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Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

Audit Report / Information Dec 31, 2012

1640_10-k_2012-12-31_f0eddede-e4d1-4d46-95ca-af03be5f9003.pdf

Audit Report / Information

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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2012

EEIIEIEI1/2

Consolidation and Group Reporting Department

COMPAGNIE DE SAINT-GOBAIN

STATUTORY AUDITORS' REPORT ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year ended December 31, 2012

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit Crystal Park 63, rue de Villiers 92208 Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex

KPMG Audit Immeuble KPMG 1, cours Valmy 92923 Paris La Défense

STATUTORY AUDITORS' REPORT ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended December 31, 2012

This is a free translation into English of the Statutory Auditors' report issued in French and is provided solely for the convenience of English speaking users. The Statutory Auditors' report includes information specifically required by French law in such reports, whether modified or not. This information presented below is the opinion on the consolidated financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph discussing the Auditors' assessments of certain significant accounting and auditing matters. These assessments were considered for the purpose of issuing an audit opinion on the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole and not to provide separate assurance on individual account captions or on information taken outside of the consolidated financial statements.

This report should be read in conjunction with, and construed in accordance with, French law and professional auditing standards applicable in France.

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A.

Les Miroirs 18, avenue d'Alsace 92400 Courbevoie

To the Shareholders,

In compliance with the assignment entrusted to us by your Annual General Meeting, we hereby report to you, for the year ended December 31, 2012, on:

  • the audit of the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain;
  • the justification of our assessments;
  • the specific verification required by law.

These consolidated financial statements have been approved by the Board of Directors. Our role is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

COMPAGNIE DE SAINT-GOBAIN STATUTORY AUDITORS' REPORT ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year ended December 31, 2012

Page 3

I - Opinion on the consolidated financial statements

We conducted our audit in accordance with professional standards applicable in France; those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures, using sampling techniques or other methods of selection, to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made, as well as the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets and liabilities and of the financial position of the Group at December 31, 2012 and of the results of its operations for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union.

II - Justification of our assessments

In accordance with the requirements of article L.823-9 of the French Commercial Code (Code de Commerce) relating to the justification of our assessments, we bring to your attention the following matters:

Measurement of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

The Group regularly carries out impairment tests on its property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets, and also assesses whether there is any indication of impairment of property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets, based on the methods described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements (Impairment of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill). We examined the methods applied in implementing these tests and the estimates and assumptions used, and we verified that the information disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements is appropriate.

COMPAGNIE DE SAINT-GOBAIN STATUTORY AUDITORS' REPORT ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year ended December 31, 2012

Page 4

Employee benefits

The methods applied for assessing employee benefits are set out in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements (Employee benefits – defined benefit plans). These benefit obligations were reviewed by independent actuaries. Our work consisted of assessing the data and assumptions used, examining, on a test basis, the calculations performed and verifying that the information disclosed in Notes 1 and 15 to the consolidated financial statements is appropriate.

Provisions

As specified in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements (Other current and non-current liabilities and provisions), the Group books provisions to cover risks. The nature of the provisions recorded under "Other current and non-current liabilities and provisions" are described in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements. Based on the information available at the time of our audit, we ensured that the methods and data used to determine provisions, particularly relating to the European Commission's decision concerning the automotive glass industry, as well as the disclosures regarding said provisions provided in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, are appropriate.

These assessments were made as part of our audit of the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, and therefore contributed to the opinion we formed which is expressed in the first part of this report.

III - Specific verification

As required by law, we have also verified in accordance with professional standards applicable in France the information presented in the Group's management report.

We have no matters to report as to its fair presentation and its consistency with the consolidated financial statements.

Neuilly-sur-Seine and Paris La Défense, February 20, 2013

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit

KPMG Audit Department of KPMG S.A.

Pierre Coll Jean-Christophe Georghiou

Jean-Paul Vellutini Philippe Grandclerc

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

ASSETS
Goodwill
(4)
10,936
11,041
Other intangible assets
(5)
3,196
3,148
Property, plant and equipment
(6)
13,696
14,225
Investments in associates
(7)
206
167
Deferred tax assets
(16)
1,236
949
Other non-current assets
(8)
359
347
Non-current assets
29,629
29,877
Inventories
(9)
6,133
6,477
Trade accounts receivable
(10)
5,017
5,341
Current tax receivable
(16)
204
182
Other receivables
(10)
1,425
1,408
Assets held for sale
(3)
936
0
Cash and cash equivalents
(20)
4,179
2,949
Current assets
17,894
16,357
Total Assets
47,523
46,234
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital stock
(11)
2,125
2,142
Additional paid-in capital and legal reserve
5,699
5,920
Retained earnings and net income for the year
10,334
10,654
Cumulative translation adjustments
(523)
(476)
Fair value reserves
(15)
(22)
Treasury stock
(11)
(181)
(403)
Shareholders' equity
17,439
17,815
Minority interests
412
403
Total equity
17,851
18,218
Long-term debt
(20)
9,588
8,326
Provisions for pensions and other employee benefits
(15)
3,465
3,458
Deferred tax liabilities
(16)
792
893
Other non-current liabilities and provisions
(17)
2,171
2,143
Non-current liabilities
16,016
14,820
Current portion of long-term debt
(20)
1,732
1,656
Current portion of other liabilities
(17)
457
733
Trade accounts payable
(18)
6,143
6,018
Current tax liabilities
(16)
70
165
Other payables and accrued expenses
(18)
3,408
3,562
Liabilities held for sale
(3)
497
0
Short-term debt and bank overdrafts
(20)
1,349
1,062
Current liabilities
13,656
13,196
Total Equity and Liabilities
47,523
46,234
Notes Dec. 31, 2012 Dec. 31, 2011
(in EUR millions)

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

(in EUR millions) Notes 2012 2011
Net sales (33) 43,198 42,116
Cost of sales (23) (33,046) (31,763)
Selling, general and administrative expenses including research (23) (7,271) (6,912)
Operating income 2,881 3,441
Other business income (23) 116 69
Other business expense (23) (1,013) (864)
Business income 1,984 2,646
Borrowing costs, gross (627) (559)
Income from cash and cash equivalents 40 43
Borrowing costs, net (587) (516)
Other financial income and expense (24) (137) (122)
Net financial expense (724) (638)
Share in net income of associates (7) 12 8
Income taxes (16) (476) (656)
Net income 796 1,360
Attributable to equity holders of the parent 766 1,284
Minority interests 30 76
Earnings per share (in EUR )
Weighted average number of shares in issue 526,399,944 526,274,931
Basic earnings per share (26) 1.46 2.44
Weighted average number of shares assuming full dilution 528,692,847 530,333,380
Diluted earnings per share (26) 1.45 2.42

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNIZED INCOME AND EXPENSE

2012 2011
(in EUR millions)
Net income 796 1,360
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss
Translation adjustments (65) (108)
Changes in fair value 7 21
Tax on items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss (24) (6)
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Changes in actuarial gains and losses (922) (704)
Tax on items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss 293 240
Income and expense recognized directly in equity (711) (557)
Total recognized income and expense for the year 85 803
Attributable to equity holders of the parent 74 742
Minority interests 11 61

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(in EUR millions) Notes 2012 2011
Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent 766 1,284
Minority interests in net income (*) 30 76
Share in net income of associates, net of dividends received (7) (6) (1)
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of assets (23) 1,988 1,892
Gains and losses on disposals of assets (23) (60) (1)
Unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in fair value and share-based payments (23) 48
Changes in inventories (9) 252 (551)
Changes in trade accounts receivable and payable, and other accounts receivable and payable (10)(18) 429 18
Changes in tax receivable and payable (16) (118) (6)
Changes in deferred taxes and provisions for other liabilities and charges (15)(16)(17) (696) (374)
Net cash from operating activities 2,562 2,385
Purchases of property, plant and equipment [2012: (1,773), 2011: (1,936)] and intangible assets (1,883) (2,028)
(5)(6)
Increase (decrease) in amounts due to suppliers of fixed assets (18) (67)
(323)
18
(666)
Acquisitions of shares in consolidated companies [2012: (338), 2011: (688)], net of cash acquired (2)
Acquisitions of other investments (8) (15) (8)
Increase in investment-related liabilities (17) 46 0
Decrease in investment-related liabilities (17) (8) (17)
Investments (2,250) (2,701)
Disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (5)(6) 83 90
Disposals of shares in consolidated companies, net of cash divested (2) 81 8
Disposals of other investments (8) 1 2
Divestments
Increase in loans and deposits
(8) 165
(85)
100
(38)
Decrease in loans and deposits (8) 58 53
Changes in loans and deposits (27) 15
Net cash from (used in) investing activities (2,112) (2,586)
Issues of capital stock (*) 127 158
(Increase) decrease in treasury stock (*) (162) (186)
Dividends paid (*) (646) (603)
Transactions with shareholders of parent company (681) (631)
Minority interests' share in capital increases of subsidiaries 13 4
Acquisitions of minority interests without gain of control (1) (6)
Disposals of minority interests without loss of control 5 0
Changes in investment related liabilities following the exercise of put options of minority
Dividends paid to minority shareholders of consolidated subsidiaries and increase (decrease) in
(69) (20)
dividends payable (55) (20)
Transactions with minority interests (107) (42)
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts and other short-term debt 296 64
Increase in long-term debt (**) 2,808 2,069
Decrease in long-term debt (**) (1,515) (1,055)
Changes in gross debt 1,589 1,078
Net cash from (used in) financing activities 801 405
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,251 204
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (16) (20)
Net effect from changes in fair value on cash and cash equivalents (4) 3
Cash and cash equivalents classified as assets held for sale (3) (1) 0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 2,949 2,762
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 4,179 2,949

(*) Refer to the consolidated statement of changes in equity.

(**) Including bond premiums, prepaid interest and issue costs.

Income tax paid amounted to €730 million in 2012 (2011: €668 million). Interest paid net of interest received amounted to €571 million (2011: €484 million).

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Number of shares) (in EUR millions)
Issued Outstanding
(excluding
treasury stock)
Capital
stock
Additional
paid-in
capital and
legal
reserve
Retained
earnings
and net
income
for the
year
Cumulative
translation
adjustments
Fair value
reserves
Treasury
stock
Share
holders'
equity
Minority
interests
Total
equity
At January 1, 2011 530,836,441 525,722,544 2,123 5,781 10,614 (383) (43) (224) 17,868 364 18,232
Income and expenses recognized directly
in equity 0 0 (470) (93) 21 0 (542) (15) (557)
Net income for the year 1,284 1,284 76 1,360
Total recognized income and expense
for the year
0 0 814 (93) 21 0 742 61 803
Issues of capital stock
Group Savings Plan 4,497,772 4,497,772 18 132 150 150
Stock option plans 229,510 229,510 1 7 8 8
Other 0 4 4
Dividends paid (EUR 1.15 per share) (603) (603) (21) (624)
Treasury stock purchased (10,180,347) (418) (418) (418)
Treasury stock sold 5,936,217 (7) 239 232 232
Forward purchases of treasury stock (197) (197) (197)
Share-based payments 39 39 39
Changes in Group structure (6) (6) (5) (11)
At December 31, 2011 535,563,723 526,205,696 2,142 5,920 10,654 (476) (22) (403) 17,815 403 18,218
Income and expenses recognized directly
in equity
0 0 (652) (47) 7 0 (692) (19) (711)
Net income for the year 766 766 30 796
Total recognized income and expense
for the year
0 0 114 (47) 7 0 74 11 85
Issues of capital stock
Group Savings Plan 4,387,680 4,387,680 18 107 125 125
Stock option plans 714,239 714,239 3 (1) 2 2
Other 0 13 13
Dividends paid (EUR 1.24 per share) (646) (646) (54) (700)
Treasury stock purchased (8,727,221) (280) (280) (280)
Treasury stock sold 3,854,183 (19) 137 118 118
Treasury stock canceled (9,540,000) (38) (327) 365 0 0
Forward purchases of treasury stock 197 197 197
Share-based payments 14 14 14
Changes in Group structure 20 20 39 59
At December 31, 2012 531,125,642 526,434,577 2,125 5,699 10,334 (523) (15) (181) 17,439 412 17,851

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES

BASIS OF PREPARATION

The consolidated financial statements of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and its subsidiaries ("the Group") have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted for use in the European Union at December 31, 2012, corresponding to the IFRS issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The accounting policies applied are consistent with those used to prepare the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, except for the application of the new standards and interpretations described below. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention, except for certain assets and liabilities that have been measured using the fair value model as explained in these notes.

The standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards applicable for the first time in 2012 (see the table below) do not have a material impact on the Group's consolidated financial statements.

The Group has not early adopted any new standards, interpretations or amendments to published standards that are applicable for accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 (see the table below). The estimated impact of applying the amendment to IAS 19 – Employee Benefits on the 2013 consolidated financial statements would be as follows:

  • Financial expenses would be approximately €150 million higher, as a result of calculating the return on plan assets using the discount rate applied to the projected benefit obligation instead of the expected rate of return.
  • Consolidated equity would be €26 million lower, due to the immediate recognition of cumulative past service cost at January 1, 2013.

These consolidated financial statements were adopted by the Board of Directors on February 20, 2013 and will be submitted to the Shareholders' Meeting for approval. They are presented in millions of euros.

ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in compliance with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period. These estimates and assumptions are based on past experience and on various other factors in the prevailing deteriorated economic and financial environment which makes it difficult to predict future business performance. Actual amounts may differ from those obtained through the use of these estimates and assumptions.

The main estimates and assumptions described in these notes concern the measurement of employee benefit obligations (Note 15), provisions for other liabilities and charges (Note 17), asset impairment tests (Note 1), deferred taxes (Note 16), share-based payments (Notes 12, 13 and 14) and financial instruments (Note 21).

SUMMARY OF NEW STANDARDS, INTERPRETATIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO PUBLISHED STANDARDS

Standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards applicable in 2012:
Amendments to IFRS 7 Disclosures – Transfers of financial assets
Standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards early adopted in 2012:
Amendment to IAS 1 Presentation of items of other comprehensive income
Amendments to IAS 12 Deferred taxes: recovery of underlying assets and incorporation into the standard of SIC-21
income taxes – recovery of revalued non-depreciable assets
Amendments to IAS 19 Employee benefits
Amendment to IAS 27 Separate financial statements
Amendment to IAS 28 Investments in associates and joint ventures
Amendment to IAS 32 Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities
Amendments to IFRS 1 Severe hyperinflation and removal of fixed dates for first-time adopters
Amendments to IFRS 7 Disclosure of offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities
IFRS 10 Consolidated financial statements
IFRS 11 Joint arrangements
IFRS 12 Disclosure of interests in other entities
IFRS 13 Fair value measurement
IFRIC 20 Stripping costs in the production phase of a surface mine

Standards adopted by the European Union may be consulted on the European Commission website, at http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/accounting/ias/index_en.htm

SCOPE AND METHODS OF CONSOLIDATION

Scope

The Group's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and of all companies controlled by the Group, as well as those of jointly controlled companies and companies over which the Group exercises significant influence.

Significant changes in the Group's scope of consolidation during 2012 are presented in Note 2 and a list of the principal consolidated companies at December 31, 2012 is provided in Note 34.

Consolidation methods

Companies over which the Group exercises exclusive control, either directly or indirectly, are fully consolidated.

Interests in jointly controlled entities are proportionately consolidated. The Group has elected not to apply the alternative treatment permitted by IAS 31, under which jointly controlled companies may be accounted for by the equity method, and has maintained the proportionate consolidation method.

Companies over which the Group directly or indirectly exercises significant influence are accounted for by the equity method.

The Group's share of the profit of companies accounted for by the equity method is recognized in the income statement under "Share in net income of associates".

Business combinations

The Group has applied IFRS 3R and IAS 27A on a prospective basis starting from January 1, 2010. As a result, business combinations completed prior to that date are recognized in accordance with the previous versions of IFRS 3 and IAS 27.

Goodwill

When an entity is acquired by the Group, the identifiable assets and assumed liabilities of the entity are recognized at their fair value. Any adjustments to provisional values as a result of completing the initial accounting are recognized within 12 months and retrospectively at the acquisition date.

The final acquisition price (referred to as "consideration transferred" in IFRS 3R), including the estimated fair value of any earn-out payments or other deferred consideration (referred to as "contingent consideration"), is determined in the 12 months following the acquisition. Under IFRS 3R, any adjustments to the acquisition price beyond this 12-month period are recorded in the income statement. Since January 1, 2010, all costs directly attributable to the business combination, i.e. costs that the acquirer incurs to effect a business combination such as professional fees paid to investment banks, attorneys, auditors, independent valuers and other consultants, are no longer capitalized as part of the cost of the business combination, but are recognized as expenses as incurred.

In addition, since January 1, 2010, goodwill is recognized only at the date that control is achieved (or joint control is achieved in the case of proportionately consolidated companies or significant influence is obtained in the case of entities accounted for by the equity method). Any subsequent increase in ownership interest is recorded as a change in equity attributable to the equity holders of the parent without adjusting goodwill.

Goodwill is recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as the difference between the acquisition-date fair value of (i) the consideration transferred plus the amount of any minority interests and (ii) the identifiable net assets of the acquiree. Minority interests are measured either as their proportionate interest in the net identifiable assets (partial goodwill method) or at their fair value at the acquisition date (full goodwill method). As the Group generally applies the partial goodwill method, goodwill calculated by the full goodwill method is not material.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group's share of the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity. If the cost of the acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets and liabilities acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the income statement.

Step acquisitions and partial disposals

When the Group acquires control of an entity in which it already held an equity interest, the transaction is treated as a step acquisition (an acquisition in stages), as follows: (i) as a disposal of the previously-held interest, with recognition of any gain or loss in the consolidated financial statements, and (ii) as an acquisition of the entire interest, with recognition of the corresponding goodwill (on both the old and new acquisitions).

When the Group disposes of part of an equity interest, leading to the loss of control (with a minority interest retained), the transaction is also treated as both a disposal and an acquisition, as follows: (i) as a disposal of the entire interest, with recognition of any gain or loss in the consolidated financial statements, and (ii) as an acquisition of the retained non-controlling (minority) interest, measured at fair value.

Potential voting rights and share purchase commitments

Potential voting rights conferred by call options on minority interests (non-controlling interests) are taken into account in determining whether the Group exclusively controls an entity only when the options are currently exercisable.

When calculating its percentage interest in controlled companies, the Group considers the impact of cross put and call options on minority interests in the companies concerned. This approach gives rise to the recognition in the financial statements of an investment-related liability (included within "Other liabilities") corresponding to the present value of the estimated exercise price of the put option, with a corresponding reduction in minority interests and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent. Any subsequent changes in the fair value of the liability are recognized by adjusting equity.

Minority interests

Up to December 31, 2009, transactions with minority interests were treated in the same way as transactions with parties external to the Group. As from January 1, 2010, changes in minority interests (referred to as "noncontrolling interests" in IFRS 3R) are accounted for as equity transactions between two categories of owners of a single economic entity in accordance with IAS 27A. As a result, they are recorded in the statement of changes in equity and have no impact on the income statement or balance sheet, except for changes in cash and cash equivalents.

Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale – Discontinued operations

Assets and liabilities that are immediately available for sale and for which a sale is highly probable are classified as non-current assets and liabilities held for sale. When several assets are held for sale in a single transaction, they are accounted for as a disposal group, which also includes any liabilities directly associated with those assets.

The assets or disposal groups held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Depreciation ceases when non-current assets or disposal groups are classified as held for sale. When the assets held for sale are consolidated companies, deferred tax is recognized on the difference between the consolidated carrying amount of the shares and their tax basis, in accordance with IAS 12.

Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale are presented separately on the face of the consolidated balance sheet, and income and expenses continue to be recognized in the consolidated income statement on a line-byline basis. Income and expenses arising on discontinued operations are recorded as a single amount on the face of the consolidated income statement.

At each balance sheet date, the value of the assets and liabilities is reviewed to determine whether any provision adjustments should be recorded due to a change in their fair value less costs to sell.

Intragroup transactions

All intragroup balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Translation of the financial statements of foreign companies

The consolidated financial statements are presented in euros, which is Compagnie de Saint-Gobain's functional and presentation currency.

Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries outside the euro zone are translated into euros at the closing exchange rate and income and expense items are translated using the average exchange rate for the period, except in the case of significant exchange rate volatility.

The Group's share of any translation gains or losses is included in equity under "Cumulative translation adjustments" until the foreign operations to which they relate are sold or liquidated, at which time they are taken to the income statement if the transaction results in a loss of control or recognized directly in the statement of changes in equity if the change in ownership interest does not result in a loss of control.

Foreign currency transactions

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the Company's functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the transaction date. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the closing rate and any exchange differences are recorded in the income statement. As an exception to this principle, exchange differences relating to loans and borrowings between Group companies are recorded, net of tax, in equity under "Cumulative translation adjustments", as in substance they are an integral part of the net investment in a foreign subsidiary.

BALANCE SHEET ITEMS

Goodwill

See the section above on "Business combinations".

Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets primarily include patents, brands, software and development costs. They are measured at historical cost less accumulated amortization and impairment.

Acquired retail brands and certain manufacturing brands are treated as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives as they have a strong national and/or international reputation. These brands are not amortized but are tested for impairment on an annual basis. Other brands are amortized over their useful lives, not to exceed 40 years.

Costs incurred to develop software in-house – primarily configuration, programming and testing costs – are recognized as intangible assets. Patents and purchased computer software are amortized over their estimated useful lives, not exceeding 20 years for patents and three to five years for software.

Research costs are expensed as incurred. Development costs meeting the recognition criteria under IAS 38 are included in intangible assets and amortized over their estimated useful lives (not to exceed five years) from the date when the products to which they relate are first marketed.

Concerning greenhouse gas emissions allowances, a provision is recorded in the consolidated financial statements to cover any difference between the Group's emissions and the allowances granted.

Property, plant and equipment

Land, buildings and equipment are carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment.

Cost may also include incidental expenses directly attributable to the acquisition, such as transfers from equity of any gains/losses on qualifying cash flow hedges of property, plant and equipment purchases.

Expenses incurred in exploring and evaluating mineral resources are included in property, plant and equipment when it is probable that associated future economic benefits will flow to the Group. They include mainly the costs of topographical or geological studies, drilling costs, sampling costs and all costs incurred in assessing the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting the mineral resource.

Material borrowing costs incurred for the construction and acquisition of property, plant and equipment are included in the cost of the related asset.

Except for the head office building, which is the Group's only material non-industrial asset, property, plant and equipment are considered as having no residual value, as most items are intended to be used until the end of their useful lives and are not generally expected to be sold.

Property, plant and equipment other than land are depreciated using the components approach on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives, which are regularly reviewed:

Major factories and offices 30-40 years
Other buildings 15-25 years
Production machinery and equipment 5-16 years
Vehicles 3-5 years
Furniture, fixtures, office and computer equipment 4-16 years

Gypsum quarries are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, based on the quantity of gypsum extracted during the year compared with the extraction capacity.

Provisions for site restoration are recognized as components of assets whenever the Group has a legal or constructive obligation to restore a site in accordance with contractually determined conditions or in the event of a sudden or gradual deterioration in site conditions. These provisions are reviewed periodically and may be discounted over the expected useful lives of the assets concerned. The component is depreciated over the same useful life as that used for mines and quarries.

Government grants for purchases of property, plant and equipment are recorded under "Other payables" and taken to the income statement over the estimated useful lives of the relevant assets.

Finance leases and operating leases

Assets held under leases that transfer to the Group substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership (finance leases) are recognized as property, plant and equipment. They are recognized at the commencement of the lease term at the lower of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments.

Property, plant and equipment acquired under finance leases are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset – determined using the same criteria as for assets owned by the Group – or the lease term. The corresponding liability is shown in the balance sheet net of related interest.

Rental payments under operating leases are expensed as incurred.

Non-current financial assets

Non-current financial assets include available-for-sale and other securities, as well as other non-current assets, which primarily comprise long-term loans and deposits.

Investments classified as "available-for-sale" are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on these investments are recognized in equity, unless the investments have suffered an other-than-temporary or material decline in value, in which case an impairment loss is recorded in the income statement.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill

Property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets are tested for impairment on a regular basis. These tests consist of comparing the asset's carrying amount to its recoverable amount. Recoverable amount is the higher of the asset's fair value less costs to sell and its value in use, calculated by reference to the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset.

For property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets, an impairment test is performed whenever revenues from the asset decline or the asset generates operating losses due to either internal or external factors, and no material improvement is forecast in the annual budget or the business plan.

For goodwill and other intangible assets (including brands with indefinite useful lives), an impairment test is performed at least annually based on the 5-year business plan. Goodwill is reviewed systematically and exhaustively at the level of each cash-generating unit (CGU). The Group's reporting segments are its business sectors, which may each include several CGUs. A CGU is a reporting sub-segment, generally defined as a core business of the segment in a given geographical area. It typically reflects the manner in which the Group organizes its business and analyzes its results for internal reporting purposes. A total of 36 CGUs had been identified at December 31, 2012.

Goodwill is allocated mainly to the Gypsum CGU (€3,264 million at December 31, 2012), the Industrial Mortars CGU (€1,991 million at December 31, 2012) and the Building Distribution CGUs (€3,435 million at December 31, 2012) primarily in the United Kingdom, France and Scandinavia. Details of goodwill and unamortizable brands by sector are provided in the segment information tables in Note 33.

The method used for these impairment tests is consistent with that employed by the Group for the valuation of companies acquired in business combinations or acquisitions of equity interests. The carrying amount of the CGUs is compared to their value in use, corresponding to the present value of future cash flows excluding interest but including tax. Cash flows for the fifth year of the business plan are rolled forward over the following two years. For impairment tests of goodwill, normative cash flows (corresponding to cash flows at the mid-point in the business cycle) are then projected to perpetuity using a low annual growth rate (generally 1%, except for emerging markets or businesses with a high organic growth potential where a 1.5% rate may be used). The discount rate applied to these cash flows corresponds to the Group's average cost of capital (7.25% in both 2012 and 2011) plus a country risk premium where appropriate depending on the geographic area concerned. The discount rates applied in 2012 and 2011 for the main operating regions were 7.25% for the euro zone and North America, 8.25% for Eastern Europe and China and 8.75% for South America.

The recoverable amount calculated using a post-tax discount rate gives the same result as a pre-tax rate applied to pre-tax cash flows.

Different assumptions measuring the method's sensitivity are systematically tested using the following parameters:

  • 0.5-point increase or decrease in the annual average rate of growth in cash flows projected to perpetuity;
  • 0.5-point increase or decrease in the discount rate applied to cash flows.

When the annual impairment test reveals that the recoverable amount of an asset is less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss is recorded.

Tests performed in 2012 led to the recognition of a €45 million impairment loss on Building Distribution Sector goodwill, along with impairment losses on various items of property, plant and equipment held by the other Sectors, particularly the solar businesses. The breakdown of asset impairments by Sector and by Activity for 2012 and 2011 is provided in the segment information tables in Note 33.

A 0.5-point decrease in projected average annual growth in cash flows to perpetuity for all the CGUs would lead to approximately €30 million in additional write-downs of intangible assets, while a 0.5-point increase in the discount rate applied to all the CGUs would result in additional write-downs of less than €100 million.

Impairment losses on goodwill can never be reversed through income. For property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets, an impairment loss recognized in a prior period may be reversed if there is an indication that the impairment no longer exists and that the recoverable amount of the asset concerned exceeds its carrying amount.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The cost of inventories includes the costs of purchase, costs of conversion, and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. It is generally determined using the weighted-average cost method, and in some cases the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) method. Cost of inventories may also include the transfer from equity of any gains/losses on qualifying cash flow hedges of foreign currency purchases of raw materials. Net realizable value is the selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs to completion and costs to sell. No account is taken in the inventory valuation process of the impact of below-normal capacity utilization rates.

Operating receivables and payables

Operating receivables and payables are stated at nominal value as they generally have maturities of less than three months. Provisions for impairment are established to cover the risk of total or partial non-recovery.

The Group considers that its exposure to concentrations of credit risk is limited due to its diversified business line-up, broad customer base and global presence. Past-due trade receivables are regularly monitored and analyzed, and provisions are set aside when appropriate.

Trade and other accounts receivable are mainly due within one year, with the result that their carrying amount approximates fair value.

For trade receivables transferred under securitization programs, the contracts concerned are analyzed and if substantially all the risks associated with the receivables are not transferred to the financing institutions, they remain on the balance sheet and a corresponding liability is recognized in short-term debt.

Net debt

Long-term debt

Long-term debt includes bonds, Medium Term Notes, perpetual bonds, participating securities and all other types of long-term financial liabilities including lease liabilities and the fair value of derivatives qualifying as interest rate hedges.

Under IAS 32, the distinction between financial liabilities and equity is based on the substance of the contracts concerned rather than their legal form. As a result, participating securities are classified as debt. At the balance sheet date, long-term debt is measured at amortized cost. Premiums and issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method.

Short-term debt

Short-term debt includes the current portion of the long-term debt described above, short-term financing programs such as commercial paper or "billets de trésorerie" (French commercial paper), bank overdrafts and other short-term bank borrowings, as well as the fair value of credit derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting. At the balance sheet date, short-term debt is measured at amortized cost, with the exception of derivatives that are held as hedges of debt. Premiums and issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents mainly consist of cash on hand, bank accounts and marketable securities that are short-term (i.e. generally with maturities of less than three months), highly liquid investments readily convertible into known amounts of cash and subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Marketable securities are measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Further details about long- and short-term debt are provided in Note 20.

Foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity derivatives (swaps, options, futures)

The Group uses interest rate, foreign exchange and commodity derivatives to hedge its exposure to changes in interest rates, exchange rates and commodity prices that may arise in the normal course of business.

In accordance with IAS 32 and IAS 39, all of these instruments are recognized in the balance sheet and measured at fair value, irrespective of whether or not they are part of a hedging relationship that qualifies for hedge accounting under IAS 39.

Changes in fair value of both derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges and derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are taken to the income statement (in business income for foreign exchange and commodity derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting, and in net financial expense for all other derivatives). However, in the case of derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss arising from changes in fair value is recognized directly in equity, and only the ineffective portion is recognized in the income statement.

Fair value hedges

Most interest rate derivatives used by the Group to swap fixed rates for variable rates are designated and qualify as fair value hedges. These derivatives hedge fixed-rate debts exposed to a fair value risk.

In accordance with hedge accounting principles, debt included in a designated fair value hedging relationship is remeasured at fair value. As the effective portion of the gain or loss on the fair value hedge offsets the loss or gain on the underlying hedged item, the income statement is only impacted by the ineffective portion of the hedge.

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedge accounting is applied by the Group mainly for derivatives used to fix the cost of future investments in financial assets or property, plant and equipment, future purchases of gas and fuel oil (fixed-forvariable price swaps) and future purchases of foreign currencies (forward contracts). The transactions hedged by these instruments are qualified as highly probable. The application of cash flow hedge accounting allows the Group to defer the impact on the income statement of the effective portion of changes in the fair value of these instruments by recording them in a special hedging reserve in equity. The reserve is reclassified into the income statement when the hedged transaction occurs and the hedged item affects income. In the same way as for fair value hedges, cash flow hedging limits the Group's exposure to changes in the fair value of these price swaps to the ineffective portion of the hedge.

Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized in the income statement. The instruments concerned mainly include cross-currency swaps; gas, currency and interest rate options; currency swaps; and futures and forward contracts.

Fair value of financial instruments

The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities quoted in an active market corresponds to their quoted price, classified as level 1 in the fair value hierarchy defined in IFRS 7. The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities not quoted in an active market is established by a recognized valuation technique such as reference to the fair value of another recent and similar transaction, or discounted cash flow analysis based on observable market data, classified as level 2 in the IFRS 7 fair value hierarchy.

The fair value of short-term financial assets and liabilities is considered as being the same as their carrying amount due to their short maturities.

Employee benefits – defined benefit plans

After retirement, the Group's former employees are eligible for pension benefits in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations in the respective countries in which the Group operates. There are also additional pension obligations in certain Group companies, both in France and in other countries.

In France, employees receive length-of-service awards on retirement based on years of service and the calculation methods prescribed in the applicable collective bargaining agreements.

The Group's obligation for the payment of pensions and length-of-service awards is determined at the balance sheet date by independent actuaries, using a method that takes into account projected final salaries at retirement and economic conditions in each country. These obligations may be financed by pension funds, with a provision recognized in the balance sheet for the unfunded portion.

The effect of any plan amendments (past service cost) is recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting period, or immediately if the benefits are already vested.

Actuarial gains or losses reflect year-on-year changes in the actuarial assumptions used to measure the Group's obligations and plan assets, experience adjustments (differences between the actuarial assumptions and what has actually occurred), and changes in legislation. They are recognized in equity as they occur.

In the United States, Spain and Germany, retired employees receive benefits other than pensions, mainly concerning healthcare. The Group's obligation under these plans is determined using an actuarial method and is covered by a provision recorded in the balance sheet.

Provisions are also set aside on an actuarial basis for other employee benefits, such as jubilees or other longservice awards, deferred compensation, specific welfare benefits, and termination benefits in various countries. Any actuarial gains and losses relating to these benefits are recognized immediately.

The Group has elected to recognize the interest costs for these obligations and the expected return on plan assets as financial expense or income.

Employee benefits – defined contribution plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are expensed as incurred.

Employee benefits – share-based payments

Stock-option plans

The cost of stock option plans is calculated using the Black & Scholes option pricing model, based on the following parameters:

  • volatility assumptions that take into account the historical volatility of the share price over a rolling 10 year period, as well as implied volatility from traded share options. Periods of extreme share price volatility are disregarded;
  • assumptions relating to the average holding period of options, based on observed behavior of option holders;
  • expected dividends, as estimated on the basis of historical information dating back to 1988;
  • a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the yield on long-term government bonds;
  • the effect of any stock market performance conditions, which is taken into account in the initial measurement of the plan cost under IFRS 2.

The cost calculated using this method is recognized in the income statement over the vesting period of the options, ranging from three to four years.

For options exercised for new shares, the sum received by the Company when the options are exercised is recorded in "Capital stock" for the portion representing the par value of the shares, with the balance – net of directly attributable transaction costs – recorded under "Additional paid-in capital".

Group Savings Plan ("PEG")

The method used by Saint-Gobain to calculate the costs of its Group Savings Plan takes into account the fact that shares granted to employees under the plan are subject to a 5- or 10-year lock-up. The lock-up cost is measured and deducted from the 20% discount granted by the Group on employee share awards. The calculation parameters are defined as follows:

  • The exercise price, as set by the Board of Directors, corresponds to the average of the opening share prices quoted over the 20 trading days preceding the date of grant, less a 20% discount.
  • The grant date of the options is the date on which the plan is announced to employees. For the Saint-Gobain Group, this is the date when the plan's terms and conditions are announced on the Group's intranet.
  • The interest rate used to estimate the cost of the lock-up feature of employee share awards is the rate that would be charged by a bank to an individual with an average risk profile for a general purpose 5- or 10-year consumer loan repayable at maturity.

Leveraged plan costs are calculated under IFRS 2 in the same way as for non-leveraged plans, but also take into account the advantage accruing to employees who have access to share prices with a volatility profile adapted to institutional investors.

The cost of the plans is recognized in full at the end of the subscription period.

Performance share and performance unit grants

The Group set up a worldwide share grant plan in 2009 whereby each Group employee was awarded seven shares, while since 2009, performance share plans have been established for certain categories of employees. These plans are subject to eligibility criteria based on the grantee's period of service with the Group. The plan costs calculated under IFRS 2 take into account the eligibility criteria, the performance criteria – which are described in Note 14 – and the lock-up feature. They are determined after deducting the present value of forfeited dividends on the performance shares and are recognized over the vesting period, which ranges from two to four years depending on the country.

Since 2012, performance unit plans have been set up for certain employees in France. These plans are also subject to eligibility criteria based on the grantee's period of service with the Group and to certain performance criteria. The costs calculated under IFRS 2 therefore take into account these factors, as well as the fact that the units are cash-settled. IFRS 2 stipulates that for cash-settled share-based payment transactions, the granted instruments are initially measured at fair value at the grant date, then remeasured at each period end, with the cost adjusted accordingly pro rata to the rights that have vested at the period-end. The cost is recognized over the vesting period of the rights.

Equity

Additional paid-in capital and legal reserve

This item includes capital contributions in excess of the par value of capital stock as well as the legal reserve, which corresponds to a cumulative portion of the net income of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

Retained earnings and net income for the year

Retained earnings and net income for the year correspond to the Group's share in the undistributed earnings of all consolidated companies.

Treasury stock

Treasury stock is measured at cost and recorded as a deduction from equity. Gains and losses on disposals of treasury stock are recognized directly in equity and have no impact on net income for the period.

Forward purchases of treasury stock are treated in the same way.When a fixed number of shares is purchased forward at a fixed price, this amount is recorded in "Other liabilities" and as a deduction from equity under "Retained earnings and net income for the year".

Other current and non-current liabilities and provisions

Provisions for other liabilities and charges

A provision is booked when (i) the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation towards a third party as a result of a past event, (ii) it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and (iii) the amount of the obligation can be estimated reliably.

If the timing or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured reliably, it is classified as a contingent liability and reported as an off-balance sheet commitment.

Provisions for other material liabilities and charges whose timing can be estimated reliably are discounted to present value.

Investment-related liabilities

Investment-related liabilities correspond to put options granted to minority shareholders of subsidiaries and liabilities relating to the acquisition of shares in Group companies, including additional purchase consideration. They are reviewed on a periodic basis and any subsequent changes in the fair value of minority shareholder puts are recognized by adjusting equity.

INCOME STATEMENT ITEMS

Revenue recognition

Revenue generated by the sale of goods or services is recognized net of rebates, discounts and sales taxes (i) when the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the customer, or (ii) when the service has been rendered, or (iii) by reference to the stage of completion of the services to be provided.

Construction contracts are accounted for using the percentage of completion method, as explained below. When the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, contract revenue and costs are recognized as revenue and expenses, respectively, by reference to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the balance sheet date. When the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognized only to the extent of contract costs incurred that it is probable will be recovered. When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognized as an expense immediately.

Construction contract revenues are not material in relation to total consolidated net sales.

Operating income

Operating income is a measure of the performance of the Group's business sectors and has been used by the Group as its key external and internal management indicator for many years. Foreign exchange gains and losses are included in operating income, as are changes in the fair value of financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting when they relate to operating items.

Other business income and expense

Other business income and expense mainly include movements in provisions for claims and litigation and environmental provisions, gains and losses on disposals of assets, impairment losses, restructuring costs

incurred upon the disposal or discontinuation of operations and the costs of workforce reduction measures.

Business income

Business income includes all income and expenses other than borrowing costs and other financial income and expense, the Group's share in net income of associates, and income taxes.

Net financial expense

Net financial expense includes borrowing and other financing costs, income from cash and cash equivalents, interest cost for pension and other post-employment benefit plans, net of the return on plan assets, and other financial income and expense such as exchange gains and losses and bank charges.

Income taxes

Current income tax is the estimated amount of tax payable in respect of income for a given period, calculated by reference to the tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, plus any adjustments to current taxes recorded in previous financial periods.

Deferred taxes are recorded using the balance sheet liability method for temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability settled, based on the tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax assets are recognized only if it is considered probable that there will be sufficient future taxable income against which the temporary difference can be utilized. They are reviewed at each balance sheet date and written down to the extent that it is no longer probable that there will be sufficient taxable income against which the temporary difference can be utilized. In determining whether to recognize deferred tax assets for tax loss carryforwards, the Group applies a range of criteria that take into account the probable recovery period based on business plan projections and the strategy for the long-term recovery of tax losses applied in each country.

No deferred tax liability is recognized in respect of undistributed earnings of subsidiaries that are not intended to be distributed.

In accordance with former interpretation SIC 21, a deferred tax liability is recognized for brands acquired in a business combination.

Deferred taxes are recognized as income or expense in the income statement, except when they relate to items that are recognized directly in equity, in which case the deferred tax is also recognized in equity.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period, excluding treasury stock.

Diluted earnings per share are calculated by adjusting earnings per share (see Note 26) and the average number of shares in issue for the effects of all dilutive potential common shares, such as stock options and convertible bonds. The calculation is performed using the treasury stock method, which assumes that the proceeds from the exercise of dilutive instruments are assigned on a priority basis to the purchase of common shares in the market.

Recurring net income

Recurring net income corresponds to income after tax and minority interests but before capital gains or losses, asset impairment losses, material non-recurring provisions and the related tax and minority interests.

The method used for calculating recurring net income is explained in Note 25.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

EBITDA

EBITDA corresponds to operating income before depreciation and amortization.

The method used for calculating EBITDA is explained in Note 25.

Return on capital employed

Return on capital employed (ROCE) corresponds to annualized operating income adjusted for changes in the scope of consolidation, expressed as a percentage of total assets at the period-end. Total assets include net property, plant and equipment, working capital, net goodwill and other intangible assets, but exclude deferred tax assets arising from non-amortizable brands and land.

Cash flow from operations

Cash flow from operations corresponds to net cash generated from operating activities before the impact of changes in working capital requirement, changes in current taxes and movements in provisions for other liabilities and charges and deferred taxes. Cash flow from operations is adjusted for the effect of material non-recurring provision charges.

The method used for calculating cash flow from operations is explained in Note 25.

Cash flow from operations before tax on capital gains and losses and non-recurring provisions

This item corresponds to cash flow from operations less the tax effect of asset disposals and of non-recurring provision charges and reversals.

The method used for calculating cash flow from operations before tax on capital gains and losses and non-recurring provisions is explained in Note 25.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

In compliance with IFRS 8, segment information reflects the Group's internal presentation of operating results to senior management. The Group has chosen to present segment information by Sector and Activity, without any further aggregation compared with the internal presentation. There were no changes in the presentation of segment information in 2012 compared with prior years.

NOTE 2 - CHANGES IN GROUP STRUCTURE

Changes in the number of consolidated companies

France Outside
France
Total
Fully consolidated companies
At January 1, 2012 173 768 941
Newly consolidated companies 2 18 20
Merged companies (7) (66) (73)
Deconsolidated companies (1) (1)
Change in consolidation method (1) (1) (2)
At December 31, 2012 166 719 885
Proportionately consolidated companies
At January 1, 2012 2 27 29
Newly consolidated companies 0
Deconsolidated companies (1) (1)
Change in consolidation method 1 (3) (2)
At December 31, 2012 3 23 26
Companies accounted for by the equity method
At January 1, 2012 6 71 77
Newly consolidated companies 3 3
Merged companies 0
Deconsolidated companies (2) (2)
Change in consolidation method 4 4
At December 31, 2012 4 78 82
TOTAL at January 1, 2012 181 866 1,047
TOTAL at December 31, 2012 173 820 993

Significant changes in Group structure

2012

On January 17, 2013, after consulting the Works Council which expressed its support for the plan, Saint-Gobain accepted an offer received from Ardagh to acquire Verallia North America. Consequently, Verallia North America's assets and liabilities were reclassified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012. Details of assets and liabilities held for sale are presented in Note 3.

On June 8, 2012, Saint-Gobain signed an agreement for the acquisition of the Celotex Group, one of the UK's leading manufacturers of high-performance insulating foam. The transaction was completed in the second half of the year and Celotex was consolidated from September 1, 2012.

On March 30, 2012, Saint-Gobain completed the acquisition of Brossette from Wolseley, after the transaction was approved by France's competition authorities on March 23. Brossette is a distributor of plumbing-heatingsanitaryware products in France. It has been consolidated as from April 1, 2012.

2011

On November 30, 2011, the Group's Abrasives Activity expanded its presence in South America by acquiring Abrasivos Argentinos S.A. and Dancan S.A. and their subsidiaries. The two groups are specialized in the production of coated abrasives and masking tapes. They have been consolidated as from December 1, 2011.

On August 11, 2011, the Group signed an agreement with Belgian group Bekaert for the acquisition of 100% of its Specialty Films subsidiaries. This business, operating under the name Solar Gard, is specialized in the development, manufacturing and distribution of coated films used in the habitat market, the automotive market and various industrial applications. The Solar Gard subsidiaries have been consolidated as from November 1, 2011.

On July 25, 2011, the Group signed an agreement with UK building materials distributor Wolseley for the acquisition of its British Build Center network. This business has been consolidated as from November 1, 2011.

On May 31, 2011, Saint-Gobain announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire Sezal Glass Limited's float glass business in India. This business has been consolidated as from June 30, 2011.

In first-half 2011, Saint-Gobain signed an agreement for the buy-out of Alver by the Group's Packaging Sector (Verallia). A former State-owned company, Alver is one of Algeria's leading glass packaging manufacturers and distributors. It has been consolidated as from the second half of 2011.

On June 20, 2011, Saint-Gobain announced the postponement of the initial public offering of a minority interest in Verallia due to very adverse market conditions.

Impact on the consolidated balance sheet

The impact on the balance sheet at December 31, 2012 of changes in Group structure and in consolidation methods was as follows:

(in EUR millions) Companies
consolidated for
the first time
Companies
removed from
the scope of
consolidation
Total
Impact on assets
Non-current assets 343 (45) 298
Inventories 147 (22) 125
Trade accounts receivable 131 (15) 116
Other current assets excluding cash and cash equivalents 37 (3) 34
658 (85) 573
Impact on equity and liabilities
Shareholders' equity and minority interests 25 44 69
Provisions for pensions and other employee benefits 18 (1) 17
Non-current liabilities 20 (1) 19
Trade accounts payable 131 (8) 123
Other payables and accrued expenses 76 (5) 71
270 29 299
Enterprise value of consolidated companies
acquired/divested (a) 388 (114) 274
Impact on consolidated net debt*
Impact on cash and cash equivalents (15) 0 (15)
Impact on net debt excluding cash and cash equivalents (b) 65 (33) 32
50 (33) 17
Acquisitions/disposals of shares in consolidated companies
net of cash acquired/divested (a) - (b) 323 (81) 242

* Corresponding to the debt, short-term credit facilities and cash and cash equivalents of acquired/divested companies.

NOTE 3 – ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE

On January 14, 2013, Saint-Gobain entered into exclusive negotiations with the Ardagh Group concerning the latter's offer to acquire Verallia North America. The binding and irrevocable offer is not conditional upon financing being arranged. The balance sheet accounts of Verallia North America at December 31, 2012 have therefore been combined and reported in the consolidated balance sheet, under "Assets held for sale" and "Liabilities held for sale", except for debt towards other Group companies and equity.

In accordance with IAS 12, a deferred tax asset relating to the cumulative reserves carried in respect of Verallia North America was recognized in 2012 for an amount of €20 million.

Assets and liabilities held for sale

Dec. 31, 2012
(in EUR millions)
Goodwill and other intangible assets 195
Property, plant and equipment, net 449
Other non-current assets 12
Inventories, trade accounts receivable and other accounts receivable 279
Cash and cash equivalents 1
Total assets held to sale 936
Provisions for pensions and other employee benefits 348
Deferred tax liabilities and other non-current liabilities 6
Trade accounts payable, other payables and accrued expenses, and other current
liabilities
143
Short term debt and bank overdrafts 0
Total liabilities held for sale 497

Commitments

Verallia North America's off-balance sheet commitments have been excluded from the Group's off-balance sheet commitments at December 31, 2012. They concern future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating leases and other commitments for approximately €50 million (Note 27).

Employees

The average number of employees of Verallia North America (4,416 in 2012) is included in the average number of Group employees for the year (Note 32).

NOTE 4 – GOODWILL

2012 2011
(in EUR millions)
At January 1
Gross value 11,903 11,560
Accumulated impairment (862) (530)
Net 11,041 11,030
Movements during the year
Changes in Group structure 143 248
Reclassification to assets held for sale (191) 0
Impairment (67) (309)
Translation adjustments 10 72
Total (105) 11
At December 31
Gross value 11,765 11,903
Accumulated impairment (829) (862)
Net 10,936 11,041

In 2012, movements in goodwill mainly arose from changes in the scope of consolidation, with the acquisition of Celotex by the Construction Products Sector and Brossette by the Building Distribution Sector, and the reclassification as "Assets held for sale" of the remaining Verallia North America goodwill (Note 3).

In 2011, movements in goodwill mainly corresponded to (i) changes in the scope of consolidation, with the acquisition of Solar Gard by the Innovative Materials Sector and Build Center by the Building Distribution Sector, and (ii) the write-down of Gypsum assets in North America and of Building Distribution goodwill.

NOTE 5 – OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Patents Non Software Develop Other Total
(in EUR millions) amortizable
brands
ment costs
At January 1, 2011
Gross value 124 2,747 798 60 301 4,030
Accumulated amortization and impairment (104) (642) (42) (175) (963)
Net 20 2,747 156 18 126 3,067
Movements during the year
Changes in Group structure and reclassifications 13 10 24 47
Acquisitions 3 59 19 11 92
Disposals (1) (1)
Translation adjustments 31 (1) 1 31
Amortization and impairment (3) (70) (6) (9) (88)
Total movements 13 31 (3) 14 26 81
At December 31, 2011
Gross value 141 2,778 834 80 334 4,167
Accumulated amortization and impairment (108) (681) (48) (182) (1,019)
Net 33 2,778 153 32 152 3,148
Movements during the year
Changes in Group structure and reclassifications (4) (1) 11 2 11 19
Reclassification to assets held for sale (4) (4)
Acquisitions 3 62 36 9 110
Disposals (2) (2) (4)
Translation adjustments 29 (1) (2) 26
Amortization and impairment (4) (64) (17) (14) (99)
Total movements (5) 28 2 21 2 48
At December 31, 2012
Gross value 140 2,806 870 118 342 4,276
Accumulated amortization and impairment (112) (715) (65) (188) (1,080)
Net 28 2,806 155 53 154 3,196

The "Other" column includes amortizable manufacturing brands totaling €54 million at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €45 million).

NOTE 6 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Land and
quarries
Buildings Machinery
and
equipment
Assets
under
construc
Total
(in EUR millions) tion
At January 1, 2011
Gross value 2,397 8,338 21,047 1,042 32,824
Accumulated depreciation and impairment (394) (4,333) (14,327) (43) (19,097)
Net 2,003 4,005 6,720 999 13,727
Movements during the year
Changes in Group structure and reclassifications 22 126 94 (4) 238
Acquisitions 73 100 333 1,448 1,954
Disposals (31) (29) (38) (4) (102)
Translation adjustments 8 (33) (59) (13) (97)
Depreciation and impairment (33) (296) (1,161) (5) (1,495)
Transfers 132 812 (944) 0
Total movements 39 0 (19) 478 498
At December 31, 2011
Gross value 2,462 8,529 21,660 1,518 34,169
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
Net
(420)
2,042
(4,524)
4,005
(14,959)
6,701
(41)
1,477
(19,944)
14,225
Movements during the year
Changes in Group structure and reclassifications 29 45 (3) 44 115
Reclassification to assets held for sale (10) (66) (338) (35) (449)
Acquisitions 65 97 432 1,197 1,791
Disposals (14) (17) (32) (7) (70)
Translation adjustments (13) (2) (48) (31) (94)
Depreciation and impairment (43) (311) (1,407) (61) (1,822)
Transfers 239 948 (1,187) 0
Total movements 14 (15) (448) (80) (529)
At December 31, 2012
Gross value 2,512 8,697 21,377 1,500 34,086
Accumulated depreciation and impairment (456) (4,707) (15,124) (103) (20,390)
Net 2,056 3,990 6,253 1,397 13,696

Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment during 2012 included assets acquired under finance leases for an amount of €18 million (2011: €18 million). These finance leases are not included in the cash flow statement, in accordance with IAS 7. At December 31, 2012, total property, plant and equipment acquired under finance leases amounted to €109 million (December 31, 2011: €119 million) (see Note 27).

NOTE 7 – INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

2012 2011
(in EUR millions)
At January 1
Equity in associates 129 120
Goodwill 38 17
Investments in associates 167 137
Movements during the year
Changes in Group structure 31 31
Translation adjustments 2 (3)
Transfers, share issues and other movements 0 0
Dividends paid (6) (6)
Share in net income of associates 12 8
Total movements 39 30
At December 31
Equity in associates 157 129
Goodwill 49 38
Investments in associates 206 167

Investments in associates include shares in Compania Industrial El Volcan, which is listed on the Santiago de Chile stock exchange. At December 31, 2012, the market value of the shares was higher than the carrying amount of the Group's equity in the company's net assets.

Annual net sales recorded in the individual financial statements of associates totaled €984 million in 2012 (2011: €858 million) and their aggregate net income totaled €32 million (2011: €27 million). At December 31, 2012, total assets and liabilities of these companies amounted to €1,082 million and €535 million, respectively (December 31, 2011: €941 million and €489 million).

NOTE 8 – OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Available-for
sale and other
securities
Capitalized
loans and
deposits
Pension plan
surpluses
Total
(in EUR millions)
At January 1, 2011
Gross value 43 218 37 298
Provisions for impairment in value (18) (8) (26)
Net 25 210 37 272
Movements during the year
Changes in Group structure 8 (1) 7
Increases/(decreases) (4) 70 14 80
Movements in provisions for impairment in value (1) (1) (2)
Translation adjustments (8) 1 (7)
Transfers and other movements 1 (4) (3)
Total movements 4 56 15 75
At December 31, 2011
Gross value 48 273 52 373
Provisions for impairment in value (19) (7) (26)
Net 29 266 52 347
Movements during the year
Changes in Group structure 1 1 2
Increases/(decreases) 14 27 4 45
Movements in provisions for impairment in value 1 1
Translation adjustments (3) 1 (2)
Transfers and other movements (3) (31) (34)
Total movements 12 (5) 5 12
At December 31, 2012
Gross value 59 266 57 382
Provisions for impairment in value (18) (5) (23)
Net 41 261 57 359

The change in impairment provisions on other non-current assets in 2012 reflects €1 million in additions (2011: €3 million) and €2 million in reversals (2011: €1 million).

Verallia North America assets classified as held for sale amounted to €12 million and are included in the above table under "Transfers and other movements".

As discussed in Note 1, available-for-sale and other securities are measured at fair value.

NOTE 9 – INVENTORIES

December 31, December 31,
(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Gross value
Raw materials 1,463 1,634
Work in progress 249 279
Finished goods 4,910 5,027
Gross inventories 6,622 6,940
Provisions for impairment in value
Raw materials (134) (132)
Work in progress (10) (8)
Finished goods (345) (323)
Provisions for impairment in value (489) (463)
Net 6,133 6,477

In 2012, cost of sales came to €33,046 million (2011: €31,763 million).

Impairment losses on inventories recorded in the 2012 income statement totaled €174 million (2011: €138 million). Impairment reversals, due to increases in the net realizable value of inventories, amounted to €130 million in 2012 (2011: €111 million) and were recorded as a deduction from impairment losses for the year.

December 31, December 31,
(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Gross value 5,512 5,821
Provisions for impairment in value (495) (480)
Trade accounts receivable 5,017 5,341
Advances to suppliers 621 550
Prepaid payroll taxes 20 25
Other prepaid and recoverable taxes (other
than income tax)
351 380
Other 438 456
Less:
France 94 100
Other Western European countries 165 168
North America 22 19
Emerging countries and Asia 157 169
Provisions for impairment in value (5) (3)
Other receivables 1,425 1,408

NOTE 10 – TRADE AND OTHER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

The change in impairment provisions for trade accounts receivable in 2012 reflects €107 million in additions (2011: €87 million) and €98 million in reversals (2011: €101 million) – resulting from recoveries as well as write-offs. Bad debt write-offs are also reported under this caption, for €71 million (2011: €94 million).

Net past-due trade receivables amounted to €874 milion at December 31, 2012, after deducting provisions of €436 million (December 31, 2011: €843 million, after deducting provisions of €411 million), including €206 million over three months past due (December 31, 2011: €198 million).

NOTE 11 – EQUITY

Number of shares outstanding

At December 31, 2012, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain's capital stock comprised 531,125,642 shares of common stock with a par value of €4 each, all in the same class (December 31, 2011: 535,563,723 shares).

During 2012, 4,387,680 new shares were issued to members of the 2012 Group Savings Plan at a price of €28.59, representing total proceeds of €125 million.

At the Annual General Meeting of June 9, 2011, shareholders authorized the Board of Directors of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain to:

• Issue, on one or several occasions, up to 106,250,000 new shares with pre-emptive subscription rights for existing shareholders and debt securities without pre-emptive rights but with a priority subscription right (10th to 14th resolutions/26-month authorization commencing June 9, 2011);

• Issue, on one or several occasions, up to 13,270,000 new shares to members of the Group Savings Plan (15th resolution/26-month authorization commencing June 9, 2011). The authorization was used to grant 4,387,680 shares under the 2012 Group Savings Plan.

At the Annual General Meeting of June 7, 2012, shareholders authorized the Board of Directors of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain to:

  • Grant performance stock-options exercisable for shares representing up to 1% of capital stock on the Meeting date, i.e. 5,310,526 options exercisable for the same number of shares (14th resolution/26-month authorization commencing June 7, 2012);
  • Make performance share grants representing up to 0.8% of the capital stock on the Meeting date, i.e. grants of 4,248,420 shares (15th resolution/26-month authorization commencing June 7, 2012). If this authorization were to be used, the performance shares would be deducted from the shares available for the stock-option plan authorized in the 14th resolution.

The Board of Directors used this authorization on November 22, 2012 to grant 542,370 performance shares and 253,000 performance stock-options.

If all outstanding stock-options were to be exercised, with the issue of new shares, this would potentially have the effect of increasing the number of shares outstanding to 557,630,521. In addition, if the authorizations described above were to be used in full, this would potentially have the effect of increasing the number of shares outstanding to 677,277,997.

At the Annual General Meeting of June 7, 2012, the Board of Directors was also authorized to issue stock warrants in the event of a public tender offer for the Company's shares, in accordance with the French Act of March 31, 2006 on takeover bids (16th resolution). Under this authorization, the Group may issue up to €536 million worth of stock (excluding premiums), representing 134,100,000 shares.

Treasury stock

Saint-Gobain shares held or controlled by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and Saint-Gobain Corporation are shown as a deduction from shareholders' equity under "Treasury stock" at historical cost. At December 31, 2012, 4,691,065 shares were held in treasury (December 31, 2011: 9,358,027). In 2012, 8,727,221 shares were bought back on the market (2011: 10,180,347) and 3,854,183 shares were sold (2011: 5,936,217). In 2012, 9,540,000 shares were cancelled.

The liquidity contract set up with Exane BNP Paribas on November 16, 2007 was rolled over in 2012 and 2011. In addition, for the purposes of a compensation plan set up in January 2008 for certain employees in the United States, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain shares are held by a trust administered by Wachovia Bank, National Association. These shares are treated as being controlled by Saint-Gobain Corporation in the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 12 – STOCK-OPTION PLANS

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has stock-option plans available to certain employees.

Stock options are exercisable for Saint-Gobain shares at a price based on the average share price for the 20 trading days preceding the grant date. Since 1999, no stock-options have been granted at a discount to the average price.

Since the November 2007 plan, all stock-options are subject to a 4-year vesting period. Under earlier plans, the vesting period was three years for non-residents and four years for tax residents. Options must be exercised within 10 years of the date of grant. All rights to options are forfeited if the holder leaves the Group, unless expressly agreed otherwise by both the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and the Appointments Committee of the Board of Directors.

The options granted between 1999 and 2002 were exercisable for existing shares, while those granted between 2003 and 2007 were exercisable for new shares. For plans launched between 2008 and 2011, the origin of the shares is determined at the latest at the end of the vesting period, with any options exercised before said decision is made being exercised for new shares. The options granted in 2012 are exercisable for new shares.

Until 2008, options were subject to a performance condition for certain categories of grantees only. Since 2009, the plans are subject to a performance condition for all grantees.

For options granted under the 2012 plan, the value used to calculate the 30% contribution sociale tax due by grantees employed by French companies in the Group is €3.49 per option.

Movements relating to stock-options outstanding in 2011 and 2012 are summarized below:

EUR 4 par
value shares
Average
exercise price
(in EUR )
Options outstanding at December 31, 2010 28,748,648 41.27
Options granted 482,150 31.22
Options exercised (724,853) 33.84
Options forfeited (2,706,502) 38.97
Options outstanding at December 31, 2011 25,799,443 41.54
Options granted 253,000 27.71
Options exercised (815,091) 21.68
Options forfeited* (855,949) 30.13

Options outstanding at December 31, 2012 24,381,403 42.46 * Including 362,795 options under the 2002 plan which expired on November 20, 2012 and 493,154 options under the 2009 plan that were cancelled due to the performance targets being only partly met.

Stock-option expense recorded in the income statement amounted to €2 million in 2012 (2011: €14 million). The fair value of options granted in 2012 amounted to €1 million.

The table below summarizes information about stock-options outstanding at December 31, 2012, after taking into account the partial fulfillment of the performance criteria attached to certain plans:

Options exercisable Options not exercisable Total options
outstanding
Grant date Exercise price Number of Weighted average Exercise price Number of Number of Type of options
(in EUR ) options contractual life (in EUR ) options options
(in months)
2003 32.26 2,719,371 11 2,719,371 subscription
2004 39.39 3,955,094 23 3,955,094 Subscription
2005 41.34 4,051,181 35 4,051,181 Subscription
2006 52.52 4,306,454 47 4,306,454 Subscription
2007 64.72 3,403,171 59 3,403,171 Subscription
2008 25.88 3,080,346 71 3,080,346 Subscription
2009 83 36.34 985,906 985,906 Subscription or Purchase
2010 95 35.19 1,144,730 1,144,730 Subscription or Purchase
2011 107 31.22 482,150 482,150 Subscription or Purchase
2012 119 27.71 253,000 253,000 Subscription
Total 21,515,617 2,865,786 24,381,403

At December 31, 2012, 21,515,617 stock-options were exercisable (at an average price of €43.56) and 2,865,786 options (average price €34.26) had not yet vested.

NOTE 13 – GROUP SAVINGS PLAN ("PEG")

The PEG Group Savings Plan is an employee stock purchase plan open to all Group employees in France and in most other countries where the Group does business. Eligible employees must have completed a minimum of three months' service with the Group. The purchase price of the shares, as set by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the Board of Directors, corresponds to the average of the opening share prices quoted over the 20 trading days preceding the pricing date.

In 2012, the Group issued 4,387,680 shares with a par value of €4 (2011: 4,497,772 shares) to members of the PEG, for a total of €125 million (2011: €150 million).

In some years, as well as the standard plans, leveraged plans are offered to employees in countries where this is allowed under local law and tax rules.

Standard plans

Under the standard plans, eligible employees are offered the opportunity to invest in Saint-Gobain stock at a 20% discount. The stock is subject to a five or 10-year lock-up, except following the occurrence of certain events. The compensation cost recorded in accordance with IFRS 2 is measured by reference to the fair value of a discount offered on restricted stock (i.e. stock subject to a lock-up). The cost of the lock-up for the employee is defined as the cost of a two-step strategy that involves first selling the restricted stock forward five or 10 years and then purchasing the same number of shares on the spot market and financing the purchase with debt. The borrowing cost is estimated at the rate that would be charged by a bank to an individual with an average risk profile for a general purpose 5- or 10-year consumer loan repayable at maturity (see Note 1 for details of the calculation).

The standard plan cost recorded in the income statement amounted to €0 in 2012 (2011: €6.7 million), net of the lock-up cost for employees of €18.7 million (2011: €20.6 million).

The following table shows the main features of the standard plans, the amounts invested in the plans and the valuation assumptions applied in 2012 and in 2011:

2012 2011
Plan characteristics
Grant date 26 March 28 March
Plan duration (in years) 5 or 10 5 or 10
Benchmark price (in EUR ) 35.73 41.77
Purchase price (in EUR ) 28.59 33.42
Discount (in %) 20.00% 20.00%
(a) Total discount on the grant date (in %) 17.60% 22.50%
Employee investments (in EUR millions) 125.4 150.3
Total number of shares purchased 4,387,680 4,497,772
Valuation assumptions
Interest rate paid by employees* 6.35% 6.50%
5-year risk-free interest rate 1.75% 2.86%
Repo rate 0.40% 0.40%
(b) Lock-up discount (in %) 20.18% 16.97%
Total cost to the Group (in %) (a-b) -2.58% 5.53%

* A 0.5-point decline in borrowing costs for the employee would have no impact on the 2012 cost as calculated in accordance with IFRS 2.

Leveraged plans

No leveraged plans were set up in 2012 or in 2011.

NOTE 14 – PERFORMANCE SHARE AND PERFORMANCE UNIT PLANS

Various performance share plans have been set up by Saint-Gobain since 2009 and one performance unit plan was set up in 2012. As of December 31, 2012, five performance share plans and one performance unit plan were outstanding:

  • A worldwide plan authorized by Saint-Gobain's Board of Directors on November 19, 2009 whereby eligible employees and officers of the Group in France and abroad were each awarded seven performance shares. The shares were subject to a performance condition, which was met, and would have been forfeited if the grantee had left the Group before the end of the vesting period. In all, 1,359,960 performance shares vested under the plan, as follows:
  • For eligible Group employees in France, Spain and Italy, the vesting period ended on March 29, 2012 and the shares were delivered on March 30, 2012. The vesting period has been followed by a 2-year lock-up, such that the shares may not be sold until March 31, 2014 except in the case of the grantee's death or disability;
  • For eligible Group employees in all other countries, the vesting period will end on March 30, 2014 and the shares will be delivered on March 31, 2014. No lock-up period will apply.

  • A performance share plan for eligible employees and officers of the Group in France and abroad authorized by the Board of Directors on November 19, 2009. The shares were subject to a performance condition, which was met, and would have been forfeited if the grantee had left the Group before the end of the vesting period. In all, 622,790 performance shares were awarded, as follows:

  • For eligible Group employees in France, the vesting period ended on March 29, 2012 and the shares were delivered on March 30, 2012. The vesting period has been followed by a 2-year lock-up, such that the shares may not be sold until March 31, 2014 except in the case of the grantee's death or disability;
  • For eligible Group employees in all other countries, the vesting period will end on March 30, 2014 and the shares will be delivered on March 31, 2014. No lock-up period will apply.
  • A performance share plan for eligible employees and officers of the Group in France and abroad authorized by the Board of Directors on November 18, 2010. The shares are subject to a performance condition and will be forfeited if the grantee leaves the Group before the end of the vesting period. In all, an estimated 737,550 performance shares may vest under the plan, as follows:
  • For eligible Group employees in France, the vesting period will end on March 29, 2013 and the shares will be delivered on March 30, 2013. The vesting period will be followed by a 2-year lock-up, such that the shares may not be sold until March 31, 2015 except in the case of the grantee's death or disability;
  • For eligible Group employees outside France, the vesting period will end on March 30, 2015 and the shares will be delivered on March 31, 2015. No lock-up period will apply.
  • A performance share plan for eligible employees and officers of the Group in France and abroad authorized by the Board of Directors on November 24, 2011. The shares are subject to a performance condition and will be forfeited if the grantee leaves the Group before the end of the vesting period. In all, 942,920 performance shares may vest under the plan, as follows:
  • For eligible Group employees in France, the vesting period will end on March 29, 2014 and the shares will be delivered on March 30, 2014. The vesting period will be followed by a 2-year lock-up, such that the shares may not be sold until March 31, 2016 except in the case of the grantee's death or disability;
  • For eligible Group employees outside France, the vesting period will end on March 30, 2016 and the shares will be delivered on March 31, 2016. No lock-up period will apply.
  • A performance share plan for certain eligible managers and senior executives of the Saint-Gobain Group outside France authorized by the Board of Directors on November 22, 2012. Eligibility is based on the grantee's period of service with the Group and on a performance criterion. The plan involves a total of 542,370 performance shares. Grantees will be allocated existing shares of the Company. The vesting period will end on November 21, 2016 and the shares will be delivered on November 22, 2016. No lock-up period will apply.
  • A long-term incentive plan involving the award of performance units for certain eligible managers and senior executives of the Saint-Gobain Group in France authorized by the Board of Directors on November 22, 2012, that will be implemented by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain. In all, 536,400 performance units may be awarded. The units are subject to a performance condition and will be forfeited if the grantee leaves the Group before the end of the vesting period. Vested units will entitle the grantees to a long-term cash incentive determined by reference to the Saint-Gobain share price. The exercise period for the units will run from November 22, 2016 to November 21, 2022. The performance units will not give rise to the issue of any new shares or the allocation of any exiting shares.
Number of
rights
Number of performance share rights at December 31, 2010 2,720,300
Performance share rights granted in November 2011 942,920
Shares issued/delivered (833)
Lapsed and canceled rights 0
Number of performance share rights at December 31, 2011 3,662,387
Performance share rights granted in November 2012 542,370
Shares issued/delivered (641,669)
Lapsed and canceled rights (897,242)
Number of performance share rights at December 31, 2012 2,665,846

The table below shows changes in the number of performance share rights:

The fair value of the performance shares corresponds to the Saint-Gobain share price on the grant date less (i) the value of dividends not payable on the shares during the vesting period, and (ii) as for the Group Savings Plan, less the discount on restricted stock (i.e. stock subject to a 4-year lock-up), which has been estimated at around 30%. The compensation cost is recognized over the two or four-year vesting period of the performance shares.

The cost recorded in the income statement for the two plans amounted to €12 million in 2012 (2011: €18 million).

The following table shows the expected dates when vested performance shares will be issued/delivered under the five plans, except in the case of the grantee's death or disability or departure from the Group before the end of the vesting period:

Grant date Number of rights at
December 31, 2012
End of the vesting
period
Type of rights
November 19, 2009 929,768 March 2014 transmitting
November 19, 2009 345,160 March 2014 transmitting
November 18, 2010 437,385 March 2015 transmitting
November 24, 2011 411,163 March 2016 transmitting
November 22, 2012 542,370 November 2016 existing
Total 2,665,846

NOTE 15 – PROVISIONS FOR PENSIONS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

December 31, December 31,
(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Pensions 2,526 2,544
Length-of-service awards 292 237
Post-employment healthcare benefits 502 504
Total provisions for pensions and other post-employment
benefit obligations 3,320 3,285
Healthcare benefits 27 46
Long-term disability benefits 23 29
Other long-term benefits 95 98
Provisions for pensions and other employee benefits 3,465 3,458

The following table shows defined benefit obligations under pension and other post-employment benefit plans and the related plan assets:

(in EUR millions) December 31,
2012
December 31,
2011
Provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefit
obligations
3,320 3,285
Pension plan surpluses (57) (52)
Net pension and other post-employment benefit obligations 3,263 3,233

Changes in pension and other post-employment benefit obligations are as follows:

Pension and
other post
employment
benefit
obligations
Fair value of
plan assets
Other Net pension
and other
post
employment
benefit
obligations
(in EUR millions)
At January 1, 2011 8,892 (6,224) 38 2,706
Movements during the year
Service cost 180 180
Interest cost/expected return on plan assets* 438 (415) 23
Contributions to pension (239) (239)
Employee contributions (19) (19)
Actuarial gains and losses and asset ceiling 595 112 (3) 704
Currency translation adjustment 236 (159) 77
Benefit payments (451) 362 (89)
Past service cost** (86) (86)
Changes in Group structure 2 2
Curtailments/settlements (22) 5 (17)
Other 36 (16) (29) (9)
Total movements 928 (369) (32) 527
At December 31, 2011 9,820 (6,593) 6 3,233
Movements during the year
Service cost 188 188
Interest cost/expected return on plan assets* 439 (403) 36
Contributions to pension (470) (470)
Employee contributions (14) (14)
Actuarial gains and losses and asset ceiling 1,212 (300) 10 922
Currency translation adjustment 2 (24) (22)
Benefit payments (493) 393 (100)
Past service cost** (194) (194)
Changes in Group structure 39 (23) 16
Curtailments/settlements (5) (5)
Other 8 (4) (2) 2
Reclassification to liabilities held for sale (977) 648 (329)
Total movements 219 (197) 8 30
At December 31, 2012 10,039 (6,790) 14 3,263

*The actual return on plan assets came to €703 million for the year (2011: €303 million).

**Including the changes in reference and calculation assumptions in the United Kingdom explained in the paragraphs on actuarial assumptions.

The following tables show the funded status of pension and other post-employment benefit obligations by geographic area:

December 31, 2012 France Other Western
European
North
America
Rest of the
World
Net total
(in EUR millions) countries
Defined benefit obligation - funded plans 479 5,730 2,444 147 8,800
Defined benefit obligation - unfunded plans 310 386 500 43 1,239
Fair value of plan assets (285) (4,769) (1,619) (117) (6,790)
Deficit/(surplus) 504 1,347 1,325 73 3,249
Asset ceiling 14
Insured plans 0
Net pension and other post-employment benefit obligations 3,263
December 31, 2011 France Other Western
European
North
America
Rest of the
World
Net total
(in EUR millions) countries
Defined benefit obligation - funded plans 403 5,210 3,026 139 8,778
Defined benefit obligation - unfunded plans 227 268 507 40 1,042
Fair value of plan assets (182) (4,363) (1,942) (106) (6,593)
Deficit/(surplus) 448 1,115 1,591 73 3,227
Asset ceiling 6
Insured plans 0
Net pension and other post-employment benefit obligations 3,233

Description of defined benefit plans

The Group's main defined benefit plans are as follows:

In France, in addition to length-of-service awards, there are three defined benefit plans all of which are final salary plans. These plans were closed to new entrants by the companies concerned between 1969 and 1997. Effective March 1, 2012, a new defined benefit plan complying with Article L.137-11 of France's Social Security Code was set up by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

In Germany, retirement plans provide pensions and death and disability benefits for employees. These plans have been closed to new entrants since 1996.

In the Netherlands, ceilings have been introduced for defined benefit supplementary pension plans, above which they are converted into defined contribution plans.

In the United Kingdom, retirement plans provide pensions as well as death and permanent disability benefits. These defined benefit plans – which are based on employees' average salaries over their final years of employment – have been closed to new entrants since 2001.

In the United States and Canada, the Group's defined benefit plans are final salary plans. Since January 1, 2001, new employees have been offered a defined contribution plan.

Provisions for other long-term employee benefits amounted to €145 million at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €173 million), and covered all other employee benefits, notably long-service awards in France, jubilees in Germany and employee benefits in the United States. The related defined benefit obligation is generally calculated on an actuarial basis using the same rules as for pension obligations.

Measurement of pension and other post-employment benefit obligations

Pensions and other post-employment benefit obligations are determined on an actuarial basis using the projected unit credit method, based on estimated final salaries.

The Group's total pension and other post-employment benefit obligations amounted to €10,039 million at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €9,820 million).

Plan assets

For defined benefit plans, plan assets have been progressively built up by contributions, primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. Contributions paid by the Group totaled €470 million in 2012 (2011: €239 million). The actual return on plan assets came to €703 million for the year (2011: €303 million).

The fair value of plan assets – which came to €6,790 million at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €6,593 million) – is deducted from the Group's defined benefit obligation, as estimated using the projected unit credit method, in order to calculate the unfunded obligation to be covered by a provision.

Plan assets are mainly composed of equities (42%) and bonds (41%), with the remaining 17% invested in other asset classes.

Projected contributions to pension plans for 2013 are estimated at around €155 million.

Actuarial assumptions used to measure defined benefit obligations and plan assets

Assumptions related to mortality, employee turnover and future salary increases take into account the economic conditions specific to each country and company.

The assumptions used in 2012 for the main plans were as follows:

France Other European countries United States
(in %) Euro zone United Kingdom
Discount rate 3.25% 3.25% 4.15% 3.75%
Salary increases 2.50% 2.00% à 2.60% 2.00%* 3.00%
Expected return on plan assets 5.00% 4.00% à 5.25% 5.85% 8.75%
Inflation rate 1.90% 1.75% à 2.00% 1.65% 2.00%

*A cap applies to the reference salaries used to calculate benefit entitlements.

The assumptions used in 2011 for the Group's main plans were as follows:

France Other European countries United States
(in %) Euro zone United Kingdom
Discount rate 4.75% 4.75% 4.65% 4.50%
Salary increases 2.40% 1.80% à 2.60% 3.30% 3.00%
Expected return on plan assets 5.00% 4.00% à 5.25% 5.85% 8.75%
Inflation rate 1.80% 1.50% à 2.00% 1.80% 2.10%

Discount rates were set by region or country based on observed bond rates at December 31, 2012.

A 0.5-point decrease (increase) in the discount rate would lead to an increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligations of around €200 million for the North American plans, €200 million for the euro-zone plans and €325 million for the UK plans. A 0.5-point increase in the inflation rate would lead to an overall increase in defined benefit obligations of €485 million.

The same assumptions concerning mortality, employee turnover and interest rates are used to determine the Group's defined benefit obligations for other long-term employee benefits. In the United States, retirees' healthcare costs are projected to rise by 7.78% per year. A 1-point increase in this rate would lead to an increase in the related defined benefit obligation of around €50 million.

Since December 31, 2011, the inflation rate used by the Group to adjust pension benefits in the United Kingdom has been based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In addition, calculation assumptions in the United Kingdom have been partly modified by the introduction, in 2012, of a cap on reference salaries and the adjustment of benefit entitlements for employees taking early retirement or retiring for health reasons. The resulting reduction in the related benefit obligation, for the amount of £140 million in 2012, has been recognized under "Past service cost" in the table analyzing changes in pension and other post-employment benefit obligations.

Expected rates of return on plan assets are estimated by country and by plan, taking into account the different classes of assets held by the plan and the outlook in the various financial markets. In 2012, firm equity and bond markets led to a €703 million increase in plan assets versus an estimated €403 million based on the expected return on the assets. A 50 bps change in the estimated return on plan assets would have a roughly €35 million impact on profit for the year.

Actuarial gains and losses

In 2006, the Group elected to apply the option available under IAS 19 and to record in equity actuarial gains and losses and the change in the asset ceiling. In 2012, €922 million was recognized in equity (increase in provisions). This amount corresponds to €1,212 million in actuarial differences, including a €60 million experience adjustment (corresponding to the effects of differences between previous actuarial assumptions and what has actually occurred), €10 million due to the raising of the asset ceiling, and a €300 million increase in plan assets.

The defined benefit obligation, asset ceiling and experience adjustments recognized in the last five years are as follows:

(in EUR millions) 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
Defined benefit obligation 10,039 9,820 8,892 7,999 6,803
Fair value of plan assets (6,790) (6,593) (6,224) (5,384) (4,976)
Plan (surplus)/deficit 3,249 3,227 2,668 2,615 1,827
Experience actuarial gain (loss) as a % of the defined 0.6 0.1 (0.4) (0.5) 0.4
benefit obligation

Plan surpluses and the asset ceiling

When plan assets exceed the defined benefit obligation, the excess is recognized in other non-current assets under "Plan surplus" (see Note 8) provided that it corresponds to future economic benefits. The asset ceiling corresponds to the maximum future economic benefit. Changes in the asset ceiling are recognized in equity.

Contributions to insured plans

This item corresponded to amounts payable in the future to insurance companies under the externally funded pension plans for Group employees in Spain. These amounts were fully repaid at June 30, 2011.

Plan surpluses and provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits classified as assets and liabilities held for sale

In accordance with IFRS 5, the provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits for employees of Verallia North America were classified as liabilities held for sale at December 31, 2012, for an amount of €329 million. Including provisions for other long-term benefits in the amount of €19 million, the total amount reclassified as "Liabilities held for sale" was €348 million (Note 3).

Employee benefits expense

The cost of the Group's pension and other post-employment benefit plans (excluding other employee benefits) is as follows:

(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Service cost 188 180
Interest cost 439 438
Expected return on plan assets (403) (415)
Curtailments and settlements (199) (103)
Pensions, length-of-service awards and other post-employment
benefits 25 100
Employee contributions (14) (19)
Total 11 81

Additional information about defined contribution plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans for 2012 represented an estimated €681 million (2011: €645 million), including €473 million for government-sponsored basic pension schemes (2011: €453 million), €138 million for government-sponsored supplementary pension schemes, mainly in France (2011: €141 million), and €70 million for corporate-sponsored supplementary pension plans (2011: €51 million).

NOTE 16 – CURRENT AND DEFERRED TAXES

The pre-tax income of consolidated companies is as follows:

2012 2011
(in EUR millions)
Net income 796 1,360
Less:
Share in net income of associates 12 8
Income taxes (476) (656)
Pre-tax income of consolidated companies 1,260 2,008

Income tax expense breaks down as follows:

2012 2011
(in EUR millions)
Current taxes (612) (662)
France (151) (106)
Outside France (461) (556)
Deferred taxes 136 6
France 60 (12)
Outside France 76 18
Total income tax expense (476) (656)

The effective tax rate breaks down as follows:

(in %) 2012 2011
Tax rate in France 34.4 34.4
Impact of tax rates outside France (3.8) (5.9)
Impact of 2011 Finance Law in France (add-in 5%) 1.7 1.7
Impact of 2012 Finance Law in France 1.6 0.0
Capital gains and losses and asset impairments 4.3 3.8
Provisions for deferred tax assets 4.3 0.8
Effect of changes in future tax rates (3.7) (1.1)
Research tax credit (1.6) (0.7)
Other deferred and miscellaneous taxes 0.6 (0.3)
Effective tax rate 37.8 32.7

In the balance sheet, changes in net deferred tax asset and liability break down as follows:

Net deferred tax
assets/(liability)
(in EUR millions)
At January 1, 2011 (209)
Deferred tax (expense)/benefit 6
Changes in deferred taxes on actuarial gains and losses recognized in accordance with
IAS 19 (note 15)
240
Translation adjustments 25
Impact of changes in Group structure and other (6)
At December 31, 2011 56
Deferred tax (expense)/benefit 136
Changes in deferred taxes on actuarial gains and losses recognized in accordance with
IAS 19 (note 15)
293
Translation adjustments (19)
Impact of changes in Group structure and other (22)
At December 31, 2012 444

The table below shows the principal components of the deferred tax:

December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011
(in EUR millions)
Deferred tax assets 1,236 949
Deferred tax liabilities (792) (893)
Net deferred tax 444 56
Pensions 935 948
Brands (781) (799)
Depreciation & amortization, accelerated capital allowances and tax-driven provisions (1,005) (1,182)
Tax loss carryforwards 748 584
Other 547 505
Total 444 56

Deferred taxes are offset at the level of each tax entity, i.e., by tax group where applicable (mainly in France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, the United States and the Netherlands).

Deferred tax assets of €1,236 million were recognized at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €949 million). They include deferred tax assets of €702 million in the United States that are expected to be recovered within the maximum utilization period of 20 years, and €174 million in Germany, where the "Organschaft" group relief system allows deferred tax assets to be recovered within a short period. Deferred tax liabilities recognized at December 31, 2012 amounted to €792 million (December 31, 2011: €893 million), including €291 million in France and €197 million in the United Kingdom. Deferred tax liabilities recognized in other countries represented considerably smaller amounts.

Deferred tax assets whose recovery is not considered probable totaled €261 million at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €190 million) and are fully accrued.

In France, the taxe professionnelle local business tax has been replaced, from 2010, by the Contribution Economique Territoriale (CET), a two-part tax. In accordance with IAS 12, the portion of the tax assessed on the value added by the business (Cotisation sur la Valeur Ajoutée des Enterprises – CVAE) has been included in income tax for the period, because it is assessed on revenues net of expenses, particularly in the Building Distribution sector which represents roughly 50% of the Group's revenue in France.

NOTE 17 – OTHER CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES AND PROVISIONS

(in EUR millions) Provisions
for claims
and
litigation
Provisions
for environ
mental
risks
Provisions
for restruc
turing costs
Provisions
for
personnel
costs
Provisions
for
customer
warranties
Provisions
for other
contin
gencies
Total
provision
for other
liabilities
Investment
related
liabilities
Total
At January 1, 2011
Current portion 100 37 117 45 100 113 512 15 527
Non-current portion
Total
1,338 137 120 47 157 286 2,085 143 2,228
1,438 174 237 92 257 399 2,597 158 2,755
Movements during the year
Additions 151 18 87 23 119 88 486 486
Reversals (1) (13) (32) (13) (34) (77) (170) (170)
Utilizations (102) (9) (100) (24) (90) (66) (391) (391)
Changes in Group structure 0 0 1 0 0 (1) 0 9 9
Other (reclassifications and translation adjustments) 15 (1) (10) (5) 3 23 25 162 187
Total movements 63 (5) (54) (19) (2) (33) (50) 171 121
At December 31, 2011
Current portion 117 33 93 36 113 137 529 204 733
Non-current portion 1,384 136 90 37 142 229 2,018 125 2,143
Total 1,501 169 183 73 255 366 2,547 329 2,876
Movements during the year
Additions 157 8 151 24 95 88 523 523
Reversals (7) (2) (37) (8) (24) (53) (131) (131)
Utilizations (97) (13) (112) (18) (66) (77) (383) (383)
Changes in Group structure 0 0 5 1 0 4 10 10
Other (reclassifications and translation adjustments) (6) (11) (5) (5) (4) 9 (22) (245) (267)
Total movements 47 (18) 2 (6) 1 (29) (3) (245) (248)
At December 31, 2012
Current portion 102 16 98 32 105 102 455 2 457
Non-current portion 1,446 135 87 35 151 235 2,089 82 2,171
Total 1,548 151 185 67 256 337 2,544 84 2,628

Provisions for claims and litigation

In 2012, provisions for claims and litigation covered potential costs arising from investigations by the competition authorities involving the Flat Glass business and from asbestos-related litigation. These provisions are described in further detail in Note 28.

Provisions for environmental risks

Provisions for environmental risks cover costs relating to environmental protection measures, as well as site rehabilitation and clean-up costs.

Provisions for restructuring costs

Provisions for restructuring costs came to €185 milion at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €183 million), including net additions of €114 million during the year. The provisions primarily concern Benelux (€42 million), Germany (€44 million), France (€31 million) and the United Kingdom (€28 million).

Provisions for personnel costs

These provisions primarily cover indemnities due to employees that are unrelated to the Group's reorganization plans.

Provisions for customer warranties

These provisions cover the Group's commitments under the warranties granted to customers in the United States and other markets. They are determined on a statistical basis using a range of criteria and take into account contractual warranty payments made in prior years in the business and region concerned. In addition, specific provisions may be set aside for identified risks.

Provisions for other contingencies

At December 31, 2012, provisions for other contingencies amounted to €337 million and mainly concerned France (€124 million), Germany (€97 million), Latin America (€43 million), Italy (€23 million) and the United States (€15 million).

Investment-related liabilities

Changes in investment-related liabilities primarily resulted from the settlement and delivery of forward purchases of treasury stock.

NOTE 18 – TRADE AND OTHER ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

December 31, December 31,
(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Trade accounts payable 6,143 6,018
Customer deposits 795 791
Payable to suppliers of non-current assets 298 374
Grants received 125 99
Accrued personnel expenses 1,173 1,177
Accrued taxes other than on income 408 434
Other 609 687
France 89 119
Germany 57 51
United Kingdom 120 111
Other Western European countries 109 135
North America 32 60
Emerging countries and Asia 202 211
Total other payables and accrued expenses 3,408 3,562

Trade and other accounts payable are due mainly within one year, with the result that their carrying amount approximates fair value.

NOTE 19 – RISK FACTORS

MARKET RISKS (LIQUIDITY, INTEREST RATE, FOREIGN EXCHANGE, ENERGY AND CREDIT RISKS)

Liquidity risk on financing

In a crisis environment, the Group could be unable to raise the financing or refinancing needed to cover its investment plans on the credit market or the capital market, or to obtain such financing or refinancing on acceptable terms.

There is also no guarantee that the Company's credit rating will remain at the current level.

The Group's overall exposure to liquidity risk on net debt is managed by the Treasury and Financing Department of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain. Except in special cases, all of the Group companies' long-term financing needs and the majority of their short-term financing needs are met by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain or by the Delegations' cash pools.

The main objective of liquidity risk management processes is to guarantee that the Group's financing sources will be rolled over and to optimize annual borrowing costs. Long-term debt therefore systematically represents a high percentage of overall debt. At the same time, the maturity schedules of long-term debt are set in such a way that replacement capital markets issues are spread over time.

Medium-term notes are the main source of long-term financing used by the Group, along with bonds. However it also uses perpetual bonds, participating securities, bank borrowings and lease financing.

Short-term debt is composed mainly of borrowings under French Commercial Paper (Billets de Trésorerie) programs and, from time-to-time, Euro Commercial Paper and US Commercial Paper programs, but also includes receivables securitization programs and bank overdrafts. Short-term financial assets comprise marketable securities and cash equivalents.

To maintain secure sources of financing, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has various confirmed syndicated lines of credit.

A breakdown of long- and short-term debt is provided by type and maturity in Note 20. The amounts, currencies, and acceleration clauses of the Group's financing programs and confirmed credit lines are also discussed in Note 20.

Saint-Gobain's long-term debt issues have been rated BBB with a negative outlook by Standard & Poor's since October 29, 2012 and Baa2 with a negative outlook by Moody's since November 12, 2012.

Liquidity risk on investments

Short-term investments consist of bank deposits and mutual fund units. To reduce liquidity or volatility risk, whenever possible, the Group invests in money market and/or bond funds.

Interest rate risks

The Group's overall exposure to interest rate risk on net debt is managed by the Treasury and Financing Department of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain. Where subsidiaries use derivatives to hedge interest rate risks, their counterparty is generally Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, the Group's parent company.

The Group's overall exposure to interest rate risk on consolidated debt is managed primarily with the objective of fixing the cost of medium-term debt and optimizing annual borrowing costs. According to Group policy, the derivative financial instruments used to hedge these risks comprise interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps, options – including caps, floors and swaptions – and forward rate agreements.

Based on a sensitivity analysis of the Group's total net debt after hedging, a 50-basis point increase in euro interest rates at the balance sheet date would lead to an €11 million increase in net income and a 50-basis point increase in euro and sterling interest rates at the balance sheet date would lead to a €6 million increase in equity.

Foreign exchange risk

The currency hedging policies described below could be inadequate to protect the Group against unexpected or sharper than expected fluctuations in exchange rates resulting from economic and financial market conditions.

Foreign exchange risks are managed by hedging commercial transactions carried out by Group entities in currencies other than their functional currencies. Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and its subsidiaries use options and forward contracts to hedge exposures arising from current and future commercial transactions. The subsidiaries generally set up options through the Group's parent company, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, which then takes a reverse position on the market.

Most forward contracts have short maturities, of around three months. However, forward contracts taken out to hedge firm orders may have terms of up to two years.

Wherever possible, foreign exchange risks are hedged with Compagnie de Saint-Gobain upon receipt of the orders sent by the subsidiaries, or with the local Delegations' cash pools. In other cases, hedges are contracted with the subsidiaries' banks.

The Group monitors its exposure to foreign exchange risk using a monthly reporting system which captures the foreign exchange positions taken by subsidiaries. At December 31, 2012, 97% of the Group's hedgeable foreign exchange position was hedged.

The net foreign exchange exposure of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not one of those presented below was as follows at December 31, 2012:

Long Short
(in millions of euro equivalents)
EUR 1 7
USD 4 19
Other currencies 1 3
Total 6 29

Based on a sensitivity analysis at December 31, 2012, a 10% increase in the exchange rates of the main currencies used by subsidiaries would have the following impact on net income:

Net gain or
(in EUR millions) loss
EUR (0.7)
USD (1.5)

A 10% fall in exchange rates would have a reverse impact in the same amounts, assuming that all other variables were unchanged.

Energy and raw materials risk

The Group is exposed to changes in the price of raw materials used in its products and in energy prices. The energy and raw materials hedging programs may be inadequate to protect the Group against significant or unforeseen price swings that could result from the prevailing financial and economic environment.

The Group may limit its exposure to energy price fluctuations by using swaps and options to hedge part of its fuel oil, natural gas and electricity purchases.

The swaps and options are mainly contracted in the functional currency of the entities concerned. Hedges of gas and fuel oil purchases are managed by a steering committee comprising members of the Group Finance Department, the Group Purchasing Department (Saint-Gobain Achats - SGA) and the relevant Delegations.

Hedges of energy purchases (excluding fixed-price purchases negotiated directly with suppliers by the Purchasing Department) are generally arranged by the Group Treasury and Financing Department (or with the Delegations' treasury departments) in accordance with instructions received from SGA.

The steering committee does not manage hedges not mentioned above because:

  • the volumes involved are not material, or
  • there are no international price indexes used by local players and transactions are therefore based on either administered prices or strictly national indexes.

In both of these cases, local purchasing units manage energy risk primarily through fixed-price purchases.

The Group may from time to time enter into contracts to hedge purchases of other commodities, in accordance with the principles outlined above for energy purchases.

Credit risk

The Group may be exposed to the risk of losses on cash and other financial instruments held or managed on its behalf by financial institutions, if any of its counterparties defaults on its obligations. Group policy is to limit its exposure by dealing solely with leading counterparties and monitoring their credit ratings, in line with guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. However, credit risks arising from transactions with financial counterparties can escalate rapidly and a high credit rating is no guarantee that an institution will not experience a rapid deterioration of its financial position. As a result, there is no guarantee that this policy will be effective in entirely eliminating counterparty risk. Any default by a counterparty could have a material adverse effect on the Group's objectives, operating income and financial position.

To limit the Group's exposure to credit risk, the Treasury and Financing Department deals primarily with counterparties with a long-term rating of A- or above from Standard & Poor's or A3 or above from Moody's, with a stable outlook in both cases. Concentrations of credit risk are closely monitored to ensure that they remain at reasonable levels.

Note 21 provides details of the Group's interest rate and energy hedges, and the interest rates for the main items of debt. It also provides a breakdown of debt by currency and interest rate (fixed or variable), as well as the interest rate repricing schedule.

NOTE 20 – NET DEBT

Long- and short-term debt

Long- and short-term debt consists of the following:

(in EUR millions) December 31,
2012
December 31,
2011
Bond issues and Medium-Term Notes 8,989 7,620
Perpetual bonds and participating securities 203 203
Other long-term debt including finance leases 374 347
Debt recognized at fair value under the fair value option 0 156
Fair value of interest rate hedges 22 0
Total long-term debt (excluding current portion) 9,588 8,326
Current portion of long-term debt 1,732 1,656
Short-term financing programs (US CP, Euro CP, Billets de trésorerie ) 691 76
Bank overdrafts and other short-term bank borrowings 570 627
Securitizations 89 357
Fair value of derivatives not qualified as hedges of debt (1) 2
Short-term debt and bank overdrafts 1,349 1,062
TOTAL GROSS DEBT 12,669 11,044
Cash and cash equivalents (4,179) (2,949)
TOTAL NET DEBT, INCLUDING ACCRUED INTEREST 8,490 8,095

The fair value of gross long-term debt (including the current portion) managed by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain amounted to €11.5 billion at December 31, 2012, for a carrying amount of €10.6 billion. The fair value of bonds corresponds to the market price on the last day of the year. For other borrowings, fair value is considered as being equal to the amount repayable.

Long-term debt repayment schedule

Within 1 1 to 5 years Beyond 5 Total
(in EUR millions) Currency year years
Bond issues and Medium-Term Notes EUR 1,180 4,329 3,581 9,090
GBP 0 367 668 1,035
JPY 0 44 0 44
Perpetual bonds and participating securities EUR 0 0 203 203
Other long-term debt including finance leases All currencies 141 248 126 515
Debt recognized at fair value under the fair value option EUR 155 0 0 155
Fair value of interest rate hedges EUR 0 0 22 22
TOTAL, EXCLUDING ACCRUED INTEREST 1,476 4,988 4,600 11,064

Long-term debt at December 31, 2012 can be analyzed as follows by maturity:

At December 31, 2012, future interest payments on gross long-term debt (including the current portion) managed by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain were due as follows:

(in EUR millions) Within 1
year
1 to 5 years Beyond 5
years
Total
Future interest payments on gross long-term debt 477 1,239 888 2,604

Interest on perpetual bonds and participating securities is calculated through to 2032.

Bond issues

During 2012, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain carried out the following debt management transactions to extend the average maturity of debt while reducing average borrowing costs:

  • Three bond issues:
  • on March 28, 2012: placement of €750 million worth of 3.625% 10-year bonds due 2022;
  • on June 15, 2012: placement of €750 million worth of 3.625% 9-year bonds due 2021;
  • on October 9, 2012: placement of GBP 250 million worth of 4.625% 17-year bonds due 2029, swapped for euros at a fixed rate of approximately 4.31%.
  • Tap issues:
  • the €750 million bond issue due 2019 was increased to €950 million through three tap issues carried out on January 18 and 19, 2012 for a total of €200 million;
  • the €750 million bond issue due 2022 was increased to €900 million through two tap issues carried out on May 16, 2012 for a total of €150 milion.

  • Private placements:

  • on January 13, 2012: issue of JPY 5 billion worth of 1.90% 5-year private placement notes, due 2017;
  • on June 4, 2012: two 4% 20-year private placement notes issues due 2032, for a total of €90 million;
  • on June 28, 2012: two 12-year private placement notes issues due 2024, for a total of €95 million indexed to the 10-year CMS rate (swapped for a fixed rate of approximately 4.1%);
  • on October 8, 2012: two 4% 20-year private placement notes issues due 2032, for a total of €50 million;
  • on October 9, 2012: a 3.6% 10-year private placement notes issue due 2022, for €100 million.

On April 11, 2012, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain redeemed a €1,250 million bond issue that had reached maturity.

Perpetual bonds

In 1985, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain issued €125 million worth of perpetual bonds – 25,000 bonds with a face value of €5,000 – paying interest at a variable rate indexed to Euribor. Interest paid in 2012 amounted to €85.68 per bond. These securities are not redeemable and the interest paid on them is reported under "Borrowing costs".

Up to December 31, 2012, 18,496 perpetual bonds had been bought back and canceled, and 6,504 perpetual bonds were outstanding, representing a total face value of €33 million.

Participating securities

In June 1983, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain issued 1,288,299 non-voting participating securities with a face value of FRF 1,000. Their face value is now €152.45, following their conversion into euros in 1999.

Interest on the securities ranges from 75% to 125% of the average bond rate ("TMO"), depending on the level of Saint-Gobain's consolidated net income. Interest paid in 2012 amounted to €6.82 per security.

In April 1984, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain also issued 194,633 participating securities with a face value of ECU 1,000 (now €1,000).

Interest comprises (i) a fixed portion of 7.5% per year applicable to 60% of the security, and (ii) a variable portion applicable to the remaining 40% of the security, which is linked to consolidated net income of the previous year, subject to the cap specified in the issue agreement. In all, depending on the level of consolidated net income, the interest rate ranges from a minimum of 4.5% to a maximum of 6.75% if the TMOE rate is below 5% or TMOE + 175bps if the TMOE rate is above 5%. Interest for 2012 amounted to €65.80 per security, paid in two installments (€32.25 and €33.55).

These securities are not redeemable and the interest paid on them is reported under "Borrowing costs".

A certain number of securities have been bought back over the years. At December 31, 2012, 606,883 participating securities issued in 1983 were outstanding, for a total face value of €92.5 million, together with 77,516 participating securities issued in 1984, for a total face value of €77.5 million.

Financing programs

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has a number of medium and long-term financing programs (Medium Term Notes) and short-term financing programs (Commercial Paper and Billets de Trésorerie).

Programs
(in millions of currency
units)
Currency Maturities Authorized
program at
December 31, 2012
Outstanding issues
at December 31,
2012
Outstanding issues
at Dec. 31, 2011
Medium Term Notes EUR 1 to 30 years 12 000 9,246 7,951
US Commercial Paper USD Up to 12 months 1,000 * 0 0
Euro Commercial Paper USD Up to 12 months 1,000 * 0 0
Billets de Trésorerie EUR Up to 12 months 3,000 691 76

*Equivalent to €758 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2012.

In accordance with market practices, Billets de Trésorerie, Euro Commercial Paper and US Commercial Paper are generally issued with maturities of one to six months. They are treated as variable-rate debt, because they are rolled over at frequent intervals.

Syndicated lines of credit

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has various confirmed syndicated lines of credit that are intended to provide a secure source of financing for the Group (including as additional backing for its US Commercial Paper, Euro-Commercial Paper and Billets de Trésorerie programs). They include:

  • A €3 billion syndicated line of credit expiring in December 2015. The facility was obtained in December 2010 and its amount was reduced to €2.5 billion in December 2012. It is not subject to any hard covenants.
  • A second €1.5 billion syndicated line of credit expiring in December 2017. When the facility was set up, in December 2012, the €1 billion facility expiring in June 2013 was canceled and the facility expiring in December 2015 was reduced from €3 billion to €2.5 billion as explained above. Based on Saint-Gobain's current credit rating for long-term debt issues, the facility is not subject to any hard covenants.

Neither of these confirmed lines of credit was drawn down at December 31, 2012.

Bank overdrafts and other short-term bank borrowings

This item includes bank overdrafts, local short-term bank borrowings taken out by subsidiaries, and accrued interest on short-term debt.

Receivables securitization programs

The Group has set up a securitization program through its US subsidiary, Saint-Gobain Receivables Corporation.

The program, which can be rolled over annually, amounted to €89 million at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €177 million).

The difference between the face value of the sold receivables and the sale proceeds is treated as a financial expense, and amounted to €2.5 million in 2012 (2011: €2.5 million).

A second program in the United Kingdom, which amounted to €180 million at December 31, 2011, was discontinued on March 6, 2012. Financial expense under the program came to €0.4 million in 2012 (2011: €1.6 million).

Collateral

At December 31, 2012, €62 million of Group debt was secured by various non-current assets (real estate and securities).

NOTE 21 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Derivatives

The following table presents a breakdown of the principal derivatives used by the Group:

Fair value at Nominal value broken down by maturity
Fair value at December 31, 2012 Dec. 31, 2011 at December 31, 2012
Derivatives Derivatives Total Within 1 year 1 to 5 years Beyond 5 Total
recorded in recorded in years
(in EUR millions) assets liabilities
Fair value hedges 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cash flow hedges
Forward foreign exchange contracts 2 (1) 1 (4) 163 34 0 197
Currency options 0 0
Currency swaps 0 0
Interest rate swaps 0 (10) 95 95
Cross-Currency Swaps (22) (22) 306 306
Energy and commodity swaps (2) (2) (8) 60 60
Cash flow hedges - total 2 (25) (23) (22) 223 34 401 658
Derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting
Interest rate swaps 0 1 155 155
Currency swaps 3 (2) 1 (4) 1,332 1,332
Energy and commodity swaps 0 0 0
Forward foreign exchange contracts 1 1 1 78 78
Currency options 4 4 130 130
Derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting - total 8 (2) 6 (2) 1,695 0 0 1,695
TOTAL 10 (27) (17) (24) 1,918 34 401 2,353
o/w derivatives used to hedge
net debt 3 (24) (21) (12) 0

Interest rate swaps

The Group uses interest rate swaps to convert part of its fixed (variable) rate bank debt and bond debt to variable (fixed) rates.

Cross-currency swaps

The Group uses cross-currency swaps to convert foreign currency debt into euro debt.

Currency swaps

The Group uses currency swaps for day-to-day cash management purposes and, in some cases, to permit the use of euro-denominated funds to finance foreign currency assets.

Forward foreign exchange contracts and currency options

Forward foreign exchange contracts and currency options are used to hedge foreign currency transactions, particularly commercial transactions (purchases and sales) and investments.

Energy and commodity swaps

Energy and commodity swaps are used to hedge the risk of changes in the price of certain purchases used in the subsidiaries' operating activities, particularly energy (fuel oil, natural gas and electricity) purchases.

Impact on equity of financial instruments qualifying for hedge accounting

At December 31, 2012, the cash flow hedging reserve carried in equity in accordance with IFRS had a debit balance of €15 million, mainly breaking down as folows:

  • €14 million corresponding to the interest rate component of cross-currency swaps designated as cash flow hedges that are used to convert a bond issue into euros;
  • €1 million corresponding to the remeasurement at fair value of other cash flow hedges to be reclassified to income when the hedged items affect income.

The ineffective portion of gains and losses on cash flow hedges is not material.

Impact on income of financial instruments not qualifying for hedge accounting

The fair value of derivatives classified as financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss represented a €6 million profit at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €2 million loss).

Embedded derivatives

Saint-Gobain regularly analyzes its contracts in order to separately identify financial instruments classified as embedded derivatives under IFRS.

At December 31, 2012, no embedded derivatives deemed to be material at Group level were identified.

Group debt structure

The weighted average interest rate on total debt under IFRS, after hedging (using currency swaps, cross-current swaps and interest rate swaps) was 4.7% at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: 4.8%).

The average internal rates of return for the main components of long-term debt before hedging were as follows in 2012 and 2011:

Internal rate of return on long-term debt
(in %)
December
31, 2012
December
31, 2011
Bonds and Medium Term Notes 5.17 5.19
Perpetual bonds and participating securities 4.30 4.85

The table below presents the breakdown by currency and by interest rate (fixed or variable) of the Group's gross debt at December 31, 2012, after giving effect to interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps and currency swaps.

Gross debt denominated in foreign currencies After hedging
(in EUR millions) Variable
rate
Fixed
rate
Total
EUR 1,247 9,481 10,728
GBP (241) 721 480
USD 193 5 198
NOK, SEK, DKK 295 2 297
Other currencies 490 189 679
TOTAL 1,984 10,398 12,382
16% 84% 100%
Fair value of related derivatives 21
Accrued interest 266
TOTAL GROSS DEBT 12,669

Interest rate repricing schedule for debt

The table below shows the interest rate repricing schedule at December 31, 2012 for gross debt after hedging:

Within 1 1 to 5 years Beyond 5 Total
(in EUR millions) year years
Gross debt 3,504 4,875 4,290 12,669
Impact of interest rate swaps (95) 0 95 0
GROSS DEBT AFTER HEDGING 3,409 4,875 4,385 12,669

NOTE 22 - FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Financial assets and liabilities are classified as follows in accordance with IFRS 7:

December 31, 2011
(in EUR millions)
Financial instruments at fair value Total financial
instruments
Other financial instruments Total financial
instruments
Financial instrument at fair value hierarchy
under IFRS 7
Total financial
instruments
Balance sheet headings and
classes of instrument
Notes Financial
instruments
through profit or
loss
Derivatives
designated as
hedges
Assets and
liabilities
measured at fair
value (fair value
option)
measured at
fair value
Available-for
sale financial
assets
Loans and
receivables
Liabilities at
amortized cost
Level 1: quoted
prices and cash
Level 2: internal
model using
observable
factors
Level 3: internal
model using non
observable
factors
measured at
fair value
Trade and other accounts
receivable
(10)
Loans and deposits (8) 0 6,749 6,749 0
0 266 266 0
Available for sale and other
securities
(8) 0 29 29 0
Derivatives recorded in assets (20)(21) 6 6 6 6 6
Cash and cash equivalents (20) 2,949 2,949 2,949 2,949 2,949
Total assets 6 0 2,949 2,955 29 7,015 0 9,999 2,949 6 0 2,955
Trade and other accounts
payable (18) 0 (9,580) (9,580) 0
Long and short-term debt (20) (156) (156) (10,876) (11,032) (156) (156)
Derivatives recorded in
liabilities
(20)(21) (8) (10) (18) (18) (18) (18)
Total liabilities (8) (10) (156) (174) 0 0 (20,456) (20,630) 0 (174) 0 (174)
Total (2) (10) 2,793 2,781 29 7,015 (20,456) (10,631) 2,949 (168) 0 2,781
December 31, 2012 Financial instruments at fair value Total financial Other financial instruments Total financial Financial instrument at fair value hierarchy Total financial
(in EUR millions) instruments instruments under IFRS 7 instruments
Balance sheet headings and
classes of instrument
Notes Financial
instruments
through profit or
loss
Derivatives
designated as
hedges
Assets and
liabilities
measured at fair
value (fair value
option)
measured at
fair value
Available-for
sale financial
assets
Loans and
receivables
Liabilities at
amortized cost
Level 1: quoted
prices and cash
Level 2: internal
model using
observable
factors
Level 3: internal
model using non
observable
factors
measured at
fair value
Trade and other accounts
receivable
(10) 0 6,442 6,442 0
Loans and deposits (8) 0 261 261 0
Available for sale and other
securities (8) 0 41 41 0
Derivatives recorded in assets (20)(21) 3 3 3 3 3
Cash and cash equivalents (20) 4,179 4,179 4,179 4,179 4,179
Total assets 3 0 4,179 4,182 41 6,703 0 10,926 4,179 3 0 4,182
Trade and other accounts
payable (18) 0 (9,551) (9,551) 0
Long and short-term debt (20) (155) (155) (12,493) (12,648) (155) (155)
Derivatives recorded in
liabilities
(20)(21) (2) (22) (24) (24) (24) (24)
Total liabilities (2) (22) (155) (179) 0 0 (22,044) (22,223) 0 (179) 0 (179)
NOTE 23 – BUSINESS INCOME BY EXPENSE TYPE
-------------------------------------------
(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Net sales 43,198 42,116
Personnel costs
Salaries and payroll taxes (8,431) (7,955)
Share-based payments(a) (14) (39)
Pensions(b) (5) (76)
Depreciation and amortization (1,550) (1,511)
Other(c) (30,317) (29,094)
Operating income 2,881 3,441
Other business income(d) 116 69
Negative goodwill recognized in income 0 0
Other business income 116 69
Restructuring costs(e) (285) (167)
Provisions and expenses relating to claims and litigation(f) (152) (149)
Impairment of assets and other business expenses(g) (505) (469)
Other (71) (79)
Other business expense (1,013) (864)
Business income 1,984 2,646

(a) Details of share-based payments are provided in Notes 12, 13 and 14.

  • (b) Changes in pension costs are presented in Note 15 "Provisions for pensions and other employee benefits".
  • (c) This item corresponds to Building Distribution Sector cost of sales, supplier discounts and selling expenses, and to transport costs, raw materials costs, and other production costs for the other Sectors. This item also includes net foreign exchange gains and losses, representing a net gain of €13 million in 2012 (2011: net loss of €1 million). In 2012, research and development costs recorded under operating expenses amounted to €451 million (2011: €417 million).
  • (d) This item includes capital gains on disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.
  • (e) Restructuring costs in 2012 mainly consisted of employee termination benefits in an amount of €180 milion (2011: €95 million).
  • (f) In the periods presented, provisions and expenses relating to claims and litigation corresponded for the most part to asbestos-related litigation and the provision for the competition litigation discussed in Notes 17 and 28.
  • (g) Impairment losses on assets in 2012 included €67 million on goodwill (2011: €309 million), €371 million on property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (2011: €72 million). In addition, €2 million in impairment losses on financial assets and current assets were reversed (2011: recognition of a €2 million impairment loss).

The caption "Other" includes capital losses on asset disposals and scrapping for €56 million (2011: €68 million) and acquisition costs incurred in connection with business combinations for €13 million (€2011: 18 million).

NOTE 24 – NET FINANCIAL EXPENSE

Breakdown of other financial income and expense

(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Interest cost - pension and other post-employment benefit
obligations (446) (445)
Expected return on plan assets 403 415
Interest cost - pension and other post-employment
benefit obligations - net (43) (30)
Other financial expense (121) (111)
Other financial income 27 19
Other financial income and expense (137) (122)

Recognition of financial instruments

Net financial expense amounted to €724 million in 2012 (2011: €638 million). Of this amount, €484 million (2011: €473 million) relates to instruments carried at amortized cost by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and Saint-Gobain Nederland. Instruments measured at fair value by these two entities resulted in a positive impact of €2 million (2011: €3 million positive impact).

NOTE 25 – EBITDA – RECURRING NET INCOME – CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS

EBITDA amounted to €4,431 million in 2012 (2011: €4,952 million), calculated as follows:

(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Operating income 2,881 3,441
Depreciation and amortization 1,550 1,511
EBITDA 4,431 4,952

Recurring net income totaled €1,126 million in 2012 (2011: €1,736 million). Based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding at December 31 (526,399,944 shares in 2012, 526,274,931 shares in 2011), recurring earnings per share amounted to €2.14 in 2012 and €3.30 in 2011.

The difference between net income and recurring net income (attributable to equity holders of the parent) corresponds to the following items:

(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent 766 1,284
Less:
Gains on disposals of assets 60 1
Impairment of assets and acquisition costs incurred in connexion with business
combinations
(449) (401)
Provision for competition litigation and other non-recurring provision charges (96) (123)
Impact of minority interests 2 (1)
Tax impact 123 72
Recurring net income attributable to equity holders of the parent 1,126 1,736

Cash flow from operations for 2012 amounted to €2,791 million (2011: €3,421 million). Excluding tax on capital gains and non-recurring provision charges, cash flow from operations came to €2,668 million in 2012 (2011: €3,349 million).These amounts are calculated as folows:

(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent 766 1,284
Minority interests in net income 30 76
Share in net income of associates, net of dividends received (6) (1)
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of assets 1,988 1,892
Gains and losses on disposals of assets (60) (1)
Non-recurring charges to provisions 96 123
Unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in fair value and
share-based payments (23) 48
Cash flow from operations 2,791 3,421
Tax on capital gains and losses and non-recurring charges
to provisions (123) (72)
Cash flow from operations before tax on capital gains and losses
and non-recurring charges to provisions 2,668 3,349

NOTE 26 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of earnings per share is shown below.

(in EUR millions) Net income
attributable to
equity holders of
the parent
Number of
shares
Earnings per
share
(in EUR )
2012
Weighted average number of shares outstanding 766 526,399,944 1.46
Weighted average number of shares assuming full dilution 766 528,692,847 1.45
2011
Weighted average number of shares outstanding 1,284 526,274,931 2.44
Weighted average number of shares assuming full dilution 1,284 530,333,380 2.42

The weighted average number of shares outstanding is calculated by deducting treasury stock (4,691,065 shares at December 31, 2012) from the average number of shares outstanding during the year.

The weighted average number of shares assuming full dilution is calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding, assuming conversion of all dilutive instruments. The Group's dilutive instruments consist of stock-options and performance share grants corresponding to a weighted average of 599,942 shares and 1,692,961 shares respectively in 2012.

NOTE 27 – COMMITMENTS

Commitments related to shares in subsidiaries and associates

Puts granted to minority shareholders are carried in the balance sheet under investment-related liabilities. They are reviewed on a periodic basis and any subsequent changes in their fair value are recognized by adjusting equity.

Financing-related commitments

The Group's commitments related to debt and financial instruments are discussed in Notes 20 and 21, respectively.

Commitments related to operating activities

Obligations under finance leases

Non-current assets acquired under finance leases are recognized as an asset and a liability in the consolidated balance sheet.

At December 31, 2012, €28 million of future minimum lease payments due under finance leases concerned land and buildings. Total assets under finance leases recognized in consolidated assets amounted to €109 million at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €119 million).

December 31, December 31,
(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Future minimum lease payments
Due within 1 year 21 25
Due in 1 to 5 years 43 46
Due beyond 5 years 10 10
Total 74 81
Less finance charge (9) (9)
Present value of future minimum lease payments 65 72

Obligations under operating leases

The Group leases equipment, vehicles and office, manufacturing and warehouse space under various non-cancelable operating leases. Lease terms generally range from one to nine years. The commitment corresponding to total future minimum payments over the lease term is discounted. The leases contain rollover options for varying periods of time and some include clauses covering the payment of real estate taxes and insurance. In most cases, management expects that these leases will be rolled over or replaced by other leases in the normal course of business.

Rental expense was €861 million in 2012, including €559 million for land and buildings, and revenue from subleases was €19 million. Net rental expense was €842 million.

Future minimum payments due under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:

Total 2012 Payments due Total 2011
Within 1 year In 1 to 5 Beyond 5
(in EUR millions) years years
Operating leases
Rental expense 3,022 752 1,560 710 3,028
Subletting revenue (56) (15) (29) (12) (59)
Total 2,966 737 1,531 698 2,969

Non-cancelable purchase commitments

Non-cancelable purchase commitments include commitments to purchase raw materials and services and firm orders for property, plant and equipment.

Total 2012 Payments due Total 2011
Within 1 year In 1 to 5 Beyond 5
(in EUR millions) years years
Non-cancelable purchase commitments
Non-current assets 128 118 10 0 230
Raw materials and energy 1,096 339 635 122 845
Services 218 75 128 15 181
Investments and other 57 13 44 0 347
Total 1,499 545 817 137 1,603

The €104 million decrease in non-cancelable purchase commitments in 2012 was mainly due to the completion of the Brossette acquisition.

Data for 2011 have been reclassified to take into account the reallocation of energy contracts.

Guarantee commitments

In some cases, the Group grants seller's warranties to the buyers of divested businesses. A provision is set aside whenever a risk is identified and the related cost can be estimated reliably.

The Group also receives guarantees, amounting to €110 million at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €101 million).

Commercial commitments

Total 2012 Payments due Total 2011
Within 1 year In 1 to 5 Beyond 5
(in EUR millions) years years
Commercial commitments
Security for borrowings 45 10 19 16 35
Other commitments given 163 82 23 58 216
Total 208 92 42 74 251

At December 31, 2012, pledged assets amounted to €708 million (December 31, 2011: €301 million). The year-onyear increase mainly concerned fixed assets in the United Kingdom.

Guarantees given to the Group in respect of receivables amounted to €136 million at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: €109 million).

Other commitments

Greenhouse gas emissions allowances granted to Group companies under the 2008-2012 plan represent approximately 6.9 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. The 2012 and 2011 allowances are above the greenhouse gas emissions for those years and, consequently, no provision has been recorded in this respect in the Group accounts.

NOTE 28 – LITIGATION

Asbestos-related litigation in France

"Inexcusable fault" proceedings

In France, further individual lawsuits were filed in 2011 by former employees (or persons claiming through them) of Everite and Saint-Gobain PAM ("the employers") – which in the past had carried out fiber-cement operations – for asbestos-related occupational diseases, with the aim of obtaining supplementary compensation over and above the amounts paid by the French Social Security authorities in this respect. A total of 759 such lawsuits have been issued against the two companies since 1997.

At December 31, 2012, 684 of these 759 lawsuits had been completed in terms of both liability and quantum. In all of these cases, the employers were held liable on the grounds of "inexcusable fault".

Compensation paid by Everite and Saint-Gobain PAM in settlement of these lawsuits totaled approximately €1.3 million.

Concerning the 75 lawsuits outstanding against Everite and Saint-Gobain PAM at December 31, 2012, the merits of nine have been decided but the compensation awards have not yet been made, pending issue of medical reports or Appeal Court rulings. A further 33 of these 75 lawsuits have been completed in terms of both liability and quantum, but liability for the payment of compensation has not yet been assigned.

Out of the 33 remaining lawsuits, at December 31, 2012 the procedures relating to the merits of 26 cases were at different stages, with three in the process of being investigated by the French Social Security authorities and 23 pending before the Social Security courts. The final seven suits have been withdrawn by the plaintiffs or struck out. The plaintiffs can ask for them to be re-activated at any time within a 2-year period.

In addition, as of December 31, 2012, 183 suits based on inexcusable fault had been filed by current or former employees of 12 other French companies in the Group (excluding Saint-Gobain Desjonquères and Saint-Gobain Vetrotex, which have been sold), in particular involving circumstances where equipment containing asbestos had been used to protect against heat from furnaces.

At that date, 123 lawsuits had been completed. In 51 of these cases, the employer was held liable for inexcusable fault. Compensation paid by the companies totaled approximately €0.6 million.

For the 60 suits outstanding at December 31, 2012, arguments were being prepared by the French Social Security authorities in six cases, 35 were being investigated – including 24 pending before the Social Security courts, ten before the Courts of Appeal and one before the Court of Cassation – and nine had been completed in terms of liability but not in terms of quantum or liability for paying the compensation, of which eight pending before the Courts of Appeal and one before the Court of Cassation. The final ten suits have been withdrawn by the plaintiffs or struck out. The plaintiffs can ask for them to be re-activated at any time within a 2-year period.

Anxiety claims

Four of the Group's French subsidiaries that operate or have operated facilities in France classified as presenting an asbestos hazard are the subject of damages claims that are different from those described above.

"Facilities classified as presenting an asbestos hazard" are defined as manufacturing facilities that have been closed or are still operating which previously manufactured materials containing asbestos or used asbestos protection and insulation equipment and are included on the official list of facilities whose current or former employees are entitled to the asbestos workers benefit (ACAATA).

At December 31, 2012 a total of 145 suits had been brought by current or former employees of facilities classified as presenting an asbestos hazard, claiming compensation for various damages suffered as a result of their exposure to asbestos. None of these plaintiffs were suffering from an asbestos-related disease and some of them were not receiving the ACAATA benefit. Of these 145 suits, 49 have been terminated. Three plaintiffs had their claims dismissed. For the 46 others, who were recognized as having been exposed to an asbestos risk, only the damage caused by anxiety was accepted, leading to payment of total compensation of €629,500. Of the remaining 96 suits, 30 are pending before the competent Courts of Appeal – including two where the appellants are the plaintiffs and 28 where the appellants are the companies concerned – and 66 before the competent labor tribunals.

Asbestos-related litigation in the United States

In the United States, several companies that once manufactured products containing asbestos such as asbestoscement pipes, roofing products, specialized insulation or gaskets, are facing legal action from persons other than their employees or former employees. These claims for compensatory – and in many cases punitive – damages are based on alleged exposure to the products, although in many instances the claimants cannot demonstrate any specific exposure to one or more products, or any specific illness or physical disability. The vast majority of these claims are made simultaneously against many other non-Group entities which have been manufacturers, distributors, installers or users of products containing asbestos.

Developments in 2012

About 4,000 new claims were filed against CertainTeed in 2012, compared to about 4,000 in 2011, 5,000 in 2010, 4,000 in 2009, and 5,000 in 2008. Over the last five years the number of new claims has remained relatively stable.

Almost all of the claims against CertainTeed are settled out of court or dismissed. Approximately 9,000 of the pending claims were resolved in 2012, compared to 8,000 in 2011, 13,000 in 2010, and 8,000 in 2009 and in 2008. In addition, approximately 4,000 claims (mainly in Texas) were designated as inactive as they did not meet required minimum medical impairment criteria and were on the court's "inactive docket." Taking into account the 52,000 outstanding claims at the end of 2011 and the new claims having arisen during the year, as well as claims resolved or designated as inactive, some 43,000 claims were outstanding at December 31, 2012. A large number of these pending claims were filed more than five years ago by individuals without any significant asbestos-related impairment, and it is likely that many of these claims ultimately will be dismissed.

Impact on the Group's accounts

The Group recorded a €90 million charge in 2012 to cover future developments in relation to claims. This amount is identical to the amount recorded in 2011, lower than the €97 million recorded in 2010, and higher than the €75 million recorded in 2009 and 2008. At December 31, 2012, the Group reserve for asbestos-related claims against CertainTeed in the United States amount to €417 million (\$550 million), compared with €389 million (\$504 million) at December 31, 2011, €375 million, (\$501 million) at December 31, 2010, €347 million, (\$500 million) at December 31, 2009, and €361 million (\$502 million) at December 31, 2008.

Cash flow impact

Compensation paid in respect of these claims against CertainTeed, including claims settled prior to 2012 but only paid out in 2012, and those fully resolved and paid in 2012, and compensation paid (net of insurance) in 2012 by other Group businesses in connection with asbestos-related litigation, amounted to €52 million (\$67 million), compared to €59 million (\$82 million) in 2011, €78 million (\$103 million) in 2010, €55 million (\$77 million) in 2009, and €48 million (\$71 million) in 2008.

***

In Brazil, former Group employees suffering from asbestos-related occupational illness are offered either exclusively financial compensation or lifetime medical assistance combined with financial compensation. Only a small number of asbestos-related lawsuits brought by former employees (or persons claiming through them) were outstanding at December 31, 2012, and they do not currently represent a material risk for the companies concerned.

***

Ruling by the European Commission following the investigation into the automotive glass industries

In the November 12, 2008 decision concerning its investigation into automotive glass manufacturers, the European Commission held that actions carried out between 1998 and 2003 by Saint-Gobain Glass France, Saint-Gobain Sekurit France and Saint-Gobain Sekurit Deutschland GmbhH had violated Article 81 of the Treaty of Rome and fined them €896 million. Compagnie de Saint-Gobain was held jointly and severally liable for the payment of this amount.

The companies concerned believe the fine is excessive and disproportionate, and have appealed the decision before the General Court of the European Union.

The European Commission has granted them a stay of payment until the appeal has been heard, in exchange for a bond covering the €896 million fine and the related interest, calculated at the rate of 5.25% from March 9, 2009. The necessary steps were taken to set up this bond within the required timeframe.

The appeal was heard by the General Court of the European Union in Luxembourg on December 11, 2012 and the Court's ruling is due within six to 12 months.

The provision set aside to cover the fine, the late interest, the cost of the above bond and the related legal costs amounted to €1,098 million at December 31, 2012.

NOTE 29 – RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Assets
Financial receivables 1 1
Inventories 0 0
Short-term receivables 3 10
Cash and cash equivalents 0 0
Provisions for impairment in value 0 0
Liabilities
Short-term debt 2 3
Cash advances 0 0
Expenses
Purchases 5 11
Income
Sales 35 32

Balances and transactions with associates

Revenue from transactions with proportionately consolidated companies

Transactions with proportionately consolidated companies are treated as transactions with external parties and the Group's share of revenue arising from such transactions is not eliminated on consolidation. In 2012, these revenues amounted to €23 million (2011: €16 million).

Transactions with key shareholders

Some Group subsidiaries, particularly in the Building Distribution Sector, carry out transactions with subsidiaries of the Wendel group. All of these transactions are on an arm's length basis.

NOTE 30 – JOINT VENTURES

The amounts recorded in the balance sheet and income statement corresponding to the Group's interest in its proportionately consolidated companies are as follows:

(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Assets
Non-current assets 277 380
Current assets 134 173
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities 1 51
Current liabilities 90 107
Expenses
Operating expenses 258 273
Income
Sales 293 320

NOTE 31 – MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION

Direct and indirect compensation and benefits paid to members of the Board of Directors and the Group's senior management were as follows in 2012:

(in EUR millions) 2012 2011
Attendance fees 0.8 0.8
Direct and indirect compensation (gross):
Fixed portion 8.0 7.9
Variable portion 4.6 4.7
Estimated compensation cost - pensions and other employee benefits (IAS 19) 2.2 2.0
Expense relating to stock options* 1.3 1.4
Termination benefits 0.0 1.3
Total 16.9 18.1

*Including the impact of adjusting costs recorded in prior years due to performance targets being only partly met.

Employers' social security contributions relating to the above compensation represented an estimated €4.2 million. Pension obligations for the Group's directors and corporate officers totaled €41.8 million.

NOTE 32 – EMPLOYEES

(Average number of employees) 2012 2011
Fully consolidated companies
Managers 26,719 25,452
Administrative employees 80,662 76,904
Other employees 85,448 85,999
Total 192,829 188,355
Proportionately consolidated companies (*)
Managers 118 119
Administrative employees 531 657
Other employees 969 910
Sub-total 1,618 1,686
Total 194,447 190,041

* Proportion of headcount allocated to the Group.

At December 31, 2012, the total number of Group employees – including in proportionately consolidated companies – was 191,113 (December 31, 2011: 192,933).

NOTE 33 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

Segment information by Sector and Activity

Segment information is presented as follows:

  • Innovative Materials (IM) Sector
  • -Flat glass
  • -High-Performance Materials (HPM)
  • Construction Products (CP) Sector
  • -Interior Solutions: Insulation and Gypsum
  • -Exterior Solutions: Industrial Mortars, Pipe and Exterior Fittings
  • Building Distribution Sector
  • Packaging Sector

Management uses several different internal indicators to measure operational performance and to make resource allocation decisions. These indicators are based on the data used to prepare the consolidated financial statements and meet financial reporting requirements. Intragroup ("internal") sales are generally carried out on the same terms as sales to external customers and are eliminated in consolidation. The accounting policies used are the same as those applied for consolidated financial reporting purposes, as described in Note 1. The column "Other" corresponds solely to holding companies and certain corporate support functions (tax, cash management, purchasing, etc.)

2012 INNOVATIVE MATERIALS CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS BUILDING
DISTRI
BUTION
PACKAGING Other* Total
(in EUR millions) Flat
Glass
High
Performance
Materials
Intra
Segment
Elimi
nations
Total Interior
Solutions
Exterior
Solutions
Intra
Segment
Elimi
nations
Total
External sales 5,079 4,264 9,343 5,260 5,558 10,818 19,229 3,792 16 43,198
Internal sales 51 112 (21) 142 587 357 (53) 891 4 0 (1,037) 0
Net sales 5,130 4,376 (21) 9,485 5,847 5,915 (53) 11,709 19,233 3,792 (1,021) 43,198
Operating income/(loss) 104 622 726 484 490 974 761 414 6 2,881
Business income/(loss) (274) 535 261 408 386 794 613 387 (71) 1,984
Share in net income/(loss) of associates 0 1 1 7 0 7 1 2 1 12
Depreciation and amortization 333 167 500 321 186 507 274 243 26 1,550
Impairment of assets 301 25 326 44 9 53 53 6 0 438
Capital expenditure 461 236 697 343 198 541 243 282 28 1,791
Cash flow from operations 730 641 555 506 359 2,791
EBITDA 437 789 1,226 805 676 1,481 1,035 657 32 4,431
Goodwill, net 1,597 5,844 3,435 60 0 10,936
Non-amortizable brands 0 856 1,950 0 0 2,806
Total segment assets and liabilities** 7,577 12,388 8,495 1,921 163 30,544

* "Other" corresponds to a) the elimination of intragroup transactions for internal sales and b) holding company transactions for the other captions.

** Segment assets and liabilities include net property, plant and equipment, working capital, goodwill and net other intangible assets, after deducting deferred taxes on brands and land.

2011 INNOVATIVE MATERIALS
CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
BUILDING
DISTRI
BUTION
PACKAGING Other* Total
(in EUR millions) Flat
Glass
High
Performance
Materials
Intra
Segment
Elimi
nations
Total Interior
Solutions
Exterior
Solutions
Intra
Segment
Elimi
nations
Total
External sales 5,419 4,047 9,466 4,933 5,595 10,528 18,487 3,628 7 42,116
Internal sales 41 116 (27) 130 578 372 (52) 898 5 (1,033) 0
Net sales 5,460 4,163 (27) 9,596 5,511 5,967 (52) 11,426 18,492 3,628 (1,026) 42,116
Operating income/(loss) 478 652 1,130 450 636 1,086 768 448 9 3,441
Business income/(loss) 340 588 928 211 541 752 598 437 (69) 2,646
Share in net income/(loss) of associates 1 1 6 6 1 8
Depreciation and amortization 315 160 475 319 185 504 273 237 22 1,511
Impairment of assets 35 29 64 214 17 231 85 3 383
Capital expenditure 684 198 882 332 227 559 219 268 26 1,954
Cash flow from operations 1,102 888 566 512 353 3,421
EBITDA 793 812 1,605 769 821 1,590 1,041 685 31 4,952
Goodwill, net 1,551 5,828 3,408 254 11,041
Non-amortizable brands 0 847 1,931 2,778
Total segment assets and liabilities** 7,786 12,637 8,311 2,255 196 31,185

* "Other" corresponds to a) the elimination of intragroup transactions for internal sales and b) holding company transactions for the other captions.

** Segment assets and liabilities include net property, plant and equipment, working capital, goodwill and net other intangible assets, after deducting deferred taxes on brands and land.

Information by geographic area

(in EUR millions) France Other Western
European
countries
North
America
Emerging
countries and
Asia
Internal sales TOTAL
2012
Net sales 12,044 18,014 6,179 8,709 (1,748) 43,198
Total segment assets and liabilities 6,993 12,453 4,419 6,679 30,544
Capital expenditure 311 438 314 728 1,791
(in EUR millions) France Other Western
European
countries
North
America
Emerging
countries and
Asia
Internal sales TOTAL
2011
Net sales 11,802 18,049 5,505 8,643 (1,883) 42,116
Total segment assets and liabilities 7,027 12,726 4,713 6,719 31,185
Capital expenditure 327 548 295 784 1,954

NOTE 34 – PRINCIPAL FULLY CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES

The table below shows the Group's principal consolidated companies, typically those with annual sales of over €100 million.

INNOVATIVE MATERIALS SECTOR

FLAT GLASS

Saint-Gobain Glass France France 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Sekurit France France 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Glass Logistics France 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Sekurit Deutschland GmbH & CO Kg Germany 99.99%
Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland GmbH Germany 99.99%
Saint-Gobain Deutsche Glas GmbH Germany 99.99%
Saint-Gobain Glass Benelux Belgium 99.97%
Saint-Gobain Sekurit Benelux SA Belgium 99.99%
Saint-Gobain Autover Distribution SA Belgium 99.99%
Cebrace Cristal Plano Ltda Brazil 50.00%
Saint-Gobain Do Brasil Ltda Brazil 100.00%
Hankuk Glass Industries Inc. South Korea 81.07%
Hankuk Sekurit Limited South Korea 90.43%
Saint-Gobain Cristaleria S.L Spain 99.83%
Saint-Gobain Glass India Ltd India 98.71%
Saint-Gobain Glass Italia S.p.a Italy 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Sekurit Italia Italy 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Glass Mexico Mexico 99.83%
Koninklijke Saint-Gobain Glass Nederland Netherlands 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Glass Polska Sp Zoo Poland 99.99%
Saint-Gobain Sekurit Hanglas Polska Sp Zoo Poland 97.68%
Glassolutions Saint-Gobain Ltd (Solaglas) United Kingdom 99.99%
Saint-Gobain Glass UK Limited United Kingdom 99.99%

HIGH PERFORMANCE MATERIALS

France 99.97%
France 100.00%
Germany 100.00%
Brazil 100.00%
Canada 100.00%
United States 100.00%
United States 100.00%
United States 100.00%
United States 100.00%
Italy 99.97%
Italy 100.00%
Netherlands 100.00%
United Kingdom 99.99%
Czech Republic 100.00%

CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS SECTOR

INTERIOR SOLUTIONS

Placoplatre SA France 99.75%
Saint-Gobain Isover France 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Rigips GmbH Germany 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Isover G+H AG Germany 99.91%
Saint-Gobain Construction Products Belgium Belgium 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Construction Products South Africa Ltd South Africa 100.00%
Certain Teed Gypsum Canada, Inc. Canada 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Placo Iberica Spain 99.83%
CertainTeed Corporation United States 100.00%
Certain Teed Gypsum & Ceillings USA, Inc. United States 100.00%
Gypsum Industries Ltd Ireland 100.00%
Saint-Gobain PPC Italia S.p.a Italy 100.00%
Mag-Isover K.K. Japan 99.95%
BPB United Kingdom Ltd United Kingdom 100.00%
BPB Plc United Kingdom 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Construction Product Russia Insulation Russia 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Isover AB Sweden 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Ecophon AB Sweden 100.00%
Thai Gypsum Products PLC Thailand 99.66%
Izocam Ticaret VE Sanayi A.S. Turkey 47.53%

EXTERIOR SOLUTIONS

Saint-Gobain Weber France 100.00%
Saint-Gobain PAM France 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Weber GmbH Germany 100.00%
Saint-Gobain PAM Deutschland GmbH Germany 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Do Brasil Ltda Brazil 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Canalizaçao Ltda Brazil 100.00%
Saint-Gobain (Xuzhou) Pipe Co., Ltd China 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Pipelines Co., Ltd China 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Weber Cemarksa SA Spain 99.83%
Saint-Gobain PAM España SA Spain 99.83%
CertainTeed Corporation United States 100.00%
Saint-Gobain PAM Italia S.p.a Italy 100.00%
Saint-Gobain PAM UK Ltd United Kingdom 99.99%
Saint-Gobain Byggprodukter AB Sweden 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Weber AG Switzerland 100.00%

BUILDING DISTRIBUTION SECTOR

Distribution Sanitaire Chauffage France 100.00%
Lapeyre France 100.00%
Point.P France 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Deutschland GmbH Germany 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Distribuiçao Brasil Ltda Brazil 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Distribution Denmark Denmark 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Distribucion Construccion, S.L Spain 99.83%
Norandex Building Material Distribution, Inc. United States 100.00%
Optimera As Norway 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Distribution The Netherlands B.V Netherlands 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Dystrybucja Budowlana Sp Zoo Poland 99.99%
Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Ltd United Kingdom 99.99%
Saint-Gobain Building Distribution CZ, Spol S.R.O. Czech Republic 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Distribution Nordic Ab Sweden 100.00%
Sanitas Troesch Ag Switzerland 100.00%

PACKAGING SECTOR

Saint-Gobain Emballage France 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Oberland Aktiengesellschaft Germany 96.67%
Saint-Gobain Vidros SA Brazil 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Vicasa SA Spain 99.75%
Saint-Gobain Containers, Inc. United States 100.00%
Saint-Gobain Vetri S.p.a Italy 99.99%

NOTE 35 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On January 14, 2013, Saint-Gobain entered into exclusive negotiations with the Ardagh Group concerning the latter's offer to acquire Verallia North America. The binding and irrevocable offer is not conditional upon financing being arranged.

On January 17, 2013, after consulting the Works Council which expressed its support for the plan, the Group accepted Ardagh's offer to acquire Verallia North America.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 2
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNIZED INCOME AND EXPENSE 4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 6
NOTE 1 - ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES 7
NOTE 2 - CHANGES IN GROUP STRUCTURE 22
NOTE 3 – ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE 25
NOTE 4 – GOODWILL 26
NOTE 5 – OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS 27
NOTE 6 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 28
NOTE 7 – INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES 29
NOTE 8 – OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS 30
NOTE 9 – INVENTORIES 31
NOTE 10 – TRADE AND OTHER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE 32
NOTE 11 – EQUITY 32
NOTE 12 – STOCK-OPTION PLANS 33
NOTE 13 – GROUP SAVINGS PLAN ("PEG") 35
NOTE 14 – PERFORMANCE SHARE AND PERFORMANCE UNIT PLANS 36
NOTE 15 – PROVISIONS FOR PENSIONS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 39
NOTE 16 – CURRENT AND DEFERRED TAXES 46
NOTE 17 – OTHER CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES AND PROVISIONS 48
NOTE 18 – TRADE AND OTHER ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES 50
NOTE 19 – RISK FACTORS 50
NOTE 20 – NET DEBT 54
NOTE 21 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 58
NOTE 22 - FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 61
NOTE 23 – BUSINESS INCOME BY EXPENSE TYPE 62
NOTE 24 – NET FINANCIAL EXPENSE 63
NOTE 25 – EBITDA – RECURRING NET INCOME – CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS 63
NOTE 26 – EARNINGS PER SHARE 65
NOTE 27 – COMMITMENTS 65
NOTE 28 – LITIGATION 68
NOTE 29 – RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS 71
NOTE 30 – JOINT VENTURES 71
NOTE 31 – MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION 72
NOTE 32 – EMPLOYEES 72
NOTE 33 – SEGMENT INFORMATION 73
NOTE 34 – PRINCIPAL FULLY CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES 75
NOTE 35 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 78

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