Accounting Principles

The financial statements of Wacker Chemie AG and its German and international subsidiaries are prepared in accordance with uniform accounting principles.

The Group’s consolidated financial statements are based on the principle of the historical cost of acquisition and production, with the exception of the items reflected at fair value, such as available-for-sale financial assets and derivatives and plan assets within the scope of pension obligations.

The accounting methods correspond to those used for the last consolidated financial statements as of the end of the previous fiscal year. There may be limits to comparability in the case of significant acquisitions of fully consolidated companies. This topic is dealt with in the explanation of the scope of consolidation. Insofar as amounts from the previous year are adjusted, these are explained in the relevant Notes.

Sales encompass the fair value of the counterperformance or claim received for the goods and services that were sold within the scope of ordinary activities. These are reported without VAT and other taxes incurred in connection with sales and without discounts and price reductions. Sales revenues are recognized when the goods and services owed have been delivered and the main opportunities and risks of ownership have passed to the purchaser. Sales from services are recognized once services are rendered. Sales are not reported if there are risks attached to the receipt of the consideration. Provisions are recognized for risks from returns of finished goods and merchandise, warranties and other complaints using the specific identification method. Information on the development of sales by division and region is provided in the section on segment reporting.

WACKER does not conduct any business that requires using the percentage-of-completion method for recognizing sales of long-term production contracts.

Cost of goods sold shows the costs of the products, merchandise and services sold. In addition to directly attributable costs, such as material costs, personnel expenses and energy costs, they encompass overheads including depreciation and inventory write-downs. This item also includes the cost of outward freight.

Selling expenses include costs incurred by the sales organization and the cost of advertising, market research, and application support on customers’ premises. This item also includes commission expenses.

Research and development expenses include costs incurred in the development of products and processes. Research costs in the narrower sense are recognized as expenses when they are incurred. They are not capitalized. Development costs are capitalized only when all the prescribed recognition criteria have been met cumulatively, the research phase can be separated clearly from the development phase, and the costs incurred can be allocated to the individual project phases without any overlaps. Additionally, sufficient assurance exists that future cash inflows must take place.

General administrative expenses include the pro rata payroll and material costs of corporate control functions, human resources, accounting and information technology, unless they have been charged as an internal service to other cost centers and hence, in certain circumstances, to other functional areas.

Operating expenses are reported as expenses when the service is utilized, i.e. when the expense is incurred. Interest income is valued pro rata temporis, taking account of the outstanding loan amount and the effective interest rate to be applied. Dividend income from financial investments is reported when the legal claim to payment arises.

Intangible assets acquired against payment are measured at cost and, if their useful lives can be determined, are amortized on a straight-line basis. The useful life is taken to be between four and 15 years unless otherwise indicated, e.g. by the life of a patent. The useful life is reviewed annually and, if necessary, revised to correspond to new expectations. Amortization of intangible assets (apart from goodwill) is allocated to the functional areas that use them. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives undergo an annual impairment test. At present, no intangible assets with indefinite useful lives have been capitalized.

Internally generated intangible assets are capitalized if it is probable that a future economic benefit can be associated with the use of the asset and the costs of the asset can be determined reliably. They are recognized at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis. Their stated useful lives correspond to those of the intangible assets acquired against payment. If development costs are capitalized, they consist of the costs directly attributable to the development process. Capitalized development costs are amortized over the useful life of the corresponding production facilities as from the start of production.

Goodwill is not amortized. Existing goodwill undergoes an annual impairment test. If the impairment test indicates a recoverable amount that is lower than the carrying amount, the goodwill is reduced to its recoverable amount and an impairment loss is recognized. Furthermore, the intrinsic value is examined when events or circumstances indicate possible impairment. Impairments of goodwill are presented under other operating expenses.

Property, plant and equipment is capitalized at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over its expected economic life. The useful life is reviewed annually and, if necessary, revised to correspond to new expectations. In addition to the purchase price, acquisition costs include incidental acquisition costs as well as any costs incurred in the demolition, dismantling, and/or removal of the asset in question from its site and in the restoration of that site. Any reductions in the price of acquisition reduce the acquisition costs. Property, plant and equipment is not revalued on the basis of the provisions in IAS 16. Day-to-day maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Costs for replacing parts or for major overhauls are capitalized if items of property, plant and equipment embody future economic benefits that are likely to flow to the Group and if the costs can be measured reliably.

Grants from third parties reduce acquisition and production costs. Unless otherwise indicated, these grants (investment subsidies) are provided by government bodies. Income grants that are not offset by future expenses are recognized as income. Until the funds have been received, grants are recognized as separate assets. For grants involving a legal claim, the claim to the grant is capitalized as an asset if the company has, on the balance sheet date, fulfilled the material requirements for provision of such a grant and has, by the closing date, submitted the necessary application form or is highly likely to do so by this date.

Financing costs that were incurred in connection with particular, qualified assets and which can be attributed directly or indirectly to them are capitalized as part of acquisition or production costs until the assets are used for the first time. In all other respects, financing costs are not reported as part of acquisition or production costs. WACKER accounts for financing costs as per IAS 23 (Borrowing Costs) if they concern major, long-term investments in production plants.

The cost of internally generated assets includes all costs directly attributable to the production process, as well as appropriate portions of the production-related overheads.

If property, plant and equipment is shut down, sold or given up, the acquisition or production costs, together with their corresponding accumulated depreciation, are derecognized. Any resulting gain or loss from the difference between the sale proceeds and the residual carrying amount is recognized under other operating income or expenses.

Property, plant and equipment also includes assets relating to leasing transactions. Items of property, plant and equipment financed by means of finance leases are recognized at fair value at their time of addition, unless the present values of the minimum lease payments are lower. The assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life or the shorter contractual term. The obligations resulting from future lease payments are recognized under financial liabilities. The lease installments to be paid are split up into a redemption component and an interest component, in accordance with the effective interest method.

The depreciation of property, plant and equipment is generally based on the following useful lives:

If, having been measured in accordance with the above principles, the carrying amounts of intangible assets or items of property, plant and equipment that were amortized or depreciated are higher than their recoverable amounts as of the reporting date, corresponding impairment losses are recognized as an expense.

The impairment is tested when relevant events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might no longer be possible to realize the net carrying amount. At the end of every reporting period, WACKER checks whether there are triggering events for recognizing (or reversing) impairments. An impairment loss is then recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher amount of the fair value less costs to sell, and the value in use. The value in use results from the present value of the estimated future cash flows from the use of the asset. In assessing this value, risk-adjusted pre-tax interest rates are used in a segment-specific manner. In order to determine the cash flow, assets are, if required, combined at the lowest level for which cash flows can be identified separately (cash-generating units). If the reasons for recognizing impairments no longer exist, impairment losses are reversed. The revised amount cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized. Impairments are reported under other operating expenses and reversals of impairment losses under other operating income.

Investment property is measured like property, plant and equipment in accordance with the acquisition cost model. Investment property consists of land and buildings that are held to earn rental income or for capital appreciation, rather than for use in captive production, supply of goods or services, for administrative purposes or for sale in the normal course of business. The fair value of this property is regularly measured through external property valuations.

Leasing transactions are classified either as finance leases or as operating leases. Assets used under an operating lease are not capitalized. Lease payments to be made are recognized in profit or loss in that period in which they are due. A finance lease is a leasing arrangement where essentially all of the risks and rewards incident to the ownership of the property are transferred to the lessee. Assets used under a finance lease are recognized at the present value of the minimum lease payments. Leasing contracts can be embedded within other contracts. If there is a separation obligation for an embedded leasing arrangement, in accordance with IFRS rules, then the contractual components are separated, and recognized and measured according to the respective rules.

Shares in non-consolidated affiliated companies and investments are measured at cost, unless divergent market values are available. Changes in market values are posted to the statement of income upon realization by disposal or if the market value falls below the acquisition cost. Loans are measured at amortized cost, except for non-interest-bearing and low-interest loans, which are recognized at their present value.

Investments in joint ventures and associates are accounted for using the equity method, with the carrying amount generally reflecting the Group’s pro rata share of equity. In the process, pro rata net results are posted to the consolidated income statement, and the carrying amount is increased or decreased accordingly. Any changes in equity recognized directly in the investee’s equity are also recognized directly in equity in the consolidated financial statements. Dividends paid by joint ventures and associates reduce their equity and, therefore, reduce the carrying amount without affecting profit. If a joint venture or associate faces losses that have exhausted its equity, the carrying amount of the investment is written off in full in the consolidated statement of financial position. Further losses are taken into account only if there are noncurrent unsecured receivables against the associated company or the Group has entered into additional obligations or made payments for the associated company. The carrying amount is not increased until the loss carryforward has been set off and the equity is positive again.

A financial instrument is a contract that gives rise to a financial asset at one company and a financial liability or equity instrument at another company. Financial instruments are recognized in the consolidated financial statements at the time that WACKER becomes a contracting party to the financial instrument.

In the case of purchase or sale on usual market terms (purchase or sale within the framework of a contract of which the terms require delivery of the asset within the time frame generally established by regulations or conventions prevailing on the market in question) the settlement date is relevant to the initial recognition or derecognition. This is the date on which the asset is delivered to or by WACKER. In general, financial assets and financial liabilities are not offset. A net amount is presented in the statement of financial position when, and only when, the entity currently has a right to set off the recognized amounts and intends to settle on a net basis. Where financial instruments are combined, borrowed capital and equity components are separated and shown separately by the issuer.

Financial instruments are measured at fair value on initial recognition. In the process, the transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition must be taken into account for all financial assets and liabilities not subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. The fair values recognized in the statement of financial position generally correspond to the market prices of the financial assets and liabilities. If these are not immediately available, they must be calculated using standard valuation models on the basis of current market parameters.

The fair value of financial instruments is generally equal to the amount the Group would receive or pay if it exchanged or settled the financial instruments on the balance sheet date. If available, quoted market prices are used for financial instruments. Otherwise, fair values are calculated based on the market conditions prevailing on said reporting date – interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices – using average rates. In doing so, fair values are calculated using option pricing models for currency and interest rate options or the discounted cash flow method for interest rate swaps. The fair values of some derivatives are based on external valuations by our financial partners.

Financial assets at WACKER comprise, in particular, cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, loans granted and other receivables, held-to-maturity financial investments, and primary and derivative financial assets held for trading. WACKER makes no use of the option to measure financial assets at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition.

Financial liabilities must be regularly settled in cash or another financial asset. This includes, in particular, the Group’s own bonds and other securitized liabilities, trade payables, liabilities to banks, finance lease payables, promissory notes (Schuldscheine) and derivative financial liabilities. WACKER makes no use of its option to measure financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition.

The manner in which financial assets and liabilities are subsequently measured depends on whether a financial instrument is held for trading or until it matures, whether such a financial instrument is available for sale, or whether the financial assets concerned are loans and receivables granted by the company.

Financial instruments held for trading are measured at fair value through profit or loss. This category also includes all derivative financial instruments that do not involve hedge accounting.

If it is both intended and economically to be expected with sufficient certainty that a financial instrument will be held to maturity, the instrument in question is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Held-to-maturity financial investments include current and noncurrent securities, and components of items reported under other financial assets.

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets that are not quoted in an active market. They are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. This category comprises trade receivables, the financial receivables and loans included in other financial assets, the additional financial receivables and loans reported under other assets, and cash and cash equivalents.

All other primary financial assets, if they are not loans and receivables, must be classified as available for sale and are reported at fair value if it can be determined reliably. Basically, these assets comprise equity instruments, and also debt instruments not being held to maturity. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded taking account of deferred taxes and are recognized in other equity items with no effect on income. If equity instruments have no price quoted on an active market and if their fair value cannot be determined reliably, they are measured at cost.

If the fair values of available-for-sale financial assets fall below the acquisition costs or there are objective signs that an asset’s value has been impaired, the cumulative loss recognized directly in equity is reversed and shown in the statement of income. The company bases its assessment of possible impairments on all available information, such as market conditions and prices, investment-specific factors, and the duration and extent of the drop in value below acquisition costs. Impairments affecting a debt instrument are reversed in subsequent periods, provided that the reasons for the impairment no longer apply. When the financial instruments are disposed of, the cumulative gains and losses recognized in equity are included in the statement of income.

Derivative financial instruments are used for hedging purposes with the sole aim of reducing the Group’s exposure to foreign-currency exchange rates, interest rates, and commodity price risks arising from operating activities and the resultant financing requirements.

Derivative financial instruments are recognized as of the trade date. Derivative financial instruments are always measured at fair value, irrespective of the purpose or intention for which they were concluded. Positive market values are recognized as a receivable and negative market values as a liability. Changes in the market values of financial instruments used to limit the risk of lower future cash inflows or higher cash outflows (cash flow hedges) are recognized under other equity items while taking account of any related tax effects when their efficiency is adequate and documented as such. The profit contribution of the hedging instrument is not released to the statement of income until the hedged item is realized. If such a derivative is sold or the hedging relationship is discontinued, the change in its value continues to be reported under other equity items until the underlying transaction occurs. Steps taken to hedge the risk of changes in the market values of recognized assets or liabilities lead to fair value hedges. Changes in fair values are recorded for both the hedged underlying transaction and the derivative financial instruments used for hedging, and these changes are presented in the statement of income. At the moment, WACKER does not hedge any net investments in foreign operations.

Contracts concluded in order to receive or deliver non-financial goods for the Group’s own use are not accounted for as derivatives, but treated as pending transactions.

Changes in the values of forward exchange contracts and currency options are reflected in other operating income and expenses, while changes in the value of interest rate swaps and interest rate options are recognized in net interest income. Changes in fair values of commodity futures and commodity options are recognized in cost of goods sold. The hedging of planned transactions in foreign currencies is included in other operating income and expenses. The expenses and income are not set off.

Inventories are measured at cost using the average cost method. Lower net realizable values or prices as of the balance sheet date are taken into account by means of write-downs to fair value less costs to sell. The cost of goods sold includes directly attributable costs, appropriate portions of indirect material and labor costs, and straight-line depreciation. Due to the relatively short-term production processes, financing costs are not included as part of acquisition or production costs. The overhead cost markups are determined on the basis of average capacity utilization. Write-downs are recognized for inventory risks resulting from extended periods of storage and reduced usability and to reflect other reductions in the recoverable amount. In the statement of income, the cost of unused production capacity is also included in the cost of goods sold. For production-related reasons, unfinished and finished goods are combined and reported under products.

Emission certificates allotted free of charge are measured at a nominal value of zero. Emissions certificates acquired against payment are carried at cost. Thereafter, they are carried at market prices, at a maximum, however, at cost. In the case of a lower fair value as per the reporting date, a devaluation is carried out to match this value. Proceeds from the sale if emission certificates are recognized in profit or loss.

Trade receivables and other assets (including tax receivables), with the exception of financial derivatives, are generally recognized at amortized cost. Risks are taken into account through appropriate write-downs posted as valuation allowances. Allowances for uninsured receivables – or for the deductible in the case of insured receivables – are made whenever legal action is taken. If payment of a receivable is no longer expected even though legal action has been taken, the gross receivable is derecognized and any valuation allowances made are reversed. Noncurrent receivables which are non-interest-bearing or low-interest-bearing are discounted. WACKER is not a contractor for long-term production orders.

Receivables from finance lease agreements where WACKER acts as the lessor are reported under other assets. In the process, the gross value of the outstanding lease payments, less the still unrealized interest earnings, is capitalized as a receivable. The lease installments received are apportioned into the respective interest amount and the repayment of the outstanding receivable in such a way that the interest amount reflects a constant rate of interest on the receivable still outstanding. The interest amount is reported in the statement of income under other financial result.

Cash and cash equivalents encompass cash in hand, demand deposits, and financial assets that can be converted into cash at any time and are only subject to a slight fluctuation in value. They have a residual term of up to three months when received and are measured at amortized cost, which is equivalent to their nominal values.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between tax bases and carrying amounts, and for consolidation measures recognized in the statement of income. The deferred tax assets include tax relief entitlements resulting from the anticipated use of existing loss carryforwards in future years, the realization of which is assured with sufficient probability. Deferred taxes are determined on the basis of the tax rates which, under current law, are applicable or anticipated in the individual countries when they are realized. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted out only to the extent possible under the same tax authority. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in the statement of income. In cases where profits or losses are recognized directly in equity, the deferred tax asset or liability is likewise posted under other equity items.

Pension provisions are recognized in accordance with the projected unit credit method. This method takes account not only of pensions and entitlements to future pensions known as of the balance sheet date, but also of estimated increases in salaries and pensions. The calculation is based on actuarial valuations, taking account of biometric calculation principles. Entities can generally choose how they recognize actuarial gains and losses. To avoid volatility in equity on the reporting dates, WACKER has elected to apply the corridor method. Except for the effects from adjusted probable mortality rates, actuarial gains and losses are recognized as income or expenses only once they move outside a “corridor” of 10 percent of the present value of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets, whichever is higher. If that happens, the amounts are distributed over the average future remaining working lives of the employees. Actuarial gains and losses arising from the changed or adjusted mortality tables are posted immediately to the statement of income as a reduction or increase in the provision for pensions. The expense incurred in funding the pension provisions (service cost) is allocated to the costs of the functional areas concerned. The interest cost is reported under other financial result. If assets to finance pension obligations are invested externally (plan assets), the fair values of these assets are set off against the present value of the obligations. The expected return on plan assets is likewise reported under other financial result.

Provisions are recognized in the statement of financial position for present legal or constructive obligations toward third parties if an outflow of resources to settle these obligations is probable and its amount can be estimated reliably. The amounts recognized are based on the amounts that will be required to cover the Group’s future payment obligations, identifiable risks and contingencies. As a rule, all those cost components which are also capitalized under inventories are included in the measurement of all other provisions. Future price increases are also taken into account in the measurement. Noncurrent provisions are measured at the discounted present value as of the reporting date. The discount rate applied is the current market interest rate for risk-free investments with terms corresponding to the residual term of the obligation to be settled. Expected refunds, provided that they are sufficiently secure or legally enforceable, are not offset against provisions. Instead, they are capitalized as separate assets if their realization is virtually certain.

Provisions for restructuring costs are recognized if a detailed formal plan for restructuring has been drawn up and conveyed to the affected parties. Provisions for contingent losses arising from onerous contracts are recognized if the expected benefits to be derived from a contract are lower than the unavoidable costs of meeting the contractual obligations. Provisions for environmental protection are recognized if the future cash outflows for complying with environmental legislation or for cleanup measures are likely, the costs can be estimated with sufficient accuracy and no future acquired benefit can be expected from the measures. Provisions are recognized if the available portfolio of emission certificates does not cover the anticipated obligations.

If a reduction of the scope of the obligation results from a changed estimate, the provision is reversed proportionately and the resulting income allocated to the functional areas originally charged with the expense when the provision was recognized.

Financial liabilities are measured at fair value on initial recognition. For all financial liabilities not subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss, the transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition are included in the recognized liability. Liabilities from finance lease agreements are reported as financial liabilities and measured at the present value of the future lease installments.

Trade payables and other liabilities (including tax liabilities) are, as a general rule, measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Contingencies are potential obligations arising from past events of which the existence depends on uncertain future events which are beyond the Group’s influence, and on existing obligations that cannot be carried as liabilities because either an outflow of resources is unlikely or the amount of the obligation cannot be estimated with sufficient reliability. Contingencies are shown at values corresponding to the degree of liability that exists on the balance sheet date.

In accordance with the “management approach,” segment reporting at WACKER is based on an internal organizational and reporting structure. The data used to determine key internal management ratios are derived from the IFRS-compliant consolidated financial statements.

Disposal groups and discontinued operations are reported in accordance with criteria defined in IFRS 5. The Group reports the assets and liabilities of a disposal group separately in the statement of financial position. Unless a disposal group qualifies for discontinued operations reporting, the income and expenses of the disposal group remain within continuing operations until the date of disposal. On initial classification as held for sale, noncurrent assets are recognized at the lower of the carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell, and depreciation and amortization ceases.

Changes to the Valuation Methods

No changes were made to the previous year’s valuation methods or classifications of items in the financial statements.