Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Accounting principles

Presentation principles

These consolidated financial statements present a true and fair view of the financial performance and positions of the CPH Group. They have been prepared in accordance with all the current guidelines set out in the Swiss GAAP FER Accounting and Reporting Recommendations. They also comply with the provisions of the Listing Rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange and the Swiss law on accounting and financial reporting. The accounting principles of the CPH Group were unchanged in 2022.

The consolidated financial statements are based on the annual financial statements of the Group companies, which are prepared using common accounting principles. The consolidated financial statements are based on the historical cost principle, and have been prepared on a going concern basis.

The consolidated financial statements have been revised for 2022 to enhance their readability. The structures of the income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement and statement of changes in equity have been streamlined in accordance with Swiss GAAP FER, and the notes thereto have been modified accordingly. This permits a clearer and more concise presentation of the Group’s financial performance. No major adjustments have been made to the disclosure of the individual key financial figures for the prior year.

Consolidation principles

The consolidated financial statements consist of the annual financial statements of all the companies of the CPH Group in and outside Switzerland for which CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG directly or indirectly controls the financial and business activity. This is generally the case with an equity holding of more than 50%. In accordance with the full consolidation method, these companies’ assets and liabilities and income and expenditures are incorporated in full. Intermediate profits from intragroup deliveries and services are eliminated.

The shares of minority shareholders in the shareholders’ equity and the net results of consolidated companies are shown separately as minority interests on both the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated income statement.

Shareholdings in associated companies are presented using the equity method. These are companies which the CPH Group does not control but on which the Group still exercises significant influence. This is generally the case when voting rights of between 20% and 50% are held.

Business combinations

Group companies acquired in the course of the year are consolidated as of the date of CPH’s assumption of control. When a company is acquired, its net assets are determined at their current value and integrated using the purchase method. The resulting goodwill is offset against shareholders’ equity.

In the case of step acquisitions of minorities, the goodwill is determined separately for each acquisition step. If the purchase price of an acquisition includes elements that are linked to future earnings, the value of these elements is estimated as accurately as possible at the time of acquisition for goodwill calculation purposes. Should there be deviations from these estimates when the final purchase price is determined, the goodwill offset against Group equity is adjusted accordingly.

Group companies disposed of in the course of the year are deconsolidated as of the date of CPH’s cession of control. The cumulative goodwill relating to the business concerned is derecognized in shareholders’ equity and disclosed in the income statement as part of the profit or loss on the disposal.

Foreign currency translation

The consolidated financial statements are presented in Swiss francs (CHF). The financial statements of consolidated companies which are in other currencies are translated into Swiss francs as follows:

  • assets and liabilities: at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date
  • shareholders’ equity: at historical rates
  • income statements and cash flow statements: at the average rate for the year
  • movements in fixed assets and provisions: at the average rate for the year.

Any differences arising from foreign currency translation are taken to shareholders’ equity not affecting net income. Any translation differences arising from long-term intragroup financing of an equity nature are credited or debited to shareholders’ equity. The currency translation differences shown in shareholders’ equity derive from the development of shareholders’ equity.

In the event of the disposal of a part of the business, the corresponding cumulative foreign currency translation differences deriving from the translation of the financial statements and from any intragroup loans with equity character are derecognized and disclosed in the income statement as part of the profit or loss on the sale.

In the individual financial statements subject to consolidation, transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the local currency at the exchange rate valid as at the time of the transaction. Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate valid on the balance sheet date.

Assumptions and estimates

These consolidated financial statements are based on assumptions and estimates which have an influence on the presented financial performance and positions. These assumptions and estimates have been made to the best of CPH’s knowledge and on the basis of the information available at the time of compiling the statements. Actual results may deviate accordingly from the values presented. The greatest influence on the consolidated financial statements derives from estimates in the following areas:

  • Impairments: All assets are subject to an assessment on the balance sheet date of whether any indications exist that the carrying value of the asset concerned exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of the asset’s net selling price and its value in use. If an impairment is required, the asset’s carrying value is reduced to its recoverable amount, with the impairment amount charged to the result for the period concerned.
  • Income taxes: The calculations of current tax liabilities are subject to the interpretation of the tax laws in the countries concerned, whose applicability is largely retroactively assessed for multiple financial years in the light of definitive assessments and of company audits by the tax authorities.
  • Provisions: Provisions are made for liabilities whose amount is uncertain. In view of this, such provisions may have to be adjusted in the light of future events, with a corresponding impact on the income statement.

Subtotals

These consolidated financial statements include subtotals (or alternative performance indicators) which are not prescribed or defined by Swiss GAAP FER. Such subtotals are used by management to steer and control the Group’s business divisions and to enhance the informative value of these consolidated financial statements. Such subtotals include:

  • Total income: Total income, which is shown in the consolidated income statement, is the total of net sales, other operating income and change in inventories.
  • EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization): EBITDA, which is shown in the consolidated income statement, is the total of earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) plus depreciation and amortization on fixed assets and any impairments thereto.
  • Cash flow before change in non-financial net working capital: This amount, which is shown in the consolidated cash flow statement, is the total of the cash flows from operating activities plus changes in non-financial net working capital.
  • Free cash flow: This amount, which is shown in the consolidated cash flow statement, is the total of the cash flows from operating and from investing activities.