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X-FAB Annual Report 2022

Mar 28, 2023

9898_rns_2023-03-28_b5c4fc52-6742-4614-87dc-9cb53621ec79.pdf

Annual Report

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CONTENTS

1. Letter to our stakeholders 04
2. X-FAB at a glance 06
3. Our culture 08
4. Our business 12
5. X-FAB consolidated financial
statements 26
5.1 Summary of important
developments 26
5.2 Statement of the Board of Directors. 26
5.3 Statutory auditor's report to the
general meeting of X-Fab Silicon
Foundries SE on the consolidated
financial statements as of and for
the year ended December 31, 2022 26
5.4 Consolidated financial statements 30
statements Notes to the consolidated financial
1 Basic information and description of
the X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE
Group's business 35
2 Group structure 35
3 Basis of preparation 36
3.1 Statement of compliance 36
3.2 Basis of measurement 36
3.3 Functional and presentation
currency 36
3.4 Use of judgments,
assumptions,and estimation
uncertainties 36
4 Summary of accounting policies 37
4.1 Basis of consolidation 37
4.2 Foreign currency translation 38
4.3 Revenue from contracts with
customers
38
4.4 Research and development
expenses 38
4.5 Finance income and finance
costs 39
4.6 Rental income from investment
properties 39
4.7 Employee benefits 39
4.8 Property, plant, equipment, and
investment properties 39
4.9 Intangible assets 40
4.10 Impairment 40
4.11 Financial instruments 40
4.12 Derivative financial instruments . 43
4.13 Inventories 43
4.14 Cash and cash equivalents 43
4.15 Equity 43
4.16 Provisions 43
4.17 Leases 44
4.18 Subsidies 45
4.19 Income taxes 45
4.20 Changes to accounting policies . 46
5 Business combinations 47
6 Notes to the consolidated
statement of profit or loss 47
6.1 Revenue 47
6.2 Cost of sales 48
6.3 Research and development
expenses
48
6.4 Selling expenses 48
6.5 General and administrative
expenses
48
6.6 Expenses by nature 48
6.7 Rental income from investment
properties
49
6.8 Rental expenses related to
investment properties
49
6.9 Other income 49
6.10 Other expenses 49
6.11 Finance income 50
6.12 Finance costs 50
6.13 Income tax 50
6.14 Earnings per share 53
7 Notes to the statement of financial
position 54
7.1 Property, plant, equipment, and
investment properties 54
7.2 Intangible assets 56
7.3 Inventories 56
7.4 Trade and other receivables 57
7.5 Other assets 58
7.6 Cash and cash equivalents 58
7.7 Equity 58
7.8 Dividends 59
7.9 Non-controlling interests 60
7.10 Loans and borrowings 60
7.11 Other non-current liabilities 65
7.12 Trade payables and other
current liabilities
66
7.13 Provisions 66
8 Notes to the statement of cash 67
9 flows
Segment reporting 67
10 Financial instruments – fair values
and risk management
69
11 Leases 72
12 Transactions with related parties 73
13 Other disclosures 74
13.1 Purchase commitments and
contingencies 74
13.2 Unresolved legal disputes and
claims 75
13.3 Employees 75
13.4 List of shareholdings 75
13.5 Consolidated financial
statements of the ultimate
parent 76
13.6 Auditor and auditor's
remuneration
76
14 Events after the reporting period 76
6. Corporate social responsibility at
X-FAB 80
6.1 Scope 80
6.1.1 X-FAB's key environmental,
social, and governance (ESG)
goals 81
6.1.2 Stakeholder engagement 82
6.1.3 Digital transformation 84
6.2 Environment 85
6.2.1 Environmental awareness and
responsibility
85
6.2.2 Materials and waste
management 86
6.2.2.1 Energy efficiency 86
6.2.2.2 Water 87
6.2.2.3 Greenhouse gases 87
6.3 Social 88
6.3.1 Human rights and human
6.3.2 resources 88
Social commitment 93
Healthy work environment 94
6.3.3
6.4 Governance 95
6.4.1 Anti-corruption and bribery 95
6.4.2 X-FAB's supply chain 95
6.4.2.1 Selection and
categorization of X-FAB
suppliers 95
6.4.2.2 Audits and continual
improvement of
suppliers 96
6.4.2.3 Handling of conflict
minerals
97
6.4.3 Data Security 97
6.4.4 X-FAB's responsibility towards
its customers and society 98
6.5 EU taxonomy 98
7. Corporate governance statement 104
7.1 Shareholders 104
7.2 Management structure 104
7.3 Board of Directors 105
7.4 Committees 107
7.5 Executive Management 108
7.6 Diversity policy 108
7.7 Remuneration report 108
7.8 Policy on certain transactions 114
7.9 Internal control and risk assessment
procedures in relation to financial
reporting
115
7.10
Description of certain information
from the Articles of Association and
elements pertinent to a takeover bid
116
Auditor 117
7.11
7.12
Compliance with the 2020 Belgian
Code on Corporate Governance 118
8. Shareholder information 122
9. X-FAB SE statutory accounts 124
10. Risk factors 126
11. Glossary 130

Dear stakeholders,

On behalf of the board of directors of X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE, I have the pleasure of submitting to you the annual report for the year ended December 31, 2022, which has been prepared in accordance with articles 3:6 and 3:32 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations (BCCA).

2022 has been another rollercoaster year. On the one hand, I am very proud that – in the midst of various challenges – X-FAB has had a successful twelve months, laying a solid foundation for future growth and stability. On the other hand, the world faced serious challenges. In particular, the start of the war in Ukraine was a major turning point in 2022 for all of us. It has dramatically aggravated the world political situation and continues to cause unimaginable suffering. Combined with the lingering effects of the pandemic, this has led to major disruptions in the global economy, including an energy crisis, high inflation rates, and the continued tightening of supply chains. In this challenging environment, we have successfully developed our business, and I would like to sincerely thank all X-FAB employees for their unwavering commitment to achieving the best results in challenging times.

In 2022, X-FAB recorded revenues of USD 739.5 million. This represents an increase of 12% year on year, well above the semiconductor industry's average lowsingle-digit growth. Order intake remained strong throughout the year, consistently outpacing our manufacturing capacity and resulting in an unprecedented year-end backlog of USD 480.5 million.

Revenues in X-FAB's core markets – automotive, industrial, and medical – amounted to USD 618.0 million, which is an increase of 18% year on year, reflecting the consistently strong demand in these end markets. With this, we have also continued the transformation of our business towards a higher share of high value-added business with long lifecycles. The proportion of total revenues accounted for by our core business (automotive, industrial, and medical) further increased in 2022 to 84% compared to 80% in the previous year.

Electrification of everything is the key to meeting the challenges of climate change and moving away from fossil fuels. With our technology portfolio ranging from silicon carbide (SiC) to high-voltage CMOS to on-chip high-voltage isolation, we enable the development of sustainable and energy-efficient products and are perfectly positioned to support the transition to electric mobility and renewable energy sources. On the other hand, the digitization of medicine is becoming a reality, and X-FAB continues to benefit from the growing trend to use semiconductor technology for advances in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease. Our combined CMOS and MEMS capabilities enable a wide range of different applications – from personal medical devices, such as temperature sensors, hearing aids, or cochlear implants, to x-ray or ultrasound applications and highly complex lab-on-a-chip devices capable of DNA sequencing, sepsis detection, or allergy testing.

That said, X-FAB is addressing major megatrends of our time, and this has been fueling growth in all of our key end markets. For the full year, automotive revenue was USD 389.3 million, up 17% year on year, while industrial revenue grew 19% to USD 172.9 million. Fullyear medical revenue was USD 55.8 million, an increase of 16% over the prior year.

From a technology perspective, our SiC business has been a major source of growth with annual revenues of USD 54.5 million, up 61% year on year, while SiC volumes produced in 2022 more than doubled compared to the prior year. X-FAB's CMOS business recorded annual revenues of USD 609.4 million, up 9% year on year, and MEMS revenues grew by 15% to USD 75.6 million in 2022.

While revenue growth contributed positively to X-FAB's financial results, this was partially offset by an exceptional item related to arbitration proceedings with a supplier. EBITDA for the full year was USD 134.9 million, down 12% year on year. This represents an EBITDA margin of 18.2%. Excluding this one-off item, the EBITDA margin would have been 23.4%. Thanks to the natural hedging of our business, last year's euro weakness had no impact on earnings, and price increases offset cost inflationary pressures.

2022 was another transformative year for the semiconductor industry, driven by the severe and prolonged chip shortage, which demonstrated the strategic importance and high complexity of semiconductor manufacturing. It caused all players in the supply chain to fundamentally rethink the way they do business, and X-FAB – for the first time in the Company's history – introduced long-term agreements with its largest customers, covering a significant share of its business. This provides stability both for X-FAB to improve the visibility of its business and for our customers, assuring them of their supplies. For more than 90% of what we manufacture we are the single source for our customer, which makes reliable and sufficient supply key for X-FAB's and our customers' success.

I am excited about how well X-FAB is positioned. Our key end markets, particularly automotive and industrial, are forecast to be the strongest growing segments within the semiconductor industry over the next five to ten years. Given the high demand we expect going forward, supported by long-term customer contracts, we have initiated a major investment program totaling USD 1 billion over the next three years (2023–2025) to expand manufacturing capacity at our existing sites. Main projects include the capacity expansion at X-FAB Sarawak, Malaysia, the continued conversion of capacity at our French site to further ramp up the automotive business, as well as the gradual expansion of our SiC business in Lubbock, Texas. Furthermore, we will expand capacity at our site in Dresden, Germany, as well as the capacity for MEMS production at our German sites in Erfurt and Itzehoe.

Semiconductor technology is critical to all sectors of the economy, and we are proud to provide viable solutions to the challenges of our time, most notably climate change and a growing and aging population. At the same time, semiconductor manufacturing is a resource-intensive business.

To further strengthen our efforts to act responsibly and integrate environmental and social considerations into our daily business, we have committed to the following long-term ESG objectives: We want to drive innovation that contributes to sustainable products, promote diversity and inclusion to ensure equal opportunities for all employees, and reduce our carbon footprint as well as the water consumption per stepped mask layer we produce. More details can be found in chapter six of this report.

X-FAB is well positioned for a successful future, and we are fully focused on delivering on our commitments. I look forward to the continued collaboration with all employees, our customers, investors, and business partners in 2023 and beyond, and thank you for the trust you place in us.

After the close of 2022, there were no major events that would require disclosure.

Best regards, Rudi De Winter CEO

3. OUR CULTURE

Diversity at X-FAB

Since its inception in 1992, X-FAB has grown to become a global company with a strong presence in Europe, North America, and Asia with more than 4,200 employees spread all over the globe. At X-FAB, you will find an international and diverse working environment. Our employees represent about 45 nationalities and have varied cultural backgrounds. This makes working at X-FAB an inspiring experience – across borders and cultures. Nonetheless, we are well aware that our customers expect excellent products and services independent from nationalities and locations. It is therefore essential to enable our employees – no matter where they are located or come from – to collaborate successfully.

What are we striving for?

OUR VISION

To be the foundry of choice for the analog world.

OUR MISSION

We are fully engaged to be the foundry of choice for the analog world by focusing on innovative solutions and manufacturing excellence that meet customer expectations, enabling long-lasting success for all our stakeholders.

Guiding us to success

Strong values build the basis for the success of X-FAB, the way we work together, and how we interact with each other and with our stakeholders. At X-FAB, we put our clients and customers at the center of what we do, and our values of integrity and respect, teamwork, commitment, and innovation are guiding us every day to live up to being a customer-oriented company.

X-FAB's values are an integral part of corporate life. New employees are introduced to X-FAB's values in a half-day Vision & Values workshop, and X-FAB's performance management process, designed to encourage regular exchange between employees and supervisors, draws attention to how the values are being realized in our daily work.

In 2022, X-FAB launched a new series of leadership training programs for managers and, for the first time, applied the same training concept and leadership principles at all X-FAB sites. These trainings focus on purpose, business ethics, and leading highperformance teams, enabling all executives to apply the same principles to drive performance, teamwork, and output.

Social media highlights 2022

4. OUR BUSINESS

The specialty foundry business model

X-FAB is one of the world's leading specialty foundry groups for analog/mixed-signal semiconductor technologies with a clear focus on automotive, industrial, and medical applications. As a specialty foundry, X-FAB provides manufacturing and strong design support services to its customers that design analog/mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) and other semiconductor devices for use in their own products or the products of their customers. As a pure-play foundry X-FAB manufactures IC products based on designs created by its customers or third parties in cooperation and mostly based on X-FAB's portfolio of modular, highly specialized proprietary process technologies and IP. The trend to further capture and evaluate measured values in the real world generates growing need for specialty foundry services.

Fig. 4.1: Value chains for foundries, fabless companies, and IDMs

The X-FAB Group has an established track record with over 30 years of experience providing proprietary manufacturing processes and advanced design and

Manufacturing excellence

X-FAB manufactures analog/mixed-signal ICs utilizing its in-house developed process technologies.

A modular approach allows customers to choose from a wide range of enhanced options across many semiconductor technologies, designs and processes, including complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), silicon on insulator (SOI), silicon carbide (SiC), and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). Customers can draw on a variety of features in order to develop ICs specifically tailored to their end-use requirements and to optimize product performance, product size, power consumption, and other parameters. Currently, the foundry offers process technologies with feature sizes of 1.0μm, 0.8μm, and 0.6μm on 150 mm wafers and 0.6μm, 350nm, 180nm, and 130nm on 200 mm wafers. The next generation 110nm process technology on 200 mm wafers is under development and will enter production in 2023.

engineering support offerings. Excellent service, reliability, and first-class technical support: that's what X-FAB stands for.

The X-FAB Group operates six wafer manufacturing sites in Germany, France, Malaysia, and the United States, with aggregate production capacity of approximately 100,000 200 mm equivalent wafer starts per month (WSPM).

CMOS and SOI: X-FAB's open-platform technologies

The vast majority of X-FAB's technologies are based on CMOS, with SOI being a specialty variant offering a so-called SOI layer for better technical performance within certain electrical parameters. These processes are available for all customers and include performance-optimized primitive analog devices such as low noise transistors, high voltage transistors (up to 700-volt breakdown voltage), or integrated sensor elements such as optical sensor diodes.

X-FAB's DNA: Analog/mixed-signal ICs

X-FAB produces microchips and other semiconductor devices. These microchips and devices prepare real-world signals from the analog world (sensory data such as sound, light, pressure, motion, temperature, etc.) for subsequent digital processing or converting digital values into analog signals. Mixed-signal circuits (also referred to as "analog/mixed-signal ICs")

embed both digital and analog circuitry onto a single IC. With more and more electronic devices interfacing with the "real world" (such as through the Internet of Things, IoT), the demand for such devices is growing continually, making mixed-signal semiconductor ICs an increasingly important part of the market for electronic equipment.

Fig. 4.2: X-FAB connects the real world with the digital world by enabling smart applications

Even though those open-platform technologies typically address multiple applications and sometimes more than one market, most of them are qualified for automotive use and support high temperatures up to 175°C. In 2022, revenues based on X-FAB's CMOS technologies amounted to USD 609.4 million.

The Group owns all its technologies and the corresponding IP. The extensive IP offering comes with the option of customizing certain IP blocks, which means that customers can combine X-FAB IP with their own IP for optimized functionality. To enable fast and easy design of new products, X-FAB also provides process design kits (PDKs), libraries with digital and analog circuit elements, and complex IP blocks such as embedded flash memories, related software, and consultancy services.

X-FAB's technology portfolio (see Figure 4.3) spans geometries from 110nm to 1.0μm. The mature technologies down to the 180nm node provide very rich feature sets and thus enable a wide range of applications. X-FAB's approach to extending this portfolio is driven by customer demand to enable further fields of use. The feature set for the 130nm node is optimized for radio frequency (RF) applications, while the 110nm process technology is geared towards automotive use and will be progressively extended. New process nodes will be added eventually.

To mention a few examples: the current 180nm SOI technology is able to operate voltages up to 375 volts, which is crucial for medical ultrasound equipment. Integrated optical sensors enable light curtain safety devices for automated factories. Embedded flash memories, which are qualified for automotive applications and support high temperatures, are suited for controller ICs placed in a car close to the engine.

Fig. 4.3: X-FAB open platform process portfolio and features

Advantages of X-FAB's specialized technologies

The feature set of a particular technology node is extended over time, enabling a very wide range of applications, which in turn increases the number of customers adopting the technology. For example, X-FAB's 180nm BCD-on-SOI technology has special structures on the chip called deep trench isolation (DTI) that make the process suitable for operation at high voltages. DTI allows driver circuits operating at 375 volts to be placed alongside sensitive amplifiers processing low voltages of a few mV. To prevent interference and crosstalk, DTI can also be placed between separate low-voltage circuits. X-FAB supports the automotive quality standard AEC-Q100 grade 0, allowing the development of ICs that can be used at temperatures of up to 150°C. Such high temperatures can occur close to the combustion engine in hybrid electric vehicles, in battery management systems or close to the inverter of electric vehicles.

By the subsequent integration of noble metal electrodes onto CMOS wafers, X-FAB creates interface structures for biological material. These electrodes allow the chips to measure physiological parameters of a biological sample without influencing the sample itself. At the same time, corrosion or deterioration of the chip through interaction with the sample is prevented. Noble metal electrodes make CMOS chips biocompatible.

Silicon carbide (SiC) as the crystalline compound of silicon and carbon has advantages over elemental silicon when used in power technologies. Due to their special material properties, components manufactured in SiC offer higher efficiency in power conversion, fewer losses, and high temperature operation. These advantages result in more energy-efficient systems with reduced size, weight, and cost. In the case of energy supply, this means that more energy reaches the consumer, which in the case of electric cars leads to greater driving range.

2022 R&D highlights include:

  • development of X-FAB's new 110nm automotive technology platform as successor to its very successful 180nm BCD-on-SOI. Samples of first product including embedded Flash memory shipped to lead customer;
  • expanding the maximum voltage of X-FAB's 180nm BCD-on-SOI technology to enable 375V applications that enable ultrasound probe heads for high-resolution medical imaging;
  • lead customer of the world's first single-molecule protein sequencing platform based on X-FAB's photonics process announced commercial availability;
  • customer prototypes of the X-FAB Integrated Passive Devices (XIPD) process show promising results as a cost-effective integration solution for complex RF systems;
  • second-generation single photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD) devices with increased photon detection probability (PDP) and first working samples of spectral filters for the lead customer of the spectral sensing development project;
  • continued enhancement of process technologies, design libraries, and design IP, including the release of embedded Flash fully compliant with stringent AEC100-grade 0 automotive specification and a circuit design reference kit with the world's leading EDA vendors;
  • increased sales and marketing activities in China, resulting in strong adoption of X-FAB's SiC technologies; and

• 18 new patent applications and 31 patents were granted in 2022, contributing to an overall patent portfolio of more than 451 patents and patent applications.

MEMS: Interface to the physical world

MEMS, or micro-electro-mechanical systems, build the interface between mechanical properties and electronics. Complex processes are used to produce structures or components in silicon that convert mechanical variables, such as pressure or acceleration, into electrical signals. MEMS devices can be found in products or modules such as airbags or inkjet printer heads. The development of MEMS products differs from the development of integrated circuits in that usually the manufacturing process has to be adapted to the specification of the final product. This leads to higher development costs and longer development times, but also offers the opportunity to bring products with unique features and strong intellectual property protection to the market, as a lot of know-how goes into the manufacturing process.

MEMS product manufacturing also requires the use of materials that are not used in integrated circuit manufacturing or are even undesirable because they would contaminate manufacturing lines. These are the reasons why manufacturers either focus exclusively on MEMS product manufacturing or, like X-FAB, run separate facilities for the manufacturing of CMOS and MEMS wafers.

X-FAB decided to using these existing capabilities to expand MEMS to include medical and biological phenomena. This expansion, along with X-FAB's willingness to respond to customer needs and take on additional manufacturing steps in the supply chain, is the cornerstone of a very successful MEMS business.

X-FAB's MEMS business, which recorded revenues of USD 75.6 million in 2022, is built on three pillars:

  • sensors and actuators;
  • silicon-based microfluidics; and
  • 3D/heterogeneous integration.

Sensors and actuators have been the traditional application types of MEMS, and X-FAB builds on its established processes to further develop business in this field. X-FAB offers next generation sensor technologies for relative and absolute pressure sensors for all kinds of media, including corrosive and high-temperature environments. X-FAB further provides a proprietary open platform technology (XMB10) for inertial sensing covering both accelerometers and gyroscopes in the X, Y, and Z axes. By making it available through EUROPRACTICE, the European initiative for low-entry design and fabrication of electronic circuits, this technology is gaining traction. Gas and flow sensors are based on X-FAB's wellestablished noble-metal processes, resulting in very small sensor devices, while temperature sensors apply

the thermopile principle, requiring a well-controlled etching process. This more established part of X-FAB's MEMS business is characterized by continuous improvement, both technologically and operationally.

At the same time, X-FAB invests in disruptive technologies. Jointly with a lead customer, X-FAB developed an integrated thermopile solution for contactless temperature measurement, providing size reduction for smaller form factors and at the same time providing medical grade accuracy. The first product based on this technology won the 2019 Best of Sensors Awards and generated significant turnover in the first years of production. The second generation of this sensor is under development, which will address an even wider range of applications and new classes of wearable health products with a smaller form factor.

Another area for investment is the concept to process the piezoelectric material aluminum nitride for applications such as precision dosing of minute amounts of liquids.

In the long term, the latter technology could also be used for silicon-based microfluidics, already a designated focus area for X-FAB. For microfluidic devices that are built on integrated circuits, X-FAB provides an offer to augment its 350nm and 180nm CMOS processes with dedicated materials or structures. This offer includes the fabrication of inert electrodes for contact of the chip with a biological substance, polyamide layers to form channels, cavities to hold the samples, and glass lids to seal the microfluidic structures.

The combination of robust analog/mixed-signal CMOS technologies with the opportunities offered by postprocessing dedicated to medical applications is attracting great attention in the marketplace. X-FAB's customer base ranges from established companies expanding into new application areas to start-up companies with innovative approaches to leverage the integration of integrated circuits and microfluidic structures on one lab-on-a-chip device. The platform approach that X-FAB is taking enables it to offer a wide range of applications, leading to an extremely dynamic business development and revenue growth. X-FAB will further invest in development and facilities that will enable it to offer complete solutions to its medical customers.

Further capabilities of X-FAB's MEMS business unit include 3D integration and wafer level packaging. Through-silicon vias (TSVs) are one of the key technologies for 3D stacking of integrated circuits. X-FAB enables this product-specific processing step for its foundry customers and successfully operated multiple prototyping runs on selected devices. For the assembly of microcomponents on top of other chips or substrates, the technology of micro-transfer-printing is in development. Further ways to integrate heterogeneous electronic component concepts for system in package (SiP) are in concept phase. The first customer products utilizing one of the aforementioned technologies were launched in the middle of 2022.

In line with customer demand, all activities described above are aimed at expanding X-FAB's value creation along the supply chain. The close cooperation with X-FAB's customers and their strong commitment, which is reflected by the high prototyping revenue of the business unit MEMS, lead us to expect a successful future for these activities.

Silicon carbide: High power for a high-growth market

At the point X-FAB entered the SiC business it was the first pure-play foundry for wide bandgap material and is to date the leading foundry supplier for SiC technologies. Following the positive trend of the previous years , X-FAB's SiC business recorded a tremendous revenue growth of 61% in 2022.

SiC is a semiconductor substrate that, thanks to its material properties, supports the global trend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the transition to CO2 emissions-free mobility and transport, devices manufactured in SiC address two of the main challenges: driving range and charging time. By using SiC for components in the power train of electric vehicles, the driving range achievable with one battery charge can be increased by approximately 9%. Similarly, used in charging infrastructure, SiC enables high-power, high-speed DC charging, allowing electric vehicles to travel further and faster.

SiC is an already established material for components in the energy sector. An increasing number of suppliers are moving towards greener and more sustainable energy technologies. At the same time the demand for electricity is growing dramatically, creating an evergrowing market for these components. SiC transistors are a core component in systems for power generation from renewable sources such as photovoltaic or wind energy. SiC also enables huge energy savings in power supplies for data centers, computers, chargers for mobile phones, and devices for the Internet of Things.

The majority of devices manufactured in silicon carbide are offered by integrated device manufacturers (IDM) designing, manufacturing, and selling semiconductor components under their own brand. X-FAB decided to offer silicon carbide processing capabilities to a variety of customers, strictly following its business model as a specialty pure-play foundry. Customers are enabled by X-FAB to develop solutions based on their own specifications to differentiate and compete in the market.

X-FAB's success as the number 1 foundry for SiC is built on four pillars:

  • secure supply chain;
  • leading technology offer;
  • economy of scale; and
  • trusted partnership.

Customers sourcing SiC wafers from X-FAB can rely on the supply chain that has been established for the entire foundry business for over 30 years. The access to leading technology in services, equipment, and processes enables them to create outstanding device performance. The existing foundry infrastructure ensures ramping to production volumes individually suited to any respective customer and product need. Finally, through its business model, X-FAB will never compete with its customers by selling components or modules under its own brand. This trusted partnership is a cornerstone of X-FAB's success as pure-play foundry.

Since the launch of its foundry offer for silicon carbide, X-FAB has achieved a number of successes. For the broad technology platform that was established in recent years, X-FAB provides standard process blocks supporting customers in the development of diodes and transistor products. A state-of-the-art tool set is available for all relevant process steps, enhanced with next-generation processing capabilities. This has enabled the thinning of wafers or metal layers, improving the solderability of the final product. X-FAB has established collaborations with design houses that can support customers during product design and has built an extensive processing knowledge base that will support each customer with their individual process.

X-FAB has established long-term partnerships with its customers and is supporting more customers than ever. The majority of the non-IDM suppliers of SiC devices are choosing X-FAB as their manufacturing site. Also, smaller IDMs leverage the additional capacity offered by X-FAB for their products.

The SiC processes are complementing X-FAB's offer for power electronics in the automotive and industrial markets. A growing number of customers using X-FAB's SiC technology, strong growth in prototyping revenue, and increasing production volumes from a variety of customers supports the promising outlook for this part of X-FAB's business.

SiC revenues for the full year came in at USD 54.5 million, a 61% growth compared to the previous year, as more customers started volume production. With the strong pull from the market, X-FAB is adding more SiC-related equipment, extending its SiC capacity and capabilities further.

Customer orientation: Long-standing relationships and strong product customization

Fig. 4.4: X-FAB's customer count by annual revenue. X-FAB has grown to a diverse base of 438 customers worldwide

The majority of X-FAB's customers are fabless semiconductor companies (often also called fabless houses): companies that have no own manufacturing and process technology expertise but rely on foundries for those services and related expertise. A smaller portion of X-FAB's customer base are either original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or integrated device manufacturers (IDMs).

X-FAB has a diverse base of 438 customers

worldwide and continually wins new customers in its core markets (see Figure 4.4).

Due to the high degree of product customization usually required by customers, a specialty foundry is less vulnerable to extreme price and demand volatility experienced by many competitors in the broader foundry market. X-FAB's focus on highly customized

analog/mixed-signal ICs results in smaller production volumes per each product and requires more engineering input per unit creating a high value-add for the customer.

The long-term availability of these high-quality products is essential for X-FAB's customers, since X-FAB is the sole source for more than 90% of the products it manufactures. This is an important aspect contributing to long-lasting customer loyalty. Most of the customer products are designed using X-FAB proprietary process technologies and design IP, and it would require significant effort by the customer to migrate products to other foundries, an effort that would often be equivalent to a new development.

The global chip shortage that was observed in 2022 put more focus on the supply chain of the semiconductor industry and led to the realization that semiconductors are strategic for many products of

today's life including cars, industry equipment and medical devices. To ensure mutual planning security X-FAB signed long-term agreements (LTAs) with some customers which include a commitment to deliver and a commitment to buy certain wafer quantities. These LTAs typically have a term of three years.

The LTAs give X-FAB the necessary security for investments into capacity expansions in all of its factories. X-FAB will invest up to USD 1 billion in the next three years. An expected impact of the LTAs is the mitigation of the large swings in the semiconductor industry caused by the long lead times and the closure of factories.

Technology
Selection
First Prototype Qualification Volume Ramp-up
$6 - 8$ $= 18$ >66 Months
Chip Design First Iteration Safe Launch Mass Production

Fig. 4.5: Illustrative lifecycle for automotive: Analog/mixed-signal products are much more specialized for their applications and are used for many years

By providing a wide range of design-related product and support services as part of its comprehensive offering, including engineering, technical, and design support, X-FAB typically has strong, long-lasting relationships with its customers. Through special offers, like post-processing of CMOS ICs and sensors, X-FAB accomplishes significant manufacturing steps, creating valuable benefits for its customers.

Those long-standing customer relationships are crucial because a large portion of the products manufactured by X-FAB have long product lifecycles of ten or more years. For example, X-FAB's first medical MEMS product, a sensor used to monitor blood pressure, has been in production for more than 25 years.

Best-in-class support: X-FAB's close relationships with customers

X-FAB aims to differentiate its business through unique technologies combined with excellent technical support. A strong asset of X-FAB is its close collaboration with customers in every phase of an IC product lifetime. From a request for a quotation and the selection of the best suited process technology to the start of volume production, X-FAB has dedicated teams to assist its customers with technical, commercial, and logistical support and consultation.

Fig. 4.6: Assignment of X-FAB teams to every phase of an IC product lifetime

X-FAB's strategic markets

X-FAB serves the markets for automotive, industrial, and medical (AIM) applications. The AIM market segments all share the same requirements for quality and reliability and feature similar long product lifetimes. Consequently, X-FAB places strategic focus on AIM while selling into the market for consumer, communications, and computer (CCC) products when product requirements demand technologies that are within X-FAB's portfolio. Despite this, and mainly because of the high demand for chips for the automotive industry, sales of CCC products declined in 2022. The freed-up capacities were immediately used for the production of automotive products.

After the global Covid-19-driven recession in 2020 the demand for semiconductors recovered rapidly in 2021, a trend that has continued into 2022.

The strong growth in demand was caused by several factors from a rising number of automotive ICs per new car, to increasing sales of devices for the Internet of Things and a broader proliferation of medical electronics. Given the industry-wide trend, X-FAB's automotive business grew by 17%. While a similar surge was seen in the industrial semiconductor market, X-FAB's industrial business was fueled by high demand for SiC applications, recording a revenue increase of 19% compared to 2021. At the same time, revenues achieved with medical semiconductors grew by 16%.

X-FAB enables innovative solutions to address global challenges such as:

  • global warming;
  • the replacement of fossil energy by sustainable energy; and
  • the cost of healthcare and an aging population.

X-FAB is confident of success due to its:

  • close collaboration with market leaders in various segments;
  • ongoing investment in new technologies;
  • wide portfolio of technologies and capabilities; and
  • strong pipeline of projects in prototyping stage.

Automotive electronics – We think automotive

Product reliability and established trust in suppliers are two key prerequisites for successfully serving the automotive industry. ICs produced at X-FAB can be found everywhere in a car: in the interior as well as under the hood. Functions directly accessible to the driver such as control of the interior lighting, handsfree phone kits, and parking assistance, as well as battery management, tire pressure monitoring, and anti-lock braking systems, are all exploiting X-FAB technologies.

All these new technologies combined are leading to a sharp increase in the number of semiconductor devices in a car. The number of chips in a car is expected to triple in the next few years, with demand for analog chips growing much faster than demand for microcontroller units (MCU). On average, there are several 100 analogue chips per car, but only about ten MCUs, a situation from which X-FAB benefits particularly strongly.

With CMOS, BCD-on-SOI, and SiC, X-FAB provides the right technology mix and focuses on chips sensing the "real world" and processing analog signals.

The electrification of cars requires intelligent solutions for battery management and charging. Batteries for electric vehicles consist of several thousand individual battery cells, each of which needs to be monitored by the so-called battery management systems (BMS). The temperature, the voltage, and the charge of each cell must stay in an optimal range. The better this is managed, the further the car can drive.

Typically, a BMS has about eight ICs to manage the battery. X-FAB's analog-mixed signal processes with their high-voltage and high-temperature capabilities and their rich portfolio of IP including embedded Flash memory are particularly well suited for this. Transistors manufactured at X-FAB's SiC foundry enable inverters with higher efficiency and contribute to increased range on a single battery charge.

Safety in traffic will be improved by sophisticated techniques of collision prevention, distance control, lane change assistance, and blind spot detection, ultimately paving the way for autonomous driving. The increasing relevance of environmental protection is leading to innovations to improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollution of hybrid vehicles. Connected cars will be enabled by the advent of 5G cellular mobile networks.

This growing need for semiconductor products for cars led to a highly visible shortage in analog chip supply, which had a negative impact on light vehicle production. Due to the high number of chips that are manufactured on a wafer, the lack of only one wafer can cause up to 10,000 cars to not be finished. Analyses consistently show that while the bottleneck for leading-edge technologies for MCUs seems to be overcome, the shortage of chips in technologies with node sizes of 40nm and bigger will persist in the coming years. The situation will hardly change, as there is low investment in equipment to produce wafers with a diameter of 8 inches, which is why X-FAB's investments in capacity expansion will further strengthen its position as the prime foundry for automotive ICs.

X-FAB actively supports its lead customers in driving automotive innovation in electronics. Among the described growth areas, the electrification of vehicles might be the biggest technology shift the automotive industry has ever seen. By 2040 electric vehicles will

represent about 70% of global light duty vehicle sales, according to Bloomberg. As cars become more and more sophisticated X-FAB will be right there to develop the technologies to make it happen.

Fig. 4.7: Main areas of automotive applications

Industrial electronics – We empower the future

The market for application-specific analog ICs for industrial applications is a highly fragmented market spanning applications from avionics to factory automation. About 60% of X-FAB's current customers in production address the industrial market and rely on X-FAB's ability to provide volume production over a 10 to 15-year period. Four global megatrends are driving the next industrial revolution and will change our way of producing, consuming, and living: Industry 4.0 with an end-to-end connected value chain; factory automation including industrial IoT, robots, machineto-machine communication; smart cities, enabling central building management and improving urban lives through interaction and management of connected services; and, finally, sustainable energy through exploiting renewable sources of energy and improving power management.

X-FAB is positioned to play a major role in addressing those megatrends based on its commitment to industrial markets and customers. The Group's competitive advantages rely on four pillars:

  • Easy to work with. Collaboration with X-FAB is made easy for industrial customers as X-FAB can efficiently handle small to medium volumes often required for industrial applications.
  • Design support. X-FAB provides comprehensive design support and high-quality IP to achieve firsttime-right design. For industrial customers that want to outsource their IC design efforts, X-FAB maintains a global partner network of service providers for design, test, assembly, and supply chain management.
  • X-FAB's quality systems. X-FAB's automotive technologies fit well with most industrial applications, which often also operate in harsh environments.
  • X-FAB is a reliable foundry partner. X-FAB is a trusted supplier and has built long relationships with its industrial customers.

Fig. 4.8: Main areas of industrial applications

Medical electronics – We save lives

The chips X-FAB manufactures for medical applications are used in equipment or devices where people, doctors, and patients depend on reliable, accurate, and error-free operation or data. X-FAB delivers chips for personal medical devices from cardiac pacemakers and spinal cord stimulators to traditional and implanted hearing aids. X-FAB's specialized technologies can be found in equipment for medical imaging technologies such as ultrasound and X-ray sensors.

A trend for the next few years is the evolution of consumer wearables with the aim of medical precision, offering the user actionable insights into her or his physical conditions.

Fig. 4.9: Main areas of medical applications

Implantable devices are very important for patients with chronic diseases, and research in this area will continue to provide new therapies, for example for rheumatism, strokes, or obesity. Portable devices will move medical imaging from hospitals and medical practices to patients' homes for point-of-care testing. Further trends in ultrasonic imaging are wireless probe heads and 3D imaging.

With the rapid decline in the costs of DNA sequencing since the availability of next-generation sequencing technology in 2007, new uses have been introduced for health care, industry, and research. There are not only companies that offer genetic testing as a service, DNA sequencing is also being used for the analysis of pathogens helping to contain epidemics as well as the examination of food to identify contamination or allergens. The availability of affordable genetic information is pushing the development of personalized medicine, with great benefits for patients and huge potential for cost-saving in the health care sector as a result of more effective therapies. Lab-ona-chip or microfluidics are devices to handle minute quantities of liquids or biomaterial, usually on a chip or in a small cavity. That is where X-FAB's capability to combine CMOS and MEMS is a key benefit. Manufacturing steps, for which customers initially had to engage with several suppliers, are now provided by X-FAB exclusively.

According to market research, the lab-on-a-chip market is expected to grow at a CAGR of up to 14% over the next five years.

Connecting the two worlds of microelectronics and microfluidics

Biological and pharmaceutical research is making significant progress by leveraging from advances in silicon technology. Lab-on-a-chip devices created by integrating microfluidic structures onto silicon chips are essential parts of many cartridges in today's lab equipment. CMOS chips that are capped with glass or have antibodies applied to their surface are used to directly analyze biological samples. The miniaturization significantly reduces the size of the probe to just a few microliters while at the same time shortening the duration of the test. As a result, smaller and lighter devices can be developed to analyze samples on site, for example at the patient's home. The Covid-19 pandemic drastically showed the need for fast and cost-effective testing. DNA sequencing is required to investigate viruses and identify mutations. The detection of pathogens in a blood sample or the investigation of individual cells to monitor their reaction to pharmaceuticals are other uses of this technology.

Consumer, communications, and computer – We connect people

X-FAB entered the mobile communications market with a clear vision: connecting mobile devices with the real world. With this vision in mind, X-FAB became a leading foundry provider for discrete and integrated mobile sensor solutions. X-FAB's processes enable communication and consumer applications that make our lives smarter, greener, and safer.

Specialized technologies enable optical sensors, camera autofocus, haptic drivers, touchscreen controllers, and gesture recognition solutions to create intuitive user interfaces that guarantee a great mobile experience. X-FAB's RF SOI technology enables highperformance 5G and WLAN RF front-end modules by meeting stringent requirements for both mobile phones and infrastructures. Smart home use applications such as lighting or air climate control and home automation for the elderly and disabled are made possible thanks to X-FAB's RF technologies.

Devices for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) require a multitude of sensors, analog/mixedsignal chips, and wireless connectivity. X-FAB's highvoltage CMOS and SOI technologies enable enhanced power management solutions to improve the energy efficiency of consumer devices, communication infrastructure, and computers. Examples where chips manufactured by X-FAB help to reduce power consumption, optimize battery lifetime, and prolong device usage are AC/DC chargers, 5G base station switches, or battery management ICs for power tools applications.

5. X-FAB CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5.1 Summary of important developments

Revenue and results

The Group's total sales revenue in 2022 amounted to USD 739,469 thousand (2021: USD 657,751 thousand), an increase of 12% compared to the previous year. The Group recorded a net profit in 2022 of USD 52,491 thousand compared to a net profit of USD 83,640 thousand in the previous year.

Gross profit increased from USD 149,978 thousand in 2021 to USD 175,954 thousand in 2022 as a result of the Group's increased sales revenues and improved profit margin. This was offset by non-recurring effects of the settlement of an arbitration agreement in 2022 of USD 36,811 thousand, associated interest penalties of USD 12,624 thousand, and legal costs of USD 1,271 thousand (note 6.10) and the non-recurring effects of the USD 6,563 thousand recognized as a deduction from cost of sales representing a loan forgiven under the "Paycheck Protection Program" under the U.S. federal government's Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act during the pandemic in 2021 (notes 6.2 and 7.10).

There have been no significant effects on the Group's balance sheet or any significant effects on the carrying value or fair values of financial instruments arising from the Covid-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales includes material expenses such as raw materials, the costs of maintaining fixed assets, depreciation, staff costs, and costs incurred for external production-related services. In 2022, cost of sales increased by USD 55,742 thousand, representing an increase of 11% compared to the previous year which corresponds with the increase in sales in 2022.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses amounted to USD 40,803 thousand in 2022, representing 6% of revenue (2021: 5%). Compared to the previous year the research and development expenses increased by 19%. The Group's research and development activities focus on development of new fabrication processes, optimization of existing processes using the Group's key process technologies, and development of new integrated circuit features in order to meet customers' analog/mixed-signal needs.

General, administrative, and selling expenses

General, administrative, and selling expenses increased by 12% in 2022.

Financial result

The Group's net financial expense (finance costs less finance income) increased by USD 15,947 thousand from a net expense of USD 4,326 thousand in 2021 to a net expense of USD 20,273 thousand in 2022. This increase was primarily attributable to the settlement of the arbitration award described above and discussed in more detail in note 6.10.

5.2 Statement of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors certifies, on behalf and for the account of the Company, that, to their knowledge,

  • the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position, and profit or loss of the Company and the entities included in the consolidation as a whole; and
  • the annual report provides a fair view of the development and results of the Company and the companies included in the consolidation, as well as a description of the main risks and uncertainties that they are exposed to.

5.3 Statutory auditor's report to the general meeting of X-Fab Silicon Foundries SE on the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022

In the context of the statutory audit of the consolidated financial statements of X-Fab Silicon Foundries SE ("the Company") and its subsidiaries (jointly "the Group"), we provide you with our statutory auditor's report. This includes our report on the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as other legal and regulatory requirements. Our report is one and indivisible.

We were appointed as statutory auditor by the general meeting of April 30, 2020, in accordance with the proposal of the board of directors issued on the recommendation of the audit committee. Our mandate will expire on the date of the general meeting deliberating on the annual accounts for the year ended December 31, 2022. We have performed the statutory audit of the consolidated financial statements of the Group for 15 consecutive financial years.

Report on the consolidated financial statements

Unqualified opinion

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of the Group as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, prepared in accordance with IFRS Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and as adopted by the European Union, and with the legal and regulatory requirements applicable in Belgium. These consolidated financial statements comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as at December 31, 2022, the consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year then ended and notes, comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information. The total of the consolidated statement of financial position amounts to USD 1.255.057 thousand and the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income shows a profit for the year of USD 52.491 thousand.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the Group's equity and financial position as at December 31, 2022 and of its consolidated financial performance and its consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with IFRS Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and as adopted by the European Union, and with the legal and regulatory requirements applicable in Belgium.

Basis for our unqualified opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing ("ISAs") as adopted in Belgium. In addition, we have applied the ISAs as issued by the IAASB and applicable for the current accounting year while these have not been adopted in Belgium yet. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the "Statutory auditors' responsibility for the audit of the consolidated financial statements" section of our report. We have complied with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the consolidated financial statements in Belgium, including the independence requirements.

We have obtained from the board of directors and the Company's officials the explanations and information necessary for performing our audit.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Key audit matter

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion

thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Valuation of deferred tax assets

We refer to note 4.19 of the consolidated financial statements for the accounting policies relating to deferred taxes and to note 6.13 for the disclosures relating to deferred taxes as at December 31, 2022.

Description

The X-Fab Group, which is subject to various tax jurisdictions and resulting obligations, has a significant amount of unused tax losses carried forward (USD 198,0 million) and deductible temporary differences (USD 245,7 million) and has recognized deferred tax assets of USD 68,0 million as at December 31, 2022.

Deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that sufficient future taxable profits will be generated, against which the unused tax losses carried forward and deductible temporary differences can be utilized. Significant judgement is required to assess the amount of probable future taxable profits that support the recognition of deferred tax assets.

Our audit procedures

In collaboration with our own tax specialists, we have assessed the Group's ability to utilize the deferred tax assets. Our procedures included:

  • Obtaining the forecasted taxable income in the various tax jurisdictions and reconciling these to the latest budget and forecasts approved by the board of directors;
  • Assessing the consistency and reliability of the Group's approach to budgeting by comparing historical budgets to actual results;
  • Challenging management's key assumptions used in its budget and forecasts, such as projected growth rates, by comparing them with our own expectations derived from our knowledge of the industry and our knowledge gained during our audit;
  • Recalculating independently the deferred tax assets which comprise a combination of temporary differences between tax and accounting values as well as available tax losses;
  • Assessing whether deferred tax assets had been appropriately recognized in the consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2022 based on the extent to which they can be recovered by future taxable profits; and
  • Assessing the adequacy of the relevant disclosures.

Board of directors' responsibilities for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements

The board of directors is responsible for the preparation of these consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with IFRS Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and as adopted by the European Union, and with the legal and regulatory requirements applicable in Belgium, and for such internal control as the board of directors determines, is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the board of directors is responsible for assessing the Group's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the board of directors either intends to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Statutory auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance as to whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of the users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.

When performing our audit we comply with the legal, regulatory and professional requirements applicable to audits of the consolidated financial statements in Belgium. The scope of the statutory audit of the consolidated financial statements does not extend to providing assurance on the future viability of the Group nor on the efficiency or effectivity of how the board of directors has conducted or will conduct the business of the Group. Our responsibilities regarding the going concern basis of accounting applied by the board of directors are described below.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also perform the following procedures:

• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement

resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control;

  • Obtain an understanding of internal controls relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group's internal control;
  • Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the board of directors;
  • Conclude on the appropriateness of the board of directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditors' report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditors' report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern;
  • Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation;
  • Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with the audit committee regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide the audit committee with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

For the matters communicated with the audit committee, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor's report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter.

Other legal and regulatory requirements

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

The board of directors is responsible for the preparation and the content of the board of directors' annual report on the consolidated financial statements.

Statutory auditor's responsibilities

In the context of our engagement and in accordance with the Belgian standard which is complementary to the International Standards on Auditing as applicable in Belgium, our responsibility is to verify, in all material respects, the board of directors' annual report on the consolidated financial statements, and to report on these matters.

Aspects concerning the board of directors' annual report on the consolidated financial statements

Based on specific work performed on the board of directors' annual report on the consolidated financial statements, we are of the opinion that this report is consistent with the consolidated financial statements for the same period and has been prepared in accordance with article 3:32 of the Companies' and Associations' Code.

In the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements, we are also responsible for considering, in particular based on the knowledge gained throughout the audit, whether the board of directors' annual report on the consolidated financial statements contains material misstatements, that is information incorrectly stated or misleading. In the context of the procedures carried out, we did not identify any material misstatements that we have to report to you.

The non-financial information required by article 3:32 §2 of the Companies' and Associations' Code has been included in the board of directors' annual report on the consolidated financial statements. The Company has prepared this non-financial information based on the Global Reporting Initiative ("GRI") Standards. In accordance with art 3:80 §1, 1st paragraph, 5° of the Companies' and Associations' Code, we do not comment on whether this non-financial information has been prepared in accordance with the mentioned GRI Standards.

Information about the independence

• Our audit firm and our network have not performed any engagement which is incompatible with the statutory audit of the consolidated accounts and our audit firm remained independent of the Group during the term of our mandate.

• The fees for the additional engagements which are compatible with the statutory audit referred to in article 3:65 of the Companies' and Associations' Code were correctly stated and disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

European Single Electronic Format (ESEF)

In accordance with the draft standard on the audit of compliance of the Financial Statements with the European Single Electronic Format (hereafter "ESEF"), we have audited as well whether the ESEF-format is in accordance with the regulatory technical standards as laid down in the EU Delegated Regulation nr. 2019/815 of 17 December 2018 (hereafter "Delegated Regulation").

The board of directors is responsible for the preparation, in accordance with the ESEF requirements, of the consolidated financial statements in the form of an electronic file in ESEF format (hereafter "digital consolidated financial statements") included in the annual financial report.

It is our responsibility to obtain sufficient and appropriate information to conclude whether the format and the tagging of the digital consolidated financial statements comply, in all material respects, with the ESEF requirements under the Delegated Regulation.

In our opinion, based on our work performed, the format of and the tagging of information in the English version of the digital consolidated financial statements as per December 31, 2022, included in the annual financial report of X-Fab Silicon Foundries SE, are, in all material respects, prepared in compliance with the ESEF requirements under the Delegated Regulation.

Other aspect

• This report is consistent with our additional report to the audit committee on the basis of Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 537/2014.

Hasselt, March 23, 2023

KPMG Bedrijfsrevisoren - Réviseurs d'Entreprises Statutory Auditor represented by

Jos Briers

Bedrijfsrevisor / Réviseur d'Entreprises

5.4 Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

For the year ended December 31

in thousands of U.S. dollars Note 2022 2021
Revenue 6.1/12 739,469 657,751
Cost of sales 6.2/6.6/12 (563,515) (507,773)
Gross profit 175,954 149,978
Research and development expenses 6.3/6.6/12 (40,803) (34,308)
Selling expenses 6.4/6.6/12 (8,179) (8,017)
General and administrative expenses 6.5/6.6 (37,487) (32,771)
Rental income and expenses from investment properties 6.7/6.8/12 (298) 1,898
Impairment loss on trade receivables 7.4 (104) (299)
Other income and other expenses 6.9/6.10/12 (31,748) 711
Operating profit 57,335 77,192
Finance income 6.11/12 36,531 16,115
Finance costs 6.12/12 (56,804) (20,441)
Net finance income/(costs) (20,273) (4,326)
Profit before tax 37,062 72,866
Income tax 6.13 15,429 10,774
Profit for the period 52,491 83,640
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company 52,491 83,607
Non-controlling interest 7.9 33

Consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income (continued)

For the year ended December 31

in thousands of U.S. dollars Note 2022 2021
Profit for the period 52,491 83,640
Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Remeasurement of defined benefit obligation (asset) 7.11 184 842
Items that are or may be transferred to profit or loss as
follows:
Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations 333 188
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period, net of
income tax
517 1,030
Total comprehensive income for the period 53,008 84,670
Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Owners of the Company 53,008 84,637
Non-controlling interest 7.9 33
Total comprehensive income for the period 53,008 84,670
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted 6.14 130,631,921 130,631,921
Earnings per share
Basic and diluted (in U.S. dollars) 6.14 0.40 0.64

Consolidated statement of financial position

in thousands of U.S. dollars Note December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant, and equipment 7.1 460,126 340,670
Investment properties 7.1 7,675 8,310
Intangible assets 7.2 6,199 4,034
Other assets 7.5 79 28
Deferred tax assets 6.13 67,977 45,645
Total non-current assets 542,056 398,687
Current assets
Inventories 7.3 214,435 181,014
Trade and other receivables 7.4/12 73,116 73,689
Income tax receivables 6.13 257 745
Other assets 7.5 55,768 42,609
Cash and cash equivalents 7.6 369,425 290,187
Total current assets 713,001 588,244
Total assets 1,255,057 986,931
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital 7.7 432,745 432,745
Share premium 7.7 348,709 348,709
Retained earnings 7.7 16,509 (36,154)
Cumulative translation adjustment 7.7 (226) (559)
Treasury shares 7.7 (770) (770)
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company 796,967 743,971
Non-controlling interests 7.9 365
Total equity 796,967 744,336
Non-current liabilities
Loans and borrowings 7.10 63,432 39,916
Other liabilities and provisions 7.11 4,024 5,686
Total non-current liabilities 67,456 45,602
Current liabilities
Trade payables 7.12/12 53,654 41,364
Loans and borrowings 7.10 233,513 87,114
Income tax payable 6.13 8,210 3,184
Provisions 7.13 7,413 4,445
Other liabilities 7.12 87,844 60,886
Total current liabilities 390,634 196,993
Total equity and liabilities 1,255,057 986,931

Consolidated statement of changes in Group equity

in thousands of U.S.
dollars
Note Shares issued and fully
paid
Share capital Share premium Retained earnings Cumulative translation
adjustment
Treasury shares Total attributable to
owners of the
Company
Non-controlling
interests
Total equity
At December 31, 2020 130,781,669 432,745 348,709 (120,603) (747) (770) 659,334 343 659,677
Profit for the period 83,607 83,607 33 83,640
Remeasurement of
defined benefit plans
842 842 842
Currency translation
effect, net of tax
188 188 188
Total comprehensive
income
84,449 188 84,637 33 84,670
Transactions with
owners of the
Company
Distribution to non
controlling interests
(GVG)
7.9 (11) (11)
Total transactions
with owners of the
Company
(11) (11)
At December 31, 2021 130,781,669 432,745 348,709 (36,154) (559) (770) 743,971 365 744,336
Profit for the period 52,491 52,491 52,491
Remeasurement of
defined benefit plans
184 184 184
Currency translation
effect
333 333 333
Total comprehensive
income
52,675 333 53,008 53,008
Transactions with
owners of the
Company
Distribution to non
controlling interests
(GVG)
7.9 (11) (11)
Acquisition of non
controlling interests
(GVG)
(12) (354)
Total transactions
with owners of the
Company
(12) (12) (365) (377)

Consolidated statement of cash flows

For the year ended December 31

in thousands of U.S. dollars Note 2022 2021
Cash flow from operating activities:
Profit for the period 52,491 83,640
Income tax 6.13 (15,429) (10,774)
Income before taxes 37,062 72,866
Reconciliation of net income to cash flow arising from
operating activities:
96,296 70,319
Depreciation and amortization, before effect of grants and
subsidies
6.6/7.1/7.2 77,534 76,093
Amortization of investment grants and subsidies 6.6 (3,346) (3,530)
Interest income and expenses (net) 6.11/6.12 17,407 (176)
Loss/(gain) on the sale of plant, property and equipment (net) 6.9/6.10/
7.1/7.2
(3,889) (275)
Loss/(gain) on the change in fair value of financial assets 6.11/10 500
Other non-cash transactions (net) 8 8,090 (1,793)
Changes in working capital (32,887) (31,573)
Decrease/(increase) of trade and other receivables 7.4 (6,661) (9,769)
Decrease/(increase) of other assets 7.5 (12,759) (4,034)
Decrease/(increase) of inventories 7.3 (33,422) (27,302)
(Decrease)/increase of trade payables 7.12/8 (1,873) 5,146
(Decrease)/increase of other liabilities and provisions 7.11/7.12/7.13 21,828 4,386
Income taxes (paid)/received (480) (2,101)
Net cash from operating activities 99,991 109,511
Cash flow from investing activities:
Payments for property, plant, equipment, and intangible assets 7.1/7.2 (180,580) (66,972)
Payments for investments in investment properties 7.1
Payments for acquisition of non-controlling interest 7.9 (204)
Payments for loan investments to related parties 12 (299) (827)
Proceeds from loan investments related parties 12 284 211
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant, and equipment 7.1 4,017 669
Interest received 6.11/6.12 1,801 1,769
Net cash used in investing activities (174,981) (65,150)
Proceeds from loans and borrowings 7.10 184,272 82,585
Repayment of loans and borrowings 7.10 (11,420) (28,218)
Receipts from sale and leaseback arrangements 7.10/8 7,723
Payment of lease liabilities 7.10 (5,662) (5,094)
Receipt of government grants and subsidies 945 535
Interest paid 6.10/6.11 (17,812) (1,569)
Dividends to non-controlling interests 7.9 (11) (12)
Net cash from/used in financing activities 158,035 48,227
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates
on cash balances
(3,807) (8,269)
Net increase/(decrease) of cash and cash equivalents 83,045 92,589
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 290,187 205,867
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 369,425 290,187

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1 Basic information and description of the X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE Group's business

X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE (hereafter referred to as "X-FAB SE," "the Company," or "the parent company" and, together with its subsidiaries, as "X-FAB SE Group" or "the Group") is a European limited company (Societas Europaea/SE) registered under the number BE0882.390.885 in Hasselt, Belgium. The parent company's registered address is Transportstraat 1, 3980 Tessenderlo, Belgium.

The Group has no associates, joint ventures, joint operations, or investments in unconsolidated structured entities (entities designed so that voting or similar rights are not the dominant factor in deciding which party controls the entity).

The X-FAB SE Group is one of the world's leading pure-play foundry providers specializing in analog/ mixed-signal technologies.

Analog/mixed-signal products are circuits capable of processing digital as well as analog signals. As a pureplay foundry, the Group develops its own technologies, offering its customers a comprehensive range of product development (design support) and production services. The X-FAB SE Group manufactures integrated circuits to customers' designs, supplying these in the form of silicon wafers. For this purpose, X-FAB SE offers special technology modules, cell libraries, and design kits, which allow the Group's customers to develop specific circuits with broad function spectrums and to accelerate their development processes.

X-FAB SE Group's customers include companies that concentrate on the development of integrated circuits (ICs) and leave their manufacture to others (fabless companies). The Group's customers are primarily in the communication, automotive, consumer, and industrial product sectors, and are located in Europe, the United States, and Asia.

2 Group structure

The X-FAB SE Group structure as of December 31, 2022 is illustrated below.

X-FAB Dresden GmbH & Co. KG refers to X-FAB Dresden GmbH & Co. KG and X-FAB Dresden Verwaltungs-GmbH

The Group's primary operations are held by X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries GmbH (X-FAB GmbH), X-FAB Dresden GmbH & Co. KG (X-FAB Dresden), X-FAB Texas Inc., Lubbock, Texas (X-FAB Texas), X-FAB Sarawak Sdn. Bhd. (X-FAB Sarawak), and X-FAB France SAS (X-FAB France), each of which operate wafer factories at their respective locations. X-FAB MEMS Foundry Itzehoe GmbH (MFI) and X-FAB MEMS Foundry GmbH (XMF) offer process technologies for the fabrication of micromechanical sensors for the detection of pressure, acceleration, rotation, and IR-radiation including integrated solutions that combine MEMS and CMOS. The remaining entities provide research and development, marketing and sales, and administration services to other Group entities or serve administrative purposes.

3 Basis of preparation

3.1 Statement of compliance

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as endorsed by the European Union. All IFRS and IAS standards and associated interpretations were adopted to the extent that they had been endorsed by the European Union by the date of issue of these financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements of X-FAB SE Group for the year ended December 31, 2022, were authorized for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on March 23, 2023.

3.2 Basis of measurement

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for derivative financial assets and liabilities and certain non-derivative financial investments which are measured at fair value. The net defined benefit liability is measured at the present value of the defined obligation less the fair value of plan assets.

3.3 Functional and presentation currency

The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars (USD), which is the functional and presentation currency of the parent company and the Group's primary operating companies. Amounts are rounded to the nearest thousand except when otherwise indicated. Rounding differences may occur.

3.4 Use of judgments, assumptions, and estimation uncertainties

In preparing these consolidated financial statements management has made judgments, assumptions, and estimates that affect the application of the Group's accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. Actual amounts may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

Judgments

Determination of functional currency

The functional currency of the holding company and most of its subsidiaries has been assessed as the U.S. dollar (USD) due to the fact that the currency that mainly influences sales prices for goods and services is the USD. Only two subsidiaries have different functional currencies (the euro and the Russian ruble). These subsidiaries are not significant to the Group's consolidated financial statements.

With respect to the holding company the assessment is based on the fact that the holding acts as an investment holding entity (in operational subsidiaries with USD as their functional currency) and its sole activity consists of the re-allocation of Group costs which are incurred and subsequently recharged in USD. Hence the USD is deemed the most appropriate functional currency of the holding for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue recognition (note 4.3)

Judgment was applied in determining whether revenue from the sale of process control wafers should be recognized over time or at a point in time. Based on management's assessment of its contracts with customers, the Group has determined that only a limited number of contracts provide for an enforceable right to payment for performance completed in the case that a customer would cancel a contract for reasons other than any failure to perform as promised. As a result, the potential recognition of contracts over time has been considered to be not material.

Recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities (notes 4.17 and 11)

The Group recognizes right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for certain assets held under leasing arrangements. Some of the Group's lease contracts include renewal or termination options. In order to determine the lease term for these contracts the Group took into account all relevant facts and circumstances in order to assess whether it is reasonably certain that these options will be exercised. This assessment has an impact on the term of the lease, which has a significant effect on the amount of the lease liabilities and the measurement of the rightof-use asset recognized. Should the Group make changes to its assessment of whether the renewal or termination options will be exercised, it may be necessary to increase or decrease the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities recognized.

Assumptions and estimation uncertainties

Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment in the next financial year is included in the following notes:

Recognition of deferred tax assets (note 6.13)

Deferred tax assets are recorded where it is considered probable that tax savings will be made in future periods from the use of losses carried forward and from the reversal of taxable timing differences arising on the difference between the accounting and tax values of the Group's assets. Taxable profits and the reversal of timing differences in the next financial year may differ from the amounts assumed, and assumptions made in the next financial year about future taxable profits and reversals of subsequent years may change. Such changes could result in a material adjustment.

Measurement of expected credit losses (ECLs) on trade receivables (note 7.4)

Allowances are made to reflect estimates of the amount of ECLs on any receivables. The actual amount of credit losses for receivables in the year ending December 31, 2023, may differ from the amounts recorded as impairments in the year ended December 31, 2022, which may result in a material adjustment.

Measurement of fair values

A number of the Group's accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair values, both for financial and non-financial assets and liabilities.

If third-party information is used to measure fair values, the evidence obtained from third parties is assessed to support the conclusion that such valuations meet the requirements of IFRS 13, including the level in the fair value hierarchy in which such valuations should be classified.

When measuring the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Group uses market observable data as far as possible.

Fair values are classified into different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows:

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

If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or a liability might be categorized in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.

The Group measures transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during which the change has occurred.

Further information about the assumptions made in measuring fair values is included in the following notes:

  • 7.1 Property, plant, equipment, and investment properties
  • 7.4 Trade and other receivables
  • 7.10 Loans and borrowings
  • 10 Financial instruments fair values and risk management

4 Summary of accounting policies

4.1 Basis of consolidation Entities included in the consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the parent company and its subsidiaries, which are entities directly or indirectly controlled by the parent company. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. Control is generally obtained by ownership of a majority of shares.

The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control commences until the date on which control ceases.

The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting year as the parent company, using consistent accounting policies.

All intra-group balances, transactions, income, and expenses, as well as profits and losses resulting from intra-group transactions, are fully eliminated in these consolidated financial statements.

Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests represent the portion of profit or loss, component of other comprehensive income and net assets of a subsidiary attributable to equity interests that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the parent company. Non-controlling interests' share of income and share of equity are presented separately in the income statement and within equity in the consolidated statement of financial position respectively, separately from parent shareholder's equity.

Non-controlling interests are measured at the date of acquisition at their proportionate share of the acquired company's identifiable net assets.

4.2 Foreign currency translation

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded at the functional currency rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the functional currency rate of exchange ruling at the statement of financial position date. All differences are taken to profit or loss. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate as at the dates of the initial transactions. If the functional currency of a consolidated entity differs from the Group's presentation currency, assets and liabilities of that entity are translated into the presentation currency at the closing rate at the statement of financial position date, whereas equity is translated using the historic rates, and the income statement is translated at the average rate of the reporting period. All resulting differences are recognized in the cumulative translation adjustment in equity.

4.3 Revenue from contracts with customers

Sales revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. Sales revenues are recognized net of discounts, customer bonuses, and rebates granted.

There is no significant uncertainty concerning the nature, amount, or timing of the revenue or the cash flows of the revenues reported. The Group recognizes revenue when it transfers control over a good or service to a customer.

Sale of process control wafers (PCM wafers)

PCM wafers are goods that are generally customer specific, i.e. when manufacturing goods for a customer, X-FAB is creating an asset for the customer that has no alternative use to X-FAB. However, for the majority of contracts with its most important customers, X-FAB has determined that it does not have an enforceable right to obtain payment for work completed should a customer cancel an incomplete contract for reasons other than any failure by X-FAB to perform as promised. Accordingly, revenue from the sale of process control wafers (PCM wafers) is recognized when shipment has been made. At this date, control over the goods has passed to the customer. Invoices for the sale are generated at that point in time. Invoices are usually payable within 30 days. No discounts of the invoiced amounts are offered to customers in exchange for prompt payment of invoices. Sales prices with customers do not include a significant financing component.

Sales of non-recurring engineering (NRE) services and technology services

When providing non-recurring engineering (NRE) services and technology services X-FAB creates an asset for a customer that has no alternative use to X-FAB as the prototype wafers created are generally

customer specific. Invoices are issued according to contractual terms – based on milestones – and are usually payable within 30 days. X-FAB has an

enforceable right to payment for the performance of work completed up to the agreed milestones. Revenue is therefore recognized over time, and X-FAB applies a practical expedient for the measurement of progress. Invoicing based on milestones is a reasonable approximation of the progress made to completing the performance obligation. No discounts of the invoiced amounts are offered to customers in exchange for prompt payment of invoices. Sales prices with customers do not include a significant financing component.

Rental and other income

Revenue in respect of rental and other income is recognized over time when the relevant service is provided (see 4.6 below).

Warranty obligations

The Group typically provides warranties for defects that existed at the time of sale, as required by the terms and conditions of sale. These are assurancetype warranties which are accounted for as warranty provisions based on past experience. No service-type warranties are sold either separately or bundled together with the sale of the Group's products.

Contract costs and contract fulfillment costs

Costs of obtaining contracts requiring capitalization have been incurred by the Group; however, the deferral of such costs is not material for the purposes of these consolidated financial statements.

No costs of fulfilling contracts requiring capitalization have been incurred which are not recorded as assets in accordance with IAS 2 Inventories, IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment, or IAS 38 Intangible Assets.

4.4 Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses comprise staff expenses, depreciation, and other directly attributable expenses and are allocated process based, i.e. relate to research and development activities that are not related to the improvement of the existing production technologies. Costs incurred in connection with improving existing production technologies used in operational production lines are allocated to cost of sales.

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. X-FAB SE Group considers that development work performed does not qualify for capitalization because the amount of future benefits to be derived from use of work performed is characterized by a high level of uncertainty until the projects are completed.

Government grants are awarded to the Group for its research and development activities in the form of cash tax payments or tax credits. IAS 20 Government Grants is applied to all grants, including the research and development grants received by X-FAB France, which are paid out using the French corporation tax system. The grants are recognized as income and as a non-current or current asset, as appropriate, when

there is reasonable assurance that the entity will comply with the relevant conditions set out in the terms of the grant arrangement and that the grant will be received. These income-related grants are recognized in profit or loss on a systematic basis as the entity recognizes as expenses the costs that the grants are intended to compensate.

4.5 Finance income and finance costs

Interest income or expense is recognized using the effective interest method. Dividend income is recognized in profit or loss on the date on which the Group's right to receive payment is established.

4.6 Rental income from investment properties

Rental income from operating leases on investment property is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease incentives granted are recognized as an integral part of the total rental income and recognized over the term of the lease.

4.7 Employee benefits

Employee benefits consist of short-term employee benefits, payments into defined contribution pension schemes and a long-service retirement lump-sum payment scheme at the Group's subsidiary X-FAB France. The Group has no share-based payment arrangements.

Short-term employee benefits are expensed as the related service is provided. A liability is recognized for the amount expected to be paid if the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably.

Obligations for contributions to defined contribution plans are expensed as the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognized as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments is available.

The Group's net obligation in respect of the longservice retirement lump-sum payment scheme is calculated by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in the current and prior periods, discounting that amount, and deducting the fair value of any plan assets. The calculation of the obligation is performed annually by an independent third-party expert actuary using the projected unit credit method. When the calculation results in a potential asset for the Group, the recognized asset is limited to the present value of economic benefits available in the form of any future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan. To calculate the present value of economic benefits, consideration is given to any applicable minimum funding requirements. Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding interest), and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any,

excluding interest), are recognized immediately in other comprehensive income. The Group determines the net interest expense (income) on the net defined benefit liability (asset) for the period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the then-net defined benefit liability (asset), taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability (asset) during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments. Net interest expense and other expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognized in profit or loss. When the benefits of a plan are changed or when a plan is curtailed, the resulting change in benefit that relates to past service or the gain or loss on curtailment is recognized immediately in profit or loss. The Group recognizes gains and losses on the settlement of a defined benefit plan when the settlement occurs.

Termination benefits are recorded as an expense at the earlier of when the Group can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits and when the Group recognizes costs of a restructuring. The benefits are discounted if it is not expected that they will be settled wholly within 12 months of the reporting date.

4.8 Property, plant, equipment, and investment properties

Property, plant, and equipment are measured at purchase cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Purchase cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. These accounting policies have also been applied to investment properties under the cost model in accordance with IAS 40.

Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method for property, plant, factory, and office equipment and for investment properties. Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost of items of property, plant, and equipment less their estimated residual values using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. If significant parts of an item of property, plant, and equipment have different useful lives, then they are accounted for as separate items (major components) of property, plant, and equipment.

The following useful lives are used as a basis for calculating depreciation:

  • Buildings, including investment properties: over 40–50 years
  • Factory and office equipment: straight-line over 3– 10 years

Borrowing costs were not capitalized because no assets qualifying for the capitalization of borrowing costs were constructed or acquired in the period. Costs incurred which extend the useful life of assets, or which increase performance or capacity of assets, are capitalized where appropriate. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.

Assets are recorded as disposals when they are sold or scrapped. The resulting gain or loss is recorded in income within "other income" or "other expenses" as appropriate.

4.9 Intangible assets

Purchased intangible assets are capitalized at purchase cost, including, where applicable, own work capitalized in preparing the intangible assets for use, and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their expected useful lives. The useful life applied is five years.

Internally generated intangible assets were not capitalized because the criteria for capitalization were not met (see note 4.4).

The Group has no intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.

4.10 Impairment

The carrying amounts of the Group's non- financial assets other than inventories and deferred tax assets (for which separate reviews are performed) are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists then the asset's recoverable amount is estimated.

The recoverable amount of an asset or cashgenerating unit is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For the purpose of impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets (the "cash-generating unit").

An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds its estimated recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss. Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the units and then to reduce the carrying amounts of the other assets in the unit (group of units) on a pro rata basis.

An impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset's carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.

4.11 Financial instruments Recognition and initial measurement

Trade receivables are initially recognized when they are originated, i.e. when or as the goods and services are provided and the revenue for those goods and services is recognized. Regular way purchases and sales of financial assets were accounted for at the settlement date. All other financial assets and financial liabilities are initially recognized when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument. The Group's trade receivables do not include a significant financing component and the amounts recognized for trade receivables are initially recognized at the transaction price. All other financial assets and financial liabilities are initially recognized at fair value plus, for items not recognized at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL), transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition or issue.

Classification and subsequent measurement

On initial recognition, a financial asset is classified as measured at amortized cost; FVOCI – debt investment; FVOCI – equity investment; or FVTPL.

(a) Financial assets at amortized cost

A financial asset is classified as measured at amortized cost if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at FVTPL:

  • it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows; and
  • its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

(b) Debt investments at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

A debt investment is classified as measured at fair value through other comprehensive income if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at FVTPL:

  • it is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets; and
  • its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

(c) Equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

An equity investment is classified as measured at fair value through other comprehensive income if it is not held for trading and the Group irrevocably elects to present subsequent changes in the investment's fair value in OCI. This election is made on an investmentby-investment basis.

(d) Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

All financial assets not classified as measured at amortized cost or FVOCI as described above are measured at FVTPL. This includes all derivative financial assets, equity investments held for trading, and equity instruments not held for trading, but for

which the Group did not elect to present fair value changes in other comprehensive income.

On initial recognition, the Group may irrevocably designate a financial asset that otherwise meets the requirements to be measured at amortized cost or at FVOCI as at FVTPL if doing so eliminates or significantly reduces an accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise. No such designations have been made by the Group.

Financial assets – business model assessment

The Group makes an assessment of the objective of the business model in which a financial asset is held at a portfolio level because this best reflects the way the business is managed and information is provided to management. The information considered includes:

  • the stated policies and objectives for the portfolio and the operation of those policies in practice. These include whether management's strategy focuses on earning contractual interest income, maintaining a particular interest rate profile, matching the duration of the financial assets to the duration of any related liabilities or expected cash outflows, or realizing cash flows through the sale of the assets;
  • how the performance of the portfolio is evaluated and reported to the Group's management;
  • the risks that affect the performance of the business model (and the financial assets held within that business model) and how those risks are managed;
  • how managers of the business are compensated e.g. whether compensation is based on the fair value of the assets managed or the contractual cash flows collected; and
  • the frequency, volume, and timing of sales of financial assets in prior periods, the reasons for such sales, and the expectations about future sales activity.

Transfers of financial assets to third parties in transactions that do not qualify for derecognition are not considered sales for this purpose, consistent with the Group's continuing recognition of the assets.

Financial assets that are held for trading or are managed and whose performance is evaluated on a fair value basis are measured at FVTPL.

Financial assets – Assessment of whether contractual cash flows are solely payments of principal and interest

For the purposes of this assessment, "principal" is defined as the fair value of the financial asset on initial recognition. "Interest" is defined as consideration for the time value of money and for the credit risk associated with the principal amount outstanding during a particular period of time and for other basic lending risks and costs (e.g. liquidity risk and administrative costs), as well as a profit margin. In

assessing whether the contractual cash flows are solely payments of principal and interest, the Group considers the contractual terms of the instrument. This includes assessing whether the financial asset contains a contractual term that could change the timing or amount of contractual cash flows such that it would not meet this condition. In making this assessment, the Group considers:

  • contingent events that would change the amount or timing of cash flows;
  • terms that may adjust the contractual coupon rate, including variable-rate features;
  • prepayment and extension features; and
  • terms that limit the Group's claim to cash flows from specified assets (e.g. non-recourse features).

A prepayment feature is consistent with the solely payments of principal and interest criterion if the prepayment amount substantially represents unpaid amounts of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding, which may include reasonable additional compensation for early termination of the contract. Additionally, for a financial asset acquired at a discount or premium to its contractual par value, a feature that permits or requires prepayment at an amount that substantially represents the contractual par amount plus accrued (but unpaid) contractual interest (which may also include reasonable additional compensation for early termination) is treated as consistent with this criterion if the fair value of the prepayment feature is insignificant at initial recognition.

Financial assets – Subsequent measurement and gains and losses

Financial assets at FVTPL

These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Net gains and losses, including any interest or dividend income, are recognized in profit or loss. The Group does not apply hedge accounting and accordingly does not apply alternative allowed accounting treatment permitted for derivatives designated as hedging instruments.

Financial assets at amortized cost

These assets are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The amortized cost is reduced by impairment losses. Interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses, and impairment are recognized in profit or loss. Any gain or loss on derecognition is recognized in profit or loss.

Debt investments at FVOCI

These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Interest income calculated using the effective interest method, foreign exchange gains and losses, and impairment are recognized in profit or loss. Other net gains and losses are recognized in OCI. On derecognition, gains and losses accumulated in OCI are reclassified to profit or loss.

Equity investments at FVOCI

These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Dividends are recognized as income in profit or loss unless the dividend clearly represents a recovery of part of the cost of the investment. Other net gains and losses are recognized in OCI and are never reclassified to profit or loss.

Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are classified as measured at amortized cost or FVTPL. A financial liability is classified as at FVTPL if it is classified as held for trading, it is a derivative, or it is designated as such on initial recognition, whereby no liabilities as at FVTPL have been made by the Group. Financial liabilities at FVTPL are measured at fair value, and net gains and losses, including any interest expense, are recognized in profit or loss. Other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Interest expense and foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss. Any gain or loss on derecognition is also recognized in profit or loss.

Derecognition

Financial assets

The Group derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred or in which the Group neither transfers nor retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership and it does not retain control of the financial asset.

The Group enters into transactions whereby it transfers assets recognized in its statement of financial position, but retains either all or substantially all of the risks and rewards of the transferred assets. In these cases, the transferred assets are not derecognized.

Financial liabilities

The Group derecognizes a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged or canceled, or expire. The Group also derecognizes a financial liability when its terms are modified and the cash flows of the modified liability are substantially different, in which case a new financial liability based on the modified terms is recognized at fair value.

On derecognition of a financial liability, the difference between the carrying amount extinguished and the consideration paid (including any non-cash assets transferred or liabilities assumed) is recognized in profit or loss.

Offsetting

No financial assets or liabilities are presented on a net basis in these consolidated financial statements.

Impairment

The Group recognizes loss allowances for the expected credit losses (ECLs) that it expects to incur over the lifetime of financial assets which it measures at amortized cost.

Loss allowances for trade receivables are always measured at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs. When determining whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition and when estimating ECLs, the Group considers reasonable and supportable information that is relevant and available without undue cost or effort. This includes both quantitative and qualitative information and analysis, based on the Group's historical experience and informed credit assessment and including forward-looking information.

The maximum period considered when estimating ECLs is the maximum contractual period over which the Group is exposed to credit risk.

Measurement of ECLs for non-credit-impaired receivables is assessed collectively based on a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses dependent on the number of days the balances are overdue. Expected credit losses are measured based on past experience of the recovery of similar portfolios of receivables as the Group considers this to be a reasonable approximation of the present value of the shortfalls that can be expected in future. ECLs are discounted at the effective interest rate of the financial asset if the discounting effect is determined to be material. Based on the contractual agreements, receivables are in default when the balances are unpaid by the due date. Dunning collection procedures commence when a receivable is five days overdue. Receivables are classified as credit impaired from the date on which the receivable is 90 days overdue, despite dunning procedures having being performed, or from the date any other specific indications are received that a significant deterioration in credit has occurred. Credit-impaired receivables are assessed on a case-by-case basis and assessments of collectability are based on the information available concerning the outstanding balance, including discussions with the customer, assessments of the reliability of the information provided, available counterclaims or security, an understanding of the economic climate in which the customer operates, and experience with that customer, as well as experience of similar collection procedures.

The relevant amounts are written off when the Group considers that there is no realistic prospect of recovery of the receivable and when no further enforcement activity is taken. When a customer is in liquidation the outstanding amounts are listed and monitored in an ongoing liquidation register until the liquidation process is complete.

No loss allowances are made for cash and cash equivalents as it has been determined that, because of the good standing of the Group's banking partners, the credit risk at the reporting date is so low that the ECLs are insignificant both at the date of their initial recognition and since initial recognition.

Fair values of cash and cash equivalents and current receivables and liabilities

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, current receivables, and current liabilities approximate their book values due to their short-term nature.

4.12 Derivative financial instruments

The Group holds derivative financial instruments to hedge certain foreign currency and interest risk exposures. Embedded derivatives are separated from the host contract and accounted for separately if the host contract is not a financial asset and certain criteria are met. Derivative financial instruments are not designated as hedging instruments for hedge accounting purposes and are accordingly classified as fair value through profit or loss.

Gains and losses from changes in the fair values of the derivative financial instruments are reported in the income statement within finance income and finance expenses. The fair values of the derivative financial instruments are presented in the statement of financial position as other current assets and/or other current liabilities, as appropriate, unless their maturity exceeds 12 months in which case they will be presented as noncurrent.

4.13 Inventories

Inventories of raw materials, consumables, and supplies are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The cost of inventories comprises all costs of purchase, cost of conversion, and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition, determined by using the weighted average acquisition cost method. Allowances are recognized if the carrying amount exceeds the expected sales price less the estimated cost to complete the inventories and the cost of marketing, sales, and distribution activities. Allowances are made in full for inventories with no realizable value.

4.14 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents represent cash in hand, checks, and available balances on bank current accounts with an original maturity of four weeks or less. The use of cash and cash equivalents reported are in general not subject to restrictions with the exception of term deposits reported as cash in note 7.6.

4.15 Equity

Share capital

The nominal paid-in contribution amount on each share is recorded in share capital.

Share premium

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of share capital are recognized as a deduction from the share premium account, less any related tax effects.

Treasury shares

The Group reports treasury shares as deductions from the Group equity at the cost of purchase.

Equity instruments and financial liabilities

Equity instruments and financial liabilities (including share capital, redeemable preference shares, and other loans and borrowings) are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities. Dividends and distributions relating to equity instruments are debited directly to reserves. Equity instruments issued are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. A financial liability exists where there is a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity, or to exchange financial assets or financial liabilities under potentially unfavorable conditions. In addition, contracts that result in the entity delivering a variable number of its own equity instruments are financial liabilities. Shares containing such obligations are classified as financial liabilities. Finance costs and gains or losses relating to financial liabilities are included in the income statement. The carrying amount of the liability is increased by the finance cost and reduced by payments made in respect of that liability.

4.16 Provisions

Provisions are recognized when present obligations (legal or constructive) exist which result from past events and which are expected to result in an outflow of resources of which the timing or amount is uncertain. The provisions are measured at the discounted amount of the expected future cash flows arising under the respective obligation at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognized as finance cost. Where the Group expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, for example under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognized as a separate asset but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain. The expense relating to any provision is presented in profit or loss. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and of the risk specific to the liability.

A provision for restructuring is recognized when the Group has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and the restructuring either has commenced or has been announced publicly. A provision for onerous contracts is recognized for each specific contract in which the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under the contract.

4.17 Leases

The Group assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease arrangement. A contract is, or contains, a lease if a contract conveys a right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

The Group as lessee

The assets held under the Group's leasing arrangements are primarily commercial properties, production equipment, and infrastructure equipment.

The Group recognizes right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for most assets, i.e. these are presented onbalance sheet. However, it has elected to not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases of low-value assets. The Group recognizes the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Group has not applied a simplification election available under IFRS 16 not to separate non-lease components of a lease. At inception or on reassessment of a contract that contains a lease component the Group allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease and non-lease component of the respective contract on the basis of their relative stand-alone prices.

The Group presents right-of-use assets within "property, plant, and equipment" in the statement of financial position, on the same line as it presents underlying assets of the same nature that are owned by the Group. The Group does not hold any properties under leases which are classified as investment properties.

The Group presents lease liabilities within "loans and borrowings", classified between current and noncurrent liabilities as appropriate.

The Group recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The rightof-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received.

The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the lease term, unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Group by the end of the lease term or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Group will exercise a purchase option. In that case the rightof-use asset will be depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset, which is determined on the same basis as those of property and equipment. In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group's incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Group uses an estimate of its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate.

The Group determines its incremental borrowing rate by obtaining interest rates from various external financing sources and makes certain adjustments to reflect the terms of the lease and type of the asset leased.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the following:

  • fixed payments, including in-substance fixed payments;
  • variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date;
  • amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee; and
  • the exercise price under a purchase option that the Group is reasonably certain to exercise, lease payments in an optional renewal period if the Group is reasonably certain to exercise an extension option, and penalties for early termination of a lease unless the Group is reasonably certain not to terminate early.

Some of the Group's lease contracts include renewal or termination options. In order to determine the lease term for these contracts the Group takes into account all relevant facts and circumstances in order to assess whether it is reasonably certain that these options will be exercised. This assessment has an impact on the term of the lease, which has a significant effect on the amount of the lease liabilities and the measurement of the right-of-use asset recognized.

Generally, the Group uses an estimate of its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. The lease liability is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, if there is a change in the Group's estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, if the Group changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option, or if there is a revised in-substance fixed lease payment. When the lease liability is remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.

Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets The Group has elected not to recognize right of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases of low-value assets and short-term leases, including IT equipment. The Group recognizes the lease payments associated with

these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Sale and leaseback transactions

When the Group undertakes a sale and leaseback transaction with a buyer-lessor, it determines whether the transfer qualifies as a sale. This determination is based on the requirements for satisfying a performance obligation in IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. If the transfer qualifies as a sale and the transaction is on market terms the Group splits the previous carrying amount of the underlying asset into (a) a right-of-use asset arising from the leaseback and (b) the rights in the underlying asset retained by the buyer-lessor at the end of the leaseback. The Group recognizes a portion of the total gain or loss on the sale. The amount recognized is calculated by splitting the total gain or loss into (a) an unrecognized amount relating to the rights retained by the seller-lessee and (b) an amount recognized amount relating to the buyer-lessor's rights in the underlying asset at the end of the leaseback. The leaseback itself is then accounted for under the lessee accounting model. Adjustments are required if consideration for the sale is not at fair value and/or payments for the lease are not at market rates. These adjustments result in recognition of a prepayment to reflect below-market terms and/or additional financing provided by the buyer-lessor to the seller-lessee to reflect above-market terms.

The Group as lessor

The Group is lessor at several locations where it leases commercial property which is owned by the Group but not used for its own commercial business purposes. The Group has classified these leases as operating leases, because they do not transfer substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to the ownership of the assets.

At inception or on modification of a contract that contains a lease component, the Group allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of their relative stand-alone prices.

When the Group acts as a lessor, it examines each lease at lease inception to determine whether is a finance lease or an operating lease. This consists of making an overall assessment of whether the lease transfers substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the underlying asset. If this is the case, then the lease is a finance lease; if not, then it is an operating lease. As part of this assessment, the Group considers certain indicators such as whether the lease is for the major part of the economic life of the asset.

When the Group is an intermediate lessor, it accounts for its interests in the head lease and the sublease separately. It assesses the lease classification of a sublease with reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head lease, not with reference to the underlying asset. If a head lease is a short-term lease to which the Group applies the exemption described

above, then it classifies the sub-lease as an operating lease. If an arrangement contains lease and non-lease components, then the Group applies IFRS 15 to allocate the consideration in the contract.

All leases entered into by the Group as lessor to date have been classified as operating leases and relate to investment properties rented to third parties. The Group recognizes lease payments received under operating leases as income on a straight-line basis over the lease term as part of "Income from investment property rentals."

4.18 Subsidies

The Group receives government assistance in the form of government investment grants and investment subsidies which are dependent on the acquisition of certain assets qualifying under the respective grant awards. Grants and subsidies related to assets are recognized when there is reasonable assurance that the entity will comply with the relevant conditions of the grant, and that grant will be received. They are recognized in profit or loss on a systematic basis as the entity recognizes as expenses the costs that the grants are intended to compensate. The investment grants and subsidies received reduce the purchase cost for the relevant subsidized assets recorded under property, plant, and equipment.

The receipt of government assistance is governed by terms set out in law and by specific terms and conditions attached to the applicable grants and subsidies.

4.19 Income taxes

The income tax charge includes current and deferred taxation. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and the deferred benefits expected from unused tax losses, unused tax credits, and other credits carried forward, whereby amounts are only recognized when their realization is considered by management to probable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled, based on tax rates enacted or substantially enacted at the statement of financial position date.

The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the enterprise expects, at the statement of financial position date, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets are not discounted and are classified as non-current assets in the statement of financial position. Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only if certain criteria are met. Such criteria mean the entity has a legally enforceable right to set off the recognized amounts and it intends either to settle on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. Deferred tax assets are recognized when it is probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available against which the deferred tax assets can be utilized.

At each statement of financial position date, the Group reassesses unrecognized deferred tax assets and the carrying amount of deferred tax assets. The Group recognizes a previously unrecognized deferred tax asset to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profit will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered. The probability of recognition is based on the expected tax profits included in the Group's current business planning. The Group conversely reduces the carrying amount of a deferred tax asset to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow the benefit of part or that entire deferred tax asset to be utilized. A deferred tax liability is recognized for all taxable temporary differences, unless the deferred tax liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss.

4.20 Changes to accounting policies New accounting pronouncements

The following amendments to standards, which are effective for annual periods beginning on or before January 1, 2022, have been applied by the Group for the first time in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

Standard/interpretation Effective date
Amendments to IFRS 3 Business
Combinations; IAS 16 Property, Plant
and Equipment; IAS 37 Provisions,
Contingent Liabilities and Contingent
Assets; and Annual Improvements
2018–2020 (all issued May 14, 2020)
January 1, 2022

The above amendments to standards and amended interpretations did not have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements of the X-FAB Group.

New standards, amendments to standards, and interpretations effective for annual periods beginning after January 1, 2023

A number of new standards, amendments to standards, and interpretations are not yet effective for annual periods ended December 31, 2022, and have not been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements.. These amendments are not expected to have a material impact on the Group's consolidated financial statements.

Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IFRS Practice Statement 2: Disclosure of Accounting Policies, issued on

February 12, 2021, include narrow-scope amendments to improve accounting policy disclosures so that they provide more useful information to investors and other primary users of the financial statements. The amendments to IAS 1 require companies to disclose their material accounting policy information rather than their significant accounting policies. The amendments to IFRS Practice Statement 2 provide guidance on how to apply the concept of materiality to accounting policy disclosures.

The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023, with early application permitted. These amendments have been endorsed by the EU.

Amendments to IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors:

Definition of Accounting Estimates, issued on February 12, 2021, clarify how companies should distinguish changes in accounting policies from changes in accounting estimates. The distinction is important because changes in accounting estimates are applied prospectively only to future transactions and other future events, but changes in accounting policies are generally also applied retrospectively to past transactions and other past events.

The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023, with early application permitted. These amendments have been endorsed by the EU.

Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes: Deferred Tax Related to Assets and Liabilities Arising from a

Single Transaction, issued on May 7, 2021, clarifies how companies should account for deferred tax on transactions such as leases and decommissioning obligations. IAS 12 Income Taxes specifies how a company accounts for income tax, including deferred tax, which represents tax payable or recoverable in the future. In specified circumstances, companies are exempt from recognizing deferred tax when they recognize assets or liabilities for the first time. Previously, there had been some uncertainty about whether the exemption applied to transactions such as leases and decommissioning obligations — transactions for which companies recognize both an asset and a liability. The amendments clarify that the exemption does not apply and that companies are required to recognize deferred tax on such transactions. The aim of the amendments is to reduce diversity in the reporting of deferred tax on leases and decommissioning obligations.

The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023, with early application permitted. These amendments have been endorsed by the EU.

Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements:

• Classification of Liabilities as Current or Noncurrent Date (issued on January 23, 2020);

• Classification of Liabilities as Current or Noncurrent - Deferral of Effective Date (issued on July 15, 2020); and

• Non-current Liabilities with Covenants (issued on October 31, 2022.

Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current, issued on January 23, 2020, clarify a criterion in IAS 1 for classifying a liability as non-current: the requirement for an entity to have the right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period.

The amendments:

  • specify that an entity's right to defer settlement must exist at the end of the reporting period;
  • clarify that classification is unaffected by management's intentions or expectations about whether the entity will exercise its right to defer settlement;
  • clarify how lending conditions affect classification; and
  • clarify requirements for classifying liabilities an entity will or may settle by issuing its own equity instruments.

On July 15, 2020, the IASB issued Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current — Deferral of Effective Date (Amendment to IAS 1) deferring the effective date of the January 2020 amendments.

On October 31, 2022, the IASB issued Non-current Liabilities with Covenants, which amends IAS 1 and specifies that covenants (i.e. conditions specified in a loan arrangement) to be complied with after the reporting date do not affect the classification of debt as current or non-current at the reporting date. Instead, the amendments require a company to disclose information about these covenants in the notes to the financial statements.

All of the amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments have not yet been endorsed by the EU.

Amendments to IFRS 16 Leases: Lease Liability in a

Sale and Leaseback, issued on September 22, 2022, introduce a new accounting model which will impact how a seller-lessee accounts for variable lease payments in a sale-and-leaseback transaction. Under this new accounting model for variable payments, a seller-lessee will:

  • include estimated variable lease payments when it initially measures a lease liability arising from a sale-and-leaseback transaction; and
  • after initial recognition, apply the general requirements for subsequent accounting of the lease liability such that it recognizes no gain or loss relating to the right of use it retains

These amendments will not change the accounting for leases other than those arising in a sale and leaseback transaction.

The amendments apply retrospectively for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024, with early application permitted. These amendments have not yet been endorsed by the EU.

5 Business combinations

There have been no business combinations involving the Group in the years ended December 31, 2022, or December 31, 2021.

6 Notes to the consolidated statement of profit or loss

6.1 Revenue

Revenue, which wholly and exclusively represents revenue from contracts with customers, comprises the following (refer to note 9 for revenue by geographic concentration):

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Gross revenue PCM wafer 653,420 572,986
Gross revenue NRE and
technology services
92,217 89,290
Other revenue 16 19
Discounts and warranty
credits
(6,184) (4,544)
Total 739,469 657,751

Revenues from production increased by 14%, driven by a consistently strong demand across all end markets, while revenue from prototyping increased by 3%.

No revenue is recognized in the current year from performance obligations satisfied in prior years (e.g. changes in transaction price).

6.2 Cost of sales

The cost of sales comprises the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Employee-related expenses (192,228) (181,086)
Cost of materials (167,034) (156,937)
Costs of fixed assets (85,828) (77,783)
(maintenance, spare parts,
Depreciation and
amortization
(67,854) (66,194)
Facility costs (69,532) (60,332)
External services (9,095) (7,736)
Changes in inventories 12,427 22,303
Grants 16,642 20,240
Other (1,013) (248)
Total (563,515) (507,773)

The increase in cost of sales of 11% corresponds with the increase in revenues of 12%.

Grants that are presented as an offset against cost of sales include capital and income-related grants, which in 2021 additionally included a one-off amount of USD 6,563 thousand received in 2020 under the "Paycheck Protection Program," which had been granted and subsequently forgiven under the U.S. federal government's Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to secure payroll and utility payments during the pandemic. Further details are provided in note 7.10.

6.3 Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Employee-related expenses (24,980) (25,245)
Cost of materials (9,923) (10,279)
Costs of fixed assets
(maintenance, spare parts,
etc.)
(4,019) (3,693)
Depreciation and
amortization
(1,586) (1,371)
Facility costs (869) (949)
External services (884) (799)
Grants 5,643 10,681
Other (4,185) (2,655)
Total (40,803) (34,310)

Research and development expenses increased consistently with the increased sales volume in 2022. It is X-FAB's policy to maintain a consistent rate of research and development expenses in relation to revenue.

6.4 Selling expenses

The selling expenses comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Employee-related expenses (7,447) (7,046)
Advertising costs and costs
of selling goods
(633) (844)
External services (139) (154)
Facility costs (143) (147)
Depreciation and
amortization
(103) (102)
Other 286 276
Total (8,179) (8,017)

6.5 General and administrative expenses

The general and administrative expenses comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Employee-related expenses (23,354) (21,206)
External services (5,946) (3,864)
Depreciation and
amortization
(3,033) (3,273)
Costs of fixed assets
(maintenance, spare parts,
etc.)
(3,989) (3,232)
Insurance, dues, and fees (1,468) (1,522)
Facility costs (1,103) (1,128)
Grants 444 635
Other 962 819
Total (37,487) (32,771)

6.6 Expenses by nature

In the income statement, expenditures are classified by function. Expenses include depreciation charges allocated to the following items:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Included in cost of sales (67,000) (65,232)
Included in research and
development expenses
(1,218) (1,196)
Included in selling expenses (103) (102)
Included in general and
administrative expenses
(1,692) (1,625)
Included in expenses related
to investment properties and
other expenses
(1,612) (1,623)
Total (71,625) (69,778)

Expenses include charges for amortization of intangible assets allocated to the following items:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Included in cost of sales (854) (962)
Included in research and
development expenses
(368) (175)
Included in general and
administrative expenses
(1,341) (1,648)
Total (2,563) (2,785)

Employee-related expenses allocated according to function in the income statement consist of the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Wages and salaries (190,512) (184,334)
Social security costs (38,069) (35,580)
Contributions to defined
contribution plans
(11,445) (10,077)
Other employee-related
costs
(7,983) (4,592)
Total (248,009) (234,583)

The increase in staff costs compared to the previous year is primarily due to the general increase in business activity.

Defined contribution plans primarily consist of contributions made under statutory schemes by employers to state-based defined contribution plans.

6.7 Rental income from investment properties Rental income from investment properties comprises

the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Income from technical
services provided
7,223 7,075
Income from investment
property rentals
6,425 6,876
Total 13,648 13,951

Property rentals and technical services for tenants represent activities outside the X-FAB SE Group's core activities. Technical services mainly comprise the supply of power, water, cooling water, ultra-pure water, bulk gases, or compressed dry air.

6.8 Rental expenses related to investment properties

Expenses related to investment properties comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Expenses for technical
services provided
(9,176) (8,956)
Expenses for connection
with investment property
(4,770) (3,097)
rentals
Total
(13,946) (12,053)

Expenses in connection with investment properties primarily relate to depreciation and building maintenance.

6.9 Other income

Other income comprises the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Gains on disposals of
property, plant, and
equipment
3,899 600
Income from recharges 3,015 2,817
Income from other admin
services/cost sharing
527 693
Income from sales of
materials
188 199
Other 547 657
Total 8,176 4,966

The income from recharges primarily results from charges for software maintenance costs to Melexis, a related party, included in the disclosures presented in note 12.

Gains on disposal of property, plant, and equipment in 2022 primarily related to sales of technical machinery and equipment previously used by X-FAB France for technologies in operation in its predecessor business prior to it being acquired by the X-FAB Group.

6.10 Other expenses

Other expenses comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Settlement of a trade
dispute
(36,811)
Expenses from recharges (3,015) (2,817)
Losses on disposal of
property, plant, and
equipment
(10) (325)
Other (87) (1,113)
Total (39,923) (4,255)

Expenses incurred to settle a trade dispute represent the costs of settling a dispute with a supplier consisting of payments for materials not purchased by the Group in breach of binding order commitments in the years 2019 and 2020 (USD 36,811 thousand), together with associated interest penalties (USD 12,624 thousand, refer to note 6.12) and legal costs (USD 1,271 thousand). The settlement was the result of a final and binding decision received under trade settlement arbitration proceedings.

The expenses from recharges primarily relate to costs in connection with recharges for software maintenance provided to related parties. Refer to note 12.

6.11 Finance income

Finance income comprises the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Interest on financial assets
measured at amortized cost:
Interest on cash and cash
equivalents
1,836 1,767
Other:
Income from exchange rate
differences
34,695 14,347
Total 36,531 16,114

The increase in income from exchange rate differences is primarily due to the higher level of currency exchange rate gains on cash balances denominated in Malaysian ringgit and euros and from the translation effects of euro-denominated loans and of euro-denominated cash. The net expense (income less expense disclosed in note 6.12) from exchange rate differences decreased to USD 2,366 thousand (2021: USD 4,503 thousand).

6.12 Finance costs

Finance costs comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Interest on financial liabilities
measured at amortized cost:
Loans and borrowings (6,619) (1,592)
Other interest (12,624)
Other:
Expenses from exchange
rate differences
(37,061) (18,850)
Other (500)
Total (56,804) (20,442)

Other interest of USD 12,624 thousand refers to an arbitration award as discussed in note 6.10.

Exchange rate expenses primarily result from the translation effects of euro-denominated loans and of Malaysian ringgit and euro-denominated cash.

Other items represent the write-down of a financial asset received in lieu of unpaid overdue trade receivables from a customer.

6.13 Income tax

Income taxes comprise German corporation and trade taxes (plus solidarity surcharge), Belgian corporation tax, French tax, and Malaysian tax on interest received. United States federal income taxes have not been incurred during the reporting period as no taxable income was generated in that country or sufficient tax losses were available to offset taxable income.

Income taxes comprised the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Current taxes:
Actual income tax charge for
the period
(6,420) (2,060)
Adjustment of prior years'
tax charges
(483) (2,420)
(6,903) (4,480)
Deferred taxes 22,332 15,253
Total 15,429 10,773

The Belgian applicable tax rate applicable for the Group's result was 25.00% in 2022 and 2021 . The deferred tax assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are valued based on local tax rates. The Group's various German operations incur federal income taxes and local trade taxes which result in overall applicable tax rates of between 31.58% and 32.28%. The federal income tax rate applicable to the Group's earnings in the United States is 21.00%, the tax rate applicable on earnings in Malaysia amounts to 24.00%, and the tax rate applicable to X-FAB France is 25.00% (2021: 26.50%).

The reconciliation of the theoretical tax charge based on the IFRS net income before tax is as follows for the years 2022 and 2021:

in thousands of U.S. 2022 2021
dollars
Result before taxes
37,062 72,866
Theoretical tax at combined
applicable Belgian tax rate
(9,266) (18,217)
Recognition of previously
unrecognized deferred tax
on timing differences and
tax losses
39,810 42,395
Current year losses for
which no deferred tax asset
is recognized
(13,463) (12,457)
Adjustment of prior period
tax liabilities recorded in the
current period
(483) (2,420)
Effect of tax-free income 1,206 1,580
Currency effects (93) (892)
Effect of permanent
differences
(290) (89)
Effect of non-deductible
expenditures
(169) (147)
Effect of changes in
applicable tax rates enacted
during the year
Effect of different tax rates
applying to foreign
operations
(1,889) 600
Differences which are only
valid for special taxes
66 420
Income/(expense) for
income taxes recognized
in the consolidated
statement of profit or loss
15,429 10,773

Previously unrecognized deferred tax on timing differences and tax losses results in deferred tax income as the Group recognizes deferred tax on timing differences and tax losses which are expected to be realized in the near future. As described below, the amount recognized in the statement of financial position is based on the Group's current business planning. The amount reported primarily consists of deferred tax assets of USD 39,889 thousand recognized in the Group's Malaysian subsidiary at December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021: USD 39,209 thousand) and of USD 16,041 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 2,974 thousand) recognized in the US subsidiary. The income statement includes recognition of previously unrecognized deferred tax on timing differences and tax losses carried forward of USD 42,966 thousand (previous year: USD 42,395 thousand) based on the carrying value at the reporting date, less the amount recognized in the previous year, after the amount recognized in the previous year had been reduced by the assets utilized in the current year.

Current year losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognized primarily arose in current and previous year at the Group's subsidiary in France.

Effects from tax-free income primarily relate to various tax exempted items of X-FAB Sarawak, for example interest income, exchange rate gains, gains from fixed asset sales, and the gain on the derecognition of the liability described in note 7.10.

Currency effects mainly relate to the effect of changes in exchange rates on tax carrying amounts denominated in euros in 2022 and 2021.

The deferred tax assets and liabilities arise from temporary differences and unused tax losses as follows:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Deferred tax assets –
unrecognized amounts
On unused tax losses 198,038 215,947
On temporary differences
Property, plant, and
equipment/capital
239,582 278,996
allowances
Other temporary differences
6,107 1,613
Total unrecognized
deferred tax assets
443,727 496,556
Deferred tax assets –
recognized amounts
On unused tax losses 39,313 18,833
On temporary differences
Property, plant, and
equipment/capital
33,709 31,341
allowances
Other temporary differences
(5,045) (4,529)
Total recognized deferred
tax assets
67,977 45,645

X-FAB SE Group recognizes deferred tax assets resulting from temporary differences and from unused tax losses which exceed the deferred tax liabilities only to the extent that, on the basis of the Group's business planning, the realization of these assets is assessed as probable. This assessment involves a review by management of profits and losses expected in the business plan and limiting recognition of the future tax benefits to take account of potential variances against the business plan. Accordingly, recognized and unrecognized deferred tax assets are subject to estimation uncertainty, and there is a significant risk that the carrying amounts will require adjustment in subsequent periods. The estimates are, in particular, subject to the estimation uncertainties inherent in business planning which affect the likely utilization of unused tax losses and subject to potential changes in exchange rates which affect the size of timing differences.

Unrecognized temporary differences on property, plant, and equipment and other timing differences which can be used to offset future taxable income mainly relate to the Group's Malaysian subsidiary.

More specifically for the assessment of future available taxable profit a risk-adjusted profits approach was applied to the forecasts included in the Group's business planning. This method was applied to reflect the risk that actual taxable profits will fall short of the expectations. The Board has determined that adjusting the expected future taxable profits for this component by using a risk factor is appropriate considering the inherent risk in the semiconductor market and the specific exchange rate volatility risks which affect the assessment. In addition, the Board has determined that taxable income as from 2026 does not meet the "probable" threshold as required under IFRS standards and is not taken into account for the determination of the amount of deferred tax assets to be recognized.

In particular, tax legislation in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates provides for the full or partial cancellation of unused tax losses on the occurrence of significant changes in the direct or indirect equity ownership of the taxable entity. Accordingly, there is a risk that recognized and unrecognized deferred tax assets may not be realized should such transactions occur in the future.

X-FAB SE and its subsidiaries have unused corporation tax losses as follows:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Belgian tax loss carry forward
German corporation tax loss
carry forward
141,136 172,876
German trade tax loss carry
forward
180,007 203,005
U.S. federal tax loss carry
forward
169,241 144,416
U.S. state tax loss carry 39,650 14,825
forward
Malaysian tax loss carry
forward
341,789 361,114
French tax loss carry forward 271,274 219,559

The Group's French and German tax losses can be carried forward indefinitely, whereby in France and Germany there are restrictions on the amounts that can be utilized in any specific year. U.S. federal tax losses for years prior to 2018 expire, if unused, after a period of 20 years. U.S. federal tax losses of USD 28.5 million expired in 2022 (2021: USD 3,591 thousand). The Group estimates that further U.S. federal tax losses of USD 27.8 million will expire in the year 2023 unless utilized. Unabsorbed Malaysian business losses expire after a period of seven years. The unused tax losses changed as a result of tax losses in the year, tax losses offset in the year, and, in addition, changes in currency exchange rates. Insignificant changes resulted from changes in estimates between the dates of preparation of the previous year's consolidated financial statements and the finalization of the tax returns and tax assessments of individual entities.

Significant deferred tax balances arise in respect of tax losses carried forward and on timing differences on property, plant, and equipment. A summary of the movements is presented in the table below. Deferred tax balances on other balance sheet positions are presented on a combined basis for this purpose.

in thousands of U.S. dollars Tax losses
carried forward
Property, plant,
and equipment
Other
temporary
differences
Total
Balance at January 1, 2021 12,380 26,144 (8,131) 30,393
Recognized in profit and loss 6,453 5,197 3,602 15,252
Recognized in other comprehensive income
Balance at December 31, 2021 18,833 31,341 (4,529) 45,645
Set off of tax 3,794 (3,794)
Net balance at December 31, 2021 18,833 35,135 (8,323) 45,645
Balance at January 1, 2022 18,833 31,341 (4,529) 45,645
Recognized in profit and loss 20,480 2,368 (516) 22,332
Recognized in other comprehensive income
Balance at December 31, 2022 39,313 33,709 (5,045) 67,977
Set off of tax 1,141 (1,141)
Net balance at December 31, 2022 39,313 34,850 (6,186) 67,977

Changes in recognized deferred tax assets resulted in a deferred tax income of USD 22,332 thousand (2021: income of USD 15,252 thousand). The increase in previously unrecognized deferred tax assets on property, plant, and equipment and other timing differences recognized in 2022 compared to 2021 is due to a higher level of taxable income from achieved and projected operating results at the Group's subsidiaries against which timing differences can be offset.

No tax income tax expenses or income have been recorded on items recorded within other comprehensive income (previous year: none).

6.14 Earnings per share

The earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit for the period attributable to the ordinary shareholders (as reported in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income) by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.

The weighted average number of ordinary shares is identical to the number of ordinary shares in issue during the years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021.

No instruments with a potential diluting effect on shareholders' equity have been in issue during the years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021. Accordingly, there is no potential dilution of the profit attributable to equity shareholders and no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share.

7 Notes to the statement of financial position

7.1 Property, plant, equipment, and investment properties

in thousands of U.S.
dollars
Land Buildings Technical
machinery
and
equipment
Factory and
office
equipment
Assets under
construction
Total
Net book value
January 1, 2022
14,110 37,843 209,401 5,816 73,500 340,670
Accumulated
historical cost
14,292 111,273 1,095,858 31,408 73,500 1,326,331
January 1, 2021
Additions
88 28,738 2,266 159,463 190,555
Disposals (11,275) (1,943) (13,218)
Reclassifications 666 62,033 1,530 (64,243) (14)
Effect of changes in
exchange rates
27 27
Accumulated
historical cost
14,292 112,027 1,175,354 33,288 168,720 1,503,681
December 31, 2021
Accumulated
depreciation
January 1, 2022
(182) (73,430) (886,457) (25,592) (985,661)
Additions (30) (3,568) (64,419) (2,973) (70,990)
Disposals 11,200 1,889 13,089
Reclassifications 23 23
Effect of changes in
exchange rates
(16) (16)
Accumulated
depreciation
December 31, 2022
(212) (76,998) (939,676) (26,669) (1,043,555)
Net book value
December 31, 2022
14,080 35,029 235,678 6,619 168,720 460,126
Net book value
January 1, 2021
14,139 40,554 232,686 4,855 44,614 336,848
Accumulated
historical cost
14,291 110,466 1,068,016 28,009 44,614 1,265,396
January 1, 2020
Additions
1 80 11,850 1,490 60,322 73,743
Disposals (5) (12,106) (322) (12,433)
Reclassifications 732 28,098 2,220 (31,436) (386)
Effect of changes in
exchange rates
11 11
Accumulated
historical cost
14,292 111,273 1,095,858 31,408 73,500 1,326,331
December 31, 2020
Accumulated
depreciation
January 1, 2021
(152) (69,912) (835,330) (23,154) (928,548)
Additions (30) (3,523) (62,853) (2,740) (69,146)
Disposals 5 11,726 308 12,039
Effect of changes in
exchange rates
(6) (6)
Accumulated
depreciation
December 31, 2021
(182) (73,430) (886,457) (25,592) (985,661)
Net book value
December 31, 2021
14,110 37,843 209,401 5,816 73,500 340,670

Property, plant, and equipment

Additions in technical machinery and equipment and additions in assets under construction mainly refer to capital investments in technical machinery in, X-FAB France (USD 58 million), X-FAB Sarawak (USD 58 million), X-FAB Texas (USD 41 million), X-FAB Erfurt (USD 6 million), X-FAB Dresden (USD 18 million), X-FAB MEMS Foundry Itzehoe (USD 1 million), and X-FAB MEMS Foundry (USD 7 million). Assets under construction primarily include investments in technical machinery. Additions in property, plant, and equipment resulted in cash outflows in 2022 of USD 180,580 thousand (2021: USD 66,972 thousand). Refer to the statement of cash flows.

The Group received investment grants related to the acquisition of qualifying assets totaling USD 945 thousand (2021: USD 535 thousand).

No impairment tests were performed in the financial year ended December 31, 2022 as there were no triggering events that would have required impairment tests to be performed.

Accumulated historical costs have been reduced by investment grants received of USD 137,517 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 136,121 thousand) and accumulated depreciation has been reduced by USD 126,159 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 122,880 thousand).

At December 31, 2022 property, plant, and equipment with a book value of USD 23 million (December 31, 2021: USD 31 million) had been provided as collateral security to third-party lenders. The carrying values of technical machinery and equipment include USD 21.4 million (December 31, 2021: USD 22.0 million) which are not owned by the Group but which are held under leasing arrangements as disclosed in note 11.

Investment properties

Investment properties consist of properties let to third parties by X-FAB GmbH, X-FAB Dresden, X-FAB Texas, and X-FAB France. The lease arrangements, the majority of which expire at various dates until 2024, continue after expiry unless canceled by either party within notice periods of between one month and six months.

Investment properties are accounted for at purchase cost less straight-line depreciation. The book and fair values of these properties at the reporting date were as follows:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Net book value, beginning
of period
8,309 8,556
Additions
Depreciation (635) (632)
Disposals
Reclassifications 385
Net book value, end of
period
7,674 8,309
Accumulated cost 33,647 33,647
Accumulated depreciation (25,974) (25,339)
Fair value 32,845 26,258

Properties are reclassified between the land and buildings and investment properties classifications when there is a change in the use of the property (for example, when a property previously used by the Group is let to third parties or the Group uses a property previously let to third parties).

Additions to investment properties represents work capitalized on the Group's existing investment properties.

The fair values of the investment properties relate to properties in Germany (December 31, 2022: USD 17,025 thousand; December 31, 2021: 9,374 thousand), the USA (December 31, 2022: USD 1,698 thousand; December 31, 2021: 2,039 thousand), and France (December 31, 2022: USD 14,122 thousand; December 31, 2021: 14,845 thousand). The fair value measurements of the investment properties have been categorized as a Level 3 fair value based on the inputs to the valuation techniques used. The valuations disclosed of the Group's investment properties are updated annually. In the U.S. and in France the valuations were performed by independent third-party experts with the appropriate professional qualifications and the necessary expertise in the location and category of property. In Germany they are performed by the management of X-FAB SE Group, calculated on the basis of discounted future cash flows, and discounting future rents at a rate of 4.0% (December 31, 2021: 1.5%). The valuation model takes into account the rent per square meter, expected rental growth rates, other costs, and the maturity of the contracts.

No impairment charges were recorded against investment properties in 2022 or 2021.

The following table sets out a maturity analysis of lease payments which will be received in respect of investment properties, showing the undiscounted lease payments to be received after the reporting date.

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
2022 5,034
2023 5,017 5,125
2024 5,630 1,063
2025 1,797 1,063
2026 1,797 1,063
2027 1,371
Total 15,612 13,348

7.2 Intangible assets

The movements on intangible assets were as follows:

in thousands of U.S. dollars Licenses Payments on
account
Total
Net book value January 1, 2022 2,656 1,378 4,034
Accumulated historical cost January 1, 2022 71,374 1,378 72,752
Additions 2,314 2,335 4,649
Disposals (14,106) (14,106)
Reclassifications 1,888 (1,895) (7)
Effect of changes in exchange rates 86 86
Accumulated historical cost December 31, 2022 61,556 1,818 63,374
Accumulated amortization January 1, 2022 (68,718) (68,718)
Additions (2,563) (2,563)
Disposals 14,106 14,106
Accumulated amortization December 31, 2022 (57,175) (57,175)
Net book value December 31, 2022 4,381 1,818 6,199
Net book value January 1, 2021 3,585 1,141 4,726
Accumulated historical cost January 1, 2021 69,533 1,141 70,674
Additions 768 1,325 2,093
Disposals (15) (15)
Reclassifications 1,088 (1,088)
Accumulated historical cost December 31, 2021 71,374 1,378 72,752
Accumulated amortization January 1, 2021 (65,948) (65,948)
Additions (2,785) (2,785)
Disposals 15 15
Accumulated amortization December 31, 2021 (68,718) (68,718)
Net book value December 31, 2021 2,656 1,378 4,034

Disposals refer to software licenses from which the Group obtains no further benefit.

Intangible assets in the statement of financial position do not include any capitalized costs of internally generated assets. Payments on account refer to advance and milestone payments made for the acquisition of software licenses and the customization of such software in a project not yet fully completed. Refer to note 4.9.

No impairment against the carrying values of payments on account was recorded in 2022 or 2021.

7.3 Inventories

Inventories comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Materials and supplies 124,760 106,020
Work in progress 95,383 78,495
Finished goods 3,723 2,050
Merchandise 6 6
Write-downs (9,437) (5,558)
Total 214,435 181,013

Changes in work in progress and finished goods totaling USD 14,824 thousand were included in cost of sales in 2022 (2021: USD 22,844 thousand). Writedowns are recorded against inventories and recognized as an expense in cost of sales in the period of USD 2,397 thousand (2021: USD 541 thousand). There have not been any reversals of write-downs. Inventories wholly represent amounts which are expected to be realized within 12 months.

7.4 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables and other receivables comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Trade accounts receivable 43,989 49,500
Amounts due from related
party entities
30,214 25,217
Allowances (1,087) (1,028)
Total 73,116 73,689

Trade receivables are generally on 30 to 90-day terms and are non-interest bearing. They are classified as financial assets at amortized cost for financial reporting purposes. Under consideration of allowances made, the fair values of trade receivables approximate their carrying amount. The amounts due from related parties are in respect of trade accounts receivable balances.

As at December 31, the aging analysis of trade accounts receivables (third parties, net of allowances) is as follows:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Neither past due nor 31,463 30,305
impaired
Past due 1–30 days
9,207 17,004
Past due 31–60 days 1,592 615
Past due 61–360 days 640 548
Past due > 360 days
Total 42,902 48,472

The Group measures the expected credit losses of trade receivables by using an allowance matrix to measure the expected losses on trade receivable balances, including those with related parties. The allowances are based on the number of days each balance is overdue. The assessment of expected losses on trade receivable balances that are not impaired is based on past experience of credit losses, which the Group considers to be a reasonable approximation of the losses that can be expected in future periods since there are no indications that there will be significant changes in the industry going forward. An analysis of receivables by geographic region or by type of customer is not made since X-FAB mainly deals with global customers and hence there is no significant difference in risks between the geographic regions where X-FAB is active or the type

of customers served by X-FAB. The amount of trade receivables due from related parties is disclosed separately from trade receivables in the table above and in the related party disclosures in note 12 below.

In addition, X-FAB recorded several additional allowances on individual case-by-case assessments for credit-impaired balances.

A settlement arrangement was entered into in 2021 with a customer, a related party, concerning outstanding receivables in excess of 360 days overdue totaling USD 1,277 thousand. Impairment allowances of USD 848 thousand had been recorded in 2020 against these balances. Under this arrangement, collateral security in the form of certain intellectual property rights was transferred by the customer to the Group as final settlement of the outstanding balances due. The Group valued the collateral security received at USD 484 thousand, and accordingly the outstanding amounts were derecognized and a gain on derecognition of the receivables, net of allowances, of USD 55 thousand was recognized in 2021. The intellectual property rights received have been recognized as intangible assets on initial recognition at their fair value. The fair value of the intellectual property rights received was estimated by management based on the discounted royalties which can be earned on the expected future product sales that will generated using the intellectual property, discounted using a weighted average cost of capital (WACC). The WACC was obtained by reference to a risk-free interest rate and entity-specific risk premiums obtained by reference to external third party reference databases (a level 3 valuation).

The following tables provide information on the exposure to credit risk and the loss allowances made for balances which are not credit impaired as at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021:

December 31, 2022
in thousands of
U.S. dollars
Weighted
average
loss rate
Gross
carrying
amount
Loss
allowance
Neither past due
nor impaired
0.08 % 61,589 (49)
Past due 1–30 0.08 % 8,917 (7)
days
Past due 31–60
days
1.50 % 1,388 (21)
Past due 61–90
days
3.75 % 264 (10)
More than 90
days past due
(less credit
impaired)
9.75 % 958 (93)
Total 73,116 (180)

December 31, 2021
in thousands of
U.S. dollars
Weighted
average
loss rate
Gross
carrying
amount
Loss
allowance
Neither past due
nor impaired
0.08 % 56,462 (45)
Past due 1–30
days
0.08 % 15,431 (12)
Past due 31–60
days
1.50 % 742 (11)
Past due 61–90
days
3.75 % 343 (13)
More than 90
days past due
(less credit
impaired)
9.75 % 711 (69)
Total 73,689 (150)
in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Balance at January 1 (1,028) (1,513)
Impairment loss recognized (58) (275)
Use of allowance 2 784
Reversal of allowance 27
Net remeasurement of loss
allowance
(30) (24)
Balance at December 31 (1,087) (1,028)

There are no balances which were written off during the period and which continue to be the subject of collection processes.

7.5 Other assets

Other assets comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Other assets 55,768 42,609
Other non-current assets 79 28
Total 55,847 42,637
Current other assets comprise the following:
in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
R&D grants receivable 22,537 18,596
Prepaid expenses 20,700 18,112
Receivables from energy
surcharges
4,872 3,116
Taxes (other) 5,676 1,512
Investment grants and
subsidies receivable
1,170 480
Deposits 535 341
Other 278 452
Total 55,234 42,268

Research and development grants receivable in 2022 include USD 20,194 thousand research and development tax credits and competitiveness and employment tax credits attributable to X-FAB France (December 31, 2021: USD 15,895 thousand).

Research and development tax credits and competitiveness and employment tax credits attributable to X-FAB France totaling USD 8,227 thousand (2021: USD 9,217 thousand) were sold without recourse to a bank in 2022. The carrying amounts of the credits sold generated cash inflows of USD 7,245 thousand (2021: USD 8,928 thousand) net of USD 982 thousand representing interest expenses and fees (2021: USD 233 thousand). On initial recognition, X-FAB France presents the grant receivables as a reduction of cost of sales and research and development expenses, consistent with the Group's general presentation of subsidized expenses. The sales accelerate the cash inflows from tax credits; in the normal course of events where the credits are not sold they can be offset against income tax payable by X-FAB France or will be paid to X-FAB France at a subsequent date if there is no income tax to be paid. Due to the sale, these repayments will be received by the bank directly. There are no remaining ongoing obligations to be fulfilled by X-FAB France in respect of the tax credits and the credits have been derecognized and the amounts received by the bank have been recognized as cash and cash equivalents.

Prepaid expenses refer to prepayments made for raw materials.

The deposits mainly represent security deposits provided as collateral security and are classified as current assets as they are either in connection with contractual arrangements which may be canceled at short notice or are expected to be released within 12 months on other grounds.

7.6 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Cash and bank balances 367,221 287,907
Term deposits 2,204 2,280
Total 369,425 290,187

Term deposits and some cash at bank balances earn interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates. The fair values of cash and short-term deposits are identical to the carrying amounts.

7.7 Equity

Share capital

X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE had 130,781,669 fully paidin ordinary shares in issue at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021. Each share carries one vote at the Company's general meetings. There are no unissued shares authorized for issue.

Share premium

The share premium of X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE represents the excess of paid-in capital for shares at the time of their issue over the fractional value of the shares.

Retained earnings

Retained earnings represent the accumulated profits and losses of the Group together with the accumulated balance of the remeasurement of the Group's defined benefit post employment benefit plans.

Cumulative translation adjustment

The translation reserve comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations that have functional currencies other than USD.

Treasury shares

At December 31, 2022 the Group held 149,748 treasury shares of X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE held by its fully owned subsidiary X-FAB GmbH. Based on the purchase price of EUR 11.25 per share, the treasury shares reduced the equity capital of the parent company by USD 770 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 770 thousand).

Share-based payment arrangements

The Group had no share-based payment arrangements and no share option programs during the years ended December 31, 2022, or December 31, 2021.

Authorization to acquire treasury shares

In accordance with the Belgian Companies and Associations Code, the Articles of Association permit the Company to acquire, on or outside the stock market, its own shares, profit-sharing certificates or associated certificates by resolution approved by the shareholders' meeting by a majority of at least 75% of the votes cast where at least 50% of the share capital and at least 50% of the profit certificates, if any, are present or represented. Prior approval by the shareholders is not required if the Company purchases the shares in order to offer them to the Company's employees.

The shares, profit-sharing certificates, or associated certificates can only be acquired with funds that would otherwise be available for distribution as dividend. The total nominal value or fractional value of the shares, profit-sharing certificates, or associated certificates held by the Company can at no time be more than 20% of the share capital. Voting rights attached to shares held by the Company as treasury shares are suspended.

On April 28, 2022, an extraordinary shareholders' meeting authorized the Board of Directors to purchase up to 20% of the outstanding shares, for a price not lower than 10% below the lowest closing price in the last 30 trading days preceding the transaction and not more than 5% above the highest closing price during the last 30 trading days preceding the transaction. This authorization is valid for five years from April 28, 2022.

The above authorization is also valid if the acquisition was made by one of the subsidiaries directly controlled by the Company, as set out in Article 5 SE Regulation juncto Article 7:221 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code.

The Board of Directors is authorized to divest all or part of the shares, profit-sharing certificates, or associated certificates at a price it determines, on or outside the stock market or in the framework of its remuneration policy to employees, directors, or consultants of the Company, or to prevent any serious and imminent harm to the Company. This authorization is valid without any restriction in time, except when the divestment is made to prevent serious and imminent harm to the Company, in which case the authorization is only valid for three years as from the date of the publication of the authorization in the Annexes to the Belgian State Gazette (Belgisch Staatsblad/Moniteur belge) (i.e. May 2, 2022). The authorization covers the divestment of the shares, profit-sharing certificates, or associated certificates by a direct subsidiary of the Company, as set out in Article 5 SE Regulation juncto Article 7:221 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code.

7.8 Dividends

No dividends were resolved or paid in the years 2022 or 2021.

Under Belgian company law, the shareholders decide on the distribution of profits at the annual shareholders' meeting, based on the latest audited statutory accounts of the Company. Dividends may be paid either in cash or in kind. However, shareholders may not declare a dividend if the Company has not first reserved at least 5% of its profits for the financial year until such reserve has reached an amount equal to 10% of its share capital (the "Legal Reserve") or if, following any such dividend, the level of the net assets adjusted for the unamortized balance of the incorporation costs and capitalized research and development costs of the Company falls below the amount of the Company's paid-in-capital and of its non-distributable reserves. The Board of Directors may pay an interim dividend, provided certain conditions set forth in Belgian company law are met.

7.9 Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests represented a 5.1% interest in the subsidiary GVG which was held by external shareholders until its acquisition by the X-FAB Group on September 1, 2022. GVG, which has subsequently been merged into a wholly owned Group subsidiary, was a property management company responsible for the administration of certain of the Group's properties in Dresden, Germany. GVG's net profit for the financial year 2022 until the date on which the non-controlling interests were acquired amounted to USD 595 thousand (full year 2021: net profit of USD 807 thousand). At the date on which the non-controlling interests were acquired GVG had total assets amounting to USD 8,777 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 9,084 thousand), liabilities of USD 3,996 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 4,887 thousand), and equity of USD 4,781 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 4,197 thousand). The purchase price paid to acquire the non-controlling interest amounted to USD 204 thousand and was paid in cash. As GVG was already controlled by the X-FAB Group, the purchase of additional shares in the subsidiary (so reducing NCI) did not result in the recognition goodwill or other adjustments to the initial accounting for the consolidation of the entity and the transaction was wholly recognized within equity as a transaction with owners of the entity. The currency translation effect of the retranslation of non-controlling interests in GVG is not material to the movements on other comprehensive income or the statement of changes in equity.

7.10 Loans and borrowings

The Group has unused credit lines available under bank loan facilities as follows:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Unused credit lines
Unused part of multicurrency
revolving credit facility
denominated in EUR or in
USD – variable rates
2,000 152,494
Interest rate USD: SOFR +
1.25%
Interest rate EUR: EURIBOR
+1.0%
Unused credit lines
denominated in EUR – fixed
rates
7,473 4,520
Interest rate: 3.75–4.01%
Other unused credit lines
denominated in EUR –
variable rates
2,135 5,651
Interest rates: EURIBOR
+2.5%

The carrying amounts of the Group's loans and borrowings at December 31 are shown in the following table:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Bank loans and overdrafts
Variable interest bank overdrafts in EUR
Maturity: 2023 2
Interest rates: EURIBOR + 2.5%
Fixed interest bank loans denominated in EUR 67,380 23,247
Maturity: 2023–2029
Interest rates: 0.85–2.3%
Repayments in monthly or quarterly installments
Variable interest revolving credit facility denominated in USD 138,998 30,582
Maturity: 2023
Interest rates: SOFR + 1.67%
Repayment on maturity
Variable interest revolving credit facility denominated in EUR 64,056 42,944
Maturity: 2023
Interest rates: EURIBOR + 1.0%
Repayment on maturity
Leasing arrangements
Leasing liabilities denominated in EUR 13,467 15,256
Maturity: 2023–2034
Interest rates: 0.02–1.91%
Repayment in monthly installments
Leasing liabilities denominated in USD 7,018 6,903
Maturity: 2023–2034
Interest rates: 3.32%
Repayment in monthly installments
Leasing liabilities denominated in MYR 6,024 8,098
Maturity: 2023–2025
Interest rates: 4.66%
Repayment in monthly installments
Total 296,945 127,030
Current loans and borrowings 233,513 87,114
Non-current loans and borrowings 63,432 39,916

Variable interest bank loans include loans amounting to USD 138,000 thousand and EUR 60,000 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 31,000 thousand and EUR 38,000 thousand) under the EUR 200,000,000 multicurrency revolving facility agreement ("the facility") entered into between the parent company and its principal subsidiaries and a syndicate of eight international banks on December 1, 2021. The credit facility is for a five-year period until December 2026, with an option for X-FAB to request an extension of the facility's maturity date until December 2027. The

option is exercisable not earlier than 90 days prior to and not 45 days later than prior to the initial termination date of November 30, 2026. The movements on loans and borrowing include exchange rate gains of USD 1,151 thousand resulting from the translation of euro-denominated loans and borrowings (2021: exchange rate gains of USD 2,627 thousand).

The fair values of the Group's loans and borrowings are presented in note 10.

Approximately 32% of the Group's borrowings are at a fixed rate of interest (December 31, 2021: 42%). Refer to note 10.

Bank loans and overdrafts of USD 18,548 thousand (2021: USD 20,281 thousand) are secured by charges on plant and machinery and land (see note 7.1).

A bank loan with a carrying value of USD 6,563 thousand at December 31, 2020 was derecognized and reported in the previous financial year as a deduction from cost of sales. The loan, obtained and paid to X-FAB Texas in 2020, was issued under the "Paycheck Protection Program" established by the U.S. federal government's Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to secure payroll and utility payments. Under the terms of the program, the borrower was entitled to apply for forgiveness of the loan by December 31, 2020, provided certain conditions regarding retention and rehiring of employees had been met and provided the government still had sufficient budget available to forgive those loans. An application for forgiveness of the bank loan was made in the financial year 2020 and was approved on June 10, 2021. Accordingly the balance on the loan was released to income and was offset against cost of sales matching the classification of the costs – direct production-related costs – which were financed under the program.

Contractual maturities

The contractual maturities of the Group's nonderivative financial liabilities (including lease liabilities) at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021 are shown in the table below. The amounts presented in the table are undiscounted and do not include interest as most of the liabilities are linked to credit facilities for which interest can fluctuate over time depending on the level of the used part of these facilities:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
2022 87,880
2023 230,414 13,687
2024 22,440 8,733
2025 18,965 4,753
2026 13,472 2,556
2027–2034 11,654 9,421
Total 296,945 127,030

The Group is exposed to a liquidity risk in that the maturity of bank loan agreements, which are presented based on the contractual payment obligations, could be brought forward should the Group fail to comply with its contractual obligations under the bank loan agreements.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the movements in liabilities to the cash flows arising from financing activities for the year 2022:

in thousands of U.S.
dollars
Liabilities Equity
Loans and
borrowings
Lease
liability
Share
capital
Share
premium
Retained
earnings
NCI Total
Balance at
December 31, 2021
96,773 30,257 432,745 348,709 (36,155) 365 872,694
Changes from
financing cash flows
Proceeds from loans and
borrowings
184,272 184,272
Repayment of loans and
borrowings
(11,420) (11,420)
Repayment of loans and
borrowings from related
parties
Receipts from sale and
leaseback arrangements
7,723 7,723
Payments of lease
liabilities
(5,662) (5,662)
Interest paid (5,188) (5,188)
Payment of preference
dividend
Distribution to non
controlling interests
(11) (11)
Receipt of investment
government grants and
subsidies
Total changes from
financing cash flows
167,664 2,061 (11) 169,714
Other changes
Effect of changes in
foreign exchange rates
(622) (543) (1,165)
Liability related
New leases in prior year,
funds received in current
year
(7,190) (7,190)
Prolongation of existing
lease contracts
1,924 1,924
Interest expenses 6,619 6,619
Gain on derecognition of
financial liability
Equity related 52,663 52,663
Total liability-related
other changes
6,619 (5,266) 1,353
Total equity-related
other changes
(354) (354)
Balance at
December 31, 2022
270,434 26,509 432,745 348,709 16,508 1,094,905

The following table provides a reconciliation of the movements in liabilities to the cash flows arising from financing activities for the year 2021:

in thousands of U.S.
dollars
Liabilities Equity
Loans and
borrowings
Lease
liability
Share
capital
Share
premium
Retained
earnings
NCI Total
Balance at
December 31, 2020
51,573 24,636 432,745 348,709 (120,604) 344 748,440
Changes from
financing cash flows
Proceeds from loans and
borrowings
82,585 82,585
Repayment of loans and
borrowings
(28,218) (28,218)
Repayment of loans and
borrowings from related
parties
Payments of lease
liabilities
(5,094) (5,094)
Interest paid (1,569) (1,569)
Payment of preference
dividend
Distribution to non
controlling interests
(12) (12)
Receipt of investment
government grants and
subsidies
Total changes from
financing cash flows
52,798 (5,094) (12) 47,692
Other changes
Effect of changes in
foreign exchange rates
(2,627) (86) (2,713)
Liability related
New leases 8,488 8,488
Prolongation of existing
lease contracts
2,313 2,313
Interest expenses 1,592 1,592
Gain on derecognition of
financial liability
(6,563) (6,563)
Equity related 84,449 33 84,482
Total liability-related
other changes
(4,971) 10,801 5,830
Total equity-related
other changes
84,449 33 84,482
Balance at
December 31, 2021
96,773 30,257 432,745 348,709 (36,155) 365 872,694

7.11 Other non-current liabilities

Other non-current liabilities primarily comprise defined benefit pension obligations and deferred rental income.

Other non-current liabilities include an amount of USD 3,967 thousand at December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021: USD 5,620 thousand), representing the net defined benefit obligations under a long-service retirement lump-sum payment scheme at the Group's subsidiary X-FAB France. An additional USD 546 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 0 thousand) of defined benefit obligations relating to this plan are recorded as other current liabilities. The net defined benefit obligation consists of defined benefit obligations under the scheme of USD 8,547 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 9,974 thousand) less plan assets recorded at their fair values of USD 4,034 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 4,354 thousand). Under this scheme, X-FAB France awards its employees a lump-sum payment on reaching retirement age of 65 (for management employees) and 62 (for other employees). The payment is

dependent on the final salary of the employee and the length of time the employee has been employed by X-FAB France. Employees are not required to contribute to the plan. The liability recognized for the future defined benefit obligation under this scheme is presented net of the funding plan assets which are "ring fenced" to meet obligations under the scheme. The plan assets at December 31, 2022 consist of investments in a fund that is managed by a financial institution of which the underlying assets relate to long-term bonds with capital guarantees of USD 1,844 thousand at December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021: USD 1,918 thousand) and equity savings plans with a value of USD 2,189 thousand at December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021: USD 2,436 thousand). Accordingly, there are risks typical of such defined benefit obligations, i.e. actuarial risks associated with the uncertainties of the estimated obligations under the scheme and with the anticipated performance of the investment assets held to offset the obligations under the scheme.

in thousands of U.S. dollars DBO Fair value of
plan assets
Net defined
benefit liability
January 1, 2022 9,974 (4,354) 5,620
Included in profit or loss:
Current service cost 484 484
Past service cost/curtailment
Currency effects from conversion into USD (563) 431 (132)
Included in OCI:
Return on plan assets (111) (111)
Actuarial losses (295) (295)
Other:
Contributions paid by the employer
Benefits paid (1,053) (1,053)
December 31, 2022 8,547 (4,034) 4,513
January 1, 2021 8,571 (4,272)
4,299
Included in profit or loss:
Current service cost 382 382
Past service cost 2,323 2,323
Currency effects from conversion into USD (777) 347 (430)
Included in OCI:
Return on plan assets (429) (429)
Actuarial losses (414) (414)
Other:
Contributions paid by the employer
Benefits paid (111) (111)
December 31, 2021 9,974 (4,354) 5,620

The primary assumptions made in calculating the defined benefit obligation were as follows:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Discount rate 3.36% 0.79%
Employee turnover 5.00% 5.00%
Social security costs 47.00% 47.00%

The discount rate used is calculated by reference to marked yields on high quality corporate bonds. Future salary growth is assumed to be 1.0% higher than inflation (December 31, 2021: 0.5% lower). Assumptions regarding future mortality have been based on published statistics and mortality tables.

Past service cost adjustments in the previous financial year related to amendments to a plan curtailment at X-FAB France initially recorded in 2020 for which estimates were revised following implementation of the restructuring plan in 2021. The Group expects to pay no contributions to the

funding plan in 2022.

Reasonably possible changes at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021 to one of the actuarial assumptions, holding other assumptions constant, would have affected the defined benefit obligation changing the discounted amounts of the net liability by the amounts shown below:

in
thousands
of U.S.
dollars
Increase
at
Dec. 31,
2022
Decrease
at
Dec. 31,
2022
Increase
at
Dec. 31,
2021
Decrease
at
Dec. 31,
2021
Discount
rate (+0.25%
movement)
124 166
Future
salary
growth
(+0.25%
movement)
132 167

The defined benefit obligation is not materially sensitive to a reasonable potential change in the assumed mortality rate.

7.12 Trade payables and other current liabilities

Trade payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on 60-day terms. Trade payables have been increased from USD 41,364 thousand at December 31, 2021, to USD 53,654 thousand at December 31, 2022. This increase was influenced by the general increase of business and increases in investments in property, plant, and equipment.

Other current liabilities comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Accrued liabilities 31,464 17,521
For invoices not yet
received
29,280 15,850
Royalties 419 376
Sales commissions 349 307
Staff association costs 691 602
Other 725 386
Advances received 31,127 19,193
Deferred income 298 293
Employee-related
liabilities
24,958 23,879
Wages 2,992 2,931
Earned holiday
entitlement, incentives
15,556 12,469
Payroll taxes 2,377 3,870
Social security costs 4,033 4,609
Other (4)
Total 87,843 60,886

Liabilities for social security costs at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, include deferred payments of amounts due by X-FAB France in accordance with the terms of a government support scheme to alleviate the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Advances received relate to prepayments from customers for future wafer sales. In 2022, advances received additionally include USD 10.8 million capacity reservation deposits from long-term agreements concluded with customers in 2022.

7.13 Provisions

Provisions comprise the following:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Current provisions 7,413 4,445
Non-current provisions 56 66
Total 7,469 4,511

Current provisions primarily relate to warranty costs.

Warranty provisions are estimated based on the Group's experience of past claim rates and knowledge of current claims together with an assessment of rectification costs. Increased business resulted in an increase in warranty provisions in the financial year..

Non-current provisions refer to anniversary bonuses for employees accounted for in accordance with IAS 19, which include estimates of future staff turnover, based on the Group's experience of staff turnover rates in recent years.

The unused amounts of a restructuring provision initially recognized in 2020 amounting to USD 3,312 thousand were offset against general and administration expenses following implementation of the plan in 2021.

The movements on provisions during the year were as follows:

in
thousands
of U.S.
dollars
Warranty
provisions
Employee
provisions
Restruct
uring
cost
Total
January 1,
2022
3,691 820 4,511
Provided
for
5,471 23 5,494
Utilized (2,073) (179) (2,252)
Released (181) (3) (184)
Effect of
changes in
exchange
rates
(54) (45) (99)
December
31, 2022
6,854 616 7,470
in
thousands
of U.S.
dollars
Warranty
provisions
Employee
provisions
Restruct
uring
costs
Total
January 1,
2021
2,541 1,412 5,722 9,675
Provided
for
2,176 17 2,193
Utilized (979) (571) (2,023) (3,573)
Released (69) (3,312) (3,381)
Effect of
changes in
exchange
rates
(47) 31 (387) (403)
December
31, 2021
3,691 820 4,511

8 Notes to the statement of cash flows

The change in trade payables in working capital excludes changes in the amounts of outstanding liabilities for additions to property, plant, and equipment, as payments for additions to fixed assets are recorded in the statement of cash flows when payment is made.

Non-cash transactions primarily include the effects from exchange rate differences, allowances on trade receivables and increases in provisions.

The difference between the cash outflows for investments and the additions to property, plant, and equipment is primarily due to the level of outstanding invoices for additions recorded at the end of the financial year.

The Group entered into one sale and leaseback transaction for property, plant, and equipment in 2021. The cash inflow from that transaction was received in 2022 and amounted to USD 7,723 thousand.

9 Segment reporting

Operating segment

The Group manages its CMOS and MEMS operations as one single operating segment. Operating decisions are taken on a product and technology level by the President and Chief Executive Officer, who is assisted by the parent company's management team. Accordingly, X-FAB has identified its President and CEO as its chief operating decision maker for the purposes of defining segments in accordance with IFRS 8. No separate operating results for the CMOS and MEMS operations are used by the chief operating decision maker to manage X-FAB's operations, assess performance, or make resource allocation decisions. As a result, X-FAB has determined that its operations constitute one single segment.

Geographic concentrations

The following table shows an analysis of revenue (based on the customer's billing location) and noncurrent assets by geographic area for the reporting period.

Revenue by geographic area:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Europe 454,197 403,201
Belgium 294,400 256,258
Germany 72,794 70,245
United Kingdom 42,117 37,028
Austria 11,007 10,837
France 8,022 7,240
Switzerland 7,918 7,380
Sweden 5,215 3,752
Denmark 3,090 2,990
Other 3,179 2,585
Finland 2,384 1,743
Netherlands 2,629 1,689
Ireland 1,442 1,454
Asia 174,947 149,736
China 55,084 44,916
Japan 28,582 24,815
Malaysia 20,055 17,893
Singapore 18,225 16,743
Thailand 14,556 10,123
Taiwan 12,232 10,067
Hong Kong 12,029 5,667
Korea 9,648 15,302
New Zealand 3,420 3,060
Other 1,116 1,150
United States of America 106,725 102,189
Rest of the world 3,600 2,625
Total 739,469 657,751

Non-current assets by geographic area:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Malaysia 187,265 156,660
Germany 151,114 133,482
France 114,289 66,491
United States of America 89,388 42,054
Total 542,056 398,687

Significant customers

The Group has one (2021: one) customer whose revenues exceeded 10% of the Group's consolidated external revenues. The total revenue from this customer, which is a related party (see note 12), amounted to USD 293,014 thousand in 2022 (2021: USD 254,362).

10 Financial instruments – fair values and risk management

Accounting classifications and fair values

The following tables show the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss and measured at amortized cost, respectively, including their levels in the fair value hierarchy.

December 31, 2022
in thousands of U.S. dollars Carrying
amount
Fair value
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Financial assets measured at amortized cost
Trade and other receivables 73,116
Cash and cash equivalents 369,425
Financial liabilities measured at amortized
cost
Trade payables (53,654)
Bank loans, overdrafts, and lease liabilities (296,945) (296,950) (296,950)
December 31, 2021
Financial assets measured at amortized cost
Trade and other receivables 73,689
Cash and cash equivalents 290,187
Financial liabilities measured at amortized
cost
Trade payables (41,364)
Bank loans, overdrafts, and lease liabilities (127,030) (127,223) (127,223)

Financial instruments measured at amortized cost

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, bank overdrafts, trade and other receivables, and trade payables approximates their fair value due to the short-term maturity of these financial instruments.

The fair value of the Group's non-current liabilities is based on their present values calculated by discounting future cash flows at current rates of interest available for debt with the same maturity profile.

The Group's principal financial instruments not carried at fair value are cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, other current assets, other non-current assets, trade and other payables, bank overdrafts, and long-term borrowings.

There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities between levels of the fair value hierarchy in the current or previous year.

Financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value through profit or loss

The Group held no financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss in the current or previous financial year.

The Group held no forward foreign exchange contracts or interest rate swaps in the current or previous financial year.

Financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value through other comprehensive income

The Group held no financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value through other comprehensive income in the current or previous financial year.

Management of risks arising from financial instruments

The X-FAB SE Group's principal financial liabilities comprise bank loans and bank overdrafts, and trade payables. The main purpose of these financial liabilities is to finance the Group's operations. The Group has various financial assets, such as trade receivables and cash and short-term deposits, which arise directly from its operations.

Financial assets in the form of free short-term cash available are placed on deposit with banks with a high credit rating.

Deliveries made by the Group are subject to the reservation of proprietary rights until the customer has paid for the goods. Generally, further security is not obtained.

While the Group did not hold any derivative financial instruments in the current or previous year, it does, from time to time, enter into derivative financial instruments to manage the foreign exchange risks and interest rate arising from the Group's sources of finance where the risks of financial loss or the liquidity risk appears excessive. Such transactions are exclusively entered into to reduce the risk of contractually agreed or highly probable transactions. These transactions are classified as FVTPL for accounting purposes because the Group does not formally account for them using hedge accounting techniques.

The primary risks arising from the Group's financial instruments are market risks (interest rate and foreign currency risks), credit risk, and liquidity risk. The Board of Directors reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks. The primary objective in managing these risks is to minimize the risk of financial loss and the risk of any interference with the Group's ability to pursue its commercial objectives. The policies followed in respect of each risk are summarized below.

Interest rate risk

The X-FAB SE Group's exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Group's long-term debt obligations with floating interest rates.

The Group's policy is to manage its interest cost using a mix of fixed and variable rate debts. To manage this, the Group might enter into interest rate swaps, in which the Group agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and variable rate interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. At December 31, 2022 approximately 32% of the Group's borrowings (excluding financial leases) are at a fixed rate of interest (December 31, 2021: 42%). Accordingly, the Group's exposure to interest rate risk is limited.

Foreign currency risk

The Group's statement of financial position can be affected by changes in the dollar exchange rates, in particular movements against the euro (EUR) and the Malaysian ringgit (MYR). This risk mainly relates to transactions in foreign currency.

The following tables provide an analysis of monetary assets and liabilities by currency denomination, expressed in thousands of USD:

Assets and liabilities denominated in EUR:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Assets
Trade accounts receivable 15,342 25,603
Other assets 34,521 19,145
Cash 180,284 103,702
Liabilities
Trade payables 13,625 11,411
Loans and borrowings 144,903 75,399
Other liabilities and
provisions
39,479 33,521

Assets and liabilities denominated in MYR:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Assets
Trade accounts receivable 44 49
Other assets 5,813 5,972
Cash 14,839 70,419
Liabilities
Trade payables 269 330
Loans and borrowings 6,203 7,110
Other liabilities and
provisions
882

The Group's policy is to manage selected foreign currency exchange risk by entering into forward rate currency purchase or sale transactions (currency forwards) for specific amounts of foreign currencies in anticipation of transactions which are contractually fixed or highly probable.

The following exchange rates were used in preparing the consolidated financial statements:

2022 2021
USD/EUR
Closing rate 0.937 0.885
Average rate 0.948 0.845
USD/MYR
Closing rate 4.405 4.182
Average rate 4.398 4.144

The Group also has currency exposures arising from sales or purchases made when operating units undertake transactions in currencies other than their functional currencies.

Approximately 42% (2021: 37%) of the Group's sales and 40,2% (2021: 47%) of the Group's costs are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the operating unit making the sales.

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to changes in fair value of monetary assets and liabilities on the Group's profit before tax to reasonably possible changes in the USD/EUR and USD/MYR exchange rates, with all other variables held constant and excluding effects of foreign exchange related derivatives held. We have also assessed that the sensitivity to changes in fair value of monetary assets and liabilities to profit before tax is a good approximation of the effect on equity of the Group as the associated tax effect would not be significant.

USD/EUR Increase/
(decrease)
in EUR rate
Effect on
profit
before tax
2022 5 % 1,607
-5 % (1,607)
2021 5 % 1,404
-5 % (1,404)
USD/MYR Increase/
(decrease)
in MYR rate
Effect on
profit
before tax
2022 20 % 2,669
-20 % (2,669)
2021 20 % 13,800

The Group believes that a reasonably possible change of other exchange rates, with all other variables held constant, will not have a significant effect on the Group's profit before tax and on the Group's equity.

The currency risk from translating foreign entities with a functional currency that is different from the presentation currency can be considered to be immaterial as it relates to non-significant entities.

Credit risk

The Group's primary risk credit risk concentrations affecting financial assets are in respect of trade receivables (described in note 7.4), balances with related parties (note 12), and balances and short-term deposits at banks (note 7.6).

The Group only trades with recognized, creditworthy third parties. It is the Group's policy that all customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. In addition, receivables balances are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that the Group is not exposed to significant risk of credit loss. The maximum exposure is represented by the carrying amounts disclosed in notes 7.4 and 7.5. With respect to credit risk arising from financial assets, including cash and cash equivalents, the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk arising from default of the counterparty is equal to their carrying amounts in the statement of financial position.

The Group has not recorded any expected credit losses for cash and cash equivalents as it considers that any measurement of the 12-month expected loss would be an insignificant amount given the good credit rating of the respective banks.

Liquidity risk

The Group monitors its risk of a shortage of funds and of difficulties in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities. The Group's objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of bank loans, bank overdrafts, and other financial instruments. Based on the positive cash flow projections and the excess of current assets over current liabilities, there was no significant liquidity risk at December 31, 2022, or December 31, 2021. The expected cash inflows from trade and other receivables maturing within two months total USD 73,116 thousand (December 31, 2021: USD 73,689 thousand). Trade accounts payables are due within the next 12 months. An analysis of the maturity of financial liabilities and available credit lines is presented in note 7.10.

Capital management

The primary objective of the Group's capital management is to ensure that it maintains a strong credit rating and healthy capital ratios in order to support its business and maximize shareholder value. Further, management aims to maintain a stable level of cash balances available for ready use at all times and to at least maintain, or increase, the available cash at the current level and to ensure that it meets financial covenants attached to the interest-bearing loans and borrowings. These goals can be achieved by a combination of cash inflows and the use of new external new financing arrangements. The Group manages its capital structure (consisting of equity and borrowings) and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions. To adjust its capital structure, the Group may choose to take measures such as making payments to or adjusting dividend payments made to shareholders, returning capital to shareholders, or raising new capital by issuing new shares or adjusting its borrowing levels. No change was made to the Group's capital management objectives, policies, or processes during the years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021.

The EUR 200,000,000 multicurrency revolving credit facility is available to the parent company and its primary subsidiaries for use for euro and U.S. dollar capital expenditures, general working capital requirements and general corporate purposes (including acquisitions). The facility contains a covenant stating that the borrower shall ensure that the ratio of total net indebtedness (the sum of all borrowing and guarantee obligations of a financial nature, defined more closely in the facility agreement) cannot exceed 3.5 times its EBITDA, otherwise the loan will be repayable on demand. The Group was in compliance with this covenant at December 31, 2022.

The X-FAB SE Group's other bank loan agreements do not include requirements to comply with externally imposed capital requirements, for example requirements to meet specific equity and free cash flow ratios.

The EUR 200,000,000 multicurrency revolving credit facility and other bank loan agreements contain certain other covenants typical for such borrowing arrangements which impose a number of requirements on the borrower, including, among other things, early termination and set-off of asset balances against matured obligations balances in case of a material event of default, negative pledge clauses, obligations to provide certain information relating to the financial condition of the borrower, and change of control provisions. Early repayments of amounts borrowed may be demanded or offset against asset balances and renewals or drawdowns of additional tranches under credit arrangements may not be available if there is an event of default or should the Group fail to meet its other obligations under such terms and conditions. Further, the Company has entered into undertakings under the terms of certain credit agreements to maintain its existing equity percentage in the share capital and related percentage of voting rights of its respective subsidiaries.

11 Leases

The Group has various lease arrangements for the use of commercial properties, infrastructure, and technical equipment and machinery. The arrangements run for various periods until 2034 and carry interest rates between 0.02% and 4.66% (December 31, 2021: 0.02% and 4.46%). The contractual arrangements vary from lease to lease. Some of these arrangements include purchase options at a price that is lower than the expected fair value of the assets at the end of the lease period, so that the Group expects that these will be acquired at a later date. Other leases are for a fixed period of time and are renewed unless canceled by either party, or include lease period extension options exercisable by the Group.

In 2021 the Group entered into a sale and leaseback transaction under which machinery was sold at book value and leased back. The contractual arrangements include a purchase option at a price that is lower than the fair value and the lease term is for the major part of the economic life. The Group continues to be able to direct the use of the assets and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from their use. Accordingly, the transaction is wholly recognized as a financing arrangement, and no sale or gain or loss is recognized on the transaction. The assets were not derecognized. The lease period runs until 2028 and carries an interest rate of 1.26%.

The carrying values of right-of-use assets presented as property, plant, and equipment were as follows:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Net book value January 1 24,415 25,278
Additions 1,923 2,316
Depreciation (4,373) (4,339)
Disposals
Reclassifications (527) 1,160
Net book value December 31 21,438 24,415

For lease arrangements which include extension options exercisable by the Group, the Group assesses, at the commencement of the lease, whether it is reasonably certain to exercise the extension options. The Group makes subsequent reassessments of whether it is reasonably certain to exercise such options if there is a significant event or significant changes in circumstances which are within its control. Should the Group exercise the extension options, the future cash outflows under leasing arrangements, the right-of-use assets recognized, and the commitments under the lease liabilities would be increased. The Group does not make estimates of such potential increases as the most significant extension options are at future dates and the amounts and available operational alternatives may change. The overall level of right-of-use assets and leasing obligations are, however, unlikely to change by material amounts.

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Minimum
leasing
payment
Present value Minimum
leasing
payment
Present value
2023 6,050 5,506
2024–2026 22,865 21,003
2022 6,015 5,380
2023–2025 27,062 24,877
Total 28,915 26,509 33,077 30,257
Interest (2,407) (2,407) (2,821) (2,821)
Liability 26,508 24,102 30,256 27,436

The future minimum lease payments due in respect of lease liabilities are as follows:

The minimum leasing payments disclosed for the previous year have been amended to include certain amounts previously omitted from future interest charges. The amendments have no effect on the results of operations or on the carrying amounts reported in the statement of financial position.

Expenses relating to short-term leases amounted to USD 646 thousand (2021: USD 616 thousand) and expenses relating to leases of low-value assets (excluding short-term leases of low-value assets) amounted to USD 22 thousand (2021: USD 18 thousand).

12 Transactions with related parties

Transactions with shareholders and their subsidiaries

As part of its normal business activities, X-FAB SE Group undertakes transactions with entities in the XTRION Group, a group of companies controlled by XTRION NV, the ultimate parent company and the largest shareholder of X-FAB SE. These include the purchase of certain work in process and services, as well as the sale of products and provision of services to these companies. XTRION NV is also the parent company of Melexis NV, which develops, designs, and sells integrated circuits to customers such as the automotive industry. The main wafer suppliers for the Melexis Group are X-FAB SE's subsidiaries. The Melexis Group also provides final test services as well as design support to X-FAB SE subsidiaries. Refer also to the corporate governance statement. Conditions of the commercial relations between X-FAB and its related parties are in line with those that have been agreed upon between independent parties in comparable circumstances.

The tables below show the balances with shareholders and their subsidiaries included in the statement of financial position.

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Trade accounts receivable
due from Melexis group
27,241 22,224
companies
Trade accounts receivable
due from M-MOS group
2,905 2,961
companies
Trade accounts receivable
due from X-Celeprint
34 32
Trade accounts receivable
due from X Display Company
Technology
34
Total 30,214 25,217
in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Advances received from
Melexis group companies
3,833 9,101
Advances received from M
MOS group companies
3,827
Trade accounts payable due
to Melexis group companies
132 178
Trade accounts payable due
to M-MOS group companies
22 59
Trade accounts payable due
to XTRION
26 21
Trade accounts payable due
to Sensinnovat
118 96
Other 18 22
Total 7,976 9,477

Receivables from related parties relate to trade receivables, do not carry interest, and are payable on normal credit terms. As described in detail in note 7.4, a settlement arrangement was entered into in 2021 with a related party customer, concerning outstanding receivables in excess of 360 days overdue totaling USD 1,277 thousand. Impairment allowances of USD 848 thousand had been recorded in 2020 against these balances. Under this arrangement the Group received intellectual property, which had been provided by the customer as collateral security, which the Group valued at USD 484 in settlement of the outstanding liability.

Sales made to XTRION group companies primarily include the supply of PCM-tested wafers and NRE on the basis of wafer supply agreements made between the parties.

Other income results from the provision of technical facilities, supplies, utilities, property rentals, and services provided. Services provided include information technology, personnel, and legal support services. For services provided, charges are made in relation to the costs incurred based on an agreed formula which considers the use of facilities, employee time spent, and specific transaction details. Interest income and expenses arose in connection with loan arrangements.

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Sales to Melexis group
companies
293,014 254,362
Sales to M-MOS group
companies
18,940 16,386
Sales to Anvo-Systems 50
Sales to X-Celeprint
Sales to X Display Company
Technology
359 297
Property rental and other
income from Melexis group
companies
2,080 2,211
Other income from M-MOS 39 122
Total 314,432 273,428

Sales and other income comprise the following:

Property rental and other income from Melexis group companies includes rentals and charges for technical services included in the amounts described in note 6.7 as well as other items classified in other positions in the consolidated statement of income.

Purchases, expenses, and other transactions recorded with shareholders and their subsidiaries were as follows:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Services provided by Melexis
group companies
413 533
Services/purchases provided
by M-MOS group companies
18 400
Services provided by
X-Celeprint
8
Services purchased from
Sensinnovat
477 302
Services purchased from
ESA
202 159
Warranty cost Melexis group 2,724 2,036
Services provided from
XTRION
87
Services provided by
XTRION
3,921 3,438

Services purchased from member companies of the XTRION group primarily included wafer test and final test services. Outstanding balances from sales and purchases of goods and from receiving and rendering of services at the reporting date are unsecured, interest free, and settled in cash. There have been no guarantees provided or received for any related party receivables or payables.

Remuneration of persons with key management positions

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Short-term employee
benefits
1,297 1,302
Short-term employee
benefits for members of
management that are not on
the payroll of the Company
(CEO and CFO)
679 655
Directors' compensation 231 205
Total 2,207 2,162

The persons with key management positions as referred above as of December 31, 2022, include the Group's CEO, CTO, CFO, the CEO of X-FAB Dresden, the CEO of X-FAB Sarawak, the CEO of X-FAB Texas, the CEO of X-FAB Erfurt and the CEO of X-FAB France.

The Group has made contributions to defined contribution pension plans for the benefit of persons with key management positions totaling USD 101 thousand (2021: USD 79 thousand). Contributions to defined contribution plans primarily comprise statutory contributions to be made by employers to state-based defined contribution plans. In connection with these plans there are no minimum guarantees by the employer. The defined contribution is based on a fixed percentage of the (capped) gross salary determined by state laws.

13 Other disclosures

13.1 Purchase commitments and contingencies Purchase commitments comprise the following at December 31:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Purchase commitments
for: Property, plant, and
equipment
334,217 67,621
Intangible assets 2,400 383
Material and services 39,865 9,512
Total 376,482 77,516

Purchase commitments mainly refer to purchase orders placed for investments in technical machinery

Commitments concerning investment grants and subsidies received

Various Group entities receive grants and subsidies in connection with the acquisition of certain qualifying assets (asset-related grants and subsidies) and subsidies to offset research and development costs (income-related grants). No material amounts of other government assistance are received.

Specifically, XMF and X-FAB Dresden receive grants and subsidies in connection with the acquisition of certain qualifying assets (asset-related grants and subsidies). The grant rules require that the assets on which investment grants have been received are retained for a period of five years (the subsidy rules, which largely apply to the same assets, have a similar three-year retention requirement) and that specified employee levels are maintained at specific locations. If it is not possible to fulfill these conditions, the grants and subsidies may be partially repayable. The total amount of grants and subsidies received in the past (and thus deducted from the carrying amounts of the assets) on property, plant, and equipment amounted to USD 137.5 million (December 31, 2021: USD 136.1 million); the retention requirements have not yet been fulfilled in full for grants and subsidies received totaling USD 12.2 million included in that total.

13.2 Unresolved legal disputes and claims

The Group is not aware of any unresolved legal disputes, claims or proceedings which could have a significant financial impact on the Group.

13.3 Employees

The average number of employees employed by the Group during the year was as follows:

2022 2021
Production 3,568 3,318
Research and development 310 305
Sales, marketing, and
administration
290 264
Trainees 117 102
Total 4,285 3,989

The total number of employees employed by the Group at December 31 was as follows:

2022 2021
Production 3,662 3,430
Research and development 319 305
Sales, marketing, and
administration
299 270
Trainees 131 118
Total 4,411 4,123

Note: Number of employees excludes contract workers (borrowed)

services

13.4 List of shareholdings

Entity Place of incorporation Principal activities Shareholding in %
X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE Tessenderlo, Belgium Holding company
X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries GmbH Erfurt, Germany Wafer manufacturing 100.00 %
X-FAB Dresden GmbH & Co. KG Dresden, Germany Wafer manufacturing 100.00 %
X-FAB Dresden Verwaltungs-GmbH Dresden, Germany No activity 100.00 %
X-FAB Texas Inc. Texas, USA Wafer manufacturing 100.00 %
X-FAB Sarawak Sdn. Bhd. Kuching, Malaysia Wafer manufacturing 100.00 %
X-FAB France SAS Corbeil-Essonnes, France Wafer manufacturing 100.00 %
X-FAB Japan KK Yokohama, Japan Trading company 100.00 %
X-FAB MEMS Foundry GmbH Erfurt, Germany Wafer manufacturing 100.00 %
OOO Microdesign Voronesh, Russia R&D, design 100.00 %
X-FAB MEMS Foundry Itzehoe GmbH Itzehoe, Germany Wafer manufacturing 100.00 %
X-FAB Global Services GmbH Erfurt, Germany R&D, administration 100.00 %

13.5 Consolidated financial statements of the ultimate parent

The parent of the Company is XTRION NV. Although XTRION NV does not hold a majority of the Company's shares, it is the Company's largest shareholder and has a controlling interest given its dominant shareholding position relative to the size and dispersion of other shareholders.

The financial statements of the companies included in the Group are also included in the consolidated financial statements of XTRION NV. These can be obtained on request from XTRION NV, Transportstraat 1, 3980 Tessenderlo, Belgium.

13.6 Auditor and auditor's remuneration

During the general shareholders' meeting on April 30, 2020, KPMG Bedrijfsrevisoren BV was reappointed as the Company's auditor for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022.

The auditor's remuneration for the period was as follows:

in thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021
Audit cost
KPMG 345 392
Other audit firms 105 61
Other services
KPMG 27 36
Total 477 489

14 Events after the reporting period

There have been no reportable events subsequent to the balance sheet date.

Tessenderlo, March 23, 2023

Managing Director, CEO

Sensinnovat BV Represented by Rudi De Winter CEO

6. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AT X-FAB

6.1 Scope

This chapter documents X-FAB's environmental and social performance during the 2022 financial year. The environmental and social performance figures encompassed in this chapter have been prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Standards (2016) core option.

During the materiality analysis and the review of the GRI standards, the expectations and requirements of external and internal stakeholders were evaluated. A report is prepared to outline various topics with regards to sustainability, respect for human rights, personal and social matters, environmental matters, anti-corruption and bribery, and the supply chain. Additionally, there is information on cyber security at X-FAB and a section on EU taxonomy and the associated reporting requirements.

The report contains the core GRI indices as well as standard disclosures on general characteristics of X-FAB as an organization. Some of these figures can be found in other parts of the annual report. A table identifying the location of key figures and statements can be found on X-FAB's website. Unless otherwise specified, the disclosed information refers to the 2022 financial year. Where applicable, data were collected and/or measured by X-FAB or obtained from external sources, such as utility providers. Data compiled from X-FAB sites were validated using internal procedures. Therefore, the environmental and social information in this report was not externally assured.

This chapter is structured according to the three key areas of environment, social, and governance (ESG) and is based on a broader understanding with respect to external stakeholders.

conditions, and social awareness

Fig. 6.1: Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics

In general, the provided statements and figures are valid for the entire organization. Site-specific information is indicated where applicable. The report covers all entities of X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE. Its scope and boundary was confirmed by the X-FAB Board.

X-FAB is fully engaged to be the foundry of choice for the analog world by focusing on innovative solutions and on the quality of products as well as services. X-FAB's manufacturing excellence meets customer expectations and enables long-lasting success for all stakeholders.

in the Corporate Governance Statement

To exceed the expectations of its customers, X-FAB practices a quality management system certified according to IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 9001:2015.

ISO 9001 and IATF 16949

ISO 9001:2015 specifies the requirements for a quality management system. It helps organizations to ensure they meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders while also respecting statutory and regulatory requirements related to a product or service. IATF 16949:2016 as a new automotive standard for quality management systems is implemented as a supplement to and in conjunction with ISO 9001:2015. It specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a quality management system in the automotive supply chain.

Furthermore, X-FAB assumes responsibility by seeking an appropriate balance of interests between the consequences of required business decisions and its activities on economic, technological, social, and environmental levels. To save natural resources and to support the global reduction of CO2 emissions, X-FAB operates an environmental, health and safety, and energy management system that is certified according to ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 50001:2018. Additionally, X-FAB is a member of the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers association (ZVEl) and has signed the ZVEI Code of Conduct.

ZVEI

The ZVEI ("Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.V.") is the representative of the economic, technological, and environmental interests of the German electrical industry. The ZVEI has drawn up a Code of Conduct of its own, governing corporate social responsibility. The ZVEI Code of Conduct takes internationally established benchmarks as its reference and covers all relevant subjects.

X-FAB, as one of the largest specialty foundry groups, is aware of its social responsibility derived from the Company's global business activities. X-FAB's company culture is based on universal ethical values and principles, especially integrity, honesty, diversity, respect of human dignity, openness, and nondiscrimination comprising religion, ideology, gender, and ethnicity. X-FAB is also committed to promoting those values wherever possible and across all parts of the value chain.

In the year 2022 and to the best of X-FAB's knowledge, there has been no non-compliance of any laws or regulations identified concerning the use and provision of products and services related to environmental laws and regulations. X-FAB fosters partnerships and trustworthy interactions with its supervisory authorities, its supply chain partners, and its customers.

X-FAB also manufactures a large variety of products with sustainable impact on mobility, healthcare, and the energy sector. In particular, in the area of electrification of cars and the usage of renewable energy, the products manufactured at X-FAB play a vital part in reducing CO2 emissions.

6.1.1 X-FAB's key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals

Sustainability has been a significant driver of X-FAB's development activities for several years, as the Company focuses not only on the broad range of its products but also on various internal and external activities. X-FAB's mission is to contribute to the social, environmental, and economic development of the countries and regions where it operates. In 2022, X-FAB took significant steps towards corporate sustainability by setting long-term key ESG objectives and initiatives, as sustainability is a journey that X-FAB is ever-more committed to.

These are the long-term key ESG objectives X-FAB defined and committed to in 2022:

Fig. 6.2: X-FAB's ESG objectives

Innovation goal

X-FAB supports its customers to develop medical applications to meet the needs of a growing and aging populations. We want to increase the use of X-FAB technologies in medical applications and aim to grow X-FAB's medical business at an average annual growth rate of 10% until 2030.

X-FAB recognizes the importance of environmental protection for a sustainable future and supports its customers in developing green technologies. Energy efficiency can play a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources, and promoting sustainable development across a broad range of sectors, such as transportation, industrial, or communication technology. Therefore, we intend to increase the percentage of our technologies that contribute to higher energy efficiency of the products they are used for, from 38% of total revenue in 2021 to 65% in 2030.

Diversity and inclusion goal

X-FAB has made a commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion within the organization and has formed a global Diversity Council comprised of members from Germany, France, Malaysia, and the USA to support these efforts. The Council meets regularly to focus on particular topics and goals, with a specific emphasis on increasing the percentage of women in the organization. In the past four years, the percentage of women at X-FAB has increased from 26% to 29%, and the Company intends to continue this positive trend. As part of its strategy, the Diversity Council has established two objectives to achieve by 2023:

  • offer targeted training to managers on diversity and inclusion; and
  • review and further improve equal treatment policies across all sites.

Carbon footprint reduction goal

Reducing carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases is an important step in mitigating climate change and its negative effects on the environment. X-FAB is committed to exploring and implementing sustainable measures to minimize its carbon footprint, and seeks to actively reduce its direct CO2 emissions rather than artificially improve the Company's CO2 balance by purchasing carbon credits.

X-FAB has set a goal to reduce its carbon footprint, measured in carbon emissions per stepped mask layer, by 40% by 2030 compared to 2021. Major initiatives involve shifting towards a low-carbon energy mix, improving the energy efficiency of its equipment, modernizing and extending gas abatements, and adopting low-carbon transportation options.

Water consumption goal

Water consumption can have a significant impact on the environment, including the depletion of freshwater

resources, water pollution, and damage to aquatic ecosystems. By reducing water consumption,

companies can help to conserve this precious resource and ensure that it is available for future

generations as well as minimize the impact on the environment.

X-FAB aims to reduce water consumption per stepped mask layer by 20% in 2030 compared to 2021. Major initiatives include a water reduction program in Operations as well as broad investments to increase water reuse by recycling or reclaiming water at all X-FAB sites.

All targets are regularly reviewed and reported on annually.

6.1.2 Stakeholder engagement

Effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders are key to promote transparency, build trust, and achieve long-term sustainable development. X-FAB has identified the following stakeholders: customers, employees, investors, suppliers, and local communities. X-FAB utilizes different channels to communicate and engage with all of them, including inperson meetings, digital communication, and other platforms. As the scarcity of skilled workers continued in 2022, particular focus was set on communication with existing employees and the external employment market. X-FAB regularly takes into account feedback from stakeholders to improve its reporting. Figure 6.3 shows the different channels X-FAB is using to communicate about its activities.

Fig. 6.3: Stakeholder engagement

Employee engagement

X-FAB continued its employer branding campaign with various activities aimed at attracting new talents to support future growth. These included, among other things, a virtual 360° fab tour of the Dresden site and a xfabulous-branded tram that is used in Erfurt as part of the local transport network. At the same time various initiatives targeted existing employees to increase their commitment to X-FAB. Apart from a corporate benefit program, a new video series with the title "Quarterly" was launched. This regular video update addresses the latest developments within X-FAB Group and also provides insight into the work and topics of the corporate management team. As it was possible to meet in person again this year, several employee events took place, such as the annual dinner at X-FAB Sarawak, summer parties, after work parties, and the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) week.

Customer engagement

X-FAB engages with its customers on several levels beyond daily business. In 2022, face-to-face events finally returned, and X-FAB had a booth at several conferences and exhibitions, including APEC, ChipEx, and Electronica. X-FAB contributed to several events by presenting, speaking or moderating forum discussions. A special event was again held in 2022: the X-FAB Technology Conference, which is an excellent platform for invited customers and the X-FAB technology team to discuss the latest technical achievements and challenges, and to set the starting point for the innovative products of tomorrow. Another format for bringing customers and employees together also continued in 2022: the popular "X-Snack" event series, which took place at our Erfurt and Dresden sites.

X-Snack provides employees of X-FAB the opportunity to get to know our customers and learn about innovative applications enabled by X-FAB technology.

Local community engagement

X-FAB encourages its employees to engage in volunteer activities that benefit local communities and promotes collaboration and dialog. A particular focus is on improving working conditions and promoting social and environmental responsibility, thus contributing to the well-being and long-term development of societies. In January 2022, X-FAB Sarawak participated in the CSR "The Gift of Giving:

Mangala Computer Charity Project" and donated 50 sets of refurbished computers to Maha Mangala Charity of Malaysia (MMCOM). These computers will be distributed to families in Kuching and rural areas in two batches. With help from X-FAB's procurement and IT teams, X-FAB was able to donate a complete set of desktops that come with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, plus a new webcam and speakers.

Fig. 6.4: Employees of X-FAB Sarawak handing over the donated computers to the project team

At each site, X-FAB supports several activities of its employees. In Itzehoe, X-FAB supported employees who participated in a local run and in Lubbock supported the donation campaign of the charity United Way. In Dresden, X-FAB employees participated in the initiative "Dresden is(s)t bunt" ("Dresden is/eats colorful"), promoting diversity in the local society.

Industry association engagement

X-FAB promotes state-of-the-art technologies and their advancement through its involvement in numerous industry associations and other organizations.

Industry associations

X-FAB is a member of or otherwise related to several industry associations as well as scientific, governmental, and standardization organizations, including but not limited to:

A. Industry associations

  • AENEAS Association for European Nanoelectronics Activities
  • ACSIEL Professional French organization for the electronic field
  • edaCentrum Association for Electronic Design Automation, Germany
  • EPIC European Photonics Industry Association
  • ESIA European Semiconductor Industry
  • Association
  • FOA Fab Owners Alliance • Förderkreis Mikroelektronik (Society for the Promotion of Microelectronics, Germany)
  • GSA Global Semiconductor Alliance
  • Medicen Medical Competitiveness Cluster, Paris region
  • Minalogic Competitiveness cluster for digital technologies in the Auvergne Rhone Alpes region in France
  • MSIA Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association
  • SECA Sarawak Electronics and Supporting Industries Companies Association, Malaysia
  • SEMI global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the micro- and nanoelectronics industries
  • SFAM Semiconductor Fabrication Association of Malaysia
  • Silicon Saxony, Germany
  • ZVEI Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie (Electrical Industry Association, Germany)

B. Scientific organizations

  • Curatorship in different Fraunhofer Institutes, Germany
  • IMMS Institut fur Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme (IMMS Institute for Microelectronic and Mechatronic Systems, Germany)
  • C2N Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the University Paris-Saclay
  • Texas Tech University, Electrical Engineering Industrial Advisory Board, and Dean's Council for the College of Engineering

C. Governmental committees/organizations

  • Mikroelektronik Strategiekreis (Microelectronics strategy circle, Germany)
  • Silicon Germany

D. Standardization organizations

• DKE – Deutsche Kommission Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik in DIN und VDE (German Commission for Electrical Engineering, Electronics, and Information Technology of DIN and VDE)

6.1.3 Digital transformation

Digital transformation can play a crucial role in achieving sustainability goals by providing new tools and approaches to reduce resource use, minimize waste, and increase production efficiency. Digital transformation is the integration of process improvement, and technology in all areas of X-FAB. In 2021 a dedicated department was established with the goal to fundamentally change the way we work, how we create customer value, and how we shape our organizational culture. The initiatives that are part of our digital strategy aim to strongly improve our efficiency and customer satisfaction, and to contribute to a great work environment. The overall goal is to simplify and deliver connections across X-FAB, with our customers and suppliers.

Five core focus areas of action have been defined and are the heart of the Digital Transformation Strategy 2022–2026.

New work

X-FAB has implemented several initiatives to support an efficient work environment. These initiatives include the implementation of new and agile systems such as

global interoffice and hybrid collaboration tools, a paperless office with automation of forms, a single project management solution, and an employee app for communication and services.

Fab efficiency

X-FAB has undertaken global initiatives to automate its fabs and manufacturing processes, aimed at increasing efficiency and productivity. These initiatives include the implementation of various yield enhancement tools, scheduling, and MES systems, as well as inter and intra bay lot transport, equipment and warehousing automation, virtual factory solutions, and energy efficiency systems. Additionally, robotics has been adopted in certain areas to further optimize operations and reduce manual labor.

Through these automation efforts, X-FAB seeks to improve quality and delivery, reduce cycle times, and lower costs, while also minimizing its environmental impact and enhancing the safety and well-being of its employees.

Data and AI

X-FAB has a long-term roadmap for implementing next-generation data and AI initiatives, which includes a range of projects and technologies. One initiative is extending the Gravity and AIR projects globally, as part of the focus on next-generation data and AI initiatives. Some of the specific technologies involved in these initiatives include R/Shiny, a software developer community, and reporting and capacity planning systems.

X-FAB is also exploring how AI and automation can improve various processes, such as defect detection, early fault detection, and maintenance prediction.

Customer transparency and quality

Through digitalization and automation, X-FAB is enhancing its quality and customer transparency processes. This includes initiatives such as B2B integration, my X-FAB, error proofing, "poka yoke" and failure prevention, and the use of AI for fast abnormality recognition via data.

Business process optimization and RPA (robotic process automation)

X-FAB has revised its business processes to identify areas for lean and automation improvements. In line with this objective, we have implemented a business process automation platform and adopted a lean approach across the organization. X-FAB has assessed and implemented robotic process automation (RPA) to improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs. We have also standardized our processes to ensure readiness for an enterprise resource planning (ERP) upgrade.

Fig. 6.5: Focus areas of X-FAB's digital transformation strategy

6.2 Environment

X-FAB's expertise in process technologies is used by its customers to develop green technology for energy solutions contributing to a sustainable future. However, the production of high-quality microchips and microsensors requires a huge amount of materials and energy in general. Thus, X-FAB has a responsibility regarding environmental topics. This is why, in addition to the Company's business, environmental activities are handled with an integrated quality management system with all sites being certified according to the ISO 14001:2015 standard. It is X-FAB's goal to balance current environmental, social, and economic requirements in order to minimize its impact on future generations. One standard and permanent goal is to fulfill all existing compliance obligations.

6.2.1 Environmental awareness and responsibility

In addition to the company values, X-FAB trains its employees on various topics in order to increase individual awareness for the Company's environmental impact as well as sustainability. All sites obey strict environmental local laws .

X-FAB is committed to carbon footprint reduction of 40% and a reduction of water consumption per stepped masked layer by 20% in 2030. The set targets, both with reference to 2021, will be reviewed and reported annually with site-specific goals to continually reduce the Company's impact on the environment.

Various environmental topics have been assigned to dedicated employees within X-FAB to ensure these environmental responsibilities in compliance with the EHS policy following the requirements of ISO 14001:2015 are fully covered. The following functions are defined: waste inspector, energy management inspector, radiation and emission inspector, and safety inspector. Employees taking over any of these roles are trained accordingly.

The production of semiconductors requires the use of large amounts of different materials, among them toxic materials and greenhouse gases. Thus, tracking the material flow and monitoring the material efficiency as well as their use is necessary to reach sustained environmental conservation. All X-FAB sites are located in industrial areas. There are no adjacent nature reserves or similarly classified areas so that the impact on biodiversity is minimized.

For 2022, the data used for an overview of X-FAB's environmental indicators is consolidated across all sites and normalized to wafer area sold in cm2 (total of 281.24 million cm2 ). X-FAB Itzehoe is not included as the site is shared with third parties with only aggregated data available. However, compared to all other sites, the Group's material and energy consumption as well as the corresponding output of waste and gases at that location are not material.

6.2.2 Materials and waste management

The need to use materials that might cause toxic waste in the production of semiconductor products is a special challenge and a key environmental aspect. Therefore, material departments and waste commissioners have been established at each X-FAB site. The following materials are used for production: solvents, photoresists, neutral etchants, acids and bases, metals, gases, and water. Classifications are used and waste is separated by X-FAB to reduce the amount of hazardous or non-recyclable waste. The majority of the waste (hazardous as well as nonhazardous) is sent for recycling in order to recover valuable resources.

The total waste disposal in 2022 is comparable to the total waste in 2021 with a waste recovery of 84.1% compared to 84.7% in 2021.

Fig. 6.6: Amount of waste by type and disposal method normalized to the total wafer area sold (tons per million cm2 wafer sold)

X-FAB pursues permanent environmental objectives to decrease its overall environmental impact. Some of the activities carried out are:

  • co-processing of fluoride sludge waste as raw material at a cement plant instead of landfill (Kuching); and
  • reuse of wooden pallets for scheduled waste storage instead of purchasing wooden pallets (Kuching).

6.2.2.1 Energy efficiency

At X-FAB, energy is mainly used in the form of electricity, whereas other sources play only a minor role. The production department has the highest energy consumption based on the advanced cleanroom conditions as well as the production process itself. In 2022, X-FAB's global energy consumption was at about 531 GWh, a slight increase due to the increase in production equipment. The share of low-carbon electricity power sources, such as hydro, nuclear, solar, and wind, was at 72%, and the share of high-carbon sources, such as oil, gas, coal, biofuel, etc., was at 28%. The split for X-FAB Sarawak is based on data for 2021, as it is the most recent data available from the local electricity provider.

Fig. 6.7: Share of low-carbon and high-carbon electricity power sources (in percent)

At the sites in Erfurt, Dresden, and Corbeil-Essonnes, X-FAB has implemented an energy management system according to the requirements of ISO 50001:2011.

ISO 50001

This international standard specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an energy management system, the purpose of which is to enable an organization to follow a systematic approach in achieving continual improvement of energy performance, including energy efficiency, energy use, and consumption.

This enables the assessment of improvement potentials of the Company's energy efficiency and their implementation in daily work. Across the Company, different activities and projects exist to reduce energy consumption, which are part of the aforementioned annually renewed environmental goals.

X-FAB aims to improve its energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption, and a range of activities are being undertaken to achieve this, illustrated by the following examples of projects completed during the 2022 financial year at the Group's Lubbock facilities:

  • replacement of 25-year-old cooling towers with an estimated annual energy savings of 167,137 kWh;
  • replacement of CDA (clean dry air) compressor units to support current system for facility expansion, which will lead to an estimated annual electrical savings of 40 kW; and
  • continuation of energy saving program launched in 2019 with the replacement of fans and variable frequency drives.

Such environmental goals are communicated during X-FAB's annual EHS week taking place at all sites. Figure 6.8 shows the power consumed at all X-FAB sites over the past three years. Data is not available for Itzehoe for the entire period shown.

Fig. 6.8: Power consumption of all X-FAB sites from 2020 to 2022 (in GWh)

6.2.2.2 Water

In 2022, X-FAB's production consumed roughly 17.1 liters of water per each cm2 wafer area sold. The majority was used for cooling as well as for the supply and cleaning of production tools. Different sources of water supply are used, including surface water, municipal water, and ground water. There is a slight increase in consumption due to the higher production volumes in 2022.

Amount in liter/cm2
From a river 1.62
Ground water 4.03
Local drinking water supplier (city
council)
11.42
Total water withdrawal 17.06

Fig. 6.9: Total water withdrawal by source

Fig. 6.10: Total water consumption (1,000 m3 per million cm2 wafer sold) over a three-year period

6.2.2.3 Greenhouse gases

Global climate change is an important challenge to all industrial players worldwide. X-FAB understands the climate impact from its operations on society and the global economy. Nevertheless, the use of greenhouse gases is inevitable for the production of microchips and sensors. Figure 6.11 lists the 2022 total consumption of these gases. For 2022, reporting values are now reported in kilogram CO2 per million cm2 wafer sold.

Gas Amount in kg Amount in kg CO2
CF4 2,424 17,910
CHF3 230 3,401
SF6 174 3,959
NF3 119 2,054
C4F8 44 455
N2O 33,147 8,784
CH3F 42 4
C2F6 3,742 45,654
C5F8 50,498 101
CH2F2 3 2
C4F6 59,391 117
C3F8 7 59

Fig. 6.11: Gas emissions by weight

Fig. 6.12: Two-year comparison of PFC gas consumption (all gases1 ton CO2 per million cm2 wafer sold)

It is X-FAB's intention to minimize the output of greenhouse gases. Therefore, each production site is equipped with state-of-the-art cleaning systems. The functionality of these systems is tracked and linked to the production equipment using greenhouse gases. There are additional measures at every site to ensure all regulations are followed. As a result, no significant spills of hazardous substances and greenhouse gases were found in the reporting period. Gas usage is monitored to ensure no wastage is occurring.

There was a significant decrease in PFC gas consumption in the last year due to replacements of old technology systems and energy efficiency programs; refer to 6.2.2.1 Energy efficiency. To further decrease X-FAB's impact on the environment the corporate management board decided to reduce the CO2 emission per stepped mask layer by 40% by 2030 compared to the 2021 level.

6.3 Social

6.3.1 Human rights and human resources

X-FAB's company ethics are based on universally held ethical values and principles, including respect of human dignity, openness, and nondiscrimination according to the ZVEI Code of Conduct. Consequently, X-FAB stands up for human rights as stated in the Charter of the United Nations, especially the protection from harassment, the prohibition of child and forced labor, the prohibition of discrimination, fair working standards and compensation, and freedom of thought, expression, association, and assembly, as well as collective bargaining. Based on the principle "freedom of association" 98% of our employees in Europe are organized under the regulation of local and national collective bargaining agreements. These agreements give the highest level of transparency of working conditions to all employees. In France and Germany new collective bargaining agreements are under negotiation and will be finalized and implemented in 2023.

All operations are continually monitored and reviewed regarding human rights. All of X-FAB's investments are in compliance with respective local laws. Additionally, a specific policy exists addressing the sourcing of conflict minerals which is further described in section 6.4.2.3 of this report. Respecting human rights is a matter of course for X-FAB, and in all employment contracts. Any kind of child and/or forced labor is prohibited. Health and safety for all employees is guaranteed. The protection from corporal punishment as well as physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal harassment and abuse is ensured.

Internal and external security personnel follow very high standards of human rights practices. During the selection process, they have to undergo special screenings and have to provide special certifications and qualification. They undergo specific training on values, behavior standards, and policies of X-FAB.

X-FAB supports disabled or handicapped persons according to local laws. At X-FAB's workplace more than 100 employees (officially registered with disabilities) are well integrated into the daily work processes and routines. Any form of discrimination is strictly prohibited. All new employees who started in 2022 attended a mandatory employee orientation, of which training on human rights policies is an important focus. Relevant local laws together with company handbooks are accessible to all employees on X-FAB's intranet as well as in printed form. This is implemented by the Human Resources (HR) department, whose members are regularly trained externally and internally on human rights topics in more detail, such as inclusion, diversity, and anti-discrimination.

Employees are encouraged to report incidents related to human rights to the HR department or, where available, the workers' council and the equal opportunities officer. No incidents were reported in 2022.

In the case of reported incidents, corrective actions are initiated in consultation with the HR department and in compliance with local laws. The identity and well-being of employees who report on the violation of any law or regulation of the Company, on any activities that are against the interests of the Company, or on any matter likely to harm any other person are protected by the Company's corresponding global procedure. X-FAB operates a no-retaliation policy for those individuals.

Employee statistics

At the end of 2022, X-FAB had around 4,350 employees worldwide at six different manufacturing sites in Europe, Asia, and the US. At all of its sites, X-FAB's recruitment policy is based on the employee's qualifications and the Company's requirements. Consequently, different requirement profiles exist in technology and operations-related positions. More than half of X-FAB's staff is located in Europe.

Location Absolute # of
employees
Percentage of
male employees
[%]
Absolute # of
male employees
Absolute # of
female
employees
Percentage of
female
employees [%]
North America 508 70.5 358 150 29.5
Europe 2,490 75.1 1,871 619 24.9
Asia 1,373 65.0 893 480 35.0
TOTAL 4,371 71.4 3,122 1,249 28.6

Fig. 6.13: Number of employees (without trainees) by region and gender at the end of 2022

In line with the strong demand in semiconductors the number of employees increased from 2021 to 2022 by 295. The growth in the number of full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) was mainly driven by strong focus on social media employer branding activities as well as various other activities to hire qualified staff.

In particular, X-FAB is aiming to increase its share of female employees. The share of female employees is constantly increasing in all regions X-FAB is operating in. It increased from 26% in 2018 to 29% in 2022 for the entire Group.

Fig. 6.14: Share of male and female employees by region 2018– 2022

Employees' rights and working standards are highly valued at X-FAB. Consequently, all arrangements comply with corresponding national laws and requirements. X-FAB employees with a full-time contract, which applies to 95% of all employees, work between 35 and 40 hours per week. 94% of employees hold a permanent employment contract. Less than 2% of staff are contract workers.

In 2022 the number of part-time contracts increased slightly, primarily attributable to an increase in parttime male employees.

The full "Flex@work" policy was deployed at all X-FAB locations, so that, where practical, employees were able to work from home and were provided with the technical requirements for remote work. With this full flexibility X-FAB employees could adapt to the different Covid-19 regulations in the countries X-FAB operates in.

Location Gender Temporary/
fixed term
Permanent
employees
Contract
workers
Trainees/
internships
Full-time Part-time
Male 0 325 33 0 355 3
North America Female 0 118 32 0 149 1
Male 191 1,675 1 107 1,763 104
Europe Female 52 571 0 25 492 131
Male 16 877 0 0 893 0
Asia Female 18 462 0 0 480 0
Male 207 2,877 34 107 3,011 107
TOTAL Female 70 1,151 32 25 1,121 132

Fig. 6.15: Employment contracts by type, region, and gender as at year end 2022

About 98% of all contracts in Europe are collective bargaining contracts. In 2022 X-FAB started to negotiate one common collective bargaining agreement for all German sites. In other regions of the world this concept is not common, and therefore, there are no collective bargaining agreements in place.

In 2022, 821 new employees were hired, 71% of whom were male and 29% were female. The majority of newly hired employees are younger than 35 years. The average 12-month turnover rate in 2022 was 5%, up from 4% in the previous year.

Location Gender <35 yrs 36–50 yrs 51–60 yrs > 60 yrs Total
Male 68 21 5 3 97
North America Female 38 15 3 0 56
Male 268 97 30 4 399
Europe Female 81 31 11 0 123
Male 77 10 3 0 90
Asia Female 53 3 0 0 56
Male 413 128 38 7 586
TOTAL Female 172 49 14 0 235

Fig. 6.16: Newly hired employees (including contract workers, excluding trainees) by age and gender in 2022

Location Gender <35 yrs 36–50 yrs 51–60 yrs > 60 yrs Total
North America Male 13 12 4 2 31
Female 6 2 0 1 9
Male 248 79 22 7 356
Europe Female 69 21 8 1 99
Asia Male 39 16 0 0 55
Female 13 2 0 0 15
Male 300 107 26 9 442
TOTAL Female 88 25 8 2 123

Fig. 6.17: Number of employees (excluding trainees and retirements) who have left X-FAB in 2022 by age and gender

X-FAB conducts an employee engagement survey, referred to as Barometer, on a regular basis. The results of the most recent survey conducted in 2021 indicated some areas for improvement. In response, X-FAB management has established action teams on a global as well as on local level. As a result, several initiatives have been launched in the areas of training and development, benefits, communication, and leadership.

Average employee ages vary across the Group's locations, ranging from an average of 37 years in Asia to an average of 44 years in North America. There was an overall decrease in average age compared to 2021.

Location Average
age of all
employees
Average
age of male
employees
Average
age of
female
employees
North America 44.0 45.0 42.0
Europe 42.3 42.2 42.1
Asia 37.2 38.4 34.9
TOTAL 41.2 41.9 39.7

Fig. 6.18: Average age by location and gender in 2022

X-FAB is aware of the importance of fair payment. Therefore, all employees receive salaries above the minimum wage according to individual qualification irrespective of gender or age. Based on specific local laws and regulations the relevant employees have the opportunity to inform themselves about the equal pay policy of X-FAB by benchmarking their payment against a relevant group of employees. Of all employees who were on parental leave, nearly 100% returned to X-FAB.

Developing excellence

The success of a company, and thus also X-FAB, depends on whether its employees are able to optimally contribute their individual strengths, which consequently need to be identified and individually developed. The required expertise includes solid knowledge and understanding of X-FAB's internal procedures and production processes as well as jobspecific knowledge, all of which are part of the introductory training plan for each new employee.

In 2022 X-FAB introduced LinkedIn Learning licenses to all employees for private and professional use. With unrestricted access at any time, anywhere, employees can benefit from the largest e-learning platform worldwide. Based on the yearly training needs analysis, specific training was recommended in the e-learning system. For individuals who have no direct access to a computer, X-FAB offers private areas with access to undertake relevant training in each location.

To strengthen individual development and drive performance improvement, in 2021 X-FAB introduced a new performance management process (PMP) that is based on constant feedback from supervisor to employee on performance and goal achievement. The newly introduced software, SAP SuccessFactors, helps to track progress on an individual level. This standardized global process allows X-FAB to ensure that every employee is aware of his or her individual goals as well as the goals of the department, the site, and the Company. In 2022 a full year's cycle was completed and goal achievements were tracked and stored in the new system.

For a high level of environmental and social awareness, company values, quality awareness, and employee rights are highlighted from the beginning of the working relationship at X-FAB. In particular, e-learning campaigns were tested in 2022 and will be further rolled out in 2023.

Enabling employees to be promoted to positions with either higher technical or staff responsibility requires constant development in different areas. To ensure global knowledge transfer and continual development of all employees, internal workshops, training sessions, Lunch & Learn sessions, knowledge networks, and webinars on various technical topics are incorporated into the daily work of every X-FAB employee. At the beginning of the year training was held virtually, which included internal as well as external training. In the second half of 2022 more training was offered face to face. In total, the amount of training hours increased compared to 2021.

Location Gender <35 yrs 36–50
yrs
51–60
yrs
> 60 yrs
North Male 24 24 24 12
America Female 24 24 24 12
Male 37 36 28 28
Europe Female 40 37 22 21
Male 21 16 17 0
Asia Female 20 19 16 0

Fig. 6.19: Average training hours per year and employee in 2022

In 2022 X-FAB launched a new two-year education program for professionals and talents from all X-FAB sites designed to develop project management and personal skills. This global talent development program, referred to as ProMPT (Project Management for Professionals and Talents), was first introduced in 2016 and concentrates on the areas "personality and leadership," "project management," "quality management," "strategic thinking," and "cultural awareness." In 2022, 15 employees from all X-FAB locations were selected for a new round of the program with the first training taking place in France (Fig. 6.20). Alongside their training they worked on several strategically important projects for the X-FAB Group.

Fig. 6.20: Participants of the global PromPT team during the training in France

To support the career of X-FAB's technical experts and to acknowledge that technical and management expertise make contributions to the organization that are equally important, X-FAB has established a system of human capital management. An important part of that is X-FAB's Technical Ladder. It enables visionary technical leadership and expertise, and supports recruitment, individual development, and retention of talented people in a competitive employment market, acknowledging the highest levels of technical expertise. In 2022 X-FAB promoted 17 technical experts to a global grade on the Technical Ladder. This not only shows that more and more of the Company's experts work on global projects it also stands for the broad technical knowledge base X-FAB has.

To keep up with the fast development within the high tech area, X-FAB supports innovation – being one of the company values – and participates in publicly funded projects. In those projects, X-FAB enables technical experts to conduct research and to propel state-of-the-art technologies by proving feasibility of new concepts or the industrialization of innovative process technologies. Innovation is appreciated by X-FAB, and technical experts are explicitly invited and encouraged to publish their findings in international journals and to file patents. As at year end 2022 X-FAB's overall patent portfolio amounts to more than 450 patents and patent applications.

Besides the development of its existing staff, X-FAB is highly interested in offering a wide range of opportunities to potential future employees, for example via apprenticeships, internships, and student training. This comprises commercial and technical careers, dual study programs, and financial support for employees who enhance their skills and knowledge by obtaining relevant qualifications.

X-FAB also offers dual study programs, which combine theoretical sessions and practical work, allowing students to integrate these skills into their future working life from the beginning of their studies. Apprenticeships offered by X-FAB to young talents cover commercial as well as technical careers. In Germany and France more than 130 apprentices are currently undertaking their first, second, or third year of VET (vocational and educational training).

In 2021, X-FAB rebranded its employer brand "We are X-FABulous," showcasing the experiences of real employees in operator, engineering, and technician roles, as well as interns or managers and experts. Over the year 2022 site-specific advertisement campaigns aimed at raising brand awareness in the public were launched successfully at all locations. A specific Instagram account with biweekly updates was launched and each month employee-focused stories are posted on the corporate LinkedIn account.

Rewarding efforts

As an international company, X-FAB employs people from many different regions around the world with different ethnic origins and social backgrounds, resulting in a broad range of individual needs. Being aware of those needs and driven by the responsibility for the Company's staff as well as the aim of long-term employment, X-FAB strives to meet those needs. Nowadays, the modern world demands a high level of self-responsibility and flexibility, especially for working parents and those with responsibilities for caring for the elderly. Therefore, X-FAB offers flexible working time models and strives to find individual working time solutions for its employees. In particular, during the pandemic, X-FAB offered a full "Flex@Work" approach by offering mobile working wherever the tasks were suitable for remote work.

X-FAB grants leisure time for private matters, such as moving and marriage, and supports working parents

financially in case of their children's illness. As part of collective bargaining agreements, German employees above a certain age are offered the possibility to reduce their weekly working hours, if appropriate. The flexibility to start and end the working day at variable times at X-FAB's Asian site was a benefit that was well perceived to balance personal and private matters. Moreover, X-FAB's company pension scheme supports its employees financially after their transition to retirement. In 2022 a collective bargaining agreement applicable to German employees was introduced and more than 600 employees benefited from a company pension scheme.

X-FAB cares about its employees' increased health awareness and growing interest in an active way of life.

X-FAB supports activities at its different sites to keep the employees healthy, such as internal sport groups, soccer teams, and running groups, or reduced pricing for fitness clubs. Furthermore, a variety of fitness activities and trial lessons as well as fitness and health checks are offered to employees.

Work environment

X-FAB is interested in a good working atmosphere for its employees and strives at providing a pleasant and inspiring working environment. Cafeterias, lunchrooms, and subsidized meals are offered to employees. Furthermore, chill-out rooms and staff rooms with journals, internet access, and free nonalcoholic drinks are available to support employees during their work breaks. In several locations the breakout rooms for shift personnel have been updated and refurbished.

Fig. 6.21: New breakout room for shift personnel at the Erfurt site

Even during significant pandemic restrictions, X-FAB ensured that local cafeterias stayed open for the wellbeing of the employees. During weekends as well as night shifts X-FAB staff had the opportunity to use the cafeteria and breakout rooms.

X-FAB rewards outstanding employee performance with incentive cash payments during the year and in the form of bonuses. Both individual employees and teams who undertake extraordinary efforts for X-FAB's benefit are acknowledged by the Company's corporate management.

In 2022 each X-FAB employee was rewarded with an extra bonus at the end of the year, honoring the extraordinary efforts during the challenging year of 2022. In some countries special governmental schemes were used to provide these bonuses under special tax conditions.

6.3.2 Social commitment

X-FAB encourages its employees to engage in nonprofit and educational activities that contribute to the communities X-FAB is active in. In several sessions, each employee is trained in the company values with the implementation of those values in everyday work life being recorded in a learning management system (LMS) aiming at personal development. Eventually, this leads to even more innovation and higher ethical standards, which also has a positive impact outside the working environment. In 2023 we plan to launch a monthly campaign via the e-learning platform LinkedIn Learning on IT security, lean principles, diversity and inclusion, etc. to raise awareness of specific topics.

Social awareness and responsibility

X-FAB identified opportunities for global and local activities that contribute to the communities in which X-FAB is operating. X-FAB has also raised money to support local programs as well as international charity organizations, such as United Way Worldwide. In order to support the people in Ukraine, X-FAB collected aid supplies at several sites and furthermore donated EUR 10,000 to an association of international and German aid organizations, an alliance of "Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft" (relief organizations alliance) and "Aktion Deutschland Hilft" (Germany's relief coalition).

In December 2022, X-FAB hosted its traditional Christmas donation campaign. The beneficiary was "Tafel" in Itzehoe, which is a local food bank and provides food and essential goods for those in need. X-FAB donated USD 0.25 for each click on the Company's Christmas webpage. As a result, X-FAB was able to hand over a check in the amount of EUR 2,500 as the campaign recorded 10,000 clicks in total.

Fig. 6.22: Handover of the check to the local food bank in Itzehoe

Blood donation is one of the most important activities for making a direct personal contribution. X-FAB supports such collective efforts by organizing regular blood donation campaigns several times a year. For employees it is a matter of course to voluntarily support the Red Cross through blood donation.

Due to the pandemic regulations all blood donations were put on hold but will be activated as soon as it is possible.

The site in Kuching launched a "Show your care" charity campaign to help their employee Mohn Zambri Apen following a fire tragedy. The employees raised MYR 5,500.

Fig. 6.23: Lee Boon Chun, CEO of X-FAB Sarawak, handing over the donation to Mohn Zambri Apen

X-FAB also supports sports events with a charity background by enabling its employees to attend these events. This not only helps to increase team spirit but also supports local organizations and sports clubs.

Fig. 6.24: X-FAB Itzehoe employees at a local run

Educational awareness and responsibility

It is important to X-FAB to invest in the education and skill development of the young and children as the next generation by sponsoring books and other educational material to kindergartens, supporting lectures at universities (e.g. providing design courses in engineering schools), investing in education competitions, and organizing summer schools ("Microchip Summer University"). To provide opportunities for practical training and work experience in technical fields, X-FAB offers internships to high school and university students and also offers students company tours on request. In 2022 X-FAB reactivated the international internship program to invite students to undertake their practical training at one of X-FAB's sites.

Besides its sponsoring activities, X-FAB maintains close relations with high schools, colleges, and universities to support students by offering internships and career guidance. X-FAB also works with local universities and supported the SEMI High Tech University for high school graduates considering a future career in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field. In 2022 several activities were restarted.

Back in 2019, X-FAB France was the only French semiconductor company invited to participate in a Pan-European project, funded by the European Commission, called METIS (microelectronics, training, industry, skills). As part of the ERASMUS+ consortium, which consists of over 30 participating parties from industry, education, university, and training, X-FAB actively contributes to the success of the program. In 2022 X-FAB continued to participate in several activities within the program and will continue to work in this project until 2024.

Various scientific and engineering competitions are supported either by providing knowledge to the participants or by serving as judges, e.g. at the student robotics competition. X-FAB works with many global and local partners to improve educational opportunities for kids and the young, e.g. by supporting corresponding technical clubs. Besides the educational responsibility towards society, X-FAB cares about gender equality and the development of girls in STEM jobs. X-FAB actively contributed by sponsoring and running STEM days for girls.

In 2022 X-FAB continued to used social media channels, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, to inform the general public about social activities and job opportunities. For the first time an X-FAB Instagram channel was launched, which is used exclusively to enhance X-FAB's employer branding in social media. Within a few weeks the number of followers increased significantly, which has helped to raise awareness of X-FAB as an attractive company.

In addition, each X-FAB site participates in college and university career fairs in order to recruit interested students and to provide information about career opportunities. Besides its presence at job fairs, X-FAB also participated in numerous technical exhibitions and conferences to offer its employees the possibility to gain and exchange professional knowledge and to network. At the beginning of 2022 most of these events were held virtually but in the second half of the year more and more in-person events took place. X-FAB developed a social media campaign to serve customers as well as the general public.

6.3.3 Healthy work environment

Employees' well-being and safety

X-FAB ensures that all company activities are performed in a manner that considers the health and safety of employees, contractors, suppliers, customers, and the general public with no adverse impact on the environment through manufacturing operations and

products by operating an EHS management system that is certified according to ISO 14001:2015.

Education and training to improve employees' EHS awareness, safety, and well-being is critical for X-FAB. Regular safety-related trainings and instructions help to avoid accidents and injuries. Each location has an associated company doctor performing routine medical examinations, such as eye examinations, vaccinations, travel-related medical consultations, etc. Security personnel (internal and outsourced) are also trained to company policies.

Additionally, periodic safety briefings are performed and a global EHS week program has been established. At the annual EHS week, information about health protection, safety, sustainability, and environmental topics is offered to all employees via information desks, posters, and other events. Company tours offered by coworkers are designed to increase employees' awareness of hazards in the workplace and several training sessions are offered to improve their skills in first aid and firefighting. Furthermore, a variety of fitness activities and trial lessons as well as fitness and health checks are offered to employees. In addition to these dedicated training sessions and events, information on environmental and quality awareness is provided and made accessible to all employees via the company intranet.

At all X-FAB locations, accidents are tracked according to local laws but there is no globally harmonized procedure to collect additional information related to accidents or occupational diseases. However, X-FAB tracks accidents in the operations department the same way at all manufacturing locations.

Based on this information, X-FAB recorded 45 accidents in 2022, which caused 7428 work hours lost, resulting in a frequency rate of 7.75 and a severity rate of 159.86.

Safety improvement programs that took place in 2022:

  • exchange of HLOX (pure liquid oxygen) tank to resolve leaking filling valve during running of fab (Dresden); and
  • improved toxic/flammable gas detection monitoring to allow access to central terminal outside of the hazard area (Lubbock).

Hygiene concepts for cleanrooms

At each of X-FAB's production sites, a large share of employees work in a cleanroom where the use of rubber gloves, special clothes, and shoes is a requirement. It is necessary to avoid particle and ion contamination or electrostatic discharge as it would negatively impact the functionality of the semiconductor products manufactured. X-FAB aims to prevent any medical harm as well as ensure a safe working environment and employees' well-being. X-FAB has therefore established cleanroom concepts to maintain a high level of hygiene and health including specific protection plans. For example, to prevent skin

diseases, there is a skin protection plan in place with skin care products available at any time for each employee. For orthopedic reasons, cleanroom shoes are individualized and ergonomic. Cleanroom clothes are partially personalized. Ear plugs are available for noise protection.

Preventive maintenance

Maintenance activities are the basis for the safe operation of equipment and tools. To prevent equipment malfunctions and failures X-FAB uses a global procedure to manage a preventive maintenance system. Even though the system's focus is on securing the productivity of the equipment, operational safety is one of the objectives covered. The execution of the global procedure is secured with local instructions, which manage the preventive maintenance regime for each production site. The maintenance instructions and schedule include information based on vendor manuals, experiences during operation, tool performance parameters, major incidents, product quality, and audit findings. Furthermore, two types of preventive maintenance actions exist: actions triggered by a time interval, and actions triggered by reaching special tool parameters describing the current tool wear.

This all together helps to confirm that the overall tool status remains excellent and to prevent accidents caused by machine malfunctions such as electrical hazards, leakage of dangerous materials, or mechanical issues.

6.4 Governance

Further information on corporate governance can be found in section 7 of the annual report.

6.4.1 Anti-corruption and bribery

X-FAB's business practices follow the principles of fair competition with particular focus on professional behavior. X-FAB respects consumer interests by abiding by regulations that protect consumers, and by using appropriate sales, marketing, and information practices in accordance with the ICC International Code of Advertising Practice and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

In particular, X-FAB rejects corruption and bribery as stated in the relevant UN Convention against corruption from 2003, and promotes transparency, trading with integrity, responsible leadership, and company accountability.

In order to prevent corruption, X-FAB is aiming for an increased awareness from its employees through comprehensive and repetitive sessions on the company values and strict regulations as outlined in the company handbook. These sessions are attended by all employees and emphasize the corporate values, such as integrity and respect, as well as X-FAB's code of conduct. Training is organized at least once every two years, and every employee has to attend. New

employees are provided with special initial training during their on-boarding. An Ethics and Conflict of Interest policy is part of X-FAB's code of conduct. Furthermore, anti-corruption is mentioned in the Company's rules and handbooks, which are part of each employment contract. Concerns about unethical behavior are reported either via the workers' council or directly to Human Resources.

As an alert system to confidentially report any violation, in 2018 X-FAB installed a Whistle Blower policy, which was disclosed to all employees globally. All employees worldwide can report incidents anonymously in their native language. All reports are treated confidentially, and there is a strict no-retaliation policy.

No incidents were reported in 2022.

Ethics training is provided to all employees. At the start of employment with X-FAB, each new employee receives a copy of the work regulations, which comprise policies on harassment prevention and the acceptance of gifts, and includes a definition of infractions that lead to legal actions such as contract termination. Actions taken in response to incidents of corruption comprise all legal actions according to the corresponding national laws. In addition to following all national laws regarding ethical and anti-corruption behavior, X-FAB does not influence politics, neither by participating in political activities nor by donating or supporting parties in elections.

6.4.2 X-FAB's supply chain

As a manufacturer of a large variety of products, X-FAB relies on a number of suppliers. It is part of the Company's corporate ethics to strive for long-term partnerships with its suppliers. The selection and auditing of suppliers is carried out by means of a global, cross-site procedure valid for all X-FAB sites. Part of this procedure is a classification of suppliers, based on, among others, the supplied quantity as well as the frequency of supply: tier 1 suppliers, strategic suppliers, and all others that do not qualify for one of the two categories. In order to be approved as a new supplier, depending on the categorization, the supplier has to pass a process audit according to the requirements of the automotive standard VDA 6.3 (the German Association of the Automotive Industry) and answer various questions, including on environmental topics. The existence of an environmental management system and compliance with RoHS or REACH are important criteria for X-FAB during the selection process for new suppliers.

6.4.2.1 Selection and categorization of X-FAB suppliers

X-FAB has implemented and maintains a supplier selection and monitoring process which is compliant with the quality management system standards ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 as well as with the environmental management system standard ISO 14001. Suppliers of strategic materials are requested to confirm compliance with X-FAB's list of banned substances and have to provide transparent information regarding

their quality and environmental management systems as well as with respect to the composition of the supplied materials. Those aspects are intensively checked and validated by X-FAB's supplier quality management and procurement organization before any new strategic material or supplier is released. This is done via on-site audits and contractual agreements. After the initial release, which has to be authorized by a multidisciplinary team, the compliance of suppliers with the relevant requirements and their overall performance are continually monitored by X-FAB.

Requirements to qualify as an X-FAB strategic supplier

  • Certified quality management system according to ISO 9001
  • Certified environmental management system according to ISO 14001
  • Demonstrated compliance of quality management system according to IATF 16949
  • Commitment to a code of conduct, e.g. ZVEI Code of Conduct or equivalent
  • Conflict minerals reporting if applicable

X-FAB has a global approach towards sourcing of main supplies to run the factories and therefore local suppliers are only taken into account if they meet the high quality standards.

6.4.2.2 Audits and continual improvement of suppliers

X-FAB stores all certificates and completed questionnaires from its suppliers in a database that is accessible for all X-FAB sites in order to improve the harmonization and standardization of supplier management. The most important suppliers are subject to a supplier assessment once a year. If X-FAB's requirements are not met by at least 85%, the

supplier must submit proposals for improvement to stay under contract with X-FAB. In addition to these annual assessments, a regular audit exists to verify the existence of a management system.

In 2022, supplier audits according to the quality management system standards ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and VDA 6.3 for process audits have been performed by X-FAB's supplier quality management organization at seven different suppliers for strategic materials (e.g. chemicals, gases, wafers) or services, two located in the United States, one in Europe, and four in Asia. These audits also focused on environmental and other aspects according to X-FAB's standards.

Supplier Category Location Audit type and result
Supplier 1 Gases Malaysia Supplier audit / rating A
Supplier 2 Subcontracting Malaysia Supplier audit / rating A
Supplier 3 Wafers United States Supplier audit / rating A
Supplier 4 Subcontracting Malaysia Supplier audit / rating A
Supplier 5 Gases China Supplier audit / rating A
Supplier 6 Wafers United States Supplier audit / rating A
Supplier 7 Equipment Germany Supplier audit / rating B

Fig. 6.23: Supplier audits performed by X-FAB in 2022

Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCAR)

In 2022, in total 64 SCARs had to be issued towards different suppliers, the majority of which have not been critical with respect to the continuity or quality of the wafer manufacturing processes at X-FAB nor the products of our customers. However, all SCARs have been tracked and the effectiveness of the defined corrective and preventive actions has been checked and validated by X-FAB's supplier quality management organization.

Engagement with non-compliance suppliers to reach compliance

In 2022, 19 new quality assurance agreements with suppliers of X-FAB have been implemented, in order to ensure the supplier's commitment to several key requirements with respect to quality and environmental management and other aspects. Furthermore, X-FAB actively supported various potential suppliers to achieve conformance to the X-FAB requirements for strategic suppliers. To prove the financial sustainability of its suppliers in 2022 X-FAB has established access to an international database that allows us to check the financial health of suppliers as well as their revenues. The aim is not only to ensure that very small suppliers are not in a situation of financial dependency towards X-FAB, i.e. X-FAB's business volume must not represent more than 25% of a supplier's revenue), but also to check the financial sustainability of some critical suppliers.

Furthermore, X-FAB has introduced a supplier award system to encourage its suppliers to continuously commit to environmental protection and social aspects. An annual "Supplier Excellence Award" is awarded to the best local supplier for each X-FAB site. The supplier with the highest value in the supplier assessment is nominated as "Supplier of the Year."

6.4.2.3 Handling of conflict minerals

X-FAB is aware of the Dodd–Frank Act requirements regarding, among others, the sourcing of tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from conflict regions and is accepting its responsibility along the supply chain. Thus, X-FAB requests all its relevant suppliers to source minerals from regions that are conflict-free. The commitment of X-FAB suppliers to these requirements is documented in a central company database to ensure traceability and transparency.

RoHS and REACH

RoHS is the short form of the "Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 8, 2011 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment." It aims to address the global issue of consumer electronics waste. It pertains to manufacturing of various types of electronic and electrical equipment without the use of six different hazardous materials. It is the responsibility of the company that puts the product on the market to comply with the directive. REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals. The purpose of this European Union regulation is to address the production and use of chemical substances and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment. Whereas RoHS bans substances that are present in electrical equipment, REACH pertains to all chemicals including those used to make a product. This can include materials, solvents, paints, chemicals, and more.

X-FAB has described a product declaration committing that to the best of its knowledge, X-FAB products do not contain materials that had been sourced from mines in conflict regions in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. X-FAB does checks on smelters to ensure that they are certified conflict-free by comparing them against the list of compliant smelters under the Responsible Mining Alliance (RMA) website.

All strategic material suppliers for materials containing tungsten, tantalum, tin, and gold must complete the Conflict-Free Smelter Reporting Template.

X-FAB is also working with suppliers on other minerals disclosures. These include cobalt and mica reporting. Currently, X-FAB is working with suppliers to ensure it sources from conflict-free cobalt smelters. X-FAB products do not contain mica.

6.4.3 Data security

Customer data privacy

The protection of customer data is of the highest importance to X-FAB and all stakeholders and is crucial to safeguarding X-FAB's reputation and brand. X-FAB currently does not apply a customer data deletion concept due to adherence with the IATF automotive standard, which allows for deletion only after at least 15 years of inactivity. X-FAB deactivates data records whenever requested and has not received any customer complaints about data privacy. X-FAB applies an email opt-out system for customer data for hotline news, webinars, and customer surveys. These are maintained via different technologies, including the ERP system, the survey, and the email marketing tool, in an automated or semi-automated way.

Cybersecurity

X-FAB IT's strategies for 2022-2025 focus on improving IT security by continuing to provide cybersecurity awareness training and phishing campaigns to employees and thus becoming the human firewall in protecting X-FAB from cyber threats. X-FAB IT is also conducting IT Security Posture Maturity Assessments to improve the Information Security Management System and monitor the readiness of the X-FAB sites.

To ensure the security of the Group's IT systems and assets, X-FAB IT has established a Global IT Security Team composed of experts responsible for implementing security policies, monitoring for threats, responding to cybersecurity incidents, and implementing security controls.

In addition, X-FAB IT has established an IT Security Committee, composed of dedicated cybersecurity professionals from IT departments from various sites. It oversees and advises on the Group's IT security projects and initiatives, reviews and approves security policies, and ensures compliance with laws and regulations. It regularly evaluates and recommends improvements to X-FAB IT cybersecurity programs. The IT Security Committee meets periodically to discuss emerging cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities and to make key decisions regarding the Group's IT security.

6.4.4 X-FAB's responsibility towards its customers and society

In line with its EHS policy, X-FAB continually works on the reduction of its environmental impact via legal compliance and also promotes human rights values among suppliers and customers. It is X-FAB's policy to ensure that all purchased materials are compliant with current government and safety constraints on restricted, toxic, and hazardous materials and that all environmental standards, applicable to the country of manufacture and sale, are fulfilled.

X-FAB follows RoHS and meets the requirements of REACH. X-FAB thereby confirms that all its products are halogen-free and do not contain intentionally introduced lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), bis(2 ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), or diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). Furthermore, RoHS and REACH-conformant safety data sheets are available for all X-FAB products and are accessible to every X-FAB customer on the Company's website. Finally, all products do not contain any of the substances in the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern.

There is a global procedure in place to control and avoid negative health and safety impacts, requiring that every X-FAB product is tested at every stage of development. In addition, all X-FAB products are inspected annually by an external laboratory for hazardous substances, and the Company's customers are informed about the results by means of product declarations.

It is part of the Company's ethics that products are not sold into countries that are listed on an embargo list for corresponding products. During 2022, X-FAB was compliant with laws in relation to this provision and the use of X-FAB products and did not have to pay any fines for violations.

6.5 EU taxonomy

The European Green Deal is a set of initiatives by the European Commission with the overarching objective for the EU to become climate neutral by 2050. In this context and in order to channel investments of the financial sector to more sustainable technologies and businesses, the EU has developed a common classification system, referred to as the EU taxonomy, which is aimed to provide guidance to companies, investors, and policymakers on which economic activities can be considered environmentally sustainable.

The Taxonomy Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2020/852) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on June 22, 2020, and entered into force on July 12, 2020. The EU taxonomy defines specific performance criteria to assess an economic activity's contribution towards six environmental objectives: climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, the sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, the transition to a circular economy, pollution prevention and control, and the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems. Technical screening criteria for each environmental objective will be defined through delegated acts.

The Delegated Act (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2139) on climate mitigation and climate adaptation, laying out the technical screening criteria that define whether an economic activity substantially contributes to the objective of climate change mitigation or climate change adaptation, was published in the Official Journal on December 9, 2021. This also includes minimum safeguards that must be secured for the other four environmental objectives of the taxonomy, the so-called Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) criteria. The delegated acts defining the rules and requirements on the reporting requirements for the other environmental objectives are yet to be published.

These new reporting requirements are being introduced gradually. For 2022, companies need to report on the eligibility and alignment of their activities regarding the environmental objectives of climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, the interpretation of the EU taxonomy is unclear with many rules, regulations, and guidelines still under development. The following paragraphs describe X-FAB's approach based on the current stance of the legislative framework.

Assessment by X-FAB

The EU taxonomy currently does not list an activity that specifically describes X-FAB's business. The activity that most closely describes X-FAB's business is activity 3.6, "Manufacturing of other low carbon technologies." However, it is clear that X-FAB is an enabler of technologies that significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By providing robust analog/mixed-signal CMOS processes, MEMS, and wide-bandgap semiconductors, X-FAB contributes to the creation of sustainable and energy-efficient products in various fields, such as mobility and the energy sector. Sensors and power devices improve the energy efficiency of electric vehicles and optimize the energy use of the drivetrain. High-voltage technologies including silicon carbide support the transition to renewable energy by enabling the efficient generation, conversion, and storage of energy. These activities are therefore contributing to climate change mitigation since they contribute substantially to the stabilization of GHG concentrations consistent with the long-term temperature goal of the Paris Agreement, through the avoidance or reduction of GHG emissions or the increase of GHG removals, including through process and product innovations.

An economic activity qualifies as contributing substantially to climate change adaptation if that activity provides adaptation solutions that contribute substantially to reducing or preventing the adverse impact of the current or expected future climate, or the risk of such adverse impact, on that activity itself or on people, nature or assets. So far, X-FAB and its customers' activities are mainly focused on climate change mitigation. X-FAB therefore focuses this reporting on the climate change mitigation objective.

1. Turnover

To report turnover under this section, the definition of turnover in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is used.

An economic activity is deemed eligible where it matches the description set out in one of the delegated acts adopted by the Commission. For an activity to be eligible for climate change mitigation under this category, the activity needs to have the objective of enabling a substantial reduction of GHG emissions in another sector of the economy. Semiconductor manufacturing can therefore be a taxonomy-eligible activity where it enables another

economic activity to make substantial GHG emission savings.

X-FAB has analyzed its activities by categorizing its technologies based on whether they are aimed at substantially reducing GHG emissions in another sector of the economy. For example, technologies that provide superior isolation for high voltages or technologies that, due to their material properties, offer the possibility of developing systems with maximum energy efficiency (e.g., wide bandgap technologies) are deemed by X-FAB to be eligible under the taxonomy regulation.

An eligible activity must fulfil four basic criteria to be classified as aligned.

1. It must substantially contribute to at least one of the environmental objectives,

To contribute substantially to climate change mitigation, the economic activity must manufacture technologies that are aimed at and demonstrate substantial lifecycle GHG emission savings compared to the best performing alternative technology/ product/solution available on the market. The GHG reduction across the lifecycle could be evaluated based on product lifecycle emissions and applications. As a pure-play foundry, however, we do not have the necessary information from the end market to make such a complete lifecycle assessment.

  1. It must comply with the technical screening criteria established by the Commission.

3. It must not significantly harm any of the environmental objectives.

This criterion is put in place to avoid that activities qualify as environmentally sustainable in cases where the economic activities benefitting from those investments cause harm to the environment to an extent that outweighs their contribution to an environmental objective. There are several aspects to this. Companies must:

  • carry out a risk and vulnerability assessment to identify solutions for climate change adaptation;
  • use water in a sustainable way and protect water and marine resources;
  • assess whether there are techniques available for the economic activity in question that support circular economy principles;
  • comply with the criteria on pollution prevention and control; and
  • comply with the criteria relating to the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.

The semiconductor industry heavily relies on the use of chemicals. The current wording regarding the aspect of pollution prevention and control therefore gives rise to a lot of questions. An economic activity may not lead to the manufacture, placing on the market, or use of certain chemicals in order to be taxonomy-aligned. The Climate Delegated Act refers to other existing EU legislation that regulates the use of certain chemicals (REACH and RoHS). X-FAB is, of course, very familiar with these pieces of legislation and complies with them. However, the Climate Delegated Act does not seem to allow for the existing exemptions and derogations for the use of certain chemicals in very specific cases. Several industry associations have already addressed this point to the European Commission.

4. It must be carried out in compliance with certain minimum safeguards.

Article 18 of the taxonomy regulation requires companies to implement procedures to ensure the alignment of their activities with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including the principles and rights set out in the eight fundamental conventions identified in the Declaration of the International Labour Organization on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the International Bill of Human Rights. Sections 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 of this Annual Report describe how X-FAB makes sure that it carries out its economic activities in an honest, responsible, and respectful way.

Based on the above-described uncertainties and the current status of the legislation, X-FAB deems it prudent to report a 0% alignment.

Economic Activity Proportion Proportion
activity description eligible aligned
3.6 Manufacture of
other low-carbon
technologies
43.07% 0%

2. CapEx

The Disclosures Delegated Act (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2178) defines CapEx. It covers additions to tangible and intangible assets during the financial year considered before depreciation, amortization and any remeasurements, including those resulting from revaluations and impairments, for the relevant financial year and excluding fair value changes.

The CapEx can be categorized into two types:

a. Technology CapEx: the eligibility for the technology CapEx is based on the categorizing of technologies as done for determining eligibility for turnover. For the same reasons as above, X-FAB deems it prudent to report a 0% alignment.

  • b. Facilities CapEx: this CapEx mainly relates to the following activities:
  • i. installation, maintenance and repair of charging stations for electric vehicles in buildings;
  • ii. installation, maintenance and repair of energy efficiency equipment;
  • iii. installation, maintenance and repair of instruments and devices for measuring, regulation and controlling energy performance of buildings.

We have assessed the respective substantial contribution and DNSH criteria and show the results in the table below.

Economic
activity
Activity
description
Proportion
eligible
Proportion
aligned
3.6 Manufacture of
other low-carbon
technologies
(technology
CapEx)
74.31% 0%
7.3-7.5 Facilities CapEx 1.17% 100%
TOTAL 74.84% 1.17%

3. OpEx

According to the Disclosures Delegated Act, OpEx covers direct non-capitalized costs that relate to research and development, building renovation measures, short-term lease, maintenance and repair, and any other direct expenditures relating to the dayto-day servicing of assets of property, plant and equipment by the undertaking or third party to whom activities are outsourced that are necessary to ensure the continued and effective functioning of such assets. X-FAB focuses on research and development costs since the other costs that could possibly fall within this definition are likely to be immaterial in comparison.

The proportion of eligible R&D activities has been determined by looking at the same categorizing of technologies as done for determining eligibility for turnover. For the same reasons as above, X-FAB deems it prudent to report a 0% alignment.

Economic Activity Proportion Proportion
activity description Eligible Aligned
3.6 Manufacture of
other low-carbon
technologies
55.12% 0%

7. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

The Royal Decree of May 12, 2019 (published in the Belgian Official Gazette on May 17, 2019) designated the Belgian Corporate Governance Code 2020 as the reference code for Belgian listed companies. This Code is available for download on the website of the Belgian Corporate Governance Committee (www.corporategovernancecommittee.be).

In view of the "comply-or-explain" principle of the Code, section 7.12 gives an overview of the provisions of the Belgian Corporate Governance Code 2020 that X-FAB does not comply with, along with an explanation of the reasons for non-compliance.

X-FAB's Corporate Governance Charter is in alignment with the 2020 Code on Corporate Governance. The Corporate Governance Charter can be consulted on the "Investors" page of the Company's website.

7.1 Shareholders

X-FAB seeks to guarantee transparent and clear communication with its shareholders. Active participation of the shareholders is encouraged by X-FAB.

In order to achieve this goal, shareholders can find important and relevant information on X-FAB's website. X-FAB publishes its annual reports, half-year reports, statutory reports, quarterly results, and financial calendar on its website in the "Investors" section. X-FAB realizes that the publication of these reports and information benefits its trust-based relationship with its shareholders and other stakeholders.

Furthermore, X-FAB is committed to guaranteeing shareholder rights.

  • At the Shareholders' Meeting, the Chairman will lead the meeting in such a manner that there will be sufficient time to answer questions that shareholders may have relating to the annual report, special reports, and/or the items on the agenda.
  • At the latest 30 days prior to the general meeting, the agenda and other relevant documents are published in different locations including X-FAB's website and the Belgian Official Gazette.
  • Shareholders representing at least 10% of the share capital have the right to add items and/or resolution proposals to the agenda.

  • During the general meeting, shareholders have the right to vote on each item on the agenda. If they cannot attend the general meeting, they have the right to appoint a proxy.

  • The minutes of the general meeting with the voting results will be kept in a special register after the general meeting.

Chapter 8 shows the shareholder structure of X-FAB based on the transparency notifications received.

7.2 Management structure

X-FAB has opted for a "one-tier" governance structure whereby the Board of Directors is the ultimate decision-making body, with overall responsibility for the management and control of the Company. The Board of Directors is vested with the power to perform all acts that are necessary or useful for the realization of the Company's purpose, except for those actions that are specifically reserved by law or the Articles of Association to the shareholders' meeting or other management bodies. As such, the Board, among others, defines the general policy orientations, decides on major strategic, financial, and operational matters, and oversees the management.

The Board has established committees (an Audit Committee and a Remuneration and Nomination Committee) to analyze specific issues and advise the Board on those issues. The decision-making power remains within the responsibility of the Board of Directors itself.

The daily management of X-FAB has been delegated by the Board of Directors to the Chief Executive Officer, Sensinnovat BV, permanently represented by Rudi De Winter, who can represent the Company with his sole signature within and outside the framework of the daily management. For actions that fall outside the scope of the daily management, X-FAB is also validly represented by two directors acting jointly.

The Chief Executive Officer is the chairman of the Executive Management. The Executive Management is responsible for leading X-FAB in accordance with the global strategy, values, planning, and budgets as set out and approved by the Board of Directors. The Executive Management is also responsible for screening the various risks and opportunities that the Company might encounter in the short, medium, or longer term, as well as for ensuring that systems are in place to identify and address these risks and opportunities.

7.3 Board of Directors

Composition

In accordance with Article 15 of X-FAB's Articles of Association, the Board of Directors consists of at least five members. At least three members should be independent in accordance with Article 7:87 BCCA. As of the date of this annual report, the Board of Directors comprises nine members, three of which are indeed independent. At least half of the Board of Directors consists of non-executive members, and there is at least one executive member. Independent directors qualify as non-executive directors.

The term of office of directors under Belgian law is limited to six years (renewable) but the Corporate Governance Code recommends that it be limited to four years. Directors of X-FAB are appointed for a

period of four years by the majority of the votes cast at the general meeting, after having received a recommendation of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee. In the same way the general meeting may revoke a director at any time. There is no age limit for directors, and directors with an expiring mandate can be reappointed within the limits stipulated in the BCCA.

The Chief Executive Officer is the only member of the Board of Directors that has an executive mandate. The Chair of the Board is Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. Hamid bin Bugo.

The composition of the Board of Directors already takes into account Article 7:86 BCCA which requires that one third of its members have to be of a different gender.

Name Age Mandate expires Position
Dato Sri Dr. Wan Lizozman bin Wan
Omar
58 2026 Non-executive director
Sensinnovat BV
(Represented by Rudi De Winter)
62 2025 Managing Director, CEO
Roland Duchâtelet 76 2025 Non-executive director
Thomas Hans-Jürgen Straub 68 2025 Non-executive director
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. Hamid bin Bugo 77 2025 Non-executive director (Chair)
Aurore NV (Represented by Christine
Juliam)
62 2026 Non-executive and independent director
Christel Verschaeren 58 2025 Non-executive and independent director
Estelle Iacona 50 2025 Non-executive and independent director
Vlinvlin BV (Represented by Ling Qi) 52 2023 Non-executive director

The directors of X-FAB are:

Sensinnovat BV is represented by Rudi De Winter. Mr. De Winter joined X-FAB in 2011 as Co-CEO and became CEO in 2014. Between 1996 and 2011 he served as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Melexis NV. Prior to that date, Mr. De Winter served as a development engineer at Mietec Alcatel (Belgium) from 1984 to 1985 and as a development manager at Elmos GmbH (Germany) from 1985 to 1989. In 1990, Mr. De Winter became director together with Mr. Duchâtelet of XTRION NV, the parent company of X-FAB. Mr. De Winter holds a degree in electronic engineering from the University of Ghent.

Throughout his career, Roland Duchâtelet has founded several companies and has organized approximately 50 acquisitions or sales of companies. He has been active in the internet business since 2000 and was a member of the Belgian Senate from 2007 to 2010. Mr. Duchâtelet is the co-founder of the parent company of X-FAB. He holds degrees in electrical engineering and applied economics from the University of Leuven and obtained an MBA from the same university.

Thomas Hans-Jürgen Straub has more than 30 years of experience in the management of semiconductor companies. From 1982 to 1990, Mr. Straub served as Head of Central Planning at the Kombinat Mikroelektronik in Erfurt. Thereafter, Mr. Straub was a member of the managing board of PTC Electronic AG, a holding company that managed 18 subsidiaries. From 1991 to 1999, Mr. Straub served as president of several companies, including Mikroelektronik und Technologie-Gesellschaft mbH, Dresden and Thesys Gesellschaft für Mikroelektronik mbH, Erfurt. From 1999 to 2014, Mr. Straub served as Chief Executive Officer of X-FAB. Mr. Straub holds a diploma in economics from the Hochschule für Ökonomie Berlin (Berlin Business School).

Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr.) Hamid bin Bugo has worked as personnel manager for Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Petronas, Shell, and Mitsubishi. He was the first general manager of the Land Custody and Development Authority, Sarawak, and was permanent secretary to the Ministry of Resource Planning, and state secretary of Sarawak. Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. Hamid bin Bugo has also served as a board

member of several corporate and governmental agencies and charitable organizations. After graduating with a master's degree in economics and political science from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, he gained a postgraduate diploma in teaching from Christchurch Teachers' College, New Zealand, and has a certificate in business studies from the Harvard Institute of Development Studies, USA. Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr.) Hamid bin Bugo was awarded an honorary PhD in commerce by Lincoln University, New Zealand. Currently, he is Chairman of the National Library Council of Malaysia, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad and board member of Sapura Resources Berhad.

Dato Sri Dr. Wan Lizozman bin Wan Omar is the State Financial Secretary of Sarawak. Before that he served as Deputy State Financial Officer and formerly as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources as well as the Ministry of Housing Sarawak. Besides his role as State Financial Secretary, Dato Sri Dr. Wan Lizozman bin Wan Omar is chairman of two Malaysian state governmentlinked companies as well as a director of various stateowned companies. Moreover, he is a board member of the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC). His academic qualifications include a certificate in Southeast Asian studies from Columbia University, New York City, USA, a bachelor of science degree in economic and political science from the University of Northern Illinois, USA, followed by a master's degree in international affairs (economic development) from the School of International & Public Affairs, Columbia University, New York City, USA. In 2014, he was awarded a PhD in business studies from UNIMAS (University Malaysia Sarawak).

Aurore NV is represented by Christine Juliam. She started her career in clinical research at MSD in Belgium before moving into product management, and subsequently into sales, marketing, and business planning responsibilities. In July 1996, she started to work for Abbott Belgium as director of its pharmaceutical product division and joined Nycomed as Managing Director Belgium/Luxembourg in 2006. From 2011 onwards she was Region Head for France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg for Nycomed, which was acquired by Takeda in the same year. Subsequently, Ms. Juliam managed Takeda Italy and France as country manager between 2013 and 2017. In 2021, Ms. Juliam started as General Manager at Orifarm. Christine Juliam has a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Ghent, a license in

marketing from St. Aloysius College in Brussels, a master's in management from Solvay Commercial School in Brussels, and an MBA from Northwestern University.

Christel Verschaeren served for 29 years at IBM. She held different technical positions as well as commercial leadership positions in general business, channel sales, and inside sales. She led business operations for IBM

Belgium/Luxembourg for three years. In 2005, she became Director of Business Transformation and IT for IBM Europe. From 2010 until 2012 she served as Director Global Organizational Change Management. From 2012 until 2016 she was the VP of CIO Services in EMEA. Ms. Verschaeren holds a master's in economics from the University of Antwerp.

Estelle Iacona is professor in physics of CentraleSupélec. She was a director of EM2C laboratory (CNRS, École Centrale Paris) from 2008 to 2012 after which she became Dean and Vice-President Research of the École Centrale Paris and of CentraleSupélec. She served as Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs at CentraleSupélec from 2016 to 2019. She was also a member of the board of École Centrale Casablanca. In 2020, Estelle Iacona was elected as Senior Vice-President at Paris-Saclay University. Currently she is President at Paris-Saclay University. Ms. Iacona holds an engineering degree and a master of science from the University of Nantes (Polytech'Nantes) and a PhD in physics of transfer from the École Centrale Paris.

Vlinvlin BV is represented by Ling Qi. Ling Qi has more than 20 years of international business management experience in China. After winning an English language competition from a field of one thousand competitors, she organized international trade fairs and trade missions for the city government of Shenyang and was the personal translator for the mayor of Shenyang. She left politics to host a weekly TV program with news and interviews of foreign expats in China. In 1996, she became vice-president of the animation film company OHY in charge for the company's business in the US. In 2000, Ling Qi married Belgian director Wouter Dierickx with whom she founded Sophie Animation Ltd. Currently, she is CEO of two multimedia and animation film companies. Alongside this, Ling Qi has been consulting for foreign invested companies in China and is a board member of a Belgian private bank. She holds a degree in international trade and English from the University of Liaoning and obtained a certificate of Dutch at University of Antwerp.

Appointment and replacement of directors

The Articles of Association (Article 16) and the X-FAB Corporate Governance Charter contain specific rules concerning the (re)appointment, the induction, and the evaluation of directors. Directors are appointed for a term not exceeding four years by the general meeting of shareholders, who can also revoke their mandate at any time. An appointment or dismissal requires a simple majority of the votes cast.

If and when a position of a director prematurely becomes vacant within the Board, the remaining directors have the right to temporarily appoint a new director until the next general meeting which shall confirm such appointment. Said appointment will then be included in the agenda of the next general meeting.

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee makes recommendations to the Board with regard to the

appointment of directors, the CEO, and the other members of the Executive Management. The Committee will consider proposals made by the members of the Board or other relevant parties.

Functioning of the Board

The internal regulation of the Board is part of the Corporate Governance Charter. In principle, the Board of Directors meets on a quarterly basis. Additional meetings may be called with appropriate notice at any time to address specific needs of the business. A meeting of the Board of Directors must in any event be convened if requested by at least two directors.

The Board convened seven times in 2022 and discussed, among others, the following topics:

  • the financial results of the Group;
  • the business plan and capital expenditure;
  • the budget for the financial year 2023; and
  • the ESG-strategy.

Dato Sri Dr. Wan Lizozman bin Wan Omar was excused for one meeting and was represented by proxy at three other meetings of the Board. Also, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. Hamid bin Bugo was excused for one meeting. Christel Verschaeren was represented by proxy at one meeting. Other than that, all Board members attended all meetings.

Under the lead of the Chairman, the Board regularly evaluates its scope, composition, and performance and that of its committees, as well as the interaction with the Executive Management. The next evaluation will be performed in 2023.

7.4 Committees

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee advises the Board of Directors on accounting, audit, and internal control matters as further detailed in the Company's Corporate Governance Charter. The Audit Committee also assists the Executive Management in its assessment and follow-up of the auditor's recommendations.

The Audit Committee is composed of four nonexecutive members: Aurore NV, represented by Christine Juliam, independent director and Chair; Christel Verschaeren, independent director; Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. Hamid bin Bugo, non-executive director; and Estelle Iacona, independent director.

According to Article 7:99 BCCA the members of the Audit Committee maintain a collective expertise in the field of the Company's activities. At least one of them shall have accounting and audit expertise. Given his education as well as extensive experience as a board member for a number of different companies, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. Hamid bin Bugo complies with this requirement.

In 2022, the Audit Committee met four times. During these meetings the audit plan and key audit matters were discussed with the external auditor. Other topics covered were the results of the internal audit and the renewal of the audit mandate. All members of the Audit Committee as well as the external auditor attended all meetings. The internal auditor was present at two meetings.

Remuneration and Nomination Committee

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee advises the Board of Directors principally on matters regarding the appointment and remuneration of directors and members of the Executive Management.

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee is composed of four non-executive members: Christel Verschaeren, Chair; Aurore NV, represented by Christine Juliam, independent director; Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. Hamid bin Bugo, non-executive director; and Estelle Iacona, independent director.

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee met three times in 2022. During these meetings, matters such as the remuneration and succession of the Executive Management and the (re)appointment of directors were discussed. All members of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee attended all meetings.

7.5 Executive Management

Composition

The Executive Management is composed of the following members:

Name Age Position
Rudi De Winter 62 Chief Executive Officer
Alba Morganti 54 Chief Financial Officer
Jörg Doblaski 44 Chief Technology Officer
Lee Boon Chun 53 Chief Executive Officer, X-FAB Sarawak
Dr. Jocelyne Wasselin 64 Chief Executive Officer, X-FAB France
Lloyd Whetzel 65 Chief Executive Officer, X-FAB Texas
Dr. Gabriel Kittler 44 Chief Executive Officer, X-FAB Erfurt
Rico Tillner 40 Chief Executive Officer, X-FAB Dresden

Functioning

The Executive Management Team is composed of the CEO, the CFO, the CTO, and the site managers of X-FAB France, X-FAB Sarawak, X-FAB Texas, X-FAB

Erfurt, and X-FAB Dresden. The members are appointed and removed by the Board of Directors after having received the advice of the CEO and the Remuneration and Nomination Committee. The Executive Management Team exercises the duties assigned to it by the Board of Directors and the CEO, under the ultimate supervision of the Board of Directors.

The CEO leads the Executive Management Team, within the framework established by the Board of Directors and under its ultimate supervision. The CEO chairs the Executive Management Team.

7.6 Diversity policy

The Remuneration Committee and the Board of Directors ensure that diversity criteria such as age, gender, and background are taken into consideration in its selection processes and management of succession planning.

At the end of the reporting year, four of the nine members of the Board were female, thereby reaching the best possible equilibrium in terms of gender diversity. The composition of the Board is in line with the requirements of the BCCA on diversity. The Executive Management Team also consists of a diverse team in terms of age, background, and gender.

7.7 Remuneration report

The remuneration of the directors and the Executive Management is governed by X-FAB's remuneration policy which can be found at www.xfab.com/investors. The remuneration policy was approved by the Shareholders' Meeting on April 29, 2021. This remuneration report has been prepared in accordance with Article 3:6, §3 BCCA as introduced by law on April 28, 2020.

Total remuneration

The application of the remuneration policy during 2022 for the directors and executives led to the effective remuneration as shown in the table on the next page.

The non-executive and independent Directors receive a compensation for their mandate as director. Such compensation consists of a fixed annual amount of EUR 15.000. The remuneration of Directors takes into account their membership(s) in any of the board committees; for each membership in a board committee directors receive an additional fixed amount of EUR 5.000 per committee. Such compensation is independent from their participation rate in board or board committee meetings.

Roland Duchâtelet waived his right to receive any remuneration as a non-executive Board member. In 2022 Vlinvlin BV (represented by Ling Qi) and Hans-Jürgen Straub received additional remuneration of USD 68,699 and USD 14,686 respectively for consultancy services provided to the Strategy department above and beyond her work as director of the Company. Hans-Jürgen Straub received an additional USD 10,543 for his mandate on the supervisory board of X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries GmbH.

Members of the Executive Management who are employed by X-FAB Group companies under an employment contract also benefit from group insurance policies in their respective home countries providing various pension, life insurance, disability, and medical insurance benefits, all of which are defined contribution schemes. All these group insurance elements are in line with home country market practices and only represent a minor portion of their respective remuneration packages. The base salary for Members of the Executive Management who are employees does not include the employer contributions.

in U.S. dollars
Name, position 1. Fixed remuneration 2. Variable remuneration
Base salary Fees Other benefits One-year
variable
Multi-year
variable
Roland Duchâtelet, Non
executive director
Thomas Hans- Jürgen Straub,
Non-executive director
15,814.65 25,229.10
Tan Sri Dr. Hamid bin Bugo, Non
executive director
26,357.75
Aurore NV (Represented by
Christine Juliam), Independent
director
26,357.75
Christel Verschaeren,
Independent director
26,357.75
Estelle Iacona, Independent
director
26,357.75
Vlinvlin BV (Represented by Ling
Qi), Non-executive director
15,814.65 68,699.17
Sensinnovat BV, permanently
represented by Rudi De Winter,
Executive, CEO
384,823.15 41,368.49 96,205.79
Executive Management excl.
Sensinnovat BV
1,088,758.14 67,272.43 127,931.21
in U.S. dollars
Name, position 3. Extra
ordinary items
4. Pension
expense
5. Total
remuneration
6. Proportion of fixed and
variable remuneration
Roland Duchâtelet, Non
executive director
Fixed: 100%
Thomas Hans- Jürgen Straub,
Non-executive director
41,043.75 Fixed: 100%
Tan Sri Dr. Hamid bin Bugo,
Non-executive director
26,357.75 Fixed: 100%
Aurore NV (Represented by
Christine Juliam), Independent
director
26,357.75 Fixed: 100%
Christel Verschaeren,
Independent director
26,357.75 Fixed: 100%
Estelle Iacona, Independent
director
26,357.75 Fixed: 100%
Vlinvlin BV (Represented by Ling
Qi), Non-executive director
84,513.82 Fixed: 100%
Sensinnovat BV, permanently
represented by Rudi De Winter,
522,397.43 Fixed: 74%
Executive, CEO Variable: 26%
Executive Management excl. 101,352.50 1,385,314.28 Fixed: 91%
Sensinnovat BV Variable: 9%
2,138,700.28

Application of the performance criteria CEO

The variable remuneration for the CEO is a cash bonus that is capped at 50% of the annual base salary. It contains short, medium and long-term elements:

  • short term: 50% of the variable remuneration is based on performance criteria measured over one financial year;
  • medium term: 25% is based on performance criteria measured over two financial years; and
  • long term: 25% is based on performance criteria measured over three financial years.

The cash bonus for the CEO is calculated by reference to yearly established targets to reflect global business performance criteria, which are measured on an X-FAB Group consolidated basis. Where financial indicators are used these are based on reported figures determined in accordance with IFRS accounting standards. The targets are as follows:

  • 50% of the cash bonus (the short-term element) depends on the achievement of the target EBIT of X-FAB measured over the performance year in order to link the bonus to the operational result of X-FAB; and
  • 50% of the cash bonus (the medium and longterm element) is dependent on X-FAB generating revenue growth that outperforms the industry average over the last one or two years, whereby the industry reference growth is determined by reference to the November Q4 Update to The McClean Report 2022 by IC Insights. The forecasts for optoelectronics, sensors and actuators, and discrete (O-S-D) devices is used as a reference value.

Short-term cash bonus (one-year variable)

The results for performance year 2022 are shown in the table below. In 2022 the EBIT was USD 57.3 million. This means that 43% of the short-term cash bonus will be paid out.

in U.S. dollars
Performance criteria a) Minimum threshold
performance
a) Maximum performance a) Measured performance
b) Corresponding
remuneration
b) Corresponding
remuneration
b) Actual remuneration
outcome
Global business
performance
a) 2,500,000 a) 130,000,000 a) 57,335,000
Relative weighting 50% b) 0 b) 96,206 b) 41,368
Total bonus 0 96,206 41,368

Medium and long-term cash bonus (two and threeyear variable)

The two and three-year variable remuneration of the CEO depends on X-FAB generating revenue growth over the last one or two years exceeding the industry average using the statistics for the optoelectronics, sensors and actuators, and discrete (O-S-D) devices market published in the McClean Report 2023 by IC Insights as a reference value.

The results for performance year 2022 are shown in the table below. In 2022, the revenue growth was 12% compared to 2021. The industry average amounted to 8%. The revenue growth compared to 2020 was 55% while the industry averaged 28%. This results in the bonus calculation as depicted in the following table.

in U.S. dollars
Performance criteria a) Threshold performance a) Measured performance
b) Corresponding remuneration b) Actual remuneration outcome
Revenue growth over the last a) Revenue growth >8% a) 12 %
year b) 48,103 48,103
Revenue growth over the last a) Revenue growth >28% b) 55 %
two years b) 48,103 48,103
Total bonus 96,206 96,206

Other members of the Executive Management

The variable remuneration for the other members of the Executive Management consists of a short-term cash bonus expressed as a fixed amount:

  • 50% is based on a global business performance measured through the achievement of the target EBIT of the Company in order to link the bonus to the operational result of the Company; and
  • 50% is based on an assessment of individual, department, or site performance measured through achievement of pre-established targets within the criteria determined by the CEO.

Currently no long-term incentives are foreseen for members of the Executive Management.

The results for performance year 2022 are shown in the table below. In 2022 the EBIT was USD 57.3 million. This means that 43% of the short-term cash bonus that is linked to the operational result of the Company will be paid out. One member of the Executive Management waived the variable remuneration for 2022.

in U.S. dollars
Performance criteria a) Minimum threshold
performance
Maximum performance
a)
Measured performance
b) Corresponding
remuneration
b) Corresponding
remuneration
b) Actual remuneration
outcome
Global business
performance
a) 2,500,000 a) 130,000,000 a) 57,335,000
Relative weighting 50% b) 0 b) 121,240 b) 36,732
Individual/team
performance
a) Determined individually a) Determined individually a) Determined individually
Relative weighting 50% b) 0 b) 121,240 b) 91,198
Total bonus 0 242,480 127,931

Share-based remuneration

The remuneration policy of X-FAB does not provide for share-based remuneration for directors or executives.

Evolution of the remuneration and performances of X-FAB

The table below provides an overview of the annual change in total remuneration, developments and performance of X-FAB, and the average remuneration of employees.

Non-financial performance criteria are not linked to remuneration and are therefore not reported. We refer to section 6 of this annual report for an overview of non-financial topics. To ensure comparability, the annual change in remuneration is only reported since the implementation of Directive (EU) 2017/828 as regards the encouragement of long-term shareholder engagement.

Name 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Annual change of remuneration (Executive
management)
• Fixed remuneration -4.1 % 4.2 %
• Variable remuneration +100% -33.4 %
• Total remuneration 21.3 % -2.5 %
Annual change in the developments and
performances (in thousands of U.S. dollars)
• Performance criteria (EBIT) 32,919 -43,865 -14,617 77,192 57,335
• Net profit 22,554 -48,540 13,530 83,640 52,491
Annual change in the average remuneration of
employees on consolidated basis*
2.26 % -6.06 % 0.91 % 8.39 % -1.58 %

*The average employee remuneration was calculated with the numbers as reported in notes 6.6 and 13.3 (wages and salaries) in this annual report (personnel expenses and average number of employees). Social security, pension, and benefit costs are excluded.

In 2022 the ratio between the highest and lowest remuneration was 56.3 to 1. The highest remuneration used for this comparison includes the base salary of a member of the Executive Management. The lowest remuneration includes the base salary as well as other benefits such as insurance, pension contributions.

All figures are presented on an X-FAB Group consolidated basis in the above table. Information is provided from 2017 onwards, after X-FAB went public.

Severance payments

No severance payments were made as no contract with a member of the Executive Management was terminated in 2022.

Use of clawback provisions

No clawbacks were applied in 2022.

Vote of the shareholders

The remuneration report for the financial year ended December 31, 2021, was approved at the annual shareholders' meeting held on April 28, 2022, with a 98.6% majority of the 75.2% validly votes cast. As the remuneration report was approved with a large majority and X-FAB still believes in the principles included therein, X-FAB will retain its remuneration policy.

7.8 Policy on certain transactions

Terms and conditions of transactions with related parties

All related party transactions were made on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm's length transactions.

Conflicts of interest of the Board of Directors

According to Article 7:96 BCCA a member of the Board of Directors is required to inform the other directors about any item on the agenda of the Board that will cause a direct or indirect conflict of interest of a financial nature to him/her. In this event, the respective director may not participate in the deliberation and voting on this agenda item.

Pursuant to Article 7:97 BCCA, companies listed on the stock exchange must follow a special procedure before decisions are taken or operations are executed concerning (i) the relations of the listed company with an affiliated company, except its subsidiaries, and (ii) the relations between a subsidiary of the listed company and an affiliated company of the subsidiary, other than a subsidiary of the subsidiary. Prior to the decision or transaction, a committee composed of three independent directors, if deemed necessary assisted by one or more independent experts, must prepare written advice for the Board of Directors. The auditor delivers an opinion regarding the accuracy of the information contained in the committee advice and in the minutes of the Board of Directors' decision.

The advice of the committee, an excerpt from the minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors, and the opinion of the auditor have to be recorded in the annual report of the Company.

In 2022, there was a conflict of interest according to Article 7:96 BCCA for one topic on the agenda of the Board of Directors meeting of March 24. It concerned the approval of the management contract of the CEO. Please find the full excerpt of the board minutes on this subject below.

Approval of the management agreement of the CEO

Conflict of interest

Prior to discussing the changes to the management agreement with Sensinnovat BV, Rudi De Winter, permanent representative of Sensinnovat BV, director of the Company, declares to have an interest of a patrimonial nature which is conflicting with the decisions that fall within the scope of the powers of the board of directors, in respect of the changes to be made to his management agreement with the Company (the "Management Agreement"). This conflict of interest results from the fact that Sensinnovat BV is a director of the Company and a party to the Management Agreement. The changes to the Management Agreement will have financial consequences for the Company as it will require the Company to pay an increased management fee to Sensinnovat BV as

compensation for the provision of its services under the Management Agreement. Under Article 9 of the Council Regulation (EC) No 2157/2001 of October 8, 2001 on the Statute for a European company (the "SE Regulation") juncto Article 7:96 of the Companies and Associations Code, a conflict of interest prevents the directors in question from taking part in the deliberations and from voting on the decision for which a potential conflict of interest exists.

The board of directors took note of the changes to the Management Agreement. Informed of the existence of a conflict of interest with respect to this agreement, the board of directors decided nevertheless to approve the changes thereto. The Company requires highly qualified specialists with extensive experience and expertise in its field of business. The board of directors is of the opinion that Sensinnovat BV (represented by its permanent representative Rudi De Winter) has clearly evidenced these skills over the past years. The fee has, however, remained unchanged and is therefore no longer in line with market standards. The board of directors has concluded that the changes to the Management Agreement (i.e. the increase of the management fee) are in the interest of the Company, given that, even though it involves the increased payment by the Company to Sensinnovat BV of a management fee, those management fees are proportionate for the services to be provided by this manager to the Company. The board resolved that the changes to the Management Agreement are approved in the form presented to the board of directors.

Other transactions with directors and Executive Management

As determined by section 6 of the X-FAB Corporate Governance Charter, members of the Board of Directors should arrange their personal and business affairs in such a way as to avoid conflicts with X-FAB. Moreover, the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management are not permitted to enter, either directly or indirectly, into agreements with X-FAB or any of its subsidiaries for the provision of paid services or goods, unless explicitly authorized by the Board of Directors. Such agreements must always be at arm's length. Please refer to note 12 on related party transactions.

In 2022, there were no transactions between the Company and its directors or Executive Managers involving a conflict of interest.

Insider trading

In compliance with the 2020 Belgian Code on Corporate Governance and EU regulation on market abuse (EU No. 596/2014) the X-FAB Insider Trading Policy was updated and approved by the Board of Directors in 2020.

X-FAB complies with the Belgian provisions on insider trading and market abuse. In this respect a list is kept up to date of all people with managerial responsibilities as well as all other people who have access to sensitive information which could have an effect on the share price.

The purpose of the X-FAB Insider Trading Policy is to prevent the abuse of inside information. Before trading any company shares, the members of the Board and the Executive Management have to receive the green light from the Compliance Officer and have to report back once the transaction has been completed. Furthermore, the members of the Board and the Executive Management as well as their closely associated persons have to notify all their transactions above a certain threshold in X-FAB shares to the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority, which will publish these notices on its website.

Compliance with the X-FAB Insider Trading Policy will be supported and verified by the Compliance Officer.

7.9 Internal control and risk assessment procedures in relation to financial reporting

The internal control and risk assessment procedures in relation to the process of financial reporting are coordinated by the CFO. Such procedures are in place to ensure that the financial reporting is based on reliable information and that the continuity of the financial reporting in conformity with the IFRS accounting principles is guaranteed.

The process of internal control in relation to the financial reporting is based on the following principles:

  • Data on transactions or use of assets of the Company are registered accurately and saved in an automated global enterprise resource planning (ERP) system by the different X-FAB business units.
  • Accounting transactions are registered in globally standardized operating charts of accounts.
  • The financial information is prepared and reported in first instance by the accounting teams in the different legal entities of X-FAB worldwide.
  • Consequently, the finance managers at the different X-FAB sites will review the prepared and reported local financial information before sending it to the Global Finance Department.
  • In the Global Finance Department, the financial information will receive its final review before it is included in the consolidated financial statements.

X-FAB is validly represented by the sole signature of the CEO for all aspects within and outside the daily management of the Company. Specific powers are granted to members of the Executive Management to represent X-FAB in matters that relate to the functional area for which they are responsible. For actions that fall outside the scope of the daily management, the Company is validly represented by two directors acting together.

In the event of the detection of certain deficiencies, this will be reported to the Executive Management to determine which appropriate measures can be taken.

The risk assessment in connection with the financial reporting is based on the following principles:

  • Risks that the Company is confronted with are detected and monitored by the responsible persons of the different departments of the Company.
  • The automated ERP system provides the responsible persons of the departments with permanent access to the financial information relevant to the business activities of their functional area for monitoring, controlling, and directing purposes.
  • Closing the accounts at the end of every month warrants that the financial consequences of the identified risks are monitored closely to be able to anticipate to possible adverse evolutions.
  • The financial results are also reviewed monthly on a global level.
  • A data protection system based on antivirus software, internal and external backup of data, and the controlling of access rights to information protects the Company's information and guarantees the continuity of the financial reporting. The adequacy and integrity of these IT systems and procedures are reviewed regularly.
  • In accordance with the 2020 Belgian Code on Corporate Governance, X-FAB has set up an internal audit function for its financial department, whose resources and skills are adapted to assess the financial reporting and the risk management of the Company. The Audit Committee receives a periodic summary of the internal audit activities.

7.10 Description of certain information from the Articles of Association and elements pertinent to a takeover bid

Capital structure

The registered capital of X-FAB amounts to EUR 657,456,850.68 and is represented by 130,781,669 equal shares without par value. The shares are in registered or dematerialized form.

Restrictions on the transfer of securities

The Articles of Association contain no restrictions on the transfer of the shares. The Board of Directors is furthermore not aware of any restrictions imposed by law on the transfer of shares by any shareholder, except in the framework of market abuse regulations.

Restrictions on the exercise of voting rights

Each share entitles the holder to one vote. The Articles of Association contain no restrictions on the voting

rights and each shareholder can exercise their voting rights provided they are validly admitted to the general meeting and their rights have not been suspended. Pursuant to Article 11 of the Articles of Association the Company is entitled to suspend the exercise of the rights attaching to securities belonging to several owners until one person is appointed towards the Company as representative of the security.

No one can vote at the general meeting using voting rights attached to securities that have not been reported in due time in accordance with the Articles of Association and with the law.

The Board is not aware of any other restrictions imposed by law on the exercise of voting rights.

Agreements among shareholders

XTRION NV and Sarawak Technology Holdings Sdn. Bhd. have entered into a shareholders' agreement as shareholders of X-FAB (the "Shareholders' Agreement").

The Shareholders' Agreement applies for as long as each of the shareholders holds more than 5% of the shares in X-FAB. The Shareholders' Agreement addresses certain matters relating to the governance of X-FAB as well as the transfer of shares in X-FAB held by the parties to this Shareholders' Agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of the Shareholders' Agreement, XTRION NV and Sarawak Technology Holdings Sdn. Bhd. each have the right to appoint two directors on the Board of Directors. The Shareholders' Agreement furthermore provides for certain restrictions on the ability of XTRION NV and Sarawak Technology Holdings Sdn. Bhd. to transfer their shares in X-FAB.

Amendments to the Articles of Association

Matters involving special legal quorum requirements include, among others, amendments to the Articles of Association, issues of new shares, convertible bonds, or warrants, and decisions regarding mergers and demergers, which require at least 50% of the share capital to be present or represented. If the quorum is not reached, a second meeting may be convened at which no quorum shall apply.

Matters involving special majority requirements include, among others, decisions regarding mergers and demergers, which require a majority of at least 75% of the votes cast.

Authorities of the Board to issue, buy back, or dispose of own shares

The Articles of Association foresee that the Board of Directors may increase the registered capital of the Company in one or several times by a (cumulated) amount of maximum EUR 657,456,850.68. Such authorization may be renewed in accordance with the relevant legal provisions. The Board of Directors may exercise this power for a period of five (5) years as from the date of publication in the Annexes to the Belgian State Gazette of the amendment to these

Articles of Association approved by the Shareholders' Meeting on April 28, 2022.

The Board of Directors is further authorized by Article 13 of the Articles of Association to acquire own shares in the Company, either directly, by a person acting in his/her own name on behalf of the Company, or by a direct subsidiary within the meaning and the limits set out by Article 7:221 BCCA, under the following conditions:

  • This authorization applies for a number of own shares, profit-sharing certificates, or associated certificates that is at most equal to that which, after acquisition, results in a total number of own shares held by the Company equal to the set limit of 20% as stipulated in Article 5 of the SE Regulation juncto Articles 7:215 ff. BCCA.
  • Under this authorization a share should be acquired at a price that will respect the legal requirements, but that will in any case not be more than 10% below the lowest closing price in the last 30 trading days preceding the transaction and not more than 5% above the highest closing price in the last 30 trading days preceding the transaction.
  • This authorization is valid for five years from April 28, 2022.

By resolution of the Shareholders' Meeting held on April 28, 2022, the Board of Directors is authorized to divest itself of part of or all the Company's shares, profit-sharing certificates, or associated certificates.

  • This can be done at any time and at a price it determines, on or outside the stock market or in the framework of its remuneration policy, to personnel within the meaning of article 1:27 BCCA or to prevent any serious and imminent harm to the Company.
  • The authorization covers the divestment of the Company's shares, profit-sharing certificates, or associated certificates by a direct subsidiary within the meaning of Article 7:221 BCCA.
  • The authorization is valid without any time restriction, except when the divestment is to prevent any serious and imminent harm, in which case the authorization is valid for three (3) years from the date of publication of the authorization in the Annexes to the Belgian State Gazette (May 2, 2022).

Authorities of the Board to proceed with a capital increase

As per the Articles of Association, the Board of Directors was expressly empowered to proceed with a capital increase in any and all forms, including but not limited to a capital increase accompanied by the restriction or withdrawal of the preferential subscription rights, even after receipt by the Company of a notification by the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA – "Autoriteit voor Financiële Diensten en Markten"/"Autorité des Services et Marchés Financiers") of a takeover bid for the Company's shares. Where this is the case, however, the capital increase must comply with the additional terms and conditions laid down in Article 5 of the SE Regulation juncto Article 7:202 BCCA. The powers conferred on the Board of Directors remain in effect for a period of three (3) years from the date of the amendment to the Articles of Association approved by Shareholders' Meeting held on April 28, 2022. These powers may be renewed for a further period of three years by resolution of the Shareholders' Meeting, deliberating and deciding in accordance with applicable rules. If the Board of Directors decides upon an increase of authorized capital pursuant to this authorization, this increase will be deducted from the remaining part of the authorized capital.

Other elements

The Company has not issued securities with special control rights.

No agreements have been concluded between the Company and its directors or employees providing for compensation if, as a result of a takeover bid, the directors should resign or are made redundant without valid reason or if the employment of the employees is terminated.

7.11 Auditor

KPMG Bedrijfsrevisoren BV, whose registered office is situated at 1930 Zaventem, Luchthaven, Brussel Nationaal 1K, was appointed as statutory auditor of the Company. Mr. Jos Briers, auditor, was appointed as the permanent representative of the auditor.

The audit fee for the audit of the consolidated financial statements amounted to USD 450,000, excluding value-added taxes. Additional fees were charged in 2022 for other services amounting to USD 27,000, excluding value-added taxes. Non-audit related services mainly relate to certification engagements and tax compliance services.

7.12 Compliance with the 2020 Belgian Code on Corporate Governance

X-FAB complies with the principles of the Code 2020. In view of the "comply-or-explain" principle of the Code the following overview sets out those provisions of the Code that X-FAB does not comply with, along with an explanation of the reasons for non-compliance:

  • Contrary to recommendation 7.9 of the Code 2020, the members of the Executive Management are not required to hold a minimum threshold of shares in the Company. Further, the Company does not grant shares, options, or other rights to acquire shares to its members of the Executive Management. However, it should be noted that the CEO is an important shareholder of the Company. The Board of Directors believes that the stock price of a company does not always correctly reflect the performance of that company since there are many external factors that also have an influence on the price of a financial instrument. The financial numbers that impact the level of the business component of the variable remuneration, i.e. the EBIT target, are a more important element driving the valuation of the Company. As such, the directors believe there is a clear alignment between shareholders on the one hand and management on the other.
  • Contrary to recommendation 7.6 of the Code 2020 for non-executive directors, the directors do not receive shares in the Company as part of their remuneration. The purpose of the recommendation is to better align the interests of non-executive directors with regard to long-term shareholder interest. At X-FAB, that long-term shareholder perspective is sufficiently represented on the Board of Directors since the CEO as well as one director are important (indirect) shareholders of the Company.

8. SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Shareholder structure

NUMBER OF
SHARES
SHARE IN %
XTRION NV 63,333,563 48.4
Sarawak Technology Holdings Sdn. Bhd. 14,948,655 11.4
Public 52,499,451 40.1
TOTAL 130,781,669 100.0

Total number of votes: 130,781,669

Share information

First day of listing: April 6, 2017
Stock exchange: Euronext Paris
Ticker: XFAB
ISIN: BE0974310428
Number of shares outstanding on December 31, 2022: 130,781,669
Market capitalization on December 31, 2022: EUR 865,774,648.78

Financial calendar

April 27, 2023 Publication of Q1 2023 results

Annual shareholders' meeting

June 8, 2023 X-FAB Investor Day 2023

July 27, 2023 Publication of Q2 2023 results

September 5, 2023 Publication of Half-Year Report 2023

October 26, 2023 Publication of Q3 2023 results

Contact information

X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE Investor Relations Transportstraat 1 3980 Tessenderlo Belgium

Phone: +32 1361 3627 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.xfab.com

9. X-FAB SILICON FOUNDRIES SE STATUTORY ACCOUNTS

The separate financial statements of X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE, the Group's parent, have been audited in accordance with Belgian statutory requirements. The auditor's report is unqualified and certifies that the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Belgian GAAP, and that they give a true and fair view of the financial position and results of X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE in accordance with all legal and regulatory requirements.

The separate financial statements, together with the separate management report of the board of directors to the general assembly of shareholders as well as the auditor's report thereon, will be filed with the National Bank of Belgium in accordance with the relevant

statutory filing due dates. In addition, they are available on the Company's website or can also be obtained on request at the registered office of the company at Transportstraat 1, 3980 Tessenderlo.

The separate financial statements are reproduced below in condensed form.

The condensed statutory financial statements of X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE are presented in thousands of EUR as the functional currency of the statutory accounts is the EUR. Participations in affiliated companies are recognized at their acquisition cost.

Condensed non-consolidated statement of profit and loss For the year ended December 31

in thousands of EUR 2022 2021
Operating income
Turnover 13,016 11,775
Operating charges
Cost of services and other expenses (13,106) (11,650)
Wages and salaries, social security costs and pension costs (135) (105)
Depreciation (4) (8)
Operating profit (229) 12
Finance income
Income from financial fixed assets 14,848 56,371
Income from current assets
Other financial income 2,040 1,015
Finance costs
Debt charges (53) (19)
Other financial charges (87)
Net financial result 16,748 57,367
Profit before taxes 16,519 57,379
Income tax (414) (316)
Profit for the period 16,105 57,063

Condensed non-consolidated statement of financial position

in thousands of EUR December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
ASSETS
Fixed assets
Other equipment 5 9
Financial assets
Affiliated companies
Investments in affiliates 927,250 927,250
Loans issued to affiliated companies 239
Total fixed assets 927,255 927,498
Current assets
Amounts receivable within one year
Other receivables 18,100 60,409
Cash and cash equivalents 70,097 16,133
Accruals and deferred income 8 8
Total current assets 88,205 76,550
Total assets 1,015,460 1,004,048
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Capital
Share capital - issued 657,457 657,457
Share premium 92,902 92,902
Reserves
Legal reserves 13,207 12,402
Reserve for treasury shares 562 562
Accumulated profits 250,201 234,900
Total equity 1,014,329 998,223
Current liabilities
Amounts payable within one year
Trade payables 198 589
Other current liabilities 621 5,133
Taxes 312 44
Accrued charges and deferred income 59
Total current liabilities 1,131 5,825
Total equity and liabilities 1,015,460 1,004,048

10. RISK FACTORS

An investment in shares involves risks and uncertainties. Prior to making a decision to invest in shares of X-FAB, the information provided in this annual report and, in particular, the risks and uncertainties described below should be read and considered carefully. The occurrence of any of these risks could adversely affect the Company's business, results of operations, and/or financial condition.

Risks relating to X-FAB's business and the semiconductor industry

Structural trends in the markets for the end-user products produced by X-FAB's customers, or material volatility in demand for these products, may limit X-FAB's ability to maintain or increase sales and profit levels.

A significant portion of X-FAB's revenues is derived from customers who use ICs manufactured by the Group as components for the production of a wide range of products including automotive, industrial, medical, and communications devices. If consumer demand for these products is volatile, or past and expected structural growth trends in these industries do not continue, it may lead to reduced demand for X-FAB's analog/mixed-signal ICs.

A global systemic economic or financial crisis, increased political uncertainty, or increased economic protectionism could negatively affect X-FAB.

X-FAB's business is subject to inherent and indirect risks arising from general and sector-specific economic conditions in the markets in which it operates. In recent years, several major systemic economic and financial crises and events leading to political uncertainty have negatively affected global business conditions, the semiconductor industry, and a variety of consumer and industrial markets. X-FAB's protection against downturns is limited, since a substantial majority of customer contracts do not contain minimum order requirements, and as a result any decline or slow GDP growth, whether caused by political uncertainty, changes in trade regulation, or broader economic conditions, which leads to reduced consumer and industrial spending, may adversely impact X-FAB's customers and result in lower demand for its analog/ mixed-signal ICs.

A significant portion of X-FAB's revenue comes from a relatively limited number of customers, with its largest customer being a related party.

X-FAB's largest customer, Melexis, accounted for 40% of the Group's revenue in 2022, while the Group's top three customers accounted for 47% of revenue and its top five customers accounted for 52% of revenue during the year. None of X-FAB's customers are prohibited by contract from purchasing from other

semiconductor suppliers. In the past, customers have switched to other semiconductor suppliers with little or no notice, or have notified the Group that they would source semiconductors for new end-user products from other semiconductor manufacturers. Changes in X-FAB's relationships with its top customers, the loss of one or more of these customers, or a change in the competitive position of any of these customers could have a material adverse impact on X-FAB. Further, Melexis is a related party, as it is controlled by X-FAB's largest shareholder, XTRION (which is beneficially owned by Roland Duchâtelet, Rudi De Winter, and Françoise Chombar, and the permanent representative of X-FAB's CEO, Rudi De Winter, is married to Françoise Chombar who served as the CEO of Melexis until the end July 2021 and is currently chair of the board of directors of Melexis. Conditions of the commercial relations between X-FAB and Melexis are in line with those that would have been agreed upon between independent parties in comparable circumstances. The arm's length character of these conditions are analyzed, determined, and tested in accordance with the principles and best practices in this respect as detailed in the OECD's 2017 Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations. Notwithstanding due care taken in the Group's transfer pricing analyses, there can be no assurance that the tax authorities or courts will not take a position contrary to the Group's position.

Due to X-FAB's relatively fixed-cost structure, its ability to grow profitability is dependent on its ability to maintain appropriate utilization levels. The profitability of X-FAB's operations is closely tied to

its level of utilization. X-FAB's ability to improve or maintain utilization levels depends, among other things, on the general economic environment, the success of its major customers, and its ability to offer the technologies and processes required for it to stay competitive. Failure to maintain or improve utilization levels could have a material adverse impact on X-FAB.

X-FAB faces difficulties in forecasting demand and may therefore be unable to match its production capacity to demand.

Difficulties in projecting future business levels make it more difficult to reach and to maintain optimal utilization levels and adequately predict capacity needs across X-FAB's operations. Because customers usually place orders on a short-term basis, X-FAB may face difficulties to predict demand accurately. Significant capacity problems or inability or delay in shifting production to another fab could harm X-FAB's relationships with its customers and lead to lost sales. Furthermore, small changes in sales at the OEMs may trigger inventory corrections throughout the supply chain. As it can take about ten months from placing an order at X-FAB to assembling the final product at the

OEM, a small variation in sales combined with a negative or positive market segment growth could cause overreactions in the supply chain that amplify the effects on X-FAB's operations, since X-FAB is at the end of the supply chain.

X-FAB may be unsuccessful in its attempts to increase its production capacity and capabilities.

As part of its strategy to expand capacity, X-FAB intends to expand capabilities and capacity at the Group's existing sites. This depends on the timely availability of equipment as well as the ability to install and qualify such new equipment on a timely basis. Although X-FAB does not have any current targets for future acquisitions, the Group may acquire additional companies or production sites over the medium term. X-FAB may also seek to grow its production capacity through the development of new manufacturing sites. Failure to integrate any acquired company, fab, or technology successfully, or to achieve desired synergies, may inhibit X-FAB's future expansion.

X-FAB may not realize all the anticipated benefits from its acquisition of Altis' core business.

X-FAB acquired the Altis assets in 2016, including a fab located in Corbeil-Essonnes, France. The integration process includes a series of technology introductions, capacity enhancements, adoptions of Group-wide systems, and implementation of cost-efficiency measures. X-FAB may encounter delays or interruptions in this integration process, among others due to delays in customer qualifications in the fab or a need to make additional capital expenditures. There can be no assurance that this integration will be successful, that X-FAB will meet targeted synergies or financial returns at the new facility, or that X-FAB will be able to keep all existing customers to secure satisfactory fab utilization during the business transition.

X-FAB's expectations of an increase in market share by foundries might not occur.

A key component of X-FAB's strategy is its belief that the market for foundries will grow, due to increased outsourcing of specialty technologies by IDMs and increasing prevalence of fabless companies. Although this trend has been prevalent in the digital IC market, it may not develop to the same extent in the market for specialty technologies. If increasing market growth for foundries were to slow or reverse, it could have a material adverse impact on X-FAB.

X-FAB may face increasing competition.

Although X-FAB operates in a narrow market segment within the broader semiconductor manufacturing industry, the Group faces competition from other semiconductor producers, some of which have greater manufacturing, financial, research and development, and marketing resources than X-FAB does. In the long term, these competitors may win a higher portion of new customers than X-FAB, or win existing customers from X-FAB. If X-FAB cannot provide the same level of design and engineering support, capacity, or

advanced capabilities as competitors, it may have a material adverse effect on X-FAB.

X-FAB may face competitive pricing pressures.

Competitors may have an impact on X-FAB's selling prices and demand for its services. Although X-FAB has not experienced significant pricing pressure in the past, there can be no assurance this will be the case in the future. Significant declines in average selling prices (ASPs) could have a material adverse effect on X-FAB.

X-FAB may face price increases from its suppliers.

X-FAB manufactures analog/mixed-signal ICs, utilizing proprietary process technologies and third-party silicon wafers and other raw materials. Changes in the availability or prices of such wafers, raw materials, electricity, spare parts, etc. can have an effect on the operating margin if the additional costs cannot be included in the prices for X-FAB's own customers.

In 2022, raw wafer costs accounted for 13% of total cost of sales. For most raw wafer types, X-FAB uses more than one supplier to secure availability of required volumes but also to remain flexible. However, having several suppliers per wafer type also means a greater effort to acquire the necessary qualifications for these suppliers.

X-FAB may be subject to penalties if it fails to meet the terms of long-term contracts with customers and suppliers.

X-FAB has concluded long-term agreements with a number of customers and suppliers. Long-term contracts with customers include take-or-pay arrangements which specify agreed wafer quantities and prices for a customer's business with X-FAB over a period of three years. Such arrangements provide X-FAB with a better overview of its future business levels. However, should X-FAB be unable to deliver the agreed quantities of wafers on time, it will be subject to penalty payments. In a similar manner, long-term procurement contracts with suppliers include take-orpay arrangements and X-FAB may be subject to penalties if it does not purchase the agreed quantities from suppliers under such contracts.

X-FAB's operations could be disrupted by an unreliable or insufficient power supply.

Reliable power supply is essential to maintain a wafer fabrication facility. Unscheduled interruptions can cause significant damage to work in progress (WIP) and equipment. In addition, in times of increased geopolitical tensions and global competition for scarce resources, the energy supply in some regions may become inadequate.

X-FAB is subject to risks associated with currency fluctuations.

X-FAB records its financial results in U.S. dollars but receives revenues and incurs costs in a variety of currencies, including euros and Malaysian ringgit. Changes in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar to the euro or Malaysian ringgit could result in translational losses in a given year, as compared to prior operating periods, or in a mismatch between local currency expenses and U.S. dollar revenues. X-FAB strives for a natural hedging of the business, which would make X-FAB's profitability development largely independent from exchange rate fluctuations; however, this may not be effective in preventing exchange rate losses. Price, credit, liquidity, and cash flow risks and risks associated with the use of financial instruments are described in note 10 to the X-FAB consolidated financial statements in chapter 5.

X-FAB is subject to risks associated with any form of cyber criminality.

X-FAB's operations may be disrupted due to the unauthorized use or theft of critical data as well as sabotage, viruses, or any other malicious activity targeted at the Company's IT infrastructure. This could have an impact on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and/or IT systems of the Company. X-FAB has taken measures to make the Company's IT infrastructure robust and secure and has implemented state-of-the-art security and control frameworks and technology. Any significant interruption or failure of X-FAB's IT systems or any significant breach of security could have an adverse effect on the Company's business, operational results, financial condition, and cash flows.

X-FAB is also subject to the following risks:

  • X-FAB depends on successful technological advances.
  • X-FAB depends on successful materials, machinery, and component procurement for its manufacturing processes.
  • X-FAB's business may temporarily be negatively impacted due to disruptions in the supply chain or market demand caused by a pandemic or epidemic.
  • X-FAB may be unable to recruit or retain the personnel required for its growth strategy.
  • X-FAB may be affected by reductions in government subsidies and grants and could fail to comply with the conditions and obligations under such subsidy programs.
  • Industry studies, forecasts, and growth rates relating to the semiconductor market as a whole may not be indicative of X-FAB's operations within the analog/ mixed-signal semiconductor market.
  • X-FAB's ability to compete successfully and achieve future growth will depend, in part, on its ability to protect its proprietary technology.
  • X-FAB may be subject to claims for alleged infringement of third parties' intellectual property rights.
  • X-FAB depends on intellectual property rights of third parties, and failure to maintain or acquire licenses could harm the Group's business.

  • X-FAB could be adversely affected by manufacturing interruptions.

  • X-FAB's business could be adversely affected by changes in export control regulations, trade restrictions, and economic sanctions.
  • If X-FAB experiences difficulty in achieving acceptable device yields or process performance as a result of manufacturing problems, it could result in delayed deliveries.
  • X-FAB's insurance coverage may not be adequate to compensate for any interruptions or loss of business.
  • X-FAB's operations may be impacted by disruptions both at its own or its suppliers' operations caused by severe weather conditions whose occurrence is increasing due to climate change.
  • X-FAB could incur material costs to comply with regulation, including environmental and health and safety laws, especially as a result of climate change. Changes in such regulations could require significant changes in the production process or could even require purchasing additional equipment.
  • X-FAB may be subject to litigation, disputes, or other legal proceedings.
  • X-FAB carries a significant amount of deferred tax assets on its balance sheet.
  • Low or negligible employee motivation as well as the occurrence of accidents due to human failure may negatively impact X-FAB's business.
  • Cultural differences may lead to misalignment among X-FAB sites, negatively impacting X-FAB's business.
  • X-FAB may be subject to penalty payments if labor rights or environmental provisions are being violated.
  • X-FAB's public image may be adversely affected based on the impact of its business on the environment.

Risks related to the shares

  • The interests of X-FAB's principal shareholder may not necessarily be aligned with X-FAB's interests or the interests of the holders of the shares.
  • Future sales of substantial amounts of X-FAB's ordinary shares, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market value of the shares.
  • X-FAB may not be able to pay dividends.

  • Investors with a reference currency other than euros will become subject to foreign exchange rate risk when investing in shares.

  • Any sale, purchase, or exchange of shares may become subject to financial transaction tax.
  • Certain provisions of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code and the Articles of Association may affect potential takeover attempts and may affect the market price of the shares.

Forward-looking information

This annual report may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements regarding or based upon management's current intentions, beliefs, or expectations relating to, among other things, X-FAB's future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies, or developments in the industry in which it operates. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied thereby. These risks, uncertainties, and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein.

Forward-looking statements contained in this annual report regarding trends or current activities should not be taken as a report that such trends or activities will continue in the future. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless legally required. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this annual report.

The information contained in this annual report is subject to change without notice. No re-report or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, reasonableness, or completeness of the information contained herein, and no reliance should be placed on it.

11. GLOSSARY

AEC Automotive Electronics Council
AI Artificial intelligence
AIM Automotive, industrial, medical
Analog M/S Analog mixed-signal
B2B Business to business
BCCA Belgian Code on Companies and Associations
BCD Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS
Belgian Companies Code The Belgian Act of May 7, 1999 containing the Companies Code as
amended from time to time
Belgian GAAP Belgian generally accepted accounting principles, which refers to
the financial reporting framework applicable in Belgium
BMS Battery management system
CAGR Compound annual growth rate
CCC Consumer, communications, computer
CDA Clean dry air
CMOS Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor
Company X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid
DTI Deep trench isolation
EBIT Earnings before net finance cost and income taxes, which is
equivalent to operating profit, as presented in the historical
financial information
EBITDA Earnings before net finance cost, income taxes, depreciation, and
amortization.
ECL Expected credit loss
EDA Electronic design automation
EHS Environmental, Health and Safety
ERP Enterprise resource planning
ESEF European Single Electronic Format
ESG Environmental, social, governance
EU The European Union
EUR, euros, or € The common currency of the EU member states that are part of
the Eurozone
Fab Wafer fabrication facility
FSMA The Belgian Financial Services and Market Authority
FTE Full-time equivalent
FVOCI Fair value through other comprehensive income
FVTPL Fair value through profit or loss
GDP Gross domestic product
GHG Greenhouse gases
GRI Global Reporting Initiative
GVG X-FAB Dresden Grundstücks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH & Co.
KG
GWh Gigawatt hours
IAASB International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board
IATF International Automotive Task Force
IC Integrated circuit
ICC International Chamber of Commerce
IDM Integrated device manufacturer
IFRS International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the
European Union
IoT Internet of things
IP Intellectual property
ISAs International Standards on Auditing
KW Kilowatt
LTA Long-term agreement
MCU Microcontroller unit
MEMS Micro-electro-mechanical systems
MES Manufacturing execution system
METIS Microelectronics training, industry and skills
MFI X-FAB MEMS Foundry Itzehoe GmbH
M-MOS M-MOS Semiconductor Sdn. Bhd.
MW Megawatt
NRE Non-recurring engineering
NVM Non-volatile memory
OCI Other comprehensive income
OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
OEM Original equipment manufacturer
PCM Process control monitoring
PDK Process design kit
PDP Photon detection probability
PMP Performance management process
REACH Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of
Chemicals
RF Radio frequency
PFC Perfluorinated carbons
RMA Responsible Mining Alliance
RoHS Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances
RPA Robotic process automation
SCAR Supplier corrective action request
SE Regulation Council Regulation (EC) No 2157/2001 of October 8, 2001 on the
Statute for a European company (SE)
SiC Silicon carbide
SiP System in package
SOI Silicon-on-insulator
SPAD Single photon avalanche photodiode
STEM Science, technology, engineering and mathematics
TSV Through-silicon via
VDA German Association of the Automotive Industry
WSPM Wafer starts per month
X-FAB SE, or the Company X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE
X-FAB SE Group, or the Group X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE together with its subsidiaries
X-FAB GmbH X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries GmbH
X-FAB Dresden X-FAB Dresden GmbH & Co. KG and X-FAB Dresden
Verwaltungs-GmbH
X-FAB France X-FAB France SAS
X-FAB Texas X-FAB Texas Inc.
X-FAB Sarawak X-FAB Sarawak Sdn. Bhd.
X-FAB Japan X-FAB Japan K.K.
XMF X-FAB MEMS Foundry GmbH
ZVEI Electrical Industry Association, Germany