable amount of other assets is the greater of their fair value less costs to dispose and value in use. In assessing fair value less costs to dispose, management uses a market approach, applying a multiple to Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2024. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the

risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the CGU to which the asset belongs.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The cost of inventories is based on the first-in, first-out basis and includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and bringing them to their current location and condition. In the case of finished goods and work-in-progress, cost includes direct materials, direct labor and attributable overheads based on normal operating capacity.

Net realizable value is the estimated proceeds of sale less all further costs to completion, and less all costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

Spare parts which are deemed to be of a consumable nature, are included within inventories and expensed when utilized.

Equity transactions

Equity transactions

(i)Share repurchases

When shares are repurchased, the amount of consideration paid together with any directly related expense is presented as a deduction of equity within treasury shares until such shares are cancelled, at which time the amount is reclassified from treasury shares to share capital and retained earnings, respectively, with no gain or loss recognized either upon initial repurchase or subsequent cancellation.

(ii)Preferred shares

Preferred shares are classified as equity if there are no contractual obligations to deliver any cash or another financial asset under the respective terms of the instrument. If there is a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset, the instrument is either a financial liability in its entirety in the case of non-discretionary payments for principal and dividends, or a compound interest with a liability and an equity component, if dividend payments are at the full discretion of the Group. See note 18 for further details.

Non-derivative financial instruments

Non-derivative financial instruments

Non-derivative financial instruments comprise trade and other receivables, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, borrowings, trade and other payables, and the Private and Public Warrants and Earnout Shares (as defined in note 22). Non-derivative financial instruments are recognized initially at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs, except as described below. Subsequent to initial recognition, non-derivative financial instruments are measured as described below.

(i)Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are recognized initially at fair value, which equals the transaction price, unless a significant financing component is included, and thereafter are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method less any provision for impairment, in accordance with the Group’s held to collect business model. The Group uses estimates based on expected credit losses and current information in determining the level of debts for which a specific

allowance for impairment is required. For all other trade receivables, the Group uses an allowance matrix to measure the expected credit loss, based on historical actual credit loss experiences, adjusted for forward-looking information.

(ii)Securitized assets

The Group has entered into securitization transactions involving certain of its trade receivables. The securitized assets are recognized on the consolidated statement of financial position, until all of the rights to the cash flows from those assets have expired or have been fully transferred outside the Group, or until substantially all of the related risks, rewards and control of the related assets have been transferred to a third party.

The Group has also entered into a Global Asset Based Loan Facility (“ABL”) involving certain of its trade receivables and inventory. The lenders under the ABL have security over those receivables, inventory and the bank accounts where the associated cash flows are received. The risks, rewards and control of these assets are still retained by the Group and are, therefore, recognized on the statement of financial position.

(iii)Contract assets

Contract assets represent revenue required to be accelerated or recognized over time, based on production completed in accordance with the Group’s revenue recognition policy (as set out below). A provision for impairment of a contract asset will be recognized using an allowance matrix to measure the expected credit loss, based on historical actual credit loss experiences, adjusted for forward-looking information.

(iv)Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash include cash on hand and call deposits held with banks and restricted cash. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are carried at amortized cost.

Short term bank deposits of greater than three months’ maturity which do not meet the definition of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are classified as financial assets within current assets and stated at amortized cost.

Restricted cash comprises cash held by the Group but which is ring-fenced or used as security for specific financing arrangements, and to which the Group does not have unfettered access. Restricted cash is measured at amortized cost.

(v)Borrowings

Borrowings are recognized initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortized cost. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in the Group’s consolidated income statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest rate method.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

(vi)Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.

Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at their fair value at each reporting date. The method of recognizing the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged.

The fair values of various derivative instruments used for hedging purposes are disclosed in note 20. The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a non-current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is more than 12 months and as a current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months. Trading derivatives are classified as a current asset or liability.

(i)Cash flow hedges

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recognized in other comprehensive income, allocated between cash flow hedge gains or losses and cost of hedging gains or losses. For cash flow hedges which subsequently result in the recognition of a non-financial asset, the amounts accumulated in the cash flow hedge reserve are transferred to the asset in order to adjust its carrying value. Amounts accumulated in the cash flow hedge reserve and cost of hedging reserve, or as adjustments to carrying value of non-financial assets, are recycled to the consolidated income statement in the periods when the hedged item will affect profit or loss.

The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the consolidated income statement. When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing at that time remains in equity and is recognized in the consolidated income statement when the forecast cash flow arises. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity is immediately recycled to the consolidated income statement.

(ii)Net investment hedges

Derivative financial instruments are classified as net investment hedges when they hedge changes in the Group’s net investments in its subsidiaries due to exposure to foreign currency. Net investment hedges are accounted for in a similar manner to cash flow hedges. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion of a net investment hedge is recognized immediately in the consolidated income statement within finance income or expense.

Fair value measurement

Fair value measurement

The Group measures derivative financial instruments, pension assets and Private and Public Warrants and Earnout Shares at fair value at each reporting date. Fair value related disclosures for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value or where fair values are disclosed, are summarized in the following notes:

Disclosures of valuation methods, significant estimates and assumptions (notes 20 and 21)
Quantitative disclosures of fair value measurement hierarchy (note 20)
Financial instruments (including those carried at amortized cost) (note 20)
Private and Public Warrants and Earnout Shares (note 22)

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either:

in the principal market for the asset or liability; or
in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.

The principal or the most advantageous market must be accessible by the Group. The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.

A fair value measurement of a non-financial asset takes into account a market participant’s ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use.

The Group uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, maximizing the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs.

Employee benefits

Employee benefits

(i)Defined benefit pension plans

Typically, defined benefit plans define an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation.

The asset or liability recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the net of the present value of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets at the reporting date. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms to maturity approximating to the terms of the related pension liability.

Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are charged or credited to equity in other comprehensive income in the period in which they arise. Past service costs and past service credits are recognized immediately in the consolidated income statement.

(ii)Other long term employee benefits

The Group’s obligations in respect of other long term employee benefit plans represents the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for service in the current and prior periods for post-retirement medical schemes, partial retirement contracts and long service awards. These are included in the category of employee benefit obligations on the consolidated statement of financial position. The obligation is computed on the basis of the projected unit credit method and is discounted to present value using a discount rate equating to the market yield at the reporting date on high quality corporate bonds of a currency and term consistent with the currency and estimated term of the obligations. Actuarial gains and losses are recognized in full in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they arise.

(iii)Defined contribution plans

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. The contributions are recognized as employee benefit expense when they are due.

Provisions

Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be reliably estimated.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation.

Revenue recognition

Revenue recognition

Our products include metal containers primarily for the beverage markets with consumer-driven demand. In addition to metal containers, the Group manufactures and supplies a wide range of can ends. Containers and ends are usually distinct items and can be sold separately from each other. A significant portion of our sales volumes are supplied under contracts which include input cost pass through provisions.

The Group usually enters into framework agreements with its customers, which establish the terms and conditions for subsequent individual purchase orders for our goods and services. In the context of the revenue recognition standard IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’, an enforceable contract identifies each party’s enforceable rights regarding the goods or services to be transferred. The Group has concluded that under this accounting standard only individual purchase orders meet such definition of a contract. The individual purchase orders have, in general, a duration of one year or less and, as such, the Group does not disclose any information about remaining performance obligations under these contracts. The payment terms of the Group are in line with customary business practice, which can vary by customer and region. The Group has availed of the practical expedient from considering the existence of a significant financing component as, based on past experience, we expect that, at contract inception, the period between when a promised good is transferred to the customer and when the customer pays for that good will be one year or less.

Revenue is recognized when control of a good or service has transferred to the customer. For certain contracts, the Group manufactures products for customers that have no alternative use and for which the Group has an enforceable right to payment for production completed to date. The Group has concluded that it has such enforceable right to payment

plus a reasonable margin once it receives an individual purchase order. Therefore, for such products that have no alternative use and where an enforceable right to payment exists, the Group will recognize revenue over time based on the units produced output method such that a portion of revenue, net of any related estimated rebates and cash discounts, excluding sales or value added tax, will be recognized prior to the dispatch of goods as the Group satisfies the contractual performance obligations for those contracts. For all other contracts, the Group will continue to recognize revenue primarily on dispatch of the goods, net of any related customer rebates and cash discounts, excluding sales and value added taxes.

The Group often sells products with rebates and cash discounts based on cumulative sales over a period. Such rebate and cash discount consideration is only recognized when it is highly probable that it will not be subsequently reversed and is recognized using the most likely amount depending on the individual contractual terms.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items

The Group’s consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of cash flows and segmental analysis separately identify results before specific items. Specific items are those that in management’s judgment need to be disclosed by virtue of their size, nature or incidence to provide additional information. Such items include, where significant, restructuring, redundancy and other costs relating to permanent capacity realignment or footprint reorganization, directly attributable acquisition costs and acquisition integration costs, and other transaction-related costs, profit or loss on disposal or termination of operations, start-up costs incurred in relation to and associated with plant builds, significant new line investments, major litigation costs and settlements and impairments of non-current assets. In this regard the determination of “significant” as included in our definition uses qualitative and quantitative factors. Judgment is used by the Group in assessing the specific items, which by virtue of their scale and nature, are disclosed in the Group’s consolidated income statement, and related notes as exceptional items.

Management considers columnar presentation to be appropriate in the consolidated income statement as it provides useful additional information and is consistent with the way that financial performance is measured by management and presented to the Board. Exceptional restructuring costs are classified as restructuring provisions and all other exceptional costs when outstanding at the reporting date are classified as exceptional items payable.

Net finance expense

Net finance expense

Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested, gains on disposal of financial assets, ineffective portions of derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments and gains on derivative instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments and are recognized in profit or loss.

Finance expense comprises interest expense on borrowings (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs), related party borrowings, interest cost on leases, certain net foreign currency translation gains or losses related to financing, net interest cost on net pension plan liabilities, losses on extinguishment of borrowings and derecognition of financial assets, ineffective portions of derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments, losses on derivative instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments and are recognized in profit or loss, and other finance expense.

The Group capitalizes borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of manufacturing plants that require a substantial period of time to build that would have been avoided if the expenditure on the qualifying asset had not been made.

Costs related to the issuance of new debt are deferred and amortized within finance expense over the expected terms of the related debt agreements by using the effective interest rate method.

Income tax

Income tax

Income tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in the consolidated income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive income.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred income tax is recognized, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, deferred tax liabilities are generally not recognized if they arise from the initial recognition of goodwill; deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss, unless the transaction gives rise to equal and offsetting temporary differences, in which case a corresponding deferred tax asset and liability is recognized. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized. Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, except for deferred income tax liability where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

Segment reporting

Segment reporting

The Board and Chief Financial Officer have been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) for the Group.

Operating segments are identified on the basis of the internal reporting regularly provided to the CODM in order to allocate resources to the segment and assess its performance.

Critical accounting estimates, assumptions and judgments

Critical accounting estimates, assumptions and judgments

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

(i)Income taxes

The Group is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions and judgment is therefore required in determining the worldwide provision for income taxes. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain during the ordinary course of business. Where uncertain tax treatments exist, the Group assesses whether it is probable that a tax authority will accept the uncertain tax treatment applied or proposed to be applied in its income tax filings. The Group assesses for each uncertain tax treatment whether it should be considered independently or whether some tax treatments should be considered together based on what the Group believes provides a better prediction of the resolution of the uncertainty. The Group considers whether it is probable that the relevant authority will accept each uncertain tax treatment, or group of uncertain tax treatments, assuming that the taxation authority with the right to examine any amounts reported to it will examine those amounts and will have full knowledge of all relevant information when doing so.

The Group measures tax uncertainties using its best estimate of likely outcomes. This estimate relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve judgments about future events.

Corporate activity including acquisitions, disposals and reorganizations often create tax uncertainties. The Group has determined, with the benefit of opinions from external tax advisors and legal counsel, where appropriate, that it has provided for all taxation liabilities that are probable to arise from such activities.

New information may become available that causes the Group to change its judgment regarding the adequacy of existing tax liabilities. Such changes could result in incremental tax liabilities which could have a material effect on cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.

Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were originally estimated such differences will impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made.

(ii)Measurement of employee benefit obligations

The Group follows guidance of IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ to determine the present value of its obligations to current and past employees in respect of defined benefit pension obligations, other long term employee benefits, and other end of service employee benefits which are subject to similar fluctuations in value in the long term. The Group values its liabilities, with the assistance of professional actuaries, to ensure consistency in the quality of the key assumptions underlying the valuations. The critical assumptions and estimates applied are discussed in detail in note 21.

(iii)Exceptional items

The consolidated income statement and segment analysis separately identify results before exceptional items. Exceptional items are those that in management’s judgment need to be disclosed by virtue of their size, nature or incidence.

The Group believes that this presentation provides additional analysis as it highlights exceptional items. The determination of “significant” as included in management’s definition uses qualitative and quantitative factors which remain consistent from period to period. Management uses judgment in assessing the particular items, which by virtue of their scale and nature, are disclosed in the consolidated income statement and related notes as exceptional items. Management considers the consolidated income statement presentation of exceptional items to be appropriate as it provides useful additional information and is consistent with the way that financial information is measured by management and presented to the Board. In that regard, management believes it to be consistent with paragraph 85 of IAS 1 ‘Presentation

of Financial Statements’, which permits the inclusion of line items and subtotals that improve the understanding of performance.

(iv) Valuation of Earnout Shares

The Group follows the guidance of IAS 32 ‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’ in accounting for the Earnout Shares. The Earnout Shares are recorded as a financial liability and measured at fair value at each reporting date. The key data inputs into the valuation are volatility, dividend yield, share price hurdles, share price, and risk-free rate. Volatility is the significant assumption in the fair value of the Earnout Shares as it is not directly market observable and there is estimation uncertainty involved in determining the assumed volatility. The critical assumptions and estimates applied are discussed in detail in note 22.