Quarterly Report • Nov 4, 2021
Quarterly Report
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Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of November 2021
Commission File Number: 001-13742
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
ICL Group Ltd. Millennium Tower 23 Aranha Street P.O. Box 20245 Tel Aviv, 61202 Israel (972-3) 684-4400 (Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Yse ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Yse ☐ No ☒
This report on Form 6-K shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the registration statement on Form S-8 (Registration Number: 333-205518) of ICL Group Ltd. (formerly Israel Chemicals Ltd.) and to be a part thereof from the date on which this report is filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished. In addition, this report on Form 6-K shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Israeli Shelf Prospectus of ICL Group Ltd. (formerly Israel Chemicals Ltd.) filed with the Israel Securities Authority and dated March 4, 2019 (Filing Number: 2019-02-018507) and to be a part thereof from the date on which this report is filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.
ICL GROUP LTD.

Another record quarter for specialties, with continued commodity upside
Tel Aviv, Israel, November 4, 2021 – ICL (NYSE: ICL) (TASE: ICL), a leading global specialty minerals company, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021. Consolidated sales of \$1,790 million were up 49% year-over-year versus \$1,204 million. Operating income of \$321 million was up more than 220% and broke an eight-year record, while adjusted operating income of \$315 million was up nearly 200%. Net income of \$225 million was up 317%, while adjusted net income of \$215 million was up 271%. Adjusted EBITDA of \$421 million was up 86% over \$226 million.
ICL's quarterly results were once again driven by its specialties businesses, and the company also benefitted from continued commodity upside. The strong performance was supported by increased demand and higher prices in most markets, and despite higher overall costs and global supply chain challenges.
"ICL delivered outstanding results, including the fourth consecutive quarter of bottom-line improvement. All four of our businesses contributed, with each of them reporting double-digit growth in sales, operating profit and EBITDA, driven by our strengthening specialties product portfolio and commodity tail winds. While our Innovative Ag Solutions division delivered double-digit organic growth, our recent Brazilian acquisitions helped balance the traditional seasonality of this business and drove a nearly 125% year-over-year improvement in total IAS sales and an increase in EBITDA of more than 300%," said Raviv Zoller, president and CEO of ICL.
Due to another quarter of strong results and continuing improvements in market conditions, ICL is raising its expectations for full year adjusted EBITDA to a range of \$1,450 million to \$1,500 million. (1a)
This Operating and Financial Review and Prospects is based on the Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as at and for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2021 (Interim Financial Statements) and is prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 "Interim Financial Reporting", unless otherwise stated. The Operating and Financial Review and Prospects contains certain non-IFRS financial measures and forward-looking statements, which are described in the "Financial Figures and Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section and the "Forward-looking Statements" section, respectively.
ICL Group Ltd. is a leading global specialty minerals and chemicals company that creates impactful solutions for humanity's sustainability challenges in global food, agriculture, and industrial markets. ICL leverages its unique bromine, potash and phosphate resources, its professional employees, and its strong focus on R&D and technological innovation to drive growth across its end markets. ICL shares are dually listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NYSE and TASE: ICL). The Company employs over 12,000 people worldwide, and its 2020 revenues totaled approximately \$5 billion. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.icl-group.com1.
1 The reference to our website is intended to be an inactive textual reference and the information on, or accessible through, our website is not intended to be part of this Form 6-K.
| 7-9/2021 7-9/2020 |
1-9/2021 | 1-9/2020 | 1-12/2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions |
% of sales |
\$ millions |
% of sales |
\$ millions |
% of sales |
\$ millions |
% of sales |
\$ millions |
% of sales |
|
| Sales | 1,790 | - | 1,204 | - | 4,917 | - | 3,726 | - | 5,043 | - |
| Gross profit | 689 | 38 | 365 | 30 | 1,754 | 36 | 1,085 | 29 | 1,490 | 30 |
| Operating income | 321 | 18 | 100 | - | 749 | 15 | 63 | - | 202 | 4 |
| Adjusted operating income (1) | 315 | 18 | 106 | 9 | 736 | 15 | 366 | 10 | 509 | 10 |
| Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of the Company | 225 | 13 | 54 | - | 500 | 10 | (54) | - | 11 | - |
| Adjusted net income - shareholders of the Company (1) | 215 | 12 | 58 | 5 | 485 | 10 | 190 | 5 | 258 | 5 |
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars) | 0.17 | - | 0.04 | - | 0.39 | - | (0.04) | - | 0.01 | - |
| Diluted adjusted earnings per share (in dollars) (2) | 0.17 | - | 0.05 | - | 0.38 | - | 0.15 | - | 0.20 | - |
| Adjusted EBITDA (2) | 421 | 24 | 226 | 19 | 1,067 | 22 | 722 | 19 | 990 | 20 |
| Cash flows from operating activities | 273 | - | 203 | - | 721 | - | 546 | - | 804 | - |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (3) |
128 | - | 143 | - | 426 | - | 443 | - | 626 | - |
(1) See "Adjustments to Reported Operating and Net income (non-GAAP)" below.
(2) See "Adjusted EBITDA and Diluted Adjusted Earnings Per Share for the periods of activity" below.
(3) See "Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited)" to the accompanying financial statements.
We disclose in this quarterly report non-IFRS financial measures titled adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders, diluted adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA. Our management uses adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders, diluted adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period. We calculate our adjusted operating income by adjusting our operating income to add certain items, as set forth in the reconciliation table under "Adjustments to reported operating and net income (non-GAAP)" below. Certain of these items may recur. We calculate our adjusted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders by adjusting our net income attributable to the Company's shareholders to add certain items, as set forth in the reconciliation table under "Adjustments to reported operating and net income (non-GAAP)" below, excluding the total tax impact of such adjustments. We calculate our diluted adjusted earnings per share by dividing adjusted net income by the weighted-average number of diluted ordinary shares outstanding. We calculate our adjusted EBITDA by adding back to the net income attributable to the Company's shareholders the depreciation and amortization, financing expenses, net, taxes on income and the items presented in the reconciliation table under "Consolidated adjusted EBITDA and diluted adjusted Earnings Per Share for the periods of activity" below which were adjusted for in calculating the adjusted operating income and adjusted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders. Other companies may calculate similarly titled non-IFRS financial measures differently than the Company.
You should not view adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders, diluted adjusted earnings per share or adjusted EBITDA as a substitute for operating income or net income attributable to the Company's shareholders determined in accordance with IFRS, and you should note that our definitions of adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders, diluted adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA may differ from those used by other companies. Additionally, other companies may use other measures to evaluate their performance, which may reduce the usefulness of our non-IFRS financial measures as tools for comparison. However, we believe adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders, diluted adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain items that management believes are not indicative of our ongoing operations. Our management uses these non-IFRS measures to evaluate the Company's business strategies and management's performance. We believe that these non-IFRS measures provide useful information to investors because they improve the comparability of our financial results between periods and provide for greater transparency of key measures used to evaluate our performance.
(1a) The Company only provides guidance on a non-GAAP basis. The Company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) to GAAP net income (loss), due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation, in particular because special items such as restructuring, litigation and other matters, used to calculate projected net income (loss) vary dramatically based on actual events, the Company is not able to forecast on a GAAP basis with reasonable certainty all deductions needed in order to provide a GAAP calculation of projected net income (loss) at this time. The amount of these deductions may be material and, therefore, could result in projected GAAP net income (loss) being materially less than projected adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP). The guidance speaks only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law.
We present a discussion in the period-to-period comparisons of the primary drivers of change in the Company's results of operations. This discussion is based in part on management's best estimates of the impact of the main trends on our businesses. We have based the following discussion on our financial statements. You should read such discussion together with our financial statements.
| 7-9/2021 | 7-9/2020 | 1-9/2021 | 1-9/2020 | 1-12/2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | |
| Operating income | 321 | 100 | 749 | 63 | 202 |
| Divestment related items and transaction costs from acquisitions (1) | (6) | - | (6) | - | - |
| Impairment and disposal of assets, provision for closure and restoration costs (2) | - | 6 | 1 | 225 | 229 |
| Judicial proceedings (3) | - | - | (8) | - | - |
| Provision for early retirement (4) | - | - | - | 78 | 78 |
| Total adjustments to operating income | (6) | 6 | (13) | 303 | 307 |
| Adjusted operating income | 315 | 106 | 736 | 366 | 509 |
| Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of the Company | 225 | 54 | 500 | (54) | 11 |
| Total adjustments to operating income | (6) | 6 | (13) | 303 | 307 |
| Total tax impact of the above operating income | (4) | (2) | (2) | (59) | (60) |
| Total adjusted net income - shareholders of the Company | 215 | 58 | 485 | 190 | 258 |
(1) For 2021, reflects a capital gain related to the divestment of the Zhapu site (China) from the Industrial Products segment, which was offset by an earnout adjustment relating to prior years' divestment, as well as transaction costs relating to the acquisitions in Brazil.
(2) For 2021, reflects a disposal of an initial investment that will not materialize in Spain and an increase in restoration costs, which was offset by a reversal of impairment due to the strengthening of phosphate prices, both in Rotem Amfert Israel.
For 2020, reflects an impairment and write-off of certain assets in Rotem Amfert Israel, following low phosphate prices and the discontinuation of the unprofitable production and sale of phosphate rock activity, which also led to an increase in the provision for asset retirement obligation (ARO) and in facility restoration costs. In addition, it reflects an impairment of assets and an increase in closure costs resulting from closure of the Sallent site (Vilafruns) in Spain.
(3) For 2021, reflects a reversal of a VAT provision following a court ruling in Brazil, less reimbursement of arbitration costs related to the Ethiopian potash project. For further information, see "Legal Proceedings" below.
(4) For 2020, this reflects an increase in the provision following the implementation of an efficiency plan, primarily through an early retirement plan, at Israeli production facilities (Rotem Amfert Israel, Bromine Compounds and Dead Sea Magnesium).
Calculation of adjusted EBITDA was made as follows:
| 7-9/2021 | 7-9/2020 | 1-9/2021 | 1-9/2020 | 1-12/2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of the Company | 225 | 54 | 500 | (54) | 11 |
| Financing expenses, net | 34 | 29 | 84 | 112 | 158 |
| Provision for income taxes | 45 | 14 | 132 | 1 | 25 |
| Minority and equity income, net (1) | 17 | 3 | 33 | 4 | 8 |
| Operating income | 321 | 100 | 749 | 63 | 202 |
| Minority and equity income, net (2) | (17) | (3) | (33) | (4) | (8) |
| Depreciation and amortization | 123 | 123 | 364 | 360 | 489 |
| Adjustments (3) | (6) | 6 | (13) | 303 | 307 |
| Total adjusted EBITDA | 421 | 226 | 1,067 | 722 | 990 |
(1) Calculated by deducting the share in earnings of equity-accounted investees and adding the net income attributable to non-controlling interests.
(2) Calculated by adding the share in earnings of equity-accounted investees and deducting the net income attributable to non-controlling interests.
(3) See "Adjustments to Reported Operating and Net income (non-GAAP)" above.
Calculation of diluted adjusted earnings per share was made as follows:
| 7-9/2021 | 7-9/2020 | 1-9/2021 | 1-9/2020 | 1-12/2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of the Company | 225 | 54 | 500 | (54) | 11 |
| Adjustments (1) | (6) | 6 | (13) | 303 | 307 |
| Total tax impact of the above Operating Income & Finance expenses adjustments | (4) | (2) | (2) | (59) | (60) |
| Adjusted net income - shareholders of the Company | 215 | 58 | 485 | 190 | 258 |
| Weighted-average number of diluted ordinary shares outstanding (in thousands) Diluted adjusted earnings per share (in dollars) (2) |
1,287,267 0.17 |
1,280,403 0.05 |
1,285,875 0.38 |
1,280,190 0.15 |
1,280,273 0.20 |
(1) See "Adjustments to Reported Operating and Net income (non-GAAP)" above.
(2) The diluted adjusted earnings per share is calculated as follows: dividing the adjusted net income-shareholders of the Company by the weighted-average number of diluted ordinary shares outstanding (in thousands).
Since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic in March 2020, and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide, the pandemic continued to spread and has introduced significant business and economic uncertainty and volatility to global markets. Accordingly, there has been a significant decline in global economic activity, partially due to preventative measures taken by various governmental organizations around the world. As at the report date, the pandemic continues to cause business and economic uncertainty and volatility in global markets. Certain countries, including India and Brazil, have been experiencing additional waves of outbreaks having an even more severe impact than previous waves. At the same time, there is a recovery trend in the volume of economic activity around the world, depending on the pace of recovery from the pandemic in the various countries. Israel is showing a recovery and a decrease in COVID-19 infection and morbidity rates, which have led to removal of most restrictions.
We continue to take measures to ensure the health and safety of our employees in all our facilities and offices, as well as those of our suppliers, our business partners, and the communities in which we operate, to maintain the level of operations throughout our various facilities around the world, and to minimize the pandemic's potential impact on our business.
In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, we have not experienced material delays in production or distribution, despite significant global logistics challenges, as manufacturing operations in our Israeli facilities continued at full production levels. In addition, at the Company's sites around the world, production remains largely uninterrupted.
During 2021, the Industrial Products segment and the Phosphate Solutions segment have experienced significant recovery in most markets, achieving all-time records in quarterly sales and operating income, driven by strong demand for the segments' products. At this stage, the Company continues to respond to the evolving business environment, adjusting to rapidly changing conditions taking appropriate measures to further enhance operational efficiency and profitability. The Company is unable to accurately assess the full future impact of COVID-19 on its operations, due to, among other factors, the increased volatility in global markets, the uncertainty regarding the duration of the pandemic, the extent of its impact on the markets in which the Company operates and on emerging markets especially, and the potential for additional countermeasures that may be taken by governments and central banks.
For further information, see "Item 3 - Key Information— D. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 2, 2021.
| Sales | Expenses | Operating income | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||
| Q3 2020 figures | 1,204 | (1,104) | 100 | ||
| Total adjustments Q3 2020* | - | 6 | 6 | ||
| Adjusted Q3 2020 figures | 1,204 | (1,098) | 106 | ||
| New Brazilian Businesses' contribution | 177 | (144) | 33 | ||
| Quantity | 102 | (56) | 46 | ||
| Price | 286 | - | 286 | ||
| Exchange rates | 21 | (38) | (17) | ||
| Raw materials | - | (82) | (82) | ||
| Energy | - | (4) | (4) | ||
| Transportation | - | (51) | (51) | ||
| Operating and other expenses | - | (2) | (2) | ||
| Adjusted Q3 2021 figures | 1,790 | (1,475) | 315 | ||
| Total adjustments Q3 2021* | - | 6 | 6 | ||
| Q3 2021 figures | 1,790 | (1,469) | 321 |
* See "Adjustments to reported Operating and Net income (non-GAAP)" above.
New Brazilian businesses' contribution – In January 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Agro Fertiláqua Participações S.A., one of Brazil's leading specialty plant nutrition companies, and in July 2021, the acquisition of the South American Plant Nutrition business of Compass Minerals América do Sul S.A. (hereinafter - ADS).
Quantity – The positive impact on operating income was primarily due to higher sales volumes of bromine-based industrial solutions, bromine-based flame retardants and acids.
Price - The positive impact on operating income was primarily due to an increase in the selling prices of phosphate fertilizers, an increase of \$97 in the average realized price per tonne of potash, a record level of elemental bromine prices in China and higher selling prices of bromine and phosphorus-based flame retardants.
Exchange rates The unfavorable impact on operating income was primarily due to the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the Israeli shekel and the British pound against the dollar, which increased operational costs. This was partly offset by the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the euro and the Chinese yuan against the dollar.
| 7-9/2021 | 7-9/2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | % of Sales | \$ millions | % of Sales | ||
| Europe | 495 | 28 | 411 | 34 | |
| Asia | 476 | 27 | 360 | 30 | |
| North America | 291 | 16 | 194 | 16 | |
| South America | 425 | 24 | 129 | 11 | |
| Rest of the world | 103 | 5 | 110 | 9 | |
| Total | 1,790 | 100 | 1,204 | 100 |
Net financing expenses in the third quarter of 2021 amounted to \$34 million, compared to \$29 million in the corresponding quarter last year, an increase of \$5 million.
The main changes were an increase of \$2 million in interest expenses due to an increase in the average net debt. In addition, there was an increase of \$2 million in long-term employee benefits provisions and lease revaluation, mainly due to higher appreciation of the Israeli shekel against the dollar during the corresponding period compared to the current quarter.
In the third quarter of 2021, the Company's tax expenses amounted to \$45 million compared to \$14 million in the corresponding quarter last year, reflecting an effective tax rate of 16% and 19%, respectively. The Company's relatively low effective tax rate in the current quarter is mainly due to higher profit coming from lower effective tax jurisdictions, as well as realization of previous years' tax losses.
| Sales | Expenses | Operating income | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||
| YTD 2020 figures | 3,726 | (3,663) | 63 | ||
| Total adjustments YTD 2020* | - | 303 | 303 | ||
| Adjusted YTD 2020 figures | 3,726 | (3,360) | 366 | ||
| New Brazilian Businesses' contribution | 185 | (157) | 28 | ||
| Quantity | 339 | (237) | 102 | ||
| Price | 522 | - | 522 | ||
| Exchange rates | 145 | (180) | (35) | ||
| Raw materials | - | (143) | (143) | ||
| Energy | - | (8) | (8) | ||
| Transportation | - | (96) | (96) | ||
| Operating and other expenses | - | - | - | ||
| Adjusted YTD 2021 figures | 4,917 | (4,181) | 736 | ||
| Total adjustments YTD 2021* | - | 13 | 13 | ||
| YTD 2021 figures | 4,917 | (4,168) | 749 |
* See "Adjustments to reported operating and net income (non-GAAP)" above.
New Brazilian businesses' contribution – In January 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Fertiláqua and in July 2021, the acquisition of ADS.
Quantity The positive impact on operating income was primarily due to higher sales volumes of bromine-based industrial solutions and bromine-based flame retardants, as well as acids and specialty agriculture products.
Raw materials The negative impact on operating income was primarily due to higher prices of sulphur consumed during the period, and an increase in prices of raw materials used in the production of bromine- and phosphorus-based flame retardants.
Energy - The negative impact on operating income was primarily due to an increase in electricity prices.
Transportation – The negative impact on operating income was primarily due to higher marine transportation costs.
The following table sets forth sales by geographical regions based on the location of the customers:
| 1-9/2021 | 1-9/2020 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | % of Sales | \$ millions | % of Sales | |
| 1,642 | 33 | 1,387 | 37 | |
| 1,322 | 27 | 1,023 | 27 | |
| 857 | 17 | 631 | 17 | |
| 796 | 16 | 377 | 10 | |
| 300 | 7 | 308 | 9 | |
| 4,917 | 100 | 3,726 | 100 | |
Net financing expenses in the nine-months period ended September 30, 2021, amounted to \$84 million, compared to \$112 million in the corresponding period last year, a decrease of \$28 million. This decrease derives mainly from changes in hedging transactions results in the amount of \$24 million.
Tax expenses in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021 amounted to \$132 million, compared to tax expenses of \$1 million in the corresponding period last year, reflecting an effective tax rate of about 20% and a negative effective tax rate of about 2%, respectively. The Company's negative effective tax rate in the corresponding period derived mainly from the deferred tax effect of the significant impairment losses and provisions, related to the Rotem Amfert Israeli's efficiency plan, which were subjected to a beneficiary tax rate.
The Industrial Products segment produces bromine out of a highly concentrated solution in the Dead Sea, as well as bromine-based compounds at its facilities in Israel, the Netherlands and China. In addition, the segment produces salts, magnesium chloride, magnesia-based products, phosphorus-based flame retardants and functional fluids.
| 7-9/2021 | 7-9/2020 | 1-9/2021 | 1-9/2020 | 1-12/2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | ||
| Segment Sales | 387 | 270 | 1,195 | 919 | 1,255 | |
| Sales to external customers | 383 | 267 | 1,183 | 909 | 1,242 | |
| Sales to internal customers | 4 | 3 | 12 | 10 | 13 | |
| Segment Profit | 105 | 50 | 324 | 223 | 303 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 16 | 19 | 47 | 54 | 77 | |
| Capital expenditures | 18 | 16 | 49 | 61 | 84 |
Results analysis for the period July - September 2021
| Sales | Expenses | Operating income | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | ||||
| Q3 2020 figures | 270 | (220) | 50 | |
| Quantity | 72 | (33) | 39 | |
| Price | 44 | - | 44 | |
| Exchange rates | 1 | (5) | (4) | |
| Raw materials | - | (16) | (16) | |
| Energy | - | - | - | |
| Transportation | - | (7) | (7) | |
| Operating and other expenses | - | (1) | (1) | |
| Q3 2021 figures | 387 | (282) | 105 |
Quantity – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily due to an increase in sales volumes of bromine-based industrial solutions, as well as bromine-based flame retardants. This trend was mainly driven by strong demand in most end-markets supported by the segment's production capacity expansion and several new long-term strategic agreements.
Price – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to a record level of elemental bromine prices in China and higher selling prices of bromine- and phosphorus-based flame retardants.
Exchange rates – The unfavorable impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the Israeli shekel against the dollar, which increased operational costs.
Raw materials – The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily due to an increase in prices of raw materials used in the production of bromine- and phosphorus-based flame retardants.
Transportation - The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to higher marine transportation costs.
Results analysis for the period January – September 2021
| Sales | Expenses | Operating income | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | ||||
| YTD 2020 figures | 919 | (696) | 223 | |
| Quantity | 181 | (97) | 84 | |
| Price | 78 | - | 78 | |
| Exchange rates | 17 | (23) | (6) | |
| Raw materials | - | (36) | (36) | |
| Energy | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Transportation | - | (13) | (13) | |
| Operating and other expenses | - | (7) | (7) | |
| YTD 2021 figures | 1,195 | (871) | 324 |
Quantity – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily due to higher sales volumes of bromine- and phosphorus-based flame retardants, as well as bromineand phosphorus industrial solutions products and specialty minerals products. This trend was mainly driven by strong demand in most end-markets, supported by the segment's production capacity expansion and several new long-term strategic agreements.
Price – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to a record level of elemental bromine prices in China and higher selling prices of bromine- and phosphorus-based flame retardants, as well as specialty minerals products.
Exchange rates – The unfavorable impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the Israeli shekel against the dollar, which increased operational costs. This was partly offset by the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the euro against the dollar.
Raw materials – The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to higher prices of raw materials used in the production of bromine- and phosphorusbased flame retardants.
Transportation - The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to higher marine transportation costs.
Operating and other expenses – The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to higher royalties and sales commissions paid, due to higher revenue.
The Potash segment produces and sells mainly potash, using an evaporation process to extract potash from the Dead Sea in Israel and conventional mining from an underground mine in Spain. The segment also produces and sells Polysulphate® from its Boulby mine in the UK, as well as salt and magnesium produced in the Dead Sea in Israel.
| 7-9/2021 | 7-9/2020 | 1-9/2021 | 1-9/2020 | 1-12/2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | |
| Segment Sales | 436 | 313 | 1,233 | 967 | 1,346 |
| Potash sales to external customers | 310 | 224 | 860 | 703 | 979 |
| Potash sales to internal customers | 27 | 20 | 76 | 67 | 95 |
| Other and eliminations (1) | 99 | 69 | 297 | 197 | 272 |
| Gross Profit | 216 | 115 | 508 | 334 | 472 |
| Segment Profit | 83 | 28 | 155 | 80 | 120 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 42 | 42 | 121 | 123 | 166 |
| Capital expenditures | 63 | 76 | 200 | 192 | 296 |
| Average realized price (in \$) (2) | 317 | 220 | 285 | 231 | 230 |
(1) Primarily includes salt produced in underground mines in the UK and Spain, Polysulphate® and Polysulphate®-based products, magnesium-based products and sales of excess electricity produced by ICL's power plants in Israel.
(2) Potash average realized price (dollar per tonne) is calculated by dividing total potash revenue by total sales quantities. The difference between Free On Board (FOB) price and average realized price is primarily due to marine transportation costs.
• ICL Dead Sea's P-9 pumping station is in commissioning and is expected to be fully operational by the beginning of 2022.
• Production of Polysulphate® went up by 2% year-over-year to 195 thousand tonnes in the third quarter of 2021, while sales volume significantly increased by 92% year-over-year, to 217 thousand tonnes.
• Magnesium metal sales increased year-over-year, due to continued recovery of global end market demand - mainly from the aluminum industry - and higher prices. The increase in sales is attributed to a few sales agreements signed with new customers in the EU, Canada and Israel. In September 2021, the Chinese government announced limitations on electricity supply to energy intensive industries, including Magnesium Metal production, causing shortage of Chinese supply, which subsequently pushed price sharply upward.
Global potash market - average prices and imports:
| Average prices | 7-9/2021 | 7-9/2020 | VS Q3 2020 | 4-6/2021 | VS Q2 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granular potash – Brazil | CFR spot (\$ per tonne) |
674 | 239 | 182.0% | 383 | 76.0% |
| Granular potash – Northwest Europe | CIF spot/contract (€ per tonne) |
409 | 241 | 69.7% | 256 | 59.8% |
| Standard potash – Southeast Asia | CFR spot (\$ per tonne) |
449 | 240 | 87.1% | 281 | 59.8% |
| Potash imports | ||||||
| To Brazil | million tonnes | 4 | 3.3 | 21.2% | 3 | 33.3% |
| To China | million tonnes | 1.5 | 2.9 | (48.3)% | 2 | (25.0)% |
| To India | million tonnes | 0.7 | 1.5 | (53.3)% | 0.59 | 18.6% |
Sources: CRU (Fertilizer Week Historical Price: October 2021), FAI, Brazilian and Chinese customs data.
| Thousands of tonnes | 7-9/2021 | 1-9/2021 | 1-9/2020 | 1-12/2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production | 1,152 | 1,064 | 3,326 | 3,319 | 4,527 |
| Total sales (including internal sales) | 1,064 | 1,111 | 3,287 | 3,333 | 4,666 |
| Closing inventory | 314 | 401 | 314 | 401 | 275 |
| Sales | Expenses | Operating income | |
|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||
| 313 | (285) | 28 | |
| 24 | (31) | (7) | |
| 98 | - | 98 | |
| 1 | (8) | (7) | |
| - | (4) | (4) | |
| - | (32) | (32) | |
| - | 7 | 7 | |
| 436 | (353) | 83 | |
Quantity – The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to an unfavorable site mix, as the decrease in sales volumes of potash from ICL Dead Sea more than offset the increase in sales volumes of potash from ICL Iberia. This was supported by an unfavorable segment product mix.
Price – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to an increase of \$97 in the average realized price per tonne of potash year-over-year, as well as an increase in the selling prices of FertilizerpluS products.
Exchange rates – The unfavorable impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the Israeli shekel and the British pound against the dollar, which led to a negative effect on the operating income.
Transportation The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to an increase in marine transportation costs.
| Sales | Expenses | Operating income | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | ||||
| YTD 2020 figures | 967 | (887) | 80 | |
| Quantity | 68 | (74) | (6) | |
| Price | 179 | - | 179 | |
| Exchange rates | 19 | (42) | (23) | |
| Energy | - | (10) | (10) | |
| Transportation | - | (59) | (59) | |
| Operating and other expenses | - | (6) | (6) | |
| YTD 2021 figures | 1,233 | (1,078) | 155 |
Quantity – The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to a decrease in sales volumes of potash from both ICL Dead Sea and ICL Iberia.
Price The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to an increase of \$54 in the average realized price per tonne of potash year-over-year, as well as an increase in the selling prices of FertilizerpluS products.
The Phosphate Solutions segment operates ICL's phosphate value chain, using phosphate rock and fertilizer-grade phosphoric acid to produce phosphate-based specialty products with higher added value, as well as to produce and sell phosphate-based fertilizers.
Phosphate specialties sales of \$346 million and operating income of \$37 million in the third quarter of 2021 were approximately 18% and 6% higher, respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2020. The increase in operating income was driven mainly by strong sales volumes and higher prices, which offset increasing raw material prices. Despite ongoing industrywide challenges in global logistics, the segment's global production footprint allowed to secure reliable supply for its customers worldwide.
Sales of phosphate commodities amounted to \$309 million, approximately 44% higher than the third quarter of 2020, mostly due to a significant increase in market prices and favorable exchange rates. Operating income of \$56 million, a year-over-year increase of \$63 million, is attributed mostly to higher prices and strong results of YPH, partly offset by higher costs of raw materials, mainly sulphur consumed during the quarter.
| 7-9/2021 | 7-9/2020 | 1-9/2021 | 1-9/2020 | 1-12/2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | |
| Segment Sales | 655 | 506 | 1,823 | 1,447 | 1,948 |
| Sales to external customers | 630 | 488 | 1,754 | 1,392 | 1,871 |
| Sales to internal customers | 25 | 18 | 69 | 55 | 77 |
| Segment Profit | 93 | 28 | 210 | 45 | 66 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 55 | 55 | 166 | 156 | 210 |
| Capital expenditures | 53 | 56 | 172 | 180 | 275 |
During 2021, the Company's YPH joint venture in China has been experiencing growing demand for its specialty mono ammonium phosphate (MAP) solutions for production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, destined for electric vehicles and other energy storage offerings. ICL is currently exploring ways to expand its presence in this evolving market in Asia, North America and Europe, through capacity expansions and business development.
Dairy proteins: Sales decreased year-over-year, due to reduced demand from key customers for organic products, which was only partially offset by higher volumes of conventional business. ICL continues to focus on expanding its global leadership position in the organic cow and goat ingredients market for high-end applications.
Global phosphate commodities market - average prices:
| Average prices | \$ per tonne | 7-9/2021 | 7-9/2020 | VS Q3 2020 | 4-6/2021 | VS Q2 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAP | CFR India Spot | 643 | 338 | 90% | 565 | 14% |
| TSP | CFR Brazil Spot | 629 | 246 | 156% | 527 | 19% |
| SSP | CPT Brazil inland 18-20% P2O5 Spot | 334 | 170 | 96% | 250 | 34% |
| Sulphur | Bulk FOB Adnoc monthly contract | 176 | 59 | 198% | 185 | (5)% |
Source: CRU (Fertilizer Week Historical Prices, October 2021).
Results analysis for the period July - September 2021
| Sales | Expenses | Operating income | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | ||||
| Q3 2020 figures | 506 | (478) | 28 | |
| Quantity | 10 | 5 | 15 | |
| Price | 128 | - | 128 | |
| Exchange rates | 11 | (15) | (4) | |
| Raw materials | - | (55) | (55) | |
| Energy | - | - | - | |
| Transportation | - | (11) | (11) | |
| Operating and other expenses | - | (8) | (8) | |
| Q3 2021 figures | 655 | (562) | 93 |
Quantity – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was driven mainly by strong sales volumes of acids and salts.
Price – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to an increase in the selling prices of phosphate fertilizers, acids and salts.
Exchange rates – The unfavorable impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the Israeli shekel against the dollar, which increased operational costs. This was partly offset by the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the Chinese yuan against the dollar.
Raw materials – The negative impact on the segment's operating income was due to higher prices of sulphur consumed during the quarter.
Transportation - The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to an increase in marine transportation costs.
Operating and other expenses – The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to higher operating costs.
| Sales | Expenses | Operating income | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | ||||
| YTD 2020 figures | 1,447 | (1,402) | 45 | |
| Quantity | 65 | (41) | 24 | |
| Price | 243 | - | 243 | |
| Exchange rates | 68 | (70) | (2) | |
| Raw materials | - | (95) | (95) | |
| Energy | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Transportation | - | (22) | (22) | |
| Operating and other expenses | - | 16 | 16 | |
| YTD 2021 figures | 1,823 | (1,613) | 210 |
Quantity – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to an increase in the sales volumes of acids, salts and phosphate-based food additives and phosphate fertilizers.
Price – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to an increase in the selling prices of phosphate fertilizers and acids, as well as higher selling prices in the phosphate specialties business.
Exchange rates – The unfavorable impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the Israeli shekel against the dollar, which increased operational costs. This was partly offset by the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the euro and the Chinese yuan against the dollar.
Raw materials – The negative impact on the segment's operating income was due to higher prices of sulphur consumed during the period.
Transportation - The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to an increase in marine transportation costs.
Operating and other expenses – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to increased production at Rotem Amfert Israel and at the YPH joint venture, as well as cost-reduction initiatives implemented in 2020 as part of an efficiency plan for Rotem Amfert Israel.
The Innovative Ag Solutions segment aims to achieve global leadership in specialty agriculture markets by enhancing its global positions in its core markets of specialty agriculture, ornamental horticulture, turf and landscaping, targeting high-growth markets such as Brazil, India and China, by leveraging its unique R&D capabilities, vast agronomic experience, global footprint, backward integration to potash and phosphate and chemistry know-how, as well as integrating and generating synergies from acquired businesses. ICL is continuously working to expand its broad portfolio of specialty plant nutrition, plant stimulation and plant health solutions, which consists of enhanced efficiency and controlled release fertilizers (CRF), water soluble fertilizers (WSF), liquid fertilizers and straights (MKP/MAP/PeKacid), soil and foliar micronutrients, secondary nutrients, biostimulants, soil conditioners, seed treatment products, and adjuvants.
| 7-9/2021 | 7-9/2020 | 1-9/2021 | 1-9/2020 | 1-12/2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | |
| Segment Sales | 387 | 173 | 865 | 568 | 731 |
| Sales to external customers | 379 | 168 | 852 | 557 | 715 |
| Sales to internal customers | 8 | 5 | 13 | 11 | 16 |
| Segment Profit | 46 | 6 | 88 | 35 | 40 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 9 | 7 | 23 | 19 | 25 |
| Capital expenditures * | 6 | 4 | 15 | 11 | 20 |
* Not including capital expenditures as part of business combination. For further information, see Note 3 to the Company's Interim Financial Statements.
Results analysis for the period July – September 2021
| Sales | Expenses | Operating income | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | ||||
| Q3 2020 figures | 173 | (167) | 6 | |
| New Brazilian Businesses' contribution | 177 | (144) | 33 | |
| Quantity | 15 | (9) | 6 | |
| Price | 14 | - | 14 | |
| Exchange rates | 8 | (8) | - | |
| Raw materials | - | (8) | (8) | |
| Transportation | - | (1) | (1) | |
| Operating and other expenses | - | (4) | (4) | |
| Q3 2021 figures | 387 | (341) | 46 | |
New Brazilian businesses' contribution - In January 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Fertiláqua and in July 2021, the acquisition of ADS.
Quantity – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to higher sales volumes of both specialty agriculture and turf and ornamental products, mainly straight and controlled-release fertilizers.
Price – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to higher selling prices of specialty agriculture products.
Exchange rates –The appreciation in the average exchange rate of the euro against the dollar and the appreciation in the average exchange rate of the Israeli shekel against the dollar offset each other and had no impact on the segment's operating income.
Raw materials – The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to higher costs of commodity fertilizers and ammonia.
| Sales | Expenses | Operating income | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | ||||
| YTD 2020 figures | 568 | (533) | 35 | |
| New Brazilian Businesses' contribution | 185 | (157) | 28 | |
| Quantity | 48 | (35) | 13 | |
| Price | 22 | - | 22 | |
| Exchange rates | 42 | (38) | 4 | |
| Raw materials | - | (11) | (11) | |
| Transportation | - | (1) | (1) | |
| Operating and other expenses | - | (2) | (2) | |
| YTD 2021 figures | 865 | (777) | 88 |
New Brazilian businesses' contribution - In January 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Fertiláqua and in July 2021, the acquisition of ADS.
Quantity – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to higher sales volumes of both specialty agriculture and turf and ornamental products, mainly straight and controlled-release fertilizers.
Price – The positive impact on the segment's operating income was primarily due to higher selling prices of specialty agriculture products.
Exchange rate – The favorable impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the euro against the dollar, which contributed to the segment's revenue. This was partly offset by the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the Israeli shekel against the dollar.
Raw materials – The negative impact on the segment's operating income was primarily related to higher costs of commodity fertilizers and ammonia.
Cash flows provided by operating activities amounted to \$273 million, compared with \$203 million in the corresponding quarter last year. This increase was mainly due to improved operating results.
In the third quarter of 2021, the net cash used in investing activities amounted to \$296 million, compared to \$144 million in the corresponding quarter last year. The increase was mainly from higher cash paid for business acquisitions in Brazil, which was offset by proceeds from divestiture of businesses.
In the third quarter of 2021, the net cash provided by financing activities amounted to \$2 million compared to the net cash used in financing activities in amount of \$169 million in the corresponding quarter last year. The decrease derives mainly from net receipt of debt in the current quarter, compared with net repayments of debt in the corresponding quarter last year. This decrease was partly offset by higher dividend payments in the current quarter.
In January 2021, the Company paid, as scheduled, \$84 million of a private placement bond. In March 2021, the Company paid, as scheduled, NIS 392 million (approx. \$118 million) Series E debentures, out of the total NIS 1,569 million (approx. \$487 million).
As at September 30, 2021, ICL's net financial liabilities amounted to \$2,634 million, an increase of \$216 million compared to December 31, 2020.
The total amount of the Company's securitization facility framework is \$300 million. As of September 30, 2021, ICL has utilized approximately \$177 million of the facility's framework.
In addition, ICL has long-term credit facilities of \$1,100 million, of which \$150 million were utilized as of September 30, 2021.
In January 2021, ICL completed the acquisition of Agro Fertiláqua Participações S.A. for a consideration of about \$122 million, which included a total net debt of \$40 million. Subsequently, in March 2021, the Company signed a framework credit facility agreement with MUFG Bank for a period of two years, according to which the Company can withdraw up to BRL 230 million (about \$42 million). As at the date of the report, the Company has withdrawn BRL 180 million (about \$33 million), with a maturity date of March 2023.
In July 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of ADS, for approximately \$420 million, which includes a total net debt of about \$107 million and a performance-based earnout of up to \$18 million.
In September 2021, the Company executed a new €250 million sustainability linked loan ("SLL") agreement, with a five-year term through 2026 and a fixed annual interest rate of 0.8%. The loan is an innovative step forward in the Company's ongoing sustainability efforts and includes three sustainability performance targets. These targets were designed to align with ICL's sustainability strategy and goals, and each will be assessed at specific times during the term of the loan by third-party certification.
As part of this effort, ICL is targeting an annual 4% to 5% reduction in direct and indirect Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO₂e emissions resulting from ICL global operations. As of the 2021 fiscal year, third-party monitoring will begin, in accordance with the accounting and reporting standards published by the GHG Protocol.
The Company is also planning to expand its participation in Together for Sustainability (Tfs), a global initiative dedicated to developing and implementing a global supplier engagement program that assesses and improves sustainability sourcing practices. Through 2025, the Company is committed to add, each year, a significant number of Tfs qualified vendors, who meet criteria in the areas of management, environment, health and safety, labor and human rights, ethics, and governance.
In addition, ICL will continue to focus on inclusion, equality and expanding the representation of women among its senior management, executive and board of director roles. ICL has worked to increase the number of women in senior management, and this segment has already grown from 9% in 2018 to 19% in 2021. As part of the SLL, the Company has set a target for women to hold at least 25% of senior management roles, by the end of 2024.
In September 2021, ICL IBERIA signed a new loan agreement in the amount of €25 million with a 45-month term through 2025 and a fixed annual interest rate of 0.95%.
In October 2021, an additional bank joined the credit facility agreement, increasing the revolving credit facility by an additional \$100 million, leading to a total amount of \$1.2 billion. Most banks signed on to continue the credit facility agreement and from March 2023 to March 2025, the total credit facility will amount to \$1 billion. For further information see Note 13 to the Company's Annual Financial Statements.
As at September 30, 2021, the Company is in compliance with all its financial covenants set forth in its financing agreements.
In the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2021, there were no material changes in the critical accounting estimates previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020.
On March 1, 2021, Mr. Noam Goldstein entered into office as EVP, OEE&I and ceased serving as President, ICL Potash Division. Mr. Meir Mergi, SVP, ICL Dead Sea Operations & EHS, replaced Mr. Goldstein in leading ICL's Potash division and is considered an office holder of the Company.
On March 17, 2021, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Gadi Lesin as an independent director of the Company, until the next annual general meeting of shareholders.
On March 31, 2021, Mr. Chris Millington entered into office as EVP, Food & Specialty Phosphates and is considered an office holder of the Company.
On April 1, 2021, Mr. Eli Amon entered into office as EVP, Chief Commercial Officer, and ceased serving as EVP, ICL Innovative Ag Solutions Division. Mr. Elad Aharonson replaced Mr. Amon, and as of April 1, 2021, serves as President, ICL Innovative Ag Solutions Division and is considered an office holder of the Company.
On July 14, 2021, the annual general meeting of shareholders ("AGM") approved the appointment, or reelection, of the members of the Company's Board: Yoav Doppelt, Aviad Kaufman, Avisar Paz, Sagi Kabla, Ovadia Eli, Reem Aminoach, Lior Reitblatt, Tzipi Ozer Armon and Gadi Lesin. The AGM further approved the appointment of Dr. Miriam Haran to serve as an external director of the Company for a three-year term, as well as the reappointment of Somekh Chaikin, a Member Firm of KPMG International, as the Company's independent auditor.
On August 19, 2021, following completion of a 3-year term as an external director, Dr. Nadav Kaplan ceased serving as an external director of the Company.
In October 2021, Ms. Ruth Ralbag notified the Chairman of ICL's Board of Directors of her decision to resign from her position as an external director on the Company's Board of Directors, following her recent appointment to the position of CEO of Clalit Health Services in Israel, which will require all of her time. Ms. Ralbag's resignation has entered into effect as of November 3, 2021.
On October 11, 2021, the Company reported that Kobi Altman, ICL CFO, will be leaving the Company, as of January 1, 2022, and that Aviram Lahav will join ICL as CFO and become a member of the executive management team.
In the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2021, there were no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Quantitative and Qualitative Exposures stemming from Market Risks
Reference is made to "Item 11 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Item 8 in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021, provides disclosure regarding the arbitration proceedings between the Company's subsidiary ICL Europe Coöperatief U.A. ("ICL Europe") and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia ("Ethiopia"), that were administrated by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration. ICL Europe commenced this arbitration to assert claims against Ethiopia under the Netherlands-Ethiopia Bilateral Investment Treaty ("BIT") seeking compensation for losses to its investment in its Ethiopian potash project due to mistreatment by the Ethiopian Government. ICL Europe claimed that the Ethiopian tax authority imposed a discriminatory, arbitrary and baseless tax on ICL Europe's Ethiopian project company, Allana Potash Afar Plc ("Allana Afar"). On July 9, 2021, the arbitration tribunal rendered its award. Despite indications that Ethiopia's tax assessment was flawed, the tribunal interpreted the BIT as significantly limiting the BIT's protections in relation to disputes regarding taxation. Among other things, this had the significant effect of precluding ICL Europe's claims that Ethiopia violated the requirement to accord fair and equitable treatment to ICL Europe's investments in Ethiopia. Consequently, the tribunal rejected ICL Europe's claims and ordered ICL Europe to pay an amount of approximately \$2.5 million as reimbursement of arbitration costs in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules. Since 2017, Allana Afar is not included in ICL's consolidated financial statements. This award does not have a material impact on the Company's Financial Statements.
For further information regarding legal proceedings and other contingencies, see Note 7 to the Company's Interim Financial Statements.
This announcement contains statements that constitute "forwardlooking statements", many of which can be identified by the use of forwardlooking words such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "expect", "should", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "strive", "forecast", "targets" and "potential", among others.
Forwardlooking statements appear in a number of places in this announcement and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations. Forwardlooking statements are based on our management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and the actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forwardlooking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to:
Changes in exchange rates or prices compared to those we are currently experiencing; loss or impairment of business licenses or mineral extractions permits or concessions; volatility of supply and demand and the impact of competition; the difference between actual reserves and our reserve estimates; natural disasters; failure to "harvest" salt which could lead to accumulation of salt at the bottom of the evaporation Pond 5 in the Dead Sea; construction of a new pumping station; disruptions at our seaport shipping facilities or regulatory restrictions affecting our ability to export our products overseas; general market, political or economic conditions in the countries in which we operate; price increases or shortages with respect to our principal raw materials; delays in the completion of major projects by third party contractors and/or termination of engagements with contractors and/or governmental obligations; the inflow of significant amounts of water into the Dead Sea could adversely affect production at our plants; labor disputes, slowdowns and strikes involving our employees; pension and health insurance liabilities; the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted, and may continue to impact our sales, operating results and business operations by disrupting our ability to purchase raw materials, by negatively impacting the demand and pricing for some of our products, by disrupting our ability to sell and/or distribute products, impacting customers' ability to pay us for past or future purchases and/or temporarily closing our facilities or the facilities of our suppliers or customers and their contract manufacturers, or restricting our ability to travel to support our sites or our customers around the world; changes to governmental incentive programs or tax benefits, creation of new fiscal or tax related legislation; changes in our evaluations and estimates, which serve as a basis for the recognition and manner of measurement of assets and liabilities; higher tax liabilities; failure to integrate or realize expected benefits from mergers and acquisitions, organizational restructuring and joint ventures; currency rate fluctuations; rising interest rates; government examinations or investigations; disruption of our, or our service providers', information technology systems or breaches of our, or our service providers', data security; failure to retain and/or recruit key personnel; inability to realize expected benefits from our cost reduction program according to the expected timetable; inability to access capital markets on favorable terms; cyclicality of our businesses; changes in demand for our fertilizer products due to a decline in agricultural product prices, lack of available credit, weather conditions, government policies or other factors beyond our control; sales of our magnesium products being affected by various factors that are not within our control; our ability to secure approvals and permits from the authorities in Israel to continue our phosphate mining operations in Rotem Amfert Israel; volatility or crises in the financial markets; uncertainties surrounding the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union; hazards inherent to mining and chemical manufacturing; the failure to ensure the safety of our workers and processes; cost of compliance with environmental regulatory legislative and licensing restrictions; laws and regulation related to, and physical impacts of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions; litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings; exposure to third party and product liability claims; product recalls or other liability claims as a result of food safety and foodborne illness concerns; insufficiency of insurance coverage; closing of transactions, mergers and acquisitions; war or acts of terror and/or political, economic and military instability in Israel and its region; filing of class actions and derivative actions against the Company, its executives and Board members; The Company is exposed to risks relating to its current and future activity in emerging markets; and other risk factors discussed under "Item 3 - Key Information— D. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 2, 2021 (the "Annual Report").
Forwardlooking statements speak only as at the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
This report for the third quarter of 2021 (the "Quarterly Report") should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report and the report for the first and second quarter of 2021 published by the Company (the "prior quarterly report"), including the description of the events occurring subsequent to the date of the statement of financial position, as filed with the U.S. SEC.

| September 30, 2021 |
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | ||
| Current assets | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 301 | 216 | 214 | |
| Short-term investments and deposits Trade receivables |
88 1,210 |
98 813 |
100 883 |
|
| Inventories | 1,409 | 1,233 | 1,250 | |
| Investments at fair value through other comprehensive income | 103 | 42 | 53 | |
| 350 | 346 | 341 | ||
| Prepaid expenses and other receivables | ||||
| Total current assets | 3,461 | 2,748 | 2,841 | |
| Non-current assets | ||||
| Investments at fair value through other comprehensive income | - | 73 | 83 | |
| Deferred tax assets | 157 | 121 | 127 | |
| Property, plant and equipment | 5,632 | 5,368 | 5,550 | |
| Intangible assets | 927 | 645 | 670 | |
| Other non-current assets | 395 | 311 | 393 | |
| Total non-current assets | 7,111 | 6,518 | 6,823 | |
| Total assets | 10,572 | 9,266 | 9,664 | |
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Short-term debt | 597 | 614 | 679 | |
| Trade payables | 885 | 669 | 740 | |
| Provisions | 56 | 51 | 54 | |
| Other payables | 740 | 633 | 704 | |
| Total current liabilities | 2,278 | 1,967 | 2,177 | |
| Non-current liabilities | ||||
| Long-term debt and debentures | 2,426 | 2,125 | 2,053 | |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 391 | 307 | 326 | |
| Long-term employee liabilities | 606 | 602 | 655 | |
| Long-term provisions and accruals | 276 | 268 | 267 | |
| Other | 73 | 57 | 98 | |
| Total non-current liabilities | 3,772 | 3,359 | 3,399 | |
| Total liabilities | 6,050 | 5,326 | 5,576 | |
| Equity | ||||
| Total shareholders' equity | 4,328 | 3,791 | 3,930 | |
| Non-controlling interests | 194 | 149 | 158 | |
| Total equity | 4,522 | 3,940 | 4,088 | |
| Total liabilities and equity | 10,572 | 9,266 | 9,664 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
(In millions except per share data)
| For the three-month period ended |
For the nine-month period ended |
For the year ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2021 |
September 30, 2020 |
September 30, 2021 |
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, 2020 | ||
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | ||
| Sales | 1,790 | 1,204 | 4,917 | 3,726 | 5,043 | |
| Cost of sales | 1,101 | 839 | 3,163 | 2,641 | 3,553 | |
| Gross profit | 689 | 365 | 1,754 | 1,085 | 1,490 | |
| Selling, transport and marketing expenses | 288 | 191 | 763 | 562 | 766 | |
| General and administrative expenses | 69 | 55 | 198 | 175 | 232 | |
| Research and development expenses | 16 | 13 | 45 | 37 | 54 | |
| Other expenses | 9 | 6 | 39 | 252 | 256 | |
| Other income | (14) | - | (40) | (4) | (20) | |
| Operating income | 321 | 100 | 749 | 63 | 202 | |
| Finance expenses | 54 | 52 | 116 | 130 | 219 | |
| Finance income | (20) | (23) | (32) | (18) | (61) | |
| Finance expenses, net | 34 | 29 | 84 | 112 | 158 | |
| Share in earnings of equity-accounted investees | - | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 287 | 73 | 666 | (45) | 49 | |
| Provision for income taxes | 45 | 14 | 132 | 1 | 25 | |
| Net income (loss) | 242 | 59 | 534 | (46) | 24 | |
| Net income attributable to the non-controlling interests | 17 | 5 | 34 | 8 | 13 | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of the Company | 225 | 54 | 500 | (54) | 11 | |
| Earnings per share attributable to the shareholders of the Company: | ||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars) | 0.18 | 0.04 | 0.40 | (0.04) | 0.01 | |
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars) | 0.17 | 0.04 | 0.39 | (0.04) | 0.01 | |
| Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding: | ||||||
| Basic (in thousands) | 1,283,563 | 1,280,179 | 1,282,171 | 1,279,964 | 1,280,026 | |
| Diluted (in thousands) | 1,287,267 | 1,280,403 | 1,285,875 | 1,280,190 | 1,280,273 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| For the three-month period ended | For the nine-month period ended | For the year ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 December 31, 2020 | ||||||
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | ||
| Net income (loss) | 242 | 59 | 534 | (46) | 24 | |
| Components of other comprehensive income that will be reclassified subsequently to net income |
||||||
| Currency translation differences | (73) | 64 | (91) | 29 | 118 | |
| Change in fair value of cash flow hedges transferred to the statement of income |
(6) | (6) | 10 | (8) | (54) | |
| Effective portion of the change in fair value of cash flow hedges | - | 1 | (26) | (8) | 53 | |
| Tax relating to items that will be reclassified subsequently to net income | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | - | |
| (77) | 60 | (103) | 17 | 117 | ||
| Components of other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to net income |
||||||
| Net changes of investments at fair value through other comprehensive income |
49 | 7 | 168 | (7) | 18 | |
| Gains (losses) from defined benefit plans | 10 | (13) | 28 | (1) | (15) | |
| Tax relating to items that will not be reclassified to net income | (14) | 2 | (29) | (3) | (6) | |
| 45 | (4) | 167 | (11) | (3) | ||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | 210 | 115 | 598 | (40) | 138 | |
| Comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interests |
16 | 13 | 36 | 13 | 23 | |
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of the Company |
194 | 102 | 562 | (53) | 115 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| For the three-month period ended | For the nine-month period ended | For the year ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2021 |
September 30, 2020 |
September 30, 2021 |
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, 2020 | ||
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | ||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | 242 | 59 | 534 | (46) 24 |
||
| Adjustments for: | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 123 | 123 | 364 | 360 489 |
||
| (Reversal of) Impairment of fixed assets | - | - | (9) | 90 90 |
||
| Exchange rate, interest and derivative, net | 29 | (4) | 82 | 93 90 |
||
| Tax expenses | 45 | 14 | 132 | 1 25 |
||
| Change in provisions | (4) | (3) | (13) | 125 113 |
||
| Other | (12) | - | (2) | 8 5 |
||
| 181 | 130 | 554 | 677 812 |
|||
| Change in inventories | (139) | (10) | (112) | 52 54 |
||
| Change in trade receivables | (34) | 33 | (208) | (42) (89) |
||
| Change in trade payables | 33 | (55) | 108 | 12 84 |
||
| Change in other receivables | 20 | 28 | (20) | 14 5 |
||
| Change in other payables | 55 | 24 | 26 | (35) 54 |
||
| Net change in operating assets and liabilities | (65) | 20 | (206) | 1 108 |
||
| Interest paid | (18) | (19) | (73) | (75) (109) |
||
| Income taxes received (paid), net of refund | (67) | 13 | (88) | (11) (31) |
||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 273 | 203 | 721 | 546 804 |
||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||
| Proceeds (investments) from deposits, net | 109 | (1) | 207 | 28 34 |
||
| Business combinations | (303) | - | (367) | (27) (27) |
||
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | (128) | (143) | (426) | (443) | (626) | |
| Proceeds from divestiture of businesses net of transaction expenses | 25 | - | 25 | 17 26 |
||
| Other | 1 | - | 4 | 5 10 |
||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (296) | (144) | (557) | (420) | (583) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||
| Dividends paid to the Company's shareholders | (68) | (35) | (169) | (88) (118) |
||
| Receipt of long-term debt | 620 | 182 | 1,117 | 1,059 | 1,175 | |
| Repayments of long-term debt | (458) | (375) | (913) | (926) | (1,133) | |
| Receipts (repayments) of short-term debt, net | (92) | 61 | (108) | (47) (52) |
||
| Receipts (payments) from transactions in derivatives | - | (2) | (18) | (4) 24 |
||
| Other | - | - | - | - (1) |
||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 2 | (169) | (91) | (6) (105) |
||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (21) | (110) | 73 | 120 116 |
||
| Cash and cash equivalents as at the beginning of the period | 318 | 323 | 214 | 95 95 |
||
| Net effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents | 4 | 3 | 14 | 1 3 |
||
| Cash and cash equivalents as at the end of the period | 301 | 216 | 301 | 216 214 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| Attributable to the shareholders of the Company controlling |
Total equity |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share capital |
Share premium |
Cumulative translation adjustments |
Capital reserves |
Treasury shares, at cost |
Retained earnings |
Total shareholders' equity |
|||
| \$ millions | |||||||||
| For the three-month period ended September 30, 2021 |
|||||||||
| Balance as at July 1, 2021 | 547 | 217 | (355) | 111 | (260) | 3,941 | 4,201 | 178 | 4,379 |
| Share-based compensation | - | 2 | - | (1) | - | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | (68) | (68) | - | (68) |
| Comprehensive Income | - | - | (72) | 33 | - | 233 | 194 | 16 | 210 |
| Balance as at September 30, 2021 | 547 | 219 | (427) | 143 | (260) | 4,106 | 4,328 | 194 | 4,522 |
| Attributable to the shareholders of the Company controlling |
Total equity |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share capital |
Share premium |
Cumulative translation adjustments |
Capital reserves |
Treasury shares, at cost |
Retained earnings |
Total shareholders' equity |
|||
| \$ millions | |||||||||
| For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 |
|||||||||
| Balance as at July 1, 2020 | 546 | 200 | (474) | (16) | (260) | 3,726 | 3,722 | 136 | 3,858 |
| Share-based compensation | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | 2 | - | 2 |
| Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | (35) | (35) | - | (35) |
| Comprehensive Income | - | - | 56 | 3 | - | 43 | 102 | 13 | 115 |
| Balance as at September 30, 2020 | 546 | 200 | (418) | (11) | (260) | 3,734 | 3,791 | 149 | 3,940 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| Attributable to the shareholders of the Company controlling |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share capital |
Share premium |
Cumulative translation adjustments |
Capital reserves |
Treasury shares, at cost |
Retained earnings |
Total shareholders' equity |
|||
| \$ millions | |||||||||
| For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021 |
|||||||||
| Balance as at January 1, 2021 | 546 | 204 | (334) | 22 | (260) | 3,752 | 3,930 | 158 | 4,088 |
| Share-based compensation | 1 | 15 | - | (11) | - | - | 5 | - | 5 |
| Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | (169) | (169) | - | (169) |
| Comprehensive income | - | - | (93) | 132 | - | 523 | 562 | 36 | 598 |
| Balance as at September 30, 2021 | 547 | 219 | (427) | 143 | (260) | 4,106 | 4,328 | 194 | 4,522 |
| Attributable to the shareholders of the Company | Total equity |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share capital |
Share premium |
Cumulative translation adjustments |
Capital reserves |
Treasury shares, at cost |
Retained earnings |
Total shareholders' equity |
|||
| \$ millions | |||||||||
| For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 |
|||||||||
| Balance as at January 1, 2020 | 546 | 198 | (442) | 3 | (260) | 3,880 | 3,925 | 136 | 4,061 |
| Share-based compensation | - | 2 | - | 5 | - | - | 7 | - | 7 |
| Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | (88) | (88) | - | (88) |
| Comprehensive income (loss) | - | - | 24 | (19) | - | (58) | (53) | 13 | (40) |
| Balance as at September 30, 2020 | 546 | 200 | (418) | (11) | (260) | 3,734 | 3,791 | 149 | 3,940 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| Attributable to the shareholders of the Company | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share capital |
Share premium |
Cumulative translation adjustments |
Capital reserves |
Treasury shares, at cost |
Retained earnings |
Total shareholders' equity |
||||
| \$ millions | ||||||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2020 |
||||||||||
| Balance as at January 1, 2020 | 546 | 198 | (442) | 3 | (260) | 3,880 | 3,925 | 136 | 4,061 | |
| Share-based compensation | - | 6 | - | 2 | - | - | 8 | - | 8 | |
| Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | (118) | (118) | (1) | (119) | |
| Comprehensive income | - | - | 108 | 17 | - | (10) | 115 | 23 | 138 | |
| Balance as at December 31, 2020 | 546 | 204 | (334) | 22 | (260) | 3,752 | 3,930 | 158 | 4,088 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
ICL Group Ltd. (hereinafter – the Company), is a company domiciled and incorporated in Israel. The Company's shares are traded on both the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker: ICL. The address of the Company's registered headquarters is 23 Aranha St., Tel Aviv, Israel. The Company is a subsidiary of Israel Corporation Ltd., a public company traded on the TASE under the ticker: ILCO:TA. The State of Israel holds a Special State Share in ICL and in some of its subsidiaries, entitling the State the right to safeguard the State of Israel vital interests.
The Company together with its subsidiaries, associated companies and joint ventures (hereinafter - the Group or ICL), is a leading specialty minerals group that operates a unique, integrated business model. The Company competitively extracts certain minerals as raw materials and utilizes processing and product formulation technologies to add value to customers in two main end-markets: agriculture and Industrial (including food additives). ICL's products are used mainly in the areas of agriculture, electronics, food, fuel and gas exploration, water purification and desalination, constructions, detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and automotive.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create business and economic uncertainty and volatility in the global markets. At the same time, there is a recovery trend in the volume of economic activity around the world that leads on one hand, to significant demand for certain products and services and on the other hand, disruptions to worldwide supply chain routes and some raw materials. Despite the ongoing struggle with the pandemic around the world and the uncertainty about its duration, there has been a considerable recovery in Israel, among others, including a significant decrease in morbidity rates, which has led to removal of most restrictions. The Company continues to take measures to ensure the health and safety of its employees, suppliers, other business partners and the communities in which it operates in order to ensure, among others, the operation level, the proper functioning of its facilities around the world and to minimize the pandemic's potential impact on its business.
Manufacturing continues at the Company's sites around the world without interruptions. However, there is still a difficulty in assessing the future impacts of the pandemic on the Company's operations, inter alia, in light of the uncertainty of its duration, the extent of its intensity and effects on global supply chains and global markets, and additional countermeasures that may be taken by the governments and central banks.
The Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the Company uses IFRS as its generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with IAS 34, "Interim Financial Reporting" and do not include all the information required in complete, annual financial statements. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes are unaudited and should be read together with the Company's audited financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 (hereinafter – the Annual Financial Statements), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
The accounting policies and assumptions used in preparation of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements are consistent with those used in preparation of the Company's Annual Financial Statements and in the Company's opinion include all the adjustments necessary to fairly present such information. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the Company's expected results for the entire year.
The Company made a number of insignificant classifications in comparative figures in order to adjust them to the manner of classification in the current financial statements. The said classifications have no effect on the total profit (loss).
ICL is a global specialty minerals and chemicals company operating bromine, potash and phosphate mineral value chains in a unique, integrated business model. Our operations are organized under four segments: Industrial Products, Potash, Phosphate Solutions and Innovative Ag Solutions.
Industrial Products – Industrial Products segment produces bromine out of a solution that is a by-product of the potash production process in Sodom, Israel, as well as bromine-based compounds. Industrial Products uses most of the bromine it produces for self-production of bromine compounds at its production sites in Israel, the Netherlands and China. In addition, the Industrial Products segment produces several grades of salt, magnesium chloride and some other products. Industrial Products is also engaged in the production and marketing of phosphorousbased flame retardants and additional phosphorus-based products.
Potash – The Potash segment produces and sells mainly potash, salt, Polysulphate®, magnesium and electricity. Potash is produced in Israel and Spain, using evaporation process to extract potash from the Dead Sea in Israel and conventional mining from an underground mine in Spain. In its Boulby mine in the UK, the Company produces Polysulphate®, which is composed of sulphur, potash, calcium and magnesium. The Company's FertilizerpluS product line is based mainly on Polysulphate®. The segment also includes magnesium activity under which it produces, markets and sells pure magnesium and magnesium alloys, and also produces chlorine and sylvinite. In addition, the segment sells salt produced in its potash and Polysulphate® underground mines in Spain and the UK, respectively. The Company has a power plant in Sodom, which supplies electricity to ICL companies in Israel (electricity surplus is sold to external customers) and steam to all facilities in the Sodom site.
Phosphate Solutions – The Phosphate Solutions segment is based on a phosphate value chain which uses phosphate commodity products, such as phosphate rock and fertilizergrade phosphoric acid ("green phosphoric acid"), to produce specialty products with higher added value. The segment also produces and markets phosphate-based fertilizers. Phosphate rock is mined and processed from open pit mines, three of which are located in the Negev Desert in Israel, while the fourth is situated in Yunnan province in China. Sulphuric acid, green phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizers are produced in facilities in Israel, China and Europe.
The Phosphate Solutions segment manufactures pure phosphoric acid by purifying green phosphoric acid. Pure phosphoric acid and green phosphoric acid are used to manufacture downstream products with high added value, such as phosphate salts and acids, for a wide range of food and industrial applications. Phosphate salts and acids are used in various industrial end markets, such as oral care, cleaning products, paints and coatings, water treatment, asphalt modification, construction, metal treatment and more. The segment's products for the food industry include functional food ingredients and phosphate additives, which provide texture and stability solutions for processed meat, meat alternatives, poultry, seafood, dairy, beverage and baked goods. In addition, the segment supplies pure phosphoric acid to ICL's specialty fertilizers business and produces milk and whey proteins for the food ingredients industry.
Innovative Ag Solutions – The Innovative Ag Solutions segment aims to achieve global leadership in specialty agriculture markets by enhancing its global positions in its core markets of specialty agriculture, ornamental horticulture, turf and landscaping, targeting high-growth markets such as Brazil, India and China, by leveraging its unique R&D capabilities, vast agronomic experience, global footprint, backward integration to potash and phosphate and chemistry know-how, while integrating and generating synergies from acquired businesses.
In January 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Fertiláqua, one of Brazil's leading specialty plant nutrition companies, and in July 2021, the acquisition of the South American Plant Nutrition business of Compass Minerals América do Sul S.A. (hereinafter - ADS).
ICL is continuously working to expand its broad portfolio of specialty plant nutrition, plant stimulation and plant health solutions, which consists of enhanced efficiency and controlled release fertilizers (CRF), water soluble fertilizers (WSF), liquid fertilizers and straights (MKP/MAP/PeKacid), soil and foliar micronutrients, secondary nutrients, biostimulants, soil conditioners, seed treatment products, and adjuvants.
The Innovative Ag Solutions segment develops, manufactures, markets and sells its products globally, mainly in Brazil, Europe, Asia, North America and Israel. It produces water soluble specialty fertilizers in Belgium, Israel and Spain, liquid fertilizers in Israel, Spain and China, straights soluble fertilizers in China and Israel, controlled-release fertilizers in the Netherlands, Brazil and the United States, as well as secondary nutrients, biostimulants, soil conditioners, seed treatment product, and adjuvants in Brazil.
Other Activities – Business activities which include, among other things, ICL's innovative arm, promoting innovation, developing new products and services, as well as digital platforms and technological solutions for farmers and agronomists. These activities are not presented as reportable segments, since they do not meet the required quantitative thresholds.
The capital investments made by the segments, for each of the reporting periods, include mainly property, plant and equipment, as well as intangible assets acquired in the ordinary course of business and as part of business combinations.
Segment's revenue, expenses and results include inter-segment transfers, which are based on transactions' prices in the ordinary course of business. This being aligned with the reports that are regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker. The inter-segment transfers are eliminated as part of the financial statements' consolidation process.
| Industrial Products |
Potash | Phosphate Solutions |
Innovative Ag Solutions |
Other Activities |
Reconciliations | Consolidated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||||
| For the three-month period ended September 30, 2021 |
|||||||
| Sales to external parties | 383 | 392 | 630 | 379 | 6 | - | 1,790 |
| Inter-segment sales | 4 | 44 | 25 | 8 | - | (81) | - |
| Total sales | 387 | 436 | 655 | 387 | 6 | (81) | 1,790 |
| Segment profit (loss) Other income not allocated to the segments Operating income |
105 | 83 | 93 | 46 | (3) | (9) | 315 6 321 |
| Financing expenses, net | (34) | ||||||
| Income before income taxes | 287 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 16 | 42 | 55 | 9 | 1 | - | 123 |
| Capital expenditures | 18 | 63 | 53 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 145 |
| Capital expenditures as part of business combination | - | - | - | 307 | - | - | 307 |
| Industrial Products |
Potash | Phosphate Solutions |
Innovative Ag Solutions |
Other Activities |
Reconciliations | Consolidated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||||
| For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 |
|||||||
| Sales to external parties | 267 | 274 | 488 | 168 | 7 | - | 1,204 |
| Inter-segment sales | 3 | 39 | 18 | 5 | 1 | (66) | - |
| Total sales | 270 | 313 | 506 | 173 | 8 | (66) | 1,204 |
| Segment profit (loss) Other expenses not allocated to the segments Operating income |
50 | 28 | 28 | 6 | (1) | (5) | 106 (6) 100 |
| Financing expenses, net Share in earnings of equity-accounted investees Income before income taxes |
(29) 2 73 |
||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 19 | 42 | 55 | 7 | - | - | 123 |
| Capital expenditures | 16 | 76 | 56 | 4 | - | 6 | 158 |
| Industrial Products |
Potash | Phosphate Solutions |
Innovative Ag Solutions |
Other Activities |
Reconciliations | Consolidated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||||
| For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021 |
|||||||
| Sales to external parties | 1,183 | 1,108 | 1,754 | 852 | 20 | - | 4,917 |
| Inter-segment sales | 12 | 125 | 69 | 13 | 1 | (220) | - |
| Total sales | 1,195 | 1,233 | 1,823 | 865 | 21 | (220) | 4,917 |
| Segment profit (loss) | 324 | 155 | 210 | 88 | (7) | (34) | 736 |
| Other income not allocated to the segments | 13 | ||||||
| Operating income | 749 | ||||||
| Financing expenses, net | (84) | ||||||
| Share in earnings of equity-accounted investees | 1 | ||||||
| Income before income taxes | 666 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 47 | 121 | 166 | 23 | 2 | 5 | 364 |
| Capital expenditures | 49 | 200 | 172 | 15 | 4 | 10 | 450 |
| Capital expenditures as part of business combination | - | - | - | 377 | - | - | 377 |
| Industrial Products |
Potash | Phosphate Solutions |
Innovative Ag Solutions |
Other Activities |
Reconciliations | Consolidated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||||
| For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 |
|||||||
| Sales to external parties | 909 | 846 | 1,392 | 557 | 22 | - | 3,726 |
| Inter-segment sales | 10 | 121 | 55 | 11 | 3 | (200) | - |
| Total sales | 919 | 967 | 1,447 | 568 | 25 | (200) | 3,726 |
| Segment profit (loss) Other expenses not allocated to the segments Operating income |
223 | 80 | 45 | 35 | (3) | (14) | 366 (303) 63 |
| Financing expenses, net Share in earnings of equity-accounted investees Loss before income taxes |
(112) 4 (45) |
||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 54 | 123 | 156 | 19 | 1 | 7 | 360 |
| Capital expenditures Capital expenditures as part of business combination |
61 - |
192 - |
180 - |
11 - |
4 25 |
7 - |
455 25 |
| Industrial Products |
Potash | Phosphate Solutions |
Innovative Ag Solutions |
Other Activities |
Reconciliations | Consolidated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Sales to external parties | 1,242 | 1,183 | 1,871 | 715 | 32 | - | 5,043 |
| Inter-segment sales | 13 | 163 | 77 | 16 | 3 | (272) | - |
| Total sales | 1,255 | 1,346 | 1,948 | 731 | 35 | (272) | 5,043 |
| Segment profit (loss) Other expenses not allocated to the segments |
303 | 120 | 66 | 40 | (5) | (15) | 509 (307) |
| Operating income | 202 | ||||||
| Financing expenses, net Share in earnings of equity-accounted investees Income before income taxes |
(158) 5 49 |
||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 77 | 166 | 210 | 25 | 3 | 8 | 489 |
| Capital expenditures Capital expenditures as part of business combination |
84 - |
296 - |
275 - |
20 - |
6 26 |
15 - |
696 26 |
The following table presents the distribution of the operating segments sales by geographical location of the customer:
| 7-9/2021 | 7-9/2020 | 1-9/2021 | 1-9/2020 | 1-12/2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions |
% of sales |
\$ millions |
% of sales |
\$ millions |
% of sales |
\$ millions |
% of sales |
\$ millions |
% of sales |
||
| Brazil | 385 | 22 | 115 | 10 | 701 | 14 | 331 | 9 | 447 | 9 | |
| China | 288 | 16 | 209 | 17 | 788 | 16 | 566 | 15 | 806 | 16 | |
| USA | 269 | 15 | 178 | 15 | 789 | 16 | 583 | 16 | 793 | 16 | |
| United Kingdom | 87 | 5 | 73 | 6 | 302 | 6 | 262 | 7 | 336 | 7 | |
| Germany | 74 | 4 | 69 | 6 | 263 | 5 | 246 | 7 | 327 | 6 | |
| Israel | 70 | 4 | 67 | 6 | 208 | 4 | 197 | 5 | 260 | 5 | |
| Spain | 64 | 4 | 53 | 4 | 212 | 4 | 177 | 5 | 243 | 5 | |
| France | 64 | 4 | 59 | 5 | 205 | 4 | 183 | 5 | 238 | 5 | |
| India | 48 | 3 | 57 | 5 | 134 | 3 | 139 | 4 | 194 | 4 | |
| Netherlands | 36 | 2 | 20 | 2 | 98 | 2 | 75 | 2 | 95 | 2 | |
| All other | 405 | 21 | 304 | 24 | 1,217 | 26 | 967 | 25 | 1,304 | 25 | |
| Total | 1,790 | 100 | 1,204 | 100 | 4,917 | 100 | 3,726 | 100 | 5,043 | 100 |
The following tables present the distribution of the operating segments sales by geographical location of the customer:
| Industrial Products |
Potash | Phosphate Solutions |
Innovative Ag Solutions |
Other Activities |
Reconciliations | Consolidated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||||
| 121 | 100 | 200 | 92 | 5 | (23) | 495 | |
| 149 | 111 | 181 | 37 | - | (2) | 476 | |
| 86 | 46 | 132 | 28 | - | (1) | 291 | |
| 14 | 130 | 93 | 188 | - | 425 | ||
| 17 | 49 | 49 | 42 | 1 | (55) | 103 | |
| 387 | 436 | 655 | 387 | 6 | (81) | 1,790 | |
| - |
| Industrial Products |
Potash | Phosphate Solutions |
Innovative Ag Solutions |
Other Activities |
Reconciliations | Consolidated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||||
| For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 |
|||||||
| Europe | 112 | 73 | 168 | 71 | 7 | (20) | 411 |
| Asia | 80 | 120 | 128 | 32 | - - |
360 | |
| North America | 60 | 8 | 101 | 26 | (1) - |
194 | |
| South America | 6 | 66 | 51 | 7 | - (1) |
129 | |
| Rest of the world | 12 | 46 | 58 | 37 | 1 | (44) | 110 |
| Total | 270 | 313 | 506 | 173 | 8 | (66) | 1,204 |
The following tables present the distribution of the operating segments sales by geographical location of the customer:
| Industrial Products |
Potash | Phosphate Solutions |
Innovative Ag Solutions |
Other Activities |
Reconciliations | Consolidated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||||
| For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021 |
|||||||
| Europe | 407 | 376 | 572 | 334 | 18 | (65) | 1,642 |
| Asia | 427 | 314 | 473 | 117 | - | (9) | 1,322 |
| North America | 268 | 135 | 371 | 87 | 1 | (5) | 857 |
| South America | 49 | 271 | 267 | 210 | - | (1) | 796 |
| Rest of the world | 44 | 137 | 140 | 117 | 2 | (140) | 300 |
| Total | 1,195 | 1,233 | 1,823 | 865 | 21 | (220) | 4,917 |
| Industrial Products |
Potash | Phosphate Solutions |
Innovative Ag Solutions |
Other Activities |
Reconciliations | Consolidated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||||
| For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 |
|||||||
| Europe | 338 | 305 | 510 | 267 | 22 | (55) | 1,387 |
| Asia | 284 | 317 | 329 | 100 | - | (7) | 1,023 |
| North America | 233 | 41 | 282 | 78 | 1 | (4) | 631 |
| South America | 23 | 164 | 175 | 16 | - | (1) | 377 |
| Rest of the world | 41 | 140 | 151 | 107 | 2 | (133) | 308 |
| Total | 919 | 967 | 1,447 | 568 | 25 | (200) | 3,726 |
The following table presents the distribution of the operating segments sales by geographical location of the customer:
| Industrial Products |
Potash | Phosphate Solutions |
Innovative Ag Solutions |
Other Activities |
Reconciliations | Consolidated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | |||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Europe | 458 | 411 | 665 | 334 | 30 | (76) | 1,822 |
| Asia | 405 | 433 | 480 | 127 | 1 | (14) | 1,432 |
| North America | 299 | 86 | 372 | 105 | 2 | (5) | 859 |
| South America | 40 | 230 | 227 | 21 | - | (1) | 517 |
| Rest of the world | 53 | 186 | 204 | 144 | 2 | (176) | 413 |
| Total | 1,255 | 1,346 | 1,948 | 731 | 35 | (272) | 5,043 |
Goodwill and intangible assets having an indefinite lifespan are not amortized on a systematic basis but, rather, are examined at least once a year for impairment.
The goodwill is not monitored for internal reporting purposes and, accordingly, it is allocated to the Company's operating segments and not to the cash-generating units, the level of which is lower than the operating segment, as long as the acquired unit is presented in the Company's reportable segments. The examination of impairment of the carrying amount of the goodwill is made accordingly.
The carrying amounts of the goodwill are as follows:
| As of September 30 | As of December 31 2020 \$ millions |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021* | |||
| \$ millions | |||
| Phosphate Solutions | 114 | 116 | |
| Industrial Products | 92 | 94 | |
| Innovative Ag. Solutions** | 351 | 73 | |
| Potash | 19 | 19 | |
| Other | 18 | 18 | |
| 594 | 320 | ||
* Commencing 2021, the Company conducts its annual impairment testing of goodwill in the third quarter.
** The increase is mainly from the acquisitions of businesses in Brazil. For further information, see Note 7.
The Company conducted its annual impairment test of goodwill and did not identify any impairment. The recoverable amount of the operating segments was determined based on their value in use, which is an internal valuation of the discounted future cash flows generated from the continuing operations of the operating segments.
The future cash flow of each operating segment was based on the segment approved five-year plan, which includes the segment estimations for revenues, operating income and other factors, such as working capital and capital expenditures. The segments' projections were based, among other things, on the assumed sales volume growth rates based on long-term expectations, internal selling prices and raw materials prices based on external data sources, when applicable and relevant.
The key assumptions used to calculate the operating segments' recoverable amounts are the nominal after-tax discount rate of 8% and the long-term growth rate of 2%, reflecting the industries and markets the Company is engaged in.
The carrying amounts in the financial statements of certain financial assets and financial liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, investments, short-term deposits and loans, receivables and other debit balances, long-term investments and receivables, short-term credit, payables and other credit balances, long-term loans bearing variable interest and other liabilities, and derivative financial instruments, correspond to or approximate their fair value.
The following table details the carrying amount and fair value of financial instrument groups presented in the financial statements not in accordance with their fair value:
| September 30, 2021 | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrying amount | Fair value | Carrying amount | Fair value | Carrying amount | Fair value | ||
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | ||
| Loans bearing fixed interest | 423 | 409 | 96 | 101 | 89 | 96 | |
| Debentures bearing fixed interest | |||||||
| Marketable | 1,512 | 1,721 | 1,467 | 1,660 | 1,625 | 1,870 | |
| Non-marketable | 193 | 206 | 278 | 291 | 281 | 296 | |
| 2,128 | 2,336 | 1,841 | 2,052 | 1,995 | 2,262 |
The following table presents an analysis of the financial instruments measured by fair value, using the valuation method.
The following levels were defined:
Level 1: Quoted (unadjusted) prices in an active market for identical instruments
Level 2: Observed data (directly or indirectly) not included in Level 1 above.
| Level 1 | September 30, 2021 |
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | |
| Investments at fair value through other comprehensive income (1) | 103 | 114 | 136 |
| Level 2 | September 30, 2021 |
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, 2020 |
| \$ millions | \$ millions | \$ millions | |
| Derivatives designated as economic hedge, net | 1 | (43) | (32) |
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedge, net | 77 78 |
49 6 |
87 55 |
(1) In the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2021, the Company sold about 119 million of its shares in YYTH for a consideration of \$202 million and about 55 million for a consideration of \$125 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, the remaining balance of the shares was about 1.5% of YYTH's share capital. Subsequent to the date of the report, the remaining holding is about 0.5%, following an additional sale of 18 million shares for a consideration of \$65 million.
The Company is exposed to changes in the exchange rate of the shekel against the dollar in respect of principal and interest in certain debentures and loans. The Company's risk management strategy is to hedge the changes in cash flows deriving from liabilities denominated in shekels by using derivatives. These exposures are hedged from time to time, according to the assessment of the exposure and inherent risks against which the Company chooses to hedge, in accordance with the Company's risk management strategy.
In September 2021, the Company entered into a new sustainability linked loan (SLL) agreement in the amount of €250 million, with a five-year term through 2026 and a fixed annual interest rate of 0.8%. The loan was entered into with a group of five leading global lenders.
The loan is an innovative step forward in the Company's ongoing sustainability efforts and includes three sustainability performance targets: (1) an annual 4% to 5% reduction in direct and indirect Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO₂e emissions resulting from ICL global operations. (2) Through 2025, the Company is committed to adding a significant number of Tfs (Together for Sustainability) qualified vendors each year who meet criteria of management, environment, health and safety, labor and human rights, ethics, and governance and (3) for women to hold at least 25% of senior management roles, by the end of 2024.
| Decision date for dividend distribution by the Board of Directors | Actual date of dividend distribution | Distributed amount (\$ millions) |
Dividend per share (\$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 10, 2021 | March 16, 2021 | 34 | 0.03 |
| May 5, 2021 | June 16, 2021 | 67 | 0.05 |
| July 27, 2021 | September 1, 2021 | 68 | 0.05 |
| November 3, 2021 * | December 15, 2021 | 107 | 0.08 |
* The dividend will be distributed on December 15, 2021, with a record date for eligibility of December 2, 2021.
The amendment proposes to repeal Section 74(d)(4) of the law, which allows a company to decide, when distributing a dividend, that the trapped earnings it has accumulated will not be distributed, and to stipulate that in any dividend distribution from companies holding trapped earnings a certain part of the distribution will be seen as a distribution of the trapped earnings. According to the proposed amendment, this section will be repealed despite the provision of "stability of benefits" set forth in section 72A of the Capital Investment Encouragement Law.
In addition, pursuant to the amendment, a temporary order for one year only is proposed, in the format set forth in Amendment 69 to the Capital Investment Encouragement Law, to encourage the distribution of trapped earnings as a dividend and the resulting tax payment, while providing a rebate on corporate income tax. The exact discount rate, which does not exceed 60% of the required tax, will be determined according to the rate of trapped earnings for which the tax will be paid under the temporary order. Eligibility for a discount at the aforesaid tax rate is conditional on the payment of this tax up to one year from the entry into force of the amendment, as well as on making investments in the companies' industrial plants over five years, in accordance with the formula set forth in the amendment. If the company chooses to enter the framework of the temporary order, the Company will pay tax in the amount of up to \$75 million.
In accordance with the proposed Amendment number 3 to the Taxation of Profits from Natural Resources Law, the arrangement of tax collection should be altered. Currently, companies are not required to pay a disputed tax until a court ruling. Should the proposed amendment pass, companies will be required to pay 75% of the disputed tax after deciding to object the tax assessment, even if an appeal is filed with the court and a ruling has yet been made.
The Company estimates that it is more likely than not that the said approvals, permits, concessions and future phosphate rock sources will be granted within a timeframe which will not materially impact the Company's results. Nevertheless, there is no certainty as to the receipt of such approvals, permits, concessions and future phosphate rock sources and/or the date of their receipt. Failure to obtain these approvals, permits, concessions and future phosphate rock resources, or a significant delay in receiving them can lead to a material impact on the Company's business, financial position and results of operations.
In March 2021, a decision was made by the Water Authority, whereby despite the Company's objection, its definition should be changed to "Consumer-Producer", as defined in the Water Law, starting with the production license for 2021. The main implication of this change is an increase in the water rates of about \$3 million per year for water drawn from drillings outside the concession area. The Company filed an appeal with the water court against the said decision and the parties presented their arguments in a preliminary hearing. A hearing for evidence presentation is scheduled for December 2021.
Regarding the Company's objection to the Water Authority's charges for water drawn from drilling within the concession area, in October 2021, the Water Authority informed the Company that water fees will not be charged for water production within the concession area.
The Company rejects the claims made in the application and accordingly in September 2021, filed its response within the framework of the legal proceeding. Considering the preliminary stage of the proceeding there is a difficulty in estimating its outcome. No provision has been recorded in the Company's books.
In July 2021, the Company completed the transaction to acquire ADS (formerly known as - Compass Minerals), which includes the South American Plant Nutrition business of ADS for a total consideration of about \$420 million, including a net debt of about \$107 million and a performance-based earnout of up to \$18 million. ADS offers a broad range of solutions for plant nutrition and stimulation, soil treatment, seed treatment and plant health, covering all key Brazilian crops and as such, will significantly expand ICL's product portfolio and profitability, while providing further seasonal balance between the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
By: /s/ Kobi Altman
Name: Kobi Altman Title: Chief Financial Officer
By: /s/ Aya Landman
Name: Aya Landman
Title: VP, Company Secretary & Global Compliance
Date: November 4, 2021
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