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Elementis plc

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FY2011 Annual Report · Elementis plc
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A global specialty 
chemicals company

Elementis plc
Annual report and accounts

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1 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
eleMentis plc

Our speciAlist businesses

Based in London,  the role of the Group 
holding company is to:

–  Set corporate objectives and the 
strategic direction of the Group.
–  Provide leadership and direction to 

management and monitor corporate 
and business performance.
–  Set high standards in business  

conduct and ethics,  and in business,  
employee and community relations.
–  Set policy and provide oversight for 

governance,  financial control and risk 
management,  and health,  safety and 
environmental performance.

–  Provide funding for the Group to invest 

in growth.  

Key investment drivers
–  Specialty Products contributed 59 per 
cent of Group revenue and 65 per cent 
of operating profit before exceptional 
items in 2011,  with operating margins  
of 20 per cent.

–  Specialty Products has a significant 
exposure to emerging markets in  
Asia as well as a growing exposure  
to Latin America.

–  Specialty Products has a strong 
reputation for customer service,  
technical support and innovation,   
with a robust new product pipeline.
–  Specialty Products has a diversified 

portfolio of proprietary technology;   
its products have many end users and  
a wide range of applications and are 
essential to its customers’ performance.
–  Chromium business operates a robust 
business model,  with high capacity 
utilisation,  stable earnings and  
cash flow,  and high operating margins.
–  The Group has a strong balance sheet 
and is in a net cash position at the end 
of 2011;  dividend is growing and the 
management team is experienced  
and well regarded by investors.  

employees

850+

Global locations

 24

eleMentis speciAlty prOducts
What we do
The Specialty Products division provides high value functional additives to the 
architectural and industrial coatings,  personal care and oilfield drilling markets 
that improve the flow characteristics and performance of our customers’  
products or production processes.  The business has a significant expertise in the 
science of rheology,  which in its simplest form means our technology imparts 
thickness and viscosity control.  For example,  paint without rheological additives 
would have the consistency of water,  but paint with our additives is smooth,  
homogeneous and has a controlled,  even spread on a surface.  The same 
requirements for rheological additives exist in personal care products,  such  
as creams and lotions,  and in oil and gas drilling applications,  providing the 
stable viscosity required to extract material during the drilling process.

In addition to rheology additives,  the business provides a comprehensive 
portfolio of specialty additives to its customers,  including defoamers,  
colourants,  dispersants and tinting systems,  waxes and surface active additives.

Key strengths
The Specialty Products business provides an excellent growth platform with its 
balanced geographical exposure across mature and emerging economies,  strong 
technology base and strategic market diversification.  The business has a significant 
technical service and application support presence in all its markets,  which has 
been built on long term relationships of trust,  collaboration and technical expertise.  
The business’s differentiated technology and new product innovation is supported 
by  “best in class”  process technology and tightly held manufacturing know how.

We own and operate the only rheology grade hectorite mine in the world,  which 
owing to its unique properties makes hectorite a premium raw material used in many 
of our products.

Key products
Rheological additives/modifiers 
High performance dispersing agents 
Flow and levelling additives
Other specialty additives and resins
Organoclays 
Colourants and pigments 
Defoamers and coalescing agents
Wetting and slip agents
Lanolin and other natural oil derivatives

Key sectors
Architectural coatings:  homes,  offices and similar environments
Industrial coatings:  protective applications in automotive,  containers,  furniture,  
flooring,  marine,  plastics and construction
Oilfield:  drilling and fracturing fluids utilised in oil and gas exploration activities
Construction:  concrete,  plasters,  mortars,  renderings,  stuccos,  flooring systems  
and building adhesives
Personal care:  antiperspirants,  nail enamels,  mascara,  make-up,  eye shadow,   
lipsticks,  creams,  lotions and suncare products 

supply chain
Top ten customers represent 26 per cent of divisional sales 
Competitors range from multinationals to privately owned enterprises 
Key raw material suppliers are for clays,  quaternary amines and other  
chemical intermediates 

Key facts
The Group’s largest and most profitable division 
Employs over 850 people 
Operates from 24 locations worldwide 
Ten manufacturing locations in the United States,  Europe and Asia Pacific

percentage of Group revenue

percentage of Group operating profit  
before exceptional items

59%

65%

(All percentage figures quoted are based  
on 2011 revenue.)

Our speciAlist businesses

employees

 250+

Facilities in the 
united states

 5

eleMentis cHrOMiuM
What we do
The Chromium business provides chemicals to its 
customers that make their products more durable 
in applications,  such as aerospace alloys,  timber 
treatment and leather production.

Key strengths
The business benefits from a flexible and cost 
competitive operating footprint capable of delivering 
stable earnings and cash flow over a broad range of 
economic conditions.  The business focuses on key 
regional sectors and value added product offerings 
and retains a strong geographical presence in North 
America,  where it has a unique product delivery 
system,  with export sales to South America,  Europe 
and Asia Pacific.

Key products 
Chromic acid
Chromic oxide
Sodium dichromate
Liquid chrome sulphate

Key sectors 
Leather tanning
Metal finishing
Timber treatment
Chrome metal alloys
Ceramics/refractory

supply chain 
Top ten customers represent 52 per cent of  
divisional sales 
Competitors:  one quoted multinational company  
and a number of privately owned producers 
Key raw material suppliers are for chrome ore,   
soda ash and sulphuric acid

Key facts
Employs over 250 people 
Operates from five locations in the United States 

employees

 150+

shares 
manufacturing  
plant in delden,  
netherlands with 
elementis specialty 
products

eleMentis surFActAnts
What we do
The Surfactants business manufactures a wide 
range of surface active ingredients and products 
that are used as intermediates in the production  
of chemical components.  Our products have  
many applications and are used in a large  
number of industries and sectors,  such as in  
oilfield services,  household,  textiles and leather  
and other niche markets.

Key strengths
The strengths of the business are in its flexibility and 
ability to produce a wide range of complex products,  
often in relatively small quantities,  customised to  
meet our customers’  requirements.

Key products 
Range of surface active ingredients

Key sectors 
Oilfield production chemicals
Construction chemicals
Agro-chemical and animal feed markets
Pharmaceutical ingredients
Textiles and leather
Plastics and resins
Household
Resin and polymer emulsification 

supply chain
Top ten customers represent 68 per cent of  
divisional sales
Many competitors from multinationals to privately 
owned enterprises 
Uses ethylene and propylene oxides,  nonylphenol 
ethoxylate and fatty alcohols to manufacture  
its products

Key facts
Employs over 150 people
Shares manufacturing plant in Delden,  Netherlands 
with Elementis Specialty Products

percentage of Group revenue

percentage of Group operating profit  
before exceptional items

percentage of Group revenue

percentage of Group operating profit  
before exceptional items

29%

41%

12%

4%

At A GlAnce

WHO We Are
Elementis plc (the “Company”) 
is a global specialty chemicals 
company with operations 
worldwide that serve customers 
in North and South America,  
Europe and Asia Pacific in a 
wide range of markets and 
sectors.  The Company has a 
premium listing in the UK on 
the London Stock Exchange 
and is a member of the FTSE 250 
index,  making it one of the 350 
largest companies in the UK by 
market capitalisation,  and is also 
a member of the FTSE4Good 
index – a leading global 
responsible investment index.

WHAt We dO
The Company comprises three 
businesses:  Specialty Products,  
Chromium and Surfactants.  
Both Specialty Products and 
Chromium hold leading market 
positions in their chosen sectors.  
Elementis employs over 1,300 
people at more than 30 locations 
worldwide.

Chromium 
The Chromium business is a leading 
producer of chromium chemicals  
that make its customers’  products 
more durable.

WHere We dO it

Key

 Executive Management Headquarters
 Corporate Head Office
 Specialty Products
 Chromium
 Surfactants

A global specialty 
chemicals company

Specialty Products 
The Specialty Products business 
provides high value functional 
additives to the architectural and 
industrial coatings,  personal care 
and oilfield drilling markets that 
improve the flow characteristics 
and performance of our customers’  
products or production processes.

Surfactants 
The Surfactants business 
manufactures a wide range of surface 
active ingredients and products 
that are used as intermediates in the 
production of chemical components.

01

cOntents

HiGHliGHts

company overview
Ifc  At a glance
Ifc 
01  Highlights and financial summary

 Our specialist businesses

business review
 Chairman’s statement
02 
 Group Chief Executive’s overview
03 
Statement of Group strategy
05 
 Business commentaries
07 
 Finance report
11 
15 
 Key performance indicators
16  Principal risks and uncertainties
19 

 Corporate social responsibility report

 Board of Directors and senior executives
 Directors’  report
 Directors’  responsibility statement
 Corporate governance report

corporate governance
26 
28 
31 
32 
37  Report of the Audit Committee
39  Report of the Nomination Committee
40  Report of the Remuneration Committee
49 

 Independent auditor’s report

Financial statements
50 
50 

 Consolidated income statement
 Consolidated statement of  
comprehensive income
 Consolidated balance sheet
 Consolidated statement of changes  
in equity
 Consolidated cash flow statement
 Notes to the consolidated financial 
statements
 Parent company statutory accounts
 Notes to the financial statements  
of Elementis plc
 Five year record

51 
52 

53 
54 

87 
88 

91 

shareholder information
92 
 Shareholder services
93  Corporate information
Financial calendar
93 
93  Annual General Meeting
93  Principal offices

Significant improvement in Group sales and operating profit
–   Sales up nine per cent;  Operating profit* up 34 per cent

Operating margin* improved to 18.0 per cent (2010:  14.7 per cent)

Another record performance in Specialty Products 
–   Sales up ten per cent;  Operating profit* up 25 per cent
–   Investing in capacity to support further growth

Robust performance in Chromium
–   Strong earnings and cash flow 

Excellent cash generation 
–   Net cash position at end of 2011 

Full year dividend increased by 42 per cent

FinAnciAl suMMAry

Sales 

Operating profit* 

Profit before tax* 

Diluted earnings per share* 

Net cash/(debt) 

Profit for the year 

Basic earnings per share 

Dividend to shareholders:

– final proposed 

– full year 

* Before exceptional items.

Change
+9%

+34%

+40%

+37%

2011 
$760.5m 

$137.1m 

$134.5m 

20.8c 

2010 
$697.4m 

$102.3m 

$96.0m 

15.2c 

$26.2m 

$(79.3)m 

$124.1m 

27.8c 

$74.1m 

16.7c 

4.66c 

7.00c 

2.60c 

4.94c 

+79%

+42%

cAutiOnAry stAteMent:
The Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2011,  as contained in  
this document (“Annual Report”), contain information which viewers or readers might consider to be 
forward looking statements relating to or in respect of the financial condition,  results,  operations or 
businesses of Elementis plc.  Any such statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate  
to future events and circumstances.  There are many factors that could cause actual results or 
developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward looking 
statements.  Nothing in this Annual Report should be construed as a profit forecast.  

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
  
 
 
 
02

cHAirMAn’s stAteMent 

Robert Beeston
Chairman

In 2011,  the global economic environment continued to be 
challenging for businesses in general,  with low growth in North 
America and disruption in Europe caused by the financial strains in 
the Euro currency area.  In such an environment,  the quality and 
resilience of a company is very much put to the test and only those 
companies with a valuable product offering to their customers,  a clear 
strategy and the inherent skills to drive performance are likely to be 
able to make progress.  I am therefore pleased to report that Elementis 
has continued to meet that test in 2011,  by delivering improvements in 
sales,  operating profit and margins,  leading to strong cash flow 
generation and growth in earnings per share.  At the core of our success 
is our global presence,  the superior product and technical service 
provided to our customers by Specialty Products,  combined with a 
more resilient business model in Chromium.  Actions taken over the 
past three years to improve the quality of our businesses are clearly 
evident in our results,  with our operating margins continuing to 
improve and now reaching levels well above those experienced before 
the economic downturn in 2009.  Cash flow has also been impressive 
over that period,  such that the Group now enjoys a strong balance 
sheet with a net cash position.  

Group revenues in 2011 were $760.5 million compared to  
$697.4 million in 2010,  which is a growth rate of nine per cent,  or  
seven per cent on a constant currency basis.  Operating profit,   
before exceptional items,  increased by 34 per cent to $137.1 million,  
or 30 per cent on a constant currency basis.  Both Specialty Products 
and Chromium reported improved operating margins in the year.  
Diluted earnings per share,  before exceptional items,  improved  
by 37 per cent to 20.8 cents in 2011,  compared to 15.2 cents in the 
previous year.  

As previously reported,  the Group recovered €23.4 million 
(approximately $34.5 million) from the European Commission  
during the year and this,  together with a provision of $7.0 million 
relating to our pension plans in the Netherlands,  have been  
recorded as exceptional items in the year because of their size  
and non-recurring nature.  After taking account of these items,   
basic earnings per share for 2011 was 27.8 cents compared to  
16.7 cents in 2010,  which included a one-time tax credit.

BALANCE ShEET
As a result of another year of strong cash flow performance,  enhanced 
by the recovery of the funds from the European Commission,  the 
Group is in the very favourable position of having a net cash position 
at the end of 2011.  The IAS 19 deficit under the Group’s pension 
schemes increased by $27.4 million to $94.8 million in the year,  due  
to a fall in bond yields, and current pension regulations require that 
these plans are funded to a higher level for the time being.  Overall,  
however,  the Group is in a very strong financial position and well 
placed to continue to invest in its future growth. Given the Group’s 
robust balance sheet position and the strongly cash generative nature 
of our business,  the Board will monitor and review the capital 
structure to ensure it remains appropriate for the Group’s needs  
and delivers optimal returns for investors.

DIvIDEND
The Board is recommending a final dividend of 4.66 cents per share 
which will be paid on 1 June 2012 in pounds sterling at an exchange 
rate of £1 = $1.5723 (equivalent to a sterling amount of 2.9638 pence 
per share),  to shareholders on the register on 4 May 2012.  This  
brings the total dividend to shareholders for the year to 7.00 cents 
(2010:  4.94 cents) representing an increase of 42 per cent over the 
previous year.  Going forward the Board intends to progress the 
dividend as the Group’s dollar earnings and cash flow permit.

hEALTh,  SAFETy AND ENvIRONmENT
Our activities in this important area of our business have continued  
to be of a high standard and I am able to report that there were no 
significant incidents in the year.  To ensure that our performance 
remains exemplary,  we also closely monitor minor incidents and  
use the key learnings from each of these to constantly upgrade our 
processes.  In 2011,  there was some increase in minor incidents and  
we have taken immediate steps to ensure that any underlying causes 
are quickly corrected.

CORPORATE GOvERNANCE
The UK corporate governance code asks company chairmen to report 
on how the Board has applied various provisions concerning the role 
and effectiveness of the Board.  I have set out the Board’s position in 
these matters in the Corporate governance report.

PEOPLE
The excellent results reported by the Group this year are only possible 
through the efforts,  dedication and skill of our people around the 
world.  On behalf of the Board I would like to thank them for their 
tremendous contribution to our ongoing success.

OUTLOOK
The Board is confident that the Group has a clearly defined strategy 
and solid business model and balance sheet that can continue to 
generate value for our shareholders.  Trading in 2012 has started on  
a solid footing and,  although economic uncertainties in Europe are  
still in evidence,  we are confident that we can make further progress 
in the coming year.

Robert Beeston
Chairman
28 February 2012

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
GrOup cHieF executive’s OvervieW 

03

David Dutro
Group Chief Executive

Dear Shareholders,

In 2011 Elementis achieved the highest earnings in its history.   
These historic results,  in a year of significant economic headwinds 
and global uncertainty,  demonstrate the strength of our growth 
strategy and the powerful momentum that exists within Elementis,  
throughout each business and encompassing every region.  

This achievement is a direct result of the hard work and full 
engagement of our employees in order to deliver profitable growth 
through innovative technologies that are valued by our customers.   
All three Elementis businesses made material contributions during  
the year,  including the following highlights:  
•   Significant improvements in each of our key performance 
indicators (revenue,  profit,  margins,  EPS,  cash flow).
•   Elementis Specialty Products:
  –   delivered another record year of financial performance; 
  –   expanded capacity in North America and Europe to  

support our growth in coatings,  personal care and oil  
drilling markets,  as well as in our hectorite production.

•   Elementis Chromium:
  –   business model delivering strong earnings and cash flow  

with reduced volatility;

  –   Castle Hayne,  US facility converted to natural gas in  

April 2011,  which reduced energy costs by $5 million in  
that year. 

•   Elementis Surfactants:
  –   continued to improve the quality of its product portfolio.
•    Maintaining a strong focus on achieving excellent health  
and safety performance.
•   Full year dividend increased by 42 per cent. 

It is gratifying to report that in addition to record earnings we 
continued to generate strong operating cash flow.  During the  
course of the year we substantially improved our balance sheet,  
ending the year in a net cash position,  while we increased our 
dividend and drove profit margins higher than they were before  
the global economic downturn in 2009.  We are serious about 
delivering profitable growth and vigilant about managing costs,  
which has enabled the Group to consistently operate profitably  
and to generate positive operating cash flow,  across all stages of the 
economic cycle.  We focus on generating high returns on invested 
capital and challenge everyone in the organisation to seek ways to 
increase operating profits while controlling working capital.  As a 
consequence,  over the last three years the Group has delivered total 
shareholder return of 62.1 per cent per annum,  while over the same 
three years the FTSE 250 index has delivered a return of 20.1 per cent 
per annum.  Importantly,  we were able to accomplish all of this while 
maintaining high standards of health,  safety and environmental 
performance.  

It was a busy and productive year for Specialty Products,  our largest 
and most profitable business,  recording its highest ever sales and 
operating profit.  At the core of Specialty Products’s ability to  
deliver these results is an unrelenting commitment to provide 
technically superior products and application support that helps  
our customers to be more successful.  Elementis believes in and 
executes a collaborative approach to innovation with our customers.  
Under this approach,  we work very closely with our customers to 
develop products and technologies that add value for them today,   
as well as invest in customer linked projects to enable the 
development of new products for tomorrow.  While these market 
driven projects allow our customers to be more successful,  they  
also position Elementis as our customers’  trusted and indispensable 
partner.  Striking the right balance between our short term and long 
term objectives is absolutely essential,  because to be a successful 
differentiated specialty chemical company,  we must drive results 
today while strengthening our company for the future.  Elementis 
Specialty Products has a successful track record of executing this 
strategy and will continue to do so going forward.  To further support 
that strategy,  during the first half of 2012,  our North America based 
technology group will be moving into a newly built lab and pilot plant 
facility,  which has been equipped with specialised kit that simulates 
our customers’  testing equipment and processes.  Going forward,  
Specialty Products is strategically well placed to continue to benefit 
from:  the powerful global trends of robust growth in shale gas and 
high pressure/high temperature drilling;  the opportunities provided 
by our established position in emerging and high growth regions;  
and our portfolio of highly valued and innovative products in high 
performance coatings and all natural personal care formulations.  

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC04

GrOup cHieF executive’s OvervieW continued

We are committed to continually expanding our portfolio of specialty 
chemicals.  In parallel with Specialty Products’s robust operating 
performance and organic growth,  Elementis continues to look for 
appropriate bolt on acquisitions.  We are interested in companies  
with value added technologies that participate in our chosen market 
segments,  with particular focus on higher growth regions.  

The main focus of the Chromium business in 2011 was to optimise  
its business model and deliver strong earnings and cash flow with 
significantly reduced volatility from cyclical markets.  To that end,   
we dramatically reduced energy costs,  delivered higher earnings  
and maintained good margins throughout the year.  Overall,   
the Chromium business proved to be agile and robust in 2011.   
It demonstrated an ability to run at near capacity levels and to  
improve profitability during the first part of the year and then  
respond well to a modest slowdown in the final quarter by  
shifting production to higher demand products and regions.  

2011 was a banner year for Elementis,  but it represents only a  
stepping stone towards greater achievement.  Our future has never 
been brighter,  due in large part to the hard work,  ingenuity and 
unbounded energy of the global Elementis team.  Every day,  all 
year long,  our people deliver the quality and service that builds 
customer loyalty and market strength.  By continuing to embrace 
our long standing Company values and consistently affirming our 
commitment to innovation and operational excellence,  I am 
confident in our ability to continue to deliver further profitable 
growth and create meaningful value for you,  our shareholders,   
for the foreseeable future.

David Dutro
Group Chief Executive
28 February 2012

Group operating profit and margin
$m 
140
210

197.2

120
180
140

100
150
120

120
80
100

60
90
80

60
40
60

20
30
40

0
0
20

-30
0

10.4%

10.4%
58.0

58.0
48.6

2006

12.7%

12.7%
76.2

94.0
76.2

32.2

2007

2006
2006

2007
2007

13.0%

13.0%
98.3
93.0

98.3
92.0

2008

2008
2008

Key
Group operating profit* ($m) 
Operating margin* (%) 

* Before exceptional items.

18.0%

137.1
18.0%

137.1

126.3

14.7%

14.7%
102.3
112.9
102.3

79.3

2010

2011

-26.2

106.3
6.4%

6.4%
36.2
49.5

36.2

2009

2009
2009

2010
2010

2011
2011

%

20

18
20
16
18
14
16
12
14
10
12
8
10
6
8
4
6
2
4
0
2

0

Cash flow and net debt/(cash)
$m 

210

180

150

120

90

60

30

0

-30

197.2

93.0

92.0

106.3

49.5

112.9

79.3

94.0

32.2

48.6

126.3

-26.2

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Key
Operating cash flow ($m) 
Net debt/(cash) ($m) 

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
stAteMent OF GrOup strAteGy 

05

Our strAteGy
The strategy of the Group is to profitably grow the Specialty Products business by delivering  
product and technological innovation in order to make our customers more successful,   
utilising cash flow from the Chromium and Surfactants businesses.

HOW We Will execute Our strAteGy

1.   Preferentially growing the Specialty Products business through a combination of organic growth  

from new products,  markets,  applications or geographies,  and selective acquisitions in rheology or 
complementary additives,  with the aim of growing revenue and market share whilst maintaining margins.

2.   Consistently delivering a relatively stable and sustainable level of earnings from the Chromium business 

by serving higher margin markets and customers,  optimising operational performance from the business’s 
flexible and low cost manufacturing footprint,  and sustaining margins through maintaining pricing  
discipline,  managing energy and raw material costs and creating a more efficient supply chain.  

3.   Steadily upgrading the product portfolio in Surfactants by focussing on higher margin applications,   

while at the same time transitioning the manufacturing facility to produce more higher margin coatings 
additives for Specialty Products.

4.   Continually improving the quality of the Group’s balance sheet by generating strong free cash flow  

and reducing the proportion of non-business items,  such as legacy pension funds.

Effective execution will enable the Group to deliver superior,  sustainable returns to  
shareholders,  and assist in generating and preserving value over the longer term.

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
 
 
06

stAteMent OF GrOup strAteGy continued

We Will GenerAte And preserve vAlue  
Over tHe lOnGer terM FrOM Our  
business MOdel tHrOuGH executinG  
Our business strAteGies:

specialty products 

chromium

surfactants

To grow in rheology products and 
complementary additives through new 
product innovation,  expansion into new 
geographies and bolt on acquisitions.

To produce stable earnings and cash flow 
by serving higher value markets,  providing 
high quality,  higher margin products,  
such as chromic acid and chromic oxide,  
to its customers,  and utilising its flexible 
manufacturing base to adjust to changes 
in demand.

To focus on higher margin markets,  such 
as agro-chemicals,  animal feed,  plastic and 
resins,  to balance the base-load activity in 
high volume commodity applications.

AreAs OF FOcus: 

AreAs OF FOcus: 

AreAs OF FOcus: 

Excellent customer service and 
understanding. 

Operational discipline to maintain price 
and cost competitiveness and margins. 

Offer innovative products to the market 
and to customers. 

Technical expertise and support,  and 
product innovation. 

Improve cost base by securing supply of 
raw materials and energy. 

Improve productivity,  operational  
efficiencies and sales focus. 

Operational excellence to maintain 
margins and improve procurement and 
supply chain efficiencies.

Superior customer service and technical 
support applications. 

Target growth in higher margin segments  
to improve profitability. 

Our business strategies are underpinned by an enduring culture of customer service and innovation,  and supported by a strong balance 
sheet with a robust risk management and internal control system.   

Policies and standards are set by the Board to ensure all Group activities:  comply with laws and regulations;  conform to accepted  
ethical and business practices;  and pay due regard to social responsibility,  including in employment,  health and safety,  environment  
and sustainability,  and supply chain matters.   

Proven,  experienced and appropriately incentivised management team,  with strong governance from the Board,  is key to delivering  
strong,  sustainable financial performance,  without excessive risk taking.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
business cOMMentAries

07

revenue

OperAtinG prOFit*

Specialty Products 
Chromium 
Surfactants 
Inter-segment 

Revenue 
2010 
$million 
410.8 
209.7 
88.1 
(11.2) 
697.4 

Effect of 
exchange 
rates 
$million 
12.6 
– 
5.0 
– 
17.6 

Increase/ 
(decrease)  
2011 
$million 
26.5 
21.3 
1.2 
(3.5) 
45.5 

Revenue 
2011 
$million
449.9
231.0
94.3
(14.7)
760.5

Specialty Products 
Chromium 
Surfactants 
Central costs 

* Before exceptional items.

Operating 
profit  
2010 
$million 
71.8 
35.8 
6.1 
(11.4) 
102.3 

Effect of 
exchange  
rates 
$million 
3.8 
– 
0.3 
(0.4) 
3.7 

Increase/  Operating 
profit 
(decrease) 
2011 
2011 
$million
$million 
89.7
14.1 
56.1
20.3 
5.4
(1.0) 
(14.1)
(2.3) 
137.1
31.1 

eleMentis speciAlty prOducts

Greg McClatchy
President of Elementis Specialty  
Products and Elementis Surfactants

Sales 
Operating profit* 
Operating margin* 
ROCE** 

*   Before exceptional items.
** Before tax and excluding goodwill.

MeAsurinG perFOrMAnce AGAinst  
Our stAted Objectives
Sales and operating profit* up ten per cent and 25 per cent 
respectively.
Operating margin* increased to 19.9 per cent.
Pricing discipline:  offsetting input inflation by selective  
price increases.
12 month average working capital to sales ratio reduced by  
90 basis points to 18.8 per cent.
Return on operating capital employed before tax and excluding 
goodwill improved to 42.6 per cent.
On-time,  in full delivery performance up 200 basis points to  
92 per cent.

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million

449.9 
89.7 
19.9% 
42.6% 

410.8
71.8
17.5%
35.5%

2012 FOcus
Organic growth through R&D and increasing the percentage  
of sales attributed to new products and customers.

Selective complementary and bolt on acquisitions, if available.

Investing in capacity to support further growth.

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
08

business cOMMentAries continued

Elementis Specialty Products is a leading manufacturer of rheology 
control additives that are used to enhance the performance of our 
customers’  products.  It is the global leader in organoclay technology,  
with a unique position in hectorite clay,  owning the only rheology 
grade hectorite mine in the world.  Best in class technical support and 
customer service are critical core competencies of the business and 
provide the platform to deliver added value in the coatings,  oilfield 
drilling and personal care markets.  The strategy of the business is to 
grow in high value rheology products and complementary additives 
through new product innovation,  expansion into new geographies 
and bolt on acquisitions.  In coatings,  the largest of its markets,  
Elementis has a unique global position,  providing technical service 
and a broad product offering to both multinational and regional 
coatings companies.  The rheology solutions of Elementis are critical 
to the performance of our coating customers’  products.  In personal 
care,  Elementis is a significant player in additives for cosmetic 
products based on its expertise in hectorite rheology and other 
complementary technologies.  In oilfield drilling,  Elementis is the 
preferred supplier to oil service companies for high performance 
rheological additives used in oil and gas drilling.  The business’s 
unique technologies and strong alignment with key industry players 
have allowed it to benefit from the recent increase in drilling activity 
for shale gas in North America.  When combined with the continuing 
global trend of exploiting oil and gas reserves in more extreme 
environments,  which require greater and more sophisticated 
rheological solutions,  these dynamics are enabling Elementis to 
rapidly grow in this high value segment.

Sales in Specialty Products for 2011 were $449.9 million compared  
to $410.8 million in the previous year,  an increase of ten per cent,  or  
six per cent on a constant currency basis.  In 2011 the business 
benefited from improved pricing,  continuing market share gains and 
a positive shift in the product portfolio.  For example,  sales of high 
value oilfield products increased from 13 per cent of total sales in 2010 
to 16 per cent in 2011.  Average pricing in 2011 was five per cent higher  
than the previous year as the business raised prices,  mostly during the 
first half of the year,  in response to an environment of raw material 
inflationary pressures throughout the coatings industry supply chain.

In the coatings market,  sales in North America increased by  
15 per cent over the previous year due to market share gains,  value 
added pricing and a general recovery in the decorative coatings 
market,  albeit from relatively low levels.  Sales to Latin America grew 
strongly,  increasing by 20 per cent in 2011,  as the business continued 

to explore new opportunities in this fast growing and attractive 
market.  In Europe,  coatings sales improved by ten per cent,  or  
five per cent on a constant currency basis.  Sales volumes slowed 
during the second half of the year due to the economic challenges  
in Europe,  particularly in the southern region.  For the year as a whole,  
European volumes were lower by seven per cent,  but were offset  
by better pricing and a more favourable product mix.  In Asia Pacific,  
sales of coatings products were at a similar level to the previous year 
due to a planned programme of product mix optimisation,  which 
impacted overall sales volumes but improved margins over the 
previous year.

In oilfield,  sales in 2011 were 34 per cent higher than the previous  
year as demand from shale drilling and other unconventional drilling 
applications continued to show rapid growth.  Sales of drilling 
additives for shale represented 32 per cent of total oilfield sales in  
2011 and grew by 58 per cent over the previous year,  due to sustained 
drilling activity in North America.  Unconventional drilling applications,  
such as deep water,  high pressure and extreme temperatures,  
represented 37 per cent of sales and grew by 49 per cent.

In personal care,  sales improved by ten per cent in Europe and  
14 per cent in Asia Pacific,  as demand for hectorite based rheology 
additives remained robust,  complemented by the demand for natural 
oil based additives which were acquired with Fancor at the end of 
2009.  In North America the year on year comparison of sales was 
impacted by the restructuring of the lowest margin Fancor products 
but,  excluding this,  underlying sales improved by four per cent.

Operating profit before exceptional items for the year improved by  
25 per cent to $89.7 million,  compared to 2010,  or 20 per cent on a 
constant currency basis.  Operating margin before exceptional items 
improved from 17.5 per cent in 2010 to 19.9 per cent due to a positive 
shift in the product portfolio towards higher value products,  such as 
oilfield additives,  as well as selective price increases to sustain margins 
in an inflationary raw material environment.  A strong focus on cost 
control and operational excellence also played a significant role,   
such that total fixed costs were only two per cent higher in 2011 than  
the previous year.

REvEnuE split (%)

Key

 Industrial coatings
 Architectural coatings
 Oilfield
 Personal care

9

52

GEOGRAphiC sAlEs (%)

8

32

Key

 North America
 Europe
 Asia Pacific
 Rest of the world

16

23

29

31

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 201109

eleMentis cHrOMiuM

Dennis valentino
President of Elementis Chromium

Sales 
Operating profit 
Operating margin 
ROCE* 

* Before tax and excluding goodwill.

2011 
$million 
231.0 
56.1 
24.3% 
67.0% 

2010 
$million
209.7
35.8
17.1%
44.8%

MeAsurinG perFOrMAnce AGAinst Our  
stAted Objectives
Sales and operating profit up ten per cent and 57 per cent 
respectively.
Operating margin increased to 24.3 per cent.
12 month average working capital to sales ratio increased by  
20 basis points to 20.0 per cent.
Return on capital employed before tax and excluding goodwill 
improved to 67.0 per cent.
manufacturing operating at high capacity utilisation.  

2012 FOcus
Improving yields through operating efficiencies and  
de-bottlenecking.
maintaining level of earnings and cash flow through optimising 
product mix, controlling raw material and energy costs, 
broadening the supplier base and managing working capital.

Elementis Chromium is one of the world’s largest suppliers of  
chrome chemicals,  which are used in a variety of end markets 
including metal alloys,  metal finishing,  leather tanning and refractory 
applications.  Elementis Chromium seeks to produce stable earnings 
and cash flow by serving higher value markets,  leveraging its skills  
in operational excellence and by utilising its flexible manufacturing 
base to adjust to changes in demand.  As the only global producer 
with its manufacturing base located in the United States,  Elementis 
Chromium is uniquely positioned to serve this market with value 
added products,  offering just in time service via custom designed 
delivery systems.

Chromium sales in 2011 were $231.0 million compared to  
$209.7 million in 2010,  an increase of ten per cent.  Currency had no 
material impact on year on year sales.  Sales volumes were six per cent 
lower than the previous year,  largely due to a planned plant shutdown 
in the early part of the year to convert the Castle Hayne facility to a 
flexible fuel system.  The new system allowed the business to switch 
over to natural gas,  instead of fuel oil,  but also allows it to switch  
back again should future energy economics dictate.  Otherwise,   
the manufacturing facilities operated at high capacity rates for most  
of the year.  In North America sales volumes were stable with solid 
demand for chromic acid from both the timber treatment and auto 
industries,  and also for chrome sulphate from the leather tanning 
industry.  Sales volumes of chrome oxide to the coatings,  construction 
and refractory sectors were lower than the previous year,  largely due 
to weaker demand from the US residential market.  In Europe,  sales 
volumes in the first half of 2011 were consistent with the previous year,  
but declined in the second half as the general economic concerns  
in Europe began to impact on customer demand.  Sales volumes to 
Asia Pacific were also at a similar level to the previous year.  Average 
selling prices increased by 16 per cent in response to rising raw 
material prices.

Operating profit improved by 57 per cent to $56.1 million in 2011,  
compared to the previous year and operating margin increased to  
24.3 per cent from 17.1 per cent.  Lower energy costs contributed  
$3.0 million to the operating profit improvement and were largely  
a result of the conversion of Castle Hayne to natural gas during the  
first quarter of 2011.  The conversion contributed $5.0 million in  
energy savings for the year,  more than offsetting cost increases  
in fuel oil,  which was previously the primary energy source at the 
facility.  Otherwise operating margins improved due to flexing the 
manufacturing facilities in order to favour higher value applications 
while,  at the same time,  addressing the changes in demand 
highlighted above,  combined with disciplined cost control.   
The current year also benefited from an insurance settlement  
totalling $2.4 million relating to the recovery of past legal costs.

REvEnuE split (%)

Key

 Chromic acid
 Chromic oxide
 Sodium dichromate
 Liquid chrome sulphate

9

41

GEOGRAphiC sAlEs (%)

9

54

Key

 North America
 Asia Pacific
 Europe
 Rest of the world

25

25

15

22

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
 
10

business cOMMentAries continued

eleMentis surFActAnts

Sales 
Operating profit* 
ROCE** 

*   Before exceptional items.
** Before tax and excluding goodwill.

2011 
$million 
94.3 
5.4 
21.7% 

2010 
$million
88.1
6.1
24.5%

MeAsurinG perFOrMAnce AGAinst Our  
stAted Objectives
Sales up seven per cent and operating profit* improved, excluding  
one-time items.
12 month average working capital to sales ratio reduced by  
40 basis points to 12.3 per cent.
Return on capital employed before tax and excluding goodwill 
improved to 21.7 per cent, excluding one-time items.

2012 FOcus
Continuing the transition of product portfolio to higher margin 
niche markets and sectors.
maintaining sales and commercial focus to improve the level of 
earnings and tight management of operating costs.

Elementis Surfactants is a specialty surfactant manufacturer offering 
innovative products to markets,  such as oilfield chemicals,  textile and 
leather,  construction and household products,  which it produces at 
its facility in the Netherlands.  Its strategy is to focus on higher margin 
markets,  such as agro-chemicals,  animal feed,  plastic and resins, and 
transition its manufacturing facility over time to primarily produce 
coatings additives for the Specialty Products business,  which currently 
shares the facility.  At the same time,  the business seeks to improve 
margins through superior customer service and by continually 
enhancing the productivity of its manufacturing operations.  

Sales in Surfactants for 2011 were $94.3 million compared to  
$88.1 million in the previous year,  an increase of seven per cent,  or  
one per cent on a constant currency basis.  The majority of sales in this 
business is denominated in Euros.  In line with the business’s strategy 
to transition its manufacturing assets to producing more coatings 
products for Specialty Products,  sales volumes in Surfactants declined 
by 16 per cent compared to the previous year.  As part of that process 
the business continues to improve the sales portfolio by increasing 
the proportion of higher value products and this was evident in the 
2011 sales mix.  Average selling prices improved by 15 per cent in 
response to raw material price inflation.

Operating profit before exceptional items in 2011 was $5.4 million 
compared to $6.1 million in the previous year.  However,  the 2010 
result benefited from a one-time legal settlement of $2.7 million  
and  therefore,  after adjusting for this item,  operating margin 
improved from 3.9 per cent in 2010 to 5.7 per cent in 2011.  Improved 
selling prices largely compensated for increases in raw material  
costs and the increase in operating margin was a result of portfolio 
optimisation and strict cost control.

REvEnuE split (%)

Key

 Oilfield chemicals
 Other
 Textiles and leather
 Water treatment
 Resins

5

43

6

12

34

GEOGRAphiC sAlEs (%)

 Europe
 Rest of the world
 Asia Pacific
 North America

9013

6

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
FinAnce repOrt

Brian taylorson
Finance Director

revenue

Specialty Products 
Chromium 
Surfactants 
Inter-segment 

OperAtinG prOFit

Specialty Products 
Chromium 
Surfactants 
Central costs 

11

2010 
$million
410.8
209.7
88.1
(11.2)
697.4

2010 
Adjusted 
operating 
profit 
$million
71.8
35.8
6.1
(11.4)
102.3

2011 
$million 
449.9 
231.0 
94.3 
(14.7) 
760.5 

 Operating 
 profit 
$million 
 87.9 
56.1 
 0.2 
20.4 
164.6 

Exceptional 
items 
$million 
1.8 
– 
5.2 
(34.5) 
(27.5) 

 2011 
Adjusted 
operating 
profit 
$million 
89.7 
56.1 
5.4 
(14.1) 
137.1 

Operating 
profit 
$million 
71.8 
35.8 
6.1 
(11.4) 
102.3 

Exceptional 
items 
$million 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

GROUP RESULTS
Group sales in 2011 were $760.5 million compared to $697.4 million  
in the previous year,  an increase of nine per cent,  or seven per cent 
on a constant currency basis.  All three Group businesses recorded 
higher sales for the year driven by improved pricing,  in response to 
raw material inflation,  and an overall shift towards higher value 
products.  The general demand trend for the year saw more robust 
demand from customers during the first half of the year,  with the 
financial turmoil in Europe impacting demand during the second 
half.  Sales volumes for the Group were lower than the previous year  
by six per cent,  partly due to these trends in demand,  but also due  
to strategic actions taken in each business to improve product 
portfolios and increase margins.

Group operating profit before exceptional items increased by  
34 per cent in 2011 to  $137.1 million,  or 30 per cent on a constant 
currency basis.  Operating margin improved from 14.7 per cent  
in 2010 to 18.0 per cent in the current year,  as each Group business  
took important steps to upgrade their product portfolio,  adjust  
their pricing to address raw material cost inflation and leverage  
their operating capabilities to optimise their cost structures.

CURRENCy hEDGING
Although a large proportion of the Group’s business is transacted  
in US dollars,  the Group also transacts in other currencies,  in particular 
euros and pounds sterling.  In order to reduce earnings volatility  
from these currency exposures,  the Group takes out cash flow  
hedges in these currencies each year.  In 2011 a cost of  $0.3 million  
(2010:  $0.3 million credit) was incurred from these hedge transactions 
and reported in the Specialty Products results.

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12

FinAnce repOrt continued

CENTRAL COSTS
Central costs are costs that are not identifiable as expenses of a 
particular business  and comprise expenditures of the Board of 
Directors and the corporate office.  In 2011 central costs increased by 
$2.7 million to $14.1 million,  or $2.3 million on a constant currency 
basis.  The increase was largely due to changes in a number of central 
Group provisions and increases in the value of the Group’s long term 
incentive plans.  

ExCEPTIONAL ITEmS
Two items have been recorded in 2011 under  “Exceptional items”.   
The first item is in relation to the recovery of $34.5 million from the 
European Commission,  in August 2011,  reported in the 2011 Interim 
results announcement.  The recovery of these funds came about after 
the Commission repealed its decision of November 2009 to impose 
fines on Elementis.  The second item is a provision of $7.0 million 
relating to the Group’s pension arrangements in the Netherlands.  
Further details of this item are included in Note 5 to the Financial 
Statements.

NET FINANCE COSTS

Finance income  
Finance cost of borrowings 

Net pension finance income/(expense) 
Discount on provisions 

2011 
$million 
0.7 
(4.0) 
(3.3) 
1.9 
(1.2) 
(2.6) 

2010 
$million
0.4
(3.7)
(3.3)
(1.9)
(1.1)
(6.3)

Finance income increased by $0.3 million in the year to $0.7 million 
due to an increase in the amount of cash on deposit held by the 
Group.  Finance cost of borrowings was largely unchanged compared 
to the previous year,  despite the Group ending the year in a net cash 
position.  This was because a significant part of the Group’s borrowing 
costs are fixed and relate to arrangement and commitment fees on 
the Group’s borrowing facilities.  There was a net pension finance 
credit of $1.9 million in 2011 (2010:  $1.9 million debit) due to a  
$4.8 million increase in expected return on pension scheme assets 
which exceeded a $1.0 million increase in interest on pension scheme 
liabilities.  The discount on provisions of $1.2 million (2010:  $1.1 million) 
relates to environmental provisions,  which are evaluated on a 
discounted basis and hence the cost of the discount is recognised 
each year as an interest charge.

TAxATION
tax charge

Before exceptional items 
Exceptional items 
Total 

2011  
Effective 
rate 
per cent 
29.5 
(1.3) 
28.2 

$million 
39.7 
(1.8) 
37.9 

2010 
Effective 
rate 
per cent
28.9
(6.1)
22.8

$million 
27.7 
(5.8) 
21.9 

The pre-exceptional tax charge of $39.7 million (2010:  $27.7 million) 
represents an effective tax rate of 29.5 per cent (2010:  28.9 per cent) 
with the slight increase in tax rate resulting from a change in the 
geographical split of underlying profits offset somewhat by reduced 
rates of taxation in some jurisdictions.  The exceptional tax credit  
of $1.8 million relates to deferred tax on the reversal in the year of  
a curtailment gain on the Dutch pension scheme that originally 
occurred in 2005.  Further details on this can be found in the 
commentary on Pensions and other post retirement benefits.  The 
exceptional tax credit of $5.8 million in 2010 was a consequence of 
recognising a UK deferred tax asset in respect of UK losses and other 
timing differences that are now considered recoverable.

EARNINGS PER ShARE
Note 9 to the Financial Statements sets out a number of calculations of 
earnings per share.  To better understand the underlying performance 
of the Group,  earnings per share reported under IFRS is adjusted for 
items classified as exceptional.  

Diluted earnings per share,  before exceptional items,  was 20.8 cents 
compared to 15.2 cents in the previous year and the improvement  
was mainly due to the operating profit performance noted above.  

Basic earnings per share including exceptional items was 27.8 cents 
compared to 16.7 cents in 2010.  The impact of the exceptional items 
was to increase basic earnings per share by 6.6 cents (2010:  1.3 cents).

DISTRIBUTION TO ShAREhOLDERS
During 2011 the Group paid a final dividend in respect of the year 
ended 31 December 2010 of 2.60 cents per share.  An interim dividend 
of 2.34 cents per share was paid on 7 October 2011 and the Board is 
recommending a final dividend of 4.66 cents per share which will be 
paid on 1 June 2012.

CASh FLOw
The cash flow is summarised below:

EBITDA* 
Change in working capital 
Capital expenditure 
Other 
Operating cash flow 
Pension deficit payments 
Interest and tax 
Exceptional items 
Other 
Free cash flow 
Dividends paid 
Receipt of unclaimed dividends 
Acquisitions and disposals 
Currency fluctuations 
Movement in net borrowings 
Net borrowings at start of year 
Net cash/(borrowings) at end of year 

2011 
$million 
157.0 
(9.3) 
(20.8) 
(0.6) 
126.3 
(22.0) 
(11.3) 
31.8 
1.7 
126.5 
(21.9) 
– 
– 
0.9 
105.5 
(79.3) 
26.2 

2010 
$million
123.7
1.9
(14.0)
1.3
112.9
(18.4)
(8.8)
(40.7)
(1.8)
43.2
(20.0)
0.8
1.1
1.9
27.0
(106.3)
(79.3)

*   EBITDA – earnings before interest,  tax,  exceptional items,  depreciation  
and amortisation.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13

The Group delivered a strong cash flow performance in 2011 and,   
as a result,  moved from a net borrowing position of $79.3 million at 
the end of 2010 to a net cash position of $26.2 million at the end of 
2011.  Good growth in operating cash flow was at the core of this 
result,  assisted by the one-time recovery of $34.5 million from the 
European Commission.  Operating cash flow improved by 12 per cent 
in 2011 to $126.3 million,  with EBITDA improving by 27 per cent to 
$157.0 million on the back of good progress in operating profit.   
Cash flow relating to working capital was an outflow of $9.3 million 
compared to an inflow of $1.9 million in 2010.  In 2010 the Group made 
significant reductions in the levels of working capital utilised by the 
businesses and these initiatives continued into 2011.  This is evidenced 
by the fact that average working capital ratios improved during the 
year,  as discussed later in this report.  Capital expenditure in 2011 
increased by $6.8 million to $20.8 million as the Group made 
investments to expand three of its manufacturing facilities in the 
Specialty Products business,  in support of its continuing growth.   
The investments will facilitate further expansion in coatings,  oilfield 
drilling,  personal care and hectorite production.  Contributions to 
pension deficit funding increased by $3.6 million in 2011,  largely  
due to an increase in contributions to the UK plan of approximately  
$5 million,  in line with the current funding agreement.  Cash flows 
related to exceptional items in both 2010 and 2011 are mostly 
associated with the European Commission fine,  which was paid in 
2010 ($33.5 million) and subsequently recovered,  with interest,  in  
2011 ($34.5 million).  Other cash flows in this category mostly relate  
to spending on the closure of the Eaglescliffe,  UK site,  for which a 
provision was made in 2009.

Working capital management continued to be a key priority in 2011 
and there was a positive change in the gap between creditor and 
debtor days,  which went from ten days in 2010 to 13 days in 2011.   
In Chromium,  a strategic decision was taken to hold higher levels  
of chrome ore inventories during the year,  in the light of strong 
customer demand,  and this led to inventory days for the Group 
increasing from 75 days at the end of 2010 to 84 days at the end of 
2011.  However,  overall for the Group,  average levels of working 
capital improved in the year,  as evidenced by the measure of average 
working capital to sales which progressed from 18.0 per cent in 2010 
to 17.2 per cent in 2011.

Group equity increased by $69.5 million in 2011 (2010:  $93.4 million) 
mainly due to a current year profit after tax of $124.1 million  
(2010:  $74.1 million),  an increase in Group liabilities for retirement 
benefits,  adjusted for deficit contributions paid,  of $44.7 million  
(2010:  decrease of $25.3 million) and dividends paid of $21.9 million 
(2010:  $20.0 million).  Other net assets decreased by $33.0 million  
in 2011 (2010:  increased by $67.8 million) mainly due to an increase  
in retirement benefit liabilities of $27.4 million (2010:  decrease of  
$44.3 million),  an increase in working capital of $11.8 million,  in line 
with the increase in Group sales (2010:  decrease of $5.2 million),   
and an increase in net deferred tax liabilities of $21.5 million  
(2010:  $16.1 million).  Comments on the changes in retirement  
benefit liabilities,  working capital and deferred tax are included 
elsewhere in this report.

The main dollar exchange rates relevant to the Group are set  
out below:

Pounds sterling 
Euro 

Year end 
0.64 
0.77 

 2011 
Average 
0.62 
0.71 

Year end 
0.64 
0.75 

2010
Average
0.65
0.75

PROvISIONS
A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the Group has  
a present obligation as a result of past events,  which is expected  
to result in an outflow of economic benefits in order to settle  
the obligation.  At the end of 2011 the Group held provisions of  
$43.6 million (2010:  $48.5 million).

Out of the total provision balance of $43.6 million (2010:  $48.5 million),  
$41.3 million (2010:  $46.2 million) relates to environmental matters,  
including the closure of the Eaglescliffe facility.  The Group’s 
environmental provision has been calculated using a methodology 
consistent with previous years.  Approximately $28.8 million relates to 
sites maintained by the Group (2010:  $31.2 million) with the remainder 
relating to sites no longer under Group control.  $2.7 million was spent 
on the Eaglescliffe closure programme in 2011 with an anticipated 
spend in 2012 of approximately $4 million.

PENSIONS AND OThER POST RETIREmENT BENEFITS

BALANCE ShEET

Intangible fixed assets 
Other net assets 
Net cash 

Equity  
Net debt 

Net liabilities: 
UK 
US 
Other 

2011 
$million 
335.1 
87.9 
26.2 
449.2 
449.2 
– 
449.2 

2010 
$million
338.1
120.9
–
459.0
379.7
79.3
459.0

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million

35.0 
49.6 
10.2 
94.8 

28.9
34.4
4.1
67.4

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14

FinAnce repOrt continued

The largest of these is the UK defined benefit pension scheme  
(“UK Scheme”) which had a deficit under IAS 19 of $35.0 million at  
the end of 2011,  compared to $28.9 million at the end of 2010.  The  
UK Scheme is relatively mature,  with approximately 66 per cent of  
its gross liabilities represented by pensions in payment.  The most 
recent triennial valuation was completed as of 30 September 2008  
and resulted in an agreed deficit with the Trustees of the UK scheme,  
for funding purposes,  of £101.7 million.  Under the related funding 
agreement,  the Group then agreed to make deficit contributions  
of £7.1 million in 2010 and,  thereafter,  an annual amount of either  
£8.0 million or £10.0 million,  depending on whether an EBITDA 
threshold amount of £53.2 million was achieved by the Group in the 
previous financial year,  with the higher amount being paid for any 
year in which the threshold was exceeded.  The higher amount of  
£10.0 million was paid by the Group in 2011.  The agreement also 
includes a commitment to increase the annual deficit contribution  
by the same percentage as any increase in shareholder return,   
once the total distribution to shareholders in any year exceeds the 
equivalent of 3.5 pence per share.  No payments were made under  
this commitment in 2011.  However,  it is likely that a payment will be 
made in 2012.  For example,  if the interim dividend for 2012 is the  
same as that paid in 2011 (2.34 cents per share),  then when combined 
with the payment of the recommended final dividend for 2011  
(4.66 cents per share),  it would result in an additional deficit 
contribution of approximately £3 million,  payable in the second half 
of 2012.  The next triennial valuation will be conducted based on a 
valuation date of 30 September 2011 and,  together with the related 
funding discussions with the Trustees,  should be concluded by the 
end of 2012.

In 2011 the UK Scheme deficit,  under IAS 19,  increased to $35.0 million 
(2010:  $28.9 million) as a result of an increase in scheme assets of  
$29.0 million (2010:  $26.0 million),  offset by an increase in scheme 
liabilities of $35.1 million (2010: decrease of $14.5 million).  The scheme 
assets increased due to a nine per cent return on investments for  
the year (2010:  12 per cent),  contributions from the Company of 
approximately $16.3 million,  less benefit payments to members of 
approximately $40.0 million.  The scheme liabilities increased due 
mainly to a decline in real corporate bond yields of approximately  
30 basis points.  With the support of the Company,  the Trustees have 
developed an investment strategy that broadly includes 50 per cent  
of the assets being invested in a  “liability matching fund”  and 50 per 
cent in an  “investment fund”.  The liability matching fund consists of 
bonds,  gilts and liquid assets,  plus a portfolio of interest and inflation 
swaps,  constructed in such a way as to match the interest and 
inflation risks inherent in a similar percentage of the scheme liabilities.  
The purpose of this fund is to finance a portion of the liabilities 
without creating significant volatility in the reported deficit.  The 
investment fund,  on the other hand,  consists of a portfolio of  “return 
seeking”  assets,  largely equities,  with the aim of funding part of the 
liabilities by generating higher returns with an acceptable risk,  while 
also contributing to reducing the deficit over time.  

The US liabilities in 2011 comprised of a defined benefit pension  
plan,  with a deficit value of $41.4 million (2010:  $26.2 million),   
and a post retirement medical plan with a value of $8.2 million  
(2010:  $8.2 million).  The US pension plan is smaller than the UK 
Scheme and is closed to future accruals.  The deficit in the plan 
increased by $15.2 million (2010:  declined by $5.1 million) during  
the year,  due to a decrease in the scheme assets of $2.8 million  
(2010:  increase of $11.2 million) and an increase in the scheme 
liabilities of $12.4 million (2010:  $6.1 million).  The scheme assets 
were 74 per cent invested in equities and generated a return of  
minus one per cent in the year (2010:  plus 15 per cent),  which was  
the main contributor to the decrease in value.  The scheme liabilities 
increased mainly due to a fall in real corporate bond yields during 
the year of approximately 100 basis points.

In the Netherlands,  the Group operates an insured defined benefits 
plan as is customary in that country.  At the end of 2011 the deficit 
value for this plan was $7.5 million,  compared to $1.4 million in the 
previous year.  In 2005 a number of changes were made to the benefits 
provided by the plan,  as well as other non-pension benefits,  as part  
of a negotiation with labour unions.  As a result of those changes,   
the liability under the plan was reduced by $10.9 million and reported 
as a curtailment gain in that year.  In 2009 a group of pensioners 
challenged the benefit changes in court,  on the basis that they  
should not be applied to them,  and in 2010 the court ruled in favour  
of Elementis.  The pensioner group challenged the court decision in 
an appellate court,  and in 2011 the appellate court overturned the 
original decision.  Elementis has appealed that court’s decision to  
the Supreme Court of the Netherlands,  which will review the case 
sometime in the next two years.  In view of the uncertainty that has 
now been generated around the timing and outcome of this issue,  
the Group has taken a prudent approach and reversed that part of  
the 2005 curtailment gain that relates to this issue,  in the amount of 
$7.0 million.  This reversal is the main reason for the increase in deficit 
value in 2011.

Other liabilities amounted to $2.7 million (2010:  $2.7 million) and  
relate to pension arrangements for a relatively small number of  
people in Germany.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 201115

Key perFOrMAnce indicAtOrs

The Group’s key performance indicators are a standard set of measures against which each business  
reports on a monthly basis.  Incentive plans include targets against the annual operating plan for operating 
profit and average trade working capital to sales ratio.

1.  OperAtinG prOFit/OperAtinG MArGin

4.  lOst  tiMe Accidents

Operating profit is the profit derived from the normal operations  
of the business.  Operating margin is the ratio of operating profit  
or loss,  before exceptional items,  to sales.  The Group achieved an 
operating profit of $137.1 million for the year ended 31 December  
2011 (2010:  $102.3 million before exceptional items).  The Group’s 
operating margin was 18.0 per cent compared to 14.7 per cent  
in 2010. 

A lost time accident (“LTA”) is any work related injury or illness 
sustained by an employee or directly employed contractor whilst 
working at the Group’s premises that results in greater than three  
days lost,  excluding the day of accident.  There were five LTAs in  
2011 (2010:  four).   

2.  AverAGe trAde WOrKinG cApitAl tO sAles rAtiO

5.  cOntributiOn MArGin

The trade working capital to sales ratio is defined as the 12 month 
average trade working capital divided by sales,  expressed as a 
percentage.  Trade working capital comprises inventories,  trade 
receivables and trade payables.  It specifically excludes prepayments,  
capital or interest related receivables or payables,  working capital 
related to acquisitions made in the year,  changes due to currency 
movements and items classified as other receivables and other 
payables.  The Group’s 12 month average trade working capital to 
sales ratio at 31 December 2011 was 17.2 per cent (2010:  18.0 per cent). 

The Group’s contribution margin,  which is defined as sales less all 
variable costs,  divided by sales and expressed as a percentage,   
in 2011 was 37.7 per cent (2010:  36.2 per cent).   

3.  return On OperAtinG cApitAl eMplOyed

6.  OperAtinG cAsH FlOW

The return on operating capital employed (“ROCE”) is defined as 
operating profit before exceptional items divided by operating 
capital employed,  expressed as a percentage.  Operating capital 
employed comprises fixed assets (excluding goodwill),  working 
capital and operating provisions.  Operating provisions include  
self insurance and environmental provisions but exclude  
restructuring provisions and retirement benefit obligations.   
The Group’s ROCE was 52.6 per cent for the year ended  
31 December 2011 (2010:  39.7 per cent).

ROCE for the Group including goodwill was 23.0 per cent in 2011  
(2010:  17.2 per cent).

The operating cash flow is defined as the net cash flow from  
operating activities less net capital expenditure but excluding  
income taxes paid or received,  interest paid or received,  pension 
contributions net of current service cost and exceptional items.  In 
2011 the operating cash flow was $126.3 million (2010:  $112.9 million).

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16

FinAnce repOrt continued

principAl risKs And uncertAinties

RISK mANAGEmENT FRAmEwORK 
Responsibility for the management of risk in the Group lies with  
the Board.  It sets the tone for the Group’s policies on risk,  appetite  
for risk and levels of risk tolerance.  The day to day management of  
risk,  however,  is delegated to the executive directors and the 
management team,  who have specific responsibility for ensuring 
compliance with and implementing policies at corporate,  divisional 
and business unit level.  The Board retains an oversight role and has a 
schedule of matters specifically reserved to it for decision,  with strict 
delegation of authority limits.  The Board is supported by the Audit 
Committee,  with assistance from the internal and external auditors,  
which has an important role monitoring our risk management and 
internal control system.  In addition to these formal structures,  the 
Board considers and reviews many different types of risks regularly  
in its annual programme of meetings and examples of these are  
given on the next page. 

eleMentis risK MAnAGeMent FrAMeWOrK

The table below shows the Elementis risk management framework.   
It illustrates that the management of risk is embedded at every level 
throughout the Group,  and involves a continuous and active process 
of risk evaluation and review of policies,  processes and compliance.  
This holistic approach to risk management is supported by specific 
roles and activities that are undertaken during the year,  and these are 
summarised as the  “principal features of our risk management system’’,  
which can be found on our website at:  www.elementisplc.com/
governance-responsibility/risk-management/ 

Risk management 
policies and processes, 
communication  
and training

board of  
directors

fi

r

n

e

a

g

n

u

Compliance  
monitoring  
and external  
audit

Governance and  
strategic risk

Management team 
(risk committee)

Audit  
committee

l

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,

d

c

i

t

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o

business  
leadership teams

Operational 
management  
and Hse and risk 
management 
professionals

l
s

site management 
and employees

Risk identification  
assessment and 
mitigation

commercial,  supply chain,   
Hse and operational risks

Review and  
evaluation of  
risk management 
systems

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011  
  
 
 
 
 
 
17

Although a key emphasis of any system of risk management concerns 
the prevention of material financial loss and fraud,  safeguarding the 
value of assets (including reputation) and controls to ensure 
compliance with laws,  regulations and Group policies,  the Board’s 
duty to generate and preserve value over the longer term means  
it has to strike the right balance between being too risk tolerant  
and being too risk averse.  Since risk,  as a concept,  is prevalent in 
everything the Company does,  risk management is much more than 
having structures and processes in place,  important though they are.  
An important aspect of risk management is the risk culture within an 
organisation.  For Elementis,  this means not just having appropriate 
policies and processes in place,  but involving all our people and 
knowing that policies and processes have been communicated and 
are understood at every level within the Group.  This risk prevalence 
and culture is best illustrated in the Elementis governance framework 
on page 32 in the Corporate governance report.  The message in  
our governance framework is that risk management is inherent in 
everything we do at every level and how we view,  embrace and 
manage risk in all its forms is central to how we seek to generate and 
preserve value over the longer term.

RISK mANAGEmENT REvIEw
The management team meets on a monthly basis to review business 
performance,  which also includes reviewing business risks.  Twice  
a year,  the management team also has a more in-depth review of 
business and corporate risks when it considers its business continuity 

plans and carries out an annual risk review.  The annual risk review 
process involves business sites and functions producing a risk map or 
risk register.  These are then consolidated into business or corporate 
risk registers.  The business risk registers are discussed at the Specialty 
Products and Chromium leadership meetings and the output is 
presented,  together with the corporate risks,  in a Group risk register 
which is discussed by the management team prior to submission to 
the Board for review and approval.  

Key risks that are identified in management team meetings are also 
reported to the Board in the Group Chief Executive’s and Finance 
Director’s Board reports.  The Board considers a wide range of risks  
in presentations from different parts of the business during the year.  
The following is a selection of the topics in which the associated  
risks were discussed during the year:  geo-political/macroeconomic 
events and developments;  M&A activity;  litigation;  supply chain 
issues;  major capital investment projects;  treasury management;   
IT strategy;  internal audit;  legal and compliance controls (including 
anti-bribery and corruption matters);  safety and business continuity 
matters;  and environmental,  social and governance issues.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
In the table below is a summary of the principal risks agreed by the 
Board,  together with a description of how the risks are mitigated.  

risK And iMpAct 

MitiGAtiOn

1.  ecOnOMic dOWnturn
•   Poor trading conditions or slower than forecast GDP growth  
rates mean lower volumes,  which can lead to lower output  
and capacity utilisation levels.
•   Erosion of operating margins.
•   Reduced productivity and profitability.
•   Lower earnings and cash flow can potentially lead to bank 
covenant breach.

2.  GrOWtH OppOrtunities
•    Failure to exploit growth opportunities through making an acquisition.
•   Integration of an acquisition runs into difficulties.

•   Failure of the Specialty Products business to develop or launch  
new products.

•   Financial performance (including monthly sales,  profit and  
cash flows) is closely monitored with full year forecasts updated 
three times a year and variances explained and investigated.
•   Contingency and cost reduction plans can be implemented  
in the event of an economic downturn to reduce operating  
costs,  including freezing salaries and non-essential capital 
expenditure items.
•   Company was in a net cash position at the year end so risk of a 
covenant breach is small but an appropriate headroom will be 
maintained to ensure this remains the case. 

•   Organic and acquisitive growth is a priority for the Board and  
a key area of focus for the management team.
•   Experienced Board and management team,  robust due diligence 
processes and support of professional advisers will ensure costly 
mistakes are avoided.
•   Capacity expansion programmes are being implemented to  
ensure the business can supply to growth markets.
•   Regular Board reports on new product pipeline and progress  
on R&D projects. 

3.  rAW MAteriAls
•   Shortage of key raw materials owing to supply difficulties,  
transportation strikes or increased prices (including energy prices),  
could disrupt operations,  leading to lower output and capacity 
utilisation levels,  erosion of operating margins,  and reduced 
productivity and profitability.

•  Source from a broad and diverse supplier base.
•  Strategic holding of key raw materials.
•  Transport and carrier mitigation plans and insurance.
•  Energy and raw material costs are hedged where possible.

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18

FinAnce repOrt continued

risK And iMpAct 

MitiGAtiOn

4.   litiGAtiOn And OtHer clAiMs FrOM prOducts And 

HistOricAl And OnGOinG OperAtiOns

•   Costs of defending claims or regulatory actions,  or obligations to pay 
damages or fines could reduce profitability.
•   Negative press coverage could damage business reputation and value. 

5.  uK pensiOn Fund
•   Changes to assumptions used in valuing UK pension fund deficit 
can lead to an increase in funding costs.
•   Size of pension deficit can impact the Company’s share price  
and value. 

6.  reGulAtiOn/ tecHnOlOGicAl AdvAnces
•   Tighter regulation on use of certain chemicals,  e.g.  solvents  
or aerosol antiperspirants,  could shift demand away from  
our products.
•   Moratorium on shale gas drilling could impact drilling activity  
and demand for our products.

•   Technological advances in dry drilling processes may require less 
dispersing agents,  impacting demand for our products. 
•   Greater focus of regulatory agencies in the US,  e.g.  on safety or 
environmental matters,  could lead to higher operating and or 
compliance costs.  

7.  MAjOr event Or cAtAstrOpHe
•   A major catastrophe,  such as a fire,  hurricane or flood,  could  
cause significant disruption and lead to temporary plant closures  
or a suspension of operations and production,  impacting sales  
and profitability.

•   Active compliance and risk management programme in place 
(including policies,  procedures and training).
•   Insurance programme and risk transfer strategy in place to  
mitigate financial costs. 
•   Experienced General Counsel supported by in-house and  
external legal teams. 
•   Role of the Audit Committee,  as well as the internal audit programme. 

•   Pension investment strategy includes significant element of  
liability matching. 
•   Options for pension de-risking periodically reviewed. 
•   Long term funding plan agreed with pension trustees,   
which will be reviewed as part of the triennial valuation as  
at 30 September 2011.

•   One R&D focus is to develop products for low solvent and water 
based applications. 
•   The Oilfield business unit is diversified into a number of segments 
and applications,  including shale gas,  deep water,  high pressure/
high temperature (deep well) drilling and well stimulation additives.  
Products for shale development represent 32 per cent of our 
revenues in this business unit or five per cent of total revenues in 
Specialty Products in 2011.
•   R&D team continues to look to find ways of developing new 
products and technologies for use in an evolving market to meet 
the changing needs of our sophisticated customers.
•   Continuing focus on high safety and operating standards,  good 
housekeeping,  and risk and hazard assessment programmes,  
supported by policies,  clear communication and employee 
training,  help to mitigate any impact from this risk.

•   Good housekeeping,  preventative maintenance and other  
safety procedures help to mitigate any impact from this risk.
•   Reliance on hectorite mine and flood risk mitigated by the 
installation of drainage pumps at the mine in 2011.
•   Insurance programme and business continuity plans that are  
tested regularly help to mitigate any impact from this risk.

These principal risks and uncertainties should be read in conjunction 
with the note on contingent liabilities on page 86.

Brian taylorson
Finance Director
28 February 2012

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
cOrpOrAte sOciAl respOnsibility repOrt

19

INTRODUCTION
Elementis takes its corporate social responsibilities (“CSR”) seriously.  
From public and employee safety to environmental awareness,  
supply chain responsibility to business ethics,  the Company 
recognises that how it performs in this important area of our business 
activities is critical to the long term success of the Company,  which is 
why the Chief Executive is responsible for CSR matters at Board level.  

Elementis joined the FTSE4Good 
index in September 2009

The Company is a member of the FTSE4Good index,  a leading  
global responsible investment index,  and its CSR activities are 
centred on four core areas:  people,  community,  environment  
and business relationships.  

PEOPLE
A key differentiator between Elementis and its competitors is our 
people,  who remain our most valuable asset.  The long term success 
of the Group depends on the passion,  attitude,  commitment and 
work ethic of all our employees around the world.  This Elementis   
“can do”  mentality is encouraged by a strong culture of performance,  
leadership and success,  with a focus on innovation and customer 
service,  and is supported by Group policies,  training and guidelines.  

We have a global workforce (including contractors and temporary 
workers) of over 1,300 spread across three continents (42 per cent  
in North America,  27 per cent in Europe and 31 per cent in Asia).   
A summary of our employment policies is set out in the Directors’  
report on page 28.  Gender diversity in the workplace is a current  
focus of governance in UK public companies.  Elementis is 
committed to equality of opportunity and firmly believes that 
women contribute equally in the workplace.  However,  it does  
not consider targets or quotas to be appropriate for increasing  
the percentage of women in management positions.  Further 
information on this is in the Corporate governance report.   
Our HR policies seek to ensure that people from any background  
or gender have equal access to employment,  training and 
promotion opportunities and we base our decisions on objective 
criteria and merit so that the best qualified person is the one who  
is selected.

Business ethics and Anti-bribery and corruption (“ABC”) 
In June 2011,  the Elementis Code of Business Conduct and Ethics 
(the  “Code”) was updated to reflect evolving standards articulated  
by US regulators and courts in various documents and contexts, 
including in the US Sentencing Guidelines provisions regarding  
the elements of  “an effective compliance programme”,  and our 
anti-corruption policy was updated to reflect the requirements of  
the UK Bribery Act 2010 and the guidance issued by the Ministry of 
Justice.  The Code,  which includes appropriate anti-harassment,  
anti-retaliation and whistleblowing policies,  helps employees 
understand the standards of ethical business practices that are 
expected from them at work and to be aware of ethical and legal 
issues that they may encounter in the course of carrying out their 
duties and responsibilities.

The Elementis compliance programme,  which incorporates 
compliance as to ABC risks,  includes top level commitment by the 
Board and senior management as to compliance,  communication  
and training programmes in multiple languages,  risk assessments,  
due diligence procedures and monitoring and review processes.  
Elementis employees are required to complete training on the Code 
and then self-certify that they understand and agree to be bound by 
its provisions.  In addition,  Elementis businesses require independent 
contractors,  consultants,  agents and sales representatives who 
represent the Group to agree to the same high standards as the 
Group’s employees while working on Group business.  

A summary of the key features of the Code is on our website at:   
www.elementisplc.com/governance-responsibility/

health and safety
The health and safety of Elementis employees is paramount as is 
overseeing the safety of contractors and visitors on our premises.   
The Group’s policies,  practices and performance are reviewed 
routinely by senior operations management.  Our activities in this  
area are supported by guidance and training from both internal  
and external subject experts.  A programme of health and safety 
compliance audits is undertaken on a three year rolling cycle.   
An incident notification and reporting system is in place to ensure  
that all recordable safety incidents are reported to the Board and 
management team.  Investigations are carried out following any 
incidents,  including near misses,  and appropriate corrective action  
is taken to mitigate the risk of their recurrence.  Safety incidents  
and improvements are highlighted in bulletins that are shared 
throughout Group sites to raise awareness of safety issues among 
employees in all operating and office sites.  

A summary of the Group’s policy on health,  safety and  
environmental matters can be found on the Group’s website at:   
www.elementisplc.com/governance-responsibility/ 

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
20

cOrpOrAte sOciAl respOnsibility repOrt continued

safety performance
The Company continually strives to eliminate accidents and injuries 
within the workplace.  We seek to achieve this through maintaining 
our strong focus on,  and commitment to,  safety design,  a safe 
environment,  setting and communicating safety standards,  training,  
encouraging safe behaviour and developing a company culture that 
emphasises and supports all of these.

The Group uses recordable incidents as its principal measure of  
safety performance.  Recordable incidents,  as defined by the  
US Occupational Safety & Health Administration,  are work related 
injuries and illnesses that require medical treatment beyond first  
aid.  To monitor performance and trends among more serious injuries 
and illnesses,  the Group also records lost time accidents (“LTAs”),   
as defined by the UK Health & Safety Executive – greater than three 
days lost,  not including day of incident.  

The number of recordable incidents across the Group in 2011 was  
15 (2010:  14).  Despite the slight increase in the number of recordable 
incidents over the past two years,  the majority of the incidents both  
in 2011 and the preceding year are due to slips and trips,  sprains and 
unsafe acts or behaviours that were avoidable.  Nevertheless,  the 
Board and management team are determined to reverse the trend.   
As a result,  new safety initiatives were introduced to strengthen  
safety behaviour and management (see below).  Senior management 
support is given to operations managers to ensure that sufficient 
priority is given to safety.  Key safety initiatives and performance are 
built into each operations manager’s objectives.  Incidents,  including 
near misses,  are investigated thoroughly to establish root causes and 
identify appropriate corrective actions.  The Board takes a close 
interest in safety performance and is committed to continual 
improvement in safety performance.  

Recordable incident rate
Recordable incidents per 200,000 hours worked

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

  Elementis
  ACC Responsible Care companies
  US chemical general rate

(Comparator group trend is shown only for periods where data is available.)

In terms of LTAs,  five of the recordable incidents were classed as  
LTAs in 2011 (2010:  four),  which equates to a rate of 0.20 LTAs per 
100,000 hours worked (2010:  0.16).

To ensure comprehensive monitoring of our safety performance,  
Elementis also records and reports separately the recordable injury 
rate for contractors working at our sites.  Contractors are closely 
supervised and are subject to compliance with Elementis safe  
systems of work.  As a result,  the safety performance of contractors  
is generally comparable to that for Elementis employees.  A solid year 
for contractor safety led to zero recordable injuries to contractors on 
Elementis sites.  The contractor recordable injury rate in 2011 was 
therefore 0 per 200,000 hours worked (2010:  1.50).  

 As well as the total number of recordable incidents,  the Board 
monitors the overall trend,  or the recordable incident rate,  which for 
2011 was 1.20 per 200,000 hours worked (2010:  1.10).  Notwithstanding 
the slight increase in recordable incidents last year,  in industry terms,  
our performance is comparable with companies that are generally 
viewed as having good safety performance (based on American 
Chemistry Council – Responsible Care® statistics).  For comparison,   
the recordable incident rate for the general chemical industry in the 
US is 2.3 per 200,000 hours (2009,  latest data available).

safety improvement initiatives started in 2011 
A comprehensive review of our basic safety processes was  
undertaken in 2011 and relaunched at sites on a prioritised basis.   
This is a structured approach that emphasises safety leadership 
starting with the site leader and cascading throughout the 
organisation.  This leadership brings together safety policies and 
procedures,  behavioural safety,  active communication (including 
shift changeover and safety toolbox talks) and safety inspections.

Safety training is recognised as a key aspect to working safely.   
A significant improvement has been made in the way safety training  
is conducted to make sure all training requirements are recognised,  
conducted in a timely way and then audited to ensure comprehension 
and completeness.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 201121

Keeping track of safety related actions and reporting can be a 
complex task.  To help manage this,  a new compliance calendar 
database has been introduced to ensure that all safety related actions 
are completed in a timely manner.  In addition,  corporate policies 
have been strengthened with a revised policy on personal protective 
equipment and a comprehensive electrical safety procedure to 
increase the emphasis on arc flash safety,  expanded work permit 
requirements where energy sources are present and improved 
labelling of electrical components.

training provision
The Group provides a wide range of training courses to its employees,  
some of which are mandatory for all employees,  such as training  
on the Code or on ABC compliance,  whereas others are mandatory 
depending on the job,  role or position.  These courses include topics 
such as:   “Global mutual respect”,   “Human rights”,   “Environmental 
stewardship”,   “Anti-trust”,   “Privacy and data protection”  and   
“Financial integrity”.  A number of new courses were introduced in 
2011:   “Preventing workplace violence”,   “Global substance abuse”,  
and  “UK Bribery Act”.  Employees in professional or managerial roles 
may also undertake additional training or professional development 
activities at the expense of the Company and there is great emphasis 
at sites on health and safety training.  

Fundamental human rights
Elementis supports the wider fundamental human rights of all its 
employees and all those who may be affected by our business 
activities.  These include,  for example,  the right to the freedom of 
speech,  thought,  movement,  association,  a right to privacy and to 
make decisions and contracts,  and a right to equality of treatment,  
protection and non-discrimination.  While the application of some  
of these principles have centred on employment practices,  such as 
child or forced labour,  these concepts can have daily application  
in many different aspects of our activities.  Employees can expect  
to be treated fairly,  with dignity and respect.  Anti-harassment and 
anti-retaliation policies and grievance procedures all allow employees 
to speak freely and openly.  Our employment policies recognise  
the right of employees to join a union and to be treated equally 
without discrimination.  

The Company further recognises that its contractors,  customers and 
suppliers (where relevant) also have a right to expect the Group to 
respect their wider fundamental human rights and is supportive of 
this view.  This may mean we respect the right of our customers or 
suppliers to take their business elsewhere or to negotiate their terms 
of business.  This extends to taking customer complaints seriously.  
These are just a few examples of how our support for fundamental 
human rights can translate into action and good business practices.

An important caveat to all of this,  however,  is that the Group can strive 
to uphold the fundamental rights of its employees worldwide and 
support the rights of its contractors,  customers,  suppliers and wider 
stakeholders (where relevant),  but only insofar as the rights of the 
individual do not conflict with those of the Company or its duties or 
legal and other obligations.  In this respect,  the Code sets standards 
and provides guidance to ensure that all relevant and applicable laws 
and regulations are fully complied with and,  wherever relevant or 
practicable,  consideration is taken in business decisions of the wider 
fundamental human rights of all employees,  contractors,  customers 
and suppliers.

Employee social events
Throughout the year,  social activities are held at various site locations 
for employees and often their families.  As examples in 2011,  these 
have included:  the annual Elementis Cup football tournament in 
Delden,  Netherlands which 100 employees participated in;  our 
Hightstown and Jersey City locations in New Jersey invited  “Santa”   
to a Saturday brunch just before the holiday season which was 
attended by over 150 employees and their families;  at both the 
Songjiang and Hsinchu plants,  in Shanghai,  China and Taiwan 
respectively,  employees were recognised for five year service 
milestones in celebratory presentations;  and also at the Hsinchu plant,  
a sports day was held in April with over 100 participants and a family 
day was held in October with nearly 200 employees and their families.  

COmmUNITy 
Elementis understands the need to work with local communities to 
provide information on its activities and be a responsible neighbour.  
The Group continues to be a sponsoring partner of the Mojave 
Environmental Education Consortium (“MEEC”),  a partnership 
programme between businesses and state departments and 
agencies,  which provides many environmental education 
programmes and resources for teachers and students.

Our community programme remains centred on encouraging and 
supporting employees to be active in their communities through 
volunteer work or fundraising.  The Company has guidelines for 
charitable giving but does not dictate any specific areas or priority  
for corporate support.  This approach is designed to encourage 
management and employees at individual sites to focus on local 
issues and to take the initiative.  Their efforts are often rewarded by 
either a Company donation or programme that matches amounts 
raised by employees.  

Our employees have continued to develop the relationships that have 
been cultivated over the past few years,  such as the Cape Fear Area 
United Way in Wilmington,  North Carolina and United Way of Greater 
Milwaukee.  United Way is a network of volunteer-driven,  non-profit 
organisations that work with many other partners and programmes  
to address many different areas of need in local communities,  such as 
homelessness,  poverty,  unemployment,  education or health related 
needs.  Elementis continues to sponsor a child from Belarus through 
the work of the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children,  a UK registered 
charity.  We made a five year commitment in 2010 to this charity and 
the child,  Sasha,  who is now eight.  Our sponsorship means Sasha  
can spend a month in the UK every Summer for five years and stay 
with a host family to experience a wide range of educational and 
sports related activities that many children in the UK take for granted 
but which Sasha and other children like him can only dream of.  

In 2011,  the Group made charitable donations of $51,113  
(2010:  $56,040) to a wide range of groups and organisations 
supporting many different causes.  As well as the examples given,  
organisations and groups supported last year include local youth  
and sports clubs,  schools,  arts groups,  hospice and other welfare 
related groups and medical research/health related charities.  

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cOrpOrAte sOciAl respOnsibility repOrt continued

ENvIRONmENT
Elementis operates its facilities in an environmentally responsible 
manner.  We view compliance with all applicable regulatory 
requirements and other codes of practice as our minimum  
standard.  Our sustainable development strategy requires that  
we work proactively to reduce emissions,  minimise waste from  
our processes,  conserve valuable natural resources and ensure 
responsible product stewardship throughout the supply chain.

In addition to complying with environmental regulatory reporting 
requirements,  Elementis records and categorises incidents into tiers 
based on the severity of the incident on the environment or actions 
taken by regulatory authorities.  Tier 3 incidents are those that have  
an impact on the environment and require reporting to an external 
authority,  who are likely to take action,  or where the clean-up costs 
exceed a self-imposed threshold of $25,000.  Tier 2 incidents have a 
minor impact and require notification but are likely to result in minimal 
or no action by the authorities.  Tier 1 incidents require no external 
reporting and are recorded internally and investigated so that 
continual improvements can be made to reduce the likelihood  
of future Tier 2 and Tier 3 incidents.  

Environmental performance
Our target is to comply with all environmental regulations and 
permits,  with zero environmental incidents classed as Elementis  
Tiers 2 and 3.  

In 2011 Elementis experienced one Tier 3 incident (2010:  zero Tier 2 or 
Tier 3).  This incident involved an over-filled residual oil tank,  resulting 
in a spill in a local containment area that was remediated and fully 
restored.  The incident involved no injury and,  while the regulatory 
authorities were notified,  no regulatory action was taken against 
Elementis.  The Tier 3 classification was solely due to the remediation 
costs exceeding an Elementis defined threshold of $25,000.  

Emissions to air,  discharges to water and waste disposal are regulated 
by external authorities and controlled carefully within Elementis.   
Table 1 shows our performance in this area as well as our water  
and energy usage over the past three years.  

Some of the data presented in Table 1 is influenced by production 
levels,  so an increase or decrease does not necessarily mean our 
performance in these areas has improved or deteriorated.  The impact 
on levels of production as a result of the economic recovery in 2010,  
the recession and the closure of the Eaglescliffe facility in 2009 are 
reflected in the data for these years.  The columns showing per tonne 
of production are affected by changes in the product mix and plant 
efficiencies.  As is standard practice in the chemical industry,  some 
emission values may be calculated from energy use or based on 
samples rather than continuous monitoring.  However,  environmental 
emissions,  discharges and solid waste data are subject to periodic 
internal audits to ensure accuracy and consistency of reporting.

Table 1 – Environmental performance

CO2 emissions (tonnes) 
Water consumed (m3) 
Energy consumed (GJ) 

Hazardous waste disposed (tonnes) 
Non-hazardous waste disposed (tonnes)  

Absolute 
(000s) 
200 
1,889 
4,862 

Absolute 
(000s) 
1.54 
116 

2011 
per 
tonne of 
production 
0.74 
6.97 
12.1 

per 1,000 
tonnes of 
production 
5.67 
431 

Absolute 
(000s) 
261 
1,848 
4,926 

Absolute 
(000s) 
1.20 
114 

2010 
Per 
tonne of 
production 
0.99 
6.99 
12.1 

Per 1,000 
tonnes of 
production 
4.54 
433 

Absolute 
(000s) 
206 
1,263 
4,306 

Absolute 
(000s) 
3.02 
87 

2009 
Per 
tonne of 
production
1.01
6.21
13.5

Per 1,000 
tonnes of 
production
14.86
426

Emissions to air
As reported in previous annual reports,  Elementis is aware that 
greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions,  such as carbon dioxide (“CO2”),   
are linked to global warming and climate change.  The Group is 
committed to reducing,  wherever it can,  its emissions of GHGs  
and complies with relevant national CO2 reduction schemes,  such  
as the UK Carbon Reduction Commitment energy efficiency scheme.  
Elementis made a significant reduction in CO2 emissions from April 
2011 when the chromate kilns in the chromium plant at Castle Hayne 
were converted from using oil to natural gas.  This led to a 35 per cent 
reduction in the volume of CO2 emissions at this facility against the 
previous year.  Our overall emission levels also benefited from the 

installation of a new and more energy efficient spray drier at our 
Newberry facility where production levels in 2011 increased by  
seven per cent but CO2 emissions fell by 14 per cent.  These projects  
have helped to improve our performance in 2011.

The Group’s operations also result in some emissions of the oxides  
of sulphur and nitrogen,  which can cause acid rain.  Volatile organic 
compounds,  where emitted,  can damage soil and ground water  
or combine with nitrogen oxide to cause smog.  However,  all these 
emissions are controlled to comply with regulatory permits and,   
as the volumes are not considered to be significant,  they are not 
reported here.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23

The Group encourages the re-use,  reduction and recycling of general 
office waste and recycling schemes are in place at various office 
locations.  The amount of general office waste is not reported 
separately from non-hazardous waste,  as the volumes are not 
considered to be significant.

product stewardship 
Elementis recognises its responsibility to ensure that its products are 
safe for human health and the environment.  Each employee takes 
responsibility to ensure health,  safety and environmental protection 
are a part of their daily activities.  

Safe product use is guided by our extensive experience with our 
products,  third party studies and meeting global regulatory 
requirements.  Safe handling,  transport and disposal information  
are communicated to our employees,  customers and the general 
public via technical bulletins,  safety data sheets (“SDS”) and labelling.  
These communications are further enhanced by product safety 
discussions with our employees,  suppliers,  distributors and 
customers.  To illustrate how extensive our interactions with wider 
stakeholders are,  each year our product stewardship team manages 
responses to several thousand product safety and compliance 
questions from our customers and regulatory authorities.  These 
questions have in the past concerned how we address wider CSR 
issues,  such as:  climate change,  animal testing,  human rights and 
supply chain responsibility,  environmental management,  safety and 
quality systems and sustainable development matters.

We practice a consistent and coordinated approach to regulatory 
compliance at a state,  national,  regional and global level.  We support 
voluntary industry efforts and engage stakeholders in both industry 
and government authorities to enable regulations based upon 
established scientific risk assessment and risk management principles.  
Our goal is to ensure regulations that are predictable,  flexible and 
capable of responsibly addressing society’s economic,  environmental 
and safety requirements.

Discharges to water
Maintaining the water quality of the areas in which we operate is vital 
to protect the ecosystems and communities in which we operate.   
The Group’s production activity generates process effluent with low 
concentrations of organic material that are discharged to water.   
This is measured as chemical and biological oxygen demand.   
These are regulated by external authorities and managed carefully  
by Elementis.  However,  the volumes of these discharges are not 
considered to be significant and are not reported here.  

There were no emissions to air or discharges to water above  
regulatory permitted levels in 2011 (2010:  zero) which would classify  
as a Tier 2 or Tier 3 incident.  These incidents will continue to be 
reported each year under environmental incidents.  

Water consumption
Generally,  the Company does not operate in areas of extreme water 
shortage and recognises that water is a valuable resource which needs 
to be conserved.  Water consumption is therefore minimised where 
possible by treatment and recycling. 

Water consumption is related to production output,  product mix  
and plant utilisation,  and this is reflected in Table 1.

Energy consumption
As the Group uses a range of fuel sources purchased conventionally  
in a variety of units,  we report usage in gigajoules (“GJ”) to provide 
consistent energy units.  

The Group is committed to reducing,  wherever it can,  its 
consumption of energy because the use of fossil fuels in energy 
production can contribute to global warming in the form of GHG.   
An example of this commitment is the action taken by the Group to 
move towards cleaner energy sources,  such as replacing our use of  
oil with greater use of natural gas.  In 2011,  natural gas represented  
69 per cent of our consumption of fossil fuels (gas,  oil and coal – 
measured in consistent energy (GJ) units).  The comparative level in 
2010 for gas was 28 per cent.  This result is largely attributable to the 
project described previously at our Castle Hayne facility.  There is  
also the added incentive that energy is an expensive resource and  
its efficient use has a significant effect on the cost of production.  

solid waste
As part of our commitment to sustainable development,  Elementis 
seeks to minimise the quantity of all types of waste.  The quantity  
of hazardous waste resulting from our operations has reduced 
significantly over the last decade.  The increase in hazardous waste  
in 2011 is attributable to a number of factors including:  timing of 
licensed disposal of hazardous waste generated as part of our 
operations that is carried out periodically at the Delden and Jersey  
City sites;  decommissioning of the Eaglescliffe UK chromium site;   
and disposal of kiln bricks at Castle Hayne to licensed disposal sites.  
Non-hazardous waste is minimised and recycled as far as possible.  
Non-hazardous waste is predominantly the inert residue from the 
chromate kiln operations,  which is deposited in our own permitted 
impoundments and licensed landfill sites adjacent to the 
manufacturing facilities.

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cOrpOrAte sOciAl respOnsibility repOrt continued

Through our product stewardship team,  Elementis continues to  
be fully engaged in the European REACh programme and began  
a robust and comprehensive programme in 2011 to fulfil its 2013 Tier 2 
REACh obligations.  We continue to support our global customers and 
markets through our  “Only Representative”  services under REACh 
covering imports into Europe by Elementis entities and key customers.  
The product stewardship team continues to be actively involved in 
many consortia coordinating the REACh registration of our most 
important product categories.  We continue providing active support 
to consortia and organisations such as CEFIC (European Chemical 
Industry Council) and SIEF (Substance Information Exchange Forum).

In addition to complying with the REACh regulatory requirements  
for our products during 2011,  Elementis continued to focus on 
compliance with the United Nations GHS (“Globally Harmonized 
System”) hazard communications standard as it is implemented 
around the world.  Elementis is very pleased to report that the 
necessary GHS safety data sheets and labels were available for its 
products in China,  when that country’s new GHS regulation went into 
effect towards the end of 2011.  Further,  as many countries in Asia and 
Latin America are implementing new,  or revising existing,  chemical 
control regulations,  Elementis is actively meeting these new 
regulations in our global markets.

Elementis also continues to work with non-governmental 
organisations and expert panels,  such as the Centre for Environment,  
Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Cosmetic Ingredient 
Review (CIR),  by providing data and comment that supports their 
safety reviews of our products in a broad range of applications from  
oil production to cosmetics.

Finally,  at Elementis we have a robust and innovative global product 
stewardship programme to evaluate,  review and monitor all stages of 
a product’s life cycle and ensure continuous improvement in how we 
assess hazards,  risks,  and regulatory compliance for each product.  

R&D and sustainable development
Among others,  our R&D projects continue to be driven by the  
specific objectives of:  
•   reduction in the use of materials that contribute to  
greenhouse gases;
•		development of new biodegradable products for use in  
aqueous environments; and 
•		expanded use of bio-based materials in our products. 
Following a collaborative project,  many global coatings producers 
have adopted our new zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) 
rheological additives to replace additives that contain high levels  
of VOC.  Our zero-VOC range of additives ensure the desired level  
of performance is maintained to enable a high quality coating.

Our recent efforts have also led to new products that are non-toxic  
to marine organisms and that are biodegradable,  being introduced 
for use in oil and gas exploration and recovery.  

We are also working closely with external agencies to speed up  
our development programmes that expand our portfolio of bio- 
based materials.  

Our commitment to these and other environmentally friendly 
initiatives remains very high.

Biodiversity 
Elementis takes care to ensure that its activities do not cause long  
term damage to the biodiversity in the areas where it has operations.  
In this regard,  the Group has policies and systems in place to ensure  
full compliance with environmental requirements.

BUSINESS RELATIONShIPS 
Customers
Each of our business strategies has as its cornerstone superior 
customer service with a focus on offering value added high quality 
solutions that are supported by strong technical service.  Best in  
class customer service and product innovation are critical elements  
in helping our customers be successful and in how we differentiate 
ourselves from competition.  We monitor our performance with 
metrics such as OTIF (on-time,  in full delivery) and new product 
introductions.  We develop and nurture close customer relationships 
through our key account business process,  our participation in trade 
shows and industry forums,  as well as conducting numerous group 
workshops,  training seminars and hosting collaborative laboratory 
sessions to work with customers one-on-one.  

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 201125

In terms of quality management systems,  all ten of our global 
manufacturing facilities in the Specialty Products and Surfactants 
businesses are certified to the ISO 9001 standard.  Our Chromium 
business uses unique product delivery systems that supply  
high quality products to its customers and which incorporate many  
of the elements of ISO 9000.  Our sites also apply the 5S workplace 
organisation methodology which uses standardised work procedures 
to simplify the work environment,  reducing waste and non-value 
adding activity while improving quality,  efficiency and safety.   
Our quality systems utilise statistical process control and techniques  
to ensure product quality and consistency,  and to drive process 
improvements.

Elementis has also reviewed its supply chain to ensure that our 
products and supply chain are not impacted by international  
rules on  “conflict minerals”.  Conflict minerals are absent from  
our supply chain.

Another area of focus has been our emphasis on materials and 
packaging recyclability or reuseability and we are expanding 
initiatives across our global network.  For example,  we have for  
a number of years been a member of the German  “Repasack”   
paper bag recycling programme for organoclay products.   
The Repasack programme in Germany is responsible for  
recycling up to Euros 8 billion of packaging materials every year.  

To demonstrate our continuing efforts to utilise sustainable sources,  
the value of plant-based materials used in our coatings additives and 
consumer products businesses at the end of 2011 was $11.3 million,   
an increase of $3.7 million or 48 per cent over the previous year.

suppliers and supply chain
The Elementis global sourcing team continues to promote social 
responsibility,  environmental awareness,  trade compliance and 
anti-corruption within our worldwide supply base.  Our purchasing 
code of practice was updated towards the end of the year to underline 
our commitment to address these issues throughout our worldwide 
supply chains.  We continue to successfully participate in customer 
and supplier surveys and our supplier audit programme has been 
stepped up to focus on these topical issues.  

On 1 January 2012 the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act  
of 2010 (SB 657) became law in the State of California.  This legislation 
seeks to end slavery and human trafficking and requires companies  
to disclose their efforts to ensure that their supply chains are free  
from these activities.

Elementis supports international labour laws that seek to prohibit 
slavery and human trafficking.  As a responsible corporate citizen,   
we seek to ensure that quality and safety standards are maintained 
throughout our supply chain by well treated,  fairly compensated 
workers in accordance with all applicable laws.  We have adopted  
a number of initiatives to ensure and verify the absence of slavery  
and human trafficking in our supply chain.  These include:  risk 
assessments and audits;  acknowledgement of standards by  
suppliers and verification of compliance with our purchasing code  
of practice;  sanctions for non-compliance/non-adherence;  and 
training and communication.

Further information can be found on our website at:   
www.elementisplc.com/governance-responsibility/supply- 
chain-responsibility/

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Board of directors and senior executives

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

1.  roBert Beeston 
chairman
committee membership: 
n (c)
Robert Beeston was appointed non-executive Chairman of Elementis 
and Chairman of the Nomination Committee in September 2006.   
He was non-executive chairman of Cookson Group plc from April 2003 
to May 2010 and a non-executive director of DS Smith plc between 
December 2000 and December 2010,  where he was the senior 
independent director and chairman of the remuneration committee 
from 2003 to 2009.  From 1992 until 2002 he was chief executive officer 
of FKI plc.  He spent 18 years with Dowty Group before joining John 
Brown Plastics Machinery (UK) Ltd as managing director.  In 1985,  he was 
appointed managing director of BTR Valve Group,  a position he held for 
six years before joining FKI plc.

2.  ian Brindle 
senior independent director
committee membership: 
a,  n
Ian Brindle was appointed a non-executive director and Chairman of  
the Audit Committee in June 2005.  He retired as Chairman of the Audit 
Committee in April 2008 and was appointed Senior Independent 
Director.  He was senior partner of Price Waterhouse from 1991 to 1998 
and UK chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers until 2001.  He was also  
a member of the Accounting Standards Board between 1992 and 2001 
and the deputy chairman of the Financial Reporting Review Panel 
between 2001 and 2008.  He is senior independent director and 
chairman of the audit committee of Spirent Communications plc,  senior 
independent director also of 4imprint Group plc,  a non-executive 
director of F&C Asset Management plc and non-executive chairman of 
Sherborne Investors (Guernsey) A Limited.

non-executive director
a (c),  n,  r

3.  chris girling 
committee membership: 
Chris Girling was appointed a non-executive director in April 2005 and 
Chairman of the Audit Committee in April 2008.  He was group finance 
director of Carillion plc,  a construction and support service group,  from 
1999 to 2007,  and previous to that he was finance director of Vosper 
Thornycroft plc for ten years.  He holds an MBA and is a Fellow of the 
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.  He is a 
non-executive director and the chairman of the audit committee of 
Keller Group plc,  chairman of the board of trustees of the Slaughter and 
May pension scheme and a non-executive director of ARCO Limited.

non-executive director
a,  n,  r (c)

4.  kevin matthews 
committee membership: 
Kevin Matthews was appointed a non-executive director in February 
2005 and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee in April 2008.  He  
is chief executive officer of Isogenica Limited,  a private biotechnology 
business based in the UK and established in 2000.  Prior to that,  he was 
CEO of Oxonica plc,  a UK-based nanotechnology company,  a role he 
held from April 2001 to September 2009,  and previous to that he held 
roles in Rhodia Consumer Specialties Limited,  Albright & Wilson UK 
Limited and ICI Chemicals and Polymers.  He is a non-executive director 
of Cellectricon AB,  a Swedish private biotechnology business,  and 
holds a D.Phil in chemistry.

non-executive director
a,  n,  r

5.  andrew christie 
committee membership: 
Andrew Christie was appointed a non-executive director in August 
2008 and has over 25 years of investment banking and international 
corporate finance experience.  He is a partner of Smith Square Partners 
LLP,  a corporate finance advisory firm,  and before that was,  until March 
2008,  a UK managing director in the European Investment Banking 
Group at Credit Suisse.  In his prior role at Credit Suisse,  he was head of 
Investment Banking,  Asia Pacific,  based in Hong Kong and,  before that,  
held the same position with Barclays de Zoete Wedd.  He was previously 
chairman and non-executive director of Ark Therapeutics Group plc and 
holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011SENIOR EXECUTIVES

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

27

key 
a - Audit Committee
n – Nominaton Committee
r – Remuneration Committee
(c) – Chairman of Committee

group chief executive

6.  david dutro 
David Dutro was appointed Group Chief Executive in January 2007.  He 
joined Elementis in November 1998 as President of Elementis Pigments 
then became President and Chief Operating Officer of Elementis 
Worldwide in October 2005.  He was vice president and general 
manager of Universal Foods’  Dairy and Food Ingredient businesses 
(now Sensient Technologies Corp),  and also spent time with ICI in their 
colours,  polymer additives and surfactants businesses.  David Dutro  
was born and educated in the US and holds a Bachelor of Science 
degree in marketing. 

10.  walker allen 

 general counsel and  
chief compliance officer

Walker Allen joined Elementis as General Counsel in 1999 and was 
appointed General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer in 2006.   
Prior to joining Elementis,  he was associate general counsel with  
GE Americom (a GE Capital company) and before that senior business 
counsel with GE Plastics (a division of General Electric Company).   
He began his legal career as a lawyer in private practice with two  
leading New York City law firms,  where he specialised in corporate law,  
securities,  and mergers and acquisitions.  He is a member of the New 
York Bar and is admitted as in-house counsel in New Jersey. 

finance director

7.  Brian taylorson 
Brian Taylorson was appointed Finance Director in April 2002.  Before 
joining Elementis he was head of European chemicals M&A group at 
KPMG Corporate Finance.  He joined KPMG in 2000 from the Dow 
Chemical Company where he held a number of positions in finance 
over a period of 17 years.  He holds an MA from Cambridge University,   
is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and 
Wales and a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers.  He is  
a non-executive director of Fiberweb plc. 

11.  jerry horton 

 vice President worldwide 
human resources

Jerry Horton was appointed Vice President Worldwide Human 
Resources in January 2008.  He joined Elementis as Vice President 
Human Resources, Elementis Pigments in December 2000.  Prior to 
joining Elementis,  he was vice president labour relations for Earthgrains,  
now Sara Lee,  and before that he was the director of human resources 
with Hussmann,  now Ingersoll Rand.  Jerry Horton obtained an MBA in 
1996 and has worked for 30 years in the human resources field. 

8.  greg mcclatchy 

 President of elementis specialties 
(comprised of elementis specialty  
Products and elementis surfactants)

Greg McClatchy was appointed President of Elementis Specialties in 
January 2007.  He joined Elementis Pigments in 1999,  served as 
Managing Director of its Durham UK operations,  was appointed 
President of Specialty Rubber in 2002 and President of Elementis 
Chromium in 2005.  He was previously with Universal Foods (now 
Sensient Technologies Corp) and ICI’s polymer additives business.   
Greg McClatchy completed his undergraduate studies in chemistry  
and economics at the University of Delaware. 

chief information officer

12.  Brad rector 
Brad Rector was appointed Chief Information Officer in September 2010.  
Prior to joining Elementis,  he held senior IT positions in the US,  Hong 
Kong  and Germany for LyondellBasell Chemical and its predecessor 
companies.  Before that,  he was a management consultant with Price 
Waterhouse and an engineer with Texaco.  Brad Rector holds an MBA 
from the University of Houston – Clear Lake and a Bachelor of Science  
in mechanical engineering from the University of Arizona. 

 President of elementis chromium

9.  dennis valentino 
Dennis Valentino re-joined Elementis as President of Elementis 
Chromium in April 2009.  His previous positions at Elementis included 
Managing Director of Asia Pacific and President of Elementis Pigments 
until it was sold in August 2007 when he left the Group.  Prior to 
Elementis,  he joined Pfizer Pigments in 1975 and held various positions 
there including vice president of manufacturing and vice president of  
its North America Coatings business.  Dennis Valentino completed his 
undergraduate study in chemical engineering at the University of 
Missouri – Rolla,  and obtained his MBA from St.  Louis University.

company secretary

13.  wai wong 
Wai Wong joined Elementis and was appointed Company Secretary in 
May 2007.  He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and 
Administrators (“ICSA”).  Prior to joining Elementis,  he held a number  
of senior company secretarial positions including at John Menzies plc,  
ICSA and PricewaterhouseCoopers.  Wai Wong has a Bachelor’s degree 
in commerce and law from the University of Edinburgh and a Master’s 
degree in corporate and commercial law from Queen Mary College,  
University of London.

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
 
 
 
28

directors’  rePort

RepoRt and financial statements
The directors submit their report and the audited financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2011.

pRincipal activities,  business Review and  
futuRe development
For the purposes of this report,  the expression  “Company”  
or  “Elementis”  means Elementis plc and the expression  “Group”   
means the Company and its subsidiaries.

The main activities of the Group are the manufacture and sale of 
specialty chemicals.  The Business review forms part of this report and 
contains a fair review of,  and likely future trends and factors that might 
affect,  the development,  performance and position of the Group.   
A review of the Group’s risk management framework as well as 
principal risks and uncertainties is set out on pages 16 to 18,  and 
policies on financial risk can be found in Note 21 to the Financial 
Statements on page 69.  The Corporate social responsibility report on 
pages 19 to 25 summarises the Group’s policy on business conduct 
and ethics,  and sets out its approach to health and safety,  the 
environment,  social responsibility and community matters.

The Group undertakes,  on a continuing basis,  research and 
development activities for new products and to improve existing 
products.

coRpoRate goveRnance
This Directors’  report constitutes the management report for the 
purposes of the UK Listing Authority’s Disclosure and Transparency 
Rules (“DTR”).  In addition,  the Corporate governance report on 
page 32,  the Directors’  responsibility statement on page 31 and the 
biographical information on the directors shown on pages 26 and 27 
all form part of this Directors’  report for the purposes of the DTR.  

Results
The Group profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the 
parent amounted to $124.1 million (2010:  $74.1 million).

dividend
Details about the final dividend for the year are disclosed in the 
Chairman’s statement on page 2.

diRectoRs
The directors of the Company are Robert Beeston,  Ian Brindle,   
Andrew Christie,  David Dutro,  Chris Girling,  Kevin Matthews and  
Brian Taylorson.  All of these directors served on the Board throughout 
the financial year.  More information about the directors is provided in 
the Corporate governance report.

The interests of directors in the share capital of the Company are set 
out in the Report of the Remuneration Committee.

Re-election of diRectoRs
In compliance with the UK corporate governance code,  all directors 
will retire and offer themselves for re-election by shareholders at the 
2012 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”).  A statement about Board 
evaluation and the contribution of directors is set out in the Report  
of the Nomination Committee.  

employment policies
The Group Chief Executive is the Board member responsible for 
employee matters and human rights,  and he is assisted by the 
Vice President of Global Human Resources.  The Group employs 
HR specialists throughout its worldwide locations to advise on all 
HR matters,  including training and development,  and various HR 
performance indicators are maintained in order to monitor and 
evaluate the effectiveness of employment policies.

Elementis values the diverse backgrounds of all its people and 
works to create an open atmosphere of trust,  honesty and respect.  
Harassment or discrimination of any kind based on race,  colour,  
religion,  gender,  age,  national origin,  citizenship,  mental or physical 
disabilities,  sexual orientation,  veteran status,  or any other similarly 
protected status is unacceptable.  This principle applies to all 
aspects of employment,  including recruitment,  hiring,  placement,  
transfer,  promotion,  layoff,  recall,  termination and other terms and 
conditions of employment.  The Group is committed to providing 
equal employment opportunities for all Elementis people and all 
applicants for employment,  based on individual qualifications and 
without regard to the factors mentioned above.  It is Group policy to 
comply with all applicable laws governing employment practices 
and not to discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria,  and its 
practices include the prohibition on the use of child or forced labour.  
Employment policies are fair and equitable and consistent with the 
skills and abilities of the employee and the needs of the business.  
Elementis respects the rights of its employees to join a trade union or 
participate in collective bargaining arrangements and over 40 per cent 
of our global workforce are members of a trade union.  

Were an employee to have or acquire a disability,  the Group’s 
policy is,  wherever practicable,  to provide continuing employment 
under normal terms and conditions and to provide training,  career 
development and promotion as appropriate.  

The Board expects the Group to conduct its operations based on 
sound ethical practices which are open and free from unlawful 
discrimination and harassment.  Elementis supports the wider 
fundamental human rights of its employees worldwide and has taken 
steps to ensure that our standards are reflected and incorporated,  
wherever practicable,  in our business relationships and dealings,  
particularly as they relate to our wider stakeholders including 
customers,  suppliers and the local communities where we operate.  
Further information about the Group’s policy on business conduct and 
ethics is set out in the Corporate social responsibility report.  

employee communications and involvement
It is Group policy to communicate with all employees on major 
matters to encourage them to take a wider interest in the affairs of 
their employing company and the Group and to make them aware 
of the financial and economic factors affecting the Company’s 
performance.  This is done in a variety of ways including informal 
consultations,  bulletins and briefing sessions.  There are well 
established procedures,  including regular meetings with recognised 
unions,  to ensure that the views of employees are taken into 
account in making decisions likely to affect their interests.  Managers 
throughout the Group have a responsibility to keep their staff 
informed of developments and matters of interest.  The Company 
operates savings-related share option schemes allowing UK and  
US employees the opportunity to become shareholders,  details  
of which are set out in Note 24 to the Financial Statements on  
page 83.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 201129

going conceRn 
The Group’s business activities,  together with the factors likely to 
affect its future performance and development,  are set out in the 
Business review on pages 2 to 25.  The financial position of the Group 
and description of the principal risks and uncertainties are set out in 
the Finance report on pages 17 and 18.  Note 21 details the Group’s 
exposure to credit,  liquidity and market risk and its mechanisms for 
dealing with these risks.

The Group’s primary source of funding is a syndicated revolving credit 
facility for $200 million which expires in July 2014.  At the year end,  
the Group was in a net cash position but it still has to comply with 
covenants and report on these on a half yearly basis to the syndicate  
of banks.  This involves covenant tests for net debt: EBITDA ratio,  
interest cover and net worth.  No breaches in these covenant tests 
were reported during the year.  The Group uses various short and 
medium term forecasts to monitor anticipated future compliance and 
these include stress testing assumptions to identify the headroom on 
the covenant tests.  

After evaluating the covenant compliance modelling and the ongoing 
trading of the businesses,  the directors are satisfied that the Company 
and the Group have adequate resources to continue to operate for the 
foreseeable future as going concerns.  For this reason they continue to 
adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.  

shaRe capital
The Company’s share capital consists of ordinary shares,  as set out  
in Note 7 to the Parent Company Financial Statements on page 90.   
All of the Company’s issued ordinary shares are fully paid up and rank 
equally in all respects.  The rights attached to them,  in addition to 
those conferred on their holders by law,  are set out in the Company’s 
articles of association (the  “Articles”).  Other than those specific 
provisions set out in the Articles,  there are no restrictions on the 
transfer of ordinary shares or on the exercise of voting rights attached 
to them.  From time to time the Elementis Employee Share Ownership 
Trust (“ESOT”) holds shares in the Company for the purposes of 
various share incentive plans and the rights attaching to them are 
exercised by independent trustees,  who may take into account any 
recommendation by the Company.  As at 31 December 2011 the ESOT 
held 1,165,719 (2010:  5,578,169) ordinary shares of 5 pence each in the 
Company.  A dividend waiver is in place in respect of all shares held by 
the  ESOT.  

diRectoRs,  aRticles and puRchase of shaRes
Rules about the appointment and replacement of directors are set 
out in the Articles.  Changes to the Articles must be approved by 
shareholders passing a special resolution.  The directors’  powers are 
conferred on them by UK legislation and by the Articles.  The Board has 
the power conferred on it by shareholders to purchase its own shares 
and is seeking renewal of that power at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting within the limits set out in the Notice of Meeting.  

significant agReements – change of contRol
Other than as set out in this paragraph,  there are no significant 
agreements to which the Company is a party which take effect,   
alter or terminate in the event of a change of control of the Company.   
The Company is a guarantor under the Group’s $200 million revolving 
credit facility which runs until July 2014.  Under the terms of that facility,  
in the event of a change of control,  any lender among the facility 
syndicate,  of which there are six with commitments ranging from  
$20 million to $45 million,  may withdraw from the facility and that 
lender’s participation in any loans drawn down are required to  
be repaid.  

Under David Dutro’s service contract with the Company,  
compensation is payable to him equivalent to one year’s basic salary if 
he terminates his contract upon a change of control provided that the 
Company has not first obtained a written agreement to be bound by 
his service contract from any successor in a change of control.  There 
is no specific change of control provision in Brian Taylorson’s service 
contract with the Company but the provisions on early termination 
set out on page 42 of the Directors’  remuneration report apply and 
compensation equivalent to one year’s basic salary and benefits  
would be payable if less than 12 months’  notice of termination by  
the Company is given.  

The rules of the Company’s various share incentive schemes set out 
the consequences of a change of control of the Company on the 
rights of the participants under those schemes.  Under the rules of the 
respective schemes,  participants would generally be able to exercise 
their options on a change of control,  provided that the relevant 
performance conditions have been satisfied and,  where relevant,  
options are not exchanged for new options granted by an acquiring 
company.  

significant Relationships
The Group has in place a number of supply contracts for key raw 
materials that are essential to the business.  In Specialty Products,  
supply contracts are for clays,  quaternary amines and other chemical 
intermediates.  The suppliers of these contracts are important and,  
although we have sought to develop a strategic long term relationship 
with them,  we have taken steps to maintain a sufficiently broad base 
of suppliers to mitigate any supply chain risks.  Specialty Products 
also owns and operates a hectorite clay mine in California which 
reduces our reliance on third party suppliers for raw materials.  The 
Surfactants business sources a number of products from a reasonably 
wide base of third party suppliers for use in the manufacturing of 
its products.  These include supplies for ethylene oxide,  propylene 
oxide,  nonylphenol ethoxylate and fatty alcohols.  The Chromium 
division’s key raw materials are chrome ore,  soda ash and sulphuric 
acid.  Chrome ore is sourced from a number of South African mining 
companies,  while soda ash and sulphuric acid are sourced from 
suppliers in the US.  The business is continually looking for new sources 
of supply to broaden its base of suppliers.  All businesses purchase 
energy in the form of natural gas,  fuel oil or electricity.  It is the Group’s 
practice to enter into agreements with suppliers to lock in the price 
of at least 50 per cent of its energy costs for each year.  Information 
about individual suppliers is not disclosed as the Board considers that 
disclosure would be seriously prejudicial to the Group.  

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC30

directors’  rePort continued

As its businesses are reasonably diverse in terms of the customers 
and sectors they serve,  the Group is not dependent on any particular 
customer and therefore no further information is given.  The Group 
supplies some of its products through approved distributors,  who are 
able to provide or access technical support services,  and has a joint 
venture in China at an organoclay plant and,  whilst these relationships 
are an important part of our business,  the Board does not consider any 
individual relationship to be material to the Group.  The Group values 
all of its employees and,  although some perform roles that are more 
important to the business than others,  the Board does not consider 
that the Group’s success is materially dependent on any single 
individual.  Additionally,  the Board is satisfied that the Company’s 
incentive arrangements are appropriate to attract,  retain and motivate 
key people within the organisation.

substantial shaReholdeRs
As at 28 February 2012 the Company had been notified,  in accordance 
with Rule 5 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules,  of the following 
interests in its issued ordinary capital:  

ordinary 
shares 
44,613,178 
Schroders plc 
AXA investment Managers SA 
28,739,014 
Ameriprise Financial,  inc.  and its group  24,578,041 
22,839,063 
norges Bank 
22,627,563 
Prudential Plc Group of companies  
22,544,252 
Legal & General Group plc 
BlackRock,  inc  
22,444,591 
cazenove capital Management Limited  22,171,163 
JPMorgan Asset Management  
Holdings inc. 

20,565,772 

Percentage of 
issued ordinary 
share capital
9.92
6.39
5.46
5.08
5.03
5.01
4.99
4.93

4.57

auditoR
A resolution to re-appoint KPMG Audit Plc as auditors of the Company 
will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting to be 
held on 26 April 2012.

Each director in office at the date of this Directors’  report confirms 
that (a) so far as he is aware,  there is no relevant audit information of 
which the Company’s auditors are unaware and (b) he has taken all the 
steps that he ought to have taken as a director to make himself aware 
of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s 
auditors are aware of that information.

political and chaRitable donations 
During the year the Group donated $51,113 (2010:  $56,040) for 
charitable purposes of which $17,394 (2010:  $12,872) was made in the 
UK.  The Group made no political donations during the year (2010:  $nil).

policy on payment of supplieRs
The Company’s and the Group’s policies concerning the payment 
to suppliers are to agree terms of payment at the start of business 
with each supplier and to adhere to these,  subject to satisfactory 
performance by the suppliers.  The Company and the Group do  
not follow any code or statement on payment practice.  Trade  
creditors for the Group at 31 December 2011 represented 55 days 
(2010:  60 days) of annual purchases,  adjusted for currency and 
acquisitions and disposals.  The Company has no trade creditors.

diRectoRs’  and officeRs’  liability insuRance
The Company maintains liability insurance for the directors and 
officers of the Company and its subsidiaries.  In addition,  in 2008,  the 
directors of the Company were granted indemnities in respect of 
any liability or loss that may arise out of or in connection with the 
execution of their powers,  duties and responsibilities as directors of 
the Company,  or of any subsidiary,  to the extent permitted under the 
Companies Act 2006.  Copies of these indemnities,  which continue 
to remain in place,  are available for inspection at the Company’s 
registered office during normal business hours and will be available  
for inspection at the Annual General Meeting.

diRectoRs’  conflict of inteRest
The only director who was in receipt of a conflict authorisation during 
the year is Brian Taylorson,  who is Finance Director and a Trustee of 
the UK pension scheme.  The conflict authorisation enables him to 
continue to act as a Trustee notwithstanding that this role could give 
rise to a situation in which there is a conflict of interest.  The conflict 
authorisation was first put in place in October 2008 and is subject to 
annual review.  The Board has reviewed this and has agreed to extend 
the conflict authorisation for another year.  Under the terms of the 
conflict resolution,  reciprocal provisions have been put in place with 
a view to safeguarding information that is confidential to the Group 
as well as to the Trustees.  Were a conflict of interest to arise,  Brian 
Taylorson is required to excuse himself from reading the relevant 
pension papers and absent himself from participating in relevant 
Trustee discussions.

post balance sheet events
There are no post balance sheet events.

annual geneRal meeting
The fifteenth Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on 
Thursday 26 April 2012.  The Notice of Meeting is included in a separate 
document sent to shareholders.

By order of the Board

Wai Wong
Company Secretary
28 February 2012

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
directors’  resPonsiBility statement

31

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the 
Group and parent company financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations.

Under applicable law and regulations,  the directors are also 
responsible for preparing a Directors’  report,  Directors’  remuneration 
report and Corporate governance statement that complies with that 
law and those regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare Group and parent 
company financial statements for each financial year.  Under that 
law they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and applicable law and 
have elected to prepare the parent company financial statements in 
accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Under company law the directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view 
of the state of affairs of the Group and parent company and of their 
profit or loss for that period.  In preparing each of the Group and parent 
company financial statements,  the directors are required to:

• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

 select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 
consistently;

 make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 for the Group financial statements,  state whether they have been 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU;

 for the parent company financial statements,  state whether 
applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed,  subject 
to any material departures disclosed and explained in the parent 
company financial statements;  and

 prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and the 
parent company will continue in business.  

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the parent company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time 
the financial position of the parent company and enable them to 
ensure that its financial statements comply with the Companies Act 
2006.  They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are 
reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and  
to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of 
the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s 
website.  Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation  
in other jurisdictions.  

The directors,  all of whom are shown on pages 26 and 27,  confirm  
that to the best of their knowledge:

• 

• 

 the financial statements,  prepared in accordance with the 
applicable set of accounting standards,  give a true and fair view 
of the assets,  liabilities,  financial position and profit or loss of the 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole;  and 

 the Directors’  report includes a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the position of the issuer and 
the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole,  
together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties 
that they face.

By order of the Board

Brian Taylorson
Finance Director
28 February 2012

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC32

corPorate governance rePort

Chairman’s address
In this introductory section,  I report on how your Board has applied 
the principles in the UK corporate governance code (the  “CG Code”) 
relating to role and effectiveness.  

Firstly,  your Board considers that it has complied fully with all of the 
provisions of the CG Code and a fuller report on this is set out below.

Your Board has four principal functions:

• 
• 
• 

• 

 to determine the strategic direction and priorities of the Company 
as a whole;  

 to provide leadership in setting the appropriate culture and 
standards in all aspects of our activities;

 to provide guidance to,  and exercise oversight in respect of,  
executive management and the management of the businesses;  
and

 to report to shareholders on its stewardship of the Company.

These key functions are carried out by the Board and its Committees 
and,  while some aspects or activities may be delegated to the 

executive directors and their management team,  the Board is 
ultimately responsible to our shareholders,  and in some cases wider 
stakeholders,  for them collectively.  

The diagram below illustrates the Elementis governance framework 
which helps to explain the principal roles and interactions that will 
enable shareholders to assess better how CG Code principles about 
effectiveness have been applied.  Key to the role and effectiveness 
of the Board is how it has generated and preserved value over the 
longer term.  In this regard,  I am pleased to report that,  despite the 
considerable challenges presented by global economies,  2011 has 
been a record year for Elementis.  The Board has set a clear strategy 
for growth over the longer term and the financial performance in 
2011 demonstrates that the Company is well positioned to deliver 
sustainable results that will generate significant shareholder value.  
In addition to growth and increasing profitability,  the Company 
has taken important steps towards preserving long term value.  The 
Company’s balance sheet has continued to strengthen from positive 
cash flow generation and we have a proactive investor relations 
programme to ensure that the key value drivers of our businesses 
are well communicated.  Another aspect is a proactive approach to 
managing legacy issues relating to businesses previously owned by 
the Group.  The refund of €23.4 million from the EU Commission in the 
latter part of 2011 is a good example of this.

elementis governance framework
This diagram shows the key constituents within the Elementis governance framework and their key roles and responsibilities.

nomination committee

Succession planning
Board and Committee evaluation
Board appointments (size,  
composition and structure;  skills,  
knowledge and experience;   
and diversity)

internal audit

Reliability and integrity of financial  
and operating information
Effectiveness and efficiency of 
operations 
Safeguarding of assets
Compliance with applicable laws  
and regulations

shareholders

Accountability
Reporting

Mandate
Delegated authorities

Board of directors

Accountability
Reporting

Strategic direction
Delegated authorities
Business oversight

management team

Execute strategy
Manage business
Provide leadership

Generate and  
preserve value over  
the longer term

remuneration committee

Executive remuneration
Annual bonus scheme
Share incentive schemes
Setting performance targets
Ensuring remuneration does not 
encourage excessive risk taking

Business leadershiP and 
functional suPPort teams

oPerational,  Professional  
and suPPort Personnel

external auditors

Audit and express an opinion on  
the financial statements in 
accordance with applicable law  
and accounting standards

audit committee

Integrity of financial statements,  accounting 
policies and financial reporting
Effectiveness of internal control,  compliance  
and risk management systems
All aspects of the relationship with internal  
and external auditors

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 201133

In each of the areas of focus from execution of strategy to risk and 
internal control,  central to our governance framework is the role of the 
Board and management team.  Clear governance structures,  such as 
a defined programme of Board and Committee meetings,  delegation 
of authorities,  Group policies and open lines of communication,  
have enabled the Company to operate in an open and transparent 
environment with certainty,  thereby helping to create the conditions 
for achieving success.  Underpinning the structures are,  of course,  the 
individuals on the Board,  both executive and non-executive directors.  
The table below sets out information that shows the diversity of skills,  
background and experience on the Board.  It is this level of diversity 
that leads your Board to conclude that its size and composition are 
appropriate to guide the Company at this stage of its development.  

The diversity enables the Board to identify and address issues  
when and as they arise and,  in the case of the non-executives,   
to constructively challenge executive management and exercise 
appropriate oversight on business performance and the levels of  
risk taking.  

As part of any system,  adequate controls are necessary and,  within 
our governance framework (both within the formal channels,  such as 
in Board meetings,  and outside of these formal structures),  the roles 
of the Chairman and Senior Independent Director are paramount 
in providing the executive directors with appropriate support and 
counsel,  as well as a contact point for shareholders.  The annual 
Board and committee evaluation on performance and effectiveness 
is another control mechanism and enables the Board to reflect on 
the leadership,  commitment and contribution of individual Board 
members.  The process allows the Board to take stock and consider 
what improvements need to be made or areas strengthened.  The 
evaluation extends to the role of the company secretary who has  
an important supporting role to play in ensuring the governance 
system operates smoothly in terms of the information,  support 
and resources that are made available to non-executive directors.  
However,  although more formal processes have been put into place,  
for example in respect of the induction of new directors,  the Board 
generally operates on the basis that individual directors should be 
proactive in their own development.  Nonetheless,  seminars,  training 
and briefings are all part of the resources that are made available 
to all Board members,  including access to external advisers where 
appropriate,  and the Chairman meets with all directors individually,  on 
a periodic basis,  as part of their evaluation and development process.

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Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34

corPorate governance rePort continued

To demonstrate the Board’s support of the principle,  the Board opted 
to apply early the provisions in the CG Code concerning the annual 
re-election of directors when all Board members stood for re-election 
by shareholders at the 2011 Annual General Meeting.

Each of the sections in the CG Code relating to role and effectiveness 
is inter-related with one another and a current development within 
Elementis that will influence how our application of the CG Code 
provisions might change over the medium term concerns the Board’s 
succession plans.  

As identified in last year’s Corporate governance report,  the Board,  
through the work of the Nomination Committee,  has started planning 
for Board succession,  principally in response to the fact that three of 
our non-executives,  including the Senior Independent Director,  will 
cease to be considered independent under CG Code provisions in the 
first half of 2014.  A succession plan will see additional non-executives 
being recruited in 2013,  2014 and 2015 in order to spread out these 
appointments,  although in practice the refreshment process will be 
more flexible and fluid in order to ensure stability and continuity.  

Towards the end of the year,  the Board invited eight recruitment 
firms to submit proposals to assist the Board in its succession 
planning process.  The Chairman and Senior Independent Director 
met with a number of the firms who will be presenting to the Board 
and it is expected that an appointment will be made in the second 
quarter.  The appointed adviser will assist the Board in identifying and 
prioritising the skills and competencies that will be required beyond 
2014,  so that role specifications can be prepared and agreed before 
the end of 2012,  and the search and recruitment process started early 
in 2013.  

As a result of these plans,  the Board has not embraced as a matter of 
priority the proposals of Lord Davies on gender diversity.  The Board 
agrees that women can contribute a great deal in the boardroom,  
in executive and non-executive roles,  and Elementis will seek to 
include women candidates in its succession planning process.  
However,  the Board will appoint candidates on the basis of the best 
qualified person,  rather than based on setting specific quotas.  

Robert Beeston
Chairman
28 February 2012

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 201135

Board operation
The Board has a formal schedule of matters specifically reserved to it 
for decision and this forms part of our risk management and internal 
control system.  These matters reserved include strategic and annual 
operating plans,  the approval of financial statements,  acquisitions and 
disposals,  risk compliance and management programmes including 
insurance arrangements,  major non-recurring projects and major 
capital expenditures.  The Board reviews business performance at 
each of its meetings and sets values and standards to ensure that its 
obligations to shareholders and wider stakeholders are understood 
and met.  It also delegates specific responsibilities with written terms 
of reference to the Board committees detailed overleaf.  

To assist the Board in carrying out its duties,  information of an 
appropriate quality is issued in a timely manner ahead of Board and 
committee meetings.  A programme exists to ensure new directors 
receive appropriate induction tailored to their needs.  This includes 
visits to manufacturing facilities and meetings with members of the 
management team to assist them in developing an understanding 
of how the Group operates and key opportunities and risks.  New 
directors are also advised of their legal and other duties and other 
obligations as directors of a listed company.  All directors have  
access to the advice and services of the company secretary and  
may take independent professional advice,  as appropriate,  at the 
expense of the Company.  

Each year the Board holds one of its meetings at one of the Group’s 
overseas locations.  During 2011,  the Board visited Shanghai,  where 
it held one of its meetings,  and toured our facilities in Songjiang,  
Changxing and Anji in China.  As part of the trip,  the directors met 
with and received business presentations from the Asia Pacific 
management team,  which included a video presentation of the  
R&D centre in Hsinchu,  Taiwan.  The directors also had the  
opportunity to meet other members of staff from different 
departments in a number of informal dinners during their visit.  
These activities help the directors develop their understanding of 
the business and the risks it faces,  and gives them an opportunity 
to observe directly the more operational side of the business,  ask 
questions of more junior levels of management and assess the  
quality of the resources within the Group.  One finding from the  
annual Board evaluation programme is that directors used these 
site visits to improve their understanding of operational matters,  
particularly in relation to risk management and health,  safety and 
environment matters,  as well as the culture that exists and the 
enthusiasm and commitment of the wider workforce.  

The Board 
Composition
The composition of the Board and biographical information about its 
members are shown on pages 26 and 27 respectively.  

Information about the executive directors’ service contracts with the 
Company is set out in the Report of the Remuneration Committee on 
page 42.  Non-executive directors are appointed for an initial term of 
three years,  after which the appointment can be renewed for further 
three year periods by mutual agreement between the Board and the 
director concerned.  In determining whether or not an appointment 
should be renewed,  the Board will take into consideration the 
wishes,  performance and commitment of the director,  as well 
the requirements of the CG Code on directors’ independence.  All 
appointments are made subject to annual re-election by shareholders 
at the AGM.   

Robert Beeston’s appointment as Chairman will expire in September 
2012 and it is anticipated that his appointment will be renewed for 
a third three year period.  Further details about the non-executive 
directors’ terms of appointment are set out in the Report of the 
Remuneration Committee on page 42.

Following its annual performance evaluation, the Board is satisfied 
that all our directors,  both executives and non-executives, contribute 
effectively and demonstrate appropriate commitment to their role.  
Accordingly,  it is the Board’s recommendation to shareholders  
that all directors,  each of whom will be submitting themselves for  
re-election at the 2012 Annual General Meeting,  are re-elected.

The Board’s position on gender diversity in the boardroom is discussed 
briefly in the Chairman’s address and a further commentary appears in 
the Report of the Nomination Committee.  In terms of a diversity policy 
more generally,  a summary of our employment policies appears on 
page 28 in the Directors’  report but the principal message is that we 
apply a policy of non-discrimination (except as it relates to a person’s 
ability or potential in relation to the needs of a job) throughout 
the Group – to recruitment and promotion,  layoffs and training 
or in grievance procedures.  Out of our total workforce (excluding 
contractors or temporary workers),  25 per cent (over 300) are female.  
Of these female employees,  17 per cent or one in every six  (just under 
50) hold managerial positions and seven per cent or one in every 
14  (just over 20) hold an executive management position (within the 
four tiers below Board level).  Our most senior female executive is our 
Global Marketing Director for the Specialty Products business who,  
along with other members of the business leadership teams,  have 
exposure to Board members in meetings and presentations at various 
times in the year.  

Board independence
The Board considers all the non-executive directors to be independent 
in character and judgement.  The Board is satisfied that each director 
exercises independent judgement and believes no individual or group 
dominates decision making.  

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC36

corPorate governance rePort continued

Board committees
The table below shows the members of each Board committee  
and their attendance records during 2011.  A report of each  
committee is set out separately in this Annual Report.  The Report  
of the Remuneration Committee constitutes the Directors’  
remuneration report.

Training and development
All directors are encouraged to take responsibility for their own 
training and development needs.  Various in-house and external 
resources are made available,  such as briefings,  presentations or 
more formal seminars and training workshops.  During 2011,  our 
non-executive directors attended various workshops and conferences 
run by KPMG,  PwC,  BDO and the Association of British Insurers,  which 
covered a diverse range of topics from executive remuneration to 
Board diversity,  from accounting standards to the Bribery Act 2010.   
In addition,  a number of technical briefings were given in-house at 
Audit Committee meetings on accounting for pensions and goodwill,  
which were attended by all directors.  

On a periodic basis (usually every one or two years),  the Chairman 
organises a more formal review meeting with each director and one 
of the items discussed is whether or not,  in the case of non-executive 
directors,  they consider information and resources,  including training 
and development support,  is appropriate to their needs.  

Investor relations programme
Being a publicly listed company,  a key role of the Board is to ensure 
an effective communication programme is maintained throughout 
the year with shareholders,  analysts and the financial press.  Our 
programme includes the following:  

 preliminary and half year results announcements;  

 annual report and accounts;  

 interim management statements;  

 other regulatory announcements;  

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 

 dissemination of information via the Group’s website at  
www.elementisplc.com;  and 

 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”).  

Shareholders attending the AGM can ask questions during the 
meeting and can speak with the directors informally after the meeting.  
Both the chairmen of the Audit and Remuneration Committees are 
available to answer questions from shareholders.  

Management’s meetings with shareholders and analysts are reported 
to the Board on a regular basis,  which includes feedback from 
investors following results roadshows.  All directors receive copies of 
research notes published by analysts by email,  as and when these 
are published,  helping non-executive directors to develop a clear 
understanding of the views of major shareholders.  The Chairman and 
Senior Independent Director are available for contact by shareholders 
at any time.

From time to time,  where appropriate,  the Chairman and,  in connection 
with remuneration proposals,  the chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee will organise a programme of meetings with major 
shareholders to update them on any developments in corporate 
governance matters or consult them over remuneration proposals.

During the year,  the Board reviewed its relationship with RBS Hoare 
Govett (“RBS”) as the Company’s joint corporate broker and decided 
towards the end of the year to replace RBS with UBS Investment  
Bank (“UBS”).  It was considered that UBS,  working alongside  
N+1 Brewin (the other joint corporate broker) would be a more 
effective combination in assisting the Company in its equity  
market activities.

Share capital
The information on the structure of the Company’s share capital,  
including any rights or restrictions of shares,  required to be made 
in this Corporate governance report under the Financial Services 
Authority’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules can be found in the 
Directors’  report under the heading  “Share capital”.

 meetings with and presentations to institutional shareholders;  

By order of the Board

 attendance at investor conferences;  

 holding of analyst and investor days;  

Wai Wong
Company Secretary
28 February 2012

memBershiP of committees

audit committee

nomination committee

RemuneRation committee

Members (left to right) 
Chris Girling (Chairman) 
Ian Brindle 
Andrew Christie 
Kevin Matthews 

attendance record
4/4
4/4
4/4
4/4

Members (left to right) 
Robert Beeston (Chairman) 
Ian Brindle 
Andrew Christie 
Chris Girling 
Kevin Matthews 

attendance record
4/4
4/4
4/4
4/4
4/4

Members (left to right) 
Kevin Matthews (Chairman) 
Andrew Christie 
Chris Girling 

attendance record
4/4
4/4
4/4

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011rePort of the audit committee

37

The Committee’s composition and the attendance records of its 
members are shown in the table on page 36.  All meetings were 
also attended by the Chairman of the Company and both executive 
directors,  to ensure that all Board members are kept fully informed 
on the operation and work of the Committee.  The biographical 
information of directors shown on page 26 shows that both Chris 
Girling and Ian Brindle have the necessary financial experience 
required by the CG Code.  

The Committee approved non-audit services of $0.6 million from 
KPMG in 2011 (2010:  $0.4 million),  most of which concerned tax 
advisory services in relation to the UK,  US,  Netherlands,  Germany,  
China and Taiwan.  KPMG’s knowledge of the business meant they 
could provide these services more cost effectively.  Other non-audit 
services relate to work on Bribery Act compliance.  The Committee 
is satisfied that the provision of these services does not affect the 
independence of KPMG as external auditor.

A summary of the Committee’s role appears in the Elementis 
governance framework on page 32.  A full description and its  
terms of reference are available on the Company’s website at:   
www.elementisplc.com/governance-responsibility/

The Committee’s formal programme of work is carried out over four 
meetings each year – in February,  June,  July and December.  During 
2011,  this programme of work covered the following:

 review of annual and interim reports and financial statements,   
and interim management statements;

inteRnal contRol 
As part of its role,  the Committee is responsible for monitoring,  and 
reviewing the effectiveness of,  the Group’s system of internal controls 
and risk management.  This system comprises financial,  operational 
and compliance risks and controls.  Although the Committee has 
been delegated specific tasks in connection with this role,  the Board 
is ultimately responsible for the effectiveness of such a system,  which 
can only be designed to manage,  rather than eliminate,  the risk of 
failure to achieve business objectives.  Our risk management and 
internal control system can therefore only provide reasonable,  and  
not absolute,  assurance against material mis-statement or loss.

 consideration of half yearly reports from the internal audit 
providers,  PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”),  as well as 
representations from management;

 review of the effectiveness of PwC and the external auditors 
(KPMG);

The Board is of the view that an ongoing process for identifying,  
evaluating and managing significant risks faced by the Group was 
in place throughout the financial year under review and up to the 
date that this Annual Report was approved.  This process is regularly 
reviewed by the Board and accords with the Financial Reporting 
Council’s guidance to audit committees.  

 confirmation of the decision to continue to outsource the internal 
audit function to PwC;

Set out below is a summary of the key features of the Group’s internal 
control system:

 approval of the scope of work of,  and the fees and engagement 
letters for,  both internal and external auditors;

 review of reports from management and advisers on the Group’s 
anti-bribery and corruption compliance programme,  including 
updating the Group’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and 
Anti-corruption policy,  reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s 
whistleblowing procedures as well as other action taken to ensure 
compliance with the Bribery Act 2010;

 review of the objectivity and independence of the external 
auditors and the nature and extent of non-audit services they 
provide (see below);

 confirmation of the appointment of KPMG as external auditors;  
and

 review of reports from management on:  litigation matters;  tax 
planning;  business continuity plans;  accounting policies and new 
accounting standards;  and risk management and internal control 
systems (e.g.  IT strategy,  treasury risks).

Control environment
A key factor in the Group’s approach to internal control is the 
recognition of the need for risk awareness and the ownership of risk 
management by executives at all levels.  

The Group has policies and procedures that set out the responsibilities 
of divisional management,  including authority levels,  reporting 
disciplines and responsibility for risk management and internal 
control.  Certain activities,  including treasury,  taxation,  insurance,  
pension,  compliance and legal matters are controlled centrally with 
reports reviewed by the Board as appropriate.  Site level policies and 
procedures are set by divisional management as appropriate to the 
needs of each business unit.  

An internal audit programme is agreed by the Finance Director and 
approved by the Committee each year,  setting out a programme of 
audits over the course of the next 12 months.  This focuses mainly on 
financial controls but also includes other operational or compliance 
controls e.g.  IT security,  HSE reporting and compliance with Group 
policies.  

• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

• 
• 

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCInvestment appraisal
There are clearly defined investment guidelines for capital expenditure.  
All investment expenditure is subject to formal authorisation 
procedures,  with major proposals being considered by the Board.  

Audit Committee
The role of the Audit Committee is critical within the Company’s 
system of internal control and risk management.

Chris Girling
Chairman,  Audit Committee
28 February 2012

38

rePort of the audit committee continued

Risk identification and review
Key identified risks,  both financial and non-financial,  are reviewed 
by the Board as well as by divisional management on an ongoing 
basis,  which is supported by the work of the Audit Committee and 
the internal audit service.  A formal annual review of risks and controls 
is carried out by both the management team and the Board,  and 
includes presentations from senior managers.  

The management team,  which comprises the executive directors,  
business presidents and functional business leaders,  meets on a 
regular basis to review each division’s and the Group’s performance,  
strategy and risk management.  Their work is supported by the internal 
audit programme which covers the monitoring of the effectiveness of 
internal controls and the design of processes to test the effectiveness 
of controls.  

At an operating level,  all divisions are required to have processes to 
identify risks and,  so far as possible,  take action to reduce those risks.  
In addition annual compliance statements on internal control are 
certified by each operating division.

A fuller description of the Group’s risk management system is set out in 
the Business review on pages 16 to 18.

Financial reporting
There is a comprehensive Groupwide system of financial reporting.  
The Board reviews at each of its meetings reports from the Chief 
Executive and the Finance Director,  as well as full management 
accounts,  comprising monthly and year to date profit and loss 
statements,  cash flows and balance sheet,  with segmental and 
individual business performance analyses.  In addition,  capital 
expenditure and relevant performance indicators are reported.   
Actual monthly results are monitored against budget,  forecasts and 
the previous year’s results.  Any significant variances are investigated 
and acted upon as appropriate.  As well as monthly management 
accounts,  each operating division prepares an annual and a three year 
operating plan which is approved by the Board.  Thereafter a formal 
re-forecasting exercise is undertaken three times a year.  

The Committee considers that the Group’s systems of internal 
control and risk management (including those relating to the 
financial reporting process) are robust and effective.  The Committee 
is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the Group’s financial 
statements and other communications to the market about trading 
performance relative to market forecasts.  The Committee approves 
and keeps under review significant accounting policies,  particularly  
in areas where judgements and estimates are made.  

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011rePort of the nomination committee

39

The Committee’s composition and the attendance records of its 
members are shown in the table on page 36.  All meetings (except 
one which was attended by non-executive directors only) were 
also attended by both executive directors,  to ensure that all Board 
members are kept fully informed on the operation and work of the 
Committee.

A summary of the Committee’s role appears in the Elementis 
governance framework on page 32.  A full description and its  
terms of reference are available on the Company’s website at:   
www.elementisplc.com/governance-responsibility/ 

The Committee’s formal programme of work in 2011 was carried  
out over four meetings – in June,  July,  October and December.   
This programme of work covered the following:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

 consideration of Lord Davies’  recommendations for increasing  
the number of women on the boards of listed companies;  

 approval of a Board diversity policy to take into consideration  
CG Code requirements on Board diversity (see below);

 consideration of using external resources to help carry out its 
annual performance evaluation;

 consideration of the non-executive succession planning process;

 review of results of the annual Board performance evaluation;  

 review of submissions from eight recruitment firms who had been 
asked to submit proposals for assisting the Board in implementing 
its succession plans;  and

 review of the Chairman’s performance.  

boaRd diveRsity
Under the diversity policy agreed by the Board,  the best candidate 
will be the one whose recruitment profile is considered to be the best 
fit for the vacant role.  In determining best fit,  the Board will take into 
consideration the following:  the skills,  knowledge and experience of 
the candidate measured against the requirements of the role and the 
existing knowledge,  skills,  experience,  aptitudes and personalities 
represented on the Board,  as well as the Group’s international profile.  

The diversity policy also stipulates,  in relation to new appointments,  
that:  (a) only recruitment advisers who are able to demonstrate a 
commitment to gender equality and the ability to identify suitably 
qualified female candidates for Board positions will be engaged;  
and (b) where two candidates are equally matched against a role 
specification,  the Board will give preference to a female candidate.  

The Board considers that this policy will help to ensure women are 
given every opportunity to be considered for appointment and,  in the 
scenario described,  will be given preference over a male candidate.  

As the Board is currently engaged in a succession planning process 
that is likely only to be fully completed in 2014/2015,  it does not 
consider that it would be appropriate to set targets for the number  
of women on the Elementis Board.  However,  a specific requirement  
of the appointed recruitment adviser will be to ensure any long list  
and short list of candidates presented to the Board for consideration is 
in line with the Davies recommendations – that is,  at least 25 per cent 
should be women considered to have met the essential criteria for the 
role in question.  

boaRd peRfoRmance evaluation
The annual evaluation of the Board’s performance includes a review 
of its committees and individual directors,  as well as the company 
secretary.  The process involves the use of a questionnaire,  which 
has been designed internally,  and the results are discussed by all the 
directors at one of the Committee’s meetings held towards the end of 
the year.  Prior to the process being agreed,  the Committee discussed 
two proposals in June for an external evaluation to be conducted,  but 
decided that the priority was to progress the Board’s succession plans.  
It was agreed that some of the work involved,  such as identifying 
certain skills and competencies,  could overlap with an external 
evaluation review and,  therefore,  it would be more appropriate for the 
latter to be carried out mid-way through,  or towards the end of,  the 
Board’s refreshment programme.  

Some shareholders have asked for additional information about 
directors to help them understand the extent to which a director’s 
background or experience helps shape or influence the contribution 
he makes to the operation and effectiveness of the Board.  Although 
the Committee does not consider commenting on individual 
performance to be appropriate,  the biographical information 
provided and the information in the table on Board diversity  
should assist shareholders to assess the skills and experience of 
the Board as a whole,  when determining how to vote on certain 
resolutions at the AGM.  

The general outcome of the process in 2011 was that the performance 
of the Board as a whole,  the operation of its committees and the 
performance and contributions of individual directors (executive and 
non-executive),  including the company secretary,  were all considered 
to be effective.  In terms of Board structures and operation,  including 
information and resources,  leadership,  strategic direction and key 
priorities,  these were considered to be appropriate and no particular 
concerns were raised.  Key priorities that were discussed included:  
Board succession planning;  proactive investor relations programme;  
general awareness around macroeconomic risks;  maintaining 
balance sheet strength/optimising capital structure;  and growing 
the Specialty Products business by a combination of organic growth,  
through new products and new markets/geographies,  and making 
selective bolt on acquisitions in complementary technologies  
or markets.

Towards the end of the year,  the Senior Independent Director 
chaired a meeting of the directors to review the performance of 
the Chairman without him being present.  The conclusion was that 
the Chairman remains effective in his role in terms of his leadership 
and commitment,  the operation and priorities of the Board,  and his 
support to management.  

The Committee also met without the executive directors being 
present and complimented them for the openness and transparency 
in their dealings with the Board,  which were appreciated.  

Robert Beeston
Chairman
28 February 2012

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC40

rePort of the remuneration committee

The Committee’s external advisers are New Bridge Street (“NBS”) who 
were appointed after a tender in 2008.  NBS provided guidance to the 
Committee in its review of bonus claw-back provisions,  the choice and 
relative weights of the performance conditions in the annual bonus 
scheme and in the proposals to adopt a new Executive Share Option 
Scheme 2012 (discussed later).  The Committee is satisfied that there is 
no over-reliance on NBS,  who have no connection with the Company 
other than as remuneration advisers.  

RemuneRation policy and pRactice
The policy of the Committee is to set remuneration at a level which 
is competitive with that of comparable businesses,  enabling the 
Company to attract and retain people with relevant ability,  experience 
and skills.  To ensure that executive directors align their interests 
with those of shareholders,  a substantial proportion of the overall 
remuneration package is linked to corporate performance through 
participation in short term and long term incentive schemes.  The 
charts below illustrate the split of total remuneration in 2011 for the 
executive directors and demonstrate that the split between fixed and 
variable (or performance related) remuneration is firmly weighted 
towards pay for performance.

Total remuneration breakdown for the executive  
directors in 2011

David Dutro – $2.4 million

0

20

40

60

80

100

 Salary 
 Benefits 
 Bonus 
 Pension 
 LTIP 

Brian Taylorson – $1.7 million

30%
2%
31%
10%
27%

0

20

40

60

80

100

 Salary 
 Benefits 
 Bonus 
 Pension 
 LTIP 

28%
2%
28%
13%
29%

Notes:
Pension – For D Dutro,  this is a cash supplement of 20 per cent of his basic salary 
and matched contributions by his employer into a defined contribution plan;   
for B Taylorson,  this is 1/30th accrual up to the notional earnings cap plus a  
salary supplement.
LTIP – Based on 60 per cent of the face value of the award (number of shares  
times market price) at date of grant.

intRoduction
The Committee’s composition and the attendance records of its 
members are shown in the table on page 36.  All meetings were 
also attended by the Chairman of the Company and the Senior 
Independent Director,  to ensure that all non-executive Board 
members are kept fully informed on the operation and work of 
the Committee.  Both executive directors also attend meetings by 
invitation as appropriate,  although they are not present when their 
own remuneration arrangements are discussed.  

A summary of the Committee’s role appears in the Elementis 
governance framework on page 32.  A full description and its  
terms of reference are available on the Company’s website at:   
www.elementisplc.com/governance-responsibility/ 

A resolution to approve this report will be tabled at the AGM and the 
chairman of the Committee will be available to answer questions from 
shareholders on the decisions of the Committee.  

During 2011,  two of the three Committee members (including 
the chairman) attended separate external seminars on executive 
remuneration and all Board members received briefings from the 
company secretary or the Committee’s remuneration advisers 
throughout the year,  to keep them updated on topical matters and 
developments relating to executive remuneration.  

Following comprehensive reviews in recent years of the three 
essential elements of executive remuneration (basic salary,  annual 
bonus scheme and long term incentive plan (“LTIP”)),  the Committee 
considers that the general structure of these elements remains 
appropriately designed to incentivise the executive team to deliver 
sustainable results that do not encourage excessive risk taking.  
However,  two changes have been made for 2012.  The Committee 
has decided to introduce a bonus claw-back mechanism that would 
enable the Company to recover bonuses that are paid from 2012 
onwards which are later found to be undeserved.  The mechanism is 
based on internal guidelines and modelled on the relevant provisions 
in the CG Code and the advice in the Association of British Insurers’  
Principles of Remuneration (September 2011).

The other change concerns the weighting of the two performance 
conditions that are applied to the annual bonus scheme.  In 2011,  
these conditions were split 50:50 between corporate earnings per 
share (“EPS”) and a Group average trade working capital (“AWC”) 
metric for the executive directors,  and a 50:50 split between divisional 
operating profit (“DOP”) and a divisional average trade working  
capital metric for the business presidents.  (The term  “business 
president”  is used synonymously with  “business managing director”. )  
In 2012,  the performance metrics will remain the same,  but the split 
will be 75:25 between EPS/DOP and AWC.  The reason for this change 
is to ensure the structural improvements that have been made 
to working capital in recent years are maintained at a level which 
is competitive within the chemical industry,  and to focus greater 
attention on the principal strategic objective of generating value  
over the longer term by growing earnings at a sustainable rate.

Following this change,  the Committee considers that the performance 
targets that apply to the annual bonus scheme and long term 
incentive plan (the latter remaining unchanged) remain aligned to the 
Group’s longer term strategy and with shareholders’  interests,  as well 
as reflecting the risk appetite of the Board.  These targets are discussed 
further in the context of each scheme below.  

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
41

The Committee’s policy is not to include targets for corporate 
performance on environmental,  social and corporate governance 
issues when considering the remuneration of executive directors.  
The safety and environmental performance of Group businesses 
is accorded high importance and the Committee considers that 
management should aspire to achieving high standards in both  
safety and environmental performance without the need for 
incentives.  Corporate governance standards are set by the Board  
as a whole.  

linking RemuneRation to stRategic objectives and  
Risk management
On a basic level,  salary,  benefits and pension (as illustrated in the 
charts left) are a feature in attracting and retaining the best qualified 
candidate for the given role.  There is therefore greater scope in 
the design and structure of the short and long term incentive 
programmes to ensure that these are appropriately aligned with 
strategic objectives for generating and preserving shareholder value 
over the longer term,  without encouraging excessive risk taking.

The short term incentive is the annual bonus scheme,  which was 
reviewed in 2009 and changes were made in 2010.  The amount of 
bonus payment that can be received in cash under typical schemes 
is driven by various factors,  such as the size of the award (or the 
maximum payment as a percentage of basic salary),  performance 
conditions,  and deferral and claw-back mechanisms.  The Committee 
considers that,  in respect of our scheme,  the current design and 
structure are appropriate to incentivise management to achieve 
our principal strategic objective of sustainable year on year earnings 
growth,  without encouraging excessive levels of risk taking.  The 
priority of this objective is reflected in the higher weighting in favour 
of EPS.  The AWC metric encourages operational discipline and 
maintains a focus on cash management and the Committee keeps 
both EPS and AWC metrics under review on an annual basis to ensure 
they continue to remain appropriate.

salaRies,  fees and benefits
The Committee’s policy is that there should be a formal salary review 
for executive directors every three years,  where benchmarking analysis 
would be utilised for reference purposes,  taking into consideration 
the following factors:  corporate performance,  the performance of the 
executive,  market practice,  and changes in responsibility,  complexity 
and size of role over the previous three year period.  In between formal 
reviews,  the policy is that executive directors should receive an annual 
salary increase equivalent to the average for the local workforce.  This 
annual inflationary increase would still have to be approved by the 
Committee,  taking into consideration whether the performance of 
the business and the executive director merits the award.  This policy,  
however,  is subject to the structure of the business or role of the 
executive director remaining substantively unchanged and,  when 
this is not the case,  the Committee has the discretion to conduct a 
formal review (with or without benchmarking) whenever appropriate.  
The next formal salary review will take place in 2013 and any changes 
would be effective from 2014.

The Committee approved an inflationary pay increase to both David 
Dutro and Brian Taylorson of three per cent (effective from 1 January 
2012),  after taking into consideration their performance,  the pay and 
employment conditions of employees elsewhere in the Group and 
the requirements of their role as Group Chief Executive and Finance 
Director,  respectively,  and agreeing that the increase was deserved 
and based on merit.  The level of increase is similar to the average 
awarded to the general workforce in the US and UK where they are 
respectively based.

Executive directors also receive benefits,  which relate to the provision 
of a car,  life assurance and medical cover.  Additionally,  as is standard in 
the US,  David Dutro receives benefits covering dental costs,  accidental 
death and disablement,  and long term disability.  These benefits 
are generally considered to be standard for managerial staff,  with 
variances depending on country or local market practice.  

The long term incentive scheme is the award of shares (structured 
as nil cost options) under the LTIP.  The combination of EPS and total 
shareholder return (“TSR”) targets are intended to ensure that there 
is a financial underpin to any growth in value generated over each 
three yearly period and to provide a meaningful measure of share 
price performance against other companies.  The combination of 
incentives and targets is considered appropriate to incentivise the 
executives to deliver year on year earnings growth and,  in the case 
of the TSR condition in the LTIP,  to deliver share price performance 
on a consistent basis within the range of median to upper quartile 
performance relative to a broad based stock market index.

non-executive diRectoRs’  fees
Fees for non-executive directors are determined by the Chairman and 
the executive directors,  having regard to fees paid to non-executive 
directors in other UK quoted companies,  the time commitment 
and responsibilities of the role.  The basic fee is currently £40,000 per 
annum and is reviewed every three years.  A separate fee is payable for 
additional responsibilities and these are set out in the remuneration 
table on page 45.  The Chairman’s fee is currently £137,150 per annum 
and the amount is also reviewed every three years by the Committee.  
The next review date will be in December 2013,  with changes being 
effective from 2014.

With the strategic focus on sustainable growth as stated,  the Board 
sets out how this will be achieved in the Business review – through a 
combination of selective acquisitions,  organic growth (new products,  
new applications,  new customers and new geographies/segments) 
and operational and commercial excellence.  Each of these areas of 
focus,  including the associated risks,  is something the Board reviews 
regularly in its programme of meetings and site visits.  Strategy,  risk 
management and remuneration are therefore all interwoven into 
performance and this is why the Committee considers that executive 
remuneration is appropriately aligned with shareholder interests.  

Non-executive directors are not eligible to participate in any bonus  
or share incentive schemes.  No individual is allowed to vote on their 
own remuneration.  

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC42

rePort of the remuneration committee 
continued

seRvice contRacts
It is the Company’s policy that executive directors should have service 
contracts with the Company that contain a termination notice period 
not exceeding 12 months,  as is the case with the service agreements 
of David Dutro and Brian Taylorson.

Termination payments in relation to departing executive directors 
are not agreed in advance and are determined in accordance with 
the directors’  contractual rights.  It is the Committee’s policy to ensure 
that a director’s duty to mitigate his loss is taken into account in the 
calculation of any termination payments.

The total amount that would be payable to David Dutro for early 
termination by the Company of his service agreement is between 
50 per cent and 100 per cent of the aggregate of (i) his basic annual 
salary and (ii) any bonus which he may be eligible to receive.  The total 
amount that would be payable to Brian Taylorson for early termination 
by the Company of his service agreement is between 50 per cent  
and 100 per cent of the aggregate of (i) his basic annual salary,  (ii) the 
sums that would have become payable to him or on his behalf,  had  
12 months’  notice of termination been given,  by way of pension 
accruals and any pension cash salary supplement,  (iii) the cost of 
providing private medical insurance for him and his spouse for the  
12 months following termination,  and (iv) his monthly car allowance 
for a 12 month period.

The above terms for both executive directors were agreed at the 
time the contracts were made and the Committee is aware that 
governance guidelines ask remuneration committees generally 
to commit to a policy that precludes the inclusion of any payment 
(benefits or bonus) other than basic salary in the calculation of 
termination payments.  As stated above,  the Committee’s position is 
to ensure a director mitigates his loss,  but the Committee does not 
consider that it would be in the best interests of the Company,  or 
likely to promote its success,  to adopt a policy in public that might 
otherwise restrict its flexibility in future contract negotiations.  

As new executive directors are appointed,  their service contracts will 
reflect best practice at that time.

The non-executive directors during the year held letters of 
appointment with the Company as follows:

Name 
R Beeston 
I Brindle 
A Christie 
C Girling 
K Matthews 

Date of  
appointment 
21/09/06 
06/06/05 
11/08/08 
29/04/05 
16/02/05 

Date of last  
re- appointment 
21/09/09 
06/06/11 
11/08/11 
29/04/11 
16/02/11 

Date of  
expiry
20/09/12
05/06/14
10/08/14
28/04/14
15/02/14

Robert Beeston’s appointment as Chairman will expire in September 
2012 and it is anticipated that his appointment will be renewed for a 
third three year period.  

Each letter provides that the director’s appointment can be 
terminated by the Company on six months’  notice on any grounds 
without claim for compensation.  Copies of all letters of appointment 
of non-executive directors,  as well as the executive directors’  service 
contracts,  are available for inspection at the Company’s registered 
office during normal business hours and will be available for 
inspection at the AGM.  

shoRt teRm incentive aRRangements
Annual Bonus Scheme
The structure of the annual bonus scheme for 2012 for executive 
directors and business presidents remains largely unchanged from  
the previous year (except as previously described),  and the key 
features are:

• 
• 

• 

 maximum bonus opportunity of one times basic salary;  

 two performance conditions:  earnings per share (“EPS”) and 
average trade working capital to sales ratio expressed as a 
percentage (“AWC”) split 75:25 (for the business presidents,   
the measures are divisional operating profit and AWC);  and

 internal guidelines will operate to allow the Committee to claw-
back bonuses paid that are later found to have been based on 
performance that was unknowingly mis-stated or incorrect.

The EPS/operating profit and AWC conditions were selected because 
they are considered to be the most appropriate measures of the 
Group’s strategic,  operational and financial performance,  and targets 
are set at levels which the Committee considers to be appropriately 
challenging (taking into consideration the Company’s operating 
and strategic plans,  and assumptions about global macroeconomic 
conditions).  EPS targets are set to ensure that maximum bonuses are 
only payable for exceptional performance.  

As discussed in previous reports,  changes were made in 2010 to the 
structure of the annual bonus scheme and LTIP that were approved 
by shareholders,  which the Committee considers sufficient for the 
purposes of addressing the issue of bonus deferral.

Performance targets 
2011 annual bonus scheme 
EPS targets were set at Threshold,  Plan and Stretch levels  
(15.2 cents,  15.7 cents and 17.5 cents,  respectively,  with the Stretch 
target representing a growth over prior year of 15 per cent).  The rate of 
bonus accrual as a percentage of basic salary was fixed at 0 per cent at 
Threshold and 50 per cent at Stretch (straight line accrual in between).  
At Plan,  under the accrual scale described,  less than 11 per cent of 
salary could be earned.

The AWC targets set at Threshold,  Plan and Stretch levels were  
19.1 per cent,  18.6 per cent and 18.1 per cent,  with bonus accruing  
at 0 per cent at Threshold,  25 per cent at Plan and 50 per cent at 
Stretch (straight line in between).  The 2011 result under this metric 
was 17.2 per cent (2010:  18.0 per cent) which was achieved due 
to a strong operational focus on working capital and cash flow 
management,  to ensure the structural improvements made in 2010 
were maintained.  The 2011 AWC targets were set on a consistent basis 
with the previous year,  although with some variations to allow for 
strategic decisions to be taken affecting the level of working capital,  
such as the strategic holding of key raw materials.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
43

Proposed awards in 2012
No change has been made to the structure,  operation or performance 
conditions of the Plan,  as described above,  for grants that will be 
made in 2012.  Since 2011,  five senior executives (the Chief Executive,  
Finance Director,  both business presidents and General Counsel) 
participate in the 2010 LTIP and there are no plans to increase the 
number of participants in this Plan.  

Awards to be made in 2012 under the Plan will be subject to the same 
EPS and TSR performance conditions (split 50:50) as in the previous 
year and these are shown in the charts below.

Vesting schedule – EPS performance condition

110%

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

g
n
i
t
s
e
v
e
c
n
a
m
r
o
f
r
e
p
S
P
E
o
t

j

t
c
e
b
u
s
d
r
a
w
a
f
o
e
g
a
t
n
e
c
r
e
P

100% vesting above 10% p.a.

No vesting below 4% p.a.

2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10% 11% 12%

Average EPS growth above RPI (% p.a.)

Vesting schedule – TSR performance condition

100% vesting at Upper quartile or better

No vesting below Median

3.85% vesting at Median

110%

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

g
n
i
t
s
e
v
e
c
n
a
m
r
o
f
r
e
p
R
S
T
o
t

j

t
c
e
b
u
s
d
r
a
w
a
f
o
e
g
a
t
n
e
c
r
e
P

Elementis‘s position relative to the FTSE All Share index (excluding investment trusts)

Median

Upper quartile

The bonus targets for the business presidents are based on divisional 
performance at a level that is consistent with those for the executive 
directors in terms of the level of challenge.  To achieve the maximum of 
100 per cent of base pay,  EPS and AWC performance would both have 
to be at Stretch level.

Based upon the performance of the Group and its operating divisions 
in 2011,  both the executive directors and the president of Elementis 
Chromium will each receive the maximum bonus allowed under the 
annual bonus scheme,  equivalent to 100 per cent of their respective 
base salaries.  Based on the performance of the business,  the president 
of Elementis Specialties will receive the maximum bonus under the 
operating profit component and around 47.5 per cent of the AWC 
component,  resulting in a total bonus equivalent to 97.5 per cent  
of his basic salary in 2011.  All bonuses,  as in previous years,  are  
not pensionable.

2012 annual bonus scheme
EPS targets have again been set at Threshold,  Plan and Stretch levels,  
with the rate of bonus accrual as a percentage of basic salary fixed at  
0 per cent at Threshold,  37.5 per cent at Plan and 75 per cent at Stretch 
(straight line accrual in between).  The Threshold target has been 
set at the 2011 result (20.8 cents) and the targets at Plan and Stretch 
are set at levels consistent with consensus estimates and further 
material growth in earnings.  The actual targets are not disclosed 
here due to commercial sensitivity but will be disclosed in next year’s 
Remuneration report.  

In respect of the AWC condition,  the targets at Threshold,  Plan and 
Stretch levels are 19.9 per cent,  19.4 per cent and 18.9 per cent,  with 
bonus accruing at 0 per cent at Threshold,  12.5 per cent at Plan and 
25 per cent at Stretch (straight line in between).  These targets,  whilst 
still considered to be sufficiently challenging,  reflect the decision to 
increase the level of inventory held in 2012 for key raw materials used 
in the businesses,  which was taken to mitigate supply chain risks,  such 
as shipment delays or disruptions from industrial action.  As was the 
case in 2011,  an over-riding condition will apply such that the bonus 
opportunity subject to this AWC condition would vest only if the AWC 
target at Plan is met and provided that the EPS condition at Plan is  
also achieved.

long teRm incentive aRRangements
Since 2010,  the Company has operated a Long Term Incentive Plan 
for the executive directors and other senior executives (including 
both business presidents).  Under the 2008 Long Term Incentive Plan,  
which was amended in 2010 (“2010 LTIP”  or  “Plan”),  awards of nil cost 
options are made annually (within 42 days of the preliminary results 
announcement),  which may become exercisable after three years 
and within ten years of the date of award,  subject to the achievement 
of performance conditions.  The maximum value of any award under 
the Plan is calculated by reference to one times an individual’s own 
base salary plus up to 50 per cent of the Chief Executive’s base salary 
(fixed at its 2010 level but this base level is revalued annually by the 
same percentage increase each participant receives on his own base 
salary in each subsequent year).  In the case of the Chief Executive,  
the maximum award is limited to 1.5 times his base salary at the 
time of the award.  The additional component of above one times 
basic salary was implemented in 2010 to ensure that incentives 
were appropriately weighted towards the long term success of the 
Company and to ensure that individuals were not negatively impacted 
by the corresponding reduction in the annual bonus scheme made in 
that year.  

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
total shaReholdeR RetuRn peRfoRmance
The following graph illustrates the Company’s total shareholder  
return for the five years ending 31 December 2011,  relative to the  
FTSE 250 index.

As the Company’s shares are denominated and listed in pence,  the 
graph below looks at the total return,  to the end of 2011,  of £100 
invested in Elementis on 31 December 2006 compared with that of 
the total return of £100 invested in the FTSE 250 index.  This index 
was selected for the purpose of providing a relative comparison of 
performance because the Company is a member of it.

£

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Elementis plc

FTSE 250 index

44

rePort of the remuneration committee 
continued

For the EPS condition,  the chart shows that awards will vest on a linear 
scale from 0 per cent to 100 per cent for average annual EPS growth of 
RPI + four per cent to RPI + ten per cent,  respectively.  The Committee 
considers that these targets are appropriately challenging after taking 
into consideration the Company’s strategic and operating plans.  The 
performance period for both EPS and TSR conditions will correspond 
to the three financial years ending 31 December 2014.  

For the TSR condition,  the chart shows that awards will vest on a linear 
scale from 3.85 per cent to 100 per cent for median to upper quartile 
performance,  respectively.  The TSR condition will be measured 
against the companies comprising the FTSE All Share index (excluding 
investment trusts).  This index was selected as it provides a better 
indication of relative performance rather than the FTSE 250 index 
which is heavily weighted towards cyclical sectors.  

Details of outstanding awards and the performance conditions are  
set out in the table on page 47.

Participants in the 2010 LTIP would not also participate in any other 
discretionary share incentive scheme.  The Company still operates 
a 2003 Executive Share Option Scheme (“2003 ESOS”) for other 
executives and details of the 2003 scheme are described on page 
83.  As this scheme is approaching its expiry date,  the Board is 
recommending the adoption of a new 2012 Executive Share Option 
Scheme to replace the 2003 ESOS for awards from 2013 onwards,   
full details of which are set out in the Notice of Meeting document 
sent to all shareholders.

shaRe owneRship guidelines
Shareholding guidelines introduced previously require executive 
directors to build up a stake in the Company over a period of time that 
is equal in value to one times their basic annual salaries.  David Dutro 
and Brian Taylorson are considered to have met this requirement 
during 2011.  

savings-Related shaRe option schemes
Both executive directors,  like other senior executives,  also participate 
in non-discretionary savings-based share plans and information about 
these can be found on page 83.

souRcing shaRes foR ouR shaRe plans
Elementis share plans comply with the current ABI guidelines on 
headroom which provide that overall dilution under all plans should 
not exceed ten per cent over any ten year period in relation to the 
Company’s issued share capital,  with a further limitation of five per 
cent in any ten year period on discretionary plans.  Based on the 
number of awards that remain outstanding as at the year end and 
having included all exercised awards and awards that have lapsed,  the 
Company’s headroom for all plans is 6.3 per cent and for discretionary 
plans 3.9 per cent.  

The costs of operating all of the Company’s share incentive schemes 
and the total number of options granted to all directors and 
employees that remain outstanding as at the year end are disclosed  
in Note 24 to the Financial Statements on pages 83 and 84.  

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
45

diRectoRs’  RemuneRation table
Although the Company reports its results in US dollars,  the remainder of this report on remuneration is presented in pounds sterling because the 
majority of the directors are UK based and paid in pounds sterling.  

Directors’  emoluments for the year ended 31 December 2011 were:

Chairman
Robert Beeston  
Executive directors 
david dutro(3)  
Brian taylorson(4)(5) 
Non-executive directors 
ian Brindle 
Andrew christie 
chris Girling 
Kevin Matthews  

date of 

appointment(1) 

21.04.11 

17.01.07 
02.04.02 

06.06.11 
11.08.11 
29.04.11 
21.04.11 

Salary/fees 

2011 
£’000 

137 

449 
301 

45 
40 
45 
45 
1,062 

2010 
£’000 

120 

432 
292 

40 
35 
40 
40 
999 

Benefits(2) 

2011 
£’000 

2010 
£’000 

Bonus 

2011 
£’000 

– 

32 
17 

– 
– 
– 
– 
49 

– 

24 
17 

– 
– 
– 
– 
41 

– 

458 
306 

– 
– 
– 
– 
764 

total 
excluding pensions

2010 
£’000 

– 

454 
297 

– 
– 
– 
– 
751 

2011 
£’000 

137 

939 
624 

45 
40 
45 
45 
1,875 

2010 
£’000

120

910
606

40
35
40
40
1,791

Each non-executive director receives a basic fee of £40,000 per annum plus an additional £5,000 should he chair either the Audit or 
Remuneration Committee.  Ian Brindle as Senior Independent Director receives an additional £5,000 per annum to the basic fee.

Notes
1 

 For executive directors,  this is their date of appointment and for non-executive directors,  the later of the date of appointment,  re-appointment or latest date  
of re-election to the Board.  
 The benefit package mainly comprises of a car allowance or company car,  life assurance and medical cover.  The increase in benefits for David Dutro reflects  
a change in company car during 2011.
 David Dutro as Group Chief Executive,  who is based and spends most of his time in the US and receives his salary in US dollars,  received a salary of $723,078 per 
annum (2010:  $669,500 per annum).  His emoluments exclude salary supplements paid as compensation for the closing to future accruals of the US defined 
benefit scheme – see below.  His basic salary in 2012 was increased by three per cent.  
 Emoluments for Brian Taylorson also exclude salary supplements paid as compensation for the limitation of pension rights to the former HM Revenue and 
Customs’  earnings cap.  These are shown in the Directors’  retirement benefits table overleaf.  His basic salary in 2012 was increased by three per cent.
 The Company has released Brian Taylorson to serve on the Board of Fiberweb plc and fees of £32,000 (2010:  £32,000) were paid to him during the year,   
which he retained.

2 

3 

4 

5 

RetiRement benefits
David Dutro,  as a US salaried executive director,  participates in the Elementis Career Reward Retirement Plan (“ECRRP”) for US employees.   
On 1 May 2006,  the plan was frozen (closed to future accruals).  The ECRRP is a cash balance retirement plan,  which falls under the category  
of defined benefit pension plans in the US.  As the plan is closed to future accruals,  participants’  account balances are no longer credited with 
contributions,  however,  interest is credited each year at the US Treasury 30 year bond rate.  David Dutro’s accrued benefits under this plan are 
shown in the table overleaf.  The normal pensionable retirement age for David Dutro under the ECRRP is 65.  

The US pension plans also include a US 401(k) Plan,  which is similar to a money purchase scheme,  and a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation 
Plan (the  “Defined Contribution plans”).  The latter plan mirrors the 401(k) Plan except it allows for contributions in respect of earnings over 
an annual compensation limit set by the US Internal Revenue Service (2011:  $245,000).  To partially compensate for the freezing of the ECRRP,  
the employer match under the Defined Contribution plans was enhanced (effective from 1 May 2006) for participants by introducing a 
supplemental match of up to four per cent,  based on their age and length of service,  in addition to the existing or regular match of up to  
four per cent of total pensionable remuneration.  David Dutro participates in the Defined Contribution plans and total employer contributions 
made in respect of his participation in 2011 were £53,893 (2010:  £34,988).  The amount paid can vary from year to year as it is based on matching 
an employee’s contributions.  The amounts paid by Elementis to David Dutro under these plans were equivalent to six per cent of his total 
pensionable remuneration (comprising basic salary and bonus payments) in 2011.

Brian Taylorson,  as a UK salaried executive director,  participates in the Company’s HM Revenue & Customs’  approved funded occupational 
pension scheme (“UK Plan”),  and he is subject to the former HM Revenue & Customs’  earnings cap on the amount of salary which may be treated 
as pensionable.  

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46

rePort of the remuneration committee 
continued

The main benefits under this scheme to him as a UK salaried executive director,  who contributes a percentage of his salary to the scheme each 
year,  are:

•  an accrual rate of 1/30 for each year of pensionable service;
• 
•  pensions to spouse and dependent children payable on death.

life assurance cover of four times pensionable salary;  and

The normal pensionable retirement age for Brian Taylorson is 60.

The table below shows the retirement benefits of the directors,  comprising employer contributions to the Defined Contribution schemes,  
benefits under defined benefit schemes (“DB schemes”) and salary supplements paid in cash.  In the case of the DB schemes,  the transfer values 
for David Dutro (under the ECRRP) and Brian Taylorson (under the UK Plan) have been calculated in accordance with pension regulations.  The 
transfer value of the increase in accrued benefits discloses the current value of the increase in accrued benefits that the director has earned in the 
year,  whereas the increase in transfer value less directors’  contributions discloses the absolute change in transfer value and includes the change 
in value of the accrued benefits resulting from changes in market rates affecting the transfer value at the start of the year as well as the additional 
value earned in the year.  

Non-executive directors are not entitled to retirement benefits.

diRectoRs’  RetiRement benefits table 

defined  
contribution schemes 

Salary 
supplements 

david dutro 
Brian taylorson 

2011 
£’000 
54 
0 

2010 
£’000 
35 
0 

2011 
£’000 
90 
136 

2010 
£’000 
86 
125 

Accrued 
benefits 
31.12.11 
£’000 
9 
43 

Increase in  
accrued  
benefits 
2011 
£’000 
– 
7 

defined benefit schemes
Transfer  
value of 
increases 
Increase in 
accrued 
in accrued 
benefits  benefits less 
directors’ 
Inflation) contributions 
2011 
£’000 
– 
80 

2011 
£’000 
– 
4 

(net of 

Increase 
in transfer 
value less 
Total 
transfer 
directors’ 
value at  contributions 
2011 
31.12.11 
£’000
£’000 
3
66 
268
1,221 

Total 
transfer 
value at 
31.12.10 
£’000 
64 
947 

diRectoRs’  shaReholdings
As at 31 December 2011 the interests of the persons who were then directors in the issued shares of the Company (excluding any interests under 
the Group’s employee share schemes) were:

Robert Beeston 
ian Brindle 
Andrew christie 
david dutro 
chris Girling 
Kevin Matthews 
Brian taylorson 

Ordinary 
shares 
31.12.11 
50,000 
31,172 
10,000 
264,224 
5,000 
11,633 
381,096 

ordinary 
shares 
31.12.10
50,000
31,172
10,000
37,695
5,000
11,633
381,096

In March 2011,  David Dutro acquired direct beneficial interests over 212,626 shares under the Elementis unitised stock fund,  which is an 
investment option under the US 401(k) pension plan.  He also retained during the year 13,903 (2010:  1,850) shares following the exercise of 
13,903 (2010:  1,850) savings-based share options in 2011.  

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
47

As at 28 February 2012,  the Trustee of the Company’s Employee Share Ownership Trust (“ESOT”) held 1,165,719 (2010:  5,578,169) shares and,  as 
executive directors,  David Dutro and Brian Taylorson,  as potential beneficiaries under the ESOT,  are deemed to have an interest in any shares that 
become held in the ESOT.

As at 28 February 2012,  no person who was then a director had any interest in any derivative or other financial instrument relating to the 
Company’s shares and,  so far as the Company is aware,  none of their connected persons had such an interest.  Between 31 December 2011 and 
28 February 2012 there was no change in the relevant interests of any such directors nor,  so far as the Company is aware,  in the relevant interests 
of any of their connected persons.

diRectoRs’  shaRe options/ltip awaRds

david dutro 

Brian taylorson 

option 
01.01.11 
type 
13,942 
A 
32,351 
A 
A 
– 
B  197,133 
B  250,000 
B  193,844 
c 
– 
d  988,149 
d 
A 
43,778 
B  468,293 
B  379,532 
– 
c 
d  768,103 
d 

Granted 
during 
2011 
– 
– 
4,929 

exercised 
during 
2011 
13,903 
– 
– 
–  197,133 
–  250,000 
–  193,844 
– 1,133,341 
– 
– 
– 
–  451,350 
– 
– 
–  468,293 
–  379,532 
–  906,673 
– 
– 
– 
–  343,951 

Lapsed 
during 
2011 
39 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

31.12.11 
– 
 32,351 
4,929 
– 
– 
– 
– 
988,149 
451,350 
43,778 
– 
– 
– 
768,103 
343,951 

option 
price (p) 
42.5 
76.7 
119.3 
51.3 
64.5 
85.5 
– 
– 
– 
35.5 
51.3 
85.5 
– 
– 
– 

earliest exercise 
date/ date 
of vesting 
27.08.2011 
27.08.2012 
26.08.2013 
30.03.2008 
02.11.2008 
04.04.2009 
28.04.2011 
22.04.2013 
04.04.2014 
01.10.2012 
30.03.2008 
04.04.2009 
28.04.2011 
22.04.2013 
04.04.2014 

expiry 
date 
27.11.2011 
27.11.2012 
26.11.2013 
30.03.2015 
02.11.2015 
04.04.2016 
28.04.2018 
22.04.2020 
04.04.2021 
01.04.2013 
30.03.2015 
04.04.2016 
28.04.2018 
22.04.2020 
04.04.2021 

Gain on 
Price on 
exercise (£)
exercise (p) 
 12,874
1.35 
–
– 
–
– 
 204,525
1.55 
 226,250
1.55 
1.55 
 134,722
1.55  1,756,679
–
– 
–
– 
–
– 
 485,854
1.55 
1.55 
 263,775
1.55  1,405,343
–
–

– 
– 

A  Savings-related share option scheme.

B  Executive Share Option Schemes 2003 (Unapproved).

C 

 2008 Long term incentive plan.  These awards were made in April 2008 and vested in April 2011.  At 31 December 2010,  the awards were a 
percentage share of a pool where the actual number of shares that would vest was indeterminable until the date of vesting and performance 
conditions were tested.  The numbers shown under the  “exercised”  column represent the actual number of shares that vested in respect of 
the individual’s percentage share.  These awards were made after consultation with major shareholders and were approved by shareholders 
at the 2008 AGM.  The one-off nature of these awards was designed to incentivise management to deliver performance that would lead  
to a significant increase in the value of the Company.  Under the performance condition selected,  the market value of the Company 
(measured by share price growth plus dividends paid over a three year period) had to increase by a minimum of 31 per cent before vesting 
would start.  In the event,  the level of increase achieved was 51 per cent and 2.15 per cent of the net increase formed the basis of a pool 
which participants would share in.  The value of this pool was approximately £5 million,  or just under three million shares.  One other 
senior executive shared in the pool.  These awards vested in full as a result of the excellent performance,  as reflected in the share price 
which increased from 66.5 pence on the date of award to 158 pence on the date of vesting.  Holders of these awards did not receive any 
discretionary share incentive awards in 2009.  

D 

 2010 Long term incentive plan.  The two sets of awards for each individual shown in the table above are in respect of awards made in 2010 
and 2011.  The former has a date of vesting in 2013 and the latter in 2014.   

The EPS and TSR performance conditions attaching to 50 per cent each of the 2011 awards are the same as those for the awards that will be 
made in 2012,  as shown in the charts on page 43.  The TSR performance condition applying to 50 per cent of the 2010 award is entirely the 
same in all respects as the 2011 and 2012 awards,  but the EPS condition,  applying to the remaining 50 per cent,  is different.  Owing to the 
EPS result in 2009 (EPS of 2.8 pence),  which reflected challenging general economic conditions at the time,  the EPS condition required EPS in 
the financial year ended 2013 of between 6.5 pence and 7.5 pence,  for between 0 per cent and 100 per cent of this part of the award to vest.  
These conditions were reported in last year’s Remuneration report which was approved by shareholders at the 2011 AGM.  

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
48

rePort of the remuneration committee 
continued

 Based on the excellent financial and share price performance of the Company since January 2010,  both the 2010 and 2011 awards are 
currently tracking at above the maximum performance thresholds set for each award and if this level of performance was to be maintained,  
these awards would vest in full in 2013 and 2014.  

The market price of ordinary shares at 31 December 2011 was 137.2 pence (2010:  143.0 pence) and the range during 2011 was 107.5 pence  
to 187.4 pence (2010:  50.5 pence to 143.0 pence).  

Other than their service contracts,  letters of appointment and letters of indemnity with the Company,  none of the directors had an interest  
in any contract of significance in relation to the business of the Company or its subsidiaries at any time during the financial year.  

auditable section of the RepoRt on RemuneRation
The following sections and tables constitute the auditable part of this report as defined in the Companies Act 2006:  Sections relating to  
 “Short term incentive arrangements”,   “Long term incentive arrangements”,   “Savings-Related Share Option Schemes”,  tables headed  
 “Directors’  remuneration”,   “Directors’  retirement benefits”,   “Directors’  shareholdings”  and  “Directors’  share options/LTIP awards”.

This Report of the Remuneration Committee is prepared on behalf of the Board and has been approved by the Committee and signed  
on its behalf by:

Kevin Matthews
Chairman,  Remuneration Committee
28 February 2012

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
indePendent auditor’s rePort 
to the memBers of elementis Plc

49

We have audited the financial statements of Elementis plc for the year 
ended 31 December 2011 set out on pages 50 to 90.  The financial 
reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of 
the group financial statements is applicable law and International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU.  The 
financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 
of the parent company financial statements is applicable law and UK 
Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

This report is made solely to the company’s members,  as a body,  in 
accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006.  
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the 
company’s members those matters we are required to state to them 
in an auditors’  report and for no other purpose.  To the fullest extent 
permitted by law,  we do not accept or assume responsibility to 
anyone other than the company and the company’s members,  as  
a body,  for our audit work,  for this report,  or for the opinions we  
have formed.

Respective Responsibilities of diRectoRs and auditoRs
As explained more fully in the Directors’  Responsibilities Statement 
set out on page 31,  the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view.  Our responsibility is to audit,  and express an opinion 
on,  the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland).  Those standards 
require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s (APB’s) Ethical 
Standards for Auditors.

scope of the audit of the financial statements
A description of the scope of an audit of financial  
statements is provided on the APB’s web-site at  
www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/private.cfm

opinion on financial statements
In our opinion:

• 

• 
• 

• 

 the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of 
the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 
2011 and of the group’s profit for the year then ended;

 the group financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU;

 the parent company financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice;  and

 the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
the requirements of the Companies Act 2006;  and,  as regards the 
group financial statements,  Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

opinion on otheR matteRs pRescRibed by the  
companies act 2006
In our opinion:

• 

• 

• 

 the part of the Directors’  Remuneration Report to be audited has 
been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 
2006;  

 the information given in the Directors’  Report for the financial year 
for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with 
the financial statements;  and

 the information given in the Corporate Governance Statement 
set out on page 37 with respect to internal control and risk 
management systems in relation to financial reporting  
processes and about share capital structures is consistent with  
the financial statements.  

matteRs on which we aRe RequiRed to RepoRt by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if,   
in our opinion:

• 

• 

• 
• 
• 

 adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent 
company,  or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us;  or

 the parent company financial statements and the part of 
the Directors’  Remuneration Report to be audited are not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns;  or

 certain disclosures of directors’  remuneration specified by law  
are not made;  or

 we have not received all the information and explanations we 
require for our audit;  or

 a Corporate Governance Statement has not been prepared by  
the Company.

• 
• 

undeR the listing Rules we aRe RequiRed to Review:

 the directors’  statement,  set out on page 29  in relation to  
going concern;  

 the part of the Corporate Governance Statement on page 32 
relating to the company’s compliance with the nine provisions  
of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our  
review;  and

• 

 certain elements of the report to shareholders by the Board on 
directors’  remuneration.

M H Thompson (Senior Statutory Auditor) 

for and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc,  Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
15 Canada Square 
London E14 5GL
28 February 2012

Company ifc – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLC50

Consolidated inCome statement
for the year ended 31 December 2011

Revenue 
Cost of sales 
Gross profit 
Distribution costs 
Administrative expenses 
Operating profit 
Finance income 
Finance costs 
Profit before income tax 
Tax 
Profit for the year 
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent 
Non-controlling interests 

Earnings per share
Basic (cents) 
Diluted (cents) 

Before 
exceptional 
items 
$million 
760.5 
(473.6) 
286.9 
(82.7) 
(67.1) 
137.1 
2.6 
(5.2) 
134.5 
(39.7) 
94.8 

Exceptional  
items 
(note 5) 
$million 
– 
– 
– 
– 
27.5 
27.5 
– 
– 
27.5 
1.8 
29.3 

94.8 
– 
94.8 

29.3 
– 
29.3 

Note 
2 

2 
3 
4 

6 

9 
9 

Before 
exceptional 
items 
$million 
697.4 
(445.0) 
252.4 
(82.8) 
(67.3) 
102.3 
0.4 
(6.7) 
96.0 
(27.7) 
68.3 

Exceptional 
items 
(note 5) 
$million 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
5.8 
5.8 

68.3 
– 
68.3 

5.8 
– 
5.8 

2011 
After 
exceptional 
items 
$million 
760.5 
(473.6) 
286.9 
(82.7) 
(39.6) 
164.6 
2.6 
(5.2) 
162.0 
(37.9) 
124.1 

124.1 
– 
124.1 

27.8 
27.2 

2010 
After 
exceptional 
items 
$million
697.4
(445.0)
252.4
(82.8)
(67.3)
102.3
0.4
(6.7)
96.0
(21.9)
74.1

74.1
–
74.1

16.7
16.5

Consolidated statement of Comprehensive inCome
for the year ended 31 December 2011

Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
Actuarial (loss)/gain on pension and other post retirement schemes 
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges   
Fair value of cash flow hedges transferred to income statement 
Deferred tax associated with pension and other post retirement schemes 
Other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income for the year 

Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent 
Non-controlling interests 
Total comprehensive income for the year 

2011 
$million 
124.1 

2010 
$million
74.1

1.3 
(44.7) 
(0.8) 
(0.9) 
8.1 
(37.0) 
87.1 

87.1 
– 
87.1 

8.6
25.3
0.9
0.5
3.4
38.7
112.8

112.8
–
112.8

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated balanCe sheet
at 31 December 2011

51

Non-current assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets 
Property,  plant and equipment 
Deferred tax assets 
Total non-current assets 

Current assets
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Derivatives 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total current assets 
Total assets 

Current liabilities
Bank overdrafts and loans 
Trade and other payables 
Derivatives 
Current tax liabilities 
Provisions 
Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities
Loans and borrowings 
Derivatives 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Provisions 
Government grants 
Total non-current liabilities 
Total liabilities 
Net assets 

Equity
Share capital 
Share premium 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent   
Non-controlling interests 
Total equity 

2011 
31 December 
$million 

2010 
31 December 
$million

Note 

10 
11 
16 

12 
13 

20 

19 
14 

15 

19 

23 
16 
15 

17 
18 
18 
18 

335.1 
163.8 
7.4 
506.3 

119.8 
99.1 
0.8 
48.2 
267.9 
774.2 

(6.2) 
(88.3) 
(1.0) 
(4.6) 
(7.9) 
(108.0) 

(15.8) 
(0.4) 
(94.8) 
(67.7) 
(35.7) 
(1.0) 
(215.4) 
(323.4) 
450.8 

43.4 
12.7 
125.8 
267.3 
449.2 
1.6 
450.8 

338.1
163.1
6.7
507.9

102.3
111.8
0.9
40.8
255.8
763.7

(7.0)
(95.3)
–
(4.2)
(10.3)
(116.8)

(113.1)
–
(67.4)
(45.5)
(38.2)
(1.4)
(265.6)
(382.4)
381.3

43.2
11.6
126.7
198.2
379.7
1.6
381.3

The financial statements on pages 50 to 86 were approved by the Board on 28 February 2012 and signed on its behalf by:

David Dutro  
Group Chief Executive  

Brian Taylorson
Finance Director

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52

Consolidated statement of Changes in equity

Balance at 1 January 2010 
Comprehensive income 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income 
Exchange differences 
Fair value of cash flow hedges transferred 
to the income statement 
Effective portion of changes in fair value 
of cash flow hedges 
Actuarial gain on pension scheme 
Tax credit on actuarial loss on 
pension scheme 
Transfer 
Total other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income 
Transactions with owners 
Purchase of shares by the ESOT 
Issue of shares by the Company and  
the ESOT 
Share based payments 
Dividends paid 
Total transactions with owners 
Balance at 31 December 2010 

Balance at 1 January 2011 
Comprehensive income 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income 
Exchange differences 
Fair value of cash flow hedges transferred 
to the income statement 
Effective portion of changes in fair value 
of cash flow hedges 
Actuarial loss on pension scheme 
Tax credit on actuarial loss on 
pension scheme 
Transfer 
Total other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income 
Transactions with owners 
Purchase of shares by the ESOT 
Issue of shares by the Company and  
the ESOT 
Share based payments 
Dividends paid 
Total transactions with owners 
Balance at 31 December 2011 

Share 
capital 
$million 
43.2 

Share 
premium 
$million 
11.0 

Translation 
reserve 
$million 
(38.9) 

Hedging 
reserve 
$million 
(7.5) 

Other 
reserves 
$million 
162.4 

Retained 
earnings 
$million 
116.1 

Non- 
controlling 

Total 
$million 
286.3 

interests  Total equity 
$million
$million 
287.9
1.6 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

8.6 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
8.6 
8.6 

– 

– 

– 

0.5 

0.9 
– 

– 
– 
1.4 
1.4 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
(1.2) 
(1.2) 
(1.2) 

74.1 

74.1 

– 

– 

– 
25.3 

3.4 
1.2 
29.9 
104.0 

8.6 

0.5 

0.9 
25.3 

3.4 
– 
38.7 
112.8 

– 

(2.4) 

(2.4) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
43.2 

0.6 
– 
– 
0.6 
11.6 

– 
– 
– 
– 
(30.3) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
(6.1) 

– 
1.9 
– 
1.9 
163.1 

– 
– 
(19.5) 
(21.9) 
198.2 

0.6 
1.9 
(19.5) 
(19.4) 
379.7 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
1.6 

74.1

8.6

0.5

0.9
25.3

3.4
–
38.7
112.8

(2.4)

0.6
1.9
(19.5)
(19.4)
381.3

43.2 

11.6 

(30.3) 

(6.1) 

163.1 

198.2 

379.7 

1.6 

381.3

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

1.3 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
1.3 
1.3 

– 

– 

– 

(0.9) 

(0.8) 
– 

– 
– 
(1.7) 
(1.7) 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
(3.1) 
(3.1) 
(3.1) 

124.1 

124.1 

– 

– 

– 
(44.7) 

8.1 
3.1 
(33.5) 
90.6 

1.3 

(0.9) 

(0.8) 
(44.7) 

8.1 
– 
(37.0) 
87.1 

– 

– 

(2.2) 

(2.2) 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

0.2 
– 
– 
0.2 
43.4 

1.1 
– 
– 
1.1 
12.7 

– 
– 
– 
– 
(29.0) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
(7.8) 

– 
2.6 
– 
2.6 
162.6 

2.6 
– 
(21.9) 
(21.5) 
267.3 

3.9 
2.6 
(21.9) 
(17.6) 
449.2 

– 
– 
– 
– 
1.6 

124.1

1.3

(0.9)

(0.8)
(44.7)

8.1
–
(37.0)
87.1

(2.2)

3.9
2.6
(21.9)
(17.6)
450.8

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2011

53

Operating activities:
Profit for the year 
Adjustments for:
Finance income 
Finance costs 
Tax charge 
Depreciation and amortisation 
Decrease in provisions 
Pension contributions net of current service cost 
Share based payments 
Exceptional items 
Cash flow in respect of exceptional items 
Operating cash flow before movement in working capital 
(Increase)/decrease in inventories   
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables  
Cash generated by operations 
Income taxes paid 
Interest paid 
Net cash flow from operating activities 
Investing activities:
Interest received 
Disposal of property,  plant and equipment 
Purchase of property,  plant and equipment 
Purchase of business 
Acquisition of intangible assets 
Net cash flow from investing activities 
Financing activities:
Issue of shares by the Company and the ESOT 
Dividends paid 
Receipt of unclaimed dividends 
Purchase of shares by the ESOT 
Decrease in borrowings 
Net cash used in financing activities 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 
Foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents  
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 

Note 

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million

124.1 

74.1

(2.6) 
5.1 
37.9 
19.9 
(3.2) 
(22.0) 
2.6 
(27.5) 
31.8 
166.1 
(17.8) 
12.8 
(4.2) 
156.9 
(8.0) 
(4.2) 
144.7 

0.9 
2.1 
(22.5) 
– 
(0.4) 
(19.9) 

3.9 
(21.9) 
– 
(2.2) 
(97.9) 
(118.1) 
6.7 
40.8 
0.7 
48.2 

(0.4)
6.7
21.9
21.4
(0.7)
(18.4)
2.0
–
(40.7)
65.9
1.7
(7.7)
7.9
67.8
(5.6)
(3.9)
58.3

0.7
2.1
(15.7)
1.1
(0.4)
(12.2)

0.6
(20.0)
0.8
(2.4)
(15.7)
(36.7)
9.4
28.8
2.6
40.8

20 

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
54

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011

1  Accounting policies
Elementis plc is a company incorporated in the UK.  The Group financial 
statements have been prepared and approved by the directors in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the EU (“adopted IFRS”).  The Company has elected to 
prepare its parent company financial statements in accordance with 
the UK GAAP.  These are presented on pages 87 to 90.

Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared 
on the historical cost basis except that derivative financial instruments 
and financial instruments held for trading or available for sale are 
stated at their fair value.  Non-current assets held for sale are stated  
at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.   
The preparation of financial statements requires the application of 
estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets 
and liabilities,  revenues and costs and related disclosures at the 
balance sheet date.  The accounting policies set out below have been 
consistently applied across Group companies to all periods presented 
in these consolidated financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern 
basis.  The rationale for adopting this basis is discussed in the Directors’ 
report on page 29.  

Reporting currency As a consequence of the majority of the 
Group’s sales and earnings originating in US dollars or US dollar 
linked currencies,  the Group has chosen the US dollar as its reporting 
currency.  This aligns the Group’s external reporting with the profile of 
the Group,  as well as with internal management reporting.

Critical accounting policies Critical accounting policies are those 
that require significant judgements or estimates and potentially 
result in materially different results under different assumptions 
or conditions.  It is considered that the Group’s critical accounting 
policies are limited to those described below.  The development of the 
estimates and disclosures related to each of these matters has been 
discussed by the Audit Committee.

(a)   Provisions A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when 

the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result 
of a past event,  and it is probable that an outflow of economic 
benefits will be required to settle the obligation.  If the effect is 
material,  provisions are determined by discounting the expected 
future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and,  where appropriate,  
the risks specific to the liability.

 A provision for restructuring is recognised when the Group has 
approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan,  and the 
restructuring has either commenced or has been announced 
publicly.  In accordance with the Group’s environmental 
policy and applicable legal requirements,  a provision for site 
restoration in respect of contaminated land is recognised when 
the land is contaminated.  Provisions for environmental issues 
are judgemental by their nature and more difficult to estimate 
when they relate to sites no longer directly controlled by the 
Group.  Elementis has taken a consistent approach to estimating 
environmental provisions.

(b)   Pension and other post retirement benefits In respect of the 
Group’s defined benefit schemes,  the Group’s net obligation 
in respect of defined benefit pension plans is calculated by 
estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have 
earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods;  
that benefit is discounted to determine its present value,  and the 
fair value of any plan assets is deducted.  The liability discount rate 
is the yield at the balance sheet date on AA credit rated bonds that 
have maturity dates approximating to the terms of the Group’s 
obligations.  Pension and post retirement liabilities are calculated 
by qualified actuaries using the projected unit credit method.  The 
expected increase in the present value of scheme liabilities and 
the long term expected return on assets based on the fair value 
of the scheme assets at the start of the period,  are included in the 
income statement under finance income.   

Any difference between the expected return on assets and that 
achieved is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income 
together with the difference from experience or assumption 
changes.  The Group recognises all such actuarial gains and losses 
in the period in which they occur through the statement of 
comprehensive income.  The Group also operates a small number 
of defined contribution schemes and the contributions payable 
during the year are recognised as incurred.  Due to the size of the 
pension scheme assets and liabilities,  relatively small changes in 
the assumptions can have a significant impact on the expense 
recorded in the income statement and on the pension liability 
recorded in the balance sheet.

(c)  Intangible assets

 (i) Goodwill All business combinations since the transition to IFRS 
on 1 January 2004 are accounted for by applying the purchase 
method.  In respect of business acquisitions that have occurred 
since the transition date,  goodwill represents the difference 
between the cost of the consideration given and the fair value of 
net identifiable assets,  liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired.  
In respect of acquisitions prior to this date,  goodwill is included 
on the basis of its deemed cost,  which represents the amount 
recorded under previous GAAP.  Goodwill is allocated to cash 
generating units and tested annually for impairment.  Changes to 
the assumptions used in impairment testing could have a material 
impact on the financial position of the Group and of the result for 
the year.

 (ii) Research and development Expenditure on research is 
recognised in the income statement as an expense as incurred.  
Expenditure on development where research findings are applied 
to a plan or design for the production of new or substantially 
improved products and processes is capitalised if the product or 
process is technically and commercially feasible and the Group 
has sufficient resources to complete development.  Expenditure 
capitalised is stated as the cost of materials,  direct labour and 
an appropriate proportion of overheads less accumulated 
amortisation.  Other development expenditure is recognised in 
the income statement as an expense as incurred.

 (iii) Other intangible assets Other intangible assets are stated 
at cost or when arising in a business combination,  estimated fair 
value,  less accumulated amortisation.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
55

(iv)  Amortisation Amortisation is charged to the income statement 

(f)   Income tax Income tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises 

current and deferred tax.  Income tax is recognised in the income 
statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised 
directly in equity or in other comprehensive income.  Current tax 
is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year,  
using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance 
sheet date,  and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of 
previous years.  Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences 
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial 
reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes.  
The following temporary differences are not provided for:  the 
initial recognition of goodwill;  the initial recognition of assets or 
liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit other 
than in a business combination;  and differences relating to 
investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably 
not reverse in the foreseeable future.  The amount of deferred 
tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or 
settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities,  using 
tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet 
date.  A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is 
probable that future taxable profits will be available against which 
the asset can be utilised.  Deferred tax assets are reduced to the 
extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will 
be realised.

 The Group is required to estimate the income tax in each of the 
jurisdictions in which it operates.  This requires an estimation of 
current tax liability together with an assessment of the temporary 
differences which arise as a consequence of different accounting 
and tax treatments.  The Group operates in a number of countries 
in the world and is subject to many tax jurisdictions and rules.  
As a consequence the Group is subject to tax audits,  which by 
their nature are often complex and can require several years to 
conclude.  Management’s judgement is required to determine 
the total provision for income tax.  Amounts are accrued based 
on management’s interpretation of country specific tax law and 
likelihood of settlement.  However,  the actual tax liabilities could 
differ from the position and in such events an adjustment would 
be required in the subsequent period which could have a material 
impact.  Tax benefits are not recognised unless it is probable that 
the tax positions are sustainable.  Once considered to be probable,  
management reviews each material tax benefit to assess whether 
a provision should be taken against full recognition of the benefit 
on the basis of potential settlement through negotiation.  This 
evaluation requires judgements to be made including the forecast 
of future taxable income.

on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible 
assets unless such lives are indefinite.  On this basis there is no 
amortisation of intangible assets relating to brand.  Goodwill is 
systematically tested for impairment at each balance sheet date.  
Other intangible assets are amortised from the date they are 
available for use.  The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Patents and trademarks  10 – 20 years
Other intangible assets 

1 – 5 years

(d)   Derivative financial instruments The Group uses derivative 

financial instruments to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange 
and interest rate risks.  The Group does not hold or issue derivative 
financial instruments for trading purposes.  However,  derivatives 
that do not qualify for hedge accounting are accounted for 
as trading instruments.  Due to the requirement to measure 
the effectiveness of hedging instruments,  changes in market 
conditions can result in the recognition of unrealised gains or 
losses on hedging instruments in the income statement.

 Derivative financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value.  
The gain or loss on remeasurement to fair value is recognised 
immediately in the income statement.  However,  where derivatives 
qualify for hedge accounting,  recognition of any resultant gain 
or loss depends on the nature of the item being hedged.  The fair 
value of forward exchange contracts is their quoted market price 
at the balance sheet date,  being the present value of the quoted 
forward price.

 Cash flow hedges Where a derivative financial instrument 
is designated as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of 
a recognised asset or liability,  or a highly probable forecast 
transaction,  the effective part of any gain or loss on the derivative 
financial instrument is recognised directly in the hedging reserve.  
Any ineffective portion of the hedge is recognised immediately in 
the income statement.

 Fair value hedges Where a derivative financial instrument 
is designated as a hedge of the variability in a fair value of a 
recognised asset or liability or an unrecognised firm commitment,  
all changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognised 
immediately in the income statement.  The carrying value of 
the hedged item is adjusted by the change in fair value that 
is attributable to the risk being hedged (even if it is normally 
carried at cost or amortised cost) and any gains or losses on 
remeasurement are recognised immediately in the income 
statement (even if those gains would normally be recognised 
directly in reserves).

(e)   Exceptional items The Group presents certain items separately as 
“exceptional”.  These are items which in management’s judgement,  
need to be disclosed by virtue of their size and incidence in order 
for the user to obtain a proper understanding of the financial 
information.  The determination of which items are separately 
disclosed as exceptional items requires a significant degree 
of judgement.

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
56

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

 1  Accounting policies (continueD)

(g)   Property,  plant and equipment Items of property,  plant and 

equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and 
impairment losses.  Freehold land is not depreciated.  Leasehold 
property is depreciated over the period of the lease.  Freehold 
buildings,  plant and machinery,  vehicles,  fixtures,  fittings and 
equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives on a 
straight line basis.  Depreciation methods,  useful lives and residual 
values are assessed at the reporting date.  No depreciation is 
charged on assets under construction until the asset is brought 
into use.

Estimates of useful lives of these assets are:

Buildings 
Plant and machinery 
Fixtures,  fittings and equipment 

10 – 50 years
2 – 20 years
2 – 20 years

 The cost of replacing part of an item of property,  plant and 
equipment is recognised in the carrying amount of the item if it 
is probable that the future economic benefits embodied within it 
will flow to the Group and its cost can be measured reliably.  The 
costs of the day-to-day servicing of property,  plant and equipment 
are recognised in the income statement as incurred.

 Management regularly considers whether there are any 
indications of impairment to carrying values of property,  plant 
and equipment.  Impairment reviews are based on risk adjusted 
discounted cash flow projections.  Significant judgement is 
applied to the assumptions underlying these projections which 
include estimated discount rates,  growth rates,  future selling 
prices and direct costs.  Changes to these assumptions could have 
a material impact on the financial position of the Group and on the 
result for the year.

Basis of consolidation The consolidated financial statements include 
the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the 
period.  A subsidiary is an entity that is controlled by the Company.  
Control exists when the Company has the power,  directly or indirectly,  to 
govern the financial and operating policies of an entity to obtain benefits 
from its activities.  The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of 
during a period are included in the consolidated financial statements 
from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

The Group has adopted IFRS 3 (revised),  Business Combinations,  
prospectively for business combinations where the acquisition 
date is on or after 1 January 2010.  This measures goodwill at the 
acquisition date as the fair value of the consideration transferred,  the 
recognised amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree 
plus,  if the business combination is achieved in stages,  the fair value 
of the existing equity interest in the acquiree,  less the fair value of the 
identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.  For acquisitions 
made by the Group since its initial adoption of IFRS in 2005 and  
31 December 2009 goodwill represents the excess of the cost of the 
acquisition over the Group’s interest in the fair value of the identifiable 
assets,  liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquiree.  Transaction 
costs,  other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity 
securities,  that the Group incurred in connection with business 
combinations were capitalised as part of the cost of the acquisition.

In accordance with the transitional rules of IFRS 1,  the Company has 
not restated business combinations that took place prior to the date 
of transition to IFRS of 1 January 2004.  As a consequence the Scheme 
of Arrangement entered into in 1998 whereby the Company acquired 
Elementis Holdings Limited and applied the true and fair override to 
account for the transaction as a merger has not been restated under IFRS.

Intragroup balances and any unrealised gains and losses or income 
and expenses arising from intragroup transactions,  are eliminated 
in preparing the consolidated financial statements.  Unrealised gains 
arising from transactions with associates and jointly controlled entities 
are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the entity.  
Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains,  
but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

Associates Associates are those entities in which the Group has 
significant influence,  but not control over the financial and operating 
policies.  The consolidated financial statements include the Group’s 
share of the post acquisition total recognised gains and losses and 
the net assets of associates on an equity accounted basis.  Where the 
Group’s share of losses exceeds its investment in an associate,  the 
Group’s carrying amount is reduced to nil and recognition of further 
losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred 
a legal or constructive obligation.

Foreign currency
(a)   Foreign currency transactions Transactions in foreign currencies 
are translated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of 
the transaction.  Monetary assets and liabilities denominated 
in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at 
the foreign exchange rate ruling at that date.  Foreign exchange 
differences arising on translation are recognised in the income 
statement.  Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 
foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are translated at 
exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

(b)   Financial statements of foreign operations The assets and 

liabilities of foreign operations,  including goodwill and fair value 
adjustments arising on consolidation,  are translated at exchange 
rates ruling at the balance sheet date.  The revenues and expenses 
of foreign operations are translated at the average rates of 
exchange ruling for the relevant period.  Exchange differences 
arising since 1 January 2004 on translation are taken to the 
translation reserve.  They are recognised in the income statement 
upon disposal of the foreign operation.  The Group may hedge 
a portion of the translation of its overseas net assets through 
pounds sterling and Euro borrowings.  From 1 January 2005,  the 
Group has elected to apply net investment hedge accounting 
for these transactions where possible.  Where hedging is applied,  
the effective portion of the gain or loss on an instrument used to 
hedge a net investment is recognised in equity.  Any ineffective 
portion of the hedge is recognised in the income statement.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
57

Leased assets Leases which result in the Group receiving substantially 
all of the risks and rewards of ownership of an asset are treated as 
finance leases.  An asset held under a finance lease is recorded in 
the balance sheet and depreciated over the shorter of its estimated 
useful life and the lease term.  Future instalments net of finance 
charges are included within borrowings.  Minimum lease payments 
are apportioned between the finance charge,  which is allocated 
to each period to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on 
the remaining liability and charged to the income statement and 
reduction of the outstanding liability.  Rental costs arising from 
operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the period  
of the lease.

Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net 
realisable value.  Net realisable value is the estimated selling price,  
less estimated costs of completion and selling expenses.  Cost,  which 
is based on a weighted average,  includes expenditure incurred in 
acquiring stock and bringing it to its existing location and condition.  
In the case of manufactured inventories and work in progress,  
cost includes an appropriate share of overheads attributable to 
manufacture,  based on normal operating capacity.

Trade receivables Trade receivables are non interest bearing and are 
stated at their nominal amount which is the original invoiced amount 
less provision made for bad and doubtful receivables.  Estimated 
irrecoverable amounts are based on the ageing of receivables and 
historical experience.  Individual trade receivables are written off when 
management deem them no longer to be collectable.

Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise 
cash balances and call deposits with an original maturity of three 
months or less.  Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and 
form an integral part of the Group’s cash management are included 
as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the 
statement of cash flows.

Borrowings Borrowings are initially measured at cost (which is equal 
to the fair value at inception),  and are subsequently measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.  Any difference 
between the proceeds,  net of transaction costs and the settlement 
or redemption of borrowings is recognised over the terms of the 
borrowings using the effective interest rate method.

Trade payables Trade payables are non interest bearing borrowings 
and are initially measured at fair value and subsequently carried at 
amortised cost.

Share capital Incremental costs directly attributable to issue of  
ordinary shares and share options are recognised as a deduction from 
equity.  When share capital recognised as equity is repurchased,  the 
amount of the consideration paid,  including directly attributable  
costs,  is recognised as a deduction from equity.  Repurchased shares  
by the Company are classified as treasury shares and are presented as  
a deduction from total equity.

Impairment The carrying amount of non-current assets other than 
deferred tax is compared to the asset’s recoverable amount at each 
balance sheet date where there is an indication of impairment.  For 
goodwill,  assets that have an indefinite useful life and intangible assets 
that are not yet available for use,  the recoverable amount is estimated 
at each balance sheet date.  An impairment loss is recognised 
whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit 
exceeds its recoverable amount.  Impairment losses are recognised in 
the income statement.

Impairment losses recognised in respect of cash generating units are 
allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated 
to cash generating units and then to reduce the carrying amount of 
the other assets in the unit on a pro rata basis.  A cash generating unit 
is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows 
that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or 
groups of assets.

The recoverable amount is the greater of their fair value less costs to 
sell and value in use.  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 an asset that 
does not generate largely independent cash inflows,  the recoverable 
amount is determined for the cash generating unit to which the 
asset belongs.

Revenue Revenue from the sale of goods is measured at the fair 
value of the consideration received or receivable,  net of returns,  
trade discounts and rebates.  Revenue is recognised in the income 
statement only where there is evidence,  usually in the form of a sales 
agreement,  that the significant risks and rewards of ownership have 
been transferred to the customer and where the collectability of 
revenue is reasonably assured.

Finance income and finance costs Finance income comprises 
interest income on funds invested and changes in the fair value of 
financial assets at fair value taken to the income statement.  Interest 
income is recognised as it accrues,  using the effective interest  
method.  Finance costs comprise interest expense on borrowings,  
unwinding of the discount on provisions,  dividends on preference 
shares classified as liabilities,  foreign currency losses and changes 
in the fair value of financial assets at fair value taken to the income 
statement.  All borrowing costs are recognised in the income 
statement using the effective interest method.

Share based payments The fair value of equity settled share options, 
cash settled shadow options and LTIP awards granted to employees is 
recognised as an expense with a corresponding increase in equity.   
The fair value is measured at grant date and spread over the period 
during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to 
the options/awards.  The fair value of the options/awards granted is 
measured using a binomial model,  taking into account the terms 
and conditions upon which the options/awards were granted.  The 
amount recognised as an employee expense is adjusted to reflect 
the actual number of share options/awards that vest except where 
forfeiture is only due to share prices not achieving the threshold  
for vesting.

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information58

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

2  operAting segments
Business segments
The Group has determined its operating segments on the basis of 
those used for management,  internal reporting purposes and the 
allocation of strategic resources.  The three reportable segments,  
Specialty Products,  Surfactants and Chromium, each have distinct 
product groupings and,  with the exception of Surfactants which 
shares a common management structure with Specialty Products,  
separate management structures.  There is no material inter-segmental 
trading.  Segment results,  assets and liabilities include items directly 
attributable to a segment and those that may be reasonably allocated 
from corporate activities.  Presentation of the segmental results is on a 
basis consistent with those used for reporting Group results.  Principal 
activities of the reportable segments are as follows:

Specialty Products  –  production of rheological additives,  

Surfactants 
Chromium 

compounded products and colourants.
– production of surface active ingredients.
– production of chromium chemicals.

The inter-segment revenue identified overleaf represents the 
sale of these products from the Chromium to Specialty Products 
business.  Inter-segment pricing is set at a level that equates to the 
manufacturing cost of the product plus a commercially appropriate 
mark up.

Unallocated items and those relating to corporate functions,  such as 
tax and treasury,  are presented in the tables overleaf as central costs.

1  Accounting policies (continueD)

Own shares held by Employee Share Ownership Trust (“ESOT”) 
Transactions of the Group sponsored ESOT are included in the 
consolidated financial statements.  In particular,  the ESOT’s purchases 
of shares in the Company are charged directly to equity.

Investments Investments comprising loans and receivables are stated 
at amortised cost.

Government grants Grants against capital expenditure from 
government and other bodies are shown separately in the balance 
sheet.  Such grants are released to the profit and loss account over the 
same period for which the relevant assets are depreciated.

Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations 
A non-current asset or a group of assets containing a non-current 
asset (a disposal group),  is classified as held for sale if its carrying 
amount will be recovered principally through sale rather than through 
continuing use,  it is available for immediate sale and is highly probable 
within one year.  On initial classification as held for sale,  non-current 
assets and disposal groups are measured at the lower of previous 
carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell with any adjustments 
taken to profit or loss.  The same applies to gains and losses on 
subsequent remeasurement.

A discontinued operation is a component of the Group’s business that 
represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of 
operations or is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale,  
that has been disposed of,  has been abandoned or that meets the 
criteria to be classified as held for sale.

Termination benefits Termination benefits are recognised as an 
expense when the Group is demonstrably committed,  without 
realistic possibility of withdrawal,  to a formal detailed plan to terminate 
employment before the normal retirement date.  Termination benefits 
for voluntary redundancies are recognised if the Group has made an 
offer encouraging voluntary redundancy,  it is probable that the offer will 
be accepted and the number of acceptances can be estimated reliably.

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted New 
standards,  amendments to standards and interpretations that are  
not yet effective for the year ended 31 December 2011,  have not  
been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements,   
or that become mandatory for the Group’s 2012 financial statements,   
are as follows:

Amendment to IFRS 7 financial instruments:  Disclosures
The Group has not yet determined the potential impact of these 
standards and interpretations on the 2012 financial statements.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 201159

Specialty  
Products 
$million 
449.9 
– 
449.9 
91.4 
(1.7) 
(1.8) 
87.9 
– 
– 
– 
– 
87.9 
430.5 
61.3 
58.7 
– 
– 
– 
550.5 
(46.4) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(46.4) 
504.1 
11.9 
(10.9) 

2011

Chromium 
$million 
231.0 
(14.7) 
216.3 
56.9 
(0.8) 
– 
56.1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
56.1 
65.8 
50.8 
23.5 
– 
– 
– 
140.1 
(19.2) 
– 
(15.0) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(34.2) 
105.9 
9.1 
(6.4) 

United 
Kingdom 
$million 
23.1 
40.6 
1.9 
(0.5) 

Segment 
totals 
$million 
775.2 
(14.7) 
760.5 
154.0 
(2.8) 
(7.0) 
144.2 
– 
– 
– 
– 
144.2 
513.6 
119.8 
89.4 
– 
– 
– 
722.8 
(75.4) 
– 
(15.0) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(90.4) 
632.4 
21.7 
(19.6) 

Rest of 
Europe 
$million 
226.7 
31.9 
1.1 
(3.3) 

Surfactants 
$million 
94.3 
– 
94.3 
5.7 
(0.3) 
(5.2) 
0.2 
– 
– 
– 
– 
0.2 
17.3 
7.7 
7.2 
– 
– 
– 
32.2 
(9.8) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(9.8) 
22.4 
0.7 
(2.3) 

North  
America 
$million 
270.8 
377.0 
18.7 
(12.7) 

Central 
costs 
$million 
– 
– 
– 
(16.9) 
2.8 
34.5 
20.4 
2.6 
(5.2) 
(39.7) 
1.8 
(20.1) 
(14.7) 
– 
9.7 
7.4 
0.8 
48.2 
51.4 
(12.9) 
(28.6) 
– 
(22.0) 
(1.4) 
(4.6) 
(94.8) 
(67.7) 
(1.0) 
(233.0) 
(181.6) 
1.2 
(0.3) 

Rest of 
the World 
$million 
239.9 
49.4 
1.2 
(3.4) 

Total 
$million
775.2
(14.7)
760.5
137.1
–
27.5
164.6
2.6
(5.2)
(39.7)
1.8
124.1
498.9
119.8
99.1
7.4
0.8
48.2
774.2
(88.3)
(28.6)
(15.0)
(22.0)
(1.4)
(4.6)
(94.8)
(67.7)
(1.0)
(323.4)
450.8
22.9
(19.9)

Total 
$million
760.5
498.9
22.9
(19.9)

Segmental analysis for the year ended 31 December 2011

Revenue 
Internal revenue 
Revenue from external customers   
Operating profit before exceptionals 
Head office cost allocations 
Exceptionals 
Profit before interest 
Finance income 
Finance expense 
Taxation – pre-exceptional 
Taxation – exceptional 
Profit/(loss) for the period 
Fixed assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Deferred tax assets 
Derivatives 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Segment assets 
Trade and other payables 
Operating provisions 
Other liabilities 
Bank overdrafts and loans 
Derivatives 
Current tax liabilities 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Government grants 
Segment liabilities 
Net assets 
Capital additions 
Depreciation and amortisation 

Information by geographical area  
Revenue from external customers   
Non-current assets 
Capital additions 
Depreciation and amortisation 

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
60

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

2  operAting segments (continueD)

Segmental analysis for the year ended 31 December 2010

Revenue 
Internal revenue 
Revenue from external customers   
Operating profit 
Head office cost allocations 
Profit/(loss) before interest 
Finance income 
Finance expense 
Taxation – pre-exceptional 
Taxation – exceptional 
Profit/(loss) for the period 
Fixed assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Deferred tax assets 
Derivatives 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Segment assets 
Trade and other payables 
Operating provisions 
Other liabilities 
Bank overdrafts and loans 
Current tax liabilities 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Government grants 
Segment liabilities 
Net assets 
Capital additions 
Depreciation and amortisation 

Information by geographical area  
Revenue from external customers   
Non-current assets 
Capital additions 
Depreciation 

3  FinAnce income

Interest on bank deposits 
Expected return on pension scheme assets 
Interest on pension scheme liabilities 
Pension and other post retirement liabilities 

Specialty  
Products 
$million 
410.8 
– 
410.8 
73.1 
(1.3) 
71.8 
– 
– 
– 
– 
71.8 
432.6 
60.0 
58.5 
– 
– 
– 
551.1 
(43.4) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(43.4) 
507.7 
7.4 
(12.5) 

2010

Chromium 
$million 
209.7 
(11.2) 
198.5 
36.6 
(0.8) 
35.8 
– 
– 
– 
– 
35.8 
64.4 
33.4 
24.0 
– 
– 
– 
121.8 
(23.3) 
– 
(17.7) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(41.0) 
80.8 
6.8 
(6.1) 

United 
Kingdom 
$million 
20.2 
39.9 
0.4 
(1.3) 

Segment 
totals 
$million 
708.6 
(11.2) 
697.4 
116.2 
(2.5) 
113.7 
– 
– 
– 
– 
113.7 
516.7 
102.3 
99.0 
– 
– 
– 
718.0 
(77.4) 
– 
(17.7) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(95.1) 
622.9 
15.3 
(21.1) 

Rest of 
Europe 
$million 
207.5 
35.3 
1.6 
(3.3) 

Surfactants 
$million 
88.1 
– 
88.1 
6.5 
(0.4) 
6.1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
6.1 
19.7 
8.9 
16.5 
– 
– 
– 
45.1 
(10.7) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(10.7) 
34.4 
1.1 
(2.5) 

North  
America 
$million 
237.4 
372.7 
13.2 
(13.5) 

Central 
costs 
$million 
– 
– 
– 
(13.9) 
2.5 
(11.4) 
0.4 
(6.7) 
(27.7) 
5.8 
(39.6) 
(15.5) 
– 
12.8 
6.7 
0.9 
40.8 
45.7 
(17.9) 
(30.8) 
– 
(120.1) 
(4.2) 
(67.4) 
(45.5) 
(1.4) 
(287.3) 
(241.6) 
0.4 
(0.3) 

Rest of 
the World 
$million 
232.3 
53.2 
0.5 
(3.3) 

2011 
$million 
0.7 
47.7 
(45.8) 
1.9 
2.6 

Total 
$million
708.6
(11.2)
697.4
102.3
–
102.3
0.4
(6.7)
(27.7)
5.8
74.1
501.2
102.3
111.8
6.7
0.9
40.8
763.7
(95.3)
(30.8)
(17.7)
(120.1)
(4.2)
(67.4)
(45.5)
(1.4)
(382.4)
381.3
15.7
(21.4)

Total 
$million
697.4
501.1
15.7
(21.4)

2010 
$million
0.4
–
–
–
0.4

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  FinAnce costs

Interest on bank loans 
Expected return on pension scheme assets 
Interest on pension scheme liabilities 
Pension and other post retirement liabilities  
Unwind of discount on provisions   

5  exceptionAl items

Refund of EU Commission fine 
Curtailment losses on pension schemes 

Deferred tax asset 

61

2011 
$million 
4.0 
– 
– 
– 
1.2 
5.2 

2011 
$million 
34.5 
(7.0) 
27.5 
1.8 
29.3 

2010 
$million
3.7
(42.9)
44.8
1.9
1.1
6.7

2010 
$million
–
–
–
5.8
5.8

The Group has continued its separate presentation of certain items as exceptional.  These are items which,  in management’s judgement,  need  
to be disclosed separately by virtue of their size or incidence in order for the reader to obtain a proper understanding of the financial information.

Following a repeal of the earlier decision,  the European Commission repaid a total of $34.5 million to the Group in respect of fines imposed in 
2009,  plus associated interest.  A charge of $7.0 million has been booked in respect of curtailment losses in respect of the Dutch pension scheme,  
along with an associated deferred tax credit of $1.8 million.  Further details are included in the Finance report on page 14.  An exceptional 
deferred tax credit of $5.8 million was recorded in 2010 to recognise the value of historic losses and other tax attributes that are now believed to 
be of value following an increase in the profitability of the UK based specialties business.

6 

income tAx expense

Current tax:
Overseas corporation tax 
Adjustments in respect of prior years:
United Kingdom 
Overseas 
Total current tax 
Deferred tax:
United Kingdom 
Adjustment in respect of prior year  
Overseas 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 
Total deferred tax 
Income tax expense for the year 
Comprising:
Before exceptional items 
Exceptional items* 

* See Note 5.

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million

9.8 

– 
0.5 
10.3 

2.1 
(1.8) 
27.7 
(0.4) 
27.6 
37.9 

39.7 
(1.8) 
37.9 

5.8

–
(2.4)
3.4

2.2
(5.8)
21.1
1.0
18.5
21.9

27.7
(5.8)
21.9

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
62

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

6 

income tAx expense (continueD)

The tax charge on profit before exceptional items represents an effective tax rate on profit before exceptional items for the year ended 
31 December 2011 of 29.5 per cent (2010:  28.9 per cent).  As a Group involved in overseas operations,  the amount of profitability in each 
jurisdiction,  transfer pricing legislation and local tax rate changes will affect future tax charges.

The total charge for the year can be reconciled to the accounting profit as follows:

Profit before tax 
Tax on ordinary activities at 26.5 per cent (2010:  28.0 per cent) * 
Difference in overseas effective tax rates 
Income not chargeable for tax purposes 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 
Tax losses and other deductions 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 
Exceptional tax credit 
Tax charge and effective tax rate for the year 

2011 
$million 
162.0 
42.9 
10.4 
(9.1) 
0.8 
(6.3) 
(0.8) 
– 
37.9 

2011 
per cent 
– 
26.5 
6.4 
(5.6) 
0.5 
(3.9) 
(0.5) 
– 
23.4 

* Tax rate reflects reduction in UK corporation tax rate from 28 per cent to 26 per cent with effect from April 2011.

7  proFit For the yeAr
Profit for the year has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):

Employee costs 
Net foreign exchange losses 
Research and development costs 
Government grants 
Depreciation of property,  plant and equipment   
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Total depreciation and amortisation expense 
Cost of inventories recognised as expense 
Fees available to the Company’s auditor and its associates:
Audit of the Company’s financial statements 
Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries 
Other services 

Other services in relation to the fees paid to the auditors comprise mainly of advisory services relating to taxation.

2010 
$million 
96.0 
26.9 
6.2 
– 
1.0 
(5.0) 
(1.4) 
(5.8) 
21.9 

2011 
$million 
100.6 
0.9 
7.8 
(0.4) 
18.5 
1.9 
20.4 
378.3 

0.2 
0.4 
0.6 

2010 
per cent
–
28.0
6.5
–
1.0
(5.2)
(1.5)
(6.0)
22.8

2010 
$million
92.6
0.7
9.2
(0.4)
19.9
1.9
21.8
361.3

0.2
0.4
0.4

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8  employees

Employee costs:
Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension costs 

Average number of FTE employees*:
Specialty Products 
Surfactants 
Chromium 
Central 
Total 

63

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million

88.9 
8.2 
3.5 
100.6 

83.0
7.0
2.6
92.6

Number 

Number

877 
168 
271 
14 
1,330 

876
164
272
19
1,331

* Full time equivalent including contractors.  The 2010 comparative has been restated to include contractors.

9  eArnings per shAre
The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the parent is based on the following:

Earnings:
Earnings for the purpose of basic earnings per share 
Exceptional items net of tax 
Adjusted earnings 

Number of shares:
Weighted average number of shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share 
Effect of dilutive share options 
Weighted average number of shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share 

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million

124.1 
(29.3) 
94.8 

74.1
(5.8)
68.3

2011 

2010

446.5 
9.9 
456.4 

443.5
4.6
448.1

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the parent is 
based on the following:

Earnings per share:
Basic 
Diluted 
Basic before exceptional items 
Diluted before exceptional items 

2011 
cents 

27.8 
27.2 
21.2 
20.8 

2010 
cents

16.7
16.5
15.4
15.2

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
64

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

10  gooDwill AnD other intAngible Assets

Cost:
At 1 January 2010 
Exchange differences 
Reclassification 
Additions 
At 1 January 2011 
Exchange differences 
Additions 
At 31 December 2011 

Amortisation:
At 1 January 2010 
Charge for the year 
At 1 January 2011 
Charge for the year 
At 31 December 2011 

Carrying amount:
At 31 December 2011 
At 31 December 2010 
At 1 January 2010 

Goodwill 
$million 

Brand 
$million 

Other 
intangible 
assets 
$million 

315.4 
(2.1) 
(8.0) 
– 
305.3 
(0.5) 
– 
304.8 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

13.8 
1.3 
2.8 
– 
17.9 
(0.5) 
– 
17.4 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

304.8 
305.3 
315.4 

17.4 
17.9 
13.8 

13.6 
0.9 
5.2 
0.4 
20.1 
(0.4) 
0.3 
20.0 

3.3 
1.9 
5.2 
1.9 
7.1 

12.9 
14.9 
10.3 

Total 
$million

342.8
0.1
–
0.4
343.3
(1.4)
0.3
342.2

3.3
1.9
5.2
1.9
7.1

335.1
338.1
339.5

The transfer between goodwill and other intangible assets in 2010 was the result of the conclusion of the purchase price allocation exercise 
that took place following the Fancor acquisition on 24 December 2009.  An amount of $8.0 million previously and provisionally recognised as 
goodwill was re-allocated to other intangible assets.

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated,  at acquisition,  to the cash generating units (“CGUs”) that are expected to benefit  
from that business combination.  The carrying value of goodwill relates to Elementis Specialty Products ($301.4 million) and Elementis 
Surfactants ($3.4 million).

The Group tests annually for impairment,  or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired.  The recoverable amounts 
of the CGUs are determined from value in use calculations.  The key assumptions for the value in use calculations are those regarding the 
discount rates,  growth rates and expected changes to selling prices and direct costs during the period.  Management estimates discount rates 
using pre-tax rates that reflect current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the CGUs.  In order to stress test 
the results over a wider range of conditions,  management has expanded its testing to include discount rates based on a variety of equity risk 
premiums and different capital structures that reflect the potential variability of risk within the CGUs and the Group’s long term financing options.  
The result of this exercise was a range of discount rates from 9.0 per cent,  calculated on a basis broadly consistent with 2010 (discount rate of  
10.6 per cent) to 11.8 per cent.  

The Group prepares cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent three year plans approved by management for the next three years and 
extrapolates cash flows for the following 17 years based on estimated growth rates of 0 to 2.5 per cent.  The rates do not exceed the average long 
term growth rate for the relevant markets and also take into account potential,  future capacity limitations for the Chromium business.  Changes 
in selling prices and direct costs are based on past practices and expectations of future changes in the market.  The results of the impairment 
testing using the assumptions discussed show that there is no indication that goodwill might be impaired.  

The brand intangible represents the value ascribed to the trading name and reputation of the recent Deuchem and Fancor acquisitions.   
The Group considers these to have significant and ongoing value to the business that will be maintained and it is therefore considered 
appropriate to assign these assets an indefinite useful life.  The remaining intangible assets comprise of the value ascribed to customer lists,  
patents and non-compete clauses,  which are being amortised over periods of five to ten years.

Other intangible assets comprise mainly of the value ascribed to the brand and customer lists acquired as part of the Deuchem acquisition.   
The customer list is being amortised over a useful economic life of ten years.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11  property,  plAnt AnD equipment

Cost:
At 1 January 2010 
Additions 
Exchange differences 
Disposals 
Reclassifications 
At 31 December 2010 
Additions 
Exchange differences 
Disposals 
Reclassifications 
At 31 December 2011 

Accumulated depreciation:
At 1 January 2010 
Charge for the year 
Exchange differences 
Disposals 
Reclassifications 
At 31 December 2010 
Charge for the year 
Exchange differences 
Disposals 
Reclassifications 
At 31 December 2011 

Net book value:
At 31 December 2011 
At 31 December 2010 
At 1 January 2010 

Land and 
buildings 
$million 

Plant and  Fixtures,  fittings 
machinery  and equipment 
$million 

$million 

Under 
construction 
$million 

147.4 
– 
(0.8) 
(0.1) 
0.3 
146.8 
– 
(1.7) 
(0.2) 
1.3 
146.2 

97.1 
3.0 
(1.9) 
– 
– 
98.2 
2.8 
(0.8) 
(0.1) 
0.1 
100.2 

46.0 
48.6 
50.3 

485.4 
0.9 
(12.0) 
(5.7) 
11.9 
480.5 
0.5 
(4.1) 
(8.8) 
18.9 
487.0 

384.0 
13.4 
(11.2) 
(3.8) 
(0.3) 
382.1 
13.8 
(3.9) 
(6.8) 
1.2 
386.4 

100.6 
98.4 
101.4 

51.0 
0.1 
(0.6) 
(0.3) 
0.6 
50.8 
0.1 
(0.5) 
(3.1) 
– 
47.3 

42.2 
3.5 
(0.7) 
(0.2) 
0.3 
45.1 
1.9 
(0.4) 
(3.1) 
(1.3) 
42.2 

5.1 
5.7 
8.8 

11.4 
14.7 
0.2 
– 
(12.8) 
13.5 
22.0 
(0.1) 
(3.1) 
(20.2) 
12.1 

3.2 
– 
(0.1) 
– 
– 
3.1 
– 
– 
(3.1) 
– 
– 

12.1 
10.4 
8.2 

Group capital expenditure contracted but not provided for in these financial statements amounted to $7.2 million (2010:  $10.1 million).

Land and buildings at cost comprised the following:

Freehold property 
Short leasehold properties 

12  inventories

Raw materials and consumables 
Work in progress 
Finished goods and goods purchased for resale   

Inventories are disclosed net of provisions for obsolescence of $6.2 million (2010:  $4.8 million).

2011 
$million 
145.9 
0.3 
146.2 

2011 
$million 
46.0 
13.6 
60.2 
119.8 

65

Total 
$million

695.2
15.7
(13.2)
(6.1)
–
691.6
22.6
(6.4)
(15.2)
–
692.6

526.5
19.9
(13.9)
(4.0)
–
528.5
18.5
(5.1)
(13.1)
–
528.8

163.8
163.1
168.7

2010 
$million
146.5
0.3
146.8

2010 
$million
33.4
9.0
59.9
102.3

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
66

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

13  trADe AnD other receivAbles

Trade receivables 
Other receivables 
Prepayments and accrued income  

14  trADe AnD other pAyAbles

Trade payables 
Other taxes and social security 
Other payables 
Accruals and deferred income 

15  provisions

At 1 January 2010 
Charge to income statement 
Utilised during the year 
Transfer 
Currency translation differences 
At 1 January 2011 
Charge to income statement 
Utilised during the year 
Currency translation differences 
At 31 December 2011 

Due within one year 
Due after one year 

2011 
$million 
89.3 
1.1 
8.7 
99.1 

2011 
$million 
42.0 
2.8 
4.1 
39.4 
88.3 

  Environmental  
$million 
28.0 
3.2 
(2.4) 
(3.6) 
(0.3) 
24.9 
1.9 
(4.0) 
(0.1) 
22.7 

  Chromium UK 

closure   Self insurance 
$million 
$million 
2.6 
26.7 
(0.2) 
– 
(0.1) 
(8.1) 
– 
3.6 
– 
(0.9) 
2.3 
21.3 
0.1 
– 
(0.1) 
(2.7) 
– 
– 
2.3 
18.6 

  EU commission 
fine 
$million 
33.5 
– 
(32.2) 
– 
(1.3) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

3.7 
19.0 

4.0 
14.6 

0.2 
2.1 

– 
– 

2010 
$million
100.9
4.6
6.3
111.8

2010 
$million
44.6
1.0
6.5
43.2
95.3

Total 
$million
90.8
3.0
(42.8)
–
(2.5)
48.5
2.0
(6.8)
(0.1)
43.6

7.9
35.7

Environmental provisions relate to manufacturing and distribution sites including certain sites no longer owned by the Group.  These provisions 
have been derived using a discounted cash flow methodology and reflect the extent to which it is probable that expenditure will be incurred 
over the next 20 years.

The Chromium UK closure provision contains all anticipated costs relating to closure including environmental costs.

Self insurance provisions at 31 December 2011 represent the aggregate of outstanding claims plus a projection of losses incurred but not 
reported.  The self insurance provisions are expected to be utilised within five years.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
67

16  DeFerreD tAx

At 1 January 2010 
(Charge)/credit to the income statement 
Exceptional credit 
Credit to other comprehensive income 
Currency translation differences 
At 1 January 2011 
(Charge)/credit to the income statement 
Exceptional credit 
Credit to other comprehensive income 
Currency translation differences 
At 31 December 2011 

Deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax liabilities 

Retirement 
benefit plans 
$million 
15.8 
(4.6) 
– 
3.4 
– 
14.6 
(4.9) 
1.8 
8.1 
– 
19.6 

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation 
$million 
(21.4) 
(0.9) 
– 
– 
– 
(22.3) 
(0.4) 
– 
– 
– 
(22.7) 

Amortisation 
of US 
goodwill 
$million 
(69.4) 
(8.3) 
– 
– 
– 
(77.7) 
(8.2) 
– 
– 
– 
(85.9) 

Temporary 
differences 
$million 
(0.8) 
2.7 
1.8 
– 
(0.9) 
2.8 
(1.0) 
– 
– 
(0.6) 
1.2 

Unrelieved 
tax losses 
$million 
53.1 
(13.3) 
4.0 
– 
– 
43.8 
(16.3) 
– 
– 
– 
27.5 

2.1 
17.5 

0.1 
(22.8) 

– 
(85.9) 

1.1 
0.1 

4.1 
23.4 

Total 
$million
(22.7)
(24.4)
5.8
3.4
(0.9)
(38.8)
(30.8)
1.8
8.1
(0.6)
(60.3)

7.4
(67.7)

At 31 December 2011 the full amount of ACT previously written-off,  available for offset against future UK profits,  was $39.2 million  
(2010:  $39.4 million).  Additional tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised and for which there is no expiry date  
were $4.2 million (2010:  $32.1 million).  These relate to restricted losses within the UK and have reduced in the year due to the restructuring 
within subsidiaries.

Deferred tax assets have been recognised to the extent that it is considered more likely than not that there will be taxable profits from  
which the future reversal of the underlying timing differences can be deducted.  Where this is not the case,  deferred tax assets have not  
been recognised.  There are no significant temporary differences arising in connection with interests in subsidiaries and associates.

17  shAre cApitAl 

At 1 January 
Issue of shares 
At 31 December 

Details of share capital are set out in Note 7 to the parent company financial statements.

2011 
$million 
43.2 
0.2 
43.4 

2010 
$million
43.2
–
43.2

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
68

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

18  shAre premium,  other reserves AnD retAineD eArnings

Balance at 1 January 2010 
Issue of shares 
Share based payments 
Profit for the year 
Dividends paid 
Purchase of shares by the ESOT 
Actuarial gain on pension scheme   
Exchange differences 
Tax credit on actuarial gain on pension scheme   
Increase in fair value of derivatives   
Transfer 
Balance at 1 January 2011 
Issue of shares 
Share based payments 
Profit for the year 
Dividends paid 
Purchase of shares by the ESOT 
Actuarial loss on pension scheme   
Exchange differences 
Tax credit on actuarial loss on pension scheme 
Decrease in fair value of derivatives 
Transfer 
Balance at 31 December 2011 

Other reserves comprise:

At 1 January 2010 
Share based payments 
Exchange differences 
Increase in fair value of derivatives   
Transfer 
At 1 January 2011 
Share based payments 
Exchange differences 
Decrease in fair value of derivatives 
Transfer 
Balance at 31 December 2011 

Share  
premium 
$million 
11.0 
0.6 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
11.6 
1.1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
12.7 

Other 
reserves 
$million 
116.0 
– 
1.9 
– 
– 
– 
– 
8.6 
– 
1.4 
(1.2) 
126.7 
– 
2.6 
– 
– 
– 
– 
1.3 
– 
(1.7) 
(3.1) 
125.8 

Retained 
earnings 
$million 
116.1 
– 
– 
74.1 
(19.5) 
(2.4) 
25.3 
– 
3.4 
– 
1.2 
198.2 
2.6 
– 
124.1 
(21.9) 
(2.2) 
(44.7) 
– 
8.1 
– 
3.1 
267.3 

Capital  
redemption  
reserve 
$million 
158.8 
– 
– 
– 
– 
158.8 
– 
– 
– 
– 
158.8 

Translation 
reserve 
$million 
(38.9) 
– 
8.6 
– 
– 
(30.3) 
– 
1.3 
– 
– 
(29.0) 

Hedging 
reserve 
$million 
(7.5) 
– 
– 
1.4 
– 
(6.1) 
– 
– 
(1.7) 
– 
(7.8) 

Share options 
reserve 
$million 
3.6 
1.9 
– 
– 
(1.2) 
4.3 
2.6 
– 
– 
(3.1) 
3.8 

Total 
$million
243.1
0.6
1.9
74.1
(19.5)
(2.4)
25.3
8.6
3.4
1.4
–
336.5
3.7
2.6
124.1
(21.9)
(2.2)
(44.7)
1.3
8.1
(1.7)
–
405.8

Total 
$million
116.0
1.9
8.6
1.4
(1.2)
126.7
2.6
1.3
(1.7)
(3.1)
125.8

The translation reserve comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations 
as well as from the translation of liabilities that hedge the Company’s net investment in a foreign subsidiary.  The hedging reserve comprises the 
effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments related to hedged transactions that have not 
yet occurred.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19  borrowings

Bank loans 

The borrowings are repayable as follows:
On demand or within one year 
In the second year 
In the third year 
In the fourth year 
After more than five years 

The weighted average interest rates paid were as follows:

Bank loans 

69

2011 
$million 
22.0 

2010 
$million
120.1

6.2 
1.7 
11.7 
1.7 
0.7 
22.0 

9.1
1.6
1.6
107.8
–
120.1

2011 
per cent 
4.4 

2010 
per cent
2.4

Of all US dollar borrowings,  $14.0 million was unsecured,  bearing interest at the relevant interbank rates plus a margin.  The Taiwan dollar and 
remaining US dollar borrowings consisted of unsecured borrowings,  those secured by time deposits and those secured by charges over various 
land and buildings in Taiwan.  Group borrowings were denominated as follows:

Bank loans
31 December 2010 
31 December 2011 

20  cAsh AnD cAsh equivAlents
Cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the consolidated cash flow statement comprise the following:

Cash and cash equivalents 

21  FinAnciAl risk mAnAgement
The Group has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

credit risk;
liquidity risk;  and

• 
• 
•  market risk.

US Dollar 

Taiwan Dollar 

Total

109.9 
14.2 

10.2 
7.8 

120.1
22.0

2011 
$million 
48.2 

2010 
$million
40.8

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group’s risk management framework.  The Group’s 
risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Group,  to set appropriate risk limits and controls,  and to 
monitor risks and adherence to limits.  Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and 
the Group’s activities.

The Group’s Audit Committee oversees how management monitors compliance with the Group’s risk management policies and procedures and 
reviews the adequacy of the risk management framework in relation to the risks faced by the Group.  The Group’s Audit Committee is assisted in 
its oversight role by Internal Audit.  Internal Audit undertakes both regular and ad hoc reviews of risk management controls and procedures,  the 
results of which are reported to the Audit Committee.

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations,  
and arises principally from the Group’s receivables from customers.

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
70

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

21  FinAnciAl risk mAnAgement (continueD) 

Trade and other receivables
The Group’s exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer.  The demographics of the Group’s 
customer base,  including the default risk of the industry and country in which customers operate,  has less of an influence on credit risk.   
No single customer accounts for a significant proportion of the Group’s revenue and geographically there is no concentration of credit risk.

Each new customer is analysed individually for creditworthiness before the Group’s standard payment and delivery terms and conditions are 
offered.  The Group’s review includes external ratings,  where available,  and in some cases bank references.  Purchase limits are established for 
each customer,  which represents the maximum open amount without requiring approval from the Board.  Customers that fail to meet the 
Group’s benchmark creditworthiness may transact with the Group only on a prepayment basis.

The Group establishes an allowance for impairment that represents its estimate of incurred losses in respect of trade and other receivables.  
The main components of this allowance are a specific loss component that relates to individually significant exposures,  and a collective loss 
component established for groups of similar assets in respect of losses that have been incurred but not yet identified.  The collective loss 
allowance is determined based on historical data of payment statistics for similar assets.

Investments
The Group limits its exposure to credit risk through a treasury policy that imposes graduated limits on the amount of funds that can be deposited 
with counterparties by reference to the counterparties’ credit ratings,  as defined by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s.  Management does not expect 
any counterparty to fail to meet its obligations.  

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due.  The Group’s approach to managing 
liquidity is to ensure,  as far as possible,  that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due,  under both normal and stressed 
conditions,  without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group’s reputation.  The Group’s funding policy is to have committed 
borrowings in place to cover at least 125 per cent of the maximum forecast net borrowings for the next 12 month period.  At the year end the 
Group had $201.9 million (2010:  $105.9 million) of undrawn committed facilities,  of which $190.0 million expires after more than one year.

Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices,  such as foreign exchange rates and interest rates,  will affect the Group’s income or the 
value of its holdings of financial instruments.  The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within 
acceptable parameters,  whilst optimising the return on risk.

The Group uses derivatives in the ordinary course of business,  and also incurs financial liabilities,  in order to manage market risks.  All such 
transactions are carried out within the guidelines set by the Board.

Currency risk
The Group is exposed to currency risk on sales,  purchases and borrowings that are denominated in a foreign currency other than the respective 
functional currencies of Group entities,  primarily the US Dollar and the Euro.  The Group hedges up to 100 per cent of current and forecast trade 
receivables and trade payables denominated in a foreign currency.  The Group uses forward exchange contracts to hedge its currency risk,  most 
with a maturity of less than one year from the reporting date.

Interest on borrowings is denominated in currencies that match the cash flows generated by the underlying operations of the Group,  primarily 
US Dollar,  but also Euro and GBP.  This provides an economic hedge and no derivatives are entered into.  In respect of other monetary assets  
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies,  the Group ensures that its net exposure is kept to an acceptable level by buying or selling 
foreign currencies at spot rates when necessary to address short term imbalances.  The Group’s investment in overseas subsidiaries is hedged  
by US Dollar denominated drawdowns under the syndicated facility,  which mitigates the currency risk arising from the translation of a 
subsidiary’s net assets.

Interest rate risk
The Group’s policy is to borrow at both fixed and floating interest rates and to use interest rate swaps to generate the required interest profile.  
The policy does not require that a specific proportion of the Group’s borrowings are at fixed rates of interest.

Other market price risk
Equity price risk arises from available-for-sale equity securities held within the Group’s defined benefit pension.  In respect of the US schemes, 
management monitors the mix of debt and equity securities in its investment portfolio based on market expectations.  The primary goal of the 
Group’s investment strategy in respect of the US schemes,  is to maximise investment returns,  without excessive risk taking,  in order to meet 
partially the Group’s unfunded benefit obligation and management is assisted by external advisers in this regard.  In respect of the UK scheme, 
the investment strategy is set by the trustees and the Board is kept informed.

The Group does not enter into commodity contracts other than to meet the Group’s expected usage and sale requirements;  such contracts are 
not settled net.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 201171

Capital management
The Board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor,  creditor and market confidence and to sustain future 
development of the business.  The Board monitors the return on operating capital employed including goodwill,  as defined on page 15.   
The Group’s target is to achieve a ROCE (including goodwill) in excess of our weighted average cost of capital.

The Board encourages employees to hold shares in the Company through the Group’s savings related share option schemes.  At present,  
employees,  including executive directors hold 0.3 per cent (2010:  0.2 per cent) of ordinary shares,  or 3.5 per cent (2010:  3.9 per cent) assuming 
that all outstanding options vest or are exercised.

Recognised in profit or loss
Interest income on bank deposits   
Net pension interest 
Financial income 
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges transferred from equity 
Interest on bank loan 
Financial costs 
Net financial costs 

None of the above relates to financial assets or liabilities held at fair value through profit and loss:

Recognised directly in equity
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedge 
Fair value of cash flow hedges transferred to income statement 
Effective portion of change in fair value of net investment hedge 
Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations 

Recognised in
Hedging reserve 
Translation reserve 

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million

0.7 
1.9 
2.6 
(0.3) 
(4.0) 
(4.3) 
(1.7) 

(0.8) 
(0.9) 
3.6 
(2.3) 

(1.7) 
1.3 

0.4
(1.9)
(1.5)
0.3
(3.7)
(3.4)
(4.9)

0.9
0.5
(4.8)
13.4

1.4
8.6

Derivatives used for hedging included within current assets amounted to $0.8 million at 31 December 2011 (2010:  $0.9 million) and $1.4 million 
within current liabilities (2010:  nil).  

Loans and borrowings

Current liabilities
Unsecured bank loan 
Secured bank loan 
Non-current liabilities
Unsecured bank loan 
Secured bank loan 

Terms and debt repayment schedule
The terms and conditions of outstanding loans were as follows:

Unsecured bank loan 
Unsecured bank loan 
Secured bank loan 
Secured bank loan 
Total interest bearing liabilities 

Year of 
maturity 
Currency 
2014 
Multi 
2012 
USD 
USD 
2012 
TWD  2012-2016 

Face value 
$million 
10.0 
4.0 
0.2 
7.8 
22.0 

2011 
Carrying 
amount 
$million 
10.0 
4.0 
0.2 
7.8 
22.0 

Face value 
$million 
105.3 
4.4 
0.5 
10.2 
120.4 

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million

4.0 
2.2 

10.0 
5.8 

4.4
2.6

105.0
8.1

2010
Carrying 
amount 
$million
105.0
4.4
0.5
10.2
120.1

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
72

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

21  FinAnciAl risk mAnAgement (continueD) 

The multi-currency unsecured bank facility bears interest at LIBOR of the currency drawn down plus a margin based on the ratio of the Group’s 
net borrowings to EBITDA (earnings before interest,  tax,  exceptional items,  depreciation and amortisation).  The remaining loans bear interest at 
interest rates of between 2.6 per cent and 2.9 per cent.  The secured bank loans are secured against land and buildings in Taiwan with a carrying 
value of $10.2 million.

Exposure to credit risk
The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure.  The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting 
date was:

Trade receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables at the reporting date by geographic region was:

Carrying amount

2011 
$million 
89.3 
48.2 
137.5 

2010 
$million
100.9
40.8
141.7

Carrying amount

2011 
$million 
30.5 
24.7 
34.1 
89.3 

2010 
$million
23.7
37.9
39.3
100.9

Gross 
2011 
$million 
83.3 
6.7 
0.6 
90.6 

Impairment 
2011 
$million 
(1.0) 
– 
(0.3) 
(1.3) 

Gross 
2010 
$million 
94.7 
6.5 
1.1 
102.3 

Impairment 
2010 
$million
(1.2)
–
(0.2)
(1.4)

North America 
Europe 
Rest of the World 

Impairment losses
The ageing of trade receivables at the reporting date was:

Not past due 
Past due 0-30 days 
Past due 31-120 days 
Total 

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables during the year was as follows:

Balance at 1 January 
Impairment loss recognised 
Balance at 31 December 

2011 
$million 
1.4 
(0.1) 
1.3 

2010 
$million
2.3
(0.9)
1.4

The provision for impairment relates primarily to customers of Elementis Chromium who,  due to their payment history and geographical location,  
are assessed as having a higher exposure to credit risk than is acceptable.  A provision is therefore deemed to be appropriate.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liquidity risk
The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities,  including interest payments and excluding the impact of netting agreements:

73

Non-derivative financial liabilities:
Unsecured bank loan 
Secured bank loan 
Trade and other payables* 

* Excludes derivatives.

Non-derivative financial liabilities:
Unsecured bank loan 
Secured bank loan 
Trade and other payables* 

* Excludes derivatives.

Carrying 
amount 
$million 

Contractual 
cash flows 
$million 

31 December 2011
6 months 
or less 
$million 

6-12 months  1 year or more 
$million

$million 

14.0 
8.0 
48.9 
70.9 

(14.0) 
(8.0) 
(48.9) 
(70.9) 

(10.0) 
– 
(48.9) 
(58.9) 

(4.0) 
(2.2) 
– 
(6.2) 

–
(5.8)
–
(5.8)

Carrying 
amount 
$million 

109.4 
10.7 
52.5 
172.6 

Contractual 
cash flows 
$million 

31 December 2010
6 months 
or less 
$million 

6-12 months 
$million 

1 year or 
more 
$million

(109.7) 
(10.7) 
(52.5) 
(172.9) 

(105.3) 
(0.5) 
(52.5) 
(158.3) 

(4.4) 
(2.1) 
– 
(6.5) 

–
(8.1)
–
(8.1)

Bank loans have been drawn under committed facilities and can be re-financed on maturity from the same facilities.  The contractual maturities 
indicated reflect the maturing of the loans rather than the end date of the facilities.

Cash flow hedges
The following table indicates the periods in which the cash flows associated with derivatives that are cash flow hedges are expected to occur:

Forward exchange contracts:
Assets 
Liabilities 
Interest rate swaps:
Assets 
Liabilities 
Forward gas contracts:
Assets 
Liabilities 

Carrying 
amount 
$million 

Expected 
cash flows 
$million 

2011 

6 months 
or less 
$million 

6-12 
months 
$million 

1-2 years 
$million 

Carrying 
amount 
$million 

Expected 
cash flows 
$million 

2010

6 months 
or less 
$million 

6-12 
months 
$million 

1-2 years 
$million

0.8 
– 

22.1 
(21.3) 

11.3 
(10.9) 

(0.6) 

(0.8) 
(0.6) 

0.8 
(1.4) 

2.1 
(2.9) 
(0.6) 

0.2 
(0.3) 

0.9 
(1.3) 
(0.1) 

8.1 
(7.8) 

0.2 
(0.3) 

1.2 
(1.6) 
(0.2) 

2.7 
(2.6) 

0.4 
(0.8) 

– 
– 
(0.3) 

0.2 
– 

0.7 
– 

– 
– 
0.9 

38.8 
(38.6) 

15.1 
(15.0) 

17.8 
(17.7) 

2.7 
(2.0) 

– 
– 
0.9 

0.4 
(0.3) 

– 
– 
0.2 

0.4 
(0.3) 

– 
– 
0.2 

5.9
(5.9)

1.9
(1.4)

–
–
0.5

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
74

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

21  FinAnciAl risk mAnAgement (continueD) 

The following table indicates the periods in which the cash flows associated with derivatives that are cash flow hedges are expected to impact 
the income statement:

Forward exchange contracts:
Assets 
Liabilities 
Interest rate swaps:
Assets 
Liabilities 
Forward gas contracts:
Assets 
Liabilities 

Carrying 
amount 
$million 

Expected 
cash flows 
$million 

2011 

6 months 
or less 
$million 

6-12 
months 
$million 

1-2 years 
$million 

Carrying 
amount 
$million 

Expected 
cash flows 
$million 

2010

6 months 
or less 
$million 

6-12 
months 
$million 

1-2 years 
$million

0.6 
– 

– 
(0.6) 

– 
(0.8) 
(0.8) 

16.2 
(15.6) 

0.8 
(1.4) 

2.1 
(2.9) 
(0.8) 

8.1 
(7.8) 

0.2 
(0.3) 

0.9 
(1.3) 
(0.2) 

8.1 
(7.8) 

0.2 
(0.3) 

1.2 
(1.6) 
(0.2) 

– 
– 

0.4 
(0.8) 

– 
– 
(0.4) 

0.2 
– 

0.7 
– 

– 
– 
0.9 

35.6 
(35.4) 

17.8 
(17.7) 

17.8 
(17.7) 

2.7 
(2.0) 

– 
– 
0.9 

0.4 
(0.3) 

– 
– 
0.2 

0.4 
(0.3) 

– 
– 
0.2 

–
–

1.9
(1.4)

–
–
0.5

Currency risk
Exposure to currency risk
The Group’s exposure to currency risk was as follows based on notional amounts:

Trade receivables 
Trade payables 
Gross balance sheet exposure 
Forward exchange contracts 
Net exposure 

USD 
$million 
49.8 
(22.4) 
27.4 
– 
– 

2011 

Euro 
$million 
26.9 
(11.7) 
15.2 
(15.6) 
(0.4) 

Other 
$million 
12.6 
(7.9) 
4.7 
– 
4.7 

USD 
$million 
53.8 
(22.3) 
31.5 
– 
– 

2010

Euro 
$million 
31.5 
(13.3) 
18.2 
(35.4) 
(17.2) 

Other 
$million
15.6
(9.0)
6.6
–
6.6

The main exchange rates relevant to the Group are set out in the Business review on page 13.

Sensitivity analysis
A ten per cent strengthening of US dollar against the following currencies at 31 December would have increased/(decreased) equity and profit 
or loss by the amounts shown below.  The analysis assumes that all other variables,  in particular interest rates,  remain constant.

31 December 2011
GBP 
Euro 
RMB 
TWD 
31 December 2010 
GBP 
Euro 
RMB 
TWD 

Equity 
$million 

Profit or loss 
$million

0.5 
(0.8) 
(5.5) 
(1.9) 

1.7 
(2.3) 
(5.9) 
(2.1) 

2.4
(5.4)
(1.1)
0.2

2.5
(4.1)
(1.1)
0.2

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
75

A ten per cent strengthening of US dollar against all currencies will have increased/(decreased) the carrying amount of variable rate instruments 
as follows:

Variable rate instruments
Financial liabilities 

Carrying amount

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million

(0.8) 

(1.0)

Cash flow sensitivity analysis for variable rate instruments
A change of 100 basis points in interest rates at the reporting date would have increased/(decreased) profit or loss by the amounts shown below.  
This analysis assumes that all other variables,  in particular foreign currency rates,  remain constant.

Variable rate instruments 

2011 
Profit or loss 
100bp 
decrease 
$million 
– 

100bp 
increase 
$million 
– 

2010
Profit or loss 
100bp 
decrease 
$million
1.1

100bp 
increase 
$million 
(1.1) 

Fair values
Fair values versus carrying amounts
The fair values of financial assets and liabilities,  together with carrying amounts shown in the balance sheet,  are as follows:

Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Derivative contracts used for hedging:
Assets 
Liabilities 
Unsecured bank facility 
Secured bank loan 
Trade and other payables* 

Unrecognised gain/(loss) 

* Excludes derivatives.

31 December 2011 
Fair 
value 
$million 
90.4 
48.2 

Carrying 
amount 
$million 
90.4 
48.2 

31 December 2010
Fair 
value 
$million
105.5
40.8

Carrying 
amount 
$million 
105.5 
40.8 

0.8 
(1.4) 
(14.0) 
(8.0) 
(88.3) 
27.7 
– 

0.8 
(1.4) 
(14.0) 
(8.0) 
(88.3) 
27.7 
– 

0.9 
– 
(109.4) 
(10.7) 
(95.3) 
(68.2) 
– 

0.9
–
(109.7)
(10.7)
(95.3)
(68.5)
(0.3)

Basis for determining fair values
The Group measures fair values using the following fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making 
the measurements:

Level 1:  Quoted market price (unadjusted) in an active market for an identical instrument.

Level 2:  Valuation techniques based on observable inputs,  either directly or indirectly.

Level 3:  Valuation techniques using significant unobservable inputs.

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
76

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

21  FinAnciAl risk mAnAgement (continueD) 

31 December 2011
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Derivative contracts used for hedging 
Unsecured bank facility 
Secured bank loan 
Trade and other payables* 

31 December 2010
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Derivative contracts used for hedging 
Unsecured bank facility 
Secured bank loan 
Trade and other payables* 

* Excludes derivatives. 

Level 1 
$million 

Level 2 
$million 

Level 3 
$million 

Total 
$million

– 
48.2 
(0.6) 
(14.0) 
(8.0) 
– 
25.6 

– 
40.8 
0.9 
(109.7) 
(10.7) 
– 
(78.7) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

90.4 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(89.1) 
1.3 

105.5 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(95.3) 
10.2 

90.4
48.2
(0.6)
(14.0)
(8.0)
(89.1)
26.9

105.5
40.8
0.9
(109.7)
(10.7)
(95.3)
(68.5)

The following summarises the significant methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair values of financial instruments reflected in the 
table above.

Derivatives (level 1)
The fair value of forward exchange contracts is based on their listed market price,  if available.  If a listed market price is not available,  then fair 
value is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current forward price for the residual maturity  
of the contract using a risk free interest (based on government bonds).

Non-derivatives financial liabilities (level 2)
Fair value is calculated based on the present value of future principal and interest cash flows,  discounted at the market rate of interest at the 
reporting date.

Trade and other receivables (level 3)
The fair value of trade and other receivables is estimated as the present value of future cash flows,  discounted at the market rate of interest at the 
reporting date.

Interest rates used for determining fair value
The interest rates used to discount estimated cash flows,  where applicable,  are based on the government yield curve at the reporting date plus 
an adequate constant credit spread and were as follows:

Derivatives 
Borrowings 

22  operAting leAses

Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised as an expense in the year 

2011 
per cent 
4.1 – 7.1 
2.6 – 2.9 

2010 
per cent
4.1
2.4 – 3.8

2011 
$million 
4.5 

2010 
$million
3.9

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
77

At the balance sheet date,  the Group has outstanding commitments under non-cancellable operating leases,  which fall due as follows:

Within one year 
In the second to fifth years inclusive 
After five years 

2011 
$million 
1.9 
1.0 
24.9 
27.8 

2010 
$million
2.4
7.5
22.4
32.3

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its properties,  plant and machinery.  Leases have varying terms 
and renewal rights.

23  retirement beneFit obligAtions
The Group has a number of contributory and non-contributory post retirement benefit plans providing retirement benefits for the majority of 
employees and executive directors.  The main schemes in the UK,  US and Netherlands are of the defined benefit type,  the benefit being based 
on number of years of service and either the employee’s final remuneration or the employee’s average remuneration during a period of years 
before retirement.  The assets of these schemes are held in separate trustee administered funds or are unfunded but provided for on the Group 
balance sheet.  In addition the Group operates an unfunded post retirement medical benefit (“PRMB”) scheme in the US.  The entitlement to 
these benefits is usually based on the employee remaining in service until retirement age and completion of a minimum service period.

A full actuarial valuation was carried out on 30 September 2008 for the UK scheme and at 31 December 2011 for the US and Netherlands 
schemes.  The UK actuarial valuation has been updated to 31 December 2011 for inclusion within this Annual Report.  The assumed life 
expectancies on retirement are:

Retiring at 31 December 2011
Males 
Females 
Retiring in 20 years
Males 
Females 

The principal assumptions used by the actuaries were as follows:

2011 
years 

22 
23 

24 
25 

UK 
2010 
years 

21 
23 

24 
25 

2011 
years 

19 
21 

21 
22 

US 
2010 
years 

19 
21 

21 
22 

2011 
years 

Netherlands
2010 
years

19 
21 

19 
21 

19
21

19
21

2011
Rate of increase in salaries 
Rate of increase in pensions in payment 
Discount rate 
Inflation 

2010
Rate of increase in salaries 
Rate of increase in pensions in payment 
Discount rate 
Inflation 

2009
Rate of increase in salaries 
Rate of increase in pensions in payment 
Discount rate 
Inflation 

UK 
per cent 

US 
per cent 

Netherlands 
per cent

4.20 
3.10 
4.70 
3.20 

4.60 
3.50 
5.40 
3.60 

4.60 
3.50 
5.50 
3.60 

3.45 
N/A 
4.75 
3.00 

3.45 
N/A 
5.75 
3.00 

3.45 
N/A 
6.25 
3.25 

2.00
N/A
4.75
2.00

2.00
N/A
4.75
2.00

2.00
N/A
5.25
2.00

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
78

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

23  retirement beneFit obligAtions (continueD) 

The main assumptions for the PRMB scheme are a discount rate of 4.75 per cent (2010:  5.75 per cent) per annum and a health care cost trend 
of 6.5 per cent (2010:  7.0 per cent) per annum for claims pre age 65 reducing to 4.5 per cent per annum by 2019 (2010:  4.5 per cent).  Actuarial 
valuations of retirement benefit plans in other jurisdictions have either not been updated for IAS19 purposes or disclosed separately because  
of the costs involved and the considerably smaller scheme sizes and numbers of employees involved.

The expected rates of return and assets of the defined benefit retirement benefit plans were:

2011
Long term rate of return
UK 
US 
Netherlands 

Asset value
UK 
US 
Netherlands 
Total 

2010
Long term rate of return
UK 
US 
Netherlands 

Asset value
UK 
US 
Netherlands 
Total 

The net liability was as follows:

2011
Total market value of assets 
Present value of scheme liabilities   
Net liability recognised in the balance sheet 

Equities 
per cent 

Gilts 
per cent 

Bonds 
per cent 

Cash  
and insured 
annuities 
per cent 

7.25 
8.00 
– 

3.00 
– 
– 

4.70 
5.50 
4.75 

3.00 
– 
– 

Total

–
–
–

$million 

$million 

$million 

$million 

$million

289.2 
61.4 
– 
350.6 

– 
– 
– 
– 

152.3 
20.8 
45.8 
218.9 

235.6 
0.7 
– 
236.3 

677.1
82.9
45.8
805.8

Equities 
per cent 

Gilts 
per cent 

Bonds 
per cent 

Cash  
and insured 
annuities 
per cent 

7.50 
8.50 
– 

4.10 
– 
– 

5.40 
6.00 
4.75 

4.10 
– 
– 

Total

–
–
–

$million 

$million 

$million 

$million 

$million

307.5 
63.6 
– 
371.1 

101.5 
– 
– 
101.5 

102.1 
21.7 
44.3 
168.1 

137.0 
0.4 
– 
137.4 

648.1
85.7
44.3
778.1

UK 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

677.1 
(712.1) 
(35.0) 

US 
pension 
schemes 
$million 

82.9 
(124.3) 
(41.4) 

US 
PRMB 
scheme 
$million 

Netherlands 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

– 
(8.2) 
(8.2) 

45.8 
(53.3) 
(7.5) 

Total 
$million

805.8
(897.9)
(92.1)

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
79

2010
Total market value of assets 
Present value of scheme liabilities   
Net liability recognised in the balance sheet 

UK 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

648.1 
(677.0) 
(28.9) 

US 
pension 
schemes 
$million 

85.7 
(111.9) 
(26.2) 

US 
PRMB 
scheme 
$million 

Netherlands 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

– 
(8.2) 
(8.2) 

44.3 
(45.7) 
(1.4) 

Total 
$million

778.1
(842.8)
(64.7)

The net pension liability in respect of pension schemes in other jurisdictions at 31 December 2011 was $2.7 million (2010:  $2.7 million).

The following amounts have been recognised in the financial statements:

2011
Consolidated income statement
Current service cost 
Expected return on pension scheme assets 
Interest on pension scheme liabilities 
Net finance income/(charge) 
Curtailment loss 
Net income statement 

Other comprehensive income
Actual return less expected return on pension scheme assets   
Experience gains and losses arising on scheme liabilities 
Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of scheme liabilities   
Actuarial (loss)/gain recognised 

2010
Consolidated income statement
Current service cost 
Expected return on pension scheme assets 
Interest on pension scheme liabilities 
Net finance income/(charge) 
Curtailment gains 
Net income statement 

Other comprehensive income
Actual return less expected return on pension scheme assets   
Experience gains and losses arising on scheme liabilities 
Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of scheme liabilities   
Actuarial gain/(loss) recognised 

UK 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

US 
pension 
schemes 
$million 

US 
PRMB 
scheme 
$million 

Netherlands 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

Total 
$million

(0.7) 
39.2 
(36.5) 
2.7 
– 
2.0 

17.2 
(9.8) 
(32.1) 
(24.7) 

(0.4) 
6.6 
(6.3) 
0.3 
– 
(0.1) 

(7.4) 
(0.7) 
(12.3) 
(20.4) 

(0.1) 
– 
(0.4) 
(0.4) 
– 
(0.5) 

– 
(0.4) 
– 
(0.4) 

(0.8) 
1.9 
(2.4) 
(0.5) 
(7.0) 
(8.3) 

0.6 
0.6 
(0.8) 
0.4 

(2.0)
47.7
(45.6)
2.1
(7.0)
(6.9)

10.4
(10.3)
(45.2)
(45.1)

UK 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

US 
pension 
schemes 
$million 

US 
PRMB 
scheme 
$million 

Netherlands 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

Total 
$million

(0.8) 
35.7 
(35.6) 
0.1 
0.5 
(0.2) 

37.1 
9.1 
(18.8) 
27.4 

(0.3) 
5.5 
(6.4) 
(0.9) 
– 
(1.2) 

5.6 
(6.4) 
– 
(0.8) 

(0.1) 
– 
(0.5) 
(0.5) 
– 
(0.6) 

– 
(0.5) 
– 
(0.5) 

(0.6) 
1.7 
(2.3) 
(0.6) 
– 
(1.2) 

3.6 
1.1 
(4.7) 
– 

(1.8)
42.9
(44.8)
(1.9)
0.5
(3.2)

46.3
3.3
(23.5)
26.1

In addition to the current service cost above,  $1.5 million (2010:  $1.4 million) was charged to the income statement in respect of defined 
contribution schemes and smaller defined benefit schemes.

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
80

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

23  retirement beneFit obligAtions (continueD) 

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows:

2011
Opening defined benefit obligation 
Service cost 
Interest cost 
Contributions by employees 
Actuarial losses 
Benefits paid 
Curtailments and settlements 
Exchange differences 
Closing defined benefit obligation  

2010
Opening defined benefit obligation 
Service cost 
Interest cost 
Contributions by employees 
Actuarial losses 
Benefits paid 
Curtailments and settlements 
Exchange differences 
Closing defined benefit obligation  

Changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

2011
Opening fair value of plan assets 
Expected return 
Actuarial gain/(loss) 
Contributions by employer 
Contributions by employees 
Benefits paid 
Exchange differences 
Closing fair value of plan assets 

UK 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

(677.0) 
(0.7) 
(36.5) 
(0.2) 
(41.9) 
40.0 
– 
4.2 
(712.1) 

UK 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

(691.5) 
(0.8) 
(35.6) 
(0.2) 
(9.7) 
39.3 
0.5 
21.0 
(677.0) 

US 
pension 
schemes 
$million 

(111.9) 
(0.4) 
(6.3) 
(0.1) 
(13.0) 
7.4 
– 
– 
(124.3) 

US 
PRMB 
scheme 
$million 

Netherlands 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

(8.2) 
(0.1) 
(0.4) 
– 
(0.4) 
0.9 
– 
– 
(8.2) 

(45.7) 
(0.8) 
(2.4) 
(0.8) 
(0.2) 
1.7 
(7.0) 
1.9 
(53.3) 

US 
pension 
schemes 
$million 

US 
PRMB 
scheme 
$million 

Netherlands 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

(105.8) 
(0.3) 
(6.4) 
– 
(6.4) 
7.0 
– 
– 
(111.9) 

(8.1) 
(0.1) 
(0.5) 
– 
(0.5) 
1.0 
– 
– 
(8.2) 

(42.2) 
(0.6) 
(2.3) 
(0.7) 
(3.8) 
1.2 
– 
2.7 
(45.7) 

UK 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

US 
pension 
schemes 
$million 

US 
PRMB 
scheme 
$million 

Netherlands 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

648.1 
39.2 
17.2 
16.3 
0.2 
(40.0) 
(3.9) 
677.1 

85.7 
6.6 
(7.4) 
5.3 
0.1 
(7.4) 
– 
82.9 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

44.3 
1.9 
0.6 
1.5 
0.8 
(1.7) 
(1.6) 
45.8 

Total 
$million

(842.8)
(2.0)
(45.6)
(1.1)
(55.5)
50.0
(7.0)
6.1
(897.9)

Total 
$million

(847.6)
(1.8)
(44.8)
(0.9)
(20.4)
48.5
0.5
23.7
(842.8)

Total 
$million

778.1
47.7
10.4
23.1
1.1
(49.1)
(5.5)
805.8

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
81

UK 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

US 
pension 
schemes 
$million 

US 
PRMB 
scheme 
$million 

Netherlands 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

622.1 
35.7 
37.1 
11.0 
0.2 
(39.3) 
(18.7) 
648.1 

74.5 
5.5 
5.6 
7.1 
0.1 
(7.1) 
– 
85.7 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

40.4 
1.7 
3.8 
1.4 
0.7 
(1.2) 
(2.5) 
44.3 

Total 
$million

737.0
42.9
46.5
19.5
1.0
(47.6)
(21.2)
778.1

UK 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

US 
pension 
schemes 
$million 

US 
PRMB 
scheme 
$million 

Netherlands 
pension 
scheme 
$million 

Total 
$million

(28.9) 
(0.7) 
16.3 
2.7 
(24.7) 
– 
0.3 
(35.0) 

(26.2) 
(0.4) 
5.3 
0.3 
(20.4) 
– 
– 
(41.4) 

(8.2) 
(0.1) 
0.9 
(0.4) 
(0.4) 
– 
– 
(8.2) 

(1.4) 
(0.8) 
1.5 
(0.5) 
0.4 
(7.0) 
0.3 
(7.5) 

(64.7)
(2.0)
24.0
2.1
(45.1)
(7.0)
0.6
(92.1)

2010
Opening fair value of plan assets 
Expected return 
Actuarial gains 
Contributions by employer 
Contributions by employees 
Benefits paid 
Exchange differences 
Closing fair value of plan assets 

2011
Movement in deficit during the year
Deficit in schemes at 1 January 
Current service cost 
Contributions 
Net interest income/(expense) 
Actuarial (loss)/gain 
Curtailments and settlements 
Currency translation differences 
Deficit in schemes at 31 December 

Employer contributions in 2011 were $16.3 million (2010:  $11.0 million) to the UK scheme;  $6.2 million (2010:  $8.1 million) to US schemes and  
$1.5 million (2010:  $1.4 million) in respect of the Netherlands scheme.  Contributions in 2012 at current exchange rates for these schemes will 
depend in part on the outcome of the triennial valuation of the UK scheme,  but are not anticipated to be less than $26 million.  Employers’ 
contributions in 2011 in respect of defined contribution schemes and smaller defined benefit schemes were $1.0 million (2010:  $0.7 million).

Year ended 31 December 2011

Difference between expected and actual return on scheme assets
Amount ($million) 
Percentage of scheme assets 
Experience gains and losses on scheme liabilities
Amount ($million) 
Percentage of scheme assets 
Total amount recognised in consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Amount ($million) 
Percentage of scheme assets 

UK 

US 

Netherlands 

Total

17.2 

2.5% 

(9.8) 
(1.4)% 

(7.4) 
(8.9)% 

(1.1) 
(1.3)% 

(24.7) 

(3.6)% 

(20.8) 
(25.1)% 

0.6 
1.3% 

0.6 
1.3% 

0.4 
0.9% 

10.4

1.3%

(10.3)

(1.3)%

(45.1)

(5.6)%

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
82

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

23  retirement beneFit obligAtions (continueD) 

Year ended 31 December 2010

Difference between expected and actual return on scheme assets
Amount ($million) 
Percentage of scheme assets 
Experience gains and losses on scheme liabilities
Amount ($million) 
Percentage of scheme assets 
Total amount recognised in consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Amount ($million) 
Percentage of scheme assets 

Year ended 31 December 2009

Difference between expected and actual return on scheme assets
Amount ($million) 
Percentage of scheme assets 
Experience gains and losses on scheme liabilities
Amount ($million) 
Percentage of scheme assets 
Total amount recognised in consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Amount ($million) 
Percentage of scheme assets 

Historical summary

Present value of scheme liabilities   
Fair value of plan assets 
Deficit in the plan 

Experience adjustments arising on plan liabilities 
Experience adjustments arising on plan assets 

2011 
$million 
(897.9) 
805.8 
(92.1) 

(10.3) 
10.4 

UK 

US 

Netherlands 

Total 

37.1 
5.7% 

9.1 
1.4% 

27.4 
4.2% 

5.6 
6.5% 

(6.9) 
(8.1)% 

(1.3) 
(1.5)% 

3.6 
8.1% 

1.1 
2.5% 

– 
– 

46.3
6.0%

3.3
0.4%

26.1
3.4%

UK 

US 

Netherlands 

Total 

53.5 
8.6% 

1.8 
0.3% 

(62.9) 
(10.1)% 

2010 
$million 
(842.8) 
778.1 
(64.7) 

3.3 
46.3 

12.5 
16.8% 

(0.9) 
(1.2)% 

11.6 
15.6% 

2009 
$million 
(847.6) 
737.0 
(110.6) 

1.7 
67.5 

1.5 
3.7% 

0.8 
2.0% 

0.3 
0.7% 

2008 
$million 
(672.6) 
602.6 
(70.0) 

(13.8) 
(114.7) 

67.5
9.2%

1.7
0.2%

(51.0)
(6.9)%

2007 
$million
(940.5)
899.1
(41.4)

(2.2)
(17.4)

The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme liabilities are set out below:

Assumption 
Discount rate 
Rate of inflation 
Rate of salary growth 
Rate of mortality 

Change in assumption 
Increased/decreased by 0.5 per cent 
Increased/decreased by 0.5 per cent 
Increased/decreased by 0.5 per cent 
Increased by 1 year 

Impact on scheme liabilities
Decreased/increased by 6 per cent
Increased/decreased by 5 per cent
Increased/decreased by 1 per cent
Increased by 3 per cent

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
83

24  shAre bAseD pAyments
The Company has several share option schemes for certain directors and employees of the Group.

A Long Term Incentive Plan was adopted in 2008 (amended in 2010) (“2010 LTIP”) for selected senior executives then including the executive 
directors and business presidents.  Details about this scheme can be found in the Report of the Remuneration Committee.  For other executives,  
the Company operates an approved and unapproved executive share option scheme,  which was adopted in 2003 (“2003 ESOS”).  This scheme 
expires next year and accordingly the Board is proposing a new discretionary executive share option scheme to replace the 2003 ESOS at this 
year’s Annual General Meeting.  Further details are enclosed in the Notice of Meeting accompanying this Annual Report.  Participants of the 2010 
LTIP will not also participate in the 2003 ESOS and vice versa.

Under the 2003 ESOS,  options are granted to purchase shares in the Company at an exercise price per share based on the Company’s mid market 
closing share price on the dealing day preceding the date of grant with no discount applied.  Under the 2010 LTIP,  nil cost options are granted 
i.e. options having no exercise price.  In both cases,  the number of options that are granted are based on a percentage of the participant’s 
basic salary.  Options under both schemes are capable of exercise after three years,  subject to earnings per share and total shareholder return 
performance targets being met,  and within ten years of the date of the grant.  The maximum individual award under both schemes is generally 
limited to 150 per cent of basic salary.

The Company also operates a 2008 UK Savings-Related Share Option Scheme under which UK employees can enter into savings contracts  
with a bank or building society for a period of three or five years and use the proceeds from their savings accounts to purchase shares in the 
Company on the exercise of their options.  The option price is the average mid market price over the five working days preceding the invitation 
date discounted by 20 per cent.  Options may be exercised typically within six months following the end of the savings period.  A similar scheme 
exists for US employees.  Under the 2008 US Sharesave Scheme,  US employees can enter into savings contracts with a bank for a period of two 
years and use the proceeds from their savings accounts to purchase shares in the Company on the exercise of their options.  The option price is 
the mid market price on the date of the grant discounted by 15 per cent.  Options may be exercised typically within three months following the 
end of the savings period.

Options were valued (as shown in the table below) using the binomial option pricing model.  The fair value per option granted and the 
assumptions used in the calculations are as follows:

Fair value per option (pence) 
Expected volatility (per cent) 
Risk free rate (per cent) 
Expected dividend yield (per cent)  

2011 
93.5 
53.0 
2.1 
2.0 

2010
34.6
58.0
2.5
4.4

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price over the previous five years.  The expected 
life used in the model has been adjusted,  based on management’s best estimate,  for the effects of non-transferability,  exercise restrictions and 
behavioural considerations.  The Group recognised total expenses of $2.5 million (2010:  $1.4 million) related to share based payment transactions 
during the year which includes awards made under the Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended in 2010) as shown in the table opposite.

The table overleaf shows all outstanding options granted under the 2010 LTIP and the executive and savings-related share option schemes.

In addition to the above expenses,  the Company incurred a further IFRS 2 expense of $0.2 million (2010:  $0.5 million) in respect of the grant of 
awards made under the LTIP in 2008,  which vested during 2011.  The binomial method was used to value these awards.  Under IFRS 2 rules,  the 
fair value charge is calculated in the year the awards were first made and then pro rated over the following three to four financial years.  The 
expense in 2011 represents 4/36ths of the total IFRS 2 charge for these awards.  Owing to the nature of the awards,  participants were entitled 
to a share of a pool which meant the actual number of shares to which they were entitled to on vesting could not be determined until the date 
of vesting (28 April 2011) and after the performance condition had been tested.  The number of shares that did vest under these awards was 
2,946,687.  These awards are not included in the table of options/awards overleaf or in the calculation of the weighted average exercise price 
during 2011 in order to provide consistency.

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
84

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

24  shAre bAseD pAyments (continueD) 

At 31 December 2011 the following options/awards to subscribe for ordinary shares were outstanding:

Year of grant 
UK savings-related share option scheme
2006 
2007 
2008 
2008 
2009 
2009 
2010 
2010 
2011 
2011 

US savings-related share option scheme
2009 
2010 
2011 

Executive share option scheme/awards 
granted under the Long term incentive plan*
2003 
2004 
2005 
2005 
2006 
2008 
2009 
2009 
2009+ 
2010 
2010* 
2011 
2011* 

Exercise 
price (p) 

Exercisable 
From 

To 

67.0  01/06/11  30/11/11 
71.1  01/06/12  30/11/12 
69.0  01/10/11  31/03/12 
69.0  01/10/13  31/03/14 
35.5  01/10/12  31/03/13 
35.5  01/10/14  31/03/15 
69.3  01/10/13  31/03/14 
69.3  01/10/15  31/03/16 
121.66  01/10/14  01/04/15 
121.66  01/10/16  01/04/17 

42.5  27/08/11  27/11/11 
76.7  27/08/12  27/11/12 
119.34  26/08/13  26/11/13 

24.8  29/04/06  29/04/13 
35.0  23/04/07  23/04/14 
51.2  30/03/08  30/03/15 
64.5  02/11/08  02/11/15 
85.5  04/04/09  04/04/16 
71.3  28/04/11  28/04/18 
29.5  25/03/12  25/03/19 
25.3  29/04/12  29/04/19 
54.0  14/09/12  14/09/19 
57.0  06/04/13  06/04/20 
Nil  22/04/13  22/04/20 
  149.9  04/04/14  04/04/21 
Nil  04/04/14  04/04/21 

At 
1 January 
2011 
‘000 

Granted 
‘000 

Exercised 
‘000 

At 
  31 December 
2011
’000

Expired 
‘000 

10 
10 
56 
9 
451 
47 
95 
7 
– 
– 
685 

441 
356 
– 
797 

25 
115 
897 
500 
1,017 
1,123 
4,080 
100 
100 
2,766 
3,001 
– 
– 
13,724 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
53 
4 
57 

– 
– 
293 
293 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
1,000 
1,645 
2,645 

(9) 
(7) 
(44) 
(4) 
(20) 
– 
– 
(2) 
– 
– 
(86) 

(415) 
– 
– 
(415) 

– 
(89) 
(843) 
(500) 
(975) 
(761) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(3,168) 

(1) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
(13) 
– 
(3) 
(5) 
(2) 
– 
(36) 

(26) 
(1) 
(1) 
(28) 

–
–
8
–
418
47
92
–
51
4
620

–
355
292
647

– 
– 
– 
– 
(15) 
(58) 
(251) 
– 
– 
(138) 
– 
(33) 
– 

25
26
54
–
27
304
3,829
100
100
2,628
3,001
967
1,645
(495)  12,706

+    These options are cash settled shadow executive options granted to one executive on the same basis as the 2009 options (with the same performance conditions 
and exercise provisions).  These shadow options have not previously been disclosed in the table above due to materiality,  but were included in the calculation 
of the total expenses recognised by the Group related to share based payments.   The 2010 and 2011 options shown above include 118,000 and 66,000 shadow 
options respectively.

The weighted average exercise prices of options disclosed in the previous table were as follows:

At 1 January 
Granted 
Exercised 
Expired 
At 31 December 

2011 
Average 
exercise price 
(p) 
40.3 
64.0 
65.2 
52.1 
38.4 

2010 
Average 
exercise price 
(p)
57.3
30.4
72.2
76.8
40.3

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of share options exercised during the year was 154 pence (2010:  112 pence).

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
85

25  relAteD pArty trAnsActions
The Company is a guarantor to the UK pension scheme under which it guarantees all current and future obligations of UK subsidiaries currently 
participating in the pension scheme to make payments to the scheme,  up to a specified maximum amount.  The maximum amount of the 
guarantee is that which is needed (at the time the guarantee is called on) to bring the scheme’s funding level up to 105 per cent of its liabilities,  
calculated in accordance with section 179 of the Pensions Act 2004.  This is also sometimes known as a Pension Protection Fund (“PPF”) 
guarantee,  as having such a guarantee in place reduces the annual PPF levy on the scheme.

26  movement in net borrowings 

Change in net borrowings resulting from cash flows: 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Decrease in borrowings repayable within one year 
Decrease in borrowings repayable after one year 

Currency translation differences 
Decrease in net borrowings 
Net borrowings at beginning of year 
Net cash/(borrowings) at end of year 

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million

6.7 
0.9 
97.0 
104.6 
0.9 
105.5 
(79.3) 
26.2 

9.3
11.8
4.3
25.4
1.6
27.0
(106.3)
(79.3)

27  DiviDenDs
An interim dividend of 2.34 cents per share (2010:  2.34 cents) was paid on 7 October 2011 and the Group is proposing a final dividend of  
4.66 cents per share for the year ended 31 December 2011 (2010:  2.60 cents).  This brings the total for the year to 7.00 cents per share  
(2010:  4.94 cents).  The final dividend payable,  based on the number of ordinary shares in issue at 31 December 2011,  is $20.8 million 
(2010:  $11.5 million).

28  key mAnAgement compensAtion

Salaries and short term employee benefits 
Other long term benefits 
Share based payments 

2011 
$million 
4.5 
1.0 
1.4 
6.9 

2010 
$million
4.1
0.6
1.1
5.8

The key management compensation given above is for the Board and the two business presidents.  Directors’ remuneration is set out in  
the Directors’  Remuneration Report on page 40.

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
86

notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

29  contingent liAbilities
As is the case with other chemical companies,  the Group occasionally receives notices of litigation relating to regulatory and legal matters.   
A provision is recognised when the Group believes it has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event,  and it is probable 
that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation.  Where it is deemed that an obligation is merely possible and that 
the probability of a material outflow is not remote,  the Group would disclose a contingent liability.

Elementis LTP Inc (“LTP”) has been named as a defendant in chromium related litigation currently pending in the State of Missouri  
(the  “Missouri Litigation”).  The Missouri Litigation developed into the following types of cases:  (1) 15 cases involving over 180 individual  
plaintiffs alleging property and/or personal injury;  (2) a class action seeking property damages for an unspecified number of putative class 
members;  and (3) a class action seeking medical monitoring damages for putative class members who live in a four county area.

Between December 2010 and November 2011,  five of the individual plaintiff cases (described in clause (1) above) involving approximately 
133 individual plaintiffs and the medical monitoring class action (described in clause (3) above) were voluntarily dismissed.

In late December 2011 and early January 2012,  LTP secured two orders for summary judgement in its favour by judges in two separate cases.   
The first was in respect of all of the plaintiffs’ claims in one of the cases involving 26 individual plaintiffs (described in clause (1) above),  and the 
second concerned the property damage class action (described in clause (2) above).  In January 2012 following these two orders,  five more of the 
cases (described in clause (1) above) involving approximately 17 individual plaintiffs were voluntarily dismissed.

In the four cases involving approximately five individual plaintiffs that remain (described in clause (1) above),  the plaintiffs claim personal injury 
due to alleged exposure to a chromium compound as the result of processes utilised by a tannery in St.  Joseph,  Missouri that was owned by 
Prime Tanning,  Corp.  (“Prime Tanning”).  LTP has been named as the procurer of sodium dichromate for another defendant,  Wismo Chemical 
Corp.  (“Wismo”).  Wismo was located onsite at the tannery and was in the business of converting sodium dichromate (upon delivery by LTP)  
into chromium sulphate – a chemical agent that is commonly used in the tanning of hides.  Wismo,  in turn,  sold the chromium sulphate to  
Prime Tanning.  50 per cent of the shares of Wismo had been owned by LTP,  its affiliates or its predecessors,  but such shares were sold to Prime 
Tanning prior to LTP being named as a defendant in the Missouri Litigation proceedings.

Management,  after consultation with legal counsel,  has concluded that the proceedings are unlikely to be adversely determined against LTP 
and thus would not reasonably be expected to have a material impact on the Group’s financial position.  None of the remaining proceedings is 
scheduled to go to trial before the beginning of 2013.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011parent Company statutory aCCounts

87

The Group is required to present a separate balance sheet for the parent company,  Elementis plc,  which continues to adopt UK generally 
accepted accounting principles.  Its accounting policies are set out in Note 1 and its balance sheet is set out below.

elementis plc

Balance Sheet
at 31 December 2011

Fixed assets
Investments 
Current assets
Debtors 
Creditors:  amounts falling due within one year
Creditors 
Net current assets 
Total assets less current liabilities 
Creditors:  amounts falling due after more than one year
Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings 
Net assets 

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital redemption reserve 
Other reserves 
Share option reserve 
Profit and loss account 
Equity shareholders’ funds 

Note 

2011 
£million 

2010 
£million

3 

4 

5 

7 
8 
8 
8 
8 
8 

759.1 

640.1

1.2 

0.5

(0.2) 
1.0 
760.1 

(286.6) 
473.5 

22.5 
6.8 
83.3 
81.5 
2.2 
277.2 
473.5 

(0.2)
0.3
640.4

(271.2)
369.2

22.4
6.1
83.3
81.5
1.9
174.0
369.2

The financial statements of Elementis plc on pages 87 to 90 were approved by the Board on 28 February 2012 and signed on its behalf by:

David Dutro  
Group Chief Executive  

Brian Taylorson
Finance Director

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
88

notes to the finanCial statements of elementis plC
for the year ended 31 December 2011

1  Accounting policies
The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in 
dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the 
financial statements,  except as noted below.

Basis of preparation
The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with applicable accounting standards and under the 
historical cost accounting rules.  Under Section 408 of the Companies 
Act 2006 the Company is exempt from the requirement to present 
its profit and loss account.  As the Company’s voting rights are 
controlled within the Group headed by Elementis plc,  the Company 
has taken advantage of the exemption contained in FRS 8 and has 
therefore not disclosed transactions or balances with wholly owned 
entities which form part of the Group (or investees of the Group 
qualifying as related parties).

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rates of 
exchange ruling at the date of the transaction.  Monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the 
contracted rate or the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet 
date and the gains and losses on translation are included in the profit 
and loss account.

Investments
Investments in Group undertakings are included in the balance sheet 
at cost,  or if lower,  directors’  valuation.

Share based payments
The fair value of share options granted to employees is recognised 
as an expense with a corresponding increase in equity.  The fair value 
is measured at grant date and spread over the period during which 
the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options.  
The fair value of the options granted is measured using a binomial 
model,  taking into account the terms and conditions upon which 
the options were granted.  The amount recognised as an expense 
is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest 
except where forfeiture is only due to share prices not achieving the 
threshold for vesting.

Classification of financial instruments issued by the Company
Following the adoption of FRS 25,  financial instruments issued by the 
Company are treated as equity only to the extent that they meet the 
following two conditions:

a)  

 they include no contractual obligations upon the Company to 
deliver cash or other financial assets or to exchange financial 
assets or financial liabilities with another party under conditions 
that are potentially unfavourable to the Company;  and

b)    where the instrument will or may be settled in the Company’s 

own equity instruments,  it is either a non-derivative that includes 
no obligation to deliver a variable number of the Company’s own 
equity instruments or is a derivative that will be settled by the 
Company’s exchanging a fixed amount of cash or other financial 
assets for a fixed number of its own equity instruments.

Dividends on shares presented within shareholders’ funds
Dividends unpaid at the balance sheet date are only recognised 
as a liability at that date to the extent that they are appropriately 
authorised and are no longer at the discretion of the Company.  
Unpaid dividends that do not meet these criteria are disclosed in the 
notes to the financial statements.

To the extent that the definition is not met,  the proceeds of issue 
are classified as a financial liability.  Where the instrument so 
classified takes the legal form of the Company’s own shares,  the 
amounts presented in these financial statements for called up share 
capital and share premium account exclude amounts in relation to 
those shares.

Pensions and other post retirement benefits
The Company participates in the Elementis Group defined benefit 
pension scheme.  The assets of the scheme are held separately from 
those of the Company.  The Company is unable to identify its share 
of the underlying assets and liabilities in the scheme on a consistent 
and reasonable basis and as required by FRS 17,  it has treated the 
scheme as if it were a defined contribution scheme.  As a result,  
the amount charged to the profit and loss account represents the 
contributions payable for the year.

Taxation
Deferred taxation is recognised without discounting in respect of 
all timing differences between the treatment of certain items for 
taxation and accounting purposes that have originated but not 
reversed at the balance sheet date,  except as otherwise required 
by FRS 19.  Advance corporation tax recoverable by deduction from 
future corporation tax is carried forward within deferred taxation or 
as ACT recoverable within debtors as appropriate.

Finance payments associated with financial liabilities are dealt with 
as part of interest payable and similar charges.  Finance payments 
associated with financial instruments that are classified as part 
of shareholders’  funds,  are dealt with as appropriations in the 
reconciliation of movements in shareholders’  funds.

2 

 proFit For the FinAnciAl yeAr AttributAble  
to shAreholDers

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006,  the 
Company has not presented its own profit and loss account.  A profit 
of £116.8 million (2010:  £48.1 million) is dealt with in the financial 
statements of the Company.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 20113 

investments

Cost at 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011 
Provision for impairment:
At 1 January 2011 
Reversal of impairment 
At 31 December 2011 
Net book value 31 December 2011 
Net book value 31 December 2010  

89

Unlisted 

shares at cost  Unlisted loans 
£million 
759.0 

£million 
0.1 

– 
– 
– 
0.1 
0.1 

(119.0) 
119.0 
– 
759.0 
640.0 

Total 
£million
759.1

(119.0)
119.0
–
759.1
640.1

The investment in unlisted loans is with Elementis Holdings Limited,  an indirect wholly owned subsidiary.  The investment in unlisted shares is in 
Elementis Group BV,  a wholly owned subsidiary.

The £119 million reversal of provision for impairment was made following a directors’  valuation of the subsidiary undertaking using a discounted 
cash flow methodology.  A £50 million reversal of provision had been made in the previous period.

The principal subsidiaries of Elementis plc are as follows:

Chromium chemicals 

Subsidiary undertakings 
Elementis Chromium LLP 
Elementis UK Limited trading as:
Rheological additives,  colourants,  waxes,  other specialty additives 
Elementis Specialties 
Chromium chemicals 
Elementis Chromium Inc 
Chromium chemicals 
American Chrome & Chemicals Inc 
Rheological additives,  colourants,  waxes,  other specialty additives 
Elementis Specialties Inc 
Rheological additives,  colourants,  waxes,  other specialty additives 
Elementis Germany GmbH 
Rheological additives,  colourants,  waxes,  other specialty additives 
Elementis Specialties (Changxing) Ltd 
Organoclays 
Elementis Specialties (Anji) Ltd* 
Surfactants and coatings additives 
Elementis Specialties Netherlands BV 
Deuchem Co.,  Ltd 
Additives and resins 
Deuchem (Shanghai) Chemical Co. ,  Ltd  Additives and resins 

Country of incorporation and operation
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United States of America
United States of America
United States of America
Germany
People’s Republic of China
People’s Republic of China
Netherlands
Taiwan
People’s Republic of China

* 80 per cent owned subsidiary. 

Notes:
None of the undertakings is held directly by the Company.
Equity capital is in ordinary shares,  wholly owned and voting rights equate to equity ownership.
All undertakings listed above have accounting periods ending 31 December.
Undertakings operating in the United Kingdom are incorporated in England and Wales.  In the case of corporate undertakings,  other than in the United Kingdom,  
their country of operation is also their country of incorporation.
All undertakings listed above have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year. 

4  Debtors

Corporation tax 

5  creDitors:  Amount FAlling Due within one yeAr

Accruals and deferred income 

2011 
£million 
1.2 

2010 
£million
0.5

2011 
£million 
0.2 

2010 
£million
0.2

6  retirement beneFit obligAtions
The Company is a member of a multi-employer pension scheme providing benefits based on final pensionable pay.  Because the Company is 
unable to identify its share of the scheme assets and liabilities on a consistent and reasonable basis,  as permitted by FRS 17  “Retirement benefits”,  
the scheme has been accounted for as if the scheme was a defined contribution scheme.  The net deficit in the scheme at 31 December 2011 
was £22.5 million (2010:  £18.5 million).

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
90

notes to the Company finanCial statements of elementis plC
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

6  retirement beneFit obligAtions (continueD)

The latest full actuarial valuation was carried out at 30 September 2008 and was updated for FRS 17 purposes to 31 December 2011 by a qualified 
actuary.  The contribution for the year was £0.1 million (2010:  £0.1 million).

Details of a guarantee given by the Company in respect of current and future obligations of UK subsidiaries currently participating in the pension 
scheme are set out in Note 10 in the Company’s financial statements.

7  cAlleD up shAre cApitAl

Authorised:
Ordinary shares of 5 pence each 

Called-up, allotted and fully paid: 
Ordinary shares of 5 pence each
At 1 January 
Issue of shares 
At 31 December 

2011 
Number 
‘000 

2011 
£million 

2010 
Number 
‘000 

2010 
£million

640,000 

32.0 

640,000 

32.0

448,663 
1,287 
449,950 

22.4 
0.1 
22.5 

448,123 
540 
448,663 

22.4
–
22.4

During the year a total of 1,286,744 ordinary shares with an aggregate nominal value of £64,337 were allotted and issued for cash to various 
employees at subscription prices between 35 pence and 85.5 pence on the exercise of options under the Group’s share option schemes.   
The total subscription monies received by the Company for these shares was £0.8 million.  The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive 
dividends and entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company.

8  reserves

At 1 January 2011 
Retained profit for the year 
Issue of shares 
Share based payments 
Transfer 
Dividend paid 
At 31 December 2011 

9  reconciliAtion oF movements in shAreholDers’ FunDs

Profit for the financial year 
Dividends paid 
Share based payments 
Ordinary shares issued 
Net increase in shareholders’  funds 
Opening shareholders’  funds 
Closing shareholders’  funds 

Share 
premium 
account 
£million 
6.1 
– 
0.7 
– 
– 
– 
6.8 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£million 
83.3 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
83.3 

Other 
reserves 
£million 
81.5 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
81.5 

Share 
option 
reserve 
£million 
1.9 
– 
– 
0.3 
– 
– 
2.2 

2011 
£million 
116.8 
(13.6) 
0.3 
0.8 
104.3 
369.2 
473.5 

Profit  
and loss 
account 
£million
174.0
116.8
–
–
–
(13.6)
277.2

2010 
£million
48.1
(12.6)
0.2
0.3
36.0
333.2
369.2

10  relAteD pArty trAnsActions
The Company is a guarantor to the UK pension scheme under which it guarantees all current and future obligations of UK subsidiaries currently 
participating in the pension scheme to make payments to the scheme,  up to a specified maximum amount.  The maximum amount of the 
guarantee is that which is needed (at the time the guarantee is called on) to bring the scheme’s funding level up to 105 per cent of its liabilities,  
calculated in accordance with Section 179 of the Pensions Act 2004.  This is also sometimes known as a Pension Protection Fund (“PPF”) 
guarantee,  as having such a guarantee in place reduces the annual PPF levy on the scheme.

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
five year reCord

91

Turnover
Specialty Products 
Surfactants 
Chromium 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Group turnover 
Operating profit
Specialty Products 
Surfactants 
Chromium 
Central costs 
Continuing operations before exceptional items 
Exceptional items 
Discontinued operations 
Profit/(loss) before interest 
Net interest payable 
Profit/(loss) before tax 
Tax 
Non-controlling interests 
Profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders of the parent 

Basic
Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share (cents) 
Earnings per ordinary share before exceptional items (cents) 

Diluted
Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share (cents) 
Earnings per ordinary share before exceptional items (cents) 

Dividend per ordinary share (cents) 
Interest cover (times)* 

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million 

2009 
$million 

2008 
$million 

2007 
$million

449.9 
94.3 
216.3 
760.5 
– 
760.5 

89.7 
5.4 
56.1 
(14.1) 
137.1 
27.5 
– 
164.6 
(2.6) 
162.0 
(37.9) 
– 
124.1 

410.8 
88.1 
198.5 
697.4 
– 
697.4 

71.8 
6.1 
35.8 
(11.4) 
102.3 
– 
– 
102.3 
(6.3) 
96.0 
(21.9) 
– 
74.1 

315.2 
76.3 
172.2 
563.7 
– 
563.7 

30.9 
0.1 
13.9 
(8.7) 
36.2 
(76.7) 
– 
(40.5) 
(7.9) 
(48.4) 
(9.0) 
– 
(57.4) 

343.0 
96.6 
317.3 
756.9 
– 
756.9 

55.0 
0.9 
52.4 
(10.0) 
98.3 
(38.8) 
– 
59.5 
(6.6) 
52.9 
(15.5) 
– 
37.4 

282.8
92.4
224.4
599.6
119.4
719.0

57.6
1.8
28.4
(11.6)
76.2
38.8
8.6
123.6
(9.6)
114.0
(17.8)
(0.2)
96.0

2011 
$million 

2010 
$million 

2009 
$million 

2008 
$million 

2007 
$million

27.8 
21.2 

27.2 
20.8 

7.0 
41.5 

16.7 
15.4 

16.5 
15.2 

4.9 
31.0 

(12.9) 
4.3 

(12.9) 
4.3 

4.5 
14.5 

8.5 
17.2 

8.5 
17.2 

5.5 
20.0 

21.8
16.2

21.6
16.0

5.0
6.7

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 
Net cash/(borrowings) 

449.2 
26.2 

379.7 
(79.3) 

286.3 
(106.3) 

385.9 
(92.0) 

457.6
(32.2)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the  
year (million) 

* Ratio of operating profit before exceptional items to interest on net borrowings.

446.5 

443.5 

443.3 

442.6 

441.9

 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCefinanCial 50 – 91  statementsshareholder 92 – 93  information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
92

shareholder serviCes

internet
The Group operates a website which can be found at www.elementisplc.com.  This site is frequently updated to provide shareholders with 
information about the Group and each of its operating divisions.  In particular,  the Group’s press releases and announcements can be found  
on the site together with copies of the Group’s accounts.

registrArs
Enquiries concerning shares or shareholdings,  such as the loss of a share certificate,  consolidation of share certificates,  amalgamation of 
holdings or dividend payments,  should be made to the Company’s registrars:

Equiniti Limited
Aspect House
Spencer Road
Lancing
West Sussex
BN99 6DA

Tel:   0871 384 2379 or +44 (0) 121 415 7043

Fax:  0871 384 2100 or +44 (0) 190 369 8403

Website:  www.shareview.co.uk

Calls to the above numbers cost 8 pence per minute from a BT landline.  Other telephony providers’ costs may vary.  Lines open 8.30 a.m.  to  
5.30 p.m.,  Monday to Friday.

In any correspondence with the registrars,  please refer to Elementis plc and state clearly the registered name and address of the shareholder.  
Please notify the registrars promptly of any change of address.

pAyment oF DiviDenDs
It is in the best interests of shareholders and the Company for dividends to be paid directly into bank or building society accounts.  Any 
shareholder who wishes to receive dividends in this way should contact the Company’s registrars to obtain a dividend mandate form.

registrArs’  text phone
For shareholders with hearing difficulties:

Callers inside the UK telephone:      0871 384 2255

Callers outside the UK telephone:  +44 (0) 121 415 7028

web-bAseD enquiry service
Equiniti provides a range of shareholders’ services online.  The portfolio service provides access to information on share balances,  balance 
movements,  indicative share prices and information on recent dividends,  and also enables address and dividend mandate details to be 
amended online.  For further information and practical help on transferring shares or updating your details,  please visit:  www.shareview.co.uk

Equiniti also provides a share dealing service that enables shares to be bought or sold by UK shareholders by telephone or over the internet.   
For telephone sales please call 0845 603 7037 between 8.30 a.m.  and 4.30 p.m.  and for internet sales please visit:  www.shareview.co.uk/dealing

ELEMENTIS PLC   ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011Corporate information

Company Secretary 
Wai Wong 

Registered office 
10 Albemarle Street  
London W1S 4HH,  UK 

Registered number
3299608

finanCial Calendar

Auditors
KPMG Audit Plc

Joint Corporate Brokers
UBS Investment Bank
N+1 Brewin

28 February 2012 
26 April 2012 
2 May 2012 
4 May 2012 
1 June 2012 
31 July 2012 
5 September 2012* 
7 September 2012* 
5 October 2012* 
26 October 2012* 

* Provisional date.

Preliminary announcement of final results for the year ended 31 December 2011
Annual General Meeting and First Interim Management Statement
Ex-dividend date for final dividend for 2011 payable on ordinary shares
Record date for final dividend for 2011 payable on ordinary shares
Payment of final dividend for 2011 on ordinary shares
Interim results announcement for the half year ending 30 June 2012
Ex-dividend date for interim dividend for 2012 payable on ordinary shares
Record date for interim dividend for 2012 payable on ordinary shares
Payment of interim dividend for 2012 on ordinary shares
Second Interim Management Statement

annual general meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Elementis plc will be held on 26 April 2012 at 11.00 a.m.  at The Royal Institution of Great Britain,  21 Albemarle 
Street,  London W1S 4BS.  The Notice of Meeting is included in a separate document.  Details of the ordinary and special business of the Annual 
General Meeting are contained within the Notice.

prinCipal offiCes

Elementis plc 
10 Albemarle Street 
London W1S 4HH,  UK 

Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7408 9300 
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7493 2194 

Email:  elementis.info@elementis-eu.com 
Website:  www.elementisplc.com

Elementis Worldwide
Elementis Specialty Products 
Elementis Surfactants 
Elementis Chromium 
469 Old Trenton Road 
East Windsor 
NJ 08512,  USA 

Tel:   +1 609 443 2000 
Fax:  +1 609 443 2422 

Email:    
Website:   www.elementis.com 

contactsus.web@elementis-na.com

(Specialty Products and Surfactants) 

Email:  
Website:   www.elementischromium.com 

 chromium.usa@elementis.com

(Chromium)

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 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011   ELEMENTIS PLCCompany ifC – 01  overviewbusiness 02 – 25  reviewCorporate 26 – 49  governanCe 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elementis plc
10 Albemarle Street
London W1S 4HH,  UK

Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7408 9300
Fax:  +44 (0) 20 7493 2194
www.elementisplc.com

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