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REG-Renewi plc Renewi plc: Half-year report

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Renewi plc (RWI)
Renewi plc: Half-year report

10-Nov-2022 / 07:00 GMT/BST
Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement that contains inside information in
accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR), transmitted by EQS Group.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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10 November 2022

 

              strong first half PERFORMANCE, WITH good STRATEGIC progress

 

Renewi plc (LSE:  RWI), the  leading European waste-to-product  business, announces  its
results for the six months ended 30 September 2022.

 

Financial Highlights

  • Underlying EBIT1 increased 16% to €75.2m (2021:  €64.7m), on revenue up 4% to  €952m
    (2021: €916m)
  • EBIT margin  increased  to  7.9% (2021:  7.1%)  supported  by good  margins  in  the
    Commercial and Specialities divisions
  • Underlying EBITDA1 increased to €131.9m (2021: €126.6m)
  • Statutory profit of €53.4m (2021:  €36.5m) as a result of  increased EBIT and a  net
    exceptional profit* of €10m
  • Core net debt# increased to €388m  (March 2022: €303m), reflecting the initial  debt
    impact of €66m for the Paro acquisition and €16m of innovation capital  investments.
    Net debt to EBITDA of 1.7x (March 2022: 1.4x) in line with expectations
  • Main drivers of first half result included strong operational performance, balancing
    volume pressure  with  cost control,  and  margin management  by  passing  inflation
    through to customers. Higher recyclate prices  in Q1 and certain favourable  one-off
    items supported the performance

 

Strategic Highlights

  • Commercial Netherlands  completed  the  acquisition  of the  Paro  C&D  business  in
    Amsterdam in August. Site rationalisation and integration are now underway
  • Renewi’s first advanced sorting line in Ghent  has been built and is expected to  be
    commissioned in H2  FY23, to  allow our  customers to  be compliant  with Vlarema  8
    legislation which bans recyclable materials from being incinerated
  • Good progress on committed €100m+ circular innovation investments with €45m deployed
    to date
  • Both regulation  and societal  pressure  continue to  increase demand  for  recycled
    materials and to divert more waste from landfill and incineration to recycling
  • Recycling rate increased to 68.4% (March 2022: 67.2%)
  • Renewi 2.0 programme and Mineralz & Water recovery plan remain on track

 

Outlook

  • We are  mindful of  the current  challenging macroeconomic  outlook with  continuing
    inflationary cost pressures, the movement  of recyclate prices to normalised  levels
    and  ongoing  pressure  on  volumes  in  the  near-term.  Accordingly,  management’s
    expectations for the  full year are  unchanged despite a  stronger than  anticipated
    first half performance
  • In the medium-term we are committed to protecting our margins, offsetting  inflation
    with price, countering volume pressure with strong cost control and benefitting from
    the Group’s proven  resilience. We remain  on track to  deliver the remaining  €40m+
    from the identified value drivers
  • In the  longer-term we  remain confident  that, with  regulation driving  increasing
    demand for recycled materials, Renewi is  well positioned for growth in its  markets
    and to serve customers  profitably as the circular  economy develops and the  market
    for low carbon secondary materials evolves

 

1The definition and rationale for the use of non-IFRS measures are included in note 18.

*Including discount rate changes following central bank rate increases and  inflationary
impacts on long-term contracts.

#Core net debt used  for banking leverage  calculations excludes the  impact of IFRS  16
lease liabilities and UK PPP net debt.

 

Otto de Bont, Chief Executive Officer, said:

 

“We delivered a strong performance in the first half of FY23, ahead of our expectations.
Our focus  on  pricing and  cost  control, together  with  high demand  for  recyclates,
resulted in good profitability. Revenue  was up 4% as a  result of price increases  more
than offsetting lower volumes for inbound waste.

 

“Our strategy to grow our leading position  as a waste-to-product company is proving  to
be  increasingly  relevant   with  a   significant  number   of  attractive   investment
opportunities. Strategy execution is progressing well across our three value drivers. We
increased our market share with the completion  of our acquisition of Paro. We  recycled
more of our  incoming waste with  the continued investment  in circular innovations,  we
progressed on our journey to digitise our company with the Renewi 2.0 programme, and our
Mineralz  &  Water  recovery  continues.  Together  these  programmes  will  deliver  an
additional €10m of EBIT this year and are on track to deliver their full potential.

 

“While the Board remains suitably  cautious about the challenging macroeconomic  outlook
in the short term, we  are confident the fundamentals of  our business will allow us  to
grow in  the medium  and longer  term. Waste  volumes have  historically been  resilient
through cycles and the ongoing transition to increased recycling, driven by legislation,
societal pressure and innovation, will continue to support our business model.

 

Results

                                         Sep 22      Sep 21# % change
UNDERLYING NON-STATUTORY                                             
Revenue                                 €952.0m      €915.6m      +4%
Underlying EBITDA1                      €131.9m      €126.6m      +4%
Underlying EBIT1                         €75.2m       €64.7m     +16%
Underlying profit before tax1            €61.6m       €51.3m     +20%
Underlying EPS1 (cents per share)           56c          48c     +17%
Adjusted free cash flow1                 €21.8m       €27.6m         
Free cash flow1                           €4.1m       €15.9m         
Core net debt*                          €387.7m      €336.0m         
                                                                     
STATUTORY                                                            
Revenue                                 €952.0m      €915.6m         
Operating profit                         €83.6m       €57.4m         
Profit before tax                        €71.6m       €43.9m         
Profit for the period                    €53.4m       €36.5m         
Basic EPS (cents per share)                 66c          45c         
Cash flow from operating activities      €82.3m       €73.8m         
Total net debt*                         €696.4m      €648.4m         

 

1 The definition and rationale for the use of non-IFRS measures are included in note 18.

# Certain September 2021 values have been adjusted to reflect a prior year adjustment as
referred to in note 2.

* Core net debt used  for banking leverage calculations excludes  the impact of IFRS  16
lease liabilities and UK PPP net debt.

 

For further information:    
Paternoster Communications Renewi plc

+44 20 3012 0241           +44 7976 321 540

Tom Buchanan               Adam Richford, Head of Investor Relations    
+44 20 3012 0241           +31 6 21 16 35 37
Sean Canty                 Marieke van Wichen, Communications Director

 

Notes:

 1. A copy of this announcement is available at  1 www.renewi.com
 2. Renewi will hold an analyst presentation at 9.30 a.m. GMT / 10.30 a.m. CET today.
    Webcast  2 link

Today’s results presentation will also be available on the website

 

Chief Executive Officer’s Statement

 

Overview

 

Renewi delivered  a  strong  performance  in  the first  half  of  FY23,  ahead  of  our
expectations. Our  focus on  pricing and  cost control,  together with  high demand  for
recyclates, resulted in good  profitability. Revenue increased 4%  as a result of  price
increases, more than offsetting lower volumes for inbound waste.

 

Our three value drivers – our innovation pipeline, the recovery of earnings at  Mineralz
& Water and the Renewi 2.0 programme – will deliver significant additional earnings over
the next two years and beyond.

 

Our business  model is  essential to  enable advanced  economies to  transition  towards
circularity and  consequently  achieve carbon  reduction  targets. We  continue  to  see
positive  structural  growth  drivers,  as   Dutch  and  Belgian  regional   governments
progressively tax carbon emitters, incentivise recycling over incineration, and  promote
the use of secondary  materials. We therefore expect  to see long-term accretive  growth
opportunities across our markets as we continue to assist our customers both to  recycle
more and to use our high-quality secondary materials.

 

Group financial performance

 

                                                                          
Group Summary                   Revenue              Underlying EBIT      
                         Sep 22 Sep 21 Variance   Sep 22 Sep 21 Variance  
                             €m     €m        %       €m     €m        %  
                                                                          
Commercial Waste          694.4  670.6       4%     68.4   64.7       6%  
Mineralz & Water           93.3   93.6       0%      2.6    4.0     -35%  
Specialities              186.3  168.0      11%     11.3    1.7    >100%  
Group central services        -      -             (7.1)  (5.7)     -25%  
Inter-segment revenue    (22.0) (16.6)                 -      -           
Total                     952.0  915.6       4%     75.2   64.7      16%  
                                                                          

The underlying figures  above are  reconciled to  statutory measures  in note  3 in  the
consolidated financial  statements. September  2021 underlying  EBIT for  Group  central
services has been adjusted to reflect a prior year adjustment as referred to in note 2.

 

Group revenue was  up by 4%  to €952m and  underlying EBIT increased  by 16% to  €75.2m.
Underlying EBIT grew despite lower volumes,  supported by ongoing cost initiatives,  net
price gains which  offset inflation  and favourable one-off  items in  the current  year
relative to adverse items in the prior  year. Underlying profit before tax increased  by
20% to €61.6m.  Underlying earnings per  share increased by  17% to 56  cents (2021:  48
cents). The Group statutory profit after tax, including all non-trading and  exceptional
items was €53.4m.

 

The business delivered  a positive  adjusted free cash  flow of  €21.8m (2021:  €27.6m).
There was a total cash outflow of  €80.5m (2021: €1.9m) driven by the Paro  acquisition.
As anticipated, core  net debt  to EBITDA  increased to 1.7x  at 30  September 2022,  an
increase from 1.4x at the end of March 2022 following investment in acquisitions and the
innovation portfolio.

 

                                                                                    
Commercial Waste                Revenue        Underlying EBITDA   Underlying EBIT  
                              Sep 22  Sep 21     Sep 22   Sep 21    Sep 22  Sep 21  
                                                                                    
Netherlands Commercial         459.7   442.3       65.7     71.1      40.3    43.2  
Belgium Commercial             236.3   228.9       42.8     38.1      28.1    21.5  
Intra-segment revenue          (1.6)   (0.6)          -        -         -       -  
Total (€m)                     694.4   670.6      108.5    109.2      68.4    64.7  
                                                                                    
Period on period variance %                                                         
Netherlands Commercial            4%                -8%                -7%          
Belgium Commercial                3%                12%                31%          
Total                             4%                -1%                 6%          
                                                                                    
                               Return on          Underlying         Underlying     
                            operating assets     EBITDA margin       EBIT margin    
                              Sep 22  Sep 21     Sep 22   Sep 21    Sep 22  Sep 21  
                                                                                    
Netherlands Commercial         25.5%   22.6%      14.3%    16.1%      8.8%    9.8%  
Belgium Commercial             51.8%   38.5%      18.1%    16.6%     11.9%    9.4%  
Total                          31.1%   26.0%      15.6%    16.3%      9.9%    9.6%  
                                                                                    

The return on operating assets for Belgium excludes all landfill related provisions. The
underlying figures above are reconciled to statutory measures in notes 3 and 18 in the
consolidated financial statements.

 

The Commercial Division increased revenues by 4%  to €694m and underlying EBIT by 6%  to
€68.4m, representing  an  EBIT margin  of  9.9%.  Return on  operating  assets  remained
strongly accretive at 31%.

 

In the Netherlands, revenue increased by 4% to €459.7m with underlying EBIT declining by
7% to €40.3m. Volumes were 7% lower than the prior year, with higher commercial  volumes
offset by lower volumes in C&D, bulky and green waste. Inbound revenues were  relatively
flat and  outbound revenues  increased  by 22%,  reflecting  the strength  of  recyclate
prices, particularly in the first quarter. Since then, paper/cardboard and ferrous metal
prices have  reduced,  whilst wood  prices  have significantly  increased.  Inflationary
increases have been mitigated by the  annual price increases and the increased  benefits
from recyclates in  the first half.  The Paro  acquisition was completed  in August  and
integration is ongoing to ensure common ways of working, best practice safety  standards
and realisation of the synergy savings.

 

In Belgium, revenue increased  by 3% to  €236.3m and underlying EBIT  by 31% to  €28.1m.
Volumes declined by 13% compared  to the prior year. Inbound  revenues were 2% ahead  of
the prior year as a result of pricing and outbound revenues increased by 10%. Given high
energy prices and overcapacity in regional  incinerators, volumes have been diverted  by
customers from recycling to incineration. Despite this, in Belgium we have been able  to
pass through cost increases and offset lower volumes with additional pricing.   

 

                                                   
Mineralz & Water           Sep 22 Sep 21 Variance  
                               €m     €m        %  
                                                   
Revenue                      93.3   93.6       0%  
Underlying EBITDA            11.6   11.0       5%  
Underlying EBITDA margin    12.4%  11.8%           
Underlying EBIT               2.6    4.0     -35%  
Underlying EBIT margin       2.8%   4.3%           
Return on operating assets   7.3%   4.6%           
                                                   

The return on operating assets excludes all landfill related provisions. The underlying
figures above are reconciled to statutory measures in notes 3 and 18 in the consolidated
financial statements.

 

The Mineralz & Water Division saw revenues  flat at €93.3m and underlying EBIT  decrease
to €2.6m.  Whilst  EBITDA increased  by  5%, additional  depreciation  from  replacement
capital investments made in late 2021 impacted EBIT. The waterside business operated  at
capacity in the first half, with strong  demand from customers leading to good  pricing.
As expected  contaminated soil  throughput was  35% (2021:  55%) of  the kiln  capacity,
producing over 100k  tonnes of  gravel, sand  and filler  for the  concrete and  asphalt
industries. The historical inventory of thermally clean soil remains at 0.6m tonnes with
future disposal outlets under negotiation.

 

                                                   
Specialities               Sep 22 Sep 21 Variance  
                               €m     €m        %  
                                                   
Revenue                     186.3  168.0      11%  
Underlying EBITDA            14.3    7.9      81%  
Underlying EBITDA margin     7.7%   4.7%           
Underlying EBIT              11.3    1.7    >100%  
Underlying EBIT margin       6.1%   1.0%           
Return on operating assets  35.8%  17.9%           
                                                   

Underlying EBIT  includes  utilisation of  €4.2m  (2021: €0.5m)  from  onerous  contract
provisions. The  return on  operating assets  excludes the  UK Municipal  business.  The
underlying figures above are reconciled to statutory  measures in notes 3 and 18 in  the
consolidated financial statements.

 

The Specialities Division grew revenues by 11% to €186m and delivered an underlying EBIT
of €11.3m, driven by non-recurring items relating to Municipal, as well as  improvements
in Coolrec and Maltha. Coolrec has continued to perform well following the  installation
of advanced  plastic sorting  processes  in August  2021  leading to  increased  product
quality and stronger  commercial offtake  opportunities including  the recent  agreement
with Playmobil. Maltha is  focused on performance improvement  under new management  and
saw revenue growth and further margin improvement in the first half.

 

Markets and strategy

 

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do

 

Our purpose,  our vision  and our  business strategy  are all  about supporting  climate
change mitigation and reducing total carbon emissions through reuse. In keeping with our
purpose, our business and sustainability strategies are inextricably linked and mutually
supportive. Starting from the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Renewi is focused on its
three key objectives: Enable the circular economy; Reduce carbon emissions; and Care for
people.

 

In addition to the  transition to green  energy, the creation  of circular economies  is
essential to limiting global warming. The  transition to circular economies globally  is
still in its early stages, as illustrated by the Circularity Gap Report which calculates
that the  world is  currently only  8.6%  circular. Europe  is leading  the way  in  the
circular economy transition and, within Europe, the Netherlands and Belgium are  leading
with national policies moving faster than EU policy generally.

 

In November 2021, COP26 set out the  necessary steps to avoid catastrophic increases  in
global temperatures by the end of the century. Production of more secondary materials to
reduce virgin material use and the associated  carbon emissions is a key requirement  to
meet these goals. Becoming more circular and  cutting virgin material use by 28%  within
nine years could lead to a reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 39% according
to the  3 Circularity Gap Report.

 

Supply of  materials  for  recycling  is stimulated  by  disincentivising  landfill  and
incineration through fiscal policy and  prohibitions thus creating an environment  where
sorting and  processing  to produce  recyclates  is economically  competitive.  This  is
already in place in  the Netherlands and  Belgium. The move  towards recycling has  been
further strengthened by progressive increases to incineration taxes in both countries.

 

Increases in recycling will be  driven by new legislation  in Flanders which comes  into
effect in January 2023. The most recent amendment to Vlarema 8 introduces the  mandatory
pre-sorting of waste  to remove  recyclates before  residues are  incinerated, and  this
legislation is the key driver of our decision to invest in three large  state-of-the-art
sorting lines in Flanders. It is our expectation that the Walloon and Dutch  governments
will follow Flanders’ lead in due course,  also requiring the recovery of recyclates  by
sorting of residual waste before allowing the residue to be incinerated.

 

Investment in technology  is critical to  achieving the circular  economy, allowing  the
industry to achieve better recovery  of more materials for  reuse, to address ever  more
difficult waste streams  and to produce  better quality low  carbon secondary  materials
that can compete  with virgin  materials. This requires  collaboration and  partnerships
between manufacturers and waste management companies to enable our low carbon  materials
to be  incorporated into  production  processes and  to  change existing  production  to
facilitate the eventual recycling of products used.

 

Several of Renewi’s circular innovation investments are examples of technology and close
collaboration with partners, such as the  collaboration with Shell and Nordsol to  build
and produce bio-LNG  from out-of-date  food waste and  our collaboration  with Ikea  and
Ikano to recycle mattresses and to recover polyurethane to put back into reuse.

 

Legislators in  Renewi’s  European markets  are  considering further  action,  including
carbon taxes on  incineration by  including them in  the EU  emissions trading  schemes,
minimum recycled content levels and producer responsibility for the management of closed
loops. All these measures  will increase demand for  secondary materials and  accelerate
recycling rates.

 

During the  first half  we have  made good  progress with  our strategic  sustainability
objectives, including the following highlights:

 

Enable the circular economy

  • Increased recycling rate to 68.4% an increase of +1.2% points since March 2022, with
    positive progress in particular from the Commercial and Specialities Divisions
  • Renewi’s first advanced sorting line in Ghent  has been built and is expected to  be
    commissioned in the second half, to allow our customers to be compliant with Vlarema
    8 legislation

 

Reduce carbon emissions

  • We are executing on our commitment to reduce  our own footprint by a minimum of  50%
    by 2030
  • We  continue  to  increase  the  use  of  renewable  electricity  and  the  use   of
    self-produced renewable electricity including site based solar panels and windmills.
    At Ghent construction of a  windmill is underway and  expected to complete in  early
    2023
  • An additional 5 zero emission trucks have been ordered

 

Care for people

  • We improved our safety performance  with a 25% reduction  in our lost time  incident
    rate
  • We had no  major fires  or environmental  incidents in  the first  half having  made
    significant investments in prevention and detection
  • We continued improvements  in SHEQ culture.   For example we  tripled the number  of
    truck driver tours which promote dialogue with operations and doubled the number  of
    site tours and SHEQ awards
  • We hosted country-wide employee celebration events bringing our people together post
    covid
  • Our diversity &  inclusion committee  has a programme  of activity  aimed at  making
    Renewi an even more rewarding and inclusive place to work. We have further  improved
    Board gender  diversity to  38% with  the appointments  of Annemieke  den Otter  and
    Katleen Vandeweyer

 

Our strategy for long-term profitable growth

 

We have a clear  and consistent business  strategy to deliver  long-term growth in  both
margins and volumes. To date, our strategy has been focused on margin expansion  through
increased recycling rates  and the production  of higher quality  materials. While  this
focus continues, we are now  also seeking to expand  our market share both  domestically
and internationally. Our strategy is based on three pillars:

 1. Leader in recycling: increase  our recycling rate. Our  ambitious goal, launched  as
    “Mission75”, is to increase our recycling rate to 75% from the current 68.4%,  which
    we believe is already the highest in the industry
 2. Leader in  secondary material  production:  Enhance the  quality  and value  of  the
    products we produce. For production companies currently using primary raw materials,
    the easiest way to  convert is by  using high quality  secondary raw materials  that
    they can  “drop-in” to  their  existing production  processes. Accordingly,  we  are
    investing in advanced processing  facilities to deliver  materials of the  necessary
    quality to achieve this
 3. Selectively gain market share. Our aim is to achieve this through delivering organic
    growth, and by  taking advantage of  the consolidation opportunities  in our  sector
    both within our core markets and potentially  in new territories that are suited  to
    our waste-to-product model

 

Capital deployment for growth

 

To grow market share, we have three areas of focus:

 1. Organic circular  innovation  investment  opportunities  at  attractive  returns  of
    greater than  16%  (pre-tax)  return  on  operating  assets  within  our  innovation
    pipeline.  These  include   the  committed   >€100m  of   investments  and   further
    opportunities that are being validated
 2. M&A within the  Benelux. These  investments provide  an opportunity  to enhance  our
    market position in attractive segments and to consolidate our position in the market
    such as the recent Paro transaction
 3. M&A  outside  of  the  Benelux.  These  investments  will  take  our  expertise  and
    waste-to-product model learnt in  Europe’s most advanced  circular economies of  the
    Netherlands and Belgium  into other  European jurisdictions. In  the immediate  term
    there are opportunities to expand in niche waste segments where collection is not  a
    requirement of the  business model:  glass, white  goods and  mattresses being  good
    examples. Longer term,  we believe  our model can  be replicated  in other  advanced
    circular economies  following the  Netherlands  and Belgium  approach driven  by  EU
    legislation

 

Collectively across these three focus areas, we have committed over €175m over the  last
two years, including the >€100m of investment  in circular innovations and €66m for  the
acquisition of Paro. These investments are being funded by the Group’s cash flow and the
Group’s borrowing capacity. In each case, they provide attractive returns on  investment
and earnings accretion,  whilst maintaining  the Group leverage  below 2.0x  as per  the
Board’s policy. The Board is keeping the dividend under review, taking into account  the
Group’s ongoing investments in growth projects, current trading and longer-term outlook.

 

Update on the Group’s value drivers

 

We have three specific areas of activity to grow underlying profitability in the  period
to FY26. These are our ongoing investments in circular innovations, the recovery of  our
Mineralz & Water business at  ATM, and Renewi 2.0  efficiency programme. Each driver  is
expected to contribute  €20m EBIT and  €60m in  total by FY26  and all are  on track  to
achieve this.

 

Committed circular innovation investments

 

We are  investing  in innovative  solutions  to  increase recycling  rates  and  product
quality, the first two pillars of our strategy to deliver an additional EBIT of €20m  by
FY26.  Last  year  we  announced  over  €100m  of  investments  across  four  key  areas
encompassing plastics recycling, deriving value  from organic waste, building  materials
production and  advanced sorting  processes  in Flanders.  These investments  are  being
deployed over three years, with 40% (€45m) currently deployed. Each project will  exceed
our threshold  for pre-tax  return on  operating assets  of 16%  as the  facilities  are
commissioned.  We  have  a  pipeline   of  potential  innovation  projects  for   future
investments.

 

Renewi 2.0 programme

 

We are  well underway  with our  Renewi 2.0  programme which  is focused  on making  the
company simpler, more customer-focused,  more efficient and a  better place to work.  As
previously indicated, the programme is expected to  deliver a minimum of €20m of  annual
cost benefits on a run-rate basis from FY24 for a total cash cost of €40m, of which €23m
has now been deployed. Activated accounts  on the MyRenewi customer platform have  grown
to over 80,000  albeit adoption is  tracking around  20% below our  target levels.  Over
13,000 orders a month are now  being placed electronically delivering accurate  straight
through processing towards the objective  of reducing customer complaints, which  remain
at elevated  levels pending  the full  delivery  of Renewi  2.0 initiatives.  We  remain
confident that we will achieve the targeted savings on schedule.

 

Mineralz & Water recovery

 

Recovery at ATM,  our major site  that cleans  contaminated soil and  water, is  ongoing
despite uncertainty by regulators  on the adequacy of  the current environmental  regime
leading to both reduced intake of contaminated soil, and difficulty obtaining  necessary
permits to dispose  of TGG.  This situation  is expected  to be  resolved when  proposed
amendments to  current legislation  are  brought forward  and should  bring  much-needed
clarity to this part of our business.

 

The team at Moerdijk are actively working  to restore the previous profitability of  the
activity across  several  critical  workstreams.  Investments  have  been  completed  to
transition the  output production  from TGG  to gravel,  sand and  filler including  the
in-line sieve, gravel  sorting line  and the  dust silos.  Good progress  has been  made
selling historical production of TGG  which is down to 0.6m  tonnes with a further  0.2m
tonnes under negotiation for  shipment during FY23. Lower  historic TGG stocks are  also
expected to have  a positive  impact on  soil import  licencing, which  is necessary  to
increase  processing   volumes.  Activity   is   ongoing  towards   additional   quality
certifications and the target “end of waste” status for both sand and filler products to
increase end  markets  and pricing.  There  is a  growing  interest in  these  secondary
building materials from concrete and asphalt  producers as the construction industry  is
converting to circularity.

 

ATM’s profit improvement is also  supported by growth in  water treatment where we  have
potential to  expand  our  treatment  capacity. We  therefore  anticipate  that  as  the
regulatory environment for soil becomes clearer, as our building materials achieve their
certification, and as we expand our water treatment, ATM will be able to restore margins
and EBIT to €20m.

 

Resilience & managing macroeconomic pressure

 

Like all businesses, we are impacted by macroeconomic pressures. It is now clear the war
in Ukraine has had profound effects on  the global economy through the impact on  energy
markets, causing surging inflation, central bank rate increases, consumer demand falling
and the  real prospect  of economic  downturn across  Europe. These  macro changes  also
impact the  value  of  recyclates.  While  reprocessing  is  less  energy-intensive  and
therefore less costly, the  value of recyclates  is also impacted  by global demand  for
materials. As a result,  we anticipate lower  recyclate pricing in  the second half  and
lower than the prior year.

 

Waste volumes are typically  resilient to economic cycles.  In our Commercial  Division,
the breadth of our customer base supporting 150,000 commercial and industrial  customers
includes all sectors of the  economy, several of which  – such as utilities,  healthcare
and the  public sector  – are  resilient to  economic cycles.  In addition,  significant
segments within Renewi’s operations  are focused on resilient  waste streams with  lower
exposure to economic  cycles such  as glass, soil,  water, UK  municipal and  electrical
goods accounting for around 40% of our  total Group volume. We have limited exposure  to
sectors, such as construction and demolition which accounts for around 6% of total Group
volumes, or business to consumer sectors whose demand is affected by the  cost-of-living
squeeze, such as hospitality and leisure or discretionary retail.

 

There are continuing inflationary cost pressures  across the business in the near  term,
However, we are more  resilient than most to  these macroeconomic pressures because  our
business model allows us to manage the headwinds of recyclate prices, energy costs, wage
inflation and price  inflation. We provide  an essential service  to our commercial  and
industrial customer base,  who must have  their waste  processed and this  allows us  to
recover appropriate inflation  costs from  our customers.  Our larger  customers are  on
multi-year contracts with inflation provisions and our smaller customers have an  annual
price rise in their contracts which replace the temporary surcharges that are already in
place to reflect  the higher  costs of  collection. We  actively hedge  fuel and  energy
costs. For diesel  requirements 75%  is hedged  for at  least 6  months and  50% for  12
months. Around 80% of our c. 260 GWh  energy requirement is now fixed for 2023  calendar
year, and in addition we have an offsetting production of 57 GWh from our sites. Payroll
costs in Belgium are mandated by government to rise in line with annual inflation and in
the Netherlands will rise according to  our collective labour agreements which  slightly
delays the impact of inflation.

 

We anticipate reversion  of several recyclate  prices towards long  term levels and  our
forecasts reflect this. We have dynamic pricing on contracts for major recyclate  groups
including metals,  paper and  cardboard, wood  and  plastics which  enables us  to  pass
through pricing changes to our customers.  Typically, these average around 60% of  these
materials.

 

Outlook

 

We are  mindful  of  the  current  challenging  macroeconomic  outlook  with  continuing
inflationary cost pressures, the movement of  recyclate prices to normalised levels  and
ongoing pressure on volumes in the near-term. Accordingly, management’s expectations for
the full year are unchanged despite a stronger than anticipated first half performance.

 

In the medium term we are committed to protecting our margins, offsetting inflation with
price, countering volume  pressure with strong  cost control, and  benefitting from  the
Group’s proven resilience. We remain  on track to deliver  the remaining €40m+ from  the
identified value drivers.

 

In the longer term we remain  confident that, with regulation driving increasing  demand
for recycled materials, Renewi is well positioned for growth in its markets and to serve
customers profitably as  the circular  economy develops and  the market  for low  carbon
secondary materials evolves.

 

FINANCE REVIEW

 

                                                        
Financial Performance           Sep 22 Sep 21 Variance  
                                    €m     €m        %  
                                                        
Revenue                          952.0  915.6       4%  
Underlying EBITDA                131.9  126.6       4%  
Underlying EBIT                   75.2   64.7      16%  
Operating profit                  83.6   57.4      46%  
                                                        
Underlying profit before tax      61.6   51.3      20%  
Non-trading & exceptional items   10.0  (7.4)           
Profit before tax                 71.6   43.9           
Total tax charge for the period (18.2)  (7.4)           
Profit for the period             53.4   36.5           
                                                        

The underlying figures above are reconciled to  statutory measures in notes 3 and 18  in
the consolidated financial statements. September 2021 underlying EBIT has been  adjusted
to reflect a prior year adjustment as referred to in note 2.

 

Renewi delivered  a good  performance  in the  first half  of  FY23, with  revenues  and
underlying EBIT up 4% and 16% respectively.  Underlying EBIT was €10.5m higher than  the
prior half year despite  the €11.3m impact of  lower volumes. Ongoing cost  initiatives,
including Renewi 2.0 contributed €4.2m. Favourable one-off items in the current year  of
€10.7m (2021: €7.5m adverse  impact from one-off items)  resulted from settlements  with
incinerators, property  disposals,  IAS 37  amendment  implementation and  other  items.
Underlying EBITDA  increased by  4%, whereas  underlying EBIT  increased by  16% as  the
depreciation charge remained stable period-on-period and a number of impairments in  the
prior year  were not  repeated  in FY23.  Interest charges  and  share of  results  from
associates and joint ventures were comparable to last year. The level of exceptional and
non-trading items in the current year was a credit of €10m as described below, resulting
in a statutory profit for the period of €53.4m compared to €36.5m last year.

 

As reported with the FY22 results, we reviewed our accounting policy with regard to  the
treatment of costs associated with the configuration and customisation incurred in cloud
computing or Software  as a Service  (SaaS) arrangements.  In line with  the March  2022
assessment, €1.7m of costs  capitalised in the six-month  period to September 2021  have
been recorded  as a  prior year  restatement  as they  no longer  met the  criteria  for
recognition as an  asset. Further details  are provided  in note 2  to the  consolidated
interim financial statements.

 

The amendment to IAS 37  Onerous Contracts – Costs  of Fulfilling a Contract,  effective
from 1 April 2022, clarifies that the  costs of fulfilling a contract should include  an
allocation of other costs that relate directly to fulfilling the contract in addition to
the incremental costs. The Group assessed the impact of this amendment which resulted in
an increase  to the  onerous contract  provisions of  €53.2m. The  cumulative effect  of
initially applying the  amendment has been  recognised as an  adjustment to the  opening
balance of retained earnings as at 1 April 2022. The impact has resulted in annual costs
of €5m  now  being utilised  against  the provision  rather  than recorded  as  part  of
underlying EBIT.  As  permitted  by  the  amendment, the  Group  has  not  restated  the
comparative information.

 

Non-trading and exceptional items excluded from pre-tax underlying profits

To enable a better understanding of  underlying performance, certain items are  excluded
from underlying EBIT  and underlying  profit before  tax due  to their  size, nature  or
incidence. Total non-trading and exceptional items excluding tax were a credit of €10.0m
in the  period (2021:  charge €7.4m  as adjusted  for the  change in  accounting  policy
restatement). As previously reported, we have accounted  for the cost of the Renewi  2.0
programme as exceptional due to its size and nature. The cost of the programme is  still
expected to be €40m and is forecast to  deliver cost benefits at an annualised run  rate
of €20m once completed. Benefits  of €4.6m were secured in  the half with cash spend  of
€2.0m which was slightly lower than  expected. Following on from recent developments  in
Government bond yields, discount rates used for long-term landfill and onerous  contract
provisions have been  increased, resulting  in a non-cash  credit of  €15.3m. Given  the
current high inflationary environment the assumptions  on inflation in the UK  Municipal
onerous contract provisions for the next two  years have been reassessed resulting in  a
€8.9m increase  in provisions.  Both of  these  items are  recorded as  non-trading  and
exceptional due to size and nature in line with our policy. Further details are provided
in note 5 to the consolidated interim financial statements.

 

Operating profit  after taking  account of  all non-trading  and exceptional  items  was
€83.6m (2021: €57.4m as adjusted for the change in accounting policy restatement).

 

Net finance costs

Net finance costs excluding exceptional items decreased €0.1m to €13.6m (2021:  €13.7m),
with savings on core borrowings due to  lower rates net of increased costs for  discount
unwind given the 1 April IAS 37 amendment which increased onerous contract provisions by
€53.2m. Further details  are provided in  note 6 to  the consolidated interim  financial
statements.

 

Taxation

Total taxation for the period  was a charge of €18.2m  (2021: €7.4m as adjusted for  the
change in accounting policy restatement). The  effective tax rate on underlying  profits
at 26.5% is based on the estimate of the  full year effective tax rate. A tax charge  of
€1.9m is attributable to the non-trading and exceptional items of €10.0m as a number  of
items are not subject to tax.

 

The Group statutory profit after tax,  including all non-trading and exceptional  items,
was €53.4m (2021: €36.5m as adjusted for the change in accounting policy restatement).

 

Earnings per share (EPS)

Underlying EPS excluding non-trading  and exceptional items was  56 cents per share,  an
increase of 8 cents. Basic EPS was 66 cents per share compared to 45 cents per share  in
the prior year.

CASH FLOW PERFORMANCE

 

The funds flow performance table is derived  from the statutory cash flow statement  and
reconciliations are included in note 18 in the consolidated financial statements.

 

The table shows the cash flows from an  adjusted free cash flow to total cash flow.  The
adjusted free cash flow measure focuses on  the cash generation excluding the impact  of
historic liabilities  relating  to  Covid-19  tax  deferrals,  settlement  of  ATM  soil
liabilities and spend relating to the UK PPP onerous contracts.

 

                                                                 
Funds flow performance                            Sep 22 Sep 21  
                                                      €m     €m  
                                                                 
EBITDA                                             131.9  126.6  
Working capital movement                          (26.0) (36.0)  
Movement in provisions and other                   (3.9)  (0.2)  
Net replacement capital expenditure               (35.0) (28.0)  
Repayments of obligations under lease liabilities (23.2) (21.9)  
Interest, loan fees and tax                       (22.0) (12.9)  
Adjusted free cash flow                             21.8   27.6  
Deferred Covid taxes                               (9.9)  (0.4)  
Offtake of ATM soil                                (1.1)  (3.4)  
UK Municipal contracts                             (6.7)  (7.9)  
Free cash flow                                       4.1   15.9  
Growth capital expenditure                        (16.0)  (7.5)  
Renewi 2.0 and other exceptional spend             (2.3)  (7.7)  
Acquisitions net of disposals                     (60.1)      -  
Other                                              (6.2)  (2.6)  
Total cash flow                                   (80.5)  (1.9)  
                                                                 
Free cash flow conversion                             5%    25%  
                                                                 

Free cash flow  conversion is free  cash flow as  a percentage of  underlying EBIT.  The
non-IFRS measures  above  are  reconciled  to  statutory measures  in  note  18  in  the
consolidated financial statements. Certain September  2021 values have been adjusted  to
reflect a prior year adjustment as referred to in note 2.

 

Adjusted free cash flow was lower at €21.8m despite the EBITDA improvement. The  outflow
on working capital in the  period was mostly driven by  a further reduction in  payables
together with limited  increases in  inventory and receivables.  Days sales  outstanding
have increased slightly since March but still remain lower than the pre-Covid averages.

 

Replacement capital spend at €35.0m was ahead of last year in line with expectations and
including catch-up from the prior two years. In addition, €16.7m of new leases have been
entered into  which are  reported  as right-of-use  assets  with a  corresponding  lease
liability. These leases  include the  continuation of the  truck replacement  programme,
property lease renewals or extensions and  other assets. Growth capital spend of  €16.0m
includes further spend  on the  Vlarema 8 advanced  sorting investments  in Belgium  and
plastics sorting at Acht in the Netherlands.

 

Interest payments were higher this  year due to annual  payments for three retail  bonds
following on from the July  2021 new issue. Tax payments  were also €6.5m higher in  the
current period as certain annual tax settlements fell into the second half last year and
some end of year settlements fell into April rather than March.

 

Looking at the three components that are shown below adjusted free cash flow, there  has
been a  further  €9.9m  repayment on  Dutch  Covid-19  tax deferrals  as  forecast.  The
remaining balance  of €40m  will be  settled over  the next  24 months.  Cash spend  for
placement of TGG soil  stocks was limited in  the first six months.  The balance of  the
liability of €15m is expected to be placed in the market over the next 12 to 24  months.
Cash outflow on UK PPP contracts was €6.7m, slightly lower than the prior year.

 

The acquisitions net of disposals outflow is principally €60.5m for the Paro acquisition
representing the  cash paid  of €53.5m  and  the repayment  of loans  acquired.  Further
details are provided in note 12 to the consolidated interim financial statements.

 

Other cash  flows include  the additional  injection  of €1.5m  into the  investment  in
RetourMatras, funding for the closed  UK defined benefit scheme  and the funding of  the
Renewi Employee Share trust net of sundry dividend income from other investments.

 

Net cash inflow from operating activities increased  from €72.4m in the prior period  to
€74.4m in the current year. A reconciliation to the underlying cash flow performance  as
referred to  above  is  included  in  note 18  in  the  consolidated  interim  financial
statements.

 

We continue  to  pay significant  attention  to cash,  taking  into account  the  future
investment needs  of the  business alongside  the ongoing  replacement capital  and  the
medium term repayment of the Covid taxes.

 

INVESTMENT PROJECTS

 

Expenditure in FY23

The Group’s long-term expectations for replacement capital expenditure remain around 80%
of depreciation. FY23 full year replacement capital spend is expected to be around  €70m
which includes some catch-up from the prior  two years and some one-offs for  compliance
in Commercial,  the  Green Gas  project  and jetty  and  pyro improvements  at  ATM.  In
addition, up  to €40m  of IFRS  16 lease  investments are  expected for  the full  year,
primarily in replacement  trucks, although  production delays are  ongoing given  supply
chain challenges.

 

Expenditure on  the  circular innovation  pipeline  will  continue to  increase  as  the
advanced sorting investments in Belgium for Vlarema 8 and expansion in plastics  sorting
at Acht  in the  Netherlands progress  through the  construction phases.  Timing of  the
investment spend has slipped slightly with the  FY23 full year spend now expected to  be
around €45m.

 

Return on assets

The Group return on operating assets excluding debt, tax and goodwill increased to 44.7%
at September  2022 from  42.6%  at March  2022. The  Group  post-tax return  on  capital
employed at September 2022 was 12.2% up from 11.6% at March 2022.

 

Treasury and cash management

 

Core net debt and leverage ratios

Core net debt excludes IFRS 16 lease liabilities and the net debt relating to the UK PPP
contracts which is non-recourse to the Group and secured over the assets of the  special
purpose vehicles. Core net debt was in line with management expectations at €388m (March
2022: €303m) which resulted in  a net debt to EBITDA  ratio of 1.7x, comfortably  within
our covenant  limit  of  3.50x.  Liquidity headroom  including  core  cash  and  undrawn
facilities remains strong at €247m, a reduction from March as a result of the  repayment
of €100m retail bonds on maturity in addition to the increase in net debt.

 

Debt structure and strategy

Borrowings, excluding PPP non-recourse borrowings, are mainly long-term. In the year  to
March 2022 the  Group’s main  banking facility was  extended with  most commitments  now
maturing in May 2025. All our core borrowings of bonds and loans are green financed.

 

                                                                        
Debt Structure                                 Sep 22  Mar 22 Variance  
                                                   €m      €m       €m  
                                                                        
€100m Belgian Green retail bonds                    - (100.0)    100.0  
€75m Belgian Green retail bonds                (75.0)  (75.0)        -  
€125m Belgian Green retail bonds              (125.0) (125.0)        -  
€400m Green RCF                               (192.5)  (15.0)  (177.5)  
Green EUPP                                     (25.0)  (25.0)        -  
Gross borrowings before lease liabilities     (417.5) (340.0)   (77.5)  
Historical IAS 17 lease liabilities and other  (11.9)   (8.7)    (3.2)  
Loan fees                                         2.5     3.2    (0.7)  
Core cash and money market funds                 39.2    42.5    (3.3)  
Core net debt (as per covenant definitions)   (387.7) (303.0)   (84.7)  
IFRS 16 lease liabilities                     (237.1) (221.9)   (15.2)  
Net debt excluding UK PPP net debt            (624.8) (524.9)   (99.9)  
UK PPP restricted cash balances                  19.7    21.1    (1.4)  
UK PPP non-recourse debt                       (91.3) (100.2)      8.9  
Total net debt                                (696.4) (604.0)   (92.4)  
                                                                        

 

In November 2022, the Group signed new fixed rate facilities totalling €55m in  addition
to the existing €200m  of fixed rate  bonds.  The new borrowings  include a €45m  7-year
European Private Placement at 4.676%, and a €10m 5-year loan at 4.22%.

 

The Group operates  a committed  invoice discounting  programme. The  cash received  for
invoices sold at September 2022 was €80m (March 2022: €81m).

 

The introduction of IFRS 16  on 1 April 2019  brought additional lease liabilities  onto
the balance sheet  with an associated  increase in  assets. Covenants on  our main  bank
facilities remain on a frozen GAAP basis and exclude IFRS 16 lease liabilities.

 

Debt borrowed in the special purpose vehicles (SPVs) created for the financing of UK PPP
programmes is separate from the  Group core debt and is  secured over the assets of  the
SPVs with no recourse  to the Group as  a whole. Interest rates  on PPP borrowings  were
fixed by means of interest rate swaps at contract inception. At September 2022 this  net
debt amounted to €72m (March 2022: €79m).

 

PROVISIONS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Around 85% of the Group’s provisions are long-term in nature, with the onerous  contract
provisions against  the  PPP  contracts  being  utilised  over  20  years  and  landfill
provisions for  many  decades  longer.  As noted  previously,  the  application  of  the
amendment to IAS 37, Onerous Contracts – Costs of Fulfilling a Contract has resulted  in
a 1 April  2022 increase  of €53m  to the  onerous contract  provisions. The  provisions
balance  classified  as  due  within  one  year  amounts  to  €40m,  including  €2m  for
restructuring, €12m for onerous contracts, €13m for landfill related spend and €13m  for
environmental, legal  and  others.  Further details  are  provided  in note  13  to  the
consolidated interim financial statements.

 

The position on the alleged Belgian State Aid claim remains unchanged since March,  with
a gross potential liability of €63m against which we have provided for €15m. We expect a
ruling from  the European  Commission during  FY23  but no  monies would  likely  become
payable until FY24.  Details of contingent  liabilities are set  out in note  16 of  the
financial statements.

 

Retirement benefits

The Group has a defined benefit pension  scheme for certain UK employees which has  been
closed to new entrants  since September 2002  and was closed  to future benefit  accrual
from December 2019. At September  2022, the scheme remained  in surplus at €4.5m  (March
2022: €8.6m).  The movement  in the  period  was due  to an  increase in  discount  rate
assumption on scheme  liabilities net  of lower asset  returns. There  are also  several
defined benefit pension schemes for employees in the Netherlands and Belgium which had a
retirement benefit deficit of €4.6m at September  2022, a reduction from €6.3m at  March
2022 as a result of increased discount rate assumptions on scheme liabilities.

 

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Renewi operates a  risk management framework  to identify, assess  and control the  most
serious risks facing  the Group.  The 2022  Annual Report (pages  90 to  99) provides  a
discussion of the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties. The Board believes that the
key risks and associated mitigation strategies have not changed in the period.

 

Renewi continues  to monitor  inflationary  pressures including  energy costs,  cost  of
labour, recyclate prices  and the risk  of recession  driven in part  by the  disruptive
events in Ukraine. Cyber crime is an increasing risk for all businesses and we have been
investing to  further strengthen  our capabilities.  All of  these potential  risks  are
actively reviewed and managed at the Board and in our executive management teams.

 

GOING CONCERN

The Directors  have adopted  the going  concern basis  in preparing  these  consolidated
interim financial  statements  after  assessing the  Group's  principal  risks.  Further
details of the modelling and scenarios prepared are  set out in note 2 of the  financial
statements. Having considered all the elements of the financial projections and applying
appropriate sensitivities, the Directors confirm they have a reasonable expectation that
the  Group  has  adequate  resources  to  continue  in  operational  existence  for  the
foreseeable future and to meet its covenants.

 

STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Directors confirm  that these  condensed consolidated  interim financial  statements
have been  prepared in  accordance  with International  Accounting Standard  34  Interim
Financial Reporting as adopted for use in the UK, and that the interim management report
includes a fair  review of  the information required  by DTR  4.2.7 R and  DTR 4.2.8  R,
namely:

  • an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months and
    their impact on the condensed set of financial statements, and a description of  the
    principal risks and  uncertainties for  the remaining  six months  of the  financial
    year; and
  • material related-party transactions in the first six months and any material changes
    in the related-party transactions described in the last Annual Report.

 

A list of current Directors is maintained on the Renewi plc website: www.renewi.com.

 

By order of the Board

 

 

Otto de Bont     Annemieke den Otter

Chief Executive Officer    Chief Financial Officer

9 November 2022    9 November 2022

 

 

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement constitute “forward-looking statements”.
Forward-looking statements may sometimes, but not always, be identified by words such as
“will”, “may”, “should”, “continue”, “believes”, “expects”, “intends” or similar
expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and
other factors which, as a result, could cause Renewi plc’s actual future financial
condition, performance and results to differ materially from the plans, goals and
expectations set out in the forward-looking statements. Such statements are made only as
at the date of this announcement and, except to the extent legally required, Renewi plc
undertakes no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements.

 

Consolidated Interim Income Statement (unaudited)

First half ended 30 September 2022

 

                             First half 2022/23                First half 2021/22
                                                                     Restated*          
                                  Non-trading                     
                                                                   Non-trading          
                                            &            Restated*
                Note   Underlying exceptional                                & Restated*
                                        items   Total   Underlying exceptional
                               €m                                        items     Total
                                           €m      €m           €m
                                                                            €m        €m
                                                                                
Revenue          3,4        952.0           -   952.0        915.6           -     915.6
Cost of sales      5      (766.2)         4.9 (761.3)      (740.0)       (1.8)   (741.8)
Gross profit                185.8         4.9   190.7        175.6       (1.8)     173.8
(loss)
Administrative     5      (110.6)         3.5 (107.1)      (110.9)       (5.5)   (116.4)
expenses
Operating          3         75.2         8.4    83.6         64.7       (7.3)      57.4
profit (loss)
Finance income   5,6          4.9         1.6     6.5          4.7           -       4.7
Finance charges  5,6       (18.5)           -  (18.5)       (18.4)       (0.1)    (18.5)
Share of
results from                    -           -       -          0.3           -       0.3
associates and
joint ventures
Profit (loss)      3         61.6        10.0    71.6         51.3       (7.4)      43.9
before taxation
Taxation         5,7       (16.3)       (1.9)  (18.2)       (12.8)         5.4     (7.4)
Profit (loss)                45.3         8.1    53.4         38.5       (2.0)      36.5
for the period
Attributable                                                                            
to:
Owners of the                44.3         8.1    52.4         38.0       (2.0)      36.0
parent
Non-controlling               1.0           -     1.0          0.5           -       0.5
interests
                             45.3         8.1    53.4         38.5       (2.0)      36.5

*The comparatives have been restated following the change in accounting policy in
relation to Software as a Service arrangements as explained in note 2 Basis of
preparation.

 

                                    Restated*
                        First half
                                   First half
Earnings per share Note    2022/23
                                      2021/22
                             cents
                                        cents
                                    
Basic                 8         66         45
Diluted               8         66         45
Underlying basic      8         56         48
Underlying diluted    8         56         48

*The comparatives have been restated following the change in accounting policy in
relation to Software as a Service arrangements as explained in note 2 Basis of
preparation.

 

Consolidated Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

First half ended 30 September 2022

 

                                                                               Restated*
                                                   First half 2022/23
                                                                      First half 2021/22
                                                                   €m
                                                                                      €m
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to                         
profit or loss:
Exchange differences on translation of foreign                    2.4                0.5
subsidiaries
Fair value movement on cash flow hedges                          13.4                5.3
Deferred tax on fair value movement on cash flow                (1.8)              (0.3)
hedges
Share of other comprehensive income of investments                0.4                0.3
accounted for using the equity method
                                                                 14.4                5.8
                                                                                        
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or                                        
loss:
Actuarial (loss) gain on defined benefit pension                (4.0)                8.0
schemes
Deferred tax on actuarial (loss) gain on defined                  1.0              (1.8)
benefit pension schemes
                                                                (3.0)                6.2
                                                                                        
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of                11.4               12.0
tax
Profit for the period                                            53.4               36.5
Total comprehensive income for the period                        64.8               48.5
                                                                                        
Attributable to:                                                                        
Owners of the parent                                             63.8               48.0
Non-controlling interests                                         1.0                0.5
Total comprehensive income for the period                        64.8               48.5

*The comparatives have been restated following the change in accounting policy in
relation to Software as a Service arrangements as explained in note 2 Basis of
preparation.

 

Consolidated Interim Balance Sheet (unaudited)

As at 30 September 2022

                                                                     Restated*
                                                     30 September               31 March
                                                                  30 September
                                                Note         2022                   2022
                                                                          2021
                                                               €m                     €m
                                                                            €m
Assets                                                                          
Non-current assets                                                              
Goodwill and intangible assets                    10        635.3        595.1     592.8
Property, plant and equipment                     10        580.1        546.9     553.6
Right-of-use assets                               10        232.9        227.0     213.8
Investments                                                  15.5         14.7      14.3
Loans to associates and joint ventures                        0.2            -         -
Financial assets relating to PPP contracts                  127.2        137.3     135.7
Derivative financial instruments                  15          4.4          0.2       0.4
Defined benefit pension scheme surplus            14          4.5          5.9       8.6
Other receivables                                             4.3          4.0       5.1
Deferred tax assets                                          35.0         48.3      41.6
                                                          1,639.4      1,579.4   1,565.9
Current assets                                                                          
Inventories                                                  26.7         22.5      22.5
Investments                                                  10.7         11.5      11.1
Loans to associates and joint ventures                        0.6          0.9       0.9
Financial assets relating to PPP contracts                    7.7          7.1       7.7
Trade and other receivables                                 290.0        253.4     269.3
Derivative financial instruments                  15          4.3          3.4       6.6
Current tax receivable                                        0.9          1.6       0.9
Cash and cash equivalents – including             11         58.9        100.3      63.6
restricted cash
                                                            399.8        400.7     382.6
Assets classified as held for sale                10          1.5            -       3.3
                                                            401.3        400.7     385.9
Total assets                                              2,040.7      1,980.1   1,951.8
Liabilities                                                                             
Non-current liabilities                                                                 
Borrowings                                        11      (705.3)      (600.9)   (518.7)
Derivative financial instruments                  15        (0.3)       (22.3)    (14.6)
Other non-current liabilities                              (25.3)       (44.4)    (36.2)
Defined benefit pension schemes deficit           14        (4.6)        (7.4)     (6.3)
Provisions                                        13      (282.9)      (254.4)   (258.1)
Deferred tax liabilities                                   (46.4)       (48.6)    (47.0)
                                                        (1,064.8)      (978.0)   (880.9)
Current liabilities                                                                     
Borrowings                                        11       (50.0)      (147.8)   (148.9)
Derivative financial instruments                  15        (0.6)            -     (0.1)
Trade and other payables                                  (507.3)      (509.8)   (528.4)
Current tax payable                                        (31.5)       (22.3)    (24.2)
Provisions                                        13       (39.6)       (34.9)    (31.1)
                                                          (629.0)      (714.8)   (732.7)
Total liabilities                                       (1,693.8)    (1,692.8) (1,613.6)
Net assets                                                  346.9        287.3     338.2
                                                                                        
Issued capital and reserves attributable to                                             
the owners of the parent
Share capital                                                99.5         99.5      99.5
Share premium                                               473.8        473.6     473.8
Exchange reserve                                           (12.4)       (14.3)    (15.0)
Retained earnings                                         (222.0)      (278.1)   (227.1)
                                                            338.9        280.7     331.2
Non-controlling interests                                     8.0          6.6       7.0
Total equity                                                346.9        287.3     338.2

*The comparatives have been restated following the change in accounting policy in
relation to Software as a Service arrangements as explained in note 2 Basis of
preparation.

 

Consolidated Interim Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited)

First half ended 30 September 2022

 

                                                     Restated*                 Restated*
                              Share   Share Exchange           Non-controlling
                                             reserve  Retained                     Total
                            capital premium                          interests
                                                  €m  earnings                    equity
                                 €m      €m                                 €m
                                                            €m                        €m
                                                                                
Balance at 31 March 2022       99.5   473.8   (15.0)   (227.1)             7.0     338.2
Impact of adopting
amendments to IAS 37 (note        -       -      0.2    (53.4)               -    (53.2)
2)
Balance at 1 April 2022        99.5   473.8   (14.8)   (280.5)             7.0     285.0
Profit for the period             -       -        -      52.4             1.0      53.4
Other comprehensive income:                                                             
Exchange gain on
translation of foreign            -       -      2.4         -               -       2.4
subsidiaries
Fair value movement on cash       -       -        -      13.4               -      13.4
flow hedges
Actuarial loss on defined         -       -        -     (4.0)               -     (4.0)
benefit pension schemes
Tax in respect of other           -       -        -     (0.8)               -     (0.8)
comprehensive income items
Share of other
comprehensive income of           -       -        -       0.4               -       0.4
investments accounted for
using the equity method
Total comprehensive income        -       -      2.4      61.4             1.0      64.8
for the period
Share-based compensation          -       -        -       1.2               -       1.2
Movement on tax arising on        -       -        -     (0.6)               -     (0.6)
share-based compensation
Own shares purchased by the       -       -        -     (3.5)               -     (3.5)
Employee Share Trust
Balance as at 30 September     99.5   473.8   (12.4)   (222.0)             8.0     346.9
2022
                                                                                        
Balance at 1 April 2021 –      99.5   473.6   (14.8)   (326.8)             6.1     237.6
restated*
Profit for the year               -       -        -      74.5             0.9      75.4
Other comprehensive (loss)                                                              
income:
Exchange loss on
translation of foreign            -       -    (0.2)         -               -     (0.2)
subsidiaries
Fair value movement on cash       -       -        -      16.5               -      16.5
flow hedges
Actuarial gain on defined         -       -        -      10.5               -      10.5
benefit pension schemes
Tax in respect of other           -       -        -     (4.3)               -     (4.3)
comprehensive income items
Share of other
comprehensive income of           -       -        -       0.5               -       0.5
investments accounted for
using the equity method
Total comprehensive (loss)        -       -    (0.2)      97.7             0.9      98.4
income for the year
Share-based compensation          -       -        -       2.5               -       2.5
Movement on tax arising on        -       -        -       1.3               -       1.3
share-based compensation
Proceeds from exercise of         -     0.2        -         -               -       0.2
employee options
Own shares purchased by the       -       -        -     (1.8)               -     (1.8)
Employee Share Trust
Balance as at 31 March 2022    99.5   473.8   (15.0)   (227.1)             7.0     338.2
                                                                                        
Balance at 1 April 2021 –      99.5   473.6   (14.8)   (326.8)             6.1     237.6
restated*
Profit for the period –           -       -        -      36.0             0.5      36.5
restated*
Other comprehensive income:                                                             
Exchange gain on
translation of foreign            -       -      0.5         -               -       0.5
subsidiaries
Fair value movement on cash       -       -        -       5.3               -       5.3
flow hedges
Actuarial gain on defined         -       -        -       8.0               -       8.0
benefit pension schemes
Tax in respect of other           -       -        -     (2.1)               -     (2.1)
comprehensive income items
Share of other
comprehensive income of           -       -        -       0.3               -       0.3
investments accounted for
using the equity method
Total comprehensive income        -       -      0.5      47.5             0.5      48.5
for the period
Share-based compensation          -       -        -       0.8               -       0.8
Movement on tax arising on        -       -        -       0.4               -       0.4
share-based compensation
Balance as at 30 September     99.5   473.6   (14.3)   (278.1)             6.6     287.3
2021 – restated*

*The comparatives have been restated following the change in accounting policy in
relation to Software as a Service arrangements as explained in note 2 Basis of
preparation.

 

Consolidated Interim Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)

First half ended 30 September 2022

 

                                                                               Restated*
                                                                   First half
                                                                              First half
                                                                      2022/23
                                                                                 2021/22
                                                                           €m
                                                                                      €m
Profit before tax                                                        71.6       43.9
Finance income                                                          (6.5)      (4.7)
Finance charges                                                          18.5       18.5
Share of results from associates and joint ventures                         -      (0.3)
Operating profit                                                         83.6       57.4
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets                          4.0        3.9
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment             34.1       35.5
Depreciation and impairment of right-of-use assets                       23.3       22.8
Impairment of investment in associate                                       -        1.9
Net gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment,                  (2.6)      (0.6)
intangible assets and subsidiaries
Net decrease in provisions                                             (10.8)      (4.4)
Portfolio management and provision non-trading and exceptional         (11.9)          -
items
Payment related to committed funding of the defined benefit             (1.8)      (1.8)
pension schemes
Share-based compensation                                                  1.2        0.8
Operating cash flows before movement in working capital                 119.1      115.5
Increase in inventories                                                 (4.0)      (1.9)
Increase in receivables                                                (11.7)      (6.0)
Decrease in payables                                                   (21.1)     (33.8)
Cash flows from operating activities                                     82.3       73.8
Income tax paid                                                         (7.9)      (1.4)
Net cash inflow from operating activities                                74.4       72.4
Investing activities                                                                    
Purchases of intangible assets                                          (6.1)      (4.9)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment                             (49.6)     (32.7)
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment                  4.7        2.1
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired                        (53.5)          -
Disposals of subsidiary and business assets net of acquisition            0.4        0.2
of business assets
Net movements in associates and joint ventures                          (1.0)        1.2
Purchase of other short-term investments                                    -      (2.2)
Outflows in respect of PPP arrangements under the financial               2.9        2.8
asset model net of capital received
Finance income                                                            5.3        5.0
Net cash outflow from investing activities                             (96.9)     (28.5)
Financing activities                                                                    
Finance charges and loan fees paid                                     (19.4)     (16.5)
Investment in own shares by the Employee Share Trust                    (3.5)          -
Proceeds from retail bonds                                                  -      125.0
Repayment of retail bonds                                             (100.0)          -
Proceeds from bank borrowings                                           303.2      126.6
Repayment of bank borrowings                                          (132.6)    (228.9)
Settlement of cross-currency interest rate swaps                            -        6.4
Repayment of PPP debt                                                   (5.4)      (3.5)
Repayment of obligations under lease liabilities                       (23.2)     (21.9)
Net cash inflow (outflow) from financing activities                      19.1     (12.8)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                    (3.4)       31.1
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes                                 (1.3)        0.4
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period                 63.6       68.8
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period                       58.9      100.3

*The comparatives have been restated following the change in accounting policy in
relation to Software as a Service arrangements as explained in note 2 Basis of
preparation.

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. General information

 

Renewi plc  is a  public limited  company listed  on the  London Stock  Exchange with  a
secondary listing on  Euronext Amsterdam. Renewi  plc is incorporated  and domiciled  in
Scotland under the Companies  Act 2006, registered number  SC077438. The address of  the
registered office is 16 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DF. The nature of the  Group’s
operations and its principal activities are set out in note 3.

 

2. Basis of preparation

 

This condensed set of consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended
30 September 2022 has been prepared  in accordance with the Disclosure and  Transparency
Rules of  the  United  Kingdom Financial  Conduct  Authority  and with  IAS  34  Interim
Financial Reporting as adopted  for use in  the UK. They should  be read in  conjunction
with the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts, which have been prepared in accordance with UK
adopted accounting standards in  conformity with the requirements  of the Companies  Act
2006. The  2022 Annual  Report and  Accounts are  available from  the Company’s  website
www.renewi.com.

 

These primary statements and selected notes comprise the unaudited consolidated  interim
financial statements of the Group for the  six months ended 30 September 2022 and  2021,
together with  the audited  results for  the year  ended 31  March 2022.  These  interim
financial results do not comprise statutory  accounts within the meaning of Section  434
of the  Companies Act  2006. The  comparative  figures as  at 31  March 2022  have  been
extracted from the Group’s statutory Annual Report and Accounts for that financial year,
but do not constitute  those accounts. Those  statutory accounts for  the year ended  31
March 2022 were approved by the Board of  Directors on 24 May 2022 and delivered to  the
Registrar of Companies. The  report of the auditors  on those accounts was  unqualified,
did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement  under
Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The Board  of  Directors  approved,  on 9  November  2022,  these  consolidated  interim
financial statements which have been reviewed by BDO LLP but not been audited.

 

Going concern

 

The Directors  have adopted  the going  concern basis  in preparing  these  consolidated
interim financial statements after  assessing the Group's  principal risks including  an
assessment of  the impact  of the  ongoing high  inflationary environment  and  economic
uncertainty arising from the invasion of Ukraine.

The Directors have  carried out  a comprehensive assessment  of the  Group’s ability  to
continue as a going concern. This assessment has involved the review of medium-term cash
flow and covenant  modelling over an  18-month period  to 31 March  2024. This  includes
expectations on  the  future economic  environment  as  well as  other  principal  risks
associated with the  Group’s ongoing  operations. The  assessment includes  a base  case
scenario setting  out  the Directors’  current  expectations  of future  trading  and  a
plausible but severe downside scenario after  applying mitigating actions to assess  the
potential impact on the Group’s future financial performance.  The key judgement in both
scenarios is the level  of economic disruption primarily  caused by recent  geopolitical
events.

The downside scenario includes significantly weaker macroeconomic conditions leading  to
a volume decline  below the  forecast economic  outlook in  all our  territories in  the
remaining months of  FY23 and  FY24. Other downsides  include a  significant decline  in
recyclate prices  from  the  current levels  to  well  below long-term  averages  and  a
settlement of  the provision  arising from  the European  Commission investigation  into
alleged state aid in Belgium. These factors reduce FY24 EBIT by 29% compared to the base
case.  Appropriate  cash mitigating  actions  such as  deferral of  uncommitted  capital
expenditure and  other  working  capital  actions have  been  applied  to  our  downside
modelling to arrive at a plausible and mitigated downside position.

In the base case and plausible downside scenarios the Group has sufficient liquidity and
headroom in its existing facilities and no covenants are breached at any of the forecast
testing dates.

In addition,  a reverse  stress test  calculation has  been undertaken  to consider  the
points at which the  covenants may be  breached. Underlying EBIT in  FY24 would need  to
reduce by 48% compared to the base case without considering any mitigating cost actions.
In the  opinion of  the  Directors there  is no  plausible  scenario or  combination  of
scenarios that we consider to be remotely likely that would generate this result.

Having considered  all the  elements  of the  financial projections,  sensitivities  and
mitigating actions, the Directors  confirm they have a  reasonable expectation that  the
Group has adequate resources  to continue in operational  existence for the  foreseeable
future and to meet all banking covenants.

 

2. Basis of preparation – continued

 

Restatement following the change in accounting policy in relation to configuration or
customisation costs in cloud computing, Software as a Service (SaaS) arrangements

 

In the second  half of the  year ended 31  March 2022 the  Group revised its  accounting
policy  in  relation  to  Software  as   a  Service  (SaaS)  arrangements  and   related
configuration and customisation costs following the publication in April 2021 of an IFRS
Interpretations Committee  (IFRIC) agenda  item  which clarified  the accounting.  As  a
result of the revised accounting policy we identified costs incurred and capitalised  as
software intangible assets which no longer met the criteria for recognition under IAS 38
Intangible assets.  The  change in  accounting  policy was  applied  retrospectively  in
accordance with IAS 8  Accounting Policies, Changes in  Accounting Estimates and  Errors
resulting in a restatement of prior year  financial statements. In the six month  period
to 30 September  2021 €1.7m  of costs  were capitalised  and €0.9m  of amortisation  was
charged in relation to  intangibles which did  not meet the  criteria under the  revised
accounting policy. The €1.7m intangible cost net of related tax credit is considered  to
be a non-trading and  exceptional administrative item consistent  with the treatment  in
March 2022. The €0.9m  amortisation charge net  of tax was  an adjustment to  underlying
profit. The prior period  Income Statement, Balance Sheet,  Statement of Cash Flows  and
earnings per share as  at 30 September  2021 have been restated  with the details  shown
below. The 31 March 2021 restatements were disclosed in the March 2022 Annual Report and
Accounts.

 

The impact of the above restatement on the Interim Consolidated Income Statement for the
period ended 30 September 2021 is as follows:

 

                                      30 September    Restatement
                                                                     30 September
                                  2021 (previously 6 months to 30
Income statement extract                                          2021 (restated)
                                         reported) September 2021
                                                                               €m
                                                €m             €m
Underlying operating profit                   63.8            0.9            64.7
Non-trading and exceptional items            (5.6)          (1.7)           (7.3)
Operating profit                              58.2          (0.8)            57.4
Profit before taxation                        44.7          (0.8)            43.9
Taxation                                     (7.6)            0.2           (7.4)
Profit for the period                         37.1          (0.6)            36.5

 

The impact of the above restatement on  the Interim Consolidated Balance Sheet as at  30
September 2021 is as follows:

 

                                30 September     Restatement
                                                                Restatement 30 September
                                        2021 12 months to 30
Balance Sheet extract            (previously                 6 months to 30         2021
                                                  March 2021 September 2021   (restated)
                                   reported)
                                                          €m             €m           €m
                                          €m
Goodwill and intangible assets         603.2           (7.3)          (0.8)        595.1
Deferred tax assets                     46.3             1.8            0.2         48.3
Non-current assets                   1,585.5           (5.5)          (0.6)      1,579.4
Current assets                         400.7               -              -        400.7
Total assets                         1,986.2           (5.5)          (0.6)      1,980.1
Non-current liabilities              (978.0)               -              -      (978.0)
Current liabilities                  (714.8)               -              -      (714.8)
Total liabilities                  (1,692.8)               -              -    (1,692.8)
Net assets                             293.4           (5.5)          (0.6)        287.3
Issued capital and reserves
attributable to the owners of                                                           
the parent
Retained earnings                    (272.0)           (5.5)          (0.6)      (278.1)
Other equity                           558.8               -              -        558.8
                                       286.8           (5.5)          (0.6)        280.7
Non-controlling interests                6.6               -              -          6.6
Total equity                           293.4           (5.5)          (0.6)        287.3

 

The impact of the above restatement on the Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash  Flows
for the period ended 30 September 2021 is as follows:

 

                                             30 September    Restatement
                                                                            30 September
                                         2021 (previously 6 months to 30
Statement of Cash Flows extract                                          2021 (restated)
                                                reported) September 2021
                                                                                      €m
                                                       €m             €m
Net cash flows from operating activities             74.1          (1.7)            72.4
Net cash flows from investing activities           (30.2)            1.7          (28.5)
Net cash flows from financing activities           (12.8)              -          (12.8)
Net increase in cash and cash                        31.1              -            31.1
equivalents
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes               0.4              -             0.4
Cash and cash equivalents at 30                      68.8              -            68.8
September 2020
Cash and cash equivalents at 30                     100.3              -           100.3
September 2021

 

2. Basis of preparation – continued

 

The impact of  the above restatement  on basic and  diluted earnings per  share for  the
period ended 30 September 2021 is as follows:

 

                       30 September    Restatement
                                                      30 September
                   2021 (previously 6 months to 30
                                                   2021 (restated)
                          reported) September 2021
                                                             cents
                              cents          cents
Basic                            46            (1)              45
Diluted                          46            (1)              45
Underlying basic                 47              1              48
Underlying diluted               47              1              48

 

Adoption of new and revised accounting standards

 

The amendment to IAS 37  Onerous Contracts – Costs  of Fulfilling a Contract,  effective
from 1 April 2022, clarifies that the  costs of fulfilling a contract should include  an
allocation of other costs that relate directly to fulfilling the contract in addition to
the incremental costs.  As required by  the pre-amended IAS  37, the Group’s  accounting
policy previously only  included incremental direct  costs when measuring  the costs  to
fulfil a contract. The Group assessed the impact of this amendment which resulted in  an
increase to the onerous contract provisions of €53.2m. A deferred tax asset has not been
recognised on the  increase in the  provision due  to the uncertainty  of future  profit
streams in the UK.  The cumulative effect  of initially applying the amendment has  been
recognised as an adjustment to  the opening balance of retained  earnings as at 1  April
2022 as shown in the Statement of Changes in Equity. As permitted by the amendment,  the
Group has not restated the comparative information.

 

No other  accounting  standards,  amendments  or  revisions  to  existing  standards  or
interpretations have  been effective  which  had a  significant  impact on  the  Group’s
condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted

 

Standards and interpretations  issued by  the International  Accounting Standards  Board
(IASB) are only applicable if endorsed by  the UK Endorsement Board (UKEB). At the  date
of approval of these financial statements there were no new IFRSs or IFRS Interpretation
Committee interpretations which were early adopted by the Group.

 

There are a number of new standards and amendments effective for the period beginning  1
April 2023 however the Group does not expect a significant impact.

 

Exchange Rates

 

In addition  to the  Group’s  presentational currency  of  Euros, the  most  significant
currency for  the Group  is Sterling  with  the closing  rate on  30 September  2022  of
€1:£0.877 (30 September 2021:  €1:£0.859) and an  average rate for  the period ended  30
September 2022 of €1:£0.852 (30 September 2021: €1:£0.858).

 

Consideration of climate change

 

As set out in the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) on pages 66
to 73 of the  Annual Report and Accounts  2022, the Group has  considered the impact  of
climate change. A TCFD  roadmap which will  lead to quantifying  the business impact  of
material climate related risks and  opportunities is underway.  Physical climate  change
poses risk to  our operations and  supply chain however  mitigation measures are  either
already in  place  or  are in  the  process  of being  further  developed  therefore  no
medium-term impact  is expected  from  climate change.  As a  waste-to-product  company,
Renewi is in the business of sustainability. Waste management is an essential  component
of  climate  change  mitigation  through  the  creation  of  circular  economies,   with
significant opportunities as  well as risks  associated with climate  change itself.  In
preparing  these  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements,  the  Directors   have
continued to consider the impact of climate change. There have been no material  impacts
identified on the  financial reporting judgements  and estimates in  line with the  year
ended 31 March 2022.

 

2. Basis of preparation – continued

 

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in  accordance with IFRS requires management  to
make judgements, estimates and assumptions that  affect the application of policies  and
reported amounts of assets and  liabilities, income and expenditure. In preparing  these
condensed consolidated interim financial statements, management have reviewed the nature
of the significant judgements  in applying the Group’s  accounting policies and the  key
sources of estimation uncertainty,  as set out on  pages 179 to 181  of the 2022  Annual
Report and Accounts. It has been determined that there have been no significant  changes
in methodology in  relation to  these key estimates.  In light  of recent  macroeconomic
events we have undertaken an assessment of  all key inputs relating to onerous  contract
and landfill related provisions as explained below.

 

  • Onerous  contract  provisions  –  These  principally  relate  to  UK  Municipal  PPP
    contracts. The nominal discount rate applied  has been assessed and increased by  1%
    in line with recent movements in Government bond yields. We have also considered the
    impact of the current high  inflationary environment.  All anticipated  inflationary
    increases are not expected to be recovered by permitted contractual price  increases
    resulting in an increase to the provision. As set out in note 13 the combined impact
    of both discount rate and inflationary changes is a net increase of €0.6m.
  • Landfill related provisions – These are  principally located in the Netherlands  and
    Belgium. The nominal discount rate applied  has been assessed and increased by  0.5%
    in line with  recent movements in  Government bond yields  in those territories.  We
    have undertaken a  review of  the future  cash flows in  light of  the current  high
    inflationary environment. We  have determined that  due to the  nature of the  costs
    which are  principally  for  capping  and  covering  of  the  landfill  and  mineral
    extraction sites there is no requirement to increase the provision at this time.  As
    set out in note 13 the impact of the discount rate change is a decrease of €7.0m.

 

New source of estimation

 

On 1 August 2022 the  Group acquired 100% of the  share capital of GMP Exploitatie  B.V.
and its subsidiaries (subsequently  renamed Renewi Westpoort  Holding B.V.). Details  of
the acquisition  are set  out in  note  12. The  accounting for  the acquisition  is  in
accordance with  IFRS  3  Business  Combinations  and  the  key  estimations  relate  to
identifying and determining the fair values of the balance sheet items. At 30  September
2022 the opening  balance sheet is  considered provisional  as permitted by  IFRS 3  and
external specialists have been engaged to assist with determining the final position.

 

3. Segmental reporting

 

The Group’s chief operating decision maker is  considered to be the Board of  Directors.
The Group’s  reportable  segments  are  determined with  reference  to  the  information
provided to the Board of  Directors, in order for it  to allocate the Group’s  resources
and to monitor the  performance of the  Group. These segments  are unchanged from  March
2022 and are set out below:

 

Commercial Waste       Collection and treatment of commercial waste in the Netherlands
                       and Belgium.
                       Decontamination, stabilisation and re-use of highly contaminated
Mineralz & Water       materials to produce certified secondary products for the
                       construction industry in the Netherlands and Belgium.
                       Processing plants focusing on recycling and diverting specific
Specialities           waste streams. The operations are in the UK, the Netherlands,
                       Belgium, France and Portugal.
Group central services Head office corporate function.

 

The profit measure  the Board of  Directors uses to  evaluate performance is  underlying
EBIT. The Group accounts for inter-segment trading on an arm’s length basis.

 

The Commercial Waste reportable  segment includes the  Netherlands Commercial Waste  and
Belgium Commercial Waste operating segments which  have been aggregated and reported  as
one reportable segment as they operate in  similar markets in relation to the nature  of
the products, services, processes and type of customer. Those entities acquired with the
acquisition of GMP  Exploitatie B.V, as  detailed in  note 12, are  included within  the
Netherlands Commercial Waste operating segment.

 

                               First half First half

Revenue                           2022/23    2021/22

                                       €m         €m
Netherlands Commercial Waste        459.7      442.3
Belgium Commercial Waste            236.3      228.9
Intra-segment                       (1.6)      (0.6)
Commercial Waste                    694.4      670.6
                                                    
Mineralz & Water                     93.3       93.6
                                                    
Specialities                        186.3      168.0
                                                    
Inter-segment revenue              (22.0)     (16.6)
Revenue                             952.0      915.6

 

3. Segmental reporting - continued

 

                                                                  Restated*
                                                      First half
                                                                 First half
Results                                                  2022/23
                                                                    2021/22
                                                              €m
                                                                         €m
Netherlands Commercial Waste                                40.3       43.2
Belgium Commercial Waste                                    28.1       21.5
Commercial Waste                                            68.4       64.7
                                                                           
Mineralz & Water                                             2.6        4.0
                                                                           
Specialities                                                11.3        1.7
                                                                           
Group central services                                     (7.1)      (5.7)
                                                                           
Underlying EBIT                                             75.2       64.7
Non-trading and exceptional items (note 5)                   8.4      (7.3)
Operating profit                                            83.6       57.4
Finance income                                               4.9        4.7
Finance charges                                           (18.5)     (18.4)
Finance income – non trading and exceptional items           1.6          -
Finance charges – non trading and exceptional items            -      (0.1)
Share of results from associates and joint ventures            -        0.3
Profit before taxation                                      71.6       43.9

*The comparatives  for  Group  central  services underlying  EBIT  and  non-trading  and
exceptional items  have been  restated  following the  change  in accounting  policy  in
relation to  Software  as  a Service  arrangements  as  explained in  note  2  Basis  of
preparation.

 

 

              Commercial Mineralz &                 Group    Tax, net debt and
                   Waste            Specialities  central          derivatives     Total
Net assets                    Water              services
                      €m                      €m                            €m        €m
                                 €m                    €m
30 September                                                                    
2022
Gross
non-current      1,106.0      252.7        207.5     33.8                 39.4   1,639.4
assets
Gross current      207.9       35.5         79.0     14.8                 64.1     401.3
assets
Gross            (368.6)    (197.6)      (222.8)   (70.7)              (834.1) (1,693.8)
liabilities
Net assets         945.3       90.6         63.7   (22.1)              (730.6)     346.9
(liabilities)
31 March 2022                                                                           
Gross
non-current      1,010.8      257.5        219.3     36.3                 42.0   1,565.9
assets
Gross current      192.0       37.9         67.7     17.2                 71.1     385.9
assets
Gross            (399.3)    (206.4)      (174.7)   (79.7)              (753.5) (1,613.6)
liabilities
Net assets         803.5       89.0        112.3   (26.2)              (640.4)     338.2
(liabilities)

 

4. Revenue

 

 The following tables  show the  Group’s revenue  by type  of service  delivered and  by
primary geographical market.

 

                                    Mineralz &
                   Commercial Waste            Specialities Inter-segment Total
By type of service                       Water
                                 €m                      €m            €m    €m
                                            €m
30 September 2022                                                          
Inbound                       538.4       77.6        118.3        (20.2) 714.1
Outbound                      115.3       15.7         67.2         (1.7) 196.5
On-Site                        31.6          -            -         (0.1)  31.5
Other                           9.1          -          0.8             -   9.9
Total revenue                 694.4       93.3        186.3        (22.0) 952.0
30 September 2021                                                              
Inbound                       535.6       70.0        111.8        (14.9) 702.5
Outbound                       97.8       23.6         55.7         (1.6) 175.5
On-Site                        25.7          -            -         (0.1)  25.6
Other                          11.5          -          0.5             -  12.0
Total revenue                 670.6       93.6        168.0        (16.6) 915.6

 

                                        Mineralz &
                       Commercial Waste            Specialities Inter-segment Total
By geographical market                       Water
                                     €m                      €m            €m    €m
                                                €m
30 September 2022                                                              
Netherlands                       459.3       79.7         31.7        (20.9) 549.8
Belgium                           235.1       13.6         23.1         (1.1) 270.7
UK                                    -          -        110.0             - 110.0
France                                -          -         13.5             -  13.5
Other                                 -          -          8.0             -   8.0
Total revenue                     694.4       93.3        186.3        (22.0) 952.0
30 September 2021                                                                  
Netherlands                       442.0       73.1         22.6        (15.7) 522.0
Belgium                           228.6       20.5         16.2         (0.9) 264.4
UK                                    -          -        113.2             - 113.2
France                                -          -         10.9             -  10.9
Other                                 -          -          5.1             -   5.1
Total revenue                     670.6       93.6        168.0        (16.6) 915.6

 

Revenue recognised at a point  in time amounted to  €841.1m (2021/22: €861.7m) with  the
remainder recognised over time.  The majority of the  Commercial Waste and  Specialities
revenue is recognised at a  point in time, whereas for  Mineralz & Water 65% of  revenue
(2021/22: 61%) is recognised over time.

 

5. Non-trading and exceptional items

 

To improve the understanding of the  Group’s financial performance, items which are  not
considered to  reflect  the underlying  performance  are presented  in  non-trading  and
exceptional items.

 

                                                                               Restated*
                                                                   First half
                                                                              First half
                                                                      2022/23
                                                                                 2021/22
                                                                           €m
                                                                                      €m
Renewi 2.0 improvement programme                                          2.0        4.0
                                                                                        
Portfolio management activity:                                                          
Prior year disposals                                                    (1.7)          -
Disposal of business assets in the Mineralz & Water division            (3.8)          -
                                                                        (5.5)          -
                                                                                        
Other items:                                                                            
Inflationary increase reassessment in UK Municipal onerous                8.9          -
contract provisions
Changes in long-term provisions due to increase in discount rates      (15.3)          -
Configuration or customisation costs in cloud computing, Software           -        1.7
as a Service arrangements
                                                                        (6.4)        1.7
                                                                                        
Amortisation of acquisition intangibles                                   1.5        1.6
Ineffectiveness and impact of termination of cash flow hedges           (1.6)        0.1
Non-trading and exceptional items in profit before tax                 (10.0)        7.4
Tax on non-trading and exceptional items                                  1.9      (1.7)
Exceptional tax credit                                                      -      (3.7)
Total non-trading and exceptional items in profit after tax             (8.1)        2.0

*The comparatives have been restated following the change in accounting policy in
relation to Software as a Service arrangements as explained in note 2 Basis of
preparation.

 

Renewi 2.0 improvement programme

Renewi 2.0 improvement programme is  a significant one-off business improvement  project
with expected capital and one-off costs of €40m over a three-year period and as a result
is considered to be exceptional. Following  the transformational merger five years  ago,
the goal of  the Renewi 2.0  programme is to  make the Group  more streamlined and  more
efficient and improve customer experience and increase employee engagement. This is  the
third year of the  programme with total  costs of €2.0m (2021/22:  €4.0m) of which  €nil
(2021/22: €0.2m) are recorded in cost of  sales and €2.0m (2021/22: €3.8m) are  recorded
in administrative expenses.

 

Portfolio management activity

The prior year disposals  credit of €1.7m (2021/22:  €nil) relates to ongoing  insurance
claim recovery in  relation to prior  disposals and during  the period certain  business
assets in the Mineralz & Water division were sold generating a profit of €3.8m (2021/22:
€nil). The €5.5m credit is all recorded in administrative expenses.

 

Other items

The charge of €8.9m  in relation to  the reassessment of  UK Municipal onerous  contract
provisions is due to  the expectation of increases  in future costs as  a result of  the
current high inflationary  environment. Full  recovery of  all anticipated  inflationary
increases are  not expected  to be  recovered by  permitted price  increases across  the
already onerous contract provisions.

 

The credit for  changes in long-term  provisions of  €15.3m relates to  the increase  in
discount rates  as a  result of  increased  Government bond  yields which  has  impacted
landfill related and onerous contract provisions.

 

Configuration or customisation costs  in cloud computing, Software  as a Service  (SaaS)
arrangements, relate to the Group updating its accounting policy on when software can be
capitalised following the IFRIC interpretation as  documented in the 2022 Annual  Report
and Accounts. This  guidance clarified the  criteria under IAS  38 Intangible assets  in
relation to SaaS arrangements as explained in note 2 Basis of preparation. In line  with
the March 2022  assessment, €1.7m of  costs capitalised in  the six month  period to  30
September 2021 have been expensed  as a prior year restatement  as they do not meet  the
criteria for recognition as an asset. The costs have been expensed as a non-trading  and
exceptional item due to  the size, nature  and incidence as they  are not reflective  of
underlying performance which is  in line with  the approach taken in  the year ended  31
March 2022 .

 

The total credit of €6.4m has been recorded in cost of sales and the 2021/2022 charge of
€1.7m was recorded in administrative expenses.

 

Amortisation of acquisition intangibles

Amortisation of intangible assets acquired  in business combinations of €1.5m  (2021/22:
€1.6m) is all recorded in cost of sales.

 

Items recorded in finance income and finance charges

The €1.6m credit (2021/22: €0.1m charge)  relates to ineffectiveness of the Cumbria  PPP
project interest rate swaps.

 

Exceptional tax credit

The prior year exceptional tax credit of €3.7m related to changes in UK tax rates.

 

6. Net finance charges

 

                                                                  First half First half

                                                                     2022/23    2021/22

                                                                          €m         €m
Finance charges                                                               
Interest payable on borrowings                                           5.8        6.5
Interest payable on PPP non-recourse debt                                3.4        3.7
Lease liabilities interest                                               3.8        3.6
Unwinding of discount on provisions (note 13)                            3.9        3.2
Interest charge on the defined benefit pension schemes                     -        0.1
Amortisation of loan fees                                                0.6        0.8
Other finance costs                                                      1.0        0.5
Total finance charges before non-trading and exceptional items          18.5       18.4
Non-trading and exceptional finance charges:                                           
Charge as a result of the termination of cash flow hedges                  -        0.1
Total finance charges                                                   18.5       18.5
                                                                                       
Finance income                                                                         
Interest receivable on financial assets relating to PPP contracts      (4.3)      (4.5)
Unwinding of discount on deferred consideration receivable                 -      (0.1)
Interest income on the defined benefit pension schemes                 (0.1)          -
Other finance income                                                   (0.5)      (0.1)
Total finance income before non-trading and exceptional items          (4.9)      (4.7)
Non-trading and exceptional finance income:                                            
Ineffectiveness income on cash flow hedges                             (1.6)          -
Total finance income                                                   (6.5)      (4.7)
                                                                                       
Net finance charges                                                     12.0       13.8

 

7. Taxation

 

The tax charge based on the profit for the period is made up as follows:

                                                                               Restated*
                                                   First half 2022/23
                                                                      First half 2021/22
                                                                   €m
                                                                                      €m
Current tax                                                            
UK corporation tax                                                     
 - Current year                                                   0.4                0.7
Overseas tax                                                                            
 - Current year                                                  14.8                7.8
 - Adjustment in respect of the prior year                          -                0.2
Total current tax charge                                         15.2                8.7
Deferred tax                                                                            
 - Origination and reversal of temporary                          3.0                2.4
differences in the current period
 - Exceptional tax credit                                           -              (3.7)
Total deferred tax charge (credit)                                3.0              (1.3)
Total tax charge for the period                                  18.2                7.4

*The comparatives  have been  restated  following the  change  in accounting  policy  in
relation to  Software  as  a Service  arrangements  as  explained in  note  2  Basis  of
preparation.

 

Tax expense is recognised based on management’s best estimate of the full year effective
tax rate on expected full year profits  to March 2023. The estimated average  underlying
annual tax rate for the year to 31 March 2023 is 26.5% (2021/22: 25.0%).

 

In October 2021 the Dutch government announced an increase in the tax rate to 25.8%  for
the period ending 31  March 2023 and  subsequent periods which  was enacted in  December
2021. In addition, a tightening of the general interest deduction rule (also referred to
as the EBITDA rule) by lowering the 30%  EBITDA threshold to 20% was also enacted. As  a
result, Dutch  deferred tax  has  been calculated  at  the substantively  enacted  rates
depending on when the timing differences are expected to reverse.

 

In the UK Chancellor’s Budget of 3 March  2021 it was announced that the UK  corporation
tax rate  would  increase to  25%  with  effect from  1  April 2023.  This  measure  was
substantively enacted on 24 May 2021. As a result, the UK deferred tax position has been
calculated based on the  substantively enacted rates  of 19% and  25% (2021/22: 19%  and
25%). This resulted in an exceptional tax credit of €3.7m in the prior year.

 

8. Earnings per share

 

Underlying basic and  diluted earnings  per share excludes  non-trading and  exceptional
items net of related  tax. Non-trading and  exceptional items are  those items that  are
disclosed separately on  the face  of the  Income Statement,  because of  their size  or
incidence, to enable a better understanding  of performance. The Directors believe  that
adjusting earnings  per  share in  this  way  enables comparison  with  historical  data
calculated on the same basis to reflect the business performance in a consistent  manner
and reflect how the business is managed and measured on a day to day basis.

 

                                      First half 2022/23    First half 2021/22 restated*
                                    Basic Dilutions Diluted   Basic   Dilutions  Diluted
Weighted average number of shares    79.4       0.4    79.8    79.7         0.3     80.0
(million)
                                                                                        
Profit after tax (€m)                53.4         -    53.4    36.5           -     36.5
Non-controlling interests (€m)      (1.0)         -   (1.0)   (0.5)           -    (0.5)
Profit after tax attributable to     52.4         -    52.4    36.0           -     36.0
ordinary shareholders (€m)
Basic earnings per share (cents)       66         -      66      45           -       45

*The comparatives  have been  restated  following the  change  in accounting  policy  in
relation to  Software  as  a Service  arrangements  as  explained in  note  2  Basis  of
preparation.

 

The reconciliation between underlying earnings per share and basic earnings per share is
as follows:

 

                                         First half 2022/23 First half 2021/22 restated*
                                             Cents       €m          Cents            €m
Underlying earnings per share/Underlying
profit after tax attributable to                56     44.3             48          38.0
ordinary shareholders
Adjustments:                                                                            
Non-trading and exceptional items               13     10.0           (10)         (7.4)
Tax on non-trading and exceptional items       (3)    (1.9)              2           1.7
Exceptional tax                                  -        -              5           3.7
Basic earnings per share/Earnings after
tax attributable to ordinary                    66     52.4             45          36.0
shareholders
                                                                                        
Diluted underlying earnings per
share/Underlying profit after tax               56     44.3             48          38.0
attributable to ordinary shareholders
Diluted basic earnings per
share/Earnings after tax attributable to        66     52.4             45          36.0
ordinary shareholders

*The comparatives  have been  restated  following the  change  in accounting  policy  in
relation to  Software  as  a Service  arrangements  as  explained in  note  2  Basis  of
preparation.

 

The weighted average number of shares takes into account the movements in the Renewi
Employee Share Trust, The Trust owns 578,722 (2021/22: 315,851) £1 shares of the issued
share capital of the Company in trust for the benefit of employees of the Group. During
the period 426,468 £1 shares were purchased by the Trust at a cost of €3.5m and 380,447
£1 shares were transferred to individuals under the LTIP and DAB schemes.

 

9. Dividends

 

The Directors do not recommend  an interim dividend for  the current year (2021/22:  nil
per share). The Directors did  not recommend a final dividend  for the year ended  March
2022 (2021: nil per share).

 

10.  Goodwill, intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets and
assets held for sale

 

                                          Intangible     Property,  Right-of-use
                                 Goodwill                    plant                 Total
                                             Assets*                      assets
                                       €m            and equipment                    €m
                                                  €m                          €m
                                                                €m
Net book value at 1 April 2021      551.6       43.3         560.7         233.8 1,389.4
Additions/modifications                 -        9.3          73.3          27.1   109.7
Acquisitions through business           -        0.3           0.2             -     0.5
combinations
Disposals                               -      (0.2)         (3.7)         (1.6)   (5.5)
Transferred to Assets held for          -          -         (2.6)             -   (2.6)
sale
Reclassifications                       -      (0.4)           0.4             -       -
Amortisation and depreciation           -      (8.8)        (69.3)        (44.8) (122.9)
charge
Impairment charge                       -      (2.3)         (5.4)         (0.7)   (8.4)
Net book value at 31 March 2022     551.6       41.2         553.6         213.8 1,360.2
Additions/modifications                 -        4.5          44.3          16.6    65.4
Acquisitions through business        41.4        0.6          18.9          27.5    88.4
combinations
Disposals                               -          -         (3.4)         (0.7)   (4.1)
Transferred to Assets held for          -          -         (0.2)             -   (0.2)
sale
Transfer from right-of-use
assets to property, plant and           -          -           1.0         (1.0)       -
equipment
Amortisation and depreciation           -      (4.0)        (34.1)        (22.7)  (60.8)
charge
Impairment charge                       -          -             -         (0.6)   (0.6)
Net book value at 30 September      593.0       42.3         580.1         232.9 1,448.3
2022

*The intangible  assets at  1 April  2021 have  been restated  following the  change  in
accounting policy in relation to Software as a Service arrangements as explained in note
2 Basis of preparation.

 

The goodwill  acquisition through  business  combinations of  €41.4m is  provisional  as
permitted by  IFRS 3  and includes  amounts which  may subsequently  be reclassified  to
either other  acquisition  assets  or separately  identified  intangibles  with  further
details set out in note 12.

 

At 30 September 2022, the Group had property, plant and equipment commitments of  €39.3m
(2021/22: €25.7m),  right-of-use  asset  commitments of  €31.9m  (2021/22:  €15.0m)  and
intangible asset commitments of €1.7m (2021/22: €2.0m).

 

Assets held for sale

The Group had €1.5m assets classified as held for sale at 30 September 2022. The  assets
include €0.6m land and buildings,  €0.2m plant and machinery  and €0.7m investment in  a
joint venture in the Belgium  Commercial Division. All these  assets are expected to  be
sold within the next 12 months.

 

11. Cash and borrowings

 

Cash and cash equivalents are analysed as follows:

                                                    30 September 30 September 31 March

                                                            2022         2021     2022

                                                              €m           €m       €m
Cash at bank and in hand - core                             39.2         49.8     42.5
Money market funds - core                                      -         29.4        -
Total core cash                                             39.2         79.2     42.5
Cash at bank - restricted relating to PPP contracts         19.7         21.1     21.1
Total cash and cash equivalents                             58.9        100.3     63.6

 

11. Cash and borrowings continued

 

Borrowings are analysed as follows:

                                        30 September 30 September 31 March

                                                2022         2021     2022

                                                  €m           €m       €m
Non-current borrowings                                             
Retail bonds                                   199.4        199.2    199.2
European private placements                     24.9         24.8     24.8
Revolving credit facility and term loan        190.7         80.4     12.8
Lease liabilities                              204.2        200.1    187.3
Bank loans                                         -          0.6        -
PPP non-recourse debt                           86.1         95.8     94.6
                                               705.3        600.9    518.7
Current borrowings                                                        
Retail bonds                                       -         99.9    100.0
Lease liabilities                               43.4         41.5     42.0
Bank loans and overdrafts                        1.4          1.5      1.3
PPP non-recourse debt                            5.2          4.9      5.6
                                                50.0        147.8    148.9

 

On 16 June 2022 the €100m green retail  bonds with an annual gross coupon of 3.65%  were
repaid on maturity.

 

Movement in total net debt

                                  At 1                         Other               At 30
                                                   Acquired           Exchange September
                                 April Cash flows (Note 12) non-cash movements
                                                             changes                2022
                                  2022         €m        €m                 €m
                                                                  €m                  €m
                                    €m
Bank loans and overdrafts       (14.1)    (170.6)     (7.0)    (0.3)     (0.1)   (192.1)
European private placements     (24.8)          -         -    (0.1)         -    (24.9)
Retail bonds                   (299.2)      100.0         -    (0.2)         -   (199.4)
Lease liabilities              (229.3)       23.2    (26.1)   (16.0)       0.6   (247.6)
Debt excluding PPP             (567.4)     (47.4)    (33.1)   (16.6)       0.5   (664.0)
non-recourse debt
PPP non-recourse debt          (100.2)        5.4         -        -       3.5    (91.3)
Total debt                     (667.6)     (42.0)    (33.1)   (16.6)       4.0   (755.3)
Cash and cash equivalents –       42.5      (2.9)         -        -     (0.4)      39.2
core
Cash and cash equivalents –
restricted relating to PPP        21.1      (0.5)         -        -     (0.9)      19.7
contracts
Total net debt                 (604.0)     (45.4)    (33.1)   (16.6)       2.7   (696.4)
                                                                                        
Analysis of total net debt:                                                             
Net debt excluding PPP         (524.9)     (50.3)    (33.1)   (16.6)       0.1   (624.8)
non-recourse net debt
PPP non-recourse net debt       (79.1)        4.9         -        -       2.6    (71.6)
Total net debt                 (604.0)     (45.4)    (33.1)   (16.6)       2.7   (696.4)

 

At 30 September 2022  the balance of  interest accrued relating  to borrowing was  €2.0m
(2021/22: €2.6m) and was included  in trade and other  payables. This balance was  after
finance charges  of  €13.5m  (2021/2022:  €14.3m)  net  of  a  cash  outflow  of  €19.4m
(2021/2022: €16.5m) excluding loan fees.

 

Analysis of movement in total net debt

                                                         First half First half Full year

                                                            2022/23    2021/22   2021/22

                                                                 €m         €m        €m
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents          (3.4)       31.1     (6.2)
Net (increase) decrease in borrowings and lease              (42.0)        2.7      95.5
liabilities
Total cash flows in net debt                                 (45.4)       33.8      89.3
Bank loans and lease liabilities acquired through a          (33.1)          -         -
business combination
Lease liabilities entered into during the period             (16.7)     (16.5)    (27.1)
Lease liabilities cancelled during the period                   0.7        0.6       1.5
Capitalisation of loan fees                                       -        0.5       1.6
Amortisation of loan fees                                     (0.6)      (0.8)     (1.9)
Exchange gain                                                   2.7        2.1       0.7
Movement in net debt                                         (92.4)       19.7      64.1
Total net debt at beginning of period                       (604.0)    (668.1)   (668.1)
Total net debt at end of period                             (696.4)    (648.4)   (604.0)

 

12. Acquisitions and Disposals

 

Acquisitions

 

On 1 August 2022 the  Group acquired 100% of the  share capital of GMP Exploitatie  B.V.
(“Paro”) and its subsidiaries (subsequently renamed Renewi Westpoort Holding B.V.) for a
cash consideration of €53.5m.

 

The business operates from a large and well permitted processing facility located in the
port area  of Amsterdam.  The site  of 130,000m2  has excellent  road and  water  access
operating two advanced sorting  lines for processing  mixed construction and  demolition
waste as well  as household waste.  In addition, a  minerals classification and  washing
installation produces secondary construction materials from construction and  demolition
waste. The acquisition will deliver synergies from site rationalisation, route and waste
flow optimisation and  other operational  benefits as  part of  the Group’s  Netherlands
Commercial Waste division.

 

Given the  short period  of time  since the  completion of  the transaction,  the  asset
identification and fair value allocation processes have not been completed and the table
below shows provisional values.  External specialists have been  engaged to assist  with
determining the final balance  sheet and specifically with  regard to intangible  assets
acquired. The Group expects to separately identify customer relationships and permits as
acquisition related  intangibles but  no  value has  yet  been allocated.  The  goodwill
arising on the acquisition as noted  below is attributable to management’s  expectations
of synergies to be achieved post acquisition  and will most likely reduce on  completion
of the purchase price allocation. None of  the goodwill on this acquisition is  expected
to be deductible for tax, however there  will be deferred tax recognised on  acquisition
intangibles as required under IAS 12 Income Taxes and this will be determined as part of
the final purchase price allocation.

 

                                        Provisional fair

                                          value acquired

                                                      €m
Intangible assets – Computer software                0.3
Property, plant and equipment                       17.9
Right-of-use assets                                 27.5
Trade and other receivables                          9.4
Inventories                                          0.3
                                                    55.4
                                                        
Trade and other payables                           (8.9)
Provisions                                         (0.1)
Deferred tax liabilities                           (0.9)
Borrowings – Bank loan                             (7.0)
Borrowings – Lease liabilities                    (26.1)
                                                  (43.0)
                                                        
Net identifiable assets acquired                    12.4
Add: Goodwill arising on acquisition                41.1
Net assets acquired                                 53.5

 

                                          Total
Purchase consideration                   
                                             €m
Cash consideration                         53.5
Less: Cash balances acquired                  -
Net cash outflow – investing activities    53.5

 

In the period from the acquisition to  30 September 2022 the business contributed  €6.9m
to the Group’s revenue  and a loss of  €0.9m to the Group’s  profit before tax.  If  the
acquisition had been  completed on the  first day  of the financial  year, the  business
would have contributed €28.5m to the Group’s revenue and a loss of €0.9m to the  Group’s
profit before tax.

 

In addition  during  September 2022  the  Netherlands Commercial  division  completed  a
business assets acquisition for  cash consideration of €1.6m.  The assets acquired  were
€1.0m of plant and machinery with  €0.3m allocated to an acquisition related  intangible
for customer lists and the balance of €0.3m to goodwill.

 

Disposals

 

On 27 June  2022 the Mineralz  & Water  division disposed of  net liabilities  totalling
€3.6m in relation to its North Business  for a cash consideration of €0.2m generating  a
profit on sale of €3.8m which has been recorded as a non-trading and exceptional item in
line with the Group’s policy due to the significant value of the profit.

 

On 5  August  2022  the  Specialities  division sold  its  Maltha  Hungary  entity.  Net
liabilities of €0.8m were sold for a cash consideration net of cash sold of €0.1m  which
generated a profit on sale of €0.9m.  The profit on sale which included the impact of  a
recycled cumulative currency translation has been recorded in underlying EBIT.

 

13. Provisions

 

                                     Site   Onerous Legal and
                          restoration and contracts  warranty Restructuring Other  Total
                                aftercare
                                                 €m        €m            €m    €m     €m
                                       €m
At 31 March 2022                    156.9      79.9      23.1           4.0  25.3  289.2
Impact of adopting
amendments to IAS 37                    -      53.2         -             -     -   53.2
(note 2)
At 1 April 2022                     156.9     133.1      23.1           4.0  25.3  342.4
Acquisition through                     -         -         -             -   0.1    0.1
business combinations
Provided in the period                0.2         -         -           0.1   3.0    3.3
Released in the period                  -         -         -         (0.8) (0.8)  (1.6)
Disposed of in the period               -         -         -             - (1.8)  (1.8)
Finance charges –                     1.9       1.9         -             -   0.1    3.9
unwinding of discount
Utilised in the period              (3.0)     (6.0)     (0.7)         (1.7) (1.1) (12.5)
Exceptional impact of
increase in discount
rates and reassessment of           (7.0)       0.6         -             -     -  (6.4)
UK Municipal contracts
(note 5)
Exchange rate changes               (0.2)     (4.6)     (0.1)             -     -  (4.9)
At 30 September 2022                148.8     125.0      22.3           1.6  24.8  322.5
Within one year                      12.9      12.0       4.0           1.6   9.1   39.6
Between one and five                 47.9      59.3      15.6             -   5.0  127.8
years
Between five and ten                 43.2      37.1       0.5             -   3.4   84.2
years
Over ten years                       44.8      16.6       2.2             -   7.3   70.9
At 30 September 2022                148.8     125.0      22.3           1.6  24.8  322.5
Within one year                       5.7       9.2       4.7           4.0   7.5   31.1
Between one and five                 49.3      23.4      15.6             -   5.4   93.7
years
Between five and ten                 50.8      23.1       0.5             -   3.4   77.8
years
Over ten years                       51.1      24.2       2.3             -   9.0   86.6
At 31 March 2022                    156.9      79.9      23.1           4.0  25.3  289.2

 

Site restoration and aftercare

The site restoration provisions at 30 September 2022 relate to the cost of final capping
and covering of the landfill and mineral extraction sites. These site restoration  costs
are expected to be paid over  a period of up to 30  years  from the balance sheet  date.
Aftercare provisions cover post-closure costs of landfill sites which include such items
as monitoring, gas and leachate management and licensing. The dates of payments of these
aftercare costs are uncertain  but are anticipated to  be over a period  of at least  30
years from closure  of the relevant  landfill site. All  site restoration and  aftercare
costs have been estimated  by management based on  current best practice and  technology
available and may be impacted  by a number of  factors including changes in  legislation
and technology.

 

Onerous contracts

Onerous contract  provisions arise  when the  unavoidable costs  of meeting  contractual
obligations exceed the cash flows expected.  They  are provided for at the lower of  the
net present value of  either exiting the contracts  or fulfilling our obligations  under
the contracts. As  a result of  the amendment to  IAS 37 for  Onerous contracts, from  1
April 2022 provisions for  onerous contracts have increased  by €53.2m as the  amendment
now requires that costs of fulfilling a contract consist of both the incremental cost of
fulfilling that  contract and  an allocation  of other  costs that  related directly  to
fulfilling contracts. Prior to this amendment the Group only included incremental direct
costs with an allocation of the central overheads now included. The provisions have been
calculated on the best estimate of likely future cash flows over the contract term based
on the  latest expectations  including assumptions  on inflationary  increases,  tonnage
inputs, plant  performance  with  efficiency  improvements,  off-take  availability  and
recyclates pricing. The provisions are to be  utilised over the period of the  contracts
to which they relate with the latest date being 2040.

 

Legal and warranty

Legal and warranty provisions relate to legal claims, warranties and indemnities.  Under
the terms of the agreements for the disposal of certain businesses, the Group has  given
a number  of  warranties and  indemnities  to the  purchasers  which may  give  rise  to
payments. The  Group has  a liability  until the  end of  the contractual  terms in  the
agreements. The  Group considers  each warranty  provision based  on the  nature of  the
business disposed  of  and  the type  of  warranties  provided with  judgement  used  to
determine the most likely obligation.

 

On 6 February 2020 the European Commission  announced its decision to initiate a  formal
investigation in which it alleges that the Walloon Region of Belgium provided state  aid
to the Group in relation to the  Cetem landfill. An adverse judgement would require  the
Walloon Region to  seek repayment  from the  Group and a  provision of  €15.1m has  been
recognised in both the current year and the  prior year as non-current as timing of  any
cash flow is  expected to be  after 12 months  from the balance  sheet date. The  matter
remains ongoing and based  on legal advice  management consider this  value to be  their
best estimate  of the  potential exposure  based  on the  most likely  outcome.  Further
contingent liability information is provided in note 16.

 

13. Provisions continued

 

Restructuring

The restructuring provision primarily relates  to redundancy and related costs  incurred
as a result  of restructuring  initiatives. As  at 30  September 2022  the provision  is
expected to be  spent in the  following twelve  months as affected  employees leave  the
business.

 

Other

Other provisions includes dilapidations €7.2m (March 2022: €9.1m), long-service employee
awards €7.3m (March 2022: €7.0m) and other environmental liabilities €10.3m (March 2022:
€9.2m). The  dilapidations provisions  are determined  on  a site  by site  basis  using
internal expertise and experience and are calculated as the most likely cash outflow  at
the end of the contracted obligation. The provisions will be utilised over the period up
to 2071.

 

14. Defined benefit pension schemes

 

The Group  has  the legacy  Shanks  UK defined  benefit  scheme which  provides  pension
benefits for pensioners, deferred members and  eligible UK employees which is closed  to
new entrants and to future  benefit accrual. In addition there  are a number of  defined
benefit pension  schemes eligible  for certain  employees in  both the  Netherlands  and
Belgium.

 

The amounts recognised in the Income Statement were as follows:

                                                   First half 2022/23 First half 2021/22
                                                  
                                                                   €m                 €m
Current service cost                                              0.9                0.7
Interest (income) expense on scheme net                         (0.1)                0.1
liabilities
Net defined benefit pension schemes charge                        0.8                0.8
before tax

 

The amounts recognised in the balance sheet were as follows:

                                                      30 September 30 September 31 March

                                                              2022         2021     2022

                                                                €m           €m       €m
Present value of funded obligations                        (188.5)      (296.6)  (275.7)
Fair value of plan assets                                    188.4        295.1    278.0
Defined benefit pension schemes net (deficit) asset          (0.1)        (1.5)      2.3
Related deferred tax asset                                       -          0.4    (0.5)
Net defined pension schemes (liability) asset                (0.1)        (1.1)      1.8
                                                                                        
Classified as:                                                                          
Defined benefit scheme surplus - included in                   4.5          5.9      8.6
non-current assets
Defined benefit pension schemes deficit - included in        (4.6)        (7.4)    (6.3)
non-current liabilities
Defined benefit pension schemes net (deficit) asset          (0.1)        (1.5)      2.3

 

The legacy Shanks UK defined benefit scheme moved by €4.1m from an asset of €8.6m at  31
March 2022 to an asset of €4.5m at 30 September 2022. This was due to an increase in the
discount rate assumption on scheme liabilities from 2.8% at 31 March 2022 to 5.2% at  30
September 2022 which  was partially  offset by  asset returns  which underperformed  the
expected discount rate. The deficit for the overseas defined benefit schemes reduced  by
€1.7m to €4.6m as a result of increased discount rate assumptions on scheme liabilities.

 

15. Financial instruments at fair value

 

The Group uses  the following hierarchy  of valuation techniques  to determine the  fair
value of financial instruments:

 

  • Level 1:  quoted (unadjusted)  prices  in active  markets  for identical  assets  or
    liabilities
  • Level 2: other techniques for  which all inputs which  have a significant effect  on
    the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly
  • Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded
    fair value that are not based on observable market data

 

During the period ended 30 September 2022,  there were no transfers between level 1  and
level 2 fair value measurements and no transfers into or out of level 3.

 

Valuation techniques used to derive level 2 fair values:

 

  • Unlisted non-current investments  comprise unconsolidated companies  where the  fair
    value approximates the book value
  • Short-term investment valuations are provided by the fund manager
  • Derivative financial instruments are determined by discounting the future cash flows
    using the applicable period-end yield curve
  • The fair value of the European private placements are determined by discounting  the
    future cash flows using the applicable period-end yield curve
  • The fair value of retail bonds is based on indicative market pricing

 

The table below presents the Group’s assets and liabilities measured at fair values. The
Group considers  that  the  fair value  of  all  other financial  assets  and  financial
liabilities are not materially different to their carrying value.

 

                                 30 September 2022 30 September 2021  31 March 2022
                                  Level 1  Level 2  Level 1  Level 2 Level 1 Level 2
 
                                       €m       €m       €m       €m      €m      €m
Assets                                                                              
Money market funds                      -        -     29.4        -       -       -
Unlisted non-current investments        -      4.6        -      4.6       -     4.6
Short-term investments                  -     10.7        -     11.5       -    11.1
Derivative financial instruments        -      8.7        -      3.6       -     7.0
                                        -     24.0     29.4     19.7       -    22.7
Liabilities                                                                         
Derivative financial instruments        -      0.9        -     22.3       -    14.7
European private placements             -     24.8        -     26.4       -    25.7
Retail bonds                            -    195.6        -    307.9       -   300.2
                                        -    221.3        -    356.6       -   340.6

 

On 5  March 2021,  the UK’s  Financial Conduct  Authority (FCA)  formally announced  the
cessation of all GBP London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) benchmark settings  published
by ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA) after 31 December 2021. In response, work has been
undertaken by  the Group  with the  providers  of the  PPP non-recourse  borrowings  and
interest rate swaps to amend  the benchmark rate referenced  in the loan agreements  and
derivative hedging instruments  from GBP LIBOR  to GBP SONIA  (Sterling Overnight  Index
Average) including a credit adjustment  spread on the debt  to compensate for the  basis
differential between the  two benchmarks. In  the six  months to 30  September 2022  all
amendments have been completed and the  non-recourse borrowings and interest rate  swaps
are now referenced to SONIA.  This did not result in any accounting implications.

 

16. Contingent liabilities

 

As referenced in note 13, there is  an ongoing investigation by the European  Commission
in which it alleges  the Walloon region of  Belgium provided state aid  to the Group  in
relation to the Cetem landfill. An adverse judgement would require the Walloon region to
seek repayment from the Group. Both the Walloon Region and Renewi believe that no  state
aid was offered and will defend their conduct vigorously. Renewi has provided €15m based
on legal advice which represents management’s best estimate of the most likely  outcome.
It is  noted that  the potential  maximum  claim is  €58m (excluding  compound  interest
currently amounting to €5m), and therefore there is a potential further liability should
the Group be wholly unsuccessful in  its defence. A ruling from the European  Commission
has not been  received and is  expected during FY23  but no monies  would likely  become
payable until FY24 should the European Commission conclude Renewi did receive state aid.

 

The criminal investigation into the production of thermally cleaned soil at ATM has been
closed without any prosecution. It  is noted that there  are discussions ongoing on  the
application of thermally cleaned soil in certain areas in the Netherlands and it  cannot
be ruled out that this could result in liability for damages resulting from third  party
claims in the future.

 

Due to the nature of the industry in which the business operates, from time to time  the
Group is  made aware  of claims  or litigation  arising in  the ordinary  course of  the
Group’s business. Provision is made for the Directors’ best estimate of all known claims
and all  such  legal actions  in  progress.  The Group  takes  legal advice  as  to  the
likelihood of success of claims and actions and no provision is made where the Directors
consider, based on that advice, that the action is unlikely to succeed or a sufficiently
reliable estimate  of the  potential obligation  cannot  be made.  None of  these  other
matters are expected to have a material impact.

 

Under the terms  of sale agreements,  the Group has  given a number  of indemnities  and
warranties relating to businesses sold in prior periods. Different warranty periods  are
in existence  and it  is  assumed that  these  will expire  within  15 years.  Based  on
management’s assessment of the most  likely outcome appropriate warranty provisions  are
held.

 

17. Related party transactions

 

The Group’s significant  related parties remain  as disclosed  in note 8.2  of the  2022
Annual Report and  Accounts. There were  no material differences  in related parties  or
related party transactions in the period compared to the prior year.

 

18. Explanation of non-IFRS measures and reconciliations

 

The Directors  use  alternative performance  measures  as they  believe  these  measures
provide additional useful information on the underlying trends, performance and position
of the Group. These measures are used for internal performance analysis. These terms are
not defined terms under IFRS and may  therefore not be comparable with similarly  titled
measures used by other  companies. These measures  are not intended  to be a  substitute
for, or superior to,  IFRS measurements. The alternative  performance measures used  are
set out below and there have been no changes in approach in the period.

 

Financial Measure    How we define it                          Why we use it
                     Operating profit excluding non-trading
                     and exceptional items, amortisation of
                     intangible assets arising on acquisition
                     and the change in fair value
                     remeasurements of derivatives.            Provides insight into
Underlying EBIT      Amortisation on acquisition intangibles   ongoing profit generation
                     is excluded to avoid double counting of   and trends
                     costs in underlying EBIT as the Group
                     incurs costs each year in maintaining
                     intangible assets which include acquired
                     customer relationships, permits and
                     licences
Underlying EBIT      Underlying EBIT as a percentage of        Provides insight into
margin               revenue                                   margin development and
                                                               trends
                     Underlying EBIT before depreciation,
                     amortisation and impairment of plant,
                     property and equipment, intangible assets Measure of earnings and
Underlying EBITDA    and investments, profit or loss on        cash generation to assess
                     disposal of plant, property and           operational performance
                     equipment, intangible assets and
                     subsidiaries
Underlying EBITDA    Underlying EBITDA as a percentage of      Provides insight into
margin               revenue                                   margin development and
                                                               trends
                     Profit before tax excluding non-trading
Underlying profit    and exceptional items, amortisation of    Facilitates underlying
before tax           intangible assets arising on acquisition  performance evaluation
                     and the change in fair value
                     remeasurements of derivatives
                     Earnings per share excluding non-trading
                     and exceptional items, amortisation of    Facilitates underlying
Underlying EPS       intangible assets arising on acquisition  performance evaluation
                     and the change in fair value
                     remeasurements of derivatives
Underlying effective The effective tax rate on underlying      Provides a more
tax rate             profit before tax                         comparable basis to
                                                               analyse our tax rate
                     Last 12 months underlying EBIT divided by Provides a measure of the
                     a 13-month average of net assets          return on assets across
Return on operating  excluding core net debt, IFRS 16 lease    the Divisions and the
assets               liabilities, derivatives, tax balances,   Group excluding goodwill
                     goodwill and acquisition intangibles      and acquisition
                                                               intangible balances

 

18. Explanation of non-IFRS measures and reconciliations - continued

 

Financial Measure       How we define it                     Why we use it
                        Last 12 months underlying EBIT as    Provides a measure of the
                        adjusted by the Group effective tax  Group return on assets
Post-tax return on      rate divided by a 13-month average   taking into account the
capital employed        of net assets excluding core net     goodwill and acquisition
                        debt, IFRS 16 lease liabilities and  intangible balances
                        derivatives
                        Net cash generated from operating
                        activities including interest, tax
                        and replacement capital spend and    Measure of cash generation
                        excluding cash flows from            in the underlying business,
                        non-trading and exceptional items,   including regular
                        Covid-19 tax deferral payments or    replacement capital
                        receipts, settlement of ATM soil     expenditure and excluding
                        liabilities and cash flows relating  items of a historic nature,
                        to the UK PPP contracts. Payment to  to fund growth capital
                        fund defined benefit pension schemes projects and invest in
Adjusted free cash flow are also excluded as these schemes   acquisitions. We classify
                        are now closed to both new members   our capital spend into
                        and ongoing accrual and as such      general replacement
                        relate to historic liabilities. The  expenditure and growth
                        Municipal contract cash flows are    capital projects which
                        excluded because they principally    include the innovation
                        relate to onerous contracts as       portfolio and other large
                        reported in exceptional charges in   strategic investments
                        the past and caused by adverse
                        market conditions not identified at
                        the inception of the contract
                        Net cash generated from operating    Measure of cash available
                        activities principally excluding     after regular replacement
Free cash flow          non-trading and exceptional items    capital expenditure to pay
                        and including interest, tax and      dividends, fund growth
                        replacement capital spend            capital projects and invest
                                                             in acquisitions
Free cash flow          The ratio of free cash flow to       Provides an understanding
conversion              underlying EBIT                      of how our profits convert
                                                             into cash
                        Renewi 2.0 and other exceptional
Non-trading and         cash flows are presented in cash     Provides useful information
exceptional             flows from operating activities and  on non-trading and
cash flow items         are included in the categories in    exceptional cash flow spend
                        note 5, net of opening and closing
                        Balance Sheet positions
                        Total cash flow is the movement in
                        net debt excluding loan fee
                        capitalisation and amortisation,
                        exchange movements, settlement of    Provides an understanding
Total cash flow         cross-currency interest rate swaps,  of total cash flow of the
                        movement in PPP cash and PPP         Group
                        non-recourse debt, additions to IFRS
                        16 lease liabilities and lease
                        liabilities acquired through a
                        business combination
                                                             The cash relating to UK PPP
                                                             contracts is not freely
                                                             available to the Group and
                        Core cash excludes cash and cash     is excluded from financial
Core cash               equivalents relating to UK PPP       covenant calculations of
                        contracts                            the main multicurrency
                                                             green finance facility
                                                             therefore excluding this
                                                             gives a suitable measure of
                                                             cash for the Group
                                                             The borrowings relating to
                                                             the UK PPP contracts are
                                                             non-recourse to the Group
                                                             and excluding these gives a
                        Core net debt includes core cash     suitable measure of
Core net debt           excludes debt relating to the UK PPP indebtedness for the Group
                        contracts and lease liabilities as a and IFRS 16 lease
                        result of IFRS 16                    liabilities are excluded as
                                                             financial covenants on the
                                                             main multicurrency green
                                                             finance facility remain on
                                                             a frozen GAAP basis
                        Liquidity headroom includes core     Provides an understanding
Liquidity               cash, money market funds and undrawn of available headroom to
                        committed amounts on the             the Group
                        multicurrency green finance facility
                        Adjusted net debt to a comparable
                        adjusted annualised underlying       Commonly used measure of
Net debt to             EBITDA in accordance with frozen     financial leverage and
EBITDA/leverage ratio   GAAP, excluding lease liabilities    consistent with covenant
                        which are a result of IFRS 16, and   definition
                        translated at an average rate of
                        exchange for the period

 

18. Explanation of non-IFRS measures and reconciliations – continued

 

Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) to underlying EBITDA

 

                             Netherlands    Belgium Mineralz                 Group
                              Commercial Commercial  & Water Specialities  central Total
First half 2022/23                 Waste      Waste                       services
                                                          €m           €m             €m
                                      €m         €m                             €m
Operating profit (loss)             40.3       28.2     11.0         10.5    (6.4)  83.6
Non-trading and exceptional
items (excluding finance               -      (0.1)    (8.4)          0.8    (0.7) (8.4)
items)
Underlying EBIT                     40.3       28.1      2.6         11.3    (7.1)  75.2
Depreciation and impairment
of property, plant and              26.6       14.8      8.6          3.8      3.0  56.8
equipment and right-of-use
assets
Amortisation and impairment
of intangible assets                 0.4          -      0.4          0.1      1.6   2.5
(excluding acquisition
intangibles)
Non-exceptional gain on
disposal of property, plant        (1.6)      (0.1)        -        (0.9)        - (2.6)
and equipment, intangible
assets and subsidiaries
Underlying EBITDA                   65.7       42.8     11.6         14.3    (2.5) 131.9

 

                                                                     Restated*
                        Netherlands    Belgium                                 Restated*
                         Commercial Commercial Mineralz Specialities     Group
First half 2021/22            Waste      Waste  & Water                            Total
                                                                  €m   central
                                 €m         €m       €m               services        €m

                                                                            €m
Operating profit (loss)        40.2       20.2      4.0          1.2     (8.2)      57.4
Non-trading and
exceptional items               3.0        1.3        -          0.5       2.5       7.3
(excluding finance
items)
Underlying EBIT                43.2       21.5      4.0          1.7     (5.7)      64.7
Depreciation and
impairment of property,        28.2       16.3      6.7          4.3       2.8      58.3
plant and equipment and
right-of-use assets
Amortisation of
intangible assets               0.4          -      0.3          0.2       1.4       2.3
(excluding acquisition
intangibles)
Impairment of                     -          -        -          1.9         -       1.9
investment in associate
Non-exceptional (gain)
loss on disposal of           (0.7)        0.3        -        (0.2)         -     (0.6)
property, plant and
equipment
Underlying EBITDA              71.1       38.1     11.0          7.9     (1.5)     126.6

*The comparatives for  operating loss  and non-trading  and exceptional  items in  Group
central services  have  been restated  following  the  change in  accounting  policy  in
relation to  Software  as  a Service  arrangements  as  explained in  note  2  Basis  of
preparation.

 

Reconciliation of statutory profit before tax to underlying profit before tax

                                                                               Restated*
                                                   First half 2022/23
                                                                      First half 2021/22
                                                                   €m
                                                                                      €m
Statutory profit before tax                                      71.6               43.9
Non-trading and exceptional items in operating                  (8.4)                7.3
profit
Non-trading and exceptional finance (income)                    (1.6)                0.1
charges
Underlying profit before tax                                     61.6               51.3

*The comparatives for statutory profit before tax and non-trading and exceptional  items
in operating profit  have been  restated following the  change in  accounting policy  in
relation to  Software  as  a Service  arrangements  as  explained in  note  2  Basis  of
preparation.

 

18. Explanation of non-IFRS measures and reconciliations – continued

 

Reconciliation of adjusted free cash flow and free cash flow as presented in the Finance
review

                                                                               Restated*
                                                   First half 2022/23
                                                                      First half 2021/22
                                                                   €m
                                                                                      €m
Net cash generated from operating activities                     74.4               72.4
Exclude non-trading and exceptional provisions and                2.2                7.7
working capital
Exclude payments to fund defined benefit pension                  1.8                1.8
schemes
Exclude deferred Covid taxes paid                                 9.9                0.4
Exclude offtake of ATM soil                                       1.1                3.4
Exclude UK Municipal contracts                                    6.7                7.9
Include finance charges and loan fees paid                     (19.4)             (16.5)
Include finance income received                                   5.3                5.0
Include repayment of obligations under lease                   (23.2)             (21.9)
liabilities
Include purchases of replacement items of                       (6.1)              (4.9)
intangible assets
Include purchases of replacement items of                      (33.6)             (25.2)
property, plant and equipment
Include proceeds from disposals of property, plant                4.7                2.1
& equipment
Include capital received in respect of PPP                        2.9                2.8
financial asset net of outflows
Include repayment of UK Municipal contracts PPP                 (5.4)              (3.5)
debt
Include movement in UK Municipal contracts PPP                    0.5              (3.9)
cash
Adjusted free cash flow                                          21.8               27.6
Include deferred Covid taxes paid                               (9.9)              (0.4)
Include offtake of ATM soil                                     (1.1)              (3.4)
Include UK Municipal contracts                                  (6.7)              (7.9)
Free cash flow                                                    4.1               15.9

*The comparatives  have been  restated  following the  change  in accounting  policy  in
relation to  Software  as  a Service  arrangements  as  explained in  note  2  Basis  of
preparation.

 

Reconciliation of net  capital spend  in the Finance  review to  purchases and  disposal
proceeds of  property,  plant  and  equipment and  intangible  assets  within  Investing
activities in the consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

                                                                               Restated*
                                                   First half 2022/23
                                                                      First half 2021/22
                                                                   €m
                                                                                      €m
Purchases of intangible assets                                  (6.1)              (4.9)
Purchases of replacement property, plant and                   (33.6)             (25.2)
equipment
Proceed from disposals of property, plant and                     4.7                2.1
equipment
Net replacement capital expenditure                            (35.0)             (28.0)
Growth capital expenditure                                     (16.0)              (7.5)
Total capital spend as shown in the cash flow in               (51.0)             (35.5)
the Finance review

*The comparatives  have been  restated  following the  change  in accounting  policy  in
relation to  Software  as  a Service  arrangements  as  explained in  note  2  Basis  of
preparation.

 

                                                                               Restated*
                                                   First half 2022/23
                                                                      First half 2021/22
                                                                   €m
                                                                                      €m
Purchases of intangible assets                                  (6.1)              (4.9)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment                     (49.6)             (32.7)
(replacement and growth)
Proceed from disposals of property, plant and                     4.7                2.1
equipment
Purchases and disposal proceeds of property, plant
and equipment and intangible assets within                     (51.0)             (35.5)
Investing activities in the consolidated Statement
of Cash Flows

*The comparatives  have been  restated  following the  change  in accounting  policy  in
relation to  Software  as  a Service  arrangements  as  explained in  note  2  Basis  of
preparation.

 

18. Explanation of non-IFRS measures and reconciliations – continued

 

Reconciliation of  property,  plant  and  equipment  additions  to  replacement  capital
expenditure as presented in the Finance review

                                                                               Restated*
                                                   First half 2022/23
                                                                      First half 2021/22
                                                                   €m
                                                                                      €m
Property, plant and equipment additions (note 10)              (44.3)             (23.2)
Intangible asset additions (note 10)                            (4.5)              (4.1)
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and                    4.7                2.1
equipment
Movement in capital creditors (included in trade                (6.9)              (9.0)
and other payables)
Growth capital expenditure – as disclosed in the                 16.0                7.5
Finance review
Government grant received in a prior period                         -              (1.3)
transferred to property, plant and equipment
Replacement capital expenditure per Finance review             (35.0)             (28.0)

*The comparatives  have been  restated  following the  change  in accounting  policy  in
relation to  Software  as  a Service  arrangements  as  explained in  note  2  Basis  of
preparation.

 

Reconciliation of total cash flow as presented in the Finance review to the movement  in
total net debt

                                                   First half 2022/23 First half 2021/22
 
                                                                   €m                 €m
Total cash flow                                                (80.5)              (1.9)
Additions to lease liabilities                                 (16.0)             (15.9)
Repayment of obligations under lease liabilities                 23.2               21.9
Lease liabilities acquired though a business                   (26.1)                  -
combination
Movement in PPP non-recourse debt                                 5.4                3.5
Movement in PPP cash and cash equivalents                       (0.5)                3.9
Capitalisation of loan fees net of amortisation                 (0.6)              (0.3)
Exchange movements                                                2.7                2.1
Settlement of cross-currency interest rate swaps                    -                6.4
Movement in total net debt (note 11)                           (92.4)               19.7

 

Reconciliation of total cash flow as presented in the Finance review to the movement  in
cash

                                                 First half 2022/23 First half 2021/22
 
                                                                 €m                 €m
Total cash flow                                              (80.5)              (1.9)
Proceeds from retail bonds                                        -              125.0
Repayment of retail bonds                                   (100.0)                  -
Proceeds from bank borrowings                                 303.2              126.6
Repayment of bank borrowings                                (132.6)            (228.9)
Bank loan acquired through business combination                 7.0                  -
Movement in PPP cash and cash equivalents                     (0.5)                3.9
Exchange movements                                            (1.3)                0.4
Settlement of cross-currency interest rate swaps                  -                6.4
Movement in total cash                                        (4.7)               31.5

 

Reconciliation of total net debt to net debt under covenant definition

                                      30 September 30 September 31 March

                                              2022         2021     2022

                                                €m           €m       €m
Total net debt                             (696.4)      (648.4)  (604.0)
Exclude PPP non-recourse debt                 91.3        100.7    100.2
Exclude PPP cash and cash equivalents       (19.7)       (21.1)   (21.1)
Exclude IFRS 16 lease liabilities            237.1        232.8    221.9
Net debt under covenant definition         (387.7)      (336.0)  (303.0)

 

19. Events after the balance sheet date

 

In November 2022 the Group signed two additional fixed rate facilities totalling €55m
including a €45m 7 year European Private Placement at 4.676% and a €10m 5 year loan at
4.22%.

 

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO RENEWI PLC

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing  has come to our attention  that causes us to believe  that
the condensed set of  financial statements in the  half-yearly financial report for  the
six months  ended 30  September  2022 is  not prepared,  in  all material  respects,  in
accordance with  UK adopted  International  Accounting Standard  34 and  the  Disclosure
Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority.

We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial  statements
in the half-yearly financial  report for the  six months ended  30 September 2022  which
comprises the Consolidated Interim Income Statement, the Consolidated Interim  Statement
of Comprehensive  Income,  the  Consolidated Interim  Balance  Sheet,  the  Consolidated
Statement of Changes in Equity and the Consolidated Interim Statement of Cash Flows  and
the related notes 1 to 19.

Basis for conclusion

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review  Engagements
(UK) 2410, “Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor
of the Entity” (“ISRE (UK) 2410”). A review of interim financial information consists of
making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters,
and applying analytical and other review  procedures. A review is substantially less  in
scope than an  audit conducted in  accordance with International  Standards on  Auditing
(UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become  aware
of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do  not
express an audit opinion.

As disclosed in note  2, the annual  financial statements of the  group are prepared  in
accordance with  UK adopted  international accounting  standards. The  condensed set  of
financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared  in
accordance with  UK adopted  International Accounting  Standard 34,  “Interim  Financial
Reporting”.

Conclusions relating to going concern

Based on our  review procedures, which  are less  extensive than those  performed in  an
audit as described in the Basis for conclusion section of this report, nothing has  come
to our attention to  suggest that the directors  have inappropriately adopted the  going
concern basis of accounting or that the directors have identified material uncertainties
relating to going concern that are not appropriately disclosed.

This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in accordance with ISRE (UK)
2410, however future events or conditions may cause the group to cease to continue as  a
going concern.

Responsibilities of directors

The directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  half-yearly  financial  report  in
accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and  Transparency Rules of the United  Kingdom’s
Financial Conduct Authority.

 

In preparing  the  half-yearly  financial  report, the  directors  are  responsible  for
assessing the  company’s  ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern,  disclosing,  as
applicable, matters  related to  going concern  and  using the  going concern  basis  of
accounting unless  the directors  either intend  to liquidate  the company  or to  cease
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the review of the financial information

In reviewing the half-yearly report, we are responsible for expressing to the Company  a
conclusion on the  condensed set  of financial  statement in  the half-yearly  financial
report. Our conclusion, including our Conclusions  Relating to Going Concern, are  based
on procedures that are less extensive than  audit procedures, as described in the  Basis
for Conclusion paragraph of this report.

 

Use of our report

Our report has been prepared  in accordance with the terms  of our engagement to  assist
the Company in  meeting the  requirements of  the Disclosure  Guidance and  Transparency
Rules of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose.   No
person is entitled to rely on this report  unless such a person is a person entitled  to
rely upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of engagement or has
been expressly authorised to do so by our  prior written consent.  Save as above, we  do
not accept responsibility for this report to  any other person or for any other  purpose
and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability.

 

 

BDO LLP

Chartered Accountants

London, UK

9 November 2022

 

BDO LLP  is  a limited  liability  partnership registered  in  England and  Wales  (with
registered number OC305127).

 

════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

   ISIN:           GB00BNR4T868
   Category Code:  IR
   TIDM:           RWI
   LEI Code:       213800CNEIDZBL17KU22
   OAM Categories: 1.2. Half yearly financial reports and audit
                   reports/limited reviews
                   3.1. Additional regulated information required to be
                   disclosed under the laws of a Member State
   Sequence No.:   199998
   EQS News ID:    1483201


    
   End of Announcement EQS News Service

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