Annual Report • Apr 2, 2024
Annual Report
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Annual Financial Report




193 Separate Financial Statement
199 Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

We submit for your attention the consolidated financial statements of the De Nora Group (the "Group") as at December 31, 2023 and the separate financial statements of the parent company Industrie De Nora S.p.A. (the "parent company" or the "Company") as at December 31, 2023.
This report presents the Group and the Company's position and the business performance in the financial year 2023, as well as providing an outlook for the coming year.
2023 was a historic year for the De Nora Group, which celebrated its first hundred years. It was a positive year in which good economic and financial results of the previous year were confirmed: the Group recorded a new turnover high (Euro 856 million), slightly better than the figure in the previous year (+0.4% at 2023 exchange rates, but +4% at constant exchange rates). The positive trend is also reflected in margins, with a Adjusted EBITDA of Euro 171 million, lower than the 2022 figure (Euro 191 million), but nonetheless equal to 20% of revenues, and a Adjusted EBIT of Euro 140 million (16.3% of revenues).
As regards the other income components, 2023 recorded total financial income of approximately Euro 133 million linked to the listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange of the joint venture with thyssenKrupp (hereinafter "tk nucera"), which took place in July; this income allowed the Group to close the year with an extraordinary consolidated net profit of Euro 231 million, compared to approximately Euro 90 million in 2022. The net financial position, amounting to Euro 69 million at the end of the year, also improved compared to Euro 52 million at the end of 2022.
Energy Transition activities recorded another significant acceleration in 2023, becoming a significant business in a rapidly growing market; the revenues of the Energy Transition segment were just above Euro 100 million in the year just ended, almost two and a half times those achieved in the previous year.
The number of Group employees reached 2,010, 81 more than at the end of 2022. The continuous growth of the workforce supports the planned expansion in activities and business.
Important expansion projects were completed or were launched in 2023, including:
The Group's expansion was also achieved through the acquisition, in the second quarter of the year, of the German company Shotec, an opportunity for De Nora to expand its portfolio of processes and technologies for the production of electrodes.
As mentioned above, in July 2023 tk nucera was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange; an important milestone and a new starting point for the collaboration between De Nora and thyssenKrupp.
2024 is proving to be extremely challenging. Global economic prospects continue to be difficult and uncertain: inflation is still high and financial markets are extremely volatile due to geopolitical and macroeconomic reasons. Despite this, De Nora is confident in its growth prospects, even though keeping performance levels high will be very difficult. In this context, it is essential to maintain a very high focus on cost control and the planning of production activities, ready to adapt to the market with agility and flexibility.

2023 2022



1 Indicates the following geographical areas: Europe, Middle East, India, Africa.
2 Indicates the following geographic areas: North and South America.
Executive Chairperson Federico De Nora(*)
Chief Executive Officer Paolo Enrico Dellachà(*)
Stefano Venier Maria Giovanna Calloni(**) Mario Cesari Michelangelo Mantero Teresa Cristiana Naddeo(**) Elisabetta Oliveri(**) Paola Bonandrini Giovanni Toffoli (**) Alessandro Garrone (**) Giorgio Metta (**)
Chairperson Marcello Del Prete
Statutory Auditors Beatrice Bompieri Guido Sazbon
Alternate Auditors Pierpaolo Giuseppe Galimi Gianluigi Lapietra Raffaella Piraccini
Chairperson - Teresa Cristiana Naddeo Giovanni Toffoli Paola Bonandrini
Chairperson - Elisabetta Oliveri Mario Cesari Maria Giovanna Calloni
Chairperson - Paolo Enrico Dellachà Federico De Nora Mario Cesari Stefano Venier Paola Bonandrini
Chairperson - Maria Giovanna Calloni Teresa Cristiana Naddeo Elisabetta Oliveri
Massimiliano Moi
PricewaterhouseCoopers S.p.A.2
Chairperson - Gianluca Sardo Silvio Necchi Claudio Vitacca
(*) Executive director.
1 Appointed by the Shareholders' Meeting of March 9, 2022 (with the exception of the Directors Stefano Venier appointed on April 28, 2022, Alessandro Garrone appointed on June 20, 2022, Paola Bonandrini appointed on April 28, 2023, already co-opted on March 22, 2023, Giorgio Metta appointed via co-optation on July 31, 2023). The Board of Directors is in office until the approval of the Financial Statements as at December 31, 2024.
(**) Independent director pursuant to Articles 147-ter, paragraph 4, and 148, paragraph 3, of the TUF (Consolidated Law on Finance) and Art. 2 of the Corporate Governance Code.
2 Appointed by the Shareholders' Meeting on February 18, 2022 for the period covering 2022 - 30.
A graphical representation is provided below of the Group structure with an indication of the companies belonging to the Group and the equity investment held by the parent company, directly or indirectly, in each of them as at December 31, 2023.

The following Corporate functions are centralized at the parent company Industrie De Nora S.p.A. (AFC & ICT; Legal; People, Organization, Social Communication, Happiness; Marketing, Business Development & Product Management; Research & Development, Intellectual Property & Production Technologies; Global Operations & Innovation; Global Procurement), thus ensuring financial, strategic and operational consistency within the Group. In particular, the Corporate functions:
1 46.32% Indian Stock exchange + promoters 250.19% Thyssenkrupp Projekt 1 GmbH; 23.96% free float 3 20% Mr. Bu Bingxin 4 20% Biocatters Holding, LLC 5 10% SNAM S.p.A. 694.9% venture capital or corporate venture
capital and promoters
Legal entity Branch office

The global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the cost-of-living crisis is proving surprisingly resilient. Inflation is falling faster than expected from its 2022 peak, with a smaller-than-expected toll on employment and activity, reflecting favorable supply-side developments and tightening by central banks, which has kept inflation expectations anchored. At the same time, high interest rates aimed at fighting inflation and a withdrawal of fiscal support amid high debt are expected to weigh on growth in 2024.
Economic growth is estimated to have been stronger than expected in the second half of 2023 in the United States, and several major emerging market and developing economies. In several cases, government and private spending contributed to the upswing, with real disposable income gains supporting consumption amid still-tight — though easing — labor markets and households drawing down on their accumulated pandemic-era savings. A supply-side expansion also took hold, with a broadbased increase in labor force participation, resolution of pandemic-era supply chain problems, and declining delivery times. The rising momentum was not felt everywhere, with notably subdued growth in the euro area, reflecting weak consumer sentiment, the lingering effects of high energy prices, and weakness in interest-rate-sensitive manufacturing and business investment. Low-income economies continue to experience large output losses compared with their prepandemic (2017–19) paths amid elevated borrowing costs. Amid favorable global supply
developments, inflation has been falling faster than expected, with recent monthly readings near the prepandemic average for both headline and underlying (core) inflation. Global headline inflation in the fourth quarter of 2023 is estimated to have been about 0.3 percentage point lower than predictions on a quarter-over-quarter seasonally adjusted basis. Diminished inflation reflects the fading of relative price shocks — notably those to energy prices — and their associated pass-through to core inflation. The decline also reflects an easing in labor market tightness, with a decline in job vacancies, a modest rise in unemployment, and greater labor supply, in some cases associated with a strong inflow of immigrants. Wage growth has generally remained contained, with wage-price spirals — in which prices and wages accelerate together — not taking hold. Near-term inflation expectations have fallen in major economies, with long-term expectations remaining anchored.
To reduce inflation, major central banks raised policy interest rates to restrictive levels in 2023, resulting in high mortgage costs, challenges for firms refinancing their debt, tighter credit availability, and weaker business and residential investment. But with inflation easing, market expectations that future policy rates will decline have contributed to a reduction in longer-term interest rates and rising equity markets. Still, long-term borrowing costs remain high in both advanced and emerging market and developing economies, partly because government debt has been rising.
Governments in advanced economies eased fiscal policy in 2023. The United States, where GDP had already
1 Source IMF World Economic Outlook Update - January 2024. exceeded its prepandemic path, eased policy more than did euro area and other economies in which the recovery was incomplete. In emerging market and developing economies, in which output has on average fallen even further below the prepandemic trend, on average the fiscal stance is estimated to have been neutral. In 2024, the fiscal policy stance is expected to tighten in several advanced and emerging market and developing economies to rebuild budgetary room for maneuver and curb the rising path of debt, and this shift is expected to slow growth in the near term.
Global growth, estimated at 3.1% in 2023, is projected to remain at 3.1% in 2024 before rising modestly to 3.2% in 2025. Compared with previous projections, the forecast for 2024 is about 0.2 percentage point higher, reflecting upgrades for China, the United States, and large emerging market and developing economies. Nevertheless, the projection for global growth in 2024 and 2025 is below the historical (2000–19) annual average of 3.8%, reflecting restrictive monetary policies and withdrawal of fiscal support, as well as low underlying productivity growth. Advanced economies are expected to see growth decline slightly in 2024 before rising in 2025, with a recovery in the euro area from low growth in 2023 and a moderation of growth in the United States. Emerging market and developing economies are expected to experience stable growth through 2024 and 2025, with regional differences.
World trade growth is projected at 3.3% in 2024 and 3.6% in 2025, below its historical average growth rate of 4.9%. Rising trade distortions and geoeconomic fragmentation are expected to continue to weigh on the level of global trade. These forecasts are based on assumptions that fuel and nonfuel commodity prices will decline in 2024 and 2025 and that interest rates will decline in major economies. Annual average oil prices are projected to fall by about 2.3% in 2024, whereas nonfuel commodity prices are expected to fall by 0.9%. Policy
rates projections are to remain at current levels for the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, and the Bank of England until the second half of 2024, before gradually declining as inflation moves closer to targets. The Bank of Japan is projected to maintain an overall accommodative stance.
For advanced economies, growth is projected to decline slightly from 1.6% in 2023 to 1.5% in 2024 before rising to 1.8% in 2025.
In the United States, growth is projected to fall from 2.5 percent in 2023 to 2.1 percent in 2024 and 1.7 percent in 2025.
Growth in the euro area is projected to recover from its low rate of an estimated 0.5% in 2023, which reflected relatively high exposure to the war in Ukraine, to 0.9% in 2024 and 1.7% in 2025. Stronger household consumption as the effects of the shock to energy prices subside and inflation falls, supporting real income growth, is expected to drive the recovery.
Among other advanced economies, growth in the United Kingdom is projected to rise modestly, from an estimated 0.5% in 2023 to 0.6% in 2024, as the lagged negative effects of high energy prices wane, then to 1.6% in 2025, as disinflation allows an easing in financial conditions and permits real incomes to recover. Output in Japan is projected to remain above potential as growth decelerates from an estimated 1.9% in 2023 to 0.9% in 2024 and 0.8% in 2025, reflecting the fading of one-off factors that supported activity in 2023, including a depreciated yen, pent-up demand, and a recovery in business investment following earlier delays in implementing projects.
In emerging market and developing economies, growth is expected to remain at 4.1% in 2024 and to rise to 4.2% in 2025. Growth in emerging and developing Asia is expected to decline from an estimated 5.4% in 2023 to 5.2% in 2024 and 4.8% in 2025. Growth in China is projected at 4.6% in 2024 and 4.1% in 2025. Growth in India is projected to
remain strong at 6.5% in both 2024 and 2025, reflecting resilience in domestic demand.
Growth in emerging and developing Europe is projected to pick up from an estimated 2.7% in 2023 to 2.8% in 2024, before declining to 2.5% in 2025. Growth in Russia is projected at 2.6% in 2024 and 1.1% in 2025.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, growth is projected to decline from an estimated 2.5% in 2023 to 1.9% in 2024 before rising to 2.5% in 2025.
Growth in the Middle East and Central Asia is projected to rise from an estimated 2% in 2023 to 2.9% in 2024 and 4.2% in 2025. In sub-Saharan Africa, growth is projected to rise from an estimated 3.3% in 2023 to 3.8% in 2024 and 4.1% in 2025.
Global headline inflation is expected to fall from an estimated 6.8% in 2023 (annual average) to 5.8% in 2024 and 4.4% in 2025. Advanced economies are expected to see faster disinflation, with inflation falling by 2.0 percentage points in 2024 to 2.6%, than are emerging market and developing economies, where inflation is projected to decline by just 0.3 percentage point to 8.1%. The drivers of declining inflation differ by country but generally reflect lower core inflation as a result of still-tight monetary policies, a related softening in labor markets, and pass-through effects from declines in relative energy prices.
There is scope for further upside surprises to global growth, although other potential factors pull the distribution of risks in the opposite direction. Stronger global growth than expected could arise from several sources:
Faster disinflation: in the near term, the risk that inflation will fall faster than expected could again become a reality, with stronger-than-expected pass-through from lower fuel prices, further downward shifts in the ratio of vacancies to unemployed persons, and a compression of profit margins to absorb past cost increases. Combined with a decline in inflation expectations, such developments could allow central banks to move forward with their policy-easing plans and could also contribute to improving business, consumer, and financial market sentiment, as well as raising growth.
Slower-than-assumed withdrawal of fiscal support: Governments in major economies might withdraw fiscal policy support more slowly than necessary and than assumed during 2024–25, implying higher-than-projected global growth in the near term. However, such delays could in some cases exacerbate inflation and, with elevated public debt, result in higher borrowing costs and a more disruptive policy adjustment, with a negative impact on global growth later on.
Faster economic recovery in China: Additional property sector–related reforms — including faster restructuring of insolvent property developers while protecting home buyers' interests — or larger-than-expected fiscal support could boost consumer confidence, bolster private demand, and generate positive cross-border growth spillovers.
Artificial intelligence and supply-side reforms: Over the medium term, artificial intelligence could boost workers' productivity and incomes, although this would depend on countries' harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence. Advanced economies may experience benefits from artificial intelligence sooner than emerging market and developing economies, largely because their employment structures are more focused on cognitive-intensive roles. For emerging market and developing economies with constrained policy environments, faster progress on implementing supply-enhancing reforms could result in greater-than-expected domestic and foreign investment and productivity and faster convergence to higher income levels.
Several adverse risks to global growth remain plausible:
Commodity price spikes amid geopo-
litical and weather shocks: The conflict in Gaza and Israel could escalate further into the wider region, which produces about 35% of the world's oil exports and 14% of its gas exports. Continued attacks in the Red Sea — through which 11% of global trade flows — and the ongoing war in Ukraine risk generating fresh adverse supply shocks to the global recovery, with spikes in food, energy, and transportation costs. Container shipping costs have already sharply increased, and the situation in the Middle East remains volatile. Further geoeconomic fragmentation could also constrain the cross-border flow of commodities, causing additional price volatility. More extreme weather shocks, including floods and drought, could, together with the El Niño phenomenon, also cause food price spikes, exacerbate food insecurity, and jeopardize the global disinflation process.
Persistence of core inflation, requiring a tighter monetary policy stance: A slower-than-expected decline in core inflation in major economies due, for example, to persistent labor market tightness and renewed tensions in supply chains could trigger a rise in interest rate expectations and a fall in asset prices, as in early 2023. Such developments could increase financial stability risks, tighten global financial conditions, trigger flight-to-safety capital flows, and strengthen the US dollar, with adverse consequences for trade and growth.
Faltering of growth in China: Absent a comprehensive restructuring policy package for the troubled property sector, real estate investment could drop more than expected, and for longer, with negative implications for domestic growth and trading partners. Unintended fiscal tightening in response to local government financing constraints is
also possible, as is reduced household consumption in a context of subdued confidence.
Fiscal consolidation is necessary in many economies to deal with rising debt ratios. But an excessively sharp shift to tax hikes and spending cuts, beyond what is envisaged, could result in slower-than-expected growth in the near term. Adverse market reactions could pressure some countries that lack a credible medium-term consolidation plan or face a risk of debt distress to undertake harsh adjustments. In low-income countries and emerging market economies, the risk of debt distress remains elevated, constraining scope for necessary growth-enhancing investments.
As inflation declines toward target levels across regions, the near-term priority for central banks is to deliver a smooth landing, neither lowering rates prematurely nor delaying such lowering too much. With inflation drivers and dynamics differing across economies, policy needs for ensuring price stability are increasingly differentiated. At the same time, in many cases, amid rising debt and limited budgetary room to maneuver, and with inflation declining and economies better able to absorb effects of fiscal tightening, a renewed focus on fiscal consolidation is needed. Intensifying supply-enhancing reforms would facilitate both inflation and debt reduction and enable a durable rise in living standards.
The faster-than-expected fall in inflation is allowing an increasing number of central banks to move from raising policy rates to adjusting to a less restrictive stance. At the same time, where measures of underlying inflation and expectations are clearly moving toward target-consistent levels, adjusting rates to more neutral levels may be necessary to avoid protracted economic weakness and target undershoots.
With borrowing costs still high, careful monitoring of financing conditions and readiness to deploy financial stability tools will remain vital for avoiding financial sector strains.
With fiscal deficits above prepandemic levels and higher debt-service costs, fiscal consolidation based on credible medium-term plans, with the pace of adjustment depending upon country-specific circumstances, is warranted to restore room for budgetary maneuver. Increasing fiscal balances over a sustained period, while protecting priority investments and support to the vulnerable, is needed in many cases. Well-calibrated plans can support fiscal policy credibility, allow the pace of consolidation to be adjusted as a function of the strength of private demand, and avert disruptive front-loaded adjustments. Mobilizing domestic revenue, addressing spending rigidities, and reinforcing institutional fiscal frameworks are likely to support adjustment efforts, both in economies with sizable spending needs and in others as well. For countries in or at high risk of debt distress, orderly debt restructuring may also be necessary.
Targeted and carefully sequenced structural reforms can reinforce productivity growth and reverse declining medium-term growth prospects despite constrained policy space. Bundling reforms that alleviate the most binding constraints to economic activity can front-load the resulting output gains, even in the short term,
and secure public buy-in. Industrial policies can be pursued where clearly identifiable externalities or important market failures are well established and other more effective policy options are unavailable, but the policies need to be consistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Such policies are more likely to be successful if complemented with appropriate economy-wide reforms and good governance frameworks. Carbon pricing, subsidies for green investments, reducing energy subsidies, and carbon border-adjustment mechanisms can speed the green transition but must be designed to support consistency with WTO rules. Investments in climate adaptation activities and infrastructure are also needed to support resilience.
Intensified cooperation in areas of common interest is vital for mitigating the costs of the separation of the world economy into blocs. In addition to coordination on debt resolution, cooperation is required to mitigate the effects of climate change and facilitate the green energy transition, building on recent agreements at the 2023 Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). Safeguarding the transportation of critical minerals, restoring the WTO's ability to settle trade disputes, and ensuring the responsible use of potentially disruptive new technologies such as artificial intelligence by, among other things, upgrading domestic regulatory frameworks and harmonizing global principles are further priorities.
The following table summarises the main reference foreign currencies of the De Nora Group (commercial transaction currency or functional currencies of foreign entities belonging to the Group) and the relative foreign exchange rates:
| Average exchange rate for the year ended December 31 |
Exchange rate at December 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currency | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| US Dollar | 1.0813 | 1.0530 | 1.1050 | 1.0666 | |
| Japanese Yen | 151.9903 | 138.0274 | 156.3300 | 140.6600 | |
| Indian Rupee | 89.3001 | 82.6864 | 91.9045 | 88.1710 | |
| Chinese Yuan Renminbi | 7.6600 | 7.0788 | 7.8509 | 7.3582 | |
| Brazilian Real | 5.4010 | 5.4399 | 5.3618 | 5.6386 | |
| GB Pound | 0.8698 | 0.8528 | 0.8691 | 0.8869 |
In addition to the Euro, the most important currencies for the Group are the US Dollar and the Japanese Yen: in 2023, the Japanese Yen recorded a devaluation of roughly 11%, while the US Dollar a devaluation of roughly 4%. The devaluation of the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (down roughly 7%), the Indian Rupee (down by approximately 4%), the appreciation of the Brazilian Real (up around 5%) and of the British Pound (up around 2%) also had an impact, albeit to a lesser extent.
Below are the characteristics of the Group's reference markets and their trends during the year just ended.
Although the demand for electrodes in terms of volumes was sustained in 2023, the global economic slowdown led to a downturn in growth compared to the previous year. Falling raw materials prices led to a decline in value.
Chlorine is produced through the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of sodium chloride, and the reference industries that use it are the main reference sectors of application of the Group. Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) is a natural co-product of the electrolysis reaction, which is why this industry is commonly referred to as chlor-alkali. Chlorine, caustic soda and their derivatives are basic products used in many applications, and this guarantees a certain degree of market resilience even in the event of an economic slowdown.
Chlorine is used for the production of numerous chemical and pharmaceutical products and its derivatives are essential for the production of solvents, detergents, water treatment products and plastics, including PVC, used in a number of sectors (automotive, construction, furnishings, defence, electronics, food, etc.). Caustic soda is partly reused in the chemical industry and in particular in other sectors such as detergents, textiles, aluminium, fibres, glass, paper, food and water treatment.
The general increase in the cost of energy, inflationary pressures, high interest rates, the weakness of the Chinese economy, particularly affected by the real estate bubble, political conflicts, and the global economic slowdown have put the chlorine market to the test, characterized in 2023 by a global decrease in demand (-1% YoY). This decrease resulted in a lower level of use of production plants compared to 2022.
Within the chlor-alkali industry, the Group's target market is electrodes and electrolyzers, key components of production plants. The electrodes market for the chlor-alkali industry is relatively mature and characterized by a large customer base. 2023 was characterized by stable demand for maintenance services, while the new electrodes and electrolyzers business was mainly driven by the request for upgrades of old generation plants or technologies (with a greater environmental impact and higher energy consumption) and by a limited increase in global installed capacity.
In response to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which proposed to ban US imports of asbestos used to make diaphragm plant separators, major US chlorine producers recently stated that they plan to phase out diaphragm plants, replacing them with more modern ones based on membrane technologies. The first example of this is the project to convert a large plant in Texas announced last May. The demand for new electrodes and electrolyzers is expected to benefit from this slow but progressive technological shift.
The reference markets for the Group are represented by: (i) the production of copper foil, a basic raw material used mainly for the production of printed circuits for multiple applications and lithium batteries, (ii) the electrochemical copper
plating in printed circuit boards (PCB) and in particular those with high interconnection density (HDI).
2023 was characterized by weak demand, especially in the consumer and smartphones sector, worsened by a situation of over-supply and high stocks of both finished products and electrodes in warehouses, which led to a slowdown in market growth, resulting in a drop in sales of the reference sector compared to the previous year. Therefore, there has been a lower level of use of copper foil and printed circuit production plants, and a postponement of many of the investment plans announced by the main manufacturers. This slowdown in the market spilled over the entire supply chain, including the demand for electrodes, which recorded a slowdown in growth.
The electrolytic refining market is based on the process of electrodeposition of non-ferrous metals to remove residual impurities still present in them after the solvent extraction process, with the aim of obtaining metals of high purity and quality, which are used in various industrial sectors.
The Group's offer is concentrated in the segment of titanium anodes with mixed metal oxide coating for the electrolytic refining of nickel and cobalt. In 2023, the demand for insoluble electrodes was determined by service activities (reactivation of electrodes) and technological upgrades of existing installations, substantially in line with the previous year.
The Group supplies electrodes to the main companies operating in the sector that produce and sell electrochlorination systems (salt chlorinators), used for the disinfection of swimming pool water, thus replacing traditional chlorine-based disinfection methods (tablets, granules, liquids).
The main reference market for De Nora is represented by in-ground residential swimming pools. Energy efficiency, sustainability and ease of use increasingly guide the selection criteria of the sector, favoring the installation of salt chlorinators compared to other traditional disinfection processes or technologies based on the dosing of chemical products, also in non-traditional geographical areas or applications.
However, after two extremely positive years which, for multiple reasons (shortage of chemical products and related increase in prices, the effects of COV-ID-19, increases in stocks), have seen an increase in demand for salt chlorinators in the residential swimming pool sector beyond all expectations, market normalization is progressively taking place in a difficult macroeconomic scenario.
In 2023, the residential in-ground swimming pool sector was affected by a slowdown in demand for new installations, especially in Europe, and the decrease of high stock levels at global level.
The sharp slowdown in the real estate sector, aggravated by the increase in interest rates, contributed to the decline in the number of new swimming pools. In addition, in some European countries, such as France, low summer rainfall has prompted public authorities to take drastic decisions regarding water restrictions, prohibiting the construction of new swimming pools to limit water consumption.
Therefore, in 2023, there was a significant drop in the volumes required, including those of electrochlorinators and, consequently, in the demand for electrodes.
The availability of water with certain chemical and physical characteristics is a critical factor for many industrial sectors, both civil (drinking water plants) and industrial. Disinfection processes are therefore an essential step in the treatment of water, for its reuse and for its discharge into the network, in compliance with current legislation. In terms of the different disinfection methods, the use of chlorine is the most widespread.
Although chlorine in gaseous form is the most common method of disinfection in industrial plants, followed by the use of hypochlorite solutions, on-site hypochlorite and/or gaseous chlorine generation technologies are increasingly favored, mainly for logistical, safety, cost and environmental reasons.
Although it is estimated that the on-site chlorine generation market is growing at a slightly higher rate than the overall growth of the disinfection market, it is still a small market in size, with an estimated value of roughly Euro 240 million in 2023. Public funding, increasingly stringent regulations, integrated projects for the generation of water and energy that require electrochlorination technologies, are the main drivers which in 2023 facilitated the implementation of projects in the United States, Europe and the Middle East.
In the field of disinfection and filtration systems, the Group mainly targets the municipal market, designing, developing and selling systems and technologies for water purification and tertiary sector wastewater treatment.
Increasingly, disinfection technologies are being used in combination, with UV or ozone being added to basic chlorine processes, to reduce its use and the formation of by-products, and to combat
chlorine-resistant pathogens. In general, as regards disinfection technologies, ozone, UV and chlorine dioxide are among the favorites and record a higher growth rate than the market average.
The Middle East, which continues to experience a period of considerable expansion in response to the persistent challenges of water scarcity, is confirmed as a strategic growth market for the Group's technologies.
In the United States, federal stimulus packages that envisage, until 2026, \$ 100 billion in spending on infrastructure for the treatment of drinking water, wastewater and rainwater, together with a tightening of the regulatory framework for the treatment of persistent chemicals (PFAS), are steering the investments, encouraging the demand for filtration and absorption technologies. These positive trends in EMEA and North America were partially offset by the slowdown in the Chinese economy, which in 2023 led to a decline in demand for disinfection and filtration systems and delayed several planned investment projects.
Green hydrogen is expected to play a key role in the process decarbonization of industries that currently use hydrogen produced through the Steam Reforming (SMR) process, and for those sectors where there are currently no economically competitive alternatives to the use of energy produced from fossil fuels with a huge environmental impact in terms of carbon dioxide emissions and/or where direct electrification is not feasible.
All green hydrogen production methods are based on the electrolysis of water; the main differences between the various technologies stem from the type of electrolyte used and the operating conditions; they also differ in terms of the level of development achieved and commercial maturity. The main technologies for the production of green hydrogen are: alkaline electrolysis ("AWE"), proton polymer membrane electrolysis ("PEM"), solid oxide electrolysis ("SOEC") and anionic polymer membrane electrolysis ("AEM"). Of these, only the first two technologies have reached a sufficient level of technological development and are currently marketed. It is expected that in the medium and long-term, as a result of its advantages, alkaline electrolysis will continue to be preferred over competing technologies such as PEM, especially for large-scale projects. In particular, the AWE technology is expected to be used for the decarbonization of "hard to abate" industries (for example steel mills and refineries), and for the production of "green chemicals", for example ammonia, methanol and "green fuels" for the aviation sector.
The Group has developed high-performance electrodes and catalysts for alkaline electrolysis of water (AWE) and is developing electrodes, catalysts and cell components for the production of hydrogen through both cationic and anionic polymer membrane electrolysis (PEM and AEM), as well as a containerized system based on an alkaline electrolyzer that uses a proprietary design.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the ensuing consequences, including high energy prices, have contributed to strengthening investment plans aimed at promoting green hydrogen by an increasing number of countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, as well as Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Australia and China.
In 2023, the number of green hydrogen production projects announced globally rose to more than one thousand. There was also an increase in large-scale (multi-megawatt) projects, the main target market for the De Nora Group's electrodes, especially in the ammonia, refineries and steel sectors.
Currently, only 10% of the project investments announced have been definitively approved. The next two years are expected to be key for the definitive growth of this sector, which in 2023 experienced delays in the transition from the planning phase to the execution phase of the projects, and in obtaining subsidies.
De Nora's strategy is based on four pillars:
by streamlined processes and digitalization. The company aims to enhance the potential of its people, promoting their continuous development, strengthening their leadership, and encouraging a diversified and inclusive work environment. In addition, the Group confirms its commitment to improving the physical and mental well-being of all employees. Reputation and communication continue to be among the Group's priorities.
The Group also intends to strengthen its commitment to sustainability, pursuing the initiatives and objectives set out in the Sustainability Plan to 2026 and to 2030, focused on Green Innovation, Climate Action and Circular Economy, the continuous development of people, inclusion and well-being, on Community Engagement, partnerships and sustainable supply chains.
The strategic guidelines for the three business divisions are reported below.
In the Electrode Technologies business, the Group intends to preserve its position as a global leader by maintaining its competitive advantage in the reference markets in terms of performance and quality, through continuous innovation and pursuing production excellence. Research and development, in particular, is aimed at optimizing the use and recovery of noble metals and reducing costs.
In the Water Technologies business, De Nora intends to preserve its consolidated position in the swimming pool electrodes market, continuing to focus on the quality of services and customer relations. With regard to the water treatment systems business, the Group aims to focus its growth on the main strategic markets (municipal and industrial), through an optimized technological portfolio and seize the new business opportunities brought about by the emergence of new contaminants and supported by a tightening of the regulatory framework for the treatment and reuse of drinking water and wastewater.
De Nora intends to establish itself as a leader in the supply of electrodes for the production of green hydrogen, whose market has significant growth potential. In particular, the Group intends to benefit from a wide technological offer, leveraging its know-how deriving from the long-established electrodes business, on partnerships with leading operators in the sector such as tk nucera, and on the extensive and consolidated production capacity, planning strategic and scalable investments.
In addition, the Group intends to continue investing in the development of new critical components (electrodes and catalysts) for hydrogen generation technologies by means of alkaline electrolysis and alternative electrolysis processes such as PEM and AEM. In addition, the Group intends to continue to invest in the development and marketing of electrolyzers and complete systems, which aim to reduce the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH).
The Group intends to continue to take a flexible approach to the external growth process, proactively exploring opportunities to acquire technology companies to expand and consolidate its presence.
The main strategic initiatives that characterized 2023 are illustrated below.
In the context of Business Development, activities to promote business growth continue to focus on the development of new opportunities within the energy transition. Also in 2023, the Group consolidated partnerships and collaborations with major international companies, ensuring design, development and testing agreements, and strengthening
its positioning within the hydrogen value chain.
During 2023, the Group's activities were characterized by various Marketing and Communication initiatives. The main actions taken are listed below:
In the area of People, Organization, Social Communication & Happiness, the implementation of the 2021-23 People Strategy was successfully completed in 2023, according to the five pillars identified: People Development, Communication, Reputation & Networking, HR Analytics, Digitalization & Agility, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Well-being and Happiness pursuit.
In addition, in 2023, De Nora in Italy obtained the Great Place to Work Certification.
The development of people plays a key role in De Nora. In fact, the Group targets the continuous engagement and growth of people, encouraging them on an ongoing basis to be focal points of their own future project, co-creating training courses and individual growth paths, and putting them in a position to attain self-realization. The main new initiatives of the year were:
Open Innovation activities continued to promote innovation through external resources and expertise. The main activities were focused on strengthening an ecosystem that supports the company in product and process technological innovation, and on the creation of new collaborations in the field of digitization.
In order to continue to promote innovation and continuous improvement throughout the Group, a strategy has been defined aimed at encouraging the generation of ideas, paying particular attention to the issues of security, digitization and sustainability.
In 2023, there was a continuous increase in the number of ideas generated (+64% compared to 2022, with a total of 1,298 ideas during the year) and growing employee participation (33% of all De Nora employees proposed at least one idea during the year, marking an increase of 50% compared to 2022).
With regard to digitalization, various activities were promoted aimed at improving internal processes, with a special focus on Operations; in particular, a "smart manufacturing" roadmap was defined that will see the Group attain a high level of standardization and digitalization of the processes relating to production plant management over the next 3-5 years.
On the Operations side, the Hoshin Kanri (HK) tool for implementing the strategy is increasingly more central, aimed at constantly improving the safety culture, productivity and careful optimization of costs, with the support of the Corporate departments. In 2023, De Nora Water Technologies LLC plants were also integrated into the HK cycle, excluded in the first phase. In 2024, the De Nora India plant will also be included. Thanks to this integration, all the main group plants will be included in the Hoshin Kanri method.
Another key point in the new cycle that begins in 2024 is the definition of ESG objectives, defined by outlining the stated objectives in terms of emissions, for all the Group's plants and offices.
The three-year HK cycle that has just ended also fostered the introduction of the main pillars of lean transformation: Structured Problem Solving, Shop Floor Management, Total Productive Maintenance, the 5S methodology and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). Most of the plants have introduced these tools, with clear results in terms of safety and the daily management of operations. Some plants preferred to postpone the introduction of some of these tools in the second cycle of HK starting from 2024.
In the Sales and Operation Planning (S&OP) area, the Supply Chain Transformation project that aims to install advanced planning software in the electrode plants, to allow the structured execution of Demand Planning, Supply Planning, MRP/DDMRP
processes, Scheduling and Sales Order commit, will see the project team committed in 2024, not only to continuous improvement at the plants in which the roll-out has already been carried out (USA, Germany, Japan), but to implement it in China and Brazil. The system, through its excellent configuration and customization possibilities, guarantees a greater degree of visibility of supply chain dynamics at all levels.
The falling trend in injuries that took hold in 2021 was also confirmed in 2023. Improvement initiatives have been introduced in all plants and offices and the results are monitored on a monthly basis, as part of the monthly Hoshin Kanri cycle mentioned above. To be noted in particular the increase of about 30% compared to 2022 in Safety Observation reports. This is a clear indication that the safety culture is getting stronger as many more operators are reporting possible safety improvements. The concept of "safety starts with you", the motto of all safety-related initiatives, is starting to be systematically implemented.
The Central Procurement function, the Group's reference point for the purchase of strategic materials, continues to pursue its objective of an ever-greater centralization of the management of raw materials and key components, and has proved its effectiveness, guaranteeing price competitiveness and continuity of supply to Group companies in a year characterized by market tension and volatility and supply disruption.
The evolution of the function into a "proactive innovation and profit center" has resulted in its preliminary involvement in the innovation design and product review processes and is proving to be effective in combining functional and production needs with market availability in the best possible way, with a view to optimizing the costs, quality and sustainability of the final product.
At the same time, with a view to creating value, the Global Procurement
function aims to establish Group synergies that have resulted:
In any case, the focus remains constant on:
In Cyber Security, 2023 marked an important step towards greater maturity and resilience. The governance capacity has developed significantly, with the strengthening of the essential components of the risk management strategy and its formalization. This has made it possible to more clearly define principles, objectives, guidelines and the related responsibilities to tackle the challenges of IT security, enabling constant updating and adaptation to keep pace with the new trends in threats, the technological landscape and business
objectives. One of the priorities has been to consolidate the effectiveness of the system for detecting anomalous events and responding to cyber incidents, based on best practices and international standards.
A rigorous and structured methodology has been adopted to identify, analyze, contain and eradicate potential cyber threats, handling low intensity events as early as possible before they can become actual incidents while planning, at the same time, the management of high-impact scenarios that involve the need to restore key IT services to ensure the continuation of essential activities. Another fundamental aspect has been the development of the main reporting structure that measures and highlights the key aspects of the elements being accessed at cyber security level within the Group. This reporting is divided into different release levels and frequencies, to meet the different requirements, from the more technical and operational to the more strategic and summary ones for top management. The main objective is to track the criticality and type of cyber-attacks identified and prevention and reaction activities over time, at the same time highlighting trends with respect to the manufacturing sector and general trends in the countries where De Nora is present.
The activities related to protection technologies have seen the enabling of new functions and the extension to new territories of systems for the control and protection of IT accesses to the production plants. A technology was also introduced that allows an automatic assessment of cyber security by simulating the real attack methods used by hackers in a secure and constantly updated manner. This makes it possible to integrate current mitigation activities, highlighting and taking action on any vulnerabilities that are not immediately identifiable and focusing attention on those concrete elements that may be exploited by potential attackers.
To raise awareness among employees of the fundamental role they play in protecting company data and systems, specific measures have been identified to provide them with the necessary knowledge to act responsibly and securely in their daily work. To this end, a training program was launched that covers various aspects of IT security, from good practices to threat prevention.
In terms of developments in the Information and Communication Technologies area, in addition to the support and tools already mentioned, developed in the Operations and Global Procurement area, 2023 saw the Group engaged in the technological upgrading of the main tools used on a daily basis to support the business, such as for example the release upgrade of the ERP platform, the redesign of the Intranet portal and the consolidation of the trouble ticketing tool. The innovation process also continues, involving an increasing use of data analysis tools, such as Power BI, through the preparation of new dashboards and advanced user training.
In the Legal and Compliance area, the De Nora Group continues its efforts to promote a corporate culture characterized by correct behavior and a corporate governance system in line with international and listed company best practices. As regards the other projects, in 2023 the Group adopted (i) the Global Anti-Corruption Policy, which was drafted, in compliance with the requirements described in the ISO 37001 standard, as well as principle 10 of the United Nations Global Compact, with the objective of promoting a culture of "zero tolerance" of corruption; (ii) the Trade Control and Economic Sanctions Policy, in order to represent the commitment to ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing trade and international economic sanctions; (iii) the revision of the Global Whistleblowing Policy, which includes more details on the content of the reports and on the measures for protecting whistleblowers, as well as the number of entities to whom the protection mechanisms are extended. Finally, it should be noted that Industrie De Nora S.p.A. has adopted a new version of the
"Organization, management and control model" due to the new regulations, that saw the revision of the special section now configured on the basis of specific protocols for the different corporate processes, compared to the previous structure based on the list of offences relevant to the Company.
With regard to the activities of Research & Development and Patent, please refer to the following specific paragraph illustrated below in this Report on Operations.
The De Nora share closed the year 2023 with an overall price increase of 9.4%, recording a performance just a few percentage points lower than the FTSE Italia Mid Cap and Eurostoxx 600 indices, which reported growth of approximately 13%. De Nora, on the other hand, significantly outperformed the S&P Clean Tech indices (-15.8%) and FTSE Renewable & Alternatives Energies (-7.9%) and the main listed competitors active in the green hydrogen industry, as shown in the graphs.
During the first part of the year, the share recorded a significant increase (+30.8% as at July 30, 2023) reaching new intraday highs of more than Euro 21.50, supported by the positive results and the listing on the German equity market of the tk nucera joint venture, which took place in July.
From August until the beginning of November, De Nora's prices experienced a phase of weakness, albeit with limited trading volumes, influenced by expectations of a slowdown in the growth of the green hydrogen market with respect to previous forecasts, as well as the increase in interest rates, which adversely impacted the price of shares with high potential growth.
In the last two months of the year, the prices of the De Nora share recovered by 19.4%, better than the performance recorded by the FTSE Italia Mid Cap (+15%) and Eurostoxx 600 (+10%) indices.
The average daily volumes traded in 2023 amounted to 146,249 shares with an average value of approximately Euro 2.53 million.
Lastly, it should be noted that on November 9, 2023 the parent company Industrie De Nora S.p.A. launched the buyback program, previously authorized by the Shareholders' Meeting of April 28, 2023, aimed at implementing the remuneration policies adopted by the Company and, specifically, to fulfill the obligations deriving from compensation plans based on financial instruments pursuant to Article 114-bis of the TUF (Italian Consolidated Law on Finance) already adopted by the Company (Performance Share Plan), and from any other plans that should be approved in the future, or to pursue future business and financial projects consistent with the Company's strategic guidelines (such as M&A transactions). As at December 31, 2023, the Company purchased a total of 1,158,505 treasury shares, equal to 0.574% of the Share Capital.
Starting from the first year of listing, De Nora developed a number of contacts with the Italian and international financial community, conducting intense and transparent investor relations activities through roadshows both in person and virtually, conferences organized by leading international brokers, conference calls following the publication of quarterly results and visits to its research laboratories located at the Milan headquarters and its production plant in Rodenbach, Germany, where an open house event was organized in March.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, De Nora also renewed and enriched the "Investor Relations" and "Sustainability" sections of the website, in order to make the related contents more complete and easier to use and to incorporate the main guidelines of the new Sustainability Plan to 2026, approved by the Board of Directors on December 14, 2023.
As at December 31, 2023, the De Nora share was covered by six financial analysts belonging to prestigious national and international brokers, who expressed an average target price of Euro 17.59.
Relations and engagement with investors and financial analysts plays a key role for the Group and will continue to be further developed and strengthened over the next few financial years.
| Industrie De Nora share - Euronext Milan (Euro) |
Period January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Maximum (July 13, 2023) | 21.20 |
| Minimum (November 8, 2023) | 12.96 |
| Average | 17.35 |
| End of period (December 31, 2023) | 15.69 |
| Capitalization at December 31, 2023 – ¤ million | 3,164 |
Performance of Industrie De Nora shares in the period December 31, 2022 - December 31, 2023, compared to some national and international benchmark stock indices

Performance of Industrie De Nora shares in the period December 31, 2022 - December 31, 2023, compared to some competitors active in the green hydrogen market

| Share Capital of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. as at December 31, 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of shares |
Number of voting rights |
|||
| Share capital (Euro) | 18,268,203.90 | 18,268,203.90 | ||
| Total shares | 201,685,174 | 502,647,564 | ||
| Ordinary shares | 51,203,979 | 51,203,979 | ||
| Multiple voting shares (1) | 150,481,195 | 451,443,585 |
(1) Owned by the shareholders Federico De Nora, Federico De Nora S.p.A., Norfin S.p.A. and Asset Company 10 S.r.l. Multiple voting shares are not admitted to trading on Euronext Milan and are not counted in the free float and market capitalization value. The multiple voting shares grant 3 votes at the shareholders' meeting.
In this document, in addition to the financial measures provided for by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), a number of measures derived from the latter are presented even though they are not provided for by IFRS (Non-GAAP Measures) in line with ESMA's guidelines on Alternative Performance Indicators (ESMA/2015/1415 Guidelines, adopted by CONSOB with Communication No. 92543 of December 3, 2015) published on October 5, 2015. These measures are presented in order to enable a better assessment of the Group's operating performance and should not be regarded as alternatives to IFRS. Specifically, the Non-GAAP Measures used are as follows:
ii) certain accrual of provisions for risks and charges net of related utilizations and releases of a non-recurring nature.
ESMA Recommendations contained in Guidelines 32-382-1138 of March 4, 2021 on disclosure requirements under the Prospectus Regulation.
— Net Financial Indebtedness - De Nora as monitored by the Group's
management. This indicator differs from Net Financial Indebtedness - ESMA in that it includes the fair value of financial instruments subscribed for the purpose of hedging exchange rate fluctuations.
facility granted to De Nora Holdings US Inc. Therefore, as at December 31, 2023 these credit lines remain open for Euro 80,000 thousand and USD 40,000 thousand, respectively.
aims to extend the process and technology portfolio for electrode production, guaranteeing enhanced production capacity. The acquisition was pursued following continuous market monitoring and the assessment of the main synergies with companies and research centers, with the ultimate goal of further strengthening research and development activities with a view to gradually reducing the use of precious metals in the anodic and cathodic coating activities, in order to make the electrochemical processes in which the coatings are used increasingly competitive, in line with the market demand for costeffective and reliable performances over time.
— On July 7, 2023, thyssenKrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA, at the time 34% owned by Industrie De Nora S.p.A., was listed on the regulated market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The placement concerned 30,262,250 newly issued ordinary shares (including over-allotment shares). The proceeds are intended to support the strong growth of the AWE (Alkaline Water Electrolysis) technology business of tk nucera, in order to exploit the significant development opportunities offered by the green hydrogen market. On July 17, 2023, Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG ("Citigroup"), which acted as the entity in charge of the stabilization activity as part of the IPO of tk nucera, informed De Nora that it had fully exercised the greenshoe option. A total of 3,947,250 greenshoe shares, which were placed with investors as part of the IPO, were provided to Citigroup as part of securities lending by ThyssenKrupp Project 1 GmbH and De Nora. Based on the final IPO price of Euro 20 per share, De Nora collected Euro 26.8 million from the sale of 1,342,065 shares. As a result of the completion of the listing process, including the delivery of the greenshoe shares, De Nora holds
25.85% of the share capital of tk nucera. The reduction in the percentage interest of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. in tk nucera (dilutive effect) and the capital gain deriving from the exercise of the greenshoe option, resulted in the recognition in the 2023 consolidated financial statements of total income of approximately Euro 133 million.
responding flexibly to the needs of the chlor-alkali market, components for lithium batteries and electronics, and Energy Transition. Following the expansion, the total production capacity of the site has tripled and will be committed to completing the production of projects already in the portfolio within the required timeframe and to respond positively to the growing demand for electrodes in the Asian market, as well as to react quickly to the request for technologies dedicated to the generation of green hydrogen.
— Industrie De Nora S.p.A. launched the treasury share purchase program, as per the authorization of the Shareholders' Meeting of April 28, 2023, pursuant to the combined provisions of Articles 2357 and 2357-ter of the Italian Civil Code, as well as art. 132 of Italian Legislative Decree no. 58 of February 24, 1998, as subsequently amended (the "TUF") and Article 144-bis of the CONSOB regulation adopted with resolution no. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as subsequently amended (the "Issuers' Regulation"), without prejudice to the application of Regulation (EU) no. 596 of April 16, 2014, relating to market abuse (the "MAR"), of Delegated Regulation (EU) no. 1052 of March 8, 2016, relating to the conditions applicable to the repurchase of treasury shares and to the stabilization measures (the "Delegated Regulation") in relation to the purchase of shares by the Company.
The programme is aimed at the purchase of ordinary shares of Industrie De Nora, for the following purposes:
a) implement the remuneration policies adopted by the Company and specifically fulfill the obligations deriving from the remuneration plans based on financial instruments pursuant to Article 114-bis of the TUF already adopted by the Company (Performance Share Plan) and any other plans that should be approved
in the future, as widespread shareholding plans, including any programs for the free assignment of shares to shareholders; and/or b) as part of actions related to future industrial and financial projects consistent with the strategic lines that the Company intends to pursue, including through the trade, exchange, contribution, sale or other deed of disposal of treasury shares for the acquisition of equity investments or share packages, for industrial projects or other extraordinary finance transactions that involve the assignment or disposal of treasury shares (such as, for example, mergers, demergers, bond issues convertible into shares, liquidation of shares on the market through operations to optimize the financial structure).
The purchases may take place up to a maximum amount of Euro 45,000,000, with the option of additional Euro 45,000,000; the purchase program began on November 9, 2023, with a duration of 9 months.
— In December, the Board of Directors of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. resolved to close the Marine Technologies business belonging to the Water Technologies division. The Marine Technologies business has a product portfolio limited to the supply of systems for the treatment of ballast water for ships. The decision to exit this non-strategic sector is driven by the company's continuous commitment to adapt to market dynamics and to focus its growth on the main strategic markets, the municipal and industrial markets, while optimizing its product portfolio. The marine sector is subject to an evolution of market dynamics which, together with a particularly high level of competitiveness, has made it challenging for De Nora to achieve sustainable and profitable growth, also due to the limited presence in
the reference sector and the size of the product portfolio. Following this decision, the management of the Water Technologies division is exploring multiple strategic options for the closure of this business. The options being assessed include the liquidation of assets or their sale. The company will continue to invest in its competitive advantages by leveraging its know-how to provide innovative solutions to its customers in the main reference markets.
Revenues for the year amounted to Euro 856.4 million, of which approximately Euro 464.2 million is attributable to the Electrode Technologies segment, Euro 290 million to the Water Technologies segment and Euro 102.2 million to the Energy Transition segment, with an overall increase of 0.4% compared to Euro 852.8 million in 2022. However, at constant exchange rates, the Group's revenues for 2023 would be approximately Euro 886.5 million, therefore marking an increase of 4% compared to the previous year.
EBITDA reached Euro 171 million, compared to Euro 165.2 million in 2022 (+3.5%), while Adjusted EBITDA came to Euro 171.1 million, down by roughly 10% from Euro 190.8 million in the previous financial year.
The operating result (EBIT) of Euro 136.9 million recorded an increase of almost 9% compared to the previous financial year (Euro 125.8 million) while the Adjusted EBIT stood at Euro 140 million, down by approximately 7% compared to Euro 151.1 million in 2022.
The share of profit of equity investments, valued at equity, referring to the 25.85% stake held in tk nucera following listing of the associated company on the Stock Exchange, was positive for Euro 5.4 million, compared to a negative figure of Euro 1.2 million in 2022.
Financial operations showed net income of Euro 122.9 million. In fact, in 2023, income of Euro 133.2 million was recorded related to the listing of tk nucera, in particular: Euro 115.8 million relating to
the "dilution gain" in the equity investment and Euro 17.4 million relating to the capital gain realized by Industrie De Nora S.p.A following the exercise of the "greenshoe option" on the basis of which 1,342,065 shares were sold as part of the IPO of tk nucera. Excluding this income, financial operations in 2023 showed net charges of Euro 10.5 million, an increase compared to net charges of Euro 4.2 million in the previous year, both as a result of higher interest on debt and the worse net balance of exchange gains and losses on exchange rates.
After current and deferred income taxes pertaining to the year, which together totalled Euro 34.2 million (compared to Euro 30.8 million in 2022), the financial year closed with a Net Profit (parent company's portion) of Euro 230 million, a significant improvement over the Euro 89.6 million in the comparative financial year, thanks to the financial income realized following the listing of tk nucera.
At statement of financial position level, net invested capital of Euro 841 million (Euro +149 million compared to the end of 2022) corresponds to shareholders' equity of Euro 910 million (Euro 166 million more than on December 31, 2022) and a positive net financial position of approximately Euro 69 million (Euro +17 million higher than at the end of 2022).
The higher net invested capital is essentially attributable to theincrease in non-current assets (Euro 602 million at the end of 2023, Euro +163 million compared to December 31, 2022), essentially due to the aforementioned "dilution gain" in the equity investment in tk nucera, which increased the corresponding book value, and the high level of investments in the period in tangible fixed assets.
| For the year ended December 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in ¤ thousands | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Revenue | 856,411 | 100.0% | 852,826 | 100.0% |
| Change in inventory of finished goods and work in progress |
(4,096) | -0.5% | 34,815 | 4.1% |
| Other income | 14,683 | 1.7% | 6,451 | 0.8% |
| Value of production | 866,998 | 101.2% | 894,092 | 104.8% |
| Material consumption | (361,323) | -42.2% | (401,752) | -47.1% |
| Personnel costs | (143,982) | -16.8% | (154,657) | -18.1% |
| External services | (178,608) | -20.9% | (162,110) | -19.0% |
| Other operating expenses/income | (12,056) | -1.4% | (10,397) | -1.2% |
| EBITDA | 171,029 | 20.0% | 165,176 | 19.4% |
| Amortization of intangible assets | (10,661) | -1.2% | (9,758) | -1.1% |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | (19,956) | -2.3% | (18,366) | -2.2% |
| Accrual and release of provisions for risks | 5,424 | 0.6% | (2,255) | -0.3% |
| Impairment and write-backs | (8,918) | -1.0% | (8,988) | -1.1% |
| Operating profit (EBIT) | 136,918 | 16.0% | 125,809 | 14.8% |
| Share of profit of equity-accounted investees | 5,435 | 0.6% | (1,196) | -0.1% |
| Finance income | 145,018 | 16.9% | 23,505 | 2.8% |
| Finance expenses | (22,090) | -2.6% | (27,688) | -3.2% |
| Profit before tax | 265,281 | 31.0% | 120,430 | 14.1% |
| Income taxes | (34,231) | -4.0% | (30,765) | -3.6% |
| Profit for the period | 231,050 | 27.0% | 89,665 | 10.5% |
| Attributable to: | ||||
| Owners of the parent | 230,050 | 26.9% | 89,564 | 10.5% |
| Non-controlling interests | 1,000 | 0.1% | 101 | 0.0% |
| EBITDA | 171,029 | 20.0% | 165,176 | 19.4% |
| Non-recurring costs (income) | 34 | 25,655 | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 171,063 | 20.0% | 190,831 | 22.4% |
| Operating Profit (EBIT) | 136,918 | 16.0% | 125,809 | 14.8% |
| Non-recurring costs (income) | 34 | 25,655 | ||
| Impairment | 6,844 | - | ||
| Accrual/(utilization/release) of provisions for risks | (3,816) | (344) | ||
| Adjusted Operating Profit (EBIT) | 139,980 | 16.3% | 151,120 | 17.7% |
| in ¤ thousands | At December 31, 2023 | At December 31, 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade receivables | 141,927 | 123,421 | ||
| Trade payables | (106,752) | (80,554) | ||
| Inventory | 257,146 | 295,476 | ||
| Construction contracts, net of progress payments and advances |
31,737 | 16,432 | ||
| Net Operating Working Capital | 324,058 | 38.5% | 354,775 | 51.2% |
| Other current assets/(liabilities) | (59,415) | (74,620) | ||
| Net Working Capital | 264,643 | 31.5% | 280,155 | 40.4% |
| Goodwill and intangible assets | 115,787 | 131,552 | ||
| Property, plant and equipment | 254,273 | 184,177 | ||
| Equity-accounted investees | 231,511 | 122,664 | ||
| Non-current assets | 601,571 | 71.5% | 438,393 | 63.3% |
| Employee benefits | (21,758) | -2.6% | (20,628) | -3.0% |
| Provisions for risks and charges | (18,045) | -2.1% | (20,688) | -3.0% |
| Deferred tax assets/(liabilities) | 7,342 | 0.9% | 4,432 | 0.6% |
| Other non-current assets/(liabilities) | 7,674 | 0.9% | 11,174 | 1.6% |
| Net Invested Capital | 841,427 | 100.0% | 692,838 | 100.0% |
| Covered by: | ||||
| Medium/long-term financial debt | (133,716) | (267,544) | ||
| Short-term financial debt | (10,199) | (13,655) | ||
| Financial assets and derivatives | 13,642 | 158,391 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 198,491 | 174,130 | ||
| Net Liquidity—ESMA | 68,218 | 8.1% | 51,322 | 7.4% |
| Fair value of financial instruments | 543 | 644 | ||
| Net Liquidity | 68,761 | 8.2% | 51,966 | 7.5% |
| Equity attributable to minority interests | (5,700) | -0.7% | (3,586) | -0.5% |
| Equity attributable to the Parent | (904,488) | -107.5% | (741,218) | -107.0% |
| Total Equity and Minority interests | (841,427) | -100.0% | (692,838) | -100.0% |
The result for the year and equity of the Parent Company are reconciled with those of the Group resulting from the consolidated financial statements in the table below.
| Profit for the year | Equity | |
|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| As for the financial statements of the Parent Company | 80,386 | 522,364 |
| Dividends collected by the Parent Company | (36,300) | - |
| Equity-accounted investments in JV/associates (net of deferred taxes) |
114,528 | 112,484 |
| Adjusted profit of subsidiaries and difference between adjusted equity of the consolidated companies and relevant carrying amount |
72,413 | 275,317 |
| Consolidated entries of the Parent Company | 23 | 23 |
| As of the Consolidated Financial Statements of the De Nora Group |
231,050 | 910,188 |
The table below shows the breakdown by category of the investments made
by the Group in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets in the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| At December 31 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | % of total investments |
2022 | % of total investments |
|||
| (in ¤ thousands except percentages) | ||||||
| Land | 15,275 | 14.4% | - | 0.0% | ||
| Buildings | 1,587 | 1.5% | 1,263 | 2.6% | ||
| Plants and machinery | 4,696 | 4.4% | 2,286 | 4.6% | ||
| Other assets | 428 | 0.4% | 710 | 1.4% | ||
| Leased assets | 7,980 | 7.6% | 8,053 | 16.2% | ||
| Rights of use of Property, Plant and Equipment: |
17,360 | 16.4% | 3,588 | 7.2% | ||
| - of which Buildings | 17,057 | 16.1% | 3,386 | 6.8% | ||
| - of which Other assets | 303 | 0.3% | 202 | 0.4% | ||
| Assets under construction and advance payments |
51,034 | 48.2% | 25,803 | 51.9% | ||
| Total Property, Plant and Equipment | 98,360 | 92.9% | 41,703 | 83.9% | ||
| Industrial patents and intellectual property rights |
431 | 0.4% | 411 | 0.8% | ||
| Concessions, licences and trademarks | 722 | 0.7% | 719 | 1.4% | ||
| Development costs | - | 0.0% | 1,022 | 2.1% | ||
| Other | 88 | 0.1% | - | 0.0% | ||
| Assets under construction and advance payments |
6,255 | 5.9% | 5,874 | 11.8% | ||
| Total Intangible assets | 7,496 | 7.1% | 8,026 | 16.1% | ||
| Total investments | 105,856 | 100.0% | 49,729 | 100.0% |
During the period under review, the Group invested a total of Euro 105,856 thousand, of which Euro 98,360 thousand related to property, plant and equipment and Euro 7,496 thousand related to intangible assets. Investments in property, plant and equipment included increases in the rights of use of property, plant and equipment equal to Euro 17,057, thousand and Euro 3,588 thousand, in the financial years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These investments mainly
refer to buildings for industrial use and warehouses, in addition to other assets mainly relating to motor vehicles and industrial vehicles and office equipment.
Additions to property, plant and equipment amounted to Euro 98,360 for the year 2023. In particular, investments in property, plant and equipment excluding increases in right of use of property, plant and equipment amounted to Euro 81,000 thousand and mainly refer to:
Investments in intangible assets for the year 2023 amounted to Euro 7,496 thousand and mainly refer to:
The parent company Industrie De Nora S.p.A., the Group's Holding Company, does not generate business revenues derived directly from core business activities. The Company closed the financial year with a positive operating result of Euro 27.1 million, a pre-tax profit of Euro 86.8 million, thanks to dividends received from its subsidiaries and to the gain realized with the exercise of the greenshoe option based on which 1,342,065 shares in tk nucera have been sold in the IPO process of this latterand
a net profit for the year of Euro 80.4 million, after recognizing the tax effects within the framework of the national tax consolidation in place with the other Italian subsidiaries De Nora Italy S.r.l., De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l., De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. and Capannoni S.r.l. In the absence of industrial activities, the revenue for the Company derives essentially from the services provided by the following Corporate functions: Administration, Finance and Control, ICT, Human Resources, Global Procurement, Production Technology, Marketing, Business Development, Product Management, Global Operations, and by the royalties paid by the subsidiaries for the use of patents, trademarks and know-how (intellectual property).
De Nora Tech LLC (USA) recorded revenues of Euro 186 million, an operating result of Euro 28.7 million and a net profit of over Euro 21 million. The company contributes Euro 168 million to consolidated revenues (excluding intercompany items).
De Nora Permelec Ltd. (Japan) recorded total revenues of Euro 202 million in 2023, an operating result of Euro 28.3 million and a net profit of over Euro 19 million. The company contributes Euro 150 million to consolidated revenues (excluding intercompany items).
De Nora Deutschland GmbH (Germany) recorded the biggest contribution to Group revenues with a record Euro 180 million in revenues (only third party portion) in 2023; its total revenues (including intercompany revenues) were close to Euro 203 million, while the operating result was Euro 24 million and the net result stood at Euro 16 million.
In 2023, De Nora Water Technologies LLC (USA) achieved revenues from third parties of almost Euro 61 million, while total revenues (including intercompany revenues) exceeded Euro 78 million, with an operating result of Euro 6.1 million and a net profit of Euro 3 million. In the entire 2023 financial year, De Nora Marine Technologies LLC achieved revenues from third parties of Euro 11.6
million, while total revenues (including intercompany revenues) amounted to Euro 17.6 million; the operating and net result were negative due to the writedowns booked during the year on some balance sheet asset items. Also in the United States, De Nora Neptune contributed revenues of approximately Euro 7 million, closing the year with a slight loss.
The Chinese subsidiaries De Nora China Suzhou and De Nora Jinan, operating in the Electrode Technologies Business, contributed revenues of Euro 59 million and 2.5 million, respectively, while total revenues (including intercompany revenues) amounted to Euro 73 million and Euro 4 million, respectively, with an operating result of Euro 3.6 million and Euro 0.5 million and a net profit of Euro 2.4 million and Euro 0.5 million, respectively. On the other hand, the Chinese companies operating in the Water Technologies Business posted revenues totalling Euro 16.9 million (entirely with third parties), with operating profitability and net profit essentially breaking even.
In Italy, De Nora Italy S.r.l. made an important contribution to the Group's consolidated revenues, with revenues from third parties amounting to Euro 53.7 million in 2023, while total revenues (including intercompany revenues) amounted to Euro 63.6 million, with an operating result of close to Euro 10 million and a net result of Euro 6.8 million. The Italian company in the Water Technologies segment (De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l.) recorded a significant increase in revenues in 2023, amounting to Euro 34.1 million, of which Euro 31.2 million realized with third parties; however, the operating profitability and the net result, still negative, were impacted by some provisions and writedowns relating to the Marine Technologies business. De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. is still not carrying out production activities.
The Brazilian company De Nora do Brasil Ltda recorded a further increase in revenues from third parties, amounting to almost Euro 31 million in 2023, while
total revenues (including intercompany revenues) amounted to over Euro 41 million, with an operating result equal to Euro 8 million and a net profit of Euro 5.2 million.
The Singapore branch operating in the Electrode Technologies Business recorded revenues totalling Euro 23.3 million (entirely with third parties), with a slightly positive operating result and net result, while the Singapore branch operating in the Water Technologies Business contributed Euro 23 million in revenues in 2023 (Euro 23.8 million in total including intercompany items), with an operating and net profit of Euro 2.7 million and Euro 2.3 million, respectively.
De Nora India Ltd recorded revenues of over Euro 9 million in 2023, almost entirely with third parties, with a significant operating result and net profit of Euro 3.3 million and 2.7 million, respectively.
De Nora Water Technologies UK Services Limited (UK) recorded healthy progress in revenues in 2023, with Euro 14.5 million in revenues, entirely with third parties, and an operating result of Euro 2.4 million and a net result of Euro 1.8 million.
In the United Arab Emirates, the De Nora Water Technologies Free Zone Establishment in Dubai and the Abu Dhabi branch of De Nora Water Technologies LLC achieved revenues of Euro 11.2 million and Euro 0.7 million, respectively, almost entirely with third parties, with an operating profitability and net result in positive territory.
In Germany, the newly acquired Shotec GmbH achieved revenues of approximately Euro 1 million in the seven months under the De Nora umbrella, almost entirely with third parties, closing 2023 substantially at break-even.
As at December 31, 2023, the Group is organized into three business segments each with its own portfolio of specific products and services:
The following tables show the Group's revenues for each business segment, for the two financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| Revenues by Business Segment |
2023 | % of total revenues |
2023 constant exchange rates |
2022 | 2023 vs 2022 |
2023 vs 2022 at constant exchange rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||||
| Electrode Technologies | 464,214 | 54% | 484,838 | 473,444 | -9,230 | 11,394 |
| Water Technologies | 289,962 | 34% | 299,073 | 336,719 | -46,757 | -37,646 |
| Energy Transition | 102,235 | 12% | 102,636 | 42,663 | 59,572 | 59,973 |
| Total Revenue | 856,411 | 100% | 886,547 | 852,826 | 3,585 | 33,721 |
| Revenues by geographical area and by business segment |
2023 | % of revenues | 2022 | % of revenues | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||
| Electrode Technologies | 464,214 | 54% | 473,444 | 56% | |||
| EMEIA | 121,306 | 14% | 150,412 | 18% | |||
| AMS | 121,401 | 14% | 103,321 | 12% | |||
| APAC | 221,507 | 26% | 219,711 | 26% | |||
| Water Technologies | 289,962 | 34% | 336,719 | 39% | |||
| EMEIA | 91,194 | 11% | 83,885 | 10% | |||
| AMS | 133,483 | 15% | 178,376 | 21% | |||
| APAC | 65,285 | 8% | 74,458 | 8% | |||
| Energy Transition | 102,235 | 12% | 42,663 | 5% | |||
| EMEIA | 95,895 | 11% | 34,920 | 4% | |||
| AMS | 2,950 | 0% | 323 | 0% | |||
| APAC | 3,390 | 1% | 7,420 | 1% | |||
| Total Revenue | 856,411 | 100% | 852,826 | 100% |
At consolidated level, revenues stood at Euro 856.4 million, of which Euro 464.2 million in the Electrode Technologies segment, Euro 290 million in the Water Technologies segment and Euro 102.2 million in the Energy Transition segment. In particular, total revenues
were up by Euro 3.6 million during the year, with a negative exchange rate effect of Euro 30.1 million. At constant exchange rates, the Group's revenues in 2023 would have actually increased by Euro 33.7 million compared to the previous financial year.
| EBITDA by business segment | 2023 | % (total) | 2022 | % (total) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤¤ thousands and as a percentage of segment revenues) | ||||||||
| Electrode Technologies | 118,938 | 70% | 107,980 | 65% | ||||
| Water Technologies | 40,136 | 23% | 55,987 | 34% | ||||
| Energy Transition | 11,955 | 7% | 1,209 | 1% | ||||
| Total | 171,029 | 100% | 165,176 | 100% |
| segment | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrode Technologies |
Water Technologies |
Energy Transition |
Total | Electrode Technologies |
Water Technologies |
Energy Transition |
Total | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||||||
| Termination costs – Labor, Legal and Other expenses |
200 | 1,097 | - | 1,297 | 24 | 464 | - | 488 |
| IPO costs | 362 | 226 | 80 | 668 | 1,993 | 1,418 | 228 | 3,639 |
| M&A, integration, and company reorganization costs |
674 | 123 | - | 797 | 303 | - | - | 303 |
| Start-up cost of De Nora Tech, LLC – US plant |
- | - | - | - | 1,164 | - | - | 1,164 |
| Writedown Inventory of the Marine Business |
- | 2,731 | - | 2,731 | - | - | - | - |
| Employee Retention Credit (US government COVID relief programs) |
(3,235) | (3,179) | - | (6,414) | - | - | - | - |
| Advisory costs for special projects |
111 | - | - | 111 | 505 | - | - | 505 |
| Management Incentive Plan |
- | - | - | - | 10,748 | 7,643 | 969 | 19,360 |
| Other non-recurring costs |
585 | 201 | 58 | 844 | 39 | 154 | 3 | 196 |
| Total | (1,303) | 1,199 | 138 | 34 | 14,776 | 9,679 | 1,200 | 25,655 |
| Adjusted EBITDA by business segment |
2023 | % (total) | 2022 | % (total) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||||
| Electrode Technologies | 117,635 | 69% | 122,756 | 64% | ||
| Water Technologies | 41,335 | 24% | 65,666 | 35% | ||
| Energy Transition | 12,093 | 7% | 2,409 | 1% | ||
| Total | 171,063 | 100% | 190,831 | 100% |
Group EBITDA increased by Euro 5.9 million (+3.5%) from Euro 165.2 million in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 171 million in the financial year ended December 31, 2023.
The increase was recorded in both the Electrode Technologies and Energy Transition segments, partially offset by the decrease in the Water Technologies segment, negatively impacted by the downsizing of volumes and profitability of the Pools business line.
Adjusted EBITDA fell by Euro 19.8 million (-10.4%), from Euro 190.8 million in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 171.1 million in the financial year ended December 31, 2023. In the comparison between the two years, significant non-recurring charges characterized 2022, related to the listing process of the parent company.
The Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased as a result, from 22.4% in 2022 to 20% in the year ended December 31, 2023.
| Capex by business segment | 2023 | % of total Capex | 2022 | % of total Capex | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||||
| Intangible | 7,496 | 8.5% | 8,026 | 17.4% | ||
| Electrode Technologies | 2,812 | 3.2% | 1,940 | 4.2% | ||
| Water Technologies | 3,785 | 4.3% | 5,941 | 12.9% | ||
| Energy Transition | 899 | 1.0% | 104 | 0.2% | ||
| Not Allocated | - | 0.0% | 41 | 0.1% | ||
| Tangible | 81,000 | 91.5% | 38,116 | 82.6% | ||
| Electrode Technologies | 42,605 | 48.1% | 28,029 | 60.8% | ||
| Water Technologies | 2,418 | 2.7% | 2,074 | 4.5% | ||
| Energy Transition | 30,438 | 34.4% | 7,539 | 16.3% | ||
| Not Allocated | 5,539 | 6.3% | 474 | 1.0% | ||
| Totale Capex | 88,496 | 100.0% | 46,142 | 100.0% |
Not allocated Capex include the the acquisition of a disused industrial area adjacent to the existing area of Via Bistolfi 35, Milan already described in the paragraph Investments of the Group.
Electrode Technologies' core business is the production and sale mainly of:
according to the many applications in electrochemical processes;
— electrolytic cells for chlorine and caustic soda production, as well as their components and other accessories, and anode structures complete with accessories for the production of non-ferrous metals (nickel, cobalt).
For the financial year ended December 31, 2023, the Electrode Technologies Business accounted for 54% of the Group's revenues.
The table below shows the revenues generated by the Electrode Technologies Business for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, broken down by business lines.
| 2023 | % | 2023 constant exchange rates |
2022 | ∆ 2023 vs 2022 |
∆ 2023 vs 2022 at constant exchange rates |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands and as a percentage of segment revenues) | ||||||
| Chlor-alkali | 320,906 | 69% | 334,760 | 319,161 | 1,745 | 15,599 |
| Electronics | 79,903 | 17% | 84,534 | 88,284 | -8,381 | -3,750 |
| Specialties and New Applications |
63,405 | 14% | 65,544 | 65,999 | -2,594 | -455 |
| Total Electrode Technologies |
464,214 | 100% | 484,838 | 473,444 | -9,230 | 11,394 |
Revenues related to the Electrode Technologies business segment declined by Euro 9,230 thousand (-1.9%), from Euro 473,444 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 464,214 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease derives mainly from the Electronics and Specialties lines and new applications, only partially offset by the increase in the Chlor-alkali line.
At constant exchange rates, revenues related to the Electrode Technologies Business would have increased by Euro 11,394 thousand (+2.4%), from Euro 473,444 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 484,838 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023.
Revenues from the Chlor-alkali line increased by Euro 1,745 thousand (+0.5%), from Euro 319,161 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 320,906 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023. This variation is mainly attributable to:
— the lower sales of Euro 17,410 thousand of the Hydrochloric acid (HCl) product line, as a result of the non-repetition of some maintenance projects carried out in the year 2022 through the associated company tk nucera.
At constant exchange rates, revenues related to the Chlor-alkali line would have increased by Euro 15,599 thousand (+4.9%), from Euro 319,161 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 334,760 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023.
For the year ended December 31 2023, the Chlor-alkali business line accounted for 69% of Electrode Technologies segment revenues and 37.5% of the Group's total revenues.
Revenues from the Electronics line dropped by Euro 8,381 thousand (-9.5%), from Euro 88,284 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 79,903 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023. This decrease is mainly due to the slowdown in demand in the Asian market for printed circuits, which was affected by a "rebound" effect following the intense growth that occurred during COVID-19.
At constant exchange rates, revenues for the Electronics line would have decreased by Euro 3,750 thousand (-4.2%).
For the year ended December 31 2023, the Electronics business line accounted for 17.2% of the Electrode Technologies segment revenues and 9.3% of the Group's total revenues, respectively.
Revenues related to Specialties and New Applications decreased by Euro 2,594 thousand (-3.9%), from Euro 65,999 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 63,405 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023. This overall reduction is mainly due to:
At constant exchange rates, revenues related to Specialties and New Applications would have fallen by Euro 455 thousand (-0.7%), from Euro 65,999 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 65,544 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023.
For the year ended December 31 2023, Specialties and New Applications accounted for 13.7% of Electrode Technologies segment revenues and 7.4% of total Group revenues, respectively.
The following table shows the revenues generated by the Electrode Technologies Business for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, broken down by new installations or newly constructed facilities ("New Installations") and periodic maintenance or modernization services for existing plants and facilities ("Services").
| 2023 | % | 2022 | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands and as a percentage of segment revenues) | ||||||
| New Installations | 271,343 | 58% | 272,230 | 57% | ||
| Services | 192,871 | 42% | 201,214 | 43% | ||
| Total Revenue | 464,214 | 100% | 473,444 | 100% |
New Installations accounted for 58% of the segment's turnover for 2023, up from 2022.
Services during 2023 accounted for 42% of the segment's turnover; the related activities include the periodic maintenance of the electrodes or replacement with new products and/ or latest generation products capable of improving the performance of the process for which they are intended, supply of spare parts, design and re-engineering of the electrodes, technical assistance, lease contracts, performance monitoring, laboratory analysis.
In particular, the electrodes at the end of their useful life must be replaced or suitably treated in order to restore the catalytic coating through a process called re-coating or reactivation. The re-coating process allows the metal structure of the electrode, whether titanium or nickel, to be preserved and a new coating to be applied, thus allowing the initial characteristics of the electrode to be restored.
The Group offers its customers technologies capable of responding to new process targets and market demands also in terms of sustainability. In particular, in the Electrode Technologies Business, the extension of the customer base is a significant growth factor for Services sales.
| 2023 | 2022 | ∆ 2023 vs 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Electrode Technologies EBITDA | 118,938 | 107,980 | 10,958 |
| Electrode Technologies Adjusted EBITDA | 117,636 | 122,756 | -5,120 |
Adjusted EBITDA decreased by Euro 5,120 thousand (-4.2%), from Euro 122,756 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 117,636 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023. This decrease is mainly due to the increase in fixed costs.
The main activity of the Water Technologies Business is the manufacture and sale of equipment, systems and technologies used in the water treatment sector. The Group has long experience in the water treatment sector and a broad portfolio of products and solutions that meet a wide range of requirements for the treatment of various types of water.
In particular, the Group develops, manufactures, and sells systems and technologies for swimming pool disinfection,
electrochlorination of seawater and brine for on-site production of low concentration sodium hypochlorite, disinfection and filtration of drinking water and wastewater, and water treatment systems in marine applications.
In addition to supplying equipment, products, and systems for new installations or newly constructed facilities ("New Installations"), the Group provides after-sales services for maintenance, supply of spare parts, re-engineering of existing systems, on-site or remote monitoring activities, and other services that maintain product performance while ensuring consistency in treated water quality ("Services").
The table below shows the revenues generated by the Water Technologies Business for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, broken down by business lines.
| 2023 | % | 2023 constant exchange rates |
2022 | ∆ 2023 vs 2022 |
∆ 2023 vs 2022 at constant exchange rates |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands and as a percentage of segment revenues) | ||||||
| Swimming pools | 86,038 | 30% | 88,105 | 161,751 | (75,713) | (73,646) |
| Electrochlorination | 91,410 | 31% | 94,871 | 84,607 | 6,803 | 10,264 |
| Disinfection and Filtration | 100,884 | 35% | 104,158 | 79,061 | 21,823 | 25,097 |
| Marine technologies | 11,630 | 4% | 11,940 | 11,300 | 330 | 640 |
| Total Water Technologies | 289,962 | 100% | 299,074 | 336,719 | (46,757) | (37,645) |
Revenues relating to the Water Technologies Business segment decreased by Euro 46,757 thousand (-13.9%), from Euro 336,719 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 289,962 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2023. This decrease is mainly attributable to the decline in revenues relating to the Swimming pools business line (-46.8%). In the year ended December 31, 2023, the Electrochlorination and Disinfection and Filtration business lines, on the other hand, saw an increase in revenues compared to those recorded in the year ended December 31, 2022 (by 8.0% and 27.6% respectively). On the other hand, the Marine Technologies business was stable. Overall, revenues increased in the EMEIA geographical area, while they were affected by a significant decrease in America, primarily due to the exposure of this geographical segment to the Swimming pools business.
At constant exchange rates, revenues related to the Water Technologies Business would have recorded a smaller decrease of Euro 37,645 thousand (-11.2%), from Euro 336,719 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 299,074 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2023.
The Water Technologies Business as a percentage of Group revenue subsequently decreased, from 39.5% in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to 33.9% in the financial year ended December 31, 2023.
Revenues from the Swimming pools line dropped by Euro 75,713 thousand (-46.8%), from Euro 161,751 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 86,038 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2023. This decrease is attributable both to destocking by our main customers, following the normalization of market demand related to the return to normal consumption habits before the COV-ID-19 pandemic, and to a lower average sales price, indexed to that of ruthenium on average lower than the value of 2022.
At constant exchange rates, revenues related to the Swimming pools line would have decreased by Euro 73,646 thousand (-45.5%), from Euro 161,751 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 88,105 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2023. For the financial year ending December 31, 2023, the Swimming pools business line represented 29.7% of Water Technologies revenue and 10.0% of the Group's total revenue, respectively.
Revenues from the Electrochlorination line increased by Euro 6,083 thousand (+8.0%), from Euro 84,607 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 91,410 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2023. This increase is mainly attributable to:
At constant exchange rates, the Electrochlorination line would have recorded an increase in revenues of Euro 10,264 thousand (+12.1%), from Euro 84,607 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 94,871 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2023. For the financial year ended December 31, 2023, the Electrochlorination business line represents 31.5% of the revenues of the Water Technologies Business and 10.7% of the Group's total revenues.
Revenues relating to the Disinfection and Filtration line increased by Euro 21,823 thousand (+27.6%), from Euro 79,061 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 100,884 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023. This change is mainly attributable to the combined effect of the following factors:
At constant exchange rates, revenues relating to the Disinfection and Filtration line would have increased by Euro 25,097 thousand (+31.7%), from Euro 79,061 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 104,158 thousand in the year closed on December 31, 2023. For the financial year ended December 31, 2023, the Disinfection and Filtration business line accounted for 34.8% of the Water Technologies Business revenues and 11.8% of the Group's total revenues.
Revenues relating to the Marine Technologies line recorded an increase of Euro 330 thousand (+2.9%), from Euro 11,300 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 11,630 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023.
At constant exchange rates, revenues relating to the Marine Technologies line would have recorded an increase of Euro 640 thousand (+5.7%), from Euro 11,300 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 11,940 thousand in the year closed on December
31, 2023. For the financial year ended December 31, 2023, the Marine Technologies business line accounted for 4% of the Water Technologies business line's revenue and 1.4% of the Group's total revenue.
The following table shows the revenues generated by the Water Technologies Business for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, broken down by new installations or newly constructed facilities ("New Installations") and periodic maintenance or modernization services for existing plants and facilities ("Services").
| 2023 | % of business segment revenues |
% of business segment revenues |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||||||
| New Installations | 214,348 | 74% | 265,185 | 79% | ||||
| Services | 75,614 | 26% | 71,534 | 21% | ||||
| Total Revenue | 289,962 | 100% | 336,719 | 100% |
New Installations accounted for 74% of the Water Technologies segment's revenue in the financial year 2023, a slight decrease from the previous financial year. Within this classification, revenues from the Swimming pools line are entirely included.
Services cover the entire product portfolio and in 2023 accounted for 26% of segment revenues.
| 2023 | 2022 | ∆ 2023 vs 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Water Technologies EBITDA | 40,137 | 55,987 | -15,850 |
| Water Technologies Adjusted EBITDA | 41,335 | 65,666 | -24,331 |
EBITDA related to the Water Technologies Business segment decreased by Euro 15,850 thousand (-28.3%), from Euro 55,987 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 40,137 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2023. This decline is mainly attributable to the combined effect of the following factors:
falling prices, related to the fluctuation in the price of ruthenium only partially offset by the improvement in the profitability of the other business lines of the Water Technologies segment;
(iii) savings in operating costs of over Euro 5 million. This change is mainly attributable to the decrease in personnel costs, resulting from the organizational restructuring implemented, and the costs associated with general and administrative activities supporting the business.
The impact of the EBITDA of the Water Technologies Business segment on the segment revenues fell from 16.6% in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to 13.8% in the financial year ended December 31, 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA recorded a decline of Euro 24,331 thousand (-37.1%) from Euro 65,666 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 41,335 thousand in the financial
year ended December 31, 2023, with the segment's percentage of revenue decreasing from 19.5% in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to 14.3% in the financial year ended December 31, 2023.
The Energy Transition Business includes the offering of electrodes (anodes and cathodes), electrolyzer components, and systems (i) for the generation of hydrogen and oxygen through water electrolysis processes, (ii) for use in fuel cells for electricity generation from hydrogen or another energy carrier (e.g., methanol, ammonia) without CO2 emissions, and (iii) for use in redox flow batteries.
The following table shows the revenues generated by the Energy Transition Business for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2023 constant exchange rates |
2022 | ∆ 2023 vs 2022 |
∆ 2023 vs 2022 at constant exchange rates |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||
| Energy Transition | 102,235 | 102,636 | 42,663 | 59,572 | 59,973 |
Revenues from the Energy Transition Business increased by Euro 59,573 thousand (+139.6%), from Euro 42,663 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 102,235 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023.The significant increase is mainly due to the execution of important projects in Germany acquired through tk nucera.
At constant exchange rates, revenues related to the Energy Transition business would have increased by Euro 59,973 thousand (+140%), from Euro
42,663 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to Euro 102,636 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023.
The following table shows the revenues generated by the Energy Transition Business for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, broken down by new installations or newly constructed facilities ("New Installations") and periodic maintenance or modernization services for existing plants and facilities ("Services").
| 2023 | % | 2022 | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands and as a percentage of segment revenues) | ||||
| New Installations | 99,962 | 98% | 42,070 | 99% |
| Services | 2,273 | 2% | 593 | 1% |
| Total Revenue | 102,235 | 100% | 42,663 | 100% |
| 2023 | 2022 |
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Transition EBITDA | 11,955 | 1,209 | |
| Energy Transition Adjusted EBITDA | 12,093 | 2,409 |
The EBITDA of the Energy Transition Business has been monitored from the year 2022; EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA amounted to Euro 11,955 thousand and Euro 12,093 thousand, respectively, and derive mainly from the execution of projects in Germany, registering significant progress
compared to the closing values of 2022; the volumes achieved and the healthy direct profit margins allow for a better absorption of fixed costs, in particular those relating to research and development projects on which the Group is focusing its efforts.
As at December 31, 2023, the Group employed a total of 2,010 staff, 81 more than in the previous year, confirming the Group's growth trend, which exceeded the 2,000 employee threshold for the first time in its history. The increase, across all regions, involved mostly the
Electrode Technologies segment, with a significant increase in personnel in the Manufacturing area.
In detail, the situation by professional macro-family can be broken down as follows.
| Employees by Functional Area | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 1,186 | 1,090 |
| Engineering | 140 | 153 |
| Sales & Tech. Assistance | 225 | 242 |
| G&A | 352 | 335 |
| R&D | 107 | 109 |
| Total | 2,010 | 1,929 |
The main organizational changes relating to the 2023 financial year are listed below.
Corporate structure: all functions were reinforced to ensure a higher efficiency and service level to support business growth, in line with the growth trend of the last few years. In particular:
— The R&D departments in the USA and Japan were reorganized, and a new R&D Director was appointed in Japan.
Energy Transition segment: the structure of De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. has been strengthened and supplemented to support and continue
the growth trend of the business with new personnel, particularly in the engineering and staff functions.
The female component stands at 20%, up slightly compared to 2022, finally reversing the negative trend of the two previous years.

De Nora confirms itself as a "young" company, with 6% of its staff under 25 years of age (GenZ), up by 2% compared to the previous financial year. 53% of staff are under 45 years of age. Millennials account for almost half of the De Nora population.

The seniority of the Group has decreased further compared to the previous financial year, due to the increase in the workforce: 54% of the staff have been with De Nora for less than five years, while those in the "over 15 years" category account for almost 20%

The figure linked to the degree of company education is in line with the data of previous years. De Nora confirms its excellent level of education, with 84% of employees holding at least a high school diploma and 44% holding a degree, a master's degree or a doctorate.

Environmental, social and governance factors (so-called ESG factors), which are at the heart of the Group's values and strategy, are a long-term commitment and the Group is establishing, building and strengthening its ESG commitment through various activities and projects.
The De Nora Group adheres to the Corporate Governance Code, which has paid special attention to sustainability issues since 2021. Staying true to this compliance, the management body has taken on a fundamental role in making strategic choices and sustainability issues increasingly integrated. The Board of Directors plays a central role in pursuing the Company's sustainable success and in this context, on the proposal of the Chief Executive Officer, defines the strategies and objectives of the Company and the Group and monitors their implementation. The Board of Directors supervises the climate change strategy, which includes the assessment of the related risks, the planning of sustainability objectives and the related disclosure.
With reference to sustainability issues, the Board of Directors:
— approves the Non-Financial Statement, verifying, with the support of the Control, Risk and ESG Committee, that said statements are drafted and then published in compliance with the provisions of Italian Legislative Decree 254/2016 which, implementing Directive 2014/95/EU, introduced the obligation for large companies/groups to provide, together with the annual management report, a "Non-financial Statement" containing information on environmental, social and personnel-related issues, respect of human rights and the fight against both active and passive corruption;
On March 9, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors, in accordance with the recommendations on corporate governance contained in the Corporate Governance Code (CG), established a Control, Risk and ESG Committee effective from the date of commencement of trading, pursuant to articles 1 and 6 of the CG Code ("Control, Risk and ESG Committee") composed of three directors, the majority of whom independent.
The Control, Risk and ESG Committee assists the Board of Directors with reference to the control and risk functions, in compliance with the provisions of art. 6 of the CG Code. The Control, Risk and ESG Committee has also been assigned the ESG and sustainable development responsibilities set forth in art. 1 of the CG Code for the purposes of assessing the sustainability report containing non-financial information pursuant to European Directive 2014/95/EU and in particular:
and methodologies adopted by the Company and the Group in their sustainability reporting; (e) any sustainable finance initiative;
— oversees international initiatives on environmental, social and governance matters and proposes the potential adherence to them by the Company and the Group, in order to strengthen the international reputation of the Company and the Group.
Given the importance of energy transition issues within the corporate strategy, De Nora executives have specific expertise not only in their relevant sector, but also in the field of climate change. This confirms that these aspects are integrated in the corporate governance model, highlighting the role of these management figures as direct support to the Chief Executive Officer.
Starting from 2022, an ESG Committee was also established with the aim of drafting the Sustainability Report and outlining the Sustainability Plan together with the related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This Committee, coordinated by the Investor Relation & ESG Manager, works in collaboration with external experts and is composed of representatives of the functional areas most involved in Environmental, Social and Governance issues. Each contact person in the Committee is responsible for ensuring adequate involvement of their area in all the preparatory activities needed for the compilation of the Sustainability Report and for the definition and subsequent implementation of the Sustainability Plan and the related KPIs.
With reference to the main activities carried out in 2023 in relation to the areas mentioned above, it should be noted that, at the meeting of December 14, 2023, the Board of Directors of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. approved the Sustainability Plan to 2026 and to 2030. The plan sets out a complete agenda of initiatives and quantitative objectives, broken down into four pillars, based on solid governance and on the Group's values, already described in the paragraph "Significant events during the
year", to which reference should be made.
Following the approval of this Sustainability Plan, a permanent team was also created, under the direct coordination of Investor Relations & ESG — also
known as the Accelerator Lab — for the ongoing supervision and coordination of the Plan. The Accelerator Lab is supported by Plant Focal Points and the representatives of the main Business functions.
Excellence in Research and Development is one of the main levers used by De Nora to ensure organic, sustainable growth. The Group is focused on the development of innovative and technologically advanced solutions, designed to meet the current needs of the markets in order to preserve its competitive edge, protect its margins and market shares, without jeopardising the future of the next generations on the environmental and social front.
The Group operates through research centers with offices located in Italy, the United States and Japan and, in addition to being able to boast a highly specialized Research and Development team, maintains a network of partnerships with the main international research institutes and universities as well as with its customers. Relationships with customers originate in many cases from research projects aimed at meeting their specific requirements and in some cases participated in by the customers themselves, which over time can lead to the commercialization of the products developed and, consequently, to the consolidation of the relationship. The strong link is also determined by the continuous technological upgrading of the product portfolio and the Group's ability to guarantee after-sales and end-of-life recovery services with a view to reducing waste, sometimes increasing the possibility of certain materials re-entering the value chain.
— The "US R&D" unit (Cleveland Area) - Ohio, is mainly focused on the development of enabling technologies for Energy Transition (electrolysis of water for the production of green
hydrogen and related hydrogen technologies; conversion of CO and CO2 into high-value chemicals and fuels, etc.) and on the development of new products for existing markets such as electrowinning and the generation of chlorine derivatives for the disinfection of swimming pools;
those already served by the Group with the aim of creating increasingly competitive, high-performance and sustainable products. The mission of the Production Technologies group is to accelerate the introduction of new products by overseeing their technology transfer to the different production plants. The Product Engineering department consists of the Design Engineering team that develops advanced electrochemical systems, reactors and components and the Process Engineering and Product Development teams that deal with their industrialisation. The R&D function is composed totally of 107 staff and includes 93 staff members who focus on the Electrode Technologies and Energy Transition business (55 in Italy, 26 in Japan, 11 in the United States and 1 in China) and 14 Product Technology Management staff dealing with the Water Technologies business (8 in the United States, 5 in Italy, 1 in China).
In addition to the development of new products and the continuous improvement of existing ones, the Research and Development units support, with their services, the sales and operations of the various regions.
To support its business strategy, the Group continually invests in new projects to feed the innovation pipeline. At the same time, product improvement activities continue and the objective of contributing electrochemical solutions to the challenges of a sustainable economy is being pursued. Personnel are allocated through the management of the project portfolio which aims, in accordance with the strategic business objectives, to boost efficiency in the use of materials and energy, to maximize the value of the portfolio itself, to balance the projects to develop new products or technologies in order to cover the different business lines and comply with the commercial launch roadmap in the short, medium and long-term.
The work of the "Energy Transition and Hydrogen Task Force (ET&H)", reporting directly to the CEO, continued during the year. The task force involves, among others, several members of R&D and Production Technologies and its main objective is to make De Nora grow in the Energy Transition commercial segment. More specifically, the role of ET&H is to:
2023 saw the consolidation of customers who adopt the De Nora solution, electrodes and electrode packages for high current density, and the entry of potential new customers, including some significant ones in the future.
As regards the "stacks and systems" product line, the foundations have been established for a partnership, currently at an advanced negotiation stage. With regard to the Dragonfly® programme, in 2023 De Nora was selected as a technology provider in two European projects in which the integration of the Dragonfly® system is planned for airport mobility applications and decarbonization via gas blending.
The research programs are effectively integrated at several sites and coordinated at a central level.
With reference to the Electrode Technologies Business, the focus is on the continuous improvement of the electrodes offered by the Group both for existing markets and for new future applications. The primary objectives are the service offered to the customer and the sustainability of the product. Special attention is paid to the content of noble metals in the products, both
for sustainability (given their rarity) and competitiveness (given their high cost) reasons. Research in the Electrode Technologies sector has allowed a progressive and continuous reduction in the content of noble metals, especially the more rare and expensive ones, without compromising on the operational quality of the products. In the last year, research has also been extended to techniques for recovering the portion of rare materials still present in products at the end of the operating cycle ("after life"). The Electrode Technologies segment includes business lines of key importance for the Group, including the chlorine industry (chlorine/alkali, chlorate, hydrochloric acid), electronics (copper foil, circuit boards), the production of non-ferrous metals (hydrometallurgy of nickel, cobalt and copper), the surface treatment of steel coils and others. Based on a long-term vision, projects are already in progress with the goal of fully replacing noble metals.
With reference to the Water Technologies Business, the objective is to develop and market next-generation projects of existing products, as well as to develop new solutions capable of meeting stricter regulatory requirements in relation to drinking water and wastewater. The most important results include the commercial launch of a new material retention plate for TETRA deep bed filters, a new design of Capital Controls ozone generators that meet the needs of the North American market and an updated design for UV Capital Controls systems for the disinfection of drinking water.
The development of new products focused in particular on water disinfection systems through electrochlorination with both seawater and synthetic salt water, removal and destruction of micropollutants such as polyfluoroalkanes (PFAS).
The commitment in the Energy Transition segment was further intensified in 2023 with numerous projects carried out synergistically between all Group research units.
The Group has active programs for the development of technologies and products (electrodes and other components and related systems) (i) for alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) and (ii) for cationic polymer membrane electrolysis (PEM) and (iii) anionic polymer membrane electrolysis (AEM) for the production of hydrogen, preferably green. Projects dedicated to the development of electrolyzers for the storage of hydrogen using organic compounds (LOHC - Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers) are, on the other hand, at a more advanced stage of development, involving field tests of demo units to validate these solutions.
The Group also has a joint development program to develop products for electrodes and membrane electrode units for electrochemical purification and hydrogen compression. The Group directly participates in several public projects including (i) the European projects "Djewels" (2020-25), "NextH2" (2021-24), "PROMETH2EUS" (2021-25), HyTecHeat (2022-26), CleanHyPRO (2023-27), X-SEED (2023-26) in the alkaline water electrolysis sector; (ii) the European project ANEMEL (2022-27) in the water electrolysis sector through anionic exchange membranes (AEM); (iii) the Italian project MAINE (2022- 25) in the water electrolysis sector in general; and (iv) the European project "ECO2FUEL" (2021-26), for the conversion and value enhancement of carbon dioxide (in the sector of the electrochemical conversion of CO2). The Group also takes part, in the role of "industrial advisor", in various public European projects (Licrox, Telegram, CO2EnRich).
With reference to the Research and Development activities carried out in the United States, the Group has requested and obtained funding from the Federal Department of Energy (DOoE) for the development of components related to the technology of polymeric membranes for water electrolysis (PEM) ("H2@Scale New Markets" program) and for the conversion of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into
short-chain organic molecules in collaboration with industrial and academic partners (DOE's ARPAe "ECOSynBio" programs and with the Advanced Manufacturing Office "Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization"). In Japan, the Group participates in a project for the development of technologies relating to water electrolysis and the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia, with funding from NEDO (Japanese National Agency for the Development of Technologies in the Energy and Industrial Sectors). Furthermore, the Group is carrying out research projects targeted at the development of new electrodes and catalysts for fuel cells and for the conversion of CO2 into chemicals (i.e. carbon monoxide, methane, formic acid and acetate) and other green fuels (e-fuels), as well as studies aimed at the use of metal electrodes in flow batteries (redox flow batteries). Many of these research projects involve the joint participation of industrial partners, including the associated company tk nucera, and are managed by the Group through joint development agreements very often covered by confidentiality agreements and through the aforementioned government funding programmes.
The Group is also participating in public tenders (at national and European level) relating to initiatives focused on the issues of energy transition and, in particular, on hydrogen, in order to have access to the loans granted by the Italy within the IPCEI framework (reserved for projects that are part of the strategic value chains identified by the European Commission on the basis of their ability to generate technological innovation, improve products and production processes, as well as foster sustainable economic growth). On August 1, 2021, in collaboration with SNAM, the Group submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development a project portfolio relating to the construction and development of a Gigafactory for the production of electrolyzers to be used for producing green hydrogen as part of the so-called IPCEI Hydrogen and, in the course of 2022, the request to access the financial facilities under the Ministerial Decree activating the intervention of the IPCEI Fund in support of IPCEI Hydrogen 1 (IPCEI H2 Technology) was finalized following decision C(2022) 5158 final of July 15, 2022 / SA. 64644. The activities are proceeding according to the Program, including the validation of new electrode packages for AWE and Fuel Cell, the development of containerized electrolysis units and the design and construction of the GigaFactory.
In addition to the above, at the European level the Group is also participating (with tk nucera) in a research initiative promoted by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This initiative, aimed at supporting Germany's entry into the hydrogen market and promoting large-scale production of alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), provides for the expansion of the production capacity of the Group's German plant, located in Rodenbach, from 1 to 5 GigaWatts. In addition, the HyNCREASE project, proposed by the Group through its German branch, was recently awarded by the European Commission - Innovation Fund. The main objective of the project is to boost the production capacity of innovative clean technology equipment, i.e. electrolyzers and fuel cell components, to design, build and validate highly efficient production lines based on Industry 4.0 principles that will also guarantee a low environmental impact.
Intellectual property rights represent a key element for the creation of value of the Group's activities. The Group aims to protect intellectual property, which includes, among others: copyrights, software, know-how and trade secrets, designs, utility models, patents, trademarks and trade names, through the appropriate procedures and national and international practices. To this end, the Group has put in place adequate policies for identifying, protecting and enhancing its intellectual property rights, which result, for example, in the
continuous filing of trademarks registration and patent applications, and in the preparation of suitable measures to protect the confidentiality of sensitive technical and commercial information, in particular of the trade secrets.
The protection of the Group's proprietary rights with respect to its corporate identity, services, products and knowhow is essential to maintain its competitive advantage and market recognition.
The Group's intellectual property, including part of that of tk nucera, is managed at corporate level through the respective Milan and Fujisawa offices, part of the Intellectual Property Department, which coordinate a network of local and foreign agents and professionals. The Intellectual Property Department aims to create, protect and develop all property rights deriving from any of the Group's activities through: the identification of the appropriate legal protection applicable and the performance of the formal and substantive activities arising therefrom — such as filing, continuation, maintenance and enforcement of one's property rights against third parties.
Decisions regarding the geographical coverage of intellectual property rights to ensure protection in countries where the Group operates and/or which are deemed to be of strategic value are implemented by the Intellectual Property Department in accordance with the guidelines received from the Marketing and Business Development function as well as the Research and Development function and the sales offices in the regions concerned. Access to the use of these intangible assets by the various Group companies is guaranteed and governed by appropriate inter-company agreements.
The Group also constantly monitors the titles in its portfolio of intellectual property assets, whether granted, registered or pending and subject to renewal, expiry or other official action requiring replication, as well as any events that may be potentially detrimental to the
value of the portfolio in order to be able to react in a timely manner, where necessary.
The Group has always been encouraging innovation and creativity by consistently recognizing the contributions to the value of De Nora generated by its employees' inventions that are filed for patent applications. Continuing the employee incentive and recognition program started in previous years, financial awards were given to inventors throughout the Group, as well as certificates of recognition published on the company intranet.
Pursuing the objective of continuous improvement, another phase of the Group's "Protection and Management of Trade Secrets" project was completed in 2023. In 2023, the "Patent Strategy" was also finalized and implemented, which guides all decisions of the Group relating to the life cycle of patents, from the conception of the invention to the expiry or abandonment of the patent.
In order to defend itself against possible counterfeiting and other potentially damaging events, the Group also uses monitoring services, in connection with which it receives information on the filing by third parties of trademark applications that are similar to or may be confused with the Group's trademarks. The Group uses this information to develop the most appropriate strategy to defend its proprietary rights.
As at December 31, 2023, the Group owns 522 registered trademarks in 76 countries, and has 2 trademarks under consideration or trademark applications in 3 countries.
The Group operates through a portfolio of patents and utility models registered in countries relevant to the business and relies on the legal protection of its registered proprietary rights. As at December 31, 2023, it has 2,387 patents or utility models in 82 countries and
492 patent or utility model applications pending in over 41 countries or regional organizations, including the European Patent Office, the Gulf Cooperation Council Patent Office (in Saudi Arabia), the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization and the Eurasian Patent Convention.
In 2023, 17 new patent applications were filed: 10 concerning the water electrolysis field, 1 relating to chlor-alkali, 2 for electrodes for electronics and 4 relating to the Water Technologies segment.
Assessing the factors that can affect the business is essential to direct strategies and operate sustainably in the long-term. The proper implementation of the Internal Control and Risk Management System — ICRMS — allows for the identification, monitoring and management of the main risks that arise from the type of business, the activities carried out within the organization and along the value chain, the reference sector and the sustainability trends. Effective risk management is a crucial element in preserving the Group's value over time.
After the listing, De Nora implemented a risk management process (RM) aimed at identifying, assessing and prioritizing corporate risks, including those related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects. This process also aims to identify actions to minimize, monitor and control the likelihood and impact of adverse events. In particular, the risk analysis consists of a detailed examination of events potentially impacting De Nora's strategic and management objectives, considering changes in the Group's business model, organization, processes and procedures, as well as dynamics in the external environment (especially from a political, economic, social, technological and legal perspective), and in the sector and among major competitors. De Nora's RM process is based on the framework outlined by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"), supplemented by the principles of the Corporate Governance Code, adapted to specific business needs and best practices.
The Internal Control and Risk Management System (ICRMS) is composed of organizational functions, committees,
IT support, administrative and management systems, policies, regulations, operating procedures and managerial practices, which exercise different levels of control over company management and on risks. The Board of Directors is responsible for defining the general guidelines of the ICRMS, as well as for establishing criteria which ensure that the risks are in line with sound and correct company management. Although aware of the limitations of control processes in guaranteeing absolute results, the Board believes that the ICRMS can reduce and mitigate the likelihood and impact of risky events related to erroneous decisions, human errors, fraud, violations of laws, regulations and company procedures, as well as unforeseen events.
Permanent, first-level direct controls are conducted by the persons responsible for managing and coordinating operating activities (e.g., purchasing, logistics, production, sales), in accordance with the principles of separation of responsibilities and delegation of authority. Second-level monitoring controls are guaranteed by company functions such as Administration, Finance and Control, ICT, Human Resources, Legal and Compliance.
The Internal Audit function constitutes an additional level of control, operating independently from the previous ones, with priorities defined by the identification and assessment of company risks, representing the third level of control. The Internal Audit (IA) function performs its tasks, defined in a mandate approved by the Board of Directors, with the required independence, in accordance with the Corporate Governance Code, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and the best practices.
The Internal Audit Director (IAD) reports directly to the Board of Directors at least twice a year, while the Control, Risk and ESG Committee oversees the activities of the Internal Audit Function, reviewing its responsibilities, budget and organization. The Internal Audit Manager is authorized to:
The main risk scenarios identified as a result of the risk assessment process are illustrated below. The risk scenarios are classified into Strategic, Legal and Compliance, Operational and Financial based on the objectives that could be impacted. Climate change risks are also reported in line with the recommendations provided by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.
For details on the materiality analysis carried out on sustainability issues and a more exhaustive representation of ESG risks, please refer to the dedicated section within the Non-financial Statement.
Growth in the green hydrogen production sector and electrolysis and electrolyzer solutions is dependent on various factors such as: increased renewable
energy production, political and industrial commitment to supporting the sector, the development of an adequate global outlet market for green hydrogen, the actual ability of developers to make the necessary investments to set up the green hydrogen production capacity required by the market, the effect of inflation on the investments required to construct green hydrogen production plants.
Generally speaking, there has been a slowdown in the process of obtaining the authorizations needed to initiate investments and the rules that define green hydrogen in Europe limit its market penetration as expected by RePowerEU (10 million tonnes by 2030). Although on the one hand these conditions lead to an inevitable extension of the times initially envisaged for the development of the sector, there is growth in the average size of the projects and an increase in the number of projects announced. At the same time, there is a concentration towards geographical areas which already present favorable conditions such as the presence of financially sustainable technological partners, low cost of renewable energies, real need for hydrogen from the end user. Actions to mitigate the risk scenario in question adopted by the Group consist of: the long-established partnership with tk nucera, which is now recognized as the main technology provider with a number of larger projects (GW scale) than its competitors that have passed the FID (Final Investment Decision); the strategic positioning of the Group that allows it to oversee the major development markets; and production capacity. In fact, also thanks a prudent investment strategy, De Nora has developed the production capacity to meet the needs in the main Asian, Middle Eastern, European and American markets. Through the joint venture with tk nucera, De Nora accesses projects that have passed a system of internal qualification and selection of the joint venture, that ensures its reliability in the market and financial standing, in addition to business continuity, given
projects selected in consideration of subsequent expansion. The synergistic work between De Nora, which is able to develop and produce high-performance electrodes for the production of high-quality hydrogen with low energy consumption, and the leading technology OEMs for the supply of solutions for the generation and utilization of hydrogen on a large scale, makes it possible to face and hopefully overcome the technical difficulties that could cause delays in plant construction.
However, the worsening of conditions in terms of the slowdown in the development of the green hydrogen sector, which despite remaining a sector of huge proportions and undergoing rationalisation, could have negative effects on activities and on growth prospects with respect to initial expectations and therefore be reflected in the economic, financial and equity situation of the Group.
Along the green hydrogen value chain, De Nora is currently positioned as a supplier of components (electrodes and cell components) for the latest generation alkaline electrolyzers (hydrogen generators). Electrodes represent one of the key components of electrolyzers since they determine their performance, and therefore have an impact on the economy of the systems in terms of LCOH (Levelized Cost of Hydrogen). De Nora's business model today provides for the supply of high-quality electrodes and cell components (in terms of their performance and duration over time) produced on a large scale. In the medium term, the company is also expected to become a supplier of electrolyzer stacks and systems for the "decentralized" market, thus expanding its scope of supply. The risk scenarios considered in its model take into consideration the belief that the green hydrogen development sector is coveted by a number of entities - offtakers (energy players,
industrial gas suppliers & traders, chemical companies, etc.) that could, through direct investments, or through partnerships and consortia transactions with other operators already active in the hydrogen and low-carbon energy sector, attempt to enter the market in direct competition with tk nucera. In addition, the scenario is also considered in which other offtakers develop competitive technological solutions with respect to De Nora's offer such as to be accredited as suppliers of alternative essential components to operators in the sector.
Although the competitive risk cannot be ignored and the competitive structure of the current players and the competitive intelligence studies conducted suggest that the risk of these scenarios actually materializing is more remote. In addition, the Group's main competitors in the electrodes sector are actually currently small in number and are characterized by an extremely low production capacity compared to De Nora for high-performance electrodes. Competitive benchmark analyses show the consolidated leadership of the Group with respect to each parameter considered (installed production capacity, product quality, consumption, etc.). De Nora mitigates the competitive risk through a coordinated series of actions, also in collaboration with tk nucera, aimed at maintaining the technological and competitive gap with respect to the competition. In particular: investments in research and development continue to be a hallmark of the De Nora Group with five R&D laboratories worldwide, significant investments in plant and machinery already made or underway to upgrade the production plant in Germany to meet the needs of producing electrodes with AWE technology and strong protection of corporate know-how, both through the continuous filing of patent applications or licenses, and through specific actions aimed at protecting access to confidential information by unauthorized third parties. Targeted acquisitions of competitors, in the case of ascertained value, are also a way to counteract the risk.
Ultimately, the Group is exposed to the risk that, due to intensified competition, there may be significant unfavorable effects on its activities and growth prospects as well as on its economic, financial and equity position.
The Group manages part of its business through thyssenKrupp nucera ("tk nucera"), a joint venture established in 2015 with the ThyssenKrupp Group, in which the Group holds a minority interest. tk nucera, in addition to being the Group's main customer in the Electrode Technologies Business segment, is a key partner for the achievement of the development goals in the energy transition sector envisioned by the Group over the plan period, as these relate to tk nucera's ability to establish itself as a key player in the construction of green hydrogen production plants.
The commercial relations between the joint venture tk nucera and De Nora are governed by the contract called TMA (Toll Manufacturing Agreement) which governs the reciprocal commercial and operational commitments. The TMA requires tk nucera to purchase from De Nora (i) cell construction and assembly services for the various tk nucera technologies; (ii) activated anode and cathode electrodes; and (iii) cell recoating, retrofitting and repair services. Pursuant to the TMA, De Nora has undertaken not to produce or supply to third parties with respect to tk nucera products manufactured on the basis of the intellectual property of tk nucera, which may therefore not be used or sublicensed by the Group, without prejudice to the provisions of the existing license agreements between tk nucera and the Group. In addition, the TMA provides for an exclusive right in favor of the Group, limited to the quantities defined in the TMA itself, for the entire duration of the contract.
Governance relations are instead regulated by a shareholders' agreement
originally signed in 2013 and fully replaced by a new agreement signed on September 23, 2022. The new shareholders' agreement will be effective until November 4, 2038 and will be automatically renewed for another five years in the absence of notice of termination communicated by one of the parties.
Due to the minority interest held by the Group, the Group's influence on the corporate governance structure and on the activities carried out by tk nucera is limited and may not be sufficient to prevent decisions that De Nora believes are not in the best interest of the joint venture or the Group in general and, as a result, the Group could suffer significant negative impacts on its business, economic position and results of its operations.
De Nora mitigates the risk scenario in question through the continuous search for cutting-edge technological solutions able to fully comply with the specifications required by tk nucera. Moreover, the TMA does not bind De Nora to an exclusive relationship with tk nucera, and therefore De Nora remains free to operate with third parties who are active, among other things, in the green hydrogen sector.
Several of the Group's products are the result of complex production processes that require the use of raw materials available in illiquid commodity markets characterized by a small number of suppliers concentrated in specific geographical areas, limited quantities of raw materials extracted annually and in a limited number of sites.
De Nora is therefore exposed to the risk that as a result of (even temporary) interruptions in mining activities due to disasters, accidents, wars, riots or political stances of supplier countries (trade restrictions, duties, sanctions, etc.) there could be an unavailability or a sharp rise in the prices of essential raw materials and this could have significant negative
effects on the Group's activities and prospects as well as its economic and financial position. The risk scenario in question is further confirmed by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine in consideration of the fact that for some metals (titanium and nickel) Russia is one of the main producers in the world.
Further tensions in the Middle East with difficulties in accessing the Suez Canal exacerbate the problems relating to the titanium supply chain, which sees the major producers concentrated in the Far East area.
De Nora mitigates the risk scenario in question through a coordinated range of actions aimed at ensuring production continuity. In particular, the Group: undertakes, through contracts, to guarantee its suppliers essential raw materials minimum purchase volumes to be made during the contract term (usually not exceeding one year), plans its purchasing requirements in coordination with production and future production forecasts, ensuring minimum stock quantities to meet production requirements for certain periods of time, holds trade negotiations with major producers and traders in order to limit its dependence on suppliers.
In addition, to cope with the price increase of some essential materials, the Group adopts commercial policies aimed at ensuring that the sale price is adjusted, in whole or in part, to the price of raw materials (pass-through mechanism).
The De Nora Group sells its products in more than 90 countries. Depending on the uses and application purposes of the equipment, products and components manufactured and/or sold by the Group, the following reference standards could be applied (the list proposed cannot be considered exhaustive):
the production, import and use of chemical products;
The rules applicable to the Group include European Regulation (EU) 2021/821, which establishes an EU regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items.
Moreover, due to the presence of its customers in different geographical areas, it cannot be excluded that unforeseeable geopolitical developments may occur such that the countries in which these customers and partners of the Group operate are subject to sanctions or restrictive measures by the United States of America, the European Union and/or the United Nations Organization, which could limit the Group's ability to continue to operate with them.
In particular, as a result of the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the governments of the European Union, the United States and other jurisdictions have adopted sanctions and restrictive measures in relation to some industrial sectors and/or specific Russian subjects, as well as greater controls on exports of some products intended for the Russian market.
If the Group does not comply with the applicable product regulations, the Group companies could suffer significant financial and administrative sanctions, including criminal penalties in the most serious cases, with negative impacts on the Group's reputation and on the economic and financial position of the Group.
De Nora mitigates the risk scenario relating to product compliance through the preparation by the Regulatory Affairs department of specific processes
and controls aimed at monitoring the development of reference regulations and ensuring compliance with and specific application of the aforementioned regulations by all functions/departments involved.
The risk relates to illegal or unlawful conduct and violations of laws and regulations in force, in addition to risks relating to anti-corruption and export control.
In recent years, the legislative and regulatory context applicable to the fight against corruption has become increasingly stringent and organizations increasingly find themselves operating in environments exposed to this risk, as well as having to comply with multiple regulations on the matter, in various countries around the world. By way of example, note should be taken of Legislative Decree no. 231/2001 and the Anti-Corruption Law (i.e. Law 190/2012) in Italy, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in the United States and the Bribery Act in the United Kingdom. All these regulations pursue the same objective: to combat and crack down on corruption.
The Group's business model requires continuous liaising with a number of third parties (suppliers, intermediaries, agents and customers) and needs to entertain commercial relations also in countries characterized by high levels of corruption (as per the Corruption Perception Index), often through commercial agents and local public officials. The export control regimes, governed by the laws of the United States and the European Union, impose restrictions both on certain subjects (persons and entities), and for particular categories and types of products.
Failure to comply with national and international regulations could result in the imposition of criminal and/or civil fines and penalties, including prison sentences, with a negative effect on the Group's business, financial situation and/or operating results and could affect De Nora's reputation and the Group's ability to fulfill its obligations.
De Nora manages these risks through:
The Group operates through research centers with offices located in Italy, the United States and Japan and, in addition to being able to boast a highly specialized Research and Development team, maintains a network of partnerships with the main international research institutes and universities as well as with its customers. Relationships with customers originate in many cases from research projects aimed at meeting their specific requirements and in some cases participated in by the customers themselves, which over time can lead to the commercialization of the products developed and, consequently, to the consolidation of the relationship. The strong link is also based on a continuous technological renewal of the product portfolio and the Group's ability to guarantee after-sales services and other sales. The research programs are effectively integrated in the various centers and coordinated at central level, contributing to the creation of a portfolio of projects that is balanced between the development of new products and the optimization of existing ones.
The protection of the Group's intellectual property (understood in its entirety) is a key element for the creation of value and is fundamental to maintaining the competitive advantage and recognition of the market. Therefore, if due to unauthorized access, industrial espionage or employee disloyalty, part of the technological know-how is lost, the Group could suffer significant negative impacts on its business, economic position and results of operations.
De Nora mitigates the risk scenario in question by means of an important oversight of internal procedures aimed at ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to confidential information according to the "need
to know" principle and in any case in compliance with strict control procedures, including IT controls. In addition, the Group's intellectual property is managed centrally through the respective Milan and Fujisawa offices, part of the Intellectual Property Department, which coordinate a network of local and foreign agents and professionals. The Intellectual Property Department aims to protect and develop the property rights deriving from any of the Group's activities through: the identification of the appropriate legal protection applicable and the performance of the formal and substantive activities arising therefrom - such as filing, continuation, maintenance and enforcement of one's property rights against third parties. The Group constantly monitors its portfolio of licensed, registered or pending intellectual property assets subject to filing as regards renewals, expiry dates or other official actions and deadlines, as well as any events that may be potentially detrimental to the value of the portfolio in order to be able to react in a timely manner, where necessary.
In this regard, it should be noted that although the Group's intellectual property rights, understood in their entirety, represent a key element for the creation of value of the Group's activities, the Group's results do not depend on individual patents, licenses or contracts whose object is the intellectual property of the Group.
The Group is exposed to the risk of having to interrupt or suspend its production activities due to malfunctions, breakdowns, accidents or natural disasters that may occur at its production plants.
The occurrence of these events could have negative effects on the activities and prospects as well as on the economic, financial and equity situation of the Group.
De Nora mitigates this risk scenario
through adequate internal procedures aimed at reducing the possibility of accidents and adopting the safety measures required by local regulations and best practices on health and safety. In addition, as part of the insurance program, the Group has taken out insurance policies that provide adequate coverage for direct damage to property (i.e. buildings, equipment, inventory or goods), and indirect damage (business interruptions or losses). Lastly, the various production lines are redundant on the various plants in order to ensure the continuity of supplies in the event of interruption of production activities in one plant.
With regard to workplace health and safety, the risks of occupational injuries and illnesses are mainly caused by handling materials in the facilities and the use of chemical and hazardous substances. The main health and safety risks to which the personnel of the Group and of the contractors are exposed are therefore attributable to the performance of operating activities at the production sites.
The Group's production activities are subject to national and international laws and regulations on Health, Safety and the Environment. Future legislative and/or regulatory changes could affect the Group's operations, the ability to compete on the market and the financial results, if such changes are not promptly known, anticipated and managed.
De Nora manages these risks through:
— adoption of a centralized management system based on the identification and assessment of factors considered critical at different levels: Group, country and, lastly, operating unit. This approach makes it possible to ensure a complete picture of the risks associated with individual production activities, in order to manage, monitor and minimize health and safety risks;
The production activity carried out by the Group is subject to specific environmental regulations, including the management of raw materials, energy resources, hazardous substances, water discharges, atmospheric emissions, waste, including the prevention of pollution and the minimization of impacts on environmental matrices (soil, subsoil, water resources, atmosphere). The evolution of these regulations is also geared towards the adoption of increasingly stringent requirements for companies, which often involve the adaptation of technologies (Best Available Techniques) and risk prevention systems, with the relevant associated costs.
Despite the Group being heavily and continuously committed to protecting the environment, a potential impact on the environmental matrices in the operational management of activities cannot be ruled out, with possible implications on production continuity and economic and reputational consequences.
In addition, cases of environmental non-compliance could occur. Furthermore, from a financial point of view,
the continuous increase in the prices of energy and raw materials (such as noble metals) can impact the company's profitability.
De Nora manages these risks through:
The potential risk areas are all those involving the use of information and communication technologies, since the use of IT tools is widespread within the Group.
The growing spread of technologies that allow the transfer and sharing of sensitive information through virtual spaces leads to situations of increased IT vulnerability. Therefore, the Group is committed to protecting information systems from theft or damage to hardware, software and the information contained therein, as well as from interruptions in the services provided by them. Exposure to potential cyber-attacks actually stems from various factors, such as the global distribution of IT systems and the storage of high value-added information in the cloud (such as patents, technological innovation projects, as well as financial projections and strategic plans not yet disclosed to the market).
Hacker attacks or breaches of the company IT system could impact business operations with possible penalties and reputational damage.
De Nora manages these risks through:
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues have always been a key area of attention for De Nora and have also taken on more importance after the listing on the Stock Exchange. Pursuing ESG objectives means creating a competitive advantage and long-term sustainable value for both the organization and stakeholders (internal and external).
With regard to environmental issues, special attention is paid to climate change risks.
Global warming, resulting from greenhouse gas emissions, poses serious risks to the world economy and affects various economic sectors. The impacts of this situation, already partly evident, vary according to company-specific characteristics, the geographical regions of interest and the resilience of production infrastructures, supply chains and target markets. In 2017, in order to facilitate a more in-depth understanding of companies' exposure to the risks related to climate change, the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures outlined specific guidelines for the disclosure of these risks.
These Guidelines provide recommendations for the disclosure of clear, comparable and consistent information on the risks and opportunities resulting from climate change. Although they are not mandatory, adopting these recommendations allows companies to more fully detail their responsibility and long-term vision in relation to climate issues. This contributes not only to smarter and more efficient capital management, but also promotes the transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon economy.
In compliance with the recommendations of the Task Force, the key elements of the way in which De Nora tackles the issue of climate change risks are provided below.
The Group has taken a strategic and holistic approach to the assessment and management of risks related to climate change and environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects, in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD).
In the initial implementation phase of the climate change risk assessment process, attention was focused on the detailed assessment of the existing management tools, through a specific internal survey. The ultimate objective of this in-depth survey was to verify the current status of the Group's business practices. This, in turn, provided a solid basis for promptly planning the actions needed to develop an advanced climate risk management program. This future-oriented perspective indicates the continuous commitment to improving the Group's resilience with respect to climate risks. The survey also made it possible to obtain a clear understanding of the current exposure to risks and opportunities deriving from climate change, thus contributing to proactive and targeted management of these circumstances.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Task Force, climate change risks are classified into: Current Regulation Risk; Emerging Regulation Risk; Legal Risk; Technology Risk; Market Risk; Reputation Risk; Acute Physical Risk; Chronic Physical Risk.
The survey conducted showed that, at local level, the issue of Climate Change is managed by the local management with regard to the specific local regulations and the guidelines issued by the parent company. The investments in the plants made in 2023, for example, have integrated the specific regulatory aspects regarding energy saving, water consumption and control of emissions into the atmosphere as required by local regulations. More generally, although it is not yet a formalized process at individual Legal Entity level, climate change risks are included in the current operational risk management processes
carried out by the various business units and, in any case, the various legal entities already plan to implement structured risk management processes in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Parent Company.
With reference to the individual risk categories, the survey conducted showed that regulatory changes are commonly perceived as opportunities for the De Nora business in consideration of the deep commitment to innovation, which targets sustainable growth in the clean energy and water treatment sector. In fact, De Nora technologies are recognized as solutions that facilitate transition processes in many industrial applications.
Although technological risks are present, they are also considered irrelevant as the transition process that is underway in the various markets and sectors of reference entails a greater customer focus on low-impact technological solutions. Products must therefore be improved and aligned with new political, legal, technological and market contexts to address climate change mitigation and adaptation requirements. Through the significant efforts of its R&D department, De Nora is already able to provide the right answers. De Nora's Research and Development is focused on both the creation of new electrode components and the engineering of cells and systems for all industrial electrochemical applications, targeting both mature markets to offer increasingly more up-to-date, efficient, competitive and sustainable products and new markets as enabling factors. At the same time, product improvement activities are continuing and the objective of contributing electrochemical solutions to the challenges of a sustainable economy is being pursued.
Market risk is linked to potential financial losses or lower returns due to changes in market prices or to conditions determined by climate change or climate policies. This risk is also recognized at De Nora, but is also considered irrelevant, given the strategic
positioning of the Group and the reasons already mentioned with reference to technological risks.
Climate-related reputational risk refers to the risk of damage to the reputation of an organization due to its perceived contribution or the reduction of the transition to a low-carbon economy.
For De Nora, reputational risk is mainly linked to the scenario of non-implementation of the Sustainability Plan by the Company. Also in this case, given the scope of the objectives defined by the Sustainability Plan to 2026 and to 2030 and considering the commitment made by the Company to achieve them, the risk is considered irrelevant.
Acute physical risks are risks caused by extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods and fires. These events can cause significant physical damage and financial losses to businesses and communities. For example, the increasing frequency and severity of hurricanes in coastal areas can damage infrastructure, disrupt supply chains and lead to business disruptions and insurance claims.
The Group is present in 10 countries through 24 operating offices and branches, including 15 plants and 5 research and development ("R&D") centers.
Acute physical risks are more perceived in some geographical areas such as Japan, China, India and the United States, albeit they materialize differently. Although there have been no
significant events in the recent past, all plants are aware of the need to develop an emergency plan tailored to the specific characteristics of the place where the production plant is located. Also in order to avoid any interruptions in operating activities resulting from acute physical events, the activities carried out by each plant are redundant in the other plants of the Group according to a very specific industrial approach.
Chronic physical risks are risks associated with the long-term impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns. These risks can lead to gradual and irreversible damage to ecosystems, infrastructure and human health. Chronic physical risks can also have indirect effects on businesses, such as supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes and reputational damage.
As with acute physical risks, chronic risks are also perceived differently in the different geographical areas in which the group operates, but mainly in China, Japan and India and above all with reference to changes in temperature (heat stress) and precipitation (changing precipitation patterns).
Please refer to what is described in the Explanatory Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and in the Explanatory Notes to the Separate Financial Statements of Industrie De Nora S.p.A.
With regard to transactions carried out with related parties, it should be noted that they cannot be classified as atypical or unusual, as they fall within the normal course of business of the Group companies. These transactions are settled at market conditions, taking into account the characteristics of the goods and services provided.
Information on transactions with related parties, including that required by CON-SOB Communication of July 28, 2006, is included in the Explanatory Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2023.
It should be noted that in the reference period:
On July 5, 2022, the Board of Directors of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. approved a procedure for transactions with related parties ("RPT Procedure"), subject to the favorable opinion of the Committee for Transactions with Related Parties, in line with the provisions on related party transactions adopted by CONSOB. Subsequently, the Procedure was amended by the Board of Directors on May 10, 2023, following the favorable opinion of the Related Parties Committee. The RPT Procedure can be consulted, together with the other documents on corporate governance, on the website www.denora.com.
Pursuant to CONSOB Communication No. DEM/6064293 of July 28, 2006, it should be noted that there were no atypical and/ or unusual transactions, as defined in the Communication.
As regards the list of secondary offices and the main corporate information of the legal entities that make up the Group, please refer to the section on the Consolidation area included in the Explanatory Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements.
As at December 31, 2023, the Parent Company does not hold directly or through trustees or nominees, any shares of parent companies, nor has it acquired or sold such shares or quotas during the financial year. Regarding Treasury shares, reference is made to what disclosed in the previous paragraphs and in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The employees of the De Nora Group companies are bound by the Code of Ethics, which establishes the ethical and behavioral standards to be followed in the conduct of day-to-day activities. The Group is committed to maintaining a consistent standard of ethical conduct at a global level, with respect for the cultures and the commercial practices of the countries and communities in which it operates.
Compliance with the Code by directors,
managers and employees, as well as by all those who work to achieve the Group's objectives, each within their own area of responsibility, is fundamentally important to De Nora's efficiency, reliability and reputation, factors that play a crucial role in the Group's success.
The principles and guidelines set out in the Code are addressed and analyzed in further detail in other policies and business procedures.
The offices of the Group companies as at December 31, 2023 are shown below.
| Company | Sites | |
|---|---|---|
| Industrie De Nora S.p.A. | Italy, Milan | |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. | Italy, Milan Italy, Cologno Monzese* |
|
| De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l. | Italy, Milan Italy, Cologno Monzese* |
|
| De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. | Italy, Milan | |
| De Nora Water Technologies FZE | UAE, Dubai | |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. Singapore Branch | Singapore | |
| De Nora Water Technologies, LLC - Singapore Branch |
Singapore | |
| De Nora Deutschland GmbH | Germany, Rodenbach | |
| Shotec GmbH | Germany, Hanau | |
| De Nora Water Technologies Inc - Abu Dhabi | UAE, Abu Dhabi | |
| De Nora India Ltd. | India, Goa | |
| De Nora Water Technologies UK Service Limited | UK, Tamworth | |
| De Nora Permelec Ltd. | Japan, Fujisawa Japan, Okayama* |
|
| De Nora Hong Kong Ltd. | China, Hong Kong | |
| De Nora Elettrodi (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. | China, Suzhou | |
| De Nora China - Jinan Co., Ltd. | China, Jinan | |
| De Nora Elettrodi (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Shanghai Pudong Branch |
China, Shanghai | |
| De Nora Water Technologies (Shanghai), Ltd. | China, Shanghai | |
| De Nora Glory (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. | China, Shanghai | |
| De Nora Water Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. | China, Shanghai | |
| De Nora do Brasil Ltda | Brazil, Sorocaba | |
| De Nora Tech, LLC | USA, Concord (OH) USA, Chardon (OH) USA, Mentor (OH) |
|
| De Nora Water Technologies, LLC | USA, Coraopolis, Pittsburgh (PA) USA, Albuquerque, NM USA, Sugar Land (Texas) USA, Colmar (PA)* |
|
| De Nora Marine Technologies, LLC | USA, Sugar Land (Texas) | |
| De Nora Neptune, LLC | USA, Fort Stockton (TX) |
*Secondary offices.
The corporate governance system adopted by Industrie De Nora S.p.A. complies with the indications contained in the Corporate Governance Code published by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. In compliance with regulatory obligations, the Report on corporate governance and ownership structures (the "CG Report") is prepared on an annual basis, which contains a general description of the corporate governance system adopted by the Group and contains information on the ownership structure and compliance with the Corporate Governance Code, including the main governance practices applied and the characteristics of the internal control and risk management system also in relation to the financial reporting process.
The aforementioned CG Report is available on the website www.denora.com in the "Governance - Shareholders' Meetings" section.
The Corporate Governance Code is available on the Borsa Italiana S.p.A. website www.borsaitaliana.it.
On an annual basis, the Board of Directors, on the proposal of the Appointments and Remuneration Committee, defines the remuneration policy, in compliance with the regulatory provisions and the recommendations of the Corporate Governance Code. Pursuant to the law, the remuneration policy and compensation paid constitutes the first section of the Report on the remuneration policy and compensation paid and will be submitted to the Shareholders' Meeting called to approve the 2023 Financial Statements.
will allow the carbon footprint of the end industrial customer to be greatly reduced with respect to the use of traditional technologies. The orders, which were assigned to De Nora as part of the existing Toll Manufacturing and Services agreement with tk nucera, contribute significantly to increasing the backlog of the Energy Transition segment.
— Industrie De Nora S.p.A. has entered into a partnership with Mangrove Lithium, which supplies CECHLO™ systems. Mangrove will use De Nora's electrochemical technologies in the patented Clear-LiTM technology process to refine lithium, both from mines and from waste battery recovery, for the production of new batteries, helping to unblock bottlenecks in the lithium supply chain. The collaboration with the Canadian company demonstrates the flexibility of De Nora's technological solutions, able to meet the multiple needs of the market and positions the company as a leading partner in lithium electrolysis processes, a fundamental step in the development of energy storage to contribute to a more sustainable future. In fact, the CECHLO electrolyzer, traditionally used for the production of chlorine, as part of the partnership will be configured for the production and recovery of lithium, creating a virtuous cycle of this rare metal and facilitating the large-scale adoption of electric vehicles thanks to the reduction of costs and the increased availability of raw materials. Mangrove, whose customers include various global players from the entire lithium battery production chain, including battery extractors, manufacturers and recyclers, covers the markets for the production of materials for batteries in North America, South America, Europe and
Australia. Through the partnership with De Nora, Mangrove will be able to offer the market a more competitive value proposition, meeting the needs of the various players who, using the CECHLO solution, will be able to offer a circular economy approach, thus supporting the penetration of electric vehicles and consequently generating significant business growth opportunities.
— Industrie De Nora is one of the partners in the European project "HyTecHeat", along with, among others, Snam and Tenova. This project involves the use of hybrid technologies for the production of steel with low CO2 emissions. De Nora will supply the new 1MW capacity Dragonfly® on-site electrolytic hydrogen generation system, contributing to emissions' reduction in a traditionally hard-to-abate sector. The HyTecHeat (Hybrid Technologies for sustainable steel reheating) project is an initiative part of the "Horizon Europe" program, funded by the European Union with about 3.3 million euros. The project envisages the use of the Dragonfly® system in steel production processes, an activity that is energy-intensive and therefore highly impactful on an environmental level. The goal is to reduce this impact in the heat treatment and heating stages, which are still exclusively
based on natural gas, by increasing the percentage of low-carbon hydrogen used in these processes in a more and more virtuous hybridization of the two resources. This is the first use case of the new Dragonfly® electrolyzer, an innovative product developed by De Nora as a natural evolution of the company's vast experience in electrode design and production. The high performance of this new product is possible thanks to the use of DSA® electrodes, developed by De Nora, which guarantee maximum efficiency. In particular, the electrolyzer makes it possible to meet the needs of a wide range of industries that require on-site hydrogen generation, such as the chemical, pharmaceutical, biogas, oleochemical, and refinery industries, as it is a small unit designed to be installed at the end customer's facility. The system, that has been in testing at an industrial site for more than a year and has already obtained all certifications to operate, is now for the first time being used in a project of European significance. In this particular case, project partner Tenova, a world leader in providing technologies for the metallurgical and mining industries, will host this best case demonstration with the support of Snam, which will oversee the hydrogen storage system.
2024 is proving to be extremely challenging. Global economic prospects continue to be difficult and uncertain: inflation is still high and financial markets are extremely volatile due to geopolitical and macroeconomic reasons. Despite this, De Nora is confident in its growth prospects, even though keeping performance levels high will be very difficult. In this context, it is essential to maintain a very high focus on cost control and the planning of production activities, ready to adapt to the market with agility and flexibility.
The Group plans to maintain and consolidate its leadership position in the reference markets of the Electrode Technologies and Water Technologies business segments. The hydrogen production market still plays a fundamental role in the Energy Transition segment for the Group's growth in the medium term.
The De Nora Group is actively working on expanding its production capacity, partly already in place and partly that will be completed in the near future.
The 2024-2026 Business Plan has been updated and is submitted for approval to the Board of Directors of the parent company together with these consolidated financial statements of the De Nora Group as at December 31, 2023.
On behalf of the Board of Directors The Chief Executive Officer Paolo Enrico Dellachà

| As of December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | Notes | 2023 | Of which Related parties |
2022 | Of which Related parties |
||
| Goodwill and other intangible assets | 18 | 115,787 | 131,552 | ||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 19 | 254,273 | 184,177 | ||||
| Equity-accounted investees | 20 | 231,511 | 122,664 | ||||
| Financial assets, including derivatives | 21 | 3,180 | 4,610 | ||||
| Deferred tax assets | 22 | 16,216 | 13,096 | ||||
| Trade receivables | 27 | 7,360 | 52 | 9,030 | 52 | ||
| Employee benefits | 30 | 3,465 | 3,331 | ||||
| Total non-current assets | 631,792 | 468,460 | |||||
| Inventory | 23 | 257,146 | 295,476 | ||||
| Financial assets, including derivatives | 21 | 14,185 | 159,036 | ||||
| Current tax assets | 24 | 10,310 | - | 4,893 | 376 | ||
| Construction contracts | 25 | 39,767 | 29,135 | ||||
| Trade receivables | 26 | 141,927 | 26,724 | 123,421 | 7,267 | ||
| Other receivables | 27 | 38,391 | 18 | 33,074 | - | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 28 | 198,491 | 174,129 | ||||
| Total current assets | 700,217 | 819,164 | |||||
| Total assets | 1,332,009 | 1,287,624 | |||||
| Liabilities | |||||||
| Equity attributable to the parent | 904,488 | 741,218 | |||||
| Equity attributable to non-controlling interests | 5,700 | 3,586 | |||||
| Total Equity | 29 | 910,188 | 744,804 | ||||
| Employee benefits | 30 | 25,222 | 23,959 | ||||
| Provisions for risks and charges | 31 | 1,896 | 2,142 | ||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | 22 | 8,873 | 8,664 | ||||
| Financial liabilities, net of current portion | 32 | 133,716 | 267,544 | ||||
| Trade payables | 33 | 86 | 83 | ||||
| Income tax payable | 34 | 549 | - | ||||
| Other payables | 35 | 2,231 | 47 | 2,384 | 444 | ||
| Total non-current liabilities | 172,573 | 304,776 | |||||
| Provisions for risks and charges | 31 | 16,150 | 18,546 | ||||
| Financial liabilities | 32 | 10,199 | 13,655 | ||||
| Construction contracts | 25 | 8,030 | 12,702 | ||||
| Trade payables | 33 | 106,752 | 1,012 | 80,554 | 889 | ||
| Income tax payable | 34 | 19,196 | 10,970 | ||||
| Other payables | 35 | 88,921 | 40,881 | 101,617 | 34,869 | ||
| Total current liabilities | 249,248 | 238,044 | |||||
| Total equity and liabilities | 1,332,009 | 1,287,624 | |||||
| For the year ended December 31 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2023 | Of which Related parties |
2022 | Of which Related parties |
|||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||
| Revenue | 4 | 856,411 | 211,637 | 852,826 | 148,324 | ||
| Change in inventory of finished goods and work in progress |
5 | (4,096) | 34,815 | ||||
| Other income | 6 | 14,683 | 1,174 | 6,451 | 752 | ||
| Costs for raw materials, consumables, supplies and goods |
7 | (357,991) | (202) | (399,904) | (1,056) | ||
| Personnel expenses | 8 | (143,982) | (5,969) | (154,561) | (23,283) | ||
| (of which Management Incentive Plan) | 8 | - | - | (19,360) | (17,679) | ||
| Costs for services | 9 | (178,330) | (3,711) | (161,819) | (1,751) | ||
| Other operating expenses | 10 | (11,103) | (10) | (9,676) | (3) | ||
| Amortization and depreciation | 18 – 19 | (30,617) | (28,123) | ||||
| (Impairment)/write-back of non-current assets and net accrual of provisions for risks and charges |
11 | (8,057) | (14,200) | ||||
| Operating profit | 136,918 | 125,809 | |||||
| Share of profit of equity-accounted investees | 12 | 5,435 | (1,196) | ||||
| Finance income | 13 | 145,018 | 23,505 | ||||
| Finance expenses | 14 | (22,090) | - | (27,688) | (1) | ||
| Profit before tax | 265,281 | 120,430 | |||||
| Income tax expense | 15 – 16 | (34,231) | (30,765) | ||||
| Profit for the period | 231,050 | 89,665 | |||||
| Attributable to: | |||||||
| Owners of the parent | 230,050 | 89,564 | |||||
| Non-controlling interests | 1,000 | 101 | |||||
| Basic earnings per share (in Euro) | 17 | 1.14 | 0.47 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share (in Euro) | 17 | 1.14 | 0.47 |
| For the year ended December 31 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||
| Profit for the period | 231,050 | 89,665 | |||
| Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss: | |||||
| Actuarial reserve | (540) | 7,238 | |||
| Tax effect | 156 | (2,105) | |||
| Total items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss, net of the tax effect (A) |
(384) | 5,133 | |||
| Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: | |||||
| Effective portion of the change in fair value of financial instruments hedging cash flows |
(247) | 589 | |||
| Change in fair value of financial assets | 170 | 218 | |||
| Translation reserve | (24,742) | (690) | |||
| Tax effect | 34 | (214) | |||
| Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss, net of the tax effect (B) |
(24,785) | (97) | |||
| Total other comprehensive income net of the tax effects (A) + (B) | (25,169) | 5,036 | |||
| Total comprehensive income | 205,881 | 94,701 | |||
| Attributable to: | |||||
| Owners of the parent | 205,012 | 94,714 | |||
| Non-controlling interests | 869 | (13) |
| For the year ended December 31 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2023 | Of which Related parties |
2022 | Of which Related parties |
|||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||
| Profit for the period | 29 | 231,050 | 89,665 | ||||
| Adjustments for: | |||||||
| Amortization and depreciation | 18-19 | 30,617 | 28,123 | ||||
| Impairment/(write-back) of property, plant and equipment |
11- 18- 19 |
8,918 | 8,988 | ||||
| Finance expenses | 14 | 22,090 | - | 27,688 | 1 | ||
| Finance income | 13 | (145,018) | (23,505) | ||||
| Share of profit of equity-accounted investees | 12 | (5,435) | (5,435) | 1,196 | 1,196 | ||
| (Gains) losses on the sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |
18-19 | 644 | 330 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 15 | 34,231 | 30,765 | ||||
| Share based payments | 29 | 262 | 256 | 19,464 | 17,679 | ||
| Change in inventory | 23 | 28,771 | (60,408) | ||||
| Change in trade receivables and construction contracts | 25-26 | (38,561) | (19,782) | 15,614 | 14,344 | ||
| Change in trade payables | 33 | 29,636 | 157 | 19,509 | (61) | ||
| Change in other receivables/payables | 27-35 | (18,604) | 6,422 | 5,494 | 7,731 | ||
| Change in provisions and employee benefits | 30 | (3,368) | (6,537) | ||||
| Cash flows generated by operating activities | 175,233 | 156,386 | |||||
| Interest and other finance expenses paid | 14 | (17,860) | (24,889) | ||||
| Interest and other finance income collected | 13 | 11,681 | 18,226 | ||||
| Income tax paid | 15 | (28,804) | (36,748) | ||||
| Net cash flows (used in) generated by operating activities |
140,250 | 112,975 | |||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||
| Sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |
18-19 | 1,126 | 382 | ||||
| Investments in property, plant and equipment | 18-19 | (81,000) | (38,116) | ||||
| Investments in intangible assets | 18-19 | (7,496) | (8,026) | ||||
| Investments in/Disposal of associated companies | 19 | 26,439 | - | (17) | (17) | ||
| Investment in/Disposal of financial activities | 21 | 144,580 | (159,291) | ||||
| Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | 3 | (2,046) | - | ||||
| Net cash flows used in investing activities | 81,603 | (205,068) | |||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||
| Share capital increase | 29 | 1,300 | 196,707 | ||||
| Treasury shares buy-back | 29 | (17,042) | - | ||||
| New loans | 32 | - | 276,412 | ||||
| (Repayments) of loans | 32 | (150,582) | (257,265) | ||||
| Payment of leases | 32 | (2,898) | (2,497) | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in other financial liabilities | 32 | (7) | (8) | ||||
| Dividends paid | 29 | (24,257) | (20,030) | ||||
| Net cash flows generated by (used in) financing activities |
(193,486) | 193,319 | |||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 28,367 | 101,226 | |||||
| Opening cash and cash equivalents | 174,129 | 73,843 | |||||
| Exchange rate gains/(losses) | (4,005) | (940) | |||||
| Closing cash and cash equivalents | 28 | 198,491 | 174,129 |
| (in ¤ thousands) | Share capital |
Legal reserve |
Share premium |
Retained earnings |
Trans lation reserve |
Other reserves |
Profit for the period |
Equity attributa ble to the parent |
Equity attribut able to non-con trolling interests |
Total Equity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
16,786 | 3,357 | 24,915 | 340,546 | 5,563 | (7,404) | 66,696 | 450,459 | 3,503 | 453,962 |
| Transactions with shareholders: | ||||||||||
| Share capital increase | 1,482 | - | 198,518 | - | - | (3,419) | - | 196,581 | 126 | 196,707 |
| Allocation of profit for 2021 |
- | - | - | 66,696 | - | - | (66,696) | - | - | - |
| Distribution of Dividends | - | - | - | (20,000) | - | - | - | (20,000) | (30) | (20,030) |
| Other movements – Share based payments |
- | - | - | - | - | 19,464 | - | 19,464 | - | 19,464 |
| Comprehensive income statement: | ||||||||||
| Profit for the period | - | - | - | - | - | - | 89,564 | 89,564 | 101 | 89,665 |
| Actuarial reserve | - | - | - | - | - | 5,137 | - | 5,137 | (4) | 5,133 |
| Effective portion of the change in fair value of financial instruments hedging cash flows |
- | - | - | - | - | 429 | - | 429 | - | 429 |
| Change in fair value of financial assets |
- | - | - | - | - | 88 | - | 88 | 76 | 164 |
| Translation reserve | - | - | - | - | (504) | - | - | (504) | (186) | (690) |
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
18,268 | 3,357 | 223,433 | 387,242 | 5,059 | 14,295 | 89,564 | 741,218 | 3,586 | 744,804 |
| Transactions with shareholders: | ||||||||||
| Share capital increase | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1,300 | 1,300 |
| Allocation of profit for 2022 |
- | 297 | - | 89,267 | - | - | (89,564) | - | - | - |
| Distribution of Dividends | - | - | - | (24,202) | - | - | - | (24,202) | (55) | (24,257) |
| Treasury Shares buy-back | - | - | - | - | - | (17,042) | - | (17,042) | - | (17,042) |
| Other movements – Share based payments |
- | - | - | - | - | 447 | - | 447 | - | 447 |
| Other movements related to Equity-accounted investees |
- | - | - | - | - | (904) | - | (904) | - | (904) |
| Comprehensive income statement: | ||||||||||
| Profit for the period | - | - | - | - | - | - | 230,050 | 230,050 | 1,000 | 231,050 |
| Actuarial reserve | - | - | - | - | - | (380) | - | (380) | (4) | (384) |
| Effective portion of the change in fair value of financial instruments hedging cash flows |
- | - | - | - | - | (170) | - | (170) | - | (170) |
| Change in fair value of financial assets |
- | - | - | - | - | 68 | - | 68 | 59 | 127 |
| Translation reserve | - | - | - | - | (24,597) | - | - | (24,597) | (186) | (24,783) |
| Balance as of December 31 2023 |
18,268 | 3,654 | 223,433 | 452,307 | (19,538) | (3,686) | 230,050 | 904,488 | 5,700 | 910,188 |
| 95 | A. General information |
|---|---|
| 124 | B. Notes to the main financial statements items - Income statement |
| 134 | C. Notes to the main financial statements items - Statement of equity and financial position - Assets |
| 151 | D. Notes to the main financial statements items – Statement of financial position - Liabilities |
| 162 | E. Financial Risks |
| 169 | F. Segment reporting |
| 173 | G. Related Party Transactions |
| 176 | H. Non-recurring events |
| 177 | I. Directors', Statutory Auditors' and Independent Auditors' fees |
| 178 | J. Commitments, guarantees, contingent liabilities, public subsidies |
| 179 | K. Reconciliation of the result for the year and equity of |
Industrie De Nora S.p.A. (hereinafter the "Company" or "IDN" and together with its subsidiaries the "Group" or the "De Nora Group") is a joint-stock company incorporated and registered in Italy at the Company Register Office of Milan. The registered office is located at Via Bistolfi 35, Milan (Italy). The Company has been listed on Euronext Milan since June 30, 2022.
The Group was founded by the engineer Oronzio De Nora and prides itself of 100 years in the electro-chemical industry. Today it is known as a world leader in supplying electrodes for the electrochemical industry. The Group is also active in the design and supply of technologies for water treatment and disinfection, and is committed to developing solutions for the energy transition, particularly holding a prominent position in supplying technologies for hydrogen production through water electrolysis.
As at December 31, 2023, the Company is controlled by Federico De Nora S.p.A., with registered office at Via Bistolfi 35, Milan.
The Consolidated financial statements of the De Nora Group for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (hereinafter the "Consolidated Financial Statements") have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards (International Accounting Standard – IAS and International Financial Reporting
Standard – IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and endorsed by the European Union in the European Parliament and the European Council with Regulation no. 1606/2002 of July 2002 issued by the European Parliament and the European Council in July 2002 and in force as at December 31, 2023, with the interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), as well as the interpretations of the Standing Interpretations Committee (SIC), in force at the same date. All the above standards and interpretations are collectively referred to below as "IFRS". The IFRS have been applied consistently in all the years presented. The Consolidated Financial Statements consist of the mandatory financial statements required by IAS 1, namely the consolidated statement of financial position, the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the statement of changes in net consolidated equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows, as well as the related notes. For comparative purposes, the data relating to the financial year ended December 31, 2022 have been presented.
The Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared on a going concern basis, as the Directors verified the absence of financial, management or other indicators that could indicate significant uncertainties about the Group's ability to meet its obligations in the foreseeable future and, in particular, in the 12 months following the closing date.
The assessments made confirm that the Group is able to operate in compliance with the going concern assumption and in compliance with financial covenants.
These Consolidated Financial Statements were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on March 18, 2024 and are subject to an audit by the independent auditors Pricewaterhouse-Coopers S.p.A.
The main accounting criteria and standards applied in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements are shown below.
The following new amendments were issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and adopted by the European Union, and are effective as at January 1, 2023.
| Accounting standard/amendment | Approved by the EU |
Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| IFRS 17 (Insurance contracts): First application of IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 - Comparative information |
Yes | January 1, 2023 |
| Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of the Financial Statements and to IFRS Practice Statement 2: informationI on accounting policies |
Yes | January 1, 2023 |
| Amendments to IAS 8 Accounting standards, changes in accounting estimates and errors: definition of accounting estimates |
Yes | January 1, 2023 |
| Amendments to IAS 12 Income taxes: deferred taxes relating to assets and liabilities deriving from a "Single Transaction" |
Yes | January 1, 2023 |
| Amendments to IAS 12 Income taxes: International Tax Reform – Pillar Two Model Rules |
Yes | January 1, 2023 (*) |
These amendments did not result in any noteworthy impacts on the Consolidated Financial Statements
(*) The Legislative Decree No. 209 of December 27, 2023, implementing the tax reform on international taxation, has adopted Directive No. 2022/UE/2523, regarding "Global Minimum Tax" (commonly referred to as "Pillar 2 regulation"), with the explicit aim of ensuring, starting from January 1, 2024, a minimum level of taxation for multinational or national groups.
In compliance with what is internationally agreed upon based on OECD guidelines and, more specifically, the provisions of the aforementioned EU Directive 2022/2523, the mentioned Legislative Decree provides that the potential supplementary "Pillar 2" taxation is collected through:
1.) National Minimum Tax (QMDTT), applicable to multinational or national groups located in Italy and subject to low taxation.
The new regulations apply to companies located in Italy that are part of a multinational or national group with annual revenues equal to or exceeding 750 million euros, a revenue threshold that must be reached in at least two of the four fiscal years preceding the one
considered for the application of the new rules.
Therefore, starting from January 1, 2024, the De Nora Group falls within the scope of the Pillar 2 regulation, as outlined in Directive No. 2022/UE/2523 and Legislative Decree No. 209/2023, having exceeded the revenue threshold of 750 million euros for two of the four preceding fiscal years.
Regarding this, it is important to underline that paragraph 4.A of IAS 12 provides, as an exception to the provisions of such Standard, not to recognize and disclose information about deferred tax assets and liabilities related to Pillar 2 taxes. In this financial statement, therefore, no assets or liabilities for deferred taxes related to taxes under Pillar 2 are recognized.
In 2023, the De Nora Group promptly took action to assess the potential impacts of Pillar 2 regulations in the jurisdictions where it operates and ensure compliance with the current regulatory obligations. It is important to note that the exposure of the De Nora Group to Pillar 2 regulations is a direct consequence of the effective taxation level in each individual jurisdiction. The effective tax rate is influenced by various concurrent and/or linked factors, including, for example, the income generated in the respective jurisdiction, the nominal tax rate, tax rules for determining the taxable base, or the establishment, form, and utilization of tax incentives or benefits.
In a particularly complex regulatory environment, the rules regarding Pillar 2 envision, for the initial periods of effectiveness, the option to apply simplifications to the calculation of effective taxation, known as "Transitional Country by Country Reporting (CbCR) Safe Harbour." Specifically, if at least one of the three tests specified by the Transitional CbCR Safe Harbour is met, it results in the automatic elimination of any additional taxation that may be due, along with a simultaneous reduction in compliance burdens for the Group.
Based on the information known or reasonably estimable, De Nora Group's exposure to pillar 2 income tax at the closing date of the financial year is assessed as not significant because:
The Group, with the support of external consultants, is organizing and preparing to be compliant with pillar 2 legislation. This includes managing exposure for subsequent periods through the establishment of appropriate systems and procedures to:
Below is a summary of accounting principles and amendments applicable subsequent to the reference date of this consolidated financial statement, both approved and not approved.
| Accounting standard/amendment | Approved by the EU |
Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of the Financial Statements: classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current |
Yes | January 1, 2024 |
| Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of the Financial Statements: classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current - Postponement of the effective date |
Yes | January 1, 2024 |
| Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of the Financial Statements: non-current liabilities with covenants |
Yes | January 1, 2024 |
| Amendments to IFRS 16 Leases: Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback |
Yes | January 1, 2024 |
| Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7: Supplier Finance Arrangements | No | January 1, 2024 |
| Amendments to IAS 21 Determination of the exchange rate when there is a long-term lack of exchangeability |
No | January 1, 2025 |
The Group does not expect significant impacts from these amendments.
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the economic and financial situation of the Company and of the subsidiaries approved by the respective administrative bodies, prepared on the
basis of the related accounting records and, where applicable, appropriately adjusted to make them compliant with IFRS.
The following table summarises, with reference to the subsidiaries of the Company and its associates, the information relating to the company name, registered office, functional currency, share capital and the % of capital held.
| Company | Registered office | Functional currency |
Share Capital as at 31.12.2023 | % of capital held as of December 31, |
Consolidation method |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in local currency | in Euro | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Oronzio De Nora International BV - OLANDA: |
Prins Bernhardplein, 200 - Amsterdam - THE NETHERLANDS |
Euro | 4,500,000.00 | 4,500,000.00 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Deutschland GmbH - GERMANY |
Industriestrasse 17 63517 Rodenbach - GERMANY |
Euro | 100,000.00 | 100,000.00 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *Shotec GmbH - GERMANY |
An der Bruchengrube 5, 63452 Hanau - GERMANY |
Euro | 40,000.00 | 40,000.00 | 100% | - | line-by-line |
| *De Nora India Ltd - INDIA |
Plot Nos. 184, 185 & 189 Kundaim Industrial Estate Kundaim 403 115, Goa, INDIA |
INR | 53,086,340.00 | 577,625.03 | 53.67% | 53.67% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Permelec Ltd - JAPAN: |
2023-15 Endo, Fujisawa City - Kanagawa Pref. 252 - JAPAN |
JPY | 90,000,000.00 | 575,705.24 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Hong Kong Limited - HONG KONG |
Unit D-F 25/F YHC Tower 1 Sheung YUET Road Kowllon Bay KL - HONG KONG |
HKD | 100,000.00 | 11,585.61 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| De Nora do Brasil Ltda - BRASIL |
Avenida Jerome Case No. 1959 Eden -CEP 18087-220 - Sorocoba/SP - BRASIL |
BRL | 9,662,257.00 | 1,802,054.72 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| Company | Registered office | Functional currency |
Share Capital as at 31.12.2023 | % of capital held as of December 31, |
Consolidation method |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in local currency | in Euro | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| De Nora Elettrodi (Suzhou) Co., Ltd - CHINA: |
No. 113 Longtan Road,Suzhou Industrial Park 215126, CHINA |
USD | 25,259,666.00 | 22,859,426.24 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora China - Jinan Co Ltd - CHINA |
Building 3,No.5436,Wenquan Rd.,Lingang Development Zone,Licheng District,Jinan City. Shandong Province PR CHINA |
CNY | 15,000,000.00 | 1,910,608.97 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Glory (Shanghai) Co Ltd - CHINA |
No.2277 Longyang Rd. Unit 1605 Yongda Int'l Plaza - Shanghai - CHINA |
CNY | 1,000,000.00 | 127,373.93 | 80% | 80% | line-by-line |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. - ITALY |
Via L.Bistolfi, 35 - 20134 Milan - ITALY |
Euro | 5,000,000.00 | 5,000,000.00 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l. - ITALY: |
Via L.Bistolfi, 35 - 20134 Milan - ITALY |
Euro | 78,000.00 | 78,000.00 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Water Technologies FZE - DUBAI |
Office No: 614, Le Solarium Tower, Dubai Silicon Oasis - DUBAI |
AED | 250,000.00 | 61,605.18 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. - ITALY |
Via L.Bistolfi, 35 - 20134 Milan - ITALY |
Euro | 1,410,000.00 | 1,410,000.00 | 90% | 90% | line-by-line |
| De Nora Holding UK Ltd. -UNITED KINGDOM: |
c/o Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati Limited, 5th Floor, Aldermary House, 10-15 Queen Street, London EC4N 1TX - UNITED KINGDOM |
Euro | 19.00 | 19.00 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Water Technologies UK Services Ltd. -UNITED KINGDOM |
Daytona House Amber Close, Amington, Tamworth B77 4RP - UNITED KINGDOM |
GBP | 7,597,918.00 | 8,742,785.80 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Holding US Inc. - USA: |
7590 Discovery Lane , Concord, OH 4407 - U.S.A. |
USD | 10.00 | 9.05 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Tech LLC - USA |
7590 Discovery Lane , Concord, OH 4407 - U.S.A. |
USD | - | - | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Water Technologies LLC - USA: |
3000 Advance Lane 18915 - Colmar - PA - U.S.A. |
USD | 968,500.19 | 876,470.76 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Water Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd - CHINA |
2277 Longyang Road, Unit 305 Yongda International Plaza - 201204 - Pudong Shanghai - CHINA |
CNY | 16,780,955.00 | 2,137,456.22 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Water Technologies Ltd. - UNITED KINGDOM: |
c/o Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati Limited, 5th Floor, Aldermary House, 10-15 Queen Street, London EC4N 1TX - UNITED KINGDOM |
GBP | 1.00 | 1.00 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| *De Nora Water Technologies (Shanghai) Ltd - CHINA |
No 96 Street A0201 Lingang Marine Science Park, Pudong New District, Shanghai - CHINA |
CNY | 7,757,786.80 | 988,139.81 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line |
| Company | Registered office | Functional currency |
Share Capital as at 31.12.2023 | % of capital held as of December 31, |
Consolidation method |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in local currency | in Euro | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| *De Nora Marine Technologies LLC - USA |
1110 Industrial Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77478 - U.S.A. |
USD | - | - | 100% | 100% | line-by-line | |
| *De Nora Neptune LLC - USA |
305 South Main Street, Fort Stockton, Texas 76735 - U.S.A. |
USD | - | - | 80% | 80% | line-by-line | |
| Capannoni S.r.l.- ITALY: |
Via L.Bistolfi, 35 - 20134 Milan - ITALY |
Euro | 8,500,000.00 | 8,500,000.00 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line | |
| *Capannoni LLC - USA |
7590 Discovery Lane , Concord, OH 4407 - U.S.A. |
USD | 3,477,750.00 | 3,147,285.07 | 100% | 100% | line-by-line | |
| thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA |
GERMANY | Euro | 126,315,000.00 | 126,315,000.00 | 25.85% | 34% | equity | |
| *thyssenkrupp Nucera Italy S.r.l. |
ITALY | Euro | 1,080,000.00 | 1,080,000.00 | 25.85% | 34% | equity | |
| *thyssenKrupp Nucera Australia Pty. |
AUSTRALIA | AUD | 500,000.00 | 307,446.35 | 25.85% | 34% | equity | |
| *thyssenkrupp nucera Arabia for Contracting Limited |
SAUDI ARABIA | SAR | 2,000,000.00 | 492,841.48 | 25.85% | - | equity | |
| *thyssenkrupp Nucera Japan Ltd. |
JAPAN | JPY | 150,000,000.00 | 959,508.73 | 25.85% | 34% | equity | |
| *thyssenkrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. |
CHINA | CNY | 20,691,437.50 | 2,635,549.75 | 25.85% | 34% | equity | |
| *thyssenkrupp Nucera USA Inc. U.S.A. |
USD | 700,000.00 | 633,484.16 | 25.85% | 34% | equity | ||
| *thyssenkrupp nucera Participations GmbH |
GERMANY | Euro | 25,000.00 | 25,000.00 | 25.85% | - | equity | |
| *thyssenkrupp nucera India Private Limited |
INDIA | INR | 200.00 | 2.18 | 25.85% | - | equity | |
| tk nucera Management AG |
GERMANY | Euro | 50,000.00 | 50,000.00 | 34% | 34% | equity |
The reporting date of the consolidated financial statements used coincides with that of the Company (December 31), which is the same as all of the consolidated companies, with the exception of:
thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA closes as at September 30) for which annual data as at December 31 of each financial year have been prepared.
The main changes in the consolidation area are briefly described below:
— Effective January 1, 2023, De Nora ISIA S.r.l was merged by incorporation into De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l. This transaction had no impact on the consolidated financial statements;
— On May 15, 2023, Industrie De Nora S.p.A. completed, through its German subsidiary De Nora Deutschland GmbH, the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Shotec GmbH.
This acquisition is an important step as it represents an opportunity for De Nora to expand the portfolio of processes and technologies for the production of electrodes, while improving production capacity. The transaction also allows De Nora and Shotec to further strengthen their Research and Development activities with a view to gradually reducing the use of precious metals in anodic and cathodic coating activities, to make the electrochemical processes in which
the coatings are used increasingly competitive.
Starting from the acquisition date, Shotec GmbH became part of the Group's scope of consolidation and was consolidated line-by-line pursuant to the provisions of IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements. The acquisition of Shotec GmbH represents a business combination transaction recognized in compliance with IFRS 3 Business Combinations. To this end, at the date of acquisition of control, the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recognized at their fair value. The fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired are summarized in the table below.
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | 31/05/2023 | PPA impacts | Total |
| NON CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Intangible assets | - | 1,456 | 1,456 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 2,128 | - | 2,128 |
| Other receivables | 11 | - | 11 |
| Total non current assets | 2,139 | 1,456 | 3,595 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Inventory | 116 | - | 116 |
| Trade receivables | 109 | - | 109 |
| Other receivables | 15 | - | 15 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 72 | - | 72 |
| Total current assets | 312 | - | 312 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 2,451 | 1,456 | 3,907 |
| LIABILITIES | 31/05/2023 | PPA impacts | Total |
| Equity | 1,111 | 1,007 | 2,118 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NON CURRENT LIABILITIES | |||
| Financial liabilities | 826 | - | 826 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 77 | 449 | 526 |
| Total non current liabilities | 903 | 449 | 1,352 |
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | |||
| Financial liabilities | 100 | - | 100 |
| Trade payables | 63 | - | 63 |
| Income tax payable | 88 | - | 88 |
| Other payables | 186 | - | 186 |
| Total current liabilities | 437 | - | 437 |
| TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | 2,451 | 1,456 | 3,907 |
The price defined for the acquisition was Euro 2,117.8 thousand and does not provide for any adjustments. This acquisition price is fully allocated to the assets and liabilities of Shotec GmbH and therefore no goodwill is recognized,differently from what was reported in the previous interim consolidated financial statements (consolidated semi-annual as of June 30, 2023, and abbreviated interim consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2023), which instead provisionally recognized a goodwill.
The transaction costs relating to the transaction described are not significant.
The contribution of Shotec GmbH to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2023 amounts to revenues of Euro 973 thousand (Euro 1,375 thousand for the full year 2023) and a net loss of Euro 54 thousand.
The financial statements of the companies in which the Company directly or indirectly has control have been consolidated using the "line-by-lineconsolidation method", through the full assumption of the assets and liabilities and the costs and revenues of the subsidiaries. Companies in which the Group exercises significant influence (associated companies) are measured using the "equity method", which foresees the initial recognition of the equity investment at cost and the subsequent adjustment of its carrying amount to reflect the investor's share of profit or loss of the associated company's after the acquisition date.
The criteria adopted by the Group for the definition of the consolidation area and the related consolidation principles are shown below.
An investor controls an entity when: (i) has power over the entity being invested in, (ii) is exposed to, or has the right to participate in, the variability of its economic returns, and (iii) is able to exercise decision-making power over the entity's relevant operations in a manner that influences those returns. The exercise of control is verified whenever facts and/or circumstances indicate a change in one of the aforementioned elements qualifying for control. Subsidiaries are consolidated on a line-by-line basis starting from the date on which control was acquired and cease to be consolidated from the date on which the loss of control occurs. The criteria adopted for line-by-line consolidation are as follows:
Companies in which the Group exercises significant influence are measured using the equity method, which foresees the initial recognition of the equity investment at cost and the subsequent adjustment of its carrying amount to reflect the investor's share of the related company's profits or losses after the acquisition date.
Business combinations, by virtue of which control of a business is acquired, are recognized in accordance with IFRS 3, applying the so-called acquisition method. In particular, the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed are recognized at their fair value at the acquisition date, i.e. the date when control is acquired, except for deferred tax assets and liabilities, assets and liabilities relating to employee benefits and assets held for sale, which are recognized in accordance with the relevant accounting standards. The difference between the fair value of the consideration transferred and the current value of the assets and liabilities, if positive, is recognized in intangible assets as goodwill.
The shares of non-controlling interests, at the acquisition date, can be valued at fair value or at the pro-quota value of the net assets recognized for the acquired company. The choice of the valuation method is made on a transaction-by-transaction basis.
When the determination of the values of the assets and liabilities of the business acquired is made provisionally, it must be concluded within a maximum period of twelve months from the acquisition date, taking into account only the information relating to facts and circumstances existing at the acquisition date. In the financial year in which the aforementioned determination is concluded, the provisionally recognized values are adjusted with a retrospective effect. Accessory charges to the transaction are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income at the time they are incurred.
The acquisition cost is the fair value at the acquisition date of the assets transferred, the liabilities assumed and the equity instruments issued for the purpose of the acquisition, and also includes, if applicable, contingent consideration, i.e. that portion of consideration whose amount and timing depend on future events.
In the case of assumption of control in subsequent phases, the purchase cost is determined by adding the fair value of the equity investment previously held in the acquired company and the amount paid for the additional share. Any difference between the fair value of the previously held equity investment and its carrying amount is recognized in the income statement. On assumption of control, any amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income, or in another equity item if there is no reclassification to the statement of comprehensive income.
The financial statements of subsidiaries are drawn up using the currency of the country in which they have their registered office. The rules for translating the financial statements of companies expressed in currencies other than the Euro are as follows:
The following table summarises the exchange rates used to convert the financial statements of companies that have a functional currency other than the Euro for the periods indicated.
| Currency | Average exchange rate for the year ended December 31 |
Exchange rate at December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| US Dollar | 1.0813 | 1.0530 | 1.1050 | 1.0666 |
| Japanese Yen | 151.9903 | 138.0274 | 156.3300 | 140.6600 |
| Indian Rupee | 89.3001 | 82.6864 | 91.9045 | 88.1710 |
| Chinese Yuan Renminbi | 7.6600 | 7.0788 | 7.8509 | 7.3582 |
| Brazilian Real | 5.4010 | 5.4399 | 5.3618 | 5.6386 |
| GB Pound | 0.8698 | 0.8528 | 0.8691 | 0.8869 |
Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are recognized at the exchange rate in effect as at the transaction date. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the Euro are subsequently adjusted at the exchange rate prevailing as at the reporting date. Any exchange differences that may arise are reflected in the income statement under the items relating to finance income or charges.
The Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared:
according to the principle of accrual basis of accounting, in compliance with the principle of relevance and significance of the information, of the prevalence of substance over form and with a view to favoring consistency with future presentations. The assets and liabilities, costs and revenues are not offset against each other, unless this is permitted or required by International Accounting Standards;
— on the basis of the conventional historical cost criterion, except for the valuation of financial assets and liabilities in cases where the application of the fair value criterion is mandatory, and for the financial statements of companies operating in economies subject to hyperinflation, drawn up on the basis of the current cost criterion.
A description of the financial reporting formats and the most significant accounting standards and related valuation criteria applied in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements is provided below.
The Consolidated Financial Statements consist of the mandatory financial statements required by IAS 1 (consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of financial position, consolidated
statement of cash flows, statement of changes in the net consolidated equity and consolidated statement of comprehensive income) and are accompanied by these explanatory notes. The formats used are those that best represent the Group's economic, equity and financial situation.
The consolidated income statement is presented by the nature of the expenses, highlighting the intermediate results relating to the operating result and the result before tax.
The statement of financial position is prepared using the format whereby assets and liabilities are presented on a "current/non-current" basis. An asset is classified as current when:
All other assets are classified as non-current. In particular, IAS 1 includes property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and long-term financial assets among non-current assets.
A liability is classified as current when:
the financial year. The clauses of a liability that could, at the option of the counterparty, give rise to its settlement through the issue of equity instruments, do not affect its classification.
All other liabilities are classified by the company as non-current.
The operating cycle is the time that elapses between the acquisition of assets for the production process and their realisation in cash or cash equivalents. When the normal operating cycle is not clearly identifiable, its duration is assumed to be twelve months.
The statement of cash flows is prepared using the indirect method.
The statement of changes in the net consolidated equity shows the changes in shareholders' equity items related to:
The consolidated statement of comprehensive income presents, on a separate basis, the result for the period and any income and expense not taken to income statement, but is instead recognized directly in equity, in accordance with specific IFRS standards.
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been drawn up in Euro, the Company's functional currency. The financial position and income statements, the explanatory notes and the tables are expressed in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise indicated..
The criteria adopted with reference to the classification, recognition, valuation and derecognition of the various asset and liability items, as well as the criteria for recognizing the income components, are described below.
An intangible asset is an asset which, at the same time, meets the following conditions:
If an asset does not meet the above requirements to be defined as an intangible asset, the expense incurred to purchase the asset or to generate it internally is recognized as an expense when it is incurred.
Intangible assets are initially recognized at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired from outside includes the purchase price and any directly attributable costs.
Internally generated goodwill is not recognized as an asset in the same way as intangible assets arising from research (or from the research phase of an internal project).
An intangible asset deriving from the development or development phase of an internal project is recognized if compliance with the following conditions is met:
— the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it is available for use or for sale;
Intangible assets are measured using the cost method in accordance with IAS 38. The cost method provides that after initial recognition an intangible asset must be recognized at cost net of accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment loss.
The following main intangible assets can be identified within the Group:
Goodwill is classified as an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life and is initially accounted for at cost, as previously described, and subsequently subjected to valuation, at least annually, aimed at identifying any impairment losses (see in this regard what is reported in the following paragraph "Impairment of goodwill and of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets and right-of-use assets"). The reinstatement of the value is not allowed in the event of a previous write-down due to impairment.
(b) Intangible assets with a finite useful life
Intangible assets with a finite useful life are recognized at cost, as previously described, net of accumulated amortization and any impairment losses.
Amortization begins when the asset is
available for use and is allocated systematically in relation to the residual possibility of its use, i.e. on the basis of its estimated useful life; for the value to be depreciated and the recoverability of the book value, the criteria indicated respectively in the paragraphs "Property,
plant and equipment" and "Impairment of Goodwill, Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets and right-ofuse assets" apply.
The useful life estimated by the Group for the various categories of intangible assets is shown below:
| Intangible asset category | Useful life |
|---|---|
| Industrial patents and intellectual property rights | from 3 to 5 years |
| Concessions, licences and trademarks | from 3 to 10 years |
| Know-how and Technologies | from 13 to 25 years |
| Customer Relationships | from 10 to 25 years |
| Development costs | from 5 to 15 years |
| Other intangible assets | from 3 to 11 years |
In accordance with IFRS 16, a contract is, or contains, a lease if, in exchange for consideration, it grants the right to control the use of a specified asset for a period of time; this right exists if the contract gives the lessee the right to direct the use of the asset and substantially obtain all the economic benefits from its use. The contract is re-valued to verify whether it is, or contains, a lease only in the event of a change in the terms and conditions of the contract.
For a contract that is, or contains, a lease, each lease component is separate from the non-lease component, unless the Group applies the practical expedient referred to in paragraph 15 of IFRS 16. This practical expedient allows the lessee to choose, for each underlying asset class, not to separate the non-lease components from the lease
components and to account for each lease component and the associated non-lease components as a single lease component.
The duration of the lease is determined as the non-cancellable period of the lease, to which both the following periods must be added:
In assessing whether the lessee has reasonable certainty to exercise the option to extend the lease or not to exercise the option to terminate the lease, all relevant facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive for the lessee to exercise the option to extend the lease or not to exercise the option to terminate the lease are considered. The lessee must re-determine the duration of the lease in the event of a change in the non-cancellable period of the lease.
At the effective date of the contract, the Group recognizes the right-of-use asset and the related lease liability.
At the effective date of the contract, the right-of-use asset is valued at cost. The cost of the right-of-use asset includes:
At the effective date of the contract, the lessee must assess the lease liability at the current value of the payments due for the lease not yet paid at that date. Payments due for the lease include the following amounts:
Payments due for the lease should be discounted using the implied lease interest rate if this can be easily determined. If this is not possible, the lessee must use its marginal borrowing rate, which is the incremental interest rate that the company would have to pay to obtain a loan of the same duration and amount as the lease.
After initial recognition, the right-of-use asset is valued at cost:
After initial recognition, the lease liability is assessed:
In the event of changes to the lease that do not qualify as a separate lease, the right-of-use asset is restated (up or down), in line with the change in the lease liability at the date of the change. The lease liability is restated on the basis of the new conditions set out in the lease contract, using the discount rate at the date of the change.
It should be noted that the Group avails itself of the exemption provided for by IFRS 16, with reference to the leases of low value assets (i.e. when the value of the underlying asset, if new, is indicatively lower than USD 5,000). In such cases, the right-of-use asset and the related lease liability are not recognized, and the payments due for the lease are recognized in the income statement.
The Group has decided to avail itself of the exemption provided for by IFRS 16 in relation to short-term leases (i.e. lease contracts that have a duration equal to or less than twelve months from the effective date).
The lessor must classify each of its leases as operating or financial. A lease is classified as a financial lease if it essentially transfers all the risks and benefits associated with the ownership of an underlying asset. A lease is classified as operating if, in substance, it does not transfer all the risks and benefits associated with the ownership of an underlying asset. In the case of a financial lease, on the effective date the lessor must recognize the assets held under financial leases in the statement of financial position and present them as a receivable at a value equal to the net investment in the lease. In the case of operating leases, the lessor must recognize the payments due as income on a straight-line basis or on another systematic basis. The lessor must also recognize the costs, including depreciation, incurred to realize the proceeds of the lease.
The recognition of property, plant and equipment takes place only when the following conditions are met at the same time:
— it is likely that the future economic benefits referable to the asset will be enjoyed by the company;
— the cost can be reliably determined.
Property, plant and equipment are initially valued at purchase or replacement cost, defined as the amount of cash or cash equivalents paid or the fair value of other consideration given to acquire an asset, or at production cost. After initial recognition, property, plant and equipment are valued using the cost method, net of any depreciation and any accumulated impairment.
The cost includes charges directly incurred to make possible their use, as well as any dismantling and removal charges that will be incurred as a result of contractual obligations requiring the asset to be restored to its original condition.
The cost of an internally produced asset includes the cost of materials used and direct personnel expenses, as well as any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and in the condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management and the costs of dismantling and removing the asset and restoring the site on which it is located.
The charges incurred for maintenance and repairs of an ordinary and/or cyclical nature are directly charged to the income statement when incurred. The capitalization of costs relating to the extension, modernization or improvement of structural elements owned or used by third parties is made to the extent that they meet the requirements to be separately classified as an asset or part of an asset.
The depreciation criterion used for property, plant and equipment is the straight-line method, over their useful life.
The useful life estimated by the Group for the various categories of property, plant and equipment is shown below.
| Property, Plant and Equipment category | Useful life |
|---|---|
| Buildings | from 25 to 35 years |
| Plants and machinery | from 8 to 25 years |
| Equipment | from 5 to 10 years |
| Leased assets | from 3 to 25 years |
| Other tangible assets | from 4 to 10 years |
Owned land is not depreciated.
At the end of each financial year, the Group verifies whether significant changes have occurred in the expected characteristics of the economic benefits deriving from capitalized assets and, if so, it modifies the depreciation criteria, which is considered as a change in estimate in accordance with IAS 8.
The value of property, plant and equipment is derecognized in full upon disposal or when the company expects that no economic benefit will derive from its disposal.
Gains or losses generated on the sale of property, plant and equipment are calculated as the difference between the net sale consideration and the asset's carrying amount and are recognized in the income statement under "other income". When a revalued item of property, plant and equipment is sold, the amount included in the revaluation reserve is reclassified to retained earnings.
Capital grants are recognized when there is reasonable certainty that they will be received and that all the conditions relating to them are satisfied. Contributions are then suspended under liabilities and credited pro rata to the income statement over the useful life of the related assets.
As previously indicated, goodwill is subject to an annual impairment test or more frequently, in the presence of indicators that could lead to believe
that it may be subject to an impairment, in accordance with the provisions of IAS 36 (Impairment of assets). The test is normally carried out at the end of each financial year and, therefore, the reference date for this test is the closing date of the financial statements.
The impairment test is carried out with reference to the cash generating units ("CGU"), corresponding to the business segments, to which the goodwill has been allocated. The CGU of an asset is the smallest group of assets that includes the asset itself and that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. Any impairment of goodwill is recognized in the event that its recoverable value is lower than its book value in the financial statements. The recoverable value is understood to be the greater of the fair value of the groups of CGU on which the impairment test is carried out, net of disposal costs, and the related value in use, meaning the present value of the future cash flows estimated for this asset. In determining value in use, expected future cash flows are discounted using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the cost of money, relative to the period of the investment and the risks specific to the asset. In the event that the impairment deriving from the impairment test is greater than the value of the goodwill allocated to the group of CGU on which the impairment test has been carried out, the residual excess is allocated to the assets included in the group of CGU in proportion to their book value.
The original value of goodwill may not be reinstated if the reasons for the impairment no longer apply.
(b) Assets (tangible, intangible and right-of-use assets) with a finite useful life
At each reporting, an assessment is carried out to ascertain whether there are indicators that the property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and right-of-use assets may be subject to an impairment. To this end, both internal and external sources of information are considered. With regard to the former (internal sources), the following are considered: obsolescence or physical deterioration of the asset, any significant changes in the use of the asset and the economic performance of the asset with respect to that foreseen. With regard to external sources, the following are considered: the trend in the market prices of the assets, any technological, market or regulatory discontinuities, the trend in market interest rates or the cost of capital used to evaluate investments.
If the presence of such indicators is identified, an estimate is made of the recoverable value of the aforementioned assets, recognizing any write-down, with respect to the relative book value, in the statement of comprehensive income. The recoverable value of an asset is represented by the greater of the fair value, net of ancillary costs of sale, and the related value in use, determined by discounting the estimated future cash flows for that asset, including, if significant and reasonably determinable, those deriving from the sale at the end of its useful life, net of any disposal costs. In determining value in use, expected future cash flows are discounted using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the cost of money, relative to the period of the investment and the risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash flows, the recoverable value is determined in relation to the CGU to which the asset belongs.
A loss in value is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income if the book value of the asset, or of the group of CGU to which it is allocated, is higher than the related recoverable value. Reductions in the value of a group of CGU are firstly charged to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill attributed to it and then, to reduce other assets, in proportion to their carrying amount and within the limits of the related recoverable value. If the conditions for a previously carried out write-down no longer exist, the carrying amount of the asset is restored with recognition in the income statement, within the limits of the net book value that the asset in question would have had if the writedown had not been carried out and the related depreciation had been made.
At the time of their initial recognition, financial assets must be classified in one of the three categories indicated below on the basis of the following elements:
Financial assets are subsequently derecognized only if the sale has resulted in the transfer of substantially all the risks and benefits associated with the assets. On the other hand, if a significant portion of the risks and benefits related to the financial assets sold has been maintained, they continue to be recognized in the financial statements, even if legal ownership of the assets has actually been transferred.
(a) Financial assets measured at amortized cost
Financial assets that meet both of the following conditions are included in this category:
the amount of capital to be repaid ("SPPI test" is passed).
Upon initial recognition, these assets are accounted for at fair value, including any transaction costs or income directly attributable to the instrument itself. After initial recognition, such financial assets are valued at amortized cost, using the effective interest rate method. The amortized cost method is not used for assets – valued at historical cost – whose short duration makes the effect of applying the discounting logic negligible, and for assets without a defined maturity as well as for revocable loans.
(b) Financial assets measured at fair value through comprehensive income
Financial assets that meet both of the following conditions are included in this category:
This category includes equity interests that do not qualify as subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, that are not held for trading purposes, for which the option to designate them at fair value with an impact on comprehensive income has been exercised.
Upon initial recognition, the assets are accounted for at fair value, including transaction costs or income directly attributable to the instrument itself. Subsequent to initial recognition, non-controlling, associating and jointly controlled equity interests are measured at fair value, and the amounts recognized as a balancing entry in equity (statement of comprehensive income) are not subsequently required to be transferred to income statement, even if they are sold. The only component referable to
the equity securities in question that is recognized in the income statement is represented by the related dividends.
For equities included in this category that are not quoted in an active market, cost is used as an estimate of fair value only on a residual basis and in a limited number of circumstances, i.e. when the most recent information available to measure fair value is insufficient, or if there is a wide range of possible fair value measurements and cost is the best estimate of fair value in that range.
(c) Financial assets measured at fair value through the income statement
Financial assets other than those classified under "Financial assets measured at amortized cost" and "Financial assets measured at fair value through comprehensive income" are classified in this category.
This category includes financial assets held for trading and derivative contracts that cannot be classified as hedges (which are represented as assets if the fair value is positive and as liabilities if the fair value is negative).
Upon initial recognition, financial assets measured at fair value through the income statement are recognized at fair value, without considering transaction costs or income directly attributable to the instrument. At subsequent reporting dates, they are measured at fair value and the valuation effects are recognized in the income statement.
Derivative financial instruments are accounted for in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 9.
At the date of stipulation of the contract, derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value, as financial assets measured at fair value through the income statement when the fair value is positive, or as financial liabilities measured at fair value through the income statement when the fair value is negative.
If the financial instruments are not accounted for as hedging instruments, the changes in fair value recognized after the first entry are treated as components of the result for the year. If, on the other hand, the derivative instruments meet the requirements to be classified as hedging instruments, the subsequent changes in fair value are accounted for according to specific criteria, described below.
A derivative financial instrument is classified as a hedging instrument if the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item is formally documented, including the risk management objectives, the strategy for hedging and the methods that will be used to verify its prospective and retrospective effectiveness. The effectiveness of each hedge is verified both when each derivative instrument is entered into and during its life, and in particular at each balance sheet or interim report date. Generally, a hedge is considered highly "effective" if, either at inception or during its life, changes in the fair value, in the case of a fair value hedge, or in the expected future cash flows, in the case of a cash flow hedge, of the hedged item are substantially offset by changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument.
The IFRS 9 accounting standard provides for the possibility of designating the following three hedging relationships:
reported, to the extent of the effective portion only, in the statement of comprehensive income and therefore in an equity reserve. When the economic effects of the hedged item occur, the portion recognized in the statement of comprehensive income is reversed through the income statement. If the hedge is not fully effective, the change in fair value of the hedging instrument relating to the ineffective portion of the hedge is immediately recognized in the income statement;
c) hedge of a net investment in a foreign transaction (net investment hedge).
If the tests do not confirm the effectiveness of the hedge, hedge accounting is discontinued and the hedging derivative contract is reclassified either to financial assets measured at fair value through the income statement or to the financial liabilities measured at fair value through the income statement. Furthermore, the hedging relationship also ceases when:
Trade receivables arising from the transfer of goods and the provision of services are recognized in accordance with the terms of the contract executed with the customer in compliance with the provisions of IFRS 15 and classified according to the nature of the debtor and/or the due date of the receivable (this definition includes invoices to be issued for services already rendered).
Furthermore, since trade receivables are generally short-term and do not provide for the payment of interest, the amortized cost is not calculated, and they are accounted for on the basis of the nominal value reported in the invoices issued or in the contracts stipulated with customers: this provision is also adopted
for trade receivables with a contractual maturity of more than twelve months, unless the effect is particularly significant. The choice derives from the fact that the amount of short-term receivables is very similar when applying either the historical cost method or the amortized cost method and the impact of the discounting logic would therefore be completely negligible.
Trade receivables are subject to impairment testing on the basis of the provisions of IFRS 9. For the purposes of the valuation process, trade receivables are divided into overdue time bands. For performing receivables, a collective assessment is carried out by grouping individual exposures on the basis of similar credit risk. The valuation is made on the basis of expected losses over the life of the receivable, determined from losses recorded for assets with similar credit risk characteristics based on historical experience, and adjusted to reflect expected future economic conditions.
Inventories are assets:
Inventories are recognized at cost and subsequently valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value reflects the estimated sale price less estimated costs to completion and estimated selling costs.
The cost of inventories includes all purchase costs, transformation costs as well as other costs incurred to bring the inventories to their current location and condition, while it does not include exchange differences in the case of inventories invoiced in foreign currencies. In compliance with the provisions of IAS 2, the weighted average cost
method is used to determine the cost of inventories.
When the net realisable value is lower than the cost, the excess is immediately written down in the income statement.
Construction contracts are recognized based on the progress (or percentage of completion) according to the following assumptions: a) the product does not have an alternative use (or the costs of modification to obtain an alternative use are significant in relation to the value of the asset) and b) the Group has the contractual right to be paid for the work carried out up to any termination. According to this criterion, the costs, revenues and margins are identified based on the activities carried out. The percentage of completion is determined applying the cost-to-cost method.
The assessment reflects the best estimate of work performed at the reporting date. The assumptions at the basis of the assessments are periodically updated. Any effects of these updates on the income statement are recognized in the financial year when they arise. Contract revenues include: contractually agreed considerations, variations in contract work, price revisions and incentive payments, to the extent that they can be reliably determined.
Contract costs include: all costs that relate directly to the contract, costs that are attributable to contract activity in general and can be allocated to the contract and any other costs that are specifically chargeable to the customer under the terms of the contract.
Contract costs also include: pre-operating costs, i.e., costs incurred in the initial start-up phase of the contract before the commissioned work begins, post-operating costs incurred after the contract is closed and, finally, costs for any services to be provided subsequent to contract completion.
In the event that the completion of a contract is expected to generate a loss, the loss will be recognized in full in the financial year when it becomes reasonably foreseeable.
When the profit or loss of a contract cannot be reliably estimated, contract work in progress is calculated on the basis of costs incurred, when it is reasonably expected that they will be recovered, without the recognition of a contract profit or loss. If, after the reporting date, favorable or unfavorable events arise due to situations that were already existing at the reporting date, the recognized amounts are adjusted to reflect the consequences of such events on results of operations, financial position and equity.
Construction contracts are stated net of any allowances for write-downs and/or final losses, as well as progress payments and advances. In this respect, the amounts invoiced on a progress basis (progress payments) are taken as a reduction in the gross value of the contract, to the extent that they are covered, and any excess is recognized in liabilities. Conversely, the invoicing of advances is of a financial nature and is not recognized as revenue. Accordingly, advances have a mere financial nature and are always recognized in liabilities, as they are received in exchange for work to be performed.
Cash and other cash equivalents are recognized, depending on their nature, at nominal value or amortized cost. The other cash equivalents represent short-term and highly liquid financial investments that are readily convertible into known cash values and subject to an insignificant risk of changes in their value, whose original maturity or at the time of purchase is not greater than 3 months.
Trade payables and other payables are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently valued according to the amortized cost method.
Bank loans and borrowings and loans and borrowings from other financial backers are initially designated at fair value, net of directly imputable accessory costs and are subsequently valued at amortized cost, by applying the effective interest rate criterion.
Payables are removed from the financial statements when they are extinguished and when the Group has transferred all the risks and charges relating to the instrument itself.
Employee benefits include benefits provided to employees or their dependants and may be settled by payments (or the provision of goods and services) made directly to employees, their spouses, children or other dependants or to third parties such as insurance companies and are divided into short-term benefits, termination benefits and post-employment benefits.
Short-term benefits, which also include incentive schemes such as annual bonuses, MBOs and one-off renewals of national collective agreements, are accounted for as a liability (accrual of costs) after deducting any amounts already paid, and as an expense, unless some other IFRS requires or permits the inclusion of the benefits in the cost of an asset (e.g. the cost of personnel employed in the development of internally generated intangible assets).
The category of employment termination benefits includes redundancy incentive plans, which arise in the event of voluntary resignation whereby the employee or a group of employees enters into the union agreements for the activation of so-called solidarity funds, and redundancy plans, which arise in the event of termination of employment following a unilateral choice by the company. The company recognizes the cost of those benefits as a liability in the financial statements on the earliest date between the time when the company cannot withdraw the offer of those benefits and the time when it recognizes the costs of a restructuring that falls within the scope of IAS 37. Provisions
for redundancies are reviewed at least every six months.
Post-employment benefit plans are broken down into two categories: defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans.
Defined contribution plans mainly include:
Defined benefit plans, on the other hand, include:
In the defined contribution plans, the obligation of the company preparing the financial statements is determined on the basis of the contributions due for that financial year and therefore the valuation of the obligation does not require actuarial assumptions and there is no possibility of actuarial gains or losses.
The accounting of defined benefit plans is characterized by the use of actuarial assumptions to determine the value of the obligation. This valuation, normally entrusted to an external actuary, is carried out annually for each individual plan by estimating the amount of future benefits that employees have vested in exchange for their service in the current and previous financial years. For discounting purposes, the Group uses the projected unit credit method which provides for the projection of future disbursements based on historical statistical analyses, the demographic curve and the financial discounting of these flows on the basis of a market interest rate. Actuarial gains and losses are recognized as a balancing entry in equity (under the item "Reserve for actuarial profit and loss") as required by accounting standard IAS 19. Any unrecognized costs relating to past service and the fair value of any plan assets are deducted from liabilities.
The Group's net obligation for longterm employee benefits other than pension plans relates to the amount of the future benefits that employees have vested in exchange for their service in the current and previous financial years. This benefit is discounted, while the fair value of any assets is deducted from liabilities. The discount rate is the return at the reporting date on primary obligations whose maturity approximates the terms of the Group's obligations. The obligation is calculated using the projected unit credit method. Any actuarial gains and losses are taken to the income statement when they arise.
Share-based payment plans for employees are recognized on the basis of the fair value of the financial instruments attributed at the grant date, dividing the expense over the period of the plan. The fair value of the shares underlying the incentive plan is determined on the grant date, taking into account, where applicable, the forecasts regarding the achievement of the performance parameters associated with market
conditions and is not subject to adjustment in subsequent financial years. In the presence of options, their fair value is calculated using a model that considers, in addition to information such as the exercise price and the life of the option, the current price of the shares and their expected volatility, the expected dividends and the risk-free interest rate, also the specific characteristics of the existing plan. In the valuation model, the option and the probability of the conditions to materialise on the basis of which the options were assigned, are evaluated separately. Any reduction in the number of financial instruments assigned is accounted for as a cancellation of a part thereof.
Contingent assets and liabilities can be broken down into several categories according to their nature and their accounting effects. In particular:
significantly changes the field of action of an activity undertaken by the company or the way in which the activity is managed.
For the purpose of recognizing the expense, provisions are accounted for when there is uncertainty about the maturity or amount of the flow of resources required to settle the obligation or other liabilities and in particular trade payables or provisions for assumed liabilities.
Provisions are distinguished from other liabilities in that there is no certainty as to the due date or amount of the future expense required for settlement. Given their different nature, provisions are shown separately from trade payables and provisions for presumed payables.
The recognition of a liability or the accrual to a provision occurs when:
Provisions require the use of estimates. In extremely rare circumstances in which a reliable estimate cannot be made, a liability that cannot be reliably determined arises and is therefore described as a contingent liability.
The provision for risks and charges is made for an amount that represents the best possible estimate of the expenditure necessary to liquidate the related obligation existing at the reporting date and takes into account the risks and uncertainties that inevitably surround many facts and circumstances. The amount of the provision reflects any future events that may affect the amount required to settle an obligation if there is sufficient objective evidence that said events will occur.
Once the best possible estimate of the expenditure required to settle the related obligation existing at the reporting date has been determined, the present value of the provision is determined, if the effect of the present value of money is a material consideration.
Revenues from contracts with customers are recognized when the following conditions are met:
The Group recognizes revenue from contracts with customers when (or as) it fulfills its obligations by transferring the promised goods or services (i.e. the asset) to the customer. The asset is transferred when (or as) the customer gains control of it.
The Group transfers control of the goods or services over time, and therefore fulfills the contractual obligation and recognizes revenues over time, if one of the following criteria is met:
If the contractual obligation is not fulfilled over time, the contractual
obligation is fulfilled at a point in time. In this case, the Group recognizes the revenue when the customer acquires control of the promised asset.
The contractual consideration included in the contract with the customer can include fixed amounts, variable amounts or both. If the contractual consideration includes a variable amount (e.g. discounts, price concessions, incentives, penalties or other similar elements), the Group estimates the amount of consideration to which it will be entitled in return for the transfer of the promised goods or services to the customer. The Group includes in the price of the transaction the amount of the variable consideration estimated only to the extent that it is highly probable that when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved, there will not be a significant downward adjustment in the amount of accumulated revenues recognized.
In the event that the Group has the right to receive a consideration in exchange for goods or services transferred to the customer, the Group recognizes an asset deriving from contracts with customers. In the case of an obligation to transfer to the customer goods and services for which consideration has been received from the customer, the Group recognizes a liability arising from contracts with customers.
The incremental costs for executing contracts with customers are accounted for as assets and are amortized over the duration of the underlying contract, if the Group expects to recover them. The incremental costs for executing the contract are the costs that the Group incurs to obtain the contract with the customer and that it would not have incurred if it had not executed the contract. The costs for executing the contract that would have been incurred even if the contract had not been executed, must be recognized as costs at the time they are incurred, unless they are explicitly chargeable to the customer even if the contract is not executed.
Costs incurred for the fulfillment of
contracts with customers are capitalized as assets and amortized over the life of the underlying contract only if these costs are not within the scope of application of another accounting standard (e.g. IAS 2 - Inventories, IAS 16 - Property, plant and equipment and IAS 38 - Intangible assets) and meet all the following conditions:
Operating lease income is recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives are recognized as an integral part of total lease income over the term of the lease.
Government grants are recognized in the income statement as income when the government grant becomes collectable.
Costs are recognized in the income statement according to the accrual principle.
Finance income and expenses are taken to the income statement on an accruals basis and include the gain from disposal of equity accounted investees.
In particular, interest income and expenses are recognized on an accruals basis considering the financed amount and the applicable effective interest rate, which is the rate that discounts estimated future collections/payments over the expected life of the financial
asset/liability to align them to the asset's book value.
The tax charge for the year includes the current and deferred tax charges. Income taxes are recognized in the income statement, except for those relating to transactions taken directly to equity, which are recognized in equity as well.
Current taxes reflect the estimated amount of income tax expense due, calculated on taxable income of the year, determined at the tax rates currently or substantially enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustments to the prior financial year balance.
Deferred taxes are recognized by calculating the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of recognized assets and liabilities and their corresponding tax bases. Deferred taxes are not recognized for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction other than a business combination that does not affect profit (or loss) or taxable income (or the tax loss), or differences relating to investments in subsidiaries or joint ventures in which it is not probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the Group does not recognize deferred tax liabilities arising from the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred taxes are measured at the tax rates expected to apply in the financial year in which the related asset will be realized or the liability settled, on the basis of the tax rates established by measures enacted or substantially enacted at the reporting date. Deferred taxes are offset when the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and if the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authorities on the same tax subject or other subjects that intend to settle current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis or realize assets and settle liabilities at the same time.
Deferred tax assets are recognized insofar as it is probable that the company will generate future taxable profit against which such assets can be used. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized. Additional income taxes resulting from the distribution of dividends are recognized when the liability for the payment of the dividend is recognized.
In the presence of uncertainties in the application of the tax regulations: (i) in cases where it is considered probable that the tax authority will accept the uncertain tax treatment, income taxes (current and/or deferred) are determined according to the tax treatment applied or expected to be applied in the tax return; (ii) in cases where it is considered unlikely that the tax authority will accept the uncertain tax treatment, this uncertainty is reflected in the determination of income taxes (current and/or deferred) to be recognized in the financial statements.
Dividends received are recognized in the income statement according to the accrual principle, i.e. in the financial year in which the related credit right arises, following the shareholders' resolution for the distribution of dividends by the investee company.
Dividends distributed are shown as a change in equity in the financial year in which they are approved by the shareholders' meeting.
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the Group's share of net income by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year, excluding treasury shares.
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the Group's result by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial
year, excluding treasury shares. For the purpose of calculating the diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of shares in circulation is modified by assuming the exercise by all the assignees of rights that potentially have a dilutive effect, if any, while the result pertaining to the Group is adjusted to take into account any effects, net of taxes, of the exercise of said rights.
An operating segment is a component of an entity:
Please refer to Note 37 for segment reporting.
The preparation of the financial statements requires the directors to apply accounting standards and methods which, in some circumstances, are based on difficult and subjective valuations and estimates, based on historical experience and on assumptions that are considered reasonable and realistic from time to time according to the relevant circumstances.
The application of these estimates and assumptions affects the amounts reported in the financial statements, such as the statement of financial position, the income statement, the statement of comprehensive income, the cash flow statement, as well as the reports provided. The final results of the items in the financial statements for which
the aforementioned estimates and assumptions were used, could differ, even significantly, from those reported in the financial statements that detect the effects of the occurrence of the event being estimated, due to the uncertainty that characterizes the assumptions and conditions on which the estimates are based.
The areas that require more than others greater subjectivity on the part of the directors in preparing the estimates and for which a change in the conditions underlying the assumptions used could have a significant impact on the financial results of the Group are the following:
units and the subsequent determination of the related recoverable value, understood as the greater of the fair value and the value in use. If the recoverable value is lower than the carrying amount of the cash-generating units, the goodwill allocated to them is written down.
expected margin. The use of the percentage of completion method requires the Group to estimate the costs of completion, which involves the assumption of estimates that depend on factors that are potentially changeable over time and which could therefore have significant effects on the recognition of revenues and margins in progress.
i) Determination of the fair value of share-based payments: the Group evaluates these plans on the basis of uncertain events and valuation assumptions that include volatility, dividend yield and risk-free rates. The Group makes use of valuations carried out by external specialists to determine the fair value of share-based employee benefits, requesting its determination at the grant date, using estimates and assumptions linked to the Group's future plans and to the use of suitable valuation techniques.
The Group's activities show no significant seasonal or cyclical variations.
The Group did not encounter any significant critical issues attributable to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict in terms of procurement, production and sales. As at December 31, 2023, the Group's main suppliers of strategic materials are located outside Russia and Ukraine. The group has only one significant project with a Russian customer operating in the mining and metallurgical sector, who currently is not among the sanctioned entities, with which the Group has booked revenues in 2023 for Euro 18 million. Group customers located in the area affected by the conflict accounted for 2.1% of Group revenues for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (in line with the previous year). As at December 31, 2023, the exposure to Russian or Ukrainian customers totalled just Euro 1.8 thousand.
The situation is evolving, and the Company continuously monitors each new set of sanctions issued.
However, it cannot be ruled out that the continuation of a situation of military conflict in Ukraine and the increase in tensions between Russia and the countries in which the Group operates could negatively affect global macroeconomic conditions and the economies of those countries, leading to a possible contraction in demand and a consequent decrease in production levels, also taking into account the continuous evolution of the sanctions framework, which is constantly monitored by the Group's management.
The table below shows the detail of
revenues from contracts with customers for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| For the year ended December 31, | |
|---|---|
| --------------------------------- | -- |
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Sales of electrodes | 447,789 | 462,198 |
| Sales of systems | 33,458 | 31,928 |
| After-market and other sales | 283,650 | 287,906 |
| Change in construction contracts | 91,514 | 70,794 |
| Total | 856,411 | 852,826 |
Revenues for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 amounted to Euro 856,411 thousand (Euro 852,826 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2022). Revenues in 2023 refer to the Electrode Technologies segment for Euro 464,214 thousand (Euro 473,444 thousand in 2022), to the Water Technologies segment for Euro 289,962 thousand (Euro 336,719 thousand in 2022) and to the Energy Transition segment for Euro 102,235 thousand (Euro 42,663 thousand in 2022). Revenues increased by a total of Euro 3,585 thousand, with a negative exchange rate effect of Euro 30,136 thousand; at constant exchange rates, Group revenues in 2023 would have actually increased by Euro 33,721 thousand compared to the previous financial year.
Operating lease income is included in the item "After-market and other sales" and amounted to Euro 28,066 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (Euro 32,623 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2022) and relate to electrodes and their components leased to customers under long-term contracts.
The following table shows the operating lease income to be recognized in subsequent years in relation to the non-cancellable portion of the contract for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, for each of the first five years and the total amounts for the remaining years.
| (in ¤ thousands) | Within one year |
Between 1 and 2 years |
Between 2 and 3 years |
Between 3 and 4 years |
Between 4 and 5 years |
Over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-cancellable lease portion as of December 31, 2023 |
20,355 | 18,631 | 14,679 | 12,560 | 10,235 | 42,742 |
| Non-cancellable lease portion as of December 31, 2022 |
18,754 | 18,074 | 15,385 | 12,948 | 10,674 | 50,365 |
Revenue is analyzed by geographical segment below:
| For the year ended December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA) | 308,396 | 269,216 | |
| (of which Italy) | 29,994 | 12,910 | |
| North and Latin Americas (AMS) | 257,834 | 282,021 | |
| Asia and South Pacific (APAC) | 290,181 | 301,589 | |
| Total | 856,411 | 852,826 |
Almost all the contracts with customers stipulated by the Group do not provide for variable fees.
Almost all contracts do not contain a significant financial component, i.e. for which the period between the transfer of the agreed asset to the customer and the payment made by the customer exceeds twelve months. Therefore, the Group did not make any adjustment to the transaction consideration so as to take into account the effects of the time value of money.
For the financial year ended December 31, 2023, almost all of the obligations to be fulfilled by the Group refer to contracts with a duration of less than 12 months.
For revenues from construction contracts with contractual obligations fulfilled over time, the Group recognizes revenues from contracts with customers on the basis of methods based on the inputs used to fulfill the contractual obligation, consisting of the costs incurred. For contractual obligations fulfilled at a point in time, revenues from contracts with customers are recognized at the time of the transfer of control of the assets, based on the contract.
For further information on the trend in
revenues, please refer to what is reported in the Directors' report on business performance.
For the financial year ended December 31, 2023, the Group shows a negative change in inventories of semi-finished and finished products equal to Euro 4,096 thousand, compared to a positive change of Euro 34,815 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2022 and includes the amount of Euro 2,813 thousand relating to the release to the income statement of the excess portions of the inventory write-down provision for finished and work-in-progress products (Euro 2,780 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2022).
The table below shows the details of other income for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| For the year ended December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Sundry income | 11,937 | 4,380 | |
| R&D grants | 1,208 | 940 | |
| R&D tax credit | 363 | 773 | |
| R&D income | 134 | 154 | |
| Gain on sale of non-current assets | 12 | 157 | |
| Insurance refund | 1,029 | 47 | |
| Total | 14,683 | 6,451 |
Other income mainly refers to income from ancillary operations, including rental income. In 2023 they amounted to Euro 11,937 thousand, and the increase compared to Euro 4,380 thousand in the comparison year is essentially attributable to non-recurring income, totalling Euro 6,692 thousand, recognized by the US subsidiaries De Nora Tech LLC and De Nora Water Technologies LLC for one-off contributions granted by the United States government as part of the COVID measures in favor of companies, specifically linked to theretention of employees.
The insurance refund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, amounting to Euro 1,029 thousand, include, among others, Euro 500 thousand related to the dispute with a customer in the Marine Technologies business. This dispute arose following the cancellation of the contract for the construction of a water treatment system to be installed on cruise ships.
The table below shows the cost for raw materials, consumables, supplies and goods for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Purchase of raw materials | 219,816 | 314,779 | |
| Change in inventory | 20,865 | (21,796) | |
| Purchase of semi-finished and finished goods | 93,821 | 88,538 | |
| Purchase of consumables and supplies | 20,785 | 16,327 | |
| Purchase of packaging material | 2,600 | 1,929 | |
| Other purchases and related charges | 104 | 127 | |
| Total | 357,991 | 399,904 |
Consumption of raw materials, consumables and goods for the year ended December 31, 2023 amounted to Euro 357,991 thousand, with an overall decrease of Euro 41,913 thousand compared to Euro 399,904 thousand for for the financial year ended December 31, 2022, attributable to the lower consumption of raw materials.
Cost for raw materials, consumables and goods are shown net of capitalized costs, amounting to Euro 7,183 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (Euro 7,364 thousand in the comparative financial statements) and refer to costs incurred by the Group companies for the internal development of capitalized projects and products which met the capitalization requirements.
The table below shows the detail of personnel expenses for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Wages and salaries | 113,262 | 107,399 |
| Management Incentive Plan (MIP) | - | 19,360 |
| Social security contributions | 24,843 | 23,058 |
| Post-employment benefits and other pension plans | 2,464 | 2,467 |
| Other personnel net (income)/expenses | 3,413 | 2,277 |
| Total | 143,982 | 154,561 |
Personnel costs amounted to Euro 143,982 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2023, with a decrease compared to the previous period of Euro 10,579 thousand (Euro 154,561 thousand in 2022). The comparison year included the costs relating to the MIP incentive plan, equal to Euro 19,360 thousand; net of this non-recurring
component that characterized the figure for 2022, personnel costs would therefore have increased overall by Euro 8,781 thousand, as a direct consequence of the expansion of the workforce.
The table below shows the average number of Group employees for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average number of employees | 1,979 | 1,829 |
The item Wages and Salaries includes also the cost for the Performance Share Plan (PSP), a regulation accounted for on the basis of IFRS 2 (approved by the Company's corporate bodies) that provides for the assignment to a certain number of beneficiaries, identified in the regulation itself, of rights of subscription of ordinary shares of the Company based on the achievement of performance objectives. In particular, the total number of attributable rights is 126,556, which could increase to 239,972. The launch of the PSP formally took place
on October 14, 2022 with a multi-year vesting period and pay-out expected between 2025 and 2027. The fair value measurement of the PSP for the 2022- 2024 cycle, totalling Euro 1,854 thousand, was carried out according to a Monte Carlo method on the basis of the following parameters and assumptions:
On October 31, 2023, a new PSP Incentive Plan was announced with a multi-year vesting period and pay-out expected between 2026 and 2028. The total number of attributable rights is 103,218, which could increase to 197,632. The fair value measurement of the PSP for the 2023-2025 cycle, totalling Euro 1,110 thousand, was carried out according to a Monte Carlo method on the basis of the following parameters and assumptions:
— the risk-free rates used were obtained from the zero-coupon government bond yields of the European Central Bank ("ECB") for a duration of 2.17, 3.17 and 4.17 years, respectively, and are equal to 2.97% for the tranche with vesting on January 1, 2026, 2.77% for the tranche
with vesting on January 1, 2027, and 2.66% for the tranche with vesting on January 1, 2028, respectively;
The charge posted in the income statement in the year ended as at December 31, 2023 under personnel expenses for the two plans described above amounts to Euro 262 thousand, recognized with a corresponding balancing entry in Other reserves in Equity.
"Other net personnel costs/(income)" amounting to Euro 3,413 thousand in 2023 (Euro 2,277 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022), are mainly related to charges and incentives for personnel termination, costs for medical and insurance coverage, and expatriate benefits.
Personnel expenses are shown net of capitalized costs, amounting to Euro 4,080 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (Euro 4,051 thousand in the comparative financial statements) and refer to costs incurred by the Group companies for the internal development of projects and products that meet the requirements for capitalization.
For the year ended December 31
Costs for services amounted to Euro 178,330 thousand in 2023 (Euro 161,819 thousand in 2022) with an increase
compared to the previous period of Euro 16,511 thousand mainly for outsourced work and maintenance costs.
other operating expenses for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
The table below shows the detail of
| For the year ended December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Indirect taxes and duties | 8,335 | 6,998 | |
| Losses on sale of non-current assets | 657 | 488 | |
| Losses on receivables (not covered by utilization of bad debt provision) |
19 | 10 | |
| Other miscellaneous expenses | 2,092 | 2,180 | |
| Total | 11,103 | 9,676 |
Other operating expenses amounted to Euro 11,103 thousand in 2023 (Euro 9,676 thousand in 2022).
The following table shows the detail of the item (impairment ) /write back of non-current assets and provisions for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| For the year ended December 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Net accrual of provisions for risks and charges | 1,606 | 3,367 | ||
| Net accrual of bad debt provision | (2,467) | 1,844 | ||
| Impairment/(Write back) of Intangible Assets - Property, Plant and Equipment |
8,918 | 8,989 | ||
| Total | 8,057 | 14,200 |
The impairment of Intangible assets - Property, Plant and Equipment in the year ended December 31, 2023 is essentially a result of the resolution of the Board of Directors of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. to close the Marine Technologies business belonging to the Water Technologies division, and in particular includes:
De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l. for the development of a water treatment system onboard the cruise ships (Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, hereinafter "AWTP");
— Euro 831 thousand for the impairment of Property, plant and equipment of De Nora Marine Technologies, LLC.
While the impairment of Intangible Assets - Property, Plant and Equipment during the year of comparison included:
— Euro 4,323 thousand relating to the AWTP intangible asset recognized in the company De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l.;
— Euro 2,848 thousand relating to plant and machinery of the Cash Generating Unit De Nora Neptune used as part of hydraulic fracturing activities (so-called Fracking), an impairment made following the assessment of current market prospects. This Cash Generating Unit is part of the Water Technologies segment.
For more information on the writedown of Intangible Assets - Property, Plant and Equipment, see Note 18 "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" and Note 19 "Property, Plant and Equipment", respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the item amounted to an income of Euro 5,435 thousand, compared to the loss of Euro 1,196 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022. This value represents De Nora's share of the consolidated net result for the period of the associate tk nucera (34% until June 30, 2023, 25.85% from July 1, 2023).
The table below shows the detail of finance income for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Gain from Disposal of investments in associated companies | 17,377 | - |
| Dilution gain on tk nucera equity investment | 115,846 | - |
| Exchange rate gains | 7,229 | 20,700 |
| Fair value (positive) on financial instruments | 34 | 1,847 |
| Profit from non-current financial assets | 682 | 96 |
| Bank interest | 3,551 | 713 |
| Interest on trade receivables | 5 | - |
| Other Finance income | 294 | 149 |
| Total | 145,018 | 23,505 |
The gain from the disposal of investments in associates realized in the year ended December 31, 2023 of Euro 17,377 thousand relates to the exercise of the "greenshoe option" on the basis of which Industrie De Nora sold 1,342,065 shares as part of the IPO of tk nucera.
The "dilution gain" in the equity investment in tk nucera amounting to Euro
115,846 thousand is related to the listing of tk nucera through the issue of new shares placed exclusively on the market.
As a result of both the dilutive effect and the sale of shares following the exercise of the "greenshoe option", the percentage of equity investment in tk nucera decreased from 34% to the current 25.85%.
The table below shows the detail of
income tax expense for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Current taxes | 36,318 | 34,098 | |
| Deferred taxes | (2,993) | (6,425) | |
| Prior years taxes | 906 | 3,092 | |
| Total | 34,231 | 30,765 |
The following is a reconciliation of the effective tax provision with the theoretical tax provision that would have been obtained by applying the current tax rate to the profit before tax for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| For the year ended December 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 2022 |
||||
| (in ¤ thousands, except percentages) | ||||
| Profit for the period | 231,050 | 89,665 | ||
| Income tax expense | 34,231 | 30,765 | ||
| Profit before tax | 265,281 | 120,430 | ||
| Income tax expense at Italian nominal tax rate |
24.0% | 63,667 | 24.0% | 28,903 |
| Effect of foreign tax rates - higher rate | 1.9% | 5,087 | 4.0% | 4,833 |
| Effect of foreign tax rates - lower rate | (0.4%) | (1,104) | (1.0%) | (1,164) |
| Italian Regional Tax (IRAP) and other taxes | 0.7% | 1,858 | 1.3% | 1,614 |
| Tax effect of non-deductible expense | 1.4% | 3,714 | 6.1% | 7,319 |
| Tax effect of non-taxable revenue and income |
(12.9%) | (34,308) | (5.5%) | (6,654) |
| Tax benefits | (0.6%) | (1,672) | (0.7%) | (804) |
| Utilization of tax losses carried forward | (1.3%) | (3,460) | (0.7%) | (884) |
| Change in tax rates | (0.1%) | (241) | (0.1%) | (70) |
| Change in previously unrecognized temporary differences |
(0.2%) | (513) | (2.0%) | (2,442) |
| Other | 0.5% | 1,203 | 0.1% | 114 |
| Total | 12.9% | 34,231 | 25.5% | 30,765 |
The tax effect related to non-taxable revenues and income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, primarily pertains to financial gains ('Dilution Gain' and the gain from disposal of investments in associates) related to the equity investment in tk nucera. The taxation on these gains was accounted for using the 1.2% tax rate, considering
the application of the so-called "participation exemption".
The following tables show basic and diluted earnings per share for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit for the period attributable to the owners of the parent distributable to shareholders (in Euro) |
230,050 | 89,564 | |
| Weighted average number of shares for basic earnings per share | 201,593,719 | 190,180,575 | |
| Basic earnings per share (in Euro) | 1.14 | 0.47 | |
| Weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share | 201,642,382 | 190,180,575 | |
| Diluted earnings per share (in Euro) | 1.14 | 0.47 |
The table below shows the breakdown and changes in intangible assets for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| (in ¤ thousands) | Goodwill | Industrial patents and intellectual property rights |
Conces sions licenses and trade marks |
Know-how and Technol ogies |
Customer relation ships |
Develop ment costs |
Other | Assets under construc tion and advance payments |
Total intan gible assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historical cost at December 31, 2021 |
63,226 | 14,253 | 34,921 | 47,909 | 50,362 | 15,909 | 8,376 | 14,855 | 249,811 |
| Increase | - | 411 | 719 | - | - | 1,022 | - | 5,874 | 8,026 |
| Decrease | - | (75) | (2) | - | - | - | (67) | (126) | (270) |
| Impairment | - | - | - | - | - | (4,323) | - | - | (4,323) |
| Reclassifica tions/other changes |
- | 409 | 1,820 | 6 | - | 9,498 | 540 | (11,869) | 404 |
| Translation diffe rences |
3,755 | (120) | 239 | (474) | 2,068 | 648 | 287 | 234 | 6,637 |
| Historical cost at December 31, 2022 |
66,981 | 14,878 | 37,697 | 47,441 | 52,430 | 22,754 | 9,136 | 8,968 | 260,285 |
| Change in scope of consolidation |
- | - | - | 848 | 474 | - | 134 | - | 1,456 |
| Increase | - | 431 | 722 | - | - | - | 88 | 6,255 | 7,496 |
| Decrease | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | (533) | (533) |
| Impairment | - | - | (33) | - | - | (7,790) | (264) | - | (8,087) |
| Reclassifica tions/other changes |
- | 273 | 2,479 | - | - | 2,663 | 457 | (6,395) | (523) |
| Translation diffe rences |
(2,239) | (180) | (1,480) | (3,084) | (2,142) | (732) | (265) | (306) | (10,428) |
| Historical cost at December 31, 2023 |
64,742 | 15,402 | 39,385 | 45,205 | 50,762 | 16,895 | 9,286 | 7,990 | 249,667 |
| (in ¤ thousands) | Goodwill | Industrial patents and intellectual property rights |
Conces sions licenses and trade marks |
Know-how and Technol ogies |
Customer relation ships |
Develop ment costs |
Other | Assets under construc tion and advance payments |
Total intan gible assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accumulated amortization as at December 31, 2021 |
- | 12,460 | 25,866 | 31,229 | 35,991 | 6,744 | 4,716 | - | 117,006 |
| Increase | - | 1,077 | 2,934 | 1,588 | 1,172 | 2,571 | 416 | - | 9,758 |
| Decrease | - | (65) | - | - | - | - | (67) | - | (132) |
| Reclassifica tions/other changes |
- | - | - | 5 | - | - | - | - | 5 |
| Translation diffe rences |
- | (72) | (80) | 163 | 1,768 | 161 | 156 | - | 2,096 |
| Accumulated amortization as at December 31, 2022 |
- | 13,400 | 28,720 | 32,985 | 38,931 | 9,476 | 5,221 | - | 128,733 |
| Increase | - | 998 | 3,244 | 1,510 | 1,162 | 3,195 | 553 | - | 10,662 |
| Reclassifica tions/other changes |
- | - | 74 | - | - | 107 | (181) | - | - |
| Translation diffe rences |
- | (122) | (1,229) | (1,995) | (1,539) | (465) | (165) | - | (5,515) |
| Accumulated amortization as at December 31, 2023 |
- | 14,276 | 30,809 | 32,500 | 38,554 | 12,313 | 5,428 | - | 133,880 |
| Net carrying value as at De cember 31, 2022 |
66,981 | 1,478 | 8,977 | 14,456 | 13,499 | 13,278 | 3,915 | 8,968 | 131,552 |
| Net carrying value as at De cember 31, 2023 |
64,742 | 1,126 | 8,576 | 12,705 | 12,208 | 4,582 | 3,858 | 7,990 | 115,787 |
Investments in intangible assets for the financial year 2023 amounted to Euro 7,496 thousand and mainly refer to:
management system and other ICT systems; and Euro 2,858 thousand related to other intangible assets mainly regarding product development costs of the Water Technologies business segment.
This item mainly relates to costs incurred to acquire or file new industrial patents or for the geographical extensions of existing rights.
The item mainly consists of costs relating to the implementation of the SAP management system and other ICT systems. These rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated period of use.
It represents the adoption of specific technologies in the production and sale of products and systems; these are typically assets identified in the purchase price allocation following business combinations that involved the Group companies. These rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated period of use.
It represents the valuation of customer relationships; these assets were identified in the purchase price allocation following business combinations that involved Group companies.
This is the capitalization of the development costs incurred by some Group companies, relating to activities/projects where the technical and commercial feasibility for development and subsequent sale has been determined.
The impairment of Euro 7,790 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023 is essentially due to the resolution of the Board of Directors of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. to close the Marine Technologies business belonging to the Water Technologies division.
The item mainly includes, for Euro 2,520 thousand as at December 31, 2023 (Euro 2,966 thousand as at December 31, 2022), the valuation of trademarks identified in the purchase price allocation, following business combinations that involved the Group companies.
The impairment of Euro 264 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023 relates to trademarks of the Marine Technologies business belonging to the Water Technologies division.
This item relates to costs incurred to implement and develop software projects and new products which have not yet gone into use.
As at December 31, 2023, a check was carried out on the recoverability of the book value of Euro 4,734 thousand recognized in the company De Nora Water Technologies LLC (USA) relating to product development costs (R&D) in the Water Technologies area, subject to capitalization.
The recoverability of said intangible assets was verified at Water Technologies Systems sub-segment level, which essentially groups together all the assets pertaining to the Water Technologies segment, with the exclusion of the business line pertaining to Pools. This is because the Product Technology Management assets subject to capitalization developed by the company De Nora Water Technologies LLC are in the interest and to the benefit of all the companies operating in the aforementioned sub-segment.
The main parameters used to estimate the present value of cash flows relating to said asset are shown below.
| Asset analysed | WACC | G-rate |
|---|---|---|
| Water Technologies Systems | 10.7% | 2.3% |
The Water Technologies Systems sub-segment saw a 2023 beyond expectations, in particular with reference to profitability, and the business plan assumptions into years 2024-2026 of the industrial plan, on the basis of the impairment tests carried out, foresee the further progression of the performance, both in terms of turnover levels and profitability.
The checks carried out confirmed the recoverability of the values of the intangible assets subject to analysis, highlighting excesses of the value in use with respect to the corresponding book values, of about 70%.
In relation to the sensitivity analysis, an increase in WACC of up to 16.6%, or a zero g-rate or a reduction in EBIT over the plan period of 39%, with a similar impact on terminal flow, would not lead to impairment.
As at December 31, 2023 and 2022, the value of goodwill refers to:
In line with the requirements of IAS 36, as at December 31, 2023, an impairment test was carried out to ascertain the existence of any impairment of goodwill. To this end, it should be noted that, for the purposes of verifying the recoverability of the goodwill recorded under intangible assets, the following groups of Cash Generating Units have been identified:
| December 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Electrode Technologies segment | 63,242 | 65,481 | ||
| Water Technologies segment | 1,500 | 1,500 | ||
| Total | 64,742 | 66,981 |
In order to identify the groups of CGUs, the elements referred to in the reference standards were considered, including the way in which management monitors the Group's operations and makes strategic decisions, with particular reference to product offerings and investment decisions. In particular, the goodwill relating to the acquisition of the company De Nora Tech LLC (U.S.A.) is verified at the Electrode Technologies business segment level, while the goodwill relating to the acquisition of De Nora Ozone S.r.l. (now incorporated into De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l.) is verified at the Water Technologies business segment level.
As at December 31, 2023, the goodwill was subjected to an impairment test in accordance with the provisions of accounting standard IAS 36, or by comparing the book value of the CGU group which includes goodwill with its recoverable value. Specifically, the configuration of the recoverable value is that of the value in use, determined by discounting the forecast data of the CGU group ("DCF Method") relating to the three-year period following the reporting date. The key assumptions used to determine the forecast data are the estimate of the growth levels in revenue, EBITDA, operating cash flows, the growth rate of the terminal value and
the weighted average cost of capital (discount rate), taking into consideration past economic-income and financial performance and future expectations. For the data as at December 31, 2023, these future expectations were derived from the 2024-2026 business plan approved on March 18, 2024 by the Board of Directors.
The terminal value was determined on the basis of the perpetuity criterion of the normalized cash flow of the CGUs, with reference to the last period of the forecast data considered, applying an annual inertial growth (rate "g" or "g-rate").
For the purposes of estimating the value in use of the CGU group to which the goodwill is allocated, the following sources of information were used:
— internal sources: IAS 36 requires that
the estimate of value in use be based on the most up-to-date cash flow projections made by senior management. For the purposes of the impairment test of goodwill at the reference dates, the business plans indicated above were used;
— external sources: for the purposes of the impairment test of goodwill, external sources of information were used to calculate the weighted average cost of capital (WACC), determined using the capital asset pricing model ("CAPM"). In particular, as required by IAS 36, the cost of capital was calculated considering the target financial structure deriving from the analysis of the financial structure of comparable listed companies.
The parameters used to estimate the present value of cash flows are shown in the following table.
| December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| WACC | |||
| Electrode Technologies segment | 10.5% | 10.5% | |
| Water Technologies segment | 10.3% | 9.7% | |
| G-rate | |||
| Electrode Technologies segment | 2.1% | 2.0% | |
| Water Technologies segment | 2.3% | 2.3% |
The business plan assumptions for the Electrode Technologies segment, underlying the impairment tests carried out, envisage the maintenance and further consolidation of De Nora's positioning in the reference markets; the 2024-2026 industrial plan confirms high levels and volumes of turnover, and consequent profitability based on the expected evolution of the production mix.
The business plan assumptions for the Water Technologies segment, underlying the impairment tests carried out, envisage a progression in performance, both in terms of turnover levels and volumes and profitability, in particular
in the Water Technologies Systems sub-segment, i.e. not considering the Pools business line; with regard to the latter, after the significant decrease in volumes expected during 2023, the 2024-2026 industrial plan confirms the normalization of market demand connected to the return to normal pre-COVID-19 pandemic consumption habits, always and in any case with high levels of profitability.
The impairment test as at December 31, 2023 showed that, for both business segments tested, the value in use, determined by discounting the plan reference data using the "DCF Method", is higher than the corresponding value
of the net invested capital (including goodwill).
For the Electrode Technologies segment, the determined value in use is approximately 44% higher than the net invested capital associated with the segment. For the Water Technologies segment, the determined value in use is just over the double of the net invested capital associated with the segment.
A sensitivity analysis was also carried out to verify the stability of the book values of goodwill in the presence of worsening changes in the main assumptions.
In particular, in relation to the financial year ended December 31, 2023:
— for the Electrode Technologies segment, an increase in WACC of up to 14.3%, or a zero g-rate or a reduction in EBIT over the plan period of 27%, with a similar impact on terminal flow, would not lead to impairment;
— for the Water Technologies segment, an increase in WACC of up to 19.8%, or a zero g-rate or a reduction in EBIT over the plan period of 49%, with a similar impact on terminal flow, would not lead to impairment.
The following table shows the breakdown and changes in property, plant and equipment for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| Land | Buildings | Plant and Machin ery |
Other assets |
Leased assets |
Right of use of PPE: |
- of which Build ings |
- of which Other assets |
Assets under construc tion and advance payments |
Total property, plant and equipment |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||||||||
| Historical cost as of December 31, 2021 |
30,314 | 90,584 | 101,161 | 18,794 | 122,305 | 8,079 | 6,050 | 2,029 | 4,474 | 375,711 |
| Increase | - | 1,263 | 2,286 | 710 | 8,053 | 3,588 | 3,386 | 202 | 25,803 | 41,703 |
| Decrease | - | (33) | (1,129) | (247) | (1,742) | (752) | (650) | (102) | - | (3,903) |
| Impairment | - | - | (2,848) | - | (1,817) | - | - | - | - | (4,665) |
| Reclassifications/ other changes |
- | 1,174 | 6,897 | 1,381 | 83 | - | - | - | (10,157) | (622) |
| Translation diffe rences |
(1,509) | 762 | 704 | (61) | (4,291) | (60) | (94) | 34 | (19) | (4,474) |
| Historical cost as of December 31, 2022 |
28,805 | 93,750 | 107,071 | 20,577 | 122,591 | 10,855 | 8,692 | 2,163 | 20,101 | 403,750 |
| Change in scope of consolidation |
- | 474 | 714 | 14 | - | 926 | 877 | 49 | - | 2,128 |
| Increase | 15,275 | 1,587 | 4,696 | 428 | 7,980 | 17,360 | 17,057 | 303 | 51,034 | 98,360 |
| Decrease | - | (821) | (2,054) | (1,544) | (3,786) | (1,660) | (689) | (971) | - | (9,865) |
| Impairment | - | (23) | (614) | - | - | - | - | - | (195) | (832) |
| Reclassifications/ other changes |
- | 9,366 | 11,912 | 1,419 | 289 | - | - | - | (22,691) | 295 |
| Translation diffe rences |
(2,265) | (3,872) | (3,808) | (873) | (8,627) | (431) | (413) | (18) | (668) | (20,544) |
| Historical cost as of December 31, 2023 |
41,815 | 100,461 | 117,917 | 20,021 | 118,447 | 27,050 | 25,524 | 1,526 | 47,581 | 473,292 |
| Land | Buildings | Plant and Machin ery |
Other assets |
Leased assets |
Right of use of PPE: |
- of which Build ings |
- of which Other assets |
Assets under construc tion and advance payments |
Total property, plant and equipment |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation as at December 31, 2021 |
10 | 35,142 | 57,806 | 14,801 | 97,198 | 3,127 | 1,886 | 1,241 | - | 208,084 |
| Increase | - | 3,201 | 6,442 | 1,197 | 5,675 | 1,851 | 1,352 | 499 | - | 18,366 |
| Decrease | - | (6) | (810) | (227) | (1,530) | (299) | (197) | (102) | - | (2,872) |
| Reclassifications/ other changes |
- | 32 | (131) | 293 | (269) | - | - | - | - | (75) |
| Translation diffe rences |
- | (145) | 135 | (95) | (3,834) | 9 | (13) | 22 | - | (3,930) |
| Accumulated depreciation as at December 31, 2022 |
10 | 38,224 | 63,442 | 15,969 | 97,240 | 4,688 | 3,028 | 1,660 | - | 219,573 |
| Increase | - | 3,198 | 6,354 | 1,274 | 5,912 | 3,218 | 2,867 | 351 | - | 19,956 |
| Decrease | - | (540) | (1,483) | (1,460) | (3,633) | (1,660) | (689) | (971) | - | (8,776) |
| Reclassifications/ other changes |
- | (136) | 179 | (23) | - | - | - | - | - | 20 |
| Translation diffe rences |
- | (1,600) | (2,448) | (675) | (6,871) | (160) | (144) | (16) | - | (11,754) |
| Accumulated depreciation as at December 31, 2023 |
10 | 39,146 | 66,044 | 15,085 | 92,648 | 6,086 | 5,062 | 1,024 | - | 219,019 |
| Net carrying value as at December 31, 2022 |
28,795 | 55,526 | 43,629 | 4,608 | 25,351 | 6,167 | 5,664 | 503 | 20,101 | 184,177 |
| Net carrying value as at December 31, 2023 |
41,805 | 61,315 | 51,873 | 4,936 | 25,799 | 20,964 | 20,462 | 502 | 47,581 | 254,273 |
Additions to property, plant and equipment amounted to Euro 98,360 thousand for the financial year 2023. In particular, investments in property, plant and equipment, excluding increases in the rights of use of property, plant and equipment, amounted to a total of Euro 81,000 thousand and mainly refer to:
within the Electrode Technologies business segment;
1,684 thousand to other assets under construction, for Euro 289 thousand relating to anodes to be leased and for Euro 3,152 thousand to advances. The latter refer to the advances paid for the expansion projects of the production sites in China and Germany.
The total impairment of Euro 832 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2023 are essentially the result of the resolution of the Board of Directors of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. to close the Marine Technologies business belonging to the Water Technologies division.
The cumulative write-downs as at December 31, 2023 concerning Property, plant and equipment amounted to a total of Euro 3,808 thousand.
The following table provides the main information relating to lease agreements in which the Group acts as a lessee:
| As of December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Historical cost of Right of use of PPE (buildings) | 25,524 | 8,691 | |
| Historical cost of Right of use of PPE (other assets) | 1,526 | 2,164 | |
| Total historical cost of Right of use of PPE | 27,050 | 10,855 | |
| Accumulated depreciation of Right of use of PPE (buildings) | 5,062 | 3,026 | |
| Accumulated depreciation of Right of use of PPE (other assets) | 1,024 | 1,662 | |
| Total accumulated depreciation of Right of use of PPE | 6,086 | 4,688 | |
| Net book value of Right of use of PPE (buildings) | 20,462 | 5,665 | |
| Net book value of Right of use of PPE (other assets) | 502 | 502 | |
| Total net book value of Right of use of PPE | 20,964 | 6,167 | |
| Current lease liabilities | 3,698 | 1,633 | |
| Non-current lease liabilities | 17,829 | 4,803 | |
| Total lease liabilities | 21,527 | 6,436 | |
| Depreciation of Right of use of PPE (buildings) | 2,867 | 1,352 | |
| Depreciation of Right of use of PPE (other assets) | 351 | 499 | |
| Total depreciation for right of use | 3,218 | 1,851 | |
| Lease instalments paid | 3,523 | 2,697 | |
| of which interest expense for leases paid | 625 | 200 | |
| Short-term and low-value leases | 3,050 | 2,676 |
The significant increase in the value of the asset for rights of use in 2023 is a consequence of the new lease agreements signed during the year, including a ten-year lease contract for a building in Germany by the subsidiary De Nora Deutschland.
During the financial year ended December 31, 2023, a total of Euro 3,523 thousand of lease payments were made, of which Euro 2,898 thousand as a reduction of the financial liability and Euro 625 thousand as interest, recognized under finance expenses. The total cost recognized in the income statement
for rents and leases excluded from the scope of application of IFRS 16 amounted to Euro 3,050 thousand.
This item refers essentially to the investment in the associate thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA (Germany) ("tk nucera"). The following table provides details and changes in equity investments accounted for using the equity method for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Opening balance | 122,664 | 121,785 | |
| Share of profit | 5,435 | (1,196) | |
| Other increases (decreases) | 103,412 | 2,075 | |
| Closing balance | 231,511 | 122,664 | |
| Investment % | 25.85% | 34% |
As at December 31, 2023, the value of equity investments accounted for using the equity method amounted to Euro 234,511 thousand, an increase of approximately Euro 110 million compared to the figure as at December 31, 2022, mainly due to the "dilution gain" recognized as a result of the listing of tk nucera carried out in July 2023 through the issue of new shares placed exclusively on the market, and consequent reduction in the percentage interest held by Industrie De Nora.
The main consolidated economic and financial data of tk nucera as at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are provided below.
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Intangible assets | 55,145 | 57,438 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 13,054 | 7,987 |
| Deferred tax assets | 19,402 | 10,329 |
| Other non-current assets | 2,746 | 2,493 |
| Inventory | 122,321 | 76,605 |
| Trade receivables | 37,712 | 39,491 |
| Financial assets and other current receivables | 153,905 | 339,204 |
| Cash and cash equivalent | 770,285 | 27,239 |
| Total assets | 1,174,570 | 560,786 |
| Share Capital | 126,315 | 100,000 |
| Reserves | 617,424 | 117,139 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 10,615 | 9,516 |
| Financial liabilities | 4,612 | 1,370 |
| Other non-current payables | 9,094 | 8,964 |
| Trade payables | 133,622 | 42,368 |
| Construction contracts and other current payables | 272,888 | 281,429 |
| Total liabilities and equity | 1,174,570 | 560,786 |
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Revenues | 706,333 | 437,795 | |
| Operating costs(*) | (694,403) | (426,852) | |
| Finance income/(expense) | 15,864 | 2,355 | |
| Income tax expense | (10,987) | (4,744) | |
| Profit for the period | 16,807 | 8,554 | |
| Other components of the comprehensive income statement | (5,788) | (2,758) | |
| Profit of the comprehensive income statement for the year | 11,019 | 5,796 |
(*) For the financial year ended December 31, 2023, it includes amortization, depreciation and write-downs for roughly Euro 5.3 million. For the financial year ended December 31, 2022, it includes amortization, depreciation and write-downs for roughly Euro 3.5 million.
The economic data of tk nucera shown in the table are the result of a pro forma exercise, determined by considering the fiscal year of the associated company from October 1, 2022, to September
30, 2023. This calculation excludes the data for the quarter from October 1 to December 31, 2022, and includes the data for the quarter from October 1 to December 31, 2023.
The table below shows the breakdown of non-current financial assets as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Non-current | |||
| Financial receivables | - | 1,823 | |
| Investments in financial assets | 3,180 | 2,787 | |
| Total | 3,180 | 4,610 |
Investments in financial assets mainly refer to some pension funds and supplementary company funds for employees.
The table below shows the breakdown of current financial assets as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Financial receivables as at December 31, 2022 referred essentially to the parent company, Industrie De Nora S.p.A., which in 2022 had signed time deposits with some leading banks, fully expired and no longer renewed.
Investments in financial assets, amounting to Euro 13,610 thousand as at December 31, 2023 (Euro 8,158 thousand as at December 31, 2022) relate primarily to investments in monetary funds subject to short-term time restrictions, but can be liquidated at any time.
The fair value of derivative instruments as at December 31, 2023 refers to derivative contracts on forward currencies, signed by the parent company and by De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l.
Deferred tax assets of the Group as at December 31, 2023 amounted to Euro 16,216 thousand (Euro 13,096 thousand as at December 31, 2022); while the deferred tax liabilities of the Group as at December 31, 2023 amounted to Euro 8,873 thousand (Euro 8,664 thousand as at December 31, 2022).
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the Group has the legal right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and when the deferred taxes relate to the same tax jurisdiction. For better comparability, the figures for the year of comparison have been reclassified to reflect this offsetting. Deferred
tax assets on tax losses carried forward are recognized to the extent that the Group expects to realize the related tax benefits as it is probable that it will generate future taxable income.
During the financial year, deferred taxes were recognized on the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases.
These differences mainly arose on changes between the profit before taxation and the taxable income in one financial year and will reverse in one or more subsequent financial years.
The following tables show the changes in 2023 and 2022 in the net difference between deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.
| At December 31, 2022 |
Change in scope of consolidation |
(Charges) Credits to profit or loss |
(Charges) Credits to equity |
Exchange rate difference |
As of December 31, 2023 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||
| Property, plant and equipment |
(10,259) | (77) | (2,849) | - | 594 | (12,591) | |
| Intangible assets | (2,951) | (449) | (1,992) | - | 512 | (4,880) | |
| Equity-accounted investees |
(217) | - | (1,316) | 3 | - | (1,530) | |
| Trade receivables and inventory |
4,658 | - | 1,338 | - | (322) | 5,674 | |
| Financial assets/ liabilities |
280 | - | 3,948 | 31 | (2) | 4,257 | |
| Other assets | 1,151 | - | 684 | - | (43) | 1,792 | |
| Employee benefits | (621) | - | 1,052 | 156 | 110 | 697 | |
| Provisions for risks and charges |
7,184 | - | 1,440 | - | (301) | 8,323 | |
| Trade payables | 3,675 | - | (564) | - | (94) | 3,017 | |
| Other liabilities | 1,700 | - | (494) | - | (173) | 1,033 | |
| Other sundry | (168) | - | 1,746 | - | (27) | 1,551 | |
| Total | 4,432 | (526) | 2,993 | 190 | 254 | 7,343 |
| As of December 31, 2021 |
(Charges) Credits to profit or loss |
(Charges) Credits to equity |
Exchange rate difference |
As of December 31, 2022 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment |
(5,479) | (4,942) | - | 162 | (10,259) |
| Intangible assets | (12,495) | 9,861 | - | (317) | (2,951) |
| Equity-accounted investees |
(208) | 13 | (22) | - | (217) |
| Trade receivables and inventory |
5,019 | (332) | - | (29) | 4,658 |
| Financial assets/ liabilities |
257 | 207 | (192) | 8 | 280 |
| Other assets | 455 | 676 | - | 20 | 1,151 |
| Employee benefits | 461 | 953 | (2,105) | 70 | (621) |
| Provisions for risks and charges |
6,120 | 914 | - | 150 | 7,184 |
| Trade payables | 2,865 | 635 | - | 175 | 3,675 |
| Other liabilities | 2,774 | (970) | - | (104) | 1,700 |
| Other sundry | 385 | (590) | - | 37 | (168) |
| Total | 154 | 6,425 | (2,319) | 172 | 4,432 |
There are no deferred tax assets not recognized in the financial statements as at December 31, 2023 against previous year losses not yet used.
The table below shows the breakdown of inventory as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross value | Inventory write-down reserve |
Net value | Gross value | Inventory write-down reserve |
Net value | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||||
| Raw materials and consumables |
107,777 | (2,238) | 105,539 | 135,731 | (1,597) | 134,134 |
| Work in progress and semi-finished products |
95,026 | (8,035) | 86,991 | 107,407 | (13,564) | 93,843 |
| Finished products and goods |
68,454 | (8,877) | 59,577 | 70,731 | (8,080) | 62,651 |
| Goods in transit | 5,039 | - | 5,039 | 4,848 | - | 4,848 |
| Total | 276,296 | (19,150) | 257,146 | 318,717 | (23,241) | 295,476 |
Inventories, amounting to Euro 257,146 thousand as at December 31, 2023, decreased overall by Euro 38,330 thousand, mainly as a result of the decrease of the stock of raw materials and work in progress and semi-finished products.
Inventory is shown net of the writedown reserve equal to Euro 19,150 thousand as at December 31, 2023 (Euro 23,241 thousand as at December 31, 2022).
The change in the inventory writedown reserve is as follows:
| Raw materials and consumables |
Work in progress and semi-finished products |
Finished products and goods |
Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2021 | 3,778 | 12,313 | 5,871 | 21,962 | |
| Accruals of the year 2022 | 136 | 3,147 | 1,842 | 5,125 | |
| Utilization and releases of the year 2022 |
(734) | (1,462) | (1,318) | (3,514) | |
| Reclassifications/other changes | (1,733) | (60) | 1,612 | (181) | |
| Exchange rate difference | 150 | (374) | 73 | (151) | |
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | 1,597 | 13,564 | 8,080 | 23,241 | |
| Accruals of the year 2023 | 1,317 | 67 | 3,073 | 4,457 | |
| Utilization and releases of the year 2023 |
(635) | (4,970) | (2,031) | (7,636) | |
| Exchange rate difference | (41) | (626) | (245) | (912) | |
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | 2,238 | 8,035 | 8,877 | 19,150 |
Current tax assets amounted to Euro 10,310 thousand as at December 31, 2023 (Euro 4,893 thousand as at December 31, 2022) and refer mainly to income tax advances paid by some companies of the Group, net of the related liability.
Details of construction contracts classified as current assets and current liabilities as at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the tables below.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Current assets | |||
| Construction contracts | 139,170 | 107,946 | |
| (Progress payments) | (99,227) | (77,544) | |
| Provision for losses on construction contracts | (176) | (1,267) | |
| Total | 39,767 | 29,135 |
| As of December 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Construction contracts | 47,017 | 68,031 | ||
| (Progress payments and Advances) | (54,645) | (80,695) | ||
| Provision for losses on construction contracts | (402) | (38) | ||
| Total | (8,030) | (12,702) | ||
| Total Construction contracts (net of advances) | 31,737 | 16,433 |
Construction contracts (net of contractual advances) amounted to Euro 31,737 thousand ad at December 31, 2023 (an increase compared to Euro 16,433 thousand as at December 31, 2022) and mainly refer to contracts relating to the Water Technologies business segment.
The table below shows the detail of trade receivables as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Current | |||
| Third parties | 121,616 | 124,008 | |
| Related parties | 26,724 | 7,267 | |
| Bad debt reserve | (6,413) | (7,854) | |
| Total | 141,927 | 123,421 |
Trade receivables, recognized entirely under current assets, derive from sales transactions and the provision of services and amounted, as at December 31, 2023, to Euro 141,927 thousand, an increase compared to Euro 123,421 thousand as at December 31, 2022.
The carrying amount of trade receivables, net of the bad debt reserve, is deemed to approximate its fair value. Following are the changes in the bad debt provision.
| For the year ended December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Current | |||
| Opening balance | 7,854 | 7,387 | |
| Accrual of the year | 3,458 | 1,186 | |
| Utilisation and releases of the year | (4,826) | (1,418) | |
| Reclassifications/other changes | 47 | 489 | |
| Exchange rate difference | (120) | 210 | |
| Closing balance | 6,413 | 7,854 |
the other receivables as at December 31, 2023 and 2022, with the distinction between the current and non-current amounts.
The following table shows the detail of
| As of December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Non-current | ||
| Tax receivables | 4,471 | 6,416 |
| Other - third parties | 2,837 | 2,561 |
| Prepayments and accrued income | - | 1 |
| Related parties | 52 | 52 |
| Total | 7,360 | 9,030 |
| As of December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Current | ||
| Tax receivables | 14,878 | 14,708 |
| Advances to suppliers | 8,464 | 9,017 |
| Other - third parties | 8,704 | 2,377 |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 6,327 | 6,972 |
| Related parties | 18 | - |
| Total | 38,391 | 33,074 |
As at December 31, 2023, other receivables, between the current and non-current portions, amounted to Euro 45,751 thousand (Euro 42,104 thousand as at December 31, 2022).
Non-current tax receivables relate to withholding taxes incurred mainly by the Parent Company against collections of receivables from foreign subsidiaries.
The other non-current receivables from third parties are mainly attributable to the contributions paid by the Italian
companies of the Group against existing supplementary pension funds as a counter-entry to the contribution due by the employer.
Current receivables from tax authorities mainly refer to VAT receivables.
The table below provides a breakdown of cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| As of December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Bank and postal accounts | 192,602 | 170,639 |
| Cash on hand | 26 | 28 |
| Deposit accounts | 5,863 | 3,462 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 198,491 | 174,129 |
Cash and cash equivalents are made up of effectively available values and deposits. As regards the amounts on deposits and current accounts, the related interests have been recognized on an accrual basis.
Cash and cash equivalents, amounting to Euro 198,491 thousand as at December 31, 2023, increased by Euro 24,362 thousand compared to December 31, 2022; for details on cash and cash equivalents generated during the financial year, please refer to the consolidated cash flow statement.
Equity as at December 31, 2023 amounts to Euro 910,188 thousand, up from Euro 744,804 thousand as at December 31, 2022.
The shares issued are fully paid up and have no nominal value.
Changes in equity for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the "Consolidated statement of changes in equity", while the "Consolidated statement of comprehensive income" sets out the other components of the income statement for the period, net of the tax effects.
During the financial year ended December 31, 2023, dividends in the amount of Euro 24,257 thousand (Euro 20,030 thousand in the financial year ended December 31, 2022) were distributed.
As a result of the sale of shares by the shareholders of Asset Company 10 S.r.l., a company wholly-owned by Snam
S.p.A., Federico De Nora S.p.A. and Norfin S.p.A. on April 5, 2023, 7,304,480 multiple voting shares of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. were automatically converted into ordinary shares, based on the conversion ratio of 1 (one) ordinary shares for each multiple voting share, without the need for any manifestation of will on the part of the respective holders and without any change in the amount of the Company's share capital. The conversion took effect on April 11, 2023.
Following this share conversion, the share capital of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. remained equal to Euro 18,268,203.90 and the number of ordinary shares increased from 43,899,499 to 51,203,979, with no nominal value, corresponding to the same number of voting rights, while the number of multiple voting shares decreased from 157,785,675 to 150,481,195, with no nominal value, corresponding to a total of 451,443,585 voting rights. The total number of shares remained unchanged, equal to 201,685,174, while the total number of voting rights went from 517,256,524 to 502,647,564.
The current composition of the share capital of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. is summarized below.
| Euro | Number of shares | |
|---|---|---|
| Total, of which: | 18,268,203.90 | 201,685,174 |
| Ordinary Shares (regular entitlements) |
4,637,944.92 | 51,203,979 |
| Multiple voting shares (*) | 13,630,258.98 | 150,481,195 |
(*) Owned by the shareholders Federico De Nora, Federico De Nora S.p.A., Norfin S.p.A. and Asset Company 10 S.r.l. Multiple voting shares are not admitted to trading on Euronext Milan and are not counted in the free float and market capitalization value
Based on the program communicated to the market by Industrie De Nora S.p.a. on November 8, 2023 and launched on November 9, 2023, the Company, as at December 31, 2023, acquired and holds in its portfolio 1,158,505 treasury shares, equal to 0.574% of the share capital.
The legal reserve as at December 31, 2023 amounted to Euro 3,654 thousand, increased in 2023 due to the allocation of the 2022 net result.
The share premium reserve as at December 31, 2023 amounted to Euro 223,433 thousand, unchanged compared to December 31, 2022.
Retained earnings, translation reserve and other reserves pertaining to the Group as at December 31, 2023, amounted to Euro 429,083 thousand (Euro 406,596 thousand as at December 31, 2022), a net increase of Euro 22,487 thousand over December 31, 2022, including:
— Euro 89,267 thousand increase due to the allocation of the previous financial year's results pertaining to the parent company shareholders;
The table below shows the breakdown of equity attributable to non-controlling interests as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| As of December 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Share capital and reserves | 4,831 | 3,599 | ||
| Profit (Loss) for the period | 1,000 | 101 | ||
| Other comprehensive income | (131) | (114) | ||
| Total | 5,700 | 3,586 |
The increase in share capital and reserves during the year ended December 31 is essentially attributable to De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. following the payments made by the minority shareholder Snam S.p.A. (totalling Euro 1,300 thousand).
| As of December 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Present value of Post-employment benefits | 18,903 | 17,590 | ||
| Present value of Pension Plans for employees | 17,287 | 18,533 | ||
| Fair value of plan assets | (14,433) | (15,495) | ||
| Total | 21,757 | 20,628 |
The Group companies offer post-employment benefits to their employees both directly and by contributing to funds outside the Group. The methods by which these benefits are ensured varies on the basis of the relevant legal, tax and economic conditions in each country in which the Group operates. The benefits are normally based on employee remuneration and years of service. The obligations relate to both active and no longer active employees. The Group companies ensure post-employment benefits on the basis of defined contribution and/or defined benefit plans. With defined contribution plans, the Group companies pay contributions to public or private insurance companies, in accordance with legal or
contractual obligations or on a voluntary basis. With payment of these contributions, the companies meet all their obligations. On the other hand, defined benefit plans may be unfunded or entirely or partially funded by contributions paid by the company and, at times, by the employees, to a company or fund that is legally separate from the company providing the employee benefits.
The following table shows the composition of and changes in the Post-employment benefits for employees in the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Opening liability | 17,590 | 22,574 | |
| Current service cost | 826 | 922 | |
| Interest cost | 630 | 316 | |
| Actuarial (profit) loss | 1,081 | (5,412) | |
| Benefits paid | (1,224) | (810) | |
| Total | 18,903 | 17,590 |
Post-employment benefits as at December 31, 2023 stood at Euro 18,903 thousand (Euro 17,590 thousand as at December 31, 2022). The item also includes employee benefits attributable to the German subsidiary similar to Italian post-employment benefits (Trattamento di Fine Rapporto or TFR).
The obligation to employees is calculated by an independent actuary as follows:
The actuarial method has a technical basis consisting of the demographic and financial assumptions related to the parameters used for the calculation.
In short, the main actuarial assumptions applied for the Group companies' calculation are the following:
| As of December 31 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Italy | Germany | Italy | Germany | ||
| Annual discount rate (*) | 3.17% | 3.19% | 3.77% | 3.65% | |
| Annual inflation rate | 2.00% | N/A | 2.30% | N/A | |
| Annual increase in obligation | 3.00% | 2.00% | 3.23% | 1.75% | |
| Annual rate of salary increase | 2.30% | 2.00% | 2.30% | 2.00% |
(*) The discount rate used to determine the present value of the Italian post-employment obligation was inferred, consistently with par. 83 of IAS 19, by the Iboxx Corporate AA index with duration 10+ recorded at the valuation date. For this purpose, the yield with a duration comparable to the duration of the collective of workers subject to valuation was chosen.
The mortality assumptions are based on published statistics concerning mortality rates.
The following table summarizes the sensitivity analysis for each actuarial, financial and demographic assumption relating only to the Italian companies of the Group, showing the effects (in absolute value) that would have occurred following changes in the reasonably possible actuarial assumptions as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| Annual discount rate |
Annual inflation rate |
Annual rate of turnover |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25% | -0.25% | 0.25% | -0.25% | 1.00% | -1.00% | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||||
| Employees Benefits as of December 31, 2023 (*) |
(81) | 83 | 64 | (61) | 14 | (15) |
| Employees Benefits as of December 31, 2022 (*) |
(81) | 85 | 63 | (63) | 21 | (23) |
(*) The sensitivity analysis on the actuarial assumptions refers to the post-employment benefits for companies under Italian law.
The item "pension plans" includes obligations of De Nora Group companies operating mainly in the United States, Japan and India.
The existing pension plans generally provide for the payment of contributions to a trust which independently administers the plan assets. The trusts provide for fixed contributions from employees and variable contributions
from employers to at least meet the minimum funding requirements provided for by legislation and regulations in each country. If the plans are overfunded, i.e., they show a surplus beyond the legal requirements, the concerned Group companies may be authorized to suspend contributions as long as they remain overfunded.
The strategy for managing plan assets depends on the characteristics of the
plan and the maturity of the obligations; typically, pension plans with long-term maturities are funded through investments in equity securities; those with medium to short-term maturities are funded through investments in fixed income securities.
In short, the main actuarial assumptions applied for the Group companies' calculation are the following:
| As of December 31 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| U.S.A | India | Japan | U.S.A | India | Japan | |
| Annual discount rate | 5.40% | 7.33% | 1.20% | 5.00% | 7.48% | 1.10% |
| Annual rate of salary increase | N/A | 8.00% | 1.00% | N/A | 8.00% | 1.00% |
The changes in the pension funds are summarized in the following table:
| For the year ended December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Opening balance | 18,533 | 20,445 | |
| Current service cost | 867 | 1,407 | |
| Interest cost | 32 | 36 | |
| Benefits paid | (1,197) | (1,577) | |
| Actuarial (profit) loss | 437 | (1,043) | |
| Exchange rate differences | (1,385) | (735) | |
| Closing balance | 17,287 | 18,533 |
The pension plan fund, as at December 31, 2023, amounted to Euro 17,287 thousand (Euro 18,533 thousand as at December 31, 2022).
Changes in plan assets are analyzed below:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Opening fair value of plan assets | 15,495 | 16,983 | |
| Contributions paid | 43 | 88 | |
| Benefits paid | (396) | - | |
| Expected return on plan assets | 23 | 26 | |
| Adjustment of plan assets | 835 | (365) | |
| Exchange rate differences | (1,567) | (1,237) | |
| Closing fair value of plan assets | 14,433 | 15,495 |
The main risks to which the Group is exposed in relation to pension funds are detailed below:
— volatility of the assets serving the plans: in order to balance liabilities, the investment strategy cannot limit its horizon exclusively to risk-free assets. This implies that some investments, such as listed shares, are charachterized by high volatility in the short term and that this exposes the plans to risks of reduction in the value of assets in the short term and consequently to an increase in imbalances. However, this risk is mitigated by the diversification of investments in numerous investment classes, through different investment managers, different investment styles and with exposures to multiple factors that are not perfectly correlated with each other. Furthermore,
investments are continually reviewed in light of market conditions, with adjustments to keep the overall risk at adequate levels;
The following table shows the composition of the provisions for risks and charges for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| As of December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Non-current | |||
| Provision for contractual warranties | 315 | 179 | |
| Provision for other risks | 1,581 | 1,963 | |
| Total | 1,896 | 2,142 | |
| Current | |||
| Provision for contractual warranties | 11,612 | 11,605 | |
| Provision for other risks | 4,538 | 6,941 | |
| Total | 16,150 | 18,546 | |
| Total provisions for risks and charges | 18,046 | 20,688 |
The provisions for risks and charges mainly include: (i) the provision for other risks, which includes provisions for environmental and tax risks; and (ii) the provision for contractual warranties, which represents an estimate of the costs for the guarantees given in contracts in relation to the supply of the plants and has a value of Euro 11,927
thousand for the year 2023 (Euro 11,784 thousand as at December 31, 2022).
The provision for other risks, as at December 31, 2023, amounted to Euro 6,119 thousand (Euro 8,904 thousand as at December 31, 2022). The changes fort he financial year ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:
| Provision for contractual warranties |
Provision for other risks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | 11,784 | 8,904 | ||
| Accrual of the year | 7,892 | 3,719 | ||
| Utilization and releases of the year | -7,139 | -6,480 | ||
| Exchange rate differences | -610 | -24 | ||
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | 11,927 | 6,119 |
| As of December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Non-current | |||
| Bank loans and borrowings | 115,887 | 262,741 | |
| Lease payables | 17,829 | 4,803 | |
| Total | 133,716 | 267,544 | |
| Current | |||
| Bank overdrafts | 105 | 282 | |
| Bank loans and borrowings | 6,397 | 11,740 | |
| Lease payables | 3,697 | 1,633 | |
| Total | 10,199 | 13,655 | |
| Total financial liabilities | 143,915 | 281,199 |
The table below shows the details of
bank loans and borrowings and bank overdrafts.
| As of December 31 2023 | As of December 31 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | Non Current | Current | Total | Non Current | Current | Total |
| Pool Financing (IDN) | 79,776 | - | 79,776 | 178,772 | - | 178,772 |
| Pool Financing (De Nora Holdings US Inc) |
36,111 | - | 36,111 | 83,969 | 10 | 83,979 |
| Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Co. (De Nora Permelec Ltd) |
- | - | - | - | 9,953 | 9,953 |
| Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (De Nora Permelec Ltd) |
- | - | - | - | 355 | 355 |
| Bank of Yokohama (De Nora Permelec Ltd) |
- | - | - | - | 1,422 | 1,422 |
| Mizuho Bank (De Nora Permelec Ltd) |
- | 6,397 | 6,397 | - | - | - |
| Overdrafts and accrued finance expenses |
- | 105 | 105 | - | 282 | 282 |
| Total | 115,887 | 6,502 | 122,389 | 262,741 | 12,022 | 274,763 |
As at December 31, 2023 and 2022, the fair value of bank loans and borrowings approximates their book value to the amortized cost.
Considering the financial resources of the Group, at the end of the first quarter of 2023 the decision was taken to repay part of these loans in advance, in particular the repayment concerned Euro 100,000 thousand of the loan facility in Euro granted to Industrie De Nora S.p.A. and USD 50,000 thousand of the USD loan facility granted to De Nora Holdings US Inc. Therefore, as at December 31, 2023 these credit lines remain open for Euro 80,000 thousand and USD 40,000 thousand, respectively, and are shown under financial liabilities net of upfront fees and other charges directly related to the taking out of loans that, paid at the date of stipulation of the loan agreement, are presented in the financial statements as a reduction of the total payable according to the amortized cost criterion.
The pool loan considers interest rates based on the 3month Euribor for the Euro portion and on the SOFR for the USD portion, in addition to a margin that may change semi-annually, based on the evolution of the Group's Leverage level. The "leverage ratio," given by the ratio of consolidated net debt to consolidated EBITDA, is the only financial covenant included in the loan agreement, and it is stipulated that it cannot exceed a value of 3.5 throughout the term of the agreement. As at December 31, 2023, this parameter was largely met. Non-compliance with the financial covenant is considered an event of default or non-performance. Specifically, an event of default or non-performance would result in the banks' discretion to require immediate repayment of funds unless
the situation is remedied, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the loan agreement, within 20 business days of the submission of the certification of such financial covenant.
The short-term loan facility with Mizuho Bank was subscribed by De Nora Permelec Ltd. for a total of JPY 1.5 billion and used as at December 31, 2023 for a total of JPY 1 billion (Euro 6,397 thousand).
These represent the financial liabilities recognized in accordance with IFRS 16 "Leasing"; in particular, the payable is the obligation to make the payments foreseen over the duration of the contract. For additional information on the contractual maturities of lease payables, please refer to Note 36 - Risks.
The significant increase in lease payables in 2023 is a consequence of the new lease contracts signed during the year, including a ten-year lease contract for a building in Germany by the subsidiary De Nora Deutschland.
The following table details the composition of the Group's net financial indebtedness (Net liquidity) determined in accordance with the provisions of the CONSOB Communication DEM/6064293 of July 28, 2006, as amended by CONSOB Communication No. 5/21 of April 29, 2021 and in accordance with ESMA Recommendations contained in Guidelines 32-382-1138 of March 4, 2021 on disclosure requirements under the Prospectus Regulation (the "Net Financial Indebtedness - ESMA"). The table below includes figures as at December 31, 2023 and as at December 31, 2022.
| As of December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| A | Cash | 192,628 | 170,667 |
| B | Cash equivalents | 5,863 | 3,462 |
| C | Other current financial assets | 13,642 | 158,392 |
| D | Liquidity (A + B + C) | 212,133 | 332,521 |
| E | Current financial debt | 6,502 | 12,022 |
| F | Current portion of non-current financial debt | 3,697 | 1,633 |
| G | Current financial indebtedness (E + F) | 10,199 | 13,655 |
| - Of which secured | - | - | |
| - Of which unsecured | 10,199 | 13,655 | |
| H | Net current financial indebtedness/ (Net current Liquidity) (G - D) |
(201,934) | (318,866) |
| I | Non-current financial debt | 133,716 | 267,544 |
| J | Debt instruments | - | - |
| K | Non-current trade and other payables | - | - |
| L | Non-current financial indebtedness (I + J + K) | 133,716 | 267,544 |
| - Of which secured | - | - | |
| - Of which unsecured | 133,716 | 267,544 | |
| M | Net Financial Indebtedness/ (Net Liquidity) - ESMA (H + L) |
(68,218) | (51,322) |
The reconciliation between the Net Financial Indebtedness (Net Liquidity) - ESMA and the net financial indebtedness of the Group as monitored by the Group (hereinafter the "Net Financial Indebtness (Net Liquidity) – De Nora") as at December 31, 2023 and 2022, is shown below.
| As of December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Net Financial Indebtedness /(Net Liquidity) - ESMA | (68,218) | (51,322) |
| Fair value of derivatives covering currency risks | (543) | (644) |
| Net Financial Indebtedness /(Net Liquidity) – De Nora | (68,761) | (51,966) |
In 2023, Net Liquidity - ESMA increased by Euro 16,896 thousand, from Euro 51,322 thousand as at December 31, 2022 to Euro 68,218 thousand as at December 31, 2023. This improvement is mainly attributable to the combined effect of the following factors:
For further details on the cash flows for the period, please refer to the consolidated cash flow statement.
The table below shows the detail of trade payables as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| As of December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Non-current | ||
| Third parties | 86 | 83 |
| Total non-current payables | 86 | 83 |
| Current | ||
| Third parties | 105,740 | 79,665 |
| Related parties | 1,012 | 889 |
| Total current payables | 106,752 | 80,554 |
Trade payables as at December 31, 2023 amounted to a total of Euro 106,838 thousand, including the current and non-current portions, an increase compared to Euro 80,637 thousand as at December 31, 2022.
This item mainly includes payables related to the purchase of goods and services, which are due within twelve months. It is deemed that the carrying amount of trade payables is close to their fair value.
Current income tax payables as at December 31, 2023 amounted to Euro 19,196 thousand (Euro 10,970 thousand as at December 31, 2022).
The table below shows the detail of the other payables as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| As of December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Non-current | |||
| Payables to employees | 1,696 | 1,357 | |
| Tax payables | - | 263 | |
| Advances from customers | 4 | 4 | |
| Other - third parties | 484 | 316 | |
| Other - related parties | 47 | 444 | |
| Total | 2,231 | 2,384 | |
| Current | |||
| Advances from customers | 17,659 | 34,482 | |
| Advances from related parties | 38,603 | 33,024 | |
| Accrued expenses | 6,201 | 6,322 | |
| Payables to employees | 16,852 | 16,493 | |
| Social security payables | 2,687 | 2,524 | |
| Withholding tax payables | 1,190 | 1,810 | |
| VAT payables | 777 | 2,745 | |
| Other tax payables | 1,826 | 1,963 | |
| Other - third parties | 3,098 | 2,254 | |
| Other - related parties | 28 | - | |
| Total | 88,921 | 101,617 | |
| Total Other payables | 91,152 | 104,001 |
Other payables as at December 31, 2023 amounted to Euro 91,152 thousand between the current and non-current portions, down compared to Euro 104,001 thousand as at December 31, 2022.
Payables to employees relate to amounts accrued but not yet liquidated, such as vacations and bonuses.
In the context of business risks, the main financial risks identified, monitored and, as specified below, actively managed by the Group, are the following:
The Group's objective is to maintain, over time, a balanced management of its financial exposure, in order to guarantee a liability structure that is balanced with the composition of the assets on the statement of financial position and able to ensure the necessary operating flexibility through the use of the liquidity generated by current operations and the use of bank loans.
The Group considers risk monitoring and control systems a top priority to guarantee an efficient risk management. In line with this objective, the Group has adopted a risk management system with formalized strategies, policies and procedures to ensure the identification, measurement and control of individual risks at centralized level for the entire Group.
The Group's financial risk management policies aim to:
management of risks is based;
— identify the types of transactions for which risks can be hedged.
The following note provides qualitative and quantitative reference information on the incidence of these risks on the Group.
Credit risk is the risk that a customer or one of the counterparties to a financial instrument causes a financial loss by not meeting an obligation. It mainly arises from the Group's trade receivables and financial investments.
The Group manages its exposure to the credit risk inherent in the possibility of default and/or deterioration of the creditworthiness of its customers by evaluating each individual counterparty through a dedicated organizational structure, equipped with the appropriate tools to constantly monitor, on a daily basis, the behavior and creditworthiness of its customers.
Credit risk is mainly due to the possibility that customers will not honor their payables to the companies of the Group at the agreed due date.
The Group has had long-term business relationships with most of its customers and losses on receivables have, in general, had a very limited impact on revenue. The Group monitors customer credit risk through reporting, which entails an analysis of exposure on the basis of the characteristics of the receivable, also considering geographical location, the business channel, the age of the receivable and past payment history.
The Group accrues a bad debt provision
that reflects estimated potential losses on trade and other receivables, the main components of which are specific individual losses on significant past due receivables and collective losses on classes of receivables grouped by due date, based on historical experience.
This item includes investments in the equities of listed companies, high quality corporate bonds and equity
and bond funds. Given their nature and credit rating, credit risk relating to potential non-fulfillment by the issuers of financial instruments recognized as assets is negligible.
The carrying amount of the financial assets reflects the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk.
The following table provides the credit exposure details for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Trade receivables | 141,927 | 123,421 |
| Investments in financial assets | 16,790 | 10,945 |
| Other receivables | 56,094 | 199,054 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 198,491 | 174,129 |
| Total | 413,302 | 507,549 |
Given the nature, characteristics and diversification of bonds, bond and monetary funds and shares to which the "Investments in financial assets" refer, changes in fair value during the year and cumulative changes in fair value
are not believed to be dependent on changes in the credit risk of the related issuers.
An ageing analysis of the trade receivables for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:
| As of December 31 | % Overdue as ofDecember 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| (in ¤ thousands, except percentages) | ||||
| Not yet due | 101,849 | 85,700 | 71.8% | 69.4% |
| Overdue 1-30 days | 23,759 | 19,009 | 16.7% | 15.4% |
| Overdue 31-120 days | 9,752 | 12,934 | 6.9% | 10.5% |
| Overdue more than 120 days | 6,567 | 5,778 | 4.6% | 4.7% |
| Trade receivables | 141,927 | 123,421 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
The Group believes there are no reasons to assume the uncollectability of the past due trade receivables, where specific provisions have not been made on the basis of specific recoverability assessments.
Liquidity risk is represented by the possibility that the Group is unable to find the financial resources necessary to guarantee current operations and the fulfillment of expiring obligations, or that they are available at high costs.
The Group's approach to manage liquidity risk entails ensuring, insofar as possible, that it always has sufficient funds to meet its obligations at the due date, under both normal conditions and at times of financial tension, without having to incur exorbitant expense or to risk damaging its reputation.
Generally, the Group ensures that there is sufficient cash on hand to cover the needs generated by the operating and investment cycle, including the management of the financial cycle.
The management of financial requirements and related risks is carried out by the individual companies of the De Nora Group on the basis of guidelines defined by the corporate function of the Company.
The parent company's Finance Department centrally manages the short- and long-term loan strategies, relationships with the main financing banks and the provision of the necessary guarantees. It also centrally defines any hedging policies to be implemented for financial risks. Centralized management by the parent company's Finance Department is aimed at achieving a balanced financial structure and maintaining the Group's financial soundness.
The main aim of these guidelines is to ensure that liabilities are always balanced by assets such to maintain a very sound financial position.
The contractual due dates of financial liabilities, including derivatives, are indicated below for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
| Due date | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrying amount |
Contractual cash flows* |
0-12 months |
1-2 years | 2-3 years | 3-5 years | Over 5 years |
|||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||||
| Financial liabilities | |||||||||
| Bank loans and overdrafts | 122,389 | 122,701 | 12,859 | 6,339 | 6,339 | 118,353 | - | ||
| Lease payables | 21,526 | 21,526 | 3,697 | 3,023 | 2,494 | 4,208 | 8,104 | ||
| Trade payables | 106,838 | 106,838 | 106,752 | 86 | - | - | - | ||
| Other | 91,152 | 91,152 | 88,921 | 2,231 | - | - | - | ||
| Total financial liabilities | 341,905 | 342,217 | 212,229 | 11,679 | 8,833 | 122,561 | 8,104 |
* The difference between the book value of total bank loans and borrowings and bank overdrafts and the related contractual cash flows is due to the Upfront Fees which, paid on the date of stipulation of the loan agreement, are recognized in the financial statements as a decrease of the total amount payable according to the amortized cost criterion. Furthermore, the amounts maturing for bank loans and borrowings and bank overdrafts include both principal and interest. Specifically, the interest has been estimated on the Pool Financing Pool of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. and of De Nora Holdings US Inc. based on the conditions existing at the closing date of the fiscal year.
| As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Due date | |||||||||||
| Carrying amount |
Contractual cash flows* |
0-12 months |
1-2 years | 2-3 years | 3-5 years | Over 5 years |
|||||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||||||
| Financial liabilities | |||||||||||
| Bank loans and overdrafts | 274,763 | 276,402 | 12,022 | - | - | 264,380 | - | ||||
| Lease payables | 6,436 | 6,436 | 1,633 | 1,442 | 1,018 | 1,180 | 1,163 | ||||
| Trade payables | 80,637 | 80,637 | 80,554 | 83 | - | - | - | ||||
| Other | 104,001 | 104,001 | 101,617 | 2,384 | - | - | - | ||||
| Total financial liabilities | 465,837 | 467,476 | 195,826 | 3,909 | 1,018 | 265,560 | 1,163 |
* The difference between the book value of total bank loans and borrowings and bank overdrafts and the related contractual cash flows is due to the Upfront Fees which, paid on the date of stipulation of the loan agreement, are recognized in the financial statements as a decrease of the total amount payable according to the amortized cost criterion.
Management believes that currently available funds and credit facilities, in addition to the cash flows that will be generated by operating and financing activities, will enable the Group to meet its cash requirements as a result of investing activities, the management of working capital and the repayment of liabilities when they fall due.
The management of the Group's funding is aimed at guaranteeing a solid credit rating and adequate levels of indicators to support the investment plans, in compliance with the contractual commitments undertaken with the lenders.
The Group provides itself with the necessary capital to finance its business development and operational requirements. The sources of financing are a balanced mix of risk capital and debt capital, to ensure a balanced financial structure and minimize the overall cost of capital, to the benefit of all stakeholders.
The return on risk capital is monitored on the basis of market trends and business performance, once all other obligations, including debt service, have been met. Therefore, in order to ensure an adequate return on capital, safeguard business continuity and business development,
the Group constantly monitors the evolution of the level of debt in relation to equity, business performance and expected cash flows in the short and medium-long term.
Market risk is the risk that the future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market prices, exchange rates and interest rates or other price risks. The aim of market risk management is to manage and control the Group's exposure to such risk within acceptable levels, while optimizing the return on investments.
The Group trades in derivatives in the course of its normal operations and takes on financial liabilities to manage market risk. These transactions are performed to manage volatility in results and, accordingly, they have no speculative purpose.
The Group operates internationally both as buyer of goods and services and as seller of goods and services. Accordingly, it is exposed to currency risk arising from fluctuations in the currencies in which it carries out commercial transactions, particularly the US dollar. The Group's policy is to maintain a consistent balance between assets and receivables
and liabilities and payables in the same foreign currency.
As at December 31, 2023, the Group had currency derivative contracts in place against USD denominated loans. 2023 See Note 21 for further details.
With reference to these loans, the effect of a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable change of five percentage points in the USD/Euro exchange rate would result in an impact on the income statement of Euro 3.4 million in the financial year ended December, 31 2023.
For investments in financial assets, interest rate risk particularly relates to the effects that changes in interest rates have on their price; impairment losses and revaluation of these assets are debited/credited to the income statement or, alternatively, directly to equity. Conversely, with respect to financial liabilities, the risk of changes in interest rates impacts profit or loss by generating lower or higher finance expenses.
Most of the Group's financial instruments bear interest at variable rates.
The position of the Group for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 has been summarized in the table below.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Financial liabilities (*) | (122,701) | (276,402) | |
| Hedged financial liabilities | - | - | |
| Fixed rate financial liabilities | - | 11,730 | |
| Financial liabilities exposed to interest rate risk | (122,701) | (264,672) | |
| Financial assets exposed to interest rate risk | 204,215 | 179,052 | |
| Total | 81,514 | (85,620) |
(*) The value of the financial liabilities shown in the table relates to the contractual cash flows and therefore differs from the carrying amount due to the Upfront Fees, which are paid at the date of the loan agreement and are recognized in the statement of financial position as a reduction of the overall debto.
The effect of a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable variation of one percentage point in the level of interest rates would result in a negative impact on the income statement of around Euro 1.2 milion in the financial year ended December 31, 2023, compared to Euro 2.6 milion in the fiancial year ended December 31, 2022.
The Group is exposed to price risk in respect of purchases and sales of strategic materials and components, the purchase price of which is subject to market volatility. In particular, during the last three-year period, several industries, including those from which the Group sources its supplies, have experienced an increase in the price of strategic materials, other basic raw materials and advanced strategic components, which has led to a rapid increase in prices, a consequent increase in purchasing costs as well as issues in the supply chain. In order to cope with these difficulties, the Group proceeded with increased purchases of strategic materials, which led to an increase in inventories and consequently
negatively affected the Group's net financial position.
Thanks to the fact that part of the contracts signed with customers provide for an adjustment of sales prices based on changes in the cost of strategic materials, and thanks to the commercial power that allows the Group to pass on increases in costs to sales prices (pass-through), the Group was able to avoid negative effects on its economic situation.
Other price risks also relate to the possibility that the fair value of a financial instrument may change for reasons other than interest or exchange rates fluctuations. The Group is exposed to price risk as it holds equity instruments (shares) recognized under investments in financial assets. Given the negligible absolute values of the Group's financial instruments, a sensitivity analysis is deemed not necessary.
The table below indicates the carrying amount of each financial asset and liability recognized in the statement of financial position.
In addition, the following table classifies the financial assets and liabilities, designated at fair value, on the basis of the specific measurement method used. The different levels have been defined as described below:
The financial instruments in these consolidated financial statements belong to all three levels.
The following tables provide a breakdown of financial assets and liabilities by category, in accordance with IFRS 9, as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| Classification and fair value as of December 31, 2023 |
Carrying amount | Fair Value | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | Notes | Loans and receiva bles |
Invest ments in financial assets - Fair value |
Deri va-tives at fair value |
Other financial liabilities |
Total | Livel 1 | Livel 2 | Livel 3 |
| Financial assets | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
28 | 198,491 | - | - | - | 198,491 | - | - | - |
| Trade and other receivables |
26/27 | 197,988 | - | - | - | 197,988 | - | - | - |
| Financial assets including derivatives |
21 | 32 | 16,790 | 543 | - | 17,365 | 5,209 | 543 | 11,581 |
| 396,511 | 16,790 | 543 | - | 413,844 | 5,209 | 543 | 11,581 | ||
| Financial liabilities | |||||||||
| Bank loans and borrowings, and Bank overdrafts |
32 | - | - | - | 122,389 | 122,389 | - | - | - |
| Loans and borrowing - Other fin. Institution |
32 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Lease payables | 32 | - | - | - | 21,526 | 21,526 | - | - | - |
| Trade and other payables |
33/34/35 | - | - | - | 217,735 | 217,735 | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | 361,650 | 361,650 | - | - | - |
| Classification and fair value as of December 31, 2022 |
Carrying amount | Fair Value | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | Notes | Loans and receiva bles |
Invest ments in financial assets - Fair value |
Deri va-tives at fair value |
Other financial liabilities |
Total | Livel 1 | Livel 2 | Livel 3 | |
| Financial assets | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
28 | 174,129 | - | - | - | 174,129 | - | - | - | |
| Trade and other receivables |
26/27 | 170,418 | - | - | - | 170,418 | - | - | - | |
| Financial assets including derivatives |
21 | 152,057 | 10,945 | 644 | - | 163,646 | 4,288 | 644 | 6,657 | |
| 496,604 | 10,945 | 644 | - | 508,193 | 4,288 | 644 | 6,657 | |||
| Financial liabilities | ||||||||||
| Bank loans and borrowings, and Bank overdrafts |
32 | - | - | - | 274,763 | 274,763 | - | - | - | |
| Lease payables | 32 | - | - | - | 6,436 | 6,436 | - | - | - | |
| Trade and other payables |
33/34/35 | - | - | - | 195,608 | 195,608 | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | 476,807 | 476,807 | - | - | - |
The information relating to business segments was prepared in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 8 "Operating segments" (hereinafter "IFRS 8"), which require that the provided information is consistent with the reports submitted to the highest operational decision-making level for the purpose of making decisions regarding the resources to be allocated to the sector and assessing the related results. In particular, the Group identifies the following three operational business segments:
In support of these business segments there are the so-called Corporate activities, whose costs are entirely allocated to the segments.
The following tables show the economic information by business segment for
the financial years 2023 and 2022.
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Segment Electrode Technologies |
Segment Water Technologies |
Segment Energy Transition |
||||||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||||
| Revenue | 856,411 | 464,214 | 289,962 | 102,235 | |||||
| Royalties and commissions | (9,544) | (6,279) | (3,182) | (83) | |||||
| Cost of goods sold | (555,158) | (291,115) | (195,065) | (68,978) | |||||
| Selling expenses | (30,115) | (8,920) | (18,894) | (2,301) | |||||
| G&A expenses | (52,048) | (23,503) | (23,536) | (5,009) | |||||
| R&D expenses | (15,966) | (2,834) | (2,671) | (10,461) | |||||
| Other operating income (expenses) |
9,203 | 4,090 | 4,772 | 341 | |||||
| Corporate costs allocation to business segments |
(31,754) | (16,715) | (11,250) | (3,789) | |||||
| EBITDA | 171,029 | 118,938 | 40,136 | 11,955 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (30,617) | ||||||||
| Impairment | (8,918) | ||||||||
| Provisions for risks and charges | 5,424 | ||||||||
| Operating profit - EBIT | 136,918 | ||||||||
| Share of profit of equity accounted investees |
5,435 | ||||||||
| Finance income | 145,018 | ||||||||
| Finance expenses | (22,090) | ||||||||
| Profit before tax | 265,281 | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | (34,231) | ||||||||
| Profit for the period | 231,050 |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Segment Electrode Technologies |
Segment Water Technologies |
Segment Energy Transition |
|||||
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||||||
| Revenue | 852,826 | 473,444 | 336,719 | 42,663 | ||||
| Royalties and commissions | (11,054) | (8,639) | (2,281) | (134) | ||||
| Cost of goods sold | (533,381) | (296,398) | (209,183) | (27,800) | ||||
| Selling expenses | (30,553) | (9,601) | (19,927) | (1,025) | ||||
| G&A expenses | (49,992) | (19,886) | (27,925) | (2,181) | ||||
| R&D expenses | (12,897) | (3,180) | (1,533) | (8,184) | ||||
| Other operating income (expenses) |
579 | 38 | 184 | 357 | ||||
| Corporate costs allocation to business segments |
(30,992) | (17,050) | (12,423) | (1,519) | ||||
| MIP allocation | (19,360) | (10,748) | (7,644) | (968) | ||||
| EBITDA | 165,176 | 107,980 | 55,987 | 1,209 | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (28,123) | |||||||
| Impairment | (8,988) | |||||||
| Provisions for risks and charges | (2,256) | |||||||
| Operating profit - EBIT | 125,809 | |||||||
| Share of profit of equity accounted investees |
(1,196) | |||||||
| Finance income | 23,505 | |||||||
| Finance expenses | (27,688) | |||||||
| Profit before tax | 120,430 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | (30,765) | |||||||
| Profit for the period | 89,665 |
The following table illustrates the capital expenditures by business segment for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| Group | Segment Electrode Technologies |
Segment Water Technologies |
Segment Energy Transition |
Not Allocated |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment (*) | 81,000 | 42,605 | 2,418 | 30,438 | 5,539 |
| Intangible assets | 7,496 | 2,812 | 3,785 | 899 | - |
| Total Investments 2023 | 88,496 | 45,417 | 6,203 | 31,337 | 5,539 |
| 2022 | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment (*) | 38,116 | 28,029 | 2,074 | 7,539 | 474 |
| Intangible assets | 8,026 | 1,940 | 5,941 | 104 | 41 |
| Total Investments 2022 | 46,142 | 29,969 | 8,015 | 7,643 | 515 |
(*) It does not include increases related to the rights of use of Property, Plant and Equipment.
Not allocated capital expenditures include mainly the acquisition of a disused industrial area adjacent to the existing area of Via Bistolfi 35, Milan. The objective of this acquisition is to host new offices, laboratories, and co-working spaces, improving the Milan headquarters by creating a "campus" and enabling the planned increase of the workforce.
In accordance with the provisions of IFRS 8, paragraph 34, it should also be noted that for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was only one customer (tk nucera) related to the Electrode Technologies and Energy Transition business segments that generated revenues exceeding 10% of the total, amounting to Euro 209,829 thousand and Euro 148,286 thousand, respectively. For more details, see Note 38.
The table below shows the non-current assets, other than financial assets and deferred tax assets, by geographical area as at December 31, 2023 and 2022, allocated on the basis of the country in which the assets are located.
| As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | EMEIA, excluding Italy |
APAC | AMS | Total | |||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||
| Intangible assets | 5,289 | 6,020 | 14,865 | 89,613 | 115,787 | ||
| Property, plant and equipment | 50,017 | 54,269 | 85,627 | 64,360 | 254,273 | ||
| Other receivables | 6,240 | 36 | 1,031 | 53 | 7,360 | ||
| Total | 61,546 | 60,325 | 101,523 | 154,026 | 377,420 |
| Italy | EMEIA, excluding Italy |
APAC | AMS | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||
| Intangible assets | 8,482 | 4,570 | 17,263 | 101,237 | 131,552 | ||
| Property, plant and equipment | 26,903 | 27,471 | 69,725 | 60,078 | 184,177 | ||
| Other receivables | 8,169 | 15 | 783 | 63 | 9,030 | ||
| Total | 43,554 | 32,056 | 87,771 | 161,378 | 324,759 |
Transactions with related parties, as defined by IAS 24 - Related Party Disclosures, mainly relate to commercial, administrative and financial transactions. They are carried out as part of ordinary operations, within the scope of the core business of each party and take place on an arm's length basis. In particular, the Group has relations with the following related parties:
— the direct parent company, Federico De Nora S.p.A. (the "Parent Company");
The table below details the statement of financial position values referring to the related party transactions as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| (in ¤ thousands) | Parent Company |
Associates | Other - related parties |
Total | Total statement of financial position item |
As percentage of Total statement of financial position item |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other non-current receivables | ||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | - | - | 52 | 52 | 7,360 | 0.7% |
| As of December 31, 2022 | - | - | 52 | 52 | 9,030 | 0.6% |
| Current tax assets | ||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | - | - | - | - | 10,310 | 0.0% |
| As of December 31, 2022 | 376 | - | - | 376 | 4,893 | 7.7% |
| Current trade receivables | ||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | 14 | 26,474 | 236 | 26,724 | 141,927 | 18.8% |
| As of December 31, 2022 | 17 | 7,250 | - | 7,267 | 123,421 | 5.9% |
| Other current receivables | ||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | - | - | 18 | 18 | 38,391 | 0.0% |
| As of December 31, 2022 | - | - | - | - | 33,074 | 0.0% |
| Other non-current payables | ||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | - | 47 | - | 47 | 2,231 | 2.1% |
| As of December 31, 2022 | - | 444 | - | 444 | 2,383 | 18.6% |
| Current trade payables | ||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | 65 | 732 | 215 | 1,012 | 106,752 | 0.9% |
| As of December 31, 2022 | 25 | 775 | 89 | 889 | 80,554 | 1.1% |
| Other current payables | ||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | - | 38,603 | 28 | 38,631 | 88,921 | 43.4% |
| As of December 31, 2022 | - | 33,024 | - | 33,024 | 101,617 | 32.5% |
Transactions with related parties reported in the Statement of Financial Position are related to Associates: relate to current trade receivables amounting to Euro 26,474 thousand as at December 31, 2023, compared to Euro 7,250 thousand as at December 31, 2022; these receivables refer mainly to the sale of electrodes under the "Toll Manufacturing and Services Agreement" initially stipulated on April 1, 2015 with tk nucera and subsequently amended.
Similarly, other current payables to associates amounted to Euro 38,603 thousand as at December 31, 2023,
compared to Euro 33,024 thousand as at December 31, 2022, related to advances obtained with reference primarily to the aforementioned supply contract, while trade payables amounting to Euro 732 thousand as at December 31, 2023 compared to Euro 775 thousand as of December 31, 2022 are related to the supply of goods and services by tk nucera.
The table below shows the detail of the economic values relating to transactions with related parties for the financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| (in ¤ thousands) | Parent Company |
Associates | Other - related parties |
Total | Total statement of financial position item |
As percentage of Total statement of financial position item |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | ||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | - | 209,829 | 1,808 | 211,637 | 856,411 | 24.7% |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | - | 148,286 | 38 | 148,324 | 852,826 | 17.4% |
| Other income | ||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | 58 | 1,116 | - | 1,174 | 14,683 | 8.0% |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | 56 | 696 | - | 752 | 6,451 | 11.7% |
| Costs for raw materials, consumables, supplies and goods |
||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | - | 19 | 183 | 202 | 357,991 | 0.1% |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | - | 1,056 | - | 1,056 | 399,904 | 0.3% |
| Costs for services | ||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | 89 | 1,590 | 642 | 2,321 | 178,330 | 1.3% |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | 88 | 499 | 1,030 | 1,617 | 161,819 | 1.0% |
| Personnel expenses | ||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | - | - | 3 | 3 | 143,982 | 0.0% |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 154,561 | 0.0% |
| Other operating expenses | ||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | - | - | 10 | 10 | 11,103 | 0.1% |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | - | - | 3 | 3 | 9,676 | 0.0% |
| Finance expenses | ||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | - | - | - | - | 22,090 | 0.0% |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 27,688 | 0.0% |
The economic relations with the associates mainly relate to revenues, amounting to Euro 209,829 thousand in 2023, compared to Euro 148,286 thousand in 2022, mainly arising from the sale of electrodes under the "Toll Manufacturing and Services Agreement" mentioned above.
In addition to the balance sheet and income statement values with related parties presented in the tables above, the Group has recognized compensation to Top Management for the amount of Euro 5,966 thousand in 2023, compared to Euro 23,281 thousand in 2022, of which Euro 2,030 thousand not yet paid as at December 31, 2023.
The table below shows the breakdown of the aforementioned fees under the cost categories identified by IAS 24.
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Short-term employee benefits | 5,416 | 5,286 |
| Post-employment benefits | 294 | 316 |
| Other long-term benefits | - | - |
| Termination benefits | - | - |
| Share-based payment | 256 | 17,679 |
| Total | 5,966 | 23,281 |
The incidence of senior management's remuneration on total personnel costs was 4.1% in the year ended December 31, 2023 and 15.1% in the year ended December 31, 2022.
With regard to the Board of Directors' and the Statutory Auditors' fees, reference is made to the subsequent paragraph 40.
Pursuant to Consob Communication No. DEM/6064293 of July 28, 2006, information on the impact of non-recurring
events and transactions in the period on the Group's economic and financial results is provided below.
| Income statement |
Equity | Cash Flows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Financial income - Dilution gain on tk nucera equity investment |
115,846 | 115,846 | - |
| Financial income - Gain from disposal of tk nucera shares |
17,377 | 17,377 | 26,439 |
Pursuant to Art. 38 of Italian Legislative Decree 127/91, the fees paid to the directors and statutory auditors of the Company for the performance of their duties, and to the independent auditors' fees for the audit of the consolidated financial statements are detailed below:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Fees to Board of Directors | 1,264 | 819 |
| Fees to Board of Statutory Auditors | 125 | 134 |
| Fees for the audit of the annual and consolidated financial statements (including the activities carried out on the financial statements prepared for the purposes of consolidation by foreign subsidiaries) |
1,658 | 1,660 |
| Fees for other audit services | 157 | 84 |
| Fees for non audit services | 616 | 2,266 |
The company has not undertaken any commitments that have not been redorded in the statement of financial position, except for orders for the purchase of capital assets amounting to Euro 21.6 milion as at December 31, 2023.
As at December 31, 2023, the following guarantees were in place within the Group:
— as security for contractual obligations undertaken by the Group, sureties have been granted by banks or insurance companies to customers amounting to Euro 70,988 thousand, of which Euro 42,625 thousand in relation to the credit lines guaranteed by the parent company as indicated above.
The Group has not assumed any contingent liabilities that have not been recognized in the financial statements.
The law of August 4, 2017, No. 124, titled 'Annual Law for the Market and Competition,' (Legge annuale per il mercato e la concorrenza) which came into effect on August 29, 2017, aims to ensure greater transparency in the financial relationships between public entities and other subjects.
During the fiscal year, the contributions recognized to the Italian companies of the Group, as per Law No. 124/2017, Article 1, paragraph 25, amounted to a total of Euro 250 thousand.
The result for the year and equity of the Company are reconciled with those of the Group taken from the consolidated financial statements in the table below.
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 |
||
|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | Profit of the period |
Equity |
| As for the financial statements of the parent company | 80,386 | 522,364 |
| Dividends collected by the parent company | (36,300) | - |
| Equity-accounted investments in JV/associates | 114,528 | 112,484 |
| Adjusted profit of subsidiaries and difference between adjusted equity of the consolidated companies and relevant carrying amount |
72,413 | 275,317 |
| Consolidated entries of the parent company | 23 | 23 |
| As of the Consolidated Financial Statements of the De Nora Group | 231,050 | 910,188 |
On behalf of the Board of Directors The Chief Executive Officer Paolo Enrico Dellachà
The undersigned Paolo Enrico Dellachà and Massimiliano Moi, in their respective capacities as Chief Executive Officer and Manager responsible for preparing the Company's financial reports of Industrie De Nora S.p.A., hereby certify, also taking into account the provisions of Article 154-bis, paragraphs 3 and 4, of Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998:
It is also certified that:
The consolidated financial statements as at 31 December 2023:
The Directors' Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of operations and of the position of the issuer and of the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties to which it is exposed
Milan, March 18, 2024
Paolo Enrico Dellachà Chief Executive Officer
Massimiliano Moi
Manager responsible for preparing the Company's financial reports

in accordance with article 14 of Legislative Decree No. 39 of 27 January 2010 and article 10 of Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014
To the shareholders of Industrie De Nora SpA
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Industrie De Nora SpA and its subsidiaries (De Nora Group), which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as of 31 December 2023, the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the statement of changes in the net consolidated equity, the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and the notes to the consolidated financial statements, including material accounting policies information.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the De Nora Group as of 31 December 2023, and of the result of its operations and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, as well as with the regulations issued to implement article 9 of Legislative Decree No. 38/2005.
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA Italia). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of this report. We are independent of Industrie De Nora SpA (the Company) pursuant to the regulations and standards on ethics and independence applicable to audits of financial statements under Italian law. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Key Audit Matters Auditing procedures performed in response to key audit matters
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements Part A.2 – Summary of accounting standards and measurement criteria – "Construction contracts", "Revenue from contracts with customers" and "Estimates and assumptions" Part B – Notes to the main financial statements items – Income statement – Note 4 "Revenues" Part C – Notes to the main financial statements items – Statement of equity and financial position – Assets – Note 25 "Construction contracts"
Revenue from contracts with customers of the De Nora Group comprises mainly sales of electrodes and systems, post-sales services and revenue from construction contracts mainly referred to water treatment systems. Revenue generated in 2023 amounts to euro 856.4 million and comprises revenue from sales of goods and services for euro 764.9 million and revenue from construction contracts for euro 91.5 million.
Revenue is recognised in accordance with IFRS 15 – "Revenue from contracts with customers", when control of the goods or services is transferred to the customer.
The contractual obligation of revenue from sales of electrodes, systems and post-sales services is satisfied at a point in time when the customer obtains control of the promised assets, whereas the contractual obligation of revenue from construction contracts is satisfied over time.
Revenue from construction contracts is recognised along the duration of each project based on its percentage of completion. The percentage of completion of each project is determined on the basis of the costs incurred compared to the total costs incurred and to be incurred to complete the project. The correct recognition of construction contracts from projects that are not yet complete assumes, among other things, the correct estimation of the Our audit approach involved, preliminarily, understanding and evaluating the methods and procedures defined by the De Nora Group for the recognition and measurement of revenues in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 15.
Moreover, we understood and evaluated the internal control system over this area and we planned our tests paying special attention to the existence and cut-off of transactions for the sale of goods and services and to the accuracy of estimation of the percentage of completion for construction contracts.
As part of the activities performed:

| Key Audit Matters | Auditing procedures performed in |
|---|---|
| costs to complete, of the effects of any contract modifications and of any extra costs and penalties that could modify the estimated margin. Revenue from contracts with customers is a key audit matter for the consolidated financial statements both in consideration of the materiality of the financial statements line item and the number of underlying transactions, and due to the complexity that may affect the process of estimation of the percentage of completion. |
response to key audit matters - we performed, on a sample basis, external confirmation procedures to obtain evidence supporting the trade receivables recognised; - we analysed, on a sample basis, the correct recognition of returns and credit notes issued and the related year-end accruals; - we analysed the determination of the percentage of completion through recalculation and analyses, on a sample basis, of documentation supporting the contract values of construction contracts, the costs incurred up to the reporting date, and the estimated costs to complete the project. For the purposes of this analysis we also took into account information on events subsequent to the reporting date and held critical discussions with the managers of individual projects so as to obtain additional supporting evidence; - we verified, on a sample basis of construction contracts, the deviation between the estimated costs to complete the project and the actual costs incurred, evaluating the estimates reliability; - we verified, on a sample basis, the correct recognition of construction contracts open at year end and their correct classification in the statement of financial position of construction contracts assets and liabilities; - we verified the accuracy and completeness of disclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. |

| Key Audit Matters | Auditing procedures performed in response to key audit matters |
|---|---|
| Assessment of the recoverability of non current assets |
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements Part A.2 – Summary of accounting standards and measurement criteria –"Impairment of goodwill, property, plant and equipment and intangible assets and right-of-use assets" and "Estimates and assumptions" Part C – Notes to the main financial statements items – Statement of equity and financial position – Assets – Note 18 "Goodwill and intangible assets" and Note 19 "Property, plant and equipment"
De Nora Group non-current assets comprise intangible assets including goodwill for euro 115.8 million and property, plant and equipment for euro 254.3 million.
Those items are measured at cost. Based on IAS 36 "Impairment of assets", property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with finite useful lives are tested for impairment when indicators exist that there may be difficulties in recovering the related net book values through use. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets recoverability, instead, is assessed through impairment tests performed at least annually.
The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use, which is determined by discounting to present value the estimated future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset, including, if significant and reasonably determinable, those from the sale of the asset at the end of its useful life, less any costs of disposal. In determining value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to present value using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money, referred to the period of the investment, and the risks specific to the asset.
Specifically, the configuration of recoverable amount adopted by the Company is value in use, We performed specific analyses to understand and evaluate internal controls over management's evaluations in this area, including the identification of impairment indicators.
We also verified the preliminary analyses performed for the identification of impairment indicators. This was performed also through an analysis of performance recorded in the period against business plans, based on financial projections and through critical discussion with company personnel involved in the valuation process.
Where impairment indicators were identified, and for the impairment testing of goodwill, we obtained an understanding of the valuation criteria adopted by management and verified their consistent application in the process of calculation of the recoverable amount.
We verified the adequacy of the impairment testing model used in accordance with IAS 36 "Impairment of assets" requirements and evaluation practices.
We assessed the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying the calculation of the recoverable amount, also through the involvement of experts from the PwC

determined by discounting to present value the forecast cash flows of the cash generating units (CGUs) or groups of CGUs, for the period of three years after the reporting date, based on the business plan 2024-2026 approved by the Board of Directors on 18 March 2024, and adding a terminal value. The key assumptions used to determine the forecast cash flows of the cash generating units (CGUs) or groups of CGUs are the estimated levels of turnover, EBITDA, operating cash flows, perpetual growth rate and weighted average cost of capital (discount rate), taking into consideration past earnings and financial performance and future expectations.
In the year, impairment losses were recognised on intangible assets for euro 8.1 million and on property, plant and equipment for euro 0.8 million, mainly related to the director decision to close the Marine Technologies business, belonging to the Water Technologies division. As a result of the year-end test, no further impairment was noted.
The assessment of the recoverability of the carrying amounts of fixed assets was a key audit matter for the consolidated financial statements because of the relevance of the amounts involved and the complexity of the process of estimating the recoverable amounts of the CGUs or groups of CGUs as those amounts are based on valuation assumptions that are affected by economic and market conditions subject to uncertainties.
network, verifying the reasonableness of the most relevant financial projections used to determine the future cash flows from the CGUs/groups of CGUs, the discount rates applied, the definition of the terminal value and the mathematical accuracy of the impairment testing model and of CGU/groups of CGUs book value. We verified the deviation between financial projections made in previous years and actual results, evaluating the reliability of estimates. Moreover, we performed sensitivity analyses for the most significant assumptions.
Finally, we verified the adequacy and completeness of disclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
The directors are responsible for the preparation of consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, as well as with the regulations issued to implement article 9 of Legislative Decree No. 38/2005 and, in the terms prescribed by law, for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
The directors are responsible for assessing the Group's ability to continue as a going concern and, in preparing the consolidated financial statements, for the appropriate application of the going concern

basis of accounting, and for disclosing matters related to going concern. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the directors use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate Industrie De Nora SpA or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
The board of statutory auditors is responsible for overseeing, in the terms prescribed by law, the Group's financial reporting process.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA Italia) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the consolidated financial statements.
As part of our audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA Italia), we exercised professional judgement and maintained professional scepticism throughout the audit. Furthermore:

financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion on the consolidated financial statements.
We communicated with those charged with governance, identified at an appropriate level as required by ISA Italia regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identified during our audit.
We also provided those charged with governance with a statement that we complied with the regulations and standards on ethics and independence applicable under Italian law and communicated with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, actions taken to eliminate the related risks, or safeguards applied.
From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determined those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We described these matters in our auditor's report.
On 18 February 2022, the general meeting of the shareholders of Industrie De Nora SpA engaged us to perform the audit of the Company's statutory and consolidated financial statements for the years ending 31 December 2022 to 31 December 2030.
We declare that we did not provide any prohibited non-audit services referred to in article 5, paragraph 1, of Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014 and that we remained independent of the Company in conducting the statutory audit.
We confirm that the opinion on the consolidated financial statements expressed in this report is consistent with the additional report to the board of statutory auditors, in its capacity as audit committee, prepared pursuant to article 11 of the aforementioned Regulation.
The directors of Industrie De Nora SpA are responsible for the application of the provisions of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/815 concerning regulatory technical standards on the specification of a single electronic reporting format ESEF - European Single Electronic Format (the "Commission Delegated Regulation") to the consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2023, to be included in the annual report.
We have performed the procedures specified in auditing standard (SA Italia) No. 700B in order to express an opinion on the compliance of the consolidated financial statements with the provisions of the Commission Delegated Regulation.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2023 have been prepared in XHTML format and have been marked up, in all significant respects, in compliance with the provisions of the Commission Delegated Regulation.
Due to certain technical limitations, some information included in the explanatory notes to the consolidated financial statements when extracted from the XHTML format to an XBRL instance may not be reproduced in an identical manner with respect to the corresponding information presented in the consolidated financial statements in XHTML format.
The directors of Industrie De Nora SpA are responsible for preparing a report on operations and a report on the corporate governance and ownership structure of the De Nora Group as of 31 December 2023, including their consistency with the relevant consolidated financial statements and their compliance with the law.
We have performed the procedures required under auditing standard (SA Italia) No. 720B in order to express an opinion on the consistency of the report on operations and of the specific information included in the report on corporate governance and ownership structure referred to in article 123-bis, paragraph 4, of Legislative Decree No. 58/1998, with the consolidated financial statements of the Industrie De Nora Group as of 31 December 2023 and on their compliance with the law, as well as to issue a statement on material misstatements, if any.
In our opinion, the report on operations and the specific information included in the report on corporate governance and ownership structure mentioned above are consistent with the consolidated financial statements of De Nora Group as of 31 December 2023 and are prepared in compliance with the law.
With reference to the statement referred to in article 14, paragraph 2, letter e), of Legislative Decree No. 39/2010, issued on the basis of our knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have nothing to report.
The directors of Industrie De Nora SpA are responsible for the preparation of the non-financial statement pursuant to Legislative Decree No. 254 of 30 December 2016. We have verified that the directors approved the non-financial statement.
189
CO N S O L I DAT E D F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S

Pursuant to article 3, paragraph 10, of Legislative Decree No. 254 of 30 December 2016, the nonfinancial statement is the subject of a separate statement of compliance issued by ourselves.
Milan, 29 March 2024
PricewaterhouseCoopers SpA
Signed by
Francesco Ronco (Partner)
As disclosed by the Directors, the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the De Nora Group constitute a non-official version which is not compliant with the provisions of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/815. This independent auditor's report has been translated into the English language solely for the convenience of international readers. Accordingly, only the original text in Italian language is authoritative.

Separate Financial Statement Notes to the Separate Financial Statements Management's Certification of the Separate Financial Statements Independent Auditors' Report on the Separate Financial Statements
| Assets | Notes | 31/12/2023 | Of which related parties |
31/12/2022 | Of which related parties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non current assets | |||||
| Intangible Asset | 16 | 1,665,659 | 2,268,816 | ||
| Tangible Asset | 17 | 5,694,384 | 5,194,048 | ||
| Equity-accounted investees | 18 | 337,563,611 | 325,725,647 | ||
| Financial assets, including derivatives | 19 | 12,669,683 | 12,669,683 | 13,125,820 | |
| Other receivables | 20 | 5,153,907 | 7,038,557 | ||
| Deferred tax assets | 21 | 1,291,895 | 423,310 | ||
| Total non current assets | 364,039,139 | 353,776,198 | |||
| Current assets | |||||
| Financial assets, including derivatives | 19 | 112,893,836 | 112,444,224 | 209,335,000 | 71,861,669 |
| Trade receivables | 22 | 56,877,551 | 56,817,141 | 43,225,973 | 42,384,847 |
| Other receivables | 20 | 23,285,372 | 2,545,469 | 14,412,250 | 1,748,139 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 23 | 86,067,346 | 81,930,974 | ||
| Total current assets | 279,124,105 | 348,904,197 | |||
| Total assets | 643,163,244 | 702,680,395 | |||
| Liabilities | Notes | 31/12/2023 | Of which related parties |
31/12/2022 | Of which related parties |
| Equity | 24 | ||||
| Share capital | 18,268,204 | 18,268,204 | |||
| Legal reserve | 3,653,641 | 3,357,345 | |||
| Share premium | 223,432,730 | 223,432,730 | |||
| Other reserves | 196,622,850 | 225,955,133 | |||
| Profit /(Loss) for the period | 80,386,406 | 11,814,300 | |||
| Total Equity | 522,363,831 | 482,827,712 | |||
| Non current liabilities | |||||
| Employee benefits | 25 | 3,647,068 | 3,627,094 | ||
| Financial liabilities, net of current portion |
26 | 82,006,275 | 181,008,467 | ||
| Other payables | 29 | 168,284 | 67,124 | ||
| Total non-current liabilities | 85,821,627 | 184,702,685 | |||
| Current liabilities | |||||
| Financial liabilities, current portion | 26 | 3,578,947 | 3,156,057 | 14,346,654 | 13,864,619 |
| Trade payables | 27 | 14,947,453 | 8,440,500 | 12,067,731 | 4,751,952 |
| Income tax payable | 28 | 10,405,731 | 2,319,772 | ||
| Other payables | 29 | 6,045,655 | 1,808,891 | 6,415,841 | 1,656,533 |
| Total current liabilities | 34,977,786 | 35,149,998 | |||
| Total equity and liabilities | 643,163,244 | 702,680,395 |
| Notes | 2023 | Of which related parties |
2022 | Of which related parties |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤) | |||||
| Other income | 4 | 79,702,865 | 78,897,265 | 78,879,401 | 78,243,980 |
| Costs for raw materials, consumables, supplies and goods |
5 | (1,320,112) | (1,291,739) | ||
| Personnel expenses | 6 | (16,885,995) | (262,164) | (28,262,017) | (12,298,569) |
| (of which Management Incentive Plan MIP) |
6 | - | - | (13,451,949) | (12,239,070) |
| Costs for services | 7 | (31,504,621) | (10,885,303) | (30,755,163) | (8,127,469) |
| Other operating expenses | 8 | (1,182,444) | (372,651) | ||
| Amortization and depreciation | 9 | (1,721,207) | (1,832,708) | ||
| Impairment (losses)/revaluations and provisions for risks and charges |
10 | - | (20,658,000) | ||
| Operating profit | 27,088,486 | (4,292,877) | |||
| Income from Equity investments | 11 | 59,094,777 | 36,300,000 | 17,670,000 | 17,670,000 |
| Finance income | 12 | 10,691,240 | 6,116,822 | 12,582,980 | 2,262,263 |
| Finance expenses | 13 | (10,085,036) | (404,101) | (11,414,307) | (140,018) |
| Profit before tax | 86,789,467 | 14,545,796 | |||
| Income tax expense | 14/15 | (6,403,061) | (2,731,496) | ||
| Profit/(Loss) for the period | 80,386,406 | 11,814,300 | |||
| Profit (losses) from discontinuing operations |
- | - | |||
| Profit/(Loss) for the period | 80,386,406 | 11,814,300 |
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤) | |||||
| Profit/(Loss) for the period | 80,386,406 | 11,814,300 | |||
| Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss: | |||||
| Actuarial reserve | (69,736) | 255,998 | |||
| Tax effect | 16,737 | (61,440) | |||
| Total items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss, net of the tax effect (A) |
(52,999) | 194,558 | |||
| Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: | |||||
| Effective portion of the change in fair value of financial instruments hedging cash flows, net of tax effect |
- | (54,726) | |||
| Tax effect | - | - | |||
| Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss, net of the tax effect (B) |
- | (54,726) | |||
| Total other comprehensive income net of the tax effects (A) + (B) | (52,999) | 139,832 | |||
| Profit/(Loss) of comprehensive income for the period | 80,333,407 | 11,954,132 |
| Notes | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤) | |||
| Cash flows from operating activities | |||
| Profit for the period | 80,386,406 | 11,814,300 | |
| Adjustments for: | |||
| Amortization and depreciation | 9 | 1,721,207 | 1,832,708 |
| Share based payments | 6 | 262,164 | 13,516,706 |
| Release of provisions | - | (109,000) | |
| Write down of investements | 10 | - | 20,751,400 |
| Finance expenses | 13 | 10,085,036 | 11,414,307 |
| Finance income | 12 | (10,691,240) | (12,582,980) |
| Dividends | 11 | (59,094,777) | (17,670,000) |
| (Gains) losses on the sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |
8 | (850) | 1,413 |
| Income tax expense | 14/15 | 6,403,061 | 2,731,496 |
| Change in trade receivables and other receivables | 20/22 | (18,266,768) | (25,364,325) |
| Change in trade payables and other payables | 27/29 | 837,459 | 5,519,979 |
| Change in provisions and employee benefits | 25 | (49,763) | 185,313 |
| Cash flows generated by operating activities | 11,591,935 | 12,041,317 | |
| Interest and net other finance expenses paid | 13 | (6,546,305) | (10,497,994) |
| Interest and net other finance income collected | 12 | 7,449,373 | 8,662,099 |
| Income tax paid | 938,079 | (740,955) | |
| Net cash flows generated (used in) by operating activities | 13,433,082 | 9,464,467 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||
| Investments in tangible assets | 17 | (1,098,745) | (1,204,074) |
| Investments in intangible assets | 16 | (125,192) | (584,552) |
| Investments in subsidiaries | 18 | (15,700,000) | (7,151,000) |
| Investments in equity accounted investees | 18 | 26,841,300 | - |
| Investments in financial activities | 19 | 86,188,739 | (150,000,000) |
| Dividends collected | 11 | 36,300,000 | 17,670,000 |
| Net cash flows used in investing activities | 132,406,102 | (141,269,626) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||
| Dividends paid | (24,202,221) | (20,000,000) | |
| Buyback Shares | (17,041,717) | - | |
| New loans | 26 | - | 178,608,970 |
| Repayments of loans | 26 | (100,005,715) | (221,000,000) |
| Increase (decrease) in other financial liabilities | 26 | (453,159) | (526,401) |
| (Increase) decrease in financial assets | 19 | - | 67,792,122 |
| Share capital increase | 24 | - | 196,839,988 |
| Net cash flows generated by (used in) financing activities | (141,702,812) | 201,714,679 | |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 4,136,372 | 69,909,521 | |
| Opening cash and cash equivalents | 23 | 81,930,974 | 12,021,453 |
| Closing cash and cash equivalents | 23 | 86,067,346 | 81,930,974 |
| (in ¤) | Share capital |
Legal reserve |
Share premium |
Revaluation reserve ex art. 55 DPR 497 |
Fair value reserve – Cash flow hedges |
Retained earnings |
Actuarial gain/losses reserve |
IFRS Reserve |
Other reserves |
Reserve for treasury shares |
Profit for the period |
Total Equity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distributable reserves |
B | B | ABC | B | AB | ABC | B | ABC | ABC | |||
| Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
16,786,723 | 3,357,345 | 24,914,223 | 264,760 | 54,726 | 192,991,847 | (412,070) | 7,166,735 | - | - | 29,704,652 | 274,828,941 |
| Transactions with shareholders: | ||||||||||||
| Allocation of profit for 2021 |
- | - | - | - | - | 29,704,652 | - | - | - | - | (29,704,652) | - |
| Share capital increase |
1,481,481 | - | 198,518,507 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 199,999,988 |
| Dividend distribution |
- | - | - | - | - | (20,000,000) | - | - | - | - | - | (20,000,000) |
| Other movements |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 16,044,651 | - | - | 16,044,651 |
| Comprehensive income statement: | ||||||||||||
| Profit/ (Loss) for the period |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11,814,300 | 11,814,300 |
| Revaluation of net (liabilities)/ assets on the defined benefit obligation |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 194,558 | - | - | - | - | 194,558 |
| Effective portion of the change in fair value of financial instruments hedging cash flows |
- | - | - | - | (54,726) | - | - | - | - | - | - | (54,726) |
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
18,268,204 | 3,357,345 223,432,730 | 264,760 | - | 202,696,499 | (217,512) | 7,166,735 | 16,044,651 | - | 11,814,300 | 482,827,712 |
A=Share Capital increase B=Loss coverage
C=Distribution to Shereolder
| (in ¤) | Share capital |
Legal reserve |
Share premium |
Revaluation reserve ex art. 55 DPR 497 |
Fair value reserve – Cash flow hedges |
Retained earnings |
Actuarial gain/losses reserve |
IFRS Reserve |
Other reserves |
Reserve for treasury shares |
Profit for the period |
Total Equity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distributable reserves |
B | B | ABC | B | AB | ABC | B | ABC | ABC | |||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
18,268,204 | 3,357,345 223,432,730 | 264,760 | - | 202,696,499 | (217,512) | 7,166,735 | 16,044,651 | - | 11,814,300 | 482,827,712 | |
| Transactions with shareholders: | ||||||||||||
| Allocation of profit for 2022 |
- | 296,296 | - | - | - | 11,518,004 | - | - | - | - | (11,814,300) | - |
| Share capital increase |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dividend distribution |
- | - | - | - | - | (24,202,221) | - | - | - | - | - | (24,202,221) |
| Other movements |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 446,650 | (17,041,717) | - | (16,595,067) |
| Comprehensive income statement: | ||||||||||||
| Profit/ (Loss) for the period |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 80,386,406 80,386,406 | |
| Revaluation of net (liabilities)/ assets on the defined benefit obligation |
- | - | - | - | - | - | (52,999) | - | - | - | - | (52,999) |
| Effective portion of the change in fair value of financial instruments hedging cash flows |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 |
18,268,204 | 3,653,641 | 223,432,730 | 264,760 | - | 190,012,282 | (270,511) | 7,166,735 | 16,491,301 | (17,041,717) 80,386,406 522,363,831 |
A=Share Capital increase B=Loss coverage C=Distribution to Shereolder
Industrie De Nora S.p.A. (hereinafter the "Company" or "IDN S.p.A.") is a company limited by shares. It was set up in Italy and is enrolled in the Milan register of companies. The Company, with registered office at Via Bistolfi 35 - Milan, Italy, has been listed on Euronext Milan since June 30, 2022.
IDN S.p.A. is not subject to management and coordination by companies or entities and defines its general and operational strategic guidelines in full autonomy. Pursuant to art. 2497 bis of the Italian Civil Code, the Italian subsidiaries have identified IDN S.p.A. as the entity that exercises management and coordination; this activity consists in indicating the group's general and operational strategic guidelines and takes the form of defining and adapting the internal control system and the governance model and corporate structures.
IDN S.p.A. is the holding company of the De Nora Group (hereinafter also the "Group") where the corporate structures and services are centralized. The De Nora Group was founded by the engineer Oronzio De Nora and has, by now, 100 years in the electro-chemical industry. Today it is known as a world leader in supplying electrodes for the electrochemical industry. The Group is also active in the design and supply of technologies for water treatment and disinfection, and is committed to developing solutions for the energy transition, particularly holding a prominent position in supplying technologies for hydrogen production through water electrolysis. The Company controls and coordinates intellectual property and makes decisions regarding the approach to the markets and which product portfolio and production strategies
are to be adopted. The other corporate functions, providing services to the various Group companies, are centralized at IDN S.p.A.: Administration, Finance and Control, Legal, Information and Communications Technology, Marketing, Business Development and Product Management, Global Operations, Production Technologies, Global Procurement and Human Resources.
These separate Financial Statements (hereinafter also the "Financial Statements") have been prepared in accordance with the International Accounting Standards (IAS) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and endorsed by the European Union in accordance with Regulation (EC) no. 1606/2002 issued by the European Parliament and the European Council in July 2002, in effect as from January 1, 2015, and the interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), and those of the Standing Interpretations Committee (SIC), in effect at the same date.
These financial statements have also been prepared in compliance with the implementation regulations issued in Article 9, paragraph 3, of Italian Legislative Decree no. 38 of February 28, 2005.
The data in these financial statements are compared with the data in the financial statements of the previous year, which have been drawn up and if necessary restated with the same criteria.
The financial statements comprise the mandatory financial schedules (statement of financial position, income statement, statement of comprehensive income, statement of cash flows, and statement of changes in net equity) and are accompanied by these Notes.
Industrie De Nora S.p.A., in its capacity as the Parent Company, has also prepared the consolidated financial statements of the Group as at December 31, 2023.
The Financial Statements were prepared on a going concern basis, as the Directors verified the absence of financial, management or other indicators that could indicate significant uncertainties about the Company's ability to meet its obligations in the foreseeable future and in particular in the next 12 months.
The assessments made confirm that the Company is able to operate in compliance with the going concern assumption and in compliance with financial covenants.
These Financial Statements are subject to statutory audit by Pricewaterhouse-Coopers S.p.A. on the basis of the mandate conferred by the Shareholders' Meeting of February 18, 2022.
These financial statements are expressed in Euro, the Company's functional currency.
With regard to the illustration of the accounting standards, amendments and interpretations that entered into force and applied starting from January 1, 2023, as well as of the accounting standards, amendments and interpretations not yet applicable, please refer to the corresponding paragraph in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements of IDN S.p.A.
The adoption of the standards, amendments and interpretations that entered into force and applied starting from January 1, 2023, had no impact on the separate financial statements of IDN S.p.A. closed as at December 31, 2023.
With regard to the new standards, amendments and interpretations that are not yet applicable, preliminary analyses have shown that the impact on the separate financial statements of IDN S.p.A. is not significant.
The accounting principles and valuation criteria adopted are the same as those used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements, to which reference should be made, with the exception of the principles set out below.
Equity investments in subsidiaries, jointly controlled companies and associated companies, other than those held for sale, are valued at purchase cost.
In the presence of events that lead to the presumption of a reduction in value, the recoverability of the book value of the investments is verified by comparing the carrying value with the relative recoverable value represented by the greater of fair value, net of disposal costs, and value of use.
If the aforementioned verification reveals a carrying value higher than the recoverable value, the relative investment is written down to the recoverable value.
If the reasons for write-downs cease to apply, investments valued at cost are revalued within the limits of the write-downs carried out, with the effect charged to the income statement under "Income/charges from equity investments".
The risk deriving from any losses exceeding the Shareholders' equity is recognized in a specific provision to the extent that the investor is committed to fulfilling legal or implicit obligations towards the investee company or in any case to cover its losses.
Income from dividends is recognized in the Income Statement when the right to collection arises, which normally corresponds to the Shareholders' resolution
for their distribution, regardless of whether such dividends derive from profits before or after the acquisition of the investee companies. The distribution of dividends to Shareholders is recorded as a liability in the Company's financial statements at the time the distribution of such dividends is approved.
The preparation of the financial statements and related notes in accordance with IFRS requires that management make estimates and assumptions with an effect on the carrying amounts of recognized assets and liabilities and on disclosures relating to contingent assets and liabilities at the reporting date. The estimates and assumptions used are based on past experience and other relevant factors. Actual results could differ from such estimates. The estimates and assumptions are periodically revised and the effects of any changes made are taken to profit or loss when the estimate is revised, if the revision has effects on that period alone, or in subsequent periods if it has effects on both the current and future periods.
A summary is provided below of the critical measurement processes and key assumptions used by Management in the application of accounting policies relating to the future and which could significantly impact carrying amounts or which could entail significant adjustments to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the year after the reporting date.
The company assesses these plans on the basis of uncertain events and valuation assumptions that include volatility, dividend yield and risk-free rates. The Company makes use of valuations carried out by external specialists to determine the fair value of share-based employee benefits, requesting its determination at the grant date, using estimates and assumptions linked to the Group's future plans and to the use of suitable valuation techniques.
Non-current assets include plant and machinery, investment property, intangible assets, equity investments and other financial assets. These assets are subject to assessment in order to ascertain whether an impairment has occurred when there are indicators that suggest difficulties in recovering the related net book value through use. Assessment of the existence of the afore-mentioned indicators requires directors to make subjective assessments based on information available from both internal and external sources, as well as on historical experience. Furthermore, if it is determined that a potential impairment may have been generated, this is determined using valuation techniques deemed suitable. The correct identification of the indicators of potential impairment, as well as the estimates for its determination, depend on subjective assessments as well as on factors that may vary over time, affecting the assessments and estimates made by management.
The Company recognizes current and deferred tax assets and liabilities in accordance with the applicable legislation. The recognition of taxes requires the use of estimates and assumptions relating to how to interpret the applicable regulations concerning transactions performed in the year and their effect on taxes. Furthermore, the recognition of deferred tax assets requires the use of estimates relating to the forecast taxable income and their developments, as well as the tax rates that are effectively applicable. These activities are carried out on the basis of analyses of transactions and their tax profiles, with the support, where necessary, of external advisors in relation to the various issues considered and using simulated prospective income and sensitivity analyses.
Provisions for risks and charges and potential liabilities
The Company is subject to legal and tax disputes that could create complex and difficult issues and which present varying degrees of uncertainty, including the events and circumstances relating to each dispute, the jurisdiction and the different applicable laws.
Given the uncertainties of these issues, it is difficult to predict with any certainty the amount of expenditure that could arise as a result of the disputes.
Accordingly, on the basis of its legal advisors and legal and tax experts, Management recognizes a liability in relation to these disputes when it believes that a financial outlay is probable and when the amount of the related losses can be reasonably estimated. When the Directors believe that the occurrence of a liability is only possible, the risks
are indicated in the specific information note on commitments and risks, without giving rise to any provision.
The useful life is determined at the time of recording the asset in the financial statements and reviewed at least at the end of each financial year. Valuations on the duration of the useful life are based on historical experience, on market conditions and on the expectations of future events that could affect the useful life itself, including technological changes. As a result, it is possible that the actual useful life may differ from the estimated useful life.
All values are expressed in ¤ thousands, unless otherwise indicated.
It amounts to ¤ 79,703 thousand, an increase of ¤ 824 compared to 2022, and is made up as follows:
| For the year ended December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Research expenses recharges | 172 | 180 |
| R&D grants | 796 | 1,109 |
| Intercompany recharges | 71,233 | 70,379 |
| Other income | 7,502 | 7,211 |
| Total | 79,703 | 78,879 |
The item "Research expenses recharges" includes charge-backs of research costs to thyssenKrupp nucera Italy S.r.l. for ¤ 46 thousand, to the subsidiaries De Nora Deutschland GmbH for ¤ 79 thousand and De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l. for ¤ 11 thousand; in addition to patent assistance activities for the companies De Nora Water Technologies LLC, De Nora Water Technologies UK Services Limited and De Nora Holdings US Inc for a total of ¤ 28 thousand.
The item "R&D grants" includes operating grants for European Community research projects for ¤ 433 thousand and the operating grant for the tax credit pursuant to Law Decree no. 145 of December 23, 2013 for ¤ 363 thousand.
The item "Intercompany recharges" includes revenues from subsidiaries for services provided by the corporate functions for ¤ 20,710 thousand and for licences for the use of patents, trademarks and know-how for ¤ 50,523 thousand.
The item "Other income" mainly includes recharges to subsidiaries
They amount to ¤ 1,320 thousand, with an increase of ¤ 28 thousand, and are made up as follows:
| For the year ended December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Consumables and supplies | 1,317 | 1,289 |
| Packaging material | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 1,320 | 1,292 |
Consumables mainly refer to purchases relating to Research and Development activities.
They amount to ¤ 16,886 thousand, with a decrease of ¤ 11,376 thousand compared to 2022, and are made up as follows:
| For the year ended December 31 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | -- | -- | -------------------------------- | -- |
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Wages and salaries | 12,474 | 11,266 | |
| Management Incentive Plan MIP | - | 13,452 | |
| Performance Share Plan PSP | 262 | 65 | |
| Social security contributions | 3,211 | 2,626 | |
| Post-employment benefits | 889 | 807 | |
| Other personnel expenses | 50 | 46 | |
| Total | 16,886 | 28,262 |
The PSP Incentive Plan item relates to the Performance Share Plan (PSP), accounted for on the basis of IFRS 2 (approved by the Company's corporate bodies) that provides for the assignment to a certain number of beneficiaries, identified in the regulation itself, of rights of subscription of ordinary shares of the Company based on the achievement of performance objectives. In particular, the total number of attributable rights is 126,556, which could increase to 239,972. The launch of the PSP formally took place on October 14, 2022 with a multi-year vesting period and pay-out expected between 2025 and 2027. The fair value measurement of the PSP for the 2022-24 cycle, totalling Euro 1,854 thousand, was carried out according to a Monte Carlo method on the basis of the following parameters and assumptions:
On October 31, 2023, a new PSP Incentive Plan was announced with a multi-year vesting period and pay-out expected between 2026 and 2028. The total number of attributable rights is 103,218, which could increase to 197,632. The fair value measurement of the PSP for the 2023-25 cycle, totalling ¤ 1,110 thousand, was carried out according to a Monte Carlo method on the basis of the following parameters and assumptions:
— the risk-free rates used were obtained from the zero-coupon government bond yields of the European Central Bank ("ECB") for a duration of 2.17, 3.17 and 4.17 years, respectively, and are equal to 2.97% for the tranche with vesting on January 1, 2026, 2.77% for the tranche
with vesting on January 1, 2027, and 2.66% for the tranche with vesting on January 1, 2028, respectively;
— correlation: on the basis of the time series of daily returns with a depth of 3 years, the correlation matrix between the companies included in the STOXX Europe 600 and De Nora. The average correlation is 16.3%.
The charge posted in the income statement under personnel expenses for the two plans described above, amounting to ¤ 262 thousand, was recognized with a corresponding balancing entry in Other reserves in Equity; likewise, the residual amount of ¤ 185 thousand, relating to personnel of other Group companies, was recognized as an increase in the carrying value of the corresponding investments, with a corresponding balancing entry in Other reserves in Equity.
The following table compares the number of employees in the financial years 2023 and 2022.
| Employees at | Average per year | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Executives | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
| Managers | 34 | 27 | 32 | 24 |
| White-collar workers |
88 | 82 | 87 | 75 |
| Blue-collar workers | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 143 | 130 | 140 | 119 |
| For the year ended December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Consultancies: | |||
| - Production and technical assistance | 2,192 | 2,604 | |
| - Commercial | 337 | 237 | |
| - Legal and tax | 835 | 2,389 | |
| Utilities | 235 | 384 | |
| Maintenance | 357 | 176 | |
| Travel expenses | 1,207 | 908 | |
| R&D | 1,321 | 824 | |
| Statutory Auditors' fees | 98 | 98 | |
| Directors' compensation | 1,264 | 819 | |
| Insurance | 670 | 612 | |
| Rents and other lease expenses | 594 | 561 | |
| Commissions and royalties | 83 | 134 | |
| Freight | 140 | 124 | |
| Waste disposal, office cleaning and security | 69 | 59 | |
| Patents and trademarks | 687 | 671 | |
| Canteen, training and other personnel expenses | 968 | 730 | |
| Intercompany services | 5,819 | 5,728 | |
| HW, SW Mainteinance and ICT consultancies | 8,652 | 8,154 | |
| Telephone and communication expenses | 537 | 620 | |
| Other | 5,440 | 4,923 | |
| Total | 31,505 | 30,755 |
They amount to ¤ 1,183 thousand, with an increase of ¤ 811 thousand compared to 2022, and are made up as follows:
| For the year ended December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Indirect taxes and duties | 779 | 69 | |
| Loss on sale of non-current assets | - | 1 | |
| Other expenses | 404 | 302 | |
| Total | 1,183 | 372 | |
Indirect taxes mainly include CONSOB Supervisory Contributions for ¤ 729 thousand.
Other expenses mainly include previous years expenses.
| For the year ended December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Depreciation of buildings, plant and machinery and other assets (A) | 518 | 389 |
| Leasehold Improvements | 2 | 1 |
| Plants and machinery | 436 | 346 |
| Other assets | 80 | 42 |
| Amortization of rights of use of property, plant and equipment (B) | 475 | 555 |
| Industrial buildings | 368 | 330 |
| Other assets | 107 | 225 |
| Amortization of intangible assets with a finite life (C) | 728 | 889 |
| Industrial patents and intellectual property rights | 728 | 889 |
| Total (A)+(B)+(C) | 1,721 | 1,833 |
In 2023, no write-downs or revaluations were recognized. In the previous year they amounted to ¤ 20,658 thousand.
They amount to ¤ 59,095 thousand, with an increase of ¤ 41,425 thousand compared to 2022 and refer to dividends collected during the year from subsidiaries, and in particular from Oronzio De Nora International BV for ¤ 28,000 thousand and from De Nora Italy S.r.l. for ¤ 8,300 thousand and the capital gain from the disposal of equity investments in associated companies, equal to ¤ 22,795 thousand, relates to the exercise of the "greenshoe option" on the basis of which Industrie De Nora sold 1,342,065 shares as part of the IPO of thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA. Following this sale and the dilutive effect deriving from the listing, the percentage interest in the company thyssenKrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA decreased to the current 25.85%.
| For the year ended December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Interest income on loans and cash pooling | 6,117 | 2,262 | |
| Interests income on bank accounts | 2,720 | 309 | |
| Exchange rate gains | 1,819 | 8,392 | |
| Other Finance income | 1 | 3 | |
| Positive fair value of derivatives | 34 | 1,617 | |
| Total | 10,691 | 12,583 |
Interest income on loans and cash flows is exclusively from subsidiaries De Nora Holdings US, Inc. for ¤ 2,454 thousand, De Nora Tech. Inc. for ¤ 1,775 thousand, De Nora Water Technologies FZE for ¤ 115 thousand, De Nora Do Brasil Ltda for ¤ 576 thousand, De Nora Deutschland GmbH for ¤ 223 thousand, De Nora Water Technologies UK Services Limited for ¤ 27 thousand, Capannoni S.r.l. for ¤ 552 thousand and De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l. for ¤ 395 thousand.
The increase in interest income on loans and cash pooling and in bank interest income is mainly linked to the increase during the year of the variable component of the interest rate receivable, based on the USD SOFR and the Euribor, increased respectively by more than 100% and 300% in 2023; the remaining part of the increase is instead determined by the rise in the average amount of loans and loan receivables.
They amount to ¤ 10,085 thousand, with a decrease of ¤ 1,329 thousand compared to 2022, and are made up as follows.
| For the year ended December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Bank interest and interest on loans and borrowings | 5,523 | 3,318 | |
| Exchange rate losses | 3,616 | 7,719 | |
| Finance expenses on personnel costs | 85 | 48 | |
| Other Finance expenses | 861 | 329 | |
| Total | 10,085 | 11,414 |
Part of the increase in bank interest expense and on loans is linked to the increase during the year of the variable component of the interest rate payable (Euribor), from an average of 0.6% in 2022 to an average of 3.15% in the
year 2023, despite a sharp decrease in average debt to banks compared to the previous year. The remaining part of the increase is attributable to the increase in the average amount of cash-pooling payables to subsidiaries.
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands except percentages) | ||||
| Profit for the period | 80,386 | 11,814 | ||
| Income tax expense | 6,403 | 2,731 | ||
| Profit before tax | 86,789 | 14,545 | ||
| Income tax expense at Italian nominal tax rate |
24.00% | 20,829 | 24.00% | 3,491 |
| IRAP effect | 1.75% | 1,523 | 7.61% | 1,107 |
| Tax effect of non-deductible expense | 1.78% | 1,545 | 48.90% | 7,113 |
| Tax effect of non-taxable revenue (excluding dividends) |
-7.64% | (6,630) | -31.78% | (4,622) |
| Tax effect on dividends | -9.92% | (8,612) | -28.93% | (4,208) |
| Tax benefits | -0.52% | (450) | -4.35% | (633) |
| Other | 0.64% | 552 | 15.09% | 2,195 |
| Losses carried forward | -2.71% | (2,354) | -11.77% | (1,712) |
| Total | 7.38% | 6,403 | 18.78% | 2,731 |
The item "Tax Effect of Non-taxable Revenues" also includes the tax effect of the capital gain from the disposal of the shareholding described in paragraph 11.
Intangible assets as at December 31, 2023 amounted to ¤ 1,666 thousand, with a decrease in net value of ¤ 603 thousand compared to the previous year due to net investments of
approximately ¤ 125 thousand and net depreciation and amortization of ¤ 728 thousand.
The composition of intangible assets and related accumulated amortization as at December 31, 2023 is as follows:
| Industrial patents and intellectual property rights |
Other intangible assets |
Intangible assets in progress |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Historical cost as of December 31, 2022 |
16,653 | 331 | 1,093 | 18,077 |
| Increases | 420 | - | 158 | 578 |
| Decreases | - | - | (380) | (380) |
| Reclassifications | 5 | - | (78) | (73) |
| Historical cost as of December 31, 2023 |
17,078 | 331 | 793 | 18,202 |
| Accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2022 |
15,477 | 331 | - | 15,808 |
| Amortizazion of the year | 728 | - | - | 728 |
| Accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2023 |
16,205 | 331 | - | 16,536 |
| Net book value as of December 31, 2022 |
1,176 | - | 1,093 | 2,269 |
| Net book value as of December 31, 2023 |
873 | - | 793 | 1,666 |
This item mainly relates to costs incurred to acquire or file new industrial patents or for the geographical extensions of existing rights. Also included are costs for software licences, which are measured at historical cost and amortized over their useful life.
The item mainly refers to IT projects not yet completed for approximately ¤ 486 thousand and ERP licences not yet in use for ¤ 293 thousand.
Tangible assets as at December 31, 2023 amounted to ¤ 5,694 thousand, with an increase in net value of ¤ 501 thousand compared to the previous year due to net investments of ¤ 1,321 thousand
(including the rights of use of leased assets recognized according to IFRS 16), and net of depreciation of ¤ 820 thousand.
The breakdown of tangible assets and related accumulated depreciation as at December 31, 2023 is as follows:
| Leasehold Improvements |
Plant and machinery |
Others | Rights of use of Property, Plant and Equipment |
Tangible assets in progress |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||||
| Historical cost as of December 31, 2022 |
2,424 | 6,593 | 3,040 | 4,367 | 259 | 16,683 |
| Increases | - | 816 | 58 | 394 | 161 | 1,429 |
| Decreases | - | (181) | - | - | - | (181) |
| Reclassifications | - | 304 | - | - | (231) | 73 |
| Historical cost as of December 31, 2023 |
2,424 | 7,532 | 3,098 | 4,761 | 189 | 18,004 |
| Accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 2022 |
2,400 | 4,618 | 2,573 | 1,899 | - | 11,490 |
| Depreciation | 1 | 437 | 80 | 475 | - | 993 |
| Decreases | - | (173) | - | - | - | (173) |
| Accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 2023 |
2,401 | 4,882 | 2,653 | 2,374 | - | 12,310 |
| Net book value as of December 31, 2022 |
24 | 1,975 | 467 | 2,468 | 259 | 5,193 |
| Net book value as of December 31, 2023 |
23 | 2,650 | 445 | 2,387 | 189 | 5,694 |
Below are details, per category of asset, of the Rights of use for Property, Plant and Equipment:
| Buildings | Others | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Historical cost as of December 31, 2022 | 3,543 | 824 | 4,367 |
| Increases | 265 | 129 | 394 |
| Historical cost as of December 31, 2023 | 3,808 | 953 | 4,761 |
| Accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 2022 | 1,229 | 670 | 1,899 |
| Depreciation | 368 | 107 | 475 |
| Accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 2023 | 1,597 | 777 | 2,374 |
| Net book value as of December 31, 2022 | 2,314 | 154 | 2,468 |
| Net book value as of December 31, 2023 | 2,211 | 176 | 2,387 |
The rights of use of Buildings refer to the properties owned by the subsidiary Capannoni S.r.l. leased to Industrie De Nora S.p.A. (administrative headquarters and R&D laboratories).
The rights of use of other assets essentially include motor vehicles and office equipment.
During 2023, a total of ¤ 566 thousand in lease instalments was paid, of which ¤ 453 thousand as a reduction of the financial liability and ¤ 113 thousand as interest, recorded under Finance expenses.
The total cost recognized in the income statement for rents and leases excluded from the scope of application of IFRS 16 amounts to ¤ 594 thousand.
The equity investments held in subsidiaries and associates are shown in the following table (in thousands):
| Company name | Registered office |
% Shareholding |
Currency | Share capital in local currency |
Result for the period in local currency |
Equity in local currency |
Equity in Euro |
Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capannoni S.r.l. | Milan-Italy | 100% | Euro | 8,500 | (497) | 18,285 | 18,285 | 1) |
| Oronzio De Nora International BV |
Amsterdam The Netherlands |
100% | Euro | 4,500 | 14,810 | 42,348 | 42,348 | 2) |
| De Nora Elettrodi Suzhou Co. |
Suzhou China |
100% | CNY | 183,404 | 34,266 | 388,596 | 49,497 | 2) |
| De Nora do Brasil Ltda* |
Sorocaba Brazil |
89% | BRL | 9,662 | 28,482 | 83,436 | 15,561 | 3) |
| De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l. |
Milan-Italy | 100% | Euro | 78 | (1,061) | 621 | 621 | 1) |
| thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA |
Dortmund Germany |
25.85% | Euro | 126,315 | 2,820 | 743,739 | 743,739 | 4) |
| thyssenkrupp nucera Management AG |
Dortmund Germany |
34% | Euro | 50 | - | - | - | 5) |
| De Nora Holding (UK) Limited |
London-UK | 100% | Euro | 19 | (25) | 108,042 | 108,042 | 2) |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. | Milan-Italy | 100% | Euro | 5,000 | 7,060 | 29,320 | 29,320 | 1) |
| De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. |
Milan-Italy | 90% | Euro | 1,410 | (832) | 12,878 | 12,878 | 1) |
* The remaining 11% is held indirectly through the subsidiary company Oronzio De Nora International BV.
1) Data relating to the draft financial statements closed as at 12/31/2023 and approved by the related corporate bodies
2) Data relating to the financial statements closed as at 12/31/2022 approved by the related corporate bodies
3) Data relating to the reporting package as at 12/31/2023 prepared for the purposes of the De Nora consolidated financial statements; there are no local obligations regarding the approval of the financial statements by the related corporate bodies 4) Data relating to the consolidated financial statements as at 12/31/2023
5) Company whose economic data are not yet available
The changes in the book value of equity investments are shown below.
| Company name | 31/12/2022 | Increase | Decrease | 31/12/2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Capannoni S.r.l. | 8,835 | - | - | 8,835 |
| Oronzio De Nora International BV | 58,446 | 80 | - | 58,526 |
| De Nora Elettrodi Suzhou Co. | 22,503 | - | - | 22,503 |
| De Nora do Brasil Ltda* | 445 | - | (1) | 444 |
| thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA | 102,515 | - | (4,047) | 98,468 |
| thyssenkrupp nucera Management AG | 17 | - | - | 17 |
| De Nora Holding (UK) Limited | 112,663 | 95 | - | 112,758 |
| De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l. | - | 4,010 | - | 4,010 |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. | 19,168 | 1 | - | 19,169 |
| De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technolgies S.r.l. | 1,134 | 11,700 | - | 12,834 |
| Total | 325,726 | 15,886 | (4,048) | 337,564 |
* The remaining 11% is held indirectly through the subsidiary company Oronzio De Nora International BV.
The carrying amount of the equity investment in thyssenKrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA decreased by ¤ 4,047 thousand due to the exercise of the "greenshoe option" on the basis of which Industrie De Nora sold 1,342,065 shares as part of the IPO of ThyssenKrupp Nucera AG & Co. KGaA. Following this sale and the dilutive effect deriving from the listing, the percentage interest in the company ThyssenKrupp Nucera AG & Co. KGaA decreased to the current 25.85%.
During the year, a shareholder payment was made in favor of the subsidiary De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. for ¤ 11,700 thousand.
During the year, a shareholder payment was made in favor of the subsidiary De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l. for ¤ 4,000 thousand.
The remaining increases (totalling ¤ 185 thousand) in the investments in Oronzio De Nora International BV, De Nora
Holding (UK) Limited and De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l., relate to the recognition of the PSP incentive plans, for which reference should be made to Note 6, Personnel expenses.
The value of the equity investments was maintained at cost even in the presence of a book value of the equity investment higher than the related share of Shareholders' equity in consideration of the income prospects of these investee companies as well as the presence of unexpressed capital gains in the relative assets.
In detail, as regards the sub-holdings Oronzio De Nora International BV, De Nora Holding UK Ltd and thyssenKrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA, it should be noted that the value of the equity investments held by them is such as to broadly offset the difference between cost and share of equity.
At December 31 2023, an impairment test was carried out in order to verify
the recoverability of the carrying value of the investment in De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l.
Below are the main parameters used to estimate the present value of the cash flows relating to this asset:
| Analyzed activity | WACC | G-rate |
|---|---|---|
| De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l. | 12.1% | 2.81% |
The checks carried out confirmed the recoverability of the values of the subsidiary's assets, which highlights an Equity Value (Recoverable value of the related assets, net of financial debt and liabilities for employee benefits) of approximately Euro 8,5
million, approximately 2 times higher than the book value of the investment in the subsidiary.
| As of December 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Non current | ||||
| Financial assets | 12,670 | 13,126 | ||
| Total | 12,670 | 13,126 | ||
| Current | ||||
| Fair value of derivatives | 450 | 415 | ||
| Financial assets | 112,444 | 58,736 | ||
| Time Deposits | - | 150,000 | ||
| Accrued income on financial receivables | - | 184 | ||
| Total | 112,894 | 209,335 | ||
| Total Receivables and other Financial Assets | 125,564 | 222,461 |
The amount of non-current financial assets from subsidiaries refers to receivables for loans remunerated at a market rate from the subsidiary De Nora Do Brasil Ltda.
The amount of current financial assets refers mainly to:
Holdings US for ¤ 40,724 thousand; De Nora Tech LLC for ¤ 22,624 thousand; De Nora Water Technologies UK Service Limited for ¤ 400 thousand and De Nora Water Technologies FZE for ¤ 2,262 thousand.
The fair value of derivative instruments as at December 31, 2023 (¤ 450 thousand) refers to currency derivative contracts for forward purchases/sales entered into by the Company against USD-denominated financial receivables from its US subsidiaries De Nora Tech LLC and De Nora Holdings US, Inc.. The fair value is determined using the
forward exchange rate at the balance sheet date.
The details of the derivative contracts hedging the exchange rate fluctuation put in place by the Company as at December 31, 2023 are shown below:
| Derivative | Description | Notional | Notional | Inception date |
Expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (USD thousands) | (¤ thousands) | ||||
| SWP | pay amount EUR/ | 9,100 | 8,155 | December 2023 | March 2024 |
| receive amount USD | |||||
| SWP | pay amount EUR/ | 15,000 | 13,848 | December 2023 | March 2024 |
| receive amount USD | |||||
| SWP | pay amount EUR/ | 6,000 | 5,379 | December 2023 | March 2024 |
| receive amount USD | |||||
| SWP | pay amount EUR/ | 15,000 | 13,449 | December 2023 | March 2024 |
| receive amount USD | |||||
| SWP | pay amount EUR/ | 15,000 | 13,850 | December 2023 | March 2024 |
| receive amount USD | |||||
| Total | 60,100 | 54,681 |
Other receivables as at December 31, 2023 totalled ¤ 28,438 thousand, with an increase of ¤ 6,986 thousand compared to December 31, 2022. The composition, divided between non-current and current part, is as follows:
| As of December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Non current | |||
| Tax receivables | 3,882 | 5,720 | |
| Other - third parties | 1,271 | 1,320 | |
| Total | 5,153 | 7,040 | |
| Current | |||
| Advances to suppliers | 180 | 297 | |
| Tax receivables | 18,586 | 8,760 | |
| Other - third parties | 9 | 19 | |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 4,510 | 5,336 | |
| Total | 23,285 | 14,412 | |
| Total Other receivables | 28,438 | 21,452 |
Non-current tax receivables are represented by receivables for withholding taxes on foreign receivables.
Other receivables from third parties include receivables from insurance companies for post-employment benefits policies for ¤ 1,227 thousand.
Current receivables from tax authorities include a VAT credit of approximately ¤ 3,208 thousand for the year, a tax credit of ¤ 1,314 thousand on Research and Development activities envisaged by Law Decree no. 145/2013; ¤ 6,239 thousand in receivables for withholding taxes on foreign receivables usable in the short-term, receivables for tax consolidation from subsidiaries for ¤ 2,499 thousand and a receivable from the German tax authorities for withholding taxes on royalties paid by De Nora Deutschland GmbH in the years 2016-21, withdrawn in
excess of the limit established in the Italian/German Double Taxation Agreement for ¤ 2,828 thousand.
Prepayments and accrued income are mainly attributable to contracts relating to licence fees and long-term maintenance of IT operating systems.
Deferred tax assets refer to the following items:
| As of December 31, 2022 |
(Debits) credits to the income statement |
(Debits) credits to equity |
As of December 31, 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Intangible assets | 28 | (17) | - | 11 |
| Payables for variable components of personnel costs |
542 | (89) | - | 453 |
| Receivables and inventory write downs |
127 | (39) | - | 88 |
| Property, Plant and Equipment | 125 | (12) | - | 113 |
| Unrealized exchange rate differences |
134 | 460 | - | 594 |
| Other provisions | 21 | 3 | 17 | 41 |
| Total | 977 | 306 | 17 | 1,300 |
Deferred tax liabilities refer to the following items:
| As of December 31, 2022 |
(Debits) credits to the income statement |
(Debits) credits to equity |
As of December 31, 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Property, Plant and Equipment | 1 | 5 | - | 6 |
| Unrealized exchange rate differences |
553 | (551) | - | 2 |
| Total | 554 | (546) | - | 8 |
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are shown in the statement of financial position for their net value (¤ 1,292
thousand net assets as at December 31, 2023, compared to ¤ 423 thousand in net liabilities as at December 31, 2022).
As at December 31, 2023 they totalled ¤ 56,878 thousand net of the related
write-down provisions, with an increase of ¤ 13,652 thousand compared to December 31, 2022, and are made up as follows:
| As of December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Current | |||
| Receivables from third parties | 413 | 1,453 | |
| Receivables from subsidiaries | 56,784 | 42,367 | |
| Receivables from associates | 46 | 30 | |
| Bad debt provision | (365) | (624) | |
| Total Trade receivables | 56,878 | 43,226 |
Receivables are mainly from subsidiaries and refer to services provided by Corporate functions and licenses for the use of patents, trademarks and know-how.
The carrying amount of trade receivables, net of the bad debt reserve, is deemed to approximate its fair value.
Following are the changes in the bad debt provision:
| For the year ended December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Opening balance | 624 | 627 | |
| Utilization and releases of the year | (259) | (3) | |
| Closing balance | 365 | 624 |
¤ 86,067 thousand as at December 31, 2023, up by ¤ 4,136 thousand compared to December 31, 2022, and are detailed as follows:
For the year ended December 31
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Bank and postal accounts | 86,067 | 81,931 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 86,067 | 81,931 |
This item is composed of the cash and bank deposits available on demand.
As regards the amounts on deposits and current accounts, the related interests have been recognized on an accrual basis, taking into account the tax credit claimed for withholding taxes incurred.
The detailed financial changes are shown in the cash flow statement presented in the financial statements.
The changes in the categories that make up the shareholders' equity for the years 2022 and 2023 are shown in the specific "Statement of changes in Net Equity".
In the course of the 2023 financial year, dividends of ¤ 24,202 thousand were distributed.
The share capital amounted to ¤ 18,268 thousand as at December 31, 2023 (unchanged as at December 31, 2022).
The current composition of the share capital of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. is shown below:
| Share Capital as of December 31, 2023 | Number of shares | Number of voting rights |
|---|---|---|
| Share Capital (Euro) | 18,268,203.90 | 18,268,203.90 |
| Total shares | 201,685,174 | 502,647,564 |
| Ordinary shares | 51,203,979 | 51,203,979 |
| Multiple voting shares (*) | 150,481,195 | 451,443,585 |
(*) Owned by the shareholders Federico De Nora, Federico De Nora S.p.A., Norfin S.p.A. and Asset Company 10 S.r.l. Multiple voting shares are not admitted to trading on Euronext Milan and are not counted in the free float and market capitalization value.
It amounted to ¤ 3,654 thousand, with an increase of ¤ 296 thousand compared with December 31, 2022.
This amounts to ¤ 223,433 thousand, unchanged from December 31, 2022.
This amounts to ¤ 265 thousand, unchanged from December 31, 2022.
As at December 31, 2023 they amounted to ¤ 190,012 thousand. The reserve
decreased by ¤ 12,684 thousand due to the allocation of the result for the previous year (¤ 11,814 thousand) and to the distribution of dividends for ¤ 24,202 thousand.
The "reserve from actuarial profit (loss)" includes the actuarial components relating to the valuation of defined benefit plans, charged directly to shareholders' equity. As at December 31, 2023, it amounted to ¤ -271 thousand, compared to ¤ -217 thousand at the end of 2022.
The IAS reserve (¤ 7,167 thousand, unchanged during the year) includes the effect on shareholders' equity of all the adjustments made at the date of transition to the IAS / IFRS standards (01/01/2007) on the various balance sheet items, net of related tax effects.
As at December 31, 2023, they amounted to ¤ 16,491 thousand, an increase of ¤ 447 thousand and relate to the MIP and PSP incentive plans.
On November 8, the company announced the start of the treasury share purchase program, as per the authorization of the Shareholders' Meeting of April 28, 2023, pursuant to the combined provisions of Articles 2357 and 2357-ter of the Italian Civil Code, as well as art. 132 of Italian Legislative Decree no. 58 of February 24, 1998, as subsequently amended (the "TUF") and Article 144-bis of the CONSOB regulation adopted with resolution no. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as subsequently amended (the "Issuers' Regulation"), without prejudice to the application of Regulation (EU) no. 596 of April 16, 2014, relating to market abuse (the "MAR"), of Delegated Regulation (EU) no. 1052 of March 8, 2016, relating to the conditions applicable to the repurchase of treasury shares and to the stabilization measures (the "Delegated Regulation") in relation to the purchase of shares by the Company.
The program is aimed at the purchase of ordinary shares of the Company, with the following purposes:
a) implement the remuneration policies adopted by the Company and specifically fulfill the obligations deriving from the remuneration plans based on financial instruments pursuant to Article 114-bis of the TUF already adopted by the Company (Performance Share Plan) and any other plans that should be
approved in the future, as widespread shareholding plans, including any programs for the free assignment of shares to shareholders; and/or
b) as part of actions related to future industrial and financial projects consistent with the strategic lines that the Company intends to pursue, including through the trade, exchange, contribution, sale or other deed of disposal of treasury shares for the acquisition of equity investments or share packages, for industrial projects or other extraordinary finance transactions that involve the assignment or disposal of treasury shares (such as, for example, mergers, demergers, bond issues convertible into shares, liquidation of shares on the market through operations to optimize the financial structure).
The 9-month purchase program started on November 9, 2023 will end on August 9, 2024.
This reserve, not present in 2022, has a negative sign in Shareholders' Equity and as at December 31, 2023 amounted to ¤ 17,042 thousand for 1,158,505 shares.
Post-employment benefits accrued by the Company reflect the indemnity vested by employees in Italy over the course of their employment, which is paid when the employee leaves the company. In specific circumstances, the indemnity may be partially advanced to the employee during employment.
Under IAS 19, employee benefits that fall under the Italian regulations (so called Trattamento di fine rapporto - TFR) are considered post-employment benefits and unfunded defined benefit plans. Accordingly, they are measured using the Projected Unit Credit Method.
The obligation to employees is calculated by an independent actuary as follows:
The actuarial method has a technical basis consisting of the demographic and financial assumptions related to the parameters used for the calculation.
In summary, the main actuarial assumptions used in the calculation were as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| (Economic - Financial technical basis) | ||
| Annual discount rate* | 3.17% | 3.77% |
| Annual inflation rate | 2.00% | 2.30% |
| Annual rate of increase in post-employment benefits | 3.00% | 3.23% |
| Annual rate of wage increase | 2.30% | 2.30% |
(*) The discount rate used to determine the present value of the Italian post-employment obligation was inferred, consistently with par. 83 of IAS 19, by the Iboxx Corporate AA index with duration 10+ recorded at the valuation date. For this purpose, the yield with a duration comparable to the duration of the collective of workers subject to valuation was chosen.
The mortality assumptions are based on published statistics concerning mortality rates.
The following table summarizes the sensitivity analysis for each actuarial, financial and demographic assumption, showing the effects (in absolute value) that would have occurred following changes in the reasonably possible actuarial assumptions as at December 31, 2023:
| Sensitivity analysis of the main valuation parameters | Euro Thousands |
|---|---|
| Turnover rate +1,00% | 2,429 |
| Turnover rate -1,00% | 2,411 |
| Inflation rate +0,25% | 2,453 |
| Inflation rate -0,25% | 2,389 |
| Discount rate +0,25% | 2,379 |
| Discount rate -0,25% | 2,464 |
Changes in post-employment benefits are summarized in the table below:
| For the year ended December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Opening balance | 2,352 | 2,445 |
| Current service cost | 306 | 256 |
| Interest cost | 85 | 48 |
| Actuarial profit/(loss) | 70 | (256) |
| Benefits paid | (393) | (141) |
| Closing balance | 2,420 | 2,352 |
The existing pension plans provide for the payment of contributions to a separate fund which independently
administers the plan assets. The funds
provide for a fixed contribution from the employer.
The changes in the pension funds are summarized in the following table:
| For the year ended December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||
| Opening provision | 1,275 | 1,205 |
| Accruals of the year | 161 | 141 |
| Utilization and releases of the year | (209) | (71) |
| Closing balance | 1,227 | 1,275 |
Financial payables as at December 31, 2023 totalled ¤ 85,585 thousand with a decrease of ¤ 109,771 thousand compared to December 31, 2022. The breakdown between non-current and current liabilities is provided below:
| As of December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Non current | |||
| Bank loans and borrowings | 79,776 | 178,772 | |
| Lease payables | 2,230 | 2,237 | |
| Total | 82,006 | 181,009 | |
| Current | |||
| Bank loans and borrowings | - | 6 | |
| Financial payables to subsidiaries | 3,156 | 13,865 | |
| Lease payables | 423 | 476 | |
| Total | 3,579 | 14,347 | |
| Total financial liabilities | 85,585 | 195,356 |
As at December 31, 2023, the fair value of payables to banks approximates their book value.
As at December 31, 2022, a medium-term loan agreement was in place, expiring on July 19, 2023. In light of the Group's financial resources, at the end of the first quarter of 2023, the decision was taken to repay part of this loan in advance for Euro 100,000 thousand. Therefore, as at December 31, 2023, this credit line remains open for ¤ 80,000 thousand and is shown under financial liabilities net of upfront fees and other charges directly related to the taking out of loans which, paid at the date of stipulation of the loan agreement, are presented in the financial statements as a decrease of the total payable according to the amortized cost method.
The pool loan considers interest rates based on the 3- month Euribor for the Euro portion and on the SOFR for the USD portion, in addition to a margin that may change semi-annually, based on the evolution of the Group's Leverage level. The "leverage ratio," given by the ratio of consolidated net debt to consolidated EBITDA, is the only financial covenant included in the loan agreement, and it is stipulated that it cannot exceed a value of 3.5 throughout the term of the agreement. As at December 31, 2023, this parameter
was largely met. Non-compliance with the financial covenant is considered an event of default or non-performance. Specifically, an event of default or non-performance would result in the banks' discretion to require immediate repayment of funds unless the situation is remedied, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the loan agreement, within 20 business days of the submission of the certification of such financial covenant.
They refer to financial payables remunerated at market rate for cash pooling to the subsidiary De Nora Italy S.r.l..
They represent financial liabilities recognized in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 16 "Leases". The debt is in particular the obligation to make the payments foreseen over the duration of the contract and refers almost entirely to the properties owned by the subsidiary Capannoni S.r.l. leased to Industrie De Nora S.p.A. (administrative headquarters and R&D laboratories).
With regard to the contractual maturities of lease payables, please refer to note 33 - Information on risks.
The detail of the net financial position is as follows:
| As of December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Cash | 86,067 | 81,931 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 86,067 | 81,931 | |
| Current financial assets | 112,894 | 209,335 | |
| Current financial debt | - | (6) | |
| Short term loans and borrowings from other financial backers |
(3,156) | (13,865) | |
| Lease payables | (423) | (476) | |
| Current financial indebtedness | (3,579) | (14,347) | |
| Net current financial position | 195,382 | 276,919 | |
| Non-current financial debt | (79,776) | (178,772) | |
| Lease payables | (2,230) | (2,237) | |
| Net non-current financial position | (82,006) | (181,009) | |
| Net financial position | 113,376 | 95,910 |
In 2023, the company moved from cash and cash equivalents of ¤ 95,910 thousand as at December 31, 2022, to Net cash and cash equivalents of ¤ 113,376 thousand as at December 31, 2023. The improvement of a total of Euro 17,466 thousand is mainly attributable to the combined effect of the following factors:
shares as per the Buy-back plan presented to the stock market for ¤ 17,100 thousand;
For further details on the cash flows for the period, please refer to the cash flow statement.
As at December 31, 2023, they amounted to ¤ 14,947 thousand, an increase of ¤ 2,879 thousand over December 31, 2022, and are broken down as follows:
| As of December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Current | |||
| Third parties | 7,157 | 8,015 | |
| Payables to Subsidiaries | 7,009 | 3,948 | |
| Associated companies | 781 | 105 | |
| Total payables | 14,947 | 12,068 |
This item primarily includes amounts related to payables for the purchase of goods and services, all of them with due date within 12 months. It is deemed that the carrying amount of trade payables is close to their fair value.
The item as at December 31, 2023 amounted to ¤ 10,406 thousand, an increase of ¤ 8,086 thousand compared to December 31, 2022. This payable
refers to IRES and IRAP and tax payables to subsidiaries that have entered into the national tax consolidation agreement.
The item as at December 31, 2023 amounts to a total of ¤ 6,214 thousand, with a decrease of ¤ 201 thousand compared to December 31, 2022. Their breakdown is as follows:
| As of December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Non current | |||
| Payables to employees | 168 | 67 | |
| Total | 168 | 67 | |
| Current | |||
| Payables to employees | 3,344 | 3,590 | |
| Withholding tax payables | 587 | 573 | |
| Social security charges payables | 726 | 656 | |
| Advances from customers | 798 | 773 | |
| Accrued expenses and deferred income | 20 | 30 | |
| Other - third parties | 571 | 793 | |
| Total | 6,046 | 6,415 | |
| Total Other payables | 6,214 | 6,482 |
Payables to employees refer to accrued and unpaid portions such as: holidays, additional months, bonuses and related contributions divided between non-current and current.
Social security charges payables refer to the amounts owed by the Company and its employees for wages and salaries for the month of December 2023.
The Company, as the parent company, has a number of commitments and guarantees in place as at 31.12.2023 in favor of its subsidiaries, divided as follows:
The Company has not undertaken any off-balance sheet commitments, except for some orders for the purchase of capital assets amounting to ¤ 11 thousand as at December 31, 2023.
— Indemnity issued in the interest of the Group companies in support of letters of credit and guarantees given by credit institutions in their favor: ¤ 25,454 thousand. This item mainly refers to letters of credit and bank guarantees (Bid bonds, Advance payment bonds, Performance bonds) in favor of the Group companies operating in the water technologies segment, according to multi-year contracts;
In addition to general business risks, related to its activities and financial instruments, the Company is exposed to the following risks:
The Company considers risk monitoring and control systems a top priority to guarantee an efficient risk management. In line with this objective, the Company has adopted a risk management system with formalized strategies, policies and procedures to ensure the identification, measurement and control of individual risks at centralized level for the entire Group.
The purpose of the Company's risk management policies is to:
— identify the types of transactions for which risks can be hedged.
The following note provides qualitative and quantitative reference information on the incidence of these risks on the Company.
Credit risk is the risk that a customer or one of the counterparties to a financial instrument causes a financial loss by not meeting an obligation. It mainly arises from the Group's trade receivables and financial investments.
Credit risk is mainly due to the possibility that customers will not honor their payables to the Company at the agreed due date.
Customers are mainly subsidiaries and the credit risk is therefore very limited.
The Company accrues, where appropriate, a bad debt reserve that reflects estimated possible losses on trade and other receivables, the main components of which are individual specific writedowns of past due exposures.
The carrying amount of the financial assets reflects the Company's maximum exposure to credit risk. This exposure at the reporting date is illustrated below:
An ageing analysis of trade receivables at the reporting date is provided below:
| As of December 31 | % Overdue as of December | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands, except percentages) | |||||
| Not yet due | 22,478 | 26,394 | 40.00% | 61.00% | |
| Overdue 0-30 days | 173 | 10 | 0.00% | 0.00% | |
| Overdue 31-60 days | 8,772 | 10,409 | 15.00% | 24.00% | |
| Overdue more than 60 days | 25,455 | 6,413 | 45.00% | 15.00% | |
| Total trade receivables | 56,878 | 43,226 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The Group believes there are reasons to assume full collectability of the overdue trade receivables where specific provisions have not been made on the basis of specific recoverability assessments.
Liquidity risk is represented by the possibility that the Company is unable to find the financial resources necessary to guarantee current operations and the fulfillment of obligations due to expire, or that they are available at high costs.
The Company's approach to managing liquidity risk entails ensuring, insofar as possible, that it always has sufficient funds to meet its obligations at the due date, under both normal conditions and at times of financial tension, without incurring excessive costs or risking damage to their reputation.
In general, the Company ensures that it
has sufficient cash and cash equivalents available on demand to meet the cash requirements of its operating cycle and investments, including the cost of financial liabilities.
The Company's Treasury department centrally manages the short and longterm loan strategies, relationships with the main financing banks and the provision of the necessary guarantees. It also centrally defines any hedging policies to be implemented for financial risks. Centralized management by the Company's Treasury function is aimed at achieving a balanced financial structure and maintaining the Group's financial soundness.
The main aim of these guidelines is to ensure that liabilities are always balanced by assets such to maintain a very sound financial position.
The contractual due dates of liabilities, including derivatives, are shown below for the current and previous years.
| As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2023 | Due date | ||||||
| 0-12 months |
2 years | 3 years | 4 years | 5 years | Over 5 years |
||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||
| Bank loans and borrowings* |
79,776 | 3,884 | 3,873 | 3,873 | 81,316 | - | - |
| Financial payables to subsidiaries |
3,156 | 3,156 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Lease payables | 2,653 | 423 | 414 | 425 | 441 | 442 | 507 |
| Trade payables to third parties |
7,157 | 7,157 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other payables | 14,004 | 14,004 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 106,746 | 28,624 | 4,287 | 4,298 | 81,757 | 442 | 507 |
* The difference between the total bank loans and borrowing as at December 31, 2023 and the contractual cash flows is due to the Upfront Fees which, paid on the date of stipulation of the loan agreement, are recognized in the financial statements as a decrease of the total amount payable. The maturing amounts of Bank loans and borrowings include capital and interest; in particular, the interests were estimated on the Pool Financing of Industrie De Nora S.p.A. based on the conditions existing at the closing date of the financial year.
| As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2022 | Due date | ||||||
| 0-12 months |
2 years | 3 years | 4 years | 5 years | Over 5 years |
||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||
| Bank loans and borrowings* |
178,778 | - | - | - | - | 180,000 | - |
| Financial payables to subsidiaries |
13,865 | 13,865 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Lease payables | 2,713 | 476 | 374 | 348 | 355 | 370 | 790 |
| Trade payables to third parties |
8,015 | 8,015 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other payables | 10,535 | 10,535 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 213,906 | 32,891 | 374 | 348 | 355 | 180,370 | 790 |
*The difference between the total bank loans and borrowing as at December 31, 2022 and the contractual cash flows is due to the Upfront Fees which, paid on the date of stipulation of the loan agreement, are recognized in the financial statements as a decrease of the total amount payable according to the amortized cost method.
Management believes that currently available funds and credit facilities, in addition to the cash flows that will be generated by operating and financing activities, will enable the Company to meet its cash requirements as a result of investing activities, the management of working capital and the repayment of liabilities when they fall due.
The management of the Company's capital is aimed at guaranteeing a solid credit rating and adequate levels of capital indicators to support the investment plans, in compliance with the contractual commitments undertaken with the lenders.
The Group provides itself with the necessary capital to finance its business development and operational requirements. The sources of financing are a balanced mix of risk capital and debt capital, to ensure a balanced financial structure and minimize the overall cost of capital, to the benefit of all stakeholders.
The return on risk capital is monitored on the basis of market trends and business performance, once all other obligations, including debt service, have been met. Therefore, in order to ensure an adequate return on capital, safeguard business continuity and business development, the Company constantly monitors the evolution of the level of debt in relation to equity, business performance and expected cash flows in the short and medium-long-term.
Market risk is the risk that the future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market prices, exchange rates and interest rates or other price risks. The aim of market risk management is to manage and control the Company's exposure to such risk within acceptable levels, while optimizing the return on investments.
The following table shows the Company's exposure to the currency risk on the US dollar as at December 31, 2023 based on the notional value:
| Receivables | 86,513 |
|---|---|
| Payables | (415) |
| Net exposure | 86,098 |
The exchange rate applied during the year is as follows:
| Average exchange rate | End of financial year exchange rate | |
|---|---|---|
| US dollar | 1.0813 | 1.1050 |
| Sensitivity analysis | Interest rate risk | |
| Exposure is almost exclusively with Group companies. An appreciation of the Euro by 5 cents against the US dollar would have led to a decrease in the operating result of approximately ¤ 3.4 million as at De cember 31, 2023, assuming that all other variables are constant. |
and revaluation of held-for-trading fi or directly to equity. Conversely, with or loss by generating lower or higher |
This specifically relates to the effects of changes in interest rates on the price of held-for-trading financial assets. Losses nancial assets are taken to profit or loss respect to financial liabilities, the risk of changes in interest rates impacts profit |
| If, by contrast, as at December 31, 2023, the Euro had depreciated by 5 cents against the US dollar, the impact on the result for the year would have been positive for approximately ¤ 3.7 million, all other variables being equal. |
Finance expenses. in the table below. |
The Company's position is summarized |
| As of December 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||
| Financial liabilities | (85,585) | (195,356) | |
| Hedged financial liabilities | - | - | |
| Fixed rate financial liabilities | - | - | |
| Financial liabilities exposed to interest rate risk | (85,585) | (195,356) | |
| Financial assets | - | - | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 86,067 | 81,931 | |
| Receivables and other Financial Assets | 125,114 | 222,046 | |
| Financial assets exposed to interest rate risk | 211,181 | 303,977 |
A hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable change of one percentage point in the level of interest rates would generate, on financial liabilities, on an annual basis, a higher pre-tax charge of approximately ¤ 0.85 million.
These relate to the risk that the fair value of a financial instrument could vary for reasons other than fluctuations in interest or exchange rates.
The Company is not exposed to price risk as it does not hold equity securities (shares) among its financial assets.
The table below indicates the carrying amount of each financial asset and liability recognized in the statement of financial position and its fair value.
| Classification and fair value as of |
|
|---|---|
| December 31,2023 | |
Notes Loans and receivables Derivatives at fair value Other financial liabilities Total Fair value (in ¤ thousands) Cash and cash equivalents 23 86,067 - - 86,067 86,067 Trade and other receivables 20/22 85,316 - - 85,316 85,316 Receivables and other financial assets19 125,114 - - 125,114 125,114 Derivatives at FV 19 - 450 - 450 450 Financial assets 296,497 450 - 296,947 296,947 Bank loans and borrowings26 - - (79,776) (79,776) (79,776) Financial payables to subsidiaries 26 - - (3,156) (3,156) (3,156) Lease payables 26 - - (2,653) (2,653) (2,653) Trade payables 27 - - (14,947) (14,947) (14,947) Other payables 28/29 - - (16,620) (16,620) (16,620) Financial liabilities - - (117,152) (117,152) (117,152)
Carrying amount
| Classification and fair value as of December 31, 2022 |
Carrying amount | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Loans and receivables |
Derivatives at fair value |
Other financial liabilities |
Total | Fair value | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
23 | 81,931 | - | - | 81,931 | 81,931 | |
| Trade and other receivables |
20/22 | 64,678 | - | - | 64,678 | 64,678 | |
| Receivables and other financial assets |
19 | 222,046 | - | - | 222,046 | 222,046 | |
| Derivatives at FV | 19 | - | 415 | - | 415 | 415 | |
| Financial assets | 368,655 | 415 | - | 369,070 | 369,070 | ||
| Bank loans and borrowings |
26 | - | - | (178,778) | (178,778) | (178,778) | |
| Financial payables to subsidiaries |
26 | - | - | (13,865) | (13,865) | (13,865) | |
| Lease payables | 26 | - | - | (2,713) | (2,713) | (2,713) | |
| Trade payables | 27 | - | - | (12,068) | (12,068) | (12,068) | |
| Other payables | 28/29 | - | - | (8,803) | (8,803) | (8,803) | |
| Financial liabilities | - | - | (216,227) | (216,227) | (216,227) |
The following table shows the financial instruments recognized at fair value based on the valuation technique used. The different levels have been defined as described below:
observed for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly;
— Level 3: input data relating to the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable data).
The financial instruments in these financial statements can be divided as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||
| (in ¤ thousands) | |||||
| Fair value of derivatives | - | 450 | - | ||
| Total | - | 450 | - |
| December 31, 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||
| (in ¤ thousands) | ||||
| Fair value of derivatives | - | 415 | - | |
| Total | - | 415 | - |
Pursuant to the General Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679), the directors acknowledge that the Company has updated personal data protection measures within the deadline and as required by such legislation.
Pursuant to Italian Legislative decree no. 231 of June 8, 2001, entitled "Standards governing the administrative liability of legal entities, companies and associations, including those without legal status, pursuant to article 11 of Law no. 300 of September 29, 2000", the Company has adopted an "Organizational, management and control model" to prevent offences set out in the decree. The aforesaid decree has introduced company liability for a number of offences committed in their interest or to their advantage by persons who act on their behalf or in their name, such as directors, managers, employees or consultants acting under the control or management of persons employed by these companies.
In compliance with the decree, a Supervisory Body was appointed to supervise and monitor the functioning, effectiveness, adequacy of and compliance with the "Organizational, management and control model", adopted by the Company with a Board of Directors' resolution of December 20, 2012 and subsequent updates, in order to prevent the offences which may entail the Company's administrative liability.
As at February 18, 2022, the Board of Directors confirmed as members of the Company's Supervisory Body for the three-year period between the date of the above resolution and the date of approval of the Company's draft financial statements as at December 31, 2024, Ms. Antonini, Mr. Necchi and Mr. Sardo (Chairman). By subsequent resolution of August 3, 2022, Mr. Vitacca was appointed member of the Supervisory Body to replace Ms. Antonini.
The table below shows the detailed statement of the balance sheet values relating to the relationships maintained by the Company with related parties as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| (in ¤ thousands) | Parent company |
Subsidiaries | Associates | Other related parties |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade receivables | |||||
| December 31, 2023 | 4 | 56,769 | 46 | - | 56,819 |
| December 31, 2022 | 2 | 42,356 | 30 | - | 42,388 |
| Financial assets | |||||
| December 31, 2023 | - | 125,114 | - | - | 125,114 |
| December 31, 2022 | - | 71,861 | - | - | 71,861 |
| Other receivables | |||||
| December 31, 2023 | - | 2,499 | - | 47 | 2,546 |
| December 31, 2022 | - | 1,702 | - | 47 | 1,749 |
| Trade payables | |||||
| December 31, 2023 | 50 | 7,672 | 569 | 148 | 8,439 |
| December 31, 2022 | 16 | 4,632 | 17 | 87 | 4,752 |
| Income tax payables | |||||
| December 31, 2023 | - | 1,809 | - | - | 1,809 |
| December 31, 2022 | - | 1,657 | - | - | 1,657 |
| Financial liabilities | |||||
| December 31, 2023 | - | 3,156 | - | - | 3,156 |
| December 31, 2022 | - | 13,864 | - | - | 13,864 |
The table below shows the detailed statement of the economic values relating to the relationships maintained by the Company with related parties for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| (in ¤ thousands) | Parent company |
Subsidiaries | Associates | Other related parties |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other income | |||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | 4 | 78,848 | 46 | - | 78,898 |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | 2 | 78,188 | 55 | - | 78,245 |
| Finance income | |||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | - | 6,116 | - | - | 6,116 |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | - | 2,263 | - | - | 2,263 |
| Income from equity investments | |||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | - | 36,300 | - | - | 36,300 |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | - | 17,670 | - | - | 17,670 |
| Personnel expenses | |||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | - | - | - | 262 | 262 |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | - | - | - | 12,299 | 12,299 |
| Service cost | |||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | - | 685 | - | 1,264 | 1,949 |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | - | 569 | - | - | 569 |
| Other operating expenses | |||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | 65 | 8,006 | 602 | 263 | 8,936 |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | 58 | 7,314 | - | 186 | 7,558 |
| Finance expenses | |||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | - | 345 | - | - | 345 |
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | - | 140 | - | - | 140 |
Balance sheet transactions with the Parent Company mainly relate to trade payables for services rendered, amounting to ¤ 50 thousand.
Income statement amounts with the Parent Company are mainly related to other expenses amounting to ¤ 65 thousand and to the charge-back by the Parent Company of the costs of some services related to corporate obligations, under the contract in force between the parties.
The table below shows details of the
balance sheet items relating to the Company's transactions with its subsidiaries as at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| (in ¤ thousands) | Trade receivables |
Financial assets |
Trade payables |
Financial liabilities |
Other receivables (payables) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidiaries | |||||
| Capannoni S.r.l. | 179 | 17,125 | 172 | - | (160) |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. | 2,276 | - | 278 | 3,156 | 1,116 |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. Singapore Branch | 120 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Elettrodi (Suzhou) Ltd. | 2,847 | - | 14 | - | - |
| De Nora Deutschland GmbH | 34,761 | 13,248 | 5,094 | - | - |
| De Nora Do Brasil Ltda | 647 | 12,877 | - | - | - |
| De Nora India Ltd | 278 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Tech.Inc. | 5,847 | 23,538 | 889 | - | - |
| De Nora Permelec Ltd | 4,952 | - | 848 | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies Italy, S.r.l. |
647 | 13,352 | 14 | - | (1) |
| De Nora Water Technologies, Inc. - Abu Dhabi Branch |
22 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies FZE | 168 | 2,334 | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies UK Services Limited |
907 | 415 | - | - | - |
| De Nora China - Jinan Co., Ltd. | 57 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Holdings US, Inc. | 18 | 42,225 | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies (Shanghai), Ltd. |
25 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies, LLC | 1,215 | - | 115 | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies, LLC - Singapore Branch |
1,687 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Marine Technologies, LLC | 98 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. |
18 | - | 248 | - | (265) |
| Total Subsidiaries | 56,769 | 125,114 | 7,672 | 3,156 | 690 |
| (in ¤ thousands) | Trade receivables |
Financial assets |
Trade payables |
Financial liabilities |
Other receivables (payables) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidiaries | |||||
| Capannoni S.r.l. | 20 | 3,970 | 108 | - | (34) |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. | 2,257 | - | 293 | 6,506 | 1,702 |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. Singapore Branch | 155 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Elettrodi (Suzhou) Ltd. | 2,902 | - | 24 | - | - |
| De Nora Deutschland GmbH | 16,222 | 83 | 807 | 7,358 | - |
| De Nora Do Brasil Ltda | 671 | 13,357 | - | - | - |
| De Nora India Ltd. | 375 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Tech. Inc. | 12,617 | 28,737 | 2,259 | - | - |
| De Nora Permelec Ltd. | 3,211 | - | 693 | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies Italy, S.r.l. |
497 | 11,006 | 62 | - | (1,095) |
| De Nora Water Technologies, Inc. - Abu Dhabi Branch |
30 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies FZE | 138 | 1,410 | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies UK Services Limited |
424 | 603 | - | - | - |
| De Nora China - Jinan Co.,Ltd. | 58 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Holdings US, Inc. | 25 | 11,495 | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies (Shanghai), Ltd. |
17 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies, LLC | 1,090 | - | 386 | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies, LLC - Singapore Branch |
1,046 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Marine Technologies, LLC | 86 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. |
472 | - | - | - | (175) |
| De Nora ISIA S.r.l. | 43 | 1,200 | - | - | (353) |
| Total Subsidiaries | 42,356 | 71,861 | 4,632 | 13,864 | 45 |
Trade receivables, amounting to ¤ 56,769 thousand (¤ 42,356 as at December 31, 2022), mainly refer to the services provided by the corporate functions of the Company, and to the licences for the use of patents, trademarks and know-how.
Financial assets amounted to ¤ 125,114 thousand (¤ 71,861 thousand as at December 31, 2022) and refer to receivables for cash pooling from Capannoni S.r.l., De Nora Deutschland GmbH and De Nora Water Technologies Italy s.r.l. and receivables for loans from De Nora Do Brasil Ltda, De Nora Holdings US, De Nora Tech LLC, De Nora Water Technologies FZE, De Nora Water Technologies UK Services Limited.
Trade payables, amounting to ¤ 7,672 thousand (¤ 4,632 thousand as at December 31, 2022), refer mainly to services for R&D activities provided to De Nora Permelec Ltd. and De Nora Tech. LLC related to the development of intellectual property and payables to De Nora Deutschland GmbH for tax credits.
Financial liabilities, amounting to ¤ 3,156 thousand (¤ 13,864 thousand as at December 31, 2022), refer to financial payables for cash pooling to De Nora Italy S.r.l.
Starting from financial year 2022 and for a three-year period, the Company has signed a special agreement for consolidated taxation, in its capacity as consolidating company, with the following subsidiaries: Capannoni S.r.l., De Nora Italy S.r.l., De Nora Water Technologies S.r.l., De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l.. Each company participating in the national tax consolidation scheme transfers the tax income or loss to the consolidating company, recognizing a credit or debit equal to the IRES offset at the group level. These receivables/payables are shown in this category.
The following table shows the detailed statement of the economic values referring to the relations maintained by the Company with the Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| (in ¤ thousands) | Other income |
Income from equity investments |
Finance income |
Operating | Other expenses |
Finance expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidiaries | ||||||
| Capannoni S.r.l. | 10 | - | 552 | - | 736 | 108 |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. | 6,979 | 8,300 | - | 7 | 651 | 237 |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. Singapore Branch |
378 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Elettrodi (Suzhou) Ltd. |
7,268 | - | - | 69 | 2 | - |
| De Nora Deutschland GmbH | 23,388 | - | 223 | 209 | 174 | - |
| De Nora Do Brasil Ltda | 1,985 | - | 576 | - | - | - |
| De Nora India Ltd. | 785 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Tech. Inc. | 22,198 | - | 1,775 | 2 | 3,278 | - |
| Oronzio De Nora BV. | - | 28,000 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Permelec Ltd. | 8,934 | - | - | 75 | 2,506 | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies Italy, S.r.l. |
1,362 | - | 395 | - | 173 | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies, lnc. - Abu Dhabi Branch |
59 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies UK Services Limited |
499 | - | 26 | - | - | - |
| De Nora China - Jinan Co.,Ltd. |
183 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Holdings US, Inc. | 17 | - | 2,454 | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies (Shanghai), Ltd. |
15 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies, LLC |
3,112 | - | - | - | 43 | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies, LLC - Singapore Branch |
903 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Marine Technologies, LLC |
321 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies FZE |
385 | - | 115 | - | - | - |
| De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. |
67 | - | - | 318 | 443 | - |
| Shotec Gmbh | - | - | - | 5 | - | - |
| Total Subsidiaries | 78,848 | 36,300 | 6,116 | 685 | 8,006 | 345 |
| (in ¤ thousands) | Other income |
Income from equity investments |
Finance income |
Operating | Other expenses |
Finance expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidiaries | ||||||
| Capannoni S.r.l. | 14 | - | 59 | - | 771 | 110 |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. | 8,111 | 2,770 | - | 4 | 525 | 30 |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. Singapore Branch |
416 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Elettrodi (Suzhou) Ltd. |
7,464 | - | - | 136 | - | - |
| De Nora Deutschland GmbH | 18,262 | - | 195 | 396 | 87 | - |
| De Nora Do Brasil Ltda | 1,370 | - | 231 | - | 2 | - |
| De Nora India Ltd. | 685 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Tech. Inc. | 27,023 | - | 838 | 15 | 3,406 | - |
| Oronzio De Nora BV. | - | 14,900 | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Permelec Ltd. | 7,976 | - | - | 18 | 2,187 | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies Italy, S.r.l. |
996 | - | 188 | - | 115 | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies, lnc. - Abu Dhabi Branch |
65 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies UK Services Limited |
602 | - | 3 | - | - | - |
| De Nora China - Jinan Co.,Ltd. |
161 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Holdings US, Inc. | 6 | - | 745 | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies (Shanghai), Ltd. |
8 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies, LLC |
3,032 | - | - | - | 221 | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies, LLC - Singapore Branch |
854 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Marine Technologies, LLC |
327 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora Water Technologies FZE |
269 | - | 4 | - | - | - |
| De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. |
411 | - | - | - | - | - |
| De Nora ISIA S.r.l. | 136 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total Subsidiaries | 78,188 | 17,670 | 2,263 | 569 | 7,314 | 140 |
Other income amounted to ¤ 78,848 thousand (¤ 78,188 thousand in 2022). Other income is mainly attributable to: (i) intercompany charge-backs which include income for services provided by corporate functions in the amount of ¤ 20,710 thousand (¤ 19,624 thousand in 2022), and for licenses to use intellectual property, trademarks and knowhow in the amount of ¤ 50,523 thousand (¤50,755 thousand in 2022); and (ii) other income, which mainly includes charge-backs of expenses.
Income from equity investments, amounting to ¤ 36,300 thousand (¤ 17,670 thousand in 2022), refers to dividends received by the company Oronzio De Nora BV for ¤ 28,000 thousand, and by the company De Nora Italy S.r.l. in the amount of ¤ 8,300 thousand.
Finance income, amounting to ¤ 6,116 thousand (¤ 2,263 thousand in 2022), mainly refers to:
Operating expenses, amounting to ¤ 685 thousand (¤ 569 thousand in 2022), mainly refer to the supply of materials used by the Company in R&D.
Other expenses, amounting to ¤ 8,006 thousand (¤ 7,314 thousand in 2022), mainly refer to: services for R&D activities related to the development of intellectual property provided by De Nora Permelec Ltd. and De Nora Tech. LLC, costs for administrative services provided by De Nora Italy S.r.l. (such as general accounting, support in tax compliance, procurement, personnel administration, etc.), and costs for utilities, building expenses and ordinary maintenance related to the leased properties by Capannoni S.r.l..
Finance expenses, amounting to ¤ 345 thousand (¤ 140 thousand in 2022), refer to: (i) lease payables related to the lease of the administrative headquarters and R&D laboratories to the company Capannoni S.r.l. amounting to ¤ 108 thousand and (ii) the cash pooling referring to the above-mentioned loans to De Nora Italy S.r.l. amounting to ¤ 237 thousand.
Transactions with Associated Companies are mainly related to income for the provision of research and development services for ¤ 648 thousand (¤ 55 thousand in 2022).
Relations with Other Related Parties mainly refer to:
Below is the list of directly or indirectly investee companies.
| Company name | Registered office |
|---|---|
| Directly owned investments: | |
| Capannoni S.r.l. | Italy |
| De Nora Italy S.r.l. | Italy |
| Oronzio De Nora International BV. | The Netherlands |
| De Nora Elettrodi (Suzhou) Ltd. | China |
| De Nora do Brasil Ltda | Brazil |
| De Nora Holding UK Ltd. | United Kingdom |
| De Nora Water Technologies Italy S.r.l. | Italy |
| De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l. | Italy |
| thyssenkrupp Nucera AG & Co. KGaA | Germany |
| Indirectly owned investments: | |
| De Nora Deutschland Gmbh | Germany |
| De Nora India Ltd - INDIA | India |
| De Nora Tech. LLC | US |
| De Nora Permelec Ltd. | Japan |
| De Nora Hong Kong Limited | Hong Kong |
| De Nora China - Jinan Co. Ltd. | China |
| De Nora Glory (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. | China |
| De Nora Water Technologies UK Services Ltd. | United Kingdom |
| De Nora Holding US Inc. | US |
| De Nora Water Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. | China |
| De Nora Water Technologies LLC | US |
| De Nora Marine Technologies LLC | US |
| De Nora Water Technologies Ltd. | United Kingdom |
| De Nora Water Technologies (Shanghai) Ltd. | China |
| De Nora Neptune LLC | US |
| De Nora Water Technologies FZE | U.A.E. |
| Shotec GmbH | Germany |
| Capannoni USA LLC | US |
| thyssenkrupp nucera Italy S.r.l. | Italy |
| thyssenkrupp nucera Japan Ltd. | Japan |
| thyssenkrupp nucera (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. | China |
| thyssenkrupp nucera USA Inc. | US |
| thyssenkrupp nucera Australia Pty. | Australia |
| thyssenkrupp nucera Arabia for Contracting Limited | Saudi Arabia |
| thyssenkrupp nucera Participations GmbH | Germany |
| thyssenkrupp nucera India Private Limited | India |
| thyssenkrupp nucera Management AG | Germany |
Pursuant to article 38 of Italian Legislative Decree 127/91, the fees paid to the Directors and Statutory Auditors of the company Industrie De Nora S.p.A. for the performance of their duties are detailed below:
— Fees for the members of the Board of Directors and Supervisory Committees: ¤ 1,264 thousand in 2023 (compared to ¤ 819 thousand in 2022);
34.Events after the reporting date
No significant events occurred after the end of the year.
The law no. 124 of August 4, 2017, "Annual law for the market and competition", which entered into force on August 29, 2017, aims to ensure greater transparency in the system of financial relations between public entities and other subjects.
During the year, the Company recorded revenues for contributions recognized but not yet disbursed for ¤ 198 thousand pursuant to Italian Law no. 124/2017, Article 1, paragraph 25.
We propose the distribution of dividend of ¤ 0.123 per share; the residual part of the Net profit resulting from the financial statements closed at December 31, 2023 to allocate instead to the retained earnings reserve.
On behalf of the Board of Directors The Chief Executive Officer Paolo Enrico Dellachà
The undersigned Paolo Enrico Dellachà and Massimiliano Moi, in their respective capacities as Chief Executive Officer and Manager responsible for preparing the Company's financial reports of Industrie De Nora S.p.A., hereby certify, also taking into account the provisions of Article 154-bis, paragraphs 3 and 4, of Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998:
It is also certified that:
The separate financial statements as at 31 December 2023:
Milan, March 18, 2024
Paolo Enrico Dellachà Chief Executive Officer
Massimiliano Moi
Manager responsible for preparing the Company's financial reports

in accordance with article 14 of Legislative Decree No. 39 of 27 January 2010 and article 10 of Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014
To the shareholders of Industrie De Nora SpA
We have audited the financial statements of Industrie De Nora SpA (the Company), which comprise the statement of financial position as of 31 December 2023, the income statement, the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of changes in the net equity, the statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including material accounting policies information.
In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Company as of 31 December 2023, and of the result of its operations and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, as well as with the regulations issued to implement article 9 of Legislative Decree No. 38/2005.
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA Italia). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of this report. We are independent of the Company pursuant to the regulations and standards on ethics and independence applicable to audits of financial statements under Italian law. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Key Audit Matters Auditing procedures performed in response to key audit matters
Notes to the Separate Financial Statements Paragraph A.3 – Accounting policies –"Equity investments" and "Use of estimates" paragraphs Part C – Notes to the main financial statements items – Statement of financial position, Assets – Note 18 "Investments in subsidiaries and associates"
Investments in subsidiaries and associates amount to euro 337.6 million and are recognised in the Company statement of financial position as non-current assets.
Investments are measured at cost; when impairment indicators exist, the recoverability of the carrying amounts is tested by comparing the carrying amount of each investment with its recoverable amount that is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use, as defined by IAS 36 "Impairment of assets".
Specifically, the configuration of recoverable amount adopted by the Company is value in use, determined by discounting to present value of the forecast cash flows of the subsidiaries and associates, for the period of three years after the reporting date, based on the business plan 2024- 2026 approved by the Board of Directors on 18 March 2024, and adding a terminal value. The key assumptions used to determine the forecast cash flows of the subsidiaries and associates are the estimated levels of turnover, EBITDA, operating cash flows, perpetual growth rate and weighted average cost of capital (discount rate), taking into consideration past earnings and financial performance and future expectations.
In the preparation of the financial statements as of 31 December 2023 the Company has not recognised impairment losses on investments.
The assessment of the recoverability of the carrying amounts of investments is a key audit matter for the financial statements both in consideration of the relevance of the amount and We performed specific analyses to understand and evaluate internal controls over management's evaluations in this area. We also verified management's analyses for the identification of impairment indicators.
We verified the adequacy of the impairment testing model used in accordance with IAS 36 "Impairment of assets" requirements and evaluation practices.
Where impairment indicators were identified we obtained an understanding of the valuation criteria adopted by management and verified their consistent application in the process of calculation of the recoverable amount of each investment.
We assesses the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying the calculation of the recoverable amount, also through the involvement of experts from the PwC network, verifying the reasonableness of the most relevant financial projections used to determine the future cash flows of the individual investments, the discount rates applied, the definition of the terminal value and the mathematical accuracy of the impairment testing model. Moreover, we performed sensitivity analyses for the most significant assumptions.
Finally, we verified the adequacy and completeness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements.

| Key Audit Matters | Auditing procedures performed in response to key audit matters |
|---|---|
| because of the presence of significant elements of estimation. |
|
| The correct identification of potential impairment indicators, as well as estimations to determine the recoverable amount, depend on subjective evaluations as well as factors that may change over time affecting management's evaluations and estimates. |
The directors are responsible for the preparation of financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, as well as with the regulations issued to implement article 9 of Legislative Decree No. 38/2005 and, in the terms prescribed by law, for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
The directors are responsible for assessing the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and, in preparing the financial statements, for the appropriate application of the going concern basis of accounting, and for disclosing matters related to going concern. In preparing the financial statements, the directors use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
The board of statutory auditors is responsible for overseeing, in the terms prescribed by law, the Company's financial reporting process.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA Italia) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements.
As part of our audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA Italia), we exercised our professional judgement and maintained professional scepticism throughout the audit. Furthermore:
● We identified and assessed the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error; we designed and performed audit procedures responsive to those risks; we obtained audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis

for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control;
We communicated with those charged with governance, identified at an appropriate level as required by ISA Italia, regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identified during our audit.
We also provided those charged with governance with a statement that we complied with the regulations and standards on ethics and independence applicable under Italian law and communicated with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, actions taken to eliminate the related risks, or safeguards applied.
From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determined those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We described these matters in our auditor's report.
On 18 February 2022, the general meeting of the shareholders of Industrie De Nora SpA engaged us to perform the audit of the Company's statutory and consolidated financial statements for the years ending 31 December 2022 to 31 December 2030.
We declare that we did not provide any prohibited non-audit services referred to in article 5, paragraph 1, of Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014 and that we remained independent of the Company in conducting the statutory audit.
We confirm that the opinion on the financial statements expressed in this report is consistent with the additional report to the board of statutory auditors, in its capacity as audit committee, prepared pursuant to article 11 of the aforementioned Regulation.

The directors of Industrie De Nora SpA are responsible for the application of the provisions of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/815 concerning regulatory technical standards on the specification of a single electronic reporting format ESEF - European Single Electronic Format (the "Commission Delegated Regulation") to the financial statements as of 31 December 2023, to be included in the annual report.
We have performed the procedures specified in auditing standard (SA Italia) No. 700B in order to express an opinion on the compliance of the financial statements with the provisions of the Commission Delegated Regulation.
In our opinion, the financial statements as of 31 December 2023 have been prepared in XHTML format in compliance with the provisions of the Commission Delegated Regulation.
The directors of Industrie De Nora SpA are responsible for preparing a report on operations and a report on the corporate governance and ownership structure of Industrie De Nora SpA as of 31 December 2023, including their consistency with the relevant financial statements and their compliance with the law.
We have performed the procedures required under auditing standard (SA Italia) No. 720B in order to express an opinion on the consistency of the report on operations and of the specific information included in the report on corporate governance and ownership structure referred to in article 123-bis, paragraph 4, of Legislative Decree No. 58/1998, with the financial statements of Industrie De Nora SpA as of 31 December 2023 and on their compliance with the law, as well as to issue a statement on material misstatements, if any.
In our opinion, the report on operations and the specific information included in the report on corporate governance and ownership structure mentioned above are consistent with the financial statements of Industrie De Nora SpA as of 31 December 2023 and are prepared in compliance with the law.
With reference to the statement referred to in article 14, paragraph 2, letter e), of Legislative Decree No. 39/2010, issued on the basis of our knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have nothing to report.
The directors of Industrie De Nora SpA are responsible for the preparation of the non-financial statement pursuant to Legislative Decree No. 254 of 30 December 2016. We have verified that the directors approved the non-financial statement.

Pursuant to article 3, paragraph 10, of Legislative Decree No. 254 of 30 December 2016, the nonfinancial statement is the subject of a separate statement of compliance issued by ourselves.
Milan, 29 March 2024
PricewaterhouseCoopers SpA
Signed by
Francesco Ronco (Partner)
As disclosed by the Directors, the accompanying financial statements of Industrie De Nora SpA constitute a non-official version which is not compliant with the provisions of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/815. This independent auditor's report has been translated into the English language solely for the convenience of international readers. Accordingly, only the original text in Italian language is authoritative.

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