1. General information

1.2 Consolidation

 Subsidiaries

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are all entities (including special purpose entities) over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the Group 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 over the entity.  Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.

The Group uses the full acquisition method of accounting to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair values of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the Group. The consideration transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The Group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s net assets.

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date carrying value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree is re-measured to fair value at the acquisition date; any gains or losses arising from such re-measurement are recognized in the income statement.

Any contingent consideration to be transferred by the Group is recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. Subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration that is deemed to be an asset or liability is recognised in accordance with IAS 39 either in profit or loss or as a change to other comprehensive income. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not re-measured, and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity.

Goodwill is initially measured at cost, being the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred, the amount recognised for non-controlling interest and the fair value of any other participation previously held in the subsidiary acquired over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If the fair value of the net assets acquired is in excess of the aggregate consideration transferred, the amount recognized for non-controlling interest and the fair value of any other participation previously held in the subsidiary acquired the gain is recognised in profit or loss (note 1.6).

Any profit or loss and any item of the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income is allocated between the share-holders of the parent and the non-controlling interest, even if the allocation results in a deficit balance of the non-controlling interest.

In the Company’s separate financial statements, investments in subsidiaries are account for at cost less impairment, if any. Cost is adjusted to reflect changes in consideration arising from contingent consideration amendments.

The subsidiaries’ financial statements are prepared as of the same reporting date and using the same accounting policies as the parent company. Intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains/losses on transactions between group companies are eliminated.

Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries without change of control

Transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in loss of control are accounted for as transactions with the owners in their capacity as owners. The difference between consideration paid and the relevant share acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is recorded in equity. Gains or losses on disposals to non-controlling interests are also recorded in equity.

Disposal of subsidiaries

When the Group ceases to have control any retained interest in the entity is re-measured to its fair value at the date when control is lost, with the change in carrying amount recognised in profit or loss. The fair value is the initial carrying amount for the purposes of subsequently accounting for the retained interest as an associate, joint venture or financial asset. In addition, any amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income in respect of that entity are accounted for as if the Group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities. This may mean that amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss.

Joint arrangements

Investments in joint arrangements are classified as either joint operations or joint ventures depending on the contractual rights and obligations each investor has rather than the legal structure of the joint arrangement. The Group has assessed the nature of its joint arrangement and determined it to be a joint venture. Joint ventures are consolidated with the equity method of consolidation.

Under the equity method of accounting, interests in joint ventures are initially recognized at cost and adjusted thereafter to recognize the Group’s share of the post-acquisition profits or losses and movements in other comprehensive income. When the Group’s share of losses in a joint venture equals or exceeds its interests in the joint ventures (which includes any long-term interests that, in substance, form part of the Group’s net investment in the joint ventures), the Group does not recognize further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the joint ventures.

Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its joint ventures are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the joint ventures. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of joint ventures have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group. The financial statements of the joint venture are prepared for the same reporting date with the parent company.

In the Company’s stand-alone financial statements, the investment in joint ventures is stated at cost less impairment, if any.

Associates

Associates are entities over which the Group has significant influence (holds directly or indirectly 20% or more of the voting power of the entity) but which it does not control. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognised at cost. The Group’s investment in associates includes goodwill (net of any cumulative impairments losses) identified on acquisition.

Under the equity method the Group’s share of the post-acquisition profits or losses is recognised in the income statement and its share of post-acquisition movements in other comprehensive income is recognized in other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the carrying amount of the investment.   When the Group’s share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associates.

If the ownership interest in an associate is reduced but significant influence is retained, only a proportionate share of the amount previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss where appropriate.

The Group determines at each reporting date whether there is any objective evidence that the investment in the associate is impaired. If this is the case, the Group calculates the amount of the impairment as the difference between the recoverable amount of the associate and its carrying value and recognizes the amount adjacent to “share of profit/(loss) of associates and joint ventures” in the income statement.

Profit and losses resulting from upstream and downstream transactions between the Group and its associate are recognized in the Group’s financial statements only to the extent of unrelated investor’s interests in the associates. Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates; unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Accounting policies of associates have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

The financial statements of the associates are prepared for the same reporting date with the Parent Company.

In the Company’s separate financial statements, the investment in associates is stated at cost less impairment, if any.

Commitments to purchase interests held by non-controlling interests

As part of the acquisition process of certain entities, the Group has granted third party shareholders the option to require the Group to purchase their shares subject to predetermined conditions (a “put” option). These shareholders could be either international institutions, or private investors who are essentially financial or industrial investors or former shareholders of the acquired entities (note 31).

The Group applies the following policy for the recognition of put options:

• Non-controlling interest is still attributed its share of profit and losses (and other changes in equity).
• The non-controlling interest is reclassified as a financial liability at each reporting date, as if the acquisition took place at that date.

Any difference between the fair value of the liability under the put option at the end of the reporting period and the non-controlling interest reclassified is calculated based on the current policy of the Group for acquisitions of non-controlling interests.

If the put option is ultimately exercised, the amount recognized as the financial liability at that date will be extinguished by the payment of the exercise price. If the put option expires unexercised, the position will be unwound such that the non-controlling interest at that date is reclassified back to equity and the financial liability is derecognized.    

1.3 Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each entity in the Group are measured in the functional currency, which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which each Group entity operates.  The consolidated financial statements are presented in Euros, which is the functional and presentation currency of the Company and the presentation currency of the Group.

Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates (i.e. spot rates) prevailing at the dates of the transactions or valuation where items are re-measured. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement, except when deferred in other comprehensive income as qualifying net investment hedges. When the related investment is disposed of, the cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss.

Exchange differences arising from intragroup long term loans and receivables that are designated as part of a reporting entity's net investment in a foreign operation shall be recognised in profit or loss in the separate financial statements of the reporting entity, or, of the individual financial statements of the foreign operation, as appropriate. In the consolidated financial statements such exchange differences shall be recognized in other comprehensive income and included in "currency translation differences reserve on transactions designated as part of net investment in foreign operation" in other reserves. Where settlement of these intragroup long term loans and receivables is planned or is likely to occur in the foreseeable future, then these transactions cease to form part of the net investment in the foreign operation. The exchange differences arising up to that date are recognized in other comprehensive income and after that date, they are recognized in profit or loss. On disposal of the net investment in a foreign operation, the accumulated in other reserves exchange differences are reclassified from equity to profit or loss.

Translation differences on non-monetary financial assets and liabilities, such as equity investments held at fair value are included in the income statement. Translation differences on non-monetary financial assets, such as equities classified as available-for-sale, are included in other comprehensive income.

Group companies

The financial statements of all group entities (none of which operate in a hyperinflationary economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

• Assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of the balance sheet.
• Income and expenses for each statement of profit or loss and statement of comprehensive income are translated at average exchange rates (unless this is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transactions).
• All exchange differences resulting from the above are recognised in other comprehensive income and subsequently included in "foreign currency translation reserve".
• On the disposal of a foreign operation (partly or fully disposed), the cumulative exchange differences relating to that particular foreign operation, recognized in the "foreign currency translation reserve"  within equity, are recognised in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale. On the partial disposal of a foreign subsidiary, the proportionate share of the cumulative amount is re-attributed to the non-controlling interest in that operation.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of borrowings designated as hedges of investments in foreign entities, are taken to other comprehensive income and included under "currency translation differences on derivative hedging position" in other reserves.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the closing rate. Exchange differences arising are recognized in other comprehensive income.

1.4 Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment (PPE) is stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, except for land (excluding quarries), which is shown at cost less impairment losses. 

Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items and any environmental rehabilitation costs to the extent that they have been recognised as a provision (refer to note 1.20). Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the entity and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement as incurred.  Subsequent costs are depreciated over the remaining useful life of the related asset or to the date of the net major subsequent cost whichever is the sooner.

Depreciation, with the exception of quarries and land, is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the cost of the assets to their residual values over their estimated useful lives as follows:

 

Land on which quarries are located is depreciated on a depletion basis. This depletion is recorded as the material extraction process advances based on the unit-of-production method. Other land is not depreciated.

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.  Where the carrying amount of an asset is greater than its estimated recoverable amount, it is written down immediately to its recoverable amount (refer to note 1.8-Impairment of non-financial assets other than Goodwill).

An item of PPE and any significant part initially recognised is derecognised upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with carrying amount and are included in operating profit.

Interest costs on borrowings specifically used to finance the construction of PPE are capitalised during the construction period if recognition criteria are met (refer to note 1.29).

1.5 Investment property

Investment property is property held for long-term rental yields or for capital appreciation or both and that is not occupied by any of the subsidiaries of the Group. Owner-occupied properties are held for production and administrative purposes. This distinguishes owner-occupied property from investment property.

Investment property is measured initially at cost, including related transaction costs and where applicable borrowing costs (refer to 1.29).

After initial recognition investment property is carried at fair value. Fair value reflects market conditions at the reporting date and is determined internally on an annual basis by management or external valuators. The best evidence of fair value is provided by current prices in an active market for similar property in the same location and condition and subject to the same lease terms and other conditions (comparable transactions). When such identical conditions are not present, the Group takes account of, and makes allowances for, differences from the comparable properties in location, nature and condition of the property or in contractual terms of leases and other contracts relating to the property.

A gain or loss arising from a change in the fair value of investment property is recognized in the period in which it arises in the income statement within “other income” or “other expense” as appropriate.

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised to the asset’s carrying amount only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the expenditure will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance costs are expensed when incurred. When part of an investment property is replaced, the carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognised.

The fair value of investment property does not reflect future capital expenditure that will improve or enhance the property and does not reflect the related future benefits from this future expenditure other than those a rational market participant would take into account when determining the value of the property.

Where the Group disposes of a property at fair value in an arm’s length transaction, the carrying value immediately prior to the sale is adjusted to the transaction price, and the adjustment is recorded in the income statement within net gain from fair value adjustment on investment property. Investment properties are derecognised when they have been disposed.

If an investment property becomes owner-occupied, it is reclassified as PPE. Its fair value at the date of reclassification becomes its deemed cost for subsequent accounting purposes.

If an item of owner-occupied property becomes an investment property because its use has changed, IAS 16 is applied up to the date of transfer, since investment property is measured at fair value. The property is fair valued at the date of transfer and any revaluation gain or loss, being the difference between fair value and the previous carrying amount, is accounted for as a revaluation surplus or deficit in equity in accordance with IAS 16. Revaluation surplus is recognized directly in equity through other comprehensive income, unless there was an impairment loss recognized for the same property in prior years. In this case, the surplus up to the extent of this impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss and any further increase is recognized directly in equity through other comprehensive income. Any revaluation deficit is recognized in profit or loss.