Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Paper, Lumber & Forest Products / Mondi

Mondi

mndi · LSE Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker mndi
Exchange LSE
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Paper, Lumber & Forest Products
Employees 10,000+
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FY2018 Annual Report · Mondi
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Mondi Group  
Integrated report  
and financial  
statements 2018

Sustainable 
packaging 
and paper  
by design

Mondi at a glance 

Mondi is a global 
packaging and 
paper company.
Our name may not 
be familiar to the public, 
but our products are. 
They touch the lives 
of millions of people 
at home, at work and 
at leisure every day.

Packaging is in the spotlight as people 
look for ways to achieve sustainable 
consumerism. Packaging is both the answer 
and the problem. It protects and prolongs 
the life of products, making them more 
accessible to people around the world.  
It is also disposable and when used poorly, 
it suffocates our oceans and poisons the 
land. Used well it is reusable, recyclable, 
compostable – sustainable by design.

We have a responsibility to provide  
the answers, and we’re perfectly placed 
to do it with a range of innovative 
paper-based, flexible plastic and hybrid 
packaging solutions.

Front cover: 
Sustainable by design: paper where 
possible, plastic when useful 
By taking a holistic view, we can develop 
solutions that consider the needs of each 
customer, their products and the planet. 
For example, our paper-based industrial 
bags are strong, light-weight and made from 
a renewable resource.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

1

Mondi  
today…

We have delivered more 
than 10 years of successful  
growth as a listed company 
– building on our heritage 
of 50 years as Mondi 
and more than 200 years 
in papermaking.

Today we are a global 
industry player with an 
outstanding reputation for 
excellence, leadership, and 
sustainably adding value.

26,100

employees

102

production sites

33

countries

6 million

tonnes annual paper and  
market pulp production

all set for 
tomorrow.

Our customers and 
the world need new 
solutions from us:  
high-quality paper and 
brilliant packaging 
that’s fit for purpose, 
competitively priced and 
designed to be reused, 
recycled or composted.

And that’s exactly what 
we are doing.

2

2018 at a glance

Performance highlights1
 e Strong financial performance on all key metrics
 e Robust operational performance and strong cost control across the Group 
 e Capital investment projects on track and delivering growth
 e Good progress integrating acquisitions, total spend €424 million
 e Delivering against our 2020 Growing Responsibly commitments 
 e Announced intention to simplify corporate structure

Revenue

Underlying EBITDA

€7,481m q5%

€1,764m

q19%

Capital expenditure

€709m

Return on capital employed

23.6%

23.6% underlying EBITDA margin

Reduction in total specific CO2e  
emissions against 2014 baseline

14.5%

Safety: total recordable case rate –
reduction against 2015 baseline

11%

Underlying operating profit

€1,318m q28%

FSCTM or PEFCTM certified wood2

71%

Profit before tax

Basic earnings per share

€1,105m q25%

170.1 

euro 
cents

q23%

Ordinary dividend per share

76.0

euro 
cents

q23%

Underlying earnings per share

Electricity self-sufficiency

189.1

euro 
cents

q27%

100%

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Scope
Mondi’s Integrated report and financial 
statements 2018 is our primary report 
to shareholders. 
The scope of this report covers the 
Group’s main business and operations, 
and provides an overview of the 
performance of the Group for the year 
ended 31 December 2018.
All significant items are reported 
on a like-for-like basis, unless 
otherwise stated.
Our Integrated report is prepared in 
accordance with the requirements 
of both the Listings Requirements of 
the JSE Limited and the Disclosure 
Guidance and Transparency and 
Listing Rules of the United Kingdom 
Listing Authority. We also prepare a 
detailed Sustainable development 
report, in accordance with the GRI 
G4 core requirements and externally 
assured, which is available at 
www.mondigroup.com/sd18.

Alternative Performance Measures
The Group presents certain measures  
of financial performance, position  
or cash flows in this report that are  
not defined or specified according  
to International Financial Reporting  
Standards (IFRS). These measures,  
referred to as Alternative Performance 
Measures (APMs), are defined in note 32  
and where relevant reconciled to IFRS 
in the notes to the combined and 
consolidated financial statements, 
and are prepared on a consistent basis 
for all periods presented.

Non-financial information statement
In accordance with sections 414CA 
and 414CB of the UK Companies Act 
2006, each of the required non-financial 
information disclosures can be found in 
the Strategic report. A summary table is 
set out on page 50.

Materiality
Mondi’s Integrated report and financial 
statements 2018 aims to provide a 
fair, balanced and understandable 
assessment of our business model, 
strategy, performance and prospects 
in relation to material financial, 
economic, social, environmental and 
governance issues. 
The material focus areas were 
determined considering the following:
 e  Specific quantitative and 

qualitative criteria

 e  Matters critical in relation to achieving  

our strategic objectives

 e Principal risks identified through our 

risk management process

 e  Feedback from key stakeholders  

during the course of the year

1  The audited annual financial statements for the year 
ended 31 December 2017 were restated due to 
the adoption of IFRS 16, ‘Leases’, which has been 
disclosed in notes 32 and 33 of the combined and 
consolidated financial statements

2  The Forest Stewardship CouncilTM (FSCTM) and 
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest 
CertificationTM (PEFCTM)

Overview
2-11

Performance highlights 

Our businesses 

Where we operate 

Joint Chair statement 

Chief Executive Officer’s letter 

Strategic  
report
12-83

Governance
84-143

Financial  
statements
144-240

External context 

Our business model 

Our strategy and strategic performance 

Key performance indicators 

Principal risks 

Sustainability performance 

Financial performance 

Business reviews 

  Fibre Packaging 

  Consumer Packaging 

  Uncoated Fine Paper 

Introduction from Joint Chairs 

Board of directors 

Corporate governance report 

DLC nominations committee 

DLC audit committee 

DLC sustainable development committee 

Mondi Limited social and ethics committee 

DLC executive committee and  
company secretaries 

DLC executive committee 

Remuneration report 

Other statutory information 

Directors’ responsibility statement 

Independent auditors’ report 

Financial statements 

Production statistics and exchange rates 

Group financial record 

Additional information  
for Mondi plc shareholders 

Shareholder information 

Glossary of terms 

2

4

6

8

10

14

18

26

36

38

48

64

68

70

76

80

86

88

90

102

106

114

117

118

120

122

142

147

148

158

229

230

232

235

240

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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4

Our businesses
Sustainable packaging  
and paper by design

Fibre Packaging

Business 
review 
Page 70-75

Our virgin and recycled containerboard is used to make corrugated 
packaging designed to protect our customers’ products and display 
them in-store and online. We produce a full range of corrugated 
packaging from traditional boxes to fully customised multi-piece solutions, 
appealing point-of-sale displays and heavy-duty shipping containers.

As the global leader in sack kraft paper and industrial bags, we 
create strong, light-weight and sustainable products for cement 
and building materials, agricultural, chemical and food products.

Our speciality kraft paper is used to make a variety of packaging solutions 
from industrial applications to retail shopping bags and more sustainable 
food packaging. Extrusion coatings provide high-quality barriers for a 
range of products from food packaging to building insulation.

Consumer Packaging

Business 
review 
Page 76-79

Our consumer goods packaging products extend shelf-life 
and improve end-user experience. We offer a range of flexible 
packaging such as stand-up pouches and re-closable bags. 

Personal care components form part of diaper, femcare and adult 
incontinence products. They include soft nonwovens, stretchy 
elastic films and laminates, mechanical fastening components and 
wrapping films.

Segment revenue

€4,108m

Underlying EBITDA

 €1,086m

Segment revenue

€1,611m

Underlying EBITDA

Our release liners are used for tapes, fibre composites and graphic 
arts; and our technical films provide solutions from high-barrier films 
to surface protection films. 

 €194m

Uncoated Fine Paper

Business 
review 
Page 80-83

We transform responsibly sourced raw materials into innovative 
paper products that meet customer needs in a cost-effective and 
sustainable way. Our extensive range of office papers is designed 
to achieve optimal print results on laser, inkjet and copy machines. 

High-performance professional printing papers are dedicated for 
offset presses and the latest digital print technologies. 

With our wide range of high-quality papers we aim to provide 
customers a one-stop-shop solution for their needs.

Segment revenue

€1,877m

Underlying EBITDA

 €516m

Glass7Box

Pick up tray

Side support

Designed for premium  
glass brand Riedel, featuring a 
shock-absorbent structure.

Fully recyclable tray and handle 
that can carry a 71% higher 
product load.

Insert which acts as corner 
support when transporting 
heavy content. 

Our award winning products
Mondi won eight 2019 WorldStar awards, more 
than any other packaging company worldwide. 
BarrierPack Recyclable has also been shortlisted as one of 
three finalists for their special Sustainability Award (winner to 
be announced in May 2019). 

The WorldStar awards are run by the World 
Packaging Organisation (WPO) and are 
considered to be the pre-eminent international 
award in packaging. 2019 winners were 
announced in December 2018.

WORLDSTAR
WINNER 2019

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Leading market positions
#1 virgin containerboard  
producer in Europe
#1 containerboard producer  
in emerging Europe
#3 corrugated packaging  
producer in  
emerging Europe

#1 kraft paper 

producer globally
#1 industrial bags  
producer globally

Leading market positions
#3 consumer flexible 
packaging producer 
in Europe

#1 commercial release liner 
producer in Europe

Leading market positions
#1 uncoated fine paper  
supplier in Europe

#1 uncoated fine  
paper producer  
in South Africa

Packaging 
closing optimisation

Recyclable waste 
separation system

Pal-bridge 
pallet support system

Yoghurt tray  
with tear tape

BarrierPack  
Recyclable

Semi-automatic solution  
for closing the bottom of boxes, 
saving time and materials. 

Corrugated bins that can 
be disposed of along with 
the waste. 

Easy-to-fold system that fills the 
gaps in the top layer of pallets 
to support further stacking. 

Corrugated tray with a unique 
integrated tear tape that makes 
it easy to divide if required.

Highly functional, fully recyclable 
flexible plastic laminate for  
pre-made pouches.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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6

Where we operate
Our global presence

Mondi has around 100 production  
sites across more than 30 countries, 
with key operations located in  
Europe, North America and Africa. 

Russia

Employees

Production sites

5,500 4

Revenue by location of:

Production

Customer

12%

9%

North America

Employees

Production sites

1,900 13

Revenue by location of:

Production

Customer

7%

10%

Revenue from customers in South America  
represented 1% in 2018

Key

  Fibre Packaging

 Paper mills
  Converting operations

  Consumer Packaging

 Uncoated Fine Paper

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Africa

Employees

Production sites

1,800 7

Revenue by location of:

Production

Customer

9%

10%

Western Europe

Employees

Production sites

7,300 37

Revenue by location of:

Production

Customer

36%

38%

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Emerging Europe

Employees

Production sites

8,900 32

Revenue by location of:

Production

Customer

35%

23%

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Asia & Australia

Employees

700

Production sites

9

Revenue by location of:

Production

Customer

1%

9%

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Group offices

Johannesburg 

London 

Vienna 

Production sites

Austria 

Belgium 

Bulgaria 

China 

Côte d’Ivoire 

Czech Republic 

Egypt 

Finland 

France 

Germany 

Hungary 

Iraq 

Italy 

Jordan 

Lebanon 

Malaysia 

Mexico 

Morocco 

Netherlands 

Oman 

Poland 

Russia 

Serbia 

Slovakia 

South Africa 

South Korea 

Spain 

Sweden 

Thailand 

Turkey 

Ukraine 

UK 

US 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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8

Joint Chair statement
A culture that delivers 
sustainable growth

The Mondi Way is our framework for 
creating sustainable value founded on our 
three core values of acting with integrity, 
being passionate about performance, and 
caring about the world and each other. 
Our vision, which Peter Oswald expands 
on in his Chief Executive Officer’s letter, 
explains our future aspirations in line with 
our strategy.

Chief Executive Officer’s letter 
Page 10-11

Mondi Way 
Page 18-19

We appreciate the trust our shareholders 
place in us to generate industry-leading 
returns, while contributing to society and 
minimising our impact on the environment. 
This includes supporting local communities; 
ensuring a safe, fair, diverse and inclusive 
working environment; and helping 
employees, customers and suppliers to 
realise their full potential.

Acting with integrity
The boards of Mondi Limited and Mondi 
plc support the highest standards of 
corporate governance with a focus on 
transparency, honesty and accountability. 
Our governance framework is designed to 
guide our behaviour in all areas of decision-
making, keeping our culture and values at 
the forefront when we consider how best to 

achieve our strategy. By acting with integrity 
we can balance our passion for performance 
and our commitment to achieving long-term 
shareholder value with the diverse needs of 
all our stakeholders. 

Our directors dedicate time to reviewing 
best-practice developments, assessing 
performance and optimising Mondi’s 
approach. We regularly review our 
governance framework and practices to 
ensure they remain relevant, and we update 
policies and procedures as required. 

We also consider the composition of the 
Boards and length of service of individual 
board members to ensure an appropriate 
balance of capabilities, business experience, 
independence and diversity. We are pleased 
to welcome Stephen Young to the Boards 
and as our new audit committee chair, 
he brings strong financial and general 
management experience, as well as an 
in-depth understanding of working for an 
international industrial business. We said 
goodbye to John Nicholas in May after 
almost nine years’ service. We thank John 
for his significant contribution to Mondi 
during this time, not least as chair of the audit 
committee, and we wish him all the best for 
the future. 

Governance 
Page 84-143

Passion for performance 
Mondi’s strong track record of delivering 
value accretive growth is achieved by our 
relentless focus on performance across 
our talented and hard-working teams; a 
portfolio of cost-advantaged assets making 
a diverse range of high-quality products; 
and the integration of sustainability into 
all business decisions. By building on the 
Group’s inherent strengths we can take 
advantage of opportunities while mitigating 
the impact of risks. 

In June, a number of our board members 
attended Mondi’s Leadership Forum, 
alongside senior leaders and Mondi 
Diamond Awards finalists. This provided 
us with an invaluable opportunity to see 
Mondi’s leaders in action as participants 
shared ideas, discussed strategic priorities to 
ensure the Group’s long-term success, and 
celebrated excellence in innovation through 
the Mondi Diamond Awards presentations. 
It gives us great confidence to know that 
Mondi’s future lies in the hands of this highly 
professional and forward-thinking team.

Investing in the future is the key  
to creating long-term value.

David Williams Joint Chair (left)
Fred Phaswana Joint Chair (right)

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Together we have set the performance 
bar high. Over the last five years, Mondi 
has delivered a compound annual growth 
in basic underlying earnings per share of 
15%, with an industry leading return on 
capital employed averaging 20.2% over the 
same period. We remain confident in the 
Group’s ability to deliver long-term value 
to shareholders.

2018 was another strong year for Mondi. 
Underlying EBITDA was up 19% to 
€1,764 million (underlying EBITDA margin 
of 23.6%), profit before tax was up 25% 
to €1,105 million, and return on capital 
employed was 23.6%. The boards of Mondi 
Limited and Mondi plc have recommended 
a final ordinary dividend of 54.55 euro 
cents per share (2017: 42.90 euro cents per 
share). Together with the interim ordinary 
dividend of 21.45 euro cents per share, this 
amounts to a total ordinary dividend for 
the year of 76.0 euro cents per share, an 
increase of 23% from 2017. 

Financial performance 
Page 64-67

Underlying earnings per share
euro cents

189.1

euro 
cents

  1 5 %

  C A G R 1 :

189.1

137.8

148.9

5 - y e a r

133.7

107.3

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

1  Compound annual growth rate

Total ordinary dividend per share
euro cents

76 

euro 
cents

762

621

57

52

42

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

1   In addition to the 2017 ordinary dividend, a special dividend of 
  100 euro cents was paid in 2018
2   Based on proposed final ordinary dividend of 54.55 euro cents 
  per share 

Five-year total shareholder return (TSR) of 74%
(euro returns: indexed to 1 January 2014)

Mondi plc

Median of peer group

Peer performance range

x
e
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450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0
1 Jan
2014

31 Dec
2014

31 Dec
2015

31 Dec
2016

31 Dec
2017

31 Dec
2018

Caring about people
Safety remains our top priority and is a focus 
area at every Board meeting. We are therefore 
deeply saddened that two contractors lost 
their lives while carrying out work for Mondi, 
one in 2018 at Syktyvkar (Russia) and 
the second early in 2019 at Ružomberok 
(Slovakia). We also regret five life-altering 
injuries during the year. Our thoughts are with 
their families and colleagues. Importantly our 
teams have worked hard to understand the 
events leading to these incidents and how 
similar situations can be prevented in the 
future. We continue to strive for zero harm and 
promote behaviour that ensures everyone 
returns home safely to their families every day. 

We know that in order to be successful in the 
future, we need to unlock the full potential 
of our people and nurture their passion. 
By treating people with care and respect, we 
can promote a culture that encourages our 
teams to be dynamic, entrepreneurial and 
empowered. This in turn helps Mondi to build 
constructive partnerships with stakeholders. 

Investing in the future
Looking forward, we expect the macro 
environment to remain uncertain, but overall 
our industry fundamentals are robust. With a 
strong balance sheet and industry-leading 
margins, Mondi has the potential to sustain 
its successful track record. Our approach is 
to focus on areas where we have the ability 
to make a positive impact. This includes 
the investment and business decisions we 
make, how we interact with our stakeholders, 
and our commitment to creating value in a 
sustainable way.

Our Growing Responsibly model remains the 
framework through which we shape our long-
term response to sustainability, and enables 
us to demonstrate, monitor and improve 
our sustainability performance across the 
value chain. 

The model covers 10 Action Areas and 
includes 16 public commitments to be 
achieved by 2020, along with a carbon 
emissions commitment that runs to 2030. 

Sustainability performance 
Page 48-63

Digitalisation is also a strong focus for Mondi. 
Our view is that by enhancing the way we 
use technology, we can ensure that our 
people have more time to focus on areas 
requiring uniquely human skills. Mondi has 
set out a digital roadmap and training is being 
ramped up to fast-track the digital expertise of 
our teams.

The Group has a strong major capital 
expenditure project pipeline. We successfully 
commissioned the modernisation of the Štětí 
mill (Czech Republic) towards the end of 2018, 
and continue to make good progress on 
major capital projects, including our innovative 
new containerboard machine at Ružomberok. 
During the Boards’ visit to Świecie (Poland) 
we were impressed by the results of the 
€260 million capital investment programme 
completed in 2017. Mondi also completed 
the acquisition of Powerflute (Finland), as well 
as two industrial bag plants in Egypt, and 
we continue to evaluate further acquisition 
opportunities as they arise.

Strategic performance 
Page 28-35

On behalf of the Boards we thank all who have 
contributed to Mondi’s excellent performance 
in 2018, showing integrity, passion and 
commitment along the way. We have every 
reason to believe that with our dynamic 
yet respectful approach, and passion for 
sustainable growth we will continue to deliver 
industry-leading returns into the future.

Fred Phaswana 
Joint Chair   

David Williams
Joint Chair

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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10

Chief Executive Officer’s letter
Contributing  
to a better world

2018 has been an exceptional year for 
Mondi on a number of levels, not least 
because we have delivered another 
strong set of results. However, it will also 
be remembered as the year the spotlight 
on plastics and the challenges thrown 
up by our disposable society came into 
focus – driven in part by a welcome 
surge in media and consumer interest. 
The reaction by government and business 
has been extensive. 

The Mondi Way is our framework for creating 
sustainable value, with our culture and values 
guiding the way we work. It’s important for 
our stakeholders to understand how Mondi 
is responding to the needs of our evolving 
global society and the role we choose to 
play in addressing the challenges. We have 
defined our vision for the future to:

 e Contribute to a better world
 e Be an employer of choice
 e Be the global industry benchmark in 
quality, customer service, innovation 
and productivity

These are big ideas.

Mondi Way 
Page 18-19

Contributing to a better world
At Mondi, we are pleased that the need for 
sustainable packaging has moved sharply 
into focus. We are uniquely positioned, as 
a manufacturer of paper, but also flexible 
plastic packaging, to create the best 
solutions for forward-thinking consumer 
brands in collaboration with sustainable 
materials suppliers and recyclers. 

Our paper and flexible plastic packaging 
solutions regularly win awards, but 
commercial demand for some of our most 
innovative sustainable packaging was limited 
before this year. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

The public focus on the impact of plastic 
waste is changing that. This momentum 
gives us an important opportunity to lead our 
industry with innovative sustainable paper and 
plastic packaging. By taking a holistic view, 
we can develop packaging that considers 
the needs of customers, their products and 
the planet.

The development of a circular economy, 
which is restorative and regenerative 
by design, requires deep collaboration. 
During 2018 we strengthened existing 
partnerships and built new ones, for example:

 e Through the Ellen MacArthur 

Foundation’s New Plastics Economy 
Initiative we’re working with partners 
from across the value chain as part of 
a Mondi-led pioneer project to innovate 
a new sustainable FMCG packaging 
solution that will prove the concept of 
design for recycling.

 e We continue to contribute as a member of 
the WBCSD’s Forest Solutions Group and 
as WWF International’s corporate partner 
in the paper and packaging industry.

In 2018 our Consumer Packaging and 
Fibre Packaging business units increased 
their collaborative efforts to fast-track the 
development of EcoSolutions with a focus on:

 e replacing plastic packaging with 

renewable fibre-based paper packaging, 
e.g. EcoVantage shopper bags and 
EcoComp food waste bags;

 e replacing rigid plastic packaging with 
flexible plastic packaging, typically 
reducing plastic consumption by 70%; 
and 

 e optimising plastic packaging for recycling, 

e.g. BarrierPack Recyclable and the 
Frosch pouch – both 100% recyclable.

Business review: Consumer Packaging 
Page 76-79

Another key focus area is our commitment to 
fighting climate change. Our aim is to reduce 
emissions, improve energy efficiency and 
replace fossil fuels with renewable biomass-
based energy, where it is practical and 
economically feasible. We combine strategic 
energy-related investments across our pulp 
and paper mills with good management 
and sharing of best practice. For example, 
over the past 10 years Mondi has invested 
in five new highly efficient recovery boilers 
at Frantschach (Austria), Ružomberok 
(Slovakia), Štětí (Czech Republic), Świecie 
(Poland), and Syktyvkar (Russia), as well as 
biomass boilers at Syktyvkar and Świecie. 
As a group, we have reduced our specific 
CO2e emissions by 38% since 2004 and 
64% of Mondi’s pulp and paper mills’ 
fuel consumption came from renewable 
biomass-based sources in 2018.

Sustainability performance 
Page 48-63

Being an employer of choice
Our primary responsibility as an employer of 
choice must be the safety of our employees. 
We have made significant progress in recent 
years in our goal to zero harm, but 2018 
started tragically with the death of a contractor 
in Syktyvkar and the year saw five incidents 
leading to life-altering injuries. Unfortunately we 
suffered another fatality in January 2019 
during drilling works at the construction site 
of our new paper machine in Ružomberok. 
Our deepest condolences have been 
extended to family members and colleagues. 

There isn’t a single solution to this, but zero 
harm remains our first priority and we have 
plans in place to address the challenge. 
We are proud of our passion for performance, 
and as CEO I am more determined than ever 
to make this a passion for safe performance.

Mondi’s focus on key global industry 
trends in sustainability, digitalisation 
and empowering brands continues 
to drive value accretive growth.

Peter Oswald  
Chief Executive Officer

Low unemployment in many of our core 
markets and changing aspirations of 
millennials means we have to be smart 
and responsive in attracting and retaining 
the talent we need to achieve our business 
ambitions. In 2018 we held our first global 
Diversity & Inclusion conference, from 
which we created targeted plans across 
Mondi. Gender diversity is important, but 
so are age, ethnicity and all other forms 
of diversity. We have made progress in 
broadening representation in some areas, 
but at the heart of our ambition is the 
creation of an environment where all voices 
are heard and new ideas rise quickly to 
the surface. At Mondi, we recognise that 
leading for innovation requires a different 
approach to leading for change, and we 
need the skills and agility to do both. I look 
forward to communicating our progress 
in 2019.

Leading with our hearts and minds, 
combined with clear strategic direction 
is the key to our ongoing success. So, in 
addition to our regular interactions, Mondi’s 
senior leaders come together every few 
years for our Leadership Forum – in 2018 
we met in the energetic city of Berlin. 
The goal was to align around the priorities 
for Mondi’s growth journey – with inspiring 
leadership and employee engagement. 
It is where we launched our vision for the 
future, and celebrated excellence with the 
culmination of the Mondi Diamond Awards. 
Our 12 finalists presented their projects in 
person, showcasing the very best of Mondi 
out of a diverse and impressive range of 
100 entries from across the world.

Business reviews 
Page 68-83

Global industry benchmark – 
delivering excellence
We intend to set the standard for customer 
service, innovation, quality, and productivity. 
This means delivering excellence across 
all our work streams and there were many 
positive milestones in 2018. We have 
also seen strong progress on our capital 
expenditure projects, in particular the 
modernisation of our Štětí mill and our 
planned new kraft top white machine 
in Ružomberok. 

We completed the acquisition of Powerflute 
in Finland and two industrial bag plants 
in Egypt. Over the past five years we 
have completed a limited number of 
smaller acquisitions as we struggled to 
meet sellers’ expectations on valuation. 
Looking forward, with our strong financial 
position and depth of management 
resources, we are well placed to move 
should the right assets become available at 
reasonable values. 

Mondi has a strong track record of 
operational performance and comprehensive 
programmes to eliminate costs. Going  
forward we believe that digitalisation will play 
an important role. We have been piloting 
projects that will accelerate our digital 
journey and identify the best way to harness 
technology: data science and advanced 
analytics will help us to improve productivity 
and lower costs, and be key to connecting 
better with our customers. Technology can 
make us efficient, but it’s our employees that 
make us smart!

Strategic performance 
Page 28-35

Driving future growth
I am confident that Mondi’s focus on key 
global industry trends in sustainability, 
digitalisation and enhancing brand value will 
continue to drive growth. Geographically we 
remain well-placed for opportunities in 
Europe and North America, which account 
for around half the global packaging 
market. Our leading position in central 
and eastern European markets, as well as 
exposure to growing markets in Africa and 
Asia also provide strong opportunities for 
our continued growth. 

While we cannot predict the impact of 
the current heightened geo-political 
and macro-economic uncertainties, our 
industry leading margins and strong cash 
generation, coupled with a strong balance 
sheet make us resilient and provide us 
with the strategic flexibility to exploit 
opportunities as and when they arise.

Our proposal to simplify our dual listed 
structure into a single holding company 
structure under Mondi plc will, subject to 
shareholder approval, simplify cash and 
dividend flows; enhance our strategic 
flexibility; increase transparency; and 
remove the complexity associated with the 
current structure. 

With our robust business model and 
integrated value chain, strong cost 
management, and focus on partnering with 
our customers to deliver innovative and 
sustainable solutions, I am convinced we 
are well positioned for the future. 

Overall 2018 was a year of strong progress 
for Mondi across all fronts. At the heart of 
this success is our people and it is to them 
that I extend my thanks, for their passion, 
their innovation and their commitment.

Peter Oswald
Chief Executive Officer

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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12

Strategic 
report

External context 

Our business model 

Our strategy and strategic performance 

Key performance indicators 

Principal risks 

Sustainability performance 

Financial performance 

Business reviews 

  Fibre Packaging 

  Consumer Packaging 

  Uncoated Fine Paper 

14

18

26

36

38

48

64

68

70

76

80

The Strategic report was approved by the Boards  
on 27 February 2019 and is signed on their behalf by:

Peter Oswald 
Chief Executive Officer 

Andrew King 
Chief Financial Officer

Contributing  
to a better 
world

We want to make our 
processes and products 
sustainable. This includes 
securing wood from 
responsible sources, 
minimising waste from our 
operations and working  
with customers to create  
EcoSolutions that 
are reusable, recyclable,  
and/or compostable.

71%

Wood certified to FSC or PEFC

Sustainability performance 
Page 48-63

As one of our 
strategic value drivers, 
growing responsibly  
is an integral part of 
our future success.

Gladys Naylor  
Group Head of Sustainable 
Development

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Mondi Świecie has reduced waste  
going to landfill from 100% in 2003  
to only 1% today – everything  
else is recycled and/or reused.

Business review: Fibre Packaging 
Page 74

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14

External context
Opportunities and challenges  
in a rapidly changing world

We operate in a fast-paced world with diverse 
and complex issues impacting the planet,  
society and the way we do business. 
Our success is built on our ability to anticipate 
and respond to the challenges and opportunities 
we face today and in the future, partnering 
with others to find long-term solutions. 

Mondi is well-positioned to proactively 
respond to three of the most relevant themes: 

 e Enhancing brand value
 e Digitalisation and interconnectivity
 e Sustainability

Enhancing brand value

Overview and challenges
A rising middle class in emerging markets, 
an ageing population in the developed 
world, urbanisation and evolving lifestyles 
globally are changing the way brand 
owners engage with their customers. 
Whether through traditional retail and 
distribution or growing e-commerce 
channels, brand owners are under 
increased pressure to differentiate 
themselves from competitors. 2018 was 
a year in which bricks and mortar stores 
and e-commerce came closer together, as 
smart brands recognised the consumer’s 
desire to interact with brands physically 
as well as virtually and increasingly to 
personalise their offer. 

In this interconnected world, packaging 
has become the key link for the consumer 
across multiple senses – sight, touch, 
sound and smell. For our customers, 
great packaging embodies brand values 
and offers a consumer experience which 
stands out from the crowd.

On or offline, packaging is the first 
interaction the consumer has with a 
product, so it plays a critical role in the 
decision making process. We expect a 
lot from packaging. It needs to catch the 
eye, which for well-known brands means 
being immediately recognisable, and 
for challenger brands it means stealing 
attention away from the familiar. When the 
consumer first touches the packaging it 
needs to represent the brand’s quality 
and value. In addition, it still has to protect 
the product through a ‘frustration free 
packaging’ journey from manufacture 
to consumption, whether it is fragile, 
awkwardly shaped, heavy or vulnerable. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Pre and post consumption, our 
consumers and customers expect 
our packaging to be sustainably 
disposable and made using minimum 
materials – renewable and recyclable 
wherever possible. 

Opportunities and how  
we are responding
We continue to invest for growth to 
enhance our product and service 
offering and we are leading the industry 
in innovative design for EcoSolutions: 
paper where possible, plastic when useful. 
With our six specialised R&D centres and 
global reach, we develop partnerships 
with our customers to create innovative 
and appealing packaging designs that 
portray our customers’ brand values 
and differentiate them either on the store 
shelf or when their customers receive the 
product at home.

Our range of shelf-ready packaging and 
point-of-sale display solutions help our 
customers reduce handling costs while 
enhancing shelf attractiveness with 
our high-quality and visually impactful 
print solutions. 

Enhancing brand value also means 
designing packaging that prioritises 
functionality. For example, developing 
tailored solutions that make brands more 
useful by adding convenience features to 
ensure that the packaging is easy to use, 
easy to store and extends the product 
shelf-life. This can include hassle-free 
openings, reclosability features, multi-
barriers and on-the-go solutions. 

We also know how important it is for us to 
help our customers to stay competitive by 
simplifying their processes and reducing 
costs, while still creating packaging that 
exceeds customer expectations.

Spotlight on packaging for premium brands

Benetton shopping bags

Premium brands like Benetton 
can enhance their customers’ 
experience with luxurious, natural 
and sustainable shopping bags 
made from Mondi’s speciality 
kraft paper. Our ‘shoppingworld’ 
portfolio is built on consumer 
trend insights, branding expertise 
and paper grades that combine 
high functionality with outstanding 
printability. A shopping bag is more 
than a useful transportation vehicle. 
It is part of the brand experience. 
A superior product loses value in 
a shabby bag. If retailers get this 
right, consumers reuse their bag as 
an accessory and an expression 
of their lifestyle – and thus become 
valuable brand ambassadors.

Digitalisation and interconnectivity

Overview and challenges
Accelerating technological innovation 
brings new opportunities for Mondi as well 
as our customers. For Mondi, it means 
going beyond the automation of repetitive, 
mechanical tasks. We are training our 
employees to maximise the effectiveness 
of automation so they can focus on 
the roles that humans still do best – 
continuous improvement and innovation. 
Technology will make us effective, but it’s 
our people who make us smart.

Technology also supports transparency. 
With widespread use of the internet, 
mobile technology and social media,  
society now has greater access to 
a much wider range of information 
and the ability to use their collective 
power to shape business and influence 
public policy. In the eyes of today’s 
stakeholders, businesses are responsible 
for managing their impact not only within 
their own operations, but also across 
their increasingly complex supply chains 
including our customers’ customers. 

It is more important than ever that 
business improves transparency of global 
supply chains and new technologies can 
help address risks related to human  
rights and environmental impacts of 
supply chains. 

For our customers, digitalisation has brought 
opportunities to reach new and existing 
consumers far beyond the boundaries of 
bricks and mortar. However, growing online 
retail activity requires efficient primary and 
secondary packaging solutions to protect 
and track goods in transit, while optimising 
packaging requirements and minimising 
waste. E-commerce is rapidly growing 
and transforming the retail landscape. 
With packaging for e-commerce expected 
to grow at an annual growth rate of 11% in 
Europe and 14% globally1, it provides us with 
significant growth opportunities with the right 
packaging solutions.

Opportunities and how  
we are responding
The digital revolution is creating 
opportunities for us to scrutinise our 
production processes, supply chains, 
customer interfaces and employee 
engagement platforms to explore new ways 
of working to better achieve our purpose. 

We have digitalisation projects underway 
across a number of business areas to 
enhance customer satisfaction, drive 
performance, optimise pricing and facilitate 
customer collaboration 24/7. 

Operational efficiency initiatives include 
further improved production process 
stability and product quality, reduced waste 
and predictive maintenance. 

Digitalisation enables a greater level 
of traceability within our supply chain 
with a focus on raw material sourcing, 
especially fibre. Across our supply chain, 
we promote transparency through active 
engagement with customers, consumers 
and the wider public about how we do 
business. Using digital technology we 
are able to standardise and strengthen 
our social and environmental practices 
through analysis, monitoring and in-
depth reviews of activities within our 
supply chain. This enables us to address, 
manage and mitigate risks.

1  Smithers Pira, The Future of e-commerce packaging to 2022

Spotlight on e-commerce

Mondi Vino Box® Sprint

The digital era has transformed 
the way we consume goods. 
Mondi’s strong portfolio of 
corrugated e-commerce solutions 
and MailerBAG, our paper-based 
e-commerce bag, are made 
from renewable materials and 
protect goods in transit, giving 
our customers the possibility 
to differentiate themselves 
by enhancing the consumer 
experience. We also optimise 
packaging sizes to avoid wasteful 
over packaging.

Speed of filling can also make a 
difference to a busy e-commerce 
business, so we developed Mondi 
Vino Box® Sprint for online wine 
merchants. It can safely ship up 
to six wine bottles and is 100% 
recyclable. There is no additional 
assembly needed, it simply 
pops up from a flat pack with an 
integrated divider, instantly ready 
to fill. The result is a saving of up to 
80% in assembly time compared to 
standard wine packaging. 

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
16

External context

Sustainability

Demand for sustainable packaging and 
paper solutions is fortunately here to stay. 
Consumers around the globe are increasingly 
demanding packaging solutions that are 
sourced, produced and can be disposed of 
responsibly. The legitimacy of a compelling 
business model will be increasingly linked 
to the real value created for society as a 
whole. Products manufactured within the 
limits of the planet, and that enable society 
to address its challenges, make clear social, 
environmental and business sense, and 
open up opportunities for brand growth on a 
global scale. Below are the most important 
sustainability themes that we see affecting our 
business today and in future. 

Overview and challenges
The cost of unnecessary plastic

2018 saw unprecedented awareness about 
the impact plastic has on our environment. 
Around 25% of total plastics produced 
worldwide are used for packaging, 95% 
of plastic packaging’s material value is lost 
after a first (sometimes short) use, and at 
least 8 million tonnes of plastic leaks into the 
oceans every year1.

Governments are introducing new 
legislation around single-use plastics and 
plastic waste and, with China (previously 
the world’s largest importer of plastic 
waste in the world) no longer accepting 
imports of certain types of plastic as of 
2017, western countries are needing to 
deal with their plastic differently, leading 
to even bolder targets and regulations. 
The EU Strategy for Plastics in the Circular 
Economy states that all plastic packaging 
should be reusable or recyclable by 2030. 

As governments and consumers increase 
their demand for sustainable plastics, big 
fast moving consumer goods (FMCG)
and retailer brands are coming under 
the most scrutiny for the plastic they 
use in their products and packaging. 
Many of our biggest customers have already 
communicated ambitious targets and they 
are going to be relying on us to provide 
them with innovative high-quality sustainable 
solutions from across our product portfolio. 

Flexible plastic, which typically uses 
70% less material than rigid plastic2, and 
innovative plastic-paper combinations can 
provide essential functionality that is critical 
to fulfil the purpose of the packaging (for 
example preventing food waste). 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Much more rapid climate change 

Dramatic changes due to climate change 
are already occurring at a faster rate than 
expected. Climate change will worsen 
the outlook for the availability of critical 
resources such as food, water and energy. 
The severity of existing weather patterns 
is set to intensify in future, with wet areas 
getting even more wet, and dry and arid 
areas becoming more so3. In recent years, 
the extremely dry summers in Europe have 
led to water shortages that have impacted 
businesses including packaging and 
paper manufacturers.

The 2018 IPCC ‘Special Report on Global 
Warming of 1.5°C’ states that limiting 
global warming to 1.5°C would require 
rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented 
changes in all aspects of society, with clear 
benefits to people and natural ecosystems. 
Achieving this will require urgent and 
fundamental action, beyond business as 
usual. Businesses have a critical part to 
play – both in reducing emissions and 
providing solutions for mitigating and 
adapting to climate change. 

The need for resource efficiency  
in a growing world

Industrial growth since the mid-20th century 
has created wealth, development and 
economic growth, but it has also endangered 
the crucial ecosystems that society relies on. 
The global population is growing at a rapid 
pace, especially in urban areas. We know 
that we use the equivalent of 1.7 planets to 
provide resources and absorb waste, and 
scientific evidence makes it clear that we are 
pushing our planet’s natural systems to the 
edge4. Demand for food, water and energy 
is set to grow substantially by 2030 (food 
to rise by 35%, water by 40%, and energy 
by 50%)3. Tackling problems pertaining to 
one commodity will be linked to supply and 
demand for the others. 

Economic development and production 
patterns are also shifting to the east and 
south, with overall trade volumes, disposable 
income and consumption rising. The US, 
European, and Japanese share of global 
income is projected to fall from 56% today to 
well under 50% by 20303. 5.3 billion people 
are expected to make up the middle classes 
by 2030, up from 3.6 billion people today5, 
with the middle classes in the developing 
world poised to expand substantially. 

Urban centres are estimated to generate 
80% of economic growth; the potential 
exists to apply modern technologies and 
infrastructure, promoting better use of 
scarce resources3. 

Access to sustainable fibre

Forests are core to the cultures and livelihoods 
of communities worldwide with some 
1.6 billion people relying on them for their 
livelihoods6. Deforestation and illegal logging 
contribute to biodiversity loss and climate 
change, negatively impacting on ecosystem 
services, and encroaching on the livelihoods 
and human rights of people around the 
world. The last few decades have seen a 
slowdown in net global deforestation, and in 
Europe forests are not declining. More forest 
areas are coming under protection and 
more countries are actively improving forest 
management. Despite this, only around 11% 
of global forests are certified7 and the shortage 
of sustainable fibre on the market remains a 
significant challenge. 

Opportunities and how  
we are responding
We are convinced that growing responsibly 
and contributing to a better world is in the 
best interest of all our stakeholders and 
our continued success as a business. 
We’re committed to continuing this journey 
and we constantly adjust our response 
to the evolving sustainable development 
landscape through the framework of 
our Growing Responsibly model, which 
explains how we approach sustainability 
to create value for our business and for our 
stakeholders. Among our 10 Action Areas 
are ‘sustainable fibre’, ‘climate change’, 
‘constrained resources and environmental 
impacts’, and ‘solutions that create value 
for our customers’ – showing how we are 
responding to the themes set out above.

Sustainability performance 
Page 48-63

Online Sustainable development report 
www.mondigroup.com/sd18

1  Ellen MacArthur Foundation
2  Flexible Packaging Europe
3  National Intelligence Council: Global Trends 2030
4  Footprint Network and WWF Living Planet  

Report 2018
5  World Data Lab
6  WWF
7  UNECE: Forest Products Annual Market Review 2016-2017

EcoSolutions: paper where 
possible, plastic when useful
Mondi is actively leading the future of a 
sustainable packaging industry by showing 
that contributing to a better world makes 
good business sense, driving innovation 
and change throughout the value chain. 
We believe all packaging must be ‘fit for 
purpose’: paper where possible, plastic 
when useful. We offer a range of high-
performance paper-based, flexible plastic 
and hybrid packaging solutions. By taking 
a holistic view, we can develop packaging 
that considers the needs of each customer, 
their products and the planet.

For many years Mondi has been making 
sustainable fibre-based and flexible plastic 
packaging for forward-thinking FMCG 
brands, and working in collaboration 
with sustainable materials suppliers 
and recyclers. 

In the last decade, Mondi has reduced 
the average weight of corrugated boxes 
and paper bags, while increasing strength 
and functionality. Mondi continues to 
seek new sustainable product innovation 
across both its paper and plastics business 
areas. We are actively working with 
our customers, suppliers and recycling 
companies to find innovative solutions that 
improve the sustainability of packaging. 

Flexible plastic packaging, when 
manufactured, used and disposed of 
appropriately, delivers many benefits: from 
resource efficiency (by reducing material 
usage and being less transport intense) to 
reducing food waste by enabling correct 
sized portions and extending shelf-life. 
However, we recognise the urgent need 
to collaborate to make plastic packaging 
more circular and bring about the system 
change required in order to achieve this. 

We are working with partners across 
our value chain to reinvent flexible plastic 
packaging so that it is fit for a circular 
economy. Mondi is one of the first 
signatories of The New Plastics Economy 
Global Commitment – committing to 100% 
of plastic-based packaging being reusable, 
recyclable or compostable; and 25% being 
from recycled content (where it does not 
compromise functionality or food health 
requirements) by 2025. 

We believe our flexible packaging 
solutions can contribute towards global 
sustainable plastics, based on circular 
economy principles.

Strategic performance 
Page 28-35

Business reviews 
Page 68-83

Spotlight on sustainable packaging by design

perFORMing – the #1 natural,  
brown formable paper solution

Recycled washing powder  
packaging

Newly patented Mondi perFORMing is a paper-based multilayer, 
thermoformable packaging material that reduces plastic by up to 70%  
by using coated Advantage Formable paper instead of plastic in trays  
for attractive cheese and cold meat packaging. This innovative solution, 
which is also recyclable in some countries, shows the unique benefits of 
being able to combine expertise from our Extrusion Coatings, Speciality 
Kraft Paper and Technical Films businesses. 

Together with a recycling partner (APK AG) – who have developed a 
process called Newcycling® – Mondi has tested the suitability of recycled 
polyethylene (PE) for multi-layer films by designing a new plastic packaging 
solution for washing powder that replaces up to 80% of the previously 
virgin PE layer with post-industrial waste. The result is a high-quality 
packaging laminate that maintains the functionality requirements of our 
customer, reduces the demand for virgin fossil based PE and achieves a 
packaging solution containing up to 50% recycled materials.

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
18

Our business model
Creating value  
the Mondi Way

The Mondi Way is our unique framework  
for creating sustainable value. Our purpose 
drives our vision and provides context for our 
strategy, which we then execute through our 
operating framework, in line with our culture 
and values. 

The Mondi Way is the foundation for our 
integrated value chain and it guides the  
strategic, operational and stakeholder-related 
decisions we make across our business.

Our integrated value chain 
Page 20-21

Purpose  
and vision

Strategy

Operating framework

Culture and values

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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Our purpose states what 
we do and why we do it.

Our vision sets out our  
long-term aspirations as we 
bring our purpose to life.

Our purpose

Our vision

We delight you with innovative  
and sustainable packaging  
and paper solutions. Every day. 

 e To contribute to a better world
 e To be an employer of choice
 e To be the global industry 
benchmark for packaging 
and paper

Our strategy is our plan of 
action designed to build on our 
competitive advantages so that 
we can achieve our purpose.

We drive value accretive growth 
via our four strategic value drivers:

Our operating framework,  
The Mondi Diamond, converts 
strategy into clear objectives 
that drive performance at an 
operational level.

Drive performance  
along the 
value chain

Invest in assets  
with cost  
advantage

Inspire our people 
and grow 
responsibly

Partner with 
customers  
for innovation

Cutting-edge  
solutions

Sustainable  
development

Inspired  
people

Operational 
excellence

Successful 
customers

Our culture and values 
connect, guide and inspire 
our people.

Passion for 
performance

Caring

Acting with  
integrity

We are dynamic, 
entrepreneurial and 
empowered

We are respectful  
and responsible

We encourage honesty 
and transparency

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
20

Our business model
Integrated across  
the value chain

Our key resources

Our integrated value chain

Resins, films  
and other raw materials

Wood (internal and external)

Paper for recycling

High-quality, well-invested,  
cost-advantaged integrated assets

80%

pulp & paper capacity  
in two lowest cost quartiles 

€6bn

capital employed

Engagement and collaboration  
with customers and suppliers

9,000

customers 

1,500

key suppliers

Responsible procurement of  
raw materials and other inputs

71%

wood procured from FSC 
or PEFC certified sources 

64%

mill fuel consumption  
from biomass-based 
renewable sources

Diverse and talented people

26,100

employees 

21%

women employed  
across our operations

Strong financial position  
and cash flow generation

€1,226m

cash flow generated

BBB+/Baa1

S&P/Moody’s credit rating

Key stakeholder relationships

Numerous

strategic partnerships, 
memberships & 
collaborations 

79%

of mills & forestry 
operations completed a 
SEAT assessment to date

  Forests and raw materials 

Fibre is a key input in our pulp and paper production 
process, with wood sourced from our own sustainably 
managed forests as well as externally. In 2018, 71% 
of our procured wood was certified with the balance 
meeting our minimum Controlled Wood standard, 
which is in line with best practice certification scheme 
requirements. Throughout our manufacturing activities, 
we require access to natural resources (most notably 
water and energy) and raw materials (such as wood, 
paper for recycling, chemicals and polymers). 
We support an inclusive and sustainable supply chain 
promoting responsible procurement of raw materials.

Competitive advantages
 e Well located operations with access  

to cost-competitive fibre 

 e Own fibre supply in Russia and South Africa 

(where we manage around 2.4 million hectares of 
100% certified forests)

 e 100% electricity self-sufficiency resulting in lower 
energy costs, and 64% of mill fuel consumption 
from biomass-based renewable sources

Our integrated value chain 
provides us with competitive 
advantage and creates long-
term value by converting raw 
materials into innovative and 
sustainable packaging and 
paper solutions, using the 
Mondi Way as our framework.

Mondi Way 
Page 18-19

Our key relationships 
It is vital that we engage with our key 
stakeholders across the value chain 
to maintain the mutually beneficial 
relationships that help us to create long-
term value. Our stakeholders include:

 e Employees
 e Customers
 e Investors
 e Communities
 e Suppliers and contractors
 e Partners, associations,  

governments and regulators

Key relationships 
Page 22-25

Managing our risks 
Successfully managing our risks and 
appropriately setting our risk appetite is 
also critical to ensuring we continue to 
generate long-term value. We categorise 
our risks into strategic risks, financial risks, 
operational risks and compliance risks.

Principal risks 
Page 38-47

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Our key outputs

Our integrated  
value chain 
Page 68-69

High-performing operations

23.6%

ROCE 

13

production records  
on pulp/paper machines

Pulp and  
paper mills

Converting 
operations

Recycling

Packaging and  
paper solutions

Innovative products and solutions

€22m

spent on research  
& development 

8

WorldStar Packaging 
awards (2019)

Sustainably managed natural  
resources and outputs

10mGJ

energy provided to 
communities & public grid 

100%

managed forests certified

Inspired and skilled people

30+

average annual training 
hours per employee 

89%

participation in global 
employee survey

Capital appreciation and  
dividends to shareholders

23%

increase in ordinary 
dividend per share 

74%

total shareholder  
return (5 years)

Support to regional economies  
and local communities

€248m

direct taxes paid 

€7.9m

community investments

  Pulp and paper mills 

  Converting operations 

  Supporting a circular economy 

Our integrated pulp and paper mills produce pulp, 
packaging paper and uncoated fine paper. We produce 
slightly more pulp than we need in our paper 
production, and we sell the small surplus externally.

Our containerboard and kraft paper is used by our 
converting operations, with the remainder sold to other 
customers. Our range of uncoated fine paper includes 
office and professional printing paper.

Our fibre-based packaging operations convert packaging 
papers (sourced internally and externally), together with 
other raw materials into corrugated board and boxes, 
industrial bags and speciality extrusion-coated solutions 
for a wide range of consumer and industrial end-uses.

We operate across the flexible packaging production 
process, from resin compounding to bag making, 
laser cutting and incorporating special features. 
Our packaging solutions protect and preserve  
food, pet food, personal care and other consumer 
products, extending shelf-life, reducing food waste and 
enhancing consumer experience.

Competitive advantages
 e High-quality, well-invested, cost-advantaged 
asset base with around 80% of our pulp and 
paper capacity in the two lowest industry cost 
curve quartiles 

Competitive advantages
 e Unique position as a leading producer of both 

plastic and paper-based solutions, providing an 
ideal platform to meet our customers’ sustainable 
packaging needs 

 e Vertically integrated asset base reducing our 

 e Leading market positions provide us the scale  

exposure to price volatility of key raw materials 
(particularly pulp), providing security of supply and 
enabling production and logistics optimisation

 e Focus on excellence – superior operating 

performance achieved through continuous 
improvement initiatives and driving performance 
along the entire value chain

and ability to service key accounts by leveraging  
our plant network 

 e Integrated model, coupled with ongoing  
specialised R&D, enables us to develop 
partnerships with our customers to deliver 
innovative and customised solutions

Fibre is a renewable resource. Our mills use both 
virgin fibre and paper for recycling (recovered after 
use), to produce our containerboard products. 
Paper for recycling is an important and sustainable 
source of fibre. The recovery of fibre at the end of 
the product’s life reduces waste and contributes to a 
circular economy.

Our flexible plastic packaging operations use resins, 
films and other raw materials as part of the production 
process. Mondi is working with stakeholders across 
the value chain to innovate and develop sustainable 
solutions that support a circular economy for flexible 
plastic packaging solutions. We have committed to 
100% of plastic-based packaging being reusable, 
recyclable or compostable, and 25% being from 
recycled content (where it does not compromise 
functionality or food health requirements) by 2025.

External context 
Page 14-17

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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22

Our business model
Key relationships

How we engage
 e Biennial group-wide 
employee surveys

 e Regular local briefing sessions 

by managers 

 e Electronic communications 

and publications 

 e Group-wide intranet (planetmondi)
 e Performance and 

development reviews 
 e Internal conferences and 

leadership forums

 e Employee training programmes 

and workshops

 e Virtual leadership and 
employee meetings

Key topics discussed 
 e Fair working conditions
 e Development opportunities 
 e Safety

How we engage
 e Regular customer satisfaction surveys 
 e Collaboration on product innovation 
 e Customer events and exhibitions 
 e Questionnaires 
 e Key account manager relationships
 e Digital customer interfaces

Key topics discussed 
 e Product innovation 
 e Quality 
 e Responsible sourcing

Our employees

We have a diverse team of 26,100 people 
with a broad range of skills and expertise. 
In addition to on-the-job informal 
communication, we regularly engage 
with our employees through formal 
communication channels to provide an 
opportunity for open dialogue and we 
invest in training programmes to support 
their development. 

It is through this collaborative effort that 
we resolve challenges together, enabling 
shared success through an engaged 
workforce and a performance-driven 
approach. We aim to achieve a consistent 
culture across our operations, with values 
that connect, guide and inspire our 
people, thereby providing a platform for 
our shared success. 

Sustainability performance 
Page 48-63

Online Sustainable development report 
www.mondigroup.com/sd18

Our customers

As part of our strategy, partnering with 
customers for innovation is a key value 
driver for our joint success. Global trends 
are requiring us to collaborate with our 
customers more than ever. 

We are uniquely positioned to offer our 
9,000 customers a range of innovative 
and sustainable solutions that exceed their 
expectations and help them to meet  
their sustainability commitments. We also 
continue to strive for excellent customer 
service and quality, with a focus on digital 
acceleration initiatives. 

Our customers know us as a partner in 
their success. We are problem solvers. 
By creating EcoSolutions across multiple 
industries, we are enhancing the value of 
some of the world’s best known brands, 
as well as local favourites.

External context  
Page 14-17
Strategic performance 
Page 28-35

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

23

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Spotlight on how we engage with  
customers to create innovative solutions

The ambition required deep 
innovation know-how in ice cream 
packaging to ensure that the window 
helped the brand to stand out, 
without compromising the sleeve’s 
performance. “We were the only 
supplier to accept this challenge 
and the first commercial products 
hit the shelves in May 2018.” says 
Sedat Igbar, European commercial 
manager at Mondi Kalenobel. “We 
worked step by step with Oexmann 
and developed and patented a cone 
sleeve that lets ice cream lovers see 
the goodness inside.” 

Oexmann began making ice cream 
cones back in 1926 and Thomas 
Oexmann, grandson of founder 
Karl Oexmann, says business 
is flourishing.

“We are currently producing almost 
five million ice cream cones every 
day and we export to virtually every 
country in Europe.” 

Mondi’s special sleeves are being 
used to package premium cones 
together with Oexmann’s customer 
Fonterra (New Zealand). 

The oval clear window on the cone 
is made of biodegradable film to 
ensure it’s a sustainable packaging 
solution. We also created a small 
transparent laser-cut window on 
the cone lid so that consumers can 
see the ice cream. Fonterra liked 
it, and we are now supplying 
custom-made lids in addition to the 
cone sleeves!

We worked step by 
step with Oexmann 
and developed and 
patented a cone 
sleeve that lets ice 
cream lovers see the 
goodness inside.

Sedat Igbar 
European commercial manager 
at Mondi Kalenobel

The inside scoop 
on why partnering 
with customers 
makes good 
business sense 

Estimated retail sales of the global 
ice cream market is around 
US$74 billion1, and just keeps 
growing. Europe accounts for 
30% of the global ice cream 
market with consumption growth 
mainly driven by single portion ice 
cream1. Mondi Kalenobel (Turkey) 
is establishing itself as a packaging 
innovator in the ice cream world. 
The team recently took on a 
customer challenge that no one 
else dared to: producing a paper 
ice cream cone sleeve with a clear 
biodegradable plastic window that 
allows the consumer to see the 
sugar wafer cone. Family-owned 
sugar-cone maker Oexmann 
GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) 
approached Mondi to explore 
whether or not it could be done.

1  Euromonitor

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
24

Our business model
Key relationships

Our investors

We actively and regularly engage with our 
investors and analysts, primarily relating to 
our financial performance, sustainability, 
governance, risk management and strategy. 
The feedback we receive informs our 
management and reporting practices. 

Our relationship with debt investors 
and banks as key providers of capital 
to the Group, together with credit rating 
agencies, ensures we have access to 
funding for investment opportunities 
through the business cycle. We have solid 
investment grade credit ratings. 

We are proud of our industry-leading 
performance, and we appreciate the 
trust our shareholders place in us to 
deliver value accretive growth in a 
sustainable way.

How we engage
 e Annual General Meetings 
 e Events including results  

presentations, trading update calls, 
site visits and capital markets days 

 e Roadshows 
 e Telephone calls and meetings 
 e Integrated report and 
financial statements

 e Questionnaires and ad hoc questions 

and requests 

 e Independent disclosure platforms  

for investors such as CDP
 e Investor perception studies

Key topics discussed 
 e Strategy 
 e Governance 
 e Capital allocation

Strategic performance 
Page 28-35
Financial performance 
Page 64-67

How we engage
 e Socio-economic Assessment 

Toolbox (SEAT) process

 e Community Engagement Plans 

(CEPs) 

 e Open days and visits to our sites 
 e Partnering with communities 
and other stakeholders on 
development initiatives

Key topics discussed 
 e Employment and enterprise support
 e Community health
 e Local infrastructure investment

Our communities

We are a global company with diverse 
operations located across multiple 
jurisdictions. We play a key socio-
economic role in the communities where 
we operate, creating employment and 
business opportunities in addition to 
paying local and regional taxes. In 2018, 
we paid €248 million in direct taxes.

Ongoing and transparent dialogue 
with local communities enables us to 
collaboratively address challenges, 
understand and manage risks, generate 
opportunities and improve performance. 
In 2018, we invested €7.9 million globally 
in the communities where we operate, 
supporting health, education, local 
enterprise and infrastructure.

Sustainability performance 
Page 48-63

Online Sustainable development report 
www.mondigroup.com/sd18

Read more 
Page [00]

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Our suppliers and contractors

How we engage
 e Regular compliance assessments of 

key suppliers 

 e Supplier collaborations 

and partnerships 

 e Discussions on credible certification 

systems to secure long-term 
sustainable wood fibre suppliers
 e Ongoing focus on working together 

to improve safety performance

Key topics discussed 
 e Local procurement and 

resource support

 e Safety
 e Sustainability along the supply chain

In 2018 we procured €5.6 billion worth of 
goods and services from our suppliers. 
We follow a practical, risk-based approach 
when engaging with our 1,500 key 
suppliers and smaller, regional suppliers. 
We operate a central procurement 
function in a number of key spend 
categories and manage the remainder 
regionally or locally. We engage with our 
suppliers to develop solutions to the social 
and environmental challenges we all face 
across the value chain. We encourage 
supply chain transparency and promote 
fair working conditions together with our 
suppliers by developing a responsible, 
inclusive and sustainable supply chain. 

We work closely with our contractors 
to mitigate risks, improve practices and 
ensure they follow Mondi protocols 
and practices in areas such as safety, 
transparency and business ethics. 

Sustainability performance 
Page 48-63

Online Sustainable development report 
www.mondigroup.com/sd18

Partners, associations, governments and regulators

We believe in global partnerships 
and initiatives where together we 
can bring about meaningful change. 
Shared resources and best practice 
merged together provide an opportunity 
for multi-stakeholder collaborations to 
find sustainable solutions along the entire 
value chain. 

We engage with national and local 
governments and regulators to share our 
intentions, understand their concerns 
and priorities, and find mutually beneficial 
solutions on important topics such as 
climate change, regulatory compliance 
and support for research programmes. 

Sustainability performance 
Page 48-63

Online Sustainable development report 
www.mondigroup.com/sd18

Among others, we engage with:
 e WWF
 e Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s  
New Plastics Economy Initiative

 e The Cambridge Institute for 

Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

 e The United Nations Global  

Compact (UNGC)

 e World Business Council for 

Sustainable Development (WBCSD)’s 
Forest Solutions Group

 e Confederation of European Paper 

Industries (CEPI)

 e Circular Economy for Flexible 
Packaging (CEFLEX) project

Key topics discussed 
 e Climate change and 
circular economy

 e Regulatory compliance
 e Support for research programmes

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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26

Our strategy
Strategic framework

Our strategy is to deliver value accretive 
growth by focusing on our four strategic value 
drivers. This approach allows us to build on the 
competitive advantages we enjoy today, and 
sets a clear framework for our investment and 
operational decisions to continue to create value 
into the future. All strategic value drivers are 
important, with priority levels differing across 
the value chain.

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i v e   performance 
D r
a l o n g   t h e value chain

We drive
value
accretive
growth

Inspire our  p e o p l e  
and grow resp o n s i b l

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Our Uncoated Fine Paper business has 
a clear cost competitive advantage and 
exposure to growing markets in central 
and eastern Europe, Russia and South 
Africa. We will continue to invest to 
maintain and improve its competitiveness, 
and leverage this asset base to increase 
our exposure to faster growing packaging 
products where the opportunity arises.

Our disciplined approach to this strategic 
framework, while retaining flexibility on 
how we execute it, has positioned us as 
a leading global packaging and paper 
group with a strong platform for growth. 
We continue to expand our business, 
with an emphasis on assets and markets 
that offer us inherent advantages, and 
products that are core to our portfolio or 
bring related development opportunities.

We see greater potential for structural 
growth in the packaging sectors, where 
we plan to continue growing through 
value-enhancing capital investments and 
acquisitions that build on our competitive 
advantages and enable us to better serve 
our customers.

We focus on our four strategic value drivers 
to build on our inherent competitive advantages.

Peter Oswald
Chief Executive Officer

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Drive performance along  
the value chain

Our passion for performance will 
always be central to the way we 
run our business – from our focus 
on commercial excellence and 
lean processes, to rigorous quality 
management and operational 
excellence programmes that enhance 
productivity and efficiency.

Our collaborative approach to 
benchmarking enables us to learn 
from our best performing operations 
and identify emerging issues to ensure 
performance is optimised throughout 
the organisation. We have continuous 
improvement systems and processes 
in place focused on enhancing 
productivity, increasing efficiency, 
reducing waste and ensuring our 
processes stay lean. When necessary, 
we take decisive action to restructure 
non-performing assets. We also focus 
on finding innovative ways of working 
and using digital technology to further 
enhance our performance. 

We maintain selected centralised 
functions, where we believe we can 
benefit from a coordinated approach, 
such as procurement, technical, 
sustainable development, treasury and 
tax, to optimise collaboration and costs.

A key component of our success in 
driving performance along the value 
chain is creating an entrepreneurial and 
dynamic culture across our organisation.

Priorities going forward
 e Commercial excellence programmes, 
digitalisation initiatives and quality 
management systems

 e Continuous improvement initiatives  

to further enhance productivity, efficiency and 
reduce costs

Related risks and mitigation

1   3   8   9   10   15

Principal risks 
Page 38-47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Invest in assets with 
cost advantage

Inspire our people  
and grow responsibly

Partner with customers  
for innovation

We believe that our portfolio of assets 
is industry leading. Investing in our 
cost-advantaged asset base to maintain 
and enhance our competitiveness is 
of particular importance for our pulp 
and paper operations where products 
are generally more standardised and 
relative cost competitiveness is a 
key value driver. We focus on driving 
organic growth, strengthening our 
cost competitiveness, enhancing our 
product offering, quality and service 
to customers, and improving our 
environmental footprint. We invest in 
our existing operations and, where 
appropriate, in acquisitions. We aim 
to acquire businesses that produce 
high-quality products with sustainable 
competitive advantage and the potential 
to achieve world-class operating 
standards. This enables us to generate 
synergies through integration, enhance 
our product and service offering and/or 
extend our geographic reach to better 
serve our customers.

Our integrated business model, with 
backward pulp integration and high 
electricity self-sufficiency, provides us 
with security of supply and reduced 
exposure to raw material price volatility, 
and helps us manage sustainability risks 
and opportunities more holistically.

Our disciplined approach to 
investigating, approving and executing 
capital projects is one of our key 
strengths and plays an important role 
in successfully delivering strong returns 
through the cycle. 

We engage with our people to ensure 
their commitment to a business which 
they feel is responsible, empowering 
and able to offer a range of development 
opportunities. Creating an environment 
that fosters and respects diversity and 
inclusion is vital to our success, and 
improves our competitive advantage in 
becoming an employer of choice. 

We believe that being part of the 
solution to global sustainability 
challenges will secure the long-term 
success of our business and the 
wellbeing of our communities and other 
stakeholders. Communicating openly 
and working together helps us to better 
understand and address risks and 
opportunities so that we can continue to 
generate value for our stakeholders long 
into the future.

Our sustainability commitments are 
reflected across the 10 Action Areas 
of our Growing Responsibly model, 
including 16 commitments to 2020 
(the climate commitment runs to 
2030). We are already working on our 
approach post 2020 to build on our 
achievements, monitor and improve 
the way sustainability is embedded 
in our business, and enable our 
future success.

Our collaborative partnerships are key 
as we look to scale up our contribution 
beyond our own boundaries. It’s only by 
working together that we will achieve the 
impact, innovation and scale necessary 
to bring about change.

Priorities going forward
 e On time and on budget execution  
of capital investment programme

 e Continue to evaluate value-enhancing organic 

and inorganic investment opportunities

Priorities going forward
 e Continued initiatives to engage our people, 

with special attention to diversity and 
inclusion initiatives

 e Continue to manage sustainability risks 

and opportunities, and develop post 2020 
Growing Responsibly commitments

Working with our customers to 
create high-quality, innovative and 
sustainable solutions is key to our 
long-term success. In our upstream 
packaging and paper operations 
our focus is on producing lighter-
weight packaging materials without 
compromising strength; enhancing the 
printing quality of our products; and 
achieving productivity and efficiency 
gains. Our converting operations focus 
on product innovation to help our 
customers find the most sustainable 
packaging for each product; protect and 
promote their products; and optimise 
longevity, freshness and convenience.

In our Fibre Packaging business, our 
backward integration provides us 
security of paper supply and enables us 
to carry developments in our upstream 
paper operations over to our converting 
plants. As a leading producer of plastic 
and fibre-based packaging, we are 
uniquely positioned to leverage our 
relationships and product know-how 
to offer our customers innovative and 
sustainable solutions, combining 
the best of our paper and flexible 
plastic packaging.

Getting innovation right is critical to 
meeting increasingly sophisticated and 
bespoke customer needs. Our R&D 
centres and innovation activities span the 
entire value chain. We also cooperate 
with external partners to maximise the 
potential of our R&D around designs, 
technologies, procedures, and markets 
to deliver products that enable our 
customers to succeed, while minimising 
the impact on society.

Priorities going forward
 e Strong focus on product innovation especially 
around sustainable paper and plastic-based 
packaging solutions

 e Further implementation and enhancement of 
digital CRM systems across our businesses

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Related risks and mitigation

Related risks and mitigation

Related risks and mitigation

1   4   9   10

Principal risks 
Page 38-47

8   9   11   12   13   14

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Principal risks 
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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
28

Strategic performance
A strong track record  
of value accretive growth

2018 was a successful year for the Group. We delivered strong 
results, building on our track record of value accretive growth, 
which is testament to our consistent and focused strategy,  
robust business model, integrated approach to sustainability,  
and firm commitment to drive performance. 

Our financial 
performance in 2018
Group revenue of €7,481 million was up 
5%. Excluding the impact of acquisitions 
and divestitures, revenue was up 4%, 
mainly due to higher average selling prices 
achieved across all our businesses. 

We saw volume growth in Fibre Packaging, 
driven by the benefit of previously 
completed capital investment projects, 
operational improvements and strong 
organic volume growth in Industrial Bags. 

Consumer Packaging volumes were 
impacted by our targeted approach to 
exit lower margin business and a decline 
in volumes in personal care components. 

While core product volumes in the 
Uncoated Fine Paper business were up 
year-on-year, market pulp and newsprint 
volumes were negatively impacted, 
respectively, by the extended shut at our 
Richards Bay mill (South Africa) and the 
strategic decision taken in the prior year to 
exit the newsprint market in South Africa. 

Underlying EBITDA was up 19% to 
€1,764 million. We benefited from good 
demand across our fibre packaging 
businesses, higher average selling prices 
and the contribution from our recent 
acquisitions. We are particularly pleased to 
report on a robust operating performance, 
delivering productivity gains and strong 
cost containment, mitigating the inflationary 
pressures on our cost base. 

Our return on capital employed (ROCE) was 
23.6%. After taking into consideration the 
impact of depreciation and special items, 
operating profit of €1,192 million was up 23%. 

We continue to make good progress 
in delivering value accretive growth 
and enhancing the ongoing cost 
competitiveness of our operations through 
our capital expenditure programme. 
During the fourth quarter of 2018, we 
successfully started up the €335 million 
modernisation of our kraft paper facility in 
Štĕtí (Czech Republic) and we received the 
final permits to proceed with our investment 
in a 300,000 tonne kraft top white machine 
at our Ružomberok mill (Slovakia), while 
work to upgrade the pulp mill at the same 
site is progressing well.

Group revenue
€ million

€7,481m

Group underlying EBITDA
€ million

€1,764m

q19%

on 
2017

7,481

7,096

1,764

1,325

1,366

1,482

1,126

6,819

6,662

6,402

  Fibre Packaging 

1,086

  Consumer Packaging 

194

  Uncoated Fine Paper 

516

Breakdown excludes corporate 
costs of €32 million 

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Underlying EBITDA margin
% 

Underlying EBITDA development by Business Unit
€ million

Current estimated pre-tax weighted average cost of capital  

23.6

253

(28)

52

5

1,764

(446)

20.5

20.9

1,482

19.4

17.6

(126)

1,192

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Underlying 
EBITDA 

Fibre
Packaging

Consumer
Packaging

Uncoated
Fine Paper

Corporate

Underlying
EBITDA

Depreciation,
amortisation
& impairment

Special
items

Operating 
profit 

2017

2018

2018

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Investing in our cost-advantaged assets 
gives us a strong platform for growth.

Peter Oswald Chief Executive Officer (left) 
Andrew King Chief Financial Officer (right)

Expansionary capital expenditure projects 
at a number of our packaging operations 
and the integration of acquisitions 
completed in the year will further enhance 
our production capabilities and product 
offering to customers. 

Basic underlying earnings of 189.1 euro 
cents per share were up 27% compared 
to 2017.

A special item net charge amounting to 
€126 million before tax was recognised 
(2017: €61 million) for restructuring and 
closure costs and related impairments. 
After taking the effect of special items into 
account, basic earnings of 170.1 euro cents 
per share were up 23% compared to 2017.

Cash generated from operations of 
€1,654 million (2017: €1,363 million), reflects 
the continued strong cash generating ability 
of the Group. Following the payment of a 
special dividend (€484 million) in May and 
the completion of acquisitions totalling 
€424 million during the year, net debt was 
up to €2,220 million (2017: €1,532 million) 
or 1.3 times (2017: 1.0 times) net debt to 
12-month trailing underlying EBITDA.

Financial performance 
Page 64-67

Delivering value 
accretive growth
We made good progress on all our 
strategic value drivers in 2018, continuing 
to deliver value accretive growth and cost 
optimisation. Our position as a global 
packaging and paper group secures a solid 
foundation to grow, with our packaging 
interests offering exposure to good 
structural growth opportunities.

In June 2018, we completed the acquisition 
of Powerflute (Finland), an integrated pulp 
and paper mill with a production capacity 
of 285,000 tonnes per annum of high-
performance semi-chemical fluting, for a total 
consideration of €365 million on a debt and 
cash-free basis. The integration is progressing 
well and further broadens our containerboard 
product range and geographic reach. 
We also completed two industrial bag plant 
acquisitions in Egypt bolstering our presence 
in the fast growing Middle East industrial 
bag market, enabling us to better serve our 
customers in the region. 

While in recent years we have found greater 
opportunity for value-enhancing growth 
through organic capital investments, 
acquisition led growth remains important 
to our strategy and we continue to evaluate 
opportunities as they arise.

Strategic framework 
Page 26-27

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%

  Emerging Europe 

  Western Europe 

  Russia 

  South Africa 

  North America 

  Other 

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10

11

5

4

Return on capital employed (ROCE)
% (12-month trailing)

23.6%

20.5

20.3

19.3

17.2

23.6

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2015

2016

2017

2018

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
30

Strategic performance

Drive performance along  
the value chain

We continue to benefit from our ongoing 
operational excellence and cost control 
initiatives, driving productivity and efficiency 
as well as minimising waste. To further 
improve the reliability and technical integrity 
of our pulp and paper operations and 
reduce maintenance costs we continue 
to develop our asset management 
processes, including the implementation of 
specific training to enhance the skills and 
qualifications of our people across our mill 
network. We also established a programme 
to optimise the performance of our recovery 
boilers, which we expect will deliver energy 
savings, enable best-practice sharing 
and continue to improve the reliability of 
our operations.

To continue to optimise our production 
footprint and leverage our cost-advantaged 
locations, we undertook a number of 
restructuring initiatives during the year. 

We announced the closure of two industrial 
bag plants in Europe, and one in Kentucky 
(US) and restructured our UK Consumer 
Packaging operations, including the closure 
of our plant in Scunthorpe. We stopped 
production of in-line silicone coated products 
at Štětí due to technical challenges and 
process complexity, and uncoated fine 
paper production at one of our machines 
at Merebank (South Africa) due to declining 
margins on unintegrated paper production 
following the rapid rise in hardwood pulp 
input costs. In June 2018, we completed 
the sale of a flat sack kraft paper mill in Pine 
Bluff, Arkansas (US), with 130,000 tonnes of 
annual production capacity.

We believe digital solutions can help us 
drive performance to further enhance our 
competitiveness. We are piloting a number of 
digital projects across the Group, focused on 
applying advanced analytics in our processes 
to improve quality and pricing decisions as 
well as introducing new ways to share best 
practice across our machines and plants.

The power of people in a successful integration process

In June 2018 we acquired 
Powerflute, an integrated pulp 
and paper mill in Kuopio (Finland), 
supporting our strategy to invest in 
high-quality packaging and paper 
assets; enhancing our product 
portfolio; and increasing our 
exposure to the growing global 
food and consumer electronics 
packaging sectors. It also makes 
us the leading European virgin 
containerboard producer.

Successful acquisitions have 
been a key part of Mondi’s 
growth over the years. We know 
how important it is to involve 
people right from the start so 

that they feel a connection to 
Mondi’s culture and strategy, and 
understand how to contribute to 
business objectives. This helps to 
ensure a smooth transition with 
a focus on creating a safe and 
inspiring working environment 
while transferring knowledge, 
driving performance and 
prioritising our customers.

A structured integration process 
with clear responsibilities is 
essential to maximise potential. 
The Powerflute integration 
brought together a diverse team 
of around 70 people including 
local management and Mondi 

specialists in areas such as 
safety, supply chain, capex 
and operations, information 
technology, human resources, 
communication and marketing as 
well as procurement.

The team has been collaborating 
across 18 workstreams, with 6 
already successfully completed 
by the end of 2018. And there are 
opportunities to keep learning 
from each other as we focus on 
benchmarking best practice, 
optimising operational excellence, 
and realising synergies.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Invest in assets with  
cost advantage

We have a focused capital expenditure 
project pipeline securing our future 
growth. Over the past three years our 
major capital projects have contributed 
€95 million of incremental operating profit, 
including €20 million in 2018. We expect 
to generate a further €50 million in 2019. 
Key developments are outlined below.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, we 
successfully commissioned the €335 million 
modernisation of the Štětí mill to replace the 
recovery boiler, rebuild the fibre lines and 
debottleneck the existing packaging paper 
machines. The project is expected to result 
in additional annual production of 90,000 
tonnes of softwood market pulp and 
55,000 tonnes of packaging paper. 

We obtained the final necessary permitting 
to proceed with the €340 million investment 
in a new 300,000 tonne per annum kraft 
top white machine at Ružomberok, with 
start-up expected towards the end of 2020. 
The related pulp mill upgrade at the same 
site is progressing according to plan with 
start-up expected in late 2019.

Responding to continued good demand 
across our range of speciality kraft papers 
in Europe, supported by the drive to 
replace plastic carrier bags with paper-
based alternatives, we have approved a 
€67 million capital investment project to 
convert a containerboard machine at Štětí 
to be fully dedicated to the production of 
speciality kraft paper with a mix of recycled 
and virgin fibre content for shopping 
bag applications. This will also allow us 
to optimise productivity and efficiency 
at Świecie (Poland), where this grade is 
currently produced. The project will result 
in an additional 75,000 tonnes per annum 
of speciality kraft paper capacity, while 
reducing our containerboard capacity by 
around 30,000 tonnes per annum. Start-up 
is expected by the end of 2020.

Investing in Mondi Štětí to create social and economic value

Our Štětí mill has set its sights 
on an ambitious new vision: 
to cement its position as one 
of the leading speciality and 
sack kraft paper mills in the 
world by significantly expanding 
its production of top quality 
products, at the lowest costs in 
the market. 

The €335 million modernisation 
project, commissioned as 
planned at the end of 2018, 
is fundamental to realising 
this ambition and facilitating 
future development.

The project scope includes 
the rebuild of the fibre lines, 
debottlenecking the existing 
packaging paper machines, and a 
new recovery boiler.

The benefits of the project include:

 e Increasing softwood market 
pulp production by 90,000 
tonnes per annum, and lowering 
per tonne pulp production costs

 e Debottlenecking the existing 

packaging paper machines to 
increase production by 55,000 
tonnes per annum
 e Reducing the mill’s 

environmental footprint
 e Increasing electricity self-
sufficiency and lowering 
energy costs

 e Creating new jobs which will 
have a positive impact on the 
region’s economic development

Engaging with the Štětí 
community has been and 
continues to be key, and we’re 
seeing the benefits through 
improved local relationships and 
opportunities. Describing Mondi’s 
Štětí mill as a ‘shining example of 
a successful foreign investment’, 
Bohuslav Sobotka, Prime Minister 
of the Czech Republic said, 
“This modernisation project 
demonstrates Mondi’s long-term 
commitment to growth and 
sustainable business in the  
Czech Republic, and will deliver 
benefits to both the region and the 
national economy.”

Capital expenditure
€ million

€709m

709

611

562

595

465

Five-year net investment1 
%

  Corrugated 
value chain2 

  Bags value chain3 

44%

37%

  Consumer Packaging  19%

  Uncoated Fine Paper 

0%

31

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As part of our plan to maintain Syktyvkar’s 
(Russia) competitiveness and increase 
saleable production by around 100,000 
tonnes per annum in the medium term, we 
are investing to debottleneck production 
and avoid unplanned shutdowns, including 
various upgrades of the mill infrastructure, 
fibre lines and pulp dryer, and a new 
evaporation plant. 

We are investigating alternatives for the 
modernisation of our Richards Bay facility, 
including the modernisation of the mill’s 
energy and chemical plants.

We continue to invest in our Fibre 
Packaging and Consumer Packaging 
converting plants with competitive 
advantages to grow with our customers, 
enhance our product and service offering 
and reduce conversion costs.

Our recently completed and planned major 
capital projects in the Czech Republic, 
Slovakia and Russia are expected to 
increase our current saleable pulp and 
paper production by around 10% when in 
full operation. 

In recent years, we have invested 
significantly in the modernisation and 
growth of our Consumer Packaging 
business. While further capital investment 
opportunities in this business remain an 
option, we are currently focused on the 
optimisation of our existing operations 
including leveraging recently completed 
investments as well as completing current 
capital investment projects underway. 

Given the approved project pipeline and in 
the absence of any other major investment, 
our capital expenditure is expected to be in 
the range of €700-800 million per annum, 
on average, for 2019 and 2020. 

Vertical integration 
production in million tonnes

We use

Net market exposure

0.2
4.1

3.8

1.61

0.3
0.8

1.7

0.3

0.6

(0.1)

Pulp

Virgin 
container-
board

Recycled 
container-
board

Kraft 
paper

Uncoated
fine
paper

1  In addition to the 1.6mt of uncoated fine paper, the Group also 
  produced 0.2mt of newsprint in 2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

1  Net investment calculated as capex less depreciation and 
  amortisation, plus acquisitions, less disposals 
2  Corrugated value chain comprises Containerboard and Corrugated 
  Packaging business segments
3  Bags value chain comprises Kraft Paper, Industrial Bags and 
  Extrusion Coatings business segments

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
32

Strategic performance

Inspire our people  
and grow responsibly

Our Growing Responsibly model remains 
the framework through which we shape 
our long-term response to sustainability, 
and enables us to demonstrate, monitor 
and improve our sustainability performance 
across the value chain. The model covers 
10 Action Areas that reflect the aspects 
of sustainability that are most relevant for 
Mondi and our stakeholders. Within these 
Action Areas, we have made 16 public 
commitments to be achieved by 2020, 
along with a carbon emissions commitment 
that runs to 2030. 

In addition to driving our response to 
the sustainability issues that are most 
relevant to our business, our commitments 
demonstrate Mondi’s positive contribution 
to achieving the UN Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs).

In 2018, we completed a new materiality 
assessment to understand the relative 
importance of our material issues to our 
stakeholders, and to identify new and 
emerging issues. The results will inform our 
commitments beyond 2020. 

When it comes to our safety performance, 
we have come a long way over the last 10 
years. Open and honest discussions have 
seen a step change in the way we engage 
in, and take responsibility for safety. But while 
we are among the safety leaders in our 
industry, unsafe behaviour was a common 
factor in many of our incidents in 2018. 
We were deeply saddened by the fatality of a 
contractor at Syktyvkar in April 2018 during 
planned maintenance work at the woodyard 
as well as five life-altering injuries across the 
business. Unfortunately, we suffered another 
fatality in January 2019 when a contractor 
lost his life during drilling works at the 
construction site of our new paper machine 
in Ružomberok. Thorough investigations are 
conducted after all incidents and action plans 
implemented to prevent repeat incidents.

With zero harm our goal, we continue to work 
tirelessly to eliminate fatal and life-altering 
injuries by focusing on the top risks at all 
operations enabling us to better anticipate 
and manage our highest risk activities. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Purpose, impact and scale:  
Making a real contribution to the UN SDGs

collaborating with key players 
and stakeholders and scaling 
our efforts.

Impactful response
This thinking has seen us focus 
on SDGs 7, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 
15. These are the areas where 
we have the greatest impact 
and are best positioned to 
contribute meaningfully.

Supporting youth-
led solutions
In 2018, we partnered with One 
Young World on the Lead2030 
initiative – a competition to find 
youth-led practical solutions to 
drive progress on the SDGs. 
We committed to funding a 
project where the winning 
candidate has the opportunity 
to turn their concept into a viable 
waste tackling solution.

Action at scale
The ambitions of the SDGs call 
for new types of partnership. 
This is why, as a member of 
WBCSD’s Forest Solutions Group 
(FSG), we are working with other 
companies to develop a SDG 

sector roadmap. Set to launch 
in mid-2019 the roadmap aims 
to inform decision-making by 
describing the most impactful 
contributions the sector can make 
through process, product and 
partnership innovation.

Purposeful communication
Advancing our communication 
of the SDGs, this year we have 
introduced a comprehensive 
index that references SDG links 
throughout our online Sustainable 
development report, enhancing 
the accessibility, transparency 
and navigability of our disclosure. 
Integrating the SDGs into our 
reporting brings focus and 
perspective to our sustainability 
thinking and messaging, 
strengthens our social relevance 
as a business and helps us to set 
more meaningful future targets.

Online Sustainable 
development report 
Page 29

Stakeholder expectations of 
business taking an active and 
central role in tackling global 
development challenges have 
increased significantly.

At Mondi we believe that the 
primary contribution of any 
business to the SDGs is through 
job opportunities, taxes and social 
and economic development.

Beyond these however, we 
understand that making a real 
and lasting difference to the global 
development agenda can only 
be achieved by considering our 
impacts, targeting our response, 

We continue to focus on the 24-hour safety 
mindset approach introduced in 2017. 
The concept is designed to tap into people’s 
awareness on an emotional, unconscious 
level by applying safety to all aspects of their 
lives, not just at work. In 2018, we had 262 
recordable cases, which equates to a TRCR 
of 0.68. This is in line with the previous year 
level (adjusted for acquisitions) and 11% lower 
than our 2015 baseline.

As a Group, we aim to be an employer 
of choice by attracting talent, creating a 
stronger culture of employee recognition 
and retaining our high-performing 
workforce. We have a number of 
programmes currently in place and are 
defining further initiatives to ensure we have 
the right talent and succession plans to 
deliver on our long-term strategic targets. 

In 2018, we focused in particular on 
creating a culture that encourages diversity 
and inclusion, which will enhance our 
competitive advantage going forward.

Our most recent group-wide employee 
survey was carried out in February 
2018. All Mondi employees were 
invited to take part, with the survey 
available in 24 languages. We are 
encouraged by the response rate of 89% 
(2015: 90%), reflecting the engagement of 
our employees in achieving a better, more 
inspiring workplace together. 

Positive findings included employee 
empowerment in stopping unsafe 
behaviour, employees’ perception of 
positive attitude among leadership, and 
the common characteristic of ‘thinking 
ahead and acting quickly’ in teams. 
Key actions in response to the findings 
include increasing focus on care and 
recognition for our employees, as well as 
continuing to strengthen our culture of 
people development. 

Value distribution1  
%

€2,773m

  Employees 

  Providers 
  of equity capital 

  Direct taxes paid 

  Providers 
  of loan capital 

  Reinvested  
in the Group 

38

29

9

3

21

1  Value distribution defined as operating profit before taking into account 
  personnel costs and depreciation, amortisation and impairments

Total recordable case rate (TRCR)
per 200,000 hours worked

0.83

0.76

0.69

0.68

0.68

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

1  2015–2017 restated to include acquisitions, and 2017 includes 
  a confirmed fatality of a missing person in Syktyvkar
2  The total number of hours worked (employees and contractors) 

in 2018 was 77.6 million hours (2017: 75.3 million hours)
3  2018 excludes Powerflute and Egyptian industrial bag plants 
  acquired in 2018

GHG emissions from our pulp 
and paper mills

Scope 1 (million tonnes)
Scope 2 (million tonnes)

Specific Total CO2e

s
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1.00

4.31

0.78

4.48

1
3
8
.
0

3
8
.
0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

1.0

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.67
4.07

0.69
3.78

0.58
3.81

6
7
.
0

2
7
.
0

2
2
7
.
0

l

l

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f

2014

2015

2018
1  The 2014 baseline of 0.844t/t excludes a divested mill
2  0.722t/t excludes Powerflute (acquired in 2018) but includes 
  Pine Bluff until date of divestiture 

2017

2016

A number of our major capital projects 
currently in progress and recently 
completed are expected to contribute to 
our Growing Responsibly commitments, 
particularly relating to greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions and waste reduction. 
We are pleased our total specific CO2e 
emissions (in tonnes per tonne of 
saleable production) have declined to 
0.72, a 14.5% reduction against the 2014 
baseline, as we continue to make progress 
in making our business less carbon 
intensive. The contribution of biomass-
based renewable energy to the total fuel 
consumption of our mills has increased 
from 59% in 2014 to 64% in 2018. 

We continue working closely with WWF 
in the fifth year of our global partnership 
focusing on water stewardship in 
South Africa, protection of intact forest 
landscapes in Russia, sustainable forest 
management and biodiversity as well as 
setting long term reduction targets for our 
GHG emissions. In 2018, we joined WWF’s 
Climate Savers, a leadership programme 
for businesses, as part of our commitment 
to continue to work on further reducing our 
GHG emissions using the science-based 
target setting methodology.

The environmental impact of flexible plastic 
packaging continues to gain attention, both 
externally and internally. We are working with 
partners across our value chain to reinvent 
flexible plastic packaging so that it is fit for 
a circular economy. Evidence shows that 
flexible plastic is often the most sustainable 
solution over the course of its life-cycle, if it is 
disposed of responsibly. 

Mondi joined the Ellen MacArthur 
Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Initiative 
in 2017, and in 2018 we pledged to increase 
investment in research and development, 
and drive deeper collaboration throughout 
our supply chain to move away from 
non-renewable and non-recyclable plastic. 
We are one of the first signatories of The 
New Plastics Economy Global Commitment 
– committing to 100% of plastic-based 
packaging being reusable, recyclable or 
compostable; and 25% being from recycled 
content (where it does not compromise 
functionality or food health requirements) 
by 2025.

Sustainability performance 
Page 48-63

Online Sustainable development report 
www.mondigroup.com/sd18

33

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Partner with customers  
for innovation

As a producer of both paper and plastic 
packaging, we believe we are uniquely 
positioned to leverage our customer 
relationships and paper, bag and barriers 
know-how to develop sustainable 
packaging solutions for our customers. 
We believe all packaging must be ‘fit for 
purpose’: paper where possible, plastic 
when useful. During the year we focused on 
strengthening our portfolio of EcoSolutions: 
high-performance paper-based, flexible 
plastic and hybrid packaging solutions.

Mondi won eight 2019 WorldStar awards, 
more than any other packaging company 
worldwide, consolidating our position 
as a truly innovative force in the industry. 
BarrierPack Recyclable has also been 
shortlisted as one of three finalists for the 
special Sustainability Award (winner to be 
announced in May 2019).

In April 2018, we hosted ‘Let’s paper 
the world’, the first European shopping 
bag summit bringing together leading 
converters, suppliers and customers 
to collaboratively address the fast 
growing needs for sustainable paper-
based shopping bag solutions and to 
showcase our ‘shoppingworld by Mondi’ 
product range.

Flexible plastic packaging, when 
manufactured, used and disposed of 
appropriately, delivers many benefits from 
resource efficiency (by reducing material 
usage and being less transport intense) to 
reducing food waste by enabling correct 
sized portions and extending shelf-life. 

One of the most significant developments 
in 2018 was the momentum gained in 
the way we are working with customers 
to develop innovative and sustainable 
flexible plastic packaging. The New Plastics 
Economy Initiative has rallied businesses 
and governments behind a positive vision 
of a circular economy for plastics. It has 
brought together 290 signatories, including 
many leading companies, who have also 
committed to working towards 100% 
reusable, recyclable, or compostable 
plastic packaging by 2025. 

Business review: Consumer Packaging 
Page 76-79

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34

Strategic performance

During the year we spent €22 million on 
R&D across our businesses to develop 
innovative products for our customers. 
By leveraging our specialised R&D 
capabilities and partnering with our 
customers, we are able to provide  
cutting-edge solutions that meet our 
customers’ evolving needs.

We continue to evolve our customer 
interaction and partnerships using digital 
solutions. During 2018, we updated and 
enhanced our digital technical sales 

service platform further supporting our 
containerboard customers and connected 
all targeted uncoated fine paper customers 
to our myMondi platform. These 24/7 
on-line systems support our customers by 
providing product and order information 
thereby increasing efficiency through the 
sales process. We continue to explore 
digital platforms that further connect us to 
our customers.

Collaborating with big brands to meet  
their ambitious sustainable packaging targets

Top FMCGs, retailers and other 
big brands are under scrutiny for 
the plastic used in their products 
and packaging. Many of our 
biggest customers have already 
communicated ambitious targets 
and they are going to be relying 
on us to provide them with 
innovative high-quality sustainable 
solutions from across our range 
of high-performance paper-
based, flexible plastic and hybrid 
packaging solutions.

In terms of plastic packaging, 
evidence shows that flexible 
plastic is often the most 
sustainable solution over the 
course of its life-cycle, if it is 
disposed of responsibly. 

So we are working with partners 
across our value chain to reinvent 
flexible plastic packaging so that it 
is fit for a sustainable economy.

A good example is our WorldStar 
award winning BarrierPack 
Recyclable. We launched this 
fully-recyclable plastic laminate 
in 2018 and it has already been 
validated for existing industrial 
recycling streams. It was 
developed in direct response to 
customer needs for packaging 
that reduces plastic waste 
without compromising on quality 
or functionality.

Ton Emans, Managing Director 
at CeDo Recycling & President 
of Plastics Recyclers Europe, 
said: “The European Commission 
announced a strategy in January 
2018 to ensure that all plastic 
packaging is recyclable by 2030. 
This innovation shows that flexible 
plastic packaging can become 
truly circular.”

We are well positioned to support 
our customers on their path to 
a circular economy by finding 
the most sustainable packaging 
solution for each application – 
paper where possible, plastic 
when useful.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Strategic financial priorities 
and returns to shareholders
We manage our cost of capital by 
maintaining an appropriate capital structure 
with a balance between equity and net 
debt. The primary sources of our debt 
include our €2.5 billion Guaranteed Euro 
Medium Term Note Programme and our 
€750 million Syndicated Revolving Credit 
Facility. The Group’s liquidity position 
remains robust. At the end of the year, 
€616 million of our €2.5 billion committed 
debt facilities were undrawn and the 
weighted average maturity of committed 
debt facilities was 4.6 years.

Our free cash flow priorities remain 
unchanged. We are focused on maintaining 
solid investment grade credit metrics, 
undertaking selective organic capital 
investment opportunities and supporting 
the ordinary dividend. To the extent we 
have capacity beyond these requirements, 
we are able to consider acquisitions and/or 
additional shareholder distributions. 

We believe that a strong and stable financial 
position, supported by an investment grade 
credit rating, increases our flexibility and 
provides opportunities to access capital 
markets throughout the business cycle, 
allowing us to take advantage of strategic 
opportunities when they arise.

We pursue a dividend policy that reflects 
our strategy of disciplined and value-
creating investment and growth, with the 
aim of offering shareholders long-term 
dividend growth.

We target an ordinary dividend cover range 
of two to three times underlying earnings on 
average over the cycle, although the payout 
ratio in each year will vary in accordance 
with the business cycle.

Our Boards have recommended payment 
of a final ordinary dividend of 54.55 euro 
cents per share, bringing the total ordinary 
dividend for the year to 76.0 euro cents per 
share, an increase of 23% on 2017.

Five-year cumulative cash flow 
€ billion

5.1

(2.9)

(1.7)

(0.9)

(0.2)

0.6

Cash flow
generation

Invested in
asset base

Distributed to
shareholders

Spent on 
acquisitions

Effect of
restatement1

Change in
net debt

1  Net debt prior to 2017 does not include the effect of IFRS 16

Total ordinary dividends per share
euro cents 

76

euro 
cents

Interim ordinary dividend
Ordinary dividend cover (times) 

Final ordinary dividend

2
6
.
7
3

2.6

8
3
.
4
1

7
7
.
8
2
2.6

3
2
.
3
1

9
1
.
8
3

2.4

1
8
.
8
1

0
9
.
2
4

2.4

0
1
.
9
1

2
5
5
.
4
5

2.5

5
4
.
1
2

2014

2015

2016

20171

2018

1  In addition to the 2017 ordinary dividend, a special dividend of 
  100 euro cents was paid in 2018
2  Proposed

Strategic risk management
The industries and geographies in which 
we operate expose us to specific risks. 
These include:

 e Industry productive capacity
 e Product substitution
 e Fluctuations and variability in selling 

prices or gross margins

 e Country risk

These risks are long term in nature and 
accepted by the Boards as they are 
directly related to the Group’s strategy and 
operating footprint. The Boards continue 
to monitor our exposure to these risks and 
investment decisions are evaluated against 
our exposures and the established tolerance 
levels for any individual strategic risk. 
Our conservative funding model and low level 
of financial leverage provide some protection 
against these risks, while we continually 
monitor key trends impacting our business, 
taking early and decisive action to mitigate 
emerging risks where necessary.

Principal risks 
Page 38-47

Simplification of  
corporate structure
On 19 November 2018, the Boards 
announced a proposal to simplify the 
existing Mondi Group structure from the 
current dual listed company structure into 
a single holding company structure under 
Mondi plc. 

If approved, the simplification will be 
implemented by way of a South African 
scheme of arrangement whereby 
Mondi plc will acquire Mondi Limited. 
Mondi Limited shareholders will receive 
one new Mondi plc share in exchange 
for each Mondi Limited share held. 
Following the simplification, each Mondi 
plc shareholder will have the same voting 
and capital interests in the Group as each 
Mondi Limited and Mondi plc shareholder 
currently has. 

The proposed simplification will enhance 
strategic flexibility, increase transparency 
and remove the complexity associated 
with the current structure. It will also 
simplify cash and dividend flows and 
facilitate continued investment in the South 
African operations.

Mondi plc will continue to have a premium 
listing on the London Stock Exchange 
and will have an inward secondary listing 
on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange 
quoted in rand. Mondi plc shares will 
continue to be included in the FTSE 100 
index. Today Mondi Limited shares are not 
eligible for inclusion in the FTSE 100 index. 
Following the issue of Mondi plc shares 
in exchange for Mondi Limited shares as 
a result of the simplification, it is expected 
that Mondi plc’s weighting in the FTSE 
100 index will increase. Mondi plc shares 
are expected to continue to be eligible for 
inclusion in the key JSE indices.

The simplification is subject to certain 
conditions, including, among other things, 
the approval of the shareholders of Mondi 
Limited and Mondi plc. A shareholder 
circular, scheme document and prospectus 
is expected to be made available to 
shareholders at the end of the first quarter 
in accordance with the Annual General 
Meetings timetable. Implementation is 
currently expected in the second half 
of 2019.

Near-term outlook
Looking ahead, while there are macro-
economic uncertainties, we remain 
confident in the structural growth drivers in 
the packaging sectors in which we operate. 
Pricing is mixed going into 2019, with recent 
price reductions in containerboard grades 
and market pulp and stronger pricing in 
our kraft paper markets. During 2019, 
we are planning longer maintenance and 
project related shuts, while looking forward 
to the incremental contribution from 
recently completed major capital projects 
and acquisitions.

Mondi is uniquely positioned to develop 
sustainable packaging solutions. With our 
robust business model, strong balance 
sheet, focus on leveraging key industry 
trends of sustainability, e-commerce 
and enhancing brand value, and culture 
of continuously driving performance, 
we continue to look to the future 
with confidence. 

Peter Oswald 
Chief Executive Officer 

Andrew King
Chief Financial Officer

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
36

Key performance indicators
Tracking our  
performance

We track our long-term performance against 
strategic, sustainable development and financial 
key performance indicators. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Aligning KPIs to remuneration

Our KPIs are intended to provide a broad 
measure of Mondi’s performance. We set 
individual targets for each of our business 
units in support of these Group KPIs. 

 e Our strategic KPIs measure our success 
in creating value accretive growth for 
our shareholders 

 e Sustainable development KPIs track 
our progress against our Growing 
Responsibly commitments

 e Financial KPIs provide comparable 

measures of our operating and cash 
generating performance

Our Remuneration report describes 
how our executive directors and senior 
management are remunerated in line with 
these KPIs. In particular, the executive 
directors are set specific targets relating to 
ROCE, underlying EBITDA and safety for 
purposes of the Bonus Share Plan and on 
Total Shareholder Return and ROCE for the 
Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Remuneration report 
Page 122-141

Strategic

Strategic performance 
Page 28-35

Return on capital employed (ROCE)
% (12-month trailing) 

Total shareholder return (TSR)1
%

ROCE
Current estimated pre-tax weighted average cost of capital  

Mondi plc

Median of peer group

20.5

20.3

19.3

17.2

23.6

1-year

-10%

3-year

15%

10.5

5-year

74%

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

1  Based on 31 December value 

Why this is a KPI
ROCE provides a measure of the efficient and 
effective use of capital in our operations.

We compare ROCE to our current estimated Group 
pre-tax weighted average cost of capital to measure 
the value we create.

2018 performance
ROCE of 23.6% reflects an industry-leading  
performance.

Why this is a KPI
TSR provides a market-related measure of the Group’s 
progress against our objective of delivering long-term 
value for our shareholders.

TSR measures the total return to Mondi’s 
shareholders, including both share price 
appreciation and dividends paid.

2018 performance
Mondi realised a five-year TSR of 74% and recommended 
a total ordinary dividend of 76.0 euro cents per share. 
In addition to the 2017 ordinary dividend, a special 
dividend of 100.0 euro cents per share was paid in 2018.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Sustainable development

Sustainability performance 
Page 48-63

Online Sustainable development report 
www.mondigroup.com/sd18

Total recordable case rate (TRCR)
per 200,000 hours worked

Sustainable fibre supply
% FSC- or PEFC-certified wood procured

Total specific CO2e emissions1
tonnes per tonne of saleable production

0.83

0.76

0.69

0.68

0.68

Wood (Internal and external)
2020 commitment: above 70% 

2030 commitment against 2014 base: below 0.718t/t

66

66

67

71

71

0.832

0.83

0.76

0.72

0.723

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

1  2015–2017 restated to include acquisitions, and 2017 includes 
  a confirmed fatality of a missing person in Syktyvkar
2  The total number of hours worked (employees and contractors) 

in 2018 was 77.6 million hours (2017: 75.3 million hours)
3  2018 excludes Powerflute and Egyptian industrial bag plants 
  acquired in 2018

Why this is a KPI
The safety and health of all our employees and 
contractors is of paramount importance, and we 
need to create a culture where people instinctively act 
safely. Our goal is a zero harm workplace.

2018 performance
While our overall TRCR has improved by 11% against 
the 2015 baseline, we were deeply saddened by the 
fatality and life-altering injuries during the year. 

1  2018 excludes Powerflute (acquired in 2018)

1  From our pulp and paper mills
2  The 2014 baseline of 0.844t/t excludes a divested mill
3  0.722t/t excludes Powerflute (acquired in 2018) but includes 
  Pine Bluff until date of divestiture

Why this is a KPI
Securing sustainable fibre for our integrated pulp 
and paper mills is critical to their long-term success. 
We are committed to maintaining 100% FSC-certified 
forests and procuring at least 70% of wood from  
FSC- or PEFC-certified sources by 2020. 

2018 performance
100% of our managed forests remained FSC-certified, 
and 71% of the wood we procured was FSC-or 
PEFC-certified, on track with our 2020 commitment.

Why this is a KPI
We have continually focused on making our business 
less carbon intensive to address climate impacts. 
We are committed to a 15% reduction in specific 
CO2e emissions by 2030 against our 2014 baseline.

2018 performance
To date, we have reduced our specific CO2e emissions 
by 14.5%, on track for our 2030 commitment. We have 
adopted a new science-based target for production-
related CO2 emissions intensity to 2050.

Financial

Financial performance 
Page 64-67

Underlying EBITDA 
€ million

Underlying operating profit 
€ million

  1 2 %

  C A G R 1 :

5 - y e a r

1,325

1,366

1,482

1,764

1,126

  1 4 %

  C A G R 1 :

1,318

981

1,029

5 - y e a r

957

767

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

1  Compound annual growth rate

1  Compound annual growth rate

Why this is a KPI
Underlying EBITDA provides a measure of the cash 
generating ability of the Group that is comparable 
from year to year. 

Why this is a KPI
Underlying operating profit provides a measure 
of the operating performance of the Group that is 
comparable from year to year.

Why this is a KPI
We aim to maintain investment grade credit ratings 
to ensure we have access to funding for investment 
opportunities through the business cycle.

2018 performance
Underlying EBITDA of €1,764 million represents a 
19% year-on-year increase, with a 5-year CAGR 
of 12%.

2018 performance
28% year-on-year increase in underlying operating 
profit to €1,318 million, with a 5-year CAGR of 14%.

2018 performance
Standard & Poor’s upgraded the Group’s credit rating 
to BBB+ (stable outlook), while Moody’s Investors 
Service maintained their Baa1 (stable outlook) 
credit rating. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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Dec2013Oct2014May2015Sep2017Apr2018Dec2018Investment grade credit ratingInvestment gradeNon-investment gradeMoody’s Investors ServiceStandard & Poor’sBBB+BBBBBB-BB+BBBB-Baa1Baa2Baa3Ba1Ba2Ba3 
 
 
38

Principal risks
Our proactive approach  
to risk management

Our risk management framework and internal control environment is 
designed to address all the significant strategic, financial, operational 
and compliance risks that could undermine our ability to achieve 
business objectives into the future. 

Our risk management framework and internal control environment

 e Overall responsibility for the Group’s strategy and risk management
 e Determine risk appetite in line with Group strategy, and approve the Group’s risk management framework
 e Approve the annual budget and three-year plan

Boards

Sustainable  
development committee

Audit  
committee

 e Monitors and reviews material safety, health, environment and 

 e Reviews and monitors the adequacy and effectiveness of the 

other sustainable development risks

Group’s internal control and risk management processes
 e Ongoing review of the principal risks through the course of 

the year

 e Approves the annual internal audit plan

 e Formulates risk management policies in terms of the approved risk management framework  

to ensure risks are managed within accepted tolerance levels

 e Assesses and monitors risks on an ongoing basis

Executive committee

Business units

Group functions

 e Responsible for identification of emerging risks and for 

 e Responsible for providing oversight, and management of certain 

implementation of risk management policies and procedures

specialised risk areas that benefit from central coordination 
 e Work closely with the business units to manage and monitor 

these risk areas

The three levels of assurance in our internal control environment

External 
audit
 e External assurance 
is provided through 
external audit 
which is designed 
to detect material 
errors and material 
irregularities that 
impact the financial 
statements

Internal 
audit

 e The Group 

has a centrally 
coordinated internal 
audit function, 
which makes use of 
local competency, 
and reports 
directly to the audit 
committee

Operational  
management

 e Key policies and procedures covering 
all main areas of business conduct are 
approved by the Boards and each business 
unit is required to adhere to these overall 
Group policies. 

 e Management is responsible for regularly 

reviewing its entity’s operating and financial 
performance and for preparing and 
reviewing monthly management accounts 
and business reports including safety, 
health, environmental and other material 
sustainability matters for the reporting period. 
 e Twice a year, all financial managers are required 
to complete an internal control assessment and 
provide written confirmation of compliance with 
Group policies and procedures. This formal 
confirmation highlights any control weaknesses 
or deficiencies identified.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Management review 
and assurance

 e Management is responsible for regularly 
reviewing the Group’s operating and 
financial performance, including monthly 
management accounts, the progress of 
significant capital investment projects and 
plans, safety, health, environmental and other 
sustainability matters. 

 e Management at Group level and, in more 
depth, at business unit level is responsible 
for a detailed assessment of current 
market conditions.

 e The Group functions (information technology, 

Group and business unit controlling, 
sustainable development, safety and health, 
treasury and tax) each have board-approved 
policies in place against which conduct is 
regularly assessed.

Independent  
assurance

 e Internal and external audit.
 e Speakout provides a confidential 
hotline for reporting irregularities. 
Follow up is coordinated by internal 
audit and reported to the Boards and 
audit committee.

 e The Group is registered with, and 

subject to, regular audits by a number of 
standard setting authorities, such as ISO.

 e The Group is subject to regular review 

and vetting by external regulatory 
bodies as well as non-regulatory 
parties, including annual insurance 
assessments, sustainable development 
data assurance, and information 
security programmes.

Risk management is by its nature 
a dynamic and ongoing process. 
Our well-defined approach is flexible 
to ensure that it remains relevant at all 
levels of the business, and dynamic 
to ensure we can be responsive 
to changing business conditions. 
This is particularly important given 
the diversity of the Group’s locations, 
markets and production processes.

In combination with the audit 
committee, the Boards have 
conducted a robust assessment of 
the principal risks to which Mondi is 
exposed and they are satisfied that 
the Group has effective systems 
and controls in place to manage its 
principal risks within the risk tolerance 
levels established.

The details of the review and the 
risk management framework and 
processes on which the Group’s risk 
review is based are set out in this 
section. This report addresses the 
Group’s principal risks.

Our risk management 
framework
The Boards have overall responsibility for 
setting the Group’s strategy and they are 
responsible for monitoring and maintaining 
the effectiveness of the Group’s risk 
management activities and internal control 
processes. The Boards have put in place 
procedures for identifying, evaluating, and 
managing the risks faced by the Group.

The Boards have determined the Group’s 
risk appetite, using a risk rating matrix which 
takes into consideration both the likelihood 
and the magnitude of the impact in the event 
that the risk event occurs. The risk rating 
matrix is based on the residual risk that the 
Group faces after taking into consideration 
the internal control environment and other 
mitigating factors. The Boards have also 
established specific risk tolerance levels for 
each category of risk. The Boards consider 
changes in current principal risks and review 
emerging risks during the year.

The audit committee performs an annual 
review of the risk management policy and 
plan, including consideration of acceptable 
risk tolerance levels for the Group. Each of 
the Group’s principal risks is reviewed in 
detail by the audit committee through the 
course of the year, considering the detailed 
risk description, the controls and mitigating 
actions in place and the resultant residual 
risk exposure. As in prior years, in 2019 the 
committee will continue to focus on the 
principal risks to the Group and the actions 
taken to mitigate these risks.

Business units are required to conduct 
an annual, detailed review of their risks 
and compile a risk register which is 
reviewed and approved by the business 
unit operating committees. The risk 
management process ensures that the 
various business unit operating committees 
review the principal risks in their respective 
businesses and identify the actions 
and controls in place to mitigate risk. 
Management assurance is provided on 
both a formal and informal basis, and risk 
management is embedded in all decision-
making processes, with ongoing review by 
the Boards and risk assessments forming 
part of all investment decisions.

Our internal control 
environment
Our internal control environment is 
designed to safeguard the Group’s assets, 
ensure reliability and integrity of information 
and ensure compliance with laws and 
regulations thereby providing reasonable 
assurance that the Group’s business 
objectives will be achieved.

Through our structured approach, the 
control environment is subject to regular 
oversight and review to ensure that there 
are no significant deficiencies, control 
weaknesses are identified and addressed, 
and new or emerging risks are identified 
early and monitored regularly.

The Group’s organisational structure 
is regularly reviewed and where 
circumstances dictate, changes to the 
organisational structure are recommended 
to the executive committee or Boards to 
ensure it remains relevant.

The Boards and their committees have 
approved the Group’s financial, business 
conduct, operating, and administrative 
policies, including those relating to 
delegation of signing authorities and 
information security. The policies provide 
a framework for the Group’s internal 
control environment and outline required 
standards of behaviour. Business units 
are required to ensure that they adhere to 
approved Group policies and that they have 
implemented their own supporting policies 
where appropriate. In line with the approved 
delegation of authorities, specific matters 
are reserved for executive committee or 
board approval including the approval of 
major capital investments, acquisitions, 
and disposals.

Management is responsible for regularly 
reviewing the Group’s financial performance 
and it is the responsibility of management 
at all operational levels to ensure that risks 
are appropriately managed and a proper 
control environment is in place to anticipate 
and respond to risks. The Group’s reporting 
cycle includes the monthly flash and 
management reports, a quarterly outlook, 
and the annual budget and three-year plan. 
Detailed monthly management reports and 
variance analyses comparing actual with 
planned results are prepared. These regular 
reviews are designed to ensure ongoing 
monitoring of financial performance and 
early identification of potential issues and/or 
emerging risks.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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40

Principal risks

Our principal risks

Over the course of the past year, the audit committee 
has reviewed the principal risks set out below. 
In evaluating the Group’s risk management and internal 
control processes, the committee has considered 
both internal and external audit reports and received 
confirmation from the finance directors of the business 
units that financial control frameworks have operated 
satisfactorily. The sustainable development risks are 
considered throughout our business and consolidated 
into the principal risks where relevant. These risks 
have been reviewed by the sustainable development 
committee during the year.

Key changes in the year
The majority of the Group’s most significant risks are 
long-term in nature and in general do not change 
significantly in the short-term. The Group’s principal 
risks are unchanged from prior year. During the risk 
review process the assessment of the principal risks 
was updated to reflect the developments in our 
strategic priorities. In addition, during the year, further 
analyses were performed to understand the risks and 
implications around climate change and the UK’s exit 
from the European Union.

11

14

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5

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I

Likelihood

3

4

7

1

6

8

10

12

15

2

9

1. 

 Industry productive capacity

2.   Product substitution

3.   Fluctuations and variability in selling 

prices or gross margins

4.  Country risk

5.  Capital structure

6.  Currency risk

7.  Tax risk

8.  Cost and availability of raw materials

9.  Energy security and related 

input costs

10. Technical integrity of our 

operating assets

11. Employee and contractor safety

12. Attraction and retention of key skills 

and talent

13. Environmental impact

14. Reputational risk

15. Information technology risk

Strategic

Financial

Operational

Compliance

Strategic risks

Risk tolerance:
High

Key person responsible:
Peter Oswald (Chief Executive Officer)

The industries and geographies in which we operate expose us to specific long-term 
risks which are accepted by the Boards as a consequence of the Group’s chosen 
strategy and operating footprint. 

While there have been no significant changes in our strategic risk exposures during 
the year, we continue to monitor recent capacity announcements and demand 
developments, the developments in the process as the UK seeks to exit the European 
Union, the stability of the Eurozone and the increasing prevalence of trade tariffs and 
economic sanctions.

The executive committee and Boards monitor our exposure to these risks and evaluate 
investment decisions against our overall exposures so that our strategic capital 
investments and acquisitions take advantage of the opportunities arising from our 
deliberate exposure to such risks.

1   Industry productive capacity

Potential impact
Plant utilisation levels are the main driver of profitability in paper mills. New capacity 
additions are usually in large increments, which through their impact on the 
supply/demand balance, influence market prices. Unless market growth exceeds 
capacity additions, excess capacity may lead to lower selling prices. In our 
converting operations, investments in newer technology may lower operating 
costs and provide increased product functionality, increasing competition and 
impacting margins.

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
Our strategic focus on low cost production and innovation aims to achieve 
cost advantages and produce higher value added, responsibly produced 
and sustainable products. Combined with our focus on growing markets and 
consistent investment in our existing asset base this secures our competitiveness.

We monitor industry developments in terms of changes in capacity, utilisation 
levels both short and long term, as well as market trends, and trade flows in our 
own product markets. This helps us to establish target capacity utilisation levels 
in the short term and to evaluate capital investment projects in the long term. 
We maintain strong relationships with machine suppliers to identify current market 
developments and technologies and we routinely review our asset portfolio and 
capacity utilisation levels to identify underperforming assets and take decisive 
action to drive performance. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

2   Product substitution

Potential impact
Global socio-economic and demographic trends and changing consumption 
patterns, including increased public awareness of sustainability and increasing 
customer purchasing power, are driving changes in customers’ needs and 
attitudes, and could affect the demand for Mondi products. The increased public 
and stakeholder focus on the impact of plastic-based packaging on ocean and 
land ecosystems has led to heightened environmental considerations, changes 
in legislation and a shift in consumer attitudes. Substitution may be to different 
products not produced by Mondi or to different solutions meeting the same 
customer requirement.

Factors that may positively or negatively impact the demand for our products 
include reduced weight of packaging materials, increased use of recycled 
materials, electronic substitution of paper products, substitution of plastic 
packaging, substitution of rigid plastic by flexible packaging, increased demand 
for high-quality printed material, certified and responsibly produced goods, and 
specific material qualities such as recyclable/biodegradable. 

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
Our ability to meet changes in consumer demand depends on our capacity 
to correctly anticipate change and develop new products on a sustainable, 
competitive and cost-effective basis. Opportunities also exist for us to take market 
share from substitutes produced by our competitors. Our focus is on products 
enjoying positive substitution dynamics and growing regional markets.

We regularly monitor trends, new developments and innovations in our product 
markets. We conduct customer surveys to get a better insight into our customers’ 
needs. In our Consumer Packaging business, we have established a sustainability 
task force to monitor the market and legislative developments around sustainability 
of our plastic-based packaging. We are a member of the Ellen MacArthur 
Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Initiative, where we collaborate with 
stakeholders across the plastic value chain.

Our research and development pipeline ensures that our products remain cutting-
edge with added focus on sustainability properties (e.g. recyclable, compostable 
or biodegradable products, sourced responsibly). Our broad range of converting 
products provides some protection from the effects of substitution between paper 
and plastic-based packaging products.

3   Fluctuations and variability in selling prices or gross margins

Potential impact
The Group operates in cyclical markets and fluctuations in our key packaging 
and paper prices or converting margins can have material profit and cash flow 
implications. Our selling prices are determined by changes in capacity and demand 
for our products, which are, in turn, influenced by macroeconomic conditions, 
competitive behaviour, consumer spending preferences, and inventory levels 
maintained by our customers. 

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
Our strategic focus is on higher growth markets and products where we enjoy 
a competitive advantage through innovation, proximity or production cost. 
We continue to invest in our high-quality, cost-advantaged asset base to ensure we 
maintain our competitive cost position. We continue to further develop businesses 
in higher growth markets with better long term fundamentals.

Changes in prices differ between products and geographic regions and the timing 
and magnitude of such changes have varied significantly over time. Gross margins 
in our downstream converting operations are impacted by fluctuations in key input 
costs, which cannot be passed on to customers in all cases.

Our high levels of vertical integration reduce our exposure to price volatility of our 
key input costs. In our downstream operations the focus is on passing through our 
main material costs to sales prices. Our financial policies and structures take the 
inherent price volatility of the markets in which we operate into consideration.

4   Country risk

Potential impact
The Group has operations across more than 30 countries with differing political, 
economic and legal systems. In some countries, such systems are less predictable 
than in countries with more developed institutional structures. Political or economic 
upheaval, inflation, changes in laws, protectionism, nationalisation, or expropriation 
of assets may have a material effect on our operations in those countries.

The current macroeconomic environment is impacted by the uncertainties from 
effects of increased protectionism, use of trade tariffs, economic sanctions, the 
stability of the Eurozone and the uncertainty over the outcome of the UK’s decision 
to exit from the European Union.

In South Africa, the Group is subject to land claims and could face an adverse 
land claim ruling. In February 2018 a motion was passed in the National 
Assembly in South Africa for Section 25 of the South African Constitution to 
be reviewed and potentially amended to allow government to expropriate land 
without compensation. A process may therefore start to have the South African 
Constitution amended accordingly or there could be other changes in legislation 
governing land ownership in South Africa.

We regularly review and monitor the current market fundamentals, market demand 
trends and market prices to evaluate price expectations in the short term but 
also to understand the long term trends. We monitor our order intake to identify 
changing trends and developments in our own product markets.

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
Our geographic diversity and decentralised management structure, utilising local 
resources in countries in which we operate, reduces our exposure to any specific 
jurisdiction. To mitigate the effect of country specific risks we structure our capital 
and debt in each country based on assessed risks and exposures. We regularly 
review our sales strategies to mitigate export risk in countries with less predictable 
environments and, where possible, we obtain credit insurance.

The Boards have approved specific country risk premiums to be added to the 
required returns on investment projects in those countries where risks are deemed 
to be higher and new investments are subject to rigorous strategic and commercial 
evaluation. Where we have large operations in higher risk locations, we maintain a 
permanent internal audit presence and operate asset protection units.

During the year further analysis has been undertaken to better understand the 
possible consequences of the UK’s exit from the European Union. The Group’s 
exposure to the UK is limited. The Group operates two Consumer Packaging 
plants in the UK and exports containerboard and uncoated fine paper to the UK. 
Revenues from customers in the UK represent around 3% of the Group’s total. 
The impact on trade flows between the UK and the European Union continues to 
be monitored closely. Given our current knowledge of the Brexit process and the 
limited direct trading exposure of the Group to the UK, we do not expect Brexit to 
materially impact our ability to continue normal business operations.

In South Africa the Group has settled a number of land claims structured as sale 
and leaseback arrangements which provide a framework for settling future land 
claims and continues to work with other stakeholders to engage with government 
on land matters. We actively monitor all countries and environments in which we 
operate. Regular formal and informal interaction with government officials, local 
communities, and business partners assists us to remain abreast of changes and 
new developments.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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42

Principal risks

Financial risks

Risk tolerance:
Medium to Low

Key person responsible:
Andrew King (Chief Financial Officer)

Our approach to financial risk management is set out in more detail in the Strategic 
performance and Financial performance sections. We aim to maintain an appropriate 
capital structure and to conservatively manage our financial risk exposures in 
compliance with all laws and regulations.

Despite ongoing short-term currency volatility and increased scrutiny of the tax affairs 
of multinational companies, our overall residual risk exposure remains similar to 
previous years, reflecting our conservative approach to financial risk management.

5   Capital structure

Potential impact
A strong and stable financial position increases our flexibility and provides us with 
the ability to take advantage of strategic opportunities as they arise.

Our ability to raise debt and/or equity financing is significantly influenced by general 
economic conditions, developments in credit markets, equity market volatility, and 
our credit rating.

Failure to obtain financing at reasonable rates could prevent us from realising our 
strategy and have a negative impact on our competitive position.

6   Currency risk

Potential impact
As a multinational Group, operating globally, we are exposed to the effect of 
changes in foreign currency rates. The impact of currency fluctuations affects us 
because of mismatches between the currencies in which our operating costs are 
incurred and those in which revenues are received.

Key operating cost currencies that are not fully offset by local currency 
denominated revenues include the South African rand, Polish zloty, Swedish krona 
and Czech koruna; whilst the fluctuations in the US dollar, Russian rouble, UK 
pound sterling and Turkish lira can also have a material impact as our revenues in 
these currencies are greater than operating costs incurred.

Additionally, appreciation of the euro compared with the currencies of the other 
key paper producing regions or paper pricing currencies, notably the US dollar, 
reduces the competitiveness of Mondi products in Europe compared with imports 
from such key paper-producing regions which can result in lower revenues 
and earnings.

7   Tax risk

Potential impact
We operate in a number of countries – all with different tax systems.

In addition, the international tax environment is becoming more onerous, requiring 
increasing transparency and reporting and in-depth scrutiny of the tax affairs of 
multinational companies.

We make significant intragroup charges, the basis for which is subject to review 
during tax audits.

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
We operate a central treasury function under a board-approved treasury policy. 
We target investment grade credit ratings and we have access to diverse sources 
of funding with varying maturities. The majority of our external debt is issued 
centrally. We use a blend of floating and fixed rate debt contracts to mitigate the 
interest rate risk.

We report regularly to the Boards on our treasury management policies. 
Our central treasury function monitors compliance with treasury policies at 
operating level and we engage external advisors to review the treasury function 
at regular intervals. 

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
Balance sheet exposures and material forecasted capital expenditures are hedged 
upon identification. We do not hedge our exposure to projected future sales or 
operating costs and our businesses respond to adverse currency fluctuations by 
increasing selling prices or increasing exports where competitiveness improves 
as operating currencies weaken. Entities also borrow in their local currencies to 
minimise translation risk. 

We continuously monitor exchange rate movements and sensitivities, and evaluate 
the impact of exchange variances on our results. We regularly review our prices 
and monitor the import and export trade flows.

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
We aim to manage our affairs conservatively and our operations are structured 
tax efficiently to take advantage of available incentives and exemptions. We have 
dedicated tax resources throughout the Group supported by a centralised Group 
tax team.

Arm’s length principles are applied in the pricing of all intragroup transactions 
in accordance with Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development 
guidelines. The Boards have approved the Group tax strategy, and perform a 
formal review of the Group’s tax affairs at least annually.

We obtain external advisory opinions for all major tax projects, such as acquisitions 
and restructuring activities, and make use of external benchmarks where possible. 
We regularly engage with external advisors to stay up-to-date with changes in tax 
legislation and tax practice.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Operational risks

Risk tolerance:
Low

Key people responsible:
Peter Oswald (Chief Executive Officer)
John Lindahl (Group Technical 
& Sustainability Director)

A low residual risk tolerance is demonstrated through our focus on operational 
excellence, investment in our people and commitment to the responsible use 
of resources. 

Our investments to improve our energy efficiency, engineer out our most significant 
safety risks, improve operating efficiencies, and renew our equipment continue to 
reduce the likelihood of operational risk events. However, the potential impact of any 
such event remains unchanged.

8   Cost and availability of raw materials

Potential impact
Access to sustainable sources of raw materials is essential to our operations. 
The raw materials used by the Group include significant amounts of wood, pulp, 
paper for recycling, plastic resins and chemicals. The prices for many of these raw 
materials generally fluctuate in correlation with global commodity cycles.

Wood prices and availability may be adversely affected by reduced quantities of 
available wood supply that meet our standards for credibly certified or controlled 
wood, the impact of climate change through increased frequency of severe 
weather events, changes in rainfall or increased instances of pest and disease 
outbreaks and increasing use of wood as a biofuel.

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
We are committed to acquiring our raw materials from sustainable, responsible 
sources and avoiding the use of any controversial or illegal supply. We are involved 
in multi-stakeholder processes to address challenges in meeting the global 
demand for sustainable, responsible fibre and we encourage legislation supporting 
the local collection of recycled materials.

Sustainable management of our forestry operations is key in managing our overall 
social and environmental impact, helping to protect ecosystems, protect worker 
and community rights, and to develop resilient landscapes.

We have access to our own sources of wood in Russia and South Africa and we 
purchase wood, paper for recycling, pulp, and polymers to meet our needs in the 
balance of our operations. Where we source our raw materials in areas of weaker 
governance, we may face potential social and environmental risks related to waste, 
pollution, poor safety and labour practices and human rights issues.

We have multiple suppliers for each of our operations and our centralised 
procurement teams work closely with our operations in actively pursuing longer 
term agreements with strategic suppliers. In Europe, we source our wood from 
diverse regions and forest types to mitigate the potential impacts of climate change 
on our wood supplies. 

9   Energy security and related input costs

Potential impact
Mondi is a significant consumer of electricity which is generated internally and 
purchased from external suppliers.

Where we do not generate electricity from biomass and by-products of our 
production processes, we are dependent on external suppliers for raw materials 
such as gas, oil and coal. Fossil-based energy sources could pose a sustainability 
and regulatory risk to our energy security.

Higher energy costs contribute significantly to increasing chemical, fuel and 
transportation costs which are often difficult to pass on to customers.

As an energy-intensive business, operating globally and relying on global supply 
chains, we face potential physical and regulatory risks related to climate change.

We have developed an internal monitoring and risk assessment system, Responsible 
Procurement, to assess and evaluate the performance of our suppliers and their 
adherence to our Code of Conduct for Suppliers. Supplier performance is evaluated 
through questionnaires and audits.

We have built strong forestry management resources in Russia and South Africa to 
actively monitor and manage our wood resources in those countries. We continue 
to certify our forests with credible external certifications. In South Africa, we have 
tree improvement programmes in place, which aim to produce stronger, more 
robust hybrids that are better able to resist disturbances such as drought, pests 
and diseases. 

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
We focus on improving the energy efficiency of our operations by investing in 
improvements to our energy profile and increased electricity self-sufficiency, 
including the use of renewable energy sources, while reducing ongoing operating 
costs and carbon emission levels.

Where we generate electricity surplus to our own requirements, we may sell such 
surplus externally. We also generate income from the sale of green energy credits 
in certain of our operations at prices determined in the open market.

We focus on optimising the use of biomass-based fuels in order to reduce our use 
of fossil-based energy sources, and to decrease carbon-intensive energy sources 
such as coal.

Energy costs are closely monitored and benchmarked against external sources 
and we monitor our electricity usage, carbon emission levels and use of renewable 
energy. Most of our larger operations have high levels of electricity self-sufficiency.

We actively monitor the renewable energy market fundamentals and changes in 
legislation and maintain contact with local energy regulators. We have undertaken 
detailed compliance assessments regarding Industry Emissions and Energy 
Efficiency Directives to determine future investment requirements.

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
44

Principal risks

Operational risks

10   Technical integrity of our operating assets

Potential impact
We have five major mills which account for approximately 75% of our total pulp and 
paper production capacity, and a significant consumer packaging manufacturing 
facility in Germany.

If operations at any of these key facilities are interrupted for any significant 
length of time, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position 
or performance.

Incidents such as fires, explosions, or large machinery breakdowns or the inability 
of our assets to perform the required function effectively and efficiently whilst 
protecting people, business, the environment and stakeholders could result in 
property damage, loss of production, reputational damage, and/or safety and 
environmental incidents.

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
Our capital investment programme supports the replacement of older equipment 
to improve both reliability and integrity, and our proactive repair and maintenance 
strategy is designed to improve production reliability and minimise breakdown 
risks. We conduct detailed risk assessments of our high-priority equipment and 
have specific processes and procedures in place for the ongoing management and 
maintenance of such equipment.

We continue to develop our asset management system to ensure best practices 
for maintenance procedures and we have a maintenance training programme 
for our employees. Benchmarking activities enable us to optimise our production 
throughout the organisation by learning from our best performing operations and to 
identify any emerging issues early. 

We actively monitor all incidents and have a formal process which allows us to 
share lessons learned across our operations, identify emerging issues, conduct 
benchmarking, and evaluate the effectiveness of our risk reduction activities. 
We engage external experts to perform technical integrity assessments in our 
major sites.

Our Fire Protection programme is supported by independent loss prevention audits 
and we take out property insurance cover for key risks. 

11   Employee and contractor safety

Potential impact
We operate large facilities, often in remote locations. Accidents/incidents cause 
injury to our employees or contractors, property damage, lost production time, 
and/or harm to our reputation.

Risks include fatalities, serious injuries, occupational diseases, and substance and 
drug abuse.

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
To ensure the safety of our employees and contractors, we apply safety 
management systems, including amongst others, risk assessments, safety 
procedures and controls. We have a goal of zero harm and aim to continuously 
advance our 24-hour safety mind-set and safety culture.

We continue with the project to engineer out the most significant risks in our 
operations supported by robust controls and procedures for operating those 
assets and conducting related tasks. During 2018 we rolled out the revised Permit 
to Work methodology across the Group to improve safety performance.

We provide extensive training to ensure that performance standards and practice 
notes are communicated and understood and our incentives are impacted by 
the non-achievement of safety milestones (lag indicators) as well as achievement 
of lead indicators. We continually investigate and monitor incidents and major 
close calls and actively transfer learnings across our operations. Our Task Risk 
Management Methodology provides a practical approach to conducting pre-task 
risk assessments, and our focus is on better understanding the high risk tasks in 
our operations.

We apply externally accredited safety management systems and conduct regular 
audits of our operations to ensure our facilities remain fit-for-purpose.

12   Attraction and retention of key skills and talent

Potential impact
Our success is driven by our people. Key to our long-term success is attracting, 
retaining, recruiting and developing a skilled and committed workforce.

Access to the right skills, particularly management and technical skills, is critical 
to support the performance and growth of our business. Operations in remote 
locations make attracting and retaining skilled employees challenging.

Losing skills or failing to attract new talent to our business has the potential to 
undermine our ability to drive performance and deliver on our strategic objectives.

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
Our culture and values play a key role in empowering and inspiring our people. 
These are highlighted by various Inspire Programmes and collaboration initiatives 
throughout our operations. We have a zero tolerance policy towards discrimination 
and we provide equal opportunities for all employees.

To attract skills and talent we are investing in employer branding; we are engaged 
in fair and transparent recruitment practices; and have reviewed and updated our 
diversity and inclusion, labour and human rights policies. We ensure competitive 
compensation levels through benchmarking and continue to support and invest in 
group-wide as well as local training programmes. We have implemented measures 
to monitor and manage succession planning, staff turnover, internal placements 
and training.

We perform 360˚ feedback at a management level and regularly conduct 
performance and development reviews at a local level. We carry out a group-wide 
employee survey approximately every two years.

Through a confidential reporting hotline, Speakout, employees can raise concerns 
about conduct that may be contrary to our values.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

13   Environmental impact

Potential impact
We operate in a sector where the environmental impact of our business can be 
high and we need to manage the associated risks.

Our operations are water, carbon and energy intensive; consume materials such 
as fibre, polymers, metals and chemicals; and generate emissions to air, water 
and land. We are the custodian of more than two million hectares of forested land. 
We consider potential negative impacts on constrained resources and loss of 
biodiversity and ecosystems from our forestry and manufacturing operations.

We are subject to a wide range of international, national and local environmental 
laws and regulations, as well as the requirements of our customers and 
expectations of our broader stakeholders. Costs of continuing compliance, 
potential restoration and clean-up activities, and increasing costs from the effects 
of emissions could have an adverse impact on our profitability.

The impacts of climate change such as rising frequency and intensity of water 
shortages, floods and storms worldwide and pests and diseases also have the 
potential to impact our operations and forests.

Reporting on climate-related risks and opportunities

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
We ensure that we are complying with all applicable environmental, health 
and safety requirements where we operate. Our own policies and procedures, 
at or above local policy requirements, are embedded in all our operations 
and are supported through the use of externally accredited environmental 
management systems.

We focus on a clean production philosophy to address the impact from emissions, 
discharge, and waste. We manage our water resources responsibly to address 
risks related to water scarcity in some of our operations, and to ensure equitable 
use of water resources among local stakeholders wherever we operate. 
We emphasise the responsible management of forests and associated ecosystems 
and protect high conservation value areas. We ensure that we manage our forests 
responsibly and implement measures to protect biodiversity.

We collaborate with customers and supply chain stakeholders to better understand 
the concerns related to the environmental impact of plastics in the environment, 
and to work together on scaleable, meaningful solutions to address this. 
Our product design and innovation focuses on reducing the environmental impact 
of our products throughout their life cycle.

We monitor our environmental performance indicators and report our progress 
against our 2020 commitments, with our GHG emissions independently assured 
to reasonable assurance level. We monitor regulatory developments to ensure 
compliance with existing operating permits and perform SEAT (Socio-economic 
Assessment Toolbox) assessments and water impact assessments locally to better 
understand our local environmental footprint and stakeholder needs.

Potential financial implications include 
a significant reduction in EU Emission 
Trading Scheme (EU ETS) allowances, 
which we estimate could have an 
impact of around €5 million per 
annum1 and therefore not significant 
in the context of the Group. We have 
also identified potential opportunities 
such as improved energy efficiency 
and reduced water consumption 
and continue to make progress on 
quantifying all of these and assessing 
impacts through scenario testing.
We are committed to improving the 
integration of climate-related risks in 
our overall business risk assessment 
process using our dedicated cross-
functional team and will continue 
to consult with external experts 
and other corporates to improve 
our understanding. 

Online Sustainable  
development report  
Page 69-70

There is a growing demand from 
investor and regulatory communities 
for improved financial disclosures from 
companies in relation to climate-related 
risks and opportunities. In meeting this 
need the Financial Stability Board´s (FSB) 
Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosure (TCFD) published a report 
in 2017 outlining recommendations 
for more effective climate-related 
disclosure standards. Although Mondi’s 
online Sustainable development 
report and CDP disclosure make 
us largely compliant with the TCFD 
recommendations, this year we have 
focused on closing the gap by starting 
to quantify the financial implications of 
these potential risks and opportunities. 
For Mondi, climate-related risks (e.g. 
extreme weather patterns, water 
shortages, floods, or other natural 
disasters) could give rise to business 
interruptions in our operations or in 
our supply chain and make our forests 
more vulnerable to pests and diseases. 
Moreover, as countries explore options 
to transition to low carbon economies 
in order to achieve international 
commitments to respond to the risk of 
climate change, laws and regulations 
are being implemented to enforce both 
mitigation and adaptation measures 
to deal with and reverse effects of 
climate change. 

1  The regulation is expected to come into force 
in 2021. Calculated assuming an average 
price of €35/t CO2

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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46

Principal risks

Compliance risks

Risk tolerance:
Low

Key person responsible:
Andrew King (Chief Financial Officer)

We have a zero tolerance approach to compliance risks. Our strong culture and values, 
emphasised in every part of our business, with a focus on integrity, honesty, and 
transparency, underpins our approach.

14   Reputational risk

Potential impact
Non-compliance with the legal and governance requirements and globally 
established responsible business conduct in any of the jurisdictions in which we 
operate and within our supply chain could expose us to significant risk if not actively 
managed. Failure to successfully manage relationships with our stakeholders could 
disrupt our operations and adversely impact the Group’s reputation.

These requirements include laws relating to the environment, exports, price 
controls, taxation, competition compliance, data protection, human rights, 
and labour.

Fines imposed by authorities for non-compliance are severe and, in some cases, 
legislation can result in criminal sanction for entities and individuals found guilty.

Areas of weaker governance also present the challenge of addressing potential 
human rights issues in our operations and supply chain. The introduction of human 
rights legislation, such as the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015, has further highlighted 
the need to identify and address potential risks of child labour, forced or bonded 
labour and human trafficking in our supply chain.

15   Information technology risk

Potential impact
Many of our operations are dependent on the availability of IT services and an 
extended interruption of such services may result in a plant shutdown and an 
inability to meet customer requirements.

Cybercrime continues to increase and attempts are increasingly sophisticated, with 
the consequences of successful attacks including compromised data, financial 
fraud, and system shutdowns.

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
We operate a comprehensive training and compliance programme, supported by 
self-certification and reporting, with personal sanction for failure to comply with 
Group policies.

We engage with our stakeholders through formal and informal processes such as 
our SEAT assessment and Community Engagement Plans.

Our legal and governance compliance is supported by a centralised legal 
compliance team and is subject to regular internal audit review.

We have a confidential reporting hotline, Speakout, enabling employees, 
customers, suppliers, managers and other stakeholders to raise concerns 
about misconduct. 

Monitoring, mitigation, and where relevant, 
independent assurance activities
We have a comprehensive IT Security Policy approved by the Boards and we 
operate an extensive training and awareness programme for all our users. 
The IT infrastructure is regularly tested and verified and where possible, we have 
redundancies in place. Our system landscape is based on well-proven products.

We conduct regular threat assessments and utilise external providers to evaluate 
and review our security policies and procedures and we have cybercrime 
insurance in place.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Viability statement
As part of the approval of this Integrated 
report, the Boards have assessed the 
Group’s prospects and viability.

Factors in assessing  
long-term prospects

The Group’s business model and strategic 
framework are described in detail on 
pages 18 to 27. Our strategy is to deliver 
value accretive growth by focusing on our 
four strategic value drivers. Our industry-
leading asset portfolio and our focus on 
performance is supported by our strong 
capital expenditure project pipeline and 
where relevant by acquisitions to build on 
our competitive advantages and to better 
serve our customers. Our current and 
future prospects are discussed in more 
detail in our Chief Executive Officer’s letter 
and Strategic performance review.

Mondi’s geographical spread, product 
diversity and large customer and supplier 
base mitigate potential risks of customer or 
supplier liquidity issues. Ongoing initiatives 
by management in implementing profit 
improvement programmes, which 
include ongoing investment in operations; 
plant optimisation; cost-cutting; and 
rationalisation activities, have consolidated 
the Group’s leading positions in its 
chosen markets.

Assessment of viability

The Boards believe that the three-years to 
December 2021 is an appropriate period 
over which a reasonable expectation of 
the Group’s longer-term viability can be 
evaluated. In coming to this view, the 
Boards have considered the inherent 
volatility in commodity prices and exchange 
rates, the time taken for new investments 
in pulp and paper production capacity 
to be introduced into the market, typical 
new product development cycles, and 
the Group’s capital structure. Given the 
strategic risks described, the Boards 
believe that the ability to assess the Group’s 
longer-term viability beyond this period 
becomes increasingly reduced. The Boards 
have considered the Group’s current 
financial position, strategy and plans for the 
next three years, marking the end of the 
Group’s formal planning horizon.

The Group’s budget and plan has been 
tested for severe but plausible downside 
scenarios linked to the Group’s principal 
risks. The purpose of this is to test the 
impact of events that have the ability to 
threaten the viability of the Group, but are 
hypothetical in the sense that multiple 
control measures and mitigation actions 
are in place to prevent such events from 
occurring. In an event that a scenario partly 
or fully takes place, the Group has various 
options available to maintain liquidity and 
continue operations.

The scenarios tested include lower 
packaging and uncoated fine paper prices 
and weaker demand for a long period 
of time. Given the Group’s geographical 
spread the potential impact of exchange 
rate fluctuations has also been evaluated, 
including a weaker US dollar/euro exchange 
rate and stronger emerging market 
currencies. Based on the results of these 
scenarios, the Boards are satisfied that the 
Group would be able to respond to such 
circumstances through various means 
which could include a reduction of capital 
expenditure and further rationalisation 
and/or restructuring, to ensure that 
the Group can continue to meet its 
ongoing obligations.

The Group meets its funding requirements 
from a variety of sources as more fully 
described in the financial statements. 
The Boards are satisfied that the Group will 
have sufficient liquidity to meet its needs 
over the planning horizon. The scenario 
testing is carried out against Mondi’s 
current debt facilities, with an assumption 
that the Group’s €500 million Eurobond 
maturing in September 2020 is successfully 
refinanced and the €750 million Syndicated 
Revolving Credit Facility is refinanced ahead 
of maturing in July 2021. In the scenarios 
evaluated, the Group remains within its key 
financial covenant ratio in terms of which 
its net debt to trailing 12-month underlying 
EBITDA ratio must not exceed 3.5 times.

Taking into account the Group’s long-term 
strategy, the principal risks described 
above, and the results of the downside 
scenario assessments, the directors 
have a reasonable expectation that the 
Group remains viable over the period of 
the assessment.

Going concern
The directors have reviewed the Group’s 
budget, considered the assumptions 
contained in the budget, and reviewed 
the significant risks which may impact 
the Group’s performance in the near 
term. These include an evaluation of the 
current macroeconomic environment and 
reasonably possible changes in the Group’s 
trading performance.

The Group’s financial position, cash flows, 
liquidity position, and borrowing facilities 
are described in the annual financial 
statements. At 31 December 2018, Mondi 
had €616 million of undrawn, committed 
debt facilities. The Group’s debt facilities 
have maturity dates of between 1 and 8 
years, with a weighted average maturity of 
4.6 years.

Based on our evaluation the Boards 
considered it appropriate to prepare 
the financial statements on the going 
concern basis.

Accordingly, the Group continues to adopt 
the going concern basis in preparing 
the Integrated report and financial 
statements 2018.

.

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
48

Sustainability performance
Growing 
responsibly

Our Growing Responsibly 
model remains the framework 
through which we respond 
to our sustainability challenges 
and opportunities, and provides 
a solid structure for our future 
success. As one of the Group’s 
strategic value drivers, it shapes 
our long-term response to 
sustainability challenges and 
enables us to demonstrate, monitor 
and improve our performance 
across the value chain.

The model covers 10 Action Areas, which 
reflect the aspects of sustainability that are 
most relevant for Mondi and our stakeholders. 
Within these Action Areas, we have made 16 
public commitments to be achieved by 2020, 
along with a carbon emissions commitment that 
runs to 2030. 

Contributing to the UN Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs)
It is a responsibility of business to participate 
in the delivery of the UN SDGs, so this year, 
in addition to highlighting the strongest links 
between our Action Areas and respective SDG 
targets, we have included a comprehensive 
index that references SDG links in our SD report. 
Our main reporting focus continues to be on 
the six priority SDGs where we believe we have 
the greatest impact and therefore the greatest 
opportunity to make a real and lasting difference: 

7  Affordable & clean energy
8  Decent work & economic growth
9  Industry, innovation & infrastructure
12 Responsible consumption & production
13 Climate action
15 Life on land

Materiality
Our material issues articulate what matters most 
to our business and our stakeholders along the 
value chain. This year, we carried out a new 
assessment of our material issues to understand 
their relative importance to our stakeholders, and 
identify new and emerging issues. The updated 
list will inform our commitments beyond 2020. 
Our materiality assessment combined qualitative 
and quantitative inputs from internal and external 
stakeholders, meeting GRI guidance and best-
practice standards. 

Online Sustainable  
development report 2018 
www.mondigroup.com/sd18

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

UN SDGs

Solutions that 
create value for our 
customers

We encourage sustainable, 
responsibly manufactured 
products and closer 
collaboration with our 
customers and partners.

Read more 
Page 62-63

UN SDGs

Relationships with 
communities

We aim to enhance our 
social value to communities 
through effective stakeholder 
engagement and meaningful 
social investments, using global 
frameworks that enable us to  
address local priorities.

Read more 
Page 61-62

Supplier conduct  
and responsible 
procurement

We’re taking steps to encourage 
greater transparency and 
promote fair working conditions 
by developing a responsible, 
inclusive and sustainable 
supply chain.

Read more 
Page 60-61

Biodiversity and 
ecosystems

We promote ecosystem 
stewardship to sustain 
services that our businesses 
and communities rely 
on through sharing best 
practices and continued, 
long-term collaboration with 
our stakeholders.

Read more 
Page 59-60

Constrained  
resources and 
environmental  
impacts

Our focus on operational 
excellence drives efficiency 
improvements to ensure 
responsible use of water, 
reduction of waste and 
emissions, the cascading use 
of wood and development of 
resource-efficient products.

Read more 
Page 58-59

UN SDGs

UN SDGs

UN SDGs

 
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UN SDGs

Employee and  
contractor safety

Our goal is zero harm  
to employees and  
contractors, and a safe  
and healthy workplace. 

Read more 
Page 51-52

A skilled and  
committed workforce

UN SDGs

We’re developing a culture 
that aims to inspire, engage and 
develop all our people to reach 
their full potential, while ensuring 
our business can continue 
to grow and succeed.

Read more 
Page 52-53

Fairness and diversity 
in the workplace

UN SDGs

The diversity of our workforce 
is one of our greatest strengths. 
We promote fair working 
conditions for a better, 
more diverse workplace.

Read more 
Page 53-54

Sustainable fibre

UN SDGs

We’re promoting positive change 
to support credible certification 
systems that will meet increasing 
demand for sustainable fibre.  
We also manage our own 
forests sustainably.

Read more 
Page 55-56

Climate change

UN SDGs

We consider climate 
change in our business 
decisions through sound 
investments to improve energy 
efficiency and responsible 
procurement of wood and 
fibre. Our sustainably managed 
forests also play an important 
role in storing carbon.

Read more 
Page 56-57

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development report 2018 
www.mondigroup.com/sd18

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

9

8

10

7

1

Our 
10 Action  
Areas

6

2

5

3

4

Through this model, we’re  
able to demonstrate, monitor  
and improve our sustainability  
performance as well as  
our contribution towards  
achieving the UN Sustainable  
Development Goals.

Dominique Reiniche 
Chair of the DLC sustainable  
development committee

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
50

Sustainability performance

Growing responsibly: Our approach 

Robust governance is fundamental to building  
a resilient and successful organisation in which  
sustainability is embedded at all levels.

External recognition

Our sustainability performance has been 
disclosed in or received recognition 
by a number of external corporate 
ratings and indices, including:

Sustainability governance
Our Boards and committees provide the 
necessary leadership to implement the 
principles of good corporate governance 
across the Group, ensuring decisions and 
interactions with all stakeholders are based 
on integrity, accountability, fairness and 
transparency. Comprehensive policies, 
standards and management systems 
help us meet our commitments and 
guide our practice, linked to our material 
issues and aligned with our Growing 
Responsibly model, to address the risks 
and opportunities facing us.

Our Sustainable Development Governance 
Policy supports our overall approach 
and is further supported by the following 
policies, which apply to all our owned and 
managed operations:

 e Safety and Occupational Health
 e Labour and Human Rights
 e Sustainable Forestry
 e Energy and Climate Change
 e Environment
 e Supply Chain and 

Responsible Procurement

 e Product Stewardship
 e Communities

More information 
www.mondigroup.com/sustainability/
governance-of-sustainability

Our policies include some of our longer-
term sustainability commitments and inform 
the setting of targets and commitments 
for each new period. Operating standards 
define the minimum requirements for 
good operational management and 
control across all policy areas and provide 
guidance on the implementation of the 
Sustainable Development Management 
System (SDMS) at Group, business unit 
and operational levels. 

We apply due diligence processes to our 
practices and performance to ensure 
alignment with our policies. These include: 
monthly and annual monitoring of our 
operations’ sustainability performance 
and regular reporting to the sustainable 
development committee; active and 
voluntary use of external assurance and 
verification of our external sustainability 
reporting; internal audits to monitor 
operations’ adherence to our standards; 
training and communication on current 
and future regulatory requirements and 
material sustainability issues; and the use of 
externally certified standards at operational 
and group level. 

In 2018, we commenced a comprehensive 
review of our operating standards, 
the second tier of our SDMS, which 
set minimum requirements for Mondi 
operations to comply with group policies. 
Draft operating standards and their 
supporting practice notes are currently 
being developed. 

Online Sustainable development report 
Page 36

Non-financial information statement
In accordance with sections 414CA and 414CB of the UK Companies Act 2006, the required non-financial 
information disclosures can be found integrated throughout the Strategic report. 
A summary of key areas of disclosure is set out below:

Business model

Information relating to environmental matters

Information relating to employees

Information relating to social matters

Information relating to respect for human rights

Information relating to anti-corruption and anti-bribery matters

Principal risks

Page 18 to 25 

Page 55 to 60 

Page 51 to 54

Page 61 to 62

Page 54

Page 63

Page 38 to 47 

Non-financial key performance indicators

Page 37, 48 to 63, and 70 to 83

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 e Advanced Reporter

 e Joined 2015

 e Member of the FTSE4Good 

Index Series

 e FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment 

Index: Top 30

 e Leadership for Climate 
Change disclosure

 e B List for Forests and Water 

Security disclosures

 e Ranked sixth FTSE 100 company

 e Member of the ESI 
Excellence Europe

 e UK 20
 e Europe 120
 e World 120

 e GOLD recognition level 
 e Top 1% of all suppliers

 e ESG Rating AA 

The CEO Water Mandate WE SUPPORTGrowing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

Performance worse than or the same as the base year; 
measures in place to be back on track1

Achievement of the commitment 
behind target

Achievement of the commitment  
on track

1

 Employee and  
contractor safety

Our commitments to 2020

2018 performance in brief

Status1

Avoid work-related employee 
and contractor fatalities

Prevent life-altering employee 
and contractor injuries

One fatality

Five life-altering injuries

Reduce TRCR by 5% compared 
to 2015 baseline, including new acquisitions

0.68 TRCR 
11% reduction against 2015

When it comes to our safety 
performance, we’ve come a long 
way over the last 10 years. Open and 
honest discussions have seen a step 
change in the way we engage in and 
take responsibility for safety. But while 
we’re among the safety leaders in 
our industry, unsafe behaviour was a 
common factor in many of our incidents 
in 2018. Ultimately, if we want to achieve 
our zero harm ambition, then we 
need to create a culture where people 
instinctively act safely in everything 
they do, every day. 

1   For fatalities and life-altering injuries we compare our 

performance to our goal of zero harm

2   2017 recordable cases and TRCR have been restated to include 
a missing person confirmed deceased in 2017, and acquisitions 
completed in 2016 and 2017

We had 262 recordable cases in 
our operations in 2018 (2017: 2552). 
This equates to a total recordable 
case rate (TRCR) of 0.68 (2017: 0.682). 
This represents an 11% improvement 
compared to our 2015 baseline of 0.76 
(adjusted to include acquisitions). We saw 
one newly compensated occupational 
disease case in 2018 at our Richards Bay 
mill (South Africa).

We were deeply saddened by a fatality 
in April 2018 when a contractor lost his 
life at our Syktyvkar operation (Russia) 
during maintenance of a conveyor in the 
woodyard. Regretfully we also experienced 
a contractor fatality at our Ružomberok mill 
(Slovakia) in January 2019, during drilling 
activities on site. Five life-altering injuries 
occurred during the year, details of which 
can be found in the Business reviews.

Business reviews 
Page 68-83

In all instances, we carry out investigations 
to understand the events and behaviour 
involved, and to identify how we might 
prevent such incidents in the future.

Embedding a 24-hour 
safety mindset
We introduced a 24-hour safety mindset 
approach in 2017, where safety is seen as 
something we do for ourselves, our families, 
our colleagues and their families.

In 2018, we launched a poster campaign 
showing employees with their children in 
situations related to our potential life-altering 
and fatal risk tasks. We also created a hard-
hitting safety communication programme 
to address injuries relating to moving and 
rotating equipment, and we are exploring a 
group-wide focus on conscious and sub-
conscious safety behaviour. 

We continued to provide training to first-line 
managers to enable them to manage the 
safety and health of their teams. 1,315 
(2017: 1,125) people have now attended 
the three-day first-line managers training 
programme. We also developed the next 
module of our training programme for 
safety and health professionals, to be 
completed by 2020. 

Risk-based approach 
We take a risk-based approach to managing  
safety and health. Risk assessments are 
an important tool for identifying hazards 
and putting necessary control measures in 
place. Every operation continues to identify 
their top risks and develop management 
plans to engineer them out of the business. 
Where the latter is not feasible, robust 
controls and procedures are introduced to 
reduce and manage the risks. 

In 2013 we introduced our Top 5 Fatal Risks 
approach to address the top risks in all our 
operations. In 2018, we commenced the 
third phase of work to identify the next set 
of top risks and actions to address them. 
Our Task Risk Management Methodology 
provides a practical, easy-to-understand 
approach to conducting pre-task risk 
assessments, assessing probability and 
severity of any incident and guiding action 
plans based on a hierarchy of controls to 
address the risks. The approach aims to 
firstly prevent incidents and then, if they do 
occur, to reduce their severity. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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Sustainability performance

Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

This requires operations to consider the top 
three risk controls – elimination, substitution 
and engineering – before looking at 
administrative controls or issuing personal 
protective equipment. 

Employees are engaged during the risk 
assessment processes and assessments 
are revised at predefined frequencies and 
when required as a result of incidents. 
Our new Permit to Work methodology was 
rolled out at all operations in 2018.

Measuring progress: lead, 
current and lag indicators
In addition to conventional safety 
performance metrics, which focus on 
incidents and total recordable case rate 
(TRCR) – known as ‘lag indicators’ – we 
use ‘current’ and ‘lead’ indicators, which 
allow us to monitor proactive efforts 
and improvements aimed at preventing 
incidents. Performance against current 
and lead indicators form part of our senior 
managers’ bonus scheme, with targets 
assigned to each indicator as part of the 
annual performance and development 
review (PDR) process. In 2018, we carried 
out 106,290 (2017: 106,840) safety audits 
including management risk-focused audits; 
firstline manager task audits; Safety, Health 
and Environment (SHE) professional focus 
audits; and peer observations, against a 
target of 77,673.

Health and wellbeing
We promote awareness of diseases such 
as HIV/AIDS, diabetes and tuberculosis 
by encouraging testing, counselling 
and treatment. We also offer health 
and wellbeing facilities and wellness 
programmes at many locations. In 2018, 
3,465 employees and contractors 
(2017: 3,530) participated in the HIV/AIDS 
voluntary programme in our South African 
operations, with 1,156 opting for testing 
(2017: 3,307). In addition, 12 employees 
(2017: 40) and 1,087 contractors (2017: 485) 
benefited from the Antiretroviral Therapy 
programme. A further 28 employees tested 
joined the programme at the start of 2019.

Online Sustainable development report 
Page 46

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

2

 A skilled and  
committed workforce

Our commitment to 2020

2018 performance in brief

Status

Engage with our people to create 
a better workplace

89% response rate in 2018 employee survey,  
with actions undertaken in response  
to findings

With around 26,100 employees across 
more than 30 countries, we aim to be 
an employer of choice, inspiring and 
empowering our global workforce to 
deliver our strategy. Engaging and 
developing our people to reach their 
full potential and providing inspiring 
opportunities for their personal and 
professional development ensures 
our business continues to grow 
and succeed. 

Employee engagement
‘Inspire’ is our programme for engaging 
people to live Mondi’s three core values 
– passion for performance, acting with 
integrity and caring. Launched in 2011, 
‘Inspire’ guides our approach to training and 
development, operational transparency, 
and the way we engage and motivate 
our employees.

We use both formal and informal processes 
to communicate and engage with 
employees, together with regular PDRs 
conducted at a local level. In addition to 
our global intranet platform, regular local 
sessions focus on safety, operational 
objectives, performance and the Group’s 
vision, strategy, values and culture.

There are a number of performance-related 
pay schemes that reward employees for 
the pursuit and achievement of business 
objectives, and the majority of our 
employees participate.

Our group-wide employee survey provides 
important feedback from employees on 
specific issues and tracks our progress. 
Our latest survey was carried out in February 
2018 by a third party to ensure 100% 
confidentiality. All Mondi employees3 were 
invited to take part, with the survey covering 
over 100 operations in 24 languages. 

The response rate was 89% (2015: 90%) 
with results highlighting the following areas 
as key strengths:

 e Employees feel comfortable to stop 

others from working unsafely

 e Management enforce safe behaviour in 

the workplace

 e Expectations of employees are clear
 e Thinking ahead and acting quickly in 

teams is common

 e Employees perceive a positive attitude 

among leadership 

3   Employees as of 1 December 2017 with a minimum of 2-months’ 
contract and excluding those on leave, and external contractors

Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

Areas considered as opportunities for 
improvement include:

 e Teams receiving high quality support 

from other teams with which they work 

 e The belief that quality is 
everyone’s responsibility

 e Management doing what they say
 e Employees feeling cared for by 

the company

 e Action taken on issues raised in the 

previous survey

Survey results were shared across the Group 
to enable the development of targeted action 
plans with a focus on care and recognition, 
and fostering a learning culture through 
strong people development.

Between our global employee surveys, we 
also conduct pulse checks at our larger 
mills to track progress. Following the 2015 
survey we carried our pulse checks at three 
mills in 2017, and further checks are planned 
in 2019.

Transparency, assessment 
and feedback 
Annual PDRs are an important tool for 
employees and their managers to reflect 
on the past year’s performance and set 
goals for employees’ immediate and long-
term development. 

360º feedback is another important tool 
for people to understand their behaviours 

and areas for improvement. Senior leaders 
and line managers receive 360º feedback 
every three years and new leaders receive 
360° feedback around six to eight months 
after appointment. 

Having expanded the opportunity to receive 
such feedback, 531 employees received 
feedback focused on SHE topics and 
604 received a standard 360° feedback 
(2017: 358). 

We also introduced the digital FlexiFeedback 
tool, through which managers and employees  
can select questions and receive feedback in 
a quick and flexible way. 

Training and development
By enhancing the skills of our people, we 
encourage them to realise their potential 
while meeting our business needs. 
Personal development and training also 
enables our employees to be accountable 
for upholding our business conduct 
standards, principles and policies. 
Our employee induction includes training 
related to the business and its strategic value 
drivers, including products and our approach 
to sustainable development. Specific training 
schemes are designed to empower and 
support diversity, particularly gender diversity. 
Employees in sales and marketing roles 
– and those in positions that have, or may 
have, contact with competitors – complete 
annual competition compliance training 
(completed by 2,865 in 2018, 2017: 514). 

3

 Fairness and diversity  
in the workplace

Our commitment to 2020

2018 performance in brief

Status

Promote fair working conditions 
and diversity in the workplace

Diversity and inclusion roadmap developed and 
10 priority work streams identified to support and 
enhance diversity and inclusion in the workplace

In 2018, we devoted around 819,200 hours 
of employee and contractor time to training 
and development (2017: 829,900 hours). 

This does not include informal and on-the-
job training, where much of our employee 
learning happens.

Some 40% of this training was dedicated 
to safety and health issues (2017: 37%). 
In addition to 267,028 hours of general 
safety training (2017: 247,965), we 
conducted 59,995 hours of critical safety 
training (2017: 58,594).

The Mondi Academy
The Mondi Academy International is our 
global training facility, which provides core 
business-related training programmes for 
leaders, line managers and employees. 
Along with group-wide training networks 
and local academies (currently in Poland, 
Russia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic 
and South Africa), it plays a key role in 
employee development. 

The Mondi Academy International conducted 
126 seminars and programmes in 2018 
(2017: 148) which were attended by 1,196 
employees, 26% female (2017: 1,180, 25% 
female). It increased its focus on providing 
digital learning tools, laying the foundation 
for the Digital Academy, which is due to be 
launched in 2019 to support employees in 
developing their digital skills. 

We strive to create an inclusive 
environment where differences are 
valued and embraced and we apply 
a zero tolerance policy towards 
discrimination and harassment. 
Equal opportunities for all is a priority 
across our operations. 

Although labour and collective bargaining 
practices differ from country to country, 
basic rights and fair employment standards 
(including fair wages4) apply throughout the 
business. They are managed locally, guided 
by Group policies and standards.

4   Ensuring that wages paid for a standard working week shall at 

least meet legal or industry minimum standards and shall always 
be sufficient to meet the basic needs of our employees and to 
provide some discretionary income

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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Sustainability performance

Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

Diversity and inclusion (D&I)
Our policy is to treat everyone – including 
all our employees and contractors, whether 
part-time, full-time or temporary – fairly and 
with respect, irrespective of origin, nationality, 
disability or gender. Opportunities for 
employment, engagement, promotion, 
training and any other benefit are based on 
skills and ability. 

We monitor gender diversity across 
the business, and among our senior 
management. We provide equal 
opportunities for all genders regardless of 
race, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity or 
any other difference and we are working to 
increase the representation of women at 
all levels. 

Our D&I policy, updated in 2017, takes into 
account evolving regulatory requirements 
and stakeholder expectations. The policy 
was informed by the Hampton-Alexander 
Review5 recommendation that boards, as 
well as executive committees and their direct 
reports combined, should be 33% women 
by 2020. It also provides a greater focus on 
ethnic and race diversity across our board 
and executive committee members and it 
continues to support our Labour and Human 
Rights policy. 

We consider applications for employment 
in a fair and balanced way, seeking to cater 
for individual requirements, disabilities and 
needs. Group policy ensures training, career 
development and promotion is consistent 
and fair, including for people with disabilities. 
In the event of an employee suffering a life-
altering or life-threatening injury at work, we 
facilitate appropriate medical treatment and 
rehabilitation. We have supported continued 
employment at Mondi for all employees 
who have suffered life-altering injuries by 
finding alternative equivalent jobs for them 
as necessary.

At the end of 2018, 21% of employees 
were female (2017: 22%). We had two 
female directors representing 25% of 
the composition of the Boards and one 
director of ethnic minority background. 
In June 2018, we reported to the Hampton-
Alexander Review that we had 27% 
female representation across our executive 
committee and its direct reports (2017: 27%). 

5  An independent review body which builds on the work of the 
Davies Review to increase the number of women on FTSE 
boards and includes a focus to improve women’s representation 
in senior leadership positions

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

We believe that diverse teams will 
improve our competitive advantage. 
Our global D&I taskforce is focusing 
on 10 workstreams to drive 
progress across the organisation.

Sara Sizer
Group Communication & Marketing 
Director and Exco D&I sponsor

60% of Mondi South Africa’s management 
team (six out of 10 operational committee 
members) were previously disadvantaged 
individuals (2017: 57%).

In September 2018, we held our first 
Diversity & Inclusion conference, bringing 
75 colleagues together to shape the vision 
of a diverse and inclusive culture at Mondi. 

A pilot initiative is helping us to better 
understand and address the needs 
of employees with a disability. We are 
developing metrics that can more clearly 
monitor, measure and track our 
commitment to promoting fair working 
conditions in the workplace.

Gender diversity 2018* Male % Female %

Directors

6 75

2 25

Senior managers

283 92

26

8

Employees

20,708 79

5,468 21

*  As at 31 December 2018 

Senior managers includes directors as per the definition set out 
in section 414C of the UK Companies Act 2006

Governance report 
Page 104-105

Human rights
We’re further strengthening our monitoring 
and reporting of potential human rights 
risks in our operations and supply chain. 
This includes embedding sustainability 
criteria relating to labour and human rights 
across our procurement processes. 

Respecting and protecting human rights is 
embedded in many existing practices and 
initiatives across the business, including: 
ensuring safety and health at work; 
engaging employees and treating them 
fairly; our respect for the law wherever we 
operate; engaging with and investing in 
communities; minimising our environmental 

footprint; producing our products to 
the highest safety, health and hygiene 
standards; and working with suppliers 
and contractors to meet high standards of 
business conduct. 

Our upcoming Operating Standard 
related to human rights and working 
conditions, due to be rolled out in 2019, 
will provide guidance for identifying, 
mitigating and managing potential human 
rights risks. In addition, we are working 
on the implementation of comprehensive 
mechanisms to identify and address human 
rights incidents in our supply chain.

There were no human rights incidents in 
our operations or supply chain reported 
through our Speakout tool or any other 
reporting mechanisms in 2018. 

We support the UK Modern Slavery Act 
and its requirement for organisations to 
prepare an annual slavery and human 
trafficking statement. Our first statement 
was published in June 2017 for the financial 
year 2016. The latest statement was 
published on our website in June 2018 for 
the financial year 2017, with the next update 
due in June 2019.

Corporate restructuring 
Where employees are affected by corporate 
restructuring, we follow our HR policies and 
local labour rules as a minimum. If roles are at 
risk, we seek to provide retraining, interview 
skills and CV writing services, re-employment 
and relocation, supporting entrepreneurship 
as well as severance payments depending 
on local regulations and available legal 
schemes. In 2018, the closure of our 
Louisville facility (US) impacted about 100 
employees. The closure of our Scunthorpe 
plant (UK) impacted 79 employees, all of 
whom secured alternative employment or 
became self-employed. We also ceased 
production of industrial bags at our Zeltweg 
plant (Austria), impacting around 100 
employees, and we are in the process of 
merging our two industrial bags plants in the 
city of San Pietro in Gu (Italy) on to one site, 
with the majority of employees retaining their 
jobs. In South Africa, following the closure of 
a paper machine at our Merebank mill, 119 
impacted employees were offered access 
to career guidance and support in order to 
secure employment elsewhere, with only five 
remaining unplaced.

Online Sustainable development report 
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Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

4

 Sustainable  
fibre

Our commitments to 2020

2018 performance in brief

Status

Maintain FSC certification for 100% of our owned 
and leased forest lands and promote sustainable 
forest management

100% of owned and leased  
forests certified

Procure at least 70% of our wood from FSC- 
or PEFC-certified sources with the balance 
meeting our company minimum wood standard 
that complies with FSC’s requirements for 
Controlled Wood

71% of wood certified

All Chain-of-Custody certifications 
with Controlled Wood requirements 
were maintained

Wood is one of our primary raw 
materials and we work hard to 
provide the best assurance for our 
stakeholders that the wood and fibre 
we use comes from responsible 
sources. We combine forest 
certification with risk-assessment 
processes as part of our Due Diligence 
Management System (DDMS). 
Our long-term aim is to increase the 
proportion of our products that are 
made using credibly certified fibre 
and to support efforts to increase its 
availability in the supply chain. 

We manage around 2.4 million hectares 
of forest landholdings in Russia and 
South Africa. Sourcing wood through 
our own forestry operations gives us 
maximum assurance that our fibre is 
sustainable and provides opportunities 
to test new sustainable forestry practices 
and landscape stewardship approaches. 
We maintain FSC certification of all our 
owned and leased forests as well as PEFC 
certification in our Russian forests. 

A significant portion of our wood demand 
is sourced externally. We combine forest 
certification with risk-assessment as part 
of our DDMS. The system meets FSC 
Controlled Wood (CW) requirements as a 
minimum and addresses the requirements 
of the European Union Timber Regulation 
(EUTR) and the US Lacey Act. 

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In European countries, through the strong 
consideration of sustainability factors 
in forestry traditions, regulations and 
practice, we promote PEFC certification. 
For countries identified as high-risk through 
our DDMS, or where we do not have 
expertise on national legislation, society and 
environment and where we lack experience 
working with local suppliers, we only 
accept FSC-certified wood or wood that 
is verified through a recognised credible 
certification body. 

We do not source wood or products from 
sources that involve any of the following: 
violation of national and international 
legislation; violation of traditional and human 
rights; destruction of high conservation 
values, conversion of forests to plantations 
or non-forest use; introduction of genetically 
modified organisms; or violation of any 
of the International Labour Organization 
(ILO) Core Conventions. None of our 
sourcing contributes to illegal logging 
or deforestation and we don’t use 
illegal wood, including mixed tropical 
hardwood species and species listed by 
the Convention of International Trade on 
Endangered Species (CITES).

In 2018, 71% of our total procured wood 
was certified to FSC or PEFC (2017: 71%) 
and 94% of our externally procured pulp 
was from FSC or PEFC certified sources 
(2017: 93%). All our mills are certified to FSC 
and/or PEFC Chain-of-Custody standards. 

While forest and supply chain 
certification alone does not 
provide proof of legal compliance 
with EUTR, it is without doubt 
a very strong tool when used 
within a corporate Due Diligence 
Management System. 

Charles Townsend
FSC/PEFC Lead Auditor, EUTR 
Consultant, SGS United Kingdom Ltd.

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Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

5

 Climate  
change

Our commitments 

2018 performance in brief

Status

Reduce specific CO2e emissions from our 
pulp and paper mills by 15% by 2030 against 
a 2014 baseline

Reduce specific, production-related, Scope 1 
and 2 GHG emissions from our pulp and paper 
mills to 0.25 tonnes CO2 per tonne of saleable 
production by 2050 against a 2014 baseline

14.5% reduction in specific CO2e  
emissions against 2014 baseline

7.7% reduction of specific  
production-related CO2 emissions  
against a 2014 baseline

Our approach to climate change 
addresses both the risks and the 
opportunities in transitioning to a 
low carbon economy. Key focus 
areas include energy optimisation 
programmes, increasing the ratio 
of renewable energy and biomass-
based fuels, and increasing electricity 
self-sufficiency. In 2018, we joined 
WWF’s Climate Savers, a leadership 
programme for businesses, as part of 
our commitment to continue to reduce 
our GHG emissions using the science-
based target setting methodology. 

We combine strategic energy-related 
investments across our pulp and paper 
mills with good management and sharing 
of best practice. Our aim is to reduce 
emissions, improve energy efficiency and 
replace fossil fuels with renewable biomass-
based energy, where it is practical and 
economically feasible. We also manage 
our impacts by using low carbon energy 
technologies, reducing the carbon footprint 
of our products and refining our approach 
to responsible, sustainable forestry. 

We continued to update and refine our 
DDMS in 2018 to address the requirements 
of evolving legislation. This was done with 
input from the certification body SGS, 
WWF, and our consultant ERM. We will 
pilot the updated DDMS in 2019 for our 
wood and pulp supply chain, supported by 
group-wide training. 

Use of recycled fibre
Recycled fibre is an important raw material 
for our packaging and paper products. 
We consider virgin and recycled fibres as 
complementary. We assess the balance 
between virgin and recycled fibres in our 
products on a case-by-case basis, using 
the optimum solutions to create high-
quality, resource-efficient products for 
our customers. In 2018, we used around 
1.3 million tonnes of paper for recycling 
(recovered paper) (2017: 1.3 million tonnes). 

Cascading use of wood
We believe that sustainable consumption 
of wood needs to be at the heart of the 
circular economy and government policy to 
meet projected demand for wood-based 
products. The cascading use of wood 
principle maximises the value society 
gains from the world’s forests through the 
complementary use of virgin and recycled 
fibre. It prioritises value-adding non-fuel 
uses first and ensures wood is only burnt 
for energy after it has been used, reused 
or recycled for other purposes. With the 
EU setting new member state targets for 
obtaining energy from renewable sources 
by 2030, we continue to support calls for 
these targets to be met without causing 
inadvertent damage to the world’s forests 
and the sustainable wood supply chain. 

Online Sustainable development report 
Page 66

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

Managing risks 
and opportunities
Our group-wide risk management framework 
ensures the effective governance of all our 
material risks and opportunities. It includes 
pre-determined risk tolerance limits which 
take the likelihood and severity of risk factors 
into consideration.

We are committed to adhering to 
internationally accepted recommendations 
– such as those published by the Financial 
Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-
related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) – to 
investigate and report on climate-related 
risks and opportunities. In 2018, we made 
progress in defining Mondi´s climate-related 
risks and opportunities and investigated 
their financial implications according to the 
recommendations of the TCFD.

We have identified three key risks and two 
opportunities, and started the process to 
understand the financial implications. 

Our climate-related risks include regulatory 
risks such as reduced EU ETS allowances 
in period IV, which may result in the demand 
of additional GHG credits. We have also 
identified physical risks such as extreme 
weather conditions that may result in reduced 
tree growth yields as a consequence of 
drought, fire, erosion loss and pests and 
disease. Water scarcity may affect water 
resources required for production in our 
mills located in water scarce countries, 
and lead to increased expenses for water 
and/or higher investment requirements to 
ensure water security. Our climate change-
related opportunities include operating 
cost reductions through implementation 
of efficiency improvements both for water 
use and energy as well as opportunities for 
generating income from by-products from 
our pulp process with low-carbon, biomass 
based chemicals which can be sold as 
secondary raw materials.

Energy use and generation 
In 2018, the total energy use by our 
mills was 148.7 million GJ (2017: 151.6). 
Some 91.6 million GJ was consumed for 
pulp and paper core processes in the form 
of heat and electricity at our operations 
(2017: 93.1) and 8.5 million GJ was sold to 
the local grids (2017: 8.4). Total energy sales 
including green fuel sales amounted to 
10.2 million GJ (2017: 10.1). 

The contribution of biomass-based 
renewable energy to the total fuel 
consumption of our mills increased from 
59% in 2014 to 64% in 2018, mainly due 
to the new biomass boilers at our mill in 
Świecie (Poland) and production increases 
at Syktyvkar which increased biomass 
(black liquor and bark) incineration and, in 
combination with reduced energy sales, led 
to a higher ratio of biomass-based energy 
production at Syktyvkar. 

Our mills’ electricity self-sufficiency was 
100% in 2018, up from 96% in 2017. 

GHG emissions6 

Pulp and paper mills

In 2018, the Scope 1 emissions of 
our mills was 3.8 million tonnes CO2e 
(2017: 3.8 million). This equated to 0.63 
tonnes CO2e per tonne of saleable 
production (2017: 0.61). 

We reduced our mills’ Scope 2 emissions 
from 0.69 million tonnes CO2e in 2017 to 
0.58 in 2018, equating to specific emissions 
of 0.10 tonnes per tonne of saleable 
production (2017: 0.11). All our mills use 
market-based emission factors for reporting 
Scope 2 emissions. Our reported CO2e 
figures do not include any carbon off-
setting.

GHG emissions from our pulp 
and paper mills

Scope 1 (million tonnes)
Scope 2 (million tonnes)

Specific Total CO2e

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4.31

0.78

4.48

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5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

1.0

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0.8

0.7

0.67
4.07

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3.78

0.58
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2014

2015

2018
1  The 2014 baseline of 0.844t/t excludes a divested mill
2  0.722t/t excludes Powerflute (acquired in 2018) but includes 
  Pine Bluff until date of divestiture 

2017

2016

Our long-term GHG reduction target, 
calculated using the science-based target 
setting methodology, is:

 e Reduce production-related specific GHG 
emissions to 0.25 tonnes CO2 per tonne 
of saleable production by 2050, against a 
2014 baseline of 0.59 tonnes 

 e 2025 milestone: 0.44 tonnes CO2 per 

tonne of saleable production

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Converting operations

The Scope 1 emissions from our converting 
operations totalled 0.15 million tonnes 
CO2e in 2018 (2017: 0.15). Their Scope 2 
emissions totalled 0.26 million tonnes CO2e 
(2017: 0.27). Our converting operations 
contributed 31% of the Group’s total Scope 
2 emissions. 

Scope 3 emissions

Our indirect emissions (Scope 3) arise 
from transportation of products and raw 
materials, employee commuting, business 
travel, disposal of waste and production of 
fuels and raw materials. In 2018, our Scope 
3 emissions were estimated to amount 
to 3.24 million tonnes CO2e (2017: 3.01). 
Over the last few years, we have increased 
the number of categories we report as 
Scope 3 emissions to provide a more 
complete picture of our indirect emissions. 
We are currently working with WWF and an 
external consultant to replace some of the 
secondary data with primary data7.

Energy-related investments 
To achieve our climate goals, we make 
targeted energy-related investments 
across our pulp and paper mills, mainly 
through recovery boilers that utilise the 
biomass residues of our pulp making 
process. Since 2013 we have invested over 
€400 million in energy efficiency measures 
and increasing biomass based energy in 
our mills, including new recovery boilers 
at Frantschach (Austria), Ružomberok, 
and Świecie. In addition, we invested 
in a new recovery boiler as part of the 
€335 million modernisation project at Štětí 
(Czech Republic), and we are investing 
€125 million to upgrade the energy plant at 
our Syktyvkar mill.

Online Sustainable development report 
Page 71

6  We report our GHG emissions according to the Greenhouse 
Gas Protocol, published by the WBCSD and the WRI, and 
have reported our scope 1 and 2 GHG data in compliance with 
ISO 14064:1-2006. ERM CVS has provided reasonable (pulp 
and paper mills) and limited (converting operations) levels of 
assurance on our scope 1 and 2 GHG data in accordance with 
ISO 14064. See their full statement at www.mondigroup.com/
sdassurance

7  Primary data includes data provided by suppliers or other value 

chain partners related to specific activities in the reporting 
company’s value chain. Secondary data includes industry-
average data (e.g. from published databases, government 
statistics, literature studies, and industry associations), financial 
data, proxy data, and other generic data

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
58

Sustainability performance

Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

6

 Constrained resources  
and environmental impacts

Our commitments to 2020

Performance in brief

Status

Reduce specific contact water consumption 
from our pulp and paper mills by 5% compared 
to a 2015 baseline

2% reduction of specific contact 
water consumption  
against the 2015 baseline

Reduce specific waste to landfill by 7.5% 
compared to a 2015 baseline

1.3% increase of specific waste to landfill  
against the 2015 baseline

Reduce specific NOx emissions from 
our pulp and paper mills by 7.5% compared 
to a 2015 baseline

Reduce specific effluent load to the 
environment (measure COD) by 5% compared 
to a 2015 baseline

16.3% reduction of specific NOx emissions  
against the 2015 baseline

6.1% increase of specific effluent load  
against the 2015 baseline

Resource efficiency underpins 
many of our material issues – from 
product design to minimising our 
environmental impacts and sourcing 
responsibly. We consider solid waste 
and emissions to air and water as 
wasted resources and we work to 
minimise them across our operations. 
Our investments in Best Available 
Techniques (BAT)8 have enabled us to 
achieve significant improvements in 
resource efficiency.

Water reduction and recycling
Given the critical importance of water to our 
business, to local communities and to other 
stakeholders, we strive to manage our 
water use wisely and efficiently – especially 
in water stressed regions. We’ve committed 
to reducing the specific contact water 
consumption of our pulp and paper mills 
by 5% by 2020, against a 2015 baseline. 
In 2018, total Group water input was around 
303 million m³ (2017: 307 million m³), with 
specific contact water consumption at 
33.2 m3 per tonne of saleable production 
(2017: 32.8 m3) at our mills. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

25 million m³ of our water input was 
in water scarce areas in South Africa 
(2017: 26 million m³). We saw a 2.2% 
decrease in our water withdrawal in water 
stressed regions in 2018 – mainly due to 
the closing of our newsprint production 
capacity at our Merebank mill. Our Richards 
Bay operation had a significant increase in 
water consumption caused by the impacts 
of an extended shut in February.

Managing waste 
We have committed to reduce the waste 
we send to landfill by 7.5%9 by 2020, 
against a 2015 baseline. In 2018, we sent 
38.2 kg of waste to landfill per tonne of 
saleable production (2017: 30.8 kg). This is 
a 1.3% increase against 2015 (37.7 kg per 
tonne of saleable production) and a 24.2% 
increase since the previous year due to 
the extended shut at our Richards Bay mill 
when about 16,000 m³ of fibre sludge had 
to be dewatered and landfilled. Additionally, 
our Syktyvkar mill had to increase its waste 
to landfill due to finalisation of the re-
cultivation of its sludge pond.

In 2018, we committed US$50,000 to fund 
a One Young World Lead2030 youth-led 
project that will turn waste generated by 
the packaging industry into raw materials 
of inherent value. Outcomes will include 
demonstrating how current retail, collection, 
sorting and recycling infrastructure can 
be adapted to generate raw materials of 
inherent value and how consumers can be 
incentivised and encouraged to improve 
sorting and collection of packaging waste. 

Air emissions 
We are committed to minimising 
environmental impacts related to air 
emissions from our sites. We carefully 
manage our air emissions and use ISO 
standards for monitoring, analysing and 
calculating absolute emissions of pollutants.

In 2018, we emitted 55 tonnes of TRS 
(2017: 56), a slight decrease compared 
with 2017. 

8   In support of the EU´s Directive on Industrial Emissions (IED, 
2010/75/EU), Best Available Techniques (BAT) reference 
documents, the so-called BREFs have been published under 
http://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/reference/ 
9  kg of waste per tonne of saleable production

Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

At our Richards Bay mill, problems in 
the lime kiln meant we had to introduce 
methanol into the flare, resulting in burner 
temperature instability; emissions of un-
combusted concentrated non-condensable 
gases (CNCG); and a significant 
increase in TRS emissions, leading to 
around 300 odour complaints from the 
surrounding community.

In 2018, our SO2 emissions were 1,567 
tonnes (2017: 1,447). This represents a 72% 
reduction against 2015 levels, mainly due to 
the new biomass boiler and the fuel switch 
from coal and heavy fuel oil to natural gas at 
our Świecie mill. 

Our specific NOx emissions amounted to 
1.7 kg per tonne of saleable production 
(2017: 1.8 kg), down 16.3% against 2015 
levels. We emitted 1,023 tonnes of fine dust 
emissions (particulates) (2017: 921), an 11% 
increase compared to 2017 mainly caused 
by problems with our electrofilters at the 
recovery boiler in Syktyvkar.

Effluent and wastewater quality
Our commitment is to reduce the specific 
effluent load (COD) of wastewater by 5% by 
2020 (against a 2015 baseline) by avoiding 
spills of chemicals in production processes 
and by investing in wastewater treatment 
plants. Specific COD after wastewater 
treatment was 7.95 kg per tonne of saleable 
production (2017: 6.85). This represents a 
6.1% increase against 2015 and a 16.1% 
increase against 2017, mainly due to the 
extended shut at our Richards Bay mill.

We’ve achieved significant reductions in 
AOX emissions from 390 tonnes in 2005 to 
150 tonnes in 2018 (2017: 170), mainly due 
to replacing elemental chlorine as bleaching 
agent in our pulp mills. 

Online Sustainable development report 
Page 79

7

 Biodiversity  
and ecosystems

Courtesy Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Komi © Trier Igor

Our commitment to 2020

Performance in brief

Status

Promote ecosystem stewardship in the 
landscapes where we operate through continued 
multi-stakeholder collaboration

We support resilient production 
landscapes and work to optimise 
wood production in balance with other 
components of natural capital and 
thriving ecosystem services. We use 
our forests to apply best practice and 
develop new practical solutions for 
sustainable forest management, taking 
into account the specific features and 
needs in different forest types. 

Ecological networks are 
critically important for ensuring 
biodiversity and ecosystem service 
benefits within highly productive 
plantation landscapes. 

Professor Michael Samways
Head of the Mondi Ecological Networks 
Programme, Professor at Stellenbosch 
University (South Africa) 

Extended the work of the WWF-Mondi 
Partnership in South Africa and Russia, as 
well as 10-year review of local partnerships 
with Silver Taiga and MENP

Continued to actively support collaborations 
including NGP, BFP, TFD, CISL, HCVRN, 
WBCSD FSG and IUFRO

The sustainable working forest
Our working forest concept provides 
a visual representation of the positive 
contribution that well-managed production 
landscapes make to society and the 
environment by integrating commercial 
forests and conservation networks. 
Since its launch, we have used the working 
forest concept to promote landscape 
stewardship and the crucial importance 
of securing a sustainable increase of 
long-term wood supply, while at the same 
time maintaining essential ecosystem 
services. The concept has gained external 
recognition among global stakeholders and 
is supported by our partners, strengthening 
its wider outreach.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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Sustainability performance

Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

Managing biodiversity 
and ecosystems
We are committed to managing key natural 
ecosystems in our forestry operations in a 
way that allows ongoing representation of 
biodiversity and delivery of key ecosystem 
services. We do this by maintaining an 
effective network of conservation areas and 
priority ecosystems and imitating natural 
dynamics for key types of ecosystems 
wherever possible. The management of 
our conservation areas is guided by our 
environmental management system, and 
the site-specific requirements are reflected 
in a series of map-based Environmental 
Management Plans (EMPs). We set 
aside around 24% of our owned and 
leased land for conservation purposes; 
the rest of our managed land is used for 
production purposes. 

To scale up our impacts, we share best 
practice and local experience through 
regional and global platforms, designed 
to catalyse action on a wider scale. 
These platforms include the Boreal 
Forest Platform (BFP)10, New Generation 
Plantations Platform (NGP)11 and The Forest 
Dialogue (TFD)12. 

We continue to develop best practices 
across our main forest types through the 
Ecosystems Stewardship workstream 
of our WWF Global Partnership in South 
Africa, Russia and Bulgaria, as well as 
our local partnerships with Silver Taiga 
Foundation in Russia and the Mondi 
Ecological Networks Programme (MENP) in 
South Africa.

Water stewardship
We collaborate with stakeholders to 
promote water stewardship through a 
multi-stakeholder approach at a landscape 
or catchment scale. By involving key 
organisations and stakeholders who share 
an interest in a catchment, the approach 
aims to develop and implement shared 
solutions and actions to secure water-
related ecosystem services at scale. In this 
way, Mondi promotes water stewardship 
across water catchments well beyond its 
forest boundaries.

Online Sustainable development report 
Page 91

8

 Supplier conduct and  
responsible procurement 

Our commitment to 2020

Performance in brief

Status

Encourage supply chain transparency and 
promote fair working conditions together with 
our key suppliers

Continued development of the  
responsible procurement process to  
identify sustainability risks in our supply  
chain and carried out a pilot screening of  
100 suppliers to test the methodology

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

10  http://borealforestplatform.org/en/
11  https://www.newgenerationplantations.org/
12  https://theforestsdialogue.org/ 

In an increasingly globalised and 
connected economy, transparency 
has become a key supply chain 
success metric for stakeholders 
worldwide. We’re taking steps to 
improve transparency and manage our 
impacts by partnering with suppliers 
to build a responsible, inclusive and 
sustainable supply chain. Our global 
supply chain spans more than 17,000 
first-tier suppliers13 in 63 countries 
around the world. We focus on 
sourcing fibre responsibly, ensuring 
no human rights violations and 
improving our understanding of 
climate change and of water-
related risks.

We have focused on developing a more 
standardised approach to identifying 
sustainability risks and assessing supplier 
performance. This work supports our 
response to the UK Modern Slavery Act 
and other similar modern slavery legal 
requirements. It will enable us to improve 
the transparency in our supply chain, 
minimising risk to our business and meeting 
stakeholder expectations for global supply 
chain transparency, particularly around 
human rights and environmental practices. 

13  First-tier suppliers that were active in 2018 with at least one 

purchase order, grouped into single entities

Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

Risk-based approach
We take a targeted, risk-based approach 
to prioritise areas in our supply chain 
that require attention. We use credible 
third-party risk ranking data such as 
the Corruption Perception Index, Global 
Slavery Index, the World Bank’s Worldwide 
Governance Indicators and other 
public sources.

In 2018, we developed a comprehensive 
methodology for assessing sustainability 
risks in our supplier base and conducted 
training for procurement specialists. 
We also developed a process to assist 
us in identifying key sustainability risks 
associated with our supply chain – namely 
labour rights, climate change, water-related 
and biodiversity risks. 

Our Code of Conduct 
for Suppliers
We expect every company in our supply 
chain to adhere to our Code of Conduct 
for Suppliers, which covers social, 
environmental, governance, legal and 
ethical aspects. We updated the Code 
in 2017 to strengthen the human rights 
element, addressing the issues of human 
trafficking and modern slavery risks. 
In 2018, we updated the Code again to 
include additional risk areas related to 
labour rights, environmental impact and 
water stress. The updated Code will be 
rolled out to new suppliers from 2019 and 
to existing suppliers in the course of the 
contract prolongation process. 

Responsible procurement 
process
Our responsible procurement approach14 
covers the onboarding, evaluation and audit 
stages of assessing supplier performance. 
We conduct regular assessments to 
evaluate the reliability of supply and quality 
of service, as well as the environmental and 
social practices of suppliers. 

The new responsible procurement process 
will continue to be implemented in 2019. 

Online Sustainable development report 
Page 93

14  We have changed the name from ‘Supplier Relationship 

Management’ approach to ‘responsible procurement approach’ 
as it is no longer based on the SRM tool but on multiple IT tools

9

 Relationships  
with communities

Our commitment to 2020

Performance in brief

Status

Enhance social value in our communities 
through effective stakeholder engagement and 
meaningful social investments

Progress made on a toolkit to  
measure the social and business  
value of community investments

The social, economic and 
environmental health of local 
communities is important to our 
success and we work hard to maintain 
positive and open relationships. 
Transparent engagement helps us 
address challenges, understand and 
manage risks, generate opportunities, 
identify material issues and improve 
our business performance.

We continuously aim to improve our 
understanding of the impacts of our 
business on local communities – positive 
or negative, actual or potential, short term 
or long term, direct or indirect, intended 
or unintended. We do this through various 
forms of impact assessment, monitoring 
and reporting, including our tailored Socio-
economic Assessment Toolbox (SEAT) and 
learnings from ongoing formal and informal 
stakeholder engagement. 

The immediate outputs are SEAT reports, 
action plans and community/stakeholder 
engagement plans. We use these to target 

our community development programmes, 
investments in local initiatives, community 
forums, and training for our community 
and human resource professionals. 
Committees and functions such as works 
councils, health and safety committees and 
others help us to shape our response to 
the findings.

During the year we conducted a SEAT at 
Frantschach, the first for the mill. The process 
was well received and positive reference 
was made to Mondi’s strong social licence 
to operate, proactive communication and 
focus on safety. The mill was also recognised 
for providing a family-style atmosphere and 
being a reliable business partner, as well as 
for its investments in the community. 

We also began the process of updating our 
Sustainable Development Management 
System (SDMS) operating standard related 
to stakeholders to provide group-level 
guidance on where and how often we need 
to conduct SEATs.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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62

Sustainability performance

Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

Investing in our communities
We’ve invested some €39.6 million in local 
community initiatives over the past five 
years, including contributing employee time 
and gifts in kind. Our investments in 2018 
totalled €7.9 million (2017: €9.6 million). 

Our commitment to empowering local 
communities is brought to life through 
practical support and assistance focused 
on the following key development enablers: 

Education

Educational programmes help to secure 
talent and skills for our future business 
and address limited technical knowledge 
in some of the communities where 
we operate. 

Mondi Świecie has partnered with 
educational institutes to improve technical 
education and career development, 
and Mondi Stambolijski (Bulgaria) has 
inspired school children to have more 
fun with mathematics.

Educational initiatives sometimes also serve 
to promote social cohesion, reduce crime 
and set the foundation for community 
development. INGWE, our youth 
development programme in South Africa, is 
achieving this.

Health

Public health provision can be a challenge 
in some of the more remote communities 
where we operate. We actively promote 
the health and wellbeing of our people, and 
improving the health of our workforce and 
local communities is an important element 
of our community strategy. 

 e Our Stambolijski mill provides a medical 

facility within the mill premises for 
the benefit of the employees and the 
local community. Štětí’s ‘Mondi for 
Life’ project, a club of 185 members 
from employees and the community, 
addresses a healthy work-life balance 
and a healthy and active lifestyle. 

 e Our Syktyvkar mill provides specific and 
targeted health programmes through its 
medical treatment facility, and delivers 
various family care programmes for 
employees and their children. 

 e Mondi provides an Austria-wide health 

management programme in collaboration 
with ‘Fonds Gesundes Österreich’ (Fund for 
a Healthy Austria) and the regional health 
insurance funds focused on safe and 
healthy working conditions for employees.

 e Our highly successful Mobile Clinic 

Programme is being used to promote early 
childhood development in South Africa.

Infrastructure and community 
development

We invest in improving infrastructure and 
development in the communities where 
we operate. High-quality infrastructure 
promotes access and opportunities, 
empowers enterprise, facilitates improved 
levels of health and education, and 
supports efficient business operations. 

For example our agri-villages in South Africa 
provide permanent residence in sustainable 
human settlements with secure tenure, and 
in Russia we build or maintain more than 
100 km of forest roads annually. 

Business review: Uncoated Fine Paper 
Page 83

Employment and enterprise support 

Mondi supports local enterprise, which 
in turn creates wealth and employment, 
strengthens the local supply chain, 
enables independence and builds 
community resilience. 

Mondi Zimele15 aims to accelerate 
community empowerment in the forestry 
value chain and support small businesses 
around Mondi’s operations.

Online Sustainable development report 
Page 106

Online Sustainable development report 
Page 104 

Online Sustainable development report 
Page 106

10  Solutions that create  

value for our customers

15  http://www.mondizimele.co.za

Responsibly produced and innovative 
packaging and paper products have a 
crucial role to play in tackling issues 
such as climate change, resource 
scarcity, food waste and plastics 
in the environment. As a producer 
of both fibre and plastic-based 
packaging solutions, we are well 
positioned to combine our expertise 
and partner with customers to find the 
best packaging for each application 
– be it a high-performance paper, 
flexible plastic or plastic-paper 
hybrid solution.

Our commitment to 2020

Performance in brief

Status

Encourage sustainable, responsibly 
produced products

Updated and renamed our Sustainable  
Products criteria and signed up to the New 
Plastics Economy Global Commitment

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Growing responsibly: Our progress in 2018

Customer engagement 
and transparency
Surveys are a key tool for measuring 
customer satisfaction and they guide the 
development of our product portfolio. 
Early in 2019 we conducted a new customer 
satisfaction survey covering all businesses. 
It included sustainability-related questions 
around certification of sustainable products 
and results will be available at the end of 
the first quarter. We also measure our 
performance by participating in a wide 
range of external benchmarking initiatives 
that aim to increase transparency, including 
WWF’s biennial Check Your Paper, the 
Environmental Paper Company Index (EPCI)16 
and Paper Profile.

EcoSolutions
Our focus on EcoSolutions will actively 
encourage customers – especially in fast 
moving consumer goods (FMCG) – to 
switch to more sustainable packaging 
solutions. The essence is ‘Sustainable 
packaging by design: paper where 
possible, plastic when useful’. 

Chief Executive Officer’s letter 
Page 10-11

External context 
Page 14-17

Green Range
For Uncoated Fine Paper, we have an 
existing system in place, the Green Range, 
which we use to communicate sustainability 
criteria specific to our uncoated fine paper 
products. Green Range products are 
produced from FSC- or PEFC-certified 
wood from sustainably managed forests 
or 100% recycled paper, or are produced 
totally chlorine free (TCF).

Our Sustainable 
Products criteria
In 2018, we identified the need to refocus 
certain elements of our Responsible 
Products criteria definitions to promote our 
circular economy approach and make the 
criteria relevant to all fibre and plastic-based 
products. The criteria have been reviewed, 
updated and renamed our Sustainable 
Products criteria. 

Our businesses have started to define 
business-specific criteria and develop a 
corresponding scorecard to track progress. 
This will increase transparency for our 
customers and partners on our portfolio 
of EcoSolutions. 

Online Sustainable development report 
Page 110

Our Sustainable Products 
criteria reflect all stages 
of the value chain:
Responsible sourcing: Products 
using responsibly sourced raw materials 
and services from suppliers that meet 
our standards on social, environmental, 
legal and ethical criteria. 

Renewable materials: Products made 
with renewable material or feedstock.

Recycled materials: Products 
made with recycled content without 
compromising quality or safety.

Resource optimisation: 
Products designed, engineered and 
manufactured to best utilise all available 
resources including reduced emissions 
to air, water or land.

Enhanced product performance: 
Products and solutions (including 
substitution of materials) with 
sustainable features to reduce product 
loss and/or environmental impact in the 
supply chain. 

Next life: Products are optimised for 
the most desirable end-of-life scenario 
to retain value into their next life, such 
as reusability and recyclability, or 
compostability and biodegradability.

Code of business ethics

Mondi’s code of business ethics sets 
clear standards that ensure we conduct 
business to a high ethical standard, build 
trust with stakeholders, and comply with 
all applicable laws and regulation across 
the Group. It is based on a number of 
voluntary codes and guidelines and 
comprises five principles under the 
following headings: legal compliance; 
honesty and integrity; human rights; 
stakeholders and sustainability. 

Detailed application of the code is 
documented in Mondi’s policies and 
procedures, in particular the business 
integrity policy, which addresses Mondi’s 
zero tolerance approach to bribery and 
corruption. There is a clearly defined 
process for reporting violations, with 
the Group Chief Executive Officer, 
Group Chief Financial Officer and Group 
Head of Internal Audit being notified in 
all instances.

Regular training is provided to all 
relevant employees and compliance 
with the policy is monitored by the 
audit committee. The directors believe 
that the Group has robust compliance 
procedures in place in relation to the 
code and are not aware of any material 
non-compliance with the Code.

We have rigorous internal processes 
to facilitate the reporting, investigation 
and resolution of any issues. Speakout, 
our confidential hotline operated by an 
independent third party, is the primary 
tool through which employees and other 
stakeholders can raise concerns.

In 2018, we received 104 Speakout 
messages (2017: 120) relating to 65 cases 
(2017: 74). These covered a number 
of topics, in particular the reporting 
of HR-related concerns, potential 
business irregularities and perceived 
fraudulent activities. 

16  https://epci.panda.org/results/mondi

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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64

Financial performance
Strong performance 
on all key metrics

Our strong cash flow generation and robust  
financial position make us resilient and provide  
us with strategic flexibility to take advantage  
of opportunities.

Our financial performance1

€ million

Group revenue

Underlying EBITDA

% margin

Depreciation, amortisation and impairments

Underlying operating profit

% margin

Net finance costs

Net profit from equity accounted investees

Underlying profit before tax

Underlying tax charge

Non-controlling interests

Underlying earnings

Special items (after tax)

Profit after tax and  
non-controlling interests

Basic earnings per share (euro cents)

Basic underlying earnings per share 
(euro cents)

ROCE %

Our financial position

€ million

Property, plant and equipment

Goodwill

Working capital

Other assets

Other liabilities

Net assets excluding net debt

Equity

Non-controlling interests in equity

Net debt

Capital employed

2018

7,481

1,764

23.6%

(446)

1,318

17.6%

(88)

1

1,231

(273)

(42)

916

(92)

824

170.1

189.1

23.6%

2018

4,340

942

972

540

(749)

6,045

3,485

340

2,220

6,045

Restated2
2017

7,096

1,482

20.9%

(453)

1,029

14.5%

(85)

1

945

(181)

(43)

721

(53)

668

137.9

148.9

19.3%

Restated2
2017

4,128

698

899

530

(716)

5,539

3,683

324

1,532

5,539

1  Alternative Performance Measures are defined in note 32, and where relevant reconciled to IFRS in the notes to the 

combined and consolidated financial statements

2  Refer to notes 32 and 33 in the notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements for basis of restatement

%  
change

5%

19%

28%

30%

27%

23%

23%

27%

Group revenue of €7,481 million was up 
5% on the prior year. Underlying EBITDA 
of €1,764 million was up 19% on the prior 
year, with strong contributions from Fibre 
Packaging and Uncoated Fine Paper. 
A combination of higher selling prices, 
a strong operational performance, the 
contribution from acquisitions, and the 
benefits of our ongoing cost reduction 
initiatives more than offset higher 
variable and fixed costs and negative 
currency effects. 

Input costs were generally higher than the 
prior year period, mitigated by our ongoing 
cost reduction initiatives. Wood costs were 
generally higher in local currency terms. 
Strong wood cost inflation was seen in 
northern and certain central European 
markets, while wood costs were lower in 
Poland and the Czech Republic driven by 
favourable regional wood supply dynamics. 
Energy and chemical costs were up year-
on-year mainly due to higher crude oil and 
gas prices. Caused mainly by Chinese 
import policies, average benchmark paper 
for recycling costs were down 33% on 
the prior year, declining sharply during 
the first quarter and stabilising thereafter. 
Polyethylene prices were slightly lower year-
on-year.

Despite general labour cost inflation, most 
evident in central and eastern Europe, 
Russia and South Africa, and higher 
maintenance costs at a number of our key 
pulp and paper mills, we were able to limit 
the overall increase in fixed costs due to the 
success of our ongoing cost containment 
and productivity improvement initiatives.

The impact of maintenance shuts on 
underlying EBITDA in 2018 was around 
€110 million (2017: €95 million). Based on 
prevailing market prices, we estimate 
that the impact of planned maintenance 
shuts on underlying EBITDA in 2019 will 
be around €150 million, of which the first 
half year effect is estimated at around 
€90 million (2018: €55 million). This includes 
an extended maintenance shut planned 
at our large Syktyvkar mill (Russia) in the 
second quarter and a project related shut 
at our Ružomberok mill (Slovakia) in the 
second half.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
Depreciation and amortisation charges 
were marginally lower during the period, as 
currency effects and disposals more than 
offset the effects of acquisitions and the 
Group’s capital investment programme. 

 e Consumer Packaging: Restructuring 
of operations, primarily in the UK. 
Restructuring costs of €13 million and 
impairment of assets of €16 million 
were recognised.

Following the discontinuation of in-line 
silicone coating production at Štětí, 
restructuring costs of €3 million and 
related impairment of assets of €2 million 
were recognised. Reversal of impairment 
of assets of €2 million was recognised.

 e Uncoated Fine Paper: Closure of an 

uncoated fine paper machine at Merebank 
(South Africa). Restructuring costs of 
€16 million and related impairment of 
assets of €5 million were recognised.

Underlying operating profit of €1,318 million 
was up 28% on the prior year. After taking 
into consideration the impact of special 
items of €126 million (2017: €61 million), 
operating profit of €1,192 million was 
up 23%.

In 2018, the special item net charge 
comprised the following by business unit:

 e Fibre Packaging: Discontinuation of in-
line silicone coating production at Štětí 
(Czech Republic). Restructuring costs 
of €4 million and related impairment of 
assets of €51 million were recognised.

Restructuring of industrial bags 
operations in the US. Restructuring costs 
of €9 million and related impairment of 
assets of €9 million were recognised.

Underlying EBITDA development
€ million

626

(226)

(67)

(72)

5

14

1,764

(446)

1,482

2

Strong cash flow generation
Cash generated from operations of 
€1,654 million (2017: €1,363 million), reflects 
the continued strong cash generating 
capability of the Group. 

Working capital as a percentage of revenue 
was 13.0%, in line with the prior year 
(12.7%) and within our expected range of 
12% to 14%. The net cash outflow from 
movements in working capital during the 
year was €117 million (2017: €122 million).

In 2018, capital expenditure amounted 
to €709 million (2017: €611 million), in line 
with our expectations as outflows related 
to our major capital expenditure projects 
increased. We completed the acquisition 
of Powerflute (Finland), two industrial bag 
plants in Egypt and forest plantations in 
South Africa for a total consideration, on a 
debt and cash-free basis, of €424 million. 

Further significant outflows from 
financing activities included the payment 
of ordinary dividends of €309 million 
(2017: €273 million) and the payment 
of a special dividend (€484 million) 
(2017: zero). Interest paid of €73 million 
(2017: €97 million) was lower than in the 
prior year period primarily due to the 
payment of the final coupon of the 5.75% 
2017 €500 million Eurobond on maturity 
in the prior year. Tax paid of €248 million 
(2017: €151 million) was higher than the 
prior year due to improved profitability.

(126)

1,192

Underlying
EBITDA

2018

Depreciation,
amortisation
& impairment

Special
items

Operating
profit

2018

Underlying
EBITDA

Sales
volumes 

Sales
prices

Variable
costs

Cash
fixed
costs

Currency
effects

Acquisitions
& disposals

Other

2017 

Movement in net debt
€ million

1,532

(1,654)

709

53

424

327

1,312

345

Cash generated from operations
€ million

484

2,220

€1,654m

1,654

1,401

1,363

1,279

1,033

Cash generated 
from operations

Capital
expenditure

Investment 
in forestry 
assets

Tax, 
interest 
and other

Ordinary 
dividends 
paid1

Net debt before
acquisitions
and special
dividend

Acquisitions

Special 
dividend 
paid

Net debt

Dec
2017

1  Ordinary dividends paid to shareholders and non-controlling interests

Net debt

Dec
2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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66

Financial performance

Our net debt and interest1

€ million

Net debt

Average net debt

Net interest expense

Effective interest rate

Committed facilities

Of which undrawn

2018

2,220

1,979

(83)

4.2%

2,487

616

Restated2
2017

1,532

1,572

(75)

4.8%

1,987

791

% change

(45)%

(26)%

(11)%

Net debt to 12-month trailing underlying 
EBITDA (times)

1.3

1.0

1  Alternative Performance Measures are defined in note 32, and where relevant reconciled to IFRS in the notes to the combined and  

consolidated financial statements

2  Refer to notes 32 and 33 in the notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements for basis of restatement

Managing our financial risks
Our capital structure

Capital employed is managed on a basis 
that enables the Group to continue trading 
as a going concern, while delivering 
acceptable returns to shareholders. We are 
committed to managing our cost of capital 
by maintaining an appropriate capital 
structure, with a balance between equity 
and net debt.

Our capital employed is used to fund the 
growth of the business and to finance our 
liquidity needs. We retain access to diverse 
sources of funding with various debt 
maturities, as set out in the chart below.

Our short-term liquidity needs are met 
through our €750 million Syndicated 
Revolving Credit Facility.

The Group’s liquidity position remains 
robust. At the end of the year, €616 million 
of our €2.5 billion committed debt facilities 
were undrawn and the weighted average 
maturity of committed debt facilities was 
4.6 years. Gearing at the same date was 
37% and our net debt to 12-month trailing 
underlying EBITDA ratio was 1.3 times, 
well within our key financial covenant 
requirement of 3.5 times.

During the year, Standard & Poor’s 
upgraded the Group’s credit rating to BBB+ 
(stable outlook) from BBB, while Moody’s 
Investors Service maintained their Baa1 
(stable outlook) credit rating.

Net debt at 31 December 2018 was 
€2,220 million, up from €1,532 million 
at 31 December 2017, representing a 
reduction in net debt of €220 million 
before the payment of a special dividend 
(€484 million) and acquisitions totalling 
€424 million.

In April 2018, we issued a 1.625% 
€600 million Eurobond with an 8-year tenor 
under our Guaranteed Euro Medium Term 
Note Programme, thereby extending the 
Group’s maturity profile and maintaining our 
strong liquidity. 

Net finance costs of €88 million were 
€3 million higher than the previous year as 
the benefit from a lower effective interest 
rate (4.2% in 2018 compared to 4.8% in 
2017) was offset by higher average net debt 
of €1,979 million (2017: €1,572 million).

Maturity profile of net debt
€ million

€2,220m

Composition of debt 
€ million

Net debt and finance costs
€ million

  Within 1 year 

  1–2 years 

  2–5 years 

  >5 years 

218

548

233

1,221

  Bonds 

1,592

  Bank loans 
  and overdrafts 

  Lease liabilities 

  Other loans 

484

184

10

Net finance cost (underlying)

1,979

Average net debt
Effective interest 

1,675

1,650

1,476

%
2
.
6

%
3
.
6

%
4
.
5

1,572

%
8
.
4

97

105

101

85

%
2
.
4

88

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

 
Currencies

Tax

Our multi-national presence results 
in exposure to foreign exchange risk 
in the ordinary course of business. 
Currency exposures arise from commercial 
transactions denominated in foreign 
currencies, financial assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies 
and translational exposure on our net 
investments in foreign operations.

Our policy is to fund subsidiaries in their 
local functional currency wherever practical. 
External funding is obtained in a range of 
currencies and, where required, translated 
into the subsidiaries’ functional currencies 
through the swap market.

We hedge material net balance sheet 
exposures and forecast future capital 
expenditure. We do not hedge our 
exposures to projected future sales or 
purchases. We do not take speculative 
positions on derivative contracts.

Currency movements had a net negative 
impact on underlying EBITDA versus the 
comparable prior year period. The negative 
impact of a weaker Russian rouble on 
translation of our domestically focused 
Uncoated Fine Paper business and a 
weaker Turkish lira more than offset 
the benefits to our export orientated 
businesses of a weaker South African rand 
and a strong US dollar relative to the euro, 
seen in the second half of the year.

We aim to manage our tax affairs 
conservatively, consistent with our 
approach to all aspects of financial 
risk management. Our objective is to 
structure our operations tax efficiently, 
taking advantage of available incentives 
and exemptions, while complying with 
all applicable laws and regulations. 
In accordance with Organisation for 
Economic Cooperation and Development 
guidelines, our policy is that all intra-group 
transactions are conducted on an arm’s 
length basis.

While ultimate responsibility for the tax 
affairs of the Group rests with the Boards, 
the executive committee ensures that the 
tax governance framework is aligned with 
the principles of financial management 
applied throughout the Group. We have 
dedicated internal tax resources throughout 
the organisation, supported by a centralised 
Group tax department who take day-to-
day responsibility for management of the 
Group’s tax affairs. We maintain a detailed 
set of operational guidelines aimed at 
ensuring a sound tax control environment. 
In addition, we seek regular professional 
advice to ensure that we remain up to date 
with changes in tax legislation, disclosure 
requirements and best practice.

Tax risks are monitored on a continuous 
basis and are more formally reviewed on a 
half-yearly basis by the audit committee as 
part of our half-yearly reporting process. 

As Mondi operates in a number of 
countries, each with a different tax system, 
the Group is regularly subject to routine 
tax audits and tax authority reviews which 
may take a considerable period of time to 
conclude. Our intention is to maintain a 
constructive dialogue with tax authorities 
and to work collaboratively with them to 
resolve any disputes. Where necessary, 
provision is made for known issues and the 
expected outcomes of any negotiations 
or litigation.

Our underlying tax charge for the year was 
€273 million (2017: €181 million) reflecting 
tax on higher profits combined with a 
higher effective tax rate at 22% (2017: 19%), 
as a consequence of the full utilisation of 
tax incentives in Poland in 2017. Tax relief 
on special items amounted to €34 million 
(2017: €8 million).

Assuming a similar geographic profit mix 
and stable statutory tax rates, we would 
expect our effective tax rate in 2019 to be 
around 23%. 

Non-financial information statement 
Page 50

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Currency split of net debt 
%

  Euro 

  Czech koruna 

  Polish zloty 

  Turkish lira 

  US dollar 

  Pounds sterling 

  Other 

54

18

13 

4

3

2

6

Czech koruna  18

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
68

Business reviews
Our integrated  
value chain

We are integrated across the 
packaging and paper value 
chain. Our sustainably managed 
forests, backward pulp integration 
and high electricity self-sufficiency 
provide us with security of fibre 
supply, reduced exposure to 
raw material price volatility and 
the ability to manage risks and 
opportunities more holistically. 

We believe that the integrated nature of our 
business places us in an ideal position to deliver 
on our customers’ packaging and paper needs.

We are working with partners across our 
value chain to design fibre and plastic-based 
packaging that it is fit for a circular economy. 
This includes using the optimum amount of 
recycled content and creating products that can 
be recycled.

1  Due to commercial, logistic and sustainability considerations, the actual 
wood procured from our managed forests was lower than the annual 
allowable cut

2  In addition to the 1.6mt of uncoated fine paper, the Group also produced 

0.2mt of newsprint in 2018

3  Total consumption (aggregate of internal and externally procured 

packaging paper) in million tonnes (mt)
4  Pulp and packaging paper net exposure
5  The majority of the Group’s market pulp is produced by the Uncoated 

Fine Paper business with the balance from Fibre Packaging

6  Based on 2018 statistics

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Raw materials6

Mondi managed forests 
Annual allowable cut: 8 million m³

Internally procured wood1 
4 million m³

Externally procured wood 
14 million m³

Paper for recycling 
1.3 million tonnes (mt)

Recycling

Films and  
other raw 
materials

Resins

Production processes6

Products6

Pulp mill 
4.3 mt

Paper mill2

Uncoated fine paper 
1.6 mt

Kraft paper 
1.1 mt

Virgin containerboard 
2.0 mt

Recycled containerboard 
0.5 mt

0.8 mt3

0.3 mt3

0.6 mt3

Pulp4,5 
0.2 mt

Uncoated  
fine paper2 
1.6 mt

Kraft paper4 
0.3 mt

Virgin containerboard4 
1.7 mt

Recycled containerboard4 
- 0.1 mt

Fibre-based  
packaging operations

Corrugated  
packaging 
1.6bn m2

Industrial  
bags 
5.3bn bags

Extrusion  
coatings 
1.2bn m2

Consumer flexible  
packaging operations

Consumer packaging 
7.3bn m2

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Consumer  PackagingUncoated  Fine PaperFibre  Packaging 
 
70

Business reviews
Fibre Packaging

Our Fibre Packaging business 
manufactures and sells a 
broad range of containerboard, 
speciality and sack kraft papers 
as well as converted corrugated 
packaging, industrial bags and 
extrusion-coated products 
for a variety of consumer and 
industrial applications.

Operating sites

70 in 29 countries

Paper mills: 10

Converting plants:

Corrugated Packaging: 16

Industrial Bags: 40

Extrusion Coatings: 4

Employees

13,500

Production capacity1

Pulp: 3,055 ktpa

Virgin and recycled containerboard: 2,720 ktpa

Sack and speciality kraft paper: 1,216 ktpa

1  Includes full year capacity of Powerflute and modernisation 

of Štětí

We are a leading producer of fibre-based 
packaging with an integrated, well-invested, 
cost-advantaged asset base. 

Our comprehensive product portfolio 
is based on renewable raw materials 
from sustainably managed forests, and 
includes products that are biodegradable, 
compostable or contain recycled content. 
Our products meet customer requirements 
around sustainability, printability, strength 
and moisture resistance. We also offer 
strong innovation capabilities in areas such 
as brand differentiation, light-weighting, 
e-commerce and functionality.

Our virgin and recycled containerboard 
is used to make corrugated packaging, 
primarily designed to protect our 
customers’ products along the value 
chain and display them in-store. 
Innovation and design improvements 
extend our corrugated packaging offering 
well beyond traditional boxes to fully 
customised trays and wraps, multi-piece 
solutions, appealing point-of-sale solutions 
and heavy-duty shipping containers.

As the global leader in sack kraft paper 
and industrial bags, we create strong, 
light-weight and sustainable products 
optimised for high-speed filling and easy 
handling used for cement and building 
materials, agricultural, chemical and 
food products. Our range includes open 
mouth bags, pasted valve bags, water-
repellent bags, bags suitable for food 
contact, e-commerce bags and heavy-
duty packaging.

Our customers benefit from our end-use 
driven expertise in sustainable speciality 
kraft papermaking. Our broad portfolio 
includes natural brown and white paper 
made from virgin and recycled fibre for 
applications including retail shopping 
bags and more sustainable food 
packaging solutions like shallow trays for 
supermarket shelves.

Our extrusion coatings portfolio offers 
sustainable alternatives for high-quality 
barrier solutions required for applications 
such as food packaging, building insulation, 
foam papers, wrappers, case linings as well 
as automotive and protective clothing.

In 2018 we merged our Packaging Paper 
and Fibre Packaging business units to 
achieve improved strategic alignment and 
operational coordination across the fibre-
based packaging value chain.

Spotlight on sustainable packaging by design

Mondi Advantage ONE –  
making one ply strong enough

Corrugated packaging  
for car bumpers

We have developed 17 innovative new packaging systems that have 
transformed the way a major European car manufacturer ships car-parts 
to China and the US. The target was to meet the high standards of global 
logistics while at the same time minimising the use of natural resources and 
offering full product protection. For example, our new and innovative car 
bumper packaging reduces packaging material by 25% and also optimises 
truck loads by 87%, reducing carbon footprint and saving transport costs.

We use Mondi Advantage ONE, a 
high-performance, fully recyclable 
sack kraft paper to make our OK 
Compost certified ONE and ONEPlus 
industrial bags for the cement 
industry. The strength of this paper 
means that these one-ply valve bags 
are up to 20% lighter than the usual 
two-ply version without compromising 
on functionality. Using less material 
makes this a resource efficient and 
cost effective packaging solution. 
If enhanced moisture protection is 
required, ONEPlus is equipped with a 
biodegradable PE film as an inner ply. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Segment revenue
€ million

€4,108m

3,396

3,670

3,472

3,735

4,108

Underlying EBITDA
€ million

€1,086m

ROCE

734

721

833

%
8
1
2

.

%
8
9
1

.

%
6
0
2

.

651

%
7
0
2

.

1,086

%
8

.

6
2

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Production information 

Containerboard

Kraft paper

Softwood pulp

Hardwood pulp

Corrugated board and boxes

Industrial bags

Extrusion coatings

Financial performance

€ million
Segment revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Underlying EBITDA margin

Underlying operating profit

Special items

Capital expenditure cash payments

Operating segment net assets

ROCE

Sustainable development

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

million m²

million units

million m²

% change 
10%

30%

41%

TRCR3
Gender diversity

Training hours

per 200,000 hours worked

% women employed

thousand hours

Energy consumption
Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions million tonnes CO2e
FSC- or PEFC-certified  
wood procured

million GJ

%

Environmental management 
certification

% operations certified to  
ISO 14001 standards

CoC Certification

% operations certified to FSC 
or PEFC CoC standards

2018
2,530

1,118

1,986

714

1,635

5,255

1,230

2018
4,108

1,086

26.4%

841

(73)

469

3,804

26.8%

20182
0.85

20

348

58.70

1.17

63

55

59

Restated1
2017
2,297

1,206

2,010

547

1,650

4,952

1,281

Restated1
2017
3,735

833

22.3%

596

3

398

3,246

20.6%

Restated1
2017
0.88

21

368

59.99

1.25

66

49

67

1  Refer to notes 2, 32 and 33 in the notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements for basis of restatement
2  2018 excludes Powerflute and Egyptian industrial bag plants acquired during the year
3  2017 TRCR has been restated to include acquisitions completed in 2016 and 2017

Financial review
Underlying EBITDA was up 30% on 
the prior year to €1,086 million, with 
higher average selling prices, improved 
product mix and volume growth more 
than offsetting higher costs and negative 
currency effects. A positive contribution 
from acquisitions was partly offset by 
disposal and one-off effects.

Good demand and limited supply 
supported a strong pricing environment 
in containerboard markets. Average  
benchmark European prices for 
unbleached kraftliner were up 16% 
year-on-year, while benchmark recycled 
containerboard prices were up around 
12% on the prior year. Prices for white top 
kraftliner and semi-chemical fluting, which 
typically show less volatility through the 
business cycle, were up in the range of 8% 
to 10% year-on-year. A slowdown in the 
rate of demand growth in the fourth quarter 
exacerbated by customer de-stocking, and 
pressure from imports into Europe led to 
price reductions in containerboard grades 
going into the new year.

Corrugated Packaging achieved good 
volume growth in the second half of the 
year in its key markets, following stable 
volumes in the first half on a strong 
comparable prior year period. The business 
successfully implemented price increases 
required to compensate for significantly 
higher paper input costs and negative 
currency effects; continued to benefit 
from growing e-commerce activity; 
and remained focused on continuous 
improvements to reduce conversion costs 
and further enhance its product offering, 
quality and service to customers. 

We saw good demand across our range of 
kraft paper grades during the year, leading 
to a strong pricing environment. Kraft paper 
prices were up around 10% on average 
year-on-year. The drive to replace plastic 
carrier bags with paper-based alternatives 
supported strong demand across our 
range of speciality kraft papers, while good 
growth in selected emerging markets drove 
demand for sack kraft paper. Kraft paper 
prices in early 2019 are up between 7% 
and 8% on average compared to average 
2018 price levels following price increases 
through the second half of 2018 and 
early 2019. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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72

Business reviews
Fibre Packaging

Delivering on our strategy

Strategic value drivers

Progress in 2018

2019 priorities

Drive performance along  
the value chain

Invest in assets  
with cost advantage

 e Implemented and realised benefits from operational 

 e Continue commercial and operational excellence 

and commercial excellence programmes
 e Focused on leveraging our cost-advantaged 

production footprint through plant network optimisation 
initiatives

 e Continued to develop our asset management system 
and recovery boiler optimisation programme to further 
improve reliability and technical integrity

efforts across our site network

 e Further focus on enhancing efficiency and reliability 

of our pulp and paper assets

 e Leverage digitalisation opportunities when available

 e Commissioned the modernisation of Štětí  

(Czech Republic)

 e Received the final necessary permitting and proceeded 
with new paper machine investment at Ružomberok 
(Slovakia)

 e Approved and progressed with several investments in 

our converting plant network

 e Ramp-up modernisation project at Štětí 
 e Progress with the new paper machine investment 
at Ružomberok and complete the related pulp mill 
upgrade

 e Progress with investment at Bupak (Czech 

Republic) and Ansbach (Germany) and speciality 
kraft paper investment conversion at Štětí

Inspire our people and 
grow responsibly

 e Improved safety performance during annual mill shuts
 e Continued community and employee engagement
 e Reduced our carbon footprint

 e Continued focus on growing our safety maturity and 

reducing our environmental footprint

 e Realise environmental benefits from the recently 

completed Štětí mill modernisation

 e Focus on talent attraction and retention initiatives

Partner with customers 
for innovation

 e Completed the acquisition of Powerflute (Finland) and 

 e Leverage recently implemented customer platforms 

two industrial bag plants in Egypt

 e Improved customer interaction through developing and 
enhancing digital service platforms and hosting events 
such as the first European shopping bag summit
 e Partnered with our customers to develop lighter, 

stronger and high performance solutions

and develop similar tools in our converting 
businesses

 e Continue to partner with our customers to develop 

sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions

Industrial Bags sales volumes were up 3% 
on a like-for-like basis, due to strong growth 
in Iberia, emerging Europe, Middle East 
and West Africa, partly offset by weaker US 
volumes. Price increases were achieved in 
the early part of the year to compensate for 
higher paper input costs. However, margins 
came under pressure during the second half 
as higher paper prices, following mid-year 
increases, could not be fully passed on to 
customers due to contractual agreements. 
Strong cost management and the benefit of 
rationalisation activities resulted in significant 
fixed cost savings during the period. 

Annual contracts for 2019 have mostly been 
finalised, with price increases implemented 
that largely reflect the full impact on the 
cost base of the recent sack kraft paper 
price increases. 

With the exception of paper for recycling, 
costs were above the prior year period, 
mitigated by our ongoing cost reduction 
programme. We saw higher wood, 
chemical and energy costs and inflationary 
increases on cash fixed costs. This was 
partly offset by higher average green energy 
prices in Poland.

A planned maintenance shut at our 
Syktyvkar mill (Russia) and an extended 
shut at Richards Bay (South Africa) were 
completed during the first half of the year. 
Planned maintenance shuts at Świecie 
(Poland) and the majority of our kraft paper 
mills, including an extended shut at Štětí 
as we commissioned the extensive plant 
modernisation project, were completed in 
the second half. Maintenance shuts are 
planned at our Syktyvkar, Powerflute and 
Richards Bay mills for the first half of 2019, 
while the majority of the remaining shuts are 
scheduled for the second half of the year.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

High-tech corrugated production at Mondi Świecie

Drive performance  
along the value chain
We continued to benefit from our ongoing 
operational excellence initiatives, driving 
productivity and efficiency, minimising 
waste, delivering procurement savings and 
enhancing our quality systems. During the 
year we achieved annual production 
records at 10 of our paper and pulp drying 
machines. We also focused on our supply 
chain, including a programme to improve 
our mills’ ocean transport system, which will 
reduce costs and improve effectiveness, 
service quality and reliability.

During the year, our converting operations 
continued with initiatives to pass through 
raw material price increases, especially 
paper input costs. Our corrugated 
packaging business is also developing 
digital dynamic pricing tools to support our 
performance in this area.

To further improve the reliability and 
technical integrity of our pulp and paper 
operations and reduce maintenance 
costs we continue to develop our asset 
management processes, including the 
implementation of specific training to 
enhance the skills and qualifications of our 
people across our mill network. We also 
established a programme to optimise the 
performance of our recovery boilers, which 
we expect will deliver energy savings, 
enable best-practice sharing and continue 
to improve the reliability of our operations.

We continue to optimise our production 
footprint and leverage our cost-advantaged 
asset base. In 2018, we announced 
the closure of two industrial bag plants 
in Europe and another in Kentucky 
(US). We are able to continue to serve 
customers from our existing plant network, 
benefiting from economies of scale. 
We stopped production of in-line silicone 
coated products at Štětí due to technical 
challenges and process complexity. 
In June, we completed the sale of a flat 
sack kraft paper mill in Pine Bluff, Arkansas 
(US), with 130,000 tonnes of annual 
production capacity.

Invest in assets  
with cost advantage
In the fourth quarter of 2018, we 
successfully commissioned the €335 million 
modernisation of the Štětí mill to replace the 
recovery boiler, rebuild the fibre lines and 
debottleneck the existing packaging paper 
machines. The project is expected to result 
in additional annual production of 90,000 
tonnes of softwood market pulp and 
55,000 tonnes of packaging paper. 

We obtained the final necessary permitting 
to proceed with the €340 million investment 
in a new 300,000 tonne per annum kraft 
top white machine at Ružomberok, with 
start-up expected towards the end of 2020. 
The related pulp mill upgrade at the same 
site is progressing according to plan with 
start-up expected in late 2019.

Responding to continued good demand 
across our range of speciality kraft papers 
in Europe, supported by the drive to 
replace plastic carrier bags with paper-
based alternatives, we have approved a 
€67 million capital investment project to 
convert a containerboard machine at Štětí 
to be fully dedicated to the production of 
speciality kraft paper with a mix of recycled 
and virgin fibre content for shopping 
bag applications. This will also allow us 
to optimise productivity and efficiency 
at Świecie, where this grade is currently 
produced. The project will result in an 
additional 75,000 tonnes per annum of 
speciality kraft paper capacity, while 
reducing our containerboard capacity by 
around 30,000 tonnes per annum. Start-up 
is expected by the end of 2020.

We continue to invest in our converting 
plant network. We are expanding our 
industrial bag plant in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) 
with a second line to service our customers’ 
growing needs. We have approved 
investment plans at our corrugated plants 
in Bupak to broaden its capabilities, 
reduce conversion costs and focus on 
growing e-commerce applications; and 
in Ansbach to grow with our customers, 
reduce conversion costs and secure the 
plant’s long-term competitiveness as a 
leading heavy-duty corrugated packaging 
supplier. Our team continually seeks 
capital investment opportunities across 
our plant network to leverage our exposure 
to faster growing regions while remaining 
disciplined in our focus on investing in cost-
advantaged assets.

Inspire our people  
and grow responsibly
We continue to minimise the top safety 
risks in our operations to improve our 
year-on-year performance. While we saw 
safety improvements at our mills during 
planned annual maintenance and project-
related shuts, we unfortunately noted an 
increase in incidents relating to hazardous 
substances as well as rotating and moving 
equipment, which will be focus areas in 
2019. We also regret two life-altering injuries 
in 2018 – a severe injury to the lower left 
arm of an employee at our Štětí mill and 
a finger amputation of an employee at 
Świecie. Our 2019 efforts will concentrate 
on supporting underperforming operations 
and keeping up the positive momentum at 
those operations where we are achieving 
our safety milestones. We are pleased with 
the improvements in our safety performance 
across our converting operations and have 
identified opportunities to use digital tools to 
assist us in managing machine shutdowns 
and lockdowns more safely, which we will 
focus on in the coming year.

We aim to be an employer of choice 
focusing on attracting and retaining 
employees. We also have several mills 
where a number of key employees will be 
retiring in the coming years and we are 
therefore defining specific action plans 
to attract talent, create a stronger culture 
of employee recognition and ensure we 
retain a high-performing workforce.

The recently completed Štětí mill 
modernisation project will make the mill 
energy self-sufficient and is expected to 
further reduce our GHG emissions. We also 
improved the condensate treatment at our 
Stambolijski mill (Bulgaria) by installing a new 
condenser for foul condensate stripping 
including incineration of malodorous gases in 
the recovery boiler. In 2019, we plan to invest 
in our Frantschach mill (Austria) to reduce 
malodourous gas emissions.

Our annual ‘Making a Difference Day’ 
provided an opportunity to engage with local 
communities and educate our employees 
through training programmes focusing on 
the prevention of leakages and spills and the 
transport of hazardous material. During the 
year we also hosted a number of events 
including visits by local students, family 
days and community open days. We see 
benefits from these activities including 
improved community-site cooperation, 
local environmental and safety and health 
awareness, understanding of our industry, 
and support for the development of a pool of 
local technical skills.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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74

Business reviews
Fibre Packaging

Partner with customers  
for innovation
In June 2018, we completed the acquisition 
of Powerflute, an integrated pulp and 
paper mill with a production capacity 
of 285,000 tonnes per annum of high-
performance semi-chemical fluting, for 
a total consideration of €365 million on a 
debt and cash-free basis. The integration 
is progressing well and further broadens 
our containerboard product range and 
geographic reach. We also completed 
two industrial bag plant acquisitions in 
Egypt bolstering our presence in the fast 
growing Middle East industrial bag market, 
enabling us to better serve our customers 
in the region. 

We continue to evolve our customer 
interaction and partnership using digital 
solutions. We updated and enhanced our 
digital technical sales service platform 
‘corrugated-paper-expert.com’ which 
supports our containerboard customers 
24/7 in developing the most suitable 
corrugated board structure and resolving 
production issues they may encounter.

Our converting operations continue to 
focus on partnering with our customers to 
develop innovative solutions. As a producer 
of both paper and plastic packaging, we 
believe we are uniquely positioned to 
leverage our customer relationships and 
paper, bag and barriers know-how to 
develop sustainable packaging solutions 
for our customers. As an example, our 
HYBRIDPRO bag combines a high-density 
polyethylene outer ply with our Advantage 
ONE sack kraft paper meaning the 
packaging can resist rain and protect the 
primary product yet can still be used on 
conventional paper bag filling systems. 
The plastic and paper plies can be easily 
separated and recycled and, because the 
bag uses two rather than three plies, less 
material is used.

Industrial Bags won the Eurosac Grand 
Prix award for MailerBAG, an innovative 
light-weight, recyclable and reusable paper 
bag solution for e-commerce packaging 
designed to lower logistic costs and 
accelerate the packaging processes. 

Our corrugated business won seven 2019 
WorldStar1 awards, more than any other 
company worldwide, building on its success 
in winning five such awards the prior year, 
and consolidating our position as a truly 
innovative force in the packaging industry.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

For example our WorldStar award winning 
Glass7Box is a corrugated box with a 
shock-absorbent structure created to 
accommodate different products. It was 
designed for premium glass brand Riedel 
to reduce the complexity of the packaging 
process and offer greater flexibility when 
packing a broad range of glasses. 

Mondi’s point-of-sale Baca Stand, a 
previous WorldStar award winner, is an 
easy forming, tape-free corrugated display 
solution consisting of modular trays with a 
mid-support structure that enables simple 
and fast filling during production, as well as 
easy access for end-consumers. It is more 
efficient as it uses 46% less material and 
requires 20% less handling time per pallet 
compared to conventional stack boxes.

In April 2018, Mondi hosted ‘Let’s paper 
the world’, the first European shopping 
bag summit bringing together leading 
converters, suppliers and customers to 
collaboratively address the fast growing 
needs for sustainable paper-based 
shopping bag solutions and to showcase 
our ‘shoppingworld by Mondi’ product 
range. Read more in the case study 
that follows.

1  The WorldStar awards are open to packaging organisations 
across the world. Judges look for sustainable solutions to 
packaging challenges, demonstration of enhanced user 
convenience and reduced material waste. 2019 winners were 
announced in December 2018

Mondi Diamond  
Awards  
Mondi Świecie

Don’t waste  
the waste

Winner in Sustainable  
Development category

Project leaders: 

Hanna Glowala  
Environmental specialist,  
Mondi Świecie (above)

Magdalena Michalczyk-
Krakowiak  
Environmental Protection 
& Laboratory Manager, 
Mondi Świecie

People generate a huge amount of 
waste. For example, the European 
Union produces up to 3 billion 
tonnes of waste every year1. 
Some goes to landfill, potentially 
leading to hazardous compounds 
in our soil and water, and some 
ends up polluting our environment 
or oceans. Ecosystems suffer as a 
result, and each of us are exposed 
to the harmful effects of waste.

This is a crisis impacting our future, 
and our children’s wellbeing. 
But we can all make a difference 
– and at Mondi Świecie, we are 
doing just that.

Our site produces a significant 
amount of waste – about 200,000 
tonnes a year. In 2003, 100% of 
it went to landfill. So we set out to 
reverse that by getting everyone 
across the value chain to work 
together to bring about change.

We investigated the waste 
recipient market, finding 
contractors able to convert our 
waste into usable resources. 
We did extensive research and 
engaged with a wide range of 
people, securing 20 to 40 partner 
contracts per year between 2004 
and 2017. In addition, by 2008 we 
had completely discontinued ash 
landfill from our coal boilers; dregs 
and sludge landfill; and furnace 
waste landfill.

It has taken us fourteen years, but 
we have succeeded. Today just 
over 1% of our waste goes to 
landfill – absolutely everything else 
is recycled and reused.

And that last 1%? We’re working 
on it! 

1  http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/

pdf/WASTE%20BROCHURE.pdf

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Spotlight on ‘Let’s paper the world 2018’

Challenges, opportunities 
and new ways of working 
were the topics of the day at 
‘Let’s paper the world 2018’, 
Europe’s first shopping bag 
summit, hosted by Mondi.
Leading shopping bag 
converters, suppliers and 
customers came together 
in April in Prague (Czech 
Republic) for Let’s Paper the 
World 2018.

Participants included global 
brands Benetton, H&M 
and REWE Group; bag 
manufacturers; papermakers 
and paper associations; ink 
and glue producers; bag 
machine manufacturers; 
and market intelligence 
leader Mintel.

There were four top takeaways 
from this pivotal summit.

Gone are the days of the 
‘simple’ paper bag
Today’s paper shopping bags 
are engineered for specific 
applications within the food and 
non-food industry. For example 
a shopping bag produced 
by bag maker Litobal, with 
a sophisticated, full-colour 
flexoprint on Mondi speciality 
kraft paper, is proven to carry 
up to 25 kg (food retail bags 
must carry at least 12 kg), 
made of credibly certified 
fibre, and guaranteed safe for 
contact with food.

Producing high-performance 
shopping bags like these is a 
technical feat that takes skill, 
advanced technology and the 
highest quality materials. 

Sustainability is no longer 
an option – it’s a necessity
Shopping bags made of 
credibly certified fibre and 
designed to biodegrade, or 
be easily recycled or reused, 
are no longer a niche product 
for boutique brands. Today, 
sustainability is mainstream.

Richard Cope, Senior Trends 
Consultant at Mintel, shared 
examples from around the 
world of how consumer 
expectations have shifted for 
sustainability and packaging: 
“Consumers expect companies 
to set the sustainability agenda. 
They expect brands to be 
ethical on their behalf.”

Demand for certified fibre 
is outstripping supply – 
sustainable forestry needs 
more focus
While rising consumer demand 
for sustainable packaging is a 
good thing, a clear effect is that 
demand for sustainable fibre is 
growing. With just 11% of the 
world’s forests being certified, 
one of the biggest challenges is 
meeting the increased demand 
for certified fibre.

“We all want to increase the 
share of certified fibre,” said 
Tanja Dietrich-Hübner of REWE 
International, “but while organic 
and fair-trade food certifications 
are widely recognised, FSC 
and PEFC certifications are not 
well known to consumers.”

Collaborate to meet new 
challenges in the paper 
bag industry
Another important takeaway 
from the summit is the need 
for more exchange and 
partnerships to innovate for 
what’s coming, including the 
growth of e-commerce and the 
circular economy.

More collaboration along 
the supply chain between 
product managers, technical 
sales and service, R&D, 
suppliers (including paper, 
inks and glues), end users, 
retailers – and even foresters 
– will be needed to develop 
the perfect paper bags for 
tomorrow’s needs.

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
76

Business reviews
Consumer Packaging

Our Consumer Packaging 
business develops, 
manufactures and sells 
innovative flexible plastic-based 
consumer goods packaging 
solutions, technical films, 
components for personal care 
products, and release liners.

Operating sites

29 in 12 countries

Employees

6,000

We produce highly specialised technical 
films and film-based solutions for a 
variety of uses and industries. It is all 
about innovating new technical features 
to improve functionality and reliability. 
Products include high-barrier films for 
sophisticated packaging solutions, films 
for demanding surfaces or technical 
components in automotive and light-weight 
design as well as high-quality label films.

Our personal care components prioritise 
comfort in diapers, adult incontinence 
and femcare products including soft 
nonwovens, unique stretchy elastic films 
and laminates, mechanical fastening 
components and wrapping films.

In addition, Consumer Packaging also 
offers a wide range of high performance 
paper and film-based release liners and 
advanced functional coatings for various 
applications including tapes, graphic arts, 
medical, fibre composites, baking and 
many more.

We operate a high-quality asset base, 
using proprietary processing technology 
with vertical integration along the value 
chain, producing products and product 
components for some of the world’s 
biggest brands. Our leading market 
positions and culture of product innovation 
provide a strong platform for growth.

Sustainable development is integral to our 
responsible and profitable growth, and 
part of our everyday work. Our focus is on 
prioritising the responsible use of resources, 
and working with customers and partners 
across the value chain to find the most 
useful and sustainable packaging solution 
for each of their products. This means 
more convenient, more comfortable, more 
efficient, faster, lighter, stronger and easier 
to use or recycle.

Our consumer goods packaging products 
help brands communicate with customers, 
extend shelf-life and improve end-user 
convenience. We produce high-quality 
laminates and barrier materials on reels, 
capable of handling a variety of high-quality 
printing techniques. We also offer a wide 
range of tailor-made converted flexible 
packaging solutions such as stand-up 
pouches, re-closable plastic bags, paper-
based bags, and ice cream packaging.

Spotlight on sustainable packaging by design

Aluminium-free packaging  
for Nestlé coffee

A lighter, recyclable spout  
bag for Werner & Mertz

We supply aluminium-free barrier 
laminates to Nestlé for the leading 
Swedish coffee brand Zoégas. 
The transparent laminate is made of 
recyclable polyolefin material which 
has high barrier properties that 
preserve the taste and aroma of the 
coffee for its entire shelf-life. We are 
working on various projects to further 
support the whole Nestlé Group in 
meeting common short and long-
term sustainability targets including 
resource optimisation, delivering 
packaging solutions made from 
renewable materials and ultimately 
fulfilling the circular economy model. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

We’ve been working with Werner & 
Mertz since 2014 to reinvent the way 
they make their detergent packaging. 
The project was truly ambitious. 
It was not about developing flexible 
plastic packaging that is only 
theoretically recyclable but still likely 
to end up in landfill. Rather, the 
design aim was to ‘reverse-engineer’ 
the recycling process to create 
packaging fit for every stage of the 
recycling process. By moving to 
a 100% recyclable mono-material 
we were able to achieve a 70% 
material reduction versus their rigid 
packaging alternatives.

Financial review
Underlying EBITDA of €194 million was 
down 13% on the prior year.

The business generated good growth 
in selected value-added segments in 
consumer goods packaging and technical 
films, restructured the plant network and 
fixed cost base, and drove continuous 
improvement initiatives during the year. 
This saw the sub-segment consumer 
goods packaging deliver an improved 
performance in what remains a challenging 
trading environment. Overall Consumer 
Packaging’s performance was held back 
by declining volumes in personal care 
components, one-off costs, rising paper 
input costs in release liner and negative 
currency effects.

Drive performance  
along the value chain
During the year we increased our focus 
on commercial excellence initiatives 
to drive product mix improvements. 
We also continued working on operational 
improvements to reduce waste and 
further improve our productivity and 
efficiency. We streamlined production 
across our network, and relocated 
machinery to plants where they could 
be better utilised. We continue to 
investigate further opportunities to drive 
performance and optimise our asset base. 
Continuous improvement initiatives will 
again be in focus during 2019.

In continuing to drive performance by 
aligning capacity to current market 
requirements, we restructured our UK 
operations, including the closure of our 
plant in Scunthorpe in the second half of 
the year. 

To reduce costs and further enhance 
our product, service and process 
quality standards for our customers, we 
strengthened our quality management 
systems by improving the way we measure 
and report on quality related initiatives. 
This helps us to ensure best-practice 
sharing across our plant network so that 
we can implement specific action plans 
where required.

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Segment revenue
€ million

€1,611m

1,562

1,646

1,611

1,469

1,379

Underlying EBITDA
€ million

€194m

ROCE

158

%
4
0
1

.

177

%
7
0
1

.

222

198

194

%
5
0
1

.

%
4
0
1

.

%
0
9

.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Production information 

Consumer packaging

Financial performance

€ million
Segment revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Underlying EBITDA margin

Underlying operating profit

Special items

Capital expenditure cash payments

Operating segment net assets

ROCE

Sustainable development

TRCR2
Gender diversity

Training hours

per 200,000 hours worked

% women employed

thousand hours

Energy consumption
Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions million tonnes CO2e
Environmental management 
certification

% of operations certified to  
ISO 14001 standards

million GJ

Hygiene certification

% food contact operations 
certified to recognised food 
hygiene standards

million m²

2018
7,278

2017
7,437

% change 
(2)%

(13)%

(14)%

2018
1,611

194

12.0%

115

(32)

79

1,311

9.0%

2018
1.03

22

134

2.69

0.25

83

100

Restated1
2017
1,646

222

13.5%

134

(49)

91

1,326

10.4%

2017
1.26

24

128

2.76

0.26

84

94

1   Refer to notes 32 and 33 in the notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements for basis of restatement
2  2017 TRCR has been restated to include acquisitions completed in 2016 and 2017

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
78

Business reviews
Consumer Packaging

Delivering on our strategy

Strategic value drivers

Progress in 2018

2019 priorities

Drive performance along  
the value chain

Invest in assets  
with cost advantage

Inspire our people and 
grow responsibly

Partner with customers 
for innovation

Invest in assets  
with cost advantage
We have completed most of our investment 
plans at our cost-advantaged locations 
in central and eastern Europe, upgrading 
and expanding our plant capabilities. 
Our investment in the Amphor Khowyoi 
plant (Thailand) is progressing well, with 
completion expected by mid-2019.

In recent years, we have invested 
significantly in the modernisation and 
growth of our Consumer Packaging 
business. While further capital investment 
opportunities in this business remain an 
option, we are currently focused on the 
optimisation of our existing operations 
including leveraging recently completed 
investments as well as completing current 
capital investment projects underway. 

 e Ongoing commercial and operational initiatives to 
optimise productivity and reduce waste as well as 
enhance our quality management systems

 e Restructuring and relocation of assets within the plant 
network to lower the cost base and optimise machine 
utilisation

 e Ongoing continuous improvement initiatives to 

foster productivity and drive efficiency

 e Investigate opportunities to optimise our plant 

network

 e Progressed with key expansion projects at our cost-

 e Complete expansion capital investment projects 

advantaged locations

currently underway

 e Optimise recent investments

 e Continued focus on growing our safety culture through 

 e Further focus on improving our safety record and 

best practice sharing, training and engagement

initiatives to engage our workforce

 e Ongoing drive to decrease the environmental impact 

 e Continue to work with stakeholders to improve the 

of our products and processes and endorsed the EMF 
New Plastics Economy Global Commitment

sustainability of flexible packaging products

 e Developed innovative solutions in partnership with our 

customers:
 – with a focus on flexible packaging solutions 

designed for recycling

 – that deliver a successful proposition for our 

customers and the end consumer

Inspire our people  
and grow responsibly
In 2018 our safety focus has been on 
standardising best practice processes 
across our plant network and implementing 
employee engagement and training 
initiatives in response to safety incidents 
during the year. 

For example an incident in our Bekescsaba 
(Hungary) operation prompted us to 
increase our training on fire and explosion 
risks, and we rolled this programme out 
across our business to build awareness 
and prevent future accidents. We are also 
increasing the use of digital solutions in our 
safety processes to improve quality and 
efficiency throughout our operations.

Unfortunately, we saw a life-altering injury 
at our Gronau (Germany) operation related 
to moving and rotating equipment, which 
remains one of our highest safety risks and 
therefore continues to be a focus going 
forward. We have implemented a number 
of actions to address the issue, including 
participation in the newly appointed 
working group focusing on moving and 
rotating equipment and isolation and 
locking out of energy sources.

 e Continue to partner with customers to develop 
innovative and more sustainable solutions

Becoming an employer of choice is a topic 
that has been at the forefront in 2018. 
At our annual business unit management 
conference roles of key internal stakeholder 
groups were defined and 10 employee 
needs, such as job security, safe work 
environment, personal contribution and 
training opportunities, were identified. 
Specific plant action plans to address these 
needs have been implemented throughout 
our plant network.

The environmental impact of flexible plastic 
packaging continues to gain attention, 
both externally and internally. We are 
working with partners across our value 
chain to reinvent flexible plastic packaging 
so that it is fit for a circular economy. 
Evidence shows that flexible plastic is 
often the most sustainable solution over 
the course of its life-cycle, if it is disposed 
of responsibly.

We are active participants in industry 
associations including the CEFLEX project 
(Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging). 
In addition to stimulating increased 
collection of flexible plastic packaging in 
all European countries, CEFLEX aims to 
develop a robust set of design guidelines 
to maximise overall resource efficiency and 
optimise recyclability.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Mondi joined the Ellen MacArthur 
Foundation’s (EMF) New Plastics Economy 
Initiative in 2017, and in 2018 we pledged 
to increase investment in research 
and development, and drive deeper 
collaboration throughout our supply chain 
to move away from non-renewable and 
non-recyclable plastic. 

We are one of the first signatories of 
the New Plastics Economy Global 
Commitment – committing to 100% of 
plastic-based packaging being reusable, 
recyclable or compostable; and 25% being 
from recycled content (where it does not 
compromise functionality or food health 
requirements) by 2025.

We also continue to work on improving our 
energy efficiency and reducing our waste 
to landfill.

Partner with customers  
for innovation
Flexible plastic packaging, when 
manufactured, used and disposed of 
appropriately, delivers many benefits from 
resource efficiency (by reducing material 
usage and being less transport intense) to 
reducing food waste by enabling correct 
sized portions and extending shelf-life. 

One of the most significant developments 
in 2018 was the momentum gained in 
the way we are working with customers 
to develop innovative and sustainable 
flexible plastic packaging. The New Plastics 
Economy Initiative has rallied businesses 
and governments behind a positive 
vision of a circular economy for plastics. 
It has brought together 290 signatories, 
including many leading companies, who 
have committed to working towards 100% 
reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastic 
packaging by 2025. 

Mondi Diamond  
Awards  
Mondi Korneuburg

SHE goes  
Hollywood

Winner in Safety &  
Health category

Presenters: 

Stephanie Schmuttermair 
Continuous Improvement Manager 
– HR People Development, 
Mondi Korneuburg

Michael Watz  
SHE coordinator, 
Mondi Korneuburg

Making sure our people work 
safe and get home safe is our 
top priority.

With people from 24 nations 
speaking 18 different languages 
all working on the shop-floor 
together, creating an effective 
safety-training programme is 
extremely challenging.

Although our safety culture had 
improved, we felt our conventional 
training approach had reached its 
limit. We decided it was time to 
take SHE to Hollywood!

With a special task force, we 
created safety videos with safety 
champions as screenwriters and 
employees as actors. The videos 
deal with very serious safety topics 
using a targeted sense of humour 
– and they don’t rely on text or 
language. The exaggerated re-
enactments of common accidents 

and appropriate safety behaviour 
allow viewers to easily identify with 
the correct way of doing things. 
By showing our people what to 
do – rather than telling them – we 
enabled a real change in mindset. 
As a result we have reduced 
annual cut injuries from five in 2016 
to zero in 2018, and sustainably 
lowered the training time required 
per employee as the videos are 
so effective.

We are proud of creating a 
sustainable safety culture that 
helps all employees – regardless 
of nationality or language – lead 
safer professional and personal 
lives. Through visual, humorous 
teaching tools that employees 
have helped to create, we have 
implemented truly successful 
safety training – which other Mondi 
plants are keen to adopt.

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As part of a Mondi-led pioneer project, we 
have made great progress in developing 
a solution for FMCG brand owners. 
Thanks to collaboration with Europe’s 
leading recyclers and Mondi sites – testing 
by the pilot plant of Mondi Gronau, co-
extrusion of film by Mondi Styria (Austria), 
printing and lamination at Mondi Deeside 
(UK) with pouching at Mondi Nelson 
(UK) – we have been able to show that 
it is possible to separate and recycle 
polyethylene from post-consumer waste 
into a fully recyclable packaging prototype. 
This can now lead the market by proving 
that true circularity of packaging production, 
use, recycling and reprocessing is possible. 

In a further collaborative project, we 
continue to work on the circularity of other 
products. Together with a recycling partner 
(APK AG) – who have developed a process 
called Newcycling® – Mondi has tested the 
suitability of recycled polyethylene (PE) for 
multi-layer films by designing a new plastic 
packaging solution for washing powder 
that replaces up to 80% of the previously 
virgin PE layer with post-industrial waste. 
The result is a high-quality packaging 
laminate that maintains the functionality 
requirements of our customer, reduces 
the demand for virgin fossil based PE and 
achieves a packaging solution containing 
up to 50% recycled materials.

In our personal care components product 
portfolio, we are developing the next 
generation of back ear laminates for diapers 
with the application of alternative bonding 
technology. This is expected to deliver 
efficiency improvements and raw material 
savings while retaining the diaper’s softness 
and elasticity properties. We also partnered 
with our customers to develop enhanced, 
cost effective personal care components 
solutions, tailored for consumers in a range 
of markets and regions.

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
80

Business reviews
Uncoated Fine Paper

Our Uncoated Fine Paper 
(UFP) business manufactures 
and sells an extensive range 
of quality papers for use 
in offices and professional 
printing houses.

Operating sites

6 in 4 countries

Employees

6,500

Production capacity

Pulp: 1,725 ktpa

Uncoated fine paper¹: 1,915 ktpa

1 Includes 205 ktpa of newsprint

We’re a market leader in Europe, including 
Russia, and South Africa. We operate 
vertically integrated, well-invested, cost-
advantaged assets and continually look 
for ways to improve efficiency, productivity 
and sustainability.

Our extensive range of office papers is 
designed to achieve optimal print results 
on laser, inkjet and copy machines. 
High-performance professional printing 
papers are dedicated for offset presses, 
high-speed inkjet presses and other digital 
print technologies. With our wide range 
of high-quality papers we aim to provide 
customers a one-stop-shop solution for 
their needs. We understand the value of 
paper in communication including haptic 
and optic qualities such as vibrant colours, 
sharp contrast and striking visuals that 
bring stories to life.

Developing cost-efficient, high-
performance, environmentally responsible 
solutions is a cornerstone of our business 
strategy. Our focus is on transforming 
credibly sourced raw materials into 
innovative paper solutions to meet 
customer needs in a cost-effective and 
sustainable way.

All of Mondi’s UFP mill brands are part of 
the Green Range, our umbrella trademark 
for sustainable paper solutions. They are 
produced from FSC or PEFC certified wood 
from sustainably managed forests or 100% 
recycled paper, or are produced totally 
chlorine free (TCF).

In addition to producing pulp and paper, 
we manage 2.4 million hectares of forest in 
Russia and South Africa.

Spotlight on sustainable paper by design

PERGRAPHICA® –  
Premium design papers

Color Copy – The perfect paper  
for digital colour printing

Our flagship office paper is by far 
the most well-known brand of office 
paper in Europe for colour printing 
applications. Customers have relied 
on it for over a quarter of a century for 
perfect print results and consistent 
quality. It also has an exceptional 
environmental profile: CO2 neutral 
and FSC, EU Ecolabel and ISO 9706 
certifications. Recently we redesigned 
its wrapper to be even stronger and 
more convenient to handle. It’s still 
the same great Color Copy, now with 
packaging that is more user-friendly.

We designed our PERGRAPHICA® 
portfolio of premium uncoated fine 
papers for perfectionists. As a hybrid 
paper, PERGRAPHICA® works well 
with all printing technologies and 
delivers consistent, high-quality 
results that meet the exacting needs 
of the creative and commercial print 
industries. Available in a smooth  
or rough texture, it enhances  
sophisticated messaging  
with an elegant look and feel.  
The choice of high white,  
classic or natural whiteness  
brings unique style to 
printed materials.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Segment revenue
€ million

€1,877m

1,722

1,764

1,720

1,832

1,877

Underlying EBITDA
€ million

€516m

ROCE

448

%
0
7
2

.

481

464

%
3
2
3

.

%
6
6
2

.

516

%
9
1
3

.

349

%
0
7
1

.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Production information 

Uncoated fine paper

Hardwood pulp

Internal consumption

  Market pulp

Softwood pulp

Newsprint

Financial performance

€ million
Segment revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Underlying EBITDA margin

Underlying operating profit

Special items

Capital expenditure cash payments

Operating segment net assets

ROCE

Sustainable development

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

% change 
2%

11%

17%

TRCR

Gender diversity

Training hours

per 200,000 hours worked

% women employed

thousand hours

Energy consumption
Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions million tonnes CO2e
Forest certification

million GJ

% managed land certified to 
FSC standards2

FSC- or PEFC-certified  
wood procured

%

Environmental management 
certification

% operations certified to  
ISO 14001 standards

CoC Certification

% operations certified to FSC 
or PEFC CoC standards

2018
1,649

2017
1,644

906

338

386

207

2018
1,877

516

27.5%

395

(21)

161

1,494

31.9%

2018
0.40

23

334

91.76

3.38

100

78

100

100

950

395

375

277

Restated1
2017
1,832

464

25.3%

337

(15)

122

1,515

26.6%

2017
0.28

23

333

93.25

3.38

100

80

100

100

1 Refer to notes 32 and 33 in the notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements for basis of restatement
2 Our forestry operations in Russia are also 100% PEFC certified

Financial review
Underlying EBITDA was up 11% to 
€516 million. Higher average selling prices 
more than offset higher costs and negative 
currency effects.

We estimate European uncoated fine paper 
demand declined around 4% on a strong 
prior year period, bringing the average rate 
of decline over the past two years to 2%, at 
the higher end of our expected long-term 
trend of 1% to 2% decline per annum. 
Demand in Russia and South Africa was 
flat, in line with our long-term estimate. 

Uncoated fine paper sales volumes were 
1% higher than the prior year, despite 
the ongoing structural decline in mature 
markets, as we continue to benefit from our 
emerging market exposure and superior 
cost positioning. Average benchmark 
European uncoated fine paper selling 
prices were 7% higher than the prior year 
and 4% up in the second half of the year 
compared to the first half, following the 
implementation of price increases over 
the course of the year. Uncoated fine 
paper selling prices in Russia and South 
Africa were also increased during the year, 
offsetting domestic cost inflation. 

We saw an increase in input costs, most 
notably for wood, energy and chemicals, 
while fixed costs were higher due to 
domestic inflationary cost pressures 
and the impact of maintenance shuts, 
partly compensated by our ongoing cost 
reduction initiatives.

The forestry assets’ fair value is dependent 
on a variety of external factors over which 
we have limited control, the most significant 
being the export price of timber, the 
exchange rate and domestic input costs. 
Increases in export prices, and a weaker 
rand at the end of the year resulted in a 
fair value gain of €43 million in line with the 
prior year, but with the second half gain 
€17 million above that reflected in the first 
half of 2018. 

A planned maintenance shut at Syktyvkar 
mill (Russia) and an extended shut 
at Richards Bay (South Africa) were 
completed during the first half of the year. 
In the second half, we completed planned 
shuts at Ružomberok (Slovakia) and 
Neusiedler (Austria). In 2019, our Syktyvkar 
and Richards Bay shuts are planned for 
the first half of the year while a project 
related shut at our Ružomberok mill and 
the remaining shuts are scheduled for the 
second half.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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82

Business reviews
Uncoated Fine Paper

Delivering on our strategy

Strategic value drivers

Progress in 2018

2019 priorities

Drive performance along  
the value chain

 e Improved productivity and efficiency with performance 
improvement initiatives implemented across mills and 
related forestry operations

 e Continue to optimise performance and increase 

productivity and efficiency in our mills and forestry 
operations

Invest in assets  
with cost advantage

 e Closure of an uncoated fine paper machine in 

Merebank (South Africa)

 e Continued with investment projects to debottleneck 

 e Evaluate and execute investment projects to 

production at Syktyvkar

 e Completed waste water treatment plant investment 

and progressed on the power plant modernisation at 
Syktyvkar

 e Acquisition of 11,000 hectares of well-located forestry 

plantations in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)

increase saleable production by 100,000 tonnes 
per annum in the medium term at Syktyvkar

 e Investigation, and where appropriate 

implementation, of investment projects to 
modernise our Richards Bay facility

Inspire our people and 
grow responsibly

 e Ongoing focus on safety
 e Investments and engagement with local communities
 e Initiatives to develop talent within the organisation

 e Continued focus on improving safety record
 e Complete investments to reduce the environmental 
footprint of our mills and increase energy efficiency

Partner with customers 
for innovation

 e Rolled out myMondi to include a majority of our 

customers by the third quarter of 2018

 e Continued enhancement of myMondi
 e Continued focus on enhancing our service offering 

 e Reorganisation of European marketing and sales force 

to customers

to product/channel focus

Due to the declining margins on unintegrated 
paper production following the rapid rise 
in hardwood pulp input costs, we ceased 
production at one of our uncoated fine 
paper machines at Merebank during 
the second half of the year, which was 
operating at 70,000 tonnes per annum 
production capacity.

Invest in assets  
with cost advantage
As part of our plan to maintain Syktyvkar’s 
competitiveness and increase saleable 
production by around 100,000 tonnes per 
annum in the medium term, we are investing 
to debottleneck production and avoid 
unplanned shutdowns, including various 
upgrades of the mill infrastructure, fibre lines 
and pulp dryer, and a new evaporation plant. 

At the end of the year, we completed the 
investment in the waste water treatment 
plant at Syktyvkar, which will improve waste 
water quality and reduce chemical oxygen 
demand and total suspended solids. 
We are progressing with the rebuild of the 
power plant at the same mill to replace 
three existing bark boilers and four turbines 
with a single new bark boiler and turbine 
providing process simplification, improved 
reliability, reduced costs, reduced natural 
gas consumption, increased use of biomass 
for energy and reduced greenhouse gas 
emissions. This project is now expected to 
complete in the second half of 2019. The total 
capital expenditure for both projects now 
amounts to €175 million. 

To enhance the security of wood supply 
to our Richards Bay mill and improve cost 
competitiveness, we acquired around 
11,000 hectares of well-located forest 
plantations in KwaZulu-Natal in May 2018 for 
ZAR408 million (€27 million) on a debt and 
cash-free basis.

We are investigating alternatives for the 
modernisation of our Richards Bay facility, 
including the modernisation of the mill’s 
energy and chemical plants.

Inspire our people  
and grow responsibly
We remain committed to achieving a culture 
where everybody works safely and returns 
home safely every day. We sincerely regret 
the fatality of a contractor at Syktyvkar in 
April 2018 during planned maintenance 
work at the woodyard, and another fatality in 
January 2019 when a contractor lost his life 
during drilling works at the construction site 
of our new paper machine in Ružomberok.
Unfortunately, we also suffered two life-
altering injuries at our Syktyvkar logging 
operations in Russia and our forests in 
South Africa. Thorough investigations are 
conducted after all incidents and action plans 
implemented to prevent repeat incidents. 

Our focus on contractor safety management, 
application of Mondi’s risk assessment 
methodology and roll out of the revised 
Permit to Work methodology aims to ensure 
safe annual maintenance and project-
related shuts.

Drive performance  
along the value chain
Efforts to drive the performance of our 
operations and reduce waste continued 
during the year with initiatives to optimise 
machine performance and increase 
efficiency and productivity leading to record 
production at one of our pulp mills and three 
of our paper machines.

To further improve the reliability and technical 
integrity of our pulp and paper operations 
and reduce maintenance costs we 
continue to develop our asset management 
processes, including the implementation of 
specific training to enhance the skills and 
qualifications of our people across our mill 
network. We also established a programme 
to optimise the performance of our recovery 
boilers, which we expect will deliver energy 
savings, enable best-practice sharing 
and continue to improve the reliability of 
our operations.

We made further productivity improvements 
at our forestry operations in Russia and, by 
further strengthening our local partnerships, 
improved wood availability and saw log 
sales. We also focused on improving our 
administrative processes at Syktyvkar. 
During the year we placed special attention 
on operational improvements at our 
South African operations by developing 
improvement plans for both our Richards 
Bay and Merebank mills focusing on reliability 
improvements, increased operational 
efficiencies and cost reductions across the 
value chain. These initiatives have delivered 
initial benefits in the year.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

We are on track with our efforts to eliminate 
the Top Risks, which remain a key part of our 
approach to safety. The majority of our first 
line managers have completed our tailor-
made safety and health programme, and all 
safety and health professionals completed a 
four-module in-depth specialist training. 

We continually strive to improve the 
environmental performance of our 
operations. Odour abatement is still 
a priority for our pulp mills. We have 
completed the planned initiatives at our 
Ružomberok mill, however, regrettably we 
have had significant odour incidents at both 
our Ružomberok and Richards Bay mills 
affecting the surrounding communities. 
We have engaged constructively with 
local stakeholders around our action plans 
to address the root causes and prevent 
future occurrences.

Working in partnership with NGOs, 
government and business is central to our 
approach. We are working to increase 
the long-term supply of sustainable 
fibre, including collaborating with global 
certification schemes to improve access 
to credibly certified fibre. We are proud of 
our progress in protecting Intact Forest 
Landscapes as these large unfragmented 
areas, undisturbed by roads or other 
significant human infrastructure, are globally 
recognised as priority protection areas. 
In Russia, we partner with WWF Russia 
and Silver Taiga to identify and protect 
these areas in the Komi Republic.

We have an extensive community 
engagement and investment programme 
focused on areas around our mills and 
people living on our forestry land. We believe 
that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) 
in the forestry business can help to meet 
projected demand for wood-based 
products. They are also crucial to supporting 
local livelihoods and the wellbeing of forest 
communities. In Russia, our Syktyvkar mill 
supports small-scale forest enterprises 
who would normally have limited access to 
resources. In 2018 we continued to invest in 
community engagement programmes in and 
around our operations, particularly in Russia 
and Slovakia, ranging from infrastructure 
investments and roads to sponsorship of 
sporting and other local initiatives.

We have developed programmes to ensure 
we have the right talent and succession 
plans to deliver on our long-term strategic 
targets, even in remote locations such 
as Syktyvkar. 

NEXT (New thinking, Expertise and Talent) 
is a Syktyvkar initiative that combines 
external expertise, internal development 
and promotions, leadership excellence 
and university partnerships resulting in 
improved talent attraction, productivity and 
employee engagement. In South Africa, our 
GROW (Growing Trees Developing People) 
initiative is focused on developing a strong 
pipeline of forester skills through accredited 
training programmes that are calibrated and 
benchmarked through a Forestry Learning 
Centre which has resulted in a significant 
increase in workforce engagement.

Partner with customers  
for innovation
Following its introduction in 2017, we 
rolled out myMondi to include a majority 
of our customers by the third quarter of 
the year. This 24/7 web shop and service 
portal provides customers with detailed 
product information, the ability to place 
and track orders, and the functionality to 

enquire and follow up on product and order 
related queries. MyMondi has enabled us 
to optimise our business processes and 
increase efficiency. We have had very positive 
feedback from our customers and plan to 
further enhance the services offered though 
this digital platform in 2019. With the launch 
of myMondi, the number of electronic order 
lines placed by our customers now exceeds 
two thirds of all European order lines.

During 2018 we re-organised our European 
marketing and sales organisation from a 
regional to a channel focus, which allowed 
us to develop more end-user and application 
expertise. This change will further cement 
commercial excellence, deliver improved 
customer service and strengthen the 
efficiency of our organisation. The new 
organisation is supported by newly added 
functionalities, incorporated into our cloud-
based CRM platform, which will further 
enhance customer experience.

Mondi Diamond  
Awards  
Mondi South Africa

Jabulani Agri-
Village Model –  
a model for 
future success

Finalist in Sustainable 
Development category

Presenter: 

Thobi Mkhize  
Head of Land, Mondi South Africa

Our plantation forests are integral 
to meeting the timber requirements 
of our Richards Bay pulp mill, 
and therefore essential to the 
long-term success of the business. 
Our journey began eight years ago 
when we had 62 impoverished 
villages living in unsafe conditions 
on Mondi land. The communities 
were understandably frustrated, 
trust levels were low and it was clear 
that things needed to change.

So we set out to drive our 
business success by helping our 
communities thrive. The result: a 
rural community transformation 
model that has been adopted 
countrywide to address land 
tenure and reform challenges. 
By amalgamating five small villages 
into one sustainable agri-village we 
leveraged infrastructure synergies, 
improved safety, reduced risk 
to our timber supply and most 
importantly empowered the 

community. Responding to the 
project, they sang Jabulani – 
meaning happiness.

The pilot Jabulani Agri-Village 
Model works so effectively because 
it has been developed through 
multiple partnerships and is 
multidimensional – looking at land 
tenure, food security, sustainable 
and affordable services, social 
infrastructure, skills development, 
and income enhancement 
programmes. It is also reproducible 
– our pilot project has given 110 
poor and vulnerable households 
from five villages a better life, and a 
further eight agri-villages built on the 
same principles will transform the 
lives of another 724 households.

We could not be prouder of the 
enormous impact and significance 
of this project, which demonstrates 
the vital link between the health of 
business and the communities in 
which they operate.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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84

Being an 
employer  
of choice

We are determined to offer 
a safe, caring, diverse 
and inclusive workplace 
where people can grow 
to their full potential. 
Communicating openly and 
getting regular feedback 
on how we are doing is key, 
as is measuring progress 
through our group-wide 
employee survey.

89%

Participation rate in our 
2018 employee survey

We have an ambitious 
sense of purpose 
and offer exciting 
careers in a workplace 
where digital and 
human ingenuity 
work together.

Michael Hakes  
Group HR Director

Our diverse team at Mondi Korneuburg 
developed an innovative way to involve 
people in safety training. 

Business review:  
Consumer Packaging 
Page 79

Governance

Introduction from Joint Chairs 

Board of directors 

Corporate governance report 

DLC nominations committee 

DLC audit committee 

DLC sustainable development committee 

86

88

90

102

106

114

Mondi Limited social and ethics committee 

DLC executive committee and  
company secretaries 

DLC executive committee 

Remuneration report 

Other statutory information 

117

118

120

122

142

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86

Introduction from Joint Chairs
Our commitment  
to growing responsibly

Dear fellow shareholder
We would like to take this opportunity to 
provide you with a more detailed look at the 
Boards’ key focus areas during the year, 
how our governance framework operates in 
practice and supports the achievement of 
our values and strategic objectives and how 
we have considered the interests of our 
investors and wider stakeholders. 

Governance & Strategy
Our clear and consistent strategy, set 
out and discussed in more detail in the 
Strategic report on pages 12 to 83, is to 
deliver value accretive growth by focusing 
on our four strategic value drivers – to 
drive performance along the value chain; 
to invest in assets with cost advantage; to 
inspire our people and grow responsibly; 
and to partner with our customers for 
innovation. After the Boards’ detailed 
review of Mondi’s strategy during the year, 
we continue to believe that our approach 
remains appropriate and supports our 
commitment to delivering long-term value 
to shareholders. 

The governance framework within which 
the Boards operate is designed to guide 
our behaviour in all areas of decision-
making; to ensure a transparent and open-
minded approach to discussions; and to 
keep our culture and values at the forefront 
when we consider how best to achieve our 
strategy. It allows us to balance our desire 
to drive the strategy forward with ensuring 
that we act in the long-term interests 
of the company to achieve the best 
outcome for our shareholders, and that 
we take seriously the views and interests 
of our diverse range of stakeholders. 

Robust governance procedures ensure that 
we are acting ethically and safely and in line 
with our duties as directors. An overview of 
our engagement activities during the year 
can be found on pages 98 to 100. 

This approach to governance is particularly 
relevant given the number of large capital 
investment projects that were ongoing 
during the year. Having clear policies and 
processes in place to govern the way 
in which we operate, from appropriate 
delegations of authority, to our approach 
to safety, local communities and the 
environment in which we operate, to our 
code of business ethics and Speakout, 
allows the Boards to approve such projects 
with a clear understanding of the impact 
they will have on our stakeholders and in 
the knowledge that they will be undertaken 
in a safe and considered manner. 

Further information relating to Mondi’s 
strategy and developments during the year 
can be found in the Strategic report on 
pages 12 to 83.

Board composition
In March 2018 we announced that 
John Nicholas would step down from 
the Boards, and from his role as audit 
committee chair, at the conclusion of the 
Annual General Meetings in May 2018 after 
almost nine years’ service. We thank John 
for his significant contribution to Mondi 
during this time, in particular his focus 
on Mondi’s financial reporting and the 
experience he brought to his role on the 
audit committee. We wish John all the best 
for the future. 

In May 2018 we welcomed Stephen 
Young to the Boards. Stephen brings 
strong financial and general management 
experience as well as an in-depth 
understanding of working for an 
international industrial business. It is clear 
from Stephen’s first few months with us that 
he is able to provide the Boards with an 
invaluable fresh perspective. Stephen also 
took up the role of audit committee chair 
following approval at the Annual General 
Meetings in May. 

This led to a number of committee 
membership changes, details of which 
can be found on page 103, as well as the 
appointment of Stephen Harris as Senior 
Independent Director. 

Safety
We were deeply saddened by the fatality 
at our Syktyvkar mill (Russia), when a 
contractor lost his life during maintenance 
of a conveyor in the woodyard. Tragically, 
we also experienced the fatality of a 
contractor at our Ružomberok mill 
(Slovakia) in January 2019 during pile drilling 
activities at the construction site of our new 
paper machine. In addition, we experienced 
five life-altering injuries during 2018. We are 
very aware of the profound impact such 
incidents have, particularly on the families 
of those involved, and so safety across 
our business remains our highest priority. 
In all instances, thorough investigations 
were undertaken and we were kept 
informed of the outcomes. We continue to 
strive for zero harm and this goal remains 
fundamental to the way we do business. 

By growing responsibly we prioritise  
long-term value creation.

David Williams Joint Chair (left)
Fred Phaswana Joint Chair (right)

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

We continue to address the top risks in 
all of our operations in order to engineer 
them out of the business or, where this isn’t 
possible, to implement robust controls. 
We work closely with contractors to 
manage their health and safety risks and 
have a clearly defined six-step process 
in place which is summarised in a Safe 
Practice Notice providing guidance on 
the management of contractors prior to 
and during their time on-site at Mondi. 
We also acknowledge the importance of 
the behavioural aspects of safety. In 2017 
we introduced the 24-hour safety mindset, 
whereby safety is seen as something we do 
for ourselves, for our families, and for our 
colleagues and their families. In addition, we 
have implemented focused safety training 
for managing directors, first line managers 
and safety and health professionals and 
have established a number of working 
groups, each one focusing on a different 
risk area. Towards the end of 2018 we 
launched a powerful safety campaign 
aimed at the behavioural causes of 
serious incidents. The campaign involves 
employees who have experienced life-
altering injuries telling their stories via 
videos and posters. Hearing their stories 
firsthand, while difficult and emotional to 
listen to, will hopefully drive home to people 
the day-to-day impact of our decisions in 
the workplace and the potentially severe 
consequences of unsafe behaviour. 

We will continue to do everything we can to 
further embed a culture of safety across the 
organisation and to ensure that nothing is 
seen as more important than the well-being 
of our colleagues.

Culture & values 
The Group’s culture and values lie at the 
heart of our decision-making process 
and the way in which the Group operates. 
We believe that clear values and a focus 
on ethical behaviour allow the business to 
perform more efficiently and effectively and 
are supportive of our long-term strategy. 
Our values are clearly defined as part of 
the Mondi Way, our unique framework for 
creating sustainable value. This is explained 
in more detail on pages 18 and 19.

We know that our values are understood 
at a senior management level but our 
ongoing challenge is to ensure that they 
are effectively communicated throughout 
the organisation and that every person 
that works for Mondi understands them 
and feels confident every day that they are 
coming to work for a group that genuinely 
lives these values. The Boards are 
committed to ensuring that this is the case 
and that Mondi continues to operate in an 
ethical, open and transparent manner. 

This is supported by our code of 
business ethics which consists of five 
principles governing the way in which 
we do business. The code is integrated 
throughout the Group and is well 
understood. The principles and our 
alignment with them are subject to regular 
review by the Boards. 

In June, a number of our board members 
attended Mondi’s Leadership Forum, an 
event for senior leaders, incorporating 
our regular Mondi Diamond Awards. 
This provided us with an invaluable 
opportunity to see our culture and values 
in practice, through speaking directly 
to a number of employees, observing 
behaviour and participating in a number of 
breakout sessions and discussion forums. 

It was also impressive to meet the Mondi 
Diamond Awards finalists and to see 
firsthand the results of Mondi’s innovation. 
More information can be found throughout 
the Strategic report.

Looking ahead
Our focus during 2019 will continue to be 
on moving our strategy forward within the 
framework of the Mondi Way, ensuring that 
the decisions we take reflect the culture and 
values of the Group, our stringent approach 
to safety and, wherever appropriate, the 
views and interests of our key stakeholders. 

Subject to the approval of our shareholders 
at the Annual General Meetings in May, 
the Boards will also dedicate time to 
overseeing the smooth implementation 
of the proposed simplification of Mondi’s 
existing structure from the current dual 
listed company structure into a single 
holding company structure under Mondi 
plc, announced in November 2018. 
The simplification is expected to enhance 
Mondi’s strategic flexibility, increase 
transparency and remove the complexity 
associated with the current structure. 

Our board discussions will be influenced 
by the new version of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code which took effect 
from 1 January 2019. Further details can 
be found below. We feel that we are in a 
good position to meet the requirements 
of the new Code during 2019, but also 
acknowledge that this will be an evolving 
process. We will need to adapt to ensure 
that we continue to have a fully effective 
governance framework in place that 
can contribute to, and support, the 
continued creation of sustainable value for 
our shareholders. 

Fred Phaswana 
Joint Chair   

David Williams
Joint Chair

UK Corporate Governance Code 2019

The principles and provisions set out in the new 
Code have been reviewed in detail and, where gaps 
in our current practices were identified, proposals to 
address these have been considered and agreed. 
While we will report against the new Code in full in 
our 2019 report, actions included:

 e identification and agreement of our key 

stakeholders (see pages 22 to 25 for more 
information), the types of engagement currently 
undertaken and how we can better understand 
their views going forwards;

 e identification of a number of ways in which the 

Boards can develop their oversight of the Group’s 
culture, many of which were already in place, 

including site visits, access to members of senior 
management beyond the executive directors, 
access to employee survey results and continued 
review of safety reports and Speakout statistics 
and themes; and

 e determining how the Boards can better 

understand the views of our people, their 
concerns and how our decisions affect them, 
with agreement reached in relation to appropriate 
engagement mechanisms.

We recognise that David Williams has been on the 
Boards for more than nine years, the maximum 
length of service recommended by the new Code. 
However, given the proposed simplification of the 
Group structure, announced in November 2018, and 
in light of David’s significant experience, his in-depth 
understanding of Mondi’s history and operations 
and the valuable insight he continues to provide, 
we are confident that it is in Mondi’s best interests 
for David to remain on the Boards as Joint Chair. 
David has been on the Boards since Mondi’s dual 
listed structure was established and is therefore in a 
position to provide invaluable support and continuity 
as the simplification progresses. The position will be 
kept under regular review.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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88

Board of directors

Fred Phaswana
74
Joint Chair

Appointed
June 2013
Independent
Yes (on appointment)
Committee memberships
Nominations, social and ethics 
Qualifications
MA (Unisa),  
BCom (Hons) (RAU),  
BA (Philosophy, Politics and 
Economics) (Unisa)

Experience
Fred brings to the DLC Board a wealth of experience in African and global businesses, together with well 
developed strategic and commercial skills. He was previously regional president of BP Africa, a non-executive 
director of Anglo American plc and chair of Anglo American South Africa, Anglo Platinum, Transnet, Ethos 
Private Equity, the South African Energy Association and the Advisory Board of the Cape Town Graduate School 
of Business. 

Fred was chair of Standard Bank group and The Standard Bank of South Africa between 2010 and 2015. He was 
also the former vice chairman of WWF South Africa and Business Leadership of South Africa and was the 
honorary president of the Cape Town Press Club.

External appointments
Chair of the South African Institute of International Affairs and non-executive director of Naspers Limited. 

David Williams
73
Joint Chair

Appointed
May 2007 and as Joint Chair in 
August 2009
Independent
Yes (on appointment)
Committee memberships
Nominations (chair), 
remuneration
Qualifications
Graduated in economics 
from Manchester University, 
chartered accountant (UK)

Experience
David has significant experience in senior financial roles held across a range of multinational companies, with 
board experience as both an executive and non-executive director. 

David served as finance director of Bunzl plc for 14 years before retiring in January 2006. He was previously a 
member of the Tootal management board and Finance Director of Tootal plc and has held a number of senior 
independent director and committee chair roles. David was formerly a non-executive director of the Peninsular & 
Oriental Steam Navigation Company, Dewhirst Group plc, Medeva plc, George Wimpey plc, Taylor Wimpey plc, 
Tullow Oil plc, Meggitt plc and Dubai-based DP World Limited. 

David continues to contribute significant financial and business experience to the DLC Board and has an 
extensive understanding of Mondi and its history since listing. 

External appointments
None. 

Peter Oswald
56
Chief Executive Officer

Appointed
January 2008 and as Chief 
Executive Officer in May 2017
Independent
No
Committee memberships
Executive (chair), sustainable 
development, social and ethics
Qualifications
Graduated in law from the 
University of Vienna and in 
business administration from  
WU-Vienna Business School

Experience
Peter brings significant packaging and paper experience to the DLC Board, having worked in the sector for 
more than 27 years. He has detailed knowledge of operations and extensive experience in acquisitions, the 
restructuring, turnaround and organic growth of businesses and inspiring large teams. Peter began his career 
with Deutsche Bank and automotive company KTM. He joined the Frantschach Group in 1992 as the Head of 
Internal Audit, later becoming Corporate Controller.

After serving as chief executive of the bag and flexibles business from 1995 to 2001, he was appointed chief 
executive of Mondi Packaging Europe in 2002, leading its subsequent integration with Frantschach into the new 
Mondi packaging division. Having held a number of senior executive roles within Mondi, Peter was appointed 
Chief Executive Officer of the former Europe & International Division in January 2008 and Chief Executive Officer 
of the Mondi Group in May 2017.

He was a non-executive director of Telekom Austria AG between 2008 and 2014 and of MIBA AG between 2014 
and 2015 and chair of the supervisory board of OMV AG between 2015 and 2016.

External appointments 
None.

Andrew King
49
Chief Financial Officer

Appointed
October 2008
Independent
No
Committee membership
Executive
Qualifications
Graduated in commerce 
from the University of Cape 
Town, chartered accountant 
(South Africa)

Experience
Andrew has more than 16 years’ experience with Mondi in various strategy, business development and finance 
roles, giving him a detailed understanding of Mondi’s strategy, capital allocation priorities, financial structure and 
the environment in which the Group operates. He has played a key role in defining the Group’s strategic direction 
and re-shaping the capital structure since listing.

Andrew completed articles with Deloitte & Touche in Johannesburg in 1994. In 1995 he joined Minorco, part of 
Anglo American, as a financial analyst, before assuming responsibility for the group’s investment management 
activities, and transferring to their corporate finance department in 1998. He worked on a number of group 
M&A activities before being appointed a vice president of Anglo American Corporate Finance in 1999. He was 
appointed Mondi’s Vice President of Business Development in 2002 and Corporate Development Director in 
2004. He served as Chief Financial Officer of Mondi from June 2005 to May 2006. He was then appointed as 
Group Strategy and Business Development Director before becoming the Chief Financial Officer of the Mondi 
Group in 2008. 

External appointments
None.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Tanya Fratto
58
Non-Executive Director

Appointed
January 2017
Independent
Yes
Committee memberships
Audit, nominations, 
remuneration (chair)
Qualifications
BSc in electrical engineering

Experience
Tanya has wide experience in product innovation, profit and loss, sales and marketing and engineering in a 
range of sectors. This experience, together with Tanya’s extensive knowledge of operating in the US, brings a 
vital perspective to the DLC Board. She was CEO of Diamond Innovations, Inc., a world-leading manufacturer of 
super-abrasive products, until 2010. Before that she enjoyed a successful 20-year career with General Electric 
where she ran a number of businesses and built an experience base in product management, operations, 
Six Sigma and supply chain management. Prior to starting her career with General Electric, she worked at 
International Paper Company. 

External appointments
Non-executive director of Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., Smiths Group plc and Ashtead Group plc.

Stephen Harris
60
Senior Independent  
Director

Appointed
March 2011
Independent
Yes
Committee memberships
Audit, nominations, 
remuneration, sustainable 
development, social and ethics
Qualifications
Chartered engineer, graduated 
in engineering from Cambridge 
University, master’s degree in 
business administration from 
the University of Chicago, Booth 
School of Business

Experience
Stephen brings to the DLC Board extensive experience in engineering and manufacturing having spent his early 
career with Courtaulds plc before moving to the USA to join APV Inc, where he held several senior management 
positions between 1984 and 1995. Stephen was appointed to the board of Powell Duffryn plc as an executive 
director in 1995 and then went on to join Spectris plc as an executive director from 2003 until 2008. He was also 
a non-executive director of Brixton plc from 2006 to 2009.

External appointments
Chief Executive Officer of Bodycote plc.

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Dominique  
Reiniche
63
Non-Executive Director

Appointed
October 2015
Independent
Yes
Committee memberships
Nominations, remuneration, 
sustainable development (chair), 
social and ethics (chair) 
Qualifications
MBA from ESSEC Business 
School in Paris

Experience
Dominique has extensive business understanding of operating in senior leadership positions in Europe as well as 
international strategic, consumer marketing and innovation experience, allowing her to provide valuable insight to 
the DLC Board. 

She started her career with Procter & Gamble before moving to Kraft Jacobs Suchard as Director of Marketing 
and Strategy where she was also a member of their executive committee. After helping Jacobs Suchard through 
its acquisition by Kraft-Mondelez, Dominique joined The Coca-Cola System in 1992, starting as Marketing 
and Sales Director and then holding various roles of increasing responsibility up to general manager France. 
From 2002 to early 2005 she was CEO Europe for Coca-Cola Enterprises and from 2005 she was CEO Europe 
for the Coca-Cola Company and then chair from 2013 until stepping down in 2014.

Dominique was a non-executive director of Peugeot-Citroen SA between 2012 and 2015 and of AXA SA 
between 2005 and 2017.

External appointments
Non-executive director and chair of Chr. Hansen Holding A/S and a non-executive director of Paypal (Europe) 
and Severn Trent Plc.

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Non-Executive Director

Appointed
May 2018
Independent
Yes
Committee memberships
Audit (chair), nominations, 
sustainable development
Qualifications
Graduated in mathematics 
from Southampton University, 
member of the Chartered 
Institute of Management 
Accountants (UK)

Experience
Stephen has a strong financial and general management background with experience gained internationally across 
a variety of sectors, including the industrial and engineering sectors. Stephen spent his early career in commercial 
accounting and finance roles at companies including Ford Motor Company, Mars, Inc and Grand Metropolitan plc 
(now Diageo plc). He was Group Finance Director of the Automobile Association until its acquisition by Centrica in 
2000 before becoming Group Finance Director at Thistle Hotels plc. 

In 2004 Stephen was appointed Group Finance Director at Meggitt plc, an international engineering business 
specialising in aerospace equipment. He held this role for nine years before being appointed Chief Executive Officer 
in 2013. Stephen stepped down from the board of Meggitt plc on 31 December 2017. 

External appointments
Non-executive director and audit committee chair at Derwent London plc and at Weir Group plc

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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90

Corporate governance report

How the Boards operate
Mondi comprises Mondi Limited, registered 
and listed in South Africa, and Mondi plc, 
registered and listed in the UK. Each entity 
has its own board of directors comprising 
the same individuals. This enables the 
effective management of the dual listed 
company (DLC) structure as a single unified 
economic enterprise with due consideration 
being given to the interests of the ordinary 
shareholders of both Mondi Limited and 
Mondi plc. 

Leadership of the Boards comes from the 
Joint Chairs. Having joint chairs brings 
to the Boards a diversity of knowledge, 
experience and shared values. They have 
agreed a rolling agenda to ensure that all 
key matters reserved for the consideration 
of the Boards are covered in the annual 
cycle of meetings. 

Agendas for each meeting are agreed 
with the Joint Chairs to ensure that, in 
addition to regular items, consideration is 
being given to matters that may impact 
the Group’s operations from the wider 
economic or business environment. 
During 2018 for example, among a number 
of other presentations, the Boards received 
a presentation from an economist updating 
them on global market and economic 
trends and the longer-term economic 
outlook. Responding appropriately to 
the changing environment in which the 
Group operates is vital for Mondi’s long-
term success.

The Boards meet at least six times a 
year as a DLC board plus at least once 
each year as separate legal entity boards. 
Fred Phaswana chairs those meetings held 
in South Africa and David Williams those 
held outside South Africa, together ensuring 

the distribution of appropriate, accurate 
and well-presented materials, with meeting 
packs being circulated electronically a 
week before each meeting. Each board 
programme is usually held over two days 
enabling the directors to spend more time 
together and form a greater understanding 
of each other, developing a culture that 
allows each board member to feel that 
they are able to be open and transparent, 
encouraging discussion and challenge in 
the board room. The Joint Chairs ensure 
there is sufficient debate and consultation 
with management and advisers as well 
as between the directors themselves 
during meetings, allowing them to reach 
considered and effective decisions. 
As appropriate, other senior executives and 
advisers are invited to attend and present 
at meetings, providing the non-executive 
directors with a broader perspective on 
matters under consideration.

Board structure

Mondi Limited
 e South African operations1
 e Board of directors
 e Registered in South Africa
 e Primary listing on the JSE

DLC  
Board

Mondi plc
 e Non-South African operations
 e Board of directors
 e Registered in the UK
 e Premium listing on the LSE
 e Secondary listing on the JSE

Single unified economic enterprise

1  In addition, Mondi Limited owns a 50% interest in a subsidiary in Cote D’Ivoire

Compliance statement

Mondi’s dual listed company structure requires 
us to comply with the provisions of the April 2016 
edition of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
issued by the Financial Reporting Council (available 
at www.frc.org.uk) and the principles contained 
in the South African King IV Code of Corporate 
Governance (available at www.iodsa.co.za).

It is the view of the Boards that Mondi has complied 
throughout the year with all the provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code. The Boards are also 
of the view that Mondi has been in compliance with 
the principles of King IV. 

Examples of Mondi’s application of the provisions 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code and the 
recommended practices set out in King IV are 
found throughout this governance report. 

A more detailed analysis of Mondi’s compliance 
with King IV is available on the Mondi Group 
website at www.mondigroup.com.

The Boards note the publication of the new UK 
Corporate Governance Code, which took effect 
from 1 January 2019. We have reviewed the 
principles and provisions contained within the new 
Code and have implemented where appropriate 
changes to our policies and practices to ensure 
compliance with the new Code during 2019. 
More information can be found on page 87.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Composition of the Boards
The directors holding office during the year ended 31 December 2018 are listed below, 
together with their attendance at board meetings. As at 31 December 2018 there were 
eight directors: the Joint Chairs, four non-executive directors, each considered by the 
Boards to be independent, and two executive directors. 

The size and composition of the Boards and their committees are kept under review by the 
nominations committee. We are of the view that collectively there is an appropriate balance 
of capabilities, business experience, independence and diversity on the Boards to meet 
the Group’s current business needs. The directors have experience gained from a range of 
international organisations.

Those in office as at the date of this report, together with their biographical details, can be 
found on pages 88 and 89. 

Directors

Fred Phaswana

David Williams

Tanya Fratto

Stephen Harris

Andrew King

John Nicholas1

Peter Oswald

Dominique Reiniche

Stephen Young2

Mondi Limited 
board (one 
meeting)

Mondi plc  
board (one 
meeting)

DLC Board  
(seven meetings)

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

7

7

7

7

7

2

7

7

5

1  John Nicholas retired from the boards of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc on 16 May 2018. John attended all meetings up to the time of his 

retirement from the Boards

2  Stephen Young joined the boards of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc on 1 May 2018. Stephen attended all meetings following 

his appointment

In addition, the Joint Chairs and the Non-Executive Directors met twice during the year. 
These meetings focus particularly on the performance of the executives although the 
agendas are driven by the non-executive directors themselves and cover a variety of 
topics. One of these meetings is attended by the Chief Executive Officer in order to provide 
input to the discussions on executive performance and succession.

Board policies and procedures

Professional advice
A policy is in place pursuant to which each director 
may obtain independent professional advice at 
Mondi’s expense in the furtherance of their duties 
as a director of either Mondi Limited or Mondi plc. 
No requests were received during the year.

In addition, each of the committees are 
empowered, through their terms of reference, to 
seek independent professional advice at Mondi’s 
expense in the furtherance of their duties.

D&O insurance
Throughout the year to 31 December 2018, in line 
with market practice, Mondi maintained directors’ 
and officers’ liability insurance.

Procedure for conflicts of interest
Company law, the memorandum of incorporation 
of Mondi Limited and the articles of association 
of Mondi plc allow directors to manage potential 
conflicts. A formal procedure is in place for the 
reporting and review of any potential conflicts of 
interest involving the Boards with support from the 
Company Secretaries, with authorisations reviewed 
on an annual basis.

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Composition 
of the Boards

  Joint chairs 

  Executive directors 

  Non-executive directors 

2

2

4

Diversity of the Boards
%

  Female 

  Male 

25%

75%

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Non-executive 
director tenure

  0–3 years 

  3–6 years 

  6–9 years 

  9+ years 

Nationalities represented 
on the Boards

  South African 

  British 

  Austrian 

  French 

  American 

2

1

1

0

2

3

1

1

1

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92

Corporate governance report

Division of responsibilities
The division of responsibilities between the Joint Chairs and the Chief Executive Officer has 
been clearly defined and approved by the Boards. The functions and duties of the Senior 
Independent Director, a role to which Stephen Harris was appointed during 2018, are also 
set out in a separate statement. 

Role

Joint Chairs

Fred Phaswana

David Williams

Biographies 
Page 88

 e lead and manage the Boards, setting the agenda, providing 
direction and focus, ensuring effectiveness and open and 
transparent debate

 e undertake regular engagement with the Chief Executive 

Officer in between meetings

 e ensure there is a constructive relationship between the 

executive and non-executive directors

 e ensure high standards of corporate governance and ethical 

behaviour and oversee the culture of the Group

 e oversee the induction, training and development of directors 

and the consideration of succession

 e ensure effective communication with shareholders and 

other stakeholders

 e ensure the Boards receive accurate, timely and clear 

information to support discussion and decision-making

Role

Chief Executive  
Officer

Peter Oswald

 e leads and manages the business with day-to-day 

responsibility for running the operations and, in particular, 
the execution of strategy within the delegated authority from 
the Boards

Biography 
Page 88

 e ensures the communication of Mondi’s values and goals 

throughout the organisation, leading by example

 e chairs the DLC executive committee and leads and motivates 

the management team

 e ensures the Group has effective processes, controls and risk 

management systems

 e develops and implements Group policies, including with 

regard to safety and sustainability 

 e together with the Chief Financial Officer, leads the relationship 

with institutional shareholders 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Assessment of the  
Company Secretaries

Pursuant to the Listings Requirements of 
the JSE, the Boards confirm that they have 
reviewed and are satisfied that each of the 
Company Secretaries is competent and has 
the relevant qualifications and experience. 
Their biographies are on page 119.

In assessing their competence and the quality 
of the corporate governance services they 
provide, the Boards have considered the 
expected role and duties pursuant to the 
requirements of both the South African and 
UK Companies’ Acts, governance codes and 
continuing obligations of the stock exchanges 
on which Mondi is listed, and considered their 
respective compliance with each of these. 
The Boards have reviewed their performance 
not only during the last year but since 
joining Mondi. 

The Boards concluded that the Company 
Secretaries have each complied with all 
the requirements of the Companies Acts, 
governance codes and continuing obligations 
of the relevant stock exchanges and that the 
arrangements in place for monitoring and 
assessing their competence and performance 
are effective.

Role

Executive  
Director

Andrew King

Biography 
Page 88

Role

Senior 
Independent 
Director (SID)

Stephen Harris

Biography 
Page 89

Role

Independent  
Non-Executive 
Directors 

Tanya Fratto

Dominique  
Reiniche

 e manages the day-to-day operations of the Group, in this case 
within his remit as Chief Financial Officer, in accordance with 
authority delegated by the Boards 

 e provides support to, and acts as a sounding board for, the 

Joint Chairs and the Non-Executive Directors

 e acts as a point of contact for shareholders
 e available as a trusted intermediary for the other directors, 

as necessary

 e chairs a meeting of the Non-Executive Directors at which the 

performance of the Joint Chairs is considered

 e provide independent oversight of the Group’s activities
 e offer an external perspective to, and constructively challenge, 

management

 e provide to the Boards a diversity of knowledge and experience
 e monitor management performance and the development of 

the organisational culture

Stephen Young

 e review and agree strategic priorities and monitor the delivery of 

Biographies 
Page 89

the Group’s strategy

 e ensure the integrity of financial reporting and the effectiveness 

of internal controls and risk management
 e determine executive director remuneration 

Role

Company  
Secretaries

Philip Laubscher

Jenny Hampshire

Biographies 
Page 119

 e work together on the coordination of Mondi’s DLC structure
 e support the Joint Chairs in the delivery of accurate and timely 

information ahead of each meeting

 e ensure compliance with board and committee procedures
 e act as a key point of contact for Joint Chairs and Non-

Executive Directors

 e provide support to the Boards and committees, and advise 
on governance, statutory and regulatory requirements, 
maintaining an arm’s length relationship with the Boards

 e provide advice on legal, governance and listing requirements 

in both South Africa and the UK, in particular relating to 
continuing obligations and directors’ duties

 e appointed and removed by the Boards as a whole

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94

Corporate governance report

Our committees
The Boards are supported by the committees that have been established in line with governance practice and to which the Boards have 
delegated specific areas of responsibility. The role of each committee is described below and in more detail later in this report.

Mondi  
Limited

Mondi  
plc

The  
Boards

DLC  
nominations 
committee
Oversees the 
composition of 
the Boards and 
committees and 
considers succession 
planning and  
diversity, making 
recommendations 
to the Boards

DLC  
audit 
committee
Oversees the 
Group’s corporate 
financial reporting, 
the internal control  
system, risk  
management and  
the relationship  
with the external 
auditor

DLC  
remuneration 
committee
Responsibility for 
recommending 
overall remuneration 
policy and the setting  
of executive and  
senior management  
remuneration

DLC  
sustainable  
development  
committee
Oversees the Group’s 
strategy, commitments, 
targets and 
performance relating 
to safety,  
the environment  
and other sustainable  
development matters

Mondi Limited 
social 
and ethics 
committee
Oversees South 
African social and 
ethical issues

Read more 
Page 117

Read more 
Page 102

Read more 
Page 106

Read more 
Page 122

Read more 
Page 114

DLC executive 
committee
Day-to-day  
management  
of the Group

DLC disclosure  
committee
Responsibility for classifying and 
overseeing the prompt disclosure of 
inside information and overseeing the 
creation of insider lists 

Read more 
Page 118

Read more 
Page 121

Each committee has the authority to 
make decisions according to its terms of 
reference. Work programmes are agreed 
by each committee that are designed 
around the annual business calendar 
and their respective terms of reference. 
The matters reserved for the Boards 
together with the terms of reference of 
each of the committees are reviewed on 
an annual basis and when there have been 
changes in circumstances, governance 
or regulation. 

These are available on the Mondi Group 
website. During 2018 certain of the 
committee terms of reference were 
updated, primarily in response to changes 
introduced by the new UK Corporate 
Governance Code. 

The committees meet prior to meetings of 
the Boards to enable the committee chairs 
to report to the Boards. This facilitates 
communication between directors. 

It also ensures that all aspects of the 
Boards’ mandate have been addressed and 
enables any necessary recommendations 
or advice relevant for deliberations to 
be provided.

Only committee members are entitled to 
attend committee meetings, although the 
chair of each committee can invite, as 
they consider appropriate, other directors, 
management and advisers to meetings to 
provide information and insights, answer 
questions and to assist the committees in 
carrying out their duties. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

How the Boards spent their time
The Joint Chairs agree an annual work programme for the Boards that ensures all matters reserved for review by the Boards are covered. 
The Boards are satisfied that this was the case during the year. Additional matters are added to each meeting agenda as the need arises 
throughout the year, usually in connection with strategic opportunities that have presented themselves or where market conditions or 
operational performance discussions trigger a request for a more in-depth review. 

Each meeting includes a report from the Chief Executive Officer providing an operational update; a report from the Chief Financial Officer 
on the Group’s financial performance; an update on safety performance; country assessments for key geographic locations where the 
Group operates; and a report from the Company Secretaries on recent governance and regulatory matters.

Other matters addressed by the Boards

Financial performance

Operational performance

Succession planning

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 e Review and approval of the full and half-yearly 

results and associated announcements and the 
trading updates.

 e Detailed reports in relation to the fatalities 
and life-altering injuries and oversight of 
management’s response.

 e Reports from the chief executive officers of a 
number of the business units (see page 97).

 e Consideration of recommended changes to the 
membership of the DLC executive committee.

 e Consideration of succession and talent 

management plans.

 e Review and approval of the Mondi Group Integrated 
report and financial statements, ensuring they are 
fair, balanced and understandable (see page 110 
for more information).

 e Consideration of ordinary and special dividend 
recommendations and declarations in light of 
the Group’s stated dividend policy, financial 
performance and strong cash generation.

 e Review and approval of the Group business plan for 
2019–2021 and the budget for 2019, considering 
assumptions made and the reasonableness of the 
plan and focusing on the operational overviews, 
cash flow management and capital allocation. 
 e Annual reviews of the Group treasury and Group 

tax functions and performance, including approval 
of the Group’s tax strategy statement for publication 
on Mondi’s website.

Strategy formulation and monitoring

 e A strategy review session, considering where 
Mondi is today, its strategic focus, options for 
future growth and detailed business unit strategic 
initiatives, resulting in continued support for 
Mondi’s strategic direction (see page 26 for 
more information).

 e Regular review of potential growth opportunities 

identified by management.

 e Review of investor feedback (see page 98 for 

more information).

 e Regular review of competitor analyses.
 e Regular review of shareholder analysis reports.

 e Monitoring of the implementation of a number of 

Other

 e Consideration of the proposed 

corporate simplification. 

 e Review of employee survey results (see page 99 for 

more information).

 e Consideration of a number of regular matters that 
are reserved for the Boards (see schedule on the 
Mondi Group website).

large capital projects.

 e A presentation from the Quality Director of the 

Consumer Packaging business unit.

Governance and risk management

 e Regular reports from the chair of each committee.
 e Review of the Group’s corporate governance 

framework and specifically proposals 
arising in relation to the new UK Corporate 
Governance Code. 

 e Review and approval of the renewal of Dominique 

Reiniche’s term of office.

 e Review and approval of the Group’s Modern 

Slavery Act statement.

 e Review of the output from the internal board 

evaluation process and agreement of an action plan 
(see page 101 for more information).

 e A review of the Group’s risk management 

processes, plan and risk tolerance levels and 
internal controls, with consideration of risk 
monitoring, mitigation activities and independent 
assurance processes (see pages 38 and 39 for 
more information).

 e Half-yearly presentations on IT risks and cyber 
security (see page 111 for more information).
 e Review of the Group insurances, ensuring an 

appropriate balance of risk between the Group and 
our insurers.

 e Review of principal Group policies.
 e Review of arrangements for the Annual General 
Meetings, in particular feedback received from 
shareholders and voting indications.

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Mondi Group 
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96

Corporate governance report

Stephen Young – Induction Programme

In the lead up to and following Stephen’s 
appointment as a non-executive director on 1 May 
2018, a number of meetings, briefings and site 
visits were organised in order to provide Stephen 
with a detailed overview of the Group and to allow 
him to make as full and effective a contribution 
as possible to the Boards’ deliberations and 
decision-making during the first few months 
following his appointment. The induction process 
focused particularly on the role and duties Stephen 
would assume once appointed as chair of the 
audit committee. 

Company Secretaries
Stephen’s induction started with a briefing from 
one of the company secretaries to explain the DLC 
structure and its implications for the operation of 
the Boards, both at a practical level and in terms 
of the applicable regulatory and governance 
framework. He was given access to an online 
director handbook containing a number of key 
documents, including guidance on the duties 
and obligations for listed company directors, key 
policies and the terms of reference for each of 
Mondi’s committees. 

Joint Chairs and  
Non-Executive Directors
While Stephen met all members of the DLC 
Board during the recruitment and interview 
process, further meetings were arranged as 
appropriate around the time of his appointment 
and his first board programme. Key among these 
was Stephen’s meeting with John Nicholas, the 
outgoing audit committee chair. 

Executive committee members and 
senior management
Meetings with members of the executive 
committee were held in order to give Stephen an 
understanding of the Group’s business, markets, 
operations and material projects, as well as risk 
areas, and to give him the opportunity to hear 
firsthand about the Group’s culture and operational 
style. Meetings with other key members of senior 
management were also held, including with the 
Group Head of Reward, Group Head of Internal 
Audit, the Group Heads of Tax and Treasury, the 
Group Head of Strategy & Investor Relations and 
the Group Heads of Sustainable Development and 
Safety and Health. The meeting with the Group 
Head of Internal Audit was a key one for Stephen 
given his audit committee role. A meeting with the 
Group’s Chief Information Officer to discuss the 
information management architecture and cyber 
security was also held. 

External auditor
A meeting with the UK audit engagement partner 
was undertaken at an early stage in order to 
provide Stephen with an independent view of 
Mondi’s relationship with its external auditor and 
the auditor’s role at each audit committee meeting. 

Site visits
During August 2018 Stephen undertook a site 
visit to Mondi’s mill in Świecie, Poland. Given that 
Stephen was unable to join the full Boards’ 
visit to Świecie earlier in the year, this provided 
Stephen with a separate opportunity to meet local 
management and to receive tailored presentations. 
The visit also included a tour of the plant and a 
dinner with members of the management team. 
This allowed Stephen early on in his tenure 
to see one of Mondi’s largest operations and 
to observe behaviour and culture in practice. 
This was followed by a visit to Mondi’s Group office 
in Vienna. 

While Stephen’s induction covered a significant 
amount in a short space of time, we remain aware 
that the induction needs to be an ongoing process, 
particularly during the first year of appointment, and 
so we continue to look for additional opportunities 
to offer Stephen a broader perspective of 
the business. 

Training, development 
and culture 
When new directors join the Boards they 
undertake an induction. While there is an 
outline induction programme in place, 
this is discussed with each new director 
and is tailored to meet any specific 
requirements, in particular any committee 
responsibilities. The programme generally 
includes meetings with each member of the 
executive committee and key advisers as 
well as site visits. The aim is to familiarise a 
new director with the nature of the Group’s 
business and operations, highlighting the 
key challenges and opportunities as well 
as the regulatory environment in which the 
Group operates, and the culture and values 
of the Group. Following his appointment to 
the Boards on 1 May 2018, an induction 
programme was undertaken by Stephen 
Young, the details of which can be 
found opposite. 

We aim to ensure that existing directors 
receive ongoing training and development 
opportunities and that they are able to 
keep up to speed with changes to the 
environment in which Mondi operates, 
economic developments and governance 
and regulatory changes. It is equally 
important that the directors are given the 
opportunity to monitor Mondi’s culture, 
to see how it is embedded into the 
organisation and to ensure that practice 
on the ground aligns with the culture and 
values promoted by the Boards. 

This is achieved in a number of ways:

Site visits

The directors are encouraged wherever 
possible to visit Mondi’s key assets 
and operations so that they can see 
them firsthand and get a more in-depth 
understanding of the business as well 
as meet local management and staff. 
Such visits allow the directors to see 
for themselves how our safety culture 
is working in practice, the outcome of 
the investments they have approved 
and how the Mondi Diamond is used to 
frame operational behaviour. Talking to 
local management during these site visits 
provides an invaluable perspective to 
the directors. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Board presentations

The Boards have in place a rolling 
programme of presentations from members 
of the executive committee and other 
senior management. These presentations 
give the directors direct exposure to 
members of senior management beyond 
the executive directors, allowing them the 
opportunity to ask questions, hear their 
views and opinions and to hear how the 
businesses are performing and developing. 
The directors also gain valuable insight 
for the purposes of succession planning. 
Presenters are additionally invited to attend 
board dinners, offering a more informal 
setting for discussion. 

The Boards also receive presentations 
from external advisers in relation to a variety 
of matters.

Reports and updates

Presentations and reports aimed at 
providing wider context to the Group’s 
activities and position in the market 
are provided regularly to the Boards. 
Management also provide updates on 
issues affecting the packaging and paper 
industry as a whole and regular feedback is 
provided through the sharing of analyst and 
broker reports and briefings. 

Board presentations:

To ensure the directors are aware of 
developing trends and future changes 
in governance and regulation and the 
likely impact on the Group, the Company 
Secretaries report to the Boards at each 
meeting. They also brief the directors on 
governance and regulatory consultations 
for information and to assist the directors 
with context for their decision-making 
during board and committee deliberations. 
Other corporate function specialists, 
for example from Group tax and Group 
treasury, report to the Boards to enable 
the directors to gain a greater insight into 
the way Mondi is managed and controlled. 
This provides opportunities to question 
processes, resources and key risks as 
well as providing context on the wider 
economic environment.

External directorships

Although it is recognised that valuable 
experience can be gained from executive 
directors accepting appointments as non-
executive directors on other boards, it is 
important to ensure the appropriateness 
and number of such commitments. 
Mondi has a policy setting out the 
parameters regarding such appointments. 

A director will retain any fee paid to them in 
respect of directorships external to Mondi. 

During the year the Boards heard from the chief 
executive officers of Mondi’s Consumer Packaging 
and Uncoated Fine Paper business units as well as 
the chief executive officers of the Fibre Packaging/
Paper and South African businesses, covering 
matters including safety performance and culture, 
financial and operational performance, progress 
with capital investment projects and challenges 
faced. Mondi’s Group Communication & Marketing 
Director and Consumer Packaging’s Quality 
Director also presented.

Mondi’s Group HR Director presented to the 
Boards on the outcome of the 2018 group-wide 
employee survey, providing insight into the views 
of the 89% of employees that responded to 
the survey. 

This feedback provides a vital source of information 
to the directors on how employees feel about 
Mondi and the environment and culture in which 
they work. More information can be found on 
page 99.

In addition, the Boards received presentations 
from external advisers including in relation to global 
economic and market trends, the duties of boards 
in relation to environmental, social and governance 
risks and investor perceptions. 

The Boards have also received updates on 
information technology risk through two detailed 
presentations given to the DLC audit committee 
during the year (see page 111 for more information).

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Neither of Mondi’s executive directors 
currently holds a directorship external 
to Mondi. 

Each director can discuss any development 
needs with one of the Joint Chairs at 
any time but the opportunity arises more 
formally during the annual review process 
when discussions regarding individual 
performance are held. In addition, all 
directors are encouraged to strengthen 
and refresh their knowledge by attending 
workshops, seminars and courses relevant 
to their respective roles, and details of the 
availability of these are provided regularly.

Site visits: 

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Świece, Poland
In June 2018, the directors visited Mondi’s mill 
in Świecie. The visit included presentations 
from the local management team, providing the 
Boards with an update on matters including 
safety, financial, operational and environmental 
and sustainability performance. The directors 
also heard about the initiative at the mill to 
reduce the level of waste sent to landfill, an 
initiative that won a Mondi Diamond award 
earlier in the year (see page 74 for more details). 

The directors undertook a tour of the mill, 
giving them an opportunity to see in practice 
the results of the €260m capital investment 
programme completed in 2017, to observe the 
culture, particularly in relation to safety, and 
to talk to local management and employees. 
The tour was followed by a dinner with 
members of the Świecie management team. 

Richards Bay
In July 2018, Tanya Fratto joined Michael 
Hakes, Mondi’s Group HR Director, on a visit 
to Mondi’s Richards Bay facility in South Africa. 
The visit included a tour of the mill as well as a 
chance to see the Kwambonambi nursery, one 
of the sites at which we propagate seedlings 
for our forestry plantations. Tanya also spent 
time meeting with and asking questions of local 
management and employees. 

Site visits by the directors, either individually or 
collectively, remain high on the agenda in 2019 
with visits to plants in Austria and Germany 
being planned for the Boards during the year.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
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Corporate governance report

Stakeholder engagement
During the year, the Boards took the time 
to review who they consider to be Mondi’s 
key stakeholders. This gave them the 
opportunity to step back and think about 
those groups that are most relevant to 
Mondi, to ensure that the Boards continue 
to give consideration to the material 
stakeholders when making decisions 
and to allow engagement activities to be 
focused appropriately. The stakeholders 
identified and some of the engagement 
activities undertaken during the year are 
referred to in more detail on pages 22 to 25. 

Investor engagement

While the Joint Chairs maintain 
responsibility for ensuring there is effective 
communication with shareholders, it is the 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer who undertake active engagement 
with investors on a regular basis, meeting 
with Mondi’s largest shareholders, analysts 
and other fund managers. The Senior 
Independent Director is available to meet 
with shareholders as required should any 
issues arise that are not resolved through 
the more regular channels.

Below are details of the key investor 
events that have taken place during 2018, 
including meetings, investor roadshows and 
participation in investor conferences. 

Investor perceptions study

In the second half of the year, we 
commissioned an external consultant, 
Investor Perceptions, to undertake a study 
to understand how a broad cross-section 
of shareholders, non-holders and sell-
side analysts perceive Mondi in terms 
of performance, strategy, management, 
communication and willingness to engage. 

Engagement levels were good, with investors 
open to sharing their views on the Group and 
providing valuable insight into areas of strong 
performance as well as those areas offering 
improvement potential. The results of the 
study, which were generally very positive, were 
presented to the Boards during the December 
board meeting. A number of action items 
were identified, with the Boards agreeing to 
follow up on those it considers most relevant 
during 2019.

In light of the value the directors felt the study 
brought and the increased focus in the new UK 
Corporate Governance Code on engagement 
with, and understanding the views of, major 
shareholders, it is intended to undertake similar 
studies on a more regular basis.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

In addition, the executive management 
and the Group Head of Strategy & Investor 
Relations make themselves available to 
investors on an ongoing basis in order to 
maintain an open dialogue, resulting in a 
number of ad hoc meetings and calls taking 
place throughout the year. 

It is important that we maintain this regular 
engagement with shareholders and 
prospective investors in order to allow 
us the opportunity to further explain our 
strategy and priorities. It is hoped that 
such engagement and our willingness 
to be transparent builds trust in Mondi’s 
management and develops the investor 
community’s understanding of our 
business and our culture. While we accept 
that our shareholders will have different 
priorities and varying views on the future of 
Mondi, we welcome these views and the 
constructive dialogue that we aim for. 

In addition, we maintain ongoing contact 
with our debt providers and the Chief 
Financial Officer and Group Treasurer 
have held regular meetings with the credit 
rating agencies, relationship banks and 
debt investors.

The remuneration committee consults with 
shareholders on remuneration matters 
when appropriate, most recently in relation 
to proposed changes to the Group’s 
remuneration policy which were approved 
at the Annual General Meetings in 2017. 
Such consultation is key to understanding 
shareholder views.

The Company Secretary’s office 
is the focus for private shareholder 
communications, responding to individual 
shareholder correspondence, and 
coordinating our engagement on corporate 
governance matters. 

All directors are kept informed of 
shareholder views and feedback, 
particularly from the full and half-year 
investor roadshows, which are presented 
and discussed at board meetings. 
Analyst reports are shared regularly with 
the Boards and consideration given to 
any views both positive and negative 
regarding the Group’s performance, 
future direction and the perceptions of the 
management team.

The Mondi Group website – 
www.mondigroup.com – contains a wealth 
of information including the latest news 
from around the Group, announcements, 
share price information and general 
shareholder information as well as more 
in-depth reports regarding our sustainability 
commitments and progress. 

Investor events

Month

March

April

May

Event

 e Preliminary results announcement
 e Investor roadshow in South Africa (Johannesburg and Cape Town)
 e Investor roadshow in Europe (London and Edinburgh), including 

Jefferies packaging conference

 e Sun City BoAML conference (South Africa)
 e Investor day in Munich

 e Discussions with investors and advisory bodies prior to Annual 

General Meetings 

 e Trading update
 e Annual General Meetings
 e Investor roadshow in the US (Boston, Chicago and New York)

August

 e Half-yearly results
 e Investor roadshow in South Africa (Johannesburg and Cape Town)

September

 e Investor roadshow in Europe (London and Edinburgh)

October

 e Trading update

November

 e London UBS European conference

December

 e London BoAML Paper conference
 e Investor roadshow in Frankfurt

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Developing our activities in relation to 
employee engagement in particular is 
a priority. While we always consider the 
impact on employees when we make 
decisions, the Boards appreciate that they 
need to understand their views in order 
to do this effectively. A number of events 
took place during the year to facilitate 
engagement with our people, including:

 e the annual meeting of our European 
Communication Group, involving 
representatives from our plants across 
Europe, attended by Peter Oswald, 
Andrew King and Mondi’s Group HR 
Director, Michael Hakes;

 e a senior leadership forum, attended by 
120 of Mondi’s senior leaders as well as 
several members of the Boards, including 
the Joint Chairs, and incorporating 
Mondi’s Diamond Awards ceremony; and

 e the latest global employee survey, which 

had a participation rate of 89% and 
gave our employees the opportunity to 
provide their views on a range of matters. 
The results of this survey were presented 
to the Boards and further updates will be 
provided over the course of the next year 
to allow the Boards to monitor progress 
with actions agreed following the survey. 
More information can be found on pages 
52 and 53.

In addition, we held a virtual leadership 
forum, Inspire meetings and a number of 
employee briefings. 

Not only do these activities facilitate 
employee engagement, they are also vital 
to giving the Boards clear oversight of 
Mondi’s culture. The outcome from these 
types of events and the views expressed 
provide insight to the Boards on how well 
our values are embedded and understood, 
the concerns of our employees and the flow 
of communication throughout the Group. 
During 2019 there will be increased emphasis 
on creating a clear link between these 
activities and the discussions at board level.

Wider stakeholder engagement

The increasing focus on wider stakeholder 
engagement reflects our awareness of 
the need to consider the interests of not 
just our shareholders but also our people, 
customers and the communities in which 
we operate. While this has always been 
a focus for the Boards, the new UK 
Corporate Governance Code has reminded 
boards of the need to keep this high on 
the agenda. Having confirmed who our 
key stakeholders are, our approach to 
sustainability provides the framework 
within which we can engage with them 
and encourages us to consider more 
widely the impact that our business can 
have. Our Group Head of Sustainable 
Development continues to maintain a 
dialogue on socially responsible investment 
through focused briefings with interested 
investors and stakeholders and collaborates 
closely with a number of external bodies 
on such matters. More information on our 
engagement activities during the year can 
be found on pages 22 to 25 and in our 
online sustainable development report. 

Review of employee survey results

In January 2018 Mondi undertook its latest group-
wide employee survey, in which 89% of employees 
participated. The Boards invited Michael Hakes, 
Mondi’s Group HR Director, to present the results 
of the survey. The presentation included details of 
the response rate relative to previous surveys, key 
areas of positive and negative feedback, broken 
down by job level and tenure, and comparisons to 
external benchmarks. Employee engagement levels 
were a key area of focus, with the results being 
used to indicate the extent to which our people feel 
engaged with Mondi and their role. The results of 
the survey act as a significant source of information 
to the Boards when they are assessing the views of 
Mondi’s employees and how well Mondi’s values are 
communicated, understood and felt by employees 
on a day-to-day basis. The survey also looked at 
a number of key culture indicators, including the 
proportion of employees that were considering 
leaving Mondi, how empowered employees felt 
and whether they felt they were recognised for 
their performance. A number of action areas were 
identified and additional questions raised by the 
Boards. A follow-up presentation will be given to the 
Boards during 2019.

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Performance evaluation

Below are the key actions reported last year following the internal evaluation undertaken 
in 2017 and details of the progress we have made against those actions:

Action agreed from 2017 evaluation

Progress achieved

To continue to focus on succession 
planning at board, committee and 
executive level, considering cultural, 
geographic and gender diversity 
requirements as the business looks 
to grow. 

To continue to assess opportunities 
for growth as and when they arise with 
management providing detailed overviews 
to the Boards of any potential options 
when appropriate. 

To maintain the high level of focus on 
safety, considering in particular the 
behavioural and cultural reasons behind 
life altering injuries and other serious 
safety incidents. 

To continue to develop Mondi’s policies 
and procedures in the key areas of 
focus set out in the UK Modern Slavery 
Act and to consider the use of certain 
measurements to allow progress to 
be monitored.

To monitor the outcome of the 
consultation in relation to the UK 
Corporate Governance Code and to 
consider and implement any changes 
required in order to ensure compliance 
with the new Code. 

Succession planning remained a key focus area during 2018 
with the appointment of Stephen Young as a successor to 
John Nicholas in May 2018 and detailed discussions by the 
nominations committee in relation to board and executive level 
succession at its meeting in June. Members of the executive 
committee and other members of senior management have 
presented to the Boards throughout the year, giving the 
directors exposure to a wider group of people. This remains 
high on the agenda in 2019. 

A number of detailed presentations in relation to potential 
growth opportunities have been made to the Boards during the 
year. Management will continue to bring such opportunities to 
the Boards for consideration as and when appropriate. 

Safety remains a key focus and we strive for continuous 
improvement. A ‘social psychology of behaviour’ programme is 
being developed for trial implementation, focused safety training 
for managing directors, first line managers and safety and 
health professionals is being undertaken and a safety campaign 
targeted at the behavioural causes of serious incidents has 
been launched. 

An overview of the actions taken to date was presented to the 
sustainable development committee at its meeting in May. 
Mondi’s 2018 Modern Slavery Act statement was approved at 
the same meeting. An initial discussion in relation to proposed 
KPIs was held. These will be developed with specialist support 
and presented for approval during 2019.

The Boards have been kept up to date with developments 
throughout the year and proposed actions designed to 
implement certain provisions of the new Code were presented 
to, and approved by, the Boards towards the end of 2018.

Annual General Meetings

At the 2018 Annual General Meetings 
all resolutions were passed. Overall in 
excess of 68% of the total Group shares 
were voted. 

The Annual General Meetings of Mondi 
Limited and Mondi plc are scheduled to 
be held on 9 May 2019 in Johannesburg 
and London respectively, presenting an 
opportunity for shareholders to question 
the directors about our activities and 
prospects. Directors are available to meet 
informally with shareholders immediately 
before and after the meetings. 

Separate resolutions will be proposed for 
each item of business to be considered at 
the meetings with the voting conducted by 
polls. It is confirmed that each director will 
be standing for re-election by shareholders 
at the meetings. The meetings will consist 
of a number of resolutions representing 
regular business usually conducted at an 
annual general meeting, together with a 
number of additional resolutions relating to 
Mondi’s proposed corporate simplification. 
The notices, which include explanations 
of each resolution, are contained in 
separate circulars which will be sent to all 
shareholders in advance of the meetings, in 
accordance with the corporate governance 
codes of South Africa and the UK.

The voting results will be announced on 
the JSE and LSE and made available 
on the Mondi Group website as soon 
as practicable following the close of 
both meetings. 

From left to right:
Fred Phaswana
Stephen Young
Tanya Fratto
Peter Oswald
Dominique Reiniche
Stephen Harris
David Williams
Andrew King

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

2018 internal board evaluation process

In line with best practice, we have conducted external evaluations at least once 
every three years, the last time being in 2016. In 2018, the Boards determined that 
an internal evaluation was appropriate, recognising the opportunity this provides to 
reflect on the activities and performance of the Boards, committees and individual 
directors, and to consider improvements to the operation of the Boards. 

The Company Secretaries facilitated the process illustrated below:

Review of prior year action plan  
and progress against plan

Questionnaires issued to 
and completed by directors, 
senior executives and the 
Company Secretaries

Review of Joint Chairs’ performance 
by the SID and other directors

Report considered by the nominations 
committee, proposed actions 
formulated and recommendations 
made to the Boards

One-on-one interviews  
between the Joint Chairs  
and individual directors

Results collated and  
report prepared

Action plan agreed  
by the Boards

The results confirmed that the Boards 
continue to operate well and to a high 
standard, with open and effective debate, 
opportunity for challenge and full and 
active participation from all members of 
the Boards. 

The review of the performance of the 
Joint Chairs, led by Stephen Harris as the 
Senior Independent Director, incorporated 
feedback from the Non-Executive and 
Executive directors. Consideration was 
given to the effective leadership of the 
Boards, how they worked together, their 
time commitment and the management 
of the meetings. The positive working 
relationship between the Joint Chairs and 
the way in which they effectively manage 
their joint role was noted.

The key actions agreed by the Boards 
following the 2018 evaluation are:

1. Subject to shareholder and necessary 
regulatory approval, to ensure the 
smooth implementation of the 
corporate simplification announced in 
November 2018.

2. To maintain the focus on succession 
planning at board and executive 
committee level, particularly in light of 
Mondi’s commitment to meeting gender 
and ethnic diversity targets.

3. To continue to focus on safety 

performance and developing Mondi’s 
safety culture, looking in particular at 
new and innovative ways in which we 
can communicate with employees in 
this regard and continually refresh the 
safety message.

4. To continue to actively consider a 

variety of strategic growth options for 
the Group, giving due consideration to 
evolving industry trends. 

5. To ensure that proposed changes 
to practice to meet new regulatory 
and Corporate Governance Code 
requirements continue to be 
implemented effectively, ensuring Mondi 
is in a strong position to report against 
the new requirements. 

The Boards consider that they continue 
to benefit from the annual review process, 
the results from which help guide 
the future focus of meeting agendas 
and behaviours.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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102

Corporate governance report

Role, terms of reference 
and evaluation
The key focus of the committee is to 
ensure that the composition of the 
Boards is appropriate and relevant to 
the Group and that the Boards are in the 
best position to drive the agreed strategy. 
This includes consideration of diversity and 
succession matters. 

The committee operates under formal 
terms of reference. The committee agenda 
during the year included the regular matters 
reserved for its review as well as other 
ad hoc matters falling within the authority 
delegated to it by the Boards, including 
the recruitment of a new non-executive 
director and consideration of changes to 
the Boards’ committees. The committee’s 
performance against its terms of 
reference is reviewed on an annual basis. 
The committee is satisfied that it has acted 
in accordance with its terms of reference 
during the year.

The evaluation of the committee 
was carried out as part of the 2018 
internal evaluation (see page 101 for 
more information).

Corporate governance  
and other matters

 e Considered a request from a member of the 

executive committee to take on the directorship 
of another company, confirming that the time 
commitment would not interfere with their duties 
to Mondi.

 e Considered, and recommended to the Boards, 
the re-election of all directors at the Annual 
General Meetings.

 e Review of the committee’s terms of reference, 

performance and work programme.

 e Considered, and agreed to, the committee’s report 
for inclusion in the Group’s Integrated report and 
financial statements.

DLC nominations committee

In light of John Nicholas nearing 
completion of a nine-year term 
on the Boards, the search for a 
new non-executive director was 
a priority for the committee during 
the year. The committee spent 
time focusing on the balance and 
diversity of skills, knowledge and 
experience on the Boards and 
ensuring a smooth appointment 
and induction process following 
the decision to appoint 
Stephen Young.

David Williams
Chair of the DLC 
nominations committee

Composition

Members  
throughout  
the year

Tanya  
Fratto

Stephen  
Harris

John  
Nicholas1

Fred  
Phaswana

Dominique 
Reiniche

Committee  
member  
since

January 2017

March 2011

October 2009

June 2013

October 2015

David Williams, 
chair

May 2007

Stephen Young2 May 2018

Meeting 
attendance  
(five meetings in 
the year)

5

5

3

5

5

5

2

1  John Nicholas stepped down from the committee on 16 May 

2018. John attended all meetings up to the time of his 
retirement from the Boards 

2  Stephen Young joined the committee on 1 May 2018. 

Stephen has missed one meeting of the committee since his 
appointment as a result of a commitment made prior to him 
joining the Boards 

Other regular attendees

 e Chief Executive Officer

Key matters addressed by the committee

Board and committee composition

Succession planning

 e Considered the Boards’ succession plans, including 
in relation to existing directors and the requirements 
of the Boards in the longer term. 

 e Received a report and presentation on talent 
management practices within the Group.

 e Received a report and presentation on diversity 

within the Group and a review of measures being 
taken to improve this (see pages 104 and 105 for 
more information on our approach to diversity).
 e Review of the succession plans for the executive 
committee members and senior management 
within the Group, discussing any potential gaps and 
actions to address them.

Board evaluation

 e Monitored progress against the agreed action plan 
from the prior year’s evaluation process (see page 
100 for more information).

 e Considered and agreed the process for the 2018 
internal evaluation of the Boards, committees 
and individual directors (see page 101 for 
more information).

 e Review of the output from the 2018 evaluation 

process and recommendation of an action plan to 
the Boards (see page 101 for more information).

 e Review of the composition of the Boards to ensure 
maintenance of an appropriate balance of skills and 
diversity of experience to support the future growth 
strategy, resulting in the appointment of Stephen 
Young (see page 103 for more information). 

 e Review of the composition of each of the 

committees and committee chairs, recommending 
changes to the Boards (see page 103 for 
more information).

 e Consideration of the composition of the DLC 

executive committee, including the skills, experience 
and qualifications required, diversity and succession 
planning, and proposals from management and 
recommendation of new appointments to the 
Boards for approval.

 e Review of Dominique Reiniche’s performance 

and contribution to the Boards as she completed 
her three-year term in office, with the committee 
concluding that Dominique remained independent 
and able to contribute effectively to Mondi in the 
best interests of shareholders, both in her role as a 
director and as chair of both the DLC sustainable 
development and Mondi Limited social and 
ethics committees. 

 e Review of the continued independence of each 
non-executive director, including consideration 
of their term in office and any potential conflicts 
of interest.

 e Review of the time commitment required of each 
non-executive director, concluding that all non-
executive directors continued to devote appropriate 
time to address their duties to Mondi.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Review of committee memberships

Appointment of Stephen Young

As a result of John Nicholas’ decision to step down 
as he neared the end of his nine-year term in office, 
and the appointment of Stephen Young to the 
Boards, the Committee undertook a review of the 
current roles and responsibilities of the directors 
and in particular the committee memberships. 
A number of factors were considered, including 
the desire to bring new perspectives to each of 
the committees and the time commitment of each 
director. After consideration, it was recommended 
to, and agreed by, the Boards that Stephen Harris 
replace John as Senior Independent Director 
upon John’s retirement. Stephen Harris’ length 
of service on the Boards and his experience 

of Mondi and the way in which it operates 
meant he was well-placed to take on the role. 
Consequently, it was also agreed that Dominique 
Reiniche would replace Stephen Harris as chair 
of the sustainable development and social and 
ethics committees. Stephen has remained a 
member of each committee, providing continuity. 
Given his financial experience, Stephen Young 
was proposed to shareholders for appointment 
as chair of the audit committee (see page 106 for 
more information). He also joined the nominations 
and sustainable development committees on 
appointment, providing a fresh viewpoint to each of 
these committees.

Board appointments

Mondi has an agreed process in place for the recruitment and appointment of new 
directors to the Boards. This process was followed in relation to the appointment of 
Stephen Young and is set out below. Further details on Stephen’s appointment can 
be found opposite.

Agreement of key business experience 
and skills required, taking into account 
diversity requirements, and candidate 
specification drawn up

Agent conducts a market search 
and provides a long list of potential 
candidates for consideration, the long list 
to include male and female candidates 
from a variety of backgrounds

Short list reduced to an  
agreed number of candidates for 
interview by other executive and  
non-executive directors

Boards consider the recommendation 
and whether to proceed with 
the appointment

External independent search 
agent engaged to assist with the 
selection process

Short list chosen from long list for 
interview by one of the Joint Chairs 
and SID

Nominations committee considers 
the preferred candidates and makes a 
recommendation to the Boards

On appointment each non-executive 
director receives letters of appointment 
setting out, among other things, their 
term of appointment, the expected time 
commitment for their duties to Mondi and 
details of any committees of which they will 
be a member. Non-executive directors are 

initially appointed for a three-year term, after 
which a review is undertaken to consider 
renewal of the term for a further three 
years. However, Mondi follows governance 
best practice with all directors standing for 
re-election by shareholders at each Annual 
General Meeting.

Towards the end of 2017, the decision was taken 
to start preparing for the departure of John 
Nicholas, given that John was approaching 
the completion of nine years of service on the 
Boards. The skills and experience required of 
a new non-executive director were discussed 
in detail, with the committee agreeing that the 
primary focus was on finding someone with a 
strong financial background and the necessary 
financial experience to be able to take over 
John’s role as audit committee chair. 

In accordance with Mondi’s established 
appointment process, which is set out 
opposite, the recruitment process was led by 
David Williams, Joint Chair, and John in his role 
as Senior Independent Director, on behalf of 
the nominations committee. Russell Reynolds 
Associates, an external search agency, was 
engaged to assist with the selection process. 
Russell Reynolds is a signatory to the Voluntary 
Code of Conduct for Executive Search Firms. 
While Russell Reynolds is currently assisting 
Mondi with another recruitment process below 
board level, it does not involve the individual 
from Russell Reynolds who supported us 
with Stephen Young’s appointment, thereby 
ensuring the independence of the board 
recruitment process. 

Russell Reynolds drew up a detailed 
specification based on the criteria agreed by 
the committee. They then conducted a market 
search and benchmarked candidates for the 
role before providing detailed profiles for a 
longlist of candidates. The candidates were 
from a variety of backgrounds, with the focus 
being on financial and business experience, 
and from different nationalities, with both male 
and female candidates included. 

Having reviewed the profiles presented, initial 
interviews were undertaken with a number 
of the candidates before a shortlist of two 
candidates was agreed. They were then 
interviewed by other Mondi executives and 
non-executives before being considered at a 
full meeting of the nominations committee. 

Following a rigorous selection process, the 
committee, having considered the relative 
merits and fit of each candidate, made a 
recommendation to the Boards, which was 
accepted, to appoint Stephen Young as an 
independent non-executive director with effect 
from 1 May 2018.

Stephen was the preferred candidate on 
the basis of his strong financial and general 
management background, his recent experience 
as CEO of a listed international engineering 
business and his audit committee experience.

Full biography 
Page 89

Induction details 
Page 96

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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104

Corporate governance report

The position remains stable in comparison 
to 2017 which, although positive, means 
we haven’t made any significant progress 
towards meeting our targets in this regard. 
The focus in this area and the work being 
undertaken will therefore need to continue 
during the coming year. Developing the 
pipeline up to executive committee level 
remains a priority as well as a focus on 
other forms of diversity, including ethnicity. 
Additional gender diversity statistics can be 
found in the Strategic report on page 54. 

As part of the Boards’ oversight of Mondi’s 
D&I policy, a presentation was provided to 
the committee during the year in relation 
to D&I and succession planning, covering 
new and ongoing initiatives to improve 
D&I and progress made in this regard. 
Regular discussions are also held at both 
executive committee and operational 
committee level. 

One significant step taken during the 
year towards meeting the goals of our 
policy was the creation of a D&I taskforce. 
This resulted in our first global D&I 
conference, more details of which can 
be found opposite. One of the first roles 
of the task force will be to identify and 
recommend KPIs so that we can monitor 
our progress effectively. 

In South Africa we are committed to making 
a positive contribution to the process of 
transformation. We have taken active steps 
to meet the requirements of broad-based 
black economic empowerment (BBBEE), 
including establishing transformation 
forums in our South African operations to 
allow our employees to discuss equity and 
training-related issues and ideas.

Diversity & Inclusion
Mondi is committed to encouraging and 
promoting diversity and inclusion (D&I) in all 
its forms. 

As a global organisation operating in 
more than 30 countries, D&I forms an 
integral part of the way we do business. 
We are committed to creating a culture 
that embraces D&I and provides a working 
environment that is flexible and non-
discriminatory, from recruitment and people 
development to reward and our talent 
management approach. We strive for an 
inclusive environment where differences 
are valued and embraced. We employ, 
empower and develop competent people 
with the necessary potential required to 
meet our business needs and maintain a 
competitive business advantage. 

The Group’s formal D&I policy, which was 
approved by, and has the full support of, 
the Boards, is intended to help us meet 
these goals and sets out guidelines for such 
matters as recruitment, the use of search 
firms, succession and annual reviews, 
both at board level and in relation to the 
wider workforce. 

Key policy requirements include:

At board and executive committee level:
 e For board appointments, Mondi will, 
wherever possible, engage executive 
search firms that have signed up to the 
Voluntary Code of Conduct in relation to 
the search process.

 e Search firms will be requested to include 

on the longlist a sufficient number 
of qualified female candidates and 
candidates from a variety of ethnic 
backgrounds, a requirement that is 
also reflected in the Voluntary Code 
of Conduct.

 e The nominations committee will review, 
at least annually, succession plans in 
relation to the Boards, the executive 
committee and other senior managers in 
light of D&I levels across the Group and 
taking into account skills, experience and 
diversity requirements. 

At employee level:
 e Recruitment activities are aligned with 
the aims of our D&I policy, including 
to promote diversity of all types and 
to ensure fair and non-discriminatory 
working practices.

 e We aim to ensure that a sufficient 

pipeline of candidates from a variety 
of backgrounds are considered during 
succession planning.

 e We aim to ensure that the nationalities 
of candidates at long and short list 
stages are appropriately representative 
of our international footprint, subject to 
the availability of candidates with the 
necessary qualifications and experience. 
 e We will ensure fair and equal training and 

development opportunities. 

The policy also confirms the Boards’ 
intention to work towards achieving 
the Hampton-Alexander Review’s 
recommended target of 33% women on 
boards and across executive committees 
and their direct reports by 2020 and the 
Parker Review’s recommended target of 
one person of colour on boards by 2021, a 
target that we currently meet. 

However, while gender, ethnicity, race 
and other forms of D&I will always be 
considered, and form a key part of 
our succession planning discussions, 
appointments at all levels will continue to be 
made based on skill and ability. It remains 
important to ensure that D&I is seen in a 
broader context and that we have the right 
mix of backgrounds, skills, knowledge and 
experience on our Boards, and throughout 
the Group, to meet our business needs and 
future strategy. Additional information on 
the specific process followed for board-level 
appointments can be found on page 103.

At the end of 2018, we had two female 
directors representing 25% of the 
composition of the Boards and one director 
of colour. During 2018, we also reported to 
the Hampton-Alexander Review that as at 
30 June 2018 we had approximately 27% 
female representation across our executive 
committee and its direct reports combined. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Creating a diverse and inclusive culture

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Creating a work environment that fosters a culture 
of diversity and inclusion is vital to the success of 
our organisation and improves our competitive 
advantage in becoming an employer of choice. 
2018 marked a milestone for Mondi, with 75 
colleagues from various locations around the world 
meeting in Austria for our first Diversity & Inclusion 
(D&I) Conference – a unique opportunity to create a 
roadmap for success and a network of colleagues 
all committed to progressing D&I at Mondi.

A number of external contributors shared valuable 
insights on industry trends, good practices, the 
implementation of change agents to foster D&I 
initiatives and business cases. 

Following a round of workshops, participants 
translated the insights they had gained into 
actionable items based on Mondi’s D&I pillars:

1.  Attracting and retaining a diverse and 

inclusive workforce

2.  Growing and developing a diverse and 

inclusive workforce

3.  Leading towards a diverse and inclusive culture 

at Mondi

4.  Inspiring to create an inclusive mindset and 

company culture

5.  Enabling diversity and inclusion across Mondi

The D&I taskforce is supported by a steering 
committee comprised of executive committee 
members and chaired by Group Communication 
& Marketing Director Sara Sizer. Mondi has made 
progress on D&I in the past by establishing policies 
and processes, but this renewed momentum is 
important to drive greater behavioural change to 
establish a truly diverse and inclusive workforce to 
deliver long term, sustainable success for Mondi.

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Diversity is also an essential part of Mondi’s 
leadership development programme 
with the inclusion of a number of talent 
management and development initiatives, 
including the implementation of training 
modules such as ‘Intercultural Diversity 
& International Business Competence’ 
through The Mondi Academy to enhance 
the understanding and appreciation of the 
benefits of diversity within the business. 
Other training schemes designed to 
empower and support diversity include 
‘Success management training’ with 
a focus on female career strategies 
for higher management positions and 
training on career building for young 
female employees. In addition, employee 
exchanges where individuals spend 
time working in different business units 
and locations around the Group enable 
them to gain experience of different 
working practices and skills as well as 
having exposure to different cultures. 
Other initiatives include mentoring and 
development programmes, flexible working 
practices and membership of an LGBT+ 
network and consultancy in order to 
support diversity and employee integration 
across the business world.

The Mondi cultural characteristics 
incorporate our aim to hire and work 
effectively with people who differ in 
ethnicity and race, gender, culture, age and 
background. We measure our progress 
through the use of tools such as our global 
employee surveys and 360° feedback. 

While it is recognised that there are many 
challenges and there is more work to do, 
Mondi believes that continually sharing 
best practice, networking and sharing 
experiences both internally and externally 
will allow us to make good progress. 
More details can be found on page 54. 

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
106

Corporate governance report

DLC audit committee

The committee’s focus on the 
quality of the external audit 
process continued during the 
year, particularly in light of the 
increasing external attention being 
given to the audit market. It was 
pleasing to hear that the FRC’s 
Audit Quality Review team did not 
identify any significant areas for 
improvement during its review of 
PwC’s audit of Mondi plc’s 2017 
financial statements.

Composition

Members  
throughout  
the year

Tanya  
Fratto

Stephen  
Harris

Committee  
member  
since

May 2017

March 2011

John Nicholas, 
chair1

Stephen Young 
chair2

October 2009

May 2018

Meeting 
attendance  
(four meetings  

in the year)

4

4

2

2

1  John Nicholas stepped down from the committee on 16 May 

2018. John attended all meetings up to the time of his 
retirement from the Boards 

2  Stephen Young was appointed to the committee on 

16 May 2018. Stephen attended all meetings following 
his appointment

Stephen Young
Chair of the DLC audit committee

Other regular attendees

 e Chief Executive Officer
 e Chief Financial Officer
 e Joint Chairs and Non-Executive 

Directors who are not members of 
the committee
 e Group Controller
 e Group Head of Internal Audit
 e South African and UK representatives 

from PwC

The committee is constituted as a 
statutory committee in respect of the 
duties set out in the South African 
Companies Act 2008 and a DLC 
committee of the Boards in respect of 
other duties assigned to it by the Boards.

Composition
As a result of his retirement from the Boards 
at the conclusion of the Annual General 
Meetings in May 2018, John Nicholas 
stepped down from the committee after 
almost nine years as chair. Stephen Young, 
who was appointed to the Boards on 
1 May 2018, was appointed as a member 
of the committee by shareholders at the 
Annual General Meetings and replaced 
John as chair. Stephen is a member of 
the Chartered Institute of Management 
Accountants and has held a number of 
commercial accounting and finance roles 
during his career, most notably holding the 
role of Group Finance Director at Meggitt 
plc for nine years before being appointed 
Chief Executive Officer in 2013, a position 
he held until December 2017. Stephen is 
therefore considered to have recent and 
relevant financial experience. His roles at a 
number of international companies across 
the industrial and engineering sectors also 
mean that he is well placed to understand 
the environment in which Mondi operates. 

The committee’s other members, Stephen 
Harris and Tanya Fratto, each have 
appropriate knowledge and understanding 
of financial matters and have commercial 
expertise gained from industries with similar 
capital intensive manufacturing, engineering 
and technology-focused international 
operations. The full biographies detailing 
the experience of each member of the 
committee can be found on page 89. 

In accordance with the Listings 
Requirements of the JSE, the committee 
has considered and satisfied itself that 
Andrew King, Mondi’s Chief Financial 
Officer, has appropriate expertise and 
experience. Andrew is a chartered 
accountant and throughout his career 
has held various finance and business 
development roles. The committee has 
also considered and satisfied itself of the 
appropriateness of the expertise and 
adequacy of resources of the finance 
function and expertise of the senior 
management responsible for the finance 
function. As a result, the committee also 
confirms that it is satisfied that Mondi 
has appropriate financial reporting 
procedures in place and that these are 
operating effectively. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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Role, terms of reference 
and evaluation
The committee’s primary responsibility is 
to oversee the Group’s corporate financial 
reporting, including the relationship with the 
external auditor, as well as Mondi’s internal 
control and risk management framework 
and to assist the Boards with any 
judgements and decision-making required 
in this regard. 

The committee operates under formal 
terms of reference. The committee agenda 
during the year included the regular matters 
reserved for its review during the annual 
financial reporting cycle and ensured it has 
appropriately discharged its responsibilities 
during the year, having operated in 
compliance with relevant legal, regulatory 
and other responsibilities. The committee’s 
performance against its terms of 
reference is reviewed on an annual basis. 
The committee is satisfied that it has acted 
in accordance with its terms of reference 
during the year.

The committee chair regularly reports to 
the Boards on the work and output from 
meetings and provides any necessary 
recommendations or advice on matters 
of direct relevance to the deliberations of 
the Boards. 

The evaluation of the committee 
was carried out as part of the 2018 
internal evaluation (see page 101 for 
more information).

Key matters addressed by the committee

Financial reporting

External audit matters

Internal audit matters

 e Review of the integrity of all financial 

announcements with input provided by the Group 
CFO, Group Controller and PwC.

 e Recommended to the Boards that the appointment 
of PwC for the 2018 audit be put to shareholders at 
the Annual General Meetings.

 e Reviewed and agreed the internal audit plan, 

confirming the focus on key risk areas and adequate 
cover of all material operations.

 e Review of the Mondi Group Integrated report and 
financial statements for tone and consistency 
and consideration as to whether the report as a 
whole was fair, balanced and understandable (see 
page 110 for more information).

 e Reviewed and discussed PwC’s reports to 

the committee.

 e Reviewed accounting policies to be applied for the 

year ending 31 December 2018.

 e Reviewed new accounting pronouncements 
and any potential impact for the Group’s 
financial reporting.

 e Reviewed the going concern basis of accounting 

and the longer-term viability statement (see page 47 
for more information).

 e Reviewed the JSE’s latest report from its proactive 
monitoring process setting out the results of its 
reviews of financial statements during the year, 
confirming that Mondi’s financial statements 
were compliant. 

 e Reviewed the independence, objectivity 

and effectiveness of PwC (see page 112 for 
more information).

 e Reviewed and approved the internal audit charter 
which sets out the purpose, remit and authority of 
the internal audit function.

 e Reviewed and approved the external audit plan, 

 e Received reports from the Group Head of 

taking account of the scope, materiality and audit 
risks and agreeing the audit fees.

Internal Audit at each meeting (see page 113 for 
more information).

 e Received a report at each meeting of any non-audit 
services performed by PwC in order to monitor 
auditor independence. 

 e Reviewed the effectiveness of the internal 

audit team.

 e Held a meeting with the Group Head of Internal 

 e Reviewed and agreed the engagement letters and 

Audit without management present.

representation letters.

 e Held a meeting with PwC without management 

present; the committee chair also engaged regularly 
with the audit partners.

Risk management  
and internal controls

 e Undertook a detailed review of the Group’s risk 

management policy, plan and tolerance levels and 
of the process to assess the risks (see pages 38 
to 46 for more information).

 e Reviewed the effectiveness of the risk management 
and internal control systems (see pages 38 to 46 for 
more information).

 e At each committee meeting undertook a more 

in-depth review of a number of the most significant 
Group risks.

 e Half-yearly presentations on IT risk management 

and cyber security (see page 111 for 
more information).

Governance and other

 e For JSE purposes reviewed the appropriateness 

and expertise of the Chief Financial Officer and the 
effectiveness of the finance function (see page 106 
for more information).

 e Monitored and reviewed the continued 

implementation of those elements of the Group’s 
Code of Business Ethics reserved for review by the 
committee, as well as the supporting framework of 
the Business Integrity Policy.

 e Reviewed the legal and compliance risks faced by 

the Group.

 e Reviewed Mondi’s competition 

compliance programme.

 e Reviewed the committee’s terms of reference, 

performance and work programme. 

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Corporate governance report

Internal control
The Group’s internal control and risk management framework, embedded in all key operations, is designed to address all the significant 
strategic, financial, operational and compliance risks that could undermine our ability to achieve our business objectives in the future 
and is managed within risk tolerance levels defined by the Boards. In accordance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, the Group has in place an internal control environment to protect the business from principal risks which have been identified. 
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting and we have responsibility 
for ensuring the effectiveness of these controls. Full details of Mondi’s internal control and risk management framework can be found in 
the Strategic report on pages 38 to 46. 

The committee has reviewed the risk management process and the Group’s system of internal controls. The committee considers that 
the system of internal controls operated effectively throughout the financial year and up to the date on which the financial statements 
were signed. 

Significant issues related to the financial statements
The committee has considered each of the following items based on discussions with, and submissions by, management and satisfied 
itself as to the accounting treatment and presentation thereof. The most significant items were discussed with the external auditors during 
the planning stage and on completion of the audit. These issues are broadly similar to those addressed by the committee during 2017.

The key considerations in relation to the 2018 financial statements were:

Matter considered

Action

Special items are those financial items which the Group 
considers should be separately disclosed on the face of the 
income statement to assist in understanding the underlying 
financial performance achieved by the Group as special items 
affect year-on-year comparability. The classification of an item as 
special is based on materiality in the context of the current year’s 
financial performance and generally must exceed €10 million. 
Subsequent adjustments to items previously reported as special 
items continue to be reflected as special items in future periods 
even if they do not exceed the quantitative reporting threshold. 

The net special item charge for the year was €126 million before tax. 
It included restructuring and closure costs of €45 million and related 
impairments of assets of €81 million related to the discontinuation 
of in-line silicone coating production at Štětí; restructuring of bags 
operations in the US; a restructuring programme in Consumer 
Packaging primarily in the UK operations; and closure of an 
uncoated fine paper machine in South Africa. 

Details of the special items are included in the Strategic report on 
page 65 and in note 3 of the financial statements.

The committee has critically reviewed each item presented by 
management as being special to ensure that the items are in line 
with the Group’s accounting policy. 

The committee considered both the quantification and 
presentation of special items.

The committee has reviewed the adequacy of the descriptions 
of the special items in the financial statements and the 
Strategic report.

The committee has also considered whether any significant 
transactions that were not classified as special were appropriately 
classified in the financial statements and appropriately described 
in the Strategic report.

In addition to property, plant and equipment of €4,340 million, 
intangible assets of €91 million and goodwill of €942 million are 
included as assets in the statement of financial position. 

The committee considered a report from management describing 
potential impairment indicators of tangible and intangible assets 
and the outcomes of related impairment tests. 

As set out in the accounting policies, the Group performs an 
impairment review at least annually and whenever there is any 
indication that certain of its assets may be impaired.

See notes 10, 12 and 13 of the financial statements.

The committee also considered a report from management on 
the outcomes of the annual goodwill impairment test.

The critical underlying assumptions applied were reviewed by 
the committee and compared with the Group’s budget and the 
current macroeconomic environment. 

The committee considered the sensitivities underlying the primary 
assumptions to determine the consequences that reasonably 
possible changes in such assumptions may have on the 
recoverable amount of the underlying assets. 

The committee satisfied itself that no impairment related to 
goodwill was required and that the impairments in property, plant 
and equipment and other intangible assets were primarily related 
to the closure and restructuring of operations.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Matter considered

Action

The Group has operations in a number of countries each with a 
different tax system.

The Group is regularly subject to routine tax audits and provisions 
are made based on the tax laws in the relevant country and the 
expected outcomes of any negotiations or settlements.

The Group’s recognition of deferred tax assets, relating to future 
utilisation of accumulated tax losses, is dependent on the future 
profitability and performance of the underlying businesses. 

See note 7 of the financial statements.

Significant judgement is required in determining the assumptions 
to be applied for the valuation of the Group’s forestry assets and 
retirement benefit obligations. Such assumptions are based, as 
far as possible, on observable market data and, in the case of the 
retirement benefit obligations, the input and advice of actuaries. 

The most significant assumptions and sensitivities are disclosed 
in note 14 for forestry assets and 23 for retirement benefits in the 
financial statements.

From 1 January 2018 the Group early adopted IFRS 16, ‘Leases’. 
The impact on the accounting policies and on the financial 
statements are discussed in more detail in notes 32 and 33 of the 
financial statements.

The committee receives regular reports from management 
about new legislative developments that may impact the Group’s 
tax positions. 

The committee has considered reports from management outlining 
the Group’s most significant tax exposures, including ongoing tax 
audits and litigation, and has reviewed the related tax provisions 
recognised by management, satisfying itself these are appropriate 
and the risk of new unexpected exposures arising is low.

The committee has considered a report from management 
outlining the key judgements relating to the recognition of deferred 
tax assets and satisfied itself that the assumptions made are 
reasonable and consistent from year to year.

The assumptions applied in the valuation of the forestry assets 
and retirement benefits were reviewed by the committee. 

The committee considered the basis on which these assumptions 
were determined, and evaluated the assumptions by comparing 
them with prior years and considering market developments 
during 2018. 

The committee satisfied itself that the assumptions, and the 
changes to those assumptions when compared with the year 
ended 31 December 2017, were appropriate.

The committee has considered a report from management in 
relation to the restated financial information and the updated 
accounting policies. 

The process of restatement was discussed with management 
and the committee satisfied itself that the restated financial 
information was appropriate.

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During 2018, the Group concluded four business combinations, 
of which the most significant was Powerflute (Finland). 
The business combinations are described in note 24 of the 
financial statements.

The committee considered a report from management describing 
the process undertaken in conducting the identification 
and valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in 
business combinations.

On acquisition, the Group determined the fair value of assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed, based on its own experience in 
the industry and the input of experts.

The committee satisfied itself that the fair values were appropriate, 
that the resulting goodwill recognised in these transactions was 
appropriate and that there were no unrecorded assets or liabilities.

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110

Corporate governance report

Fair, balanced and understandable 

Oversight through the year
 e Review of applicable accounting 

policies and pronouncements and 
their application

 e Review of regular financial results 

and announcements

 e Reports from the Group Controller 

and PwC

 e Reports from internal audit

Review included
 e Provision of an outline plan including 

content and structure, design 
concepts and timetable
 e Consideration of regulatory 

and governance requirements 
for reporting

 e Review of detailed reports from 
the Group Controller and PwC 
providing the opportunity for debate 
and challenge

 e Summaries of areas where 

management judgements had 
been made 

 e Consideration of going concern and 

longer-term viability

 e Separate meeting with PwC without 

management present
 e Sufficient opportunity to 

review drafts 

Conclusion
 e After completion of the detailed 
review, the committee was 
satisfied that:
 – taken as a whole, the Group’s 
Integrated report and financial 
statements 2018, were fair, 
balanced and understandable;

 – the report accurately reflected the 
information shareholders would 
require in order to assess the 
Group’s performance, business 
model and strategy; and

 – the use of alternative performance 
measures contained in the report 
assists in presenting a fair review 
of the Group’s business

Review confirmed
 e Well documented planning and 

procedures for the preparation of 
the report

 e Collaborative approach between 

all parties required to contribute to 
the report

 e Basis of preparation consistent with 

financial reporting throughout the year

 e All significant issues had 

been considered

 e Messaging was consistent particularly 
the narrative reflecting the financials

Recommendation
 e The committee reported its findings 

and conclusion to the Boards

A key role of the committee is to ensure 
that the interests of shareholders are 
protected, in particular that there is 
robust financial reporting with good 
internal controls in place and appropriate 
accounting practices and policies 
combined with sound judgement.

Although oversight and review of material 
financial reporting matters are considered 
throughout the year, at the request of 
the Boards, the committee assessed the 
integrity of the Group’s Integrated report 
and financial statements 2018 and the 
clarity, completeness and consistency 
of disclosures. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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The committee continually reviews its 
approach to financial reporting, being 
aware of the need for transparency and 
maintaining a focus on long-term value 
creation. This has included, in particular, 
consideration of the continued practice 
of publishing a quarterly update on 
trading conditions. Having considered 
the cyclical nature of our business, our 
competitor reporting cycles and our 
desire to keep the market informed, we 
are of the view that we should continue 
with this practice. We also took into 
account feedback received from some 
of the Group’s largest shareholders 
who have indicated their support for this 
approach as they find that it bridges the 
gap between the full reporting periods 
and provides an update on important 
market dynamics that affect the sector 
in which Mondi operates. We continue 
to monitor market practice and to keep 
the position under review.

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Approach to regular financial reporting

Information technology risk

The committee undertakes, on a 
half-yearly basis, a detailed review 
of information technology risk and 
mitigation actions. The Group’s IT 
risk management framework has 
been explained to the committee, 
with comfort obtained that it is holistic 
and robust, having been audited by 
independent third parties. 

While these reviews cover all relevant 
aspects of IT risk, including security, 
compliance and availability, the focus 
is increasingly on cyber security, with 
the top five IT risks being in this area. 
Cyber security drives the principal 
mitigation activities, particularly in 
the areas of network design and 
security architecture. 

During the year, a detailed audit 
of Mondi’s operational assets was 
undertaken by KPMG with the aim 
of identifying key risks to Mondi’s 
production sites and assessing the level 
of protection in place. 

An independent audit of Mondi’s 
cyber security framework was 
also undertaken. The results and 
recommendations were reported to 
the committee. The risks posed by 
increasing levels of digitalisation and 
the use of cloud-based business 
applications were also discussed 
during the year. These risks, together 
with continued development of 
Mondi’s networks to protect against 
fraud attempts, will remain the focus 
during 2019. 

The committee was encouraged 
by the level of focus being given to 
cyber security across the Group. 
The emphasis being placed on 
employee awareness, education 
and testing was welcomed by the 
committee. Overall the committee 
concluded that the Group’s IT risk 
management was effective and that 
management ensured that it was 
subject to continuous monitoring 
and improvement (see page 46 for 
more information).

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112

Corporate governance report

External audit
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc and 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (together 
‘PwC’) were first appointed as auditors 
by shareholders at the Annual General 
Meetings in May 2017, replacing Deloitte 
& Touche and Deloitte LLP respectively 
(together ‘Deloitte’). 

This followed a full tender process 
undertaken in 2015 and a transition 
process during 2016, which allowed PwC 
to work together with Mondi and Deloitte to 
ensure a smooth handover. 

Andy Kemp was appointed as the UK audit 
partner and Michal Kotzé as the South 
Africa audit partner. The 2018 audit was 
their second for Mondi. 

The committee confirms its compliance 
for the financial year ended 31 December 
2018 with the provisions of The Statutory 
Audit Services for Large Companies 
Market Investigation (Mandatory Use of 
Competitive Tender Processes and Audit 
Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014.

The committee also confirms that 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc is included in 
the JSE list of accredited auditors. 

External audit independence, objectivity and effectiveness 

A formal framework for the assessment 
of the effectiveness of the external audit 
process and quality of the audit has been 
adopted by the committee, covering all 
aspects of the audit service provided 
by PwC. While part of the assessment 
is managed annually, it is treated as an 
ongoing review throughout the cycle. 

Evaluation focus
 e Robustness of audit process
 e Audit quality, including quality controls
 e Audit partners and team, including skills, 

character and knowledge
 e Independence and objectivity
 e Formal reporting
Inputs
Audit committee
 e Continual monitoring of audit 

performance throughout the year
 e Reviewed and agreed the audit plan
 e Reviewed the quality of reporting to 
the committee, the level of challenge 
and professional scepticism and the 
understanding demonstrated by PwC of 
the business of the Group

 e Reviewed the coordination between the 
South African and UK audit partners, the 
quality of the audit team, technical skills 
and experience and the allocation of 
resources during the audit

 e Considered the interaction with 

management and the level of challenge

 e Regular meetings held between the 
chair of the committee and the audit 
engagement partners

 e Reviewed feedback from committee 
members including views on how 
PwC has supported the work of the 
committee and their communication 
with the committee

 e Considered the effectiveness of Mondi’s 
policies and procedures for maintaining 
auditor independence

Management
 e Feedback from engagement with the 

Chief Financial Officer, Group Controller 
and Group Head of Internal Audit

 e Feedback from questionnaires issued 
at corporate and business unit level to 
those personnel involved with the audit

PwC
 e Provided the committee with 

confirmation that they operate in 
accordance with the ethical standards 
required of audit firms

 e Confirmed the policies and procedures 

they have in place to maintain 
their independence

Regulators
 e The UK Financial Reporting Council’s 
(FRC) 2017/18 report on Audit Quality 

Inspections included a review of audits 
carried out by PwC. A specific review 
of PwC’s audit of the Mondi Group was 
undertaken by the FRC (see below for 
more information). 

Key outputs
 e The quality of the audit partners and 

team were confirmed with no material 
issues raised in the feedback received
 e The audit had been well planned and 
delivered with work completed on 
schedule and management comfortable 
that any key findings had been raised 
appropriately, active engagement 
on misstatements and appropriate 
judgements on materiality
 e PwC demonstrated a good 

understanding of the Group and had 
identified and focused on the areas of 
greatest risk 

 e PwC’s reporting to the committee was 
clear, open and thorough, including 
explanations of the rationale for 
particular conclusions as appropriate 
 e It was confirmed that there had been an 

appropriate level of challenge 

Conclusion
The committee, having considered all 
relevant matters, has concluded that it 
is satisfied that auditor independence, 
objectivity and effectiveness have 
been maintained. 

UK Financial Reporting Council (FRC) Audit Quality Review

The FRC’s Audit Quality Review team 
selected to review the audit of the 
2017 Mondi plc financial statements as 
part of their 2017 annual inspection of 
audit firms. 

The focus of the review and their 
reporting is on identifying areas where 
improvements are required. The chair 
of the audit committee had discussions 
with the FRC both before and after the 
process and received a full copy of the 
findings of the Audit Quality Review team 
which have been discussed with PwC.

The audit committee confirms that there 
were no significant areas for improvement 
identified within the report. The audit 
committee is also satisfied that there is 
nothing within the report which might 
have a bearing on the audit appointment.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Non-audit services
A policy is in place that governs the 
provision of non-audit services provided by 
PwC to Mondi, including the requirements 
for the approval of such services. The policy 
was last updated in 2016 to reflect the new 
EU audit framework regulations. 

Where approval is required the business 
must submit a formal request setting out 
the objectives, scope of work, likely fee 
level and the rationale for requiring the 
work to be carried out by the Group’s 
external auditor rather than another service 
provider. Sufficient information must also 
be provided to allow an assessment of 
materiality and the impact the service 
might have on the financial statements. 
Each request is reviewed, and where 
appropriate challenged, before being 
passed for approval. 

The committee monitors compliance 
with the policy, receiving reports at each 
meeting detailing all approved non-audit 
services. This enables regular consideration 
and oversight of a key threat to auditor 
independence and objectivity. 

The majority of non-audit services are audit-
related assurance services. During 2018 
examples were the verification of certain 
matters required from the statutory auditor 
in relation to subsidy applications, the 
provision of a comfort letter for the Euro 
Medium Term Note Programme and the 
review of the interim results announcement. 
Non-audit related work being undertaken 
by PwC on behalf of Powerflute was also 
assessed in the lead up to the acquisition 
of Powerflute by Mondi to ensure that all 
such work ceased within the required 
timeframes and had no impact on PwC’s 
independence as auditor to the Group.

The breakdown of the fees paid to PwC, 
including the split between audit and 
non-audit fees, is included in note 4 to the 
financial statements on page 168. The non-
audit fees for 2018 represent 10% of the 
audit fee paid.

Internal audit
The Boards have established an internal 
audit function, which forms an integral 
part of Mondi’s governance and risk 
management and internal control 
frameworks. The primary purpose of 
the internal audit function is to ensure 
that the Group’s principal risks are 
being managed effectively. The function 
forms a key part of Mondi’s approach to 
independent assurance. 

The audit committee has primary 
responsibility for monitoring and reviewing 
the scope and effectiveness of the Group’s 
internal audit function and appoints and 
discharges the Group Head of Internal 
Audit (the equivalent of the chief audit 
executive as envisaged by the King Code). 
The Group Head of Internal Audit has 
direct access to, and responsibility to, the 
committee and works closely with the 
committee in liaison with PwC. 

An internal audit charter, approved by the 
committee, is in place. The charter sets 
out the purpose, remit and authority of 
the internal audit function. Each year the 
committee considers and approves the 
internal audit plan which is designed to 
focus on the Group’s key risks to ensure 
that they are managed effectively within 
the context of our business objectives 
and that appropriate internal controls are 
in place. The committee ensures that all 
material operations are covered and that 
there is an appropriate degree of financial 
and geographical coverage. Every Mondi 
operation is visited at least once every five 
years with all major plants audited annually. 
Reports are given at each committee 
meeting providing an update on activities, 
progress against plan, results from audits 
carried out and management’s response 
to address any areas highlighted for 
improvement. The committee will consider 
deviations from plan as the need arises 
during the year, usually in response to 
a material acquisition or change in the 
Group’s risk profile highlighted through 
audit reports and through matters raised via 
the confidential reporting hotline, Speakout. 
The committee regularly challenges the 
nature and speed of management’s 
response to issues raised in audits and 
to Speakout messages in order to be 
satisfied that this has been appropriate 
to the circumstances. Maintaining sound 
oversight and control of activities through 
the use of internal audit reviews is 
considered by the committee to be a key 
element of its work. 

The committee also monitors the staffing 
and resources available to the internal 
audit function and the quality of those 
resources. In 2015 an external review of 
the internal audit function was undertaken 
by Ernst & Young LLP with a full report 
presented to the committee. The review 
concluded that the internal audit function is 
fit for purpose and meeting its mandate to 
provide assurance primarily in the financial 
and operational areas. Of particular 
note was the clear affirmation that the 
function is independent and objective. 
Some recommendations were put forward 
mainly in the areas of knowledge sharing 
and the greater use of technology by the 
team. The way in which the team has been 
addressing the recommendations in the 
report has been monitored and reviewed 
by the committee. The committee has 
concluded that the Group Head of Internal 
Audit provides appropriate leadership of 
the internal audit function which remains 
effective in carrying out its remit. 

This audit committee report was approved 
by the Boards on 27 February 2019 and is 
signed on their behalf.

Stephen Young 
Chair of the DLC audit committee

Speakout 

The Group has a confidential reporting hotline 
called ‘Speakout’ operated by an independent 
third party. Speakout, monitored by the Boards 
and audit committee, is a simple, accessible 
and confidential channel through which our 
employees, customers, suppliers, managers 
or other stakeholders can raise concerns 
about conduct that seems contrary to Mondi’s 
values. It makes communication channels 
available to any person in the world who has 
information about unethical practices in the 
Group’s operations. Any type of concern can 
be raised via Speakout. More details can 
be found on page 63. The Boards and the 
audit committee receive regular reports of 
Speakout messages received and ensure that 
appropriate investigation into each message 
has been undertaken and responses given 
with actions taken where any allegation proves 
to have some foundation. This will continue to 
be an area of focus, with such reports being 
key to understanding where further work may 
be required to reinforce Mondi’s ethical and 
cultural values. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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Corporate governance report

DLC sustainable development committee

We are uniquely positioned to play 
a leading role in ensuring that the 
future of packaging is sustainable 
by design. It is our responsibility 
to provide the answers our 
customers and society are 
looking for, while delivering 
competitive advantage for our 
business through our sustainability 
performance. We take our 
commitments seriously and 
recognise that although we have 
made good progress in 2018, 
there is still more work to do to 
future-proof and build a safe 
business for all. 

Dominique Reiniche 
Chair of the DLC sustainable 
development committee

Composition

Members  
throughout  
the year

Stephen Harris, 
chair1

Committee  
member  
since

March 2011

Peter Oswald

May 2017

Dominique 
Reiniche, chair2

May 2017

Stephen Young3 May 2018

Meeting 
attendance  
(six meetings  
in the year)

6

6

6

4

1  Stephen Harris was chair of the committee from 1 October 
2015 until 16 May 2018. Stephen stepped down as chair, 
but remained a member of the committee, at the time of his 
appointment as Senior Independent Director 

2  Dominique Reiniche was appointed as chair of the committee 

on 16 May 2018

3   Stephen Young joined the committee on 1 May 2018. 

Stephen has missed one meeting of the committee since his 
appointment as a result of a commitment made prior to him 
joining the Boards

Other regular attendees

 e Chief Financial Officer
 e Joint Chairs and Non-Executive 

Directors who are not members of 
the committee

 e Group Technical & Sustainability Director
 e Group Head of Sustainable Development
 e Group Head of Safety and Health

Role, terms of reference 
and evaluation
The committee oversees and monitors the 
progress of our sustainable development 
(SD) approach, commitments, targets 
and performance within a global context. 
It provides guidance in relation to 
sustainability matters generally, reviewing 
and updating the Group’s framework 
of sustainability policies and strategies, 
ensuring they are aligned with global 
best practice. A summary report from 
the directors on the Group’s sustainability 
practices is set out on pages 48 to 63.

The committee works together with the 
Mondi Limited social and ethics committee 
in addressing social and ethical values. 
The Group Technical & Sustainability 
Director together with the Group Heads 
of Sustainable Development and Safety 
and Health attend all meetings of the 
committee and provide the link between 
the committee, management and 
the operations. 

The committee operates under formal 
terms of reference. The committee agenda 
during the year included the regular matters 
reserved for its review together with other 
ad hoc matters falling within the authority 
delegated to it by the Boards, including 
consideration of a long-term greenhouse 
gas target calculated using the science-
based methodology and participation 
in a number of key global initiatives. 
The committee’s performance against its 
terms of reference is reviewed on an annual 
basis. The committee is satisfied that it 
has acted in accordance with its terms of 
reference during the year.

The committee chair regularly reports to 
the Boards on the work and output from 
meetings and provides any necessary 
recommendations or advice on matters 
of direct relevance to the deliberations of 
the Boards. 

The evaluation of the committee 
was carried out as part of the 2018 
internal evaluation (see page 101 for 
more information).

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Key matters addressed by the committee

Safety performance 
and serious incidents

Environmental performance

Product stewardship

 e Received regular reviews on performance against 

 e Received a report on the Group’s product 

stewardship practices.

 e Considered the increased focus on supply chain 
management, including the impact of the UK 
Modern Slavery Act and the requirement to report 
on the steps we have taken to ensure that slavery 
and human trafficking are not present in our 
supply chain.

 e Reviewed the steps being implemented as part of 
the responsible procurement initiative to support 
Mondi’s response to sustainability performance in 
its supply chain. 

 e Reviewed detailed reports on the fatalities 

at our Syktyvkar and Ružomberok mills and 
received follow up reports on the outcome of the 
investigations into each incident, management’s 
response and actions taken. 

 e Reviewed detailed reports of selected incidents, 
for example those resulting in life-altering injuries 
or having a high risk potential and reviewed 
management’s response.

 e Received regular reports on safety performance at 
Group and business unit level, including individual 
mill performance, classification of incidents and 
peer comparisons.

 e Considered the safety milestones and leading and 
lagging indicators for the next reporting period.

SD governance and risks

 e Reviewed those elements of the Group’s Code 

of Business Ethics reserved for review by 
the committee.

 e Reviewed the material SD issues, risks 

and opportunities.

 e Reviewed and approved the Group’s human 
trafficking and modern slavery statement.

 e Received a presentation from an external expert 

providing an independent perspective on the duties 
of boards in relation to ESG risks.

 e Reviewed and approved the annual SD reporting.
 e Reviewed the committee’s terms of reference 

and performance.

 e Considered and agreed the committee’s annual 

work programme.

each of the environmental key performance 
indicators and commitments.

 e Received information on any material environmental 
incidents and considered management’s response.

Policies and commitments

 e Reviewed the achievements against the 

2020 commitments (see pages 51 to 63 for 
more information).

 e Considered and agreed a proposed long-term 

GHG target calculated using the science-based 
methodology (see page 57 for more information).
 e Considered and agreed Mondi’s commitment to key 
global initiatives (see page 116 for more information).

 e Reviewed Group SD policies and approved 

amendments to reflect best practice.

 e Received an update on the review and amendment 
of Mondi’s Sustainable Development Management 
System operating standards.

Forestry

 e Reviewed an update on the forestry operations 

in Russia.

 e Reviewed an update on the forestry operations in 

South Africa.

Community and other relationships

 e Reviewed the Group’s relationships and 

engagement with key stakeholders, including 
governments, NGOs and analysts and changing 
regulation and governance in this area.

 e Reviewed the ongoing WWF global partnership 

and initiatives.

 e Reviewed our social and community engagement, 
including community investments and initiatives 
at our pulp and paper mills, and the outcome of 
the SEAT (Socio-economic Assessment Toolbox) 
undertaken at our Frantschach operation during 
2018 (see page 61 for more information).

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
116

Corporate governance report

Safety

The safety of our employees and contractors 
continued to be a priority during the year with 
safety performance being reviewed in detail at each 
meeting. Despite this, we were deeply saddened 
by the fatality we experienced during the year at 
our Syktyvkar mill (Russia). Tragically, we also 
experienced the fatality of a contractor at our 
Ružomberok mill (Slovakia) in January 2019. 

It was extremely important for the committee 
to understand the findings of the resulting 
investigations and the actions taken by 
management in response. We also experienced 
five life-altering injuries during the year. While safety 
has always been high on the agenda, this was a 
reminder that when it comes to the safety of our 
people, we must maintain our focus on ensuring 

that safe working practices and a clear safety 
culture are embedded throughout the Group. 

The 24-hour safety mindset approach was 
introduced during 2017 and we continue to build on 
this. In addition, we have established a number of 
working groups to review and address behaviour 
in those areas where we see the most significant 
safety risk. The behavioural and cultural reasons 
behind life altering injuries were identified as a focus 
area in our 2017 board evaluation process – the 
actions taken in response to this are set out on 
page 100. 

Towards the end of 2018 we also launched a 
powerful safety campaign targeting the behavioural 
causes of serious incidents. This will continue into 
2019 and is designed to drive home the potentially 
severe consequences of unsafe behaviour.

Review of material issues

Commitment to  
key global initiatives

The outcome of an independent review of 
those sustainability issues of most importance 
to our stakeholders was a key area of 
discussion during the year. A number of internal 
and external stakeholders were invited to 
participate, either via questionnaire or interview, 
with the results used to identify and prioritise 
key material issues and to get a deeper 
understanding of what matters most to our 
stakeholders. The outcome will shape our work 
programme going forwards and is intended to 
assist the directors with their duty to consider 
the interests of our wider stakeholder base. 
Further information can be found in our online 
sustainability report. 

During the year the committee considered 
its commitment to several global initiatives, 
in particular The New Plastics Economy 
Initiative’s Global Commitment. Signing up 
required Mondi to make a number of public 
commitments, resulting in lengthy discussion 
by the committee in relation to the required 
commitments, including Mondi’s ability to meet 
them, public perception and how we could 
monitor progress against the commitments. 
In light of recent public debate around the 
use of plastics, stakeholder expectations in 
this regard and Mondi’s desire to provide 
leadership on the issue and to drive forward 
sustainable packaging solutions for its 
customers, the committee agreed that Mondi 
should sign up to the Global Commitment. 
Given the increasing importance of these types 
of issues to our stakeholders, it is likely that 
similar discussions will form a regular part of 
the agenda of the committee going forwards. 

More in our online  
sustainability report 
www.mondigroup.com

More in our online  
sustainability report 
www.mondigroup.com

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Mondi Limited social and ethics committee

Mondi continued to demonstrate 
a high level of compliance with 
statutory requirements and 
a significant commitment to 
community-focused programmes. 
Highlights during the period under 
review were Mondi Zimele’s 
forestry contractor development 
programme and timber sourcing 
from small growers.

Dominique Reiniche 
Chair of the Mondi Limited social and 
ethics committee

Composition

Members  
throughout  
the year

Stephen Harris, 
chair1

Committee  
member  
since

February 2012

Peter Oswald

May 2017

Fred Phaswana

October 2015

Dominique 
Reiniche, chair2

May 2018

Meeting 
attendance  
(two meetings  

in the year)

2

2

2

1

The composition of the committee is 
in accordance with the requirements 
of section 72(8) of the South African 
Companies Act 2008 and its 
associated regulations.

1  Stephen Harris was chair of the committee from 1 October 
2015 until 16 May 2018. Stephen stepped down as chair, 
but remained a member of the committee, at the time of his 
appointment as Senior Independent Director 

2  Dominique Reiniche was appointed as a member and chair 
of the committee on 16 May 2018. Dominique attended all 
meetings following her appointment 

Other regular attendees

 e Joint Chair and Non-Executive 

Directors who are not members of 
the committee
 e Group Technical & 

Sustainability Director

 e Group Head of 

Sustainable Development

 e Executive management who present 

on relevant topics

Role, terms of reference 
and evaluation
The committee’s primary responsibility is 
to monitor compliance by Mondi Limited 
with the activities listed in Regulation 43(5) 
made under the South African Companies 
Act 2008, based on applicable legislation, 
other legal requirements or prevailing codes 
of best practice relating to its operations in 
South Africa.

In order to minimise duplication 
between its obligations and that of the 
DLC audit committee and the DLC 
sustainable development committee, the 
committee considers reports from these 
two committees as they relate to the 
environment, labour, human rights, product 
responsibility, risk management, whistle 
blowing, fraud and business integrity and 
monitors compliance by Mondi Limited on 
overlapping matters.

The committee’s remit is set out in terms 
of reference adopted by the Boards. 
The committee’s performance against 
these terms of reference is kept under 
review and the committee is satisfied that 
it has acted in accordance with its terms of 
reference during the year.

The evaluation of the committee 
was carried out as part of the 2018 
internal evaluation (see page 101 for 
more information).

Key matters addressed by the committee

Corporate citizenship

 e Community development and corporate social 

investment initiatives. Initiatives included coaching 
and mentoring of over 30 contractors as part of 
Mondi Zimele’s forestry contractor development 
programme. Over 2,200 small grower participants 
were involved in growing and harvesting with over 
87,000 tonnes of timber supplied by emerging 
growers. Continued operation of the Mondi 
Zimele Jobs Fund with over 200 community 
enterprises supported. 

Employment Equity and Broad Based 
Black Economic Empowerment 
(BBBEE)

 e Good progress continued to be made in 

employment equity at all management levels with an 
increasing focus placed on representation of black 
women in middle management levels. 

 e Monitoring of Mondi Limited’s BBBEE status. 
In March 2018 Mondi was certified at a level 3 
contributor status against the new Forestry Sector 
Code, with the 2018 audit planned in the first 
quarter of 2019.

Consumer relations

 e Mondi Limited’s customer relations initiatives as well 
as the levels of certification of its products used for 
food packaging.

Labour and employment matters

Environment, health and public safety

 e Compliance by Mondi Limited with South African 
labour legislation which incorporates the decent 
work requirements prescribed by the International 
Labour Organization (ILO). The committee noted 
specifically the various areas of employer/employee 
interface and the progress made in addressing 
focus areas arising from the last employee survey. 
 e Training and development activities. The committee 

noted the approximately 1,057 training 
initiatives embarked on during 2018, 84.1% of 
employees received training during the year 
under consideration.

 e Various initiatives and procedures were undertaken 

to achieve Mondi Limited’s transformation and 
diversity management objectives, including 
diversity training.

 e Mondi Limited’s environmental performance, 

including effluent quality, malodorous gas, specific 
contact water and waste to landfill.

 e Mondi Limited’s performance relating to CO2e 

emissions, carbon-based energy consumption, 
use of renewable resources for primary energy and 
electrical self-sufficiency.

Anti-corruption

 e The requirements of the King IV Code of Good 
Practice with regard to the principles relating to 
ethical leadership, and Mondi Limited’s activities 
relating to the eradication of corruption, including 
with reference to the UN Global Compact and the 
OECD Recommendations.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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118

Corporate governance report 
DLC executive committee and company secretaries

Peter Oswald
56
Chief Executive Officer

See full biography 
Page 88

Andrew King
49
Chief Financial Officer

See full biography 
Page 88

Markus Gärtner
41
Chief Executive Officer, 
Fibre Packaging/Paper

Appointed
October 2018
Committee membership
Executive 
Qualifications
Doctorate of Technical Sciences 
from ETH Zürich and a Master of 
Science in Electrical Engineering 
from Stanford University 

Experience
Markus has significant industrial and international business experience. He started his career at McKinsey & 
Company, working on numerous operational and strategic projects with a primary focus on product development 
and manufacturing processes across a variety of industries. 
Markus went on to join Novelis AG, a leading producer of rolled aluminium products, as Director of Strategy & 
Business Development for Europe. After a series of commercial and technical roles with growing responsibility, 
he eventually headed one of Novelis’ three businesses as Vice President & General Manager Specialities. In this 
capacity, he was responsible for a diverse range of applications, including consumer packaging solutions and 
industrial products. 
Markus joined Mondi in September 2018. 

External appointments
None. 

Michael Hakes
53
Group HR Director

John Lindahl
59
Group Technical & 
Sustainability Director

Appointed
April 2018
Committee membership
Executive 
Qualifications
Human Resources 
Management Degree from 
Chamber of Commerce 
and Industry of the Lower 
Rhine Region, member of 
the Advanced HR Executive 
Programme at the University 
of Michigan and the Global 
Leadership Programme 
at INSEAD

Appointed
August 2011
Committee membership
Executive 
Qualifications
Graduated in pulp and paper 
engineering from the Technical 
University of Helsinki in 1985 
and an MBA from Jyvaskyla 
University in 1996

Experience
Michael has more than 30 years of international HR experience gained across the automotive, manufacturing and 
industrial services sectors. 
Michael began his career in various HR roles at companies across Europe including the Mitsubishi Electric Group, 
Johnson Controls and Faurecia. In 2007 he was appointed Group Chief HR Officer at LM Wind Power, a Danish-
based supplier of rotor blades to the wind industry.
Michael went on to become Group Senior Vice President Human Resources at Germanischer Lloyd until its merger 
with Det Norske Veritas in 2013. Following the merger, he was appointed Executive Vice President HR of the maritime 
division of the newly-formed organisation DNV GL, an international ship and offshore classification society. 
Michael joined Mondi in April 2018 as Group HR Director.

External appointments
None. 

Experience
John has had an extensive career in the international forest industry, working in different operational managerial 
positions in Finland, the US and France in companies including M-real, Myllykoski and UPM. At UPM he then moved 
on to roles within corporate technology and investment coordination. 
From the industry he moved on to consulting and engineering company Pöyry, where he held a number of executive 
positions in the forest industry business group, being involved in advisory services, pre-engineering studies and 
major implementation projects for the global pulp and paper industry until 2011 when he joined Mondi as Group 
Technical Director.

External appointments
None. 

Georg  
Kasperkovitz
52
Chief Executive Officer, 
Consumer Packaging

Appointed
May 2017
Committee membership
Executive 
Qualifications
Masters and doctorate in 
mechanical engineering from 
Vienna University of Technology 
and an MBA from Harvard 
Business School

Experience
Georg has more than 23 years of international experience having been Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating 
Officer of Rail Cargo Austria and a consultant and partner with McKinsey & Company. 
Georg started his career as an engineer, working for five years in eastern Europe with Eléctricité de France / A.S.A.
After graduating from Harvard Business School, he went on to work for 13 years for McKinsey & Company, focusing 
particularly on the industrial sector. He gained international operations, transformation and corporate finance 
experience in western and eastern Europe, North America, Australia, Singapore, China, and Africa.
In August 2012 Georg joined Rail Cargo Austria AG executive management and successfully implemented the 
turnaround programme he had shaped as a consultant. He went on to join Mondi in 2016.
In addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Packaging business unit, Georg is also chair of 
Mondi’s operational committee. 

External appointments
Member of the supervisory board of SBB CFF FFS AG (Swiss Federal Railways).

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
Vivien  
McMenamin
55
Chief Executive Officer, 
South Africa

Appointed
October 2017
Committee membership
Executive 
Qualifications
MSc in Economics from 
the University of London and 
certificate in Advanced High 
Performance Leadership from 
IMD Switzerland

Peter Orisich
59
Chief Executive Officer, 
Uncoated Fine Paper

Appointed
May 2017
Committee membership
Executive 
Qualifications
Graduated in business 
administration from the WU-
Vienna business school

Experience
Viv has over 15 years’ experience in the pulp and paper industry having held executive responsibility in Mondi 
South Africa for marketing and sales, human resources, corporate affairs and transformation. Viv’s roles have 
included Mondi Group Head of Sustainable Development and Director Land and Forestry. In October 2017, she was 
appointed Chief Executive Officer of Mondi South Africa.
Viv was instrumental in the establishment of Mondi Zimele, Mondi’s small business development organisation and 
crafting Mondi’s innovative approach to land reform. 
Prior to Mondi, Viv worked in government and the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, serving Nelson Mandela 
as a member of the President’s Task Force on Local Economic Development and as a member of President Thabo 
Mbeki’s Economic Advisory Panel. 
Viv previously served on the boards of SiyaQhubeka Forests, South African Association for Marine Biological 
Research (SAAMBR) and Durban Girls College.

External appointments
Non-executive director of Transnet SOC Ltd. 

Experience
Peter has extensive experience in the industrial and consumer packaging industry, having started his career 
at Unilever where he spent 14 years. He held management roles in a number of divisions across central and 
eastern Europe. 
In 1998 he joined Lafarge Perlmooser as Chief Financial Officer, later going on to become Chief Executive Officer and 
leading the Austrian and Slovenian cement subsidiaries of Lafarge, a global manufacturer of building materials. 
After 10 years at Lafarge Perlmooser, Peter joined Mondi as Chief Executive Officer of Mondi Industrial Bags, taking 
responsibility for the strategy and operations of Mondi’s industrial bags business. He went on to be appointed as 
Chief Executive Officer of Mondi’s Uncoated Fine Paper business in 2012. 
Peter is also responsible for overseeing Mondi’s Group procurement function.

External appointments
None. 

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Sara Sizer
56
Group Communication 
& Marketing Director

Appointed
September 2017
Committee membership
Executive 
Qualifications
Degree in Business 
Administration from 
Loughborough University

Experience
Sara has more than 30 years’ experience in communication and marketing, having held senior positions at a number 
of large international industrial companies.
In 1997, she joined Rolls-Royce plc as Head of Communication before being appointed as Head of Group 
Communications at Shell International. Sara went on to become Group Head of Marketing at BG Group. 
In 2010, Sara joined Mondelēz International (formerly Kraft Foods Inc), the multinational food and beverage 
company, where she held the role of Director Corporate & Government Affairs Europe and then Vice President 
Global Communication. 
Sara joined Mondi in September 2017 as Group Communication & Marketing Director. She also chairs Mondi’s 
Diversity & Inclusion steering committee. 

External appointments
None. 

Philip  
Laubscher
63
Company Secretary 
Mondi Limited

Experience
Philip Laubscher, who holds BProc and LLB degrees and is an attorney of the High Court of South Africa, was in-
house counsel with national power utility Eskom for 15 years before joining Mondi in 1999 as Head of Legal Services. 
He was appointed Company Secretary of Mondi Limited in January 2001.

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Hampshire
35
Company Secretary 
Mondi plc

Experience
Jenny Hampshire, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators, joined Mondi in May 2007 and 
has held various roles in the company secretariat, including five years as Assistant Company Secretary. She was 
appointed Company Secretary of Mondi plc in December 2016. Prior to joining Mondi Jenny worked for The BOC 
Group plc in its company secretariat. 
Philip and Jenny work together on the coordination of Mondi’s DLC structure.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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Diversity of the executive committee
%

  Female 

  Male 

22%

78%

Nationalities represented 
on the executive committee

  South African 

  Austrian 

  German 

  British 

  Finnish 

2

3

2

1

1

120

Corporate governance report

DLC executive committee

In 2018 we continued to make 
strong progress on our major 
capital projects, while maintaining 
our day-to-day operational focus 
on safety, quality and efficiency. 
Our discussions centred around 
our ambitions on digitalisation, 
D&I and opportunities to grow our 
packaging and paper solutions 
in a way that meets the needs of 
our customers, their products and 
the planet. 

Peter Oswald 
Chair of the DLC executive committee 

Composition

Members  
throughout  
the year

Committee  
member  
since

Erik Bouts1

May 2017

Markus Gärtner2 October 2018

Michael Hakes3

April 2018

Georg 
Kasperkovitz4

May 2017

Andrew King

May 2007

John Lindahl

August 2011

Vivien 
McMenamin

October 2017

Peter Orisich

May 2017

Peter Oswald, 
chair

Sara Sizer

May 2007

September 
2017

Clemens Willée5 May 2017

Meeting 
attendance  
(nine meetings  

in the year)

9

2

6

8

9

9

9

9

9

9

7

1  Erik Bouts stepped down from the committee on 

23 December 2018. Erik attended all meetings up to the time 
of his departure 

2  Markus Gärtner was appointed to the committee on 

1 October 2018. Markus attended all meetings following 
his appointment 

3  Michael Hakes was appointed to the committee on 

1 April 2018. Michael attended all meetings following 
his appointment 

4  Georg Kasperkovitz was unable to attend one meeting during 

the year due to a meeting with a significant customer 
5  Clemens Willée stepped down from the committee on 

30 September 2018. Clemens attended all meetings up to the 
time of his departure 

Other regular attendees

 e Representatives from corporate 

functions, each of whom present on 
relevant topics

Key responsibilities

 e Day-to-day management of the 
Group within the limits set by the 
Boards, including implementation of 
operational decisions

 e Strategy implementation, including a 

more in-depth annual strategy session 
 e Risk identification and the management 

of mitigation of those risks

 e Monitoring financial, operational and 
safety performance, in particular 
monitoring the achievement of budgets, 
forecasts and targets
 e Policy implementation

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
The disclosure committee meets regularly 
throughout the year. 

All dealings by directors and persons 
discharging managerial responsibilities 
and their closely associated persons are 
announced to the JSE and the LSE when 
they occur. Details of the directors’ interests 
in the shares of both Mondi Limited and 
Mondi plc can be found on pages 137 
and 138.

Business ethics

Mondi continues to have a stated policy of 
zero tolerance of bribery and corruption. 
Ethical decision-making and behaviour both 
at board level and throughout the business 
is fundamental to Mondi’s governance. 
The Boards have adopted a Code of 
Business Ethics that governs our corporate 
conduct and which applies throughout the 
Group. The code sets out five fundamental 
principles that govern the way in which 
Mondi and its employees conduct 
business. Three of the principles are 
monitored and reviewed by the sustainable 
development committee (human rights, 
stakeholders and sustainability) and two by 
the audit committee (legal compliance and 
honesty and integrity). More information 
about Mondi’s approach to anti-bribery and 
anti-corruption can be found on page 63. 

Other than as set out in our online 
sustainability report, Mondi has not 
received any material fines or non-monetary 
sanctions for non-compliance with laws 
and regulations. 

Key policies

Dealing in securities

The Boards have adopted a share dealing 
code for dealing in the securities of Mondi 
Limited and Mondi plc. The code is 
based on regulatory and governance best 
practice in South Africa and the UK and 
sets out in detail the restrictions placed on 
directors, senior management and other 
key employees with regard to their share 
dealing to ensure that they do not abuse 
their access to information about the Group 
pending its public release and availability to 
shareholders. The code is accompanied by 
clear procedures and guidelines. 

The code is reviewed regularly to ensure 
continued compliance with regulation 
and best practice. A thorough review 
and revision of the code was undertaken 
in 2016 to reflect the introduction of 
the EU Market Abuse Regulation. 
Relevant employees are regularly reminded 
of their obligations and the procedures they 
are required to follow. 

Mondi has established a disclosure 
committee, of which the Chief Executive 
Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the 
Company Secretaries of Mondi Limited and 
Mondi plc are members, to monitor Mondi’s 
obligations in this regard. 

The committee is responsible for 
determining whether information should 
be classified as inside information in 
accordance with regulation and for 
procuring the prompt release of such 
information, or agreeing a delay in 
disclosure, as appropriate. If disclosure is 
delayed, the committee will ensure that 
the conditions set out in regulation are 
met, including to maintain confidentiality 
of information. The committee will oversee 
the creation and maintenance of insider 
lists, minimising the risk of an accidental 
leak or share dealing by employees while in 
possession of inside information. 

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
122

Remuneration report
Statement from the DLC Remuneration  
Committee Chair

I am committed to overseeing a 
transparent and open approach 
regarding our framework and  
policy for remuneration. 

Tanya Fratto 
Chair of the DLC 
remuneration committee

Fellow shareholder, it is with pleasure 
that I present the committee’s report on 
directors’ remuneration. 

Due to Mondi’s DLC structure we are 
required to comply with both UK and South 
African voting regulations. The Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy (DRP)1 remains 
unchanged, having been approved by 
shareholders under the required triennial 
binding vote of Mondi plc shareholders 
at the AGM in 2017 with a vote of over 
95% in favour, and endorsed by Mondi 
Ltd shareholders in 2017 and 2018 with 
votes of over 95% and 98% in favour. 
The same policy will be tabled for the usual 
annual advisory vote by Mondi Limited 
shareholders in 2019, in accordance with 
South African regulations. The remainder of 
this Directors’ Remuneration Report, which 
describes how the policy was implemented 
in 2018, will be put to the usual advisory 
vote by shareholders of both Mondi Limited 
and Mondi plc.

1  The full policy can be found on pages 123 to 129 of this report, 
and in the 2016 and 2017 integrated reports on Mondi’s website

2  The 2017 figures have been restated for adoption of IFRS 16 

‘Leases’ as disclosed in notes 32 and 33 of the combined and 
consolidated financial statements

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Remuneration principles 
Remuneration for our executive directors 
is based on the principles of pay for 
performance, alignment with shareholders 
and simplicity. Annual bonuses are 
dependent on a scorecard of mainly financial 
and some non-financial elements, and 50% 
of any bonus is deferred into Mondi shares 
for three years. The Long-Term Incentive 
Plan (LTIP) is aligned to sustained, 3-year 
performance, measured through percentage 
Return on Capital Employed (ROCE), and 
our relative total shareholder return (TSR) 
compared to other international companies 
in our sector. Executive directors are also 
required to build a personal shareholding in 
Mondi of 200% of their base salary.

Performance and  
remuneration for 2018
As described in the Strategic report, 
Mondi’s financial performance, which has 
a weighting of 70% of the annual bonus 
(compared with a weighting of 60% in 
2017), was strong. ROCE performance 
was 23.6% and underlying EBITDA was 
€1,764 million, relative to 19.3% and 
€1,482 million in 20172. Bonus performance 
outcomes against the targets that were 
set are outlined in the annual report 
on remuneration. 

Following feedback from shareholders, 
underlying EBITDA and ROCE ranges 
that bonuses are based on are now 
being disclosed for the year under review. 
In previous years this was done on a prior 
year, retrospective basis. This brings the 
disclosure of financial bonus ranges into 
line with the disclosure of the safety and 
personal objectives elements. 

Performance outcomes are reflected in the 
remuneration received by directors:

 e Annual bonuses of 88% of the 

maximum have been awarded in 
respect of performance in 2018 for Peter 
Oswald and 89% for Andrew King. 
This recognises the Group’s financial 
performance as well as performance for 
the personal, operational and strategic 
objectives that were set at the start of 
the year. In terms of safety performance, 
the total recordable case rate (TRCR) in 
2018 was 0.68, within the range set. As a 
result of the tragic and unacceptable 
fatality of a contractor engaged in Mondi 
operations the payment under the safety 
element of the bonus was limited to the 
portion which was attributable to total 
recordable incidents.

 e The performance period for the 2016 
LTIP ended on 31 December 2018. 
Half of the award was based on ROCE 
performance and the other half on 
relative TSR performance. ROCE for 
the three-year performance period was 
21.2%, above the stretch performance 
requirement of 16%. The Group’s TSR 
over the period was 10.3% for Mondi 
plc and 13.3% for Mondi Limited, 
which placed it above the median of 
the comparator group. As a result of 
this performance, 100% of the ROCE 
element, and 53.1% of the TSR element, 
and therefore 76.6% of the overall LTIP 
award, vested.

2019 implementation
Base salary increases of 2.7% 
were implemented with effect from 
1 January 2019, after consideration 
of percentage increases for the wider 
employee population.

The committee will continue to operate 
an annual bonus and LTIP in 2019 within 
the limits set by the DRP and subject to 
challenging performance requirements. 
The ROCE metric which applies to 50% of 
the LTIP award currently has a performance 
range of 10% at threshold and 18% at 
stretch. The committee has decided 
to further increase the performance 
requirements at threshold under this 
metric to 12% ROCE, with effect from the 
2019 awards. 

UK Corporate  
Governance Code
The committee has monitored 
developments in corporate governance, 
both in the UK and South Africa. 
We have considered the changes to the 
UK Corporate Governance Code and 
the amendments to the UK directors’ 
remuneration report requirements under the 
UK Companies Act. Requirements under 
both of these apply from the 2019 financial 
year, and will be reflected in Mondi’s 
Integrated report for 2019. Many of the new 
requirements Mondi already complies with, 
for example:

 e the remuneration committee’s 

scope of responsibilities already 
includes all members of the DLC 
executive committee, and the 
committee has oversight of the wider 
workforce remuneration;

Directors’ remuneration policy

123

 e a two-year, post-vesting holding period 
for LTIP awards to executive directors 
already applies to awards which were 
granted from 2017 onwards. This holding 
period continues to apply post cessation 
of employment;

 e malus and clawback rules are already in 
place for executives’ incentive plans and 
have been further enhanced with effect 
from 2019 onwards; and

 e the committee already provides 

information in the Remuneration Report 
on the impact of share price growth 
on the vesting value for LTIP awards, 
and this year has included the potential 
impact of share price appreciation on 
remuneration outcomes in the scenarios 
chart in the policy section of the report.

The committee is also considering 
the impact of changes to the Code in 
relation to pension and post-employment 
shareholding requirements for the 
executive directors. 

Conclusion
Our remuneration policy and practices 
are designed to drive achievement of 
the Group’s business objectives and 
deliver sustainable shareholder value. 
The remuneration for 2018 reflects Mondi’s 
success in the continued delivery of 
our strategy.

Thank you for the strong support you 
have given for our remuneration approach 
in prior years. I hope that you will give 
your support again for the 2019 Annual 
General Meetings. 

Tanya Fratto 
Chair of the DLC remuneration committee

The report
The report has been prepared by the 
DLC remuneration committee and 
approved by the boards of Mondi 
Limited and Mondi plc (together ‘the 
Boards’). PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. 
and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have 
independently audited the items stipulated 
in the regulations:

 e executive directors’ and non-executive 
directors’ remuneration and associated 
footnotes on page 130;

 e the table of share awards granted to 
executive directors and associated 
footnotes on page 139; and

 e the statement of directors’ shareholdings 
and share interests in Mondi on pages 
137 and 138.

Directors’ remuneration policy
This part of the directors’ remuneration 
report sets out the remuneration policy 
for the Group and has been prepared in 
accordance with The Large and Medium-
sized Companies and Groups (Accounts 
and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 
2013. The policy has been developed 
taking into account the principles of 
the governance codes in South Africa 
and the UK and the views of our major 
shareholders. The policy was approved by 
a binding shareholder vote at the Mondi plc 
Annual General Meeting on 11 May 2017, 
and endorsed at Mondi Limited’s Annual 
General Meetings in 2017 and 2018. 

The Group’s remuneration policy 
has been set with the objective of 
attracting, motivating and retaining 
high-calibre directors, in a manner that 
promotes the long-term success of the 
Group, is consistent with best practice 
and aligned with the interests of the 
Group’s shareholders.

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Remuneration policy for executive directors is framed 
around the following key principles:

 e remuneration packages should be 

 e a significant proportion of the 

set at levels that are competitive in the 
relevant market;

 e the structure of remuneration 

remuneration of executive directors 
should be performance-based;
 e the performance-based element of 

packages and, in particular, the 
design of performance-based 
remuneration schemes, should be 
aligned with shareholders’ interests 
and should support the achievement 
of the Group’s business strategy and 
the management of risk;

remuneration should be appropriately 
balanced between the achievement of 
short-term objectives and longer-term 
objectives; and

 e the remuneration of executive 
directors should be set taking 
appropriate account of remuneration 
and employment conditions 
elsewhere in the Group.

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124

Directors’ remuneration policy

Executive directors’ remuneration policy table
The following table summarises key elements of the remuneration of executive directors in accordance with reporting regulations:

Base salary

Benefits

Pension

Bonus Share Plan (BSP)

To provide incentive and reward for 
annual performance achievements. 
To also provide sustained alignment 
with shareholders through a deferred 
component.

Awards are based on annual 
performance against a balanced 
scorecard of metrics as determined by 
the committee from time to time such 
as underlying EBITDA and percentage 
ROCE and safety. These have the 
highest weighting (currently 80% of the 
total). Individual performance is also 
assessed against suitable objectives, 
and currently has a 20% weighting.

The policy gives the committee 
the authority to select suitable 
performance metrics, aligned to 
Mondi’s strategy and shareholders’ 
interests, and to assess the 
performance outcome.

Half of the award is delivered in cash 
and half in deferred shares which 
normally vest after three years (subject 
to service conditions), and with no 
matching element. On vesting of 
deferred shares, participants receive 
a bonus of equivalent value to the 
dividends that would have been 
payable on those shares between the 
date when the awards were granted 
and when they vest.

Malus and clawback provisions apply 
to awards made since January 2011.

The maximum annual bonus is 175% 
of base salary.

The committee applied a limit of 165% 
for the Chief Executive Officer and 
135% for other executive directors for 
the 2017 and 2018 performance years 
(i.e. below the policy maximum).

Purpose 
and link to 
strategy

To recruit and reward 
executives of a suitable 
calibre for the role and 
duties required.

To provide market 
competitive benefits.

To provide market 
competitive pension 
contributions.

Defined contribution 
to pension, or cash 
allowance of equivalent 
value. Only base salary is 
pensionable.

Operation

Reviewed annually by 
the committee, taking 
account of Group and 
individual performance, 
changes in responsibility 
and levels of increase for 
the broader employee 
population.

The Group typically 
provides:

 e car allowance or 
company car;
 e medical insurance;
 e death and 

disability insurance;

Reference is also made 
to market median levels in 
companies of similar size 
and complexity.

The committee considers 
the impact of any base 
salary increase on 
the total remuneration 
package.

Salaries (and other 
elements of the 
remuneration package) 
may be paid in different 
currencies as appropriate 
to reflect their geographic 
location.

 e limited personal taxation 
and financial advice; 
and

 e other ancillary benefits, 
including relocation 
and assistance with 
expatriate expenses 
(as required).

The policy authorises 
the committee to make 
minor changes to 
benefits provision from 
time to time, including if 
appropriate implementing 
all-employee share plans 
up to the limits approved 
by tax authorities.

Maximum values are 
determined by reference 
to market practice, 
avoiding paying more 
than is necessary.

The maximum company 
pension contribution for 
executive directors is 
25% of base salary.

Maximum 
opportunity

There is no prescribed 
maximum salary 
or annual increase. 
However, increases will 
normally be no more 
than the general level of 
increase in the UK market 
or the market against 
which the executive’s 
salary is determined. 
On occasions a larger 
increase may be needed 
to recognise, for example, 
development in role or 
change in responsibility.

Details of the outcome of 
the most recent review 
are provided in the annual 
report on remuneration.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

125

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

Share ownership policy

Purpose 
and link to 
strategy

To provide incentive and reward for the delivery of the 
Group’s strategic objectives, and provide further alignment 
with shareholders through the use of shares.

Operation

Individuals are considered each year for an award of shares 
that vest after three years to the extent that performance 
conditions are met and in accordance with the terms of the 
plan approved by shareholders.

Under the plan rules, in exceptional circumstances, 
the committee has the ability to cash-settle awards, if 
necessary. There is no current intention for awards to the 
executive directors to be delivered in this way. 

Awards are granted subject to continued employment and 
satisfaction of stretching performance conditions measured 
over three years, which are set by the committee before 
each grant.

For awards to be granted in 2019, metrics comprise TSR 
against a suitable peer group, and percentage ROCE, each 
with a 50% weighting. The vesting outcome can also be 
reduced, if necessary, to reflect the underlying or general 
performance of the Group. Performance is measured over 
three calendar years, starting with the year of grant.

For awards granted from 2013 onwards, an amount 
equivalent to dividends that would have been payable on 
the unvested share awards are rolled up and paid out (in 
cash and/or additional shares) at the end of the vesting 
period based on the proportion of the award that actually 
vests.

Malus and clawback provisions apply to awards made 
since January 2011.

A post-vesting holding period applies to executive directors 
for awards made from 2017 onwards. Executive directors 
are required to retain the LTIP shares that vest (net of tax) 
for a period of two years. The two-year holding requirement 
will continue if they leave employment during the holding 
period. The shares held will count towards the executive 
director’s normal holding requirement.

To align the interests of executive directors with those of 
shareholders.

Executive directors are required to acquire and maintain 
shareholdings in Mondi Limited or Mondi plc to a minimum 
of 200% of base salary.

The maximum shareholding requirement must be met within 
no more than five years from the date of appointment. 

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While the executive director is building to the required 
shareholding level, deferred bonus awards under the BSP, 
net of the expected tax liability that will apply on vesting, 
will count towards the requirement. Once the required 
shareholding has been met, such shares will not count 
unless the committee, at its sole discretion, determines 
that a number of deferred shares may count towards the 
entitlement of a director. 

Unvested LTIP awards (i.e. those awards where 
performance targets and/or a service requirement must 
still be met for awards to vest) will not count towards the 
entitlement. LTIP shares that have vested and on which tax 
has been paid and that are within the two-year post-vesting 
holding period will count towards the entitlement.

Previously compliant directors who do not meet the 
minimum requirements on annual assessment are to 
achieve compliance by 31 December of the same year.

In order to allow the committee to deal with unexpected 
circumstances, the committee retains discretion on how 
to operate the Policy and may make exceptions and 
allowances if it sees fit.

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Maximum 
opportunity

The maximum grant limit is 225% of base salary (face value 
of shares at grant), to any individual in a single year. 

Not applicable.

For the awards made in 2017 and 2018, the committee 
made awards, below the policy maximum, of 210% of base 
salary to the Chief Executive Officer and 175% to other 
executive directors.

25% of the grant is available for threshold performance, 
rising on a straight-line scale to 100% of the grant for 
performance at the ‘stretch’ level.

Individual awards, up to the policy limit, are determined 
each year by the committee. The committee’s practice has 
historically been to make grants below the policy maximum 
as detailed in the annual report on remuneration.

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
126

Directors’ remuneration policy

Choice of performance measures and approach to target setting

Bonus Share Plan (BSP)

The table below shows the metrics for 2018, why they were chosen and how targets are set. 

Metric

Underlying EBITDA

KPI 
Page 37

ROCE (%) 

Safety

KPI 
Page 36

KPI 
Page 37

Personal performance

Why chosen?

How targets are set

Underlying EBITDA provides a measure of 
the cash-generating ability of the business 
that is comparable from year to year.

A key indicator of the efficient and effective 
use of capital.

Targets and ranges are set each year by 
the committee taking account of required 
progress towards strategic goals, and the 
prevailing market conditions.

Targets and ranges are set each year by the 
committee taking account of the required 
progress towards strategic goals, and the 
prevailing market conditions.

One of the key indicators of whether the 
business is meeting its sustainability goal of 
zero harm. 

The committee considers input from the 
DLC sustainable development committee, 
and sets appropriate standards and goals.

An indicator of the contribution each 
executive director is making to the overall 
success of the management team.

Targets are set each year by the committee, 
based on the specific priorities, and areas of 
responsibility, of the role.

The policy gives the committee the authority to select suitable performance metrics, aligned to Mondi’s strategy and shareholders’ 
interests.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

The table below shows the metrics for 2018 grants, why they were chosen and how targets are set.

Metric

Why chosen?

How targets are set

TSR, relative to a peer group of competitors TSR measures the total returns to Mondi’s 
shareholders, so provides close alignment 
with shareholder interests.

ROCE (%) 

KPI 
Page 36

A key indicator of the efficient and effective 
use of capital.

The committee sets the performance 
requirements for each grant. A peer group 
of packaging and paper sector companies 
is used. Nothing vests below median. 25% 
vests for median performance; 100% vests 
for upper quartile performance, with a 
straight-line scale between these two points.

The committee sets threshold and stretch 
levels, aligned to the Group’s strategic 
targets for ROCE.

Nothing vests below threshold. 25% vests 
for threshold performance; 100% vests for 
stretch performance, with a straight-line 
scale between these two points.

The policy gives the committee the authority to select suitable performance metrics, aligned to Mondi’s strategy and shareholders’ 
interests.

Remuneration policy for executive directors compared to other employees
The remuneration policy for the executive directors and employees varies, which is necessary to reflect the different levels of responsibility 
and market practices. The key difference is the increased emphasis on performance-related pay in senior roles. Lower maximum 
incentive pay opportunities apply below executive level, driven by market benchmarks and the relative impact of the role. Only the most 
senior executives in the Group participate in the LTIP and the BSP as these plans are targeted on those individuals who have the greatest 
accountability for Group performance.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Executive directors’ existing service contracts, and policy on loss of office

CEO

Peter Oswald was recruited, and is based, in Austria. His service contract is required under Austrian law to be for a fixed period, which 
renewable fixed period expires on 30 April 2022. However, the contract has also been structured as far as possible to conform to the 
accepted practice for directors in the UK, and can be terminated on one year’s notice by either party. Prior to 2008, he did not have a 
notice period, and was entitled to receive compensation on termination equivalent to remuneration for the unexpired term of the five-
year fixed term contract. The committee re-negotiated this contract in 2008 to substantially reduce the Group’s potential liabilities, and 
introduced a standard 12-month notice period, together with an accompanying lump sum payment on termination, which was necessary 
to facilitate the transition from the previous contract. In the event of termination by Mondi, other than for ‘cause’, the current contract 
provides for payment of base salary, benefits and pension contribution in respect of the 12-month notice period and eligibility for annual 
bonus in respect of the period he has worked. He would also be eligible for a lump sum amount calculated as €908,800 plus interest on 
this amount accrued at the Euribor interest rate for the period since 1 January 2008.

CFO

The service contract for Andrew King provides for one year’s notice by either party. It includes pay in lieu of notice provisions which may 
be invoked at the discretion of the Group. The payment in lieu of notice would comprise base salary, benefits and pension contributions 
for the notice period and an amount in compensation for annual bonus only for that part of the financial year the individual has worked.

Any share-based entitlements granted to an executive director under the Group’s share plans will be determined based on the relevant 
plan rules. The default treatment is that any outstanding awards lapse on cessation of employment. However, in certain prescribed 
circumstances, such as death, disability, retirement or other circumstances at the discretion of the committee (taking into account the 
individual’s performance and the reasons for their departure) ‘good Ieaver’ status can be applied. For good leavers, vesting of BSP 
awards that are not subject to performance conditions is accelerated to as soon as practical after employment termination. LTIP awards 
remain subject to performance conditions (measured over the original time period) and are reduced pro rata to reflect the proportion of 
the performance period actually served. The committee has the discretion to disapply the application of performance conditions and/or 
time pro rating if it considers it appropriate to do so. However, it is envisaged that this would only be applied in exceptional circumstances. 
In determining whether an executive should be treated as a good Ieaver or not, the committee will take into account the performance of 
the individual and the reasons for their departure.

Notice periods for the executive directors who served during the period under review are as follows: 

Executive director

Peter Oswald

Andrew King

Unexpired term/notice period

A fixed term expiring on 30 April 2022 but terminable at any time on 12 months’ notice

Terminable on 12 months’ notice

A director’s service contract may be terminated without notice and without any further payment or compensation, except for sums 
accrued up to the date of termination, on the occurrence of certain events such as gross misconduct.

Service contracts for new appointments
Normally, for any new executive director appointments, the Group’s policy is that the service contracts should provide for one year’s notice 
by either party. The contract would provide that, in the event of termination by the company, other than for ‘cause’, the executive would be 
eligible for:

 e payment of the base salary, pension contribution and benefits in respect of the unexpired portion of the 12-month notice period;
 e annual bonus only in respect of the period they have served, payable following the relevant performance year end and subject to the 

normal performance conditions for annual bonus; and

 e share-based awards they hold, subject to the plan rules, which include arrangements for pro ration of LTIP awards and continued 

application of performance conditions.

The Group would seek to apply the principle of mitigation to the termination payment by, for example, making payments in instalments 
that can be reduced or ended if the former executive wishes to commence alternative employment during the payment period.

In exceptional circumstances, such as to secure for the Group the appointment of a highly talented and experienced executive in a market 
such as Germany or Austria where it is common for the most senior executives to have three-year or five-year fixed term contracts, 
the committee may need to offer a longer initial notice period that reduces progressively to one year over a set time period. In such 
exceptional circumstances, the committee would seek to ensure that any special contract provisions are not more generous than is 
absolutely necessary to secure the appointment. The committee would also take account of the remuneration and contract features that 
the executive may be foregoing or relinquishing in order to join Mondi, in comparison with the overall remuneration package that Mondi is 
able to offer.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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128

Directors’ remuneration policy

Approach to remuneration for new executive director appointments
The remuneration package for a newly appointed executive director would be set in accordance with the terms of the Group’s approved 
remuneration policy in force at the time of appointment. The variable remuneration for a new executive director would be determined in the 
same way as for existing executive directors, and would be subject to the maximum limits on variable pay referred to in the policy table on 
pages 124 and 125.

For an internal appointment, any legacy pay elements awarded in respect of the prior role would be allowed to pay out according to 
their terms.

For internal and external appointments, the Group may meet certain relocation expenses, as appropriate.

For external appointments, the committee may also offer additional cash and/or share-based elements when it considers these to be in 
the best interests of Mondi and shareholders, to replace variable remuneration awards or arrangements that an individual has foregone in 
order to join the Group. This includes the use of awards made under section 9.4.2 of the UK Listing Rules. Any such payments would take 
account of the details of the remuneration foregone including the nature, vesting dates and any performance requirements attached to 
that remuneration.

Remuneration scenarios at different performance levels1,2

CEO

CFO

Fixed pay

BSP cash

BSP shares

LTIP

Fixed pay

BSP cash

BSP shares

LTIP

€7,000,000

€6,000,000

€5,000,000

€4,000,000

€3,000,000

€2,000,000

€1,000,000

52%

14%

14%

20%

42%

16%

16%

26%

€4,000,000

€3,500,000

€3,000,000

€2,500,000

€2,000,000

€1,500,000

€1,000,000

€500,000

30%

17%
17%
36%

100%

50%

13%

13%

24%

40%

15%

15%

30%

28%

15%
15%
42%

100%

Minimum Target Maximum Share
price
growth3

Minimum Target Maximum Share
price
growth3

The charts above illustrate the total potential remuneration for each executive director at three performance levels. 

1  Assumptions:
  Minimum = fixed pay only (salary + benefits + pension)
  On-target = 70% vesting of the annual bonus and 50% for LTIP awards
  Maximum = 100% vesting of the annual bonus and LTIP awards
  Salary levels (on which other elements of the package are calculated) are based on those applying on 1 January 2019
2  Benefit values for both the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer exclude the costs of business travel and accommodation
3  To reflect the impact of a share price increase between award and vesting, the LTIP value in the ‘Maximum’ column has been increased by 50% in the ‘Share Price Growth’ column 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
Remuneration policy for non-executive directors

Remuneration policy for non-executive directors

Element 

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Non-executive 
chair fees

To attract and retain high-calibre 
chairs, with the necessary experience 
and skills. To provide fees which take 
account of the time commitment and 
responsibilities of the role.

Other non-
executive fees

To attract and retain high-calibre 
non-executives, with the necessary 
experience and skills. To provide 
fees which take account of the time 
commitment and responsibilities of 
the role.

The Joint Chairs each receive an all-
inclusive fee.

The Joint Chairs’ fees are reviewed 
periodically by the committee.

While there is not a maximum fee level, 
fees are set by reference to market 
median data for companies of similar 
size and complexity to Mondi.

Non-executive directors’ fees are 
reviewed periodically by the Joint 
Chairs and executive directors.

While there is not a maximum fee level, 
fees are set by reference to market 
median data for companies of similar 
size and complexity to Mondi.

The non-executives are paid a 
basic fee.

Attendance fees are also paid to reflect 
the requirement for non-executive 
directors to attend meetings in various 
international locations. 

The chairs of the main board 
committees and the senior 
independent director are paid additional 
fees to reflect their extra responsibilities.

The Group may reimburse the reasonable expenses of board directors that relate to their duties on behalf of Mondi (including tax thereon 
if applicable). The Group may also provide advice and assistance with board directors’ tax returns where these are impacted by the duties 
they undertake on behalf of Mondi.

All non-executive directors have letters of appointment with Mondi Limited and Mondi plc for an initial period of three years. In accordance 
with best practice, non-executive directors are subject to annual re-election at the Annual General Meetings. Appointments may be 
terminated by either party with six months’ notice. No compensation is payable on termination, other than accrued fees and expenses.

129

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Statement of consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Group
The Group’s remuneration policy for the remuneration of executive directors and other senior executives is set taking appropriate account 
of remuneration and employment conditions of other colleagues in the Group.

The committee annually receives a report from management on pay practices across the Group, including salary levels and trends, 
collective bargaining outcomes and bonus participation. At the time that salary increases are considered the committee additionally 
receives a report on the approach management proposes to adopt for general staff increases. Both these reports are taken into account 
in the committee’s decisions about the remuneration of executive directors and other senior executives.

The Group does not engage in formal consultation with employees on directors’ remuneration policy. However, employees of the Group 
are encouraged to provide feedback on the Group’s general employment policies. In some countries where the Group operates, more 
formal consultation arrangements with employee representatives are in place relating to employment terms and conditions, in accordance 
with local custom and practice. The Group also conducts periodic employee engagement surveys which gauge employees’ satisfaction 
with their working conditions. The Boards receive feedback on these survey results.

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Shareholder context
The committee considers the views of shareholders in its deliberations about the remuneration of executive directors and other senior 
executives, and consults directly with major shareholders when any material changes to policy are being considered.

In the event that either the remuneration policy or implementation resolutions receive a significant proportion of votes against, the 
committee will seek to further engage with shareholders to understand the reasons behind these votes and any particular concerns they 
may have. 

Legacy arrangements
For the avoidance of doubt, in approving this policy report, authority is given to the Group to honour any commitments entered into with 
current or former directors that have been disclosed to shareholders in previous remuneration reports. Details of any payments to former 
directors will be set out in the annual report on remuneration as they arise.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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130

Annual report on remuneration

2018 remuneration of directors (audited)
This table reports executive and non-executive directors’ remuneration in accordance with UK reporting regulations applicable to financial 
reporting periods ending on or after 1 October 2013. 

Base salary/
NED fees3

Benefits

Pension
contribution11

Annual bonus 
including 
grant  
value  
of BSP  
award

Value of LTIP 
vesting in the 
performance
year5

Value of LTIP 
vesting at 
date of
grant6

Share price 
gain on 
vesting 
LTIP award 
between 
grant and
vest dates7

Other8

Total

2018 €1,076,000

€46,962

€269,015 €1,562,352

€1,397,953 €1,162,023

€235,930

€44,361 €4,396,643

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

€1,016,194

€41,594

€254,801

€992,320 €1,218,852 €1,001,597

€217,255

€156,028 €3,679,789

€654,467

€64,001

€163,617

€786,326 €1,040,983

€830,806

€210,177

€80,113 €2,789,507

€643,405 €1,338,0764 €160,851

€548,352

€958,503

€785,762

€172,741

€120,361 €3,769,548

€331,159

€326,590

€331,159

€326,590

€111,773

€105,842

€109,625

€108,896

€44,546

€107,384

€107,127

€97,839

€66,950

–

€2,035

€333,194

€2,054 

€328,644

€331,159

€326,590

€111,773

€105,842

€109,625

€108,896

€44,546

€107,384

€109,162

€99,893

€66,950

–

€2,035

€2,054

Peter 
Oswald1

Andrew 
King2

Fred 
Phaswana

David 
Williams

Tanya 
Fratto

Stephen 
Harris

John 
Nicholas9

Dominique 
Reiniche

Stephen 
Young10

1 

For 2018, Peter Oswald’s maximum annual bonus was 165% of base salary. For the period 1 January 2017 to 11 May 2017, as Chief Executive Officer Europe & International, Peter Oswald’s maximum annual 
bonus was 135% of base salary and was determined with reference to his base salary in that role. For the period from 12 May 2017 to 31 December 2017, his maximum annual bonus was 165% of base salary. 
His maximum bonus for 2018 was 165% of salary

2  Andrew King’s salary is denominated in pound sterling and his 2018 salary was £579,000
3 

The non-executive directors’ fees are also denominated in pound sterling. Euro amounts are reported based on exchange rates on the dates actual payments were made. Non-executive director fees were 
increased by circa 2.5% with effect from 16 May 2018 following the passing of a resolution at the Annual General Meetings of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc. See the table on page 137 for current fee levels
4  Mondi asked Andrew King to relocate to the UK from South Africa, to be based closer to the Group’s principal centre of operations in Europe. In accordance with the DRP, Andrew was eligible for assistance 

5 

6 
7 

with relocation expenses. These expenses, and the cost of the grossed-up income tax amount payable to HMRC, amounted to €1,299,029 of the benefits total for 2017. These expenses reflect the cost of 
stamp duty on the purchase of a UK property, estate agent’s commission on disposal of the South African property, return flights for purpose of house-hunting, school search and orientation and packing and 
removal of household effects to the UK
For 2018, the three-year performance cycle of the 2016 LTIP award ended on 31 December 2018. The award value shown has been based on the average share price over the last three months of the financial 
period. The 2018 LTIP vesting value includes cash amounts of equivalent value to all dividends (including ordinary dividends and, where applicable, special dividends) on vested LTIP awards during the year. 
For the 2017 LTIP dividend equivalents, these are included in the 2017 ‘other’ column as reported last year. For 2017, the three-year performance cycle of the 2015 LTIP award ended on 31 December 2017. 
The award value shown in the 2017 remuneration report was an estimate based on the average share price over the last three months of the financial period which was £18.45 for Mondi plc LTIP awards and 
ZAR 333.46 for Mondi Limited LTIP awards. The actual award price on vesting was £19.81 for Mondi plc LTIP awards and ZAR 327.48 for Mondi Limited LTIP awards. The award values for 2017 have been 
restated on this basis 
For 2018, the value is shown of the 2016 LTIP award made at the start of the three-year performance cycle, and for 2017, the value of the 2015 LTIP award made at the start of the three-year performance cycle
For 2018, the enhanced value is shown of the 2016 LTIP based on the share price gain between grant and the average share price over the last three months of the financial period. The value of Mondi plc’s 
shares increased from £12.88 to £16.34, and the value of Mondi Limited shares from ZAR 282.00 to ZAR 309.57 during this time. For 2017, the enhanced value is shown of the 2015 LTIP that vested based on 
share price appreciation during the holding period. The value of Mondi plc’s shares increased from £13.30 to £19.81, and the value of Mondi Limited shares from ZAR 234.44 to ZAR 327.48
Includes cash amounts of equivalent value to all dividends (including ordinary dividends and, where applicable, special dividends) on vested BSP shares during the year. See table of share awards granted 
to executive directors on page 139. Accommodation cost for some of Peter Oswald’s business trips is, for reasons of UK tax regulation, subject to UK income tax, and is therefore required to be included in 
the disclosure. The figure for Peter Oswald in the ‘Other’ column includes €1,960.70 in respect of accommodation cost for this business travel and the cost of any grossed up income tax paid during the year. 
Accommodation costs in Vienna for Andrew King’s business trips are, for reasons of Austrian and UK tax regulation, subject to income tax, and are therefore required to be included in the disclosure. The figure 
for Andrew King in the ‘Other’ column includes €58,030.02 in respect of accommodation costs for his business travel and the cost of any grossed up income tax paid during the year. For Fred Phaswana and 
Dominique Reiniche the taxable values of the UK tax returns are shown 
9 
John Nicholas’ fees for 2018 cover the period to his retirement from the Boards on 16 May 2018
10  Stephen Young’s fees for 2018 cover the period from his appointment to the Boards on 1 May 2018
11  None of the executive directors has entitlements under a defined benefit pension scheme. No retrospective payments were made to past directors in respect of the period during which they served as directors 

8 

and no payments were made to past directors for loss of office

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual bonus

Approach to disclosure of bonus targets

Since its 2012 report, Mondi has disclosed the performance measures used for the annual bonus as well as outcomes against 
these measures. 

In the 2015, 2016 and 2017 reports we went substantially further in providing details of the performance against safety objectives that were 
set for the year under review. In the case of executives’ personal objectives we described the achievements of our executives against key 
focus areas, together with the ratings awarded to each executive.

In the case of financial performance, we provided retrospective disclosure of the financial bonus ranges and outcomes for the year prior to 
the year under review. We additionally provided outline disclosure of financial bonus outcomes for the year under review. 

Following feedback from shareholders we are, for this report, providing disclosure of the financial bonus ranges for the year under review. 

In addition to this we are retrospectively providing the financial target ranges and outcomes for 2017 as we indicated we would do in the 
2017 remuneration report.

2017 ranges and outcomes (audited)1

Entry level

Underlying EBITDA (€m)

€1,196m

Bonus outcome (points)

7.5

ROCE (%)

17.1%

Bonus outcome (points)

7.5

Outcome
€1,482m

20.7

Outcome
19.3%

17.3

Ceiling

€1,618m

30.0

23.1%

30.0

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1   The audited annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 were restated due to the adoption of IFRS 16, ‘Leases’, which has been disclosed in notes 32 and 33 of the combined and consolidated 
  financial statements. The bonus outcomes were calculated based on the reported 2017 annual financial statements before they were restated. However, restated figures are shown in the graph for consistency with the 

rest of this Integrated report

2018 bonus outcomes (audited)

For the annual bonus in respect of 2018 performance, the performance measures and achievement levels were:

Weight

Outcomes:

Peter Oswald

Andrew King

BSP performance measures

Underlying EBITDA

ROCE

35

35

35

35

35

35

Safety

10

3

3

Personal

20

15

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
132

Annual report on remuneration

Financial element of 2018 bonus (audited)

Financial performance was assessed against the underlying EBITDA and ROCE ranges that were set for 2018. The ranges and 
outcomes were:

2018 Financial bonus elements

Threshold

Underlying EBITDA (€m)

€1,286m

Bonus outcome (points)

8.75

ROCE (%)

16.6%

Bonus outcome (points)

8.75

Maximum

Outcome
€1,764m

€1,740m

35.0

Maximum
22.4%

35.0

Outcome
23.6%

Safety element of 2018 bonus (audited)

A maximum of 10 points are awarded for safety. Up to five points are awarded, based on the assessment of the Total Recordable Case 
Rate (TRCR), as follows:

2018 Safety bonus elements

TRCR

Threshold

0.73

Bonus outcome (points)

1

Outcome
0.68

3

Maximum

0.65

5

The other five points were payable if there were no fatalities within the Mondi Group. If there is one fatality then these five points are 
forfeited. If there are two fatalities during the year then the entire 10 points attributable to safety are forfeited.

The TRCR that was achieved for 2018 was 0.68 and three points were therefore awarded for this part of the safety element. As a result of 
the tragic and unacceptable fatality of a contractor engaged in Mondi’s operations as reported on page 51, no payment was made under 
this part of the safety element. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Personal objectives of executives for 2018 bonus (audited)

Key objectives and achievements

The executive directors share many key objectives and also have individual objectives that are specific to their roles. Key objectives, and 
achievements against these objectives during 2018, included:

Strategy development 
and execution

 e Kraft paper footprint improved with successful modernisation and expansion of cost-advantaged Štětí mill 

(Czech Republic) and divestiture of high cost mill in the US

 e Progressing with investment in new kraft top white machine at Ružomberok (Slovakia), after having 

received final permits during the year. Pulp mill upgrade in progress

 e Investigation and evaluation of alternatives for the modernisation of the Richards Bay mill (South Africa) 
 e Industrial bags footprint optimised via two acquisitions in Egypt and closure of plants in the US and Europe 
 e Corporate simplification announced and in progress
 e Acquisition of Powerflute (Finland) completed and a number of acquistions considered
 e Strong operational performance across the Group
 e Continued good progress on cost management
 e Integration of acquisitions on track and synergies above plan
 e Selective digitalisation projects across all business units in progress
 e Maintained upgraded Moody’s Baa1 rating and Standard & Poor’s BBB+
 e €600 million Eurobond successfully launched, ensuring strong Group liquidity
 e Further progress on tax risk mitigation
 e Key senior appointments made during the year
 e Reorganisation of the Packaging Paper and Fibre Packaging business units to improve strategic alignment 

and operational coordination across the fibre-based packaging value chain

 e Record participation of 1,200 people at the Mondi Academy, celebrating its 20th anniversary
 e Extensive roadshows and individual meetings held throughout the year with existing and potential investors
 e In-depth investor perception study undertaken and action plan developed to further enhance 

shareholder engagement

 e Virtual leadership meetings introduced to enhance group-wide communication with employees

Organisational  
performance

Financial efficiency 
and financing

Organisational structure 
and resourcing

Stakeholder relationships

The ratings of the two 
executive directors were:

Peter Oswald 15/20  
Andrew King 16/20 

Detail of annual bonus awarded in the year
Name 

Peter Oswald

Andrew King 

Awarded in cash  Awarded in shares

Total

€781,176

€393,163

€781,176

€393,163

€1,562,352

€786,326

Malus and clawback
Under Mondi’s BSP and LTIP rules, malus and clawback can be applied to awards made on or after 1 January 2011 if there has been 
a misstatement of financial results, or misstatement of performance relative to the conditions that are relevant to the Plans, that had the 
effect that awards were larger than they would have been had such errors not been made. This may at the committee’s discretion take the 
form of a demand for the participant to repay amounts to Mondi, a reduction of future bonus payments to the participant, and a reduction 
in the number of conditional share awards held by a participant. For awards from 2019 onwards the potential malus and clawback triggers 
have been extended to include gross or serious misconduct, corporate failure, a severe downturn in financial or operational performance 
or severe reputational damage where this is as a result of management failure. In the case of employment termination Mondi is able to 
cancel subsisting but unvested share awards, withhold payments that would otherwise be due to the participant, and where appropriate 
initiate legal proceedings to recover funds to which the Group is legally entitled.

The committee considered whether there were any circumstances in the year that would have required clawback and agreed that such 
circumstances did not exist. 

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
134

Annual report on remuneration

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) (audited)

Vesting of the 2016 awards

The LTIP awards that were made in 2016, with a three-year performance period ending on 31 December 2018, were assessed by the 
committee in February 2019, against the (equally weighted) relative TSR and ROCE performance conditions.

The three-year ROCE that was achieved was 21.2% (20.3% in 2016, 19.3% in 2017 and 23.6% in 2018). As this exceeded the 10% to 16% 
ROCE target range for these awards, 100% of the shares attributable to the ROCE performance condition vested in March 2019.

Vesting of the 2016 awards

Threshold

Three-year ROCE (%)

10%

Maximum

16

Outcome
21.2%

Mondi plc achieved a TSR of 10.3%, and Mondi Limited 13.3%, over the performance period and Mondi’s rank within the TSR peer group 
was 7th. This was above the median position required for vesting of 25% of the relevant shares, but below the upper quartile required 
for full vesting. Based on the performance calculation performed for the committee by Aon, 53.1% of the shares attributable to this 
element vested.

TSR peer group ranking

Mondi’s rank in 
the TSR peer group

Vesting 
(% of relevant shares)

Threshold

Median

25%

Outcome
7th

53.1%

Maximum

Upper
quartile

100%

Overall, 76.6% of the 2016 LTIP shares under award therefore vested with the remainder lapsing. For Peter Oswald, 65,932 of the 86,073 
shares under award vested. For Andrew King, 33,721 of the 44,022 Mondi plc shares under award and 14,579 of the 19,032 Mondi 
Limited shares vested. No discretion was exercised by the committee in determining the vesting outcomes. 

As shares vested on 7 March 2019, after the finalisation of this report, the average share price, and average exchange rates, over the last 
three months of the financial year were used to estimate the value for the purpose of the table on page 130. The average share price was 
£17.65 for the Mondi plc LTIP awards and ZAR329.45 for the Mondi Limited LTIP awards.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Awards granted in 2018

The maximum award that can be made to any LTIP participant in any year under the policy approved at the 2017 AGMs is equal to 225% 
of base salary. For 2018, the award made to Peter Oswald was 210% of base salary and the award made to Andrew King was 175% of 
base salary.

For the LTIP awards made in 2018, the performance conditions are based on two performance measures of equal weight – relative TSR 
and ROCE – measured over a three-year performance period ending on 31 December 2020. This combination of metrics provides an 
appropriate means of aligning the operation of the LTIP with shareholders’ interests and the Group’s business strategy.

The TSR performance condition is based on the Group’s TSR relative to a group of competitor companies. Since the 2013 LTIP awards, 
the following companies were selected:

Amcor 
Bemis 
BillerudKorsnäs

Domtar
DSSmith
Holmen

Huhtamaki (2017)4
International Paper
Mayr-Melnhof

MeadWestvaco1
Metsä Board
RPC (2017)4

Sappi
Smurfit Kappa
Stora Enso

The Navigator Company2
UPM
WestRock3

1  MeadWestvaco was included in LTIP awards until its merger with Rock Tenn in 2015 when it was, in accordance with committee practice, removed from the peer group for all subsisting awards
2  Portucel Soporcel Group rebranded in February 2016 as The Navigator Company
3  WestRock, the company that was formed by the merger of MeadWestvaco and Rock Tenn, has been included in the peer group for 2016 and subsequent awards
4  Huhtamaki and RPC were added to the peer group for 2017 and subsequent awards

For the 50% of awards attributable to TSR: If the Group’s TSR is below the median when ranked against the comparator group, this part 
of the award will lapse in full. For TSR at the median, 25% of this part of the award (i.e. 12.5% of the total award) will vest, with a straight-
line progression to the upper quartile, at which point 100% of this part of the award (i.e. 50% of the total award) will vest.

For the 50% of awards attributable to ROCE: This part will lapse in full if ROCE is below 10%. 25% of this part of the award (i.e. 12.5% 
of the total award) will vest for achievement of ROCE of 10%, with a straight-line progression to full vesting of this part of the award for 
achievement of ROCE of 18% (i.e. 50% of the total award). 

For the 2019 awards, the peer group remains unchanged from 2018.

Details of the awards granted in 2018 can be found on page 139.

Mondi’s TSR performance over the last ten years
The following graphs set out the comparative TSR of Mondi Limited relative to the JSE All-Share Index, and Mondi plc relative to the FTSE 
All-Share Index, for the period between 31 December 2008 and 31 December 2018 as required in the reporting regulation. Those indices 
were chosen because they are broad equity market indices of which Mondi Limited and Mondi plc, respectively, are members.

JSE All-Share Index
Total shareholder return 
Source: Thomson Reuters (Datastream)

FTSE All-Share Index
Total shareholder return 
Source: Thomson Reuters (Datastream)

Mondi Limited

JSE All-Share

Mondi plc

FTSE All-Share

)

£

(

l

e
u
a
V

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

)

£

(

l

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V

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

This graph shows the value, by 31 December 2018 of R100 invested in Mondi Limited on 
31 December 2008, compared with the value of R100 invested in the JSE All-Share Index on the same date 

This graph shows the value, by 31 December 2018 of £100 invested in Mondi plc on 
31 December 2008, compared with the value of £100 invested in the FTSE All-Share Index on the same date 

135

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
 
 
136

Annual report on remuneration

CEO remuneration from 2009

Year

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

Total remuneration

% of maximum bonus earned

% of LTI vested

€4,396,643

€3,828,0771,2

€5,786,958

€7,016,785

€7,763,908

€5,900,140

€6,305,794

€12,824,1123

€3,160,318

€2,627,196

88

63

68.7

89.6

91.6

73

80

78

89

83

76.6

72.5

92.5

100

100

100

100

92

33

12

1  For 2017 the CEO remuneration reflects David Hathorn’s remuneration up to his retirement from the Boards on 11 May 2017, including the pro rata CEO annual bonus, and Peter Oswald’s base salary, pension, 

benefits and pro rata CEO annual bonus, as well as the 2015 LTIP vesting amount, with effect from 11 May 2017

2  In 2017, the three-year performance cycle of the 2015 LTIP award ended on 31 December 2017. The award value shown in the 2017 Remuneration report was an estimate based on the average share price over 
the last three months of the financial year which was £18.45 for Mondi plc LTIP awards and ZAR 333.46 for Mondi Limited LTIP awards. The actual share price on vesting was £19.81 for Mondi plc LTIP awards 
and ZAR 327.48 for Mondi Limited LTIP awards. The total remuneration for 2017 has been restated on this basis

3  David Hathorn’s remuneration in 2011 included €3.9 million from the proceeds of a one-off, shareholder approved, share award under a Co-Investment Plan he participated in at the time of the Group’s demerger 
from Anglo American plc in 2007. Under this plan, he invested £1 million from his own funds in Mondi plc shares in August 2007. He was eligible to receive a match of up to 250% of the number of investment 
shares based on a relative TSR performance measure over a four-year period. As the TSR achieved by Mondi plc was better than the upper quintile – Mondi was the top-performing company in the comparator 
group – the committee approved the maximum vesting in accordance with the Plan rules

Comparison of 2018 and 2017 remuneration of CEO with other employees

CEO1

Mondi Group2

Percentage change in remuneration elements from 2017 to 2018

Salary

2.6%

3.1%

Benefits 

-5.8%

N/A3

Bonus

54.1%

13.4%4

1  For 2017 the CEO remuneration reflects David Hathorn’s remuneration up to his leaving the Boards on 11 May 2017, and Peter Oswald’s base salary, pension, benefits and pro rata CEO annual bonus 

remuneration thereafter. Remuneration is reported in euros but denominated in pound sterling for David Hathorn. See the table on page 130. Change percentages are for euros values

2  Includes salaries and bonuses (where applicable) for all employees of Mondi Group excluding the CEO with year-on-year movements reported in per capita terms 
3  In most of the Group the majority of benefits are provided through social security. Additional benefits represent less than 5% of the salary bill
4  Aggregate bonuses paid during 2018 are compared with those paid in 2017. This includes annual bonuses that are paid in arrears and periodic bonuses that are paid more frequently. Each year’s numbers 

therefore include some payments attributable to that year and some that reflect performance in the previous year. Bonuses are often based on specific objectives that are set at the level of local operations that 
do not necessarily correlate with group-wide metrics that underpin the CEO’s bonus

Relative importance of spend on pay

€ million

Dividends

Overall remuneration expenditure1

1  Remuneration expenditure for all Mondi Group employees
2  This includes ordinary and special dividends. Ordinary dividends €309 million and special dividends €484 million

2018

7932

1,039

2017

273

1,053

% change

190.8%

-1.4%

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Non-executive directors’ remuneration (audited)
Current fee levels are as follows:

Role 

Joint chair fee1

Non-executive base fee

Additional fees:

Supplement for DLC audit committee chair

Supplement for DLC remuneration committee chair fee

Combined supplement for DLC sustainable development committee & Mondi Limited social & ethics committee chair

Supplement for senior independent director

Supplement for senior independent director role if held by a non-executive who already chairs a committee 

Attendance fee per meeting (outside country of residence)

Attendance fee per day (inside country of residence)

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£296,500

£47,350

£11,840

£11,270

£11,270

£11,270

£6,150

£5,920

£1,770

1  No supplement is payable for additional commitments in relation to this role
2  Fees are determined in pound sterling. In the remuneration table on page 130, euro amounts are reported based on exchange rates on the dates actual payments were made

The joint chairs and the other non-executive directors are appointed by Mondi Limited and Mondi plc. The terms of their appointment 
provide for the appointment to be terminable on six months’ notice.

Statement of directors’ shareholdings and share interests (audited)
Until the Annual General Meetings in May 2017, the CEO was required to achieve and maintain a shareholding equivalent to 150% of 
base salary, and other executive directors a shareholding of at least 100% of base salary. From the AGMs in 2017, all executive directors 
are required to build a holding of a minimum of 200% of base salary, normally within a period of not more than five years from joining the 
Boards. As at 31 December 2018, Peter Oswald was compliant. Despite increasing his shareholding year-on-year by 5,000 shares, due 
to a number of factors, Andrew King was not compliant as at 31 December 2018. To remain compliant with the minimum requirement, 
Andrew will retain sufficient of the shares released to him under the BSP vesting in March 2019 to meet the policy.

The beneficial and non-beneficial share interests of the directors and their connected persons as at 1 January 2018 (or, if later, on 
appointment), and as at 31 December 2018 (or as at their date of resignation if earlier) were as follows:

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Shareholding  
at 1 Jan  
2018

Shareholding  
at 31 Dec  
2018

Total  
shareholding  
as multiple of 
salary (%)

Deferred 
BSP shares 
outstanding  
at 31 Dec 
20181

Deferred 
BSP shares as 
multiple  
of salary  
(%)

Deferred 
LTIP shares 
outstanding  
at 31 Dec 
20182

Deferred 
LTIP shares as  
multiple  
of salary 
 (%)

Peter Oswald

  Mondi plc

Andrew King

  Mondi plc

  Mondi Limited

  Total

154,872

172,391

294%

71,018

121%

290,507

495%

60,000

208

60,208

65,000

208

65,208

36,527

10,352

46,879

133,635

34,828

168,463

133%

186%

479%

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2  LTIP shares subject to service and performance conditions 

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
138

Annual report on remuneration

Non-executive directors (audited)
Mondi plc

Fred Phaswana

David Williams

Stephen Harris

Tanya Fratto

John Nicholas

Dominique Reiniche

Stephen Young

Shareholding at 
1 Jan 2018

Shareholding at 
31 Dec 2018

5,482

5,000

1,000

1,000

6,000

1,000

–

5,773

5,000

1,000

1,000

6,000 as at 
resignation

1,000

2,026

There has been no change in the interests of the directors and their connected persons between 31 December 2018 and the date of 
this report.

Remuneration committee governance

The DLC remuneration committee

The DLC remuneration committee is a formal committee of the Boards. Its remit is set out in terms of reference adopted by the Boards. 
A copy of the terms of reference is available on the Group’s website at www.mondigroup.com. The committee’s performance against 
these terms of reference is reviewed on an annual basis and the committee is satisfied that it has acted in accordance with its terms of 
reference during the year. 

The primary purposes of the committee, as set out in its terms of reference, are:

 e to make recommendations to the Boards on the Group’s framework of executive remuneration;
 e to determine individual remuneration packages within that framework for the executive directors and certain senior executives;
 e to determine the remuneration of the joint chairs; and
 e to oversee the operation of the Group’s share schemes.

Composition

Members throughout the year:

Tanya Fratto, chair

Stephen Harris 

Dominique Reiniche

David Williams

Committee  
member  
since:

January 2017

March 2011

October 2015

May 2007

Meeting  
attendance  
(five meetings in  
the year):

5

5

5

5

Other regular attendees
 e Chief Executive Officer
 e Joint Chair who is not a member of the committee (Fred Phaswana)
 e Group Head of Reward
 e External remuneration consultant
The committee is authorised to seek information from any director and employee of the Group and to obtain external advice. 
The committee is solely responsible for the appointment of external remuneration advisers and for the approval of their fees and other 
terms. No director or other attendee takes part in any discussion regarding his or her personal remuneration.

In the year to 31 December 2018, New Bridge Street (NBS), part of Aon, provided remuneration advice and benchmarking data to 
the committee. NBS is appointed by the committee, taking account of their experience and expertise in remuneration advisory work. 
The committee expects the advisers to provide independent advice. NBS does not undertake any other work for the Group. However, 
Aon provides actuarial advice to the trustees of Mondi’s three UK pension schemes and pension administration services. NBS is a 
signatory to The Code of Conduct of the Remuneration Consultants Group, which requires the advice NBS provides to be objective and 
impartial. Total fees paid to NBS in respect of the year under review were £94,337 based on consulting time required by the committee. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Sums paid to third parties in respect of a director’s services
No consideration was paid or became receivable by third parties for making available the services of any person as a director of 
Mondi Limited or Mondi plc (‘the Companies’), or while a director of the Companies, as a director of any of the Companies’ subsidiary 
undertakings, or as a director of any other undertaking of which he/she was (while a director of the Companies) a director by virtue of 
the Companies’ nomination, or otherwise in connection with the management of the Companies or any undertaking during the year to 
31 December 2018.

Share awards granted to executive directors (audited)
The following tables set out the share awards granted to the executive directors. All share awards are determined by the three day average 
share price commencing the day Mondi announces its results.

Mondi Limited

Andrew King

Awards held 
at beginning 
of year or on 
appointment 
to the  
Boards

6,543

6,744

3,608

17,985

19,032

15,796 

Type of
award1

BSP

BSP

BSP

LTIP

LTIP

LTIP

Awards 
granted 
during  
year

Shares 
lapsed

Awards 
exercised 
during  
year

6,543 

4,945 

13,040 

Award  
price 
 basis  
(ZAc)

23444

28200

30352

23444

28200

30352

Awards 
held as at 
31 December 
2018

6,744

3,608

19,032

15,796

Date of 
award

Mar 15

Mar 16

Mar 17

Mar 15

Mar 16

May 17

1  For note 1 please refer to the table below

Mondi plc

Peter Oswald

Andrew King

Awards held 
at beginning 
of year or on 
appointment 
to the  
Boards

Type of
award1

27,029

30,258

17,730 

75,910

86,073

99,555 

15,164

15,599

8,427 

41,685

44,022

36,894 

BSP

BSP

BSP

BSP

LTIP

LTIP

LTIP

LTIP

BSP

BSP

BSP

BSP

LTIP

LTIP

LTIP

LTIP

Awards 
granted 
during  
year

Shares 
lapsed

Awards 
exercised 
during  
year

27,029 

20,875 

55,035

15,164 

11,463 

30,222 

23,030

104,879

12,501

52,719

Award  
price  
basis  
(GBp)

Awards 
held as at 
31 December 
2018

Date of 
award

1330

1288

1876

1922

1330

1288

1876

1922

1330

1288

1876

1922

1330

1288

1876

1922

Mar 15

Mar 16

Mar 17

Mar 18

Mar 15

Mar 16

May 17

Mar 18

Mar 15

Mar 16

Mar 17

Mar 18

Mar 15

Mar 16

May 17

May 18

30,258

17,730

23,030

86,073

99,555

104,879

15,599

8,427

12,501

44,022

36,894

52,719

Release 
date 

Mar 18

Mar 19

Mar 20

Mar 18

Mar 19

Mar 20

Release 
date 

Mar 18

Mar 19

Mar 20

Mar 21

Mar 18

Mar 19

Mar 20

Mar 21

Mar 18

Mar 19

Mar 20

Mar 21

Mar 18

Mar 19

Mar 20

Mar 21

1  The value on award of the 2018 BSP awards set out in this table were:
Mondi plc: £240,269.22
  Peter Oswald 
  The LTIP performance measures for the awards made in 2018 as set out in this table are detailed on page 135 of this report. The face values of the 2018 LTIP awards (granted as conditional share awards) were:
  Peter Oswald 
2  In addition to the number of shares that vested as shown in the table above in respect of the BSP and in respect of the LTIP awards that vested in 2018, the executive directors also received the following cash 

Mondi plc: £2,015,774.38 

Mondi plc: £1,013,259.18

Mondi plc: £442,636.60 

Andrew King 

Andrew King 

amounts of equivalent value to dividends on vested shares over the vesting period, in accordance with the plan rules: 
 €97,871.23 (£85,559.03)

 €128,733.79 

Andrew King 

  Peter Oswald 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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140

Annual report on remuneration

All-employee share plans
The Group currently operates one HM Revenue & Customs approved all-employee share plan in the UK:

Share Incentive Plan (SIP) (audited)

Employees resident in the UK are eligible to participate in the SIP. Contributions of up to £150 are taken from participants’ gross salary and 
used to purchase ordinary shares in Mondi plc each month. Participants receive one matching Mondi plc ordinary share free of charge 
for each share purchased. The shares are placed in trust and the matching shares are forfeited if participants resign from the Group’s 
employment within three years. If the shares are left in trust for at least five years, they can be removed free of UK income tax and National 
Insurance contributions. 

SIP

Shares held at 
beginning of year or 
on appointment to 
the Boards

Partnership shares 
acquired during 
the year

Matching shares 
awarded during 
the year

Shares released 
during year

Total shares held 
as at 31 December 
2018

Andrew King1

5,574

93

93

—

5,760

1 Since 1 January 2019 up to the date of this report Andrew King acquired 16 partnership shares and was awarded 16 matching shares

Mondi Limited and Mondi plc share prices
The closing price of a Mondi Limited ordinary share on the JSE Limited on 31 December 2018 was ZAR309.57 and the range during the 
period between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018 was ZAR288.14 (low) to ZAR421.21 (high).

The closing price of a Mondi plc ordinary share on the London Stock Exchange on 31 December 2018 was £16.34 and the range during 
the period between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018 was £15.84 (low) to £22.36 (high).

Statement of voting at Annual General Meetings
The Annual General Meetings of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc were both held on 16 May 2018. As required by the dual listed company 
structure, all resolutions were treated as joint electorate actions and were decided on a poll. All resolutions at both meetings were passed. 
The voting results of the joint electorate actions are identical and are given below. Overall in excess of 68% of the total Group shares 
were voted. 

Resolution

Mondi Limited business

Votes for

% Votes against

%

Votes total

Votes 
withheld 

13. To endorse the remuneration policy

328,740,064 98.29

5,714,924

1.71 334,454,988

3,015,489

14.  To endorse the remuneration report (other than the policy) 

315,849,371 94.88

17,027,679

5.12

332,877,050

4,594,427

15.  To authorise a maximum increase of 2.5% in  

non-executive director fees1

336,730,379  99.95

182,015  0.05 336,912,394 

558,084 

16. To rationalise the non-executive director fee structure1

336,715,280 99.97

108,793

0.03

336,824,073

646,405

Mondi plc business

27. To approve the remuneration report (other than the policy)

319,396,446  95.49

15,080,136  4.51 334,476,582 

2,993,895 

1  Special resolution

The remuneration policy was last approved as Mondi plc business at the AGM held on 11 May 2017, with a 95.57% vote for the resolution 
and 4.43% against, with 3,898,672 votes withheld.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Statement of implementation of directors’ remuneration policy in 2019 

Current salary levels, and increases awarded in January 2019, are as follows:

Name

Peter Oswald

Andrew King

Base salary 
effective 1 Jan 2019

Previous base 
salary

€1,105,000

£594,500

€1,076,000

£579,000

% change

2.7

2.7

The executive directors’ base salaries were reviewed at the normal 1 January 2019 review date. Peter Oswald’s (Group Chief Executive 
Officer) and Andrew King’s (Group Chief Financial Officer) salaries were increased by 2.7%, which is in line with the average percentage 
increase for Mondi’s wider workforce. 

BSP and LTIP structure for 2019

Half of any bonus earned in respect of 2019 performance will be paid out in cash and the other half will be deferred for three years in 
conditional Mondi shares. The bonus structure for 2019 will remain as it was for 2018. A maximum of 70 points will be attributable to 
financial performance (35 on underlying EBITDA and 35 on ROCE), 20 points on personal objectives and 10 points on safety. The Boards 
consider the 2019 annual bonus performance targets to be commercially sensitive. Targets will be disclosed in next year’s report. 

LTIP awards that are made in 2019 will continue to have two performance conditions of equal weight – TSR and ROCE, measured over a 
three-year performance period commencing on 1 January 2019.

For the 50% of the awards attributable to TSR: If the Group’s TSR is below the median when ranked against the comparator group on 
page 135, this part of the award will lapse in full. For TSR at the median, 25% of this part of the award (i.e. 12.5% of the total award) will 
vest, with a straight-line progression to the upper quartile, at which point 100% of this part of the award (i.e. 50% of the total award) 
will vest.

For the 50% of the awards attributable to ROCE: This part will lapse in full if ROCE is below 12%. 25% of this part of the award (i.e. 12.5% 
of the total award) will vest for achievement of ROCE of 12%, with a straight-line progression to full vesting of this part of the award for 
achievement of ROCE of 18% (i.e. 50% of the total award).

Non-executive directors’ fees

Current non-executive directors’ fees, and increases proposed for implementation with effect from the date of the Annual General 
Meetings of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc to be held on 9 May 2019 are shown in the table below. Increases of circa 2.7% are proposed. 

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Role

Joint chair fee1 

Non-executive base fee 

Additional fees:

Supplement for DLC audit committee chair

Supplement for DLC remuneration committee chair

Combined supplement for DLC sustainable development committee & Mondi 
Limited social & ethics committee chair

Supplement for senior independent director

Supplement for senior independent director role if held by a non-executive who 
already chairs a committee 

Attendance fee per meeting (outside country of residence)

Attendance fee per meeting (inside country of residence)

1  No supplement is payable for additional commitments in relation to this role

Annual fee 

£296,500

£47,350

£11,840

£11,270

£11,270

£11,270

£6,150

£5,920

£1,770

Proposed with 
effect from  
9 May 2019

£304,500

£48,630

£12,160

£11,570

£11,570

£11,570

£6,320

£6,080

£1,820

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Percentage 
increase 
 proposed

2.7%

2.7%

2.7%

2.7%

2.7%

2.7%

2.8%

2.7%

2.8%

This report was approved by the Boards on 27 February 2019 and is signed on their behalf.

Tanya Fratto 
Chair of the DLC remuneration committee

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Mondi Group 
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142

Other statutory information

For the purposes of the UK Companies Act, the disclosures below, including those incorporated by reference, together with the 
Corporate governance report set out on pages 84 to 121, form the Directors’ report.

In addition, disclosures relating to the following items, which also form part of the Directors’ report, have been included in the Strategic 
report which can be found on pages 12 to 83:

 e Dividends
 e Financial risk management objectives and policies
 e Principal risks
 e Likely future developments in the business
 e Research and development activities
 e Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
 e Employees

Information required to be disclosed under UK Listing Rule 9.8.4 R
The UK Listing Authority listing rules require the disclosure of certain specified information in the annual financial report of Mondi plc. 

The information required under rule 9.8.4 (1) in relation to interest capitalised and related tax relief can be found on page 174. 
The information required under rules 9.8.4 (12) and (13) in relation to dividend waivers can be found on page 185. This information is 
incorporated by reference into this Directors’ report. 

Besides the above, the information required to be disclosed under rule 9.8.4 R is not applicable to Mondi plc and therefore no disclosures 
have been made in this regard. 

Share capital
Full details of the Group’s share capital can be found in note 21 to the financial statements.

Substantial interests

Mondi Limited

Based on the Mondi Limited share register as at 31 December 2018, the directors are aware of the following shareholders holding directly 
5% or more of the issued share capital of Mondi Limited:

Shareholder

Public Investment Corporation Limited

GIC 

Shares

16,008,777

6,652,379

%

13.53

5.62

Save as indicated above, the directors have not been advised of and have no certainty whether any of the shareholders could be 
beneficially interested in 5% or more of the issued share capital of Mondi Limited.

Mondi plc

As at 31 December 2018, the Group had received notifications from the following parties in the voting rights of Mondi plc. The number of 
voting rights and percentage interests shown are as disclosed at the date on which the holding was notified. 

Shareholder

BlackRock, Inc

Coronation Asset Management Proprietary Limited

Public Investment Corporation Limited

Investec Asset Management Limited

AXA S.A.

Standard Life Investments Limited

Norges Bank

Old Mutual Plc

Sanlam Investment Management Proprietary Limited

There have been no changes in interests notified between 1 January 2019 and the date of this report.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Number of voting 
rights

21,530,677

18,505,096

18,390,224

18,352,708

17,210,471

16,476,021

14,424,171

11,978,984

10,936,128

%

5.86

5.04

5.01

4.99

4.69

4.49

3.93

3.26

3.00

 
143

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Additional information for Mondi plc shareholders
The information for Mondi plc shareholders required pursuant to the UK Companies Act 2006 can be found on pages 232 to 234 of 
this report.

Political donations
No political donations were made during 2018 and it is Mondi’s policy not to make such donations.

Auditors
Each of the directors of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc at the date when this report was approved confirms that:

 e so far as each of the directors is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Group’s auditors are unaware; and
 e each director has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself or herself aware of any 

relevant audit information and to establish that the Group’s auditors are aware of that information.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (together ‘PwC’) have indicated their willingness to continue as auditors 
of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc respectively. The Boards have decided that resolutions to reappoint them will be proposed at the Annual 
General Meetings of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc scheduled to be held on 9 May 2019. 

The reappointment of PwC has the support of the DLC audit committee, which will be responsible for determining their audit fee on behalf 
of the directors (see page 112 for more information). 

Note 4 to the financial statements sets out the auditors’ fees both for audit and non-audit work.

Events occurring after 31 December 2018
With the exception of the proposed final ordinary dividend for 2018, included in note 9 to the financial statements, there have been no 
material reportable events since 31 December 2018. 

Annual General Meetings
The Annual General Meeting of Mondi Limited will be held at 11:30 (SA time) on Thursday 9 May 2019 at The Venue, 17 The High Street, 
Melrose Arch, Melrose, Johannesburg 2019, Republic of South Africa and the Annual General Meeting of Mondi plc will be held at 
10:30 (UK time) on Thursday 9 May 2019 at Haberdashers’ Hall, 18 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9HQ, UK. The notices convening 
each meeting, which are sent separately to shareholders, detail the business to be considered and include explanatory notes for each 
resolution. The notices are available on the Mondi Group website at: www.mondigroup.com. 

This Directors’ report was approved by the Boards on 27 February 2019 and is signed on their behalf. 

Philip Laubscher 
Company Secretary

Mondi Limited 
4th Floor, No. 3 Melrose Boulevard 
Melrose Arch 2196 
PostNet Suite #444 
Private Bag X1 
Melrose Arch 2076 
Gauteng 
Republic of South Africa

Jenny Hampshire 
Company Secretary

Mondi plc 
Building 1, 1st Floor 
Aviator Park 
Station Road 
Addlestone 
Surrey 
KT15 2PG 

Registration No. 1967/013038/06

Registered No. 6209386

27 February 2019

27 February 2019

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
144

Financial 
statements

Directors’ responsibility statement 

Independent auditors’ report 

Financial statements 

Production statistics and exchange rates 

Group financial record 

147

148

158

229

230

Additional information  
for Mondi plc shareholders 

Shareholder information 

Glossary of terms 

232

235

240

Setting 
industry 
standards

Our ambition is to be the 
industry benchmark for 
productivity, quality, innovation 
and customer service. 
This means maintaining a 
relentless focus on operational 
and commercial excellence, 
investing in our world-class 
manufacturing network, 
and being disciplined in the 
acquisitions we make. 

€5.9bn

invested in asset base  
since listing in 2007

We see digitalisation 
as a key enabler. 
Harnessing technology 
will give us a strong 
competitive edge.

John Lindahl  
Group Technical & 
Sustainability Director

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Our modernisation project at Mondi  
Štětí is making it a global benchmark  
for kraft paper mills.

Strategic performance 
Page 31

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146

Financial statements 

Directors’ responsibility statement

Independent auditors’ report to the members of Mondi plc and 
the shareholders of Mondi Limited

Combined and consolidated income statement

Combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Combined and consolidated statement of financial position

Combined and consolidated statement of changes in equity

Combined and consolidated statement of cash flows

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements:

Note 1 

Note 2

Notes 3–7

Basis of preparation

Operating segments

Notes to the combined and consolidated 
income statement

Notes 8–9

Per share measures

Notes 10–18 Notes to the combined and consolidated statement 

of financial position

Notes 19–22 Capital management

Note 23

Retirement benefits

Notes 24–25 Notes to the combined and consolidated statement 

of cash flows

Notes 26–31 Other disclosures

Note 32

Note 33

Accounting policies

Restatement of comparative information

Mondi Limited parent company statement of financial position

Mondi Limited parent company statement of changes in equity

Extract of the notes to the audited Mondi Limited parent company 
financial statements

Mondi plc parent company balance sheet

Mondi plc parent company statement of changes in equity

Notes to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements

147

148

158

159

160

161

162

163

163

168

172

174

181

187

191

197

205

214

217

218

219

221

221

222 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Directors’ responsibility statement

The directors are responsible for preparing the Integrated report, Remuneration report and Financial statements in accordance with 
applicable laws and regulations.

South African and UK company law require the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year.

 e Under the Companies Act of South Africa 2008, the directors are required to prepare financial statements in accordance with 

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the requirements of the Act for each financial year, giving a true and fair view of 
the Mondi Limited parent company’s and the Group’s state of affairs at the end of the year and profit or loss for the year.

 e Under the UK Companies Act 2006, the directors are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with IFRS as 
adopted by the European Union (EU) and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation, and have elected to prepare the Mondi plc parent company 
financial statements in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101, ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101). Furthermore, 
under UK 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 Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period.

In preparing the Group’s financial statements and the Mondi Limited parent company financial statements, International Accounting 
Standard 1, ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’, requires that the directors:

 e properly select and apply accounting policies;
 e present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and 

understandable information;

 e provide additional disclosure when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRS are insufficient to enable users to understand the 

impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial performance; and

 e make an assessment of the Group’s and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

In preparing the Mondi plc parent company financial statements, the directors are required to:

 e select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
 e make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
 e state whether FRS 101 has been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
 e prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue 

in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s and parent 
companies’ transactions; disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the Group and parent companies; and 
enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa 2008 and the UK 
Companies Act 2006 respectively. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and parent companies and hence 
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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

Report on the financial statements
These financial statements have been prepared under the supervision of the Group Chief Financial Officer, Andrew King CA (SA), and 
have been audited in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa 2008 and the UK Companies 
Act 2006.

The Boards confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

 e the financial statements of the Group and Mondi Limited, prepared in accordance with IFRS and, in respect of the Group financial 

statements only, also IFRS as adopted by the EU, and Mondi plc, prepared in accordance with FRS 101, give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of Mondi Limited, Mondi plc and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole;

 e the Strategic report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of Mondi Limited, 

Mondi plc and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face; and

 e the Integrated report and financial statements 2018, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable, and provide the 

information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s performance, business model and strategy.

The Group’s combined and consolidated financial statements, and related notes 1 to 33, were approved by the Boards and authorised for 
issue on 27 February 2019, and were signed on their behalf by:

Peter Oswald 
Director 

Andrew King 
Director

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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148

Independent auditors’ report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP  
to the members of Mondi plc and of PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.  
to the shareholders of Mondi Limited 

Mondi plc and Mondi Limited operate under a dual listed company structure as a single economic entity. The “Group” consists of Mondi 
plc, Mondi Limited and their respective subsidiaries. The Group financial statements combine and consolidate the financial statements of 
the Group and include the Group’s share of joint arrangements and associates.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is the appointed auditor of Mondi plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom in terms of the 
United Kingdom Companies Act 2006. PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. is the appointed auditor of Mondi Limited, a company incorporated 
in South Africa in terms of the Companies Act of South Africa. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. (each 
separately the “Group engagement team”) audited the financial statements of the Group.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP audited the Group financial statements and Mondi plc parent company financial statements for the year 
ended 31 December 2018. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. audited the Group financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018.

For the purpose of this report, the terms “we” and “our” denote PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in relation to UK legal, professional and 
regulatory responsibilities and reporting obligations to the members of Mondi plc and PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. in relation to South 
African legal, professional and regulatory responsibilities and reporting obligations to the shareholders of Mondi Limited. For the purposes 
of the “Our audit approach” section of this report, “we” and “our” refer to the Group engagement team, except for the purposes of the 
table on pages 150 to 152 that sets out the key audit matters and how our audit addressed the key audit matters, where the terms “we” 
and “our” refer to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and/or PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. and/or our component teams.

Report on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion

Opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on the financial statements to the members of Mondi plc 

In our opinion:

 e the financial statements, defined below, give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of Mondi plc parent company’s affairs as 

at 31 December 2018 and of the Group’s profit and cash flows for the year then ended;

 e the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) 

as adopted by the European Union;

 e the Mondi plc parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 

Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”, and 
applicable law); and

 e the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the UK Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 

Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit Committee.

Separate opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in relation to the Group financial statements prepared in accordance 
with IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”)

As explained in note 1 to the Group financial statements, the Group, in addition to applying IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, has 
also applied IFRSs as issued by the IASB.

In our opinion, the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB.

Opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. on the Group financial statements to the shareholders of Mondi Limited

In our opinion, the Group financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the combined and consolidated financial position of 
the Group as at 31 December 2018 and its combined and consolidated financial performance and its combined and consolidated cash 
flows for the year then ended in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB and the provisions of the Companies Act of South Africa.

What we have audited
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. have audited the Group financial statements set out on pages 158 to 
216 of the Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2018 (the “Integrated Report”), which comprise: 

 e the combined and consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2018;
 e the combined and consolidated income statement for the year then ended;
 e the combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended;
 e the combined and consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended;
 e the combined and consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended; and
 e the notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements, which include a summary of the significant accounting policies.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has audited the Mondi plc parent company financial statements set out on pages 221 to 228 of the 
Integrated Report, which comprise: 

 e the Mondi plc parent company balance sheet as at 31 December 2018; 
 e the Mondi plc parent company statement of changes in equity for the year then ended; and 
 e the notes to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements, which include a summary of the significant accounting policies.

The Group financial statements and the Mondi plc parent company financial statements are referred to in this report as the 
“financial statements”.

Basis for opinion
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP conducted their audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and 
applicable law. PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. conducted their audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (“ISAs”). 
Our responsibilities under ISAs and ISAs (UK) are further described in the Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 
section of our report. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinions.

Independence
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP remained independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our 
audit of the financial statements in the UK, which includes the FRC’s Ethical Standard, as applicable to listed public interest entities, and 
we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. To the best of our knowledge and belief, we 
declare that non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Group or Mondi plc. Other than those 
disclosed in note 4 to the Group financial statements, we have provided no non-audit services to the Group or Mondi plc in the period 
from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. is independent of the Group in accordance with the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors Code 
of Professional Conduct for Registered Auditors (IRBA Code) and other independence requirements applicable to performing audits 
of financial statements in South Africa. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the IRBA Code and in 
accordance with other ethical requirements applicable to performing audits in South Africa. The IRBA Code is consistent with the 
International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (Parts A and B). 

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Our audit approach

Overview
Overall Group materiality: €55 million (2017: €45 million), based on approximately 5% of profit before tax adjusted for special items. 
Overall Mondi plc parent company materiality: €29 million (2017: €30 million), based on 1% of total assets. 

We identified three components (2017: one) as individually significant components which required an audit of their complete financial 
information due to their financial significance to the Group and a further seven components (2017: nine) where we have concluded 
that the component engagement leader is a Key Audit Partner (as defined under ISAs (UK)). These ten components are located 
in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Slovakia and South Africa (2017: Austria, the Czech Republic, 
Germany, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and South Africa). 

We obtained full scope audit reporting from an additional 18 components (2017: 18), including operating units and treasury 
operations. Specified audit procedures or specified procedures on certain balances and transactions were performed at a further 19 
components (2017: 26). 

We assessed the risks of material misstatement in the Group financial statements and determined the following key audit matters 
for 2018: 

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 e Taxation;
 e Impairment of goodwill and property, plant and equipment;
 e Acquisition of Powerflute Group Holdings Oy (Powerflute); and
 e Adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’.

Valuation of forestry assets and capital expenditure were considered key audit matters for 2017, but were not areas of most 
significance in the audit of the financial statements in 2018. No key audit matters specific to the Mondi plc parent company financial 
statements were identified.

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The scope of our audit

As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. 
In particular, we considered where the directors made subjective judgements; for example, in respect of significant accounting estimates 
that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain.

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to the members of Mondi plc and of PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.  
to the shareholders of Mondi Limited

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud

Based on our understanding of the Group and the industry in which it operates, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations related to breaches of environmental regulations and unethical and prohibited business practices (see pages 45 
and 46 of the Integrated Report), and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial 
statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements such as the UK 
Companies Act 2006, the Companies Act of South Africa 2008, the UK Listing Rules and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited 
Listings Requirements.

We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of 
override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to posting inappropriate journal entries to increase revenue 
and management bias in accounting estimates. We shared this risk assessment with the component auditors referred to in the 
scoping section of our report below, so that they could include appropriate audit procedures in response to such risks in their work. 
Audit procedures performed by the Group engagement team and/or component auditors included:

 e Discussions with management, internal audit and the Group’s legal advisors, including consideration of potential instances of non-

compliance with laws and regulation and fraud;

 e Assessment of matters reported through the Group’s whistleblowing helpline and the results of management’s investigation of such 

matters; and

 e Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates, in particular in relation to 
taxation, assessment of indicators of impairment of property, plant and equipment and the acquisition of Powerflute (see related key 
audit matters below).

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations 
is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of 
not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve 
deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. 

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements of the current period. In terms of ISAs (UK), they include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether 
or not due to fraud) identified by the auditors, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation 
of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters, and any comments we make on the results 
of our procedures thereon, were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion 
thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.

Key audit matter

Taxation

The Group has operations in a number of 
geographical locations and as such is subject to 
multiple tax jurisdictions, giving rise to complexity in 
accounting for the Group’s taxation.

In particular, the interpretation of complex tax 
regulations and the unknown future outcome of 
any pending judgements by the tax authorities 
results in the need to provide against a number of 
uncertain tax positions. There are also cross-border 
transactions which give rise to transfer pricing 
related risks that require judgement to determine 
the appropriate tax charge and any associated 
provisions, and for these reasons we considered it 
to be a key audit matter.

Refer to notes 7 and 32, and the Audit Committee’s 
views set out on page 109.

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Our audit work, which involved taxation audit specialists at Group and in specific 
locations where local tax knowledge was considered necessary, included the 
assessment of the Group’s uncertain tax positions. As part of our audit challenge, 
we also involved transfer pricing experts to consider the appropriateness of the 
Group’s assessment of its exposure to transfer pricing related risks and related 
corporate tax provisions.

Our assessment included reading correspondence with tax authorities to 
understand the current status of tax assessments and investigations and to 
monitor developments in ongoing disputes. We also read recent rulings by 
local tax authorities, as well as external tax advice received by the Group where 
relevant, to satisfy ourselves that the tax provisions had been appropriately 
recorded or adjusted to reflect the latest tax legislative developments.

In assessing the adequacy of the tax provisions, we considered factors such 
as possible penalties and interest which could be imposed by the local tax 
authorities. We also determined whether the tax provisions are recognised in 
accordance with the relevant accounting standards.

We considered the appropriateness of the related disclosures in note 7 and 
note 32 to the financial statements.

Based on the procedures performed, we noted no material issues from our work.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Impairment of goodwill and property, plant and equipment

The Group has goodwill of €942 million (2017: 
€698 million) and property, plant and equipment 
of €4,340 million (2017 restated: €4,128 million) 
as at 31 December 2018. Impairment charges to 
property, plant and equipment of €74 million  
(2017: €50 million) have been recognised in the 
current year.

For property, plant and equipment, management 
is required to determine the recoverable amount 
of an asset, or the cash-generating unit (CGU) to 
which the asset relates, when an impairment trigger 
is identified. The identification as to whether an 
impairment or impairment reversal trigger exists 
involves management judgement.

For those items of property, plant and equipment 
where an indicator of impairment was identified, 
and for the groups of CGUs to which goodwill 
relates (which require an annual impairment test), 
the determination of the recoverable amount, 
being the higher of value in use (VIU) and fair 
value less costs of disposal (FVLCD), requires 
judgement and estimation by management. This 
is because the determination of a recoverable 
amount includes management’s consideration of 
key internal inputs and external market conditions 
such as future paper prices, customer demand 
and forecast growth rates, which all impact future 
discounted cash flows and the determination of 
the most appropriate discount rate. Therefore, we 
considered it to be a key audit matter.

Refer to notes 1, 10, 12 and 32, and the Audit 
Committee’s views set out on page 108.

We satisfied ourselves as to the appropriateness of the judgement related to 
the level at which impairment is assessed for property, plant and equipment, 
being the lowest level at which largely independent cash inflows can be 
identified (the CGUs). We also assessed the level at which goodwill is 
monitored for impairment.

For property, plant and equipment, we evaluated management’s assessment 
of impairment indicators, as well as indicators of impairment reversal, including 
the conclusions reached. Our evaluation included assessing management’s 
process to identify impairment triggers, together with an assessment of 
business performance in the year, including specific consideration of the 
impact of the business restructurings and plant closures announced during 
2018.

Where impairment tests were performed, including on goodwill, we 
challenged the basis for management’s estimates of growth rates and 
future cash flows with reference to historical trading performance, market 
expectations and management forecasts. We used our internal valuation 
experts to independently recalculate the discount rates applied and checked 
the mathematical accuracy of management’s valuation models.

For the groups of CGUs that have goodwill attached to them, we also 
compared the Group’s market capitalisation with the aggregate enterprise 
value reflected in management’s impairment models.

We recalculated management’s assessment of the sensitivity of the Group’s 
goodwill impairment models to reasonably possible changes in the key 
assumptions and considered the appropriateness of disclosures provided by 
the Group in relation to its impairment reviews.

We focused our procedures on property, plant and equipment at those 
sites where there was a decline in performance year-on-year and on the 
Consumer Packaging goodwill balance. We also tested the impairments of 
property, plant and equipment recorded in special items in the year ended 
31 December 2018.

Based on the procedures performed, we noted no material issues from our 
work.

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to the members of Mondi plc and of PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.  
to the shareholders of Mondi Limited

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Acquisition of Powerflute Group Holdings Oy (Powerflute) 

The Group acquired 100% of the outstanding 
share capital of Powerflute on 1 June 2018 for a 
total consideration of €365 million. The acquisition 
resulted in goodwill of €242 million.

The fair value accounting for the acquisition 
was determined by management, with support 
from an external expert, on a provisional basis in 
accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combinations.

The determination of the fair value of assets 
and liabilities is a complex subject matter 
and management has applied estimates and 
judgements in determining the net assets acquired 
and, therefore, we considered it to be a key audit 
matter. Key estimates and judgements involve 
the identification of the assets acquired and 
liabilities assumed, determination of any separately 
identifiable intangible assets and the valuation of 
assets and liabilities that are recognised.

Refer to notes 12, 24 and 32, and the Audit 
Committee’s views set out on page 109.

Adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’

The Group elected to early adopt IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ 
fully retrospectively. This new accounting standard 
requires a lessee to recognise a right-of-use asset 
representing its right to use the underlying leased 
asset, and a lease liability representing its obligation 
to make lease payments.

Management has applied judgement in assessing 
whether new arrangements contain a lease, 
determining the lease terms, calculating the discount 
rate and concluding whether any service or lease 
components of lease arrangements need to be 
separated. Therefore, we considered it to be a key 
audit matter.

As at 31 December 2018 the Group has recorded a 
right-of-use asset of €148 million (2017: €169 million) 
and lease liabilities of €184 million (2017: €208 million). 
The depreciation charge recognised on the right-
of-use assets was €27 million (2017: €27 million) 
and the interest on lease liabilities €14 million (2017: 
€14 million).

Refer to notes 6, 11, 32 and 33, and the Audit 
Committee’s views set out on page 109.

We evaluated the underlying acquisition agreements for the appropriate 
accounting treatment in terms of IFRS 3 and the Group’s accounting policy.

We held discussions with management to obtain an understanding of 
management’s process for identifying all separately identifiable assets acquired 
and liabilities assumed and inspected management’s documented process.

In assessing the completeness and appropriateness of the identification 
of assets acquired and liabilities assumed we read the Group’s Board and 
Executive Committee minutes to understand the rationale for the acquisition, 
critically evaluated the underlying acquisition agreements, utilised the 
experience of our internal valuation experts and conducted a site visit to the 
acquired operations in Kuopio, Finland, with specific focus on the inspection 
of the integrated pulp and paper mill.

We also assessed the independence, professional competence, objectivity 
and capabilities of management’s external valuations expert involved in 
determining the fair value of the net assets acquired.

In assessing the work performed by management’s external valuation expert 
we utilised our internal valuation expertise to:

 e Assess the adequacy and appropriateness of the valuation methodologies 

used to value the recognised assets and liabilities;

 e Assess the appropriateness of the assumptions used in determining the fair 
value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed with specific focus on the 
replacement cost values and remaining useful lives assumed in the valuation of 
property, plant and equipment; and

 e Recompute the resulting goodwill recognised on acquisition.
We considered the appropriateness of the related disclosure in notes 12, 24 
and 32 to the financial statements.

Based on the procedures performed, we noted no material issues from 
our work.

We obtained the Group’s calculation of the right-of-use asset, lease liability, 
depreciation charge and interest on the lease liability based on the lease data 
for the population of leases identified.

We performed procedures to assess the completeness of management’s 
listing of the lease contracts in place, including reading new contracts and 
management meeting minutes and assessing expense accounts.

We tested the accuracy of the lease data compiled by management by 
agreeing key inputs to the underlying arrangements to ensure the accuracy of 
key data points used in determining the IFRS 16 accounting entries.

Where appropriate, we evaluated the relevant IT systems and tested the 
operating effectiveness of the internal controls over the recording of the IFRS 
16 accounting entries. Our testing included an evaluation of the mathematical 
accuracy of the underlying calculations.

We also involved our internal valuation experts to consider the appropriateness 
of the Group’s assessment of the discount rates used in the lease calculations. 
We assessed the rationale and approach in determining the discount rates 
applied for a sample of the leases.

Based on the procedures performed, we noted no material issues from 
our work.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have determined that there are no additional key audit matters to communicate in our report with regard to 
the audit of the Mondi plc parent company financial statements for the current period. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

How we tailored the audit scope

We tailored the scope of our audit in order to perform sufficient work to enable us to provide an opinion on the Group financial statements 
as a whole, taking into account the structure of the Group and the parent companies, the accounting processes and controls, and the 
industry in which they operate.

In establishing the overall approach to the Group audit, we determined the type of work that needed to be performed at components by 
us, as the Group engagement team, or component auditors operating under our instruction.

We identified three components (2017: one) as significant components (as defined within ISAs (UK) and ISAs) which, in our view, required 
an audit of their complete financial information, due to their financial significance to the Group. Outside of these components, we obtained 
full scope audit reporting from a further seven components (2017: nine), where we concluded that the component engagement leader is 
a Key Audit Partner (as defined under ISAs (UK)), and an additional 18 components where full scope audits were performed (2017: 18). 
Together, these components were in 11 countries (2017: nine), representing the Group’s principal businesses, and accounted for 67% 
(2017: 66%) of the Group’s revenue.

Specified audit procedures or specified procedures on certain balances and transactions were performed at a further 19 (2017: 26) 
components and central testing was performed on selected items, such as goodwill, primarily to ensure appropriate audit coverage. 
In aggregate, the locations subject to audit procedures represented 81% (2017: 84%) of the Group’s revenue.

The components included within our scope of audit were determined based on the individual component’s contribution to the group key 
financial statement line items (in particular revenue and profit or loss before tax), and considerations relating to aggregation risk within 
the Group. 

Where work was performed by component auditors, we determined the level of involvement we needed to have in the audit work at those 
components to be able to conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit evidence had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the 
Group financial statements as a whole.

We issued formal written instructions to all component auditors setting out the audit work to be performed by each of them and 
maintained regular communication with them throughout the audit cycle. These interactions included attending certain component 
clearance meetings, as well as reviewing and assessing any matters reported. The Group engagement team also reviewed selected audit 
working papers for certain in-scope component teams.

In addition, senior members of the Group engagement team from the UK and/or South Africa visited component teams in Austria, 
the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa and Sweden. These visits included meetings with local 
management and with the component auditors, and typically involved operating site tours.

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Materiality

The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, 
together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit 
procedures on the individual financial statement line items and disclosures, and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both individually 
and in aggregate on the financial statements as a whole. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Overall materiality

€55 million (2017: €45 million).

€29 million (2017: €30 million).

Group financial statements

Mondi plc parent company financial statements

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How we determined it

Rationale for benchmark 
applied

Based on approximately 5% of profit before 
tax adjusted for special items as described in 
note 3 to the financial statements.

For overall Group materiality, we chose an 
adjusted profit before tax measure as the 
benchmark. The adjusted profit before tax 
measure removes the impact of significant 
items which do not recur from year to year 
or otherwise significantly affect the underlying 
trend of performance from continuing 
operations. This is the metric against which 
the performance of the Group is most 
commonly assessed by management and 
reported to members. We chose 5%, which 
is consistent with quantitative materiality 
thresholds used for profit-oriented companies 
in this sector.

1% of total assets.

For overall Mondi plc parent company materiality, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP determined the 
materiality based on total assets, which is more 
appropriate than a performance-related measure 
as the company is an investment holding company 
for the Group. Using professional judgement, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP determined materiality 
for this year at €29 million (2017: €30 million), which 
equates to approximately 1% of the current year’s total 
assets.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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to the shareholders of Mondi Limited

For each component in the scope of our Group audit, we allocated a materiality that is less than our overall group materiality. The range of 
materiality allocated across components was between €2 million (2017: €1.5 million) and €40 million (2017: €37 million).

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above €2 million 
(2017: €2 million) as well as misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Going concern

In accordance with ISAs (UK) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP report as follows:

Reporting obligation

Outcome

ISAs (UK) require us to report to you when:

 e the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the 

preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or
 e the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any 
identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt 
about the Group’s and Mondi plc’s ability to continue to adopt 
the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least 
twelve months from the date when the financial statements are 
authorised for issue.

We are required to report if the directors’ statement relating 
to Going Concern in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is 
materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit.

We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. However, 
because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this 
statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s and Mondi plc’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. For example, the terms 
on which the United Kingdom may withdraw from the European 
Union, which is currently due to occur on 29 March 2019, are not 
clear, and it is difficult to evaluate all of the potential implications on 
the company’s trade, customers, suppliers and the wider economy.

We have nothing to report.

Other information

Reporting on other information by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 

The other information comprises all of the information in the Integrated Report other than the financial statements and our auditors’ 
report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, any form 
of assurance thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise 
appears to be materially misstated. If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are required to perform 
procedures to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other 
information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are 
required to report that fact. We have nothing to report based on these responsibilities.

With respect to the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies 
Act 2006 have been included. 

Based on the responsibilities described above and our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the UK Companies Act 2006, (CA06), 
ISAs (UK) and the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) require us also to report certain opinions and matters as 
described below (required by ISAs (UK) unless otherwise stated).

Strategic Report and Directors’ Report

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Strategic Report and the 
Directors’ Report for the year ended 31 December 2018 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in 
accordance with applicable legal requirements. (CA06)

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Mondi plc parent company and their environment obtained in the 
course of the audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report. (CA06)

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The directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group and of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency 
or liquidity of the Group

We have nothing material to add or draw attention to regarding:

 e The directors’ confirmation on page 39 of the Integrated Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks 

facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity.

 e The disclosures in the Integrated Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated.
 e The directors’ explanation on page 47 of the Integrated Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, over 

what period they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of 
their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

We have nothing to report having performed a review of the directors’ statement that they have carried out a robust assessment 
of the principal risks facing the Group and the statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the Group. Our review was 
substantially less in scope than an audit and only consisted of making inquiries and considering the directors’ process supporting 
their statements; checking that the statements are in alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
(the ‘Code’); and considering whether the statements are consistent with the knowledge and understanding of the Group and 
Mondi plc parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit. (Listing Rules)

Other Code Provisions

We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when:

 e The statement given by the directors, on page 147, that they consider the Integrated Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced and 
understandable, and provides the information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s and Mondi plc parent company’s 
position and performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the Group and Mondi plc 
parent company obtained in the course of performing our audit.

 e The section of the Integrated Report on pages 108 and 109 describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately 

address matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

 e The directors’ statement relating to Mondi plc’s compliance with the Code does not properly disclose a departure from a relevant 

provision of the Code specified, under the Listing Rules, for review by the auditors.

Directors’ Remuneration

In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
UK Companies Act 2006. (CA06)

Reporting on other information by PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. 

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the contents of the Mondi Group Integrated 
Report listed on page 3 outside of the Group financial statements being the Overview, the Strategic report, the Governance section, 
the Directors’ responsibility statement, the Mondi plc parent company financial statements, the extracted financial information of Mondi 
Limited parent company audited financial statements, the Group financial record, Production statistics, Exchange rates, Additional 
information for Mondi plc shareholders, Shareholder information, and the Glossary of terms and the contents of the Mondi Limited audited 
annual financial statements. Other information does not include the Group financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 

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Our opinion on the Group financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express an audit opinion or any form of 
assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the Group financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information identified above and, in 
doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the Group financial statements or our knowledge obtained 
in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to 
report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
156

Independent auditors’ report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP  
to the members of Mondi plc and of PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.  
to the shareholders of Mondi Limited

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit

Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibility statement set out on page 147, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework, and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. 
The directors are also responsible for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and Mondi plc’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing as applicable matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors 
either intend to liquidate the Group and/or Mondi plc or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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

A further description of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements in accordance with ISAs 
(UK) is located on the FRC’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors’ report.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. exercise professional judgement and maintain professional 
scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

 e Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the Group financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and 

perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud 
may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. 

 e Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the 

circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control. 

 e Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures 

made by the directors. 

 e Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence 
obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability 
to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s 
report to the related disclosures in the Group financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. 
Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions 
may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern. For example, the terms on which the United Kingdom may withdraw 
from the European Union, which is currently due to occur on 29 March 2019, are not clear, and it is difficult to evaluate all of the potential 
implications on the Group’s trade, customers, suppliers and the wider economy.

 e Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the Group financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the 

Group financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

 e Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to 
express an opinion on the Group financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Group 
audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

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

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

From the matters communicated with the directors, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the Group 
financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless 
law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter 
should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh 
the public interest benefits of such communication. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Use of the independent auditors’ report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 

The independent auditors’ report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, including the opinions issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has 
been prepared for and only for the members of Mondi plc as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the UK Companies Act 
2006 and for no other purpose. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP does not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any 
other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s prior consent in writing.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

Other required reporting by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 

UK Companies Act 2006 exception reporting

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

 e we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
 e adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Mondi plc parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 

received from branches not visited by us; or

 e certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
 e the Mondi plc 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. 

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. 

Appointment

Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were appointed by the members on 11 May 2017 to audit the financial 
statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement for 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP auditing Mondi plc is two years, covering the years ended 31 December 2017 to 31 December 2018.

Other required reporting by PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. 

In terms of the IRBA Rule published in Government Gazette Number 39475 dated 4 December 2015, we report that 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. has been the auditor of Mondi Limited for two years.

Andrew Kemp (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
London, United Kingdom 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.
Director: JFM Kotzé 
Registered Auditor 
Johannesburg, South Africa

27 February 2019  

27 February 2019

157

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
 
158

Combined and consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2018

€ million

Group revenue

Materials, energy and consumables used

Variable selling expenses

Gross margin

Maintenance and other indirect expenses

Personnel costs

Other net operating expenses

EBITDA

Depreciation, amortisation and impairments

Operating profit

Net profit from equity accounted investees

Total profit from operations and equity 
accounted investees

Net finance costs

Profit before tax

Tax (charge)/credit

Profit for the year

Attributable to:

Non-controlling interests

Shareholders

Earnings per share (EPS) attributable 
to shareholders

(euro cents)

Basic EPS

Diluted EPS

Basic underlying EPS

Diluted underlying EPS

Basic headline EPS

Diluted headline EPS

Note:

2018

Special 
items 
(note 3)

—

—

—

—

—

(15)

(30)

(45)

(81)

(126)

—

(126)

—

(126)

34

(92)

Notes Underlying

2

7,481

(3,526)

(534)

3,421

(346)

5

(1,039)

(272)

1,764

(446)

1,318

1

1,319

(88)

1,231

(273)

958

42

916

2

6

7a

30

8

8

8

8

8

8

Restated1
2017

Special 
items 
(note 3)

—

—

—

—

—

(9)

(14)

(23)

(38)

(61)

—

(61)

—

(61)

8

(53)

Total Underlying

7,481

(3,526)

(534)

3,421

(346)

7,096

(3,452)

(525)

3,119

(319)

(1,054)

(1,053)

(265)

1,482

(453)

1,029

1

1,030

(85)

945

(181)

764

43

721

(302)

1,719

(527)

1,192

1

1,193

(88)

1,105

(239)

866

42

824

170.1

170.0

189.1

189.0

184.8

184.7

Total

7,096

(3,452)

(525)

3,119

(319)

(1,062)

(279)

1,459

(491)

968

1

969

(85)

884

(173)

711

43

668

137.9

137.8

148.9

148.8

145.4

145.3

1   The audited annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 were restated due to the adoption of IFRS 16, ‘Leases’, which has been disclosed in 

notes 32 and 33 of these combined and consolidated financial statements

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2018

159

2018

Restated
2017

Before tax 
amount

Tax 
charge

Net of tax 
amount

Before tax 
amount

Tax 
charge

Net of tax 
amount

€ million

Profit for the year

Items that may subsequently be reclassified to the 
combined and consolidated income statement

Fair value gains arising from cash flow hedges

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Share of other comprehensive expense of equity 
accounted investees

Items that will not subsequently be reclassified to the 
combined and consolidated income statement

Remeasurements of retirement benefits plans:

Return on plan assets

Actuarial losses arising from changes in 
demographic assumptions

Actuarial gains arising from changes in 
financial assumptions

Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from 
experience adjustments

1

(219)

—

(12)

(6)

(24)

16

2

866

1

(219)

—

—

—

—

(1)

(13)

—

(71)

(2)

9

8

—

4

(3)

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—

(71)

(2)

—

—

—

(1)

8

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Other comprehensive expense for the year

(230)

(1)

(231)

(64)

(1)

(65)

Other comprehensive expense attributable to:

Non-controlling interests

Shareholders

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Non-controlling interests

Shareholders

Total comprehensive income for the year

(12)

(218)

—

(1)

(12)

(219)

(2)

(62)

—

(1)

(2)

(63)

30

605

635

41

605

646

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
160

Combined and consolidated statement of financial position
as at 31 December 2018

€ million

Property, plant and equipment

Goodwill

Intangible assets

Forestry assets

Investment in equity accounted investees

Financial instruments

Deferred tax assets

Net retirement benefits asset

Total non-current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax assets

Financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Assets held for sale

Total current assets

Total assets

Short-term borrowings

Trade and other payables

Current tax liabilities

Provisions

Financial instruments

Total current liabilities

Medium and long-term borrowings

Net retirement benefits liability

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions

Other non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Combined share capital and stated capital

Retained earnings and other reserves

Total attributable to shareholders

Non-controlling interests in equity

Total equity

Notes

10

12

13

14

7b

23

15

16

25b

20

17

18

20

23

7b

18

21

2018

4,340

942

91

340

9

21

49

6

5,798

968

1,190

22

9

52

3

2,244

8,042

(268)

(1,186)

(140)

(61)

(13)

(1,668)

(2,002)

(234)

(253)

(46)

(14)

(2,549)

(4,217)

Restated
2017

4,128

Restated
At 1 January 
2017

3,961

698

111

325

3

23

26

7

5,321

867

1,106

29

14

38

1

2,055

7,376

(291)

(1,074)

(126)

(50)

(8)

(1,549)

(1,280)

(232)

(248)

(41)

(19)

(1,820)

(3,369)

681

120

316

9

25

27

1

5,140

850

1,049

32

8

404

1

2,344

7,484

(673)

(1,100)

(95)

(49)

(23)

(1,940)

(1,309)

(240)

(260)

(44)

(26)

(1,879)

(3,819)

3,825

4,007

3,665

542

2,943

3,485

340

3,825

542

3,141

3,683

324

4,007

542

2,820

3,362

303

3,665

The Group’s combined and consolidated financial statements, and related notes 1 to 33, were approved by the Boards and authorised for 
issue on 27 February 2019 and were signed on their behalf by:

Peter Oswald 
Director 
Mondi Limited company registration number: 1967/013038/06 
Mondi plc company registered number: 6209386

Andrew King
Director

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
Combined and consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2018

€ million

At 1 January 2017, as previously reported

Impact of change in accounting policy (see note 33)

Restated balance at 1 January 2017

Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the 
year (restated)

Dividends

Purchases of treasury shares

Distribution of treasury shares

Mondi share schemes’ charge

Issue of shares under employee share schemes

Put option held by non-controlling interests

Other movements in non-controlling interests

Restated balance at 31 December 2017

Impact of change in accounting policy1

Restated balance at 1 January 2018

Total comprehensive income/(expense) for 
the year

Dividends

Purchases of treasury shares

Distribution of treasury shares

Mondi share schemes’ charge (see note 22)

Issue of shares under employee share schemes

Put option held by non-controlling interests

Other movements in non-controlling interests

Combined 
share capital 
and stated 
capital

Treasury 
shares

Retained 
earnings

Other 
reserves

Equity 
attributable 
to 
shareholders

Non-
controlling 
interests

542

—

542

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

542

—

542

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(24)

—

(24)

—

—

(24)

21

—

—

—

—

(27)

—

(27)

—

—

(15)

16

—

—

—

—

3,217

(30)

3,187

668

(273)

—

(21)

—

14

(5)

(2)

3,568

3

3,571

824

(793)

—

(16)

—

11

(4)

(4)

(343)

—

(343)

(63)

—

—

—

15

(14)

5

—

(400)

(3)

(403)

(219)

—

—

—

11

(13)

4

—

3,392

(30)

3,362

605

(273)

(24)

—

15

—

—

(2)

3,683

—

3,683

605

(793)

(15)

—

11

(2)

—

(4)

304

(1)

303

41

(22)

—

—

—

—

—

2

324

—

324

30

(18)

—

—

—

—

—

4

Total  
equity

3,696

(31)

3,665

646

(295)

(24)

—

15

—

—

—

4,007

—

4,007

635

(811)

(15)

—

11

(2)

—

—

At 31 December 2018

542

(26)

3,589

(620)

3,485

340

3,825

Note:

1  IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’, was adopted without restating comparative information. The reclassification arising from the change of classification categories from 

‘available-for-sale’ to ‘at fair value through profit or loss’ is recognised in the opening balance sheet on 1 January 2018

Other reserves

€ million

Cumulative translation adjustment reserve

Post-retirement benefits reserve

Share-based payment reserve

Cash flow hedge reserve

Merger reserve

Put option liability reserve

Other sundry reserves

Total other reserves

2018

(820)

(75)

22

—

259

—

(6)

(620)

Restated 
2017

(604)

(71)

23

(1)

259

(4)

(2)

(400)

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
162

Combined and consolidated statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Notes

2018

Restated 
2017

25a

13

1,654

1

(248)

1,407

(709)

(10)

(53)

(7)

13

—

24

(402)

3

—

8

1,363

1

(151)

1,213

(611)

(16)

(49)

—

14

1

(37)

—

1

3

(1,157)

(694)

165

—

600

—

9

(25)

(73)

(793)

(18)

(15)

(25)

(8)

25

(11)

—

(500)

23

(27)

(97)

(273)

(22)

(24)

(47)

(5)

(183)

(958)

67

(66)

67

7

8

(439)

377

(439)

(4)

(66)

25c

25c

25c

25c

25c

11

9

25c

25c

25b

€ million

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

Dividends received from other investments

Income tax paid

Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Investment in property, plant and equipment

Investment in intangible assets

Investment in forestry assets

Investment in equity accounted investees

Proceeds from the disposal of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from the disposal of financial asset investments

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents

Proceeds from the disposal of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents

Loan repayments from external parties

Interest received

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from medium and long-term borrowings

Repayment of medium and long-term borrowings

Proceeds from Eurobonds

Repayment of Eurobonds

Net proceeds from short-term borrowings

Repayment of lease liabilities

Interest paid

Dividends paid to shareholders

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Purchases of treasury shares

Net cash outflow from derivatives

Other financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash movement in the year

Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

1 Basis of preparation

Dual listed structure

The Group has two separate legal parent entities, Mondi Limited and Mondi plc, which operate under a dual listed company (DLC) 
structure. The substance of the DLC structure is such that Mondi Limited and its subsidiaries, and Mondi plc and its subsidiaries, operate 
together as a single economic entity through a sharing agreement, with neither parent entity assuming a dominant role. Accordingly, 
Mondi Limited and Mondi plc are reported on a combined and consolidated basis as a single reporting entity.

The Group’s combined and consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB); the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants 
(SAICA) Financial Reporting Guides as issued by the Accounting Practices Committee; Financial Pronouncements as issued by the 
Financial Reporting Standards Council and the requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa 2008. The principal accounting 
policies adopted are set out in note 32.

There are no differences for the Group in applying IFRS as issued by the IASB and IFRS as adopted by the European Union (EU) and, 
therefore, the Group also complies with Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation. 

The combined and consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as discussed in the Strategic report 
within ‘Principal risks’ under the heading ‘Going concern’ on page 47.

Critical accounting judgements and key estimates

The preparation of the Group’s combined and consolidated financial statements includes the use of estimates and assumptions. 
Although the estimates used are based on management’s best information about current circumstances and future events and actions, 
actual results may differ from those estimates. 

The most significant estimates and judgements are:

Key estimates
 e Discount rates for initial measurement of lease liabilities – refer to note 11
 e Fair value of forestry assets – refer to note 14
 e Actuarial valuations of retirement benefit obligations – refer to note 23
 e Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations – refer to note 24

Critical accounting judgements and other accounting estimates
 e Impairment of goodwill – refer to notes 12 and 32
 e Impairment of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets – refer to notes 10, 13 and 32
 e Residual values and useful economic lives of property, plant and equipment – refer to notes 10 and 32
 e Taxation – refer to notes 7 and 32 

2 Operating segments
Effective from 1 August 2018, the Group reorganised its business units to achieve improved strategic alignment and operational 
coordination across the fibre-based packaging value chain. The changes to the Group’s business units, and consequently to the Group’s 
segmental reporting, are as follows: 

 e Packaging Paper and Fibre Packaging were replaced by a single business unit called Fibre Packaging; and 
 e there were no changes to the Consumer Packaging or Uncoated Fine Paper business units. 

Prior year figures have been restated to reflect the new organisational structure. The reorganisation has no impact on the overall 
Group result. 

The Group generates revenue from the sale of manufactured products across the packaging and paper value chain. Revenue is generally 
recognised at a point in time, typically when the goods have been delivered to a contractually agreed location. Customer payment terms 
do not contain significant financing components.

The Group provides transport services after control of certain goods has passed to the customer. The Group generated transport revenue 
of €57 million (2017: €57 million) in the current financial year. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

163

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164

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

2 Operating segments
The material product types from which the Group’s externally reportable segments derive their internal and external revenues are 
as follows: 

Operating segments

Fibre Packaging

Consumer Packaging

Uncoated Fine Paper

Product types

Containerboard

Kraft paper

Pulp

Corrugated packaging

Industrial bags

Extrusion coatings

Consumer goods packaging

Personal care components

Technical films

Release liner

Uncoated fine paper

Newsprint

Pulp

Year ended 31 December 2018

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Fibre Packaging

Consumer 
Packaging

Uncoated  
Fine Paper

Corporate

Intersegment 
elimination

Segment revenue

Internal revenue

External revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Depreciation and impairments

Amortisation

Underlying operating profit/(loss)

Special items

Operating segment assets

Operating segment net assets

Additions to non-current 
non-financial assets

Capital expenditure cash payments

Underlying EBITDA margin (%)

Return on capital employed (%)

Average number of employees 
(thousands)1

Note:

1   Presented on a full time employee equivalent basis

4,108

(62)

4,046

1,086

(231)

(14)

841

(73)

4,394

3,804

882

469

26.4

26.8

13.5

1,611

(5)

1,606

194

(61)

(18)

115

(32)

1,552

1,311

84

79

12.0

9.0

6.0

1,877

(48)

1,829

516

(119)

(2)

395

(21)

1,852

1,494

280

161

27.5

31.9

6.5

—

—

—

(32)

(1)

—

(33)

—

4

(9)

—

—

—

—

0.1

(115)

115

—

—

—

—

—

—

(68)

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total

7,481

—

7,481

1,764

(412)

(34)

1,318

(126)

7,734

6,600

1,246

709

23.6

23.6

26.1

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

165

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7,096

—

7,096

1,482

(420)

(33)

1,029

(61)

7,122

6,095

788

611

20.9

19.3

26.3

Year ended 31 December 2017 (restated)

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Fibre Packaging

Consumer 
Packaging

Uncoated  
Fine Paper

Corporate

Intersegment 
elimination

3,735

(64)

3,671

833

(227)

(10)

596

3

3,794

3,246

451

398

22.3

20.6

13.4

1,646

(5)

1,641

222

(67)

(21)

134

(49)

1,552

1,326

146

91

13.5

10.4

6.0

1,832

(48)

1,784

464

(125)

(2)

337

(15)

1,826

1,515

191

122

25.3

26.6

6.8

—

—

—

(37)

(1)

—

(38)

—

17

8

—

—

—

—

0.1

(117)

117

—

—

—

—

—

—

(67)

—

—

—

—

—

—

Segment revenue

Internal revenue

External revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Depreciation and impairments

Amortisation

Underlying operating profit/(loss)

Special items

Operating segment assets

Operating segment net assets

Additions to non-current 
non-financial assets

Capital expenditure cash payments

Underlying EBITDA margin (%)

Return on capital employed (%)

Average number of employees 
(thousands)1

Note:

1   Presented on a full time employee equivalent basis

Reconciliation of operating segment assets

€ million

Group total

Unallocated

Investment in equity accounted investees

Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

Other non-operating assets/(liabilities)

Group capital employed

Financial instruments/(net debt)

Total assets/equity

2018

Segment  
assets

7,734

9

49

189

7,981

61

8,042

Restated 
2017

Segment  
net assets

6,600

Segment  
assets

7,122

Segment  
net assets

6,095

9

(204)

(360)

6,045

(2,220)

3,825

3

26

178

7,329

47

7,376

3

(222)

(337)

5,539

(1,532)

4,007

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
166

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

2 Operating segments

External revenue by location of production and by location of customer

€ million

Africa

South Africa

Rest of Africa

Africa total

Western Europe

Austria

Germany

United Kingdom

Rest of western Europe

Western Europe total

Emerging Europe

Poland

Rest of emerging Europe

Emerging Europe total

Russia

North America

South America

Asia and Australia

Group total

External revenue 
by location of production

External revenue 
by location of customer

2018

2017

2018

2017

609

43

652

1,106

887

64

623

2,680

1,161

1,435

2,596

944

525

—

84

617

19

636

1,043

891

75

532

2,541

992

1,348

2,340

907

583

—

89

459

264

723

160

985

233

1,470

2,848

636

1,050

1,686

694

731

100

699

426

206

632

146

952

241

1,340

2,679

592

954

1,546

720

747

71

701

7,481

7,096

7,481

7,096

There were no external customers which account for more than 10% of the Group’s total external revenue in either year.

There are no material contract assets and contract liabilities as at 31 December 2018 (2017: €nil). No contract costs were capitalised in 
either year presented.

The Group does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or 
less, as permitted under IFRS 15.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Net assets by location

€ million

Africa

South Africa

Rest of Africa

Africa total

Western Europe

Austria

United Kingdom

Rest of western Europe

Western Europe total

Emerging Europe

Poland

Slovakia

Rest of emerging Europe

Emerging Europe total

Russia

North America

Asia and Australia

Group total

Average number of employees1

thousands

By principal locations of employment

South Africa

Rest of Africa

Western Europe

Emerging Europe

Russia

North America

Asia and Australia

Group total

Note:

1   Presented on a full time employee equivalent basis

167

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Restated 
2017

Non-current 
non-financial 
assets

Segment  
assets

Segment  
net assets

Non-current 
non-financial 
assets

Segment  
assets

Segment 
net assets

724

56

780

508

44

1,243

1,795

793

440

986

2,219

653

166

100

5,713

869

103

972

883

65

1,687

2,635

1,022

500

1,293

2,815

793

346

173

755

100

855

601

53

1,500

2,154

916

415

1,103

2,434

693

303

161

725

19

744

539

62

868

1,469

861

407

876

2,144

641

175

89

883

44

927

888

95

1,271

2,254

1,066

451

1,150

2,667

788

340

146

774

42

816

668

79

1,085

1,832

955

374

984

2,313

702

297

135

7,734

6,600

5,262

7,122

6,095

2018

2017

1.5

0.3

7.3

8.9

5.5

1.9

0.7

1.8

0.1

7.3

8.7

5.6

2.2

0.6

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
168

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

3 Special items

€ million

Impairment of assets

Reversal of impairment of assets

Restructuring and closure costs:

Personnel costs

Other restructuring and closure costs

Total special items before tax

Tax credit (see note 7)

Total special items

2018

(83)

2

(15)

(30)

(126)

34

(92)

2017

(52)

14

(9)

(14)

(61)

8

(53)

Restructuring and closure costs and related impairments during the year comprise:

 e Fibre Packaging 

 – Discontinuation of in-line silicone coating production at Štětí (Czech Republic). Restructuring costs of €4 million and related 

impairment of assets of €51 million were recognised.

 – Restructuring of industrial bags operations in the US. Restructuring costs of €9 million and related impairment of assets of €9 million 

were recognised.

 e Consumer Packaging

 – Restructuring of operations, primarily in the UK. Restructuring costs of €13 million and impairment of assets of €16 million 

were recognised.

 – Following the discontinuation of in-line silicone coating production at Štětí (Czech Republic), restructuring costs of €3 million and 

related impairment of assets of €2 million were recognised. Reversal of impairment of assets of €2 million was recognised. 

 e Uncoated Fine Paper

 – Closure of an uncoated fine paper machine at Merebank (South Africa). Restructuring costs of €16 million and related impairment of 

assets of €5 million were recognised.

4 Auditors’ remuneration

€ million

Fees payable to the auditors for the audit of Mondi Limited’s and Mondi plc’s annual financial 
statements

UK

South Africa

Fees payable to the auditors and their associates for the audit of Mondi Limited’s and Mondi plc’s 
subsidiaries

Total audit fees1

Audit-related assurance services

Total fees

Note:

2018

2017

0.6

0.4

0.2

3.5

4.1

0.4

4.5

0.4

0.3

0.1

3.6

4.0

0.3

4.3

1   Total audit fees related to the 2017 financial year estimated at €3.6 million in the prior year have been updated to the final audit fees incurred of €4.0 million. There is no 

change in non-audit fees

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

5 Personnel costs

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Within operating costs

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Defined contribution retirement plan contributions (see note 23)

Defined benefit retirement plan service costs and loss from settlement (see note 23)

Share-based payments (see note 22)

Total within operating costs

Within special items

Personnel costs relating to restructuring (see note 3)

Within net finance costs

Retirement benefit medical plan net interest costs

Retirement benefit pension plan net interest costs

Total within net finance costs (see note 6)

Group total

Average number of employees (thousands)1

Note:

1   Presented on a full time employee equivalent basis

6 Net finance costs 
Net finance costs are presented below:

€ million

Investment income

Investment income

Net foreign currency losses

Net foreign currency losses

Finance costs

Interest expense

Interest on bank overdrafts and loans

Interest on lease liabilities (see note 11)

Net interest expense on net retirement benefits liability (see note 23)

Total interest expense

Less: Interest capitalised (see note 10)

Total finance costs

Net finance costs

169

2018

2017

835

172

13

8

11

848

170

14

6

15

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1,039

1,053

15

5

3

8

9

5

4

9

1,062

1,071

26.1

26.3

2018

Restated 
2017

S

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8

(4)

(77)

(14)

(8)

(99)

7

(92)

(88)

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4

(2)

(65)

(14)

(9)

(88)

1

(87)

(85)

Net interest expense for the year was €83 million (2017 restated: €75 million). The effective interest rate was 4.19% (2017 restated: 4.77%) 
based on trailing 12-month average net debt of €1,979 million (2017 restated: €1,572 million). 

The weighted average interest rate applicable to capitalised interest on general borrowings for the year ended 31 December 2018 was 
4.08% (2017: 4.05%) and was related to investments in the Czech Republic and South Africa (2017: Poland, the Czech Republic and 
South Africa).

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
170

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

7 Taxation

(a) Analysis of tax charge for the year

The Group’s effective rate of tax before special items for the year ended 31 December 2018 was 22% (2017: 19%). The increase in 
effective tax rate is partly due to the full utilisation of tax incentives in Poland in 2017. 

€ million

UK corporation tax at 19.00% (2017: 19.25%)

South Africa corporation tax at 28% (2017: 28%)

Overseas tax

Current tax in respect of prior years

Current tax

Deferred tax in respect of the current year

Deferred tax in respect of prior years

Deferred tax attributable to a change in the rate of domestic income tax

Tax charge before special items

Current tax on special items

Deferred tax on special items

Tax credit on special items (see note 3)

Tax charge for the year

Factors affecting tax charge for the year

2018

1

21

244

—

266

15

(8)

—

273

(2)

(32)

(34)

239

Restated 
2017

1

28

153

5

187

16

(23)

1

181

(2)

(6)

(8)

173

The Group’s total tax charge for the year can be reconciled to the tax on the Group’s profit before tax at the weighted average UK and SA 
corporation tax rate of 19.67%1 (2017: 20.10%), as follows:

€ million

Profit before tax

Tax on profit before tax calculated at the weighted average UK and SA corporation 
tax rate of 19.67% (2017: 20.10%)

Tax effects of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Special items not tax deductible

Other non-deductible expenses

Non-taxable income

Temporary difference adjustments

Current year tax losses and other temporary differences not recognised

Prior year tax losses and other temporary differences not previously recognised

Attributable to a change in the rate of domestic income tax

Other adjustments

Current tax prior year adjustments

Tax incentives2

Effect of differences between local rates and UK and SA rates

Other adjustments

Tax charge for the year

Notes:

2018

1,105

217

Restated 
2017

884

178

10

—

10

(1)

(6)

12

(18)

—

19

—

(11)

15

15

9

2

7

(1)

(6)

13

(20)

1

(7)

5

(29)

13

4

239

173

1  The weighted average tax rate has been determined by weighting the profit before tax after special items of Mondi Limited and its subsidiaries and Mondi plc and 

its subsidiaries

2  The tax incentives principally relate to capital investments in Russia and Slovakia (2017: Poland and Russia)

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

(b) Deferred tax

€ million

At 1 January

Credited/(charged) to combined and consolidated income statement

Credited/(charged) to combined and consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

Acquired through business combinations (see note 24)

Reclassification

Currency movements

At 31 December

2018

Restated 
2017

26

19

1

—

3

—

49

27

(1)

(1)

—

2

(1)

26

The amount of deferred tax credited/(charged) to the combined and consolidated income statement comprises:

2018

(248)

6

(2)

(24)

(3)

18

Restated 
2017

(260)

13

—

(3)

(4)

6

(253)

(248)

2018

8

(10)

10

17

25

Restated 
2017

2

—

(7)

17

12

€ million

Capital allowances in excess of depreciation

Fair value adjustments

Tax losses recognised/(derecognised)

Other temporary differences

Total credit

Deferred tax comprises:

€ million

Capital allowances in excess of depreciation

Fair value adjustments

Tax losses1

Other temporary differences1

Total

Note:

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

2018

(20)

—

21

48

49

Restated 
2017

(15)

—

8

33

26

2018

(241)

(89)

14

63

(253)

Restated 
2017

(244)

(89)

18

67

(248)

1  Based on forecast data, the Group considers it probable that there will be sufficient future taxable profits available in the relevant jurisdictions to utilise these tax losses 

and other temporary differences 

The current expectation regarding the maturity of deferred tax balances is:

€ million

Recoverable/(payable) within 12 months

Recoverable/(payable) after 12 months

Total

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

2018

23

26

49

Restated 
2017

18

8

26

2018

(1)

(252)

(253)

Restated 
2017

(1)

(247)

(248)

171

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
 
172

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

7 Taxation
The Group has the following amounts in respect of which no deferred tax asset has been recognised due to the low probability of future 
profit streams or gains against which these could be utilised:

€ million

Tax losses – revenue

Tax losses – capital

Other temporary differences

Total

There were no significant changes in the expected future profit streams or gains. 

Included in unrecognised tax losses are losses that will expire as follows:

€ million

Expiry date

Within one year

One to five years

After five years

No expiry date

Total

2018

1,406

16

11

2017

1,389

16

63

1,433

1,468

2018

2017

2

25

53

1,342

1,422

8

30

89

1,278

1,405

No deferred tax liability is recognised on gross temporary differences of €760 million (2017: €856 million) relating to the unremitted 
earnings of overseas subsidiaries as the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of these temporary differences and it is probable 
that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future. UK tax legislation largely exempts, from UK tax, overseas dividends received on or after 
1 July 2009. As a result, the gross temporary differences at 31 December 2018 represent only the unremitted earnings of those overseas 
subsidiaries where remittance to the UK of those earnings would still result in a tax liability, principally as a result of dividend withholding 
taxes levied by the overseas tax jurisdictions in which these subsidiaries operate and non-UK corporate taxes on dividends.

8 Earnings per share (EPS)
The calculation of basic and diluted EPS, basic and diluted underlying EPS and basic and diluted headline EPS is based on the 
following data:

€ million

Profit for the year attributable to shareholders

Special items (see note 3)

Related tax (see note 3)

Underlying earnings for the year

Special items not excluded from headline earnings

(Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Net loss on disposal of businesses and equity accounted investees

Impairments not included in special items (see note 10)

Related tax

Headline earnings for the year

million

Basic number of ordinary shares outstanding

Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares

Diluted number of ordinary shares outstanding

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Earnings

2018

824

126

(34)

916

(45)

(1)

3

2

20

895

Restated 
2017

668

61

(8)

721

(23)

1

—

4

1

704

Weighted average number of 
shares

2018

484.4

0.2

484.6

2017

484.3

0.3

484.6

9 Dividends
Dividends paid to the shareholders of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc are presented on a combined basis.

euro cents per share

Final ordinary dividend paid (in respect of prior year)

Special dividend paid (in respect of prior year)

Interim ordinary dividend paid

Final ordinary dividend proposed for the year ended 31 December

Special dividend proposed for the year ended 31 December

Total final ordinary and special dividends proposed for the year ended 31 December

€ million

Final ordinary dividend paid (in respect of prior year)

Special dividend paid (in respect of prior year)

Interim ordinary dividend paid

Total ordinary and special dividends paid

Final ordinary dividend proposed for the year ended 31 December

Special dividend proposed for the year ended 31 December

Total final ordinary and special dividends proposed for the year ended 31 December

Declared by Group companies to non-controlling interests

2018

42.90

100.00

21.45

54.55

—

54.55

2018

207

484

102

793

264

—

264

18

2017

38.19

—

19.10

42.90

100.00

142.90

2017

180

—

93

273

208

485

693

22

The final ordinary dividend proposed has been recommended by the Boards and is subject to the approval of the shareholders of Mondi 
Limited and Mondi plc at the respective Annual General Meetings scheduled for 9 May 2019.

173

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
174

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

10 Property, plant and equipment

€ million

Net carrying value

At 1 January 2017, as previously reported

Impact of change in accounting policy (see note 33)

Restated balance at 1 January 2017

Acquired through business combinations

Additions (restated)

Disposal of assets

Depreciation charge for the year (restated)

Impairment losses recognised2

Impairment losses reversed3

Transfer from assets under construction

Reclassification

Currency movements (restated)

Restated balance at 31 December 2017

Cost (restated)

Accumulated depreciation and impairments 
(restated)

Acquired through business combinations (see note 24)

Additions

Disposal of assets

Disposal of businesses

Depreciation charge for the year

Impairment losses recognised2

Impairment losses reversed3

Transfer from assets under construction

Reclassification

Currency movements

At 31 December 2018

Cost

Accumulated depreciation and impairments

Notes:

Land and 
buildings1

Plant and 
equipment

Assets under 
construction

Other

Total

1,032

142

1,174

1

69

(2)

(67)

(13)

1

59

(2)

(13)

1,207

2,031

2,427

18

2,445

3

163

(9)

(309)

(35)

13

200

(25)

(17)

2,429

6,739

(824)

(4,310)

32

42

(6)

(3)

(69)

(20)

1

43

(3)

(44)

1,180

2,033

(853)

97

167

(6)

(3)

(304)

(51)

1

142

(2)

(96)

2,374

6,765

(4,391)

245

—

245

3

402

(2)

—

(1)

—

(279)

10

(1)

377

385

(8)

5

512

(3)

(2)

—

—

—

(198)

—

(24)

667

674

(7)

84

13

97

2

42

(1)

(40)

(1)

—

17

2

(3)

115

378

3,788

173

3,961

9

676

(14)

(416)

(50)

14

(3)

(15)

(34)

4,128

9,533

(263)

(5,405)

2

41

(4)

—

(37)

(3)

—

9

2

(6)

119

394

(275)

136

762

(19)

(8)

(410)

(74)

2

(4)

(3)

(170)

4,340

9,866

(5,526)

1   The land carrying value included in ‘Land and buildings’ is €171 million (2017: €159 million)

2  Impairment losses include €72 million (2017: €46 million) classified as special items and €2 million (2017: €4 million) of other impairments

3  Impairment losses reversed are classified as special items

Included in the cost above is €7 million (2017: €1 million) of interest incurred on qualifying assets which has been capitalised during the 
year. These amounts are deductible for tax purposes either when incurred or included in the amount permitted to be deducted for capital 
expenditure, depending on the jurisdiction in which they are capitalised.

The recoverable amount of property, plant and equipment is determined based on the use of the asset within the current business plans. 
Any change in future intentions could result in an impairment of varying magnitude, depending on the assets affected. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

11 Leases
From 1 January 2018 the Group early adopted IFRS 16, ‘Leases’. Refer to notes 32 and 33 for the accounting policy and restatements, 
respectively. The right-of-use assets recognised on adoption of the new leasing Standard are reflected in the underlying asset classes of 
Property, plant and equipment, and related lease liabilities are reflected as Borrowings. 

Mondi has entered into various lease agreements. Leases over land and buildings have a weighted average term of 39 years, plant and 
equipment a weighted average term of 12 years and other assets a weighted average term of four years. 

The principal lease agreements in place include the following:

South African land lease

The Group entered into a land lease agreement on 1 January 2001 for a total term of 70 years. The lease commitment and annual 
escalation rate is renegotiated every five years. The lease does not contain any clauses with regard to contingent rent or an option to 
purchase the land at the end of the lease term, and does not impose any significant restrictions on the Group as a lessee. There are 52 
years remaining on the lease. 

Russian forestry leases

The forestry lease agreements were entered into by the Group on 1 November 2007 for a total term of 47 years, on 30 June 2008 for a 
total term of 49 years and on 10 March 2015 for a total term of 49 years. The leases are not renewable. Rental escalates on an annual 
basis by the consumer price index of the local jurisdiction. The leases do not contain any clauses with regard to contingent rent or options 
to purchase the forestry assets at the end of the lease term, and do not impose any significant restrictions on the Group as a lessee. 
The Group applied the practical expedient per IFRS 16 not to separate non-lease components from lease components.

Office building

The Group entered into an office building lease agreement for a total term of 20 years from October 2013. The lease may only be 
terminated by the Group, after six months’ notice, in September 2023 and again in September 2028. Rent escalates on an annual basis 
by the consumer price index of the local jurisdiction. The lease does not contain any option to purchase the building at the end of the lease 
term and does not impose any significant restrictions on the Group as a lessee. Variable lease payments are included in the lease liability 
and calculated at the consumer price index.

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€ million

Land and buildings

Plant and equipment

Other

Total

Additions to the right-of-use assets during 2018 were €25 million (2017 restated: €27 million).

Lease liabilities

€ million

Maturity analysis – contractual undiscounted cash flows

Less than one year

One to five years

More than five years

Total undiscounted cash flows

Total lease liabilities

Current

Non-current

The total cash outflow for leases during 2018 was €41 million (2017 restated: €41 million).

Right-of-use assets

Depreciation charge

2018

120

19

9

148

Restated 
2017

138

19

12

169

2018

(14)

(7)

(6)

(27)

2018

34

84

267

385

184

22

162

Restated 
2017

(14)

(7)

(6)

(27)

Restated 
2017

40

105

300

445

208

25

183

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176

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

11 Leases

Amounts recognised in the combined and consolidated income statement 

€ million

Interest on lease liabilities

Expenses relating to short-term leases

Expenses relating to leases of low-value assets

12 Goodwill

(a) Reconciliation

€ million

Net carrying value

At 1 January

Acquired through business combinations (see note 24)

Currency movements

At 31 December

(b) Assumptions

2018

(14)

(1)

(1)

Restated 
2017

(14)

—

—

2018

2017

698

257

(13)

942

681

26

(9)

698

Goodwill acquired through business combinations is allocated to the group of cash-generating units (CGUs) that are expected to benefit 
from the synergies of the combination and represents the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. 
The recoverable amounts of these groups of CGUs are the higher of fair value less costs to dispose and value-in-use. Goodwill is allocated 
to the groups of CGUs as follows:

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Consumer Packaging

Containerboard

Kraft Paper

Industrial Bags

Corrugated Packaging

Uncoated Fine Paper

Extrusion Coatings

Total goodwill

Key assumptions

Weighted 
average pre-tax 
discount rate

Growth rate

9.3%

10.2%

9.2%

9.9%

9.7%

11.2%

8.9%

2.0%

2.7%

1.0%

1.0%

2.7%

0.0%

0.0%

Carrying value

2018

419

304

83

62

36

31

7

2017

428

63

83

47

38

32

7

942

698

The key assumptions in the value-in-use calculations are:

 e cash flow forecasts which are derived from the budgets most recently approved by the Boards covering the three-year period to 

31 December 2021;

 e sales volumes, sales prices and variable input cost assumptions in the budget period are derived from a combination of economic 

forecasts for the regions in which the Group operates, industry forecasts for individual product lines, internal management projections, 
historical performance, and announced industry capacity changes;

 e cash flow projections beyond three years are based on internal management projections taking into consideration industry forecasts 

and growth rates in the regions in which the Group operates. Growth rates (as per the table above) are applied to the groups of CGUs 
for each of the following seven years beyond the budget period and zero thereafter into perpetuity; and

 e capital expenditure forecasts are based on historical experience and include expenditure necessary to maintain the projected cash 

flows from operations at current operating levels.

The pre-tax discount rate is derived from the Group’s weighted average cost of capital. In determining the discount rate applicable to each 
group of CGUs, adjustments are made to reflect the impacts of country risk and tax. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Sensitivity analyses

Expected future cash flows are inherently uncertain and could change materially over time. They are affected by a number of factors, 
including market and production estimates, together with economic factors such as prices, discount rates, currency exchange rates, 
estimates of production costs, and future capital expenditure.

Sensitivity analyses of reasonably possible changes in the underlying assumptions for each group of CGUs included:

 e 1% increase in discount rate;
 e 0% growth rate assumed for cash flow projections beyond three years; 
 e 5% decrease in sales prices in the Containerboard and Kraft Paper groups of CGUs and Uncoated Fine Paper; and 
 e 3% decrease in gross margin in the Corrugated Packaging, Industrial Bags and Extrusion Coatings groups of CGUs and 

Consumer Packaging.

None of these downside sensitivity analyses in isolation indicated the need for an impairment.

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13 Intangible assets

€ million

Net carrying value

At 1 January

Acquired through business combinations (see note 24)

Additions

Impairment charge for the year

Amortisation charge for the year

Reclassification

Currency movements

At 31 December

Cost

Accumulated amortisation and impairments

The carrying value of intangible assets comprises:

€ million

Internally generated

Software development costs

Acquired through business combinations

Customer relationships

Patents and trademarks

Other

Total intangible assets

2018

2017

111

14

10

(11)

(34)

4

(3)

91

316

(225)

120

12

16

(3)

(33)

3

(4)

111

311

(200)

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2017

40

28

18

5

91

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41

45

19

6

111

Research and development expenditure incurred by the Group and charged to the combined and consolidated income statement during 
the year amounted to €22 million (2017: €23 million).

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
178

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

14 Forestry assets

€ million

At 1 January

Capitalised expenditure

Acquisition of assets

Acquired through business combinations (see note 24)

Fair value gains

Impairment losses recognised

Felling costs

Currency movements

At 31 December

Comprising

Mature

Immature

Total forestry assets

2018

325

46

7

14

43

—

(60)

(35)

340

197

143

340

2017

316

46

3

—

43

(3)

(73)

(7)

325

190

135

325

In total, the Group has 254,328 hectares (2017: 245,163 hectares) of owned and leased land available for forestry activities, all of which is 
in South Africa. 80,144 hectares (2017: 79,159 hectares) are set aside for conservation activities and infrastructure needs. 1,045 hectares 
(2017: 1,664 hectares) relate to non-core activities. The balance of 173,139 hectares (2017: 164,340 hectares) are under afforestation which 
forms the basis of the valuation set out above.

Mature forestry assets are those plantations that are harvestable, while immature forestry assets have not yet reached that stage of 
growth. Timber is harvested according to a rotation plan, once trees reach maturity. This period ranges from 6.5 to 14.5 years, depending 
on species, climate and location.

The fair value of forestry assets is a level 3 measure in terms of the fair value measurement hierarchy, consistent with prior years.

The following assumptions have a significant impact on the valuation of the Group’s forestry assets:

 e The net selling price, which is defined as the selling price less the costs of transport, harvesting, extraction and loading. The net selling 

price is based on third-party transactions and is influenced by the species, maturity profile and location of timber. In 2018, the net selling 
price used ranged from the South African rand equivalent of €15 per tonne to €38 per tonne (2017: €17 per tonne to €47 per tonne) with 
a weighted average of €26 per tonne (2017: €29 per tonne).

 e The conversion factor used to convert hectares of land under afforestation to tonnes of standing timber, which is dependent on the 
species, the maturity profile of the timber, the geographic location, climate and a variety of other environmental factors. In 2018, the 
conversion factors ranged from 8.4 to 24.5 (2017: 8.4 to 24.8).

 e The risk premium of 13.0% (2017: 13.0%) is based on an assessment of the risks associated with forestry assets in South Africa.

The valuation of the Group’s forestry assets is determined in rand and converted to euro at the closing exchange rate on 31 December of 
each year.

The reported value of owned forestry assets would change as follows should there be a change in these underlying assumptions on the 
basis that all other factors remain unchanged:

€ million

Effect of €1/tonne increase in net selling price

Effect of 1% increase in conversion factor (hectares to tonnes)

Effect of 1% increase in risk premium

Effect of 1% increase in EUR/ZAR exchange rate

2018

12

3

(4)

(3)

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

15 Inventories

€ million

Valued using the first-in-first-out cost formula

Raw materials and consumables

Work in progress

Finished products

Total valued using the first-in-first-out cost formula

Valued using the weighted average cost formula

Raw materials and consumables

Work in progress

Finished products

Total valued using the weighted average cost formula

Total inventories

Of which, held at net realisable value

Combined and consolidated income statement

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense (restated)

Write-down of inventories to net realisable value

Aggregate reversal of previous write-downs of inventories

Green energy sales and disposal of emissions credits

16 Trade and other receivables

€ million

Trade receivables

Allowance for doubtful debts

Net trade receivables

Other receivables

Tax and social security

Prepayments and accrued income

Total trade and other receivables

Trade receivables: credit risk

2018

2017

35

11

26

72

392

116

388

896

968

127

34

13

27

74

333

109

351

793

867

119

(3,104)

(3,053)

(21)

13

88

2018

1,052

(35)

1,017

30

114

29

(22)

19

62

2017

993

(32)

961

32

90

23

1,190

1,106

The Group has a large number of unrelated customers and does not have any significant credit risk exposure to any particular customer. 
The Group considers that there is no significant geographical or customer concentration of credit risk.

Each business segment manages its own exposure to credit risk according to the economic circumstances and characteristics of the 
relevant markets that they serve. The Group considers that management of credit risk on a decentralised basis enables it to assess and 
manage credit risk more effectively. However, broad principles of credit risk management are observed across all business segments, 
such as the use of credit rating agencies, credit guarantee insurance, where appropriate, and the maintenance of a credit control function.

€ million

Credit risk exposure

Gross trade receivables

Credit insurance

Total exposure to credit risk

2018

2017

1,052

(861)

191

993

(815)

178

The insured cover is presented gross of contractually agreed excess amounts. In addition, the Group is in possession of bank guarantees 
and letters of credit securing trade and other receivables to the value of €8 million (2017: €16 million).

Credit periods offered to customers vary according to the credit risk profiles of, and invoicing conventions established by, participants 
operating in the various markets in which the Group operates. Interest is charged at appropriate market rates on balances which are 
considered overdue in the relevant market. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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180

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

16 Trade and other receivables
To the extent that recoverable amounts are expected to be less than their associated carrying values, impairment charges have been 
recorded in the combined and consolidated income statement and the carrying values have been written down to their expected 
recoverable amounts. The total gross carrying value of trade receivables that were subject to impairment during the year is €55 million 
(2017: €64 million).

Included within the Group’s aggregate trade receivables balance are specific debtor balances with customers totalling €35 million 
(2017: €30 million) which are past due but not impaired at the reporting date. The Group has assessed these balances for recoverability 
and considers that their credit quality remains intact. 

An ageing analysis of net trade receivables is provided as follows:

€ million

Trade receivables within terms

Past due by less than one month

Past due by one to two months

Past due by two to three months

Past due by more than three months

At 31 December

Movement in the allowance account for bad and doubtful debts

€ million

At 1 January

Increase in allowance recognised in combined and consolidated income statement

Amounts written-off or recovered

Currency movements

At 31 December

17 Trade and other payables

€ million

Trade payables

Capital expenditure payables

Tax and social security

Other payables

Accruals and deferred income

Total trade and other payables

2018

982

23

4

3

5

2017

931

20

3

2

5

1,017

961

2018

32

11

(6)

(2)

35

2018

601

113

57

52

363

1,186

2017

32

6

(5)

(1)

32

2017

532

93

56

48

345

1,074

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

18 Provisions

€ million

At 1 January 2018

Charged to combined and consolidated income 
statement

Acquired through business combinations (see note 24)

Disposal of businesses

Released to combined and consolidated income 
statement

Amounts applied

Reclassification

Currency movements

At 31 December 2018

Restructuring 
costs

Employee 
related 
provisions

Environmental 
restoration

Other

22

36

—

—

(1)

(20)

—

—

37

33

10

—

—

(1)

(7)

—

—

35

5

—

—

(1)

—

—

—

—

4

Maturity analysis of total provisions on a discounted basis at 31 December 2018:

€ million

Current

Non-current

Total provisions

Restructuring 
costs

Employee 
related 
provisions

Environmental 
restoration

32

5

37

8

27

35

—

4

4

31

10

2

—

(5)

(9)

3

(1)

31

Other

21

10

31

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91

56

2

(1)

(7)

(36)

3

(1)

107

Total

61

46

107

Other provisions are mainly attributable to potential claims against the Group and onerous contracts, none of which are individually 
significant. All non-current provisions are discounted using a discount rate relevant in the local countries, based on a pre-tax yield on long-
term bonds.

19 Capital management
The Group defines its capital employed as equity, as presented in the combined and consolidated statement of financial position, plus 
net debt.

€ million

Equity attributable to shareholders

Equity attributable to non-controlling interests

Total equity

Net debt (see note 25c)

Capital employed

2018

3,485

340

3,825

2,220

6,045

Restated 
2017

3,683

324

4,007

1,532

5,539

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Capital employed is managed on a basis that enables the Group to continue trading as a going concern, while delivering acceptable 
returns to shareholders. The Group is committed to managing its cost of capital by maintaining an appropriate capital structure, with a 
balance between equity and net debt.

The Group utilises its capital employed to fund the growth of the business and to finance its liquidity needs.

The primary sources of the Group’s net debt include its €2.5 billion Guaranteed Euro Medium Term Note Programme, its €750 million 
Syndicated Revolving Credit Facility and financing from various banks and other credit agencies, thus providing the Group with access to 
diverse sources of debt financing.

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182

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

19 Capital management
The principal loan arrangements in place are the following:

€ million

Financing facilities

Maturity

Interest rate %

2018

2017

Syndicated Revolving Credit Facility

July 2021

EURIBOR/LIBOR + margin

€500 million Eurobond

€500 million Eurobond

€600 million Eurobond

European Investment Bank Facility

Export Credit Agency Facility

Other

Total committed facilities

Drawn

Total committed facilities available

September 2020

April 2024

April 2026

June 2025

June 2020

Various

3.375%

1.500%

1.625%

EURIBOR + margin

EURIBOR + margin

Various

750

500

500

600

62

15

60

2,487

(1,871)

616

750

500

500

—

71

34

132

1,987

(1,196)

791

In April 2018 the Group issued a €600 million Eurobond maturing in 2026 at a coupon rate of 1.625% per annum. The Eurobond has been 
issued under the Group’s Guaranteed Euro Medium Term Note Programme.

The €500 million Eurobond maturing in 2020 contains a coupon step-up clause whereby the coupon will be increased by 1.25% per 
annum if the Group fails to maintain at least one investment grade credit rating from either Moody’s Investors Service or Standard & 
Poor’s. Mondi currently has investment grade credit ratings from both Moody’s Investors Service (Baa1, outlook stable) and Standard & 
Poor’s (BBB+, outlook stable).

Short-term liquidity needs are met through the Syndicated Revolving Credit Facility. 

The Group reviews its capital employed on a regular basis and makes use of several indicative ratios which are appropriate to the nature of 
its operations and consistent with conventional industry measures. The principal ratios used include:

 e pre-tax weighted average cost of capital;
 e gearing, defined as net debt divided by capital employed;
 e net debt to 12-month trailing underlying EBITDA; and
 e return on capital employed.

Pre-tax weighted average cost of capital (%)

Gearing (%)

Net debt to 12-month trailing underlying EBITDA (times)

Return on capital employed (%)

2018

10.5

36.7

1.3

23.6

Restated 
2017

10.5

24.7

1.0

19.3

In order to manage its cost of capital, maintain an appropriate capital structure and meet its ongoing cash flow needs, the Group may 
issue new debt instruments; adjust the level of dividends paid to shareholders; issue new shares to, or repurchase shares from, investors; 
or dispose of assets to reduce its net debt exposure.

The Group operates a DLC structure, the terms of which require that the capital supplied by, or made available to, the shareholders of 
Mondi Limited and Mondi plc be constrained by the equality of treatment mechanism. This serves to maintain and protect the economic 
interests of both sets of shareholders.

The Group is subject to certain exchange control conditions as agreed with the South African Ministry of Finance. These conditions do 
not infringe upon the Group’s ability to manage optimally its capital structure. The Group has continuously met the exchange control 
provisions in the past and management is committed to ensuring that the Group continues to meet these provisions in the future.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

20 Borrowings

€ million

Secured

Bank loans and overdrafts

Lease liabilities (see note 11)

Total secured

Unsecured

Bonds

Bank loans and overdrafts

Other loans

Total unsecured

Total borrowings

2018

Restated 
2017

Current

Non-current

Total

Current

Non-current

Total

2

22

24

—

237

7

244

268

—

162

162

1,592

245

3

1,840

2,002

2

184

186

1,592

482

10

2,084

2,270

—

25

25

—

255

11

266

291

—

183

183

995

94

8

1,097

1,280

The Group’s borrowings as at 31 December are analysed by nature and underlying currency as follows:

2018/€ million

Euro

South African rand

Turkish lira

US dollar

Russian rouble

Other currencies

Carrying value

Fair value

2017/€ million (restated)

Euro

South African rand

Turkish lira

US dollar

Russian rouble

Other currencies

Carrying value

Fair value

Floating rate 
borrowings

Fixed rate 
borrowings

Total carrying 
value

196

6

52

11

1

203

469

469

1,640

1,836

28

14

20

71

28

1,801

1,818

34

66

31

72

231

2,270

Floating rate 
borrowings

Fixed rate 
borrowings

Total carrying 
value

129

103

56

10

4

53

355

355

1,051

32

1

22

83

27

1,216

1,265

1,180

135

57

32

87

80

1,571

The fair values of the Eurobonds are estimated with reference to the last price quoted in the secondary market. All other financial liabilities 
are estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the current market interest rate that is available to the Group for similar 
financial instruments.

—

208

208

995

349

19

1,363

1,571

Fair value

1,853

34

65

31

73

231

2,287

Fair value

1,243

135

57

32

69

84

1,620

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184

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

20 Borrowings
The maturity analysis of the Group’s borrowings, presented net of interest, is as follows:

2018/€ million

Bonds

Bank loans and overdrafts

Lease liabilities (see note 11)

Other loans

Total borrowings

Effective interest on borrowings net of amortised costs 
and discounts

Total undiscounted cash flows

2017/€ million (restated)

Bonds

Bank loans and overdrafts

Lease liabilities

Other loans

Total borrowings

Effective interest on borrowings net of amortised costs 
and discounts

Total undiscounted cash flows

Note:

1,221

2,270

< 1 year

1–2 years

2–5 years

> 5 years

—

239

22

7

268

63

331

499

31

18

—

548

36

584

—

200

30

3

233

79

312

1,093

14

114

—

180

1,401

< 1 year

1–2 years

2–5 years

> 5 years

—

255

25

11

291

51

342

—

24

20

3

47

40

87

499

46

35

—

580

78

658

496

24

128

5

653

191

844

Total1

1,592

484

184

10

358

2,628

Total1

995

349

208

19

1,571

360

1,931

1  It has been assumed that, where applicable, interest and foreign exchange rates prevailing at the reporting date will not vary over the time periods remaining for future 

cash outflows

In addition to the above, the Group swaps euro and pound sterling debt into other currencies through the foreign exchange market as 
disclosed in note 28.

21 Share capital and stated capital

Number of shares

Mondi Limited ordinary shares with no par value

Mondi Limited special converting shares with no par value

Authorised

250,000,000

650,000,000

Mondi plc is not restricted in the number of shares that can be issued. Any issue of shares is subject to shareholder approval.

2018 & 2017

Called up, allotted and fully paid/€ million

Number of 
shares

Share capital

Stated capital

Mondi Limited ordinary shares with no par value issued on the JSE

118,312,975

Mondi plc €0.20 ordinary shares issued on the LSE

Total ordinary shares in issue

Mondi Limited special converting shares with no par value

Mondi plc €0.20 special converting shares

Total special converting shares

Mondi plc €0.04 deferred shares

Total shares

367,240,805

485,553,780

367,240,805

118,312,975

485,553,780

146,896,322

—

74

74

—

24

24

5

103

431

—

431

8

—

8

—

439

Total

431

74

505

8

24

32

5

542

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
185

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The special converting shares are held in trust and do not carry dividend rights. These shares provide a mechanism for equality of 
treatment on termination of the DLC agreement for both Mondi Limited and Mondi plc ordinary shareholders. The deferred shares are 
held in trust and do not carry any dividend or voting rights.

Treasury shares represent the cost of shares in Mondi Limited (held by the Mondi Incentive Schemes Trust) and Mondi plc (held by the 
Mondi Employee Share Trust) purchased in the market to satisfy share awards under the Group’s employee share schemes (see note 22). 
These costs are reflected in the combined and consolidated statement of changes in equity.

at 31 December

Mondi Incentive Schemes Trust

Treasury shares held

2018

2017

Number of 
shares held

Average price 
per share

Number of 
shares held

Average price 
per share

Mondi Limited ordinary shares with no par value

355,471

ZAR230.96

349,642

ZAR243.22

Mondi Employee Share Trust

Mondi plc €0.20 ordinary shares

810,641

GBP19.07

869,054

GBP18.42

A dividend waiver is in place in respect of shares held by the Mondi Employee Share Trust.

22 Share-based payments

Mondi share awards

The Group has established its own share-based payment arrangements to incentivise employees. Full details of the Group’s share 
schemes are set out in the Remuneration report.

The fair values of the share awards granted under the Mondi schemes are calculated with reference to the facts and assumptions 
presented below:

Mondi Limited (ZAR) & Mondi plc (GBP)

BSP 2018

BSP 2017

BSP 2016

Date of grant

Vesting period (years)

Expected leavers p.a. (%)

Grant date fair value per instrument (GBP)

Grant date fair value per instrument (ZAR)

Number of shares conditionally awarded

27 March 2018

24 March 2017

22 March 2016

3

5

19.31

316.76

266,721

3

5

19.29

300.25

301,175

3

5

13.35

291.30

499,943

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186

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

22 Share-based payments

Mondi Limited (ZAR) & Mondi plc (GBP)

Date of grant

Vesting period (years)

Expected leavers p.a. (%)

Expected outcome of meeting performance criteria (%)

ROCE component

TSR component

Grant date fair value per instrument (GBP) – Mondi plc

ROCE component

TSR component2

Grant date fair value per instrument (ZAR) – Mondi Limited

ROCE component

TSR component2

Number of shares conditionally awarded

Notes:

LTIP 2018

LTIP 20171

LTIP 2016

27 March 2018

24 March 2017

22 March 2016

3

5

100

25

19.31

4.83

3

5

100

25

19.52

4.88

316.76

79.19

450,955

312.04

78.01

554,944

3

5

100

25

13.35

3.34

291.30

72.83

690,140

1  All participants, except the Group CEO and CFO, were granted an award on 24 March 2017. The Group CEO and CFO were granted an award on 12 May 2017 after 
the remuneration policy approval at the Mondi Limited and Mondi plc AGMs. The weighted average grant date fair value is reflected in the table. All performance 
requirements are identical for all 2017 LTIP awards

2  The base fair value has been adjusted for contractually-determined market-based performance conditions

All of these schemes are settled by the award of ordinary shares in either Mondi Limited or Mondi plc. The Group has no obligation to 
settle the awards made under these schemes in cash. An amount equal to the dividends that would have been paid on Bonus Share Plan 
(BSP) and Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) share awards during the holding period are paid to participants upon vesting.

The total fair value charge in respect of all the Mondi share awards for the year ended 31 December is made up as follows:

€ million

Bonus Share Plan

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Total share-based payment expense

The weighted average share price of share awards that vested during the period:

Mondi Limited

Mondi plc

2018

6

5

11

2017

8

7

15

2018

2017

ZAR327.48

ZAR306.79

GBP19.81

GBP18.74

A reconciliation of share award movements for the Mondi share schemes is shown below:

number of shares

At 1 January 2017

Mondi Ltd

Mondi plc

Total

Mondi Ltd

Mondi plc

Total

203,668

1,095,021

1,298,689

258,579

1,721,605

1,980,184

BSP

LTIP

Shares conditionally awarded

37,913

263,262

301,175

Shares vested

Shares lapsed

At 31 December 2017

Shares conditionally awarded

Shares vested

Shares lapsed

At 31 December 2018

(116,155)

(506,618)

(622,773)

(5,914)

119,512

20,930

(46,841)

(8,202)

85,399

(61,162)

790,503

245,791

(67,076)

910,015

266,721

(302,829)

(349,670)

(15,324)

718,141

(23,526)

803,540

60,758

(85,951)

(48,954)

494,186

(537,535)

(265,643)

554,944

(623,486)

(314,597)

184,432

1,412,613

1,597,045

19,165

(75,283)

(11,063)

431,790

450,955

(499,002)

(574,285)

(16,365)

(27,428)

117,251

1,329,036

1,446,287

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
187

23 Retirement benefits
The Group operates post-retirement defined contribution, post-retirement defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement medical 
plans for many of its employees.

Defined contribution plans

The assets of the defined contribution plans are held separately in independently administered funds. The charge in respect of these 
plans of €13 million (2017: €14 million) is calculated on the basis of the contribution payable by the Group in the financial year. There were 
no material outstanding or prepaid contributions recognised in relation to these plans as at the reporting dates presented. The expected 
contributions to be paid to defined contribution plans during 2019 are €13 million.

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Defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement medical plans

The Group operates in excess of 100 defined benefit retirement plans across its global operations. A large proportion of the Group’s 
defined benefit plans are closed to new members.

The majority of these plans are unfunded and provide pensions and severance benefits to members of those plans. 

The most significant unfunded defined benefit plans are operated in Austria, Germany and Russia and funded plans are operated 
primarily in the UK. These plans are established in accordance with applicable local labour legislation and/or collective agreements with 
participating employees.

The benefits are based on a variety of factors, the most significant of which are a combination of pensionable service and final salary. 
A number of these plans also provide additional benefits in the event of death in service, disability or ill-health retirement which are derived 
from the final salary benefit formula.

The assets of the funded plans are held separately in independently administered funds, in accordance with statutory requirements or 
local practice where those funds are operated. The boards of trustees of these plans are required to act in the best interest of the plans 
and all relevant stakeholders of the plans (active employees, inactive employees, retirees and employers), and are responsible for the 
investment policy with regard to the assets of the plans.

The post-retirement medical plans provide health benefits to retired employees and certain of their dependants. Eligibility for cover is 
dependent upon certain criteria. The South African plan is unfunded and has been closed to new participants since 1 January 1999.

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Developments in 2018

On 13 December 2018 a change in the Austrian Social Security Law was enacted into law. Effective 1 January 2020, the law proposes 
that the plan assets and liabilities of the Group’s Austrian health insurance fund be assumed by the Republic of Austria. The law provides 
options to the Group on how to comply with this change. The Group is currently assessing the options available and the impact expected.

Due to a ruling in the High Court of the UK, an equalisation for the effect of unequal Guaranteed Minimum Pensions (GMPs) was required 
to address inequality. An equalisation has been performed by the Group’s actuaries in respect of the UK pension scheme which resulted 
in the recognition of €1 million as a past service cost in the current year.

Except for the actuarial risks set out below, the Group has not identified any additional specific risks in respect of these plans.

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188

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

23 Retirement benefits
Defined benefit plans typically expose the Group to the following actuarial risks:

Investment risk (Asset volatility)

Interest risk

Longevity risk

Salary risk

Medical cost inflation risk

The present value of the net retirement benefit liability/asset is calculated using a 
discount rate determined by reference to high-quality bond yields. If the return on 
plan assets is below this rate, it will create a plan deficit that needs to be funded/
guaranteed by the employer. Currently the plan assets have a relatively balanced 
investment in equity and bonds. Due to the long-term nature of the plan liabilities, 
the boards of trustees consider it appropriate that a reasonable portion of the plan 
assets should be invested in equities.

A decrease in the bond interest rate will increase plan liabilities, however this will be 
partially offset by an increase in the value of the plan’s fixed rate debt instruments.

The present value of the net retirement benefit liability/asset is calculated by 
reference to the best estimate of the mortality of plan participants both during and 
after their employment. An increase in the life expectancy of the plan participants 
will increase the plan liabilities.

The present value of the net retirement benefit liability/asset is calculated by 
reference to the expected future salaries of plan participants. An increase in the 
salary of the plan participants will increase the plan liabilities.

The present value of the post-retirement medical plans is calculated by reference 
to expected future medical costs. An increase in medical cost inflation will increase 
the plan liabilities.

Independent qualified actuaries carry out full valuations every year using the projected unit credit method.

Actuarial assumptions

The weighted average principal assumptions used in the actuarial valuations are detailed below:

%

Discount rate

Rate of inflation

Rate of increase in salaries

Rate of increase of pensions in payment

Expected average increase of medical costs

2018

2017

South  
Africa

Europe

Other  
regions

South  
Africa

Europe

Other  
regions

9.8

6.3

7.3

—

7.8

2.1

2.3

2.8

2.9

3.7

10.1

5.9

7.2

4.0

—

9.5

6.8

7.8

—

8.3

1.9

2.3

2.8

2.9

3.7

7.8

4.3

5.5

4.0

—

The assumption for the discount rate for plan liabilities is based on AA corporate bonds, which are of a suitable duration and currency. 
In South Africa, the discount rate assumption has been based on the zero coupon government bond yield curve.

Mortality assumptions

The assumed remaining life expectancies on retirement at age 65 are:

years

Retiring today

Males

Females

Retiring in 20 years

Males

Females

2018

2017

South  
Africa

Europe

Other  
regions

South Africa

Europe

Other  
regions

16.2

20.2

21.7

25.8

14.1–22.9

15.1–20.7

17.7–27.4

17.7–25.3

14.1–25.4

15.1–21.0

17.7–27.8

17.7–25.3

16.1

20.2

21.5

25.7

14.1–22.8

15.1–20.8

17.6–27.1

18.6–25.3

14.1–25.0

15.1–21.2

17.6–27.7

18.6–25.3

The mortality assumptions have been based on published mortality tables in the relevant jurisdictions.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

The amounts recognised in the combined and consolidated statement of financial position are determined as follows:

€ million

Present value of unfunded liabilities

Present value of funded liabilities

Present value of plan liabilities

Fair value of plan assets

Net retirement benefits liability

Amounts reported in combined and 
consolidated statement of financial 
position

Defined benefit pension plans

Net retirement benefits asset

Defined benefit pension plans

Post-retirement medical plans

Net retirement benefits liability

2018

2017

South 
Africa

Europe

Other 
regions

(45)

—

(45)

—

(45)

—

—

—

(45)

(45)

(126)

(173)

(299)

135

(164)

6

6

(149)

(21)

(170)

(16)

(3)

(19)

—

(19)

—

—

(19)

—

(19)

Total

(187)

(176)

(363)

135

(228)

6

6

(168)

(66)

(234)

South 
Africa

Europe

Other 
regions

(52)

—

(52)

—

(52)

—

—

—

(52)

(52)

(124)

(172)

(296)

142

(154)

7

7

(155)

(6)

(161)

(19)

—

(19)

—

(19)

—

—

(19)

—

(19)

Total

(195)

(172)

(367)

142

(225)

7

7

(174)

(58)

(232)

The changes in the present value of defined benefit liabilities and fair value of plan assets are as follows:

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€ million

At 1 January

Included in combined and consolidated income statement

Current service cost

Past service cost

Loss from settlement

Interest

Included in combined and consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income

Remeasurement (losses)/gains

Return on plan assets

Acquired through business combinations  
(see note 24)

Contributions paid by scheme members

Contributions paid by employer

Benefits paid

Currency movements

At 31 December

Defined benefit 
liabilities

Fair value of  
plan assets

2018

(367)

2017

(377)

2018

142

2017

138

Net liability

2018

(225)

2017

(239)

(5)

(1)

(2)

(11)

(6)

—

(1)

(3)

—

24

9

(6)

—

—

(12)

1

—

 —

(3)

—

22

8

(363)

(367)

—

—

—

3

—

(6)

—

3

3

(10)

—

135

—

—

—

3

—

8

—

3

3

(9)

(4)

(5)

(1)

(2)

(8)

(6)

(6)

(1)

—

3

14

9

(6)

—

—

(9)

1

8

—

—

3

13

4

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(228)

(225)

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
 
190

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

23 Retirement benefits
The expected maturity analysis of undiscounted retirement benefits is as follows:

€ million

Less than a year

Between one and two years

Between two to five years

After five years

2018

2017

Defined benefit 
pension plans

Post-retirement 
medical plans

Total

Defined benefit 
pension plans

Post-retirement 
medical plans

10

13

31

248

11

4

13

133

21

17

44

381

10

10

31

261

8

11

21

198

Total

18

21

52

459

The change in the maturity analysis of undiscounted retirement benefits for post-retirement medical plans is due to the change in the 
Austrian Social Security Law which resulted in the future expected cash flows for the Group’s Austrian health insurance fund being limited 
to one year, with no further cash flows expected after 1 January 2020. 

The weighted average duration of the defined retirement benefits liability for South Africa is nine years (2017: 10 years), Europe 15 years 
(2017: 15 years) and other regions 13 years (2017: 13 years).

It is expected that the Group’s share of contributions will increase as the schemes’ members age. The expected contributions to be paid 
to defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement medical plans during 2019 are €19 million.

The market values of the plan assets in these plans are detailed below:

€ million

External equity

Bonds

Insurance contracts

Cash

Liability driven investment (LDI) portfolio

Fair value of plan assets

2018

2017

Quoted

Unquoted

Total

Quoted

Unquoted

Total

12

51

—

8

47

118

—

—

17

—

—

17

12

51

17

8

47

135

40

83

—

2

—

125

—

—

17

—

—

17

40

83

17

2

—

142

The majority of the Group’s plan assets are located in Austria and the UK and the following asset-liability matching/investing strategies 
are applied:

Austria

UK

The investment strategy is based on Austrian Social Security Law which stipulates that investments can only be 
made in high-quality euro bonds or deposits in euro in highly rated financial institutions. No investments in equity or 
equity funds are allowed. Due to legal and market restrictions asset-liability matching is not possible.

The trustees invest in diverse portfolios of pooled funds. The long-term objective is to ensure that each plan can 
continue to meet the benefit payments without exposing either the plan or the Group to an undue level of risk. The 
mix of investments in each plan is determined taking into account the maturity, currency and nature of the expected 
benefit payments required. The LDI portfolio is constituted of bonds and derivatives and is a UK plan asset which is 
designed to hedge the interest rate risk of the pension fund liabilities.

There are no other financial instruments or property owned by the Group included in the fair value of plan assets.

The fair values of equity, bonds and cash are determined based on quoted prices in active markets. The fair value of insurance contracts 
is determined in accordance with IAS 19.

The actual return on plan assets in respect of defined benefit plans was a loss of €3 million (2017: gain of €11 million).

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
The market value of assets is used to determine the funding level of the plans and is sufficient to cover 77% (2017: 83%) of the benefits 
which have accrued to members, after allowing for expected increases in future earnings and pensions. Companies within the Group 
are paying contributions at rates agreed with the plans’ trustees and in accordance with local independent actuarial advice and 
statutory provisions. 

In certain jurisdictions, Group plans are subject to minimum funding requirements. At 31 December 2018, these minimum funding 
requirements did not give rise to the recognition of any additional liabilities.

Sensitivity analyses

The sensitivity analyses below have been determined based on reasonably possible changes to the respective assumptions occurring at 
the end of the reporting period, while holding all other assumptions constant.

The sensitivity analyses may not be representative of the actual changes in the net retirement benefits asset/(liability) as it is unlikely that 
the changes in assumptions would occur in isolation of one another and some of the assumptions may be inter-related. The projected unit 
credit method was used to calculate the sensitivity analyses below.

A 1% change in the assumptions would have the following effects on the net retirement benefits plans:

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Discount rate

(Decrease)/increase in current service cost

(Decrease)/increase in net retirement benefits liability

Rate of inflation

Increase/(decrease) in current service cost

Increase/(decrease) in net retirement benefits liability

Rate of increase in salaries

Increase/(decrease) in current service cost

Increase/(decrease) in net retirement benefits liability

Rate of increase of pensions in payment

Decrease in current service cost

Increase/(decrease) in net retirement benefits liability

Medical cost trend rate

Increase/(decrease) in aggregate of the current service cost and interest cost

Increase/(decrease) in net retirement benefits liability

Mortality rates

Increase in current service cost

Increase in net retirement benefits liability

24 Business combinations

To 31 December 2018 

Acquisition of Powerflute Group Holdings Oy

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1% decrease

(1)

(50)

1

31

1

14

—

10

1

24

1

66

(1)

(27)

(1)

(13)

—

(10)

(1)

(19)

1 year increase

—

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Mondi acquired 100% of the outstanding share capital of Powerflute Group Holdings Oy (Powerflute) on 1 June 2018 for a total 
consideration of €365 million on a debt and cash-free basis.

Powerflute operates an integrated pulp and paper mill in Kuopio, Finland, with an annual production capacity of 285,000 tonnes of 
high-performance semi-chemical fluting. Powerflute’s premium semi-chemical fluting is sold to a diverse range of customers, primarily 
for packaging fresh fruit and vegetables, but also other end-uses such as electronics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The provisional 
goodwill arising on the acquisition is attributable to the anticipated synergies from integrating Powerflute into the Group, the benefits from 
the skilled workforce and the expansion of the product range and geographic reach of Mondi’s containerboard business.

Powerflute’s revenue for the year ended 31 December 2018 was €170 million with a profit after tax of €17 million. Powerflute’s revenue of 
€99 million and profit after tax of €8 million since the date of acquisition have been included in the combined and consolidated 
income statement.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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192

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

24 Business combinations
Details of the net assets acquired, as adjusted from book to fair value, are as follows:

€ million

Net assets acquired

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Other non-current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Other current assets

Total assets

Trade and other payables

Income tax liabilities

Other current liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Other provisions

Total liabilities (excluding debt)

Short-term borrowings

Debt assumed

Net assets acquired

Goodwill arising on acquisition

Total consideration

Comprising

Consideration paid in cash

€ million

Net cash outflow arising on acquisition

Consideration paid in cash

Cash acquired

Transaction costs paid

Net cash paid per combined and consolidated statement of cash flows

Book value

Revaluation

Fair value

64

7

1

14

48

6

1

141

(35)

(3)

(1)

(11)

—

(50)

(31)

(31)

60

42

3

—

5

—

—

—

50

—

—

—

(10)

(1)

(11)

—

—

39

106

10

1

19

48

6

1

191

(35)

(3)

(1)

(21)

(1)

(61)

(31)

(31)

99

242

341

341

Fair value

341

(6)

6

341

Other acquisitions

Mondi acquired the operating business and the underlying assets and liabilities of World Hardwood Proprietary Limited (World Hardwood) 
on 1 May 2018 for a consideration of ZAR408 million (€27 million) on a debt and cash-free basis. World Hardwood is a supplier of wood 
and operates forest plantations in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The acquisition increases the level of secure wood supply. 

World Hardwood’s revenue for the year ended 31 December 2018 was €nil with a profit after tax of €1 million. World Hardwood’s 
revenue of €nil and profit after tax of €1 million since the date of acquisition have been included in the combined and consolidated 
income statement.

Mondi acquired 100% of the outstanding shares in National Company for Paper Products and Import & Export (S.A.E.) (NPP) on 20 June 
2018 for a total consideration of EGP510 million (€25 million) on a debt and cash-free basis. NPP is an industrial bags producer, operating 
one plant in Giza near Cairo, Egypt, serving mostly regional customers. 

NPP’s revenue for the year ended 31 December 2018 was €36 million with a profit after tax of €3 million. NPP’s revenue of €18 million and 
profit after tax of €1 million since the date of acquisition have been included in the combined and consolidated income statement.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Mondi acquired control of Suez Bags Company (S.A.E.) (Suez Bags) for EGP26.01 per share (€1.26 per share) on 6 August 2018, which 
implies an equity value of EGP284 million (€14 million) on a 100% basis. Mondi now owns 96% of the company. Suez Bags is an industrial 
bags producer, operating one plant near Cairo, Egypt, serving mostly regional customers. Suez Bags, together with NPP, complement the 
Group’s network of plants in the growing Middle East region, and provide the Group with a leading position in Egypt to grow the business 
and better serve customers.

Suez Bags’ revenue for the year ended 31 December 2018 was €23 million with a profit after tax of €nil. Suez Bags revenue of €10 million 
and profit after tax of €nil since the date of acquisition have been included in the combined and consolidated income statement.

Details of the net assets acquired in relation to World Hardwood, NPP and Suez Bags, as adjusted from book to fair value, are as follows:

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Net assets acquired

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Forestry assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Trade and other payables

Income tax liabilities

Net retirement benefits liability

Deferred tax liabilities

Other provisions

Total liabilities (excluding debt)

Short-term borrowings

Medium and long-term borrowings

Debt assumed

Net assets acquired

Goodwill arising on acquisitions

Total consideration

Comprising

Consideration paid in cash

Fair value of associate interest previously held

€ million

Net cash outflow arising on acquisition

Consideration paid in cash

Transaction costs paid

Net cash paid per combined and consolidated statement of cash flows

Book value

Revaluation

Fair value

18

—

13

7

9

4

51

(5)

(2)

—

—

—

(7)

(4)

—

(4)

40

12

4

1

—

—

—

17

(2)

—

(1)

(3)

(1)

(7)

—

(1)

(1)

9

30

4

14

7

9

4

68

(7)

(2)

(1)

(3)

(1)

(14)

(4)

(1)

(5)

49

15

64

60

4

Fair value

60

1

61

€ million

World Hardwood

NPP

Suez Bags

Acquisitions total

Purchase price allocation adjustment (TSP)

Acquisitions total including adjustments

Goodwill

Net assets

Consideration

—

11

3

14

1

15

27

13

10

50

(1)

49

27

24

13

64

—

64

The Group incurred transaction costs of €9 million relating to the acquisitions completed in 2018. The transaction costs were expensed to 
the combined and consolidated income statement.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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194

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

24 Business combinations
The fair value accounting of these acquisitions is provisional in nature. The nature of these businesses is such that further adjustments to 
the carrying values of acquired assets and/or liabilities, and adjustments to the purchase price, are possible as the detail of the acquired 
businesses is evaluated post acquisition. If necessary, any adjustments to the fair values recognised will be made within 12 months of the 
acquisition dates.

In respect of trade and other receivables, the gross contractual amounts receivable less the best estimates at the acquisition dates of the 
contractual cash flows not expected to be collected approximate the book values and the revaluation amounts respectively as presented.

Goodwill arising on the above business combinations is not tax deductible.

To 31 December 2017

Mondi acquired 100% of the outstanding share capital of Excelsior Technologies Limited (Excelsior) on 3 February 2017 for a total 
consideration of GBP34 million (€40 million) on a debt and cash-free basis. Excelsior is a vertically-integrated producer of innovative flexible 
packaging solutions, mainly for food applications. 

Mondi acquired 100% (51% effective share) of the outstanding share capital of Smurfit Kappa Recycling CE, s.r.o. (SK Recycling) 
on 8 March 2017 for a consideration of €1 million on a debt and cash-free basis. SK Recycling operates eight paper recycling sites 
in Slovakia. 

Mondi acquired the remaining shares of Mondi TSP Co., Ltd. (TSP) that it did not already own (representing an interest of 50%) on 26 July 
2017 for a consideration of THB143 million (€4 million) on a debt and cash-free basis. TSP operates a plant near Bangkok, Thailand, and 
produces consumer goods packaging products with a focus on retort stand-up pouches for the food and pet food industry.

The provisional fair values at acquisition of TSP have been adjusted. Property, plant and equipment reduced by €1 million, goodwill 
increased by €1 million. The net effect of this adjustment is €nil and has been recorded during the year ended 31 December 2018.

Details of the net assets acquired, as adjusted from book to fair value, are as follows:

€ million

Net assets acquired

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Share of joint venture

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Trade and other payables

Deferred tax liabilities

Total liabilities (excluding debt)

Short-term borrowings

Medium and long-term borrowings

Debt assumed

Net assets acquired

Goodwill arising on acquisitions

Total consideration

Comprising

Consideration paid in cash

Deferred acquisition consideration

Fair value of associate interest previously held

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Book value

Revaluation

Fair value

7

—

1

5

14

2

29

(13)

—

(13)

(2)

(8)

(10)

6

2

12

—

2

(3)

—

13

1

(3)

(2)

—

—

—

11

9

12

1

7

11

2

42

(12)

(3)

(15)

(2)

(8)

(10)

17

26

43

38

1

4

€ million

Net cash outflow arising on acquisition

Consideration paid in cash

Cash acquired net of overdrafts

Transaction costs paid

Net cash paid per combined and consolidated statement of cash flows

€ million

Excelsior

SK Recycling

TSP

Acquisitions total

Purchase price adjustment (Uralplastic)

Acquisitions total including adjustments

Transaction costs of €1 million were charged to the combined and consolidated income statement.

25 Consolidated cash flow analysis 

(a) Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations

€ million

Profit before tax

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment of property, plant and equipment (not included in special items)

Share-based payments

Net cash flow effect of current and prior year special items

Net finance costs 

Net profit from equity accounted investees

Decrease in provisions and net retirement benefits

Increase in inventories

Increase in operating receivables

Increase/(decrease) in operating payables

Fair value gains on forestry assets

Felling costs

(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Net loss from disposal of businesses and equity accounted investees

Other adjustments

Cash generated from operations

(b) Cash and cash equivalents

€ million

Cash and cash equivalents per combined and consolidated statement of financial position

Bank overdrafts included in short-term borrowings

Cash and cash equivalents per combined and consolidated statement of cash flows

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximate their carrying values presented.

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38

(2)

1

37

Goodwill

Net assets

Consideration

21

—

3

24

2

26

12

1

4

17

—

17

2018

1,105

444

2

11

97

88

(1)

(7)

(112)

(84)

79

(43)

60

(1)

3

13

33

1

7

41

2

43

Restated 
2017

884

449

4

15

40

85

(1)

(16)

(19)

(87)

(16)

(43)

73

1

—

(6)

1,654

1,363

2018

52

(44)

8

2017

38

(104)

(66)

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The Group operates in certain countries (principally South Africa) where the existence of exchange controls may restrict the use of certain 
cash balances. These restrictions are not expected to have any material effect on the Group’s ability to meet its ongoing obligations.

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
196

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

25 Consolidated cash flow analysis

(c) Movement in net debt

The Group’s net debt position is as follows:

€ million

At 1 January 2017, as previously 
reported

Impact of change in accounting 
policy (see note 33)

Restated balance at 1 January 
2017

Cash flow (restated)

Additions to lease liabilities 
(restated)

Acquired through business 
combinations

Movement in unamortised loan 
costs

Net movement in derivative 
financial instruments

Reclassification (restated)

Currency movements (restated)

Restated balance at 31 
December 2017

Cash flow

Additions to lease liabilities

Disposal of lease liabilities

Acquired through business 
combinations (see note 24)

Movement in unamortised loan 
costs

Net movement in derivative 
financial instruments

Reclassification

Currency movements

At 31 December 2018

Cash and  
cash  
equivalents

Current 
financial 
asset 

investments Total assets

Debt due  
within one  
year

Debt due  
after one  
year

Debt-related 
derivative 
financial 
instruments

Total debt

Total net  
debt

377

—

377

(439)

—

—

—

—

—

(4)

(66)

67

—

—

—

—

—

—

7

8

2

—

2

(1)

—

(1)

—

—

1

—

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1

379

(624)

(1,119)

(19)

(1,762)

(1,383)

—

(22)

(190)

379

(440)

(646)

504

—

(1)

—

—

1

(4)

(5)

(2)

—

—

(54)

16

(1,309)

(14)

(22)

(8)

(2)

—

54

21

(65)

(187)

(1,280)

67

—

—

—

—

—

—

7

9

16

(5)

2

(31)

—

—

(39)

20

(765)

(19)

4

(1)

(2)

—

42

19

(224)

(2,002)

—

(19)

—

—

—

—

20

—

(1)

—

—

—

—

—

—

(2)

—

(1)

(3)

(212)

(212)

(1,974)

(1,595)

490

(27)

(10)

(2)

20

—

36

50

(27)

(11)

(2)

20

1

32

(1,467)

(1,532)

(749)

(24)

6

(682)

(24)

6

(32)

(32)

(2)

(2)

3

38

(2)

(2)

3

45

(2,229)

(2,220)

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

(d) Cash flow generation 

€ million

Net cash generated from operating activities

Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities

Investment in property, plant and equipment

Investment in equity accounted investees

Proceeds from the disposal of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents

Financing activities

Interest paid

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Purchases of treasury shares

Net cash outflow from derivatives

Other financing activities

Cash flow generation

26 Capital commitments

€ million

Contracted for but not provided

Approved, not yet contracted for

Total capital commitments

These capital commitments relate to the following categories of non-current non-financial assets:

€ million

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Total capital commitments

The expected maturity of these capital commitments is:

€ million

Within one year

One to two years

Two to five years

2018

1,407

(42)

(1,157)

709

7

(3)

402

(139)

(73)

(18)

(15)

(25)

(8)

1,226

2018

434

1,606

2,040

2018

40

2,000

2,040

2018

842

663

535

Restated 
2017

1,213

(46)

(694)

611

—

—

37

(195)

(97)

(22)

(24)

(47)

(5)

972

2017

393

1,545

1,938

2017

47

1,891

1,938

2017

740

672

526

Total capital commitments

2,040

1,938

Capital commitments are based on capital projects approved by the end of the financial year and the budget approved by the Boards. 
Major capital projects still require further approval before they commence and are not included in the above analysis. The Group’s capital 
commitments are expected to be financed from existing cash resources and borrowing facilities.

27 Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities comprise aggregate amounts as at 31 December 2018 of €6 million (2017: €6 million) in respect of loans and 
guarantees given to banks and other third parties. No acquired contingent liabilities have been recorded in the Group’s combined and 
consolidated statement of financial position for either year presented.

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The Group is subject to certain legal proceedings, claims, complaints and investigations arising out of the ordinary course of business. 
Legal proceedings may include, but are not limited to, alleged breach of contract and alleged breach of environmental, competition, securities 
and health and safety laws. The Group may not be insured fully, or at all, in respect of such risks. The Group cannot predict the outcome 
of individual legal actions or claims or complaints or investigations. The Group may settle litigation or regulatory proceedings prior to a final 
judgment or determination of liability. The Group may do so to avoid the cost, management efforts or negative business, regulatory or 
reputational consequences of continuing to contest liability, even when it considers it has valid defences to liability. The Group considers that 
no material loss to the Group is expected to result from these legal proceedings, claims, complaints and investigations. Provision is made 
for all liabilities that are expected to materialise through legal and tax claims against the Group.

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198

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

28 Financial instruments
The Group’s trading and financing activities expose it to various financial risks that, if left unmanaged, could adversely impact current or future 
earnings. Although not necessarily mutually exclusive, these financial risks are categorised separately according to their different generic risk 
characteristics and include market risk (foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group is actively engaged in 
the management of all of these financial risks in order to minimise their potential adverse impact on the Group’s financial performance.

The principles, practices and procedures governing the group-wide financial risk management process have been approved by the 
Boards and are overseen by the DLC executive committee. In turn, the DLC executive committee delegates authority to a central treasury 
function (Group treasury) for the practical implementation of the financial risk management process across the Group and for ensuring 
that the Group’s entities adhere to specified financial risk management policies. Group treasury continually reassesses and reports on the 
financial risk environment; identifying, evaluating and hedging financial risks by entering into derivative contracts with counterparties where 
appropriate. The Group does not take speculative positions on derivative contracts.

(a) Financial instruments by category

The Group has adopted IFRS 9, ‘Financial instruments’, on 1 January 2018 and in accordance with the transitional provisions in IFRS 9, 
comparative figures have not been restated. The classification categories previously defined under IAS 39 were replaced in IFRS 9 with 
the categories ‘amortised cost’, ‘fair value through profit or loss’ and ‘fair value through OCI’.

Financial assets previously held as ‘available-for-sale’ and ‘loans and receivables’ were transferred to the categories ‘at fair value through 
profit or loss’ and ‘at amortised cost’ respectively, effective from 1 January 2018. The transfer in financial asset categories did not have a 
material impact on the measurement of the financial assets.

2018/€ million

Financial assets

Trade and other receivables1

Financial asset investments

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

2017/€ million

Financial assets

Trade and other receivables1

Financial asset investments

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

Note:

Fair value 
hierarchy

At amortised 
cost

At fair value 
through profit 
or loss

At fair value 
through OCI

Level 2

Level 2

1,047

3

—

52

1,102

—

18

8

—

26

—

—

1

—

1

Fair value 
hierarchy

Available-
for-sale 
investments

Loans and 
receivables

At fair value 
through profit 
or loss

At fair value 
through OCI

Level 2

Level 2

—

18

—

—

18

993

6

—

38

1,037

—

—

10

—

10

—

—

3

—

3

1   Excludes tax, social security, prepayments and accrued income

The fair values of financial assets investments represent the published prices of the securities concerned.

2018/€ million

Financial liabilities

Borrowings – bonds

Borrowings – loans and overdrafts

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables1

Derivative financial instruments

Other non-current liabilities

Total

Note:

1  Excludes tax, social security, accruals and deferred income

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Fair value 
hierarchy

At amortised 
cost

At fair value 
through profit 
or loss

At fair value 
through OCI

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 2

Level 2/3

(1,592)

(494)

(184)

(766)

—

(14)

(3,050)

—

—

—

—

(12)

—

(12)

—

—

—

—

(1)

—

(1)

Total

1,047

21

9

52

1,129

Total

993

24

13

38

1,068

Total

(1,592)

(494)

(184)

(766)

(13)

(14)

(3,063)

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hierarchy

At amortised 
cost

At fair value 
through profit 
or loss

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 2

Level 2/3

(995)

(368)

(208)

(673)

—

(19)

(2,263)

—

—

—

—

(8)

—

(8)

Total

(995)

(368)

(208)

(673)

(8)

(19)

(2,271)

2017/€ million (restated)

Financial liabilities

Borrowings – bonds

Borrowings – loans and overdrafts

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables1

Derivative financial instruments

Other non-current liabilities

Total

Note:

1   Excludes tax, social security, accruals and deferred income

(b) Fair value measurement

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

Except as detailed below, the carrying values of financial instruments at amortised cost as presented in the combined and consolidated 
financial statements approximate their fair values.

€ million

Financial liabilities

Borrowings

(c) Financial risk management

Market risk

Carrying amount

Fair value

2018

Restated 
2017

2018

Restated 
2017

2,270

1,571

2,287

1,620

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The Group’s activities expose it primarily to foreign exchange and interest rate risk. Both risks are actively monitored on a regular basis 
and managed through the use of foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps as appropriate. Although the Group’s cash flows 
are exposed to movements in key input and output prices, such movements represent commercial rather than financial risk inherent to 
the Group.

Foreign exchange risk

The Group operates globally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk in the normal course of its business. Multiple currency exposures 
arise from commercial transactions denominated in foreign currencies, recognised financial assets and liabilities (monetary items) 
denominated in foreign currencies and translational exposure on net investments in foreign operations.

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Foreign exchange contracts

The Group’s treasury policy requires subsidiaries to actively manage foreign currency transactional exposures against their functional 
currencies by entering into foreign exchange contracts. For segmental reporting purposes, each subsidiary enters into, and accounts 
for, foreign exchange contracts with Group treasury or with counterparties that are external to the Group, whichever is more 
commercially appropriate. 

Only material balance sheet exposures and highly probable forecast capital expenditure transactions are hedged.

Foreign currency sensitivity analysis

Foreign exchange risk sensitivity analysis has been performed on the foreign currency exposures inherent in the Group’s financial assets 
and financial liabilities at the reporting dates presented, net of related foreign exchange contracts. The sensitivity analysis provides an 
indication of the impact on the Group’s reported earnings of reasonably possible changes in the currency exposures embedded within the 
functional currency environments that the Group operates in. In addition, an indication is provided of how reasonably possible changes in 
foreign exchange rates might impact on the Group’s equity, as a result of fair value adjustments to foreign exchange contracts designated 
as cash flow hedges. Reasonably possible changes are based on an analysis of historical currency volatility, together with any relevant 
assumptions regarding near-term future volatility.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

28 Financial instruments

Net monetary foreign currency exposures by functional currency zone

€ million

Functional currency zones2

Euro

South African rand

Czech koruna

Polish zloty

Russian rouble

Swedish krona

Turkish lira

Other

Notes:

Net monetary foreign currency 
exposures – assets/(liabilities)1

2018

EUR

Other

—

(6)

14

(7)

13

(26)

(22)

(66)

(10)

(4)

—

2

(11)

—

(2)

17

1  Presented in euro, the presentation currency of the Group

2  Net monetary exposures represent financial assets less financial liabilities denominated in currencies other than the applicable functional currency, adjusted for the 

effects of foreign exchange risk hedging, excluding cash flow hedging of non-monetary assets and liabilities

Resultant impacts of reasonably possible changes to foreign exchange rates

The Group considers that for each functional to foreign currency net monetary exposure it is reasonable to assume a 5% appreciation/
depreciation of the functional currency. If all other variables are held constant, the table below presents the impacts on the Group’s 
combined and consolidated income statement if these currency movements had occurred.

€ million

Functional currency zones

Czech koruna

Swedish krona

Other

Income/(expense)

2018

+5%

1

1

5

-5%

(1)

(1)

(5)

The corresponding fair value impact on the Group’s equity, resulting from the application of these reasonably possible changes to the 
valuation of the Group’s foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges, would have been €1 million. It has been assumed 
that changes in the fair value of foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges of non-monetary assets and liabilities are fully 
recorded in equity and that all other variables are held constant.

Interest rate risk

The Group holds cash and cash equivalents, which earn interest at a variable rate and has variable and fixed rate debt in issue. 
Consequently, the Group is exposed to interest rate risk. Although the Group has fixed rate debt in issue, the Group’s accounting policy 
stipulates that all borrowings be held at amortised cost. As a result, the carrying value of fixed rate debt is not sensitive to changes in credit 
conditions in the relevant debt markets and there is, therefore, no exposure to fair value interest rate risk.

Management of cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, together with short-term highly liquid investments which have 
a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition. Centralised cash pooling arrangements are in place, which ensure that 
cash is utilised most efficiently for the ongoing working capital needs of the Group’s operating units and, in addition, to ensure that the 
Group earns the most advantageous rates of interest available.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Management of variable rate debt

The Group has multiple variable rate debt facilities, of which the most significant is the Syndicated Revolving Credit Facility (see note 19). 
When deemed necessary, Group treasury uses interest rate swaps to hedge certain exposures to movements in the relevant interbank 
lending rates, primarily the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and the Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate (JIBAR).

The Group’s cash and cash equivalents act as a natural hedge to movements in the relevant interbank lending rates on its variable rate 
debt, subject to any interest rate differentials that exist between the Group’s corporate saving and lending rates.

Net variable rate debt sensitivity analysis

The net variable rate exposure represents variable rate debt less the future cash outflows swapped from variable-to-fixed via interest 
rate swap instruments and cash and cash equivalents. Reasonably possible changes in interest rates have been applied to the net 
variable rate exposure, denominated by currency, in order to provide an indication of the possible impact on the Group’s combined and 
consolidated income statement.

Interest rate risk sensitivities on variable rate debt

€ million

Total debt

Less:

Fixed rate debt

Lease liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents

Net variable rate debt and exposure

Interest rate risk exposures

EUR

1,836

(1,593)

(47)

(10)

186

2018

Other

434

(24)

(137)

(42)

231

Total

2,270

(1,617)

(184)

(52)

417

Restated 
2017

Other

391

(9)

(156)

(32)

194

EUR

1,180

(999)

(52)

(6)

123

Total

1,571

(1,008)

(208)

(38)

317

Included in other is net variable exposure to various currencies, the most significant of which are ZAR and TRY (2017: ZAR and TRY).

The Group did not have any outstanding interest rate swaps at 31 December 2018 (2017: €nil).

The potential impact on the Group’s combined and consolidated equity resulting from the application of +50 basis points to the variable 
interest rate exposure would be a gain of €2 million and vice versa for a -50 fall in basis points.

In addition to the above, the Group swaps euro and pound sterling debt into other currencies through the foreign exchange market using 
foreign exchange contracts which has the effect of exposing the Group to the interest rates of these currencies. The currencies swapped 
into/(out of) and the amounts as at 31 December were as follows:

€ million

2018

2017

Short-dated contracts with tenures of less than 12 months

Pound sterling

Czech koruna

Polish zloty

Russian rouble

Swedish krona

US dollar

Other

Total swapped

Credit risk

(145)

378

285

(91)

39

54

118

638

7

251

297

(164)

31

96

89

607

The Group’s credit risk is mainly confined to the risk of customers defaulting on sales invoices raised. The Group’s exposure to the credit 
risk inherent in its trade receivables and the associated risk management techniques that the Group deploys in order to mitigate this risk 
are discussed in note 16.

Several Group entities have also issued certain financial guarantees to external counterparties in order to achieve competitive funding 
rates for specific debt agreements entered into by other Group entities. None of these financial guarantees contractually obligates the 
Group to pay more than the recognised financial liabilities in the entities concerned. As a result, these financial guarantee contracts have 
no bearing on the credit risk profile of the Group as a whole.

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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202

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

28 Financial instruments

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group could experience difficulties in meeting its commitments to creditors as financial liabilities fall due for 
payment. The Group manages its liquidity risk by using reasonable and retrospectively assessed assumptions to forecast the future cash-
generative capabilities and working capital requirements of the businesses it operates and by maintaining sufficient reserves, committed 
borrowing facilities and other credit lines as appropriate.

The following table shows the amounts available to draw down on the Group’s committed loan facilities:

€ million

Expiry date

Within one year

Two to five years

Total credit available (see note 19)

2018

2017

48

568

616

58

733

791

Forecast liquidity represents the Group’s expected cash inflows, principally generated from sales made to customers, less the Group’s 
expected cash outflows, principally related to the payment of employees, supplier payments and the repayment of borrowings plus the 
payment of any interest accruing thereon. The matching of these cash inflows and outflows rests on the expected ageing profiles of the 
underlying assets and liabilities.

Short-term financial assets and financial liabilities are primarily represented by the Group’s trade receivables and trade payables. 
The matching of the cash flows that result from trade receivables and trade payables typically takes place over a period of three to 
four months from recognition in the combined and consolidated statement of financial position and is managed to ensure the ongoing 
operating liquidity of the Group.

Financing cash outflows may be longer-term in nature. The Group does not hold long-term financial assets to match against these 
commitments, but is significantly invested in long-term non-financial assets which generate the sustainable future cash inflows, net of 
future capital expenditure requirements, needed to service and repay the Group’s borrowings.

(d) Derivative financial instruments

At 31 December 2018, the Group recognised total derivative assets of €9 million (2017: €13 million) and derivative liabilities of €13 million 
(2017: €8 million). The full net liability of €4 million (2017: net asset of €5 million) will mature within one year.

The notional amount of €1,725 million (2017: €1,605 million) is the aggregate face value of all derivatives outstanding at the reporting 
date. They do not indicate the contractual future cash flows of the derivative instruments held or their current fair value and, therefore, 
do not indicate the Group’s exposure to credit or market risks. Of the €1,725 million (2017: €1,605 million) aggregate notional amount, 
€1,300 million (2017: €1,305 million) relates to the economic hedging of foreign exchange exposures on short-term inter-company funding 
balances, which are fully eliminated on consolidation.

Derivative financial instruments are subject to International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master netting agreements. 
The amounts are not offset in the statement of financial position.

Hedging

Cash flow hedges

The Group designates certain derivative financial instruments as cash flow hedges. The fair value gains/(losses) are reclassified from the 
cash flow hedge reserve to the combined and consolidated income statement in the period when the hedged transaction affects profit 
and loss. For non-current non-financial assets, these gains/(losses) are included in the carrying value of the asset and depreciated over the 
same useful life as the cost of the asset.

No fair value gains/(losses) (2017: €nil) were reclassified from the cash flow hedge reserve to property, plant and equipment during the 
current year. There was no ineffectiveness recognised in the combined and consolidated income statement arising on cash flow hedges 
for both years presented.

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29 Related party transactions
The Group and its subsidiaries, in the ordinary course of business, enter into various sale, purchase and service transactions with equity 
accounted investees and others in which the Group has a material interest. These transactions are under terms that are no less favourable 
than those arranged with third parties. These transactions, in total, are not considered to be significant.

Transactions between Mondi Limited, Mondi plc and their respective subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on 
consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.

€ million

Sales to related parties

Purchases from related parties

Receivables due from related parties

Payables due to related parties

Associates

2018

18

208

2

44

2017

22

194

2

30

Compensation for the Boards and key management

In accordance with IAS 24, ‘Related Party Disclosures’, key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility 
for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group, directly or indirectly, and includes directors (both Executive and Non-
Executive) of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc. The Boards and those members of the DLC executive committee who are not directors 
comprise the key management personnel of the Group. The remuneration of the directors is disclosed in the Remuneration report.

€ million

Salaries and short-term employee benefits

Non-Executive Directors

Defined contribution plan payments

Social security costs

Share-based payments

Total

2018

8.4

1.1

0.9

0.7

5.1

16.2

2017

8.5

1.1

0.9

1.2

6.6

18.3

The information presented in the table above, in conjunction with the audited information included in the Remuneration report, satisfies 
the disclosure requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa 2008 Section 30(4) to (6) with regard to the remuneration of prescribed 
officers of the Group. 

Details of the transactions between the Group and its pension and post-retirement medical plans are disclosed in note 23.

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204

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

30 Group companies

Composition of the Group

The subsidiaries of the Group as at 31 December 2018 are set out in note 6 of the Mondi Limited parent company financial statements 
and note 11 of the Mondi plc parent company financial statements. All of these interests are combined and consolidated within the 
Group’s financial statements. 

The Group has no material joint ventures or associates.

Refer to Mondi’s global footprint on pages 6 and 7 of the overview to the Integrated report for more information on the places of operation.

Details of non-wholly-owned subsidiaries

Proportion of ownership interests 
and voting rights held by non-
controlling interests (%)

Profit attributable to non-
controlling interests

Equity attributable to non-
controlling interests

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Mondi SCP a.s.

Individually immaterial subsidiaries with 
non-controlling interests

Total

2018

49

2017

49

2018

30

12

42

Restated 
2017

32

11

43

Summarised financial information of the Group’s material non-controlling interest is as follows:

Mondi SCP a.s.

€ million

Statement of financial position

Non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Equity attributable to owners of the company

Equity attributable to non-controlling interests

Income statement and statement of comprehensive income

Revenue

Operating costs (including taxation)

Profit for the year

Attributable to owners of the company

Attributable to non-controlling interests

Profit and total comprehensive income for the year

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Statement of cash flows

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Net cash outflow from financing activities

Net cash inflow

The summarised financial information represents amounts before intra-group eliminations.

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Integrated report and financial statements 2018

2018

278

62

340

2018

542

352

(193)

(126)

575

297

278

806

(743)

63

33

30

63

15

113

(79)

(34)

—

Restated 
2017

263

61

324

Restated 
2017

509

343

(223)

(83)

546

283

263

770

(699)

71

39

32

71

20

115

(37)

(38)

40

 
31 Events occurring after 31 December 2018
With the exception of the final ordinary dividend proposed for 2018 (see note 9), there have been no material reportable events since 
31 December 2018.

32 Accounting policies

Basis of consolidation

The combined and consolidated financial statements incorporate the revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, equity and cash flows of 
Mondi Limited and Mondi plc, and of their respective subsidiaries (together ‘the Group’), and the Group’s share of equity accounted 
investees drawn up to 31 December each year. All intra-group balances and transactions are eliminated. 

A subsidiary is an entity over which the Group has control. Control is evident where the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable 
returns from its involvement with that entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over that entity. The results of 
subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the years presented are included in the combined and consolidated income statement from 
the effective date of acquiring control or up to the effective date of disposal.

Non-controlling interests are measured, at initial recognition, as the non-controlling proportion of the fair values of the assets and liabilities 
recognised at acquisition.

After initial recognition, non-controlling interests are measured as the aggregate of the value at initial recognition and their subsequent 
proportionate share of profits and losses less any distributions made. 

Changes in the Group’s interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a change in control are accounted for as equity transactions. 
Any resulting difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interests is adjusted and the fair value of the consideration 
payable or receivable is recognised directly in equity and attributed to the shareholders.

Foreign currency transactions and translation

Foreign currency transactions

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency of the entity that has undertaken the transaction using the 
exchange rates ruling on the dates of the transactions. At each reporting date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in 
foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing on the reporting date. Gains and losses arising on translation are included in 
the combined and consolidated income statement and are classified as either operating or financing consistent with the nature of the 
monetary item giving rise to them.

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Translation of overseas operations

The Group’s results are presented in euro, the currency in which most of its business is conducted. On consolidation, the assets and 
liabilities of the Group’s overseas operations are translated into the presentation currency of the Group at exchange rates prevailing on 
the reporting date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the month in which they occur where 
these approximate the rates on the dates of the underlying transactions. Exchange differences, if any, are recognised directly in other 
comprehensive income, and accumulated in equity. Such translation differences are reclassified to profit and loss only on disposal or 
partial disposal of the overseas operation.

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Fair value measurement

Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, or where the fair value of financial instruments has been disclosed in notes to the 
combined and consolidated financial statements, are based on the following fair value measurement hierarchy:

 e level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
 e level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as 

prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices); and

 e level 3 – inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs).

The assets measured at fair value on level 3 of the fair value measurement hierarchy are the Group’s forestry assets as set out in note 14 
and certain assets acquired or liabilities assumed in business combinations.

The fair values of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, over-the-counter derivatives) are determined 
using generally accepted valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data and rely as little 
as possible on Group specific estimates.

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Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

32 Accounting policies
Specific valuation methodologies used to value financial instruments include:

 e the fair values of interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts are calculated as the present value of expected future cash flows 

based on observable yield curves and exchange rates;

 e the fair values of the Group’s commodity price derivatives are calculated as the present value of expected future cash flows based on 

observable market data; and

 e other techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis, are used to determine the fair values of other financial instruments.

Segmental reporting (note 2)

The Group’s operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the DLC executive committee, 
the chief operating decision-making body. The operating segments are managed based on the nature of the underlying products 
produced by those businesses and comprise three distinct segments.

Measurement of operating segment revenues, profit and loss, assets and non-current non-financial assets

Each of the reportable segments derives its income from the sale of manufactured products.

The operating segment measures adhere to the recognition and measurement criteria presented in the Group’s accounting policies 
and are presented on an underlying basis, excluding special items. The Group has presented certain non-IFRS measures (Alternative 
Performance Measures) by segment to supplement the user’s understanding. All intra-group transactions are conducted on an arm’s 
length basis. 

The Group’s measure of net segment assets includes the allocation of net retirement benefits assets and liabilities. The measure of 
segment results exclude, however, the financing effects of the Group’s defined benefit retirement plans. In addition, the Group’s measure 
of net segment assets does not include an allocation for derivative assets and liabilities, non-operating receivables and payables and 
assets held for sale and associated liabilities. The measure of segment results includes the effects of certain movements in these 
unallocated balances.

There has been no change in the basis of measurement of segment profit and loss in the financial year.

Revenue from contracts with customers

Sale of goods (note 2)

Revenue is recognised from the sale of goods and is measured at the amount of the transaction price received in exchange for 
transferring goods. The transaction price is the expected consideration to be received, to the extent that it is highly probable that there 
will not be a significant reversal of revenue in future, after deducting discounts, volume rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. 
When the period of time between delivery of goods and subsequent payment by the customer is less than one year, no adjustment for a 
financing component is made.

Control of the goods is passed when title and insurance risk have passed to the customer, which is typically when the goods have been 
delivered to a contractually agreed location.

The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are recognised as an expense when the period of amortisation over which the costs would 
have been recognised is one year or less. If not, these costs are capitalised and amortised on a basis consistent with the transfer of goods 
to the customer to which the asset relates.

Transport revenue (note 2)

Transport revenue is considered distinct when the Group provides transport services beyond the point in time when control of goods has 
passed to the customer. Such revenue is recognised over time. 

Transitional application

The Group has elected to adopt IFRS 15, ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’, with the retrospective transitional option per IFRS 15 
C3 (a), in accordance with IAS 8, ‘Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors’, subject to expedients. The Group 
has used the following practical expedients as permitted by IFRS 15:

 e for completed contracts that began and ended in the same annual reporting period, no restatement has been done;
 e for completed contracts that have variable consideration, the transaction price at the date on which the contract was completed has 

been used; and

 e for the comparative 2017 period, the amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations is not disclosed.

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Other income

Sale of green energy and CO2e credits (note 15)
Income generated from the sale of green energy and CO2e credits issued under international trading schemes is measured at the 
consideration received in exchange for transferring such credits. The income is recorded within other net operating expenses in the 
combined and consolidated income statement when ownership rights pass to the buyer. Any unsold green energy credits are recorded 
in inventory.

Investment income (note 6)

Interest income, which is derived from cash and cash equivalents and other interest-bearing financial assets, is accrued on a time 
proportion basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the applicable effective interest rate. Interest income is included in net 
finance costs.

Taxation (note 7)

The tax expense represents the sum of the current tax charge and the deferred tax charge.

Current tax

The current tax charge is based on taxable profit for the year. The Group’s asset/liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that 
have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. The Group is regularly subjected to routine tax audits. Provision is 
made based on the tax laws in the relevant country and the expected outcomes of any negotiations or settlements.

The Group is subject to corporate taxes in a number of jurisdictions and a degree of estimation and judgement is required in determining 
the appropriate tax provision for transactions where the tax treatment is uncertain. In these circumstances, the Group recognises 
provisions for taxes based on information available where the anticipated liability is both probable and estimable.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and 
liabilities in the Group’s combined and consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of 
taxable profit and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable 
temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available 
against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary differences 
arise from the initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial recognition, other than in a business combination, of other assets and 
liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, except 
where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse 
in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date. The carrying amount is reduced to the extent that it is no 
longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered within a reasonable period of 
time. Similarly, it is increased to the extent that it becomes probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available in the future for all or part 
of the deferred tax asset to be recovered within a reasonable period of time.

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Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted and are expected to apply in the year when the 
liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited to the combined and consolidated income statement, except 
when it relates to items charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity, in which case the deferred 
tax is also taken directly to other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority and the Group intends to 
settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

The Group applies the initial recognition exemption model to account for any investment tax credits. Deferred tax is not recognised for 
temporary differences relating to investment tax credits due to the availability of the initial recognition exemption.

Earnings per share (EPS) (note 8)

Basic EPS

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of the sum of ordinary 
Mondi Limited and Mondi plc shares in issue during the year, net of treasury shares.

Diluted EPS

For diluted EPS, the weighted average number of the sum of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc ordinary shares in issue, net of treasury 
shares, is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. At present these only include share awards granted to 
employees. Potential or contingent share issues are treated as dilutive when their conversion to shares would decrease EPS.

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Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

32 Accounting policies

Non-current non-financial assets excluding goodwill, deferred tax and net retirement benefits asset

Property, plant and equipment (note 10)

Property, plant and equipment principally comprise land and buildings, plant and equipment and assets in the course of construction.

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Land and assets in the course of 
construction are carried at cost less impairment. Cost includes site preparation, the purchase price of the equipment and directly 
attributable labour and installation costs. Borrowing costs are capitalised on qualifying assets. The capitalisation of costs ceases when the 
asset is in the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of commercial operation. Start-up and ongoing maintenance costs are 
not capitalised.

Depreciation is charged to the combined and consolidated income statement so as to write off the cost of assets, other than freehold land 
and assets in the course of construction, over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis to their estimated residual values. 

Residual values and useful lives are reviewed at least annually. Depreciation commences when the assets are ready for their intended use. 
Estimated useful lives range from three years to 20 years for items of plant and equipment and other categories and to a maximum of 50 
years for buildings.

Leases (note 11)

To the extent that a right-of-control exists over an asset subject to a lease, with a lease term exceeding one year, a right-of-use asset, 
representing the Group’s right to use the underlying leased asset, and a lease liability, representing the Group’s obligation to make lease 
payments, are recognised in the combined and consolidated statement of financial position at the commencement of the lease. 

The right-of-use asset is measured initially at cost and includes the amount of initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct 
costs incurred, including advance lease payments, and an estimate of the dismantling, removal and restoration costs required in terms of 
the lease. Depreciation is charged to the combined and consolidated income statement so as to depreciate the right-of-use asset from 
the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The lease term 
shall include the period of an extension option where it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Where the lease contains 
a purchase option the asset is written off over the useful life of the asset when it is reasonably certain that the purchase option will 
be exercised.

The lease liability is measured at the present value of the future lease payments, including variable lease payments that depend on an 
index and the exercise price of purchase options where it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised, discounted using the 
interest rate implicit in the lease, if readily determinable. If the rate cannot be readily determined, the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate is 
used. Finance charges are recognised in the combined and consolidated income statement over the period of the lease.

Lease expenses for leases with a duration of one year or less and low-value assets are charged to the combined and consolidated 
income statement when incurred. Low-value assets are based on qualitative and quantitative criteria.

Transitional application

The Group has elected to early adopt IFRS 16, ‘Leases’, with effect from 1 January 2018, with the retrospective transitional option per 
IFRS 16 C5 (a), applying IAS 8, ‘Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors’. The Group has elected to apply 
the practical expedient per IFRS 16 C3, such that the IFRS 16 definition of a lease would only be applied to assess whether contracts 
entered into after the date of initial application are, or contain, leases. All contracts previously assessed not to contain leases have not 
been reassessed.

Intangible assets and research and development expenditure (note 13)

Intangible assets are measured initially at purchase consideration and are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful 
lives. Estimated useful lives vary between three years and 10 years and are reviewed at least annually.

Research expenditure is expensed in the year in which it is incurred. Development costs are capitalised when the completion of the asset 
is both commercially and technically feasible and are amortised on a systematic basis over the economic life of the related development. 
Development costs are recognised immediately as an expense if they do not qualify for capitalisation.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its property, plant and equipment and intangible assets to determine 
whether there is any indication that those assets are impaired. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is 
estimated. If the recoverable amount of an asset, or cash-generating unit (CGU) to which the asset relates, is less than its carrying amount, 
the carrying amount of the asset, or CGU, is reduced to its recoverable amount and an impairment recognised as an expense.

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209

The recoverable amount of the asset, or CGU, is the higher of its fair value less costs to dispose and its value-in-use. In assessing value-
in-use, the estimated future cash flows generated by the asset 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 which estimates of future cash flows 
have not been adjusted. Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group estimates the 
recoverable amount of the smallest CGU to which the asset belongs. 

Where the underlying circumstances change such that a previously recognised impairment subsequently reverses, the carrying amount 
of the asset, or CGU, is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount. Such a reversal is limited to the carrying amount that 
would have been determined had no impairment been recognised for the asset, or CGU, in prior years. A reversal of an impairment is 
recognised in the combined and consolidated income statement.

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Agriculture – owned forestry assets (note 14)

Owned forestry assets are biological assets measured at fair value less costs to sell, calculated by applying the expected selling price, 
less costs to harvest and deliver, to the estimated volume of timber on hand at each reporting date. The fair value less costs to sell 
is determined using a market approach. The estimated volume of timber on hand is determined based on the maturity profile of the 
area under afforestation, the species, the geographic location and other environmental considerations and excludes future growth. 
The product of these is then adjusted for risks associated with forestry assets.

Changes in fair value are recognised in the combined and consolidated income statement within other net operating expenses. At point of 
felling, the carrying value of forestry assets is transferred to inventory.

Directly attributable costs incurred during the year of biological growth and investments in standing timber are capitalised and presented 
within cash flows from investing activities.

Business combinations (note 24)

Identifiable net assets

At the date of acquisition, the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of an acquiree, are recorded at their fair values on 
acquisition date. Assets and liabilities which cannot be measured reliably are recorded at provisional fair values, which are finalised within 
12 months of the acquisition date.

Cost of a business combination

The cost of a business combination includes the fair value of assets provided, liabilities incurred or assumed, and any equity instruments 
issued by a Group entity, in exchange for control of an acquiree. The directly attributable costs associated with a business combination 
are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill (note 12)

Any excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is attributed to goodwill. Goodwill is 
subsequently measured at cost less any impairment.

Impairment of goodwill

Goodwill acquired through business combinations is allocated to the group of CGUs that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the 
combination and represents the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. The recoverable amount 
of the group of CGUs to which goodwill has been allocated is tested for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each financial year 
and when events or changes in circumstances indicate that it may be impaired.

The recoverable amount of a group of CGUs is determined based on value-in-use calculations. Value-in-use calculations use cash flow 
projections based on financial budgets covering a three-year period that are based on the latest forecasts for revenue and costs as 
approved by the Boards. Projected revenues and costs are determined taking into consideration relevant industry forecasts for individual 
product lines, management’s projections, historical performance and announced industry capacity changes.

Cash flow projections beyond three years are based on internal management projections. Growth rates in the countries in which the 
Group operates are determined with reference to published gross domestic product information, and for specific product lines are 
determined with reference to published industry studies.

The discount rate is determined as the Group’s weighted average cost of capital using published market data and published borrowing 
rates and adjusted for country risk and tax.

Any impairment is recognised in the combined and consolidated income statement. Impairments of goodwill are not 
subsequently reversed.

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Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

32 Accounting policies

Current non-financial assets

Inventories (note 15)

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined on the first-in-first-out (FIFO) or weighted average 
cost basis, as appropriate. Costs comprise direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have 
been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Net realisable value is defined as the selling price less any 
estimated costs to sell.

Assets held for sale

Assets are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered through a sale transaction rather than through continuing 
use. Assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs of disposal from the date on 
which these conditions are met.

Any resulting impairment is reported in the combined and consolidated income statement. On classification as held for sale, the assets are 
no longer depreciated or amortised. Comparative amounts are not adjusted.

Provisions (note 18)

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event, which it is probable it will be required to 
settle. Provisions are measured at management’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the reporting date, 
and are discounted to present value using country specific discount rates for periods matching the duration of the underlying liability 
where the effect of discounting is material.

Equity instruments

Treasury shares (note 21)

The purchase by any Group entity of either Mondi Limited’s or Mondi plc’s equity instruments results in the recognition of treasury shares. 
The consideration paid or payable is deducted from equity. Where treasury shares are subsequently sold, reissued or otherwise disposed 
of, any consideration received or receivable is included in equity attributable to the shareholders of either Mondi Limited or Mondi plc, net 
of any directly attributable incremental transaction costs and the related tax effects.

Dividend payments (note 9)

Dividend distributions to Mondi Limited’s and Mondi plc’s ordinary shareholders are recognised as a liability when the dividends are 
declared and approved. Final dividends are accrued when approved by both Mondi Limited’s and Mondi plc’s ordinary shareholders at 
their respective Annual General Meetings and interim dividends are recognised when approved by the Boards.

Share-based payments (note 22)

The Group operates a number of equity-settled, share-based compensation schemes. The fair value of the employee services received 
in exchange for the grant of share awards is recognised concurrently as an expense and an adjustment to equity. The total amount to 
be expensed over the vesting period is determined by reference to the fair value of the share awards granted, as adjusted for market 
performance conditions and non-market vesting conditions. Vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of awards 
that are expected to vest. At each reporting date, the Group revises its estimates of the number of share awards that are expected to 
vest as a result of changes in non-market vesting conditions. It recognises the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in the 
combined and consolidated income statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

Financial instruments (note 28)

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s combined and consolidated statement of financial position when the 
Group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition 
or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss) 
are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities on initial recognition. Transaction costs directly 
attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognised immediately in the 
combined and consolidated income statement.

Cash and cash equivalents (note 25b)

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, together with short-term, highly liquid investments of a maturity 
of three months or less from the date of acquisition that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and that are subject to an 
insignificant risk of changes in value. Bank overdrafts are shown within short-term borrowings in current liabilities in the combined and 
consolidated statement of financial position. Cash and cash equivalents presented in the combined and consolidated statement of cash 
flows and in net debt (note 25c) are net of overdrafts.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

211

Trade receivables (note 16)

Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate 
method, less allowance for impairments.

Impairment of trade receivables (note 16)

A simplified lifetime Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model is used to assess trade receivables for impairment. ECL is the present value of 
all cash shortfalls over the expected life of a trade receivable. Expected credit losses are based on historical loss experience on trade 
receivables, adjusted to reflect information about current economic conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future 
economic conditions. At the date of initial recognition, the credit losses expected to arise over the lifetime of a trade receivable are 
recognised as an impairment. 

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Trade payables (note 17)

Trade payables are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. 

Borrowings (note 20)

Interest-bearing loans and overdrafts are initially recognised at fair value, net of direct transaction costs. Borrowings are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost. Any difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the redemption value is recognised in 
the combined and consolidated income statement over the term of the borrowings using the effective interest rate method.

Borrowing costs (note 6)

Interest on borrowings directly relating to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets is capitalised until such time 
as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale. Where funds have been borrowed specifically to finance a project, 
the amount capitalised represents the actual borrowing costs incurred. Where the funds used to finance a project form part of general 
borrowings, the amount capitalised is calculated using a weighted average of rates applicable to relevant general borrowings of the Group 
during the construction period.

All other borrowing costs are recognised in the combined and consolidated income statement in the period in which they are incurred.

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Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting (note 28d)

The Group enters into forward, option and swap contracts in order to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange, interest rate and 
commodity price risks.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and subsequently measured at fair value in 
the combined and consolidated statement of financial position within financial instruments, and are classified as current or non-current 
depending on the maturity of the derivative.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are not formally designated in hedge relationships are recognised 
immediately in the combined and consolidated income statement and are classified within operating profit or net finance costs, depending 
on the type of risk to which the derivative relates.

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Cash flow hedges

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated as hedges of future cash flows 
are recognised directly in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is 
recognised immediately in the combined and consolidated income statement. If the cash flow hedge of a forecast transaction results 
in the recognition of a non-financial asset then, at the time the asset is recognised, the associated gains or losses on the derivative that 
had previously been recognised in the Group’s cash flow hedge reserve in equity are included in the initial measurement of the asset. 
For hedges that do not result in the recognition of a non-financial asset, amounts deferred in the Group’s cash flow hedge reserve in 
equity are recognised in the combined and consolidated income statement in the same period in which the hedged item affects profit and 
loss on a proportionate basis.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedge relationship is revoked or the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, 
exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss deferred in equity remains in equity and 
is recognised in the combined and consolidated income statement when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognised. If a hedge 
transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss deferred in equity is included immediately in the combined and 
consolidated income statement.

Transitional application

The Group has adopted IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’, on 1 January 2018 and in accordance with the transitional provisions in IFRS 9, 
comparative figures have not been restated. The comparative information provided continues to be accounted for in accordance with the 
Group’s previous accounting policy. Refer to the accounting policies of the Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2017 
for details of the previous policy.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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212

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

32 Accounting policies

Retirement benefits (note 23)

The Group operates defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution pension plans for the majority of its employees as well as 
post-retirement medical plans.

Defined contribution plans

For defined contribution plans, the amount charged to the combined and consolidated income statement is the contributions paid or 
payable during the reporting period.

Defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement medical plans

For defined benefit pension and post-retirement medical plans, actuarial valuations are performed at each financial year end using the 
projected unit credit method. The average discount rate for the plans’ liabilities is based on investment grade rated corporate bonds 
or similar government bonds of a suitable duration and currency. Plans’ assets are measured using market values at the end of the 
reporting period.

The net retirement benefits liability recognised in the combined and consolidated statement of financial position represents the present 
value of the defined benefit liability as reduced by the fair value of any plan assets.

Any increase in the present value of plan liabilities expected to arise from employee service during the year is charged to personnel costs 
as service costs. Past service costs resulting from plan amendments or curtailments and gains or losses on settlements are charged to 
personnel costs. A net interest expense or net interest income is calculated by applying the discount rate, on a per plan basis, to the net 
defined benefit liability or asset and recognised in the combined and consolidated income statement within net finance costs.

Remeasurements comprising actuarial gains and losses and the return on plan assets (after recognising the net finance charge) 
are charged or credited to equity in other comprehensive income, net of deferred tax, in the reporting period in which they occur. 
Remeasurements recorded in other comprehensive income are not recycled to the combined and consolidated income statement, 
but those amounts recognised in other comprehensive income may be transferred within equity.

Alternative Performance Measures 

The Group presents certain measures of financial performance, position or cash flows in the combined and consolidated financial 
statements that are not defined or specified according to IFRS. These measures, referred to as Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), 
are prepared on a consistent basis for all periods presented in this report.

The most significant APMs are:

Net debt (note 25c)

A measure comprising short, medium, and long-term interest-bearing borrowings and the fair value of debt-related derivatives less 
cash and cash equivalents and current financial asset investments. Net debt provides a measure of the Group’s net indebtedness or 
overall leverage.

Return on capital employed (ROCE) (notes 2 and 19)

Trailing 12-month underlying operating profit, including share of equity accounted investees’ net profit/(loss), divided by trailing 12-month 
average capital employed. Capital employed is adjusted for spend on major capital expenditure projects which are not yet in production. 
Segments’ 12-month average capital employed has been extracted from management reports. ROCE provides a measure of the efficient 
and effective use of capital in the business.

Special items (note 3)

Those financial items which the Group considers should be separately disclosed on the face of the combined and consolidated income 
statement to assist in understanding the underlying financial performance achieved by the Group. Such items are generally material 
by nature and exceed €10 million and the Group, therefore, excludes these items when reporting underlying earnings and related 
measures in order to provide a measure of the underlying performance of the Group on a basis that is comparable from year to year. 
Subsequent adjustments to items previously recognised as special items continue to be reflected as special items in future periods even if 
they do not exceed the quantitative reporting threshold.

Underlying EBITDA (combined and consolidated income statement)

Operating profit before special items, depreciation, amortisation and impairments not recorded as special items. Underlying EBITDA 
provides a measure of the cash-generating ability of the business that is comparable from year to year.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Underlying operating profit (combined and consolidated income statement)

Operating profit before special items. Underlying operating profit provides a measure of operating performance that is comparable from 
year to year.

Underlying profit before tax (combined and consolidated income statement)

Profit before tax and special items. Underlying profit before tax provides a measure of the Group’s profitability before tax that is 
comparable from year to year.

Underlying earnings (and per share measure) (note 8)

Net profit after tax attributable to shareholders, before special items. Underlying earnings (and the related per share measure based on 
the basic, weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding), provides a measure of the Group’s earnings that is comparable from 
year to year.

Headline EPS (note 8)

The presentation of headline EPS is mandated under the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited and is calculated in accordance with 
Circular 4/2018, ‘Headline Earnings’, as issued by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Cash flow generation (note 25d)

A measurement of the Group’s cash generation before considering deployment of cash towards investment in property, plant and 
equipment (‘capex’ or ‘capital expenditure’), acquisitions and disposals of businesses, investment in equity accounted investees and 
payment of dividends to shareholders. Cash flow generation is a measure of the Group’s ability to generate cash through the cycle before 
considering deployment of such cash.

Underlying EBITDA margin (note 2)

Underlying EBITDA expressed as a percentage of revenue provides a measure of the cash-generating ability relative to revenue.

Underlying operating profit margin

Underlying operating profit expressed as a percentage of revenue provides a measure of the profitability of the operations relative 
to revenue.

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Ordinary dividend cover

Basic underlying EPS divided by total ordinary dividend per share paid and proposed provides a measure of the Group’s earnings relative 
to its deployment towards ordinary dividend payments.

Net debt to 12-month trailing underlying EBITDA (note 19)

Net debt divided by trailing 12-month underlying EBITDA. A measure of the Group’s net indebtedness relative to its cash-generating ability.

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Net interest expense (note 6)

Net interest expense comprises interest expense on bank overdrafts, loans and lease liabilities net of investment income providing an 
absolute measure of the cost of borrowings. 

Effective interest rate (note 6)

Net interest expense expressed as a percentage of trailing 12-month average net debt provides a measure of the cost of borrowings. 

Effective tax rate (note 7a)

Underlying tax charge expressed as a percentage of underlying profit before tax. A measure of the Group’s tax charge relative to its profit 
before tax expressed on an underlying basis.

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Working capital as a percentage of revenue

Working capital, defined as the sum of trade and other receivables and inventories less trade and other payables, expressed as a 
percentage of trailing 12-month Group revenue. A measure of the Group’s effective use of working capital relative to revenue.

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Capex and investment in intangible assets as a percentage of depreciation, amortisation and impairments

Capex and investment in intangible assets divided by depreciation, amortisation and non-special impairments provides a measure of 
reinvestment into the Group’s asset base relative to depreciation, amortisation and impairments.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
214

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

32 Accounting policies

New accounting policies, early adoption and future requirements

Amendments to published Standards effective during 2018

The following amendments to Standards have been adopted for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2018, and their impact on the 
Group’s results are detailed in note 33:

 e IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments
 e IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 e IFRS 16 – Leases

The following amendments to Standards and a new Interpretation have been adopted for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2018, 
and have had no significant impact on the Group’s results:

 e Annual improvements 2014–2016 cycle
 e Amendments to IAS 40 – Investment Property
 e Amendments to IFRS 2 – Share Based Payments
 e Amendments to IFRS 4 – Insurance Contracts 
 e IFRIC 22 – Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration

New Standards and amendments to published Standards that are not yet effective 

The following amendments to Standards and a new Interpretation will be effective for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2019 and, 
while the Group’s assessment of the impact is ongoing, are not expected to have a significant impact on the Group’s results:

 e Annual improvements 2015–2017 cycle
 e Amendments to IAS 19 – Employee Benefits 
 e Amendments to IAS 28 – Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures
 e Amendments to IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments 
 e IFRIC 23 – Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

33 Restatement of comparative information
The following tables summarise the material impacts resulting from the changes in accounting policies on the Group’s combined and 
consolidated income statement, combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income, combined and consolidated statement 
of financial position and combined and consolidated statement of cash flows. The effect of restatement is purely attributable to the 
adoption of the new accounting standard IFRS 16, ‘Leases’. IFRS 15, ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’, which has been applied 
retrospectively has no material impact and therefore is not included in any restatement of comparatives.

IFRS 16 introduces a single lease accounting model, requiring a lessee to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more 
than 12 months, unless the underlying asset is of low value. The lessee is required to recognise a right-of-use asset representing its right 
to use the underlying leased asset, and a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments. Previously rental costs under 
operating leases were charged to the combined and consolidated income statement in equal annual amounts over the lease term unless 
another systematic basis was more representative of the pattern of use.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Combined and consolidated income statement

€ million

Group revenue

Materials, energy and consumables used

Variable selling expenses

Gross margin

Maintenance and other indirect expenses

Personnel costs

Other net operating expenses

EBITDA

Depreciation, amortisation and impairments

Operating profit

Net profit from equity accounted investees

Total profit from operations and equity accounted investees

Net finance costs

Profit before tax

Tax charge

Profit for the year

Attributable to:

Non-controlling interests

Shareholders

2017

As previously 
reported 
(Audited)

Effect of 
restatement

As restated

7,096

(3,456)

(525)

3,115

(319)

(1,062)

(313)

1,421

(464)

957

1

958

(71)

887

(173)

714

43

671

—

4

—

4

—

—

34

38

(27)

11

—

11

(14)

(3)

—

(3)

—

(3)

7,096

(3,452)

(525)

3,119

(319)

(1,062)

(279)

1,459

(491)

968

1

969

(85)

884

(173)

711

43

668

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The restatement had no impact on special items.

Earnings per share (EPS) attributable to shareholders

2017

(euro cents)

Basic EPS

Diluted EPS

Basic underlying EPS

Diluted underlying EPS

Basic headline EPS

Diluted headline EPS

As previously 
reported 
(Audited)

Effect of 
restatement

As restated

138.6

138.5

149.5

149.4

146.0

145.9

(0.7)

(0.7)

(0.6)

(0.6)

(0.6)

(0.6)

137.9

137.8

148.9

148.8

145.4

145.3

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Combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income

€ million

Profit for the year

Items that may subsequently be reclassified to the combined and consolidated income 
statement

Items that will not subsequently be reclassified to the combined and consolidated 
income statement

Other comprehensive expense for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to:

Non-controlling interests

Shareholders

2017

As previously 
reported 
(Audited)

Effect of 
restatement

As restated

714

(75)

8

(67)

647

41

606

(3)

2

—

2

(1)

—

(1)

711

(73)

8

(65)

646

41

605

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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216

Notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

33 Restatement of comparative information

Combined and consolidated statement of financial position

€ million

2017

At 1 January 2017

As previously 
reported 
(Audited)

Effect of 
restatement

As restated

As previously 
reported 
(Audited)

Effect of 
restatement

As restated

Property, plant and equipment

3,962

166

4,128

3,788

173

3,961

Goodwill

Intangible assets

Forestry assets

Deferred tax assets

Other non-current assets

Total non-current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Other current assets

Total current assets

Total assets

Short-term borrowings

Trade and other payables

Other current liabilities

Total current liabilities

Medium and long-term borrowings

Net retirement benefits liability

Deferred tax liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Combined share capital and stated 
capital

Retained earnings and other reserves

Total attributable to shareholders

Non-controlling interests in equity

Total equity

698

111

325

25

33

5,154

867

1,106

38

44

2,055

7,209

(267)

(1,074)

(184)

(1,525)

(1,098)

(232)

(255)

(60)

(1,645)

(3,170)

4,039

542

3,172

3,714

325

4,039

—

—

—

1

—

167

—

—

—

—

—

167

(24)

—

—

(24)

(182)

—

7

—

(175)

(199)

(32)

—

(31)

(31)

(1)

(32)

698

111

325

26

33

5,321

867

1,106

38

44

2,055

7,376

(291)

(1,074)

(184)

(1,549)

(1,280)

(232)

(248)

(60)

(1,820)

(3,369)

4,007

542

3,141

3,683

324

4,007

681

120

316

26

35

4,966

850

1,049

404

41

2,344

7,310

(651)

(1,100)

(167)

(1,918)

(1,119)

(240)

(267)

(70)

(1,696)

(3,614)

3,696

542

2,850

3,392

304

3,696

—

—

—

1

—

174

—

—

—

—

—

174

(22)

—

—

(22)

(190)

—

7

—

(183)

(205)

(31)

—

(30)

(30)

(1)

(31)

681

120

316

27

35

5,140

850

1,049

404

41

2,344

7,484

(673)

(1,100)

(167)

(1,940)

(1,309)

(240)

(260)

(70)

(1,879)

(3,819)

3,665

542

2,820

3,362

303

3,665

Combined and consolidated statement of cash flows

€ million

Net cash generated from operating activities

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash used in financing activities

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

2017

As previously 
reported 
(Audited)

Effect of 
restatement

As restated

1,175

(694)

(920)

(439)

38

—

(38)

—

1,213

(694)

(958)

(439)

Mondi Limited parent company statement of financial position1
as at 31 December 2018

ZAR million

Property, plant and equipment

Forestry assets

Investment in and loans to subsidiaries

Total non-current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Investment in and loans to subsidiaries

Current tax asset

Financial asset investments

Financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Short-term borrowings

Trade and other payables

Current tax liability

Provisions

Financial instruments

Total current liabilities

Medium and long-term borrowings

Retirement benefits liability

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Stated capital

Retained earnings and other reserves

Total equity

Note:

Notes

2

2

2018

6,125

4,533

92

10,750

1,085

1,912

—

19

124

—

25

Restated 
2017

5,770

3,863

52

9,685

1,039

1,781

96

—

165

45

4

3,165

13,915

3,130

12,815

(555)

(1,391)

—

(180)

(4)

(1,997)

(1,102)

(86)

(65)

—

(2,130)

(3,250)

(258)

(742)

(1,682)

(79)

(2,761)

(4,891)

(290)

(773)

(1,626)

(2)

(2,691)

(5,941)

9,024

6,874

3

4,188

4,836

9,024

4,188

2,686

6,874

1  The above statement of financial position is an extract of the audited Mondi Limited parent company financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018. 

The full set of audited financial statements for Mondi Limited parent company is available on the Group’s website 

The statement of financial position and statement of changes in equity of Mondi Limited and related notes were approved by the board 
and authorised for issue on 27 February 2019 and were signed on its behalf by:

Peter Oswald 
Director 

Andrew King
Director

Mondi Limited company registration number: 1967/013038/06

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218

Mondi Limited parent company statement of changes in equity1
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

ZAR million

At 1 January 2017, as previously reported

Impact of change in accounting policy2

Restated balance at 1 January 2017

Total comprehensive income for the year (restated)

Dividends

Shares vested from Mondi Incentive Schemes Trust

Mondi share schemes’ charge

Issue of shares under employee share schemes

Acquisition of business

Restated balance at 31 December 2017

Impact of change in accounting policy3

Restated balance at 1 January 2018

Total comprehensive income for the year

Dividends

Shares vested from Mondi Incentive Schemes Trust

Mondi share schemes’ charge

Issue of shares under employee share schemes

Transfer from Mondi plc4

At 31 December 2018

Notes:

Stated capital

Retained 
earnings Other reserves

4,188

—

4,188

—

—

—

—

—

—

4,188

—

4,188

—

—

—

—

—

—

4,188

2,825

(46)

2,779

939

(973)

(30)

—

35

(168)

2,582

41

2,623

1,021

(2,862)

(44)

—

18

4,000

4,756

62

—

62

44

—

—

34

(36)

—

104

(41)

63

26

—

—

12

(21)

—

80

Total  
equity

7,075

(46)

7,029

983

(973)

(30)

34

(1)

(168)

6,874

—

6,874

1,047

(2,862)

(44)

12

(3)

4,000

9,024

1  The above statement of changes in equity is an extract of the audited Mondi Limited parent company financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018. 

The full set of audited financial statements for Mondi Limited parent company is available on the Group’s website 

2  The impact of change in accounting policy is due to the adoption of the new ‘Leases’ accounting standard, IFRS 16

3  IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’, was adopted without restating comparative information. The reclassification arising from the change of classification categories 

‘available-for-sale’ to ‘at fair value through profit or loss’ is recognised in the opening balance sheet on 1 January 2018

4  This represents a corporate cash transfer from Mondi plc to Mondi Limited

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Extract of the notes to the audited Mondi Limited  
parent company financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

1 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The statement of financial position and selected notes of Mondi Limited have been prepared in accordance with applicable International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) under the historical cost convention.

Principal accounting policies 

The principal accounting policies applied by Mondi Limited are the same as those presented in notes 1 and 32 to the combined and 
consolidated Group financial statements, to the extent that the Group’s transactions and balances are applicable to the company financial 
statements. Principally, the accounting policies which are not directly relevant to Mondi Limited parent company financial statements are 
those relating to consolidation accounting and the recognition and subsequent measurement of goodwill.

The accounting policy, which is additional to those applied by the Group, is stated as follows:

Investments

Investments in subsidiaries and associates are reflected at cost less amounts written off and provisions for any impairments. Any potential 
impairment is determined on a basis consistent with the accounting policy on the impairment of goodwill.

Accounting estimates and critical judgements

The accounting estimates and critical judgements applied by the key management of Mondi Limited are discussed in the Group’s 
combined and consolidated financial statements (see note 1). In addition, the carrying value of investments is considered a 
critical judgement.

2 Investment in and loans to subsidiaries

ZAR million

Unlisted

Shares at cost

Loans advanced

Impairment

Total investments in subsidiaries

Repayable within one year classified as a current asset

Total long-term investments in subsidiaries

2018

2017

60

42

(10)

92

—

92

62

96

(10)

148

(96)

52

3 Stated capital
Full disclosure of the stated capital of Mondi Limited is set out in note 21 of the Group’s combined and consolidated financial statements.

4 Contingent liabilities
There were no contingent liabilities to be disclosed and no acquired contingent liabilities to be recorded in Mondi Limited’s statement of 
financial position for either year presented. Mondi Limited has issued financial guarantees to suppliers for services rendered in the ordinary 
course of business of ZAR73 million (2017: ZAR72 million). The likelihood of these financial guarantees being called is considered to be 
remote and therefore the estimated financial effect of issuance is ZARnil (2017: ZARnil). 

Mondi Limited is subject to certain legal proceedings, claims, complaints and investigations arising out of the ordinary course of business. 
Legal proceedings may include, but are not limited to, alleged breach of contract and alleged breach of environmental, competition, 
securities and health and safety laws. Mondi Limited may not be insured fully, or at all, in respect of such risks. Mondi Limited cannot 
predict the outcome of individual legal actions or claims or complaints or investigations. Mondi Limited may settle litigation or regulatory 
proceedings prior to a final judgment or determination of liability. Mondi Limited may do so to avoid the cost, management efforts or 
negative business, regulatory or reputational consequences of continuing to contest liability, even when it considers it has valid defences 
to liability. Mondi Limited considers that no material loss to Mondi Limited is expected to result from these legal proceedings, claims, 
complaints and investigations. Provision is made for all liabilities that are expected to materialise through legal and tax claims against 
Mondi Limited.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

219

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Extract of the notes to the audited Mondi Limited  
parent company financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

5 Events occurring after 31 December 2018
With the exception of the proposed final ordinary dividend for 2018, included in note 9 of the Group’s combined and consolidated financial 
statements, there have been no material reportable events since 31 December 2018.

6 List of subsidiaries and associated undertakings and other significant holdings as at 31 December 2018 
All shares are held directly except where noted. All shares held are ordinary shares. 

Company

Côte d’Ivoire

La Sacherie Moderne SA1

South Africa

Registered office

% of shares 
held by Group

Zone Industrielle de Yopougon 01, Abidjan, BP 5676

50.0

50.0

100.0

49.0

30.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

56.0

100.0

51.0

100.0

Arctic Sun Trading 17 Proprietary Limited1

Unit 4, 57 St. Andrews Drive, Durban North, 4051

Bongani Development Close Corporation

4th Floor, No 3 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch, 2196

Golden Pond Trading 250 Proprietary Limited1

3 Joyner Road, Prospecton, 4110

Khulanathi Forestry Proprietary Limited1

Lakeside Terrace, 3rd Floor, ABSA Building, Richards Bay, 3900

Mondi Africa Holdings Proprietary Limited

4th Floor, No 3 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch, 2196

Mondi Forests Partners Programme Proprietary Limited1 380 Old Howick Road, Mondi House, Hilton, 3245

Mondi Newsprint Proprietary Limited

4th Floor, No 3 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch, 2196

Mondi Sacherie Moderne Holdings Proprietary Limited 4th Floor, No 3 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch, 2196

Mondi Timber (Wood Products) Proprietary Limited

4th Floor, No 3 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch, 2196

Mondi Zimele Job Funds Proprietary Limited1

380 Old Howick Road, Mondi House, Hilton, 3245

Mondi Zimele Proprietary Limited

380 Old Howick Road, Mondi House, Hilton, 3245

MZ Business Services Proprietary Limited1

128 Lansdowne Road, Jacobs, 4052

MZ Technical Services Proprietary Limited1

128 Lansdowne Road, Jacobs, 4052

Professional Starch Proprietary Limited1

380 Old Howick Road, Mondi House, Hilton, 3245

Siyaqhubeka Forests Proprietary Limited1

4th Floor, No 3 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch, 2196

Zimshelf Eight Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited 4th Floor, No 3 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch, 2196

Note:

1  These companies are held indirectly

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Mondi plc parent company balance sheet
as at 31 December 2018

€ million

Fixed asset investments

Debtors: due within one year

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Total creditors: due within one year

Total provisions: due after more than one year

Total liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Share capital

Profit or loss account

Share-based payments reserve

Total shareholders’ funds

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5

6

7

8

2018

2,938

3

—

2,941

(451)

(2)

(453)

2,488

103

2,367

18

2,488

2017

2,938

16

132

3,086

(11)

(1)

(12)

3,074

103

2,952

19

3,074

Mondi plc reported a profit of €292 million (2017: profit of €56 million) for the year ended 31 December 2018. The balance sheet and 
statement of changes in equity of Mondi plc and related notes were approved by the board and authorised for issue on 27 February 2019 
and were signed on its behalf by:

Peter Oswald 
Director 

Andrew King
Director

Mondi plc company registered number: 6209386

Mondi plc parent company statement of changes in equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

€ million

At 1 January 2017

Total comprehensive income for the year

Dividends

Issue of shares under employee share schemes

Purchases of treasury shares

Mondi share schemes’ charge

At 31 December 2017

Total comprehensive income for the year

Dividends

Issue of shares under employee share schemes

Purchases of treasury shares

Mondi share schemes’ charge

Transfer to Mondi Limited1

At 31 December 2018

Note:

1  This represents a corporate cash transfer from Mondi plc to Mondi Limited

Share capital

Profit or loss 
account

Share-based 
payments 
reserve

103

—

—

—

—

—

103

—

—

—

—

—

—

103

3,116

56

(208)

12

(24)

—

2,952

292

(603)

11

(16)

—

(269)

2,367

18

—

—

(12)

—

13

19

—

—

(11)

—

10

—

18

Total  
equity

3,237

56

(208)

—

(24)

13

3,074

292

(603)

—

(16)

10

(269)

2,488

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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222

Notes to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

1 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

Mondi plc meets the definition of a qualifying entity under Financial Reporting Standard 100 (FRS 100) issued by the Financial Reporting 
Council. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101, ‘Reduced 
Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101) as issued by the Financial Reporting Council.

As permitted by FRS 101, Mondi plc has taken advantage of the disclosure exemptions available under that standard in relation to 
share-based payments, financial instruments, capital management, presentation of comparative information in respect of certain items, 
presentation of a cash flow statement, standards not yet effective, impairment of assets and related party transactions. 

Where required, equivalent disclosures are given in the Group accounts of Mondi plc, which are publicly available. The results, assets and 
liabilities of Mondi plc are included in the publicly available combined and consolidated Group financial statements.

Mondi plc has made use of the exemption from presenting a profit and loss account, in accordance with Section 408 of the UK 
Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. This is discussed in the Strategic report within ‘Principal risks’ 
under the heading ‘Going concern’.

The financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration 
given in exchange for the assets. The principal accounting policies adopted are described below. They have all been applied consistently 
throughout the year and the preceding year.

Principal accounting policies

The principal accounting policies applied by Mondi plc are the same as those presented in notes 1 and 32 to the combined and 
consolidated Group financial statements, to the extent that the Group’s transactions and balances are applicable to the company financial 
statements. Principally, the accounting policies which are not directly relevant to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements are 
those relating to consolidation accounting and the recognition and subsequent measurement of goodwill.

The accounting policy, which is additional to those applied by the Group, is stated as follows:

Investments

Fixed asset investments are stated at cost, less, where appropriate, provisions for impairment. Any potential impairment is determined on 
a basis consistent with the Group accounting policy on the impairment of goodwill.

Critical accounting judgements and key estimates 

The preparation of the financial statements of Mondi plc includes the use of estimates and assumptions. Although the estimates used 
are based on management’s best information about current circumstances and future events and actions, actual results may differ from 
those estimates.

The most significant estimates and judgements are:

Key estimates
 e Valuation of fixed asset investments – refer to note 5

Critical accounting judgements and other accounting estimates
 e Taxation – refer to note 4

2 Auditor’s remuneration
Disclosure of the audit fees payable to the auditor for the audit of Mondi plc’s financial statements is set out in note 4 of the Group’s 
combined and consolidated financial statements.

3 Share-based payments
The share schemes and the underlying assumptions used to estimate the associated fair value charge are set out in note 22 of the 
Group’s combined and consolidated financial statements.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

223

4 Deferred tax
A deferred tax asset of €2 million (2017: €3 million) has not been recognised in relation to temporary differences regarding the share-
based payment arrangements. A deferred tax asset has not been recognised in relation to tax losses brought forward of €25 million 
(2017: €26 million) due to the low probability of future profit streams or gains against which these could be utilised.

5 Fixed asset investments

€ million

Unlisted

Shares at cost

2018

2017

2,938

2,938

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holding company.

6 Cash and cash equivalents
Amounts held on deposit in a cash pool facility with a subsidiary of €nil (2017: €132 million) are included within cash equivalents.

7 Total creditors: due within one year
€439 million (2017: €nil) is owed in relation to a cash pool facility with a subsidiary.

8 Share capital
Full disclosure of the share capital of Mondi plc is set out in note 21 of the Group’s combined and consolidated financial statements.

9 Contingent liabilities
Mondi plc has issued financial guarantees in respect of the UK pension schemes of its subsidiaries, obligations incurred in the ordinary 
course of business and the borrowings of other Group undertakings. The likelihood of these financial guarantees being called is 
considered to be remote and, therefore, the estimated financial effect of issuance is €nil (2017: €nil). The fair value of these issued financial 
guarantees is deemed to be immaterial.

€ million

Pension scheme guarantees

Guarantees of obligations of subsidiaries of Mondi plc

– Incurred in the ordinary course of business

– In favour of banks and bondholders

At 31 December

2018

79

29

2,826

2,934

2017

79

35

2,252

2,366

Mondi plc is subject to certain legal proceedings, claims, complaints and investigations arising out of the ordinary course of business. 
Legal proceedings may include, but are not limited to, alleged breach of contract and alleged breach of environmental, competition, 
securities and health and safety laws. Mondi plc may not be insured fully, or at all, in respect of such risks. Mondi plc cannot predict the 
outcome of individual legal actions or claims or complaints or investigations. Mondi plc may settle litigation or regulatory proceedings 
prior to a final judgment or determination of liability. Mondi plc may do so to avoid the cost, management efforts or negative business, 
regulatory or reputational consequences of continuing to contest liability, even when it considers it has valid defences to liability. Mondi plc 
considers that no material loss to Mondi plc is expected to result from these legal proceedings, claims, complaints and investigations. 
Provision is made for all liabilities that are expected to materialise through legal and tax claims against Mondi plc.

10 Events occurring after 31 December 2018
With the exception of the proposed final ordinary dividend for 2018, included in note 9 of the Group’s combined and consolidated financial 
statements, there have been no material reportable events since 31 December 2018.

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
224

Notes to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

11 List of subsidiaries and associated undertakings and other significant holdings as at 31 December 2018
All shares are held indirectly through a subsidiary or associated undertaking except where noted. Except where stated, the shares held 
are ordinary shares.

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

Company

Bulgaria

Registered office

Principal activities

Murmühlweg 2,  
8112 Gratwein

Service,  
Kraft paper

25.00

Mondi Stambolijski 
E.A.D

1 Zavodska Street, 
Stambolijski 4210,  
Plovdiv Region

Production, Kraft 
paper

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

100.00

Company

Austria

Future Lignin & Pulp 
Processing Research 
Projekt GmbH

Mondi AG

Marxergasse 4A,  
1030 Vienna

Mondi Bags Austria 
GmbH

Bahnhofstrasse 3,  
8740 Zeltweg

Mondi Coating Zeltweg 
GmbH

Bahnhofstrasse 3,  
8740 Zeltweg

Mondi Coatings GmbH Marxergasse 4A,  

Mondi Consumer 
Packaging GmbH

Mondi Corrugated 
Holding Österreich 
GmbH

1030 Vienna

Marxergasse 4A,  
1030 Vienna

Marxergasse 4A,  
1030 Vienna

Holding,  
Corporate

Production,  
Industrial bags

Production, 
Extrusion coatings

Holding,  
Extrusion coatings

Holding,  
Consumer packaging

Holding,  
Corrugated packaging

Mondi Corrugated 
Services GmbH

Marxergasse 4A,  
1030 Vienna

Service,  
Corrugated packaging

Mondi Frantschach 
GmbH

Frantschach 5,  
9413 St. Gertraud

Production,  
Kraft paper

Mondi Grünburg GmbH Steyrtalstrasse 5,  

4594 Grünburg

Production, 
Corrugated packaging

Mondi Holdings Austria 
GmbH

Marxergasse 4A,  
1030 Vienna

Mondi Industrial Bags 
GmbH

Marxergasse 4A,  
1030 Vienna

Holding,  
Corporate

Holding,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Korneuburg 
GmbH

Stockerauer Strasse 110, 
2100 Korneuburg

Production,  
Consumer packaging

Mondi Neusiedler 
GmbH

Theresienthalstrasse 
50, 3363 Ulmerfeld-
Hausmening

Production,  
Uncoated fine paper

Mondi Oman Holding 
GmbH

Marxergasse 4A,  
1030 Vienna

Holding,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Paper Sales 
GmbH

Marxergasse 4A,  
1030 Vienna

Distribution, 
Containerboard,  
Kraft paper,  
Uncoated fine paper

Mondi Release Liner 
Austria GmbH

Waidhofnerstrasse 11,  
3331 Hilm

Production, 
Consumer packaging

Mondi Styria GmbH

Bahnhofstrasse 3,  
8740 Zeltweg

Production, 
Consumer packaging

Mondi Uncoated Fine & 
Kraft Paper GmbH

Marxergasse 4A,  
1030 Vienna

Papierholz Austria 
GmbH

Frantschach 5,  
9413 St. Gertraud

Sulbit Handels GmbH Marxergasse 4A,  

1030 Vienna

Theresienthalstrasse 
50, 3363 Ulmerfeld-
Hausmening

Ybbstaler Zellstoff 
GmbH

Belgium

Mondi Belcoat N.V.

Holding, 
Containerboard,  
Kraft paper,  
Uncoated fine paper

Service,  
Kraft paper

Service,  
Industrial bags

Production,  
Uncoated fine paper

Adolf Stocletlaan 11,  
2570 Duffel

Production,  
Extrusion coatings

Mondi Poperinge N.V.

Nijverheidslaan 11,  
8970 Poperinge

Production,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

100.00

China

100.00

33.33

20.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Mondi (China) Film 
Technology Co. Ltd.

Mondi Trading (Beijing) 
Co. Ltd.

Croatia

Mondi Valpovo d.o.o.

Czech Republic

EURO WASTE, a.s

Labe Wood s.r.o.

Lignocel s.r.o

Mondi Bags Štětí a.s.

No 29 Xinggang Road, 
Taicang Port Development 
Zone

0912, Air China Plaza, 
Building 1, No.36 Xiaoyun 
Road, Chaoyang, Beijing

Production, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

In liquidation, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

Oreškovićeva 6c,  
10010 Zagreb (Grad Zagreb)

In liquidation, 
Industrial bags

Litoměřická 272,  
41108 Štětí

Litoměřická 272,  
41108 Štětí

Poupětova 3,  
17000 Prague 7

Litoměřická 272,  
41108 Štětí

Service, 
Containerboard,  
Kraft paper

Service, Kraft paper

24.99

In liquidation,  
Kraft paper

Production,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Bupak s.r.o.

Papírenská 41, 37052 
České Budějovice

Production, 
Corrugated packaging

Mondi Coating Štětí a.s. Litoměřická 272,  

Mondi Štětí a.s.

41108 Štětí

Litoměřická 272,  
41108 Štětí

Production,  
Extrusion coatings

Production, 
Containerboard,  
Kraft paper

Mondi Štětí White Paper 
s.r.o

Litoměřická 272,  
41108 Štětí

Production,  
Kraft paper

Roto a.s.

Wood & Paper a.s.

Egypt

Litoměřická 272,  
41108 Štětí

Hlina 57/18,  
66491 Brno

Dormant, Kraft paper

100.00

Service, Kraft paper

46.50

National Company for 
Paper Products and 
Import & Export (S.A.E.)1

Plots No. 6 and No. 7 in the 
Northern Expansion Area, 
Industrial Zone,  
6th of October, Giza

Production, Industrial 
bags

100.00

Suez Bags Company 
(S.A.E.)2

30 Maadi Road, Katameya, 
Kilo 138, Cairo

Production, Industrial 
bags

96.00

Finland

Harvestia Oy1

Mondi Finland  
Services Oy

Mondi Powerflute Oy1

Powerflute Group 
Holdings Oy1

Selluntie 142,  
70420 Kuopio

Peltotie 20,  
28400 Ulvila

Selluntie 142,  
70420 Kuopio

Sorsasalo, 
70100 Kuopio

Service, 
Containerboard

97.40

Service, Kraft paper

100.00

Production, 
Containerboard

Holding, 
Containerboard

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

51.00

70.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

25.00

100.00

51.00

100.00

100.00

225

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34.55

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Company

France

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

Company

Iraq

Registered office

Principal activities

Mondi Gournay Sarl

5, rue Vernet,  
75008, Paris

Production,  
Extrusion coatings

100.00

Mondi Kaso Iraq 
Industrial Bags Ltd.

Takya, Bazian,  
Sulaimaniyah

Production,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Lembacel SAS

11 Rue de Reims,  
51490 Bétheniville

Production,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Paper Sales 
France Sarl

5, rue Vernet,  
75008 Paris

Germany

Distribution, 
Containerboard,  
Kraft paper,  
Uncoated fine paper

100.00

Italy

Mondi Gradisac S.r.l.

100.00

Mondi IPI S.r.l.

Mondi Italia S.r.l.

Via dell´Industria 11, 34072 
Gradisca d´Isonzo, Gorizia

Production,  
Industrial bags

Via Zanchetta 27, 35010 
San Pietro in Gu, Padua

Production,  
Industrial bags

Via Balilla 32, 24058 
Romano di Lombardia, 
Bergamo

Production,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Ascania GmbH Daimlerstrasse 8,  

06449 Aschersleben

Production, 
Consumer packaging

Mondi Bad Rappenau 
GmbH

Wilhelm-Hauff-Strasse 41, 
74906 Bad Rappenau

Production, 
Corrugated 
packaging

100.00

100.00

Mondi Paper Sales  
Italia S.R.L.

Via Fara Gustavo 35,  
20124 Milano

Distribution, 
Containerboard,  
Kraft paper,  
Uncoated fine paper

Holding, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

Mondi S.r.l.

Via Zanchetta 27,  
35010 San Pietro in Gu, 
Padua

In liquidation, 
Corrugated 
packaging

100.00

Mondi San Pietro in 
Gu S.r.l.

Via Mazzini 21, 35010 San 
Pietro in Gu, Padua

Production,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Consumer 
Packaging International 
GmbH

Jöbkesweg 11,  
48599 Gronau

Mondi Eschenbach 
GmbH

Am Stadtwald 14,  
92676 Eschenbach

Mondi Gronau GmbH

Mondi Halle GmbH

Jöbkesweg 11,  
48599 Gronau

Wielandstrasse 2,  
33790 Halle

Production, 
Corrugated 
packaging

Production, 
Consumer packaging

Production, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

100.00

100.00

Mondi Hammelburg 
GmbH

Thüringenstrasse 1–3, 
97762 Hammelburg

Production,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Silicart S.r.l.

Via Zanchetta 27, 35010, 
San Pietro in Gu, Padua

Dormant,  
Consumer packaging

Mondi Tolentino S.r.l.

Via Giovanni Falcone 1, 
62029 Tolentino, Macerata

Production,  
Industrial bags

NATRO-TECH S.r.l.

Via Balilla 32, 24058 
Romano di Lombardia, 
Bergamo

Service,  
Industrial bags

Via Giacomo Matteotti 2, 
21013 Gallarate

Distribution, 
Containerboard

Mondi Holding 
Deutschland GmbH

Jöbkesweg 11,  
48599 Gronau

Mondi Inncoat GmbH

Mondi Jülich GmbH

Mondi Lindlar GmbH

Angererstrasse 25,  
83064 Raubling

Rathausstrasse 29,  
52428 Jülich

Wielandstrasse 2,  
33790 Halle

Mondi Paper Sales 
Deutschland GmbH

Oberbaumbrücke 1,  
20457 Hamburg

Mondi Sendenhorst 
GmbH

Herkulesweg 1,  
48324 Sendenhorst

Mondi Trebsen GmbH Erich-Hausmann-Strasse 1, 

04687 Trebsen

Mondi Wellpappe 
Ansbach GmbH

Robert-Bosch-Strasse 3, 
91522 Ansbach

wood2M GmbH

Hauptstrasse 66,  
07366 Blankenstein

Greece

Holding, Corporate

100.00

Powerflute Italia S.r.l.1

Production, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

Japan

Mondi Tokyo KK

Production, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

7th floor 14–5, Akasaka 
2-chrome, Minato-ku,  
Tokyo

Service,  
Consumer packaging

100.00

Dormant, Consumer 
packaging

Distribution, 
Containerboard,  
Kraft paper,  
Uncoated fine paper

Production,  
Industrial bags

Production,  
Industrial bags

Production, 
Corrugated 
packaging

Service, 
Containerboard,  
Kraft paper,  
Uncoated fine paper

100.00

Jordan

100.00

Jordan Paper Sacks 
Co. Ltd.

Al Salt, Industrial Area, P.O. 
Box 119, 19374, Balqa

Production,  
Industrial bags

67.74

Republic of Korea

Krauzen Co., Ltd.

Mondi KSP Co., Ltd.

100.00

100.00

100.00

Lebanon

50.00

Mondi Lebanon SAL

Luxembourg

1420, Keumkang-Penterium 
IT tower, 282 Hakeui-ro, 
Dongang-gu, Anyang-si, 
Gyunggi-do

48–29, 439 Hongandaero, 
Dongang-gu, Anyang-si, 
Gyunggi-do

Distribution, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

Production, 
Consumer packaging

95.00

7th Floor, Bloc C, Kassis 
Building, Antelias Highway, 
Antelias

Production,  
Industrial bags

66.00

Mondi Packaging S.à r.l. 1, rue Hildegard von  

Holding, Corporate

100.00

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Mondi Thessaloniki A.E. Sindos Industrial Zone 

– Block 18, 57022 
Thessaloniki

Distribution,  
Industrial bags

100.00

Hungary

Mondi Bags Hungária 
Kft.

Tünde u. 2,  
4400 Nyíregyháza

Production,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Békéscsaba Kft. Tevan Andor u. 2,  
5600 Békéscsaba

Mondi Szada Kft.

Vasút u. 13,  
2111 Szada

Production, 
Consumer packaging

Production, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

100.00

100.00

Mondi S.à r.l.

Mondi Services S.à r.l.

Malaysia

Mondi Kuala Lumpur 
Sdn. Bhd.

Bingen, 1282

1, rue Hildegard von  
Bingen, 1282

1, rue Hildegard von  
Bingen, 1282

Holding, Corporate

100.00

Service, Corporate

100.00

Lot Nos.PT 5034 & 5036, 
Jalan Teluk Datuk 28/40, 
40000 Shah Alam,  
Selangor

Production,  
Industrial bags

62.00

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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226

Notes to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

11 List of subsidiaries and associated undertakings and other significant holdings as at 31 December 2018

Company

Mexico

Caja de Ahorro de 
Personal de Mondi 
Mexico Servicios A.C.

Mondi Mexico S. de 
R.L. de C.V.

Mondi Mexico Servicios 
S. de R.L. de C.V.

Morocco

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

Company

Poland

Registered office

Principal activities

Av. San Nicolás No. 249, 
Colonia Cuauhtémoc,  
San Nicolás de los Garza, 
Nuevo Léon, 66450

Av. San Nicolás No. 249, 
Colonia Cuauhtémoc,  
San Nicolás de los Garza,  
Nuevo Léon, 66450

Av. San Nicolás No. 249, 
Colonia Cuauhtémoc,  
San Nicolás de los Garza, 
Nuevo Léon, 66450

Service,  
Industrial bags

100.00

Agromasa Sp. z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 1,  
86–100 Świecie

Fredonia Investments 
Sp. z o.o.

ul. Bukowa 21,  
87–148 Łysomice

Service, 
Containerboard

Service, 
Containerboard

Production,  
Industrial bags

100.00

Service,  
Industrial bags

100.00

Mondi Bags Mielec Sp. 
z o.o.

ul. Wojska Polskiego 12, 
39–300 Mielec

Production, Industrial 
bags

Mondi Bags Świecie 
Sp. z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 12,  
86–100 Świecie

Mondi BZWP Sp. z o.o. ul. Zamenhofa 36, 57–500 

Bystrzyca Kłodzka

Mondi Corrugated 
Świecie Sp. z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 1,  
86–100 Świecie

Production, Industrial 
bags

Production, 
Corrugated packaging

Production, 
Corrugated packaging

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Mondi Dorohusk Sp. 
z o.o.

Brzezno 1, 22–174 Brzezno Production, 

100.00

Mondi Kutno Sp. z o.o. ul. Żołnierska 1,  

99–300 Kutno

Mondi Poznań Sp. z o.o. ul. Wyzwolenia 34/36, 

62–070 Dopiewo

Corrugated packaging

In liquidation, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

Production, Consumer 
packaging

100.00

Mondi Recykling Polska 
Sp. z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 1,  
86–100 Świecie

Service, 
Containerboard

Mondi Simet Sp. z o.o. Grabonóg 77,  
63–820 Piaski

Mondi Solec Sp. z o.o. Solec, 05–532 Baniocha

Production, 
Corrugated packaging

Production,  
Consumer packaging

Mondi Świecie S.A.

ul. Bydgoska 1,  
86–100 Świecie

Production, 
Containerboard

Mondi Szczecin Sp. 
z o.o.

ul. Sloneczna 20,  
72–123 Kliniska Wielkie

Production, 
Corrugated packaging

Mondi Warszawa Sp. 
z o.o.

ul. Tarczyńska 98, 
96–320 Mszczonów

Production, 
Corrugated packaging

Mondi Wierzbica Sp. 
z o.o.

Kolonia Rzecków 76, 
26–680 Wierzbica

Świecie Rail Sp. z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 1,  
86–100 Świecie

Świecie Recykling Sp. 
z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 1/417,  
86–100 Świecie

Production,  
Industrial bags

Service, 
Containerboard

Service, 
Containerboard

Romania

Mondi Bucharest S.R.L. Tudor Vladimirescu Street 

1A, Ilfov, 75100 Otopeni

Distribution,  
Industrial bags

LCC Mondi Aramil

25 Klubnaya Street, 62400 
Aramil, Sverdlovskii Region

Production, 
Consumer packaging

LLC Mondi Lebedyan

Sverdlova 67, 399610 
Lebedyan, Lipetsk Region

Production, 
Corrugated 
packaging

LLC Mondi Pereslavl

Mendeleeva sq. 2, Building 
55, 152025 Pereslavl-
Zalesski

Production, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

LLC Mondi Syktyvkar 
Energy Company1

pr. Bumazhnikov 2, 167026 
Syktyvkar, Republic of Komi

Service,  
Uncoated fine paper

OJSC Mondi Syktyvkar3 pr. Bumazhnikov 2, 167026 
Syktyvkar, Republic of Komi

OOO Mondi Sales CIS 2nd Brestskaya str. 8 Floor 

13, 123047, Moscow

Production, 
Containerboard, 
Uncoated fine paper

Distribution,  
Uncoated fine paper

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Russia

100.00

70.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

49.00

L’Ensachage Moderne 
Sarl

Rue Boukraa N1, Quartier 
Industriel Dokkarat, Fes

Dormant,  
Industrial bags

Pap-Sac Maghreb SA

Km 16, Route d´El Jadida, 
Casablanca

Production,  
Industrial bags

Netherlands

Mondi Coating B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1,  
6219 PA Maastricht

Mondi Consumer Bags 
& Films B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1,  
6219 PA Maastricht

Mondi Consumer Bags 
& Films Benelux B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1,  
6219 PA Maastricht

Mondi Corrugated B.V. Fort Willemweg 1,  
6219 PA Maastricht

Mondi Corrugated 
Poland B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1,  
6219 PA Maastricht

Holding,  
Extrusion coatings

Holding, Consumer 
packaging

Distribution, 
Consumer packaging

Holding, Corrugated 
packaging

Holding, Corrugated 
packaging

Mondi Heerlen B.V.

Imstenraderweg 15, 6422 
PM Heerlen

Production, 
Consumer packaging

Mondi Industrial Bags 
B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 
Maastricht

Holding,  
Industrial bags

80.64

80.64

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Holding, Corporate

100.00

Mondi International 
Holdings B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1,  
6219 PA Maastricht

Mondi Maastricht N.V.

Mondi MENA B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1,  
6219 PA Maastricht

Fort Willemweg 1,  
6219 PA Maastricht

Mondi Packaging Paper 
B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1,  
6219 PA Maastricht

Mondi Paper Sales 
Netherlands B.V.

Bruynvisweg 14,  
1531 AZ Wormer

Mondi SCP Holdings 
B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1,  
6219 PA Maastricht

Production,  
Industrial bags

Holding,  
Industrial bags

Holding,  
Kraft paper

Distribution, 
Containerboard,  
Kraft paper,  
Uncoated fine paper

Holding,  
Uncoated fine paper

Norway

Mondi Moss AS

Oman

Mondi Oman LLC

Rådmann Sirasvei 1,  
1712 Grålum

Distribution,  
Industrial bags

P.O. Box 20, 124, Muscat 
Governorate, As Seeb, Al 
Rusayl

Production,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

Company

Turkey

Nova 9, 15000 Šabac

Production,  
Industrial bags

100.00

Mondi Istanbul Ambalaj 
Limited Şti.

Company

Serbia

Mondi Šabac d.o.o. 
Šabac

Singapore

Mondi Packaging Paper 
Sales Asia Pte. Limited

3 Anson Road 27–01, 
Springleaf Tower, 079909

Distribution,  
Kraft paper

100.00

Slovakia

East Paper, spol. s.r.o.

KB Paper, s.r.o.

Mondi SCP a.s.

Obaly SOLO, s.r.o

RECOPAP, s.r.o.

Rastislavova 98,  
04346 Kosice

L. Kassaka 10,  
94001 Nove Zamky

Tatranská cesta 3,  
03417 Ružomberok

Tatranská cesta 3,  
03417 Ružomberok

Bratislavska 18,  
90051 Zahor

Slovpaper Recycling 
s.r.o.

L. Kassaka 10,  
94001 Nove Zamky

SLOVWOOD 
Ružomberok a.s.

Tatranská cesta 3,  
03417 Ružomberok

STRÁŽNA SLUŽBA 
VLA-STA s.r.o.

Tatranská cesta 3,  
03417 Ružomberok

Spain

Mondi Bags Ibérica S.L. Autovía A-2, Km 582,  

Mondi Ibersac S.L.

08630 Abrera

Calle La Perenal 4,  
48840 Güeñes, Bizcaia

Mondi Sales Ibérica S.L. Calle Joaquin Costa 36 2a, 

28002 Madrid

Service, 
Containerboard

Service, 
Containerboard

Production,  
Kraft paper,  
Uncoated fine paper

Production,  
Uncoated fine paper

Service, 
Containerboard

Service, 
Containerboard

Distribution,  
Uncoated fine paper

Distribution,  
Uncoated fine paper

Production,  
Industrial bags

Production,  
Industrial bags

Distribution, 
Containerboard, 
Uncoated fine paper, 
Consumer packaging

Powerflute International 
S.L.1

Josep Irla I Bosch, 1–3 P.6 
PTA.2, 08034 Barcelona

Distribution, 
Containerboard

Sweden

Mondi Dynäs AB

87381 Väja

Production,  
Kraft paper

Papersbruksallen 3A,  
Box 926, 70130 Örebro

Production,  
Extrusion coatings

Mondi Kale Nobel 
Ambalaj Sanayi Ve 
Ticaret A.Ş.4

Mondi Tire Kutsan Kagit 
Ve Ambalaj Sanayi A.Ş.5

Ukraine

Mondi Packaging Bags 
Ukraine LLC

26.01

25.50

51.00

51.00

25.50

UK

51.00

33.66

51.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Frantschach Holdings 
UK Limited

Hypac Limited

Medway Packaging 
Pension Trustee Limited

Mondi Aberdeen 
Limited

Mondi Consumer 
Goods Packaging 
UK Ltd

Mondi Finance plc

Mondi German 
Investments Limited

Mondi Örebro AB

Switzerland

Dipeco AG

Thailand

Mondi Bangkok 
Company, Limited1

Mondi Coating 
(Thailand) Co. Ltd.

Mondi TSP Company 
Limited

Bruehlstrasse 5,  
4800 Zofingen

Production,  
Industrial bags

100.00

Mondi Glossop Ltd

789/10 Moo 9 Bang Pla 
Sub-District, Bang Phli 
District, Bangkok, Samut 
Prakan Province

Nr 888/100–101 Soi 
Yingcharoen Moo 19, 
Bangplee-Tamru Road, 
Bangpleeyai, Bangplee, 
Samutprakam 10540

110, Moo 3, Nong 
Chumphon Nuea, Khao 
Yoi District, Petchaburi 
Province, 76140

Production, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

Mondi Holcombe 
Limited

Service,  
Consumer packaging

100.00

Mondi Investments 
Limited6

Production, 
Consumer packaging

97.55

Mondi Packaging (Delta) 
Limited

Trinidad and Tobago

TCL Packaging Limited Southern Main Road, 

Claxton Bay

Production,  
Industrial bags

20.00

Mondi Packaging 
Limited

227

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% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

100.00

Registered office

Principal activities

No. 12A Türkgücü OSB 
Mah. Yilmaz Alpaslan 
Caddesi Corlu, Tekirdag, 
59870

Sevketiye Cobancesme 
Kavsagi, A2 Blok, No. 
229/230 Yeşilköy, Bakirköy/
Istanbul

Toki Mahallesi, Hasan 
Tahsin Caddesi,  
No. 28, Tire, Izmir 35900

Production,  
Industrial bags

Production, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

79.14

Production, 
Containerboard, 
Corrugated 
packaging

Fabrychna Street 20, 
Zhydachiv, Lviv Region, 
81700

Production,  
Industrial bags

100.00

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Parkway, Deeside Industrial 
Park, Deeside, Clwyd, 
Wales, CH5 2NS

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Holding,  
Industrial bags

100.00

Dormant,  
Corrugated packaging

100.00

Service,  
Industrial bags

100.00

Distribution,  
Industrial bags

100.00

Production, 
Consumer packaging

100.00

Service, Corporate

100.00

Holding, Corporate

100.00

Dormant,  
Consumer packaging

100.00

Dormant,  
Corrugated 
packaging

100.00

Holding, Corporate

100.00

Dormant,  
Corrugated 
packaging

Dormant,  
Corrugated 
packaging

100.00

100.00

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
228

Notes to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

11 List of subsidiaries and associated undertakings and other significant holdings as at 31 December 2018

Company

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

Company

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Mondi Packaging UK 
Holdings Limited

Mondi Pension Trustee 
Limited6

Mondi Rochester 
Limited

Mondi Scunthorpe 
Limited3

Mondi Services (UK) 
Limited

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Roxburgh House, Clayfield 
Road, Foxhills Industrial 
Estate, Scunthorpe, North 
Lincolnshire, DN15 8QJ

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Holding,  
Corrugated 
packaging

100.00

USA

Mondi Akrosil, LLC

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington DE 19808

Production, 
Consumer packaging

Service, Corporate

100.00

Mondi Bags USA, LLC 251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington DE 19808

Production,  
Industrial bags

In liquidation, 
Extrusion coatings

Mondi Jackson, LLC

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington DE 19808

100.00

Mondi Minneapolis, Inc. 220 South Sixth Street, 

Suite 2200,  
Minneapolis 55402

Production, 
Consumer packaging

Service,  
Consumer packaging

Dormant,  
Consumer packaging

100.00

Mondi Romeoville LLC 251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington DE 19808

Production,  
Industrial bags

Mondi Tekkote LLC

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington DE 19808

Production, 
Consumer packaging

Service, Corporate

100.00

Notes:

1  % of shares held by Group in 2017: nil

2  % of shares held by Group in 2017: 29.89

3  These companies have ordinary and preference shares

4  % of shares held by Group in 2017: 90.00

5  % of shares held by Group in 2017: 70.30

6  These companies are held directly

Mondi UK Consumer 
Packaging Holding 
1 Ltd

Parkway, Deeside Industrial 
Park, Deeside, Clwyd, 
Wales, CH5 2NS

Mondi UK Consumer 
Packaging Holding 
2 Ltd

Parkway, Deeside Industrial 
Park, Deeside, Clwyd, 
Wales, CH5 2NS

Holding,  
Consumer packaging

100.00

Holding,  
Consumer packaging

100.00

Powerflute Group 
Holdings Limited1

Rochette Packaging 
Limited

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Building 1, 1st Floor, 
Aviator Park, Station Road, 
Addlestone, Surrey,  
KT15 2PG

Holding, 
Containerboard

100.00

Dormant, 
Corrugated 
packaging

100.00

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Production statistics

Fibre Packaging

Containerboard

Kraft paper

Softwood pulp

Internal consumption

Market pulp

Hardwood pulp

Internal consumption

Market pulp

Corrugated board and boxes

Industrial bags

Extrusion coatings

Consumer Packaging

Consumer packaging

Uncoated Fine Paper

Uncoated fine paper

Softwood pulp

Internal consumption

Market pulp

Hardwood pulp

Internal consumption

Market pulp

Newsprint

Exchange rates 

versus euro

South African rand

Czech koruna

Polish zloty

Pound sterling

Russian rouble

Turkish lira

US dollar

2018

2017

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

million m²

million units

million m²

2,530

1,118

1,986

1,844

142

714

714

—

1,635

5,255

1,230

2,297

1,206

2,010

1,874

136

547

543

4

1,650

4,952

1,281

million m2

7,278

7,437

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

’000 tonnes

1,649

386

358

28

1,244

906

338

207

Average

Closing

2018

15.62

25.65

4.26

0.88

74.04

5.71

1.18

2017

15.04

26.33

4.26

0.88

65.88

4.12

1.13

2018

16.46

25.72

4.30

0.89

79.72

6.06

1.15

1,644

375

358

17

1,345

950

395

277

2017

14.81

25.54

4.18

0.89

69.39

4.55

1.20

229

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
230

Group financial record

Financial performance 2009–2018

Combined and consolidated income statement

Restated1
2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

7,096

1,482

6,662

1,366

6,819

1,325

6,402

1,126

6,476

1,068

5,790

5,739

5,610

5,257

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Group revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Fibre Packaging2

Consumer Packaging

Uncoated Fine Paper

Corporate

2018

7,481

1,764

1,086

194

516

(32)

833

222

464

(37)

Discontinued and disposed 
operations

—

—

Underlying operating profit

1,318

1,029

Special items

(126)

(61)

(88)

916

824

(85)

721

668

721

198

481

(34)

—

981

(38)

(101)

667

638

734

177

448

(34)

—

957

(57)

(105)

647

600

651

158

349

(32)

—

767

(52)

(97)

519

471

596

143

359

(30)

—

699

(87)

(115)

460

386

927

519

57

383

(32)

—

574

(91)

(110)

334

242

964

560

52

394

(32)

(10)

622

(55)

(111)

340

330

798

392

56

379

(32)

3

458

(21)

(106)

206

224

40.6

37.8

645

261

40

298

(36)

82

294

(125)

(114)

95

(33)

18.7

(6.5)

189.1

170.1

148.9

137.9

137.8

131.8

133.7

124.0

107.3

97.4

95.0

79.8

69.2

50.1

68.1

57.5

76.0

62.0

57.0

52.0

42.0

36.0

28.0

26.0

20.0

9.5

1  Comparative information for 2017 has been restated to reflect the changes in IFRS as described in notes 32 and 33 

2  Underlying EBITDA of Fibre Packaging for the years 2009 to 2016 has been restated for the reorganisation of the Group’s business units based on management 

reporting (unaudited)

3  In addition to the 2017 ordinary dividend, a special dividend of 100 euro cents was paid in 2018

2018

19.0

23.6

17.6

23.6

1.3

2.5

9.6

Restated1
2017

8.5

20.9

14.5

19.3

1.0

2.4

14.6

2016

3.1

20.5

14.7

20.3

1.0

2.4

14.2

2015

17.7

19.4

14.0

20.5

1.1

2.6

13.5

2014

5.4

17.6

12.0

17.2

1.4

2.6

12.6

2013

15.2

16.5

10.8

15.3

1.5

2.6

13.2

2012

(3.8)

16.0

9.9

13.6

2.0

2.5

11.9

2011

20.8

16.8

10.8

15.0

0.9

2.6

8.0

2010

23.7

14.2

8.2

12.3

1.7

2.0

14.8

2009

(20.8)

12.3

5.6

7.6

2.4

2.0

20.2

1,634

1,931

1,666

1,334

1,050

1,046

670

455

514

335

92.16

4,001

57.30

2,655

51.42

3,097

40.14

1,969

309.57

319.27

279.99

307.27

188.74

179.70

Market capitalisation (€ million)

8,901

10,523

9,457

8,803

6,563

6,081

Note:

1  Comparative information for 2017 has been restated to reflect the changes in IFRS as described in notes 32 and 33 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Net finance costs (excluding 
financing special item)

Underlying earnings

Basic earnings

Basic underlying EPS (euro 
cents)

Basic EPS (euro cents)

Total ordinary dividend per 
share paid and proposed 
(euro cents)3

Notes:

Significant ratios

Underlying EBITDA growth (%)

Underlying EBITDA margin (%)

Underlying operating profit 
margin (%)

ROCE (%)

Net debt to 12-month trailing 
underlying EBITDA (times)

Ordinary dividend cover (times)

PE Ratio

Mondi plc – Share price at end  
of year (GBP cents per share)

Mondi Limited – Share price  
at end of year (ZAR per share)

231

Significant cash flows

€ million

Cash generated 
from operations

Working capital cash flows

Income tax paid

Capital expenditure 
cash outflows

Interest paid

Ordinary dividends paid 
to shareholders2

Notes:

Restated1
2017

2018

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

1,654

1,363

1,401

1,279

1,033

1,036

(117)

(248)

(709)

(73)

(122)

(151)

(611)

(97)

68

(173)

9

(160)

(465)

(595)

(82)

(93)

(87)

(106)

(562)

(125)

(27)

(126)

(405)

(124)

849

(83)

(109)

917

(68)

(85)

778

(121)

(47)

(294)

(92)

(263)

(106)

(394)

(117)

867

248

(32)

(517)

(163)

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(309)

(273)

(274)

(209)

(193)

(138)

(128)

(126)

(54)

(39)

1  Comparative information for 2017 has been restated to reflect the changes in IFRS as described in notes 32 and 33 

2  A special dividend of €484 million was paid in 2018 in addition to the ordinary dividend

Combined and consolidated statement of financial position

€ million

Restated1
2017

2018

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

Property, plant and equipment

4,340

4,128

3,788

3,554

3,432

3,428

3,709

3,377

3,976

3,847

Goodwill

Working capital

Other assets

Other liabilities

Net assets excluding net debt

Equity

Non-controlling interests in equity

Net debt2

Capital employed

Notes:

942

972

540

698

899

530

681

799

532

590

794

422

545

811

434

550

711

429

561

764

503

202

575

408

274

660

466

269

527

419

(749)

(716)

(721)

(675)

(715)

(653)

(789)

(696)

(788)

(721)

6,045

3,485

340

2,220

6,045

5,539

3,683

324

1,532

5,539

5,079

3,392

304

1,383

5,079

4,685

2,905

282

1,498

4,685

4,507

2,628

266

1,613

4,507

4,465

2,591

255

1,619

4,465

4,748

2,572

301

1,875

4,748

3,866

2,586

449

831

3,866

4,588

2,763

461

1,364

4,588

4,341

2,399

425

1,517

4,341

1  Comparative information for 2017 has been restated to reflect the changes in IFRS as described in notes 32 and 33 

2  Net debt prior to 2012 does not include the effect of net debt-related derivatives

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232

Additional information for Mondi plc shareholders

The disclosures below form part of the Directors’ report on pages 142 and 143 of this report. 

Introduction
Set out below is a summary of certain provisions of Mondi plc’s articles of association (Articles) and applicable English law concerning 
companies (the Companies Act). This is a summary only and the relevant provisions of the Articles or the Companies Act should be 
consulted if further information is required. 

Share capital 
Mondi plc’s issued share capital as at 31 December 2018 comprised 367,240,805 ordinary shares of 20 euro cents each (the Ordinary 
Shares) representing 71.4% of the total share capital, 118,312,975 PLC Special Converting Shares of 20 euro cents each representing 
23.0% of the total share capital, 146,896,322 deferred shares of 4 euro cents each (the Deferred Shares) representing 5.5% of the total 
share capital, the PLC Special Rights Share of €1, the PLC Special Voting Share of €1, the UK DAN Share of €1 and the UK DAS Share 
of €1. Each of the PLC Special Rights Share, PLC Special Voting Share, UK DAN Share and UK DAS Share represent only a nominal 
percentage of the total share capital.

The shares are in registered form.

Purchase of own shares
Subject to the provisions of the Articles and the Companies Act, Mondi plc may purchase, or may enter into a contract under which it will 
or may purchase, any of its own shares of any class, including any redeemable shares.

Ordinary Shares

Dividends and distributions

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, Mondi plc may by ordinary resolution from time to time declare dividends not exceeding 
the amount recommended by the board. The board may pay interim dividends whenever the financial position of Mondi plc, in the opinion 
of the board, justifies such payment.

The board may withhold payment of all or any part of any dividends or other monies payable in respect of Mondi plc’s shares from a 
person with a 0.25% or more interest in nominal value of the issued shares, if such a person has been served with a notice after failure to 
provide Mondi plc with information concerning interest in those shares required to be provided under the Companies Act.

Voting rights

Subject to any special rights or restrictions attaching to any class of shares, at a general meeting, every member present in person has, 
upon a show of hands, one vote. Every duly appointed proxy has, upon a show of hands, one vote unless the proxy is appointed by 
more than one member, in which case the proxy has one vote for and one vote against if (i) the proxy has been instructed by one or more 
members to vote for the resolution and by one or more members to vote against the resolution or (ii) the proxy has been instructed by one 
or more members to vote either for or against the resolution and by one or more members to use his discretion as to how to vote. On a 
poll every member who is present in person or by proxy has one vote for every fully paid share of which he is the holder. In the case of 
joint holders of a share, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by proxy shall be accepted to the exclusion of the 
votes of the other joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the register 
of members in respect of the shares. Under the Companies Act, members are entitled to appoint a proxy, who need not be a member 
of Mondi plc, to exercise all or any of their rights to attend and to speak and vote on their behalf at a general meeting or class meeting. 
A member may appoint more than one proxy in relation to a general meeting or class meeting provided that each proxy is appointed to 
exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by that member. A proxy is not entitled to delegate the proxy’s authority to 
act on behalf of a member to another person. A member that is a corporation may appoint one or more individuals to act on its behalf at a 
general meeting or class meeting as a corporate representative. 

Restrictions on voting

No member shall be entitled to vote either in person or by proxy at any general meeting or class meeting in respect of any shares held by 
him if any call or other sum then payable by him in respect of that share remains unpaid. In addition no member shall be entitled to vote 
if he has been served with a notice after failure to provide Mondi plc with information concerning interests in those shares required to be 
provided under the Companies Act. 

Deadlines for exercising voting rights

Votes are exercisable at a general meeting of Mondi plc in respect of which the business being voted upon is being heard. Votes may 
be exercised in person, by proxy, or in relation to corporate members, by corporate representatives. The Articles provide a deadline for 
submission of proxy forms of not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or adjourned meeting.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Variation of rights

Subject to the Companies Act, the Articles specify that rights attached to any class of shares may be varied with the written consent of 
the holders of not less than three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of that class, or with the sanction of a special resolution 
passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of those shares. At every such separate general meeting the quorum shall be two 
persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of the class (calculated excluding any 
shares held as treasury shares). The rights conferred upon the holders of any shares shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the 
rights attaching to those shares, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with them.

Where, under an employee share plan operated by Mondi plc, participants are the beneficial owners of the shares but not the registered 
owner, the voting rights are normally exercised by the registered owner at the direction of the participant.

Transfer of shares

All transfers of shares which are in certificated form may be effected by transfer in writing in any usual or common form or in any other 
form acceptable to the directors. The instrument of transfer shall be signed by or on behalf of the transferor and (except in the case of  
fully-paid shares) by or on behalf of the transferee and shall specify the name of the transferor, the name of the transferee and the number 
of shares being transferred. Transfers of shares which are in uncertificated form are effected by means of the CREST system.

The directors may also refuse to register an allotment or transfer of shares (whether fully paid or not) in favour of more than four persons 
jointly. If the directors refuse to register an allotment or transfer they shall, within 30 days after the date on which the letter of allotment or 
transfer was lodged with Mondi plc, send to the allottee or transferee a notice of the refusal.

The directors may decline to register any instrument of transfer unless: (i) the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of 
share, (ii) when submitted for registration is accompanied by the relevant share certificates and such other evidence as the directors may 
reasonably require and (iii) it is fully paid.

Subject to the Companies Act and regulations and applicable CREST rules, the directors may determine that any class of shares may 
be held in uncertificated form and that title to such shares may be transferred by means of the CREST system or that shares of any class 
should cease to be so held and transferred.

A shareholder does not need to obtain the approval of Mondi plc, or of other shareholders of shares in Mondi plc, for a transfer of shares 
to take place.

Some of the Mondi plc employee share plans include restrictions on transfer of shares while the shares are subject to such plan. 

233

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Deferred Shares
The rights and privileges attached to the Deferred Shares are as follows: no entitlement to receive any dividend or distribution declared, 
made or paid or any return of capital (save as described below) and does not entitle the holder to any further or other right of participation 
in the assets of Mondi plc.

On a return of capital on winding up, but not on a return of capital on any other class of shares of Mondi plc, otherwise than on a winding 
up of Mondi plc, the holders of the Deferred Shares shall be entitled to participate but such entitlement is limited to the repayment of the 
amount paid up or credited as paid up on such share and shall be paid only after the holders of any and all Ordinary Shares then in issue 
shall have received (i) payment in respect of such amount as is paid up or credited as paid up on those Ordinary Shares held by them at 
that time plus (ii) the payment in cash or in specie of £10,000,000 on each such Ordinary Share.

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The holders of the Deferred Shares are not entitled to receive notice of, nor attend, speak or vote at, any general meeting of Mondi plc.

Shares required for the DLC structure
Mondi SCS (UK) Limited, a UK trust company, specially formed for the purpose of the DLC structure, holds the PLC Special Voting Share, 
the PLC Special Converting Shares, the PLC Special Rights Share, the UK DAN Share and the UK DAS Share. These shares can only be 
transferred to another UK trust company, in limited circumstances.

The PLC Special Voting Share is a specially created share so that shareholders of both Mondi plc and Mondi Limited effectively vote 
together as a single decision-making body on matters affecting shareholders of both companies in similar ways, as set out in the Articles.

Prior to a change of control, approval of termination of the sharing agreement (which regulates the DLC), liquidation or insolvency of Mondi 
plc, the PLC Special Converting Shares have no voting rights except in relation to a resolution proposing the (i) variation of the rights 
attaching to the shares or (ii) winding up, and they have no rights to dividends. The PLC Special Converting Shares are held on trust for 
the Mondi Limited ordinary shareholders.

The PLC Special Rights Share does not have any rights to vote or any right to receive any dividend or other distribution by Mondi plc, save 
in respect to capitalisation of reserves.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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234

Additional information for Mondi plc shareholders

Mondi plc and Mondi Limited have established dividend access trust arrangements as part of the DLC. Mondi plc has issued two 
dividend access shares, the UK DAS Share and UK DAN Share, which enable Mondi plc to pay dividends to the shareholders of Mondi 
Limited. This facility may be used by the board to address imbalances in the distributable reserves of Mondi plc and Mondi Limited and/or 
to address the effects of South African exchange controls and/or if they otherwise consider it necessary or desirable.

Directors

Appointment and replacement of directors

Directors shall be no less than four and no more than 20 in number. A director is not required to hold any shares of Mondi plc by way of 
qualification. Mondi plc may by special resolution increase or reduce the maximum or minimum number of directors.

At each Annual General Meeting held in each year at least one-third of the directors, including at least one-third of non-executive directors, 
or if their number is not a multiple of three then the number nearest to, but not less than, one-third, shall retire from office. Any further 
directors to retire shall be those of the other directors subject to retirement by rotation who have been longest in office since their last 
election or re-election or, if later, deemed election or re-election and so that as between persons who became or were last re-elected 
directors on the same day, those to retire shall, unless they otherwise agree among themselves, be determined by lot. In casting the lot, 
the provision that a director must also be a director of Mondi Limited and the corresponding provision of the Mondi Limited memorandum 
of incorporation shall be observed. A retiring director shall be eligible for re-election.

The board may appoint any person to be a director (so long as the total number of directors does not exceed the limit prescribed in the 
Articles). Any such director shall hold office only until the next Annual General Meeting and shall then be eligible for re-election, but shall 
not be taken into account in determining the number of directors who are to retire by rotation at such meeting.

Powers of the directors

Subject to the Articles, the Companies Act and any directions given by special resolution, the business of Mondi plc will be managed by 
the board who may exercise all the powers of Mondi plc.

The board may exercise all the powers of Mondi plc to borrow money and to mortgage or charge any of its undertaking, property and 
uncalled capital and to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of 
Mondi plc or of any third party.

Significant agreements: change of control

The Articles of Mondi plc and the memorandum of incorporation of Mondi Limited ensure that a person cannot make an offer for one 
company without having made an equivalent offer to the shareholders of both companies on equivalent terms. 

Pursuant to the terms of the agreements establishing the DLC structure, if either Mondi plc or Mondi Limited serves written notice on 
the other at any time after either party becomes a subsidiary of the other party or after both Mondi plc and Mondi Limited become 
subsidiaries of a third party, the agreements establishing the DLC structure will terminate.

All of Mondi plc’s share plans contain provisions relating to a change of control. Outstanding awards and options would normally vest and 
become exercisable on a change of control, subject to the satisfaction of any performance conditions at that time.

Amendment of the Articles
Any amendments to the Articles of Mondi plc may be made in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act by way of 
special resolution. 

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Shareholder information

Mondi has a dual listed company (DLC) structure comprising Mondi Limited, a company registered in South Africa and Mondi plc, a 
company registered in the UK. Mondi Limited has a primary listing on the JSE Limited while Mondi plc has a premium listing on the 
London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited.

Under the DLC structure any ordinary share held in either Mondi Limited or Mondi plc gives the holder an effective economic interest in 
the whole Mondi Group. The relationship between Mondi Limited and Mondi plc is underpinned by the DLC structure principles, which 
provide that:

 e Mondi Limited and Mondi plc and their subsidiaries must operate as if they are a single corporate group; and
 e the directors of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc will, in addition to their duties to the company concerned, have regard to the interests of 

the Mondi Limited shareholders and the Mondi plc shareholders as if the two companies were a single unified economic enterprise and 
for that purpose the directors of each company will take into account, in the exercise of their powers, the interests of the shareholders of 
the other.

Financial calendar 

9 May 2019

9 May 2019

16 May 2019

1 August 2019

September 2019

10 October 2019

2019 Annual General Meetings

Trading update

Payment date for 2018 final ordinary dividend

2019 half-yearly results announcement

2019 interim ordinary dividend payment

Trading update

Analysis of shareholders
As at 31 December 2018 Mondi Limited had 118,312,975 ordinary shares in issue and Mondi plc had 367,240,805 ordinary shares in 
issue, of which 110,560,682 were held on the South African branch register.

By size of holding

Mondi Limited

Number of shareholders

% of shareholders

Size of shareholding

Number of shares

% of shares

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7,974

1,037

950

522

212

17

10,712

Mondi plc

74.44

9.68

8.87

4.87

1.98

0.16

100.00

1 – 500

501 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 50,000

50,001 – 1,000,000

1,000,001 – highest

1,247,973

754,776

2,061,440

8,687,023

44,982,449

60,579,314

118,312,975

1.06

0.64

1.74

7.34

38.02

51.20

100.00

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% of shareholders

Size of shareholding

Number of shares

% of shares

2,087

454

568

455

311

48

3,923

53.20

11.57

14.48

11.60

7.93

1.22

100.00

1 – 500

501 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 50,000

50,001 – 1,000,000

1,000,001 – highest

437,764

330,835

1,319,661

8,923,873

74,337,314

281,891,358

367,240,805

0.12

0.09

0.36

2.43

20.24

76.76

100.00

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236

Shareholder information

By type of holding

Mondi Limited

Public1 

Non-public 

  Directors of Mondi Limited/Mondi plc

  Mondi staff share schemes2

Total

Mondi plc

Public1

Non-public

  Directors of Mondi Limited/Mondi plc

  Mondi staff share schemes2

Total

1  As per the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited
2  Shares held for the purposes of Mondi staff share schemes are held in trust 

Managing your shares

Registrars

Number of holders

Number of shares

% of shares

10,710

117,957,296

2

1

1

355,679

208

355,471

10,712

118,312,975

99.70

0.30

0.00

0.30

100.00

Number of holders

Number of shares

% of shares

3,913

366,087,560

10

8

2

1,153,245

253,190

900,055

3,923

367,240,805

99.69

0.31

0.07

0.24

100.00

To manage your shares or if you have any queries, please contact the relevant Registrar:

Mondi Limited shares and Mondi plc shares  
on the South African branch register

Mondi plc shares on the UK register

Link Market Services South Africa Proprietary Limited 
(Link Market Services)

Link Asset Services 

Registrar

Postal address

PO Box 4844 
Johannesburg, 2000 
South Africa

The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent 
BR3 4TU 
UK

0871 664 0300  
(if calling from the UK; calls cost 12p per minute plus 
your phone company’s access charge; lines are 
open Monday to Friday between 9:00am to 5:30pm 
excluding public holidays in England and Wales)

+44 371 664 0300 (if calling from outside the UK; calls 
will be charged at the applicable international rate)

Helpline number

011 713 0800  
(if calling from South Africa) 

+27 11 713 0800  
(if calling from outside South Africa)

Email

Online

meetfax@linkmarketservices.co.za

Not available

enquiries@linkgroup.co.uk 

www.signalshares.com

Sign up to email communications

Many of our shareholders choose to receive shareholder information electronically rather than by post. Benefits include faster notification 
of shareholder information, reduced costs and being more environmentally friendly.

Mondi plc shareholders on the UK register can sign up to email communications by contacting Link Asset Services or via their online 
portal, Signal Shares.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Mondi Limited shareholders and Mondi plc shareholders on the South African branch register holding their shares in certificated form can 
sign up to email communications by contacting Link Market Services or by emailing corpactfax@linkmarketservices.co.za. Mondi Limited 
shareholders and Mondi plc shareholders on the South African branch register with dematerialised shares should contact their Central 
Securities Depository Participant (CSDP) or broker.

You will be notified by email each time new financial reports, notices of shareholder meetings and other shareholder communications are 
published on our website at: www.mondigroup.com.

Manage your shares online

Mondi plc shareholders on the UK register can sign up to Signal Shares, a free secure online site provided by Link Asset Services, where 
you can manage your shareholding quickly and easily. You can:

 e View your holding and get an indicative valuation
 e Change your address
 e Arrange to have dividends paid into your bank account
 e Request to receive shareholder communications by email rather 

than post

 e View your dividend payment history

 e Make dividend payment choices
 e Buy and sell shares and access stock market news 

and information

 e Register your proxy voting instruction
 e Download a Stock Transfer form

To register for Signal Shares just visit www.signalshares.com. All you need is your investor code which can be found on your share 
certificate, dividend confirmation or proxy form.

Dividends
A proposed final ordinary dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018 of 54.55 euro cents per ordinary share will be paid to Mondi plc 
shareholders and an equivalent South African rand final ordinary dividend will be paid to Mondi Limited shareholders in accordance with 
the below timetable. 

Payment of the final ordinary dividend is subject to the approval of the shareholders of Mondi plc and Mondi Limited at the respective 
Annual General Meetings scheduled for 9 May 2019.

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Last date to trade shares cum-dividend

JSE Limited

London Stock Exchange

Shares commence trading ex-dividend

JSE Limited

London Stock Exchange

Record date

JSE Limited

London Stock Exchange

Last date for receipt of Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) elections 
by Central Securities Depository Participants

Last date for DRIP elections to UK Registrar and South African Transfer 
Secretaries by shareholders of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc

Payment date

South African Register

UK Register

DRIP purchase settlement dates 
(subject to the purchase of shares in the open market)

Currency conversion dates

ZAR/euro

Euro/sterling

1  Wednesday 22 May 2019 for Mondi plc South African branch register shareholders

Mondi Limited

Mondi plc

Tue 9 April 2019

Tue 9 April 2019

Not Applicable

Wed 10 April 2019

Wed 10 April 2019

Wed 10 April 2019

Not applicable

Thu 11 April 2019

Fri 12 April 2019

Not applicable

Fri 12 April 2019

Fri 12 April 2019

Thu 18 April 2019

Thu 18 April 2019

Tue 23 April 2019

Tue 23 April 2019

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Thu 16 May 2019

Not applicable

Thu 16 May 2019

Thu 16 May 2019

Wed 22 May 2019

Mon 20 May 20191

Thu 28 February 2019

Thu 28 February 2019

Not applicable

Tue 30 April 2019

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

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Shareholder information

Share certificates on the South African registers of Mondi Limited and Mondi plc may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between 
Wednesday 10 April 2019 and Sunday 14 April 2019, both dates inclusive, nor may transfers between the UK and South African registers 
of Mondi plc take place between Saturday 6 April 2019 and Sunday 14 April 2019, both dates inclusive.

Dividend tax will be withheld from the amount of the gross final ordinary dividend paid to Mondi Limited shareholders and Mondi plc 
shareholders on the South African branch register at the rate of 20%, unless a shareholder qualifies for an exemption.

Your dividend currency

All dividends are declared in euro but are paid in the following currencies:

Mondi Limited

Mondi plc

Mondi plc (UK residents)

Mondi plc (South African residents)

South African rand

euro

pound sterling

South African rand

 e Mondi plc shareholders on the UK register resident in the UK may elect to receive their dividends in euro
 e Mondi plc shareholders on the UK register resident outside the UK may elect to receive their dividends in pound sterling
Mondi plc shareholders on the UK register wishing to elect to receive their dividends in an alternative currency should contact Link Asset 
Services in the UK using the details provided.

Payment of your dividends

Mondi encourages shareholders to have their dividends paid directly into their bank accounts. This means that the dividend will reach your 
bank account more securely and on the payment date without the inconvenience of depositing a cheque.

Mondi Limited shareholders and Mondi plc shareholders on the South African branch register
 e Shareholders with a South African bank account can elect to receive dividends directly into their bank account by contacting Link 

Market Services.

 e Shareholders without a South African bank account are encouraged to dematerialise their shares with a CSDP in South Africa as a 
CSDP is often able to pay dividends into foreign bank accounts. Find out more by contacting Link Market Services or any CSDP.

Mondi plc shareholders on the UK register
 e Shareholders with a UK bank account can elect to receive dividends directly into their bank account via Signal Shares or by contacting 

Link Asset Services.

 e Shareholders without a UK bank account may be able to take advantage of the International Payment Service offered by Link Asset 

Services. Find out more via Signal Shares or by contacting Link Asset Services.

Reinvest your dividends

The dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) provide an opportunity for shareholders to have their Mondi Limited and Mondi plc cash 
dividends reinvested in Mondi Limited and Mondi plc ordinary shares respectively.

The plans are available to all Mondi Limited and Mondi plc ordinary shareholders (excluding those in certain restricted jurisdictions). 
Fees may apply. 

If you wish to participate in the DRIPs you can sign up via Signal Shares or by contacting either Link Market Services in South Africa or 
Link Asset Services in the UK as appropriate.

South African dematerialisation
Mondi encourages Mondi Limited shareholders and Mondi plc shareholders on the South African branch register to consider 
dematerialising their shares. By surrendering your share certificate, you will hold your shares electronically with a CSDP in South Africa. 

Holding shares electronically can help to prevent share fraud, theft and loss of share certificates. Once dematerialised, your dividends can 
be paid directly into a bank account and your shares will be easier to sell. 

Find out more by contacting Link Market Services or any CSDP.

Taxation
Mondi is unable to advise shareholders on taxation. Your tax obligations will vary depending on your jurisdiction and financial 
circumstances. With regard to your Mondi shareholding, we recommend all shareholders maintain records of dividend payments, 
share purchases and sales. A dividend confirmation will be sent with all dividend payments. For further assistance, please speak to an 
independent professional tax or financial adviser.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Donating shares to charity
If you have a small number of shares which would cost you more to sell than they are worth, there is the option to donate these unwanted 
shares to charity free of charge. These shares are then aggregated, sold and the proceeds distributed to various charities. Donate your 
shares or find out more using the relevant contact details below:

Mondi Limited shares or Mondi plc shares  
on the South African branch register

Strate Charity Shares

PO Box 78608 
Sandton, 2146 
South Africa

0800 202 363 
(if calling from South Africa)

+27 11 870 8207 
(if calling from outside South Africa)

charityshares@computershare.co.za

http://www.strate.co.za/we-care/strate-charity-shares

Mondi plc shares  
on the UK register

ShareGift

PO Box 72253 
London 
SW1P 9LQ 
UK

+44 (0)20 7930 3737

help@sharegift.org 

www.sharegift.org

Postal address

Helpline number

Email

Online

Fraud

Shareholders should be aware that they may be targeted by certain organisations offering unsolicited investment advice or the 
opportunity to buy or sell worthless or non-existent shares. Should you receive any unsolicited calls or documents to this effect, you 
are advised not to give out any personal details or to hand over any money without ensuring that the organisation is authorised by the 
UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and doing further research.

If you are unsure or think you may have been targeted you should report the organisation to the FCA. For further information, please 
visit the FCA’s website at www.fca.org.uk, email consumer.queries@fca.org.uk or call the FCA consumer helpline on 0800 111 6768 if 
calling from the UK or +44 20 7066 1000 if calling from outside the UK. 

Shareholders can also contact Link Asset Services in the UK, Link Market Services in South Africa or Mondi’s company secretarial 
department on +44 (0)1932 826300. 

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Account amalgamations
If you receive more than one copy of any documents sent out by Mondi or for any other reason you believe you may have more than one 
Mondi Limited or Mondi plc account, please contact the relevant Registrar who will be able to confirm and, if necessary, arrange for the 
accounts to be amalgamated into one.

Alternative formats
If you would like to receive this report in an alternative format, such as in large print, Braille or in audio format, please contact Mondi’s 
company secretarial department on +44 (0)1932 826300. 

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Mondi Limited 
Registered and head office 
4th Floor 
No. 3 Melrose Boulevard 
Melrose Arch 2196 
Gauteng 
Republic of South Africa

Tel. +27 (0)11 994 5400 
Fax. +27 (0)86 520 4688

Registered in South Africa  
Registration No. 1967/013038/06

Mondi plc 
Registered office 
Building 1, 1st Floor 
Aviator Park 
Station Road 
Addlestone  
Surrey 
KT15 2PG 
UK

Tel. +44 (0)1932 826300 
Fax. +44 (0)1932 826350

Registered in England and Wales 
Registered No. 6209386

Website: www.mondigroup.com

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Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

 
 
240

Glossary of terms

In addition to the terms explained below, the Group presents certain financial measures that are not defined or specified according to 
IFRS. These measures, referred to as Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), are defined in note 32 in the notes to the combined and 
consolidated financial statements. A full glossary of sustainability-related terms can be found in Mondi’s online Sustainable development 
report 2018.

Circular economy
An industrial system that is restorative 
or regenerative by intention and design. 
It replaces the ‘end-of-life’ concept with 
restoration, shifts towards the use of 
renewable energy, eliminates the use of 
toxic chemicals which impair reuse, and 
aims for the elimination of waste through 
the superior design of materials, products, 
systems and business models.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation definition

CoC
Chain-of-Custody is a tracking system 
that allows manufacturers and traders 
to demonstrate that timber comes from 
a forest that is responsibly managed in 
accordance with credible standards.

COD
Chemical oxygen demand is a measure 
of the oxygen consuming capacity of 
inorganic and organic matter present in 
the waste water. It is a metric for emissions 
to water.

FSCTM
Forest Stewardship Council™ is an 
international not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder 
organisation established in 1993 to promote 
socially and environmentally responsible 
management of the world’s forests by way 
of standard setting, third-party certification 
and labelling of forest products.

PEFCTM
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest 
Certification™ is an international not-
for-profit non-government organisation 
dedicated to promoting sustainable forest 
management through independent third-
party certification.

GHG and CO2e
Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases 
listed in the Kyoto Protocol of the United 
Nations Framework Convention on Climate 
Change (UN-FCCC) that contribute to the 
greenhouse effect and are regulated by the 
Kyoto Protocol. We convert non-CO2 GHGs 
(such as CH4 or N2O) into an amount of 
CO2 with an equivalent warming potential. 
Total GHG emissions are the sum of the 
equivalent amount of CO2 for each GHG, 
abbreviated as CO2e.

Scope 1 emissions
Total GHG emissions from sources owned 
or controlled by Mondi and its subsidiaries. 
This includes CO2e from fossil fuels and 
processes, company leased/owned 
vehicles, waste and waste water treatment, 
make-up chemicals, and other GHGs.

Scope 2 emissions
Total GHG emissions from sources that are 
related to generation of purchased energy 
outside the company boundaries.

Scope 3 emissions
Total GHG emissions from the production 
of fuel and raw materials business travel; 
raw materials; transport of products and 
raw materials; and employee commuting.

GRI
The Global Reporting Initiative is a not-for-
profit organisation that produces one of 
the world’s most prevalent frameworks for 
sustainability reporting.

Specific
Figures reported in specific terms are 
normalised to saleable production tonnes.

SDGs
The UN Sustainable Development 
Goals were launched in 2015, involving 
a comprehensive, far-reaching and 
people-centred set of 17 universal and 
transformative goals and 169 targets. 
They are integrated and indivisible, and will 
stimulate action over the next years until 
2030 in areas of critical importance for 
humanity and the planet: people, planet, 
prosperity, peace and partnerships.

TRCR
Total recordable case rate is calculated as 
the number of total recordable cases (the 
sum of fatalities, lost-time injuries, restricted 
work cases, medical treatment cases 
and compensated occupational illnesses) 
divided by the number of hours worked per 
200,000 man hours.

TRS
Total reduced sulphur compounds, 
generated in the pulping process, and a 
source of odorous emissions to air.

UNGC
United Nations Global Compact is a 
strategic policy initiative for businesses that 
are committed to aligning their operations 
and strategies with 10 universally accepted 
principles in the areas of human rights, 
labour, environment and anti-corruption.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Forward-looking statements
This document includes forward-looking statements. 
All statements other than statements of historical facts 
included herein, including, without limitation, those 
regarding Mondi’s financial position, business strategy, 
market growth and developments, expectations of 
growth and profitability and plans and objectives 
of management for future operations, are forward-
looking statements. Forward-looking statements are 
sometimes identified by the use of forward-looking 
terminology such as ‘believe’, ‘expects’, ‘may’, ‘will’, 
‘could’, ‘should’, ‘shall’, ‘risk’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, 
‘aims’, ‘plans’, ‘predicts’, ‘continues’, ‘assumes’, 
‘positioned’ or ‘anticipates’ or the negative thereof, 
other variations thereon or comparable terminology. 
Such forward-looking statements involve known 
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors 
which may cause the actual results, performance 
or achievements of Mondi, or industry results, to be 
materially different from any future results, performance 
or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-
looking statements. Such forward-looking statements 
and other statements contained in this document 
regarding matters that are not historical facts involve 
predictions and are based on numerous assumptions 
regarding Mondi’s present and future business 
strategies and the environment in which Mondi will 
operate in the future. These forward-looking statements 
speak only as of the date on which they are made.

No assurance can be given that such future results will 
be achieved; various factors could cause actual future 
results, performance or events to differ materially from 
those described in these statements. Such factors 
include in particular but without any limitation: (1) 
operating factors, such as continued success of 
manufacturing activities and the achievement of 
efficiencies therein, continued success of product 
development plans and targets, changes in the 
degree of protection created by Mondi’s patents and 
other intellectual property rights and the availability of 
capital on acceptable terms; (2) industry conditions, 
such as strength of product demand, intensity of 
competition, prevailing and future global market prices 
for Mondi’s products and raw materials and the pricing 
pressures thereto, financial condition of the customers, 
suppliers and the competitors of Mondi and potential 
introduction of competing products and technologies 
by competitors; and (3) general economic conditions, 
such as rates of economic growth in Mondi’s principal 
geographical markets or fluctuations of exchange rates 
and interest rates.

Mondi expressly disclaims a) any warranty or liability 
as to accuracy or completeness of the information 
provided herein; and b) any obligation or undertaking to 
review or confirm analysts’ expectations or estimates 
or to update any forward-looking statements to reflect 
any change in Mondi’s expectations or any events 
that occur or circumstances that arise after the date 
of making any forward-looking statements, unless 
required to do so by applicable law or any regulatory 
body applicable to Mondi, including the JSE Limited 
and the LSE.

This document includes market share estimates 
prepared by the Group based on industry publications 
and management estimates. Main industry publication 
sources are:  
Fastmarkets RISI, Pöyry, Henry Poole Consulting, 
Eurosac, Freedonia, Alexander Watson Associates, 
PCI Wood Mackenzie, EMGE, EURO-GRAPH 
and eastconsult.

Mondi Group 
Integrated report and financial statements 2018

Mondi investor relations team
Building 1, 1st floor, Aviator Park
Station Road, Addlestone
Surrey KT15 2PG, UK
+44 1932 826 300
www.mondigroup.com

Our 2018 suite of reports

Please visit our Group website where copies of our reports can be downloaded: 
www.mondigroup.com/reports18

Integrated report and  
financial statements 2018
A balanced overview of Mondi’s 
performance in 2018 and insight into how 
our approach to strategy, governance, 
people and performance combine to 
generate value in a sustainable way. 
Also available online at 
www.mondigroup.com/ir18

Sustainable Development  
report 2018
A comprehensive view of our approach 
to sustainable development and our 
performance in 2018, prepared in 
accordance with the GRI Standards: Core 
option. Available online as an interactive  
pdf at www.mondigroup.com/sd18 

Printed on certified Mondi PERGRAPHICA® 
Classic Rough in 300gsm, 120gsm and 90gsm

Printing: CPI Colour | www.cpicolour.co.uk 
Design and production: Radley Yeldar | www.ry.com