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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FY2021 Annual Report · Mondi
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Opportunity 
unpacked

Mondi Group  
Integrated report and financial statements 2021

Scope
Mondi’s Integrated report and financial 
statements 2021 is our primary report to 
shareholders, providing an overview of the 
performance of the Group for the year ended 
31 December 2021. 
The report is prepared in accordance with 
the requirements of the Disclosure Guidance 
and Transparency and Listing Rules of the 
United Kingdom Listing Authority and the 
Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited 
where applicable. 
The Strategic report contains the required 
non-financial information disclosures and 
Section 172 statement in accordance with 
the UK Companies Act 2006.
All significant items are reported on a like- 
for-like basis, unless otherwise stated.

Materiality
Mondi’s Integrated report and financial 
statements 2021 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:
 — Specific quantitative and qualitative criteria
 — Matters critical in relation to achieving our 

strategic objectives

 — Principal risks identified through our risk 

management process

 — Feedback from key stakeholders during 

the course of the year

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 on pages 243-247 and are prepared 
on a consistent basis for all periods presented.

TCFD disclosure
In line with the UK Listing Rules, this report is 
consistent with the Financial Stability Board’s 
Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations and 
recommended disclosures relating to the 
impact of climate change on governance, 
strategy, risk management and metrics and 
targets. Further information can be found on  
pages 60-67. 

SASB 

SASB
This report is prepared in accordance  
with the Sustainability Accounting 
Standards Board (SASB): Containers 
& Packaging Industry Standard. Relevant  
disclosures are highlighted by the icon above 
and further disclosures can be found in our  
GRI & SASB Index at the address below.

Sustainable Development report
We prepare a detailed, externally assured 
Sustainable Development report in 
accordance with the Global Reporting 
Initiative (GRI) Standards: Core option 
and SASB. Our Sustainable Development 
report, consolidated performance data, and 
supporting index reports can be found at 
www.mondigroup.com/year-in-review-2021

Overview
1-11

Strategic  
report
12-99

Governance
100-163

Financial  
statements
164-254

Our opportunity  

2021 at a glance 

Our businesses 

Where we operate 

Letter from the Chair 

Chief Executive Officer’s Q&A 

Our business model 

Section 172 statement 

External context 

Our strategy 

  Our growth priorities 

  Strategic framework 

  Strategic performance 

Key performance indicators 

Mondi Action Plan 2030 
(including our TCFD disclosure)  

Business unit trading review 

Financial review 

Principal risks 

Viability statement 

Chair’s introduction 

Board of directors 

2

4

6

8

10

14

16

20

24

28

28 

30

32

42

44

78

82

86

98

102

104

Executive Committee and Company Secretary  106

Corporate governance report 

Nominations Committee 

Audit Committee 

Sustainable Development Committee 

Remuneration report 

Other statutory information 

Directors’ responsibility statement 

Independent auditors’ report 

Financial statements 

Group financial record 

Production statistics and exchange rates 

Alternative Performance Measures 

Additional information for shareholders 

Shareholder information 

Glossary of terms 

108

121

126

133

136

162

167

168

177

240

242

243

248

250

254

Our full suite of 2021 reports is available  
alongside video stories of our year in review  
at the address below

Our 2021 year in review 
www.mondigroup.com/year-in-review-2021

1

Read more about how we are unpacking 
opportunities across the business

Ambition + Action

Page 12-13

Collaboration + Innovation

Page 100-101

Skilled + Inclusive

Page 164-165

The word pairings found throughout 
this report reflect our conviction that by 
combining our strengths and stakeholder 
partnerships we will continue to be 
successful and unpack opportunity 
into the future.

Opportunity 
unpacked

Mondi makes innovative packaging and paper 
solutions that are sustainable by design. 

With our talented and passionate colleagues, high-quality 
asset base and focus on collaborating with customers, we are 
growing our business and creating value for our stakeholders. 
Our ability to sustain momentum, even during periods of 
rapid change, demonstrates the strength of our business, 
effectiveness of our strategy and determination to contribute 
to a better world.

This year, Mondi has achieved strong results and provided 
security of supply to customers in a market characterised 
by uncertainty and surging demand for sustainable packaging. 
Our integrated value chain and close partnerships enable 
us to meet our customers’ evolving needs, while our robust 
financial position means we can continue to invest in the  
Group’s long-term capabilities. 

By reading this report you will discover how Mondi 
is unpacking this growth opportunity for the benefit  
of all our stakeholders. 

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

2

Our opportunity

Leading + 
growing

What it means to be  
sustainable by design
Mondi’s purpose is to contribute to a better world by making 
innovative, sustainable packaging and paper solutions. This better 
world is one in which everyday products are designed to minimise 
waste and maximise resource efficiency as part of a truly circular 
economy, supported by responsible and sustainable business 
practices. In our efforts to achieve this, we build on our position 
as a leading partner for ambitious customers, talented employees, 
responsible suppliers and industry associations that support  
cross-sector innovation.

Our consistent and long-term strategy underpins our ability to 
grow and drive our business forward, while our Mondi Action Plan 
2030 (MAP2030) sustainability framework ensures we capture 
our growth opportunity in a sustainable way.

Our strategy  
Page 28-41

MAP2030  
Page 44-77

Our people make the difference
Our passion for performance is central to the way we run our 
business and our teams are motivated by the potential we have 
to make a real difference. We invest in engaging, inspiring and 
upskilling the best talent in the industry through an entrepreneurial 
culture in which innovation thrives. 

The Mondi Way shows how our shared sense of purpose connects 
to our strategy and culture, empowering our people to work 
together for the benefit of all our stakeholders. Our values of 
Performance, Care and Integrity help us to create an inclusive 
environment where diverse ideas enable us to design the best 
and most sustainable products for our customers.

Empowered People  
Page 50-54

The Mondi Way  
www.mondigroup.com/en/about-
mondi/who-we-are

“Demand for smart and sustainable packaging has never been higher and the forces driving this momentum are here to stay. Mondi has the expertise, assets, relationships and leading positions to unpack this opportunity – creating significant value for all our stakeholders and supporting the positive change needed by our world at large.”Andrew KingGroup CEO 
3

External context 
Page 24-27

Our growth priorities 
Page 28-29

Partner with customers  
for innovation 
Page 38-40

Structurally growing 
packaging  markets

We are an international packaging producer operating 
in structurally growing markets underpinned by increasing 
demand for eCommerce and sustainable packaging solutions. 
Accelerated by the pandemic, consumers are shopping 
online more than ever before, driving demand for our broad 
portfolio of eCommerce solutions. Consumers and customers 
are increasingly concerned about the global social and 
environmental challenges we face, including climate change. 
They want more sustainable packaging solutions that meet 
everyday performance and convenience needs, while minimising 
waste and emissions.

Leading  and investing 
for  the  future

We are a leader in our packaging markets. Our expertise, unique 
product portfolio, cost-advantaged asset base and integrated 
business model empower us to deliver high-quality packaging 
and provide security of supply. 

We have a strong track record of investing in our asset 
base and delivering returns through-the-cycle. Our ongoing 
investment plans will enable us to capture growth opportunities 
into the future.

Partnering  with  customers 
for  circular  innovation

Our innovative products and extensive expertise enable us to 
partner with customers to create fit-for-purpose packaging and 
paper that is part of a circular economy. By keeping materials 
in circulation and eliminating waste, we have an exciting 
opportunity to grow our business, support our customers and 
address societal challenges such as food waste, climate change, 
and unsustainable packaging.

We are proud of the recognition our innovation receives, 
including nine wins at the 2022 WorldStar Packaging Awards. 
This recognition is testament to the ingenuity of our people 
and our collective determination to make a difference.

OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 20214

2021 at a glance
Delivering value for our stakeholders

Strong financial performance

Underlying EBITDA
(€ billion)

€1.5 bn

Underlying EBITDA margin

Basic earnings per share (EPS)
(euro cents)

Dividends per share
(euro cents)

q11% on 

2020

155.9 euro 

cents

q30%

on 
2020

65.0 euro 

cents

q8% on 

2020

Basic underlying EPS

Basic EPS

Dividend cover (times) 

1.76

1.66

%
6
3
2

.

%
8
2
2

.

1.48

%
9
0
2

.

1.50

1.35

%
3
0
2

.

%
5
9
1

.

1
.
9
8
1

1
.
0
7
1

1
.
1
7
1

.

6
7
6
1

.

9
8
4
1

.

9
7
3
1

.

9
5
5
1

.

0
4
5
1

.

3
9
2
1

.

0
0
2
1

76

62

65

60

57

2.4

2.5

3.0

2.2

2.4

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

20171

2018

2019

2020

20212

 €1.3 billion 

Cash generated from operations

 1.2x net debt to underlying EBITDA 

Strong balance sheet

In addition to the 2017 ordinary dividend (of 62 euro cents), a special dividend of 100 euro cents was paid in 2018

1 
2  Based on proposed final dividend of 45.00 euro cents per share
3  Underlying EBITDA, basic underlying EPS and net debt to underlying EBITDA are Alternative Performance Measures and are defined on page 243-247

Including 

 €1 billion

of capital projects 
(approved or under  
advanced evaluation)

Expansionary capital investment pipeline

Accelerating

growth in packaging

Building on our 

leading market 
positions

and 

long track 
record

of disciplined  
capital allocation

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 20215

22% 

reduction of specific 
waste to landfill 
compared to 2020

Zero 

fatalities 

0.62

Achieved our Total 
Recordable Case Rate 
(TRCR) milestone 

100% 

responsibly 
sourced fibre

100% 

certified forests

Making progress on our ambitious sustainability targets

Supporting the circular economy transition

78%

of our revenue 
is from products 
that are reusable, 
recyclable or 
compostable

Keeping our people safe

Taking climate action
Taking climate action

25% 

reduction in our mills’ greenhouse 
gas emissions against our 2014 
baseline

Committed to a science-based 

Net-Zero target

OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 20216

Our businesses

Packaging + Paper

that is sustainable by design

We work with global and local brands, 
leveraging our knowledge, innovation and 
expertise across the value chain to offer our 
customers a wide range of packaging solutions 
based on our principle of paper where possible, 
plastic when useful. We are also a leading 
manufacturer of printing papers used at home, 
in the office and for professional applications.

A selection of products illustrating the variety  
of industries that we serve:

Consumer and retail
TwinBox Classic
A one-piece transport and  
shelf solution for efficient 
shipping and display

X-FoldBox
A corrugated eCommerce 
solution offering efficient, 
economic and easy set up 

RetortPouch Recyclable
A high barrier, mono-material  
food and pet-food pouch  
that replaces aluminium

Functional BarrierPaper
Recyclable barrier papers for 
food packaging which can replace 
low barrier PE films

Building and construction
ONE Bag
A lightweight and efficient 
alternative for high speed filling 
of powdered goods made from 
only one ply of paper

Markets served based on Group revenue

  Consumer and retail 
  Building and construction
   Chemicals, industrial, 
agriculture, other
   Paper for home, office  
and professional printing

Chemicals, industrial,  
agriculture, other
MonoCorr Box
A recyclable corrugated 
solution that optimises 
transport and eliminates 
polystyrene inserts

Advantage StretchWrap 
A recyclable, responsibly 
sourced paper alternative 
to plastic pallet wrapping

Paper for home, office  
and professional printing
Pergraphica®
Full spectrum premium 
printing papers for  
creative communications, 
design, publishing and 
luxury packaging

Color Copy
Office and professional 
paper for digital printing 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021   
7

Our business units

Segment revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Corrugated Packaging
Flexible Packaging
Engineered Materials
Uncoated Fine Paper

Segment revenue split excludes intersegment revenue and underlying EBITDA split excludes corporate costs

Packaging
Our packaging businesses produce a range of corrugated packaging and paper- and plastic-based flexible packaging for 
a range of consumer, retail, industrial and specialised applications. Our integrated, well-invested, efficient and cost-advantaged 
asset base is world class. Our broad packaging offering and focus on innovation, quality and service provides a unique platform 
to deliver fit-for-purpose packaging and supports our customers in achieving their sustainability goals.

Corrugated Packaging
In Corrugated Packaging we produce containerboard which 
we use to make a range of regular and bespoke corrugated 
solutions designed to keep our customers’ products safe 
and differentiate their brands in-store and online. 

Flexible Packaging
Our Flexible Packaging business produces kraft papers that 
we and our customers use to convert into strong, lightweight 
paper-based packaging such as paper bags. We also make 
a range of plastic-based flexible packaging solutions which 
provide additional functionality and product protection, 
avoiding food waste and enhancing choice for customers.

Leading market positions

Leading market positions

#1

virgin containerboard 
producer in Europe

#1

containerboard  
producer in emerging 
Europe

#2

corrugated solutions 
producer in emerging 
Europe

#1

kraft paper 
producer globally

#1

paper bag producer  
in Europe and a global 
leader

#3

consumer flexible  
packaging producer 
in Europe

Corrugated Packaging 
Page 78

Flexible Packaging 
Page 79

Engineered Materials
In Engineered Materials, our functional paper and films 
protect adhesive surfaces or provide protective barriers to 
papers for packaging and other applications. Our personal 
care components, which include stretchable elastic films 
and soft non-woven fabrics, are used in everyday baby care, 
feminine care and adult incontinence products1.

Uncoated Fine Paper
Our Uncoated Fine Paper business produces a wide range of 
environmentally sound home, office, converting and professional 
printing papers, tailored to the latest digital and offset print 
technologies. We manage forests in Russia and South Africa 
and also produce more pulp than we use which is sold to 
customers around the world.

Leading market positions

#1

commercial release liner 
producer in Europe

#2

extrusion coatings  
producer in Europe

Leading market positions

#1

uncoated fine paper 
supplier in Europe 
(including Russia)

#1

uncoated fine paper  
producer in South Africa

Engineered Materials 
Page 80

Uncoated Fine Paper 
Page 81

1  Agreed sale of Personal Care Components business in February 2022

OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
 
8

Where we operate
Driving innovation and excellence 
across the globe

Mondi employs around 26,500 people at  
over 100 production sites across more than  
30 countries, with key operations located  
in Europe, North America and Africa.

North America

Revenue by location of
Production

Customer

6%

10%

Employees

Production sites

1,600 12

western europe

Revenue by location of
Production

Customer

35%

37%

Employees

Production sites

7,000 33

The Group has one production site in 
South America. Revenue from customers 
in South America represented 2% of Group 
revenue in 2021. 

Our award-winning  
solutions are underpinned 
by close collaboration across 
our global value chain

africa

Revenue by location of
Production

Customer

7%

9%

Employees

Production sites

1,800 7

Production sites per business unit

Corrugated  
Packaging

Flexible  
Packaging

Engineered  
Materials

Uncoated  
Fine Paper

 Mill (5)
  Converting plant (21)

 Mill (5)
  Converting plant (57)

  Converting plant (14)

 Mill (6)

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

9

emerging europe

russia

Revenue by location of
Production

Customer

Revenue by location of
Production

Customer

39%

26%

12%

9%

Employees

Production sites

Employees

Production sites

10,000 38

5,300 4

asia & australia

Revenue by location of
Production

Customer

1%

7%

Employees

Production sites

700

9

Group offices
London 

Vienna 

Production sites

Austria 

Belgium 

Bulgaria 

China 

Colombia 

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 

Spain 

Sweden 

Thailand 

Turkey 

Ukraine 

USA 

OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10

Letter from the Chair

CapabilitY  
+ agility

Philip Yea  
Chair

I am pleased to report that Mondi has 
delivered a strong financial and operational 
performance in 2021 and has continued to 
make good progress against our long-term 
strategic priorities, both commercially and 
in the area of sustainability. Such progress 
would not have been possible without the 
strong entrepreneurial and collaborative 
culture that connects our people across 
the world.

Unpacking long-term opportunity
Our consistent approach to investing 
in award-winning innovation, improved 
operational efficiency and our high-quality 
assets is the reason we enjoy significant 
opportunities to grow value for all our 
stakeholders. 

2021 saw an acceleration of these 
opportunities across a number of 
key areas, most notably the growing 
demand for sustainable packaging and 
eCommerce solutions. As always, we 
work closely with our customers to meet 
the evolving expectations of consumers. 
The combination of our customers’ 
ambitions and Mondi’s unique expertise 
in key packaging materials has driven the 
product innovations that you can find 
illustrated elsewhere in this report.

In the same way as our long-term strategy 
has prepared us well for these growth 
opportunities, the competitive advantages 
enjoyed by our business have helped us 
to navigate the challenges of the past year. 
Our vertically integrated network and the 
agility of our production sites ensured we 
met surging demand at a time when supply 
chains continued to operate under the 
strain of pandemic pressure. 

The Group’s robust financial position 
continues to provide us with the strategic 
flexibility to invest behind new opportunities, 
particularly through disciplined capital 
allocation that strengthens our high-quality 
cost-advantaged asset base. Given these 
opportunities and our financing flexibility, 
we are accelerating our growth in 
packaging with our latest capital investment 
programme, currently including around 
€1 billion of expansionary value-enhancing 
projects approved or under advanced 
evaluation. We continue to actively evaluate 
further capital investments for growth in 
the packaging markets where we operate.

As a Board, we differentiate between 
the short-term impacts of our changing 
landscape and the long-term structural 
changes that will shape the needs 
of our stakeholders far into the future. 
We empower our people to respond 
to a fast-changing operating and market 
environment in the near term, while 
leveraging our strong balance sheet to 
accelerate investment in areas which will 
drive value accretive growth sustainably 
over a longer timeframe. The Board is 
confident that our businesses can deliver 
growth on both these timelines. 

Making progress on our ambitious 
sustainability targets
2021 was the first year of our Mondi 
Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) sustainability 
framework. This plan sets out how circular 
driven solutions, created by empowered 
people, taking action on climate will be 
crucial for the future of our business 
and the people, places and ecosystems 
that matter so much to Mondi and 
our stakeholders. 

I’m pleased to say that our sharpened 
focus on these three action areas has 
been well received across our stakeholder 
groups. In 2021, we built roadmaps that 
clearly define the actions our businesses 
will take to drive positive impacts against 
our MAP2030 commitments, and a 
scorecard to measure progress against 
our reusable, recyclable or compostable 
product commitment, along with metrics 
for measuring purposeful work and 
employee wellbeing. 

You can find more detail in this report 
and in our 2021 Sustainable Development 
report. Our Remuneration report also sets 
out how these goals are being incorporated 
into our incentive arrangements.

When it comes to climate action, we 
continue to make progress against our 
long-standing commitment of reducing 
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 
we have achieved a 25% reduction against 
our 2014 baseline. The investments we 
make to improve efficiency, eliminate 
waste and tackle emissions support our 
ambitious long-term targets based on 
the latest science. 

Basic underlying earnings per share
(euro cents)

154.0 euro 

cents

189.1

171.1

148.9

154.0

129.3

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021We are well on our way to achieving our 
initial science-based GHG reduction target 
to 2025 and have committed to update our 
Scope 1 and 2 science-based targets to a 
1.5°C scenario, set a Scope 3 target and 
announced our commitment to a science-
based Net-Zero target. 

Our teams continue to put tremendous 
effort into protecting each other’s safety and 
wellbeing, including the risk of COVID-19. 
This hard work and vigilance helped us to 
achieve zero work-related fatalities this year.

Delivering sustainable growth 
Mondi has delivered strongly against a 
backdrop of significant cost inflation, tight 
supply chains and the ongoing operational 
complexities of the global pandemic, with 
underlying EBITDA of €1,503 million, up 11% 
on 2020 and ROCE of 16.9%. This industry-
leading performance builds on our strong 
track record of delivering value accretive 
growth sustainably. 

Given our confidence in both the near 
and long-term positioning of the business, 
the Board has recommended a final 2021 
dividend of 45.00 euro cents per share. 
Together with the interim dividend, this 
amounts to a total dividend for the year 
of 65.00 euro cents per share. This is an 
8% increase on the 2020 total dividend. 

Purposeful employment and 
empowered people
Mondi’s strong performance would not 
have been possible without our dedicated 
people and their role in driving Mondi’s 
high-performance culture. On behalf of the 
Board, I would like to express my sincere 
thanks to all our colleagues around the 
world. I trust that they feel proud of their 
achievements in 2021 and that they share 
my optimism for the opportunities ahead. 

Leadership and engagement 
We are committed to the highest levels 
of corporate governance and I am grateful 
for the effective combination of skills, 
experience and judgement of our directors. 
With only limited travelling possible during 
the year, I have been grateful for the few 
opportunities that the other directors and 
I had to visit a number of our sites and 
meet colleagues in person. Nevertheless, 
our regular business reviews have allowed 
the Board to develop closer insight into 
the specific product innovations that are 
delivering value for Mondi’s customers 
and experience the Mondi culture at work. 

In reviewing the effectiveness of our 
governance framework, the Board has 
taken the decision to move Mondi’s people 
strategy to the Sustainable Development 
Committee. This strengthens the 
Sustainable Development Committee’s 
visibility of our MAP2030 progress while 
unlocking capacity for the Nominations 
Committee to focus on building the requisite 
succession plans within our leadership.

Board developments
Stephen Harris retired from the Board in 
May 2021 at the conclusion of the Annual 
General Meeting and in August 2021, Enoch 
Godongwana stepped down as non-
executive director following his appointment 
as South Africa’s finance minister. On behalf 
of the Board and shareholders I would 
like to thank Stephen and Enoch for 
their contribution to our discussions and 
decisions since they joined the Board in 
2011 and 2019 respectively. In addition, we 
announced in March 2022 that Tanya Fratto 
will retire from the Board at the conclusion 
of the 2022 Annual General Meeting after 
almost six years on the Board, five of these 
as Chair of the Remuneration Committee. 
We wish them all the best for the future. 

Five-year total shareholder return (TSR) of 37%
(sterling returns: indexed to 1 January 2017)

Mondi plc

Median of peer group

Peer performance range 

x
e
d
n

I

n
r
u
t
e
R

200

175

150

125

100

75

50

25

 0

11

As outlined in last year’s report, we 
welcomed Svein Richard Brandtzaeg, 
Sue Clark and Dame Angela Strank as 
independent non-executive directors in 
April 2021. I am pleased with the success 
of their respective inductions and their 
strong contribution to our discussions 
since joining the Board. The search for 
a successor to Enoch is ongoing and 
progressing well. 

Looking forward
The volatility that has been such a feature 
of the past year will likely continue into the 
year ahead as the world continues to adapt 
to the health, environmental and economic 
challenges currently evident, and most 
recently to the hostilities in Ukraine. As we 
have demonstrated in 2021, Mondi’s financial 
strength and our teams’ agility are key 
assets in navigating difficult environments 
in pursuit of our long-term objectives. 
The Board is confident that Mondi is well 
placed to address significant opportunities 
for growth in its packaging markets 
while delivering sustainable value to our 
stakeholders.

Philip Yea 
Chair 

Dividend per share
(euro cents)

65.0 

euro 
cents

Dividend cover (times) 

76

62

2.4

2.5

57

3.0

65

60

2.2

2.4

1 Jan
2017

31 Dec
2017

31 Dec
2018

31 Dec
2019

31 Dec
2020

31 Dec
2021

20171

2018

2019

2020

20212

 In addition to the 2017 ordinary dividend (of 62 euro cents), a special 

1 
  dividend of 100 euro cents was paid in 2018
2   Based on proposed final dividend of 45.00 euro cents per share 

OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
12

Ambition 
+ 
Action

Strategic report

Chief Executive Officer’s Q&A 

Our business model 

Section 172 statement 

External context 

Our strategy 

  Our growth priorities 

  Strategic framework 

  Strategic performance 

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

Key performance indicators 

Mondi Action Plan 2030 (including our TCFD disclosure)  

Business unit trading review 

Financial review 

Principal risks 

Viability statement 

42

44

78

82

86

98

14

16

20

24

28

28

30

32

13

O
v
e
r
v
e
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i

i

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a
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p
o
r
t

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
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c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

The Strategic report was approved by the Board on  
2 March 2022 and is signed on its behalf by:

Andrew King
Group CEO

Mike Powell
Group CFO

Read more about how we are unpacking 
opportunities across the business

 Collaboration  + Innovation

Page 100–101

SkillED + Inclusive

Page 164-165

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

Unpacking  the opportunity  of  net-zero The climate crisis presents the urgent challenge and important opportunity of transitioning to a low carbon economy. Mondi has already been taking action for almost two decades, with targets to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions against a 2004 baseline. Since then, we have successfully reduced our emission intensity by 46%. Going forward, our MAP2030 framework lays out a clear commitment to reduce our emissions further. We have now accelerated our climate ambition by committing to Net-Zero in line with a 1.5°C scenario. Our plan, which has been developed to align with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard, commits us to reducing GHG emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3. Our continued focus on emission reduction, sustainable working forests, biodiversity conservation and water stewardship is an important source of competitive advantage for Mondi. The progress we are making drives performance and helps us to build stronger stakeholder partnerships that protect the value of the thriving ecosystems upon which we all rely.  
 
14

Chief Executive Officer’s Q&A

performance 
+ Momentum

Andrew King took over as Group 
CEO of Mondi in early 2020. His  
19 years in the business, just over 
12 as Group CFO, have provided 
him with a unique perspective and 
the experience to navigate the highs 
and lows of the past two years. 

Under Andrew’s leadership, Mondi has 
prioritised the wellbeing of colleagues and 
communities across the world in response 
to COVID-19; demonstrated significant 
volume growth by meeting customers’ 
evolving needs; and maintained the Group’s 
industry-leading returns profile. Mondi’s 
firm focus on making packaging and paper 
sustainable by design has played a key role 
in this year’s success, and the Mondi Action 
Plan 2030 (MAP2030) launched in January 
2021, sets out ambitious sustainability plans 
for the coming decade. 

In this Q&A, Andrew unpacks Mondi’s 
customer proposition and long-term growth 
opportunities, and provides his reflections 
on 2021 and thoughts for the year ahead.

Q1 Where do you see the 

growth opportunities 

in Mondi’s packaging business? 
We are excited by the growth opportunities 
in our packaging markets, underpinned 
by increasing demand for eCommerce 
and more sustainable packaging. 
Today packaging is part of the brand 
experience and consumers expect real 
change with increasingly sophisticated 
expectations around sustainability. 

Our conversation with customers has 
shifted from how we can make products 
that cost less, to how can we design 
solutions that are efficient, fit-for-purpose 
and help to convey and deliver their 
sustainability commitments. This brings real 
momentum and plays to our strengths as 
a business. Our unique product portfolio, 
expertise in understanding the best material 
choices and customer-focused innovation 
capabilities mean we can create packaging 
solutions that are sustainable by design. 
This helps us to contribute to a circular 
economy and gives us the opportunity to 
grow our existing customer base as well 
as service new customers. 

Q2 How are you investing to 

grow Mondi’s packaging 

business?
Our disciplined approach to capital 
investments is one of our key strengths 
and plays an important role in successfully 
delivering strong returns today and into 
the future. We continue to invest to drive 
organic growth, reduce our environmental 
footprint and strengthen our cost 
competitiveness so that we can best 
serve our customers.

Andrew King 
Group CEO

Demonstrating our approach, our new 
containerboard machine in Ružomberok 
(Slovakia) and the converted speciality kraft 
paper machine at Štětí (Czech Republic), 
both commissioned in January 2021, started 
up at the perfect time to meet growing 
demand and were well-received by our 
customers. We also continued to expand 
our converting network to enhance our 
product and service offering in key markets. 

Overall, Mondi invested €573 million 
of capital expenditure in the business in 
2021, continuing the trend of investing well 
above depreciation to support the growth 
opportunities we see in the business. 
Going forward we are accelerating our 
capital investment programme to meet 
demand for sustainable packaging solutions 
and deliver value for our stakeholders.

During the year we also welcomed around 
800 colleagues in Turkey to the Mondi 
family as part of the Olmuksan acquisition. 
This has significantly strengthened our 
position in the fast-growing Turkish 
corrugated market and enabled us to 
expand our offering to existing and new 
customers in the region.

Our continued investment in the business, 
alongside selected inorganic growth 
opportunities, positions us strongly to 
continue generating value long into 
the future.

Our growth priorities  
Page 28-29

Q3 What really stood out 

for you in 2021? 
For me a highlight is how we’ve been 
able to adapt to the surge in demand from 
our customers in very dynamic markets 
thanks to our teams around the world. 
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021we saw a rapid decline in demand in certain 
segments, followed almost immediately 
by a very strong recovery. In markets 
like these, clear leadership across the 
business is essential to be able to adapt 
production capability quickly and manage 
unpredictable supply chains. 

Our ability to increase volumes significantly 
in a very short timeframe is also thanks to 
our integrated value chain, our consistent 
strategy and the investments we have made 
in the business. Strong volume growth is 
achieved by judicious capital allocation and 
focused decision-making, taking account 
of the long-term demands of our customers 
and the market environment. 

Q4 How has Mondi’s security 

of supply and value chain 
integration benefitted customers? 
Security of supply has been a major 
focus of our customers this year given all 
the challenges of raw material availability 
and logistics constraints. For us, one 
of the benefits of our business model is 
our backward integration, giving us more 
control over our supply chain and helping 
us to be a reliable partner to our customers. 
Given the broad geographic coverage 
of our plant network, the ability to supply 
locally and thereby shorten supply chains 
has also been widely appreciated by our 
customers. Furthermore, the efforts of 
my procurement colleagues in securing 
supplies of key raw materials have been – 
and continue to be – significant and they 
have my profound thanks. 

Q5 How is Mondi delivering 

value in a sustainable way? 

Mondi’s ability to create value is a direct result 
of the significant efforts and resilience of 
colleagues around the world, and the support 
we have all shown each other. We share an 
understanding that by creating solutions that 
contribute to a better world, in the form of 
a truly circular economy, we can maximise 
the benefits for all our stakeholders. 

This is why we purposefully position 
the message of delivering value accretive 
growth sustainably at the centre of our 
strategy. The results of this consistent 
approach are evidenced again this year 
by our strong performance across all 
strategic focus areas. 

Strategic performance  
Page 32-41

15

Since 2015 alone, we have invested around 
€650 million in low carbon technologies 
and energy efficiency measures across  
our manufacturing operations. These  
investments have also facilitated an increase 
in the proportion of renewable energy to 
around 65% of total mill energy generation. 

Our Net-Zero commitment which has been 
developed to align with the Science Based 
Targets initiative’s Net-Zero Standard, 
commits to reducing greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 
in line with a 1.5°C scenario. The adoption 
of science-based targets is an important 
milestone in our journey to Net-Zero. 
However, taking action today remains 
imperative and we are confident that 
we have a clear roadmap to achieve our 
2025 milestones.

Q8 What is your key message 

for 2022 and beyond?
We started 2022 in a strong position and 
as a business are committed to building a 
more sustainable future. While uncertainties 
have risen due to geopolitical tensions 
caused by the crisis in Ukraine, our business 
continues to enjoy clear competitive 
advantages with a focus on delivering 
value accretive growth. I have confidence 
that, working with my colleagues and 
our business partners, we will continue 
to deliver for our stakeholders over the 
year ahead. 

Looking ahead, we will continue to prioritise 
organic growth in line with our strategy, 
with MAP2030 as our framework to guide 
the action we’ll take to ensure this is done 
sustainably over the next decade.

Q6 One year in, what progress 

have you made in relation 

to Mondi Action Plan 2030 
(MAP2030)? 
The dedication and energy with which 
colleagues across the business have taken 
ownership of MAP2030 reinforces the value 
of building a sustainability framework that 
authentically reflects the priorities across 
the business. Our collaborative efforts will 
ensure that we focus on the critical short-
term action required while maintaining 
momentum on our long-term sustainability 
ambitions. 

This year our focus has been on developing 
roadmaps for each of our three MAP2030 
action areas. Highlights include a Group-wide 
scorecard to measure progress against our 
commitment to 100% reusable, recyclable or 
compostable products by 2025; tackling the 
challenge of how best to measure purposeful 
work, employee wellbeing and diversity 
and inclusion (D&I); and continued progress 
on our climate journey by committing to 
transition to Net-Zero by 2050.

MAP2030  
Page 44-77

Q7 What was the context 

and rationale for approving 

Mondi’s Net-Zero commitment? 
Credibility when setting targets has 
always been very important to us at Mondi. 
We have been investing to reduce our 
impact on climate for a long time and we are 
proud that we have already reduced specific 
CO2e emissions by 46% since 2004. 

Mondi delivered strongly in 2021. 
We operate in structurally growing 
markets, have a unique sustainable 
product portfolio, a high quality 
asset base and talented  
and experienced people

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements16

Our business model

Purpose + 
value  creation  What we rely on

We build and maintain trusted relationships and 
manage our key resources responsibly to create value 
for our stakeholders.

Purpose
The 
Mondi
Way

Culture

Strategy

The Mondi Way connects purpose, strategy 
and culture to our business model
Our purpose is to contribute to a better world by 
making innovative, sustainable packaging and paper 
solutions that are sustainable by design. We do this 
through the execution of our strategy, delivering value 
accretive growth in a sustainable way for all of our key 
stakeholders. Our four strategic value drivers underpin 
this strategy and build on the competitive advantages 
we enjoy today, setting a clear roadmap for investment 
and operational decisions into the future. 

Strategic framework and performance  
Page 30-41

We foster a culture that connects, guides and 
inspires our people to achieve Mondi’s purpose. 
Three values Performance – Care – Integrity 
underpin our culture, empowering our people to be 
passionate and entrepreneurial in a respectful and 
inclusive way. The dedication and commitment of our 
employees is essential to delivering on our strategic 
priorities as we contribute to a better world.

Empowered People  
Page 50-54 

The Mondi Way 
www.mondigroup.com/en/about-
mondi/who-we-are

Long-standing relationships
The integrated nature of our business means that we rely on the 
strong relationships we have built over time to drive our business 
forward for our joint success:

 — Caring for our employees and 
delivering against operational 
priorities 

 — Collaborating with our 

communities to address 
challenges and create opportunity 

 — Partnering with our customers 
to innovate and meet their 
requirements

 — Engaging with investors  

to share our performance  
and strategic priorities 

 — Optimising our value chain 
with our suppliers and 
contractors

 — Shaping our context with  
partners and industry 
associations

Natural and financial resources
As part of our manufacturing processes, we require raw materials 
such as wood, paper for recycling, chemicals, polymers and access 
to natural resources, most notably forests, water and energy. 
We are committed to ensuring the responsible procurement of 
these raw materials and to protect and safeguard the biodiversity 
and ecosystems in which we source these natural resources.

Our strong cash generation and robust financial position provide 
us with strategic flexibility to pursue value accretive opportunities 
when they arise. We have a disciplined capital allocation 
framework, ensuring we can invest in our portfolio through-the-
cycle and maintain our cost-advantaged asset base, positioning 
us strongly to generate value for our stakeholders.

MAP2030 
Page 44-77

Financial review 
Page 82-85

What makes us different

We leverage our distinct competitive advantages 
to generate value and unlock opportunities for 
our business and our stakeholders.

Unique platform
As a leading paper and flexible plastic-based packaging 
producer, we are uniquely positioned to take a holistic view 
to meet our customers’ requirements with our broad range 
of sustainable solutions

Leading market positions
Our leading market positions provide scale, reliability and 
the capability to innovate with our customers and service 
key accounts

Cost-advantaged assets
We have well-located operations with access to competitive 
fibre and a high-quality, well-invested asset base

sfMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202117

O
v
e
r
v
e
w

i

i

S
t
r
a
t
e
g
c
r
e
p
o
r
t

G
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n
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i

F
n
a
n
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a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

What we do

Examples of the value we create

As a global leader, we make a broad range of innovative 
and sustainable packaging and paper solutions to meet 
growing customer needs. 

Our integrated value chain  
Page 18-19

By combining our integrated value chain, strong 
relationships, responsible resource management, and 
leveraging our competitive advantages, we create 
value for our stakeholders in line with the Mondi Way.

Employees

741,700 

employee and contractor training hours

We invest in the development of our people, providing a safe 
working environment and supporting a diverse, skilled and 
committed workforce

Customers

8.4 out of 10

Mondi’s overall 2021 customer satisfaction survey score 

Our commitment to high-quality products and services and our 
approach to innovation are well recognised by our customers 
(a score of 8.5 is considered best in class) 

Communities

€190 million

direct taxes paid

We invest in local community initiatives and have committed 
to invest a minimum of 1% of the Group’s profit before tax in 
social projects annually

Suppliers and contractors

2,000

key suppliers

We engage with our suppliers, encouraging supply chain 
transparency and fair working conditions, and undertake 
actions to mitigate our risks

Investors

37%

five-year total shareholder return 

We have recommended an 8% increase in the total dividend 
for the year to 65.00 euro cents per share

Partners and industry associations

Strategic 

partnerships and initiatives 

Our global collaborations support us to find sustainable 
solutions to the collective challenges we all face and bring 
about meaningful change. Some of our key partnerships are 
with the International Union of Forest Research Organizations 
(IUFRO), the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF), 4evergreen 
and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)

Certified  
forests and  
raw materials

Efficient  
production 

Sustainable  
packaging and  
paper solutions

Recycling

Managing our risks
Successfully identifying and mitigating the potential 
impact of risks on our business and appropriately 
setting our risk appetite is critical to ensure we continue 
to generate long-term value for our stakeholders.

Principal risks 
Page 86-97

Vertical integration
Our vertically integrated network reduces the Group’s 
exposure to price volatility, providing security of supply and 
production and logistics optimisation

Focus on continuous improvement
We continuously drive performance along the value chain, 
focusing on excellence and improvement across our processes

Strong financial position
Our disciplined capital allocation, robust financial position 
and strong cash generation provide us with strategic flexibility

Sustainable by design
Sustainability is embedded into everything we do, making 
us an ideal partner and employer of choice

Entrepreneurial culture
Our entrepreneurial culture brings the best out of Mondi’s 
people, helping to develop an empowered and inclusive team 
that contributes to a better world

What makes us different

sfMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
18

Our business model
Our integrated value chain

We produce sustainable packaging and 
paper solutions for our customers, leveraging 
our innovation capabilities, unique platform 
and integration across the value chain.

Certified forests and responsibly sourced  
raw materials 
Fibre, a key input material for our pulp and paper mills, is 
sourced from our sustainably managed forests and responsibly 
procured externally. We also access other natural resources, 
including water and energy, and raw materials such as 
chemicals and polymers which we source responsibly. 

Efficient production and sustainable packaging 
and paper solutions
The Group’s vertically integrated pulp and paper mills 
produce pulp, packaging papers and uncoated fine paper. 
The additional pulp produced that is not used in our 
production processes is sold externally. Our broad range of 
containerboard and kraft paper packaging grades are used 
by our converting operations with the remainder sold to 
other customers. 

Our converting operations use packaging paper (sourced 
internally and externally) and other raw materials to produce 
corrugated solutions, flexible packaging products (both paper- 
and plastic-based), and speciality products for a wide range 
of consumer and industrial end-uses. 

Recycling
We are committed to supporting the transition to a circular 
economy and preventing waste. We are collaborating with 
stakeholders across the value chain to eliminate unsustainable 
packaging and are focusing on creating high-quality, innovative 
packaging and paper solutions that are designed for a 
sustainable end-of-life through recycling or composting.

Our paper-based solutions already contribute to the circular 
economy. We aim to include an increasing proportion of 
recycled content in our plastic-based packaging solutions.

1  Based on 2021 statistics 
2  Due to commercial, logistic and sustainability considerations, the wood  

procured from our managed forests was lower than the annual allowable cut

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

0.2 mt of newsprint in 2021

4  Pulp and packaging paper net exposure

Certified forests and responsibly sourced raw materials1

Mondi managed forests
Annual allowable cut:
9 million m3

Internally procured wood2
3.7 million m3

Externally procured wood
13.6 million m3

Paper for recycling
1.4 million tonnes (mt)

Resins

Films and  
other raw 
materials

Recycling

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Efficient production1

Sustainable packaging and paper solutions1,4

19

SASB 

Pulp and paper mills

Converting operations

Pulp
4.4 mt

Containerboard
2.7 mt

Box plants

Kraft paper
1.3 mt

Converting plants

Uncoated fine paper3
1.6 mt

Pulp
0.2 mt

Corrugated Packaging

Containerboard
1.5 mt

Corrugated solutions
2.2 bn m2

Corrugated Packaging 
Page 78

Flexible Packaging

Kraft paper
0.4 mt

Paper bags
5.9 bn bags
Consumer flexibles
2.6 bn m2

Flexible Packaging 
Page 79

Engineered Materials

Engineered materials
4.8 bn m2

Engineered Materials 
Page 80

Uncoated Fine Paper

Uncoated fine paper
1.6 mt

Uncoated Fine Paper 
Page 81 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements20

Section 172 statement
Stakeholder engagement

Listening to, partnering with and engaging our diverse stakeholders drives progress,  
trust and transparency. It enables us to understand external developments and market  
expectations and unpack our opportunities and risks.

Our  
employees

Our  
customers

Our suppliers  
and contractors

How we engage
 — Employee surveys (biennial Group-wide 

surveys and regular pulse surveys)
 — Group-wide intranet (planetmondi) 
and other forms of communication 
(such as social media, printed publications, 
info screens and posters, etc.)

 — Performance and development reviews 

at regular intervals

 — Internal conferences such as the European 

Communication Forum, Leadership 
Forums, Virtual Employee Meetings and 
regular management updates
 — Employee training programmes 

and workshops

 — Day-to-day team interaction and 

recognition schemes like You Make Mondi
 — Annual Making a Difference Day (MADD)

How we engage
 — Key account manager relationships
 — Digital customer interfaces
 — Collaboration on product innovation
 — Customer and industry events and 

exhibitions 

 — Multi-stakeholder initiatives, e.g. CEFLEX  
and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s 
New Plastics Economy initiative

 — Participation in supplier sustainability rating 

platforms, e.g. EcoVadis

 — Participation in transparency initiatives, 

e.g. CDP and Paper Profile 

 — Questionnaires
 — Regular customer satisfaction surveys
 — Ongoing conversations

How we engage
 — Strategic supplier partnerships
 — Supplier assessments, evaluations 

and audits

 — Responsible Procurement process
 — Discussions on credible certification 
systems to secure sustainable fibre
 — Meetings and workshops to develop 

common approaches based on 
shared values

 — Appointment of contract managers 

to facilitate liaison between contractors 
and the Mondi team

 — Safety training for contractors 

Key issues raised in 2021 and our response
Conversations about culture were 
dominated by themes of feedback and 
recognition, collaboration and diversity 
and inclusion (D&I). Highlighted as central 
topics were ‘sense of purpose’ and ‘proud 
to work for Mondi’. Mondi Academy 
launched a new e-learning campus and 
increased its focus on digital learning. 
52 first-line managers took part in a 
dedicated leadership programme focused 
on agile leadership and we developed 
a new video series, You make Mondi, to 
showcase our diverse colleagues and 
their roles. 

The hashtag #StrongerTogether gained 
momentum and employees were inspired 
by solidarity and support through 
shared video messages and personal 
stories, including from Mondi leaders. 
We extended the reach of the Employee 
Assistance Programme (EAP) resulting 
in 97% of our employees worldwide 
now able to rely on its help and support. 
A series of webinars on mental health 
were attended by more than 800 
colleagues. MADD took place across 
most Mondi locations.

Key issues raised in 2021 and our response
Our customers focused on topics 
including security of supply, product 
quality, the circular economy, recyclability, 
competitive advantage and carbon 
emissions. To meet customer requests 
for transparency on the climate and water 
impacts of our products, we carried out 
more than 300 assessments of product 
impacts using our in-house Product 
Impact Assessment (PIA) and Product 
Carbon Footprint (PCF) tools. 2,320 
customers took part in our customer 
satisfaction survey and we achieved 
an overall satisfaction score of 8.4/10, 
improving on the 2019 results (8.0/10). 
We continued our partnership with the 
Graz University of Technology to advance 
research and education in Pulping and 
Paper Technology and in Food Contact 
Materials. We also collaborated with 
customers to develop solutions to meet 
their sustainability goals – see page 40 for 
examples – and maintained our ongoing 
collaborations with multi-stakeholder 
initiatives. 

Key issues raised in 2021 and our response
In 2021, products and services purchased 
from local suppliers represented 58% 
of our overall spend. We risk-screened 
2,617 suppliers using our Responsible 
Procurement process. Safety was a 
key priority for contractors, particularly 
during annual and project-based shuts. 
We developed Safety Ambassador 
Training to increase support at our 
plants. Close liaison with contractors 
saw 4.0 million hours worked by over 
15,000 contractors during shuts and 
major projects. Local sourcing, secure 
contracts and capacity building were 
key topics for suppliers. 

We are seeing increasing attention on 
the environmental performance of our 
suppliers and contractors. We support 
forestry SMEs and smallholders in Russia 
and South Africa via our corporate 
social projects and provide them with 
sustainability training opportunities. 
For example, Mondi supported Silver 
Taiga Foundation to produce training 
on biodiversity conservation in logging 
operations for wood suppliers, including 
forestry SMEs. We also started a pilot 
with a marine transport company to use 
their ships that run on waste oil, instead 
of heavy fuel oil, to reduce our transport-
related Scope 3 emissions.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202121

Our  
communities

Our  
investors

How we engage
 — Community engagement and investments
 — Open days and visits to our sites 
 — Development initiatives
 — Confidential hotlines (SpeakOut and 

local equivalents)

 — Socio-Economic Assessment Toolbox 
(SEAT) process (2021 assessments 
postponed due to the pandemic)

How we engage
 — Annual General Meetings 
 — Results presentations and trading 

update calls 

 — Roadshows, telephone calls and 

other meetings

 — Integrated and Sustainable 

Development reports

 — Questionnaires and ad hoc questions 

and requests

 — Independent disclosure platforms for 

investors, such as CDP

 — Site visits and capital markets days
 — Investor perception studies

Key issues raised in 2021 and our response
We invested €11.8 million in social 
initiatives supporting health, 
environmental protection, education, local 
enterprise and infrastructure. Our mills 
continued to serve local communities 
with power supply, wastewater treatment 
and waste disposal services. After severe 
wildfires and floods in the region, our 
operations in Turkey joined forces with 
an environmental NGO to donate 10,000 
seedlings for the creation of the Mondi 
Türkiye Memorial forest by 2022. In South 
Africa, Mondi Zimele focuses on income-
generating projects and self-help groups 
to support livelihoods. Our nine mobile 
health clinics provided healthcare and 
support for forestry contractor employees 
and their families and provided Early 
Childhood Development services and 
support sessions.

We received and addressed 113 
complaints from communities, including 
78 odour-related and 29 noise-related 
complaints. We continued to invest in the 
latest technologies to reduce our impacts 
on communities.

Key issues raised in 2021 and our response
We continued to engage with investors 
throughout the year, focusing on our 
financial performance, market dynamics, 
governance and remuneration, strategy, 
capital allocation and sustainability 
priorities and actions.

In June 2021, the Group entered 
into a new €750 million five-year 
revolving multi-currency credit facility 
agreement (RCF) to refinance the 
existing €750 million facility that was 
due to mature in July 2022. The RCF 
incorporates key sustainability targets 
linked to MAP2030, classifying the facility 
as a Sustainability Linked Loan, extends 
the Group’s debt maturity profile and 
reinforces our strong relationships with 
our banking partners.

The Board recommended a final 2021 
dividend of 45.00 euro cents per share. 
This final dividend, together with the 
interim dividend, amount to a total 
dividend for the year of 65.00 euro cents 
per share, an increase of 8% on the 2020 
total dividend. 

Partners  
and industry  
associations

Among others, we engage with:
 — 4evergreen
 — Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging
 — Confederation of European Paper Industries
 — Ellen MacArthur Foundation
 — Endangered Wildlife Trust
 — EU Business @ Biodiversity Platform
 — Institute of Biology of Komi Science Centre 

of Russian Academy of Science

 — International Union of Forest Research 

Organizations

 — Silver Taiga Foundation
 — Stellenbosch University
 — United Nations World Food Programme
 — World Business Council for Sustainable 
Development Forest Solutions Group

 — WWF Climate Savers

Key issues raised in 2021 and our response
Our partnerships aim to find solutions 
to societal challenges such as climate 
change, the circular economy, responsible 
sourcing, biodiversity and water 
stewardship. We announced new strategic 
global partnerships with the International 
Union of Forest Research Organizations 
(IUFRO) (see page 58) and the World 
Food Programme (see page 49). 
Mondi worked with the WBCSD’s Forest 
Solutions Group (FSG) and its members 
to develop the ‘Forest Sector Net-Zero 
Roadmap’. With Cepi, we engaged in 
discussions related to the EU Forest 
Strategy and the EU Biodiversity Strategy.

In South Africa, we worked with our 
new partner, Endangered Wildlife Trust, 
to evaluate our biodiversity practices and 
in Russia, we extended our agreement 
with the Institute of Biology for a further 
three years. We engaged with the 
Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) 
and the Taskforce on Nature-related 
Financial Disclosures (TNFD). In addition, 
we collaborated with CEFLEX, the Ellen 
MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics 
Economy initiative and 4evergreen to drive 
progress across the value chain. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements22

Section 172 statement
How stakeholder considerations 
shape decision-making

At its core, Mondi’s strategic decision-making 
framework is focused on delivering shared value 
for our key stakeholders. The effectiveness of 
this framework is empowered by the closeness 
of the relationships and partnerships we maintain 
with these groups. As a Board, our decisions take 
the long-term interests of our stakeholders into 
account, along with the impact of our business 
upon them and the balance of actions required 
to deliver sustainable growth. 

Pages 20-23 of this report aim to provide a snapshot of how this 
approach operates and, in doing so, serve as a statement summarising 
how Mondi’s directors have fulfilled their Section 172 duty in 2021. 
This includes a summary of who our key stakeholders are, how we 
engage with them and how we respond to their interests. 

The case study on the following page about the €125 million 
investment in our mill at Kuopio (Finland) illustrates our action 
alongside the other value creation stories found across our 2021 
reporting suite, each of which is the outcome of decisions that begin 
with one question: how can Mondi deliver and protect value for 
stakeholders in line with our purpose of contributing to a better world 
by making innovative, sustainable packaging and paper solutions?

Our approach
The Board categorises Mondi’s stakeholders into six key groups 
described in the preceding pages and reviews these annually. 
As part of their responsibilities and as a methodology for 
maximising the effectiveness of their decisions, the directors 
debate stakeholder considerations in the short, medium and  
long term. 

The Board’s approach is shaped by the following principles: 

1. Local and personal engagement 
The Board has determined the most effective and scalable 
way of engaging stakeholders is to embed responsibilities 
throughout the organisation while facilitating regular feedback 
from colleagues who maintain strong day-to-day relationships 
with our stakeholders. The Executive Committee and Sustainable 
Development Committee are important mechanisms for reporting 
these insights to the Board on a regular basis. 

2. Informed decision-making
The Board seeks to continue to keep itself informed of the 
material issues relevant to stakeholders. In addition to the regular 
feedback it receives from stakeholders and colleagues, the Group 
carries out an established materiality assessment process, which 
is conducted roughly every three years. 

3. Long-term horizons
To grow and protect value, the Board maintains a long-term view 
that stretches beyond the projected tenure of the directors and 
factors long-term consequences into decision-making. This can 
be seen with the launch of our MAP2030 framework and our 
commitment in relation to taking action on climate. 

4. Two-way dialogue
Long-term decision-making, trade-offs and the nuances of local 
relationships mean it is important to not only take stakeholders 
into account at Board level, but to effectively engage with 
and communicate our actions to them. This is integral to the 
reputational focus of Mondi’s internal and external communication 
priorities, supporting the Board’s focus on promoting the strongest 
standards of business ethics and governance.

Informed decision-making
The materiality process is valued by the Board as it provides 
a structured way to capture and understand stakeholder issues, 
providing the opportunity to sense check the Group’s focus 
areas and support its risk assessment process. 

Our 2021 assessment was delivered in line with the concept 
of ‘double materiality’, meaning that each issue was evaluated 
according to its potential impact on people and planet, 
alongside its financial materiality to the business. 

The assessment involved four key steps and was supported 
by external experts: 

 — Desk-based research

 — Engagement with Mondi colleagues 

 — Engagement with key external stakeholder groups identified 

by the Board

 — Sign-off by Mondi’s senior leadership team and Sustainable 

Development Committee

The Board valued the insights learned through this process 
and the Sustainable Development Committee agreed and 
approved on behalf of the Board the final definition and 
prioritisation of the most material sustainability issues for our 
business and stakeholders. In doing so, the directors agreed on 
the foundational considerations that will inform their decision-
making and how we will concentrate our efforts and resources 
going forward.

Both internal and external stakeholders ranked environmental 
issues as highly significant, validating the focus areas of 
our MAP2030 framework and emphasising the increasing 
significance of a circular economy, biodiversity, and diversity 
and inclusion (D&I) for our business. Supported by these 
findings, the Board continues to prioritise environmental 
considerations in all decisions. These findings also supported 
us to accelerate our climate plans by committing to transition 
to Net-Zero by 2050, in line with the Science Based Target 
initiative’s (SBTi) new Net-Zero standard. 

Further details of the materiality assessment and outcomes 
can be found on pages 101-103 of the 2021 Sustainable 
Development report.

For further information of our stakeholder 
engagement activities and decisions made  
by the Board during the year, please see:

Board activities 
Page 116-117

Board stakeholder  
engagement 
Page 109-112

MAP2030 
Page 44-77

Sustainable Development report 
www.mondigroup.com/sd21

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Investing for 
the future at  
Mondi Kuopio

How does this decision account for stakeholder interests?
The Board based its decision on an in-depth review of the 
following benefits expected for key stakeholders:

 — Customers: Additional capacity helps to meet the growing 
demand for strong and resilient paper-based fresh food 
packaging and enhance product quality. 

 — Employees: The upgrade and modernisation of the mill’s 

equipment improves the safety of the operation and supports 
employees’ confidence the Group will remain an employer 
of choice in the region.

 — Communities: New machinery will reduce noise when in 
operation. The investment also stimulates local economic 
activity that is positive for local employment.

 — Environment: The investment will reduce the mill’s 

environmental footprint, including a reduction in total GHG 
emissions, and enhance resource efficiency.

 — Investors: Expansion of a high-quality product supporting the 
Group’s long-term growth in packaging, improving the cost 
competitiveness of the mill and delivering sound returns. 

23

In June the Board approved a €125 million 
capital investment project at its mill in 
Kuopio (Finland). ProVantage Powerflute®, 
the semi-chemical fluting produced at the 
mill, is a high-performance and top quality 
containerboard grade and is a key component 
of fresh fruit and vegetable boxes and trays.

This investment will increase the mill’s capacity by around 
55,000 tonnes per annum to meet growing customer demand, 
enhance product quality and cost competitiveness, and 
strengthen the mill’s environmental performance. 

The scope of the investment includes an upgrade of the 
wood yard, fibre line, evaporation plant and paper machine, 
with start-up planned for the fourth quarter of 2023. 

What trade-offs were involved in making the decision?
Automation and mechanisation of some production processes 
means some job positions may change. In close cooperation 
with our employees, the Group is making every effort to train 
and relocate those employees to other parts of the value chain. 

What was the outcome of the decision?
The outcome of the decision based on the interests of 
stakeholders, the strategic rationale and business case was 
to proceed with the investment. By committing to invest in the 
Kuopio mill, the directors are prioritising the long-term success 
of the mill through increased capacity, quality levels, profitable 
growth and environmental benefits, which will also be reflected 
in the Group’s overall performance. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements24

External context
Our structurally growing  
packaging markets

Over the past five years to 2021 global 
packaging consumption is estimated to have 
grown on average by around 3% per annum. 
This growing packaging demand creates 
exciting opportunities for our business.

Europe and North America account for around half of the 
global packaging market.

Global packaging by region 
(%)

From a materials perspective, fibre or paper-based packaging 
comprises about 40% of the global market, while plastic-based 
packaging represents another 40%. Metal and glass make up 
most of the remaining portion.

Consumer end-uses (including food, drink, healthcare and 
cosmetics) make up around 60% of the packaging market 
while the remaining 40% comprises industrial, transport and 
other applications. 

As a global packaging and paper producer, Mondi’s focus is 
on the corrugated packaging value chain (paper-based ‘board’) 
and flexible packaging (which can be paper, plastic or hybrid 
based). The Group’s key operations are located in Europe, 
North America and Africa, serving our customers across the 
globe with innovative, sustainable packaging solutions. 

Market sources: Smithers Pira, The future of global packaging to 2026

  Europe 

  North America 

  Asia-Pacific 

  Rest of world 

Global packaging by material 
(%)

  Board 

  Flexible paper 

  Flexible plastic 

  Rigid plastic 

  Metal 

  Glass 

  Other 

24

23

43

10

33

7

16

21

12

4

7

“Our accelerated growth opportunities 
are underpinned by the structural 
growth drivers of eCommerce and 
sustainable packaging demand.”

Clara Valera
Group Head of Strategy  
& Investor Relations

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
25

Corrugated  
packaging

European medium-term  
market growth expectation

2-4%

Flexible  
packaging

European medium-term  
market growth expectation

2-4%

Corrugated packaging is used to protect, transport and 
display products along the value chain until they reach the 
end consumer. Its strength, printability, recyclability and 
endless potential for customisation make it an ideal solution 
for fast moving consumer goods, eCommerce and retail 
end-uses. Corrugated packaging can also pack heavier 
goods in consumer durables, industrial and other specialised 
applications. Mondi is a leading corrugated packaging player 
in emerging Europe.

Corrugated packaging is made of containerboard, which 
can be virgin or recycled fibre-based. Mondi is the leading 
virgin containerboard producer in Europe and the largest 
containerboard producer in emerging Europe. On an 
annual basis, Europe consumes around 40 million tonnes of 
containerboard of which around 80% is recycled fibre-based. 
Recycled containerboard is predominately sold regionally 
as most production is utilised by corrugated packaging plants 
in the surrounding area near our production sites. Conversely, 
virgin containerboard is traded globally. 

Market growth is expected to follow economic growth 
and be underpinned by growing demand for eCommerce 
and sustainable packaging solutions. The Group expects 
demand for corrugated packaging in Europe to grow by 
around 2-4% per annum on average in the medium term. 

Flexible packaging is used in a range of consumer, retail, 
construction and industrial applications to promote and 
preserve products from source to its final use. With a unique 
portfolio of paper, plastic and hybrid-based solutions, Mondi 
is a leading global flexible packaging player, with a focus 
on paper. 

Paper bags and other flexible packaging solutions are 
made from kraft papers. Mondi is a leading global producer 
of kraft paper, offering our customers a full range of sack 
kraft papers and a comprehensive range of speciality 
kraft papers. We are a leading global player in paper bag 
production, with leading positions in Europe, the Middle East, 
North Africa and North America providing scale, security 
of supply and global reach to our customers. Mondi is also 
the third largest producer of consumer flexible packaging 
in Europe, offering a range of solutions, where innovation, 
recyclability and the development of coating technologies 
to add functional barriers to paper is key to our success. 

Supported by general economic development and 
increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions, 
in particular for consumer and eCommerce applications, 
we expect growth in the medium term to be, on average, 
around 2-4% per annum. 

Corrugated Packaging 
Page 78

Flexible Packaging 
Page 79

Read more about our strong  
track record of above market growth 
and how we are continuing to seize 
opportunities to grow our business

Our opportunity  
Page 2-3

Our growth priorities 
Page 28-29

OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements26

External context
Responding to opportunities and challenges  
in our packaging markets

We leverage our in-depth packaging knowledge, unique 
platform and collaborative partnerships to drive our business 
forward and realise our potential.

Sustainability

©
S

.

S
p

i
l
l

e
r
-
B
a
u
m
g
a
r
t
n
e
r

Recent developments and implications
 — The demand for global action to tackle climate change continues 
to gain momentum, with governments, businesses and consumers 
increasing their attention and commitment to reducing carbon 
emissions and protecting and restoring ecosystems

 — Increasing legislation, such as the Single-Use Plastics Directive, 
the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, the Sustainable 
Products Initiative and the Substantiating Green Claims Initiative, 
is driving the transition to more sustainable solutions and raising 
awareness and concerns about greenwashing 

 — Social challenges including inequality and social injustices 
continue to be prevalent, and in some instances, further 
exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, heightening the 
importance of responsible and sustainable business practices

The opportunities and challenges we face
 — Global social and environmental challenges including food and 

water insecurity, inequality, social injustices, human rights violations, 
plastic waste, deforestation, water and air pollution have clear 
implications for our business and our stakeholders

 — Population growth and economic development is increasing 
consumption, adding pressure on scarce natural resources, 
demanding responsible business practices and the 
development of low carbon, renewable or recyclable products 
for a circular economy

 — Climate change is increasing the severity and frequency 

of extreme weather events around the world, from changing 
precipitation patterns to devastating wildfires and natural 
disasters, disrupting global systems, impacting world hunger, 
peace and security 

 — Changing climate patterns can also result in biodiversity loss 
affecting our access to clean air, fresh water, medicines and 
food security derived from healthy ecosystems

 — Growing socio-economic inequality is closely intertwined with 
climate change as poorer countries are less well-equipped to 
mitigate extreme weather conditions that will disproportionately 
affect their food security, health, safety and livelihoods
 — Increasing consumer awareness around the impact of the 
products and services they consume is driving demand for 
more sustainable solutions, creating a platform for innovation 
and new business opportunities, and challenging major FMCGs, 
retailers and packaging players, including Mondi, to actively  
drive positive change and deliver against our ambitious 
sustainability targets

How we are responding
 — Keeping sustainability at the centre of our strategy to deliver value 

accretive growth – launching the Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) 
as our new sustainability framework, building on our strong track 
record of setting and achieving targets

 — Upholding our sustainability policies and standards to tackle 

social and environmental challenges, fostering diversity and inclusion 
and protecting our employees

 — Updating our Science Based Targets with a new Net-Zero GHG 
emissions reduction target by 2050 based on a 1.5°C scenario
 — Continuing to assess the implications of climate-related risks and 

report in line with the TCFD recommendations 

 — Working with our customers to help them achieve their sustainability 

goals, leveraging our unique platform of paper where possible, 
plastic when useful, to achieve our commitment of 100% reusable, 
recyclable or compostable packaging and paper solutions by 2025

 — Seizing new business opportunities by leveraging our strong 

platform to develop innovative and sustainable packaging solutions 

 — Partnering with industry associations and other stakeholders to 
shape our approach to sustainability and improve our response 
to global social and environmental challenges 

 €650 million

Mondi’s energy-related investments since 2015

MAP2030 
Page 44-77

TCFD 
Page 60-67

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
27

eCommerce  
and digitalisation

Customer  
brand value

The opportunities and challenges we face
 — Digitalisation continues to shape our daily lives and the world 
around us, connecting billions of people with information 
generated and distributed at unprecedented speed and scale. 
It opens up opportunities to change behaviours, challenge 
traditional practices and the potential to make processes 
more precise and efficient with automation and data analytics
 — Accelerated by the pandemic, online retail channels are disrupting 
traditional alternatives as they enable more frequent purchases 
and faster deliveries which add complexity to supply chains 
requiring higher efficiency and transparency

 — Well-informed, time-pressured and price savvy consumers 
increasingly expect value, convenience and a more branded 
experience from their online purchases 

 — Technological advancements can drive productivity gains 

but give rise to cyber security risks 

Recent developments and implications
 — eCommerce retail continued to increase its penetration, 

driven by the ongoing rise in online shopping across a range 
of products, creating growth opportunities for sustainable 
packaging solutions

 — Remote and flexible working models continued to be 

adopted driven in part by government guidance, personal 
circumstances and individual choices providing flexibility 
but increasing the reliance placed on technology

How we are responding
 — Developing innovative and sustainable packaging solutions for 

eCommerce applications, optimising material usage, enabling the 
reuse of solutions for returns and delivering on service and quality 
– building on our existing wide range of corrugated packaging 
and paper-based flexible packaging products such as MailerBAG
 — Investing in digital technologies as an accelerator for our strategy, 
including advanced analytics to improve processes, automation 
and robotics to foster efficiency and quality, and digital platforms 
to better connect with our customers and colleagues 

 — Protecting our systems and enhancing cyber security through 

the installation of robust systems and secure networks

 — Encouraging transparency along the value chain and active 

stakeholder engagement

 — Collaborating along the value chain to be the complete packaging 

provider to our customers

 15% 

Annual growth in European retail eCommerce  
sales since 2019 (CAGR to 2021)
Source: Statista

The opportunities and challenges we face
 — Fierce competition between brands and private label as well 

as blurring lines between offline and online retail channels make 
it important for products to stand out on shelves and screens – 
packaging is today part of the brand experience

 — Customers demand packaging solutions aligned with their 

own brand values 

 — Consumers are looking for brands that care for people and 

the environment, with growing willingness to pay a premium for 
products and packaging with superior sustainability credentials 
 — Our customers need to keep pace with ever-evolving consumer 

demands for fit-for-purpose, convenient, functional and authentic 
packaging which protects products from source to use 

Recent developments and implications
 — The sustainability credentials of packaging continued to be in 
the spotlight as end-consumers increasingly choose products 
based on the sustainability properties of the packaging, 
ranging from recyclability to a lower carbon footprint 
 — Brands that provide reassurance, convey trust and clearly 
articulate their commitment to sustainability and make 
progress against their goals are standing out from the crowd 
and gaining a competitive advantage

 — Increasing demand for packaging that is fit-for-purpose 

is driving innovation and the development of new solutions 
including functional barrier papers and recyclable solutions

 — Customers are looking for the optimal packaging for 

their goods, scanning a range of solutions which meet their 
required quality standards and considering properties such 
as printability, barrier properties, recyclability, durability, 
cost and the use of renewable materials

How we are responding
 — Creating innovative fit-for-purpose packaging solutions 

that portray our customers’ brand values particularly around 
sustainability, helping them stand out from the crowd, remain 
competitive and create a seamless and compelling consumer 
experience across channels

 — Leveraging our R&D centres, unique cross-functional packaging 
development expertise, and strong customer relationships to be 
the go-to supplier for sustainable packaging

 — Investing in enhancing the capacity and expertise of our packaging 
businesses to broaden our capabilities and grow with our customers

~50%

of global consumers are willing to pay more for 
sustainable packaging, and over 70% for packaging 
that prevents food/product waste
Source: FMCG GURUS

Strategic performance 
Page 32-41

Circular Driven Solutions 
Page 46-49

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements28

Our strategy
Our growth priorities

Acceleration  
+ Opportunity 

In February 2022, we entered into an 
agreement to sell our Personal Care 
Components business for an enterprise 
value of €615 million. Simplifying our 
portfolio will enable us to focus on our 
core packaging and paper businesses and 
enhance our ability to pursue our strategic 
priority to grow in sustainable packaging. 
The transaction is subject to competition 
clearance and other customary closing 
conditions, with completion expected 
in the second half of 2022. Following the 
planned completion, the remaining portion 
of Engineered Materials, namely Functional 
Paper and Films, will be merged into the 
Flexible Packaging business unit. This will 
strengthen integration along the kraft 
paper value chain and foster innovation to 
continue developing functional papers with 
the necessary barriers to meet increasing 
customer demand for sustainable packaging.

Over the past five years, we have invested 
significantly in our business, with total capital 
investment of around €1.2 billion above 
depreciation, as well as around €600 million 
mostly in bolt-on packaging acquisitions. 
Expansionary capital investment has been 
directed primarily to growing our packaging 
businesses, which today account for around 
80% of the Group’s underlying EBITDA. 
We will continue to deploy the majority 
of our expansionary capital investment 
into these businesses.

Five-year net investment1 
2017-2021 (%)

Underlying EBITDA2 
2021 (%)

  Corrugated Packaging 

  Flexible Packaging  

  Engineered Materials 

  Uncoated Fine Paper 

51

34

2

13

  Corrugated Packaging 

  Flexible Packaging  

  Engineered Materials 

  Uncoated Fine Paper 

44

34

5

17

€1.8 bn

€1.5 bn

 Net investment calculated as capex plus acquisitions less depreciation 

1 
  and disposals
2 

 Underlying EBITDA split excludes corporate costs

Our structurally growing packaging 
markets underpinned by demand 
for eCommerce and sustainable 
packaging solutions offer significant 
opportunities for value accretive 
growth, leveraging our unique product 
portfolio, leading market positions, 
innovation capabilities and high-
quality asset base. We are investing 
in our people and our operations 
to deliver on these opportunities, 
building on our successful track 
record of delivering value accretive 
growth sustainably.

Consistent strategy of growing 
our packaging businesses
Driving the growth of our packaging 
businesses continues to be our priority. 
We are actively working with our customers 
and other stakeholders to develop 
innovative packaging solutions that are 
fit-for-purpose and sustainable by design. 
To support this ongoing growth, we plan to 
continue pursuing value-enhancing capital 
investments and selective acquisitions that 
build on our competitive advantages and 
enable us to better serve our customers 
in our growing markets. 

Our strategic priority for each of our businesses

Corrugated  
Packaging

Flexible  
Packaging

Uncoated  
Fine Paper

Grow

Grow

Optimise

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

 
 
29

Over the past five years, capital expenditure 
in our packaging businesses amounted to 
around 170% of depreciation. Our focus 
has been on developing our upstream 
pulp and paper assets, leveraging our cost 
advantages, together with expanding our 
powerful converting network to better serve 
our customers with innovative solutions that 
are sustainable by design. 

Partner with customers for innovation 
Page 38-40

Unpacking opportunity: developing 
our strong packaging platform
Looking forward, we see an opportunity 
to accelerate growth across our packaging 
businesses, supporting our customers and 
strengthening our leading market positions 
in the structurally growing markets in 
which we operate. We have an ambitious 
expansionary capital investment programme 
to further capture this growth. In this 
context, our pipeline currently includes 
around €1 billion of expansionary projects 
already approved or under advanced 
evaluation, which we anticipate will generate 
mid-teen returns when in full operation. 
We continue to evaluate further capital 
investments for growth in the packaging 
markets where we operate, leveraging our 
high-quality, cost-advantaged asset base. 
Read more about our investment plan in the 
Strategic performance.

Invest in assets with cost advantage 
Page 35-36

In 2021 we completed the acquisition of 
Olmuksan (Turkey). While remaining diligent 
on valuations, we will continue to pursue 
selective acquisitions that supplement our 
organic growth, enable us to better serve 
our customers and build on our competitive 
advantages.

Geographically, our focus is unchanged 
and will primarily be in the core regions 
in which we currently operate. Most of 
our packaging mills are European based, 
serving customers in Europe but also 
around the world. In converting, our 
corrugated solutions network is focused 
on central and eastern Europe and 
adjacencies; in paper bags we will continue 
to grow our leading global position and 
our consumer flexibles offering will remain 
focused in Europe and North America.

Our Uncoated Fine Paper business has clear 
cost advantages and enjoys strong market 
positions in the regions where we operate, 
in particular central and eastern Europe, 
Russia and South Africa. Our integrated 
mills are cost-advantaged and mixed use, 
producing packaging papers along with their 
uncoated fine paper offering. This business 
is strongly cash generative, which supports 
our growth in packaging. We will continue 
to invest to ensure we remain a highly 
competitive supplier of choice to our 
uncoated fine paper customers, while also 
leveraging the asset base to increase our 
exposure to faster growing packaging 
products where the opportunities arise.

Track record of growing with 
our customers
Mondi has grown its packaging businesses 
consistently, on the back of our innovative 
product development capabilities and 
sound investments in our cost-advantaged 
asset base, supplemented by selective 
acquisitions. Our unique expertise, 
collaborative approach and breadth of 
portfolio make us a strong partner for our 
customers, positioning us well for growth. 

Five-year production volume CAGR
2017–2021 (excluding disposals) 

Packaging: capex as a percentage 
of depreciation
2017-2021 (five-year average)

+9%

Depreciation

194%

+4%

+3%

+4%

+2%

172%

149%

Container-
board

Kraft
paper

Consumer
flexibles

Paper
bags

Corrugated
solutions

Packaging 
pulp and
paper mills

Packaging
converting
operations

Packaging
businesses
(total)

New applications for  
our paper bags – MailerBAG

In response to our eCommerce 
customers’ demand for sustainable 
packaging solutions, we invested 
to expand and adapt our facilities to 
produce up to an additional 350 million 
paper bags for this application. 

Complementing our range of corrugated-
based eCommerce solutions, our 
MailerBAG is easy to open and reclose 
for returns and is fully recyclable. 
Our customers are delighted with this 
lightweight and efficient fit-for-purpose 
paper-based flexible packaging solution 
replacing traditional plastic mailers. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements30

Our strategy
Strategic framework

sustainability 
+ growth 

As we prioritise our growth in packaging, 
our strategy is to deliver value accretive growth 
sustainably leveraging our four strategic value 
drivers. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy 
and drives our decision-making in line with our 
purpose. This strategic approach builds on the 
competitive advantages we have today, and guides 
our investment and operational decisions so that 
we can continue creating value in a sustainable way 
into the future for all our stakeholders.

All strategic value drivers are important, although 
priorities may differ across the value chain. 
Digital initiatives play an important role across 
our four drivers to accelerate our value creation.

We drive value accretive growth, sustainably

Our exposure to structurally growing packaging markets  
and our competitive advantages provide a strong platform for 
growth to generate value for our stakeholders in a responsible 
and sustainable way. 

Sustainability lies at the centre of our purpose, culture and 
strategy. We have a solid foundation of setting sustainability 
targets and reporting on our performance, ensuring 
we contribute to finding solutions to the global sustainability 
challenges that we face and help to deliver on the UN 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In early 2021 we 
launched the Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030), our new 
sustainability framework. 

We believe in working together with our stakeholders to 
better understand and address the risks and opportunities 
faced and to inform our decision-making, securing value for 
our stakeholders long into the future. It is only through this 
collaborative spirit that we will achieve the impact, innovation 
and scale necessary to bring about positive change beyond 
our own boundaries.

Mondi Action Plan 2030
MAP2030 builds on our strong progress made to date and 
sets out the actions we need to take over the next decade to 
achieve our ambitious sustainability goals. MAP2030 has three 
action areas, each with three high-level commitments supported 
by more detailed targets, built on a foundation of responsible 
business practices. We will report annually on the progress made 
against these commitments.

Innovative packaging and paper 
solutions that keep materials  
in circulation and prevent waste

An empowered and inclusive team  
that contributes to a better world

Climate resilience through our 
forests and operations for the future 
of the planet

Built on Responsible  
business practices

Spanning business ethics and 
governance, human rights, communities, 
procurement and environmental impact

Watch Andrew King and the team  
unpack Mondi’s approach to sustainability
www.mondigroup.com/en/sustainability/approach/

Further information  
Page 33-34

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202131

Drive performance along the value chain

Invest in assets with cost advantage

Our passion for performance is central to the way we 
run our business. Continuous improvement initiatives, 
focus on commercial excellence, lean processes, 
rigorous quality management and operational excellence 
programmes enhance our productivity and efficiency 
and reduce waste. 

We follow a collaborative approach throughout the 
Group to tackle challenges and create opportunities. 
Benchmarking performance ensures we share best 
practice and identify emerging issues to optimise 
productivity and performance throughout the 
organisation. Centralised functions, such as procurement, 
technical, sustainable development, treasury and tax, 
improve coordination, control and reduce costs. The  
use of digital technology accelerates our performance 
and provides new opportunities to reduce costs and 
become more efficient across the Group.

We regularly review our portfolio and take decisive 
actions where appropriate to manage our cost base 
ensuring we maintain our superior customer offering 
in the most efficient way.

To drive organic growth in our structurally growing 
packaging markets, strengthen cost competitiveness, 
enhance our product offering, quality and service to 
customers and improve environmental performance, 
the Group invests in its asset base through-the-cycle. 
We follow a disciplined approach of investigating, 
approving and executing capital projects, delivering 
industry-leading returns. 

Maintaining and enhancing competitiveness is of 
particular importance for our vertically-integrated pulp 
and paper operations where products are generally more 
standardised and relative cost competitiveness is a key 
value driver. In our downstream converting network, 
we focus on enhancing our customer offering to meet 
their bespoke needs.

In addition, and where appropriate, we look 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 and enhance 
our customer offering.

Further information 
Page 34-35

Further information 
Page 35-36

Inspire our people

Partner with customers for innovation

We are committed to provide an inspiring, inclusive, 
diverse and safe working environment for our people. 
We want to give them the confidence to take action 
in their own particular area of responsibility and unlock 
potential across the business in line with our purpose. 

The safety, health and mental wellbeing of our 
people always comes first. We embed clearly defined 
methodologies, procedures and robust controls to ensure  
they, and other people who have reason to be on Mondi 
sites, stay safe. 

Creating an inclusive environment that fosters and 
respects diversity is vital to our success, and builds 
competitive advantage in becoming an employer 
of choice. 

Enhancing the skills of our people through training 
and personal development initiatives is a key part of 
developing an agile and motivated workforce that is 
capable of delivering our strategy and driving success 
in a sustainable way.

We collaborate with our customers and other partners 
along the value chain to create high-quality, innovative, 
sustainable packaging solutions to meet our customers’ 
needs, leveraging our strong relationships, product and 
technical know-how, and unique platform as a leading 
packaging producer.

Our customer-centric approach, EcoSolutions, supports 
our customers to achieve their sustainability goals 
following our principle of paper where possible, plastic 
when useful. We are focused on delivering innovative 
packaging and paper solutions that keep materials 
in circulation and prevent waste.

Our innovation capabilities are critical to meet 
increasingly sophisticated and bespoke customer 
needs relying on our R&D centres, innovation activities 
and cooperation with external partners. Additionally, 
the integrated nature of our business provides security 
of supply and enables us to carry developments in our 
upstream paper operations over to our downstream 
converting plants.

Further information 
Page 37-38

Further information 
Page 38-40

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements32

Our strategy
Strategic performance

Our 2021 performance 
Mondi delivered strongly in 2021 and 
we see good opportunity to accelerate 
growth in sustainable packaging. 
Underlying EBITDA of €1,503 million 
was up 11% and ROCE up at 16.9%. 
We grew our packaging businesses and 
saw a recovery in uncoated fine paper 
markets. Our vertical integration, the agility 
of our operations and collaboration with 
our customers ensured we met surging 
demand at a time when supply chains 
were under pressure around the world. 
We implemented price increases across 
all our businesses and, against a backdrop 
of rising commodity input costs, we 
exhibited good cost control. Our focus 
on safety and protecting the wellbeing 
of our people remains our priority. 

All this cannot be achieved without 
the dedication, stamina and ongoing 
commitment of our people. Our sincere 
thanks go to all colleagues.

Group revenue
(€ million)

€7,723m

Underlying EBITDA margin

7,481

7,268

7,723

%
6
3
2

.

%
8
2
2

.

6,663

%
3
0
2

.

%
5
9
1

.

7,096

%
9
0
2

.

We are particularly proud of how we 
continue to lead the way in sustainability. 
We have accelerated our climate plans 
by committing to transition to Net-Zero 
by 2050 in line with a 1.5°C scenario, and 
made strong progress on all elements 
of MAP2030, our sustainability roadmap 
for the next 10 years, which we launched 
in early 2021.

Sustainable packaging continues to 
be a key priority for our customers and 
wider society. With our unique product 
portfolio, technical know-how, expertise 
in understanding the best material choices 
and leading innovation capabilities, we are 
supporting our customers to achieve their 
environmental goals with circular driven 
solutions that are sustainable by design.

Our capital investments to generate 
value accretive growth, enhance our cost 
competitiveness and drive sustainability 
benefits continue to deliver. We successfully 
started up investments in key pulp and paper 
mills providing incremental total capacity of 
around 350,000 tonnes when in full operation. 
Projects are also underway at a number 
of our converting operations enhancing 
our production capabilities and product 
offering to further support our customers.

We continue to explore opportunities to 
accelerate growth across our packaging 
businesses supporting our customers 
and strengthening our leading market 
positions in structurally growing markets, 
underpinned by demand for eCommerce 
and sustainable packaging solutions. 
We have an ambitious expansionary capital 
investment programme to further capture 
this growth. In this context, our pipeline 
currently includes around €1 billion of 
expansionary projects already approved 
or under advanced evaluation, which we 
anticipate will generate mid-teen returns 
when in full operation. We continue to 
actively consider further capital investments 
for growth in the packaging markets where 
we operate.

We agreed the sale of our Personal 
Care Components business in February 
2022. By simplifying our portfolio, the 
transaction will enable us to focus on our 
core packaging and paper businesses and 
enhance our ability to pursue our strategic 
priority to grow in sustainable packaging. 

A decision regarding the use of the net 
cash proceeds from the sale of Personal 
Care Components will be taken post 
completion. 

Group underlying EBITDA
(€ million)

€1,503m

1,764

1,658

1,482

1,503

1,353

q11%

on 
2020

  Corrugated Packaging  670

  Flexible Packaging 

526

  Engineered Materials 

71

  Uncoated Fine Paper 

270

Breakdown excludes corporate 
costs of €34 million 

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Operating profit
(€ million)

€1,071m

1,192

1,221

968

1,071

868

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Underlying EBITDA development by business unit
(€ million)

152

7

(9)

4

(4)

1,503

1,353

Underlying 
EBITDA 

2020

Corrugated
Packaging

Flexible
Packaging

Engineered
Materials

Uncoated
Fine Paper

Corporate

Underlying
EBITDA

2021

This section includes Alternative Performance Measures such as underlying EBITDA and ROCE which are defined on pages 243-247

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202133

We drive value accretive 
growth, sustainably

Progress in 2021

 — Launched the Mondi Action Plan 

2030 (MAP2030), our sustainability 
framework to 2030 

 — Committed to Net-Zero by 2050, 
in alignment with the SBTi’s new 
Net-Zero Standard

 — Developed roadmaps to clearly 
articulate our approach and key 
initiatives to monitor our progress 
towards our MAP2030 commitments

Medium-term priorities

 — Complete the sale of Personal Care 

Components business

 — Continue to innovate and collaborate 

along the value chain with key 
stakeholders to further develop our 
sustainable packaging and paper 
portfolio

 — Validate our Net-Zero GHG 

emissions reduction targets with 
the SBTi and continue to reduce 
our GHG emissions
 — Work on delivering our 

MAP2030 commitments including 
2025 milestones, by actively 
engaging with our people and 
other stakeholders

Related risks and mitigation

Pandemic risk 
1  
Strategic risks
3   5   6  
Financial risks
7   8   9  
Operational risks
10   11   12   13   14   15   16   
Compliance risk
17  

Principal risks  
Page 86-97

Our business is well-positioned to 
benefit from the structural growth drivers 
in our packaging markets, leveraging 
our competitive advantages across the 
value chain, generating value for our 
key stakeholders. We believe in acting 
responsibly and delivering this value in a 
sustainable way. In early 2021, we launched 
the Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030), 
building on our strong track record of 
sustainable practices throughout the 
organisation. This 10 year period gives 
us the long-term vision we need and 
aligns our actions with the United Nation’s 
Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) 
timeframe. Our framework has three action 
areas, circular driven solutions, created 
by empowered people, taking action 
on climate, each with commitments and 
targets, underpinned by our responsible 
business practice commitments. 

MAP2030  
Page 44-77

We are a leading packaging producer, 
supporting our customers to meet 
their sustainability goals by offering the 
optimal solution from our unique portfolio. 
By producing a broad range of paper- 
and selected plastic-based solutions, our 
customers can consider the trade-offs 
between different products and material 
choices as well as each option’s overall 
sustainability impact. This approach helps 
to reduce waste and support the transition 
to a circular economy. 

We recognise the importance of working 
with others across the value chain, 
engaging with suppliers and customers 
in initiatives to drive positive change at 
scale. Some of our key multi-stakeholder 
initiatives and partnerships are with the 
International Union of Forest Research 
Organizations (IUFRO), the Ellen MacArthur 
Foundation (EMF), 4evergreen and the 
United Nations World Food Programme 
(WFP). To continue to tackle plastic 
pollution, we have joined the call for an 
ambitious UN Treaty on plastic pollution.

We engage with our people to create 
opportunities for our joint success. 
We value our employees and want 
everyone to contribute to Mondi’s  
purpose while developing and reaching  
their full potential in line with our values  
of performance, care and integrity.  
During the year, our people faced 
significant pandemic-related challenges. 
We continued to support our teams 
emotional and mental wellbeing with 
services and programmes, maintaining our 
responsible business practices and keeping 
our people safe and inspired.

We have a long-standing focus on 
reducing our carbon emissions. In 2021, our 
greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity 
(per tonne of saleable production) was 
0.63, a 25% reduction against our 2014 
baseline, equating to a 46% reduction since 
2004, our first baseline year for emission 
reduction targets. The contribution of 
biomass-based renewable energy to the 
total fuel consumption of our mills has 
increased from 59% in 2014 to 65% in 2021. 

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

Total specific CO2e emissions1
(tonnes per tonne of saleable production)

16.9%

23.6

19.3

19.8

16.9

15.2

0.72

0.72

0.71

0.64

0.63

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

1  From our pulp and paper mills

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements34

Our strategy
Strategic performance continued

Drive performance 
along the value chain

Progress in 2021

 — Strong operational performance 
in the face of COVID-19 related 
challenges, supply chain shortages 
and rising costs

 — Optimised our converting plant 
network including the closure 
of a consumer flexibles plant in 
South Korea and a functional paper 
and films plant in the US
 — Stabilised performance in 

Engineered Materials by reducing 
the cost base and realising benefits 
from restructuring initiatives 
 — Progressed on a number of 

digitalisation initiatives to drive 
productivity gains

Medium-term priorities

 — Continue to evaluate, invest in and 

roll out focused digital platforms and 
initiatives across our network to drive 
productivity and efficiency gains
 — Relentless attention to continuous 
improvement initiatives across our 
business to reduce costs and waste, 
maintain quality standards and 
enhance operational performance 

 — Realise benefits from previously 

implemented restructuring initiatives

Related risks and mitigation

Pandemic risk 
1  
Strategic risks
2   4   6  
Financial risks
7   8   9  
Operational risks
10   11   12   16   

Principal risks  
Page 86-97

The Group delivered a strong operational 
performance during the year, in the 
face of COVID-19 related challenges, 
supply chain shortages and rising costs, 
testament to our employees’ dedication, 
focus and determination. Our people’s 
passion for performance and continuous 
improvement initiatives drove productivity 
and efficiency gains during the year while 
tackling pandemic-related lockdowns, 
travel restrictions and requiring, at times, 
to collaborate remotely as a result of the 
pandemic. Leveraging our integrated 
value chain and strong performance from 
our procurement teams, we were able 
to navigate supply chain disruptions and 
logistic challenges, ensuring we continued 
to serve our customers globally, burnishing 
our reputation as a trusted and reliable 
partner. We also successfully implemented 
significant price increases across the 
portfolio to more than compensate 
rising costs and passed these significant 
increases on to our customers, growing 
margins and maintaining strong returns.

During the year we closed a consumer 
flexibles plant in South Korea. We also 
closed a functional paper and films plant 
in Pleasant Prairie (Wisconsin, US) and 
restructured our personal care components 
focused operations in Gronau (Germany) 
which helped to reduce our cost base 
and stabilise performance in Engineered 
Materials.

We completed a number of maintenance 
and project-related shuts, thanks to our 
employees’ efforts. This included a shut 
at our Syktyvkar mill (Russia) in which 
a number of processes were completed 
remotely to limit interaction as part of 
our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
We see an opportunity to leverage these 
digital tools and processes in the future, 
which we expect will further drive efficiency 
and productivity gains. By combining 
technology, data science and the talents 
of our people, we continue to build on our 
digital capabilities, creating opportunities 
to refine processes, improve our offering 
to our customers and generate value 
for our business.

We drive value accretive growth, 
sustainably continued
These improvements have been made 
possible through consistent capital 
investment across our mill network, 
making us more energy efficient and less 
reliant on fossil fuels. Since 2015, we have 
commissioned energy-related investment 
projects totalling around €650 million.

Energy-related investments  
Page 62

Building on almost two decades of 
progress, including science-based targets 
approved by the Science Based Targets 
initiative (SBTi) in 2019, we have accelerated 
our climate plans by committing to 
transition to Net-Zero by 2050. Our Net-
Zero commitment has been developed 
to align with the SBTi’s new Net-Zero 
Standard and commits Mondi to reducing 
GHG emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 
3 in line with a 1.5°C scenario. While we 
work with the SBTi to validate our new 
targets, we are taking action today and 
we have a clear roadmap to achieve our 
2025 milestones.

Nature-based solutions play an important 
role in climate change mitigation. As part of 
our MAP2030 framework, we will continue 
to focus on climate resilience, maintaining 
zero deforestation in our wood supply, 
sourcing wood responsibly from healthy 
and resilient forests, and safeguarding 
biodiversity and water resources in our 
operations and beyond.

We are particularly proud to have been 
recognised by CDP for a second year 
as one of only 14 companies worldwide 
with a ‘Triple A’ score on its environmental 
performance related to climate, forests 
and water security.

Value distribution1  
(%)

€2,608m

  Employees 

  Providers 
  of equity capital 

  Direct taxes paid 

  Providers 
  of loan capital 

  Reinvested  
in the Group 

42

12

7

3

36

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

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
Invest in assets with 
cost advantage

Progress in 2021

 — Commissioned new paper machine 
investment at Ružomberok and 
converted machine investment 
at Štětí

 — Realised financial and sustainability 
benefits from recently completed 
major capital projects

 — Continued to invest in our asset 
base to drive growth, strengthen 
cost competitiveness, enhance 
our offering and improve our 
environmental footprint

 — Approved a number of major capital 
investments in 2021 and early 2022 
that will drive value accretive growth

Medium-term priorities

 — On time and on budget execution 
of capital investment programme 
 — Finalisation of investment decision 

for new kraft paper machine

 — Continue to evaluate further organic 
and selective inorganic investment 
opportunities

Related risks and mitigation

Pandemic risk 
1  
Strategic risks
2   3   4   5   6  
Financial risks
7   8   9  
Operational risks
 11   12   16   
Compliance risk
17  

Principal risks  
Page 86-97

Digitally driving  
supply chain  
efficiencies 

Mondi has 21 corrugated  
solutions plants in central  
and eastern Europe, delivering 
sustainable packaging to a wide 
range of customers in several 
industries. Operating across 
a number of countries and 
meeting customers’ bespoke 
needs requires in-depth 
paper knowledge and flexible 
production capabilities.

Supporting our drive for performance, 
our centralised digital tool optimises 
procurement of packaging paper 
and materials across the network, 
ensuring the required paper quality, 
width and grammage is delivered to 
each respective plant. This solution 
drives efficiency gains, reduces 
waste and proved extremely valuable 
during the year in times of tight 
supply. We plan to continue rolling 
out this digital platform to our Turkish 
corrugated solutions network in 2022.

35

Mondi’s packaging markets are growing, 
underpinned by the structural growth 
drivers of eCommerce and the demand 
for more sustainable packaging. 
Our capital investment programme 
is focused on driving organic growth, 
enhancing our product offering, quality 
and service to customers, strengthening 
our cost competitiveness, and improving 
our environmental footprint. This ongoing 
investment in our cost-advantaged,  
high-quality asset base enables us to 
continue to capture future opportunity.

The Group’s 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. Our capital investment programme 
continues to deliver. In January 2021, we 
started up an investment in a new 300,000 
tonne per annum kraft top white machine 
at Ružomberok (Slovakia) and a converted 
speciality kraft paper machine in Štětí 
(Czech Republic). We also progressed key 
steps in the modernisation of our Richards 
Bay mill (South Africa), including upgrading 
the energy and chemical plants to improve 
reliability and environmental performance; 
as well as the programme at Syktyvkar 
(Russia) to debottleneck production 
and maintain competitiveness. At the 
end of 2021, we commissioned the new 
evaporation plant and are currently finalising 
the pulp dryer upgrade. We expect to 
generate around a further €50 million of 
incremental underlying EBITDA contribution 
from projects in 2022.

Net operating assets by location 
(%)

  Emerging Europe 

  Western Europe 

  South Africa 

  Russia 

  North America 

  Other 

38

31

11

11

4

5

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements36

Our strategy
Strategic performance continued

Invest in assets with cost 
advantage continued
Looking forward, we see an opportunity 
to accelerate growth across our packaging 
businesses, supporting our customers and 
strengthening our leading market positions 
in our growing markets. We have an 
ambitious expansionary capital investment 
programme to further capture this growth. 
In this context, our pipeline currently 
includes around €1 billion of expansionary 
projects already approved or under 
advanced evaluation, which we anticipate 
will generate mid-teen returns when in full 
operation. These investments, which include 
the projects below, will deliver volume 
growth, lower our cost base and enhance 
our environmental footprint. We continue to 
actively evaluate further capital investments 
for growth in the packaging markets 
in which we operate, leveraging our high-
quality, cost-advantaged asset base.

In Corrugated Packaging we are investing 
€125 million in our Kuopio mill (Finland) 
to increase semi-chemical fluting capacity 
by around 55,000 tonnes, enhance 
product quality, drive cost competitiveness 
and strengthen the mill’s environmental 
performance, with start-up expected in the 
fourth quarter of 2023. We have approved 
a €95 million investment to debottleneck 
kraftliner production by 55,000 tonnes at 
our state of the art Świecie mill (Poland), 
with commissioning expected during 2024. 

We have an ambitious expansionary  
capital investment programme  
to grow organically into the future  
which currently includes around  
€1 billion of expansionary projects  
already approved or under  
advanced evaluation

To strengthen our leading market position, 
support growth in eCommerce and 
enhance our product and service offering, 
around €185 million will be invested 
across our central and eastern European 
Corrugated Solutions plant network. 

In Flexible Packaging, to meet growing 
demand for sustainable paper-based 
flexible packaging, we are well-advanced 
in the evaluation of an investment in a  
new 200,000 tonne kraft paper machine 
at one of our cost-advantaged facilities for 
an anticipated total of around €350 million. 
We expect to be in a position to make 
a final decision on the investment 
during 2022. 

We continue to expand the global reach 
of our leading Paper Bags business, 
ramping up production at our new plant in 
Cartagena (Colombia), investing in a new 
plant in Morocco, upgrading the capabilities 
in our Mexican plants and expanding our 
capacity of paper-based flexible packaging 
solutions for eCommerce across Europe 
and the US. 

We plan to invest around €50 million 
to enhance our coating capabilities and 
meet our customers’ growing demand 
for innovative, sustainable paper-based 
packaging with the necessary barrier 
properties. We are also investing 
€65 million in our consumer flexibles 
plants, cementing our leading position 
in the fast growing pet food packaging 
market.

On the back of this programme, our capital 
expenditure is expected to be around 
€700-800 million in 2022 and around 
€900-1,000 million in 2023.

Vertical integration 
(production in million tonnes)

We use

Net market exposure

0.2
4.2

3.8

1.8

0.4

0.8

(0.3)

1.61

0.4
0.9

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 2021

Capital expenditure
(€ million)

€573m

Capex as a percentage of depreciation 

757

187%

709

173%

611

147%

630

158%

573

136%

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Inspire  
our people

Progress in 2021

 — Continued attention to care for the 
physical and mental health of our 
people

 — Developed and enhanced our 
people’s skills through training 
programmes and upskilling initiatives 

 — Maintained strong focus on safety 

and no fatalities in the year

Medium-term priorities

 — Focus on talent attraction, retention 
and diversity and inclusion (D&I) 
initiatives

 — Continue to engage with our 

employees and create an inspiring 
work environment 

 — Continuous focus on improving our 
safety performance and embedding 
a behaviour-based safety mindset 

Related risks and mitigation

Pandemic risk 
1  
Operational risks
14   15   16
Compliance risk
17  

Principal risks  
Page 86-97

37

As an organisation, we are grateful for the  
efforts made by our employees as the 
COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact  
our daily lives. The dedication, willingness 
and drive of our people was clearly 
demonstrated, highlighting their 
commitment and care. We understand 
the emotional toll of pandemic-related 
challenges and in response, increased our 
efforts on our employees’ wellbeing and 
mental health during this unsettling time. 
During the year, we continued to roll-out 
our Employee Assistance Programme, 
a 100% confidential hotline provided by an 
external company of qualified counsellors 
and advisers which, together with local 
programmes in the US and South Africa, 
is now available to 97% of our global 
workforce, helping to support our people. 

Our belief in lifelong learning is championed 
by the Mondi Academy, and focuses 
on creating tailored development plans, 
supported by coaching and mentoring, to 
develop our people. In 2021, most training 
sessions were conducted online, with 
the exception of local team training, with 
741,700 hours of training completed, a 
20% increase on 2020. These programmes 
covered a range of topics from safety and 
sustainability topics to people development 
and upskilling programmes.

We want to inspire our global workforce and 
develop the right skills, for now and for the 
future. We aim to be an employer of choice 
by engaging and developing our people 
and enhancing skills to realise their potential 
and help drive our business forward. As part 
of MAP2030, our commitment to build 
skills that support long-term employability 
will provide valuable opportunities to our 
people through training and development 
programmes to support personal and 
professional growth. 

During the year we undertook a number 
of upskilling programmes, including 
a talent management programme known 
as NEXGEN in Corrugated Packaging – 
read more below. 

We have set ambitious targets in order 
to meet our commitment of providing 
purposeful employment in a diverse and 
inclusive workplace. During the year we 
focused on developing roadmaps and 
defining KPIs to provide clear guidance and 
support to help our operations progress 
against these targets. Through training, 
communication and collaborating, we aim 
to raise awareness and support a culture 
where everyone can Grow. Create. Inspire. 
Together. 

Next  
generation  
leaders

NEXGEN is a new learning and 
development platform designed to 
identify, develop and inspire our next 
generation of talented leaders within 
the organisation. Co-created within 
Corrugated Packaging, this initiative 
helps to upskill and develop our 
people, preparing a clear pathway for 
career progression ensuring we foster 
D&I and promote people rotations 
within Mondi. 

In 2021, more than 50 employees 
were nominated for the program, 
of which 25 were selected to take part 
in the NEXGEN development stream.  
One-third of the participants were 
women. Following its successful roll-
out in Corrugated Packaging, Kraft 
Paper and selected Group functions, 
it will be extended to Functional Paper 
and Films in 2022, extending its reach 
and providing a valuable platform to 
grow and develop our people.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements38

Our strategy
Strategic performance continued

Inspire our people continued
As a global company operating in many 
locations, we have policies and processes 
in place to prioritise equal opportunity 
and have zero tolerance for discrimination 
and harassment. We aim to create an 
inclusive culture where all our employees 
can grow and contribute based on their 
individual backgrounds, experience and 
ideas. Our D&I taskforce and policy shape 
our approach and help to drive meaningful 
change. As part of this, we are working 
on increasing the representation of women 
across the organisation. Currently, 21% of 
our workforce are women. Our target is 
to employ 30% women by 2030. 

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

0.68

0.68

0.63

0.62

0.58

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Our approach to safety has enabled us 
to engineer many of the most serious risks 
out of our operations. Where this was not 
feasible or possible, robust controls and 
procedures were introduced to reduce the 
risk. We promote a 24-hour safety mindset 
across the Group with initiatives to address 
peoples’ conscious and unconscious 
behaviours, elevating safety to the front of 
peoples’ minds and actions. We monitor lead 
indicators as part of our safety programme, 
which helps our operations to address risks 
before an incident occurs. In 2021, we had 
no fatalities but unfortunately experienced 
a life-altering injury in January 2021 when 
a contractor lost a finger during harvesting 
activities in Finland. We also experienced 
a life-altering injury in January 2022 when an 
employee lost four fingers while working on 
rotating equipment. Our policies have been 
reviewed following these incidents to avoid 
repeat occurrences. Our Total Recordable 
Case Rate (TRCR) was 0.62, achieving 
the milestone we set for 2021 to allow for 
the prolonged shut at Richards Bay. As part 
of our MAP2030 commitments, we have 
set a target to reduce our TRCR by 15% 
to 2030 against a 2020 baseline, together 
with zero fatalities and life-altering injuries.

Empowered People  
Page 50-54

We’re committed to 
inclusiveness, a positive 
employee experience and 
fair working conditions

Partner with customers  
for innovation

Progress in 2021

 — Maintained successful delivery 

of products to our customers in the 
face of tight global supply chains
 — Developed a number of sustainable 
packaging solutions, leveraging our 
unique expertise as a leading paper-
and flexible plastic-based producer

 — Ongoing focus on innovation 

and product development with 
our customers, continuing to be 
externally recognised with our 
award-winning products

 — Completed the acquisition of 

Olmuksan and continue to integrate 
the business into the Mondi Group

Medium-term priorities

 — Continue to partner with our 

customers to develop innovative 
and sustainable packaging solutions
 — Increase the proportion of products 

that are reusable, recyclable or 
compostable, aiming to reach 100% 
by 2025

 — Maintain our overall strong customer 
satisfaction score and implement 
improvement initiatives where 
necessary

Related risks and mitigation

Pandemic risk 
1  
Strategic risks
3   4   6  
Operational risk
16   
Compliance risk
17  

Principal risks  
Page 86-97

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021During the year, we faced strong demand 
for our products at a time where global 
supply chains came under pressure. 
Our teams’ outstanding efforts and passion 
for performance, leveraging our integrated 
value chain, scale and strong network of 
plants across core regions, enabled us to 
continue to supply our customers during 
this period. Providing this security of supply 
helped us increase our market share in our 
core markets and is testament to our focus 
on service, quality and innovation as well 
as the success of our investments to grow 
and enhance the business.

Demand for sustainable products has never 
been higher, with brands and consumers 
wanting to contribute to a low carbon, 
circular economy. Our conversations with 
customers focus on how to design solutions 
that are efficient, fit-for-purpose and help 
to convey and deliver their sustainability 
commitments. Our unique product portfolio, 
expertise in understanding the best material 
choices and customer-focused innovation 
capabilities mean we can create packaging 
solutions that are sustainable by design. 
This helps us to eliminate unsustainable 
packaging, lead the transition to a circular 
economy and grow our customer base of 
forward-thinking brands.

Our customers value our EcoSolutions 
partnership approach to help achieve 
their environmental goals. This includes 
everything from reducing raw material use, 
to designing for recycling or compostability 
at end of life, and clarifying the often 
complex trade-offs of various solutions. 
As a leading producer of paper-based 
packaging, we prioritise the use of paper-
based solutions to replace unnecessary 
plastic packaging because paper is made 
from a renewable resource and has the 
highest recycling rates across our markets. 
When more specialised functional barriers 
are required (for example to reduce food 
waste), lightweight plastic-based flexible 
packaging can be the most sustainable 
choice so long as it is manufactured, used 
and disposed of appropriately. Here we 
are working on recyclable mono-material 
plastic solutions and increased recycled 
plastic content to ensure our packaging is 
designed to be part of a circular economy.

39

Demand for sustainable products 
has never been higher, with 
brands and consumers wanting 
to contribute to a low carbon, 
circular economy

As part of MAP2030, we have set 
an ambitious target to make 100% 
of our products reusable, recyclable 
or compostable by 2025. We estimate 
that currently 78% of our portfolio meets 
this criteria. During the year, we developed 
roadmaps for our businesses to help 
them drive progress towards meeting 
this commitment and identify significant 
growth opportunities. 

We continue to collaborate with 
customers and partners across the value 
chain to develop innovative solutions 
as we transition to a low carbon and 
circular economy and work to eliminate 
unsustainable packaging. We actively 
participate in 4evergreen, a cross-value 
chain alliance launched by Cepi to boost 
the role of fibre-based packaging in a 
circular economy and a climate neutral, 
sustainable society. Our long-term 
engagement with CEFLEX, a pan-
European multi-stakeholder consortium, 
is working to make all flexible packaging 
in Europe circular by 2025.

In May 2021, we completed the acquisition 
of a 90% interest in Olmuksan. With this 
transaction, we significantly strengthened 
our position in the fast-growing Turkish 
corrugated market, expanding our 
offering to existing and new customers 
in the region. Integration is progressing 
well and the business delivered ahead 
of our expectations. 

During the year we spent €23 million 
(2020: €23 million) on R&D across our 
businesses to drive process and efficiency 
improvements, and develop innovative 
products for our customers. These innovation 
initiatives, together with ongoing product 
development programmes with our 
customers, have delivered a number of 
successful solutions. We are delighted with 
the external recognition we have received for 
our innovations, including a record nine 2022 
WorldStar Packaging Awards.

In 2021, we completed a Group-wide  
customer satisfaction survey. Despite  
pandemic-related challenges, we were 
pleased to see noticeable improvements 
compared to the previous survey in 2019. 
Overall, Mondi was rated as a reliable 
and quality brand, seen as trustworthy, 
competent, dedicated, and a company that 
provides excellent support to customers, 
especially during difficult times. We achieved 
an overall satisfaction score of 8.4 out of 10, 
considerably stronger than our 2019 score 
of 8.0 out of 10 and a notable achievement 
as a score of 8.5 is considered best in class. 
We are proud of our achievements but 
continue to strive for excellence through 
maintaining our high standards and improve 
in other areas where possible.

Circular Driven Solutions  
Page 46-49

Reusable, recyclable or compostable products
(% of Group revenue)

78%

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements40

Our strategy
Strategic performance continued

Partner with customers for innovation continued

Innovating with  
our customers 

Our unique product portfolio and extensive expertise makes us 
a partner of choice for our customers to develop fit-for-purpose 
packaging for a circular economy. We leverage our packaging 
expertise, broad product offering, technical know-how and 
ongoing product development initiatives, to collaborate with our 
customers and partners along the value chain to develop innovative, 
sustainable packaging solutions. Some of our successful product 
launches this year include:

Les Crudettes – functional barrier 
paper for salad packaging
The French salad brand, Les Crudettes, has 
replaced its transparent glossy polypropylene 
packaging with our functional barrier paper 
for a selection of its pre-washed, ready-to-
eat salads. 

The new packaging is 95% paper with a 
functional barrier layer, meaning the salad 
remains fresh for up to 10 days – the same 
amount of time as with the previous plastic 
packaging. This fit-for-purpose packaging 
is able to run on existing machines and has 
been verified as recyclable.

Advantage StretchWrap – 
an alternative to plastic pallet 
wrapping
We collaborated with the Italian machine 
producer ACMI to transform the way pallets 
are wrapped, creating a paper-based 
solution that is renewable and fully recyclable, 
replacing a multi-layer plastic alternative. 

Advantage StretchWrap, made from our 
range of speciality kraft paper, is able to 
stretch and resist punctures, providing robust 
protection for goods during transit. It also has 
a significantly lower climate change impact 
compared to conventional plastic stretch 
film, supporting our drive to be sustainable 
by design. 

SASB 

MonoCorr Box for Warmhaus 
– eliminating polystyrene
We have designed a fully recyclable mono-
material corrugated boiler box for Warmhaus 
in Turkey, a producer of boilers, eliminating 
the use of expanded polystyrene plastic foam 
(EPS) which is not widely recyclable. 

The new packaging has also increased pallet 
efficiency with 20% more products shipped 
per truck, delivering lower emissions through 
reduced transport.

WalletPack – recyclable and 
reclosable to prevent food 
spoilage
Together with gourmet food producer 
Bell Germany, we developed WalletPack, 
a new mono-material recyclable solution for 
sliced ham products. It operates as a folder 
and features a re-close function to prevent 
food spoilage while providing excellent 
protection for thinly sliced deli meats. 

The new solution replaces a multi-
material non-recyclable plastic solution, 
is lightweight and reduces plastic waste.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202141

Looking forward, we expect to make 
progress in the year. There are significant 
geopolitical and macroeconomic 
uncertainties and we anticipate continued 
inflationary pressures on our cost base. 
However, we also expect to realise the full 
benefit of the price increases implemented 
in 2021 and early 2022, shorter planned 
maintenance shuts and the contribution 
from our capital investment programme. 

Underpinned by the Group’s integrated 
cost-advantaged asset base, high-
performance culture, portfolio of sustainable 
packaging solutions and the strategic 
flexibility offered by our strong cash 
generation and financial position, the Group 
remains well-placed to deliver sustainably 
into the future. 

Andrew King  
Group CEO 

Mike Powell
Group CFO

Strategic financial priorities and 
returns to shareholders
We believe that a strong and stable financial 
position, supported by an investment grade 
credit rating, increases our flexibility and 
provides access to capital markets through 
the business cycle. This in turn allows 
us to invest through-the-cycle and take 
advantage of strategic opportunities when 
they arise. To deliver on our strategy, we 
maintain 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 a 
€750 million Sustainability Linked Revolving 
Credit Facility. 

The Group’s balance sheet and liquidity 
position remain robust. At the end of 
the year, Mondi had a strong liquidity 
position of around €1.3 billion, comprising 
€803 million of undrawn committed debt 
facilities and cash and cash equivalents 
of €455 million. The weighted average 
maturity of our committed debt facilities 
was 4.7 years. We have a disciplined 
capital allocation policy. We are focused 
on 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 remain focused on allocating capital 
while maintaining solid investment grade 
credit metrics. 

We pursue a dividend policy that reflects 
our strategy of disciplined and value-
creating investment and growth. We target 
an ordinary dividend cover range of two to 
three times underlying earnings on average 
over the cycle, with the aim of offering 
shareholders long-term dividend growth, 
although the payout ratio in each year will 
vary in accordance with the business cycle.

Given our strong financial position and 
confidence in the future of the business, 
the Board has recommended an increase 
in the final 2021 dividend to 45.00 euro 
cents per share. The final dividend, together 
with the interim dividend, amount to a total 
dividend for the year of 65.00 euro cents 
per share, an increase of 8% on the 2020 
total dividend.

Near-term outlook
The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine 
is of great concern. Our thoughts are with 
all those impacted by these tragic events, 
including some of Mondi’s employees.

We have significant operations in Russia, 
representing around 12% of the Group’s 
revenue by location of production in 
2021, including our high-margin, cost-
competitive, integrated pulp, packaging 
paper and uncoated fine paper mill located 
in Syktyvkar (Komi Republic). Over the last 
three years our Russian operations have 
generated around 20% of the Group’s 
underlying EBITDA. Our businesses 
primarily serve the domestic market. 
We are actively monitoring this rapidly 
evolving situation, the international response 
and the implications for the Group.

Dividend per share
(euro cents) 

65.0

euro 
cents

Interim dividend
Dividend cover (times) 

Final dividend

.

5
5
4
5

2.5

5
4
.
1
2

0
9
2
4

.

2.4

0
1
.
9
1

.

5
7
9
2

3.0

8
2
7
2

.

0
0
.
1
4

2.2

0
0
9
1

.

2
0
0
5
4

.

2.4

0
0
0
2

.

20171

2018

2019

2020

2021

1  In addition to the 2017 ordinary dividend, a special dividend of 

100 euro cents was paid in 2018

2  Proposed

Five-year cumulative cash flow 
(€ billion)

5.7

(3.3)

(2.0)

(0.6)

Cash flow
generation

Invested in
asset base

Distributed to
shareholders

Spent on 
acquisitions 

(0.2)

0.4

Effect of
IFRS 16 
restatement

Change in
net debt

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
42

Key performance indicators
Tracking our performance

Our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide 
a broad measure of the Group’s performance. 
We set individual targets for each of our business 
units in support of these Group KPIs.

2021 performance
The Group achieved  
a ROCE of 16.9%.

Link to strategic 
framework

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.

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.

2021 performance
Mondi realised a five-year 
TSR of 37% and recommended 
a total dividend of 65.00 euro 
cents per share for the year, 
an 8% increase on 2020.

Link to strategic 
framework

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

Link to strategic 
framework

Why this is a KPI
Keeping people safe and 
healthy is a moral and a business 
imperative that applies to all 
who work for and on behalf 
of Mondi. Our 24-hour safety 
mindset supports our goal of 
sending everybody home safely, 
every day.

2021 performance
We achieved our TRCR 
milestone for 2021 set at 0.62 
to allow for the prolonged shut 
at Richards Bay. There were 
no fatalities or serious injuries 
during annual shuts but 
unfortunately one of our 
contractors experienced  
a life-altering injury in 
January 2021.

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

2021 performance
Our investment grade credit 
ratings were reaffirmed during 
the year – Standard & Poor’s 
BBB+ (stable outlook) and 
Moody’s Investors Service Baa1 
(stable outlook).

Link to strategic 
framework

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

ROCE
Current estimated pre-tax weighted average cost of capital  

23.6

19.3

19.8

16.9

15.2

10.0%  

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Total shareholder return (TSR)
(%)

Mondi plc

Median of peer group

1-year

11%

3-year

13%

5-year

37%

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

0.68

0.68

0.63

0.62

0.58

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Investment grade credit rating

Standard & Poor’s
Non-investment grade

Moody’s Investors Service
Investment grade

BBB+

BBB

BBB-

BB+

BB

BB-

Dec
2016

Sep
2017

Apr
2018

Baa1

Baa2

Baa3

Ba1

Ba2

Ba3

Dec
2021

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

43

Using KPIs to measure the success of our strategy
Our strategy is to deliver value accretive growth, sustainably. This is  
underpinned by four strategic value drivers which build on the competitive 
advantages we enjoy today and set a clear roadmap for investment 
and operational decisions into the future. We use KPIs to provide 
a measure of Mondi’s strategic performance and value creation.

Aligning KPIs to remuneration
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 sustainability metrics for purposes of the Bonus Share Plan and 
on Total Shareholder Return and ROCE for the Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Strategic framework and performance 
Page 30-41

Remuneration report 
Page 136-161

2021 performance
Underlying EBITDA of 
€1,503 million represents 
an 11% year-on-year increase. 
The Group’s underlying 
EBITDA margin was 19.5%.

Link to strategic 
framework

Link to strategic 
framework

2021 performance
We have reduced our specific 
CO2e emissions by 25% against 
our 2014 baseline and continue 
to make progress against our 
science-based greenhouse gas 
reduction targets. During the 
year we accelerated our climate 
plans by committing to transition 
to Net-Zero by 2050.

2021 performance
In 2021, we reduced our specific 
waste to landfill by 22% against 
our 2020 baseline. We continue 
to make progress against our 
target of zero waste.

Link to strategic 
framework

Underlying EBITDA 
(€ million)

Underlying EBITDA margin

1,764

1,658

%
6
3
2

.

%
8
2
2

.

1,482

%
9
0
2

.

1,503

1,353

%
3
0
2

.

%
5
9
1

.

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

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. 

Tracking our cash generation 
is one of the components 
we measure when we assess 
our value creation through- 
the-cycle.

Total specific CO2e emissions1
(tonnes per tonne of saleable production)

0.72

0.72

0.71

0.64

0.63

Why this is a KPI
Our focus is to reduce our 
GHG emissions to address 
climate-related impacts and 
secure the long-term success 
of our business.

Why this is a KPI
Our goal is to keep materials 
in circulation. We are focused 
on avoiding, reusing or recycling 
unavoidable waste generated 
in our production processes 
instead of disposing of it to 
landfill. Going forward, waste 
to landfill will be one of the 
measures included in management 
remuneration and has therefore 
been added as a KPI.

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

1  From our pulp and paper mills

Waste to landfill
(thousand tonnes)

specific kg waste to landfill per tonne of saleable production

232

229

.

2
2
8
3

4
1
.
7
3

192

.

8
7
0
3

176

.

7
5
8
2

143

6
2
2
2

.

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Reusable, recyclable or compostable products
(% of Group revenue)

76

78

2020

2021

Why this is a KPI
The demand for sustainable 
packaging continues to rise, 
with brands and consumers 
looking for solutions to help 
meet their sustainability pledges 
and support the transition to 
a circular economy. We began 
reporting our progress against 
this KPI in 2020.

2021 performance
We estimate that 78% 
of our revenue in 2021 was 
generated from products that 
were reusable, recyclable or 
compostable. We are working 
towards our ambitious target 
of reaching 100% by 2025.

Link to strategic 
framework

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements44

Mondi Action Plan 2030

Commitments  
+ Action 

In January 2021 we launched the Mondi Action Plan (MAP2030),  
our new sustainability framework built on our purpose to contribute  
to a better world by making innovative packaging and paper solutions  
that are sustainable by design. MAP2030 comprises three ambitious  
action areas focused on our products, people and planet.

Developing MAP2030
In designing our framework, we considered 
the successes and learnings from our track 
record of delivering against sustainability 
targets, as well as the issues of importance 
for our employees, customers, suppliers, 
communities, investors and partners. 
We benchmarked our performance, 
consulted stakeholders across Mondi 
and reflected on feedback from external 
stakeholders through our materiality 
assessment and ongoing engagements.

Stakeholder engagement 
Page 20-21

Having shaped the Group’s MAP2030 
ambition, the Executive Committee and 
the Board approved the commitments 
and targets that this was translated 
into. Given the strategic importance 
of our sustainability agenda, the Board 
Remuneration Committee determined 
that an element of the 2021 annual bonus 
of the executive directors (representing 
20% of maximum) will be specifically 
allocated to objectives linked to MAP2030.

Remuneration report 
Page 136-161

Unpacking Sustainability  
at Mondi
www.mondigroup.com/en/
sustainability/approach/

Our focus
Our three MAP2030 action areas are 
supported by a set of responsible business 
practices including business ethics and 
governance, human rights, communities, 
procurement and environmental impact. 
For each of these areas, we have 
established commitments and targets 
to guide our progress. All commitments 
run until 2030 and some have milestones 
defined for 2025, or earlier.

Circular
Driven Solutions

Created by Empowered

PEOPLE

MAP
2030

Mondi Action Plan

Taking Action on

CLIMATE

Built on Responsible Business Practices 

Business Ethics & Governance | Human Rights | Communities | Procurement | Environmental Impact

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
45

Innovative packaging and paper 
solutions that keep materials 
in circulation and prevent waste

An empowered and inclusive 
team that contributes to  
a better world

Climate resilience through our 
forests and operations for the 
future of the planet

2021  
performance

2021  
performance

2021  
performance

Make our packaging and paper 
solutions reusable, recyclable 
or compostable
 — 100% of our products are reusable, 
recyclable or compostable by 2025 

Avoid waste by keeping 
materials in circulation
 — Eliminate waste to landfill from  
our manufacturing processes 

Work with others to eliminate  
unsustainable packaging
 — Progress made through our 

partnerships and stakeholder 
engagement activities every year 

Build skills that support  
long-term employability
 — Enable our employees to participate  

in upskilling programmes 

Provide purposeful employment 
for all our employees in a diverse 
and inclusive workplace
 — Achieve 90% Purpose Satisfaction  

score in our employee survey 

 — Achieve 90% Inclusiveness score  

in our employee survey 

 — Employ 30% women across Mondi 

Create an environment that 
enables a positive work-life 
experience, valuing our safety,  
health and mental wellbeing
 — Zero fatalities 

 — Zero life-altering injuries 

 — 15% reduction of total recordable  

case rate 

 — Support our employees in pursuit  

of a work-life experience that 
enhances their wellbeing 

 — Our operations drive awareness  
of and take measures to improve 
health and mental wellbeing 

Reduce our greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions in line with 
science-based targets
 — Reduce our Scope 1 and 2 GHG  
emissions by 34% per tonne  
of saleable production by 2025  
and 72% by 2050 from the 2014  
base year 

 — Reduce Scope 2 GHG emissions  
by 39% per MWh by 2025 and  
by 86% by 2050 from the 2014  
base year 

 — Set a science-based Scope 3  

reduction target by 2025 

Maintain zero deforestation in 
our wood supply, sourcing from 
healthy and resilient forests
 — Maintain 100% FSCTM certification  
in our own forestry landholdings 

 — 100% responsibly sourced fibre  
with 75% FSCTM- or PEFCTM-
certified fibre procured by 2025 and 
the remainder meeting the FSCTM 
Controlled Wood standard 

 — Implement leading forestry  

measures to ensure productive, 
healthy and resilient forests 

Safeguard biodiversity and  
water resources in our operations 
and beyond
 — Conduct water stewardship and 

biodiversity assessments at our mills 
and forestry operations by 2025,  
and implement required actions 
to address the findings by 2030 

 — Conduct biodiversity assessments  
at our mills and forest operations, 
introducing biodiversity action  
plans where necessary by 2025 

Circular

Driven Solutions

Created by Empowered

PEOPLE

MAP

2030

Mondi Action Plan

Taking Action on

CLIMATE

Built on Responsible Business Practices 

Business Ethics & Governance | Human Rights | Communities | Procurement | Environmental Impact

Further information 
Page 46-49

Further information 
Page 50-54

Further information 
Page 55-67

Key 

 On track 

 Slightly behind target 

 Not on track 

  In development

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
46

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Circular Driven Solutions

Our impacts occur along the value chain 
– from raw materials to product design 
to their end of life. We see ‘waste’ as 
a resource in the wrong place and we 
work with partners to keep materials 
in circulation by avoiding, reusing or 
recycling unavoidable waste. 

The circularity of products is a complex 
and evolving topic. The changes needed 
require designing products for recycling 
or reuse, developing harmonised 
approaches and improving waste 
separation, collection and recycling. 
We collaborate with industry players and 
support customers, retailers and brands 
to adopt more sustainable packaging 
options and educate consumers about 
the best way to dispose of packaging 
at end of life. 

Partner with customers for innovation 
Page 38-40

Demand for sustainable products 
has never been higher, with brands 
and consumers wanting to contribute 
to a low carbon, circular economy. 

Leveraging our expertise in packaging 
and paper to drive innovation in circular 
packaging is an exciting opportunity to 
grow our business, support our customers 
and address societal challenges such as 
preventing food waste, using resources 
efficiently, tackling climate change and 
eliminating unsustainable packaging. 

Commitment
Make our packaging and paper 
solutions reusable, recyclable 
or compostable

Target
100% of our products are reusable, 
recyclable, or compostable by 2025.

 On track

Sustainability is front and centre when we 
design new solutions. Our customers look 
to us to help them identify and create the 
best options for circularity which reduce 
climate impact. This means collaborating 
across the value chain, using paper where 
possible and plastic when useful. 

Our customer-centric EcoSolutions 
approach underlines our unique proposition 
and holistic view when making material 
choices that meet the needs of customers, 
consumers and the planet. We continue to 
pursue opportunities to increase renewable 
materials and recycled content use. 

The EU Green Deal sets a roadmap towards 
carbon neutrality by 2050. One of the main 
elements is the Circular Economy Action 
Plan (CEAP) which contains 35 actions 
and includes the review and update of 
several pieces of legislation, all aimed 
at making sustainable products the norm. 
Most notably, this includes the Single-Use 
Plastics Directive (SUPD), the Packaging 
and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), 
the Sustainable Products Initiative (SPI) and 
the initiative on Substantiating Green Claims.

Our Product Stewardship Policy supports 
the shift to more circular solutions and 
our Sustainable Products Criteria are 
the parameters we consider across the 
entire product life cycle of our sustainable 
products. Complementing our product-
oriented innovations, we continue to 
develop material and energy efficient 
production processes. In 2021, we invested 
€23 million in R&D to drive deeper 
collaboration throughout the supply chain 
and improve our process technologies, 
energy and material efficiency to reduce 
our emissions and eliminate waste. 

SASB 

We maintain relevant and credible 
certifications at our operations to 
comply with safety, health and hygiene 
standards. They include ISO 9001 (quality 
management), ISO 14001 (environmental 
management) and food safety certification. 
Our solutions must meet all relevant 
safety, health and hygiene standards and 
regulations as a basic requirement to 
provide compliant, high-quality solutions 
for customers. 

The Mondi Group Food Safety  
Laboratories in Graz and Frantschach 
(Austria) support the business to develop 
smart, customised packaging solutions 
that are optimised for food contact. Our 
expertise in sourcing safe and sustainable 
materials for innovative products offers 
significant value to customers. We assess 
more than 10,000 chemical parameters 
every year with a key focus on how 
packaging interacts with packaged goods, 
depending on the intended application 
(dry, wet, fatty or frozen foodstuffs, 
or foods handled at ambient conditions 
or microwave heated). There were no 
product recalls issued in 2021. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202147

O
v
e
r
v
e
w

i

i

S
t
r
a
t
e
g
c
r
e
p
o
r
t

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

SASB 

How have we performed? 
We made great strides in 2021 to  
develop a comprehensive and harmonised 
Group-wide approach to drive progress. 
78% of our portfolio (based on revenue) is 
now reusable, recyclable or compostable 
and we have a clear view of where the 
opportunities lie to make further progress 
across our portfolio. 

What’s next? 
 — For those products where we already 
have sustainable alternatives, we will 
engage with customers to drive the 
transition and replace unsustainable 
packaging in use today

 — For some products of our portfolio 
currently without a sustainable end-
of-life, we will target innovation and 
R&D to develop alternative solutions, 
leveraging existing infrastructure 
and technology

 — For a small portion of our portfolio 

where there is no sustainable 
alternative identifiable today, we 
will support development and scaling 
of suitable collection, sorting and 
recycling infrastructure

SASB  We take a life cycle-based approach to 

Target: 100% of our products  
are reusable, recyclable, 
or compostable by 2025 
We are committed to making innovative 
packaging and paper solutions that keep 
materials in circulation and prevent waste. 
We joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s 
New Plastics Economy initiative1 in 2018 
and committed to work towards eliminating 
plastic pollution and creating 100% 
reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic 
packaging, including a commitment to use 
25% post-consumer recycled content in our 
plastic packaging by 2025. With MAP2030, 
we extended the commitment to having 
100% of our products reusable, recyclable 
or compostable by 2025 across all Mondi 
products. 

In 2021, a cross-functional team of Mondi 
experts came together to develop circular 
driven solutions roadmaps for all business 
segments. We developed a new ‘Path to 
circularity’ scorecard to assess the circularity 
of our portfolio considering a sustainable 
end-of-life – reusable, recyclable or 
compostable products – and determine 
our baseline. The roadmaps provide a 
harmonised approach for measuring the 
end-of-life sustainability of our entire 
portfolio and tracking improvements in the 
use of renewable and/or recycled content 
in our products and solutions. 

Every business segment applied these 
definitions and developed roadmaps in 2021 
with outlook projections based on existing 
and planned initiatives. 

consider the trade-offs between different 
sustainability considerations across the 
whole value chain and product life cycle. 
Our new Product Impact Assessment 
(PIA) tool calculates the life cycle impacts 
of plastic- and paper-based products. 
It has been employed to meet customer 
requests for information on the climate and 
water impacts of our products. The PIA 
tool complements our Product Carbon 
Footprint (PCF) tool for paper-based 
products. In 2021, we carried out 86 PIA 
assessments and 238 PCF assessments.

Given the complexities of Life Cycle 
Assessments (LCAs), critical reviews are 
essential to assure reliable, objective and 
trustworthy data. Such reviews provide 
a critical process that ensures objectivity 
if the study conforms to the requirements 
of ISO 14044. In 2021, we launched an ISO-
compliant LCA study for our Advantage 
StretchWrap speciality kraft paper including 
a critical review by an expert panel. You can 
read about the results on page 28 of our 
2021 Sustainable Development report.

We need all our people – from technical 
product engineers and innovation 
teams to sales and marketing teams – 
to find solutions to meet our MAP2030 
commitment. In 2021, we offered 30 training 
sessions on sustainability-related topics to 
build capabilities and understanding across 
these functions, with 2,780 participants 
taking part.

As we evolve our portfolio and develop 
more circular solutions, we must consider the 
trade-offs between different sustainability 
considerations across the whole value chain 
and product life cycle

1  https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

 
 
48

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Circular Driven Solutions continued

Commitment
Avoid waste by keeping 
materials in circulation

Target
Eliminate waste to landfill from our 
manufacturing processes.

 On track

We focus on avoiding, reusing or recycling 
unavoidable waste generated in the 
manufacturing of our products instead of 
disposing of it to landfill. We work closely 
with partners including customers and 
suppliers, NGOs, and think tanks such 
as the New Plastics Economy initiative, 
to avoid waste across the value chain. 

Target: Eliminate waste to landfill 
from our manufacturing processes
Our manufacturing sites, R&D and 
innovation teams, environmental managers 
and sustainability experts are partnering 
to identify opportunities to achieve our 
ambitious target. Through MAP2030 
working groups, we provide regular 
updates and encourage collaboration 
across the Group.

Commitment
Work with others to eliminate 
unsustainable packaging

Target
Progress made through our partnerships 
and stakeholder engagement activities 
every year.

 On track

The circularity of products is a complex and 
evolving topic that spans the entire value 
chain. No single organisation can solve the 
sustainability challenges our industry faces 
alone – we must work together through 
industry associations and cross-value 
chain initiatives to eliminate unsustainable 
packaging, drive innovation and promote 
circular solutions at scale. 

How have we performed? 
In 2021, we reduced Mondi Group’s waste 
to landfill from our manufacturing processes 
by around 33,500 tonnes. This is equivalent 
to a 22% reduction of specific waste to 
landfill (per tonne of saleable production) 
against a 2020 baseline. This was driven 
by the start-up of a recultivation project for 
a second sludge pond at Syktyvkar (Russia). 

What’s next?
 — We are exploring options to further 
utilise renewable by-products from 
the kraft pulping process such as 
lignin from black liquor and Eucalyptol 
extraction. These have the potential 
to create new revenue streams while 
avoiding GHG emissions and reducing 
our waste

Instead of incinerating renewable by-
products from pulp production, we can sell 
biomass-based chemicals (e.g. tall oil) as 
a substitute for fossil fuel-based materials 
and the ash from our bark boilers can be 
used as secondary raw material in the 
production of cement and bricks. In 2021, 
we were awarded with a slot in the EU 
PITCCH project which supports our journey 
to identify new technologies and customers 
to realise value from the fly ash generated 
by our mills’ recovery boilers.

We are exploring options to further utilise 
renewable by-products from the kraft 
pulping process such as lignin from black 
liquor and Eucalyptol extraction. These can 
create new revenue streams while avoiding 
emissions and reducing waste. 

Our pulp mill at Kuopio (Finland) has been 
working with Soilfood, a manufacturer of 
soil improvement products for agriculture, 
to investigate whether fibre residues from 
our wastewater treatment works can be 
used to improve soil quality. In 2021, we 
were able to utilise around 39,000 tonnes 
of wastewater sludge as a soil improvement 
product.

Environmental performance 
Page 75-76

SASB  Target: Progress made through 

our partnerships and stakeholder 
engagement activities every year
The extensive engagement we carried 
out to develop our MAP2030 commitments 
identified the need for a target on 
partnerships to underline the essential 
contribution of collaboration to driving 
change at scale. We work with a wide 
range of stakeholders to drive progress 
and eliminate plastic waste in the 
environment. 

We leverage our R&D centres and  
work with partners and customers to  
create innovative, sustainable packaging 
and paper solutions that are designed 
for recycling or compostability at end 
of life. Roughly 80% of our business is 
fibre-based with the remainder mainly 
comprising flexible plastic packaging 
solutions. The main impacts of fibre and 
plastic occur at opposite ends of the 
value chain. For fibre, it is at the start of 
the value chain during harvesting, while for 
plastic it is the end of life impacts of plastic 
pollution in the environment and oceans. 

We direct our attention and resources 
towards partnerships and engagements 
along the value chain which we believe 
will enable us to have the most impact. 
Our Sustainable Development Committee 
and Executive Committee review our key 
engagements and partnerships annually 
and evaluate the progress we are making. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202149

We have continued to actively participate 
in 4evergreen, a cross-value chain alliance 
hosted by Cepi to boost the role of fibre-
based packaging in a circular economy 
and a climate neutral, sustainable society. 
The goal is to raise the overall recycling rate 
of fibre-based packaging in Europe to 90% 
by 2030, from 83% in 2020.2 

We signed up to the Ellen MacArthur 
Foundation Global Commitment in 2018, 
committing to achieve 100% reusable, 
recyclable or compostable plastic solutions 
by 2025. The threshold used by the Ellen 
MacArthur Foundation to prove recycling 
or composting works ‘in practice and at 
scale’ is a 30% recycling/composting rate 
achieved across multiple regions, collectively 
representing at least 400 million inhabitants. 
By using this definition, Mondi has not 
reported progress on its recyclability metric. 
However, we reported 28% of our plastic 
packaging as designed for recycling based 
on the CEFLEX guideline. We have focused 
our product development on structures 
that contain 30%-50% post-consumer resin 
(PCR), as requested by relevant customers 
and in support of our Global Commitment 
target to have 25% of plastic packaging 
from recycled content (where it does not 
compromise functionality or food health 
requirements). 

For example, we have a project using 
mechanically-recycled PCR for non-food 
and another using chemically-recycled resin 
for food packaging to comply with food 
safety requirements. The 2021 Progress 
Report is available online3. 

Other key partnerships include:

 — Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE): 

plays an advocacy role for the European 
flexible packaging industry. We have 
been a member of FPE’s sustainability 
committee since 2004. In 2020, FPE 
launched its vision for flexible packaging 
in a sustainable Europe. In collaboration 
with FPE and other industry partners, 
we are contributing to the development 
of the Product Environmental Footprint 
(PEF) Product Category Rules for flexible 
packaging with a supporting study.

 — CEFLEX: a pan-European multi-

stakeholder consortium working to make 
flexible packaging in Europe circular by 
2025. We are participating in three of the 
seven work streams: design guidelines, 
sustainable end markets and facilitating 
technologies. 

 — Circular Economy for Labels (CELAB): 
an initiative focused on enabling the 
recycling of self-adhesive labels. 
We are active on the Board of CELAB 
Global and engaged in technical work 
streams in Europe and North America 
addressing data mining, logistics and 
recycling solutions. 

How have we performed?
Our performance is not about the number 
of engagements but the quality of those 
engagements and the impact they achieve. 
It can be challenging to get agreement and 
drive progress in forums involving many 
different organisations operating across the 
value chain, but we are seeing progress. 

We are engaging with the right 
organisations and remain focused on 
sharing our expertise and enthusiasm to 
unlock new opportunities for our business 
and our industry.

What’s next? 
 — Continue with our key engagements 
to drive progress towards eliminating 
unsustainable packaging, particularly 
through our multi-stakeholder and 
cross-value chain collaborations 

 — Support the development of more 

harmonised approaches to collection, 
sorting and recycling across countries 
and regions

 — Use insights from our internal 

benchmarking to continue to develop 
innovative, sustainable alternatives 
to products that are not recyclable 
or compostable at scale today; and 
encourage customers to make the 
transition to circular driven solutions

2  Source: Eurostat, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/

view/ten00063/default/table

3   https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/global-commitment/

signatory-reports

knowledge 
+ 
partnership

Developing more 
sustainable packaging 
with the World Food 
Programme
In February 2021, we announced 
a three-year, $1 million partnership with 
the World Food Programme (WFP). 
The aim of our extensive packaging 
capabilities and R&D infrastructure 
will enable WFP to explore effective 
sustainable packaging solutions without 
compromising on essential functionality.

WFP does not endorse any product or service.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements50

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Created by Empowered People

Keeping people safe and healthy 
is a moral and a business imperative. 
Our operations involve high-risk 
activities and providing a safe 
and healthy working environment 
is a minimum expectation of our 
stakeholders. Looking after ourselves 
and each other is fundamental to our 
culture, mindset and daily conduct. 

The challenges of COVID-19 highlighted 
the need to focus on supporting 
employees’ work-life experience and 
mental wellbeing. Higher stress reduces 
concentration and slows reaction 
time which can lead to a higher risk 
of incidents and impact the physical 
and mental health of employees. 

Inspire our people 
Page 37-38

Target: Enable our employees 
to participate in upskilling 
programmes 
Mondi Academy is our global learning 
hub which comprises a Group-wide 
training network including local academies. 
The Mondi Academy e-learning campus, 
launched in 2021, can be accessed anytime, 
from anywhere by our employees. 

The Mondi Learning library also offers 
employees access to eBooks and 
audio learning in various categories. 
Additional upskilling offered to our 
employees includes external education, 
on-site and on-the-job training. We aim to 
help develop knowledge around products, 
innovation, people skills, agile ways of 
working, technology and trends impacting 
strategic business areas with a special 
focus on sustainability. 

With around 26,500 people working 
in over 30 countries, we need to inspire 
a global workforce and enable them 
to develop the skills they need now and 
in the future. Digitalisation, automation 
and augmentation will shape the future 
workplace and we must develop skills 
programmes that enable everyone 
to acquire and refine the needed 
skills and capabilities.

Our role as an employer is one 
of our main contributions to society. 
We want to support our employees 
to realise their individual purpose 
and see their contribution to Mondi’s 
purpose. A diverse workforce thinks more 
creatively and responds better to local 
contexts and changing environments.

Commitment
Build skills that support  
long-term employability

Target
Enable our employees to participate 
in upskilling programmes

 On track

We respond to changing requirements 
by creating upskilling programmes which 
support the personal growth and long-term 
employability of Mondi employees and 
empower our business to succeed. 

Focusing on critical roles and succession 
planning, we create targeted programmes 
to enable employees to acquire and 
develop new skills to meet our strategic 
objectives and support individual career 
paths. Many operations also offer local 
training dedicated to the needs of their 
employees and businesses. Employees have 
access to diverse learning opportunities 
that are continually refined based on 
business need, employee feedback, best-
practices, trends and new technologies. 

Individual Development Plans (IDP) are 
a tool for employees to define their short 
and long-term goals. Mentoring and 
coaching also play an important role and 
transparency, assessment and feedback 
is key to supporting personal development. 

Performance and Development Reviews 
(PDRs) and 360° feedback enable people 
to understand how their behaviours are 
perceived and identify strengths and areas 
for improvement. 

We use both formal and informal 
processes to communicate and engage 
with employees, together with PDRs. 
In addition to our global intranet platform, 
regular local sessions focus on safety, 
operational objectives and the Mondi 
Way. Our Group-wide employee survey, 
conducted every two years, enables us to 
understand employee views and consider 
them in our strategy and decision-making. 
There are a number of performance-related 
pay schemes that reward employees for 
the pursuit and achievement of business 
objectives, in which the majority of our 
employees participate. We also have long 
service and recognition awards across 
the organisation.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021We have refreshed our targeted 
programme for First Line Managers 
who are the important link between the 
production floor and strategic decision 
makers. This programme focuses on the 
challenges of leadership and the importance 
of strategic focus on topics such as 
sustainability and diversity and inclusion 
(D&I). Content was refreshed in 2021 to 
increase the focus on agile leadership and 
people skills such as empathy and listening, 
giving guidance and feedback and fostering 
team collaboration.

How have we performed? 
In 2021, 8,800 employees had access to 
the PDR process (2020: 8,400) with 8,600 
completing their review using the online 
system (2020: 7,980). The opportunity to 
develop an Individual Development Plan 
(IDP) was used by 69% of employees with 
access to the PDR system. Around 600 
employees received 360° feedback in 2021 
(2020: 355). 

We had 26,200 Mondi participants 
attend training offered by Mondi Academy 
international and local operations, 

with a 21% female participation rate. 
In total, our employees and contractors 
completed 741,700 hours of training 
in 2021 (2020: 617,470), including 46% 
of hours dedicated to safety training 
(2020: 42%). Our EcoSolutions and 
Sustainability trainings were offered in 
addition to the Mondi Academy initiatives, 
with 2,780 participants joining 30 internal 
online training sessions to build capacity. 
Since 2010, more than 1,200 Mondi 
managers have successfully participated 
in the First Line Managers’ programme 
and 52 managers took part in 2021.

Group-wide employee  
and contractor training
Including acquisitions

Total training hours

741,700 617,470

2021

2020

Average training hours  
per employee (including 
safety training for 
contractors)

28

24

Total training includes all local vocational, Mondi Academy, 
health and safety and EcoSolutions and sustainability training.

Commitment
Provide purposeful employment 
for all our employees in a diverse 
and inclusive workplace

Target
Achieve 90% Purpose Satisfaction 
score in our employee survey

 On track

Achieve 90% Inclusiveness score 
in our employee survey

 On track

Employ 30% women across Mondi

 On track

Our commitment to providing purposeful 
employment is embedded in our culture 
and delivered through initiatives spanning 
leadership, personal development and 
employee engagement. Equal opportunity 
is a priority and we have zero tolerance 
for discrimination and harassment. 
This is addressed by our D&I Policy1 and 
we are a signatory of the UN Women’s 
Empowerment Principles.

Our D&I taskforce shapes our approach, 
supported by Executive Committee 
members via the D&I Steering Committee. 
While our policies and processes enable 
gender equality, we need to do more 
to ensure our people are hired, paid, 
and promoted fairly and equitably. 
Recruitment activities are aligned with our 
D&I Policy to promote diversity and ensure 
fair and non-discriminatory work practices 
for recruitment and succession planning. 

We consider all applications for 
employment in a fair and balanced way, 
based on capabilities, skills and experience. 
Our Labour and Human Rights Policy 
commits us to consistent and fair training, 
career development and promotion, 
including for people with disabilities. 
At our Group office in Vienna, we have 
partnered with myAbility, a social business 
which brings together companies and 
people with disabilities to foster a more 
inclusive workplace. In the event of an 
employee suffering a life-altering injury 
at work, we facilitate appropriate medical 
treatment and ongoing rehabilitation, and 
support their continued employment by 
finding alternative equivalent jobs for them, 
where required.

51

What’s next? 
 — Continue to identify critical skills 

that benefit our employees and our 
business, and develop relevant learning 
and development opportunities

 — Maintain succession planning as a key 
activity to make sure we have a strong 
pipeline, building on development 
programmes including international 
graduate programmes, young talent 
programmes and future leader 
programmes

 — Further promote the take up of 

Individual Development Plans as key 
to individual career journeys

Target: Achieve 90% Purpose 
Satisfaction score in our employee 
survey 
Our most recent biennial employee survey, 
completed in 2020, highlighted the need 
to improve the emotional connection of our 
employees to Mondi. These insights were 
used to shape our MAP2030 framework. 
Two key areas identified for improvement 
were recognition and strengthening 
the pride of colleagues in Mondi. 
In response, we improved best-practice 
sharing, developed communication and 
engagement campaigns and established 
a cross-country employer branding focus 
group. These activities are complemented 
with a broad range of local initiatives.

1  https://www.mondigroup.com/media/12838/diversity-policy-

october-2020.pdf

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements52

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Created by Empowered People continued

Gender diversity 2021*

Male

% Female

Directors

5 56%

Senior managers

266 80%

Employees

21,237 79% 5,585 21%

%

SASB  Target: Achieve 90% inclusiveness 
score in our employee survey 
Our aim is to create equal opportunities 
for people from all walks of life and across 
all aspects of gender, race, ethnicity, age 
and sexual orientation. 

4 44%

68 20%

*  As at 31 December 2021. Senior managers as defined by 

Mondi and including subsidiary directors in accordance with 
the definition set out in Section 414C of the UK Companies 
Act 2006

Diversity 
of the Board

  Female 

  Male 

  Female 

  Male 

4

5

3

6

Diversity of the 
Executive Committee

We are developing an inclusive culture 
where all employees can grow and 
contribute to Mondi’s success based on 
their individual backgrounds, experience 
and ideas. 

In 2021, we created a roadmap for 
delivering our MAP2030 commitment 
including plans to evolve our D&I strategy, 
develop leaders as D&I change agents 
and establish a global community to drive 
D&I initiatives. These aims will be achieved 
through community building, learning and 
development, and supporting targeted 
and fair recruitment practices. 

We invest in recruiting and developing 
a diverse and agile workforce. All Mondi 
Academy programmes include elements 
designed to increase intercultural 
competences and D&I awareness. 
Other initiatives include mentoring 
(and reverse mentoring), conscious 
inclusion and global leadership training. 
The conscious inclusion training was 
completed by 123 employees in 13 teams 
in 2021 (2020: 97 employees in 10 teams). 

Target: Employ 30% women 
across Mondi 
Increasing the representation of 
women at all levels is a strategic priority 
in the traditionally male-dominated 
forest products and packaging sectors. 
To establish an ambitious but realistic 
target, our goal of 30% representation 
of women across Mondi was derived by 
analysing labour market data and education 
statistics as well as internal data such 
as the 2020 baseline of 21% women and 
turnover rates.

To reach our new ambition, four out of 
every ten new hires will need to be women 
as of the 2020 baseline. Ensuring equitable 
processes to hire and promote diverse 
talent and developing a diverse succession 
pipeline will be key. We are critically 
reflecting on our current recruitment 
practices to achieve this. Employees with 
potential for future development are 
identified through roundtable processes 
that include time for reflection on biases 
and hidden talents to ensure we take care 
to give fair consideration to everyone. 

How have we performed? 
We first measured Purpose Satisfaction 
in our 2020 employee survey resulting 
in an overall score of 78%. This index 
comprises questions covering development 
opportunities, pride to work for Mondi, 
recognition and personal accomplishment, 
among others.

Our 2020 employee survey also included 
a set of questions covering respect, 
fairness and trust to evaluate our approach 
towards improving D&I. The result was a 
79% favourable score which is the baseline 
for our ambitious target of an Inclusiveness 
score of 90% by 2030. 

At the end of 2021, 21% of employees were 
female (2020: 21%) and there were four 
female directors (44%) on the Mondi Board 
(2020: 25%). Female representation on our 
Executive Committee is 33% (2020: 33%) 
and the proportion of female direct reports 
to the Executive Committee is 30% 
(2020: 29%). 

What’s next? 
 — Continue to implement measures 
to provide a purposeful workplace 
and equal opportunities

 — Mainstream D&I and broaden our 

D&I community by raising awareness 
and fostering personal growth among 
all managers and employees

 — Evolve our 2022 employee survey to 
provide a more flexible process and 
find new ways to engage frequently 
to understand employee needs, 
particularly related to purpose, 
inclusion and engagement

Nominations Committee 
Page 121-125
Inspire our people 
Page 37-38

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202153

We promote a 24-hour safety mindset 
and strive to bring the unconscious to 
the conscious – thinking about the work 
we do before starting to ensure it is done 
safely. We are rolling out an engagement 
board process to help our leaders to 
engage with employees and contractors 
with a focus on social psychology of 
risk elements.

While COVID-19 slowed implementation 
of some of our safety and health tools 
and training, we still delivered most 
of our training sessions online in 2021. 
This included 290,102 hours of general 
safety training and 39,943 hours of 
critical safety training against a target 
of 167,510 hours. 89 people have now 
attended the fifth module of the dedicated 
programme for safety, health and 
environment (SHE) professionals and 1,566 
people have attended the three-day first-
line managers training programme. 

How have we performed?
There were no fatalities in 2021 but one of 
our contractors unfortunately experienced 
a life-altering injury in January 2021 when 
they slipped during winter conditions 
while disembarking a harvester in our 
forestry operations in Finland, losing a 
finger as a result. To prevent reoccurrence, 
the operation has reviewed clothing and 
jewellery policy to address the wearing 
of rings. 

A life-altering injury occurred in January 
2022, when an employee lost four fingers 
while working on rotating equipment. 
The incident was investigated and 
actions were taken accordingly to prevent 
a reoccurrence. 

We had 240 recordable cases in 
our operations (excluding acquisitions) 
in 2021; 176 related to employees and 
64 to contractors (2020: 217; 157 related 
to employees and 60 to contractors). 
This equates to a TRCR of 0.62 (2020: 0.58); 
0.74 related to employees (2020: 0.68); 
and 0.43 related to contractors (2020: 0.43). 
This represents a 6.2% increase compared 
with our 2020 baseline. We have achieved 
our TRCR milestone for 2021, set at 0.62 
to allow for the longer shut at our Richards 
Bay mill (which included a recovery boiler 
rebuild, involving many contractors, 
additional risk and working hours).

Commitment
Create an environment that 
enables a positive work-life 
experience, valuing our safety, 
health and mental wellbeing

Target
Zero fatalities 

 On track

Zero life-altering injuries 

 Slightly behind target

15% reduction of total recordable 
case rate (TRCR)

 On track

Support our employees in pursuit of 
a work-life experience that enhances 
their wellbeing

 On track

Our operations drive awareness of 
and take measures to improve health 
and mental wellbeing

 On track

Our MAP2030 commitments and core 
values of Performance, Care and Integrity 
hold us accountable for creating a working 
environment that values safety, health and 
mental wellbeing. 

Our safety approach centres on a 24-hour 
safety mindset and managing top risks. 
We are shifting our focus from traditional 
safety, which focuses mainly on controls, 
to addressing social psychology and cultural 
elements to drive continuous improvement 
in our safety performance. We use ‘current’ 
and ‘lead’ indicators in addition to traditional 
‘lag’ indicators to drive proactive efforts 
to address risks before an incident occurs. 
Performance against these indicators form 
part of our senior managers’ bonus scheme.

We seek to create a positive work-life 
experience that enhances performance, 
attracts and retains talent and supports the 
physical and mental health and wellbeing 
of our employees and contractors in our 
offices, plants, mills and forestry operations. 
We are developing flexible working models 
and increasing efforts to give all employees 
access to assistance programmes and 
support, with a strong focus on mental 
wellbeing. 

Targets: Zero fatalities, life-altering 
injuries and 15% reduction of total 
recordable case rate (TRCR) 
We are committed to going beyond 
industry-minimum requirements to ensure 
our employees and contractors return 
home safely, every day. Our target of 
a 15% reduction in total recordable case 
rate is set against our already impressive 
2020 baseline, meaning a 1.5% reduction 
per year on average.

Our operations involve high-risk 
activities, meaning that it is a moral 
and a business imperative to ensure 
everyone who works for and on 
behalf of Mondi stays safe  
and healthy

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements54

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Created by Empowered People continued

Target: Support our employees 
in pursuit of a work-life experience 
that enhances their wellbeing

Target: Our operations drive 
awareness of and take measures 
to improve health and mental 
wellbeing 
With many non-production employees 
working remotely during the pandemic, we 
established a taskforce to develop a new 
Flexible Work Framework that will cover 
all Mondi colleagues regardless of whether 
they work in an office, plant, mill or in 
forestry. We have also developed training 
and tools to enable our leaders to adapt 
how they engage with their teams, including 
remote leadership trainings.

The Employee Assistance Programme 
(EAP) is a 100% confidential telephone 
service provided by an external company 
of qualified counsellors. In 2021, the EAP 
was expanded to cover 97% of Mondi 
colleagues worldwide who can now rely 
on an EAP-equivalent system for help 
and support. 

Occupational health programmes are 
in place at all our operations. Initiatives  
to promote health and wellbeing include 
mobile health clinics in South Africa, 
on-site health and wellbeing facilities and 
promotion of sports, health and recreation. 

We established vaccination and testing 
facilities at several Mondi operations and 
ran educational and awareness campaigns 
and provided psychological support to 
address anxiety of employees and families 
during the pandemic.

How have we performed? 
Monitoring performance against this 
commitment is challenging. Quality of 
work-life experience and mental wellbeing 
are very individual and difficult to define 
and measure as a KPI. We are developing 
a more flexible approach to understand 
the views of our employees through our 
employee survey. 

What’s next? 
 — Continue to develop and implement 
tools to increase understanding of 
social psychology of risk and drive 
improvements across all aspects 
of risk and safety

 — Develop frameworks and practices 
for operations which incorporate 
concepts of mental health and 
wellbeing to ensure projects are 
designed with consideration of the 
impact on people 

 — Continue to roll out and raise 

awareness of assistance programmes 
and culture initiatives in support of 
mental health

 — Continue to explore aspects of 

flexible working such as when we 
work and how much we work as the 
next phase of our Flexible Working 
Framework

Support 
+ 
care

Rising to the 
challenges of the 
pandemic
The hashtag #StrongerTogether 
was created in 2020 as a symbol 
for Mondi employees’ solidarity and 
support for each other in difficult 
times. What started with a simple 
word became a global movement in  
2021 and the focus shifted to mental  
health and wellbeing while restrictions 
around the world remained in place.

#StrongerTogether

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Taking Action on Climate

55

We also purchase energy from the grid 
(Scope 2) and have indirect GHG emissions 
throughout the value chain mainly as a 
result of our purchase of raw materials, 
fuels and transportation (Scope 3).

Our planet is facing a dual crisis of climate 
change and biodiversity loss which are 
closely interconnected. Climate change 
mitigation relies on nature-based solutions 
such as resilient forest ecosystems and 
resilience in nature depends on the ability 
of ecosystems to adapt to a changing 
climate. This is why we put commitments 
on zero deforestation, healthy and resilient 
forests, biodiversity and water stewardship 
at the centre of our climate action. 

Read our in-depth review  
of how we manage climate-
related risks and opportunities 
in our TCFD statement
Page 60-67

SASB 

Target: Reduce our Scope 1  
and 2 emissions by 34% per  
tonne of saleable production  
by 2025 and 72% by 2050 from  
a 2014 base year 
This science-based reduction target covers 
more than 95% of the total Scope 1 and 2 
GHG emissions1 of our pulp and paper mills 
and aligns with the pulp and paper sector 
reduction pathway under a 2°C scenario 
within the Sectoral Decarbonisation 
Approach. 44% of the Group´s Scope 1 
emissions are reported in regions with 
limits on GHG emissions of which 27% are 
covered by the EU ETS and 17% by South 
Africa’s carbon tax.

1  The boundary of our targets includes biogenic emissions 

and removals from bioenergy feedstocks

The impact of climate change and 
pace of change is proving a challenge 
for governments as they plan their 
future programmes. The private sector 
plays a critical role in setting targets 
and innovating to reduce greenhouse 
gas (GHG) emissions to help drive the 
transition to a low carbon economy. 

Taking committed steps to reduce  
our GHG emissions will help minimise 
our contribution to climate change and 
improve efficiency as we reduce our 
energy use and deliver value through 
sustainable solutions. Our primary direct 
carbon impact occurs through combustion 
of fuels to generate the energy required  
for our manufacturing (Scope 1). 

Commitment
Reduce our greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions in line with 
science-based targets

Target
Reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions 
by 34% per tonne of saleable production 
by 2025 and 72% by 2050 from a 2014 
base year

 On track

Reduce Scope 2 GHG emissions by 
39% per MWh by 2025 and by 86% 
by 2050 from a 2014 base year

 On track

Set a science-based Scope 3 reduction 
target by 2025

 On track

Our MAP2030 Climate Action roadmap 
supports the transition to a low carbon 
economy by reducing our carbon footprint 
across the value chain and shifting to low 
carbon energy. 

We use a science-based approach to 
set targets that are in line with climate 
science, while combining strategic energy-
related investments at our pulp and 
paper mills with good management and 
best practice sharing. We have invested 
around €650 million in energy-related 
projects since 2015 with an additional 
€400-500 million in the pipeline for 
energy-related investment projects  
by 2025.

Energy-related investments 
Page 62

In 2021 we committed to set an ambitious 
science-based target to achieve Net-Zero 
by 2050 in line with the Science Based 
Targets initiative (SBTi) guidelines for a 
Net-Zero commitment. This means that 
we have clear action plans to reduce GHG 
emissions in line with a 1.5°C scenario and 
have set a Scope 3 target for our indirect 
emissions. We will publish and report 
against our updated targets once they 
have been validated by the SBTi later this 
year. In addition, we remain committed 
to zero deforestation in our wood fibre 
supply chains and to maintaining carbon 
sinks in forestry through implementation 
of best forest management and silviculture 
practices. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements56

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Taking Action on Climate continued

We have been investing to improve the 
energy efficiency at our plants and shifting 
our fuel mix to renewable biomass which 
offers the most significant potential for 
reducing our GHG emissions. As a result, 
Mondi has steadily increased its electricity 
self-sufficiency over time. In 2021, we 
purchased 53,190 TJ of fossil fuels and 
used 97,800 TJ of biomass to generate 
most of our energy and electricity on-site in 
our energy plants. In addition to the energy 
we need to run our operations, we also 
sell excess heat to external energy users, 
such as local communities. The energy 
sold resulted in 0.8 million tonnes of 
GHG emissions (2020: 0.8 million tonnes) 
accounting for 21% of the Group’s total 
CO2e emissions in 2021. 

Target: Reduce Scope 2 GHG 
emissions by 39% per MWh by 
2025 and by 86% by 2050 from 
a 2014 base year 
One of our priorities is to reduce the 
amount of energy we use in our processes 
which also reduces our need for electricity 
from external grid providers. We have 
developed a roadmap to reduce the 
Scope 2 factor kg CO2e/MWh of regional 
electricity purchases. We are investigating 
long-term power purchase agreements 
(PPAs) with green electricity providers 
(e.g. windfarms and photovoltaic energy 
providers) to further increase our future 
renewable electricity supply. Where no 
alternative renewable electricity is currently 
available (for example in South Africa), 
reduced Scope 2 emissions can be 
achieved by investing in our mills’ electricity 
self-sufficiency using renewable sources, 
where feasible. 

Target: Set a science-based Scope 
3 reduction target by 2025
Our Scope 3 emissions are estimated to 
represent 45% of our total GHG emissions. 
We have developed a science-based 
Scope 3 GHG reduction target as part of 
our Net-Zero plan. Engaging with suppliers, 
especially suppliers of raw materials and 
fuel, is key to reducing our Scope 3 GHG 
emissions. We will intensify supplier 
engagement and request carbon footprint 
data and information on supplier GHG 
emissions reduction targets and plans to 
transition to Net-Zero.

GHG emissions of our pulp and paper mills

Absolute Scope 1 emissions 
(million tonnes CO2e)

Absolute Scope 2 emissions 
(million tonnes CO2e)

Specific GHG emissions (tonnes 
CO2e per tonne of saleable production)**

Specific Scope 1 emissions (tonnes 
CO2e per tonne of saleable production)

Specific Scope 2 emissions (tonnes 
CO2e per tonne of saleable production)

2014
baseline*

2020

2021

SASB 

% change 
2020-2021

4.3 

3.5

3.6

1.2%

1.0 

0.43

0.45

4.5%

0.84

0.64

0.63

-2.3%

0.69

0.57

0.56

-2.6%

0.15

0.07

0.07

0.5%

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 been engaged to provide 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
*   For the calculation of the specific 2014 baseline we excluded divested mills; the absolute 2014 figure includes divested mills
**  The specific GHG emission of our mills per tonne of saleable production includes GHG emissions related to manufacturing  

(0.50 t/t) and to energy sales (0.13 t/t)

Energy consumption of our pulp and paper mills

Energy consumed by pulp and paper core 
processes in the form of heat and electricity 
at our operations (billion kWh)

Energy purchased by our mills from external 
sources (billion kWh)

Total electricity requirements for producing 
pulp and paper (billion kWh)

Total heat requirements for producing pulp 
and paper (billion kWh)

Energy sold to the local grids  
(billion kWh)

Total energy sales including green  
fuel sales (billion kWh)

Our mills’ electricity self-sufficiency***

***Including energy generated for sale

2014  
baseline

2020

2021

% change 
2020-2021

25.2

26.3

26.3

0.2%

2.1

5.6

1.0

5.8

1.2

29.5%

5.6

-3.4%

19.6

20.4

20.7

1.2%

3.0

3.6

95%

2.3

2.8

104%

2.4

4.2%

2.8

99%

3.2%

-5%

Energy consumption of Group (including converting plants) 

Total energy use (million kWh)

Energy purchased (million kWh)

Scope 1 emissions (t CO2e)

Scope 2 emissions (t CO2e)

†  No UK production sites were operated in 2021

2020

2021

Mondi  
Group

UK  
operations

Mondi  
Group

UK
operations†

43,500

1,542

9.0

3.5

41,589

1,852

3,667,020

1,247 3,715,327

652,237

873 630,254

–

–

–

–

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202157

SASB 

How have we performed?
In 2021, we reduced the specific  
Scope 1 emissions of our mills by 2.6% to 
0.56 t CO2e/t (2020: 0.57 t CO2e/t), mainly 
due to our investments in our Syktyvkar 
(Russia) and Ružomberok (Slovakia) mills. 
Since 2004, the baseline year of our first 
Group-wide GHG target, we have reduced 
specific GHG emissions by 46% and our 
absolute GHG emissions by 37%. 

43% of our purchased electricity is 
now from renewable sources (2020: 5%). 
Our converting operations contribute 29% 
of the Group’s total Scope 2 emissions and 
are focused on increasing energy efficiency 
and purchasing electricity from renewable 
sources. In 2021, we decreased our total 
Group’s Scope 2 emissions by 3.4% by 
securing renewable electricity at our mills 
in Dynäs (Sweden), Ružomberok (Slovakia) 
and Frantschach (Austria).

Our Scope 3 emissions in 2021 were 
estimated at 3.5 million tonnes CO2e, an 
increase of 9.1% against 2020, mainly due 
to improved data (e.g. replacing secondary 
data from publicly available and accepted 
data sources with primary data from 
our suppliers).

Commitment
Maintain zero deforestation in 
our wood supply, sourcing from 
healthy and resilient forests

Target
Maintain 100% FSCTM certification 
in our own forest landholdings

 On track

100% responsibly sourced fibre with 
75% FSCTM- or PEFCTM-certified fibre 
procured by 2025 and the remainder 
meeting the FSCTM Controlled Wood 
standard

 On track

Implement leading forestry measures 
to ensure productive, healthy and 
resilient forests

 On track

What’s next? 
 — Work with SBTi to validate our 

updated Scope 1, 2 and 3 short-term 
GHG reduction targets and our new 
long-term science-based Net-Zero 
targets

 — Continue to invest in energy efficiency 
and fuel change to reduce Scope 1 
emissions, especially through 
the modernisation of our on-site 
energy plants

 — Intensify engagement activities with 

partners and suppliers to support our 
Scope 3 reduction plan

 — Continue to engage with electricity 

providers to further increase 
the share of renewables of our 
electricity purchased

Energy management
 — Mondi Group generates 99%2 

SASB 

of the electricity required for its 
manufacturing sites in its own 
energy plants

 — 4,452 TJ of excess energy is sold 

in the form of steam (e.g. for central 
heating), and 4,176 TJ of electricity 
is sold back to the public grid 

 — 65% of the fuels incinerated in our 

energy plants in 2021 were biomass, 
of which 84% are generated from by-
products of the pulp process or from 
our wastewater treatment plants

2  This figure includes energy generated for electricity sales. 
The total is the average across all our operations and does 
not imply that each operation is self-sufficient 

Continued collaboration 
with partners and customers 
is one of our key priorities as we 
tackle our Scope 3 emissions 
going forward

Healthy and resilient forests are vital 
to the circular bioeconomy as a source 
of low carbon, renewable, recyclable and 
compostable material. Forests are also 
central to our business as wood fibre is our 
most important raw material for producing 
our sustainable paper and packaging 
solutions. 

Deforestation remains a major global 
challenge and a leading contributor 
to climate change and biodiversity loss. 
At the same time, some production 
landscapes face challenges to the health 
and resilience of forests due to changing 
climatic conditions such as heavy rainfall, 
drought, frost and windstorms. 

We are committed to ensuring 
deforestation-free supply chains and to 
prioritise sourcing from markets close 
to our pulp and paper mills across central 
Europe, South Africa and north-western 
Russia, while implementing our due 
diligence management system (DDMS). 
We do not use indigenous tropical tree 
species or genetically modified trees, nor 
do we accept CITES and IUCN protected 
tree species.3 

We consume around 17 million m3 of wood 
annually in the form of round wood and 
wood chips. We manage around 2.4 million 
hectares of natural forestry landholdings in 
Russia and 254,000 hectares of plantation 
forest landholdings in South Africa, from 
where we source around one quarter 
of the wood we consume. Nearly three 
quarters of our wood is purchased from 
external suppliers, mainly in central Europe. 
We also buy a small proportion of pulp 
and packaging paper from the market – 
0.3 and 0.8 million tonnes respectively. 

Our commitment is to use 100% 
responsibly sourced fibre, which is 
FSC- or PEFC-certified or compliant 
with FSC Controlled Wood standard as 
a minimum. Controlled Wood standards 
are instrumental in addressing legal, 
environmental and social requirements 
through a risk-based approach which is 
underpinned by third party country-level 
risk assessments embedded into our 
DDMS.

3  The Convention of International Trade on Endangered 
Species (CITES) or the Red List of International Union  
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements58

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Taking Action on Climate continued

Target: Maintain 100% FSCTM 
certification in our own forest 
landholdings
Credible third-party certification supports 
our forestry operations in complying 
with internationally recognised standards 
for sustainable forestry inclusive of 
environmental management. We reached 
the milestone of 100% of our forestry 
landholdings FSC-certified in 2009 and 
have maintained this level of certification 
ever since.

We ensure timely certification of newly 
acquired landholdings. In Russia, we 
extended our forestry landholdings up to 
2.4 million hectares by leasing an additional 
229,000 hectares in 2020 and 161,000 
hectares in 2021. The vast majority of new 
areas are included in the scope of our 
existing FSC and PEFC certificates. We are 
preparing the remaining 36,000 hectares 
for certification in 2022. In South Africa, 
we successfully maintained FSC forest 
management certification for 254,000 
hectares of our landholdings. 

Target: 100% responsibly sourced 
fibre with 75% FSCTM- or PEFCTM-
certified fibre procured by 2025 
and the remainder meeting the 
FSCTM Controlled Wood standard
We have defined specific certification 
targets for each of our mills considering 
the availability of certified forests in local 
wood sourcing regions. Most of the 
countries where Mondi operates have 
high demand for certified wood and we 
face a challenge with limited availability of 
certified forests in some sourcing regions. 

We are working with partners to increase 
the availability of certified wood fibre in 
these regions.

Target: Implement leading forestry 
measures to ensure productive, 
healthy and resilient forests

We have an opportunity to lead the way in 
our own forestry operations by developing 
best practice silviculture and other forest 
management practices. 

In South Africa, we have developed 
a comprehensive tree improvement 
programme as well as silviculture 
techniques to maintain healthy, resilient 
and productive tree plantations. In Russia, 
while protecting the most valuable 
primary forests, we have established 
a long-standing programme to support 
the sustainable intensification of 
commercially used forest areas. 

In central Europe, we support the uptake 
of climate-fit forestry practices through 
collaboration with partners and suppliers. 
In 2021, this included a Think Tank meeting 
that we arranged with business and science 
representatives within our partnership with 
IUFRO towards climate-fit forests. 

More broadly, we have worked with 
other members of the WBCSD’s Forest 
Solutions Group (FSG) to develop 
the ‘Forest Sector Net-Zero Roadmap’ 
to convey the transformational role 
of the forest sector in tackling climate 
change.4 Through our membership of the 
Confederation of European Paper Industries 
(Cepi), we also engaged in discussions 
related to the EU Green Deal, specifically 
on the EU Forest Strategy and the EU 
Biodiversity Strategy.

Science 
+ 
BUsiness

Working with IUFRO 
for climate-fit forestry
In July 2021, we announced a three-
year partnership with the International 
Union of Forest Research Organizations 
(IUFRO) to identify viable responses 
to climate-related threats to forests 
and forest-based industries. We aim to 
establish a science-business platform 
to address climate challenges and 
identify ways forward for the forestry 
and business community. 

How have we performed? 
We have maintained 100% of our own 
forestry landholdings as FSC-certified 
complemented by other certification 
schemes. Both our forestry operations 
successfully maintained certification of 
their environmental management systems 
according to the ISO 14001 (2015) standard.

100% of our wood fibre procured in 2021 
was from responsible sources with 77% 
FSC- or PEFC-certified wood and the 
remainder being compliant with the FSC 
Controlled Wood standards. 

We continued to develop and implement 
leading forestry measures in line with our 
target. In particular we have ensured that 
average annual growth exceeds wood 
harvesting rates in our landholdings and 
have controlled the risk of catastrophic fires 
with a robust fire management system. 

What’s next? 
 — Continue to support development 

of forest management certification at 
scale, promoting a balanced approach 
to the role of sustainably managed 
forests for wood fibre production 
while maintaining their role for climate 
change mitigation, biodiversity 
conservation and other ecosystem 
services

 — Build on current science-based 
collaborations to develop a 
comprehensive and accurate 
understanding of the climate change 
mitigation and adaptation potential 
in our own forestry landholdings and 
external wood sourcing areas and 
products 

 — Conduct a peer review of our carbon 
balance, taking into account the new 
international accounting guidelines 
being developed for carbon removals 
as part of the GHG Protocol

Procurement 
Page 72-74

4  https://www.wbcsd.org/Sector-Projects/Forest-Solutions-
Group/Resources/Forest-Sector-Net-Zero-Roadmap

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202159

In Russia, we have worked with local 
NGO Silver Taiga Foundation to produce 
practical guidelines on biodiversity 
conservation in Komi Republic. In 2021, 
with support from Mondi and other large 
forest companies in the region, Silver Taiga 
Foundation produced video instructions on 
biodiversity conservation measures during 
logging operations to make the guidelines 
more accessible to wood suppliers, 
including SMEs.

In 2021, we reviewed the reports for 
our mills in Kematen and Hausmening 
(both Austria) in detail. No material issues 
requiring biodiversity action plans were 
identified.

How have we performed? 
We conducted water stewardship 
assessment in two mills. We also finalised 
biodiversity status reviews of our mills and 
proceeded with action plans in three mills. 
We have also undertaken a biodiversity 
status review in our forestry operations 
in South Africa and conducted preparatory 
work for a similar assessment in Russia. 

What’s next? 
 — Continue to update biodiversity 

and water stewardship status reports 
and action plans for our forestry 
operations and define a set of  
high-level KPIs

 — Continue rolling out assessment 

of biodiversity and water stewardship 
in our mills and set actions based 
on materiality of the issues identified 

 — Continue to define key principles for 
our multi-stakeholder and landscape-
level approaches to ecosystem 
stewardship 

Commitment
Safeguard biodiversity and 
water resources in our operations 
and beyond

Target
Conduct water stewardship assessments 
at our mills and forest operations by 
2025, and implement required actions 
to address the findings by 2030

 On track

Conduct biodiversity assessments 
at our mills and forest operations, 
introducing biodiversity action plans 
where necessary by 2025

 On track

The proceedings of COP26 once again 
highlighted the critical role of nature with 
a strong call for urgent action to stop 
nature loss and to reverse the trend and 
achieve full recovery by 2050. A number 
of international frameworks on nature 
assessment and accounting are emerging 
to help drive this change by making impacts 
and progress measurable and quantifiable. 

Biodiversity and water stewardship 
assessments for our forestry operations and 
mills support us to manage our impacts and 
dependences on nature to achieve healthy 
ecosystems around our manufacturing sites 
and beyond at a landscape level. 

SASB 

Target: Conduct water  
stewardship assessments at  
our mills and forest operations  
by 2025, and implement required 
actions to address the findings  
by 2030 
In addition to the impacts of climate 
change on freshwater ecosystems and 
water cycles, industrial water withdrawal 
from freshwater ecosystems can lower 
the water table, reducing the volume of 
water available to other stakeholders and 
the healthy functioning of ecosystems. 
This can have negative economic and 
social consequences for local communities. 
We have made water stewardship a priority, 
especially in water-stressed and water-
scarce regions.

We work with our partners to develop 
approaches for evaluating and mitigating 
the impacts on quantity of water available 
and quality of freshwater ecosystems in 
key water catchments. 

We extended our WWF-Mondi Water 
Stewardship Partnership for the next 
three years to promote best practices 
across priority water catchments. We are 
also a member of the Alliance for Water 
Stewardship (AWS) – a global membership 
collaboration comprising businesses, 
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) 
and the public sector. Together with WWF 
and AWS, we consolidated best available 
practices gained from our membership to 
develop a Mondi Group Water Stewardship 
standard which we are implementing. 
We will assess all our mills and forestry 
operations according to the Group Water 
Stewardship Standard by 2025 and identify 
actions, investments and stakeholder 
engagement activities. 

In 2021, we revisited the water stewardship 
assessments at our South African 
operations to assess compliance with our 
new corporate Group Water Stewardship 
Standard and define actions. The criteria 
include requirements related to the water 
stewardship policy, plan and strategy as well 
as commitments related to water, sanitation 
and hygiene (WASH). Our Richards Bay 
and Merebank mills currently have over 
80% of criteria fully or partly fulfilled. 
Mondi South Africa is creating an action 
plan to address gaps such as understanding 
the embedded water use of outsourced 
services and evaluating value created by 
water stewardship partnerships.

Target: Conduct biodiversity 
assessments at our mills and forest 
operations, introducing biodiversity 
action plans where necessary 
by 2025
We have been implementing biodiversity 
conservation measures in our forestry 
operations for more than 15 years. Many of 
these measures were developed through 
local partnerships with NGOs and scientists 
as well as our engagement in certification 
schemes. 

In 2021, we conducted a biodiversity 
status review of our South African forestry 
operations to evaluate the state of 
biodiversity in the operational landscape 
and the effectiveness of environmental 
management systems in maintaining 
or enhancing these biodiversity values. 
We engaged a range of local biodiversity 
experts to inform our review. Our new 
partnership with the Endangered Wildlife 
Trust provided an evaluation which we 
will use to benchmark our biodiversity 
management efforts and outcomes. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements60

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Taking Action on Climate: TCFD

We are committed  
to reducing our carbon 
emissions and have been 
taking action to reduce  
our carbon intensity for 
nearly two decades

Our TCFD journey
Investing in our energy-intensive operations, 
driving more responsible and sustainable 
practices and setting ambitious targets 
has paved the way for our success over 
a number of years and sets a platform for 
our future plans and investments as we 
continue our drive to transition to a circular 
economy and further reduce our emissions. 

COP26 highlighted the broad action 
being taken to mitigate the worst impacts 
of climate change, such as national 
commitments to the Net-Zero Standard, 
a phase-down in coal and a commitment 
to fund the ending and reversal of 
deforestation. 

Although COP26 brings us another step 
closer to addressing climate change, there 
is further commitment and action required 
to limit global warming. We recognise that 
the impact of climate change gives rise to 
key physical and transitional risks. We also 
recognise clear opportunities for our 
business with sustainability at the centre of 
our strategy to drive value accretive growth. 

MAP2030, and our focus on taking action 
on climate, are key to helping us achieve our  
sustainability goals. The Financial Stability  
Board’s Task Force on Climate-related  
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations 
facilitate clear disclosure of our governance, 
strategy, risk management and metrics and 
targets in relation to our climate change-
related risks and opportunities, enabling 
transparent disclosure on how we are 
taking action on climate.

The timeline below shows how we have 
integrated the TCFD recommendations 
into our journey of taking action on climate, 
specifically tracking our reduction of 
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 
setting our first Group-wide GHG reduction 
target in 2005 against a 2004 baseline. 
GHG reduction continues to be a key 
focus in MAP2030.

Future of our TCFD reporting 
As part of our ongoing review of our 
performance and recognising that our 
operations are energy-intensive, we are 
revising our previously approved science-
based GHG emission reduction targets and 
accelerating plans to take action on climate 
by committing to transition to Net-Zero by 
2050, in line with the Science Based Targets 
initiative (SBTi) new Net-Zero standard. 
This means that we have defined clear 
action plans to reduce our GHG emissions 
according to a 1.5°C scenario. We are in the 
process of validating our updated targets 
with the SBTi. 

In response to our increased ambition, we 
will continue to build on our assessment 
of the Group’s climate change-related risks 
and opportunities, enhance the quality 
of our scenario modelling and develop the 
risk management and mitigation approach 
throughout the Group.

Mondi supports the establishment of 
the International Sustainability Standards 
Board (ISSB) and the future development 
of globally adopted sustainability disclosure 
standards. 

Our journey of taking action on climate 

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Publication of 
recommendations 
by the FSB’s  TCFD

Voluntary 
disclosure  in line 
with TCFD   
recommendations

Approval of  
current  GHG 
emission reduction 
 targets by the SBTi

‘Triple A’ CDP 
score (Climate, 
Forest, Water)

Climate change- 
related  risks 
identified as a 
 standalone Group 
 principal risk

‘Triple A’ CDP score  
(Climate,  Forest, Water)

Commitment to  Net-Zero 
by 2050  in line with SBTi 
Net-Zero standard

Compliant with TCFD 
recommendations

First Sustainability  
Linked Loan signed

0.72

0.72

0.71

0.64

0.63

2004 baseline

1st Group-wide GHG 
emission reduction  
target set in 2005 against 
a 2004 baseline

1.16

Current baseline  
for our GHG emission 
reduction targets

0.84

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

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2004

2014

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Compliance statement
In line with the UK Listing Rules, we confirm that the disclosures included in the Integrated report and financial statements 2021 are consistent with 
the TCFD Recommendations and Recommended Disclosures. This section contains the relevant disclosures or otherwise provides cross-references 
where the disclosures are located elsewhere in the report.

0.55

2025
target

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
61

Governance 

TCFD Recommended disclosures

a)  Describe the Board’s 

oversight of climate-related 
risks and opportunities

b)  Describe management’s 
role in assessing and 
managing climate-related 
risks and opportunities

Further  
information

Corporate 
governance  
report 
Page 129, 
133-135

Sustainable 
Development 
Report 
www.mondi 
group.com/sd21
Page 98

While the Board as a whole has responsibility 
for overseeing our approach to sustainability, 
the Sustainable Development Committee, 
on behalf of the Board, oversees and 
monitors our sustainable development 
policies, practices and progress against 
our sustainability commitments and 
targets. It provides guidance in relation 
to sustainability matters, including 
climate change-related issues, reviewing 
and updating the Group’s framework of 
sustainability policies and strategies, ensuring 
they are aligned with global best practice. 

The Sustainable Development Committee 
met six times during 2021, with climate 
change-related matters discussed  
by the committee at the majority of  
these meetings. Every Board member  
attends each meeting of the Sustainable 
Development Committee, even if they are  

not a member of the committee, providing  
context for Board discussions. The Chair 
of the Sustainable Development Committee 
also reports back to the Board after every 
meeting. Further details on the experience 
of our Sustainable Development Committee 
members can be found on pages 104-105.

In addition, the Executive Committee, 
chaired by the Group CEO, and the 
operational management team consisting 
of senior executives from across Group 
operations, monitor our approach to 
sustainability. The Executive Committee 
regularly reviews progress against our 
sustainability commitments and targets. 
In addition, all papers and updates 
prepared for the Sustainable Development 
Committee, including those relating to 
climate change, are reviewed and discussed 
by the Executive Committee, prior to 
submission to the Sustainable Development 
Committee, allowing the Executive 
Committee to develop its understanding 
and awareness of sustainability matters 
and to provide relevant input. 

Progress against our sustainability 
commitments and targets, articulated 
through MAP2030, was an integral part of 
the Sustainable Development Committee’s 
agenda throughout the year, with each of 
the key action areas reviewed and focus 
given not only to the current status of each 
commitment, but also to the actions being 

taken towards achieving these commitments. 
Further details of our performance in this 
regard can be found on pages 133-135.

Alongside this, the Sustainable Development 
Committee also spent time considering 
the climate change-related risks and 
opportunities facing the Group in the context 
of the recommendations of the TCFD. 
Each risk and opportunity was reviewed 
and discussed in detail, considering in 
particular the potential impact in each case. 
The Sustainable Development Committee 
acknowledges that this is an evolutionary 
process, with the quantification of the 
financial impact and the methodologies 
applied being continually refined, and that 
these discussions support the development 
of the committee’s understanding of 
these risks and opportunities and provide 
context not only for Mondi’s plans for 
addressing climate change but also its 
wider decision-making. 

During 2021, the Sustainable Development 
Committee also addressed a number of 
other key matters including sustainable 
development governance and risks, 
environmental performance and climate 
change, forestry, stakeholder relationships 
and product stewardship. Further details 
on the key matters considered by the 
Sustainable Development Committee. 
during the year can be found on page 135.

Oversight and responsibility for environmental, social and ethical performance of the Group

Our sustainability governance framework

Mondi Board

Management  
frameworks 

Sustainable Development 
Management System, 
Corporate Governance 
Code, other management 
systems, policies, 
standards and externally 
verified certification

Sustainable 
Development 
Committee

 — Chaired by an 

independent non-
executive director

 — Oversees the Group’s 

sustainable development 
approach, policies, 
performance and 
commitments
 — Responsible for 

the governance of 
matters related to the 
environment, climate 
change, labour, human 
rights, biodiversity and 
product stewardship 
 — Ensures alignment with 
global best practice

Executive  
Committee 

Other committees  
of the Board 

Group functions  
and networks 

 — Chaired by the  
Group CEO
 —  Management 
responsibility 
for sustainability 
performance within 
operations guided 
by the Sustainable 
Development 
Committee 
 — Ensures that 

business unit line 
management holds 
primary responsibility 
and accountability 
for sustainability 
performance

Including Audit Committee 
and Remuneration 
Committee

Sustainable development, 
legal, human resources, 
communications, 
procurement, internal 
audit and global specialist 
networks:

 — Safety and occupational 

health

 — Social sustainability
 — Energy
 — Fire safety
 — Environment
 — Product stewardship
 — Kraft recovery boiler
 — Wood supply

Business unit and operational level responsibilities

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements62

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Taking Action on Climate: TCFD continued

Strategy 

TCFD Recommended disclosures

a)  Describe the climate-
related risks and 
opportunities the 
organisation has identified 
over the short, medium, 
and long term

b)  Describe the impact of 

climate-related risks and 
opportunities on the 
organisation’s businesses, 
strategy, and financial 
planning

c)  Describe the resilience of 
the organisation’s strategy, 
taking into consideration 
different climate-related 
scenarios, including a 2°C 
or lower scenario

Further  
information

Principal risks 
Page 92

Strategic 
performance 
Page 32-41
Taking Action 
on Climate 
Page 55-59

Our strategy 
Page 30-34

Sustainability is at the core of Mondi’s 
strategy and we have a long-standing 
focus on becoming less carbon intensive. 
Since 2014, we have reduced our 
GHG emissions (per tonne of saleable 
production) by 25%. This has been achieved 
through targeted investments to reduce 
our reliance on fossil fuels and increase 
energy efficiency across our operations 
as described in the case study below. 
We believe that we have the right strategy, 
including our commitment to Net-Zero 
by 2050, to address the challenges and 
opportunities arising from climate change-
related risks. There are many uncertainties 
around the impacts of a business-as-usual 
scenario1 (BAU). While we continue to 
enhance the quality of our scenario modelling 
and further understand the impact under 
a 2°C scenario2 (2DS) and a BAU scenario, 
we consider that based on our current 
understanding our strategy is resilient. 

The Group’s climate change-related risks 
and opportunities are routinely considered 
in our strategic and financial planning, our 
capital allocation decisions and in operational 
management. Climate change-related risks 
have been identified as one of our strategic 
principal risks and are reflected in our 
accounting policies and financial reporting. 

The impact of climate change is considered 
in the estimates of future cash flows used 
in the impairment assessment of goodwill, 
as detailed on page 196. Climate change 
is, as detailed on page 198, included as 
a factor that impacts the conversion factor 
used in the assumptions for valuation of 
the Group’s forestry assets and as a factor 
incorporated into the risk premium applied to 
mature and immature timber. Climate change 
was considered in the assessment of 
fair value of assets and liabilities acquired 
in business combinations as detailed on 
page 212. The Group accounting policies 
reflect the impact of climate change 
considerations in relation to the assessment 
of the residual values and estimated useful 
economic lives of property, plant and 
equipment, as detailed on page 226, and 
in relation to the accounting policy applied 
for the valuation of forestry assets and the 
assessment of goodwill for impairment.

1  The Representative Concentration Pathway’s 8.5 (RCP8.5) 
scenario is a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, which 
projects the global mean temperature to rise by 2.6 to 4.8°C 
and the global mean sea level to rise by 0.45 to 0.82 metres 
by the late-21st century

2  The International Energy Agency’s 2°C scenario (2DS) 

is based on limiting global temperature rise to below 2°C 
above pre-industrial levels under an emissions trajectory 
that allows CO2 emissions to be reduced by almost 60% by 
2050 compared with 2013. Under this scenario emissions 
are projected to decline from 2020 and they continue their 
decline after 2050 to reach carbon neutrality

Modernisation 
+ 
decarbonisation

For nearly two decades, GHG emission 
reduction targets have been central 
to our approach as a manufacturer 
with energy-intensive processes and to 
our strategy for delivering sustainable 
growth. Our current commitments, 
outlined in MAP2030, build on the 
progress we have achieved so far and 
set ambitious targets into the future.

Energy-related investments can drive 
decarbonisation and enhance our asset 
base. Since 2015, we have invested around 
€650 million in energy efficiency measures 
and low carbon generation technologies across 
our manufacturing operations. Some of our 
key projects completed include a new recovery 
boiler, turbine and biomass boiler at Świecie 
(Poland) in 2015, energy-related investments 
at Štětí (Czech Republic) as part of the mill’s 
overall modernisation completed in 2018, 
and upgrading the energy plant in Syktyvkar 
(Russia) in 2019. 

Recently, we completed the investment to 
replace two coal boilers with new standby 
power boilers at our Świecie mill, modernised 
the energy plant at our Richards Bay mill 
(South Africa), and commissioned a new 
evaporation plant at our Syktyvkar mill. 

Building on this strong progress to date,  
we continue to investigate and approve 
additional capital investment projects. 
We have identified a number of energy-
related projects, totalling around 
€400-500 million, that will support us 
achieving our science-based 2025 reduction 
target. This includes a €135 million project 
at our Syktyvkar mill to further modernise 
the energy plant, upgrading the energy 
plant as part of the expansion project 
at Kuopio (Finland) and a number of 
additional projects under investigation.

These projects evidence our continuous drive 
to improve our environmental performance 
and operate sustainably by investing through-
the-cycle in our production network. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202163

During the year, we identified seven 
climate change-related risks and three 
climate change-related opportunities 
that we have assessed as material to 
our business. Materiality considers both 
financial impacts and other considerations 
such as the importance of key climate 
change-related topics to internal and 
external stakeholders. Further details on 
our approach to materiality are detailed on 
page 22. For additional information please 
visit our Sustainable Development report. 

We evaluate and report on our short 
(up to 3 years), medium (3-7 years) and 
long term (more than 7 years) climate-
related transition and physical risks 
and opportunities, and their financial 
implications. 

Transition risks may occur when moving 
towards a less polluting, low carbon 
economy. Such transitions could mean 
that some sectors of the economy face 
big shifts in asset values or higher costs 
of doing business. Climate change means 
we may face more frequent or severe 
weather events like flooding, droughts 
and storms. These events bring physical 
risks that impact our business and society 
directly and have the potential to affect 
the economy. 

The TCFD recommends applying 
widely used reference scenarios that 
are publicly available and peer reviewed. 
For the year ended 2021 our assessment 
of the financial implications of our climate 
change-related risks was prepared 
considering a 2DS and BAU scenario 
in line with our commitments published 
in 2019. 

Going forward we will further our 
understanding of the financial implications 
of our commitment to transition to Net-Zero 
by 2050, in line with the SBTi new Net-Zero 
standard, and the impact of assessing our 
climate change-related risks in line with 
a 1.5°C scenario.

Physical risks and opportunities are 
considered more severe under the 
business-as-usual scenario as under this 
scenario, physical climate change-related 
events will be more frequent and severe 
with an increased likelihood of impact on 
our business. Under the 2°C scenario we 
still observe some impacts of physical 
climate risks. Our mitigation measures are 
designed to reduce the impact of these 
risks under both presented scenarios. 

In contrast to physical risks, transition risks 
and opportunities increase in likelihood 
under the 2°C scenario with earlier policy 
action and a more aggressive transition. 
This is driven by an increase in stricter 

regulations around carbon and energy 
as well as the increased scrutiny of target 
achievements through increased market 
and customer pressure. 

Given the nature of transition risks, the 
likelihood of occurrence is lower under the 
business-as-usual scenario as there is limited 
change projected to current regulation and 
litigation pressures.

Going forward, we will continue to evolve 
our understanding of climate change-
related impacts on our business and 
consider the impact of climate scenarios 
on our risks and opportunities.

During the year we assessed our climate 
change-related risks and opportunities 
and have specified the estimated EBITDA 
impact in the tables below and on pages 
64-66, taking into consideration mitigation 
measures implemented by the Group. 
These risks and opportunities only reflect 
our climate change-related risks and 
opportunities and reflect an update of the 
risks and opportunities presented in our 
2020 Sustainable Development report and 
our 2021 CDP submission. For an overview 
of all our Group principal risks please refer 
to page 88.

Climate change-related risks and opportunities

Climate change-related risks

Physical risks

1. South African plantation yield loss

2. Chronic changes in precipitation

3.  Higher wood procurement costs

4. Risk of flooding

Transition risks 5. GHG regulatory changes (net impact)

6. Energy supply costs

7. Changing customer behaviour

Climate change-related opportunities

1. Sale of by-products

2. Reduced operating costs through energy efficiency

3. Changing customer behaviour

Estimated 
financial 
 impact (€m)

 15-20 

 10-15 

 50-100 

 10-15 

 25-65

40-100 

 0-35 

10-20

 20-25 

 120-240 

Timeframe

Scenario sensitivity

Short

Medium

Long

2DS

BAU

Anticipated onset of risk or opportunity
Estimated full impact of risk or opportunity

High likelihood

Low likelihood

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements64

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Taking Action on Climate: TCFD continued

Strategy continued

Climate change-related risks: Physical risks

Risk

Risk description

How we manage and mitigate this risk

Estimated 
financial 
impact
(€m)

15–20

1.
South African 
plantation yield 
loss

Timeframe: 
Medium-term

2. 
Chronic changes 
in precipitation

Timeframe: 
Long-term

3. 
Higher wood 
procurement costs

Timeframe: 
Long-term

4. 
Risk of  
flooding

Timeframe: 
Long-term

Increased severity and frequency of extreme 
weather events may result in disruptions and 
decreased harvesting capacity of our managed 
plantation forests in South Africa. Extreme weather 
conditions may impact plantations through 
sustained higher temperatures, which can lead to 
stronger winds and increased windfalls. Plantations 
may be vulnerable to changes in rainfall patterns 
and erosion. Higher temperatures may increase 
vulnerability of trees to pests and diseases. 
Fire remains a challenge for our South African 
plantations, exacerbated in years when drought 
conditions occur.

Water is a key natural resource used in our 
production process. Extended water shortages 
are a concern as they could disrupt production at 
our operations. This is especially relevant in water 
scarce regions such as South Africa. Water supply 
to our Richards Bay mill is already under pressure 
from urban development. Our risk quantification 
considers mitigation measures in place at the mill 
and is based on lower production at the mill as 
a result of water shortages. 

Temperature increase, changes in rainfall patterns 
and windstorms can result in large-scale forest 
damage. In Europe, at lower altitudes, fibre losses 
from bark beetle damage are expected to continue 
unless precipitation increases.

Our mills in Europe are sensitive to the economic 
development of the sawmill industry. A reduction 
in the cutting capacity of the sawmilling industry due 
to a lack of spruce saw logs could lead to a change 
in the mix of available pulpwood and sawmill chips.

Increasing competition for wood is being driven 
by demand for renewable raw materials and timber 
for green energy generation to achieve EU GHG 
reduction and Net-Zero targets. At the same time, 
there is a call to increase forest areas set aside for 
conservation.

Our mills are often located close to rivers which 
provide the water needed for our operations.

Climate change may increase the frequency and 
extent of flooding events through surface water 
flooding (e.g. after extreme rainfall or rapid snow 
melting) or flooding of low-lying coastal regions 
(due to sea level rise) which may cause damage 
to our operations.

Our risk quantification takes into account the 
investments we have made at our operations 
to mitigate the potential impact of flooding and 
have assumed a flooding event does not result 
in a prolonged shut.

Our tree improvement programme aims to produce 
stronger, more robust hybrids that can resist 
disturbances such as drought, pests and diseases. 
We mitigate fire risks with naturally vegetated open 
corridors acting as fire-breaks between forest 
plantations, investment in a fire fighting fleet and 
efficient logging site management.

We have improved pre- and post-burning 
assessments at harvesting sites which aim to mitigate 
the risks of erosion and nutrient loss after prescribed 
burning to ensure healthy soils, which are critical for 
productive plantation forests.

10–15

Our Richards Bay mill has conducted a water 
stewardship assessment and developed methods to 
significantly reduce water use by implementing closed 
loops and recycling water used in our processes. We 
continue to investigate cost-effective improvements 
to local water management systems. We are working 
with local authorities and other industries to identify 
solutions to enhance water stewardship across the 
entire water catchment surrounding Richards Bay.

50–100

10–15

In mountainous regions, we expect an increase 
in yearly forest growth due to rising temperatures. 
At lower altitudes, spruce will be mainly replaced 
with other softwood species. We are investigating 
alternatives to support flexibility in species mix for 
our future pulp production.

We invest in research and development (R&D) 
projects and are building strategic partnerships with 
forest owners and industries, NGOs and scientific 
institutions to foster sustainable forest management.

This is supported by the sustainable working forest 
model and fit-for-purpose certification concepts, 
which we developed and promote with our partners. 
We have started to explore approaches to climate-fit 
forestry to enhance forest ecosystems’ resilience.

We also promote the cascading use of wood 
nationally and via Cepi on a European level.

Our operations regularly review their flood prevention 
plans, collaborate with governments and hydropower 
energy providers in the regions where we operate and 
invest in flood protection solutions where necessary.

Our current flooding assessments show the measures 
implemented are generally sufficient to mitigate this 
risk to an acceptable level with only a few additional 
measures required such as the elevation of motors 
and vulnerable equipment, additional pumps and 
water level sensors.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202165

Estimated 
financial 
impact
(€m)

25-65

Climate change-related risks: Transition risks

Risk

Risk description

How we manage and mitigate this risk

5. 
GHG regulatory 
changes 
(net impact)

Timeframe: 
Medium-term

6. 
Energy supply  
costs

Timeframe: 
Medium-term

7. 
Changing customer 
behaviour

Timeframe: 
Short- to  
long-term

Nine of Mondi’s 13 pulp and paper mills fall under the 
EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). Some of our 
mills have sufficient EU ETS allowances, while there 
is potential that four will face a deficit in the medium 
term, and three could be excluded from the EU ETS 
due to exceeding a 95% renewable energy generation 
share, resulting in the potential for the Group to be 
in a net deficit position. In addition, there is a South 
African carbon tax on emissions from fossil fuels, 
which includes fossil fuel combustion at our Richards 
Bay and Merebank operations.

In total, 1.6 million tonnes or 44% of Mondi´s total 
Scope 1 GHG emissions are covered by carbon tax 
or emission trading schemes. Our risk quantification 
considered a carbon pricing range of €50 to €150 
per tonne CO2.

Due to increasing regulation on fossil-based energy 
sources, increased demand for renewable energy 
and the shifting energy supply mix, the Group 
estimates that our total energy costs could increase 
sharply in the medium term, estimated by up to 
10-20%. 

The energy supply mix transition in Europe includes 
the closing of coal power plants, selective closure 
of nuclear power capacity and an increased reliance 
on natural gas and renewable sources of energy 
such as onshore and offshore wind, solar and 
biomass. Wind and solar energy supply can be 
inconsistent due to weather patterns leading to 
increased reliance on natural gas.

The energy supply cost risk does not consider 
fluctuations in energy prices due to post-lockdown 
economic reopening, geopolitical tensions or other 
non-climate related factors.

The demand for sustainable packaging solutions 
continues to grow driven by changing consumer 
preferences. We offer our customers a broad range 
of solutions, both paper- and plastic-based. Our 
fibre-based solutions are renewable and generally 
recyclable, making them an ideal solution for many 
applications. When barrier properties are required, 
our flexible plastic-based offering can meet our 
customers’ needs. However, a small portion of our 
portfolio includes solutions not yet sustainable by 
design due to the complexities of their design and 
construction. We are working with our customers 
to develop new, innovative solutions in order to find 
sustainable alternatives for these products. If we are 
not able to develop new solutions to support our 
customers’ transition to more sustainable solutions, 
we risk losing this business.

We collect detailed information on GHG emissions 
from our mills and consider the cost of carbon when 
making investment decisions.

Our ongoing investments reduce our reliance on 
fossil fuels and improve energy efficiency and help 
to mitigate the risk of insufficient CO2 allowances for 
our EU-based operations and reduce CO2 emissions 
for our South African operations.

40–100

We continue to focus on energy efficiency and 
to deliver incremental improvements through 
operational enhancements and our ongoing capital 
investment programme. Investment in improvements 
to our energy profile and increased electricity self-
sufficiency, including the use of renewable energy 
sources, strengthens the energy efficiency of our 
operations while reducing operating costs. Where we 
generate electricity surplus to our own requirements, 
we may sell such surplus.

0–35

Over the coming years, we will continue to work 
with our customers and industry associations and 
leverage our existing platform, innovation capabilities 
and know-how to develop sustainable solutions for 
all our products. The development of these solutions 
will ensure we minimise our risk while realising the 
opportunity to develop innovative and sustainable 
packaging solutions for our customers (as outlined 
on the following page).

Total estimated financial impact of climate change-related risks

150-350

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements66

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Taking Action on Climate: TCFD continued

Strategy continued

Climate change-related opportunities

Opportunity

Opportunity description

How we realise this opportunity

1. 
Sale of  
by-products

Timeframe: 
Short-term

By-products of the kraft pulping process include 
turpentine and tall oil. These renewable by-products 
are highly valued as a substitute for fossil fuel-based 
materials. They can be used internally for energy 
generation or extracted, purified and sold as higher 
value secondary raw materials.

We are investigating additional opportunities to use 
other by-products (e.g. lignin from black liquor and 
Eucalyptol extraction) to create additional revenue 
streams in the future.

The extraction and sale of renewable by-products 
from the kraft pulping process is part of our circular 
economy approach. We have invested in our mills to 
realise this opportunity including upgrading our tall 
oil extraction plant in Syktyvkar (Russia).

Depending on the existing infrastructure at our other 
mills, further investments may be required in order 
to realise the opportunity.

Estimated 
financial 
impact
(€m)

10-20

2. 
Reduced operating 
costs through 
energy efficiency

Timeframe: 
Medium-term

The production of pulp, paper and packaging is 
energy-intensive and energy generation is the major 
source of our GHG emissions. By improving the 
efficiency of our energy plants and manufacturing 
operations, we have the opportunity to realise cost 
savings.

3. 
Changing customer 
behaviour

Timeframe: 
Short- to  
long-term

The growing demand for sustainable packaging 
is driving investment, collaboration and innovation 
to meet evolving customer needs. Paper-based 
packaging is renewable and generally recyclable 
making it an ideal alternative to less sustainable 
solutions. Where certain barriers are required, flexible 
plastic packaging can be an ideal solution when 
manufactured, used and disposed of appropriately. 
Leveraging our unique platform of paper where 
possible, plastic when useful, we see an opportunity 
to meet the demand for more sustainable products, 
using our leading corrugated packaging and flexible 
packaging (both paper- and plastic-based) footprint 
and increasing the focus on recyclability and the 
amount of recycled content used within our solutions. 

While we continue to further our understanding 
around this opportunity, our estimated quantification 
is based on revenue growth of 1-2% per annum based 
on current margins for our packaging businesses in 
the long term.

Investing in optimising energy and process efficiencies 
in our operations has been a long-standing focus.

20–25

Since 2015, we have invested around €650 million 
in energy efficiency measures and in increasing 
biomass-based energy in our mills.

Further investment projects are planned to meet 
our science-based GHG reduction targets over the 
coming years which will also reduce our specific 
energy costs.

As a leading packaging producer, Mondi is uniquely 
positioned to leverage the Group’s innovation 
capabilities, leading market positions and strong 
customer base to deliver sustainable packaging 
solutions to our customers.

We actively collaborate with customers using our 
EcoSolutions customer-centric approach to develop 
innovative solutions that are sustainable by design.

We are also investing in our asset base to increase our 
cost-advantaged packaging capacity to meet growing 
demand. 

We are leveraging strong partnerships to bring about 
positive change and drive the transition to a circular 
economy.

120-240

Total estimated financial impact of climate change-related opportunities

150–285

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202167

Risk management 

Metrics and targets 

Further  
information

Key 
performance 
indicators 
Page 42-43
Taking Action 
on Climate 
Page 55-59
Environmental 
Performance 
Page 75-76

Taking Action 
on Climate 
Page 56-57

Taking Action 
on Climate 
Page 55-59

TCFD Recommended disclosures

a)  Disclose the metrics used 
by the organisation to 
assess climate-related risks 
and opportunities in line 
with its strategy and risk 
management process

b)  Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, 
and, if appropriate, Scope 3 
GHG emissions, and the 
related risks

c)  Describe the targets used 
by the organisation to 
manage climate-related 
risks and opportunities 
and performance against 
targets

The Group uses a variety of metrics to 
measure the current and potential impact 
of our climate change-related risks and 
opportunities, including GHG emissions, 
sustainable fibre metrics, waste to landfill, 
NOx emissions, water use and effluent 
load (COD) in waste water.

Direct GHG emissions are from our 
energy plants through combustion of fuels 
to generate the energy required for our 
manufacturing (Scope 1). We also purchase 
energy from the grid (Scope 2) and have 
indirect GHG emissions throughout 
the value chain mainly as a result of our 
purchase of goods, raw materials, services, 
fuels and transportation which together 
make up more than 95% of our total 
Scope 3 emissions. We are acting across 
all three Scopes and working closely with 
our partners to reduce GHG emissions 
for our business, our customers and our 
value chain. 

Further  
information

Principal risks 
Page 86-88, 92

Principal risks 
Page 86-88, 92

Principal risks 
Page 86-88, 92

TCFD Recommended disclosures

a)  Describe the organisation’s 
processes for identifying 
and assessing climate-
related risks

b)  Describe the organisation’s 
processes for managing 
climate-related risks

c)  Describe how processes 
for identifying, assessing, 
and managing climate-
related risks are integrated 
into the organisation’s 
overall risk management

The climate change-related risk was 
specifically identified as a standalone 
Group principal risk in 2019 and remains 
a principal risk as detailed on page 92. 
Climate change-related risks, and the 
related mitigating actions, are reviewed 
and updated annually using the input of 
the content reviewed by the Sustainable 
Development Committee and presented to 
the Audit Committee along with all Group 
principal risks. Read about the Group’s risk 
management framework on pages 86-87.

A cross-functional team identifies and 
assesses our material climate change-
related risks and opportunities through an 
iterative continuous improvement process. 
The annual review considers the breadth 
of our business, across operating locations 
and our product portfolio, including 
consultations with internal and external 
technical subject experts and senior 
operational management. Our climate-
related risks and opportunities are reviewed 
and approved by the Executive Committee 
and the Sustainable Development 
Committee annually.

Climate change-related risks and 
opportunities are managed and where 
possible mitigated by our operational 
management team and through our capital 
investment programme. The climate 
change-related risks and opportunities 
are considered in the preparation of, and 
integrated in, the Group’s three-year  
2022-2024 plan (“budget period”). 

In 2021, we reviewed our science-based 
targets and committed to setting a more 
ambitious science-based Net-Zero plan, 
which includes both short-term and 
long-term GHG emissions reduction 
targets, including Scope 3. Our efforts to 
reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions have 
provided a firm foundation on which we 
were able to revise our existing Scope 1 
and 2 science-based targets to be more 
ambitious, in line with a 1.5°C scenario. 
We will publish and report against our 
updated targets once they have been 
validated by the SBTi. In addition, we 
remain committed to zero deforestation 
in our wood fibre supply chains and to 
maintaining carbon sinks in forestry through 
implementation of best forest management 
and silviculture practices.

Taking Action on Climate  
Page 55-59

We report our GHG emissions according 
to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, published 
by the WBCSD and the WRI, and have 
reported our Scopes 1, 2 and 3 GHG data 
in compliance with ISO 14064:1-2006. 
ERM CVS has been engaged to provide 
reasonable (pulp and paper mills) and 
limited (converting operations) levels 
of assurance on our Scopes 1 and 2 GHG 
data, and limited levels of assurance on 
our Scope 3 GHG data in accordance with 
ISO 14064.

The Group’s executive directors’ 
remuneration in 2021 was linked to their 
contribution to the overall success of 
MAP2030, including our GHG reduction 
targets. From 2022, the Group’s bonus 
incentive across the organisation will be 
linked to the achievement of the Group’s 
GHG emission reduction targets and 
certain other MAP2030 targets.

Remuneration report 
Page 136-161

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements68

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Built on responsible business practices

Built on
Responsible  
business  practices

MAP2030 is built on a foundation 
of responsible business practices. 
Each area has commitments and targets 
to guide our actions.

Respecting human rights is core 
to our responsible business practices 
and we proactively identify and manage 
potential risks within our own operations 
and across the value chain. 

We also continually explore ways to 
minimise the environmental impact 
of our operations. Resource efficiency 
is relevant to many of our material issues 
and we work with partners across our 
value chain to use finite resources wisely, 
reverse environmental degradation and 
develop circular solutions.

Investment in communities is needed 
now more than ever as COVID-19 
impacts people’s lives and livelihoods. 
For our businesses to succeed, they 
must exist within healthy, prosperous 
and dynamic communities. 

Supply chain transparency is 
fundamental to ensure responsible 
business practices. Stakeholders want 
clear information on how businesses 
manage their supply chain risks. 
This also allows us to mitigate our 
own risks and drive positive change.

Business integrity, ethics and high 
quality standards are the foundation 
upon which we operate, build trust and 
preserve our reputation as a business 
partner of choice. We see strong 
governance and compliance with legal 
requirements as the basic requirement 
on which to deliver MAP2030.

Business Ethics & Governance

Commitment
SD training and audit scheme

Commitment
Employee training on sustainability

Targets
Implement a Governance Operating 
Standard in 2021

 On track (completed)

Train auditors by 2022 

 In development

Targets
Training needs identified by 2022

 On track

Relevant training developed and 
implemented as an ongoing process 

 On track

Commitment
Compliance audits at all our mills 
and converting operations

Commitment
Integration of sustainability 
in CAPEX investments

Targets
Conduct compliance audits at all mills 
by 2025

Targets
Identify relevant metrics (e.g. GHG  
emissions, waste to landfill, water)

 In development

 On track

Conduct compliance audits at all 
converting operations by 2030 

Implement processes to integrate into 
investment decision-making 

 In development

 On track

Management review and measurements 
to improve audit scores by 2022, 
ongoing process thereafter 

 In development

As part of MAP2030, we focus on 
enhancing internal training programmes  
and broadening the scope of our 
compliance programme.

The Board and committees provide the 
leadership underpinning good governance 
across the Group, ensuring decisions 
are based on integrity, responsibility, 
accountability, fairness and transparency. 
The Sustainable Development Committee 
met six times during the year and the rolling 
agenda covers all aspects of sustainability 
material to our business. Details of 
discussions that took place are provided 
on page 135 of this report.

We consistently apply our Sustainable 
Development Governance Policy across the 
Group, supported by policies for: 

 — Safety and Occupational Health 

 — Labour and Human Rights 

 — Sustainable Forestry 

 — Energy and Climate Change 

 — Environment 

 — Supply Chain and Responsible 

Procurement 

 — Product Stewardship 

 —  Communities 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202169

Making progress in our Responsible 
Business Practices
In 2021, we made progress in a number 
of key commitments and areas:

Commitment: A revised Sustainable 
Development training and audit scheme 
will be introduced to prevent the 
occurrence of non-compliances
We instituted a Governance Operating 
Standard, supporting progress towards 
our commitment to support us to prevent 
the occurrence of incidents of non-
compliances. 

Commitment: Employees will be trained 
on relevant sustainability topics
Building on the Mondi Academy offering, 
we developed an online sustainability 
training programme covering more than 
20 topics. Topics are based on internal 
feedback and relevance to our people, 
customers and suppliers. Customer- and 
market-facing roles were prioritised with 
2,780 colleagues from sales, marketing, 
R&D and product development functions 
participating in 2021. 

Commitment: Sustainability assessment 
criteria to be applied for 100% of our capex 
investments >€500k from 2022
In considering sustainability criteria 
for capital investments, we identified 
environmental metrics related to GHG 
emissions, waste to landfill, air and water-
related emissions as metrics to review. 
This is now integrated into the decision-
making process for all investments over 
€500,000.

Our policies encompass some of our 
long-term sustainability commitments 
and inform targets for each new period. 
They are published on our website, along 
with our Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Policy. 

The Board, supported by the Sustainable 
Development Committee, reviews the 
Group’s sustainability policies annually. 
The Labour and Human Rights Policy was 
updated in 2021 to address findings from 
work conducted with the Danish Institute 
for Human Rights, while the Environmental 
Policy was updated to reflect our new 
provision of product life cycle information. 

Operating standards define minimum 
requirements for effective operational 
management and control across policy 
areas. They provide guidance as part 
of our Sustainable Development 
Management System (SDMS) which 
covers all facilities and activities that we 
manage, including those in which we hold 
a controlling interest, new developments, 
and acquisitions. Activities undertaken by 
contractors, either on Mondi sites or under 
our management, are covered and they are 
required to comply with our policies and 
standards. In 2021, we updated a number 
of our Operating Standards and Practice 
Notes, for example our Practice Note on 
Social Investments. 

Our due diligence processes ensure 
alignment between our practices and 
policies. These include regular monitoring 
of our operations’ sustainability performance 
and reporting to the Sustainable 
Development Committee; external 
assurance and verification of our external 
sustainability reporting; internal audits of 
our operations’ adherence to our standards; 
training and communication on regulatory 
requirements and material sustainability 
issues; and externally certified standards 
at operational and Group level. 

Code of business ethics
Mondi’s code of business ethics is based 
on a system of voluntary codes comprising 
the following five principles: legal 
compliance; honesty and integrity; human 
rights; stakeholders; and sustainability. 
Application of the code is documented 
in Mondi’s policies and procedures – 
in particular the Business Integrity Policy 
which defines our values and key principles 
of ethical business practices, along with 
Mondi’s zero tolerance of bribery and 
corruption. Our process for reporting 
violations includes notifying the Group 
CEO, Group CFO and Group Head of 
Internal Audit in all instances.

Regular training is provided and compliance 
with the policy is monitored by the Audit 
Committee. The directors believe the 
Group has robust compliance procedures 
and are not aware of material non-
compliance. 

We have rigorous internal processes 
to facilitate the reporting, investigation 
and resolution of issues. SpeakOut, 
our confidential hotline operated by an 
independent third party, is the tool through 
which employees and other stakeholders 
can raise concerns. In 2021, we had a 
total of 61 cases (2020: 74), 47 from 
SpeakOut and 14 further cases through 
other channels. Topics included human 
resources-related concerns, business 
integrity issues and environmental and 
safety topics.

We have zero tolerance for corruption 
and corruption risk forms part of the 
annual Group risk assessment process. 
The outcomes are reviewed by the Audit 
Committee and the Board. 

We inform Board members regularly about 
anti-corruption policies, procedures and 
requirements. All relevant employees have 
to complete a mandatory business integrity 
training each year, which also covers anti-
corruption topics. The number of relevant 
employees in 2021 was 3,071, with 3,017 
(98%) completing the online training. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements70

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Built on responsible business practices continued

Human rights

Commitment
Strengthen governance 
systems to prevent human 
rights violations and remedy 
any adverse impacts

Targets
Develop the due diligence and risk 
assessment methodology and guidance 
with the support of the Danish Institute 
for Human Rights (DIHR) by the end 
of 2021

 On track (completed)

100% of operations with a completed 
human rights due diligence and risk 
assessment, and action plan in place 
to address findings by 2025 

 In development

100% of operations to have addressed 
their human rights impacts (investigate, 
prevent future occurrences and remedy 
adverse impacts) by 2030 

 In development

Respecting human rights is core to our 
responsible business practices and we 
proactively identify and manage potential 
risks within our own operations and across 
the value chain. We continually strengthen 
our human rights governance systems to 
protect those we may impact as a business.

The United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles 
on Business and Human Rights provide an 
effective framework for the monitoring and 
reporting of potential human rights risks. 
We have embedded respect for human 
rights in our relevant practices and policies 
including our Labour and Human Rights 
Policy, Supply Chain and Responsible 
Procurement Policy, Communities Policy, 
Code of Conduct for Suppliers and 
Business Integrity Policy. We report annually 
at Advanced Level on our compliance with 
the 10 principles of the United Nations 
Global Compact (UNGC).

Based on the recommendations from 
the human rights risk and gap analysis 
conducted with the Danish Institute 
for Human Rights (DIHR) in 2020, 
we have more explicitly incorporated the 
International Labour Organization (ILO) 
Core conventions in our Labour and 
Human Rights Policy and included the 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 
the International Covenant on Economic, 
Social and Cultural Rights as sources for 
our policies. 

We provide robust internal processes and 
tools to facilitate the reporting, investigation 
and resolution of grievances, including 
those related to potential human rights 
violations. Our operations make formal 
grievance mechanisms such as SpeakOut 
available to the public. For more information 
please refer to the dedicated SpeakOut 
section on our website and Mondi’s human 
trafficking and modern slavery statement. 
There were no reports of human rights 
incidents in our operations or supply chain 
received through any of our reporting 
mechanisms in 2021. 

Target: Develop the due diligence 
and risk assessment methodology 
and guidance with the support of 
Danish Institute for Human Rights 
(DIHR) by end of 2021
We have strong existing processes in 
place across our business to ensure good 
practice and we are now aiming to develop 
more formal guidance for our operations 
to support continued good practice: The 
development of the methodology and 
guidance is a crucial step towards reaching 
our wider targets of 100% of operations 
having completed a human rights due 
diligence and risk assessment and having 
an action plan in place to address findings 
by 2025. 

We work with human rights experts to 
develop guidance and tools to enable our 
operations to evaluate human rights risks 
in their business activities and relationships. 
Our Human Rights and Working Conditions 
Operating Standard and Human Rights 
Practice Note comprise the second 
and third tier of our SDMS to guide the 
management and implementation of the 
Group Labour and Human Rights Policy. 

The Human Rights Practice Note provides 
guidance to identify, mitigate and remediate 
the human rights risks resulting from 
Mondi’s business activities and business 
relationships. The supplementary Human 
Rights Due Diligence toolbox is a further 
support for our operations, including 
detailed examples, templates, practical 
tips and additional educational material. 

How have we performed?
With the Operating Standard, Practice Note 
and Human Rights Due Diligence toolbox, 
we have achieved our first human rights 
target for MAP2030. 

What’s next? 
 — Roll out self-assessment pilots 
to support development and 
implementation of an effective 
roadmap for all operations

 — Work towards reaching the remaining 
targets we have set for human rights:

 — 100% of operations with 

a completed human rights due 
diligence and risk assessment, 
and action plan in place to address 
findings by 2025

 — 100% of operations to have 

addressed their human rights 
impacts (investigate, prevent future 
occurrences and remedy adverse 
impacts) by 2030

 — Further develop internal action 

plans to address any gaps identified 
and improve our human rights 
understanding through training 
and communication 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202171

Supporting local enterprise and 
job creation 
We support local suppliers to build 
knowledge and capacity, particularly 
those linked to our forestry operations. 
Our mills also contract with and purchase 
from local companies, contributing to their 
development. In Russia, our Syktyvkar 
mill helped to create 31 new jobs, secure 
285 existing jobs and create temporary 
employment for 190 unemployed people 
in 2021. And the investment in a new 
containerboard machine at our Ružomberok 
mill (Slovakia), which started up in January 
2021, created 125 new permanent jobs. 
In South Africa, our main channel for 
supporting enterprise development is 
Mondi Zimele. 

Improving public health 
Public health provision can be a challenge 
in some remote areas and improving 
the health of our workforce and local 
communities is an important part of our 
social contribution. In South Africa, we 
operate nine mobile health clinics and 
Early Childhood Development services 
in partnership with local NGOs and 
the Department of Health. Many of our 
operations support local medical institutions 
to improve quality of health care to local 
communities. We continued to assist 
interventions critical to the COVID-19 
pandemic response, such as vaccination 
and testing facilities, in 2021.

Investing in local infrastructure 
and community development 
Our investments in infrastructure and 
community development provide access to 
vital services, empower enterprise, facilitate 
health and education and support our 
business operations. For example, some of 
our mills treat community wastewater and 
supply electricity generated by our plant 
to the local community. In South Africa, 
we support agri-villages – sustainable rural 
developments that promote agriculture-
based livelihoods, improve living conditions 
and alleviate poverty for people in isolated 
villages on our land.

Communities

Commitment
Invest a minimum of 1% of profit-
before-tax in social investments 
annually, with a focus on Science, 
Technology, Engineering and 
Mathematics (STEM) education, 
environmental protection, 
enterprise support and job 
creation

Target
Group spend as a % of profit-before-tax 
annually, in strategic categories named 
above (target: >1% annually for Group)

 On track

Developing open relationships with 
and investing in the communities in which 
we operate builds trust and collaboration. 
We focus our community engagement, 
investments and initiatives on people who 
live adjacent to our operations, on or around 
our landholdings and within our zone of 
influence. We make it a priority to understand 
our operations’ social, environmental 
and economic impacts, be they positive 
or negative, actual or potential, short- 
or long-term, direct or indirect and intended 
or unintended. To understand the needs 
of local communities as well as our impacts 
on them, we use a variety of stakeholder 
engagement tools, the outcomes of which 
inform our community development 
programmes, social investments, initiatives 
and community forums.

 — Feedback and grievance mechanisms: 

We make formal grievance mechanisms 
available to employees and the public 
to ensure we are aware of and can 
respond promptly and effectively to 
issues. These include local hotlines and 
our Group-wide confidential, third-party 
platform, SpeakOut.

 — Community Engagement Plans (CEPs): 

Bespoke local engagement plans set out 
topics, stakeholders and engagement 
activities to be undertaken by our 
operations. 

 — Socio-Economic Assessment Toolbox 

(SEAT): Open and transparent dialogue 
with a variety of stakeholders is facilitated 
by an independent third party to inform 
our understanding and actions. 

Target: Group spend as a % 
of profit-before-tax annually, in 
strategic categories named above 
(target: >1% annually for Group)
Our long-standing commitment to invest 
in community development has increasingly 
moved from providing cash donations 
to delivering impact through strategic 
collaborations and partnerships. Our social 
investments are guided by the needs of 
local people and support the key drivers 
of development in the communities, 
covering a broad spectrum of investment 
areas. In addition to the priorities set 
out in our MAP2030 commitment, we 
support community health provision 
and infrastructure development as long-
standing and important parts of our 
community strategy.

Educating future generations 
Our support for education focuses on 
science, technology, engineering and 
mathematics (STEM) subjects to promote 
careers in the fields needed by our mills 
and operations. Our mills engage and 
collaborate with schools and educational 
institutions to create a healthy flow 
of future talent with relevant skill sets, 
especially in rural locations where attracting 
new employees can be a challenge. 
Supporting women and girls to study these 
often male-dominated subjects can enable 
a more diverse workforce. Examples include 
our collaboration with Ligbron e-Learning 
System in South Africa, a partnership 
between our Ružomberok mill (Slovakia) 
and the local polytechnic secondary school 
to provide work experience with vocational 
education, and work of our Syktyvkar 
mill (Russia) with the regional Ministry of 
Education Science and Youth to attract 
high-quality employees to Komi Republic.

Safeguarding local environments 
We build awareness of and help tackle 
critical environmental issues in the 
communities in which we operate. 
For example, Mondi Syktyvkar (Russia) 
collaborates with the Institute of Biology of 
the Komi Science Centre to deliver various 
research projects focused on endangered 
species, soils and reforestation. After severe 
wildfires and floods, our operations in 
Turkey joined forces with an environmental 
NGO to donate 10,000 seedlings for the 
creation of the Mondi Türkiye Memorial 
forest. Our employees also participate in 
initiatives to protect the environment near 
our operations. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements72

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Built on responsible business practices continued

How have we performed? 
With MAP2030, we formalised our 
commitment to invest a minimum of 
1% of profit-before-tax annually in social 
investments with a focus on STEM education, 
environmental protection, enterprise 
support and job creation. In 2021, our total 
community investment was €11.8 million 
(2020: €11.5 million) equating to 1.2% 
of profit before-tax, above our 1% target. 

What’s next? 
 — Provided COVID-19 restrictions allow, 
we will carry out SEAT assessments 
at two mills in 2022

 — Review social investment strategies 
to identify areas for improvement, 
including the outcomes of SEAT 
and Community Engagement Plans 
where available

 — Further develop our frameworks 
and standardised governance for 
operations to support strategic social 
investments across the focus areas

Procurement

Commitment
We mitigate risks and create 
greater transparency in our 
supply chains through our 
responsible procurement process

Target
We will minimise the supplier risk ratio 
year-on-year. Supplier risk ratio = (Total 
number of residual high-risk suppliers)/
(Total number of suppliers screened)

 On track

guidance 
+ 
development

Commitment
Ensure that all our wood fibre 
(round wood, wood chips and 
market pulp) is sourced solely 
from credible wood sources

Targets
Maintain 100% of wood fibre compliant 
with credible standards (FSCTM, PEFCTM, 
or controlled wood)

 On track

Maintain 100% FSCTM-certified fibre 
from high-risk countries
Exception: countries where Mondi has 
local operations and expertise  
(i.e. Russia, Bulgaria) 

 On track

100% FSCTM or PEFCTM certified  
market pulp

 On track

100% FSCTM or PEFCTM Chain-of-Custody 
certification for our pulp and paper mills

 On track

We will continue to work with certification 
bodies to ensure credibility of the 
certification and controlled wood systems

 On track

Developing local  
talent in Russia
Our Syktyvkar mill (Russia) collaborates 
with the regional Ministry of Education, 
Science and Youth to attract high-quality 
employees to Komi Republic. “Choose 
the future with Mondi! Stay in Komi!” 
is a unique career guidance programme 
that aims to encourage school children 
to pursue a career in engineering at our 
mill and other industrial enterprises in 
the region.

Responsible procurement is vital to 
all parts of our integrated value chain. 
Our global supply chain includes around 
14,000 suppliers1 in more than 66 countries. 
In 2021, we procured €5.9 billion worth 
of goods and services from suppliers 
(2020: €5.1 billion). Products and services 
purchased locally represented 58% of 
overall spend (2020: 58%). 

Our Responsible Procurement process aims 
to achieve a consistent process for selecting, 
evaluating, on-boarding and monitoring 
suppliers globally based on their sustainability 
risk and performance. Due to specific 
requirements related to the responsible 
procurement of wood and pulp, we have 
a dedicated Due Diligence Management 
System (DDMS) which ensures all our wood 
fibre (round wood, wood chips and market 
pulp) is purchased from responsible sources. 

1  Direct suppliers that were active in 2021 with at least one 

purchase order, grouped into single entities 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202173

How have we performed?  
In 2021 we screened 2,617 supplier 
production sites. 12.6% of supplier sites 
were found to be potential high risk. 
Following a review of initial screening 
results, 4.1% were de-escalated and 
8.4% were requested to complete a 
questionnaire. Based on evaluation of these 
questionnaires and follow up conversations 
with our sustainability specialists, 5.9% of 
suppliers were de-escalated. Through the 
engagement of local buyers, the total 
percentage of non-responsive suppliers 
was 2.3% and the number of incomplete 
questionnaires 0.2%. By the end of 2021, 
0.1% of screened supplier production sites 
were classified as high risk. In 2020 the total 
of high-risk, non-responsive and incomplete 
questionnaires was 1.3%. Based on 
prioritisation criteria, we have developed 
a risk-mitigation plan for these suppliers 
including further escalation steps such as 
supplier meetings, audits, third-party ESG 
reports and, if required, termination of the 
supplier relationship.

What’s next? 
 — Engage with non-responsive and high 
risk suppliers to implement initiatives 
aimed at reducing risk in our supply 
chain

 — Continue to refine our approach 
to develop a scalable process to 
implement the risk assessment for 
the vast majority of our suppliers

 — Fully integrate responsible 

procurement processes into holistic 
supplier engagement along the 
supplier life cycle

Commitment: We mitigate risks 
and create greater transparency 
in our supply chains through  
our responsible procurement 
process
We partner with suppliers who share our 
values and ambition to drive improvement 
in sustainability, quality and responsible 
conduct. Engagement processes 
include supplier risk management, 
quality management, supplier evaluation 
and audits. 

Key instruments include the Group-wide 
Supply Chain and Responsible Procurement 
Policy, Business Integrity Policy and General 
Supplier Quality Requirements. Our Code 
of Conduct for Suppliers sets the minimum 
standard for environmental, governance, 
legal and ethical issues. Our Responsible 
Procurement process applies a risk-based 
approach to assess suppliers against the 
requirements of our Code of Conduct 
for Suppliers. This supports our response 
to the UK Modern Slavery Act and legal 
requirements in other jurisdictions. 

Target: We will minimise the 
supplier risk ratio year-on-year
We track the proportion of suppliers 
deemed to be high risk to measure our 
annual progress towards reducing supplier 
risk. Our risk screening tool gives an 
indication of which suppliers are potentially 
high risk in one or more of three areas: 
labour and human rights; environment and 
climate change; and water stress. In 2021, 
we defined the scope of screening based 
on criteria related to spend and the critical 
nature of materials or services purchased. 
Consequently, more local suppliers2 
were included in the risk assessment 
process. Over the last three years we have 
successfully screened over 6,000 suppliers 
representing 77% of our total spend. 

Commitment: Ensure that all 
our wood fibre (round wood, wood 
chips and market pulp) is sourced 
solely from credible wood sources
We are committed to zero deforestation 
and to excluding illegal and controversial 
wood fibre sources from our supply chain.  
We do not source tropical tree species, 
species listed as protected by CITES 
or IUCN or wood from genetically 
modified trees. 

We also do not accept wood fibre 
from sources where deforestation and 
unsustainable land conversion happens, 
where biodiversity and other critical 
ecosystem values are under threat, or where 
the rights of workers and communities are 
violated. Legality and labour requirements 
are also relevant further downstream in the 
value chain when wood fibre is processed, 
transported and traded. 

To manage these risks, we procure wood 
fibre through supply chains covered by FSC 
and PEFC Chain-of-Custody certification 
to ensure their integrity. As wood moves 
from certified forests through the supply 
chain, each physical process and ownership 
change has to be covered by valid Chain-
of-Custody certification. This supports 
us to verify the supply chain integrity 
and wood fibre traceability back to 
particular geographies and legal entities. 
All uncertified sources have to be compliant 
with FSC Controlled Wood requirements. 
Local due diligence systems are 
underpinned by National Risk Assessments 
(NRAs) which address country-specific 
legal, environmental and social issues. 

Our DDMS is designed to address risks 
beyond legal and certification requirements 
and the requirements of current assurance 
mechanisms by screening additional 
economic, social and environmental risks. 
We use publicly available information and 
insights from local operations and partners. 
We engage with the FSC and PEFC 
certification schemes and support their 
efforts to remain relevant, fit-for-purpose 
and credible. 

2  Local suppliers of products and services are defined as 

suppliers that are located close to our significant operations 
(including our mills and converting plants) within the 
same region

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements74

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Built on responsible business practices continued

Successful functioning of our DDMS 
depends on the support of local managers 
and specialists across our global operations. 
Our Wood Certification Managers Network 
is an example of effective collaboration 
to ensure responsible sourcing across 
the Group. During the pandemic, we 
developed online training and made it 
available to all employees through our 
intranet, planetmondi. Topics include forest 
certification schemes, sustainable working 
forests, our DDMS and recent changes 
in forest-related legislation in the EU and 
other relevant countries.

How have we performed?
In 2021 we sourced 77% of wood  
fibre as FSC- or PEFC-certified with  
the remainder being Controlled Wood. 
We also achieved 100% certified pulp 
sourcing (94% in 2020) and maintained 
100% Chain-of-Custody certification  
with Controlled Wood requirements for  
our pulp and paper mills.

We engaged with key stakeholders 
on upcoming changes in the evolving 
standards, contributing to working groups 
and public consultations. In 2021, we 
participated in FSC and PEFC’s members’ 
General Assemblies. 

What’s next?
 — Continue to develop our due diligence 
system for paper procurement in our 
converting operations 

 — Further develop risk-based 

approaches and targeted actions to 
address issues in our sourcing regions 
through collaboration with multiple 
stakeholders 

 — Continue to work with FSC and PEFC 
certification schemes and certification 
bodies to support their continuous 
improvement 

Taking Action on Climate  
Page 55-67

Energy and materials flow 2021 

SASB 

Inputs*

Operations

Outputs

Pulp and paper mills

Converting 
operations

Production statistics
Containerboard 
2.7 million tonnes

Kraft paper 
1.3 million tonnes

Uncoated fine paper 
1.6 million tonnes

Newsprint 
0.2 million tonnes

Market pulp 
0.5 million tonnes

Corrugated solutions 
2.2 billion m2

Paper bags 
5.9 billion units

Consumer flexibles 
2.6 billion m2

Engineered materials 
4.8 billion m2

Waste
Recycled/reused
754,237 tonnes

Sent for treatment
19,784 tonnes

Incinerated
115,036 tonnes

Landfilled
142,822 tonnes

Energy sold 
10.2 million GJ

Total water output 
324 million m3

Emissions to water 
34,141 tonnes COD 
109 tonnes AOX

Emissions to air 
4.4 million tonnes CO2e 
48 tonnes TRS 
10,696 tonnes NOx 
1,242 tonnes SO2 
1,003 tonnes particulates

Non-renewable
Energy  
55 million GJ

Chemicals, starch and fillers 
1.1 million tonnes

Aluminium1 
13,049 tonnes

Plastic and films 
0.3 million tonnes

Recycled plastic and films 
508 tonnes

Renewable

Bio-based plastic  
1,256 tonnes

Energy (biofuels) 
98 million GJ

Water 
309 million m3

Wood 
17.3 million m3

External pulp 
0.3 million tonnes

Paper for recycling 
1.4 million tonnes

Virgin containerboard 
and kraft paper 
0.3 million tonnes

Recycled 
containerboard 
0.5 million tonnes

*  Input materials reflect 
purchased quantities.

1  The percentage of aluminium from certified sources is 0%

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202175

SASB  Our approach includes: 

Environmental 
performance

Commitment
We will continually work on 
improving the environmental 
performance of our operations to 
minimise environmental impacts

Targets
100% of our operations will be certified 
according to globally accepted 
environmental standards equivalent 
to ISO 14001 by 2025

 On track

Reduce specific contact water 
consumption of our pulp and paper mills 
in water stressed areas by 5% by 2025 
compared to a 2020 baseline

 Slightly behind target

Reduce specific effluent load to the 
environment (measure COD) by 5% 
by 2025 compared to a 2020 baseline

 On track

Reduce specific NOx emissions from 
our pulp and paper mills by 5% by 2025 
compared to a 2020 baseline

 On track

Reduce specific waste to landfill by 20% 
by 2025 compared to a 2020 baseline

 On track

Our manufacturing processes are resource 
intensive and our environmental impacts 
arise predominantly in our pulp and paper 
mills. Most of the energy we use for our 
processes is generated on-site and, in some 
operations, also from fossil fuels. This results 
in greenhouse gas and other air emissions. 
Our processes also use significant amounts 
of water and generate waste. We see 
every emission to water, air and land as 
lost resource and landfilling as wasted raw 
material. Hazardous waste poses a threat 
to the environment and can create future 
liabilities, particularly when deposited 
in landfills. 

We require our operations to  
comply fully with local and regional 
environmental laws, regulations and 
other standards such as site permits. 
Environmental incidents mainly arise from 
accidental releases. We have established 
management systems and procedures to 
avoid such incidents. Nearly all environmental 
incidents are captured in secondary 
containment, preventing harm to the 
environment. When a major incident does 
occur due to unforeseen circumstances 
or gaps in our internal systems, we 
thoroughly investigate it, take corrective 
action to avoid reoccurrence and share 
lessons learned through our Group 
environmental managers’ network.

Our Environment Policy outlines the 
commitments we adhere to including the 
principle of resource efficiency and cleaner 
production. Our operations around the 
world apply a precautionary approach and 
comply with all applicable environmental 
regulations and permits. When an impact is 
identified, we define mitigating measures to 
avoid harm to the environment. We record 
and thoroughly investigate all environmental 
incidents and complaints.

Environmental management systems 
support our operations to meet 
environmental protection standards, 
compliance with legislation, and improving 
reporting and transparency. Our Sustainable 
Development Management System 
(SDMS) supports our operations, mills, 
forest and converting operations to manage 
their impacts and improve environmental 
performance.

We have implemented ISO 14001 across 
all our pulp and paper mills and forest 
operations. In line with our MAP2030 target 
to implement environmental management 
systems at all our manufacturing operations 
by 2025, we expanded our efforts at 
our converting operations. In 2021, we 
established a working group to support 
us to meet this target.

Using resources efficiently
The United Nations Environment 
Programme (UNEP) defines the principles 
of resource efficiency to which we adhere. 
By investing in Best Available Techniques 
(BAT), we have significantly improved our 
resource efficiency. 

 — Managing our water impacts  

SASB 

We assess and manage our water- 
related risks and conduct basin- and 
production-related water stewardship 
assessments. We focus on increasing 
reuse and recycling of water and using 
water efficiently and responsibly. We also 
closely monitor the volume and quality 
of the waste water we discharge, 
releasing it at a quality level that is in line 
with the local regulatory requirements.

 — Reducing emissions to air  

We invest in the modernisation of our 
mills´ energy plants and implement BAT 
standards to reduce our impacts on air 
quality. We have identified investment 
projects and opportunities including 
combustion modification technologies 
such as low NOx burners, implementing 
flue-gas abatement techniques and 
switching fuel from coal to biomass 
or to gas, which has significantly lower 
NOx emissions per unit of energy.

 — Reducing waste and promoting 

the circular economy  
Our goal is zero waste to landfill by 
2030. By working with our partners and 
investing in the right initiatives, we are 
working to improve resource efficiency 
within and beyond all our operations. 
We monitor the volume of operational 
waste (by waste type and waste routes) 
across all operations and find ways to 
divert unavoidable waste from being 
landfilled wherever possible and feasible. 
We especially focus on preventing 
hazardous waste from going to landfill.

 — Managing environmental incidents 

and ensuring compliance 
We work to minimise and eliminate 
potential negative impacts of our 
operations on local communities and 
the environment. We define appropriate 
mitigating measures whenever an impact 
is identified and find ways to avoid harm 
to the environment. We also record and 
thoroughly investigate every complaint. 

SASB 

How have we performed? 
In 2021, we reported a 22.1% decrease 
in specific waste sent to landfill compared 
with the previous year, mainly by starting 
up a recultivation project at our mill in 
Syktyvkar (Russia). We have reduced 
hazardous waste to landfill over the last 
fifteen years by more than 99%. Currently, 
about 289 tonnes of hazardous waste is 
disposed in landfills. Within our MAP2030 
working groups we are focusing on finding 
alternatives to landfilling.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements76

Mondi Action Plan 2030
Built on responsible business practices continued

100% of our pulp and paper mills and 
forestry operations and 66% of our 
converting operations were certified to the 
international environmental management 
system standard ISO 14001 in 2021. This is 
a 1% improvement of the Group´s ISO 14001 
certification level. 

In 2021, our specific NOx emissions 
were 5.8% lower than the 2020 baseline. 
This improvement is due to the investment 
at our mill in Ružomberok (Slovakia). 

We achieved a Group-specific COD 
reduction of 10.9% compared with 2020. 
The biggest reduction was achieved 
by Syktyvkar as a consequence of the 
wastewater treatment plant modernisation. 
In 2021, specific contact water use of our 
pulp and paper mills in water stressed areas 
slightly increased by 0.2% compared to the 
2020 baseline due to process instabilities 
at our Richards Bay mill (South Africa). 

We are committed to regulatory 
compliance and ensure that our operating 
sites conform to strict performance 
parameters. In 2021, Mondi reported 
95 non-monetary sanctions for non-
compliance with environmental laws and 
regulations (2020: 82). We paid fines 
totalling approximately €13,657 involving  
10 cases. 

What’s next? 
 — Invest in the modernisation of our 

evaporation plant in Syktyvkar (Russia) 
to reduce COD emissions and water 
consumption

 — Continue to implement water 

stewardship assessments at our pulp 
and paper mills in 2022

 — Install a low NOx-burner in our lime 
kiln in Syktyvkar (Russia) to reduce 
NOx emissions

Circular Driven Solutions 
Page 46-49
Taking Action on Climate  
Page 55-67

We ensure that all our wood 
fibre is purchased from 
responsible sources and in line 
with our commitment to zero 
deforestation

Waste management
 — Mondi used 17.3 million m3 of 

wood and 3.8 million tonnes of 
other raw materials to manufacture 
its products, out of which 1.9 million  
tonnes are from recycled resources

 — Mondi generated 1.0 million 

tonnes of waste in 2021. 73% of 
the waste was recycled or reused, 
11% incinerated to generate energy, 
2% was specially treated and 
14% landfilled 

Water management
 — 88% of the water we use in 

our operations for contact water 
or for cooling is released back to 
freshwater (e.g. rivers, lakes), 6% is 
sent to the ocean, 6% is contained 
in our products (e.g. humidity of 
paper) or evaporated at our energy 
and manufacturing sites

 — The water used in our manufacturing 

process (206.9 million m3) and 
water received from third parties 
for treatment (33.0 million m3) is 
treated in our own and/or external 
wastewater treatment plants to fulfil 
all permission requirements 

 — 84.5 million m3 of non-contact 

water used in our energy plants, has 
not been in contact with process 
chemicals, and has been monitored 
to ensure suitability for the receiving 
water body 

Air emissions

Specific NOx emissions (per tonne of saleable production)

Total reduced sulphur (TRS) emissions and malodorous gases

SO2 emissions

Fine dust emissions

Ozone depleting substances (ODS)

SASB 

2020 
performance

2021 
performance

% change 
2020–2021

1.77 kg

1.67 kg

48.2 tonnes

48.5 tonnes

1,059 tonnes 1,242 tonnes

961 tonnes 1,003 tonnes

4.2 tonnes

3.9 tonnes

-5.8%

0.5%

17.3%

4.3%

-6.7%

Mondi uses very small amounts of organic solvents, mainly in printing at our converting operations. Volatile organic compound emissions from our operations are not material 
and are not reported at Group level. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202177

Reporting on  
our sustainability 
performance

In addition to this section, pages 
20-23 summarise our established 
approach to engaging with key 
stakeholders and how our directors 
have fulfilled their duties under 
Section 172 of the Companies 
Act 2006 in 2021. The insights and 
dialogue we cultivate through these 
engagement activities have continued 
to define our sustainability focus. 

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

Non-financial key 
performance indicators

Page 16-19 

Page 55-67, 
75-76 

Page 50-54 

Page 71-72 

Page 70 

Page 68-69 

Page 86-97 

Page 42-43  
and 45-76 

External assurance 
Our Sustainable Development (SD) report 
provides a comprehensive view of our 
approach to sustainable development and 
our performance in 2021. ERM CVS has 
been engaged to provide assurance on 
selected information and key performance 
indicators as well as check that the SD 
report is in accordance with the Global 
Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards: Core 
option and the Sustainability Accounting 
Standards Board (SASB): Containers & 
Packaging Industry Standard, and that 
information included in our Integrated 
report is consistent and comparable. 
We have also prepared an index mapping 
our GRI and SASB disclosures. The signed 
ERM CVS Independent Assurance 
Statement is included in our Sustainable 
Development Report.

Sustainable Development Report 
www.mondigroup.com/sd21

Materiality
Our materiality assessment enables us to 
explore what matters most to our business 
and our stakeholders. It also helps us 
articulate what these impacts and issues 
mean for Mondi, both now and in the 
future. In 2021, we carried out a materiality 
assessment with third party expert support, 
taking both impact and financial materiality 
into account.

Section 172 statement 
Page 22

External recognition
We have been recognised as a leader in sustainability by a number of external corporate ratings and indices, including:

‘Triple A’ score for climate 
change, forest and water 
security
CDP ‘Triple A’ score for 
climate change, forests and 
water security as one of 14 
companies worldwide out of 
12,000 organisations rated

‘AAA’ Rating
MSCI ESG Rating top  
‘AAA’ score for strong  
resilience to ESG risks

Prime status
ISS ESG Corporate Rating  
highest sector-specific score 
for ESG performance

Ranked #1 in 
Paper & Forest Industry
Sustainalytics top score 
out of 81 companies ranked 
in Paper & Forestry industry 
(October 2021)

Member of V.E Indices
Member of the following 
V.E Indices: 
World 120 
Europe 120 
UK 20

Member of FTSE4Good 
Index Series
Member of Index Series 
demonstrating strong ESG  
practices

Top 1% globally
Platinum status in EcoVadis 
Corporate Social Responsibility 
(CSR) ratings

Member of Top 30 Index
Member of the FTSE/JSE 
Responsible Investment  
Top 30 Index for stocks 
with highest ESG ratings 
in South Africa

Highest level score 
in Paper Sector
Top level climate change score 
by Transition Pathway Initiative

 — Management Quality: 

Level 4 rating

 — Carbon performance aligned 

with Paris Pledges

Industry-leading 
sustainability reporting
’Top performer’ in the 
annual member ranking 
of sustainability reports by 
WBCSD Reporting Matters 
and Radley Yeldar

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements78

Business unit trading review
Corrugated Packaging

2021

2,510

670

26.7%

529

223

2,338

26.1%

2020

Change %

34%

29%

33%

1,879

518

27.6%

397

249

2,087

22.5%

Input costs were higher year-on-year, in 
particular paper for recycling, energy and 
transport costs. Following a period of sharp 
increases, paper for recycling costs have 
remained stable at elevated levels since 
the second quarter. Average European 
benchmark prices for the year were around 
2.5 times higher than the prior year.

Cash fixed costs were up due to higher 
maintenance costs, additional personnel 
to serve growing customer demand and 
inflationary effects, mitigated by our cost 
control initiatives. 

In May 2021, we completed the acquisition 
of a 90% interest in Olmuksan. With this 
transaction, we significantly strengthened 
our position in the fast-growing Turkish 
corrugated market, expanding our offering  
to existing and new customers in the 
region. Integration is progressing well 
and the business delivered ahead of 
our expectations. 

Our strategy 
Page 28-41

Financial performance

€ million

Segment revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Underlying EBITDA margin

Underlying operating profit

Capital expenditure cash payments

Operating segment net assets

ROCE

Corrugated Packaging delivered very 
strongly in the year, driven by higher 
volumes, significantly higher average 
prices and the contribution from recently 
completed capital investments and 
acquisitions.

Demand was very strong throughout the 
year with growth across all end-uses, and 
most notably in eCommerce and FMCG 
applications. Containerboard sales volumes 
were up on the prior year supported by 
our broad, high-quality product portfolio. 
Corrugated Solutions grew volumes 
13% organically year-on-year, a notable 
achievement enabled by our value chain 
integration, ongoing investment in the 
business and our sharp focus on innovation 
and customer service. 

We implemented price increases across 
all containerboard grades during the 
year, leading to higher average selling 
prices year-on-year, with the magnitude 
of the increases varying by grade. 
Average benchmark European selling 
prices for unbleached kraftliner and 
recycled containerboard were up 24% 
and 45%, respectively; while average 
benchmark white top kraftliner and semi-
chemical fluting prices, which are typically 
more stable over time, were up 8% and 
13%, respectively.

We were successful in passing on higher 
input paper costs through box price 
increases over the course of the year. 

FloralBox
A modular eCommerce solution 
that optimises packaging and 
protection requirements for the 
transportation of plants

Segment revenue
(€ million)

€2,510m

Underlying EBITDA margin

2,115

2,014

%
4
3
3

.

%
9
8
2

.

1,879

%
6
7
2

.

1,798

%
5
6
2

.

2,510

%
7
6
2

.

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Underlying EBITDA
(€ million)

€670m

ROCE

707

%
7
4
3

.

477

%
0
4
2

.

583

%
9
4
2

.

518

%
5
2
2

.

670

%
1
.
6
2

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Flexible Packaging

79

2021

2,889

526

18.2%

367

2

176

2,632

15.0%

2020

Change %

8%

1%

1%

2,667

519

19.5%

362

(8)

162

2,475

14.5%

Prices in the kraft paper value chain were 
modestly up year-on-year following price 
increases implemented during 2021. On the 
back of continued strong order books and 
tight market conditions, we implemented 
further price increases across our range of 
kraft papers and paper bags at the start of 
2022. Average kraft paper prices in Q1 2022 
are up between 20% to 25% on average 
compared to average 2021 price levels.

We continue to drive innovation to 
support our customers’ transition to more 
sustainable packaging, and to partner 
along the value chain to create products 
for a circular economy, incorporating paper 
where possible, developing recyclable 
flexible plastic-based packaging solutions 
and increasing recycled content in 
our packaging.

Input costs were materially up year-on-
year, with higher plastic resin, energy and 
transport costs. While cash fixed costs 
were higher due to increased costs to 
service our customers’ incremental volumes 
and inflationary effects, this was mitigated 
by our strong cost control initiatives.

Our strategy 
Page 28-41

Segment revenue
(€ million)

€2,889m

Underlying EBITDA margin

2,634

2,708

2,708

2,667

Financial performance

€ million

Segment revenue

Underlying EBITDA

2,889

Underlying EBITDA margin

Underlying operating profit

Special items before tax

%
8
6
1

.

%
0
7
1

.

%

1
.
0
2

%
5
9
1

.

%
2
8
1

.

Capital expenditure cash payments

Operating segment net assets

ROCE

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Underlying EBITDA
(€ million)

€526m

ROCE

442

461

543

519

526

%
6
3
1

.

%
3
4
1

.

%
7
5
1

.

%
5
4
1

.

%
0
5
1

.

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Flexible Packaging achieved good volume 
growth and successfully implemented price 
increases to recover significantly higher 
input costs.

Volume growth was supported by our 
innovative and sustainable packaging 
portfolio. We saw strong growth in retail 
end-uses, in particular paper-based shopping 
and eCommerce bags as well as consumer 
applications, such as food and pet food, 
where we have leading market positions. 
Demand for building materials, construction 
and other specialised applications remained 
good during the period.

Kraft paper sales volumes were 
significantly up on the prior year, in 
particular in our range of speciality kraft 
papers which has grown by 190,000 tonnes 
over the last three years, benefiting from 
the increasing demand from customers for 
paper-based sustainable packaging, our 
product development initiatives and capital 
investments completed early in the year. 
Paper bag sales volumes were up 9%, with 
growth in all regions supported by good 
demand in traditional industrial end-uses 
and growing demand in new applications; 
for example, our fully recyclable, 
lightweight and flexible MailerBAG, used 
by our eCommerce customers and now 
accounting for around 3% of total paper 
bag volumes. Consumer flexibles volumes 
were up year-on-year and the business 
focused on successfully passing on higher 
resins and other input costs.

EcoWicketBag
A fully recyclable, paper-based 
alternative to traditional  
plastic packaging for hygiene  
products

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements80

Business unit trading review
Engineered Materials

Segment revenue
(€ million)

€876m

Underlying EBITDA margin

1,028

984

979

%
2
3
1

.

%
5
2
1

.

%
4
.
1
1

Financial performance

€ million

Segment revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Underlying EBITDA margin

876

Underlying operating profit

Special items before tax

Capital expenditure cash payments

Operating segment net assets

ROCE

%
1
.
8

801

%
0
0
1

.

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Change %

9%

(11)%

(2)%

2021 

876

71

8.1%

43

5

33

632

7.4%

2020

801

80

10.0%

44

(49)

74

589

7.5%

Underlying EBITDA
(€ million)

€71m

ROCE

136

122

%
8
3
1

.

112

%
4
.
1
1

%
4
4
1

.

80

%
5
7

.

71

%
4
7

.

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Engineered Materials’ performance 
stabilised in 2021 in line with our 
expectations. The business saw generally 
good demand in consumer end-uses, 
and a strong recovery in most industrial 
and specialised end-uses, in particular in 
Functional Paper and Films, which serves 
a broad range of applications including 
graphic arts, tapes and industrial.

We completed the transformation of the 
Personal Care Components area during the 
year. As anticipated, volumes were lower as 
a key product matures and we implement 
certain technology changes, while we saw 
the benefits of our product development 
and restructuring initiatives.

Input costs were higher on average, due to 
higher resin, energy, speciality kraft paper 
and transport costs. Cash fixed costs were 
lower as a result of restructuring initiatives 
and ongoing strong cost control.

The expertise and coating technologies 
of Functional Paper and Films provide real 
advantage to Flexible Packaging’s speciality 
kraft paper business, working closely with 
our customers to develop further innovative 
sustainable packaging solutions.

Our strategy 
Page 28-41

PerFORMing 
Monoloop
Formable paper-based food  
tray that reduces CO2 emissions  
and is recyclable in certain  
paper streams

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Uncoated Fine Paper

81

2021

1,652

270

16.3%

160

139

1,595

11.9%

2020

Change %

11%

2%

5%

1,485

266

17.9%

153

145

1,582

11.3%

Input costs were up with significantly higher 
energy and transport costs. Cash fixed 
costs were higher, with strong cost control 
mitigating higher maintenance costs and 
inflationary cost pressures. 

Lower export prices and a strong South 
African rand during the period resulted 
in a non-cash forestry fair value loss of 
€7 million, down €34 million compared to 
the prior year gain. Based on current market 
conditions, we expect a forestry fair value 
gain in 2022.

Our strategy 
Page 28-41

Financial performance

€ million

Segment revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Underlying EBITDA margin

Underlying operating profit

Capital expenditure cash payments

Operating segment net assets

ROCE

Trading in Uncoated Fine Paper improved 
over the course of 2021. Driven by higher 
average selling prices and higher volumes, 
underlying EBITDA was up despite longer 
planned maintenance shuts (€30 million 
year-on-year effect), materially higher 
input costs, and a lower forestry fair value 
movement (down €34 million).

Uncoated fine paper sales volumes grew 
11% in the period. Our customers value 
us as a supplier of choice while capacity 
leaves the market, recognising the strength 
of our strategic position, underpinned by a 
broad product portfolio, excellent customer 
service and superior cost competitiveness. 
We increased our market share in all the 
key markets where we operate. In Europe, 
we estimate market demand increased 
6-7% year-on-year showing a good 
recovery. Our own sales in the region were 
up 14%. 

On the back of improving demand and 
increasing costs we implemented a series 
of price increases, most notably in the 
second half of the year, as well as in early 
2022. While in 2021 the average benchmark 
European uncoated fine paper selling prices 
were broadly flat year-on-year, prices are 
today 20-22% higher than the 2021 average.

NAUTILUS® 
SuperWhite
Premium quality paper made  
from 100% post-consumer waste  
without compromising on quality

Segment revenue
(€ million)

€1,652m

Underlying EBITDA margin

1,832

1,877

1,758

1,652

1,485

%
3
5
2

.

%
5
7
2

.

%
3
5
2

.

%
9
7
1

.

%
3
6
1

.

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Underlying EBITDA
(€ million)

€270m

ROCE

516

%
9
.
1
3

464

%
6
6
2

.

444

%

1
.
5
2

266

270

%
3
.
1
1

%
9
.
1
1

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements82

Financial review

Strength  
+ Flexibility

Mike Powell 
Group CFO

Our financial performance

€ million

Group revenue

Underlying EBITDA

% margin

Depreciation, amortisation and impairments 
(underlying)

Underlying operating profit

% margin

Net profit/(loss) from joint ventures

Net finance costs

Underlying profit before tax

Underlying tax charge

Non-controlling interests

Underlying earnings

Special items before tax

Profit for the year attributable to shareholders

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

2021

7,723

1,503

19.5%

(439)

1,064

13.8%

6

(94)

976

(212)

(17)

747

7

756

155.9

154.0

16.9%

2021

4,870

926

988

558

2020

% change

16%

11%

15%

18%

19%

30%

30%

19%

6,663

1,353

20.3%

(428)

925

13.9%

(3)

(95)

827

(180)

(20)

627

(57)

582

120.0

129.3

15.2%

2020

4,641

923

739

557

(690)

(687)

6,652

4,498

391

1,763

6,652

6,173

4,002

380

1,791

6,173

This section includes Alternative Performance Measures which are defined on pages 243-247

Mondi delivered strongly in 2021, with 
underlying EBITDA of €1,503 million, 
up €150 million on the prior year (11%), 
driven mainly by higher sales volumes and 
significantly higher selling prices in the face 
of inflationary cost pressures.

Group revenue was up 16% due to a 
combination of increased sales volumes and 
significantly higher selling prices. We drove 
volume growth in Corrugated Packaging 
and Flexible Packaging, on the back of 
our integrated value chain, our unique 
portfolio of innovative and sustainable 
packaging solutions and our attention to 
quality and service. Uncoated fine paper 
volumes were also up, with our customers 
recognising the stability of a long-term 
supplier, the sustained quality of our 
products and our reliable and consistent 
service. Selling prices were up across the 
entire business, and most significantly in 
Corrugated Packaging.

Input costs increased materially year-on-
year, in particular energy, resins, paper for 
recycling and transport costs. Energy costs 
gradually increased during the first half 
of the year from the very low levels seen 
in 2020, before rising sharply at the end of 
the third quarter as a result of significant 
increases in the price of European gas 
and electricity. We expect energy costs to 
remain elevated for some time. Our pulp 
and paper mills generate most of their 
energy needs internally, with biomass 
sources accounting for around 65% of 
the fuels used in this process, thereby 
mitigating the impact of the significant 
surge in external fuel costs. Resin and paper 
for recycling costs increased sharply in the 
first half and have remained stable at high 
levels. We are currently seeing rising wood 
and chemical costs and generally expect 
cost pressures to continue.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
83

Underlying EBITDA development
(€ million)

804

(668)

1,353

111

(63)

(34)

1,503

(439)

7

1,071

Underlying
EBITDA

2020

Sales
volumes

Sales
prices

Costs

Currency
effects

Forestry fair
value movement

Depreciation, 
amortisation
& impairments

Operating
special items

Underlying
EBITDA

2021

Operating
profit

2021

Movement in net debt
(€ million)

1,791

(1,503)

298

48

1,763

573

83

268

205

Net 
debt

Dec 2020

Underlying
EBITDA

Working 
capital

Capital
expenditure

Acquisition of
Olmuksan

Tax and
interest 

Dividends

Other

Net 
debt

Dec 2021

Cash fixed costs were higher year-on-
year driven by higher maintenance costs, 
additional resources required to serve surging 
demand from our customers and general 
inflation, mitigated by our strong cost control. 
The impact of planned maintenance 
and project-related shuts on underlying 
EBITDA in 2021 was around €165 million 
(2020: €100 million). Based on prevailing 
market conditions, we estimate that the 
impact of planned maintenance shuts on 
underlying EBITDA in 2022 will be around 
€110 million, of which the first half year 
effect is estimated at around €60 million 
(2021: €50 million).

The non-cash forestry fair value 
movement recognised was €34 million 
lower than the prior year.

Depreciation and amortisation charges 
were slightly higher year-on-year mainly  
due to the effects of our capital investment  
programme.

Underlying operating profit of 
€1,064 million was up 15% on 2020. 

Special items before tax during the period 
amounted to a net income of €7 million 
mainly relating to reversal of impairments 
and net release of provisions for costs 
initially recognised as special items in 
prior years (2020: €57 million net charge).

After taking the effect of special items into 
account, operating profit of €1,071 million, 
was up 23%. Basic earnings of 155.9 euro 
cents per share were up 30% compared 
to 2020.

Strong cash flow generation
Cash generated from operations of 
€1,339 million (2020: €1,485 million), 
reflects the continued strong cash 
generating capability of the Group. 
This included the impact of an increase 
in working capital on the back of strong 
turnover growth in the year. The net cash 
outflow from the movement in working 
capital was €205 million (2020: €125 million 
inflow). As a percentage of revenue, 
working capital was in line with our 
expected range of 12% to 14% at 12.8% 
(2020: 11.1%).

Capital expenditure was €573 million 
(2020: €630 million). Tax paid was 
€190 million (2020: €168 million). 

In May 2021 we completed the acquisition 
of a 90.4% interest in Olmuksan for a 
consideration of €66 million which implies 
an enterprise value of €88 million on 
a 100% basis. Pursuant to local stock 
exchange rules, in July 2021 we completed 
a mandatory tender offer, leading to the 
acquisition of an additional 1.6% of the 
outstanding shares in the company for 
a total consideration of €3 million.

Interest paid was €78 million 
(2020: €82 million). We are pleased 
to have paid dividends to shareholders 
of €298 million (2020: €237 million) 
in the year.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements84

Financial review

Net debt and interest

€ million

Net debt

Trailing 12-month average net debt

Net finance costs

Effective interest rate (%)

Committed facilities

Of which undrawn

Net debt to underlying EBITDA (times)

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 maintain an 
appropriate capital structure, with a balance 
between equity and net debt, in order to 
sustain our investment grade credit rating.

Our capital employed is used to fund the 
growth of the business and to finance our 
liquidity needs. We have diverse sources 
of funding with various debt maturities. 

Our short-term liquidity needs are met 
through our Syndicated Revolving Credit 
Facility and available cash. In June 2021, 
the Group entered into a new €750 million 
5-year revolving multi-currency credit 
facility agreement (‘RCF’) to refinance 
the existing €750 million facility that was 
due to mature in July 2022. The agreement 
includes options to extend the RCF by 
one or two years with each bank’s approval. 

2021

1,763

1,875

94

4.6%

2,760

803

1.2

2020

% change

(2)%

(7)%

(1)%

1,791

2,012

95

4.5%

2,772

869

1.3

The RCF incorporates key sustainability 
targets linked to MAP2030, classifying 
the facility as a Sustainability Linked Loan. 
There are no financial covenants included in 
the RCF or any other Group facility. We aim 
to maintain sufficient headroom under this 
facility for the potential needs of the Group.

Underlying net finance costs of €94 million 
were slightly down on the previous year. 
Average net debt of €1,875 million was 
lower (2020: €2,012 million) while the 
effective interest rate was slightly higher 
at 4.6% (2020: 4.5%) due to higher 
cash balances.

The Group’s credit ratings were unchanged 
with Standard & Poor’s at BBB+ (stable 
outlook) and Moody’s Investors Service 
at Baa1 (stable outlook).

Other primary sources of the Group’s net 
debt include our €2.5 billion Guaranteed 
Euro Medium Term Note Programme and 
financing from various banks and other 
credit agencies. 

At 31 December 2021, Mondi had a strong 
liquidity position of around €1.3 billion, 
comprising €803 million of undrawn 
committed debt facilities and cash and cash 
equivalents of €455 million. The weighted 
average maturity of our committed debt 
facilities was 4.7 years. 

Net debt at 31 December 2021 was 
€1,763 million, reduced from €1,791 million 
at 31 December 2020. Net debt to underlying 
EBITDA ended the year at 1.2 times 
(2020: 1.3 times).

Cash generated from operations
(€ million)

Maturity profile of net debt
(€ million)

Composition of debt 
(€ million)

€1,339m

€1,763m

1,654

1,635

1,363

1,485

1,339

  Within 1 year 

(341)

1–2 years 

  2–5 years 

  >5 years 

41

1,184

879

The graph excludes net cash 
of €341 million (maturity of 
less than 1 year)

  Bonds 

1,840

  Lease liabilities 

204

  Bank loans 

and overdrafts 

  Other loans 

159

25

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
 
85

Currencies
Our global 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, converted 
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 with derivative contracts.

Currency movements had a net negative 
impact on underlying EBITDA of around 
€63 million versus the prior year as a result 
of the impact on certain of our export 
oriented businesses of a weaker US dollar, 
notably in the first half of the year; coupled 
with losses on translation from a weaker 
Russian rouble and Turkish lira relative 
to the euro.

Tax
We aim to manage our tax affairs in 
accordance with national legislative 
provisions and within the guidelines set 
down by the Organisation for Economic 
Cooperation and Development (OECD). 
Our objective is to structure our operations 
tax efficiently and take advantage of 
available incentives and exemptions 
provided by governments for eligible capital 
investments, R&D and similar expenditure. 
We do not enter into any artificial 
arrangements and tax decisions are made 
in response to business transactions and 
activities. 

We respect the right of national 
governments to set and levy national 
taxes and, where those taxes impact cross 
border flows, the guidelines set down by 
the OECD, and in double taxation treaties. 
Our tax strategy reflects our approach to 
tax. The Board reviews and approves our 
tax strategy each year, and we make our tax 
statement publicly available on our website. 

While ultimate responsibility for the tax 
affairs of the Group rests with the Board, 
the Executive Committee ensures that 
the tax governance framework is aligned 
with the principles of financial management 
applied throughout the Group. At both 
Board and Executive Committee level, 
the Group CFO is accountable for the 
conduct of the Group’s tax affairs. 

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. The Board formally reviews 
tax management activities on an annual 
basis. 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. We maintain a constructive 
dialogue with tax authorities and 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. 

The underlying tax charge for the year 
was €212 million (2020: €180 million) giving 
an effective tax rate of 22% (2020: 22%), 
in line with our expectations. 

Net debt and finance costs
(€ million)

Currency split of net debt 
(%)

Average net debt
Effective interest rate 

Net finance costs (underlying)

2,243

1,979

2,012

1,875

%
2
4

.

%
2
4

.

%
5
4

.

%
6
4

.

1,572

%
8
4

.

85

88

104

95

94

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

  Euro 

  Czech koruna 

  Polish zloty 

  South African rand 

  Swedish krona 

  Thai baht 

  Russian rouble 

  Other 

35

18

16

11

5

5

3

7

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
86

Principal risks
How we manage risk

Our Group risk management framework and internal 
control environment is designed to address the risks 
that could undermine our business model and ability 
to execute our strategy into the future.

Risk management is by its nature a dynamic 
and ongoing process. Risk management 
is of key importance given the diversity 
of the Group’s locations, markets and 
production processes.

In combination with the Audit Committee, 
the Board has conducted a robust 
assessment of the Group’s principal and 
emerging risks and is satisfied that the 
Group has effective systems and controls 
in place to manage these risks within the 
risk appetite levels established.

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

The Board has determined the Group’s 
risk appetite, using a risk rating matrix 
which takes into consideration both the 
likelihood of the risk event occurring 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 related 
mitigating actions and controls. The Board 
has also established specific appetite levels 
for each principal risk, ensuring that our 
risk exposure remains appropriate at any 
point in time. The Board considers changes 
in current principal risks and reviews 
emerging risks during the year. 

The Audit Committee performs an annual 
review of the Group principal risks and 
related mitigation, including consideration 
of acceptable risk appetite levels for the 
Group. Each of the Group’s principal and 
emerging risks are reviewed in detail by 
either the Board, the Audit Committee or 
the Sustainable Development Committee 
through the course of the year, considering 
the detailed risk description, the controls 
and mitigating actions in place, the level of 
internal and external assurance obtained, 
and the resultant residual risk exposure. 

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 and emerging risks in 
their respective businesses and identify 
the actions and controls to mitigate these 
risks. Management assurance is provided 
on both a formal and informal basis. 
Risk management is embedded in all 
decision-making processes and captured 
in our policies, procedures and delegated 
authorities, with ongoing review by the 
Board 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 manages the 
risks posed to our business model and 
our strategy. 

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 internal control systems have 
been in place for the year under review and 
up to the date of approval of the Integrated 
report and financial statements 2021 and 
are in accordance with the Guidance on 
Risk Management, Internal Control and 
Related Financial and Business Reporting 
issued by the Financial Reporting Council. 
No significant failings or weaknesses were 
identified in the internal control systems 
for the year under review. 

The Board and its 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 
internal control environment is in place to 
anticipate and respond to risks. The Group’s 
financial reporting process includes the 
monthly flash and management reports, 
an annual three-year plan (“budget period”), 
and 3 updates to the first budget year 
during the course of that budget year. 
Detailed monthly management reports 
and variance analyses comparing actual 
with planned results are prepared. In-depth 
reviews of business units and market 
developments are performed regularly, 
and are designed to ensure ongoing 
monitoring of financial performance and 
early identification of potential issues and/
or emerging risks. In addition, the Board 
reviews the integrated report and financial 
statements to ensure it is fair, balanced and 
understandable and the Audit Committee 
reviews and approves the accounting 
policies for each financial year. 

. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
87

Our risk management framework and internal control environment

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

Board

Overall responsibility for the Group’s strategy and risk management

Determines risk appetite in line with Group strategy, and approves the Group’s risk management framework

Approves the annual budget and three-year plan

Sustainable Development Committee

Audit Committee

Monitors and reviews material safety, health, environment 
and other sustainable development risks, including climate 
change-related risks and opportunities

Reviews and monitors the adequacy and effectiveness of the 
Group’s internal control and risk management processes

Ongoing review of the principal risks through  
the course of the year

Approves the annual internal audit plan

Executive Committee

Formulates risk management policies in terms of the approved risk management framework  
to ensure risks are managed within accepted tolerance levels

Assesses and monitors risks on an ongoing basis

Internal audit
The Group has a 
centrally coordinated 
internal audit function, 
which makes use of 
local competency, 
and reports directly to  
the Audit Committee

Business units

Group functions

Responsible for identification of emerging risks  
and for implementation of risk management policies  
and procedures

Responsible for providing oversight and management 
of certain specialised risk areas that benefit from central 
coordination (e.g. tax, treasury, legal, procurement, information 
management, sustainable development, safety and health)

Work closely with the business units to manage  
and monitor these risk areas

The three levels of assurance in our internal control environment

Operational management

Management review and assurance

Independent assurance

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

 — 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. 

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

 — The Group functions (such as information 

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

 — Internal and external audit.
 — SpeakOut provides a confidential platform 
for reporting irregularities. Follow up is 
coordinated by internal audit and reported 
to the Board and Audit Committee.
 — The Group is subject to independent 

audits against internationally accepted 
standards such as ISO.

 — 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 report assurance, and 
information security programmes.

 — The Group sustainable development key 
performance indicators are externally 
verified.

Sustainable Development report 
www.mondigroup.com/sd21

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements88

Principal risks

Our principal risks

14

17

17

1

13

8

11

12

15

16

10

3

11

4

5

9

2

8

6

10

7

t
c
a
p
m

I

Likelihood

Pandemic
1.  Pandemic risk

Strategic
2.   Industry productive capacity

3.   Product substitution

4.   Fluctuations and variability 
in selling prices or gross  
margins

5.  Country risk

6.  Climate change-related risks

Financial
7.  Capital structure

8.  Currency risk 

9.  Tax risk

Operational
10. Cost and availability  
of raw materials

11. Energy security and  
related input costs

12. Technical integrity of  
our operating assets

13. Environmental impact

14. Employee and contractor 

health and safety

15. Attraction and retention 
of key skills and talent

16. Cyber security risk

Compliance
17. Reputational risk 

Risk movement in the year: 8

8

10

10

11

11

17

17

Our principal risks
Over the course of the past year, the 
Board and the Audit Committee have 
reviewed the principal and emerging risks 
set out below. In evaluating the Group’s 
risk management and internal control 
processes, the Audit Committee has 
considered both internal and external audit 
reports and received confirmation from 
the finance directors of the business units 
that the Group’s control frameworks have 
operated satisfactorily. The sustainable 
development risks considered throughout 
our business have been reviewed by the 
Sustainable Development Committee 
during the year. Sustainable development 
risks that are considered to be principal 
risks are reviewed by the Audit Committee 
as part of the annual review process.

Key changes in the year
The Group’s most significant risks are long 
term in nature. The assessment of the 
principal risks is updated annually to reflect 
the developments in our strategic priorities 
and Board discussions on emerging risks. 

During the year, we enhanced our 
understanding of the risks and implications 
related to climate change and identified it 
as a driver to create long-term structural 
changes to pricing and availability of timber. 
Consequently, the cost and availability of 
raw materials risk was updated to reflect 
an increase in anticipated likelihood of 
occurrence of the risk.

The risk to energy security and related input 
costs was rated higher due to an increase 
in volatility in energy pricing and supply. 
This is driven by long-term changes in 
the energy supply portfolio in the regions 
in which we operate, such as higher 
demand for renewable energy, due to the 
accelerated transition to cleaner energy 
sources and an accompanying increase 
in regulation enacted to deter the impact 
of climate change.

A review of our currency risk and 
related mitigating actions resulted in 
the corresponding residual risk being 
updated to reflect the impact of currency 
movements on our business. 

In consideration of comprehensive 
measures in place to mitigate our 
reputational risk, the impact of non-
compliance with the Group’s legal and 
governance requirements has been 
reviewed and lowered to reflect the 
Group’s view on the potential financial 
and regulatory impact of such instances.

In response to the Group’s assessment 
of information technology risk, the Group 
believes that it has effective mitigating and 
monitoring controls in place to sufficiently 
reduce the risk to an acceptable level and 
has elected to remove the information 
technology risk as a principal risk.

Country risk is a strategic risk to the 
Group. We are actively monitoring the 
rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine, the 
international response and the implications 
for the Group.

Emerging risks
The Board has highlighted the execution 
of major capital expenditure projects 
as a continued notable emerging risk. 
The emerging risk is managed through 
mitigating activities such that the residual 
risk exposure is not considered significant.

All capital expenditure projects are planned 
in detail with contingency plans in place in 
order to avoid cost overruns, design and 
building defects and to ensure employee 
and contractor safety. COVID-19 continues 
to impact our ability to plan and execute 
some of our major capital expenditure 
projects as we carefully plan the number 
of contractors and other non-operating 
people on our sites and adapt to local 
restrictions and unpredictable international 
travel restrictions. We will continue to 
monitor potential risks relating to executing 
major capital expenditure projects in the 
year ahead including, but not limited to, 
the effects of COVID-19.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202189

Pandemic  
risk

Risk owner 

1
Executive Committee (oversight CEO)

COVID-19 continues to impact the 
way we do business due to various 
health, social and economic measures 
implemented by authorities around 
the world to combat the pandemic. 
The health, safety and welfare of 
the Group’s employees and our 
communities remain our top priority. 

The Executive Committee and Board 
continue to monitor our exposure 
and the impact of COVID-19 on the 
Group and evaluate actions to mitigate 
the risk, and where possible, identify 
opportunities that have arisen. In future, 
these actions and other monitoring 
techniques which we have developed, 
will enable the Group to be dynamic in 
its reaction to the risk of a pandemic 
as it develops.

1   Pandemic risk

Potential impact
 — A pandemic may cause the Group to experience 

material labour shortages, supply chain or operational 
interruptions, higher input costs, increased cyber 
security attacks or changes in demand for its 
products that, if experienced in the Group’s major 
facilities or on a widespread basis, could have 
a material adverse effect on the Group’s business. 
 — Availability of containers and transport capacities 

is still limited and the market remains unbalanced as 
a consequence of global supply chain interruptions 
originating from the COVID-19-related lockdowns.

 — As evidenced by COVID-19, a pandemic has the 
potential to impact the technical integrity of our 
assets as contractors, suppliers and employees’ 
restricted availability on our sites limit maintenance 
and capital works.

 — Increased safety risk to employees and contractors 
due to changes in shift patterns and less interaction 
by leaders on the mill or plant floor; general 
health and mental health risks are heightened 
by a pandemic.

 — The various COVID-19 lockdowns across the 

world can negatively impact the demand for some 
of our products, most notably uncoated fine paper, 
as more people work from home. Lower demand 
can lead to lower operating rates which can lead 
to pressure on prices. The impact of lockdown 
restrictions can result in changing consumer 
behaviour and open up new opportunities, such 
as increased demand for eCommerce packaging. 
Structural changes arising post-pandemic related 
lockdowns in the demand for packaging and 
paper products presents additional opportunities 
for growth.

 — New business development initiatives with 

customers could slow down where personal 
interaction or technical support at customer 
premises is required; continued working from 
home may hinder our employees’ development 
of new ideas and team creativity.

 — A pandemic can have a severe economic impact, 
which increases the risk of additional taxes being 
levied on businesses.

 — The COVID-19 pandemic has potentially enhanced 
the Group’s reputational risk, as communities have 
become more vulnerable to loss of livelihoods and 
more dependent on major local businesses to secure 
jobs, safeguard employee and community health, 
help fund and supply local hospitals and clinics, 
and support local businesses.

Mitigation
 — Closely monitoring the latest developments, 
assessing risks, providing guidance, and 
implementing preventative policies in line 
with individual government regulations and 
recommendations in the countries in which 
we operate.

 — A responsible and effective pandemic response, 
including actions to safeguard employee and 
community health, secure jobs directly and 
indirectly, support and fund local clinics and 
hospitals, produce goods and services needed 
for everyday life.

 — Continuous monitoring of the impact on business 

operations, such as the Group’s supply chain, 
credit risk events and business interruptions 
and implementing prompt interventions 
when necessary. 

 — Personal protection measures implemented at 

all of our sites with intensified hygiene and social 
distancing protocols that meet or exceed local 
and international guidelines, and, where possible, 
flexible working for employees.

 — Where employees work from home, having 

effective digital collaboration tools to enable 
continued effective communication with their 
colleagues, customers and suppliers; we raise 
employee awareness to cyber security risks and 
implement additional security measures related 
to remote working, including additional monitoring 
and testing of our network and all relevant systems 
on a regular basis.

 — Implement cost controls.
 — Maintaining a strong balance sheet, sufficient 

liquidity, investment grade credit ratings and good 
relationships with a broad range of banks.
 — For any new infectious diseases that are 

flagged as critical and could likely develop into 
a pandemic, the Group will employ its own internal 
monitoring and mitigating activities in line with 
our safety protocols, government regulations and 
additional measures developed during the current 
COVID-19 pandemic.

Supporting our 
stakeholders and 
prioritising safety, 
health and wellbeing

Link to strategic 
framework

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements90

Principal risks

Strategic  
risks

Risk owner

2   3   4   5
Executive Committee (oversight CEO)

6
SD Committee (oversight Group Head 
of Sustainable Development)

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

We are actively monitoring the 
rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine, 
the international response and the 
implications for the Group. We continue 
to track capacity announcements, 
demand developments and how 
consumers are demanding more 
sustainable packaging. We continue to 
increase our understanding of climate 
change-related risks and its impact 
whilst continuing to improve our 
disclosures and develop our responses. 

The Executive Committee and Board 
monitor our exposure to these risks 
and evaluate investment decisions 
against our overall exposures so that 
our strategic capital allocation takes 
advantage of the opportunities arising 
from our deliberate exposure to 
such risks. 

2   Industry productive capacity

3   Product substitution

Potential impact
 — Market supply/demand balance is impacted by large 

Potential impact
 — Changes in consumer preferences and socio-

incremental new capacity additions.

 — Unless market growth exceeds capacity additions, 
excess capacity may lead to lower selling prices.

 — Plant utilisation levels are the main driver of 

profitability in paper mills. 

 — Investments in newer technology may lower 

operating costs and provide increased product 
functionality, particularly relevant in the converting 
businesses, which can increase competition and 
impact margins.

Mitigation
 — Monitoring 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, enabling us to establish 
target capacity utilisation levels in the short term 
and to evaluate capital investment projects in the 
long term.

 — Strategic focus on owning cost-advantaged 

assets, with consistent investment to secure our 
competitiveness, coupled with increasing our 
exposure to structurally growing markets.

 — Partnering with our customers for innovation, 

developing sustainable and responsibly 
produced products. 

 — Continuous focus on operational performance, 

quality, customer relationships and service, including 
developing and applying digital platforms to 
drive performance in our operations and improve 
customer reach.

 — Maintaining strong relationships with machine 

suppliers to identify current market developments 
and technologies, coupled with a routine review 
of our asset portfolio and capacity utilisation levels 
to identify underperforming assets and take decisive 
action to drive performance.

economic and demographic trends can affect the 
demand for packaging and paper products in general, 
and demand for specific grades of our products 
in particular. 

 — Substitution can be to a different packaging or 

paper substrate or to a different solution meeting 
the same need. 

 — With increased public awareness of sustainability 

challenges and our customers’ focus on sustainable 
packaging; on balance, our business faces more 
opportunities than risks, underpinned by the transition 
from plastics to paper, although there could be 
pressures on certain areas of our portfolio. 
 — The ongoing growth of eCommerce creates 

a strong pull for paper-based bags and corrugated 
solutions for eCommerce, additionally we see plastic 
replacement in tertiary packaging as a new pool 
of opportunities.

 — Product substitution trends, many of which benefit 

Mondi are, for example, replacing plastic-based with 
paper-based packaging, moving to mono-material 
recyclable plastic packaging solutions, reducing the 
weight of products, demand for increased recycled 
content in packaging, demand for certified and 
responsibly produced materials and the impact 
of digital media on uncoated fine paper demand.

 — The increased public and stakeholder focus on 

the impact of plastic-based packaging on marine 
and terrestrial ecosystems has led to changes in 
legislation which can be complex and unclear, and 
lack harmonisation which could pose substitution 
or related challenges. 

 — Taxes or Extended Producer Responsibility schemes 
may negatively impact demand for plastic-based 
packaging or packaging without recycled content. 

Mitigation
 — A wide portfolio of paper-based and flexible  

plastic-based solutions, providing protection from 
the effects of substitution between the substrates.
 — Engagement with customers and consumers to help 
understand and drive a more sustainable approach 
to their packaging requirements.

 — Development of sustainable, competitive and  

cost-effective products.

 — Continuous focus on products enjoying positive 

substitution dynamics and growing regional markets. 
 — Regular monitoring of trends and new developments 
in our product markets; conducting customer surveys 
to get a better insight into our customers’ needs. 
 — Organisational collaboration to find solutions to our 
customers’ sustainability challenges by leveraging 
our customer-centric EcoSolutions approach. 

 — Continued collaboration with stakeholders across the 
value chain such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 
CEFLEX and 4evergreen. 

 — Providing product impact and life cycle analysis 

insights to customers through our Product Impact 
Assessment (PIA tool), product carbon footprints, 
Paper Profiles and other expert analysis on trade-offs. 

Supporting our 
strategic priority to 
grow in sustainable 
packaging

Link to strategic 
framework

Link to strategic 
framework

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202191

4    Fluctuations and variability in 
selling prices or gross margins

Potential impact
 — Fluctuations in our key pulp and paper prices can 
have material profit and cash flow implications. 

 — 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. 
 — 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 converting operations are 

impacted by fluctuations in key input costs, such 
as paper, which cannot be passed on to customers 
in all cases. 
Mitigation
 — Strategic focus on higher growth markets and 

products where we enjoy a competitive advantage 
through innovation, proximity or production cost. 

 — Continued investment in our high-quality, cost-
advantaged asset base ensuring we maintain 
our competitive cost position, whilst developing 
businesses in higher growth markets with better 
long-term fundamentals. 

 — Exposure to price volatility of key input costs is 

reduced by our high levels of vertical integration. 
 — Financial policies and structures take the inherent 
price volatility of the markets in which we operate 
into consideration. 

 — Ongoing monitoring of current market fundamentals, 
market demand trends and market prices enabling 
evaluation of price expectations in the short term 
and increased understanding of long-term trends. 

 — Continuous monitoring of our order intake to 

identify changing trends and developments in our 
own product markets. 

 — Frequent review of gross margin development in 
order to monitor price pass through to customers.

5   Country risk

Potential impact
 — The Group has operations across more than 

Mitigation
 — Our geographic diversity and decentralised 

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 a number of uncertainties, including 
the effects of increased protectionism, use of trade 
tariffs and economic sanctions.

management structure, utilising local resources in 
countries in which we operate, reduce our exposure 
to any specific jurisdiction. Our operational 
management teams have strong localised 
operational experience. 

 — Capital and debt is structured in each country 

based on assessed risks and exposures in order 
to mitigate the effect of country specific risks. 
 — Regular review of our sales strategies to mitigate 

export risk in countries with less predictable 
environments and, where possible, obtaining 
credit insurance. 

 — We have significant operations in Russia, representing 

 — Country specific risk premiums are approved 

around 12% of the Group’s revenue by location of 
production in 2021, including our high-margin, cost-
competitive, integrated pulp, packaging paper and 
uncoated fine paper mill located in Syktyvkar (Komi 
Republic). Over the last three years our Russian 
operations have generated around 20% of the 
Group’s underlying EBITDA. Our businesses primarily 
serve the domestic market. In Ukraine Mondi has one 
paper bag plant located in Lviv, west of the country, 
employing approximately 100 people. The US, 
the EU and other countries continue to impose 
economic sanctions and other measures on persons 
and corporate entities in Russia. Possible additional 
sanctions and/or other measures on Russia can have 
a material effect on our business.

 — In South Africa, the Group is subject to land claims 

and could face adverse land claims rulings. 

by the Board to be added to the required returns 
on investment projects in those countries 
where risks are deemed to be higher; new 
investments are subject to rigorous strategic 
and commercial evaluation. 

 — Maintain a permanent internal audit presence 
and operate asset protection units in large 
operations in higher risk locations. 

 — In South Africa we continue to engage with 

government on land matters and monitor how the 
expropriation bill will be implemented. The Group 
has settled a number of land claims structured as 
sale and leaseback arrangements which provide 
a framework for settling future land claims.

 — Active monitoring in 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. 

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Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements92

Principal risks

6   Climate change-related risks

Potential impact
 — Climate change-related risks will likely have 

a high impact on our business in the medium- 
and long-term. 

 — Our manufacturing operations are energy-intensive 
resulting in Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions.

 — Fibre is the main raw material for our products 
and forests are an important carbon store, with 
sustainably managed forests enabling a circular 
bioeconomy.

 — Customers and consumers are increasingly 

concerned about the consequences of climate 
change and are looking for solutions produced from 
renewable materials and reduced carbon footprints. 
Investors are increasingly focused on the climate 
impact of their portfolios. 

 — Our climate change-related risks include transition 

and physical risks. Transition risks include regulatory 
risk for example, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme 
(EU ETS) and a carbon tax in South Africa; and 
energy supply cost volatility due to changes in 
future energy supply mix. Physical risks include 
the impact of water shortages due to drought or 
changing precipitation patterns and increased costs 
driven by a shortage of wood supply in the long 
term due to physical impacts such as droughts, 
pests and diseases. 

Mitigation
 — Reducing our GHG emissions through a 

combination of capital investment and ongoing 
efficiency programmes to improve our energy 
efficiency, optimise the use of biomass-based fuels 
and decrease carbon-intensive energy sources. 
 — Sourcing our wood from diverse regions and forest 
types mitigating the potential impacts of climate 
change on our tree supplies, in particular in Europe; 
in South Africa, we continue to investigate and 
develop wood species which require less water 
and are more resistant to pests and disease.

 — Monitoring and measuring our impact on climate 
change, reporting on GHG emissions and energy 
is independently assured. 

 — Committing to a science-based plan to transition 
to Net-Zero in line with a 1.5°C scenario by 2050, 
which includes commitments to reducing GHG 
emissions across our value chain.

 — Through our participation in the WWF Climate 
Savers programme and the We Mean Business 
Coalition, which aims to catalyse business action, 
we support policy ambition to accelerate the 
transition to a low carbon economy. 

 — Investigating and reporting on climate-related risks 
and opportunities in adherence to internationally 
accepted recommendations, such as those 
published by the FSB’s TCFD. 

 — Continuing to investigate the financial implication of 
our short-, medium- and long-term climate-related 
risks and opportunities.

TCFD 
Page 60-67

Financial  
risks

Risk owner

7
Group CFO

8
Group Treasurer

9
Group Head of Tax

Our approach to financial risk 
management is set out in more detail 
in the Strategic performance and 
Financial review sections. 

We aim to maintain an appropriate 
capital structure and to manage our 
financial risk exposures in compliance 
with all laws and regulations. 

An attentive approach to financial risk 
management remains in response to 
increased scrutiny of the tax affairs of 
multinational companies and ongoing 
short-term currency volatility. 

Link to strategic 
framework

Maintaining our  
strong financial  
position which enables  
strategic flexibility

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202193

7   Capital structure

8   Currency risk

9   Tax risk

Potential impact
 — A strong and stable financial position enables 

flexibility and provides 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. 

Mitigation
 — Our central treasury function operates under a 

Board-approved treasury policy, targeting investment 
grade credit ratings and with access to diverse 
sources of funding with varying maturities.

 — The majority of our external debt is issued centrally. 
 — Interest rate risk is mitigated by using a blend of 

floating and fixed rate debt contracts. 

 — Regular reporting to the Board 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.

Potential impact
 — We operate in a number of countries – all with 
different tax systems, and an international tax 
environment which is becoming more onerous, 
requiring increasing transparency and reporting and 
in-depth scrutiny of the tax affairs of multinational 
companies, such as the Global Reporting Initiative’s 
Tax reporting standard.

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

Mitigation
 — A Board-approved Group tax strategy is 

reviewed annually.

 — Appropriate and attentive management of our 
affairs with operations structured tax efficiently 
to take advantage of available incentives 
and exemptions. 

 — 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 (OECD) guidelines. 

 — External advisory opinions are obtained where 
relevant, including for all major projects with 
potential tax consequences such as acquisitions 
and restructuring activities, with external 
benchmarks used where possible. 

 — Regular engagement with external advisors to 
stay up-to-date with changes in tax legislation 
and tax practice. 

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 and Czech koruna; 
whilst the fluctuations in the US dollar, Russian rouble, 
British pound and Turkish lira can also have a material 
impact as our revenues in these currencies are 
greater than operating costs incurred. 

 — 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. 

Mitigation
 — Hedging is utilised for balance sheet exposures 

and material forecasted capital expenditures upon 
identification. 

 — Diversification of the Group’s currency exposure 
creates natural hedges, as such 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. 
 — Continuous monitoring of exchange rate movements 

and sensitivities, and evaluation of the impact of 
exchange variances on our results. 

 — Regular review of our prices and monitoring of import 

and export trade flows. 

Link to strategic 
framework

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framework

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framework

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements94

Principal risks

Operational  
risks

Risk owner

10
Executive Committee (oversight CEO)

11   12
Group Head of Operations

13
SD Committee (oversight Group 
Technical Director & Group Head 
of Sustainable Development)

14
Group Head of Safety & Health

15
Group HR Director

16
Chief Information Officer

As a Group we focus on operational 
excellence and investment in our 
people and are committed to the 
responsible use of resources. 

Our investments to improve our energy 
efficiency, engineer out our most 
significant safety risks and improve 
operating efficiencies thereby reducing 
the likelihood of operational risk events. 
Physical and transitional risks arising 
due to climate change are anticipated 
to have an operational impact on the 
Group, particularly on supply of wood 
fibre and energy within the EU.

10    Cost and availability 
of raw materials

Potential impact
 — The raw materials we use include significant amounts 

of wood, pulp, paper for recycling, polymers and 
chemicals, meaning access to sustainable sources 
of these raw materials is essential to our operations.
 — The prices for many of these raw materials generally 
fluctuate in correlation with global commodity cycles. 

Mitigation
 — Where possible indexation clauses in revenue 
contracts allow the pass-through of major raw 
material price movements.

 — We are committed to acquiring our raw materials 

from sustainable, responsible sources and avoiding 
the use of any controversial or illegal supply. 

 — Wood prices and availability may be adversely 

 — Multi-stakeholder processes address challenges 

affected by reduced quantities of available suitable 
wood supply, increased frequency of severe weather 
events, changes in rainfall, increased pest and disease 
outbreaks and increasing use of wood as biofuel. 
 — Climate change is expected to create long-term 
structural changes to the pricing and availability 
of timber, with an impact on growing conditions due 
to temperature and precipitation change resulting 
in a geographic shift of optimal growth areas, 
and an impact from forest-related legislative policies 
mainly driven by environmental conservation and  
CO2 emission reduction targets, particularly in the EU. 

 — Where raw materials are sourced in areas of 

weaker governance we may face potential social 
and environmental risks, poor safety and labour 
practices and human rights issues. 

 — Force majeure events can influence raw material 
supply and pricing, directly affecting the market 
production and supply balance.

in meeting demand for sustainable fibre; we 
encourage legislation for the local collection 
of recycled materials. 

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

 — Our operations use multiple suppliers 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 supply impacts of 
unforeseen events. 

 — Our own sources of wood in Russia and South Africa.
 — Strategic partnerships with suppliers of critical 

raw materials enable higher volume allocation in 
times of shortages, and a safety stock programme 
facilitates exchange of raw materials within our 
plant network.

 — Our responsible procurement process helps us to 

assess and evaluate the performance of our suppliers 
and their adherence to our policies. 

 — Wood and pulp suppliers are assessed as part of our 
Due Diligence Management System which addresses 
the main legal and sustainability risks. 

 — In South Africa, we have tree improvement 

programmes to produce stronger hybrids; fire 
prevention and firefighting capacity are integrated 
into a fire management system with local Fire 
Protection Associations and neighbouring operations.

Investing to improve 
efficiency and  
enhance operational 
excellence

Link to strategic 
framework

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202195

11    Energy security and related 

12    Technical integrity of our 

13   Environmental impact

SASB 

input costs

operating assets

Potential impact
 — Availability of sufficient and reliable energy supply 

Potential impact
 — We have five major mills which account for 

is increasingly becoming a concern; as the transition 
to cleaner energy sources accelerates, accompanied 
by increased regulation, the energy supply portfolio 
is undergoing long-term changes, such as an 
increase in demand for renewable energy and an 
increase in carbon taxes, which increases the risk 
of more volatile pricing as well as potential for severe 
energy interruptions.

 — Security of supply of gas is subject to political 

pressures and could be intermittent, while renewable 
energy sources, such as wind and solar, are subject 
to unpredictable physical weather patterns. 
Competition for sources of green energy, such 
as biomass, causes cost and availability pressures.

approximately 75% of our total pulp and paper 
production capacity. If operations at any of these 
key facilities are interrupted for any significant length 
of time, it could have a material effect on our financial 
position or performance. Our converting operations 
are spread over a considerably larger number of 
plants providing risk diversification.

 — 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.

 — Rapid increases in fuel, transport and energy 

 — Regular maintenance and project-related shuts 

costs represent higher direct costs to the Group 
as well as for our suppliers, which in turn may seek 
to increase prices which may be difficult to pass 
on to customers and could cause a contraction 
of gross margins.

 — Income from the sale of green energy, either 

from sales of certificates, subsidies or sales of 
green energy to the grid, represent a significant 
source of income for various pulp and paper 
mills and are subject to both volatility in price 
and regulatory changes.

 — Availability of sufficient and reliable electricity 
supply in South Africa remains a concern and 
above inflationary increases are virtually certain.

Mitigation
 — Investment in improvements to our energy profile 
and increased electricity self-sufficiency, including 
the use of renewable energy sources, strengthens 
the energy efficiency of our operations 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. 

 — Our focus on optimising the use of biomass-based 
fuels enables reduced use of fossil-based energy 
sources, such as carbon-intensive 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. 

can experience delays in start-up and ramp-up due 
to reliance on external suppliers and contractors for 
engineering services and equipment supplies. 

Mitigation
 — 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.

 — Digital initiatives utilising advanced analytics, 

machine sensors and process automation enable 
improved operational efficiency and asset utilisation; 
a digital predictive maintenance approach is in 
development.

 — 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. 
 — External experts perform technical integrity 

assessments at our major sites and enhance our 
engineering and loss prevention competencies and 
capabilities; where possible we take out project 
insurance. 

 — Our Fire Protection programme is supported by 

external experts and independent loss prevention 
audits and we take out property insurance cover 
for key risks.

Potential impact
 — We are subject to a wide range of environmental 
laws and regulations, as well as the requirements 
of our customers and expectations of our broader 
stakeholders. Costs of continuing compliance, 
such as Best Available Techniques (BAT), potential 
restoration and soil and groundwater clean-up 
activities, and increasing costs from the effects 
of emissions could have an adverse impact on 
our profitability. 

 — 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 
and chemicals; and generate emissions to air, water 
and land. Our water-intensive mills could pose a risk 
especially in water scarce and stressed areas.
 — As we manage more than two million hectares 

of forestry landholdings and purchase significant 
amounts of wood and fibre on the market, a decline 
in ecosystem functions and loss of biodiversity 
could impact the natural resources that we rely on.

Mitigation
 — We ensure compliance with all applicable 

environmental requirements where we operate; 
our own policies and procedures, at or above 
local policy requirements, are embedded in all 
our operations and are supported by externally 
accredited environmental management systems. 
 — Our focus, as captured by MAP2030, is on a cleaner 
production philosophy to address the impact from 
emissions, discharge, and waste; we manage our 
water resources responsibly to address risks related 
to water scarcity, and promote equitable use of 
water resources among local stakeholders wherever 
we operate. 

 — We promote the responsible management 

of forests and associated ecosystems, protect 
high conservation value areas and implement 
measures to protect biodiversity.

 — We participate in international associations 

and engage with universities, NGOs and other 
organisations, such as Cepi, WWF, Alliance for Water 
Stewardship and the World Business Council for 
Sustainable Development’s Forest Solutions Group.
 — We organise specialist internal networks sharing 
best practice and comprehensively report and 
investigate major environmental incidents to 
avoid reoccurrence.

 — We monitor our environmental performance 

indicators and report our progress against our 
targets, with our Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions 
independently assured to reasonable assurance 
level; we monitor regulatory developments to 
ensure compliance with existing operating permits 
and perform water impact assessments locally to 
better understand our local environmental footprint.

 — External verification and assurance of our 

sustainability reporting is obtained, including 
social, safety, forestry, environmental and product 
stewardship KPIs.

 — We conduct biodiversity assessments at our 

manufacturing and forestry operations to evaluate 
our impact on biodiversity and ecosystems, develop 
action plans to manage impacts.

Link to strategic 
framework

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framework

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framework

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements96

Principal risks

16   Cyber security risk

Potential impact
 — The Group could experience targeted and 
untargeted cyber-attacks as cybercrime 
continues to increase and attempts are 
increasingly sophisticated.

 — The consequences of successful attacks 

include compromised data, financial fraud, 
and system shutdowns. 

Mitigation
 — We have a comprehensive IT Security Policy 

approved by the Board.

 — Extensive training and awareness programmes 

are provided for all our users.

 — Our IT infrastructure is regularly tested and our 
systems are based on well-proven products. 
 — We conduct regular threat assessments and 

utilise external providers.

 — The Group’s core IT services are ISO 27001 

certified.

 — Established incident response and business 

contingency plans are in place.

14    Employee and contractor 

health and safety

15    Attraction and retention 
of key skills and talent

Potential impact
 — Accidents, incidents and exposure to occupational 

Potential impact
 — Access to the right skills, particularly management 

health hazards, such as noise and stress, may 
cause injury or harm to employees and contractors, 
property damage, lost production time, and/or 
harm to our reputation. 

 — Risks include fatalities, serious injuries, occupational 

diseases, and substance and drug abuse.

 — COVID-19 increases these risks due to changes 

in shift patterns and less interaction by employees 
and contractors on the mill or plant floor.
 — General health and mental health risks are 

heightened by the pandemic.

Mitigation
 — Responsible and effective hygiene measures 

implemented at all operations to reduce the risk 
of spreading COVID-19.

 — Continuous improvement of safety standards 

through monitoring incidents, major close calls and 
recordable case rates to transfer learnings across 
our operations with the goal of sending everybody 
home safely every day.

 — Embedded safety management systems including, 
among others, risk assessments, safety procedures 
and controls.

 — We have a goal of zero harm and aim to advance 

our 24-hour safety mindset and develop the 
desired safety culture as well as focusing on the 
social psychology of behaviour.

 — An employee assistance programme and wellness 
initiatives are offered across the countries in which 
the Group operates in order to help employees with 
general health and mental health concerns.

 — We continue to engineer out the most significant 

risks in our operations supported by robust controls 
and procedures for operating those assets and 
conducting related tasks.

 — Our Permit to Work methodology across the 

Group supports us to achieve our safety targets. 

 — 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. 

 — 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, with continuous benchmarking against 
global safety standards, and conduct regular audits 
of our operations to ensure our facilities remain 
fit-for-purpose. 

and technical skills, is critical to support the 
performance and growth of our business.

 — Operations in remote locations or highly competitive 

markets 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. 

 — The economies of Western Europe and the United 
States are seeing an ageing workforce which could 
present challenges in the future. Socio-political 
issues in South Africa result in skilled workers looking 
to emigrate. 
Mitigation
 — Our culture and values play a key role in empowering 
and inspiring our people, highlighted by programmes 
and collaboration initiatives to inspire our people 
throughout our operations.

 — We have a zero tolerance policy towards 

discrimination and we provide equal opportunities 
for all employees. 

 — The setting of ambitious sustainability commitments 
in our MAP2030 framework supports our reputation 
as a Group that places significant importance on 
sustainability issues, which assists in attracting and 
retaining our people.

 — We are investing in employer branding, engaging 
in fair and transparent recruitment practices and 
have diversity and inclusion, labour and human rights 
policies in place. 

 — Competitive compensation levels through 

benchmarking and continue to support and invest 
in Group-wide as well as local training programmes.

 — Implemented measures to monitor and manage 

succession planning, staff turnover, internal 
placements and training. 

 — Performed 360° feedback at a management level 

and regularly conduct performance and development 
reviews at a local level. 

 — In addition to a Group-wide employee survey 
approximately every two years, regular pulse 
surveys provide focused fast employee 
engagement and feedback. 

 — Through a confidential reporting platform, SpeakOut, 

employees and external stakeholders can raise 
concerns about conduct that may be contrary 
to our values.

Link to strategic 
framework

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framework

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framework

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202197

Compliance  
risks

Risk owner

17
Executive Committee (oversight CEO)

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

17   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. 
 — Applicable laws include those 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 present the challenge 
of addressing potential human rights issues in our 
operations and supply chain; human rights legislation, 
such as the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015, continues 
to highlight the need to identify and address potential 
risks of child labour, forced or bonded labour, modern 
slavery, human trafficking and other human rights 
risks in our supply chain. 

Mitigation
 — 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 local stakeholders through 

formal and informal processes such as our Socio-
Economic Assessment Toolbox (SEAT), community 
engagement, and social investments. 

 — We perform screening of our suppliers for 

sustainability risk in accordance with our Code of 
Conduct for Suppliers to better align with our risk 
criteria and to enable us to more effectively enforce 
the Code. 

 — We continue to assess our governance of 

human rights issues and any potential risks in 
our operations and supply chain, assisted by the 
development of a human rights due diligence 
mechanism for our operations.

 — Compliance committees are established at  

a Group level to monitor the risk relating to trade 
controls, data protection, competition compliance 
and business integrity – chaired by the Group CFO 
with representatives from across the business. 
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 platform, enabling 

employees, customers, suppliers, communities 
and other stakeholders to raise concerns about 
misconduct and irregularities.

Underpinned by robust 
governance, policies  
and standards

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framework

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements98

Viability statement

As part of the approval of this 
Integrated report, the Board has 
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 
16-19 and 30-31 respectively. Our strategy is 
to deliver value accretive growth sustainably 
by focusing on our four strategic value 
drivers. These value drivers build on the 
competitive advantages we enjoy today, 
setting a clear roadmap for investment 
and operational decisions into the future. 
Our performance against our strategic 
objectives are discussed in more detail 
on pages 32-41.

Mondi’s geographical spread with over 
100 production sites across more than 
30 countries and broad product portfolio 
mitigate potential risks of customer or 
supplier liquidity issues. By combining our 
integrated value chain, strong relationships, 
responsible resource management, and 
leveraging our competitive advantages, 
we create value for our stakeholders in line 
with the Mondi Way.

The Group’s financial position, cash flows, 
liquidity position and borrowing facilities 
are described in the financial statements. 
At 31 December 2021, the Group had 
€803 million of undrawn, committed debt 
facilities. The weighted average maturity of 
the Group’s committed debt facilities was 
4.7 years. The principal loan arrangements 
are disclosed in note 20 of the financial 
statements. In addition, the Group had 
€455 million of cash and cash equivalents 
available to fund its short-term needs.

Assessment of viability
The Board believes that the three years 
to December 2024 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 Board 
has considered the inherent volatility in 
selling 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 our principal risks, 
the Board believes that the ability to assess 
the Group’s longer-term viability beyond 
this period becomes increasingly reduced.

The Board has considered the Group’s 
current financial position, strategy and plans 
for the next three years, marking the period 
of the Group’s formal planning horizon.

The Group’s principal risks identified 
on pages 86-97 have been assessed 
for potential impact as part of the risk 
assessment. Opportunities and challenges 
shaping the future of packaging are 
described in detail on pages 26-27.

The Group’s three-year 2022-2024 plan 
(“budget period”) has been tested for 
severe but plausible downside scenarios. 
These are summarised in the table at the 
bottom of this page. 

While linked to the Group’s principal 
risks, the scenarios detailed in the table 
below are hypothetical and designed to 
test the ability of the Group to withstand 
such severe outcomes. 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 modelled are linked to those 
risks which are most likely to occur and 
have the most significant impact.

The sales volume compression scenario 
(Scenario 1) was calculated with assumed 
reductions of up to 10% depending on 
the relevant product compared with 
the assumptions in each year of the 
budget period.

The margin compression scenario 
(Scenario 2) was calculated with assumed 
reductions of up to 16% depending on 
the relevant product compared with 
the assumptions in each year of the 
budget period.

Testing was performed for Scenarios 1 
and 2 individually and in combination for 
a duration of three years. Both margin and 
volume sensitivities have been modelled 
considering current and potential future 
market developments.

Scenario testing

Scenario modelled

Scenario 1 

Volume compression
Sales volume reduction across pulp and  
paper mills and converting operations

Link to principal risks

2   Industry productive capacity

3   Product substitution 

12   Technical integrity of our operating assets

Scenario 2   Margin compression

4   Fluctuations and variability in selling prices or gross margin

Sales prices reduction in pulp and paper mills and 
gross margin reduction in converting operations

Scenario 3  

Input costs inflation 
Increase in materials, energy, consumables used 
and variable selling expenses

10   Costs and availability of raw materials

11   Energy security and related input costs

Scenario 4  

Currency risk 
Volatility in foreign exchange rates

7   Currency risk

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202199

The scenario testing is carried out 
against Mondi’s current committed 
debt facilities. The Board believes that 
the strong and stable financial position 
of the Group, supported by a continued 
strong investment grade credit rating 
from both Moody’s Investors Service 
(Baa1, outlook stable) and Standard & 
Poor’s (BBB+, outlook stable), ensures 
the Group has access to funding through 
the business cycle.

Taking into account the Group’s strategy, 
principal risks and the results of the 
downside scenario assessments, the 
directors 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 the assessment.

Going concern
The directors have reviewed the Group’s 
budget, considered the assumptions 
contained in the budget, including 
consideration of the principal risks which 
may impact the Group’s performance in the 
12 months following the date of approval of 
the financial statements and considerations 
of the period immediately thereafter.

At 31 December 2021, the Group had 
€803 million of undrawn, committed debt 
facilities. The weighted average maturity of 
the Group’s committed debt facilities was 
4.7 years. The principal loan arrangements 
are disclosed in note 20 of the financial 
statements. In addition, the Group has 
€455 million of cash and cash equivalents 
available to fund its short-term needs. 
In 2021, the covenant on net debt to 
underlying EBITDA performance has been 
removed from the European Investment 
Bank Facility and the new Revolving Credit 
Facility has no financial covenant and hence 
the going concern assessment is focused 
on available liquidity during the assessment 
period.

The current and possible future impact 
from the macroeconomic environment on 
the Group’s activities and performance has 
been considered by the Board in preparing 
its going concern assessment. The base 
case forecasts were sensitised to reflect 
a severe but plausible downside scenario 
on Group performance. In the severe but 
plausible downside scenario, the Group has 
sufficient liquidity headroom through the 
whole period covered. 

A decline of 67% to the budgeted 
underlying EBITDA would need to persist 
throughout the assessment period for the 
liquidity headroom to come to zero, which 
is considered very unlikely. This stress 
test also does not incorporate mitigating 
actions like reductions and deferrals of 
capital and operational expenditure or cash 
preservation responses, which the Group 
would implement in the event of a severe 
and extended revenue decline. 

Following its assessment, the directors 
have formed a judgement, at the time 
of approving the Integrated report 
and consolidated financial statements, 
that there are no material uncertainties 
that cast doubt on the Group’s going 
concern status and that it is a reasonable 
expectation that the Group has adequate 
resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future. 
For this reason, the Group continues to 
adopt the going concern basis in preparing 
the Integrated report and financial 
statements 2021.

Sale of Personal Care Components
The directors have assessed the impact 
of the potential sale of Mondi’s Personal 
Care Components business announced 
on 17 February 2022 on the Group’s 
assessment of viability and going  
concern status and the directors confirm 
that the conclusions set out above  
remain unchanged.

Besides, we have tested for cost inflation 
across all major input cost positions. 
The assumed cost increases are up to 
18% depending on the relevant cost item 
compared with the assumptions in every 
year of the budget period. Input costs 
which are usually passed on through higher 
sale prices in the converting operations 
have been excluded from the testing.

Furthermore, the currency risk was tested 
as the wide geographic spread exposes the 
Group to the potential impact of exchange 
rate fluctuations. We have evaluated the 
impact of a weaker US dollar, Russian 
rouble and Turkish lira exchange rates, and 
stronger other emerging market currencies 
including the South African rand, relative 
to the euro. These currencies were chosen 
as the Group has a significant exposure 
in them. A 10% weakening and a 10% 
strengthening of the respective currencies 
against the euro was applied, based on 
historical exchange rate developments.

While the assumptions we have applied in 
all four scenarios are possible, they do not 
represent our view of the likely outcome.

We have assessed the impact of these 
assumptions on the Group’s key financial 
metrics over the assessment period, 
including profitability, net debt and net 
debt to underlying EBITDA.

Based on the results of these scenarios 
individually and in combination for 
Scenarios 1 and 2, the Board is satisfied 
that the Group would be able to respond 
to such circumstances through various 
means which could include a reduction 
and deferral of capital expenditure and 
further rationalisation and/or restructuring 
of operations, to ensure that the Group 
continues to meet its ongoing obligations.

The Group meets its funding requirements 
from a variety of sources as more fully 
described in the financial statements in 
note 20. The Board is satisfied that the 
Group will have sufficient liquidity to meet 
its needs over the planning horizon. In 2021, 
the covenant on net debt to underlying 
EBITDA performance has been removed 
from the European Investment Bank Facility 
and the new Revolving Credit Facility has 
no financial covenant hence the viability 
testing is focused on available liquidity 
during the assessment period.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements100

Collaboration  
+ 
Innovation

Governance

Chair’s introduction 

Board of directors 

Executive Committee and Company Secretary 

Corporate governance report 

Nominations Committee 

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

Audit Committee 

Sustainable Development Committee 

Remuneration report 

Other statutory information 

102

104

106

108

121

126

133

136

162

101

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Read more about how we are unpacking 
opportunities across the business

Ambition + Action

Page 12-13

Skilled + Inclusive

Page 164-165

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

Unpacking  the  opportunity  of  sustainable  packaging More often than not, the race for true innovation starts with a problem and is won through partnership. This is one of the cornerstones of EcoSolutions, our customer-centric approach to developing sustainable packaging solutions without compromising on performance, functionality or brand appeal. Demand for sustainable packaging has never been higher, accelerated by ambitious brands and purposeful consumers who want to tackle the waste inherent in a linear economy. Our cross-functional teams of specialists work with customers to offer holistic guidance on selecting the most effective materials, understanding trade-offs and helping them achieve their own sustainability goals. The development of circular driven solutions presents a considerable opportunity for our business, customers and shared stakeholders. It can been seen, for example, in our collaboration with Tesco Central Europe in which Mondi purchases the retailer’s corrugated waste to create recycled EcoVantage paper for reusable, recyclable and high-performance shopping bags. This closed loop concept is supporting Tesco on its own journey towards Net-Zero.  
 
102

Chair’s introduction

stewardship  
+ Engagement

Philip Yea 
Chair

Dear fellow shareholder
This report provides you with a more 
detailed look at our approach to governance, 
how it facilitates the achievement of our 
purpose and strategy and the Board’s key 
focus areas during the year. 

In a year of continued uncertainty 
created by COVID-19 and during which 
we appointed a number of new non-
executive directors, Mondi’s well-established 
governance framework continued to 
provide the foundation for a strong, 
effective and engaged Board and allowed 
the new directors to contribute to the 
Board fully from the start. 

While a number of Board meetings were 
held virtually due to continued travel 
restrictions, we were able to transition 
to hybrid meetings towards the end of the 
year, with those who were able to travel 
attending in-person whenever possible. 
While the culture of transparency, openness 
and respect among Board members and 
senior managers supported effective virtual 
meetings, it is clear that the relationships 
that develop and strengthen during in-
person meetings are critical to the long-
term success of the business and our aim 
in 2022 will be to continue the return to 
physical meetings whenever it is safe and 
practicable to do so. This was a key action 
identified in the board evaluation process 
undertaken during the year, as was the 
need to reinstate site visits for the Board to 
meet face-to-face with management and 
employees (see page 120 for further details). 

Board composition
At the Annual General Meeting in May, we 
said goodbye to Stephen Harris who retired 
from the Board after ten years. Stephen  
has played a key role during his time on the 
Board, initially as a non-executive director 
and Chair of the Sustainable Development 
Committee and latterly as Senior 
Independent Director. In addition, Enoch 
Godongwana left the Board at short notice 
in August 2021 to become South Africa’s 
Finance Minister and we announced in 
March 2022 that Tanya Fratto will retire from 
the Board at the conclusion of the Annual 
General Meeting on 5 May 2022 after 
almost six years on the Board. We thank 
them for their contribution and wish them 
all the best for the future. 

As outlined in last year’s report, Svein 
Richard Brandtzaeg, Sue Clark and Dame 
Angela Strank joined us as independent 
non-executive directors in April 2021. 
They each bring a wealth of experience 
from a wide variety of industries and I am 
pleased to say that their input to Board 
discussions, and the new perspectives 
they bring, have already proven valuable. 
You can find their biographies on page 105. 
Angela will replace Tanya as chair of the 
Remuneration Committee when she steps 
down on 5 May. 

We are now focusing on the recruitment of 
a successor to Enoch, more details of which 
can be found on page 122. Ensuring we 
have a diverse Board with the ability to lead 
Mondi with integrity and to achieve long-
term sustainable value for our stakeholders 
continues to be our focus and is at the 
heart of this search. I look forward to further 
strengthening our Board as a result. 

How we comply with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code

Mondi aims to comply with 
the principles and provisions 
of the July 2018 edition of the 
UK Corporate Governance 
Code issued by the Financial 
Reporting Council (available 
at www.frc.org.uk). 

It is the view of the Board that 
Mondi has applied the principles, 
and complied with the provisions, 
of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code throughout the year.

The Governance report is structured 
according to the sections of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 2018 
in order to clearly demonstrate how 
we have applied the principles.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021103

Safety
The safety and health of our workforce 
continued to be a priority for the Board 
during the year, particularly in light of 
COVID-19 and the maintenance shuts 
during the year. These shuts are always 
a critical time for the business given the 
significant number of employees and 
contractors on site and the potential for 
incidents to occur. Mondi’s strong safety 
culture is crucial throughout the year 
but particularly during these shuts and 
work continued to ensure we are doing 
everything we can to protect those working 
for us. We recognise the devastating 
impact safety incidents can have on 
individuals, their family and friends and their 
work colleagues and so it is always first 
on our agenda. We cannot afford to relax 
our efforts.

More information regarding the actions we 
are taking to improve safety can be found 
on page 53. 

Stakeholder engagement
Understanding the views of our key 
stakeholders is fundamental to the role 
of the Board and the decisions we take. 
As a Board, we have a responsibility to 
our shareholders but also to consider the 
interests of our employees, our customers, 
our suppliers, the communities where we 
operate and our other key stakeholders. 
We create value for our shareholders by 
taking decisions that are sustainable in 
the long-term not only for Mondi but also 
for those our business affects. We do not 
operate in isolation. 

This report, particularly here in the 
governance report and on pages 20-23 
in our section 172 statement, aims to 
provide more colour on how we engage 
with stakeholders and how we consider 
these interests during decision-making. 
The appointment of Sue Clark as the 
non-executive director responsible for 
understanding the views of our employees 
was a notable development during the year 
and more information relating to her work 
to date can be found on pages 110-111. 

Understanding the views of our 
stakeholders also allows us to shape our 
culture and our values, ensuring we are 
taking the right approach to our business 
and the way we operate. Our confidential 
reporting hotline, ‘SpeakOut’ is critical 
to this. SpeakOut is available to all of 
our stakeholders and provides the Board 
with one insight into the culture of the 
Group. Further details can be found below. 
More information about the multiple ways 
in which we monitor culture can be found 
on page 108. 

Looking forward
I remain confident that Mondi has the 
right governance framework and culture 
in place to support the achievement of 
Mondi’s strategy and our purpose, while 
at the same time enabling our stakeholders 
to achieve their ambitions, particularly from 
a sustainability perspective. 

I would like to thank everyone across 
the organisation for their work during 
2021 and I look forward to discussions 
and engagement with our stakeholders 
during 2022. 

Philip Yea
Chair 

Trust through 
transparency

SpeakOut 
The Group has a confidential 
reporting hotline called ‘SpeakOut’ 
operated by an independent third 
party. SpeakOut, monitored by the 
Board and Audit Committee, is a 
simple, accessible and confidential 
channel through which our employees, 
customers, suppliers, and other 
stakeholders can raise concerns 
about any unethical practices 
and conduct contrary to Mondi’s 
values. The service is fundamental 
to ensuring the confidence of our 
employees and other stakeholders 
in our culture and values. 

Any type of concern can be raised 
via SpeakOut. The Board and 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. The reports allow the 
Board to identify any particular trends 
and common issues, with messages 
classified into categories including 
HR-related concerns, business integrity 
issues as well as environmental and 
safety topics, and to consider whether 
any changes are required to Mondi’s 
risk management processes as a result. 
The effectiveness of the SpeakOut 
facility is kept under regular review. 
More information about SpeakOut and 
Mondi’s approach to anti-bribery and 
corruption in particular can be found 
on page 69.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements104

Board of directors

Philip Yea
Chair

Andrew King
Group CEO

Mike Powell
Group CFO

Appointed to the Board
April 2020 and as Chair  
in May 2020
Independent
Yes (on appointment)
Committee memberships
Nominations (Chair), 
Remuneration
Qualifications
Graduated with an MA 
in Modern Languages 
from Oxford University, 
Fellow of the Chartered 
Institute of Management 
Accountants

Skills and experience
Philip has extensive listed company experience, both 
as an executive and non-executive director, across 
a range of sectors. His broad industry background 
and knowledge of operating within large, international 
corporates, as well as his significant leadership 
experience, bring invaluable insight to the Board 
and are key to the future growth and development 
of Mondi.

Philip started his career as a graduate trainee at 
Perkins Engines before holding a range of finance 
roles at companies including Mars Ltd and Guinness 
plc, becoming Group Finance Director of Diageo plc 
on its creation in 1997. He was a managing director at 
Investcorp from 1999 to 2004, leaving to become CEO 
of 3i Group plc, a role he held until 2009. 

He has held a number of non-executive roles, including 
Chair at Equiniti Group plc, Greene King plc and bwin.
party digital entertainment plc; Senior Independent 
Director at Vodafone Group plc, Manchester United 
plc and Computacenter plc; and non-executive 
director at Marshall of Cambridge (Holdings) Ltd, 
Aberdeen Standard Asia Focus plc, Rocket Internet 
SE and HBOS plc.

Current external appointments
None. 

Appointed to the Board
October 2008 and as 
Group CEO in April 2020
Independent
No
Committee memberships
Executive (Chair), 
Sustainable Development
Qualifications
Graduated in Commerce 
from the University of 
Cape Town, Chartered 
Accountant (South 
Africa)

Skills and experience
Andrew has more than 19 years’ experience with 
Mondi in various strategy, business development and 
leadership 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 CFO of Mondi from 
June 2005 to May 2006. He was then appointed as 
Group Strategy and Business Development Director 
before becoming the CFO of the Mondi Group in 
2008. 

Andrew was appointed CEO of the Mondi Group 
on 1 April 2020.

Current external appointments
None.

Appointed to the Board
November 2020
Independent
No
Committee membership
Executive 
Qualifications
Graduated in Computer 
Science & Accounting 
from the University of 
Manchester, member 
of the Chartered 
Institute of Management 
Accountants

Skills and experience
Mike has significant financial and strategic experience 
and extensive experience leading finance teams, 
having been chief financial officer and an executive 
director of a number of large international listed 
companies. He brings a clear operational focus, strong 
leadership experience and knowledge of operating in 
large industrial groups across a variety of geographies. 

Mike started his career at Pilkington plc, spending 
15 years in a variety of finance and operational roles. 
He went on to become Chief Financial Officer 
at Nippon Sheet Glass and then AZ Electronic 
Materials plc. 

He was subsequently appointed Group Finance 
Director at BBA Aviation plc before being appointed 
Group Chief Financial Officer at Ferguson plc, 
a multinational distributor of plumbing and heating 
products. Mike also served as a non-executive director 
of Low & Bonar from December 2016 to May 2020.

Mike joined Mondi as Group CFO in November 2020.

Current external appointments
None.

Stephen Young
Senior Independent 
Director

Appointed to the Board
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)

Skills and experience
Stephen brings a strong financial and general 
management background to the Board with 
experience gained internationally across a variety of 
sectors, including industrial and engineering. He 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 
CEO in 2013. Stephen stepped down from the board 
of Meggitt plc on 31 December 2017. He was also 
a non-executive director of Derwent London plc 
from 2010 until May 2019.

Stephen was appointed as Senior Independent 
Director of Mondi plc on 6 May 2021.

Current external appointments
Non-executive director and Audit Committee Chair 
at Weir Group plc.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021105

Svein Richard 
Brandtzaeg
Non-Executive 
Director

Appointed to the Board
April 2021
Independent
Yes
Committee memberships
Audit, Nominations, 
Sustainable Development
Qualifications
PhD in Chemical 
Engineering from the 
Norwegian University of 
Science and Technology

Skills and experience
Svein Richard has a strong commercial and strategic 
background as a former chief executive of Norsk 
Hydro ASA and more recently as a non-executive 
director on a number of Boards. His experience 
of leading a global industrial group brings valuable 
insight to the Board.

He started his career at Ardal og Sunndal Verk AS, 
the Norwegian state-owned aluminium business 
before it merged with Norsk Hydro ASA. Svein Richard 
went on to hold a variety of management roles at 
Norsk Hydro, leading a number of its businesses 
before being appointed chief executive in 2009, 
a position he held until retiring in 2019.

Current external appointments
Chair of Veidekke ASA (Svein Richard has notified the 
Board he will be stepping down from this position in 
May 2022), Vice Chair of Den Norske Bank ASA, and 
a non-executive director of Swiss Steel Holding AG 
and Eramet Norway.

Sue Clark 
Non-Executive 
Director

Tanya Fratto
Non-Executive 
Director

Dominique 
Reiniche
Non-Executive 
Director

Appointed to the Board
April 2021
Independent
Yes
Committee memberships
Audit, Nominations, 
Remuneration
Qualifications
BSc in Biological 
Sciences from 
Manchester University 
and an MBA from Heriot 
Watt University

Appointed to the Board
January 2017
Independent
Yes
Committee memberships
Audit, Nominations, 
Remuneration (Chair)
Qualifications
BSc in Electrical 
Engineering

Skills and experience
Sue brings to the Board significant commercial and 
strategic experience gained across a range of industries, 
with exposure to a broad range of stakeholders in both 
an executive and non-executive capacity.

Sue started her career with the Central Electricity 
Generating Board before holding a variety of 
communication roles at National Power plc. She went 
on to join Scottish Power plc, where she became 
Director of Corporate Affairs.

In 2000, Sue joined Railtrack Group plc before 
moving to SABMiller plc in 2003 where she was 
a member of the Executive Management team, 
and Director of Corporate Affairs until 2012 and then 
Managing Director, Europe until the business was 
acquired in 2016.

Sue was a non-executive director of Bakkavor 
Group plc from 2017 to 2020, and a member of the 
Supervisory Board of AkzoNobel NV until April 2021.

Current external appointments
Senior Independent Director at Imperial Brands plc, 
and a non-executive director of Britvic plc and Tulchan 
Communications LLP.

Current external appointments
Non-executive director of Advanced Drainage 
Systems, Inc., Smiths Group plc and Ashtead 
Group plc.

Skills and 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 valuable perspective to the 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. 

Appointed to the Board
October 2015
Independent
Yes
Committee memberships
Nominations, 
Remuneration, 
Sustainable Development 
(Chair)
Qualifications
MBA from ESSEC 
Business School in Paris

Skills and experience
Dominique has extensive understanding of operating 
in senior business leadership positions in Europe as 
well as international strategic, consumer marketing and 
innovation experience, allowing her to provide valuable 
insight to the 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, AXA SA between 
2005 and 2017 and Severn Trent Plc between 2016 
and 2021. 

Current external appointments
Non-executive director and Chair of Chr. Hansen  
Holding A/S and Eurostar International Limited 
and a non-executive director of Deliveroo plc and 
Paypal (Europe).

Dame Angela 
Strank 
Non-Executive 
Director

Appointed to the Board
April 2021
Independent
Yes
Committee memberships
Nominations, 
Remuneration, 
Sustainable Development
Qualifications
BSc and PhD in Geology 
from Manchester 
University and a Chartered 
Engineer

Skills and experience
Angela brings to the Board extensive experience of 
operating in large, international companies in a broad 
range of both executive and non-executive roles, 
bringing valuable knowledge including operations, 
technology and sustainability.

After graduating, Angela spent two years with the 
Institute of Geological Sciences before joining BP plc 
in 1982, where she held a number of international roles, 
including in the USA, Far East and Angola. She went 
on to hold various senior leadership and technology/
engineering-focused roles with BP. From 2012 to 2014 
she was Head of the Group Chief Executive’s Office 
before being appointed Chief Scientist and Head 

of Downstream Technology in 2014. In 2018 she was 
appointed to BP’s Group Executive Management 
Team, a position she held until her retirement in 2020. 
Angela was honoured with a Damehood (DBE) in 
2017, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society, a Fellow 
of the Royal Academy of Engineers and the Institute 
of Chemical Engineers, as well as an honorary Fellow 
of the UK Energy Institute. Angela holds honorary 
DSc degrees from Royal Holloway University and 
the University of Bradford, and she is an honorary 
professor of the University of Manchester. 

Current external appointments
Non-executive director of Severn Trent Plc, SSE plc 
and Rolls-Royce Holdings plc.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements106

Executive Committee and Company Secretary

Andrew King
Group CEO

See full biography 
Page 104

Mike Powell
Group CFO 

See full biography 
Page 104

Markus Gärtner
CEO, Corrugated 
Packaging

Appointed to the 
Executive Committee
October 2018
Qualifications
Doctorate of Technical 
Sciences from ETH 
Zürich and a Master 
of Science in Electrical 
Engineering from 
Stanford University 

Skills and experience
Markus has significant industrial and international 
business experience. He started his career at 
McKinsey & Company, working on numerous 
operational and strategic projects across a variety 
of industries. 

Markus went on to join Novelis AG, a leading 
producer of rolled aluminium products, where he 
held various roles in strategy and sales with growing 
responsibility until he eventually became the head 
of 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 as CEO, 
Fibre Packaging/Paper and was appointed to 
the Executive Committee in October that year. 
He subsequently became CEO, Corrugated 
Packaging in October 2019.

Current external appointments
None.

Michael Hakes
Group HR Director

Lars Mallasch
Group Technical & 
Sustainability Director

Vivien 
McMenamin
CEO, South Africa

Appointed to the 
Executive Committee
April 2018
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 to the 
Executive Committee
September 2020
Qualifications
Graduated in Paper 
Technology from the 
University of Applied 
Science in Munich

Skills and 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.

Current external appointments
None.

Skills and experience
Lars has extensive experience in the pulp and paper 
industry, having worked in the industry for 25 years. 

Lars began his career with a paper making 
apprenticeship and then studied Paper Technology in 
Munich. He joined Voith, the global technology company, 
in 1997 as Commissioning Engineer for Capital Projects. 
Lars subsequently held a variety of management roles 
in Voith Paper’s board and packaging division, gaining 
a wide range of experience and working internationally 
in a number of different countries. 

After 14 years with Voith, Lars joined Mondi in 2011 
as Group Head of Capital Expenditure, a role he held 
for six years. 

Alongside this, he held the role of Technical Director 
Containerboard between 2012 and 2014 and Technical 
Director Packaging Paper from 2014 until 2018. He also 
held the role of Operations Director at Mondi’s Štětí 
mill between 2017 and 2019. 

In 2019, Lars was appointed as Mondi’s Corrugated 
Packaging Technology and Capex Director and 
alongside this, was appointed as Director of 
Containerboard Operations at Mondi’s Syktyvkar 
and Richards Bay mills in February 2020. 

Lars was appointed to his current role, and as a member 
of the Executive Committee, in September 2020. 

Current external appointments
None. 

Appointed to the 
Executive Committee
October 2017
Qualifications
MSc in Economics from 
the University of London 
and Advanced High 
Performance Leadership 
Certificate from IMD 
Switzerland

Skills and experience
Viv has nearly 20 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, giving 
her significant sustainability experience and insight. 
In October 2017, she was appointed CEO 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.

Current external appointments
Non-executive director of KAP Industrial Holdings 
Limited.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021107

Thomas Ott
CEO, Flexible 
Packaging and 
Engineered Materials

Appointed to the 
Executive Committee
January 2022
Qualifications
Graduated in business 
administration from the 
WU-Vienna business 
school

Appointed to the 
Executive Committee
December 2019
Qualifications
MSc in Chemical 
Engineering from 
the Royal Institute of 
Technology in Stockholm, 
a PhD in Chemical 
Engineering from the 
University of Idaho in the 
US and an Executive MBA 
in General Management 
from the Stockholm 
School of Economics

Appointed to the 
Executive Committee
September 2017
Qualifications
Degree in Business 
Administration from 
Loughborough University

Gunilla Saltin
CEO, Uncoated 
Fine Paper 

Sara Sizer
Group Communication 
& Marketing Director

Jenny Hampshire
Company Secretary 

Skills and experience
Thomas has extensive experience in the industrial 
bags and consumer packaging industries, having held 
a variety of roles with Mondi for more than 25 years, 
building Mondi’s Industrial Bags business and shaping 
Mondi’s portfolio in Europe.

Thomas started his career with Deloitte & Touche 
in 1992, before joining Mondi in 1995 as a financial 
controller. He went on to hold a number of leadership 
roles within Mondi before becoming COO Industrial 
Bags in 2012, a role he held until 2019. During this 
time, he successfully restructured Western Europe 
and supported Mondi’s growth in North America, 
the Middle East and Africa.

Skills and experience
Gunilla has more than 20 years’ experience in the pulp 
industry, having worked for Södra Cell, one of the 
largest pulp producers, from 2000 until joining Mondi 
in August 2019.

Gunilla started her career in R&D engineering, holding 
a number of roles in this field before joining Södra 
Cell as a process development manager. She went on 
to manage Södra’s kraft paper mill in Värö in Sweden 
for three years before being appointed Södra Cell’s 
Executive Vice President in 2008, with responsibility 
for production, sales and marketing and leading 
the business through several investments including 
a significant mill extension project. 

Thomas briefly moved to Amcor EMEA, focusing 
on consumer packaging as a member of the EMEA 
executive team in the role VP Food, Snacks and 
Confectionery before returning to Mondi in March 
2021 as COO Kraft Paper & Paper Bags.

In January 2022, he was appointed CEO of Mondi’s 
Flexible Packaging and Engineered Materials 
businesses.

Current external appointments
None.

During this period Gunilla was also Acting CEO 
of Södra Skogsägarna Ekonomisk Förening, 
a forestry cooperative with 52,000 forest owners.

Gunilla was appointed Group Technical & 
Sustainability Director on 1 December 2019, a role 
she held until August 2020, and CEO, Uncoated 
Fine Paper in February 2020.

Current external appointments
Member of the Board of Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara 
Aktiebolag (LKAB). 

Skills and 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 (D&I) steering 
committee.

Current external appointments
None.

Skills and experience
Jenny Hampshire, a fellow of the Chartered 
Governance Institute, 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. 

Diversity of the 
Executive Committee

Nationalities represented 
on the Executive Committee

  Female 

  Male 

3

6

  British 

  German 

  South African 

  Austrian 

  Swedish 

  Swiss 

2

2

2

1

1

1

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements108

Corporate governance report
Board leadership and company purpose

Promoting long-term sustainable 
success
The primary role of the Board is to provide 
leadership to the Group, setting and driving 
forward the strategy in line with Mondi’s 
purpose and culture and with the aim of 
achieving long-term sustainable success 
for the Group, its shareholders and its 
stakeholders. 

Mondi’s purpose, strategy and culture 
define The Mondi Way and how we run 
our business. This is illustrated in our 
business model, set out on pages 16-19, 
which explains how we achieve our purpose 
and deliver value for stakeholders while 
ensuring sustainability is at the centre of 
everything we do. Strong, ethical leadership, 
underpinned by a robust corporate 
governance framework, is crucial to the 
achievement of our purpose and strategy 
in a way that balances the interests of our 
key stakeholders while creating long-term 
sustainable value. 

Supported by its committees, the Board 
has responsibility for setting and overseeing 
the implementation of the Group’s 
strategy, ensuring the implementation of 
an appropriate risk management framework 
and overseeing financial and sustainability 
performance. Mondi’s governance 
framework and culture of respect and 
transparency ensure that the Board has 
the information it needs to assess the risks 
and opportunities facing the Group and the 
sustainability of the business model. 

The work of the committees feeds into the 
Board’s consideration of Mondi’s strategy, 
allowing the Board to assess whether the 
strategy remains appropriate, whether it 
promotes value in a sustainable manner and 
whether it is ultimately the right approach 
to achieving our purpose. 

How the Board monitors culture
Mondi’s culture underpins everything we 
do. It defines our behaviour and the way 
we do business, across the Group, within 
our operations and in the boardroom. It is 
critical to achieving long-term sustainable 
success. The Mondi Way sets out the key 
values that form the foundation of our 
culture, reinforced by our Code of Business 
Ethics which sets out the principles 
governing the way we behave and conduct 
business – legal compliance, honesty and 
integrity, human rights, consideration of 
stakeholders and sustainability. The Board’s 
responsibility for assessing and monitoring 
the culture of the Group is embedded in 
the Matters Reserved for the Board. 

There are a number of ways in which the 
Board monitors and assesses culture, with 
the insight acquired used as context for 
discussions and decision-making, including:

Site visits
The directors are encouraged wherever 
possible to visit Mondi’s key assets and 
operations so that they can get a more 
in-depth understanding of the business. 
Such visits offer directors the opportunity 
to see for themselves how our safety 
and sustainability culture is working in 
practice, to talk to local management and 
employees and to see how Mondi’s values 
are communicated at a local level. While it 
was not possible to arrange site visits for 
the full Board during 2021 due to COVID-19, 
a number of the directors were able to 
undertake individual visits towards the 
end of the year. More details can be found 
on page 118. Board site visits will resume 
as soon as it is safe to do so – this was 
identified as a key focus for 2022 during 
the annual board evaluation process. 

Board presentations
The Board has 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 and hear their views and 
opinions. The directors also gain valuable 
insight for the purposes of succession 
planning. More information can be found 
on page 117. Presenters and members of 
local management are additionally invited 
to attend board dinners, offering a more 
informal setting for discussion. 

Employee survey results
The Board receives regular reports from 
the Group HR Director on the results 
of our biennial employee survey, the 
issues raised and the follow up actions 
being taken, giving the Board an insight 
into how employees feel about the 
culture of the Group and particular areas 
that may need addressing. Results are 
classified into categories including acting 
with integrity, caring, empowered and 
transparent, allowing comparison of the 
results in each category against previous 
surveys. The most recent survey, which 
took place in March 2020, had an overall 
response rate of 88%, therefore providing 
insight into the views of a broad range of 
employees. More information about the 
way in which the views of employees are 
gathered and assessed can be found on 
pages 110-111. The 2020 survey was also 
used to determine our first Inclusiveness 
score. The Inclusiveness score, which was 
79% in 2020, gives us a way of directly 
measuring and monitoring culture over time 
and specific targets have been set as part 
of our MAP2030 commitments. 

Safety reports and statistics
The Board reviews safety statistics and 
key safety focus areas at every meeting. 
Caring for our employees is fundamental 
to Mondi’s culture and this includes 
ensuring safe behaviour. Reviewing the 
safety reports highlights to the Board any 
concerns around the approach to safety. 

Review of key policies
The Board undertakes an annual review of 
Mondi’s key policies. This gives the Board 
the opportunity to assess whether policies 
remain suitable for Mondi, reflect the 
appropriate values and approach to the way 
the business is run and support its long-
term sustainable success. 

Feedback from non-executive director 
representative 
During 2021, Sue Clark was appointed 
as the independent non-executive director 
responsible for understanding and feeding 
back to the Board the views and concerns 
of our employees. Sue’s engagement with 
our employees provides the Board with 
crucial insight into how our employees are 
feeling about Mondi and the matters of 
most concern to them, giving the Board a 
clear sense of how well the Group’s culture 
is embedded across the organisation and 
issues that need to be addressed. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021109

How does the Board consider our 
stakeholders when taking decisions? 
Understanding the views and issues 
raised by our stakeholders through 
the engagement methods referred to 
opposite forms a key part of the Board’s 
decision-making process. The regular flow 
of information up to the Board provides 
context and ensures that the directors 
are regularly made aware of the concerns 
of our stakeholders and the key matters 
affecting them when they consider the 
Group’s strategy and take decisions. 

To assist the Board, all papers requiring 
material decisions include clear explanation 
as to the expected impact on those 
stakeholders relevant to the decision, 
whether positive or negative. For capital 
expenditure decisions in particular, a more 
comprehensive review of the impact on 
our stakeholders is part of the established 
process we have for developing the 
necessary business case. 

Examples of the ways in which stakeholder 
interests and views have influenced the 
Board’s decision-making during the year 
can be found on pages 22-23.

Stakeholder engagement
One of the Board’s primary duties 
is to understand the views of our key 
stakeholders and the issues that are of 
most relevance to them. This is reflected 
in Mondi’s Code of Business Ethics, 
recognising the fact that engagement 
and collaboration with our stakeholders is 
essential if we are to fulfil our purpose and 
achieve our strategy. We can only achieve 
sustainable value for our shareholders 
by understanding the long-term impact 
of our decisions and considering the 
wider implications of the actions we take. 
While these decisions may not always 
be in the interests of all our stakeholders, 
understanding what matters most to them 
and what they hope to achieve allows the 
appropriate judgements and trade-offs to 
be made. 

While the Board undertakes a certain 
level of direct engagement, there is also a 
significant amount of indirect engagement 
that takes place across the Group. 
Through our delegation framework, the 
output from this engagement is relayed 
to the Board, through the Executive and 
other committees of the Board, members 
of senior management and those closest 
to the stakeholders in question. Details of 
our key stakeholders, engagement activities 
undertaken during the year and the 
outcome of these activities can be found in 
our Section 172 statement on pages 20-23. 
The information provided over the next few 
pages and in our Section 172 statement 
aims to explain how the feedback from 
this engagement influences the Board’s 
decision-making.

Information enabling the Board to assess 
and understand the views and priorities of 
our key stakeholders comes from a number 
of different sources. During 2021 these 
included:

 — Presentations from the CEO of each 
business unit, and other members 
of senior management, highlighting 
those stakeholder issues that are of 
specific relevance to their business 
or area of responsibility, including the 
views of our customers and how these 
influence product development and key 
sustainability considerations (see page 117 
for more information). 

 — The results of the sustainability materiality 
assessment undertaken during the year 
which involved engagement with internal 
and external stakeholders with the aim 
of understanding which sustainability 
issues were of most importance to each 
stakeholder group (see page 22 for 
more information). The assessment was 
supported by an external consultancy, 
providing independent insight, and the 
results provide context for future Board 
discussions. 

 — Updates on the global initiatives Mondi 

participates in, primarily related to 
sustainability matters, and collaboration 
with external bodies. 

 — Regular environmental performance 
reviews, including metrics on our 
greenhouse gas emissions, given 
at meetings of the Sustainable 
Development Committee, which 
all Board members usually attend.

 — Presentations from external advisers 

and other bodies in relation to matters 
impacting the environment in which we 
operate, including regulatory changes, 
market developments and other issues 
directly impacting our stakeholders. 

On the following pages we focus more 
specifically on how we have engaged with 
employees and investors. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements110

Corporate governance report
Board leadership and company purpose continued

How the Board has engaged with employees

The effect our decisions have on 
our employees is a key consideration 
when determining our future 
strategy, reviewing potential 
transactions and capital expenditure 
proposals and considering our 
approach to safety and sustainability. 
In order to assess the impact, we 
first have to understand the views 
of our employees and the issues 
that matter to them. Rather than 
use only one method to establish 
the views of our employees, we 
use a combination of different 
methods. Mondi employs around 
26,500 people across more than 
30 countries. Some of our people 
are office-based but many work in 
our plants and forests. This means 
that no single method is suitable. 
By using a range of methods,  
we aim to reach as many people  
as we can, engaging with  
them in the manner most suitable 
for them.

Ongoing methods of engagement
One key form of engagement is Mondi’s 
European Communication Forum, 
a formally constituted body designed 
to facilitate communication between 
Mondi and its employees. At least once 
a year, employee representatives from 
plants across Europe attend the Forum, 
at which a number of presentations are 
given by senior management, including 
in relation to operational and financial 
performance, HR activities and safety 
and health. The meetings also allow for 
open discussion and questions and are 
usually attended by the Group CEO, the 
Group HR Director and other Executive 
Committee members as appropriate. 
While the Forum is currently European 
focused, we intend to invite participants 
from outside of Europe, including South 
Africa, in future years once COVID-19 
travel restrictions allow. 

During 2021, it was agreed that Sue Clark, 
an independent non-executive director, 
would be responsible for understanding and 
feeding back to the Board the views and 
concerns of our employees. Sue’s exposure 
to a broad range of stakeholders in both an 
executive and non-executive capacity and 
her previous communication-focused roles 
mean she is well-positioned to take on this 
responsibility. Sue replaced Stephen Harris 
in this role following his retirement from 
the Board in May 2021. 

In addition, the Group HR Director holds 
a number of meetings every year with 
employees at a range of levels across 
plants worldwide to obtain their views and 
feedback and to understand their concerns. 
Feedback from these meetings provides 
an insight for the Board into the issues of 
most concern to employees, highlighting 
that they are most interested in local 
issues directly affecting their day-to-day 
working lives. 

The Board also uses the following 
mechanisms to ensure it has a broad view 
of the issues affecting our employees and 
their views on key matters:

 — Twice yearly presentations from the 

Group HR Director, providing detailed 
updates on engagement activities 
undertaken, the views expressed by 
employees, their key concerns and 
issues and the actions being taken 
to address them. 

 — Results of global and more local 

employee surveys. These provide insight 
into the issues that matter most to our 
employees and how they feel about 
working for Mondi, guiding decisions 
that might impact employees and 
allowing the Board to identify areas for 
future focus. A number of the questions 
are also designed to test the culture 
in the organisation and to allow the 
Board to judge how well the desired 
culture is embedded. More information 
on the latest global survey, which was 
undertaken in 2020 can be found on 
pages 51-52. 

 — Site visits when possible, giving the Board 

the opportunity to engage with local 
employees, as well as dinners involving 
members of local management, allowing 
for informal discussion (see page 118 for 
more information).

 — Senior leadership forums, usually 

attended by several members of the 
Board and held every three years, 
providing the opportunity for the 
Board to engage with a wider range 
of employees from across all areas 
of the business.

 — SpeakOut reports, which are presented 
to the Audit Committee and Board 
at meetings throughout the year. 
The reports provide details of the 
messages received via our confidential 
reporting hotline, SpeakOut, giving the 
Board insight into specific issues affecting 
our employees and allowing the Board 
to identify any trends. Further details on 
SpeakOut can be found on page 103. 

 — Review of usage rates for Mondi’s 

Employee Assistance Programme which 
offers an anonymous counselling service 
for employees. The programme covers 
approximately 97% of Mondi’s workforce. 

Key events in 2021
The annual meeting of the European 
Communication Forum was held in October 
2021. The meeting involved 25 participants 
from nine countries, with a representative 
from Turkey participating for the first time. 
Presentations on financial performance, 
HR initiatives and safety and health were 
given, providing attendees with a wide 
range of information on the operation of the 
business. Attendees had the opportunity 
to ask questions and to engage with the 
Group CEO and Group HR Director. 

A dinner was also held for participants, 
allowing further opportunity for more 
informal engagement outside of the 
meeting. Sue Clark attended the meeting 
in her role as the non-executive director 
responsible for understanding the views 
of employees, further reinforcing the value 
of these meetings and providing employee 
representatives with a direct channel of 
communication to the Board. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021How the Board has engaged with employees

How the Board has engaged with investors

111

Sue confirmed to the Board that the 
atmosphere at the meeting had been 
constructive, with participants highly 
engaged. Matters raised included the 
work being undertaken to attract talent 
and replace retiring skills and the health 
and wellness of employees, supporting 
the Board’s view that safety and health 
should continue to be a focus for the 
Board and that succession planning is a 
priority, not only at Board level but across 
the organisation. Matters raised during 
these meetings are subject to subsequent 
follow up, with further information 
provided to participants where required 
and regular meetings throughout the year 
between the Group HR Director and the 
chair of the European Communication 
Forum, ensuring continuous dialogue. 

Alongside this, Sue held an interactive 
session with employees to explain Mondi’s 
approach to executive remuneration, 
more details of which can be found in the 
Remuneration Report on page 138, and 
produced a video, which was published 
on Mondi’s intranet site, directly reaching 
out to employees to explain the role of 
the Board, offering engagement and 
requesting their views. 

The Group HR Director also held a 
number of so called ‘Inspire’ meetings. 
The meetings were held across the 
business units at a number of different 
plants and involved meetings with small 
groups of both production and office 
workers without their supervisors or line 
managers present, allowing free and 
open discussion. Of particular focus this 
year were the measures in place to allow 
knowledge sharing across plants and 
business units, highlighting the desire to 
continuously improve and to learn from 
one another. 

Understanding the views of 
our investors is fundamental 
to the way we run the business, 
the development of our strategy 
and shaping our priorities. 
These are taken into consideration 
with every decision the Board 
makes. The engagement we 
have with investors, both directly 
and indirectly, allows the Board 
to determine which issues are 
of most importance to them and 
to understand what long-term, 
sustainable value means from their 
perspective. While recognising 
that every investor has their own 
rationale for investing in Mondi 
and that their investment goals 
vary, ongoing engagement allows 
the Board to take fully informed 
decisions, with an understanding 
of how different groups of investors 
may be impacted. 

Ongoing methods of engagement
While the Chair is responsible for 
ensuring effective communication with 
shareholders, day-to-day management 
of this engagement is delegated to 
the Group CEO and Group CFO. 
They undertake active engagement with 
investors on a regular basis, meeting with 
Mondi’s largest shareholders, analysts 
and other fund managers. Meetings with 
the Chair are offered on a regular basis 
and 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. The committee chairs are also 
available for engagement with investors 
and other stakeholders where appropriate.

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. 

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. 

We also maintain ongoing contact 
with our debt providers and the Group 
CFO and Group Treasurer hold regular 
meetings with the credit rating agencies, 
relationship banks and debt investors.

All directors are kept informed of the 
views raised and feedback from investors, 
particularly from the full and half-year 
investor roadshows, which are presented 
and discussed at board meetings. 
Analyst reports are shared regularly with 
the Board and consideration given to 
any views both positive and negative 
regarding the Group’s performance, future 
direction and the perceptions of the 
management team. These views provide 
context for, and feed into, the Board’s 
discussions around strategy, capital 
allocation and succession planning.

Mondi’s Annual General Meeting 
(AGM) also presents an opportunity for 
shareholders to question the directors 
about our activities, performance and 
prospects. 

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Corporate governance report
Board leadership and company purpose continued

How the Board has engaged with investors continued

Key events in 2021
Details of the key investor events that 
have taken place during 2021 can be 
found below. Most of these events were 
held virtually. Feedback from these 
investor events, particularly the roadshow 
meetings, was provided to the Board, with 
the feedback covering investor views on 
Mondi’s strategy, market developments 
and approach to sustainability. 

In addition, Philip Yea held several calls 
with investors in response to specific 
requests for dialogue. 

The AGM continued to be a valuable 
opportunity for direct engagement 
between the Board and shareholders. 

While COVID-19 restrictions and our 
focus on protecting the safety of our 
shareholders and employees meant that 
shareholders were not able to attend the 
AGM in person, measures were taken 
to ensure shareholders could participate 
and engage as fully as possible. 
Shareholders were encouraged to 
submit their questions in advance of the 
meeting, with written answers provided 
in advance of the proxy voting deadline 
wherever possible, frequently asked 
questions were published on Mondi’s 
website and a facility was put in place to 
allow shareholders to listen to and submit 
written questions live during the AGM. 

All resolutions at the 2021 AGM were 
passed, with approximately 76% of the 
total Group shares voted, indicating high 
levels of engagement. In direct response 
to investor feedback, amendments to 
our articles of association permitting 
the use of hybrid meetings were also 
proposed and approved. While we are 
required to continue having physical 
meetings, the changes allow us to 
offer electronic means of participation 
in addition to physical attendance. 
Full details of the arrangements for the 
2022 AGM, and explanations of each 
resolution to be proposed at the AGM, 
can be found in the 2022 AGM notice 
which is contained in a separate circular 
to be made available to all shareholders 
in advance of the meeting. 

2021 investor events
Most of these events were held virtually.

May
Annual General 
Meeting and trading 
update

UBS Pan European 
small and mid-cap 
conference

US investor 
roadshow

March
London and 
Edinburgh full year 
results roadshow, 
including Jefferies 
packaging conference 

Johannesburg and 
Cape Town full year 
results roadshow

Exane Future of 
Packaging conference

London investor 
roadshow day

September
London and 
Edinburgh half-year 
results roadshow

Johannesburg 
and Cape Town 
half-year results 
roadshow

Davy packaging 
conference

November
UBS European 
conference 

Switzerland and 
Netherlands investor 
roadshow day

UK sustainability 
roadshow

February
Preliminary results 
announcement

April
Discussions with 
investors and 
advisory bodies 
prior to Annual 
General Meeting

June
Credit Suisse 
packaging 
conference

London investor 
roadshow day

Avior summit 
(South Africa)

Paris and 
Netherlands investor 
roadshow day

August
Half-year results

October
Trading update

London investor 
roadshow day

December
Bank of America 
conference

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021113

3

2

1

0

5

1

1

1

1

Corporate governance report
Division of responsibilities

Composition and independence 
of the Board
The directors holding office during the 
year ended 31 December 2021 are listed 
opposite, together with their attendance 
at board meetings. Biographical details for 
those in office at the date of this report 
can be found on pages 104-105. 

The size and composition of the Board 
and its 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 skills 
diversity on the Board to meet the Group’s 
current business needs. However, given 
the resignation of Enoch Godongwana 
in August, it will be important to recruit 
a suitable South African director to 
ensure that the Board continues to enjoy 
independent insight into developments in 
this key country. Further information relating 
to the recruitment process can be found 
on page 122.

Non-executive director meetings
Meetings between the Chair and non-
executive directors without management 
present are held prior to every board 
meeting. These meetings allow discussion 
of matters relevant to the most effective 
conduct of the immediately following 
meeting, although the content of each 
meeting is driven by the non-executive 
directors themselves and may cover a 
variety of topics. Stephen Young also met 
with the other directors without the Chair 
present in order to lead the review of the 
Chair’s performance in his role as Senior 
Independent Director.

Composition 
of the Board

Independent non-executive 
director tenure

  Chair 

  Executive directors 

Independent 
  non-executive 
  directors 

1

2

6

4

5

  0–3 years 

  3–6 years 

  6–9 years 

  9+ years 

Nationalities represented 
on the Board

  British 

  South African 

  French 

  American 

  Norwegian 

Diversity 
of the Board

  Female 

  Male 

Based on Board composition as at 31 December 2021

Board attendance1

Directors

Philip Yea

Svein Richard Brandtzaeg2

Sue Clark3

Tanya Fratto4

Enoch Godongwana5

Stephen Harris6

Andrew King

Mike Powell

Dominique Reiniche

Dame Angela Strank7

Stephen Young

7/7

5/5

5/5

5/7

5/5

3/3

7/7

7/7

7/7

4/5

7/7

1  The maximum number of scheduled meetings held during 

the year that each director could attend is shown next to the 
number attended. Additional meetings were held as required 
2  Svein Richard Brandtzaeg joined the Board on 22 April 2021. 
Svein Richard attended all meetings following his appointment

3  Sue Clark joined the Board on 22 April 2021. Sue attended 

all meetings following her appointment 

4  Tanya Fratto was unable to attend two meetings during the 

year, the first due to a funeral and the second due to another 
unavoidable commitment 

5  Enoch Godongwana stepped down from the Board on 

6 August 2021. Enoch attended all meetings up to the date 
of his resignation 

6  Stephen Harris stepped down from the Board on 6 May 

2021. Stephen attended all meetings up to the date of his 
retirement

7  Dame Angela Strank joined the Board on 22 April 2021. 
Angela was unable to attend one meeting following her 
appointment due to another commitment made prior to 
joining the Board 

Board policies and procedures
There are a number of policies in place 
designed to ensure that the Board can function 
effectively. These include:

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 Mondi plc. 
No requests were received during the year.

In addition, each of the committees is 
empowered, through its terms of reference, 
to seek independent professional advice at 
Mondi’s expense in the furtherance of its duties.

Directors’ & Officers’ liability insurance
Throughout the year to 31 December 2021, 
in line with market practice, Mondi maintained 
directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

Procedure for conflicts of interest
Company law 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 Board with 
support from the Company Secretary, with 
authorisations reviewed on an annual basis.

External directorships policy
To ensure that our directors are able to 
dedicate sufficient time to Mondi, Mondi has 
a policy setting out the parameters regarding 
external appointments. Executive directors 
must notify and obtain agreement from the 
Nominations Committee before accepting 
external positions. They are permitted to retain 
any fee paid to them in respect of directorships 
external to Mondi. Neither of Mondi’s executive 
directors currently holds a directorship external 

to Mondi. The policy also covers non-executive 
directors who are required to notify the Chair 
of any proposed appointments, including the 
time commitment and any potential conflicts 
of interest, so that the Nominations Committee 
can consider and, if appropriate, agree to the 
appointment. During the year, it was agreed 
that Dominique Reiniche could join the board 
of Deliveroo plc as a non-executive director. 
After considering the time commitment 
involved and in light of her decision to step 
down from the board of Severn Trent Plc in 
July 2021, it was determined that Dominique 
would continue to have the necessary time to 
dedicate to Mondi. In addition, the Board noted 
that Svein Richard Brandtzaeg will be stepping 
down as chair of Veidekke ASA in May 2022, 
reducing his commitments outside of Mondi. 

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114

Corporate governance report
Division of responsibilities continued

Division of responsibilities
The division of responsibilities between the Chair and the Group CEO has been clearly defined and approved by the Board. 
The functions and duties of the Senior Independent Director are also set out in a separate statement.

Chair

Senior Independent Director (SID)

 — leads and manages the Board, setting 

the agenda, providing direction and focus, 
ensuring effectiveness and open and 
transparent debate

 — undertakes regular engagement with 
the Group CEO in between meetings

Philip Yea

Biography 
Page 104

 — ensures there is a constructive relationship 
between the executive and non-executive 
directors

Stephen Young
Biography 
Page 104

 — provides support to, and acts as 

a sounding board for, the Chair and 
the non-executive directors
 — acts as a point of contact for 

shareholders

 — available as a trusted intermediary 
for other directors, as necessary

 — manages chair succession

Independent Non-Executive Directors 

 — ensures high standards of corporate 

governance and ethical behaviour and 
oversees the culture of the Group
 — oversees the induction, training and 
development of directors and the 
consideration of succession

 — ensures effective communication with 
shareholders and other stakeholders
 — ensures the Board receives accurate, 

timely and clear information to support 
discussion and decision-making

 — 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 Board

 — ensures the communication of Mondi’s 

values and goals throughout the 
organisation leading by example

 — chairs the Executive Committee and leads 

and motivates the management team

 — ensures the Group has effective processes, 
controls and risk management systems
 — develops and implements Group policies, 

including with regard to safety and 
sustainability

 — together with the Group CFO, leads the 
relationship with institutional shareholders

Svein Richard 
Brandtzaeg

Sue  
Clark 

Tanya  
Fratto

Dominique  
Reiniche

Dame Angela 
Strank

Biographies 
Page 105

Company Secretary

 — manages the day-to-day operations of 

the Group, in this case within his remit as 
Group CFO, in accordance with authority 
delegated by the Board

 — together with the Group CEO, leads the 
relationship with institutional shareholders

Jenny Hampshire

Biography 
Page 107

 — provide independent oversight 

of the Group’s activities

 — offer an external perspective to, 
and constructively challenge, 
management

 — provide to the Board a diversity 
of knowledge and experience

 — monitor management performance 

and the development of the 
organisational culture

 — review and agree strategic priorities 
and monitor the delivery of the 
Group’s strategy

 — ensure the integrity of financial 
reporting and the effectiveness 
of internal controls and risk 
management

 — determine executive director 

remuneration

 — supports the Chair in the delivery 
of accurate and timely information 
ahead of each meeting

 — ensures compliance with Board 
and committee procedures

 — acts as a key point of contact for 
Chair and non-executive directors

 — provides support to the Board 
and committees, and advises 
on governance, statutory and 
regulatory requirements

 — provides advice on legal, governance 
and listing requirements, in particular 
relating to continuing obligations 
and directors’ duties

Group CEO

Andrew King

Biography 
Page 104

Group CFO

Mike Powell

Biography 
Page 104

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021115

Board leadership and governance

The Board

Nominations 
Committee
Oversees the composition 
of the Board and committees 
and considers succession 
planning and diversity, 
making recommendations 
to the Board

Audit 
Committee
Oversees the Group’s 
corporate financial reporting, 
the internal control system, 
risk management and 
the relationship with the 
external auditor

Remuneration 
Committee
Responsibility for 
recommending overall 
remuneration policy and 
the setting of executive 
and senior management 
remuneration

Sustainable 
Development 
Committee
Oversees the Group’s strategy, 
commitments, targets 
and performance relating 
to safety, the environment, 
climate-related 
matters and other sustainable 
development issues

Read more 
Page 121

Read more 
Page 126

Read more 
Page 136

Read more 
Page 133

CEO

Executive 
Committee
Day-to-day management 
of the Group

Disclosure 
Committee
Responsibility for classifying 
and overseeing the prompt 
disclosure of inside information 
and overseeing the creation 
of insider lists

The primary role of the Board, led by 
the Chair, is to ensure the long-term 
sustainable success of the Group, taking 
into consideration the views and interests 
of our key stakeholders. Our governance 
processes and procedures provide a 
framework to support the Board in the 
fulfilment of this role.

There is a clearly defined Schedule of 
Matters Reserved for the Board, setting 
out those key matters that require Board 
approval. The Board meets at least seven 
times a year and an annual rolling agenda 
is agreed with the Board to ensure that all 
key matters reserved for its consideration 
are covered in the annual cycle of meetings. 
The Board is supported by a number of 
committees, each of which has its own 
Terms of Reference and annual work 
programme. The Matters Reserved for 
the Board and the Terms of Reference are 
reviewed at least annually and are available 
on the Group’s website. 

The Chair, with support from the Company 
Secretary, ensures 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 of trust and openness 
in the boardroom. Although a number of 
meetings during 2021 were held virtually 
due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, 
meetings held in the second half of the year 
were predominantly held in hybrid format, 
allowing those able to travel to attend 
in person. While virtual meetings have 
proven to be effective, the value achieved 
from meeting in person is clear and we 
will continue to hold physical meetings 
whenever possible. 

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 and assisting 
the Board with monitoring performance and 
achieving its objectives (see page 117 for 
more information). 

The agenda for each meeting is agreed 
with the Chair 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. 
Responding appropriately to the changing 
environment in which the Group operates 
is vital for Mondi’s long-term success. 

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Corporate governance report
Division of responsibilities continued

Board activity
The key matters considered by the Board during the year are set out below. While this is not an exhaustive list, it provides insight 
into the discussions of the Board and how it aims to promote the long-term success of the Group and achieve its key objectives. 
In addition to the matters set out, each meeting includes a report from the Group CEO providing an operational update; a report from 
the Group CFO on the Group’s financial performance; an update on safety performance; and a report from the Company Secretary 
on recent governance and regulatory matters.

Financial performance, funding and capital

Strategy formulation and monitoring

 — Reviewed and approved the full and half-year results and 

trading updates.

 — Reviewed and approved the Mondi Group Integrated report 
and financial statements, ensuring they are fair, balanced 
and understandable (see page 130 for more information), 
noting the requirement to produce and file a version of 
the report meeting the Single Electronic Reporting Format 
requirements in accordance with the UK Disclosure Guidance 
& Transparency Rules.

 — Considered dividend recommendations and declarations 
in light of the Group’s stated dividend policy. This resulted 
in the decisions to pay a final dividend in May 2021 and an 
interim dividend in September 2021 (see page 41 for more 
information).

 — Reviewed and approved the Group business plan for 

2022–2024 and the budget for 2022, considering assumptions 
made and the reasonableness of the plan and focusing 
on the operational overviews, cash flow management and 
capital allocation. 

 — Annual reviews of the Group treasury and Group tax 

functions and performance, including approval of the Group’s 
tax strategy statement for publication on the Group’s website.

 — Concluded a strategy review session resulting in continued 
support for Mondi’s strategic direction and confidence 
that Mondi’s strategy is sustainable in the long-term 
(see below for more information).

 — In response to recommendations from the Sustainable 

Development Committee, approved plans to take action 
on climate to Net-Zero by 2050, with a plan aligned with the 
Science Based Target Initiative’s new Net-Zero Standard 
(see page 55 for more information). 

 — Considered and approved the disposal of Mondi’s Personal Care 
Components business for an enterprise value of €615 million.

 — Considered and approved a number of capital expenditure 
projects, including a €125 million capital investment project 
at the Kuopio mill (Finland), a €135 million investment to further 
modernise the energy plant at the Syktyvkar mill (Russia) and 
a €95 million investment to debottleneck kraftliner production 
at the Świecie mill (Poland) (see page 36 for more information). 

 — Regularly reviewed competitor and market analyses and 

shareholder analysis reports and feedback.

Operational performance

 — Reviewed detailed reports in relation to safety.

 — Received detailed reports from the CEOs of the 

business units.

 — Monitored the implementation of a number of large 

capital expenditure projects, including projects at Štětí 
(Czech Republic), Ružomberok (Slovakia) and Richards Bay 
(South Africa) (see page 35 for more information).

Strategy  
review

The Board’s annual in-depth review 
of Mondi’s strategy considered where 
Mondi is today, its strategic focus, 
options for future growth and detailed 
business unit strategic initiatives. 

considered the MAP2030 commitments 
and targets, including the actions 
required to reduce Mondi’s greenhouse 
gas emissions, and the key external 
factors influencing Mondi’s ability to 
achieve these targets.

Consideration was given to the impacts of 
key industry trends, including sustainability, 
eCommerce and digitalisation, more 
details of which can be found on pages 
26-27. The Board focused in particular 
on capturing opportunities for growth, 
Mondi’s competitive position in key markets, 
capital allocation and the options for future 
capital investment. In addition, the Board 

The Board ultimately confirmed its 
continued support for Mondi’s strategic 
direction, recognising the need to ensure 
that sustainability continues to be at the 
core of Mondi’s strategy. 

More information on Mondi’s strategy 
can be found on pages 28-41. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021117

Each of the business unit CEOs provided 
updates on their businesses, focusing on 
safety performance, market position and 
dynamics, financial performance and people 
development. The specific impacts on 
each business of developing trends and 
key strategic drivers were also reviewed, 
including sustainability, eCommerce and 
digitalisation. The other members of the 
Executive Committee also presented 
to the Board in relation to their areas of 
responsibility. These presentations included 
updates on technology developments in 
Mondi’s core manufacturing processes 
from the Group Technical & Sustainability 
Director. 

In addition, the Group Head of Digital 
Excellence updated the Board in relation 
to digital initiatives across the Group, the 
Chief Procurement Officer presented 
to the Board in relation to supply chain 
developments, focusing in particular on 
the increasing importance of sustainability 
and responsible procurement to the 
supply chain, and the Group Heads of Tax 
and Treasury updated the Board on their 
current focus areas, providing insight into 
the priorities of a number of Mondi’s key 
stakeholders and current risk areas. 

Presentations 
from senior 
management

During the year, members of Mondi’s 
senior management presented to 
the Board on a variety of topics. 
These presentations not only provide 
insight into the business directly from 
those on the ground but also support 
the Board’s focus on succession 
planning, allowing Board members to 
hear from, speak to and get to know 
potential future leaders. 

Governance and stakeholders

Risk management

 — Received regular reports from the chair of each committee.

 — Reviewed the Group’s corporate governance framework 

in light of governance and regulatory developments.

 — Reviewed investor feedback (see pages 111-112 for more 

information).

 — Reviewed employee engagement matters, including 

views raised by employee representatives at the Employee 
Communication Forum meeting in October 2021 (see page 
110-111 for more information).

 — Reviewed the interests of key stakeholders, agreeing 

that the current stakeholder groups remain appropriate 
(see pages 20-21 for more information).

 — Reviewed reports received via Mondi’s confidential reporting 

hotline, SpeakOut (see page 103 for more information).

 — Reviewed and approved the Group’s human trafficking and 

modern slavery statement.

 — Reviewed the output from the board evaluation process and 
agreed an action plan (see page 120 for more information).

 — Reviewed arrangements for the Annual General Meeting 

(AGM), particularly in light of COVID-19. Following investor 
feedback in 2020, the ability to listen to the AGM and to 
submit written questions during the meeting was offered 
to shareholders in 2021.

 — Reviewed 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. This resulted in a number of changes 
based on the recommendations of the Audit Committee, 
including the recalibration of information technology risk as 
falling outside the Group’s principal risks given the effective 
monitoring and mitigation controls in place and adjustments 
to the profile of certain other principal risks (see page 88 
for more information).

 — Received half-yearly presentations on IT risks and cyber 

security (see page 127 for more information).

 — Reviewed the Group insurances, ensuring an appropriate 

balance of risk between the Group and our insurers.

Leadership

 — Considered and approved the appointments of Sue Clark 
and Dame Angela Strank as independent non-executive 
directors (see page 123 for more information). 

 — Agreed the retirement of Stephen Harris at the 2021 

AGM and the appointment of Stephen Young as Senior 
Independent Director with effect from the conclusion of the 
2021 AGM.

 — Considered and approved recommended changes to the 

membership of the Executive Committee.

 — Considered succession and talent management plans, 
including initiatives to improve diversity levels across 
the Group.

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Corporate governance report
Composition, succession and evaluation

Inductions for Svein Richard Brandtzaeg, 
Sue Clark and Dame Angela Strank, all of 
whom joined the Board in April 2021, began 
in the lead up to their appointments and are 
ongoing. Given the international locations 
of Mondi’s sites, site visits, which would 
normally form a key part of the induction 
process, remained difficult to organise in 
2021 due to the ongoing travel restrictions 
imposed due to COVID-19. This also 
impacted Philip Yea’s and Mike Powell’s 
inductions following their appointments 
in 2020. However, towards the end of 2021, 
a number of visits have been undertaken 
by newly appointed directors and these 
have proven invaluable in getting to know 
Mondi. Further details can be found below. 

Induction, training and 
development 
Training and development is key to ensuring 
the ongoing effectiveness of the Board 
and that we have the right combination of 
skills and knowledge. This begins with an 
induction for all new directors. While there 
is an outline induction programme in 
place, this is discussed with each new 
director and is tailored to meet any specific 
requirements. 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, the key duties of the 
director, including in relation to Section 172 
and stakeholder interests, and the culture 
and values of the Group. All directors 
are given access to an online director 
handbook containing documents including 
key policies and the terms of reference for 
each committee. 

We also aim to ensure that existing 
directors receive ongoing training and 
development opportunities. We offer 
the directors the opportunity to keep up 
to date with regulatory, governance and 
economic changes as well as developments 
in the markets and environments in which 
we operate. We do this through Board 
presentations, both from internal and 
external presenters, site visits, updates 
aimed at providing wider context to the 
Group’s activities and position in the market 
and regular reports from the Company 
Secretary highlighting developing trends 
and future changes in governance and 
regulation. 

Each director can discuss any development 
needs with the Chair 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.

Director 
inductions

In the lead up to the appointments 
of Svein Richard, Sue and Angela to 
the Board, a number of virtual meetings 
and briefings were organised in order to 
provide them with a detailed overview of 
the Group and to give them the insight 
and knowledge required to make as full 
and effective a contribution as possible 
to the Board upon appointment. 

Meetings were held with each of the 
Executive Committee members, allowing 
Svein Richard, Sue and Angela the 
opportunity to gain an understanding of 
the Group’s business units, culture, risk 
areas and priorities and providing the 
context necessary for matters discussed 
at Board and committee meetings. 

Meetings were also held with key 
members of senior management, including 
the Company Secretary and the Group 
Heads of Sustainable Development, 
Safety & Health and Internal Audit.

In September 2021, in her role as the 
non-executive director responsible for 
understanding the views of employees, 
Sue undertook a visit to Mondi’s Group 
office in Vienna, meeting with the Group 
HR Director and members of his team and 
holding in-person meetings with Executive 
Committee members. She subsequently 
visited Vienna again in October 
2021 to attend the annual European 
Communication Forum meeting, more 
details of which can be found on pages 
110-111. While there, she undertook a tour 
of Mondi’s plant in Korneuburg (Austria), 
giving her a first opportunity to see 
Mondi’s operations in practice. 

Separately, Philip Yea and Mike Powell 
were able to continue their inductions, 
undertaking a site visit to Świecie 
(Poland) in October 2021. The visit 
included tours of the paper mill and the 
bags and box plants, presentations and 
question and answer sessions and a 
dinner with local management, providing 
Philip and Mike with first-hand insight 
into Mondi’s operations, culture and 
safety practices. In addition, Mike visited 
a number of other plants during the 
year, including Štětí (Czech Republic), 
Ružomberok (Slovakia) and Padova 
(Italy), giving him the opportunity to 
engage with local staff and to develop 
a more in-depth understanding of the 
business. Philip was also able to visit 
the Vienna Group office and the nearby 
Korneuburg plant. 

Visits are also scheduled for the Board 
in 2022, subject to COVID-19 travel 
restrictions. These include a visit for the 
full Board to Mondi’s Štětí plant (Czech 
Republic) later in the year.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021119

2020 Board evaluation process

In 2020 we conducted an internal Board evaluation. Below are the key actions reported last year following the evaluation, which was 
facilitated by Lintstock, an independent governance advisory firm, and details of the progress we have made against those actions:

Action agreed from 2020 evaluation

Progress achieved

To continue to develop Mondi’s strategy in light of developing 
sustainability and other key industry trends

To reinstate site visits by the Board as soon as safe and 
practicable

To introduce annual reviews on technology and related 
developments in Mondi’s core manufacturing processes

To further develop the Board’s insight into our key stakeholder 
groups by introducing annual reviews of developments in 
Mondi’s supplier base and continuing the regular business unit 
presentations with a particular focus on customers and products

To develop succession planning at senior management 
level, taking opportunities for the non-executive directors to 
engage with members of the Executive Committee and senior 
management wherever possible

To successfully integrate Svein Richard Brandtzaeg, Sue Clark 
and Dame Angela Strank following their appointments to 
the Board

While Mondi’s strategy is considered throughout the year and 
particularly when key decisions are required, the Board also 
undertook its annual strategy review in October 2021, focusing 
in particular on the impact of sustainability and other key industry 
trends, including eCommerce and digitalisation. 

This remained challenging in 2021 due to the continued travel 
restrictions imposed by COVID-19. However, visits by certain 
members of the Board were undertaken towards the end of the 
year and further visits, including site visits involving the full Board, 
are scheduled for 2022. This continues to be a focus for the 
Board. Further information can be found on page 118.

Relevant reviews have been added into the Board’s rolling 
agenda, with the first presentation given in August 2021 in 
relation to pulp and paper-production technologies and a further 
presentation in relation to the converting businesses given in 
January 2022. 

Each business unit CEO presented to the Board during the 
year, with the presentations including updates on product 
developments, changing customer demands and the results of 
the customer satisfaction survey. A presentation from the Chief 
Procurement Officer was also given during the year, giving the 
Board insight into the work being undertaken from a supplier and 
supply chain perspective. This has been added to the Board’s 
rolling agenda as a regular item. 

Detailed succession plans in relation to Executive Committee 
members and those in key operational positions were reviewed 
and discussed by the Nominations Committee during the year. 
Each Executive Committee member and members of senior 
management had the opportunity to present to the Board during 
the year and as travel restrictions ease, these presentations are 
taking place in person where possible, allowing the Board to 
spend more time with key management both on a formal and 
informal basis. 

Svein Richard, Sue and Angela each held a number of virtual 
meetings with members of senior management in the lead 
up to and following their appointments to the Board. As travel 
restrictions ease, site visits are being arranged to provide them 
greater insight into the business. Further information can be 
found on page 118. 

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Corporate governance report
Composition, succession and evaluation continued

2021 Board evaluation process

In 2021, the Board took the decision to undertake a questionnaire-based evaluation 
facilitated by Lintstock. Given Lintstock carried out Mondi’s external Board evaluation 
in 2019 and supported Mondi with its internal evaluation in 2020, it was agreed 
that the follow-up support and insight Lintstock could offer in 2021 would be 
valuable. Lintstock has no other connection to Mondi. Anonymity was ensured 
throughout the process to allow for the provision of candid and open feedback by 
participants. The evaluation process was led by Philip Yea in conjunction with the 
Nominations Committee.

The process is illustrated below: 

Engagement

Decision to engage Lintstock  
to conduct the evaluation

Questionnaires completed

Questionnaires relating to the Board, committees  
and individual performance completed by directors,  
the Company Secretary and other regular attendees  
at Board and committee meetings

Report issued

Detailed report issued and  
reviewed with the Chair

Findings reviewed

Findings discussed by the Chair with each  
Board member and findings related to  
individual committees reviewed and considered  
by committee chairs

Report considered

Report considered by the  
Nominations Committee

Action plan recommended

Action plan recommended by the Nominations  
Committee and agreed by the Board

As a result of the process, the Board 
concluded that it continues to operate 
in an effective manner, benefiting from 
positive dynamics, strong engagement and 
relationships with senior management and 
a boardroom culture that allows for open 
and constructive challenge. Each director 
continues to contribute effectively to 
the Board. 

There was consensus around the priorities 
for the forthcoming year and the key 
actions agreed by the Board as a result 
of the evaluation include:

 — to reinstate full physical attendance 

at Board meetings as well as Board site 
visits as soon as safe and practicable to 
do so in light of the continuing impact 
of COVID-19

 — to continue to develop succession 

planning at senior management level, 
focusing particularly on succession 
planning for the Group CEO and CFO

 — to successfully conclude the recruitment 

of a new non-executive director to 
succeed Enoch Godongwana 

 — to move oversight of the MAP2030 
people-related commitments from 
the Nominations Committee to the 
Sustainable Development Committee, 
the committee responsible for 
overseeing progress against all other 
MAP2030 commitments, allowing the 
Sustainable Development Committee 
to have full oversight on behalf of the 
Board and the Nominations Committee 
to focus on senior-level succession 
planning

 — to continue the development of 

Mondi’s strategy in light of the growing 
importance of sustainability and ensure 
sustainability matters are appropriately 
considered in all investment decisions

The Board considers that it continues 
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 2021Corporate governance report
Nominations Committee

121

Skills 
+ 
Experience

The key focus of the committee is 
to ensure that the composition of the 
Board is appropriate and relevant to the 
Group and that the Board is in the best 
position to drive the agreed strategy. 
This includes consideration of diversity 
and succession matters.

Composition and attendance1

Members throughout the year

Committee member since Meeting attendance

Philip Yea, Chair

April 2020

Svein Richard Brandtzaeg2 April 2021

Sue Clark3

Tanya Fratto

April 2021

January 2017

Enoch Godongwana4 

September 2019

Stephen Harris5

March 2011

Dominique Reiniche

October 2015

Dame Angela Strank6

Stephen Young

April 2021

May 2018

6/6

4/4

4/4

6/6

4/4

2/2

6/6

3/4

6/6

1  The maximum number of scheduled meetings held during the year that each director 
could attend is shown next to the number attended. Additional meetings were held 
as required

2  Svein Richard Brandtzaeg joined the committee on 22 April 2021. Svein Richard 

attended all meetings following his appointment 

3  Sue Clark joined the committee on 22 April 2021. Sue attended all meetings following 

her appointment

4  Enoch Godongwana stepped down from the Board and the committee on 

6 August 2021. Enoch attended all meetings up to the date of his resignation

5  Stephen Harris stepped down from the Board and the committee on 6 May 2021. 

Stephen attended all meetings up to the date of his retirement

6  Dame Angela Strank joined the committee on 22 April 2021. Angela missed one 
meeting following her appointment due to a commitment made prior to her 
appointment to the Board 

Other regular attendees

 — Group CEO

Philip Yea 
Chair of the Nominations Committee

Dear Shareholder
This report provides an overview of the 
committee’s key activities and focus areas 
during the year and the framework within 
which it operates. 

Composition
Each non-executive director is a member 
of the committee, ensuring that it has 
access to as wide a range of knowledge 
and experience as possible. In line with this 
practice, Svein Richard Brandtzaeg, Sue 
Clark and Dame Angela Strank joined the 
committee upon their appointments to the 
Board in April 2021. 

Enoch Godongwana and Stephen Harris 
stepped down from the committee during 
the year following their retirements from the 
Board. I would like to thank them both for 
their contributions to the committee.

Areas of focus
The key focus of the committee is to 
ensure that the composition of the Board 
is appropriate and relevant to the Group 
and that the Board is in the best position 
to drive the agreed strategy. This includes 
consideration of diversity and succession 
matters.

During the year, based on the 
recommendations of the committee, the 
Board decided to appoint Sue Clark and 
Dame Angela Strank as new non-executive 
directors. This followed the decision in late 
2020 to appoint Svein Richard Brandtzaeg 
to the Board. Svein Richard, Sue and 
Angela joined the Board in April 2021, 
considerably increasing the knowledge 
and experience available to the Board and 
supporting our commitment to increasing 
the level of gender diversity on the Board, 
which we see as critical to evolving and 
achieving Mondi’s strategy.

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Corporate governance report
Nominations Committee continued

Alongside this, the committee continued 
to consider succession planning more 
widely, reviewing the current succession 
plans for Executive Committee members, 
including the Group CEO and Group CFO, 
and the managing directors of our largest 
plants and mills. It is recognised that there 
is more that could be done in this regard 
and the board evaluation process identified 
this as an area requiring more focus. 
Finding opportunities to spend more time 
with senior management given the ongoing 
restrictions imposed by COVID-19 on travel 
and in-person meetings will be crucial and 
we are hopeful that conditions in 2022 will 
allow the Board to do this. 

A more detailed overview of the key 
matters considered by the committee 
during the year can be found below. 

Committee effectiveness
The committee’s performance and 
effectiveness were reviewed as part of the 
board evaluation undertaken during the 
year, more details of which can be found 
on page 120. I am pleased to confirm that 
the committee is seen to be operating 
effectively and fulfilling the duties delegated 
to it by the Board.

Philip Yea
Chair, Nominations Committee

Following Enoch Godongwana’s resignation 
from the Board in August 2021, which 
took place at short notice following his 
appointment as South Africa’s Finance 
Minister, the committee’s focus then 
moved to the recruitment of a successor 
to Enoch. It remains clear to the committee 
that having a non-executive director on 
the Board with South African experience 
and insight into the South African business 
environment is valuable to the Board given 
Mondi’s origins and footprint. This is also 
in line with the undertaking Mondi gave 
as part of the corporate simplification 
in 2019 to continue to have a South 
African-resident director on the Board. 
Continuing our progress towards greater 
diversity on the Board and ensuring that 
we continue to meet the principles of the 
Parker Review, which Mondi fully supports, 
are also key considerations in this process. 
To date, the committee has agreed the key 
attributes it is looking for in a new non-
executive director and an independent 
recruitment firm based in South Africa has 
been appointed. The search is progressing 
well, with a short list of candidates agreed 
and interviews ongoing. 

Nominations Committee activity

Set out below are some of the key matters addressed by this committee.

Board and committee composition

Succession planning

 — Initiated the search for a new non-executive director to succeed 
Enoch Godongwana on the Board following his appointment as 
South Africa’s Finance Minister and his subsequent resignation from 
the Mondi plc Board in August 2021. The recruitment process, which 
is being undertaken with the support of an independent recruitment 
firm, is progressing well.

 — Considered the Board’s succession plans, in relation to existing 

directors, the requirements of the Board and committees in the longer 
term and the skills and experience required to support the Group’s 
future growth strategy. This resulted in the decisions to recommend 
to the Board the appointments of Sue Clark and Dame Angela Strank. 

 — Received a report and presentation on talent management practices 

 — Reviewed the continued independence of each non-executive director, 

within the Group.

including consideration of their term in office and any potential 
conflicts of interest, concluding that each non-executive director 
remained independent. Particular focus was given to Stephen Young, 
who reached his three-year term on the Board in May 2021, and 
Dominique Reiniche, who reached her six-year term on the Board 
in October 2021.

 — Reviewed 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.

 — Received a presentation on diversity within the Group and a review 

of measures being taken to improve this, particularly in light of Mondi’s 
MAP2030 commitments in this regard (see pages 124-125 for more 
information on our approach to diversity).

Board evaluation

 — Monitored progress against the agreed action plan from the prior 
year’s evaluation process (see page 119 for more information).

 — Considered and agreed the process for the 2021 evaluation of the 
Board, committees and individual directors (see page 120 for more 
information).

Corporate governance and other matters

 — Considered, and recommended to the Board, the re-election of 
all directors at the AGM, with the exception of Tanya Fratto, who 
will retire.

 — Reviewed the committee’s terms of reference, performance and 

work programme.

 — Considered, and agreed to, the committee’s report for inclusion 

in the Group’s Integrated report and financial statements.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021123

Board appointments

Mondi has an agreed process in place for the recruitment and appointment of new 
directors to the Board. This process was followed in relation to each of the new 
appointments during 2021 and is set out below.

Agreement of key business experience and skills required

taking into account succession and diversity requirements, and candidate  
specification drawn up

External independent search agent engaged

to assist with the selection process

Search conducted and long list of potential candidates  
provided for consideration 

the long list to include male and female candidates from  
a variety of backgrounds

Short list chosen from long list 

for interview by the Chair and at least one other appropriate director

Short list reduced to an agreed number of candidates 

for interview by other executive and non-executive directors

Nominations Committee considers the preferred candidates

including ability to commit time to the role and any potential conflicts  
of interest, and makes a recommendation to the Board

Board considers the recommendation

and whether to proceed with the appointment

Russell Reynolds Associates, an external 
search agency, was engaged to assist 
with the selection processes leading 
to the appointments of Svein Richard 
Brandtzaeg, Sue Clark and Dame Angela 
Strank as independent non-executive 
directors. Russell Reynolds is a signatory 
to the Voluntary Code of Conduct for 
Executive Search Firms and does not 
provide any services to the Mondi Group 
other than Board-level recruitment. 

Biographies for Svein Richard, Sue and 
Angela, who are directors at the date of 
this report, can be found on page 105. 

In addition, Amrop Woodburn Mann, 
an external search agency based 
in Johannesburg, South Africa with 
significant expertise in the South African 
market, has been engaged to assist 
with the recruitment of a successor to 
Enoch Godongwana. Amrop Woodburn 
Mann does not provide any services to 
the Mondi Group other than Board-level 
recruitment. 

On appointment each non-executive 
director receives a letter 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.

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Corporate governance report
Nominations Committee continued

Diversity and inclusion
Mondi is committed to encouraging and 
promoting diversity and inclusion (D&I) 
in all its forms. This is reflected in one of our 
strategic value drivers, Inspire our people. 

As a global organisation operating in more 
than 30 countries, D&I forms an integral part 
of the way we do business and we know 
that having a diverse Board and workforce 
and the broad range of perspectives this 
brings supports the achievement of our 
strategy and contributes towards our 
success. We are committed to creating 
a culture that embraces D&I and provides 
a working environment that is fair 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 empower 
and develop our people, helping them 
to grow to their full potential thereby 
developing and maintaining a competitive 
business advantage. 

The Group’s D&I Policy, which was 
approved by the Board, is intended to 
help us meet these goals and support the 
development of a diverse pipeline up to 
the Board, Executive Committee and all 
other levels of the organisation. It 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. 

The policy can be found on Mondi’s website 
www.mondigroup.com/en/sustainability/
governance-of-sustainability

Key policy requirements include:

At Board and Executive Committee level:
 — The Board supports the principles 

outlined in the Hampton-Alexander 
Review in relation to gender diversity 
on the Board and across the Executive 
Committee and in direct reports to the 
Executive Committee.

 — The Board supports the principles 

outlined in the Parker Review in relation 
to ethnic diversity on boards. 

 — For Board appointments, Mondi will, 
wherever possible, engage executive 
search firms that have signed up to the 
Voluntary Code of Conduct for Executive 
Search Firms. 

 — Search firms will be requested to include 

a sufficient number of credible and 
suitably qualified female candidates 
and candidates from a variety of ethnic 
backgrounds. 

 — The Nominations Committee will review, 
at least annually, succession plans in 
relation to the Board, 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. 

 — Mondi commits to complying with the 
seven UN ‘Women Empowerment 
Principles’.

At employee level:
 — Recruitment activities are aligned 

with the aims of our D&I Policy and 
applicable employment/equality 
legislation in jurisdictions in which we 
operate, including to promote diversity 
of all types and to ensure fair and  
non-discriminatory working practices.

 — We aim to ensure that a sufficient 
pipeline of candidates of diverse 
backgrounds is considered during 
succession planning.

 — 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. 

 — We will ensure fair and equal training 

and development opportunities. 

While appointments at all levels will 
continue to be made based on skill and 
ability, ensuring that we have the right mix 
of backgrounds, knowledge and experience 
to meet our future business needs, it is 
clear that gender, ethnicity, race and other 
forms of D&I must form a key part of our 
succession planning discussions and are 
critical to the long-term sustainable success 
of our business. Additional information 
on the specific process followed for 
Board-level appointments can be found 
on page 123.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021The Board’s commitment to 
promoting D&I at all levels of our business 
recognises that diverse workforces 
think more creatively in responding to 
local context, changing environments 
and different customer needs

125

The Mondi cultural characteristics 
incorporate our aim to hire and work 
effectively with people from a variety of 
diverse backgrounds, ethnicity, race, gender, 
culture and age. 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 working across the 
business and engaging our stakeholders on 
our 2030 vision, sharing best practice, and 
collaborating both internally and externally 
will allow us to make good progress. 

More details can be found on pages 50-54.

During 2021, we reported to the Hampton-
Alexander Review that as at 31 October 2021, 
we had 33% female representation on our 
Executive Committee and 30% in the direct 
reports to the Executive Committee, giving 
a combined total of 30%. As at 31 December 
2021, our combined total remained at 30%. 
We had four female directors representing 
44% of the composition of the Board. 

While Mondi plc does not currently have 
a director of colour on its Board (as defined 
by the Parker Review in relation to ethnic 
diversity on boards), as set out earlier, we 
remain committed to the principles of 
the Parker Review. We are in the process 
of appointing a successor to Enoch 
Godongwana, who left the Board at short 
notice in August 2021 to become South 
Africa’s Finance Minister.

It is clear we still have further to go, 
particularly in developing the pipeline up to 
the Executive Committee and ultimately up 
to the Board. This remains a priority at all 
levels of the organisation. We took a key 
step during 2020 when we set a D&I target 
as part of the Mondi Action Plan 2030 
(MAP2030). We are committing to providing 
purposeful employment for all in a diverse 
and inclusive workplace. Our progress will 
be measured by the Purpose Satisfaction 
and Inclusiveness scores in our global 
employee survey (each to reach 90% 
by 2030, against a 2020 baseline of 78% 
and 79% respectively); and by the overall 
percentage of women that we employ 
across Mondi (to reach a minimum of 30% 
women globally by 2030, against a 2020 
baseline of 21%). Read more about our 
MAP2030 commitments and our progress 
in this regard on pages 50-54. 

Our D&I taskforce – a cross-business, 
cross-functional team launched in 2018 
– is helping to shape and embed our 
approach. The taskforce is supported by 
Executive Committee members through 
a D&I Steering Committee. In 2021 we 
recruited a Senior Manager Diversity & 
Inclusion who will report to the D&I Steering 
Committee and who will be responsible 
for coordinating our D&I approach globally. 
During 2021, the taskforce focused on 
supporting the people pillar of MAP2030, 
contributing to the conceptual development 
and to the collection of examples of good 
D&I practices from all over the world. 

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. 

Our current BBBEE certificate can be found 
on Mondi’s website 
www.mondigroup.com/en/corporate-
governance/regulatory-reports/broad-based-
black-economic-empowerment-act-annual-
compliance-report

D&I is also an essential part of Mondi’s 
leadership development programme. 
We offer 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. We have 
also recently collaborated with Female 
Factors, a global community striving to 
enhance female leader careers by boosting 
confidence, competence and connections. 
This provides an opportunity to offer 
a number of women across the Group 
access to mentoring, networking and 
knowledge sharing. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements126

Corporate governance report
Audit Committee

INtegrity 
+ 
rigour

Consideration was given to refreshing the 
processes in place to determine Mondi’s risk profile 
and to provide the Board and management with 
the necessary assurance in relation to the principal 
risks. While the committee was comfortable 
that there were already solid processes in place, 
to ensure they remain sound and fit for purpose, 
an external specialist was engaged to assist with 
a review and assessment of these processes. 

Composition and attendance1

Members throughout the year

Committee member since Meeting attendance

Stephen Young, Chair2

May 2018

Svein Richard Brandtzaeg3 April 2021

Sue Clark4

Tanya Fratto

Stephen Harris5

April 2021

May 2017

March 2011

5/5

4/4

4/4

5/5

2/2

1  The maximum number of scheduled meetings held during the year that each director 

could attend is shown next to the number attended 

2  Stephen Young satisfies the requirement for the committee to have a member with 

recent and relevant financial experience given his previous role as Group Finance Director 
at Meggitt plc and the other commercial accounting and finance roles he has held during 
his career. Stephen is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants 

3  Svein Richard Brandtzaeg joined the committee on 22 April 2021. Svein Richard 

attended all meetings following his appointment 

4  Sue Clark joined the committee on 22 April 2021. Sue attended all meetings following 

her appointment

5  Stephen Harris stepped down from the Board and the committee on 6 May 2021. 

Stephen attended all meetings up to the date of his retirement

Other regular attendees

 — Group CEO
 — Group CFO
 — Chair and Non-Executive Directors who are not members 

of the committee
 — Group Controller
 — Group Head of Internal Audit
 — Representatives from PwC as external auditor

Stephen Young 
Chair of the Audit Committee

Dear Shareholder
This report provides an overview of the 
committee’s key activities and focus areas 
during the year and the framework within 
which it operates. 

Composition
During 2021, Stephen Harris stepped down 
from the committee following his retirement 
from the Board – I would like to thank 
Stephen for his significant contribution 
during his time on the committee. 
In preparation for Stephen’s retirement, in 
April 2021, Svein Richard Brandtzaeg and 
Sue Clark joined the committee following 
their appointments to the Board. They each 
bring extensive commercial experience 
gained across a range of industries, 
expanding the insight and knowledge 
available to the committee. 

The Board remains comfortable following 
these adjustments that the committee 
members have the appropriate 
knowledge, skills and experience to fulfil 
the duties delegated to the committee. 
Each member has appropriate knowledge 
and understanding of financial matters 
and commercial expertise gained from 
industries with similar manufacturing, 
engineering and technology-focused 
international operations, to give the 
committee as a whole competence relevant 
to the sector in which the Group operates. 

Areas of focus
The committee’s primary responsibility is 
to oversee the Group’s corporate financial 
reporting, including the relationship with 
the external auditor, and to assist the Board 
with any judgements and decision-making 
required in this regard. This remained the 
key focus of the committee during the year, 
with its activities being consistent with prior 
years and in line with its terms of reference. 

Mondi’s approach to risk management 
and its internal control framework was 
also the subject of discussion during 
the year. While risk management and 
the regular review of Mondi’s principal 
risks are consistently on the Board and 
the committee’s agendas, this year 
consideration was given to refreshing the 
processes in place to determine Mondi’s 
risk profile and to provide the Board and 
management with the necessary assurance 
in relation to the principal risks. While the 
committee was comfortable that there were 
already solid processes in place, to ensure 
they remain sound and fit for purpose, an 
external specialist was engaged to assist 
with a review and assessment of these 
processes. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
127

This resulted in a risk assurance map clearly 
articulating the implications of each risk, 
the residual risk level and risk appetite 
and the key assurance measures in place, 
giving the committee further clarity around 
management’s approach and comfort that 
Mondi’s processes are robust. A detailed 
review of Mondi’s internal controls 
framework related to financial controls and 
reporting was also undertaken, assessing 
the maturity of Mondi’s framework against 
the COSO Internal Controls Framework. 
The conclusion that each of the key 
elements is either established or advanced 
reinforced the committee’s confidence in 
Mondi’s internal controls system. 

Cyber security also remained the other 
notable focus for the committee during 
the year, given the increasing number 
and sophistication of the methods being 
employed by cyber attackers. The Group 
continues to undertake significant work in 
this regard and the committee was pleased 

to hear that external testing of Mondi’s 
infrastructure, which is undertaken 
regularly, indicated that the measures we 
have in place are effective and robust. 
More information can be found on page 96. 

A more detailed overview of the key 
matters considered by the committee 
during the year can be found below.

Approach to regular financial reporting
The committee continually reviews its 
approach to financial reporting. During the 
year, the practice of publishing a quarterly 
update on trading conditions was reviewed. 
Given the cyclical nature of our business, 
our competitor reporting cycles and our 
desire to keep the market informed, it 
was agreed 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 keep the position under review.

Committee effectiveness
The committee’s performance and 
effectiveness were reviewed as part of the 
board evaluation undertaken during the 
year, more details of which can be found 
on page 120. I am pleased to confirm that 
the committee is seen to be operating 
effectively and fulfilling the duties delegated 
to it by the Board.

Stephen Young
Chair, Audit Committee

Audit Committee activity

Set out below are some of the key matters addressed by this committee.

Financial reporting

Risk management and internal controls

 — Reviewed the integrity of all financial announcements with input provided by the 

Group CFO, Group Controller and PwC as appropriate.

 — Reviewed the Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements for tone 

and consistency and considered whether the report as a whole was fair, balanced 
and understandable (see page 130 for more information).
 — Reviewed and discussed PwC’s reports to the committee.
 — Reviewed and agreed the accounting policies to be applied for the year ending 

31 December 2021.

 — Reviewed new accounting pronouncements and any potential impact for the 

Group’s financial reporting.

 — Reviewed the going concern basis of accounting and the longer-term viability 

statement (see pages 98-99 for more information).

External audit matters

 — Recommended to the Board that the appointment of PwC for the 2021 audit be 

put to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.

 — Undertook a detailed review of the Group’s risk management policy, plan 
and tolerance levels and process to assess the risks. This resulted in the 
recommendation of changes to the Board, including the recalibration of 
information technology risk as falling outside the Group’s principal risks given 
the effective monitoring and mitigation controls in place (with cyber security 
remaining as a principal risk) and adjustments to the profile of certain other 
principal risks. Emerging risks were also considered. Further information can 
be found on page 88. 

 — Reviewed and discussed the outcome of a review of Mondi’s risk management 

processes, undertaken with the support of an external specialist, focusing 
in particular on the development of a risk assurance map and the assessment 
of the effectiveness of Mondi’s internal control framework (see above for further 
information).

 — Undertook a more in-depth review of a number of the most significant Group 

risks with presentations from relevant members of senior management. 
The reviews looked at the level of risk and the monitoring and mitigation 
measures in place. 

 — Reviewed the independence, objectivity and effectiveness of PwC (see page 131 

 — Received half-yearly presentations on IT risk management and cyber security.

for more information).

 — Reviewed and approved the external audit plan, taking account of the scope, 

materiality and audit risks and agreeing the audit fees.

 — Reviewed and agreed the engagement and representation letters.
 — Held two meetings with PwC without management present; the committee Chair 

also engaged regularly with the lead audit partner.

Internal audit matters

 — Reviewed and agreed the internal audit plan, confirming the focus on key risk areas 

and adequate cover of all material operations.

 — Received reports from the Group Head of Internal Audit (see page 132 for more 

information).

 — Undertook a review of the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function (see page 132 

for more information).

 — Reviewed regular summaries of messages and reporting from the confidential 

reporting hotline, SpeakOut.

 — Held a meeting with the Group Head of Internal Audit without management present.

Governance and other

 — Monitored and reviewed the continued implementation of those elements 

of the Group’s Code of Business Ethics reserved for review by the committee.

 — Reviewed the legal and compliance risks faced by the Group.
 — Reviewed Mondi’s competition compliance programme.
 — Reviewed the committee’s terms of reference, performance and work programme.
 — Reviewed proposed regulatory and governance reforms in relation to the 

audit market.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements128

Corporate governance report
Audit Committee continued

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 Board. 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. During 2021, the Group performed a project to review and update the documentation around the Mondi 
internal control framework related to financial control and reporting and connected guidelines. The project did not result in any material 
changes to existing controls. Full details of Mondi’s internal control and risk management framework can be found in the Strategic report 
on pages 86-87. 

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 auditor 
during the planning stage and on completion of the audit. In the context of continued high levels of macroeconomic uncertainty, 
resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, attention has been given to certain estimates and judgements (as described in more detail 
below). Issues are broadly similar to those addressed by the committee during 2020.

The key considerations in relation to the 2021 financial statements were:

Matter considered

In the context of the macroeconomic uncertainty resulting 
from the continued COVID-19 pandemic, attention has been 
given to the following areas: going concern and liquidity; 
impairment risk relating to property, plant and equipment and 
goodwill; recoverability of trade receivables; and net realisable 
value of inventories. Details of the impact of COVID-19 on the 
consolidated financial statements are included in note 1 of the 
financial statements. 

In addition to property, plant and equipment of €4,870 million, 
intangible assets of €76 million and goodwill of €926 million 
are included as assets in the statement of financial position.

As set out in the accounting policies, the goodwill is tested 
for impairment annually and property, plant and equipment and 
intangible assets whenever there is any indication that those 
assets are impaired. 

Action

The committee has: 

 — considered reports from management in relation to the impact 

of COVID-19; 

 — evaluated the assessment of going concern (see page 99 for 

further information); and

 — satisfied itself that the level of the macroeconomic uncertainty 

is considered appropriately and according to the Group’s 
accounting policy.

The committee has:

 — considered a report from management describing potential 
impairment indicators for tangible and intangible assets and 
the outcomes of related impairment tests where performed;

 — considered a report from management on the outcomes of 

the annual goodwill impairment test;

 — reviewed the underlying assumptions applied and compared 
them with the Group’s three-year 2022-2024 plan (budget 
period) and the current macroeconomic environment; 

 — 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; and

 — satisfied itself that no impairments related to goodwill or 
property, plant and equipment or intangible assets were 
required.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021129

Significant issues related to the financial statements continued

Matter considered

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. 

The Group acquired 90.38% of the outstanding shares in Olmuksan 
International Paper Ambalaj Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş (Olmuksan) on 
31 May 2021 for a total consideration of €66 million. On 26 July 2021, 
Mondi completed a mandatory tender offer to acquire an additional 
1.62% of the outstanding shares for a total consideration of €3 million 
resulting in a total ownership interest in Olmuksan of 92%.

The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent 
liabilities assumed in a business combination are, with limited 
exceptions, measured initially at their fair values on the 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. Any non-controlling interests 
in the acquiree are recorded at the non-controlling interest’s 
proportionate share of the acquired net assets.

Details of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed 
in business combination on the consolidated financial statements 
are included in note 25 of the financial statements.

Significant estimation 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. 

Understanding of the risks and implications related to climate 
change has been enhanced. This year the Group launched the 
Mondi Action Plan 2030 as the new sustainability framework. 
While the Group’s assessments still reflect that these may not 
be severe in the short term, it is believed that climate change-
related risks are likely to have a medium and long-term impact 
on business.

The financial statement disclosures consider the impact of 
climate change notably in the estimates used to calculate the 
fair value of our forestry assets. The Group continues to assess 
accounting policies, judgements and estimates to consider the 
impact of climate change.

Action

The committee has:

 — received regular reports from management about new legislative 

developments that may impact the Group’s tax positions;

 — 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; and

 — considered a report from management outlining the key 

assumptions relating to the recognition of deferred tax assets 
and satisfied itself that the assumptions made are reasonable 
and consistent from year to year.

The committee has:

 — considered reports from management and external valuation 

experts in relation to the acquisition;

 — evaluated the management reports of the purchase price 

allocation; and

 — satisfied itself that the fair value of assets acquired and 

liabilities assumed in the business combination are appropriate 
and considered according to the Group’s accounting policy.

The committee has:

 — reviewed the key assumptions applied in the valuation of the 

forestry assets and retirement benefits;

 — considered the basis on which these assumptions were determined, 
and evaluated the assumptions by comparing them with prior 
years and considering market developments during 2021; and

 — satisfied itself that the assumptions, and the changes to 
those assumptions when compared with the year ended 
31 December 2020, were appropriate.

The committee has:

 — received regular reports from management about climate 

change and related legislative developments that may impact 
the Group’s disclosure;

 — reviewed the Integrated report (including the new TCFD 

section) and financial statements for consistency with respect 
to climate related risks;

 — reviewed the assumptions applied in the valuation of the 

forestry assets;

 — considered accounting policies, judgements and estimates on 

the basis of expected climate change impacts; and 

 — satisfied itself that the assumptions, and the changes to 
those assumptions when compared with the year ended 
31 December 2020, were appropriate. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements130

Corporate governance report
Audit Committee continued

Fair, balanced and understandable

In line with the committee’s responsibility for ensuring there are robust financial reporting 
procedures and internal controls in place and the UK Corporate Governance Code 
requirement for the committee to advise the Board in relation to the annual report and 
accounts, the committee undertook an assessment of the 2021 Integrated report and 
financial statements. This incorporated the work undertaken by the committee throughout 
the year to monitor financial reporting. The process and outcome are set out below.

Oversight through the year

 — Review of applicable accounting policies and pronouncements 

and their application

 — Review of regular financial results and announcements
 — Reports from the Group Controller and PwC
 — Reports from Internal Audit

Review included

 — Provision of an outline plan including content and structure, design 

concepts and timetable

 — Consideration of regulatory and governance requirements for reporting
 — Review of detailed reports from the Group Controller and PwC 

providing the opportunity for debate and challenge

 — Summaries of areas where management judgements or significant 

accounting estimates had been made 

 — Consideration of going concern and longer-term viability
 — Classification and presentation of alternative performance measures
 — Separate meetings with PwC without management present
 — Sufficient opportunity to review drafts

Review confirmed

 — Well documented planning and procedures for the preparation 

of the report

 — Collaborative approach between all parties required to contribute 

to the report

 — Basis of preparation consistent with financial reporting throughout 

the year

 — All significant issues had been considered
 — Messaging was consistent particularly the narrative reflecting 

the financials

Conclusion

After completion of the detailed review, the committee was satisfied that:

 — taken as a whole, the Group’s Integrated report and financial 
statements 2021, were fair, balanced and understandable;

 — the report accurately reflected the information shareholders would 
require in order to assess the Group’s position and 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.

Recommendation

 — The committee reported its findings and conclusion to the Board

External audit
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) was 
first appointed as auditor by shareholders 
at the Annual General Meeting in May 2017, 
replacing Deloitte LLP following a tender 
process. The 2021 audit was PwC’s fifth for 
Mondi and Simon Morley’s second as lead 
audit partner. 

The committee confirms its compliance 
for the financial year ended 31 December 
2021 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.

Non-audit services
A policy is in place that governs the 
provision of non-audit services provided by 
PwC to Mondi, setting out those services 
that are permissible and the process 
to be followed to obtain approval for 
permissible services. All such services must 
be approved – there are no pre-approvals 
in place. Authority is delegated by the 
committee to the Chair of the committee 
to approve such services. The policy 
was last updated in 2020 to reflect the 
changes introduced by the Revised Ethical 
Standard 2019. 

For all non-audit services, 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.

The committee monitors compliance 
with the policy and the monetary cap on 
non-audit fees, receiving reports at each 
meeting detailing all approved non-audit 
services. 

Total fees for non-audit services amounted 
to €0.4m, representing 7% of the audit fee, 
with the vast majority of the non-audit fees 
incurred relating to the half-year review and 
other audit-related assurance services. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021131

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. 

Management
 — Feedback from engagement with the Group 
CFO, Group Controller and Group Head 
of Internal Audit

 — Feedback from questionnaires issued at 

corporate and business unit level to those 
personnel involved with the audit

PwC
 — Provided the committee with confirmation 
that they operate in accordance with the 
ethical standards required of audit firms

 — Confirmed the policies and procedures they 
have in place to maintain their independence

Regulators
 — The UK Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) 
2020/21 report on Audit Quality Inspections 
included a review of audits carried out 
by PwC 

Evaluation focus

 — Robustness of audit process
 — Audit quality, including quality controls
 — Audit partners and team, including skills, 

character and knowledge
 — Independence and objectivity
 — Formal reporting

Inputs

Audit Committee
 — Continual monitoring of audit performance 

throughout the year

 — Reviewed and agreed the audit plan
 — 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

 — Reviewed the quality of the audit team, 
technical skills and experience and the 
allocation of resources during the audit

 — Considered the interaction with management 

and the level of challenge

 — Regular meetings held between the Chair 

of the committee and the audit engagement 
partner

 — Reviewed feedback from committee 

members including views on how PwC has 
supported the work of the committee and 
communication with the committee

 — Considered the effectiveness of Mondi’s 
policies and procedures for maintaining 
auditor independence

Key outputs

 — The quality of the audit partners and team 
were confirmed with no material issues 
raised in the feedback received

 — 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
 — PwC demonstrated a good understanding 

of the Group and its internal control systems, 
and had identified and focused on the areas 
of greatest financial reporting risk 

 — PwC’s reporting to the committee was clear, 
open and thorough, including explanations 
of the rationale for particular conclusions 
as appropriate 

 — It was confirmed that, through the review 
of management papers and analyses 
and the discussion of key matters with 
management and the auditor, there had 
been an appropriate level of challenge during 
the course of the audit, with the external 
auditor and the Audit Committee challenging 
management’s judgements and assertions 
on matters including critical accounting 
judgements and key sources of estimation 
uncertainty; impairment of property, 
plant and equipment and goodwill; and 
assumptions underlying the going concern 
basis of accounting in preparing the financial 
statements and the viability statement

Conclusion

The committee, having considered all relevant 
matters, has concluded that it is satisfied 
that auditor independence, objectivity and 
effectiveness have been maintained.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements132

Corporate governance report
Audit Committee continued

Internal audit
Mondi’s Internal Audit function 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 help the Board 
and executive management to protect the 
assets, reputation and sustainability of the 
organisation and to manage and mitigate 
its risks effectively. This includes assessing 
whether all significant risks are identified 
and appropriately reported by management 
to the Board and executive management 
and whether they are adequately controlled. 

The Audit Committee has primary 
responsibility for monitoring and reviewing 
the scope and effectiveness of the Group’s 
Internal Audit function. The Group Head 
of Internal Audit has direct access to, and 
responsibility to, the committee as well 
as regular access to Mondi’s executive 
management.

In 2020 an external review of the 
Internal Audit function was undertaken 
by Independent Audit, a consultancy 
firm specialising in board evaluations and 
effectiveness reviews, with a full report 
presented to the committee. The review 
concluded that the Internal Audit function 
is led by an experienced and independent 
Group Head of Internal Audit and 
supported by a professional team of well 
qualified people. The report highlighted 
in particular a positive culture around the 
role and contribution of the Internal Audit 
function and comprehensive audit planning 
processes. The execution of audits is 
governed by an appropriate methodology 
supplemented by good practice guidance. 
Some recommendations were made, 
including to consider widening the scope 
of the internal audit plan and to include 
audits which consider the effectiveness 
of the overall control framework, to assess 
resourcing levels and to further customise 
reporting. These recommendations are 
in the process of being implemented. 
This was followed by an internal review 
in 2021. The committee has concluded 
following the review that the Group Head 
of Internal Audit provides appropriate 
leadership of the Internal Audit function, 
which remains effective in carrying out 
its remit. 

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. 
In 2021, due to COVID-19 restrictions, 
while the majority of our major plants 
were audited, there were a number we 
were not able to audit in the usual manner. 
These plants will be a priority in 2022. 

Reports are given at each committee 
meeting providing an update on activities, 
resourcing levels, 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. In 2020 and 2021, a 
number of adjustments were made to the 
plan in response to COVID-19 and the 
restrictions imposed on international travel. 
Wherever possible, remote audits were 
carried out or local personnel engaged. 
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. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
Corporate governance report
Sustainable Development Committee

133

Impact 
+ 
Progress

During 2021, the committee decided 
to recommend to the Board a commitment 
to Net-Zero by 2050, including revision of 
the science-based GHG reduction targets, 
in line with a 1.5oC scenario. Recognising the 
need to take decisive action and to reinforce 
Mondi’s commitment to reducing its impact, 
the Board accepted the recommendation 
of the committee.

Composition and attendance1

Members throughout the year

Committee member since Meeting attendance

Dominique Reiniche, Chair May 2017

Svein Richard Brandtzaeg2 April 2021

Enoch Godongwana3 

September 2019

Stephen Harris4

Andrew King

Dame Angela Strank5

Stephen Young

March 2011

May 2020

April 2021

May 2018

6/6

5/5

4/4

2/2

6/6

4/5

6/6

1  The maximum number of scheduled meetings held during the year that each director 

could attend is shown next to the number attended 

2  Svein Richard Brandtzaeg joined the committee on 22 April 2021. Svein Richard 

attended all meetings following his appointment 

3  Enoch Godongwana stepped down from the Board and the committee on 6 August 

2021. Enoch attended all meetings up to the date of his resignation

4  Stephen Harris stepped down from the Board and the committee on 6 May 2021. 

Stephen attended all meetings up to the date of his retirement

5  Dame Angela Strank joined the committee on 22 April 2021. Angela missed one 
meeting following her appointment due to a commitment made prior to her 
appointment to the Board

Other regular attendees

 — Group CFO
 — Chair and Non-Executive Directors who are not members 

of the committee

 — Group Technical & Sustainability Director
 — Group Head of Sustainable Development
 — Group Head of Safety and Health

Dominique Reiniche 
Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee

Dear Shareholder
This report provides an overview of the 
committee’s key activities and focus areas 
during the year and the framework within 
which it operates. 

While the Board as a whole has 
responsibility for overseeing Mondi’s 
approach to sustainability, the committee, 
on behalf of the Board, oversees and 
monitors Mondi’s sustainable development 
policies, practices and progress against 
our sustainability commitments and 
targets. It provides guidance in relation 
to sustainability matters, including climate 
change-related issues, 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 44-77.

Composition
In April 2021, Svein Richard Brandtzaeg 
and Dame Angela Strank joined the 
committee following their appointments 
to the Board. Svein Richard and Angela 
each bring extensive sustainability 
experience and insight to the committee 
gained through their executive careers 
and during their current non-executive 
roles. Their appointments strengthen and 
enhance the committee, bringing broader 
knowledge and perspectives at a time 
when the focus on sustainability matters 
is growing rapidly and best practice in this 
field continues to develop.

Enoch Godongwana and Stephen Harris 
stepped down from the committee during 
the year following their retirements from 
the Board. I would like to thank them both 
for their contributions to the committee and 
Stephen for his leadership as chair of the 
committee for seven years until May 2018. 

Areas of focus
The safety of our employees and 
contractors continues to be a priority for 
both the committee and the Board, with 
safety performance, including COVID-19 
developments, reviewed and discussed 
at every meeting. There is a strong focus 
on understanding the circumstances and 
causes of safety incidents so that lessons 
can be learned and on identifying trends 
in the types or locations of incidents so 
that proactive measures can be taken to 
address any developing patterns early on. 

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Corporate governance report
Sustainable Development Committee continued

We are extremely cognisant of the impact 
safety incidents can have on those involved 
and on their families and friends and so we 
continue to work hard to further embed our 
safety culture across the Group. 

One of the key elements of Mondi’s 
approach to safety is the 24-hour mindset, 
designed to embed safety in everything that 
people do. In support of this, the committee 
took the time during the year to develop 
its understanding of social psychology 
of risk and how it can be applied to further 
improve safety performance by ensuring 
that acting in a safe manner is part of our 
unconscious behaviour. This continues to 
be an area of focus as we strive to improve 
our safety performance. 

During 2021, we also continued to focus in 
particular on safety throughout our annual 
maintenance shuts, during which there 
were a significant number of employees 
and contractors on site. This was key 
in particular during the extended project-
related shut at our Richards Bay mill 
(South Africa). 

Also of significant discussion by the 
committee during the year was Mondi’s 
approach to climate change and reducing 
its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 
While we already had validated science-
based reduction targets in place, we 
recognise that Mondi can play a critical role 
in minimising the impact of business on 
climate change and so our commitments 
in this regard are kept under close review. 

As a result, during 2021, the committee 
decided to recommend to the Board 
a commitment to Net-Zero by 2050, 
including revision of the science-based 
GHG reduction targets, in line with a 1.5oC 
scenario. Recognising the need to take 
decisive action and to reinforce Mondi’s 
commitment to reducing its impact, the 
Board accepted the recommendation 
of the committee. Further details can be 
found on page 55. To further support this 
commitment, Mondi has also signed up 
to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5oC, 
the world’s largest and fastest-growing 
group of companies committed to taking 
urgent climate action aligned with 1.5oC 
and Net-Zero. 

Progress against our sustainability 
commitments and targets more widely, 
articulated through the Mondi Action Plan 
2030 (MAP2030), was an integral part of the 
committee’s agenda throughout the year, 
with each of the key action areas reviewed 
and focus given not only to the current 
status of each commitment, but also to 
the actions being taken towards achieving 
these commitments. Further details of our 
performance in this regard can be found 
on pages 44-77.

Alongside this, the committee also spent 
time considering the sustainability risks 
and opportunities facing the Group, 
focusing in particular on those relating 
to climate change in the context of the 
recommendations of the Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosure 
(TCFD). More information can be found 
in our TCFD disclosures on pages 60-67. 

A materiality assessment was also 
undertaken during 2021, the outcomes 
of which will inform the committee’s 
agenda and discussions during the next 
year. A comprehensive refresh of the 
assessment is undertaken roughly every 
three years to give the committee and the 
Board clear insight into which issues are 
of most importance to our stakeholders. 
The assessment involved engagement with 
internal and external stakeholders, through 
questionnaires, interviews and the use of 
publicly available information. The process 
was supported by an external consultancy, 
with the results presented to the 
committee by the consultancy, providing an 
independent perspective to the committee 
on the views and priorities of our key 
stakeholders. Not only will the results guide 
the committee’s future discussions and 
focus areas, they also provide important 
context for future decision-making. 
More information can be found on page 22. 

A more detailed overview of the key 
matters considered by the committee 
during the year can be found opposite.

Committee effectiveness
The committee’s performance and 
effectiveness were reviewed as part of the 
board evaluation undertaken during the 
year, more details of which can be found 
on page 120. I am pleased to confirm that 
the committee is seen to be operating 
effectively and fulfilling the duties delegated 
to it by the Board.

Dominique Reiniche
Chair, Sustainable Development Committee

The Board maintains a clear overview 
of policies, systems, practices 
and progress across all aspects 
of sustainability. This is crucial for 
promoting Mondi’s long-term  
strategic success and the needs  
of our key stakeholders

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021135

Sustainable Development Committee activity

Set out below are some of the key matters addressed by this committee.

Safety performance and serious incidents

Forestry

 — Received regular reports on safety performance at Group and business unit 

level, including individual mill performance, classification of incidents and peer 
comparisons, giving the committee insight into the safety culture and specific 
sites that required further focus. There was a particular focus on safety during 
the annual maintenance shuts. 

 — Monitored the number of COVID-19 cases across the Group, actions taken 
to protect employees and contractors and the key focus areas in this regard, 
particularly the higher risk associated with the annual maintenance shuts, giving 
the committee comfort that all the appropriate measures were in place. 

 — Received a presentation on social psychology of risk, with a focus on how to 
embed safety in unconscious behaviour and the ways in which culture can be 
adapted to promote safe behaviour in the workplace. 

 — Considered and agreed the safety milestones and leading and lagging indicators 

for the next reporting period.

Sustainable development governance and risks

 — Reviewed the material sustainability issues, risks and opportunities. 
 — Reviewed those elements of the Group’s Code of Business Ethics reserved for 
review by the committee, concluding that they remain appropriate and aligned 
with the culture of the Group. 

 — Reviewed and approved the Group’s human trafficking and modern slavery 

statement.

 — Reviewed and approved the proposal for the annual sustainable development 

report, including the approach to assurance. 

 — Reviewed Group sustainable development policies and approved amendments 

to reflect best practice.

 — Reviewed the committee’s terms of reference and performance, concluding that 
the terms remain appropriate and that the committee has covered all matters 
required of it.

 — Considered and agreed the committee’s annual work programme, building 

in regular reviews of each of our MAP2030 commitments and targets. 

Environmental performance and climate change

 — Reviewed Mondi’s GHG emissions targets, resulting in the committee 

recommending to the Board a commitment to Net-Zero by 2050, including 
revision of the science-based GHG reduction targets in line with a 1.5oC scenario 
(see page 55 for more information). 

 — Reviewed climate-related risks and opportunities and the potential impacts 

on the business in line with the TCFD recommendations (see pages 62-67 for 
more information).

 — Reviewed performance against each of the environmental key performance 

indicators and commitments, including those that track the Group’s progress 
in reducing its GHG emissions in line with its science-based targets.

 — Received an update on forestry-related sustainability topics, focusing in particular 
on the MAP2030 forestry-related commitments and targets and progress to date.

 — Considered the challenges facing the industry in respect of sustainable 

wood sourcing, particularly in light of climate change and increasing policy 
developments in this area and discussed the key partnerships developed by 
Mondi to further understand and address these challenges. 

Stakeholder relationships

 — Undertook a comprehensive refresh of the materiality assessment process 

in order to understand the issues of most importance to our key stakeholders 
(see page 22 for more information).

 — Reviewed the Group’s relationships and engagement with key stakeholders, 

including governments and non-governmental organisations, focusing on the 
partnerships that will be required to support Mondi in achieving MAP2030 
and the primary areas for engagement.

 — Received an update on engagement with a number of investors in relation 

to plastics and the issues of most concern to them.

 — Reviewed proposals for forthcoming Socio-economic Assessment Toolbox 

(SEAT) assessments at a number of Mondi’s plants.

 — Reviewed Mondi’s ESG ratings in order to understand which ratings are most 
important to our stakeholders, how we perform and where there is potential 
for improvement. 

Product stewardship

 — Received a report on the Group’s product stewardship practices in the context 
of the MAP2030 circular driven solutions commitments, focusing on progress 
with the development of a roadmap and the key partnerships and collaborations 
required to achieve the commitments and targets.

 — Considered the implications of the Single-Use Plastics Directive. 

Responsible procurement

 — Reviewed the development of Mondi’s Responsible Procurement process, 
including the continued roll out of a supplier screening process designed 
to identify and manage high-risk suppliers. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements136

Remuneration report
Statement from the Remuneration Committee Chair

performance
+
reward

The committee focuses on  
consistency and fairness in executive pay,  
taking into account the performance  
of the company and the results that the  
shareholders and other stakeholders have  
experienced during the year. 

Composition and attendance1

Members throughout the year

Committee member since Meeting attendance

Tanya Fratto, Chair

January 2017

Sue Clark2 

Stephen Harris3 

April 2021

March 2011

Dominique Reiniche

October 2015

Dame Angela Strank4 

Philip Yea

April 2021

April 2020

4/4

2/2

2/2

4/4

2/2

4/4

1  The maximum number of scheduled meetings held during the year that each director 
could attend is shown next to the number attended. Additional meetings were held 
as required

2  Sue Clark joined the committee on 22 April 2021. Sue attended all meetings following 

her appointment 

3  Stephen Harris stepped down from the Board and the committee on 6 May 2021. 

Stephen attended all meetings up to the date of his retirement

4  Dame Angela Strank joined the committee on 22 April 2021. Angela attended 

all meetings following her appointment

Other regular attendees

 — Non-Executive Directors who are not members of the committee
 — Group CEO
 — Group HR Director
 — Group Head of Reward
 — External remuneration consultant

Tanya Fratto 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Fellow shareholder, it is with pleasure 
that I present the committee’s report on 
directors’ remuneration for 2021. 

At the 2021 AGM, shareholders approved 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report for 
the year ended 31 December 2020 with 
over 98% of votes cast in favour. The 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy (DRP) 
remains unchanged following approval 
by shareholders in 2020. Rather than 
reproduce in full the current DRP, we have 
instead provided relevant extracts on pages 
144-148.

The annual report on remuneration, 
describing how the DRP has been applied 
for the year ended 31 December 2021, and 
how we intend to implement the DRP for 
2022 is provided on pages 142 and 151-156.

Performance in 2021
Mondi delivered a strong financial 
performance in 2021, with underlying 
EBITDA of €1,503 million up €150 million 
on the prior year (11%), driven mainly by 
higher sales volumes, significantly higher 
average selling prices and the contribution 
from acquisitions. Our return on capital 
employed (ROCE) increased to 16.9%. 
Net debt at 31 December 2021 was 
€1,763 million, down from €1,791 million. 

This strong performance was achieved 
despite the ongoing operational 
challenges posed by the pandemic, 
including significant disruption to supply 
chains. We were able to meet a surge in 
demand from our customers and provide 
a continued supply and service – testament 
to our integrated value chain, operational 
performance, and investments. In part this 
was also enabled through a continued 
focus on enhancing productivity and 
efficiency across the business, including 
the successful development and roll-out 
of digital solutions.

During 2021, Mondi completed the 
acquisition of Olmuksan, a leading and well-
established corrugated packaging player in 
Turkey, strengthening the Group’s position 
in the fast-growing Turkish corrugated 
market and expanding our offering to 
existing and new customers in the region. 
In addition, Mondi continued to pursue its 
disciplined approach to value-enriching 
capital investments, examples of which 
include the new containerboard machine 
in Ružomberok and the converted speciality 
kraft paper machine in Štětí – both 
successfully ramped up during the year and 
helping to ensure we were able to meet 
growing demand. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Mondi continues to develop its pipeline 
of capital investments to accelerate 
growth, build on our market-leading 
position and meet the long-term needs 
of our customers.

Throughout the year, we continued to 
prioritise the safety, health and wellbeing 
of our people and our communities 
in light of the ongoing impact of the 
COVID-19 pandemic. In respect of our 
communities, we continue to invest in 
local initiatives – a minimum of 1% of the 
Group’s profit before tax annually – and 
support through the provision of power, 
wastewater treatment and waste disposal 
in certain locations. The COVID-19 
pandemic has resulted in a shift towards 
more remote-working and use of virtual 
engagement channels through which the 
leadership of the business have been able 
to maintain highly effective engagement 
with the workforce. 

Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030), 
launched in early 2021, outlines the steps 
and actions we need to take as a business 
over the next decade in order to achieve 
our ambitious 2030 sustainability goals. 
Clear and measurable progress on a 
number of key metrics was made during 
2021, including acceleration of our climate 
plans as we transition to Net-Zero by 
2050. Persistent product development 
and innovation meant we were also able 
to support our customers in transitioning 
to more sustainable packaging solutions. 

Given our strong financial position and 
confidence in the future of the business, the 
Board recommended a final 2021 dividend 
of 45.00 euro cents per share. The final 
dividend, together with the interim dividend, 
amount to a total dividend for the year of 
65.00 euro cents per share, an increase 
of 8% on the 2020 total dividend. 

Further details on performance in 2021 are 
set out on pages 4-5 and pages 32-43.

Remuneration outcomes aligned 
to performance 
Performance outcomes are reflected in the 
remuneration received by directors. Annual 
bonuses of 97% and 96% of maximum have 
been awarded in respect of performance 
in 2021 for Andrew King and Mike Powell 
respectively. In accordance with the DRP, 
half of these annual bonus awards will be 
delivered in deferred shares which vest after 
three years. These outcomes reflect: 

 — The strong financial performance of the 

Group, where both underlying EBITDA of 
€1,503 million and ROCE of 16.9% were 
above the stretching maximum targets 
set, resulting in the financial element 
of the bonus (70% of maximum) being 
received in full. Further details are set 
out on page 152.

 — In respect of our safety performance, a 

component of our sustainability element, 
we had zero fatalities in the year and 
achieved our 2021 Total Recordable Case 
Rate (TRCR) milestone of 0.62, which 
reflects our focus on social psychology 
to minimise risk-taking within our 
business. The Executive Committee 
achieved all of the proactive efforts, 
and improvements aimed at preventing 
incidents. As such, the entire safety 
element of the bonus (10% of maximum) 
was received in full. Further details are 
set out on page 152.

 — The personal element of the bonus 

(20% of maximum) reflected specific 
operational and strategic objectives 
for each individual, including their 
contribution to the overall success of our 
MAP2030 framework. This element paid 
out at 17% and 16% for Andrew King and 
Mike Powell respectively. Further details 
are set out on pages 153-154.

137

The performance period for the 2019 
Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) ended on 
31 December 2021. Half of the award was 
based on ROCE performance and half 
on relative TSR performance. ROCE for 
the three-year performance period was 
17.3%, above threshold but below stretch 
performance requirement of 18.0% and 
leading to vesting of 91.3% of this element. 
The Group’s TSR over the period was 
28.7%, which placed it below the median 
TSR performance of the comparator group 
of 51.7%, resulting in zero vesting for this 
element. As a result of this performance, 
45.6% of the overall LTIP award will vest in 
March 2022, and be subject to the two-year 
holding period until 2024. Further details are 
set out on page 155.

The committee believes these bonus 
and LTIP outcomes are a fair reflection 
of the overall performance achieved for 
shareholders over the financial year and 
over the longer term. As a result, the 
committee determined that no discretionary 
adjustments to these outcomes would 
be required.

Further information about the levels 
of executive remuneration earned in 2021, 
including details of performance against 
the relevant targets for both bonus and LTIP 
are given on page 151.

Remuneration in 2022
Salary
Andrew King’s and Mike Powell’s base 
salaries were increased by 2.5% to 
£1,012,700 and £645,750 respectively, 
effective from 1 January 2022. This is in line 
with the average increase for Mondi’s UK 
workforce of 2.5%. 

Pension
Both Andrew King and Mike Powell receive 
a pension allowance of 8% of base salary, 
which is aligned to the majority of the 
UK workforce.

Variable pay
Annual bonus and LTIP opportunities will 
remain unchanged for 2022. Andrew King 
will be eligible for a maximum bonus of 
185% of base salary and an LTIP award 
of 230% of base salary. Mike Powell 
will be eligible for a maximum bonus of 
170% of base salary and an LTIP award 
of 210% of base salary.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements138

Remuneration report
Statement from the Remuneration Committee Chair 
continued

Given the strategic importance of 
sustainability (see pages 44-45 of this 
report for further detail on our MAP2030 
framework), the committee has determined 
that a sustainability scorecard will be 
introduced into the Bonus Share Plan for 
2022, comprising 20% of the total bonus. 
The current focus on safety will be retained, 
by incorporating the safety metric into the 
scorecard, retaining its current weighting 
(10% of maximum bonus opportunity). 
In addition two new metrics, reduction 
in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 
elimination of waste to landfill, will be 
included (each with a weighting of 5% of 
maximum bonus opportunity). Both metrics 
will be based on robust, quantifiable targets, 
which will be disclosed retrospectively. 
Constructing the scorecard with these three 
metrics addresses each key focus area of 
MAP2030: circular driven solutions, created 
by empowered people, taking action on 
climate. The introduction of the scorecard 
not only further aligns our executive 
directors’ incentives, but also those of the 
Executive Committee and approximately 
3,400 colleagues in the business who 
participate in the Group bonus plan.

With regards to the LTIP, the committee 
reviewed the TSR peer group, with 
a focus on peers who are subject to 
broadly the same market forces and 
trading environment as Mondi. This review 
concluded that Amcor should no longer be 
included in the peer group, given it is less 
closely aligned to the market forces and 
trading environment that Mondi is subject 
to and others in the peer group. Domtar has 
also been removed from the peer group 
following its acquisition in November 2021. 
Details of the updated comparator group 
are on page 143. 

Shareholder engagement
During 2021, we engaged with a cross-
section of shareholders and proxy agencies 
with regard to developments in executive 
pay. In particular, shareholder views on 
linking executive pay to sustainability 
provided context, and informed our decision 
to introduce a sustainability scorecard into 
our annual bonus from 2022, in line with our 
MAP2030 framework. Further details are 
set out on page 142.

In line with the three-year cycle under 
the directors’ remuneration reporting 
regulations, we will be submitting the 
DRP for shareholder approval at the 2023 
AGM. In advance of this, the Remuneration 
Committee will be reviewing the DRP to 
ensure that it continues to align to and 
support the forward-looking strategy. We 
look forward to continuing engaging with 
our shareholders on this later in the year.

Conclusion
Thank you for the strong support you have 
given our remuneration report in prior 
years. As noted in Philip Yea’s comments to 
shareholders on pages 102-103, this will be 
my last remuneration report to you. It has 
been a pleasure to lead the development 
of Mondi’s remuneration approach over 
the last five years and I am grateful for your 
strong support during my tenure as chair 
of the committee. The decision to retire 
from the Board will be effective from the 
conclusion of the 2022 AGM and the future 
is bright as we transition the reins to Dame 
Angela Strank and she leads the committee 
forwards through the coming years. 

I will look forward to your support of the 
remuneration report at the 2022 AGM and 
your support of Angela in the future years. 

Tanya Fratto
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Alignment of DRP with the Code 
When determining the application of the 
DRP, the committee considered clarity, 
simplicity, risk, predictability, proportionality 
and alignment to culture as set out in the 
UK Corporate Governance Code. We 
operate simple variable pay arrangements, 
which are subject to clear performance 
measures aligned with the Group’s strategy 
and interests of all stakeholders. The 
application of recovery provisions (malus 
and clawback) enables the committee 
to have appropriate regard to risk 
considerations. As part of our culture we 
want all employees within the Group to 
share in the success of the Group, with 
their interests aligned to shareholders, for 
example we operate a Share Incentive Plan 
for our UK employees.

Executive director pay and the 
broader workforce
The Remuneration Committee is 
regularly informed on matters of pay and 
employment conditions throughout the 
Group. At least once a year a detailed 
analysis of pay and incentives is presented 
to the Committee, covering approximately 
98% of the global workforce in all 
geographies and business units. In addition 
during 2021, we launched a new initiative 
where Sue Clark, our non-executive 
director responsible for understanding the 
views of employees, was able to virtually 
connect with a range of employees 
(covering various levels of seniority, location, 
business unit and gender). Sue was able 
to listen to their thoughts on pay and 
performance matters, and the relationship 
between local and Group level. The outputs 
from these engagements are reported 
to the Board, and are taken into account 
when the Remuneration Committee 
makes decisions relating to executive 
pay. Specifically, the Remuneration 
Committee will take the output from 
these engagements into consideration 
as it develops the DRP review during 
2022, which will include engagement with 
shareholders before the revised policy is 
taken to the AGM in 2023.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Remuneration report
Remuneration at a glance

139

Summary of our current Directors’ Remuneration Policy and implementation for 2022

Implementation of policy in 2022

Fixed pay

Base salary, pension 
and benefits

Annual bonus

Short-term variable 
remuneration

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Long-term variable  
remuneration

Share ownership policy

Salary
Group CEO: 
£1,012,700 (2.5% increase);  
Group CFO: 
£645,750 (2.5% increase) 
Average increase for Mondi’s 
UK workforce was 2.5%.

Pension
8% of salary, aligned to 
the majority of the UK 
workforce.

Benefits
Will continue to receive 
benefits in line with policy, 
which include car allowance, 
medical insurance, death and 
disability insurance and limited 
personal taxation advice. 

Cash element

Half of any bonus earned is  
deferred in shares for three years

 — To incentivise and reward the achievement of stretching annual performance targets.

 — Maximum opportunity unchanged from prior year at 185% of base salary (Group CEO) 

and 170% of base salary (Group CFO).

 — Performance measures for 2022 will be underlying EBITDA, ROCE, safety, reduction 
in greenhouse gas emissions, elimination of waste to landfill, and personal objectives.

3-year performance period

2-year holding period

 — To incentivise and reward for the delivery of the Group’s long-term objectives, 

and provide alignment with shareholders. 

 — Maximum opportunity unchanged from prior year at 230% of base salary (Group CEO) 

and 210% of base salary (Group CFO).

 — Performance measures for 2022 will be ROCE and relative TSR.

 — To align interests of executive directors with those of shareholders.

 — Minimum shareholding requirement of 300% of base salary for the Group CEO 

and 250% of base salary for the Group CFO.

 — A post-employment shareholding requirement applies – first year post-employment, 

full in-employment shareholding requirement applies and for second year post-
employment, 50% of the full in-employment shareholding requirement applies.

Key decisions made during the year

Review of executive director salaries
Andrew King and Mike Powell’s base 
salaries increased by 2.5% on 1 January 
2022, in line with discretionary increases 
for the UK workforce.

Introduction of new sustainability 
measures within the 2022 annual bonus
A sustainability scorecard has been 
introduced into the annual bonus. 
The scorecard consists of three elements 
– safety, reduction in greenhouse gas 
emissions, and elimination of waste to landfill. 
These align to MAP2030, and represent 
our focus on our people, the climate crisis 
and our circular driven solutions.

Review of 2022 LTIP award performance 
measures and targets
Amcor has been removed from the 
TSR peer group, given it is less closely 
aligned to the market forces and trading 
environment that Mondi is subject to. 
Also, with effect from the 2022 grant, so 
as not to disincentivise management from 
making investment decisions which are 
in the strategic interests of Mondi, and 
create long-term shareholder value, any 
unplanned investments made during the 
performance period may be considered by 
the Remuneration Committee for exclusion 
in the final assessment of the ROCE 
performance.

Review of non-executive director fees
The non-executive director base fees 
and the attendance fee for meetings 
outside country of residence (per meeting) 
were increased by 2.5% with effect from 
1 January 2022.

Engaging with our workforce 
on remuneration
During 2021, we launched a new initiative 
where Sue Clark, our non-executive 
director responsible for understanding the 
views of employees, was able to virtually 
connect with a range of employees 
(covering various levels of seniority, location, 
business unit and gender).

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements140

Remuneration report
Remuneration at a glance continued

Linking our reward and business strategy

Annual bonus

Our strategy: 

  Delivering value accretive growth sustainably

Underpinned by our four strategic value drivers:

  Drive performance along the value chain

  Invest in assets with cost advantage

  Inspire our people

  Partner with customers for innovation

   Above maximum

   Between threshold and maximum

   Below threshold

Remuneration outcomes

Andrew King
Base salary
€1,149,366

Annual bonus

U. EBITDA
35%

Outturn
35%

ROCE
35%

Outturn
35%

Safety
10%

Personal
20%

Outturn
10%

Outturn
17% / 16%

TSR
50%

Outturn
0%

LTIP

Average 3-yr ROCE
50%

Outturn
91.3%

Mike Powell
Base salary
€732,896

Annual bonus

U. EBITDA
35%

Outturn
35%

ROCE
35%

Outturn
35%

Safety
10%

Outturn
10%

Personal
20%

Outturn
17%

U. EBITDA
35%

Outturn
35%

ROCE
35%

Outturn
35%

Safety
10%

Outturn
10%

Personal
20%

Outturn
16%

Total outturn
97%
€2,062,538
50% deferred in shares

LTIP

TSR
50%

Outturn
0%

ROCE
50%

Outturn
91.3%

Total outturn
45.6%
€650,496

Total outturn
96%
€1,196,086
50% deferred in shares

LTIP

TSR
50%

Outturn
0%

ROCE
50%

Outturn
91.3%

Total outturn
45.6%
€672,574

Benefits, pension contributions and other
€285,688

Benefits, pension contributions and other
€87,137

Total remuneration 2021
€4,148,088

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 
See page 155

Total remuneration 2021
€2,688,693

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
141

Fixed vs variable remuneration outcomes

Group CEO

2021

34%

2020

50%

2019

40%

2018

33%

Group CFO

50%

16%

€4,148,088

2021

31%

44%

25%

27%

23%

21%

39%

€2,770,553

2020

64% 36% 0%

€3,784,277

2019

46%

18% 36%

35%

32%

€4,416,016

2018 34%

28%

38%

€2,688,693

€229,919

€2,2 1 1 ,641

€2,809,404

 Salary, benefits, pension & other 

 Annual bonus 

 Performance shares (LTIPs)

1  Andrew King became Group CEO in 2020, prior to that he was Group CFO. Mike Powell became Group CFO in 2020. Peter Oswald was Group CEO from 2017 until Q1 2020

Executive directors’ shareholdings2

Andrew King Group CEO3

Mike Powell Group CFO4

Shares at 31/12/21:

132,515

Read more 
Page 159

% base salary:

242%

Shares at 31/12/21:

11,172

Read more 
Page 159

% base salary:

32%

2  Including beneficial and non-beneficial share interests of connected persons
3  Andrew King is below the minimum shareholding requirement due to his promotion to CEO, which increased both his base salary and the holding requirement (previously 200%, now 300%)
4  Mike Powell joined the Board in November 2020 and has yet to receive any shares through award vestings
5  New appointees are required to meet the relevant shareholding requirements within five years from appointment

Total shareholder return – Mondi vs FTSE All Share

10-year Mondi plc

10-year FTSE All-Share

)
£
(
e
u
a
V

l

600

500

400

300

200

100

0
2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

This graph shows the value, by 31 December 2021 of £100 invested in Mondi plc on 31 December 2011, compared with the value of £100 invested in the FTSE All-Share Index on the same date. TSR has 
This graph shows the value, by 31 December 2021 of £100 invested in Mondi plc on 31 December 2011, compared with the value of £100 invested in the FTSE All-Share Index on the same date. TSR has 
been calculated on a three-month average basis. 
been calculated on a three-month average basis. 
Source: Thomson Datastream
Source: Thomson Datastream

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
142

Remuneration report
Statement of implementation of  
directors’ remuneration policy in 2022

Current salary levels, and increases awarded in January 2022, are as follows.

Name

Andrew King

Mike Powell

Base salary  
effective  
1 Jan 2022

£1,012,700

£645,750

Previous  
base salary

£988,000

£630,000

% change

2.5%

2.5%

Andrew King’s and Mike Powell’s salaries were each increased by 2.5%. The average increase for Mondi’s UK workforce was 2.5%. 

BSP for 2022
The bonus structure for 2022 is shown below. Andrew King’s and Mike Powell’s maximum bonus opportunities will be 185% of base salary 
and 170% of base salary respectively. 

Measure

Weighting (%) Why chosen?

How targets are set

Underlying EBITDA

35%

ROCE 

25%

Sustainability scorecard

Greenhouse gas 
emissions

Waste to landfill

Safety

5%

5%

10%

Underlying EBITDA provides a measure 
of the cash-generating ability of the 
business that is comparable from 
year to year.

Targets and ranges are set each year by 
the committee taking account of required 
progress towards strategic goals, and the 
prevailing market conditions.

ROCE provides a measure of the efficient  
and effective use of capital in our 
operations.

Targets and ranges are set each year by the 
committee taking account of the required 
progress towards strategic goals, and the 
prevailing market conditions.

Reflects the strategic importance 
of progress towards our MAP2030 
framework.

One of our key environmental indicators 
in our MAP2030 framework.

One of our key circular driven solution 
indicators in our MAP2030 framework.

One of the key indicators of whether the 
business is meeting its sustainability goal 
of zero harm.

Targets are set each year by the committee, 
based on the specific annual priorities in 
our MAP2030 framework.

The committee considers input from the 
Sustainable Development Committee, and 
sets appropriate standards and goals.

Personal objectives 

20%

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.

Targets will be disclosed in next year’s report as the committee considers these targets to be commercially sensitive. Half of any 
bonus earned in respect of 2022 performance will be paid out in cash and the other half will be deferred for three years in conditional 
Mondi shares.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021143

LTIP for 2022
LTIP awards that are made in 2022 will continue to have two performance conditions of equal weight – TSR and ROCE, measured over 
a three-year performance period commencing on 1 January 2022 and subject to a two-year holding period from the date of vesting. The 
committee’s intention is to grant at the level of 230% of base salary and 210% of base salary for Andrew King and Mike Powell respectively.

Metric

Why chosen?

How targets are set

TSR, relative to a peer group of competitors 
(50%)

ROCE (50%)

TSR measures the 
total returns to Mondi’s 
shareholders, so provides 
close alignment with 
shareholder interests.

The committee sets the performance requirements for 
each grant. A peer group of packaging and paper sector 
companies is used. TSR targets with respect to the LTIP 
are detailed below.

A key indicator of the 
efficient and effective use 
of capital.

The committee sets threshold and stretch levels, aligned to 
the Group’s strategic targets for ROCE. ROCE targets with 
respect to the LTIP are detailed below.

The targets for the 2022 LTIP awards are as follows:

Measure

Mondi’s TSR relative to bespoke peer group

ROCE (average)

Weighting 
 (%)

Threshold 
(25% vesting)

Maximum 
 (100% vesting)

50%

50%

Median

Upper quartile

12%

18%

Between threshold and maximum, the LTIP awards will vest on a straight-line basis.

Both the TSR and ROCE targets have remained the same since the 2019 LTIP award; no adjustments have been made in light of the 
COVID-19 pandemic. The committee still believes these targets remain appropriately stretching in the current environment. 

The committee reviewed the TSR peer group, with a focus on peers who are subject to broadly the same market forces and trading 
environment as Mondi. This review concluded that Amcor should no longer be included in the peer group, given it is less closely aligned 
to the market forces and trading environment that Mondi is subject to. The TSR peer group for the 2022 LTIP awards consists of the 
following companies:

BillerudKorsnäs

Huhtamaki

Metsä Board 

Stora Enso

WestRock 

DS Smith 

Holmen

International Paper

Sappi 

The Navigator Company

Mayr-Melnhof

Smurfit Kappa 

UPM

The committee has discretion to amend the vesting outturn should any formulaic output be inappropriate (e.g. unreflective of underlying 
performance). Where the provision is utilised the committee will seek to explain clearly the basis for this decision. 

Non-executive directors’ remuneration 
Fee levels for 2022 are as set out in the table below. The Chair fee and non-executive director base fee as well as the attendance 
fee for meetings outside the country of residence (per meeting) have been increased by 2.5% in line with the average increase for 
Mondi’s UK workforce.

Role

Board Chair fee

Non-executive base fee 

Additional fees:

Supplement for Audit Committee Chair

Supplement for Remuneration Committee Chair

Supplement for Sustainable Development Committee Chair

Supplement for Senior Independent Director

Attendance fee for meetings outside country of residence (per meeting)

Fees from  
1 January 2022 

Fees from  
1 January 2021

£461,250

£77,972

£450,000

£76,070

£21,000

£20,000

£20,000

£20,000

£2,552

£21,000

£20,000

£20,000

£20,000

£2,490

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements144

Remuneration report
Summary of Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Executive directors’ remuneration policy table
The tables below provide an extract of the DRP for executive directors and non-executive directors as approved by shareholders on 
7 May 2020, at the 2020 AGM. The full DRP can be found within the 2019 integrated report and financial statements, on our website at: 
https://www.mondigroup.com/media/11729/mondi_ir_2019_web_complete.pdf.

Purpose and link to strategy Operation

Maximum opportunity

Base salary

To recruit and reward 
executives of a 
suitable calibre for 
the role and duties 
required.

Reviewed annually by the committee, taking account of 
Group and individual performance, changes in responsibility 
and levels of increase for the broader employee population. 

There is no prescribed 
maximum base salary or annual 
increase. 

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.

Benefits

To provide market 
competitive benefits.

The Group typically provides:

 — car allowance or company car;

 — medical insurance;

 — death and disability insurance;

 — limited and specific personal taxation and financial advice; 

and

 — 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.

Defined contribution to pension, or cash allowance of 
equivalent value. Only base salary is pensionable.

Pension

To provide market 
competitive pension 
contributions or 
allowances.

However, increases will 
normally be no more than the 
general level of increase in the 
UK business or the location in 
which the executive is based. 
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.

Maximum values are 
determined by reference 
to market practice.

For new appointments, the 
maximum company pension 
allowance will be no more than 
available to the majority of 
the workforce in the relevant 
country from time to time. For 
incumbent directors, pension 
allowances aligned to the UK 
workforce in 2020.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
145

Maximum opportunity

The maximum annual bonus is 
200% of base salary (increased 
from 175% under the previous 
policy). 

The committee retains 
discretion to set the actual 
maximum below the policy 
maximum. 

The on-target bonus, as a 
percentage of maximum, has 
been reduced from 62.5% to 
50% for financial targets from 
the 2020 performance year. 

The bonus payable at threshold 
(entry level) performance is 
25% of maximum.

Bonus Share 
Plan (BSP)

Purpose and link to strategy Operation

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, 
ROCE and Safety. These have the highest weighting 
(currently 80% of the total for the 2021 performance year). 
Individual performance is also assessed against suitable 
objectives, and currently has a 20% weighting. These 
metrics are selected as they provide strong alignment to 
Mondi’s strategy. 

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 normally delivered in cash and half 
in deferred shares which normally vest after three years 
(subject to service conditions), and with no matching 
element. For grants from 2020 onwards, any dividend 
equivalents accruing on shares between the date when the 
awards were granted and when they vest, will be delivered 
in shares.

Malus and clawback provisions apply to both the cash and 
share based element of awards, for a period of three years 
from the date of payment (cash) or date of release (shares) 
in the event of:

 — misstatement of financial results;

 — misstatement of performance;

 — gross or serious misconduct;

 — corporate failure;

 — severe downturn in financial or operational performance; or

 — severe reputational damage. 

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146

Remuneration report
Summary of Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Maximum opportunity

The maximum grant limit is 
250% of base salary (face 
value of shares at grant), to 
any individual in a single year 
(increased from 225% in the 
previous policy).

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.

Purpose and link to strategy Operation

Long-Term 
Incentive Plan 
(LTIP)

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.

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 2022, metrics comprise TSR 
against a suitable peer group, and ROCE, each with a 50% 
weighting. 

The vesting outcome can be reduced, if necessary, to 
reflect the underlying or general performance of the Group. 

For awards granted from 2020 onwards, any dividend 
equivalents will be delivered in shares, at the end of the 
vesting period, based on the proportion of the award 
that vests.

Malus and clawback provisions apply to awards made, for 
a period from grant to the third anniversary of vesting of 
the award, in the event of:

 — misstatement of financial results;

 — misstatement of performance;

 — gross or serious misconduct;

 — corporate failure;

 — severe downturn in financial or operational performance; or

 — severe reputational damage.

A two-year post-vesting holding period applies for 
LTIP shares that vest (net of tax). The two-year holding 
requirement will continue if the director leaves employment 
during the holding period or is permitted to retain any 
part of the award as a good leaver. The shares held will 
count towards the executive director’s normal holding 
requirement.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
147

Maximum opportunity

Not applicable.

Purpose and link to strategy Operation

Share 
ownership 
policy

To further align the 
interests of executive 
directors with those 
of shareholders.

The Minimum Shareholding Requirement (MSR) for the 
CEO is 300% of base salary and 250% for the CFO. On 
appointment, an executive director is normally required 
to meet the MSR within five years from the date of 
appointment.

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 
holding requirement 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 
holding requirement. 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 holding 
requirement.

Previously compliant directors who do not meet the 
minimum requirement on annual assessment are normally 
expected 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.

Post-employment MSR: 
A post-employment shareholding requirement applies.

Under the policy, executive directors will be required to 
retain a shareholding for two-years post-employment. 

For the first year post-employment, the full in-employment 
MSR level applies. For the second year post-employment, 
one-half of the in-employment MSR level applies. New 
executive directors who have not achieved the necessary 
in-employment MSR level at date of exit, will be required to 
retain the level of shares held at date of exit, reducing in the 
second year to the lesser of one-half of the in-employment 
MSR, or the actual shares held. 

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148

Remuneration report
Summary of Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Committee discretion
The committee, consistent with market practice, retains discretion over a number of areas relating to the operation and administration 
of the policy. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

 — who participates in the incentive plans;

 — the timing of award grants and/or payments;

 — the size of an award and/or a payment (within the limits set out in the policy table on pages 145-146);

 — the choice and weighting of performance metrics (in accordance with the statements made in the policy table on pages 145-146); 

 — in exceptional circumstances, determining that any share-based award (or any dividend equivalent) shall be settled (in full or in part) 

in cash;

 — discretion relating to the measurement of performance in the event of a change of control or restructuring;

 — determination of a good leaver (in addition to any specified categories) for incentive plan purposes based on the rules of each plan and 

the appropriate treatment in such circumstances;

 — determining the extent of payment or vesting of an award based on the assessment of any performance conditions, including 

discretion as to the basis on which performance is to be measured if an award vests in advance of normal timetable (on cessation of 
employment as a good leaver or on the occurrence of a corporate event) and whether (and to what extent) pro-ration shall apply in such 
circumstances;

 — whether (and to what extent) malus and/or clawback shall apply to any award;

 — adjustments required in certain circumstances (e.g. rights issues, corporate restructuring, on a change of control and special dividends); and

 — the ability to adjust existing performance conditions for exceptional events so that they can still fulfil their original purpose whilst being 

no less stretching.

Remuneration policy for non-executive directors

Element

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Non-executive 
board chair 
fee

To attract and retain a high-calibre 
chair, with the necessary experience 
and skills. To provide fees which take 
account of the time commitment and 
responsibilities of the role.

The Chair receives an all-inclusive fee.

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 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 Chair’s fee is 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 Chair 
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 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.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Annual report on remuneration

149

Mondi’s TSR performance over the last ten years
The following graph sets out the comparative TSR of Mondi plc relative to the FTSE All-Share Index, for the period between 31 December 
2011 and 31 December 2021 as required in the reporting regulation. This index was chosen because it is the broad equity market index of 
Mondi plc. 

10-year Mondi plc

10-year FTSE All-Share

)
£
(
e
u
a
V

l

600

500

400

300

200

100

0
2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

This graph shows the value, by 31 December 2021 of £100 invested in Mondi plc on 31 December 2011, compared with the value of £100 invested in the FTSE All-Share Index on the same date. TSR has 
This graph shows the value, by 31 December 2021 of £100 invested in Mondi plc on 31 December 2011, compared with the value of £100 invested in the FTSE All-Share Index on the same date.  
been calculated on a three-month average basis. 
TSR has been calculated on a three-month average basis.
Source: Thomson Datastream

Historical CEO remuneration 

Year

2021

CEO

Andrew King

20201,2

Andrew King / Peter Oswald

2019

2018

20173

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Peter Oswald

Peter Oswald

Peter Oswald / David Hathorn

David Hathorn

David Hathorn

David Hathorn

David Hathorn

David Hathorn

Total remuneration

% of maximum 
bonus earned

€4,148,088

€4,000,876

€3,784,277

€4,416,016

€3,828,077

€5,786,958

€7,016,785

€7,763,908

€5,900,140

€6,305,794

97%

42%

44%

88%

63%

69%

90%

92%

73%

80%

% of LTI  
vested

45.6%

50.0%

67.2%

76.6%

72.5%

92.5%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

1  Andrew King’s and Peter Oswald’s 2020 total remuneration is in respect of their tenure as Group CEO. Their salary and bonus has been subject to a pro rata time reduction. The bonus earned and LTIP 

vested is based on their remuneration in the role as Group CEO. Peter’s percentage of maximum bonus earned is 41

2  The three-year performance cycle of the 2018 LTIP award ended on 31 December 2020. The award value shown in the 2020 Remuneration report was calculated using the average share price, 

being £16.66. The actual share price on vesting was £17.89 . The award values for 2020 have been restated on this basis and converted into Euro amounts using the exchange rate on vesting of 0.8627 
(EUR/GBP)

3  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

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
150

Remuneration report
Annual report on remuneration continued

Remuneration scenarios at different performance levels1,2

CEO

CFO

Fixed pay

BSP cash

BSP shares

LTIP

Fixed pay

BSP cash

BSP shares

LTIP

€8,000,000

€7,000,000

€6,000,000

€5,000,000

€4,000,000

€3,000,000

€2,000,000

€1,000,000

34%

15%

15%

36%

100%

53%

14%

14%

19%

€4,500,000

€4,000,000

€3,500,000

€3,000,000

€2,500,000

€2,000,000

€1,500,000

€1,000,000

€500,000

43%

17%

17%

23%

34%

15%

15%

36%

100%

53%

14%

14%

19%

43%

17%

17%

23%

Minimum

Target

Maximum

Share
price
growth

Minimum

Target

Maximum

Share
price
growth

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 = 53% 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 2022

2  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 2021151

2021 remuneration of directors (audited)
The table below sets out the total remuneration for each person who served as a director in the years ended 31 December 2021 and 
31 December 2020. A full breakdown of fixed pay and pay for performance in 2021 is detailed below.

Executive directors

Fixed pay

Base salary

Benefits1

Pension 
contribution

Total Fixed 
Remuneration

2021

Annual bonus 
including 
grant value of
BSP award2

Value of 
LTIP vesting 
in the 
performance

 year3 4

Pay for performance

Value of 
LTIP vesting 
at date of 
grant

Share price 
gain on 
vesting 
LTIP award 
between 
grant and 
vest dates

Other1

Total Variable 
Remuneration

Total

Andrew 
King6 €1,149,366 €155,669 €91,949 €1,396,984 €2,062,538 €650,496 €552,003 €18,218 €38,070 €2,751,104 €4,148,088

Mike 
Powell6 €732,896 €28,505 €58,632 €820,033 €1,196,086 €672,574 €484,103 €188,471

— €1,868,660 €2,688,693

20207

Andrew 
King

€989,093 €204,345 €104,838 €1,298,276 €753,044 €648,146 €567,926

— €71,087 €1,472,277 €2,770,553

Mike 
Powell €118,017 €21,567 €9,441 €149,025

€80,894

—

—

—

—

€80,894 €229,919

Non-executive directors 

Philip Yea8

Svein Richard Brandtzaeg9

Sue Clark9

Tanya Fratto

Enoch Godongwana10

Stephen Harris11

Dominique Reiniche

Dame Angela Strank9

Stephen Young

Year ended 31 December 2021

Year ended 31 December 2020

Fees6 Taxable benefits5

Total

Fees7 Taxable benefits5

Total

€523,497

€64,479

€61,582

€111,761

€52,854

€38,580

€117,554

€61,582

€128,223

—

€523,497

€336,965

€2,513

—

—

€66,992

€61,582

—

—

€111,761

€102,337

€2,513

—

€55,367

€38,580

€86,197

€102,337

—

—

—

—

—

—

€336,965

—

—

€102,337

€86,197

€102,337

€11,932

€129,486

€105,136

€2,428

€107,564

—

—

€61,582

—

€128,223

€100,213

—

—

—

€100,213

1  For Andrew King, this includes a total of €28,599 for UK, South African and Austrian tax advice benefit and a total reimbursement of tax and gross-up of €61,053 . 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 includes 
€34,612 in respect of accommodation costs for his business travel and the cost of any grossed up income tax paid during the year. Also included in this column are other benefits such as car allowance, 
life and health insurance cover. In 2021, Andrew King received equivalent dividends on vested BSP shares during the year to the value of €38,070 , shown in column ‘Other’

2  This is the total annual bonus amount awarded in respect of the financial year 2021, and includes both the upfront cash element and the deferred share award. The amounts have been converted into 

Euro amounts using a 12-month average exchange rate to 31 December 2021 of 0.8596 (EUR/GBP) For further details, see pages 152-155

3  For 2021 , the three-year performance cycle of the 2019 LTIP ended on 31 December 2021 and the awards will vest in March 2022. The award value shown is based on the average share price over the 
last three months of the financial year ended 31 December 2021 of £18.07. For Andrew King, this included cash amounts of equivalent value to dividends paid during the years 2021 and 2020 on the 
vesting of 2018 and 2017 LTIPs, to the value of €80,275 and €101,532 respectively. The award values for 2021 have been converted into Euro amounts using the average exchange rate for the three 
months ended on 31 December 2021 of 0.8479 (EUR/GBP). The 2019 LTIP awards were granted on 29 March 2019, when the share price was £17.73. This equated to an increase in value of £0.34 per 
share. As disclosed in the 2020 remuneration report, Mike Powell’s 2019 LTIP award was granted on 2 December 2020, with a grant share price of £13.88, in respect of incentives forgone as a result of 
leaving his former employer. This equated to an increase in value of £4.19 per share

4  In the 2020 remuneration report, the value of the 2018 LTIP awards vesting for which the three-year performance cycle ended on 31 December 2020 was calculated using the average share price for 
the three months ended 31 December 2020, being £16.66. The actual share price on vesting was £17.89 . The award values for 2020 have been restated on this basis and converted into Euro amounts 
using the exchange rate on vesting of 0.8627 (EUR/GBP). The awards were granted on 27 March 2018, when the share price was £19.22. This equated to a decrease in value of £1.33 per share. As a 
consequence a zero gain is shown for Andrew King. Andrew’s loss due to share price depreciation was €21,312

5  Svein Richard Brandtzaeg, Enoch Godongwana and Dominique Reiniche received tax advice in the year, constituting taxable benefits to the values shown in this column 
6  Directors’ salaries and fees are denominated in pound sterling. For the purposes of the above table, these have been converted into Euro amounts using a 12-month average exchange rate to 

31 December 2021 of 0.8596 (EUR/GBP)

7  Mike Powell was appointed as Group CFO on 1 November 2020. The 2020 figures for Mike Powell reflect his remuneration as an executive director from 1 November 2020 to 31 December 2020. 
Directors’ salaries and fees are denominated in pound sterling. For the purposes of the above table, these have been converted into Euro amounts using a 12-month average exchange rate to 
31 December 2020 of 0.8897 (EUR/GBP)

8  Philip Yea was appointed as a non-executive director on 1 April 2020 and with effect from 7 May 2020 was appointed Chair. The 2020 figures reflect his remuneration as a non-executive director from 

1 April 2020 to 6 May 2020 and as Chair from 7 May 2020 to 31 December 2020

9  Appointed as non-executive directors on 22 April 2021. The 2021 figures reflect each individual’s remuneration as a non-executive director from 22 April 2021 to 31 December 2021

10 Enoch Godongwana stepped down from the Board on 6 August 2021. The 2021 figures reflect his remuneration as a non-executive director from 1 January 2021 to 6 August 2021
11  Stephen Harris stepped down from the Board on 6 May 2021. The 2021 figures reflect his remuneration as a non-executive director from 1 January 2021 to 6 May 2021
12 None of the executive directors have entitlements under a defined benefit pension scheme

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Remuneration report
Annual report on remuneration continued

Annual bonus
2021 bonus outcomes (audited)
For the annual bonus in respect of 2021 performance, the performance measures and achievement levels were:

Weight (% max)

Outcomes:

Andrew King (% of max)

Mike Powell (% of max)

BSP performance measures

Underlying EBITDA

35

35

35

ROCE

35

35

35

Safety

10

10

10

Personal and 
sustainability 
objectives

20

17

16

Total

100

97

96

Financial element of 2021 bonus (audited)
Financial performance was assessed against the underlying EBITDA and ROCE ranges that were set for 2021. The ranges and outcomes 
were:

2021 Financial bonus elements

Threshold

Underlying EBITDA (€m)

€1,106m

Bonus outcome (points)

8.75

ROCE (%)

Threshold

11.8%

Bonus outcome (points)

8.75

Maximum

€1,496m

35

Outcome
€1,503m

Maximum
16.0%

35

Outcome
16.9%

On-target performance of financial metrics is midway between the performance at threshold and the performance at maximum and delivers a bonus of 50% of maximum

Safety element of 2021 bonus (audited)
A maximum of 10 points are awarded for safety. Five points are awarded, based on the assessment of Lead indicators. All of the Executive 
Committee Lead indicators must be achieved for these five points to vest. A further five points are awarded based on the TRCR (Total 
Recordable Case Rate), which includes fatalities. Irrespective of the TRCR, in the event of one fatality half of the five points are forfeited. In 
the event of two or more fatalities all five points are forfeited.

2021 Safety bonus elements

TRCR

Threshold

0.68

Bonus outcome (points)

1

Maximum

0.62

5

Outcome
0.62

The TRCR achieved for 2021 was 0.62 relative to a target of 0.62. The Executive Committee achieved all of the Lead indicators for the 
2021 performance year. Despite the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, these included, amongst others, multiple safety-focused site visits, a 
safety and health conference and a review of plant’s safety and health action plans. There were no fatalities during 2021. As a result, the full 
10 points of this bonus element vested. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021153

Personal objectives of executives for 2021 bonus (audited)

Key personal and sustainability 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 2021, included:

Strategy development and 
execution

 — Start-up of a number of key investment projects including a new kraft-top white machine in 

Ružomberok (Slovakia) and a speciality kraft paper machine in Štětí (Czech Republic). Additionally, 
progressed the modernisation of the energy and chemical plants at Richards Bay (South Africa) and 
the modernisation of the Syktyvkar mill (Russia).

 — Under the leadership of our executive directors, judicious capital allocation and focused decision-
making led to the development of a strong pipeline of capital investments to accelerate growth in 
packaging, building on our leading market positions, including €1 billion of projects approved or 
under advanced evaluation in order to meet customers’ long-term needs.

 — Good progress on all elements of our sustainability roadmap, Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030), 

Mondi’s sustainability roadmap for the next 10 years launched in early 2021, including reducing waste 
to landfill, and reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

 — Reduced specific Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions of our mills by 2.3% year on year. 

 — Accelerated climate plans to transition to Net-Zero by 2050 in alignment with the SBTi’s new  

Net-Zero Standard. 

 — The Group’s sustainability achievements and approach achieving the highest rating by a number 
of third parties such as MSCI, Sustainalytics, EcoVadis, etc. Most notably, CDP rated Mondi for 
a second year as one of only 14 companies worldwide with a ‘Triple A’ score on its environmental 
performance related to climate, forests and water security.

 — Fostered product development and innovation, supporting customers transition to more sustainable 
packaging solutions. 2021 highlights included the rapid ramp-up of our fully recyclable, lightweight 
and flexible MailerBAG, used by our eCommerce customers. 

 — External validation of our product innovation included being awarded nine of the prestigious global 

2022 WorldStar Packaging Awards and a number of other national awards. 

 — Completed acquisition and integration of Olmuksan (Turkey), with performance in the year ahead 
of our expectations. With this transaction, we significantly strengthened our position in the fast-
growing Turkish corrugated market, expanding offering to existing and new customers.

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Remuneration report
Annual report on remuneration continued

Operational and financial 
performance

 — Maintained a pro-active response to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, prioritising the health and 

safety of our people and communities, e.g. investing in local community initiatives a minimum of 1% 
of the Group’s profit before tax in social projects annually. Certain of our mills continued to serve 
local communities with power supply, wastewater treatment and waste disposal services.

 — Effective and compelling leadership that led to strong operational performance in a year where 

supply chains have been disrupted by COVID-19 and other global challenges, ensuring continued 
supply and service to customers.

 — All financial KPIs over and above those assessed for the bonus performance exceeded budget 

and prior year, including a group revenue of €7,723 million, up 16%, underlying operating profit of 
€1,064 million, up 15%, basic underlying earnings per share of 154.0 (euro cents), up 19%. Net debt 
declined to €1,763 million, resulting in a net debt to underlying EBITDA of 1.2x.

 — Focus on continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and efficiency and reduce 
costs across the business, including digital initiatives. For example, in Corrugated Solutions, a 
centralised digital tool optimising procurement of packaging paper and materials across the network. 
This solution drove efficiency gains, reduced waste and proved extremely valuable during the year in 
times of tight supply.

Financial efficiency and financing

 — Agreed new €750 million 5-year revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement (‘RCF’) to 

refinance the existing €750 million facility that was due to mature in July 2022, extending the Group’s 
maturity profile. The RCF incorporates key sustainability targets linked to MAP2030, classifying the 
facility as a Sustainability Linked Loan. There are no financial covenants included in the RCF or any 
other Group facility.

Organisational structure

 — Key senior appointments made to effectively manage ongoing succession and development of the 

senior team, including of Thomas Ott to succeed Peter Orisich as CEO of the business units Flexible 
Packaging and Engineered Materials (representing almost half of our Group revenues), ensuring a 
smooth transition. Thomas Ott is an industry-renowned, extremely experienced professional and is 
already adding value to the business units and Group results. 

 — Expanded the use of virtual leadership meetings and enhanced virtual communication channels 

across the organisation, maintaining high engagement in difficult times and energizing and 
motivating senior management and wider workforce to deliver our strong 2021 performance.

The overall personal ratings of 
the executive directors were:

 — Andrew King 17/20 

 — Mike Powell 16/20

Detail of annual bonus awarded in the year (audited)

Name

Andrew King

Mike Powell

Maximum bonus  
(% of salary)

Maximum 
bonus

% of maximum

Awarded 
 in cash

Awarded  
in shares

Total

185% of salary 

€2,126,328

170% of salary

€1,245,923

97

96

€1,031,269

€1,031,269

€2,062,538

€598,043

€598,043

€1,196,086

The committee reviewed performance against these performance measures and considered the underlying performance of the Group 
during the performance period and concluded the overall bonus outcomes to be appropriate. No discretion was exercised by the 
committee in determining the bonus outcomes.

In accordance with our DRP, 50% of the bonuses earned are paid in cash, the remaining 50% is deferred into shares which are released 
after three years. No further performance conditions are attached to these shares, except for being in service at date of vesting.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021155

BSP Awards granted in 2021 (audited)
On 12 March 2021 the committee made the following awards under the Group’s BSP to the following executive directors in relation to the 
2020 bonus outcome. 

Name

Andrew King

Mike Powell2

Type of award

Relating to FY

Number of shares

Share price at grant1

Face value of shares

Nil-cost option

Nil-cost option

2020

2020

18,970

2,038

£17.66

£17.66

£335,010

£35,991

1  Being a three-day average share price commencing on the day of announcement of financial results
2  Pro-rated performance year 2020 for Mike Powell, who joined Mondi on 1 November 2020

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) (audited)
Vesting of the 2019 awards 
The LTIP awards that were granted in 2019, with a three-year performance period ending on 31 December 2021, will vest in March 2022 
at 45.6% of maximum against the (equally weighted) relative TSR and ROCE performance conditions, as shown in the table below. The 
committee considered the underlying performance of the Group during the performance period, and considers the level of payout is 
reflective of the overall performance of the Group. No discretion was exercised by the committee in determining the vesting outcomes.

Measure

Mondi’s TSR relative to bespoke peer group

ROCE (average)

Weighting (%)

Threshold 
(25% vesting)

Maximum 
(100% vesting)

Actual

Actual vesting 
(% of max)

50%

50%

Median Upper quartile Below median

12% p.a.

18% p.a.

17.3% p.a.1

Total vesting (% 
max)

1  The three-year ROCE that was achieved was 17.3% ( 19.8% in 2019, 15.2% in 2020 and 16.9% in 2021)

TSR peer group ranking

Mondi’s rank in 
the TSR peer group

Vesting 
(% of relevant shares)

Outcome
11th

0%

Threshold

Median

25%

—

91.3%

45.6%

Maximum

Upper
quartile

100%

Mondi plc achieved a TSR of 28.7%, over the performance period and Mondi’s rank within the TSR peer group was 11th out of the 
remaining 15 companies . This was below the median position required for threshold vesting of 25% of the relevant shares. Therefore 0% of 
the maximum shares attributable to this element will vest.

ROCE

Threshold

Three-year ROCE (%)

12%

Details of 2019 LTIP vesting

Outcome
17.3%

Maximum

18%

Name

Andrew King

Mike Powell3

Number of  
awards granted

Vesting 
performance

Shares vesting

Total number of 
shares vesting

Average share 
price

Dividend  
equivalents1  
(cash value)

Total estimate  
value of award  
on vesting2

58,679

69,211

45.6%

45.6%

26,758

31,561

26,758

31,561

£18.07

£18.07

€570,221

€672,574

1 

In accordance with the LTIP Plan Rules, the committee has discretion to allow LTIP participants to receive the benefit of any dividends paid on vesting shares between the grant date and the vesting 
date in the form of a cash award. From 2020 grants onwards, any dividend equivalents will be delivered in shares. Dividend equivalents awarded at the vesting of the 2019 LTIP will be disclosed in next 
years report

2  The award value has been converted into Euros using the exchange rate for the three months ended on 31 December 2021 of 0.8479 (EUR/GBP) 

3  Mike Powell’s share grant relates to a buyout of forfeited awards from his previous employer, as disclosed in the 2020 remuneration report
4  25% of the award would have vested for threshold performance for each of the two measures

In accordance with the DRP, vested awards are subject to a two-year holding period whereby the executive (including those who have left 
employment) must retain the after-tax number of vested shares for a minimum of two years from the point of vesting.

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Remuneration report
Annual report on remuneration continued

Awards granted in 2021 (audited)
On 12 March 2021, the committee made the following award under the Group’s LTIP to the following executive directors:

Name

Andrew King

Mike Powell

Type of award

Basis of award Number of shares

Share price at 
grant1

Face value of 
shares

Nil-cost option 230% of salary

Nil-cost option 210% of salary

128,675

74,916

£17.66

£17.66

£2,272,401

£1,323,017

Vesting at 
minimum 
performance

25.0%

25.0%

End of 
performance 
period

31/12/23

31/12/23

1  Being a three-day average share price commencing on the date of the announcement of the Company’s annual results
The performance conditions, as summarised in the table below, are based on two performance measures of equal weight – relative TSR 
and ROCE – measured over a three-year performance period ending on 31 December 2023. This combination of metrics provides an 
appropriate means of aligning the operation of the LTIP with shareholders’ interests and the Group’s business strategy. 

Measure

Mondi’s TSR relative to bespoke peer group

ROCE (average)

Weighting  
(%)

Threshold 
(25% vesting)

Maximum 
(100% vesting)

50.0%

50.0%

Median

Upper quartile

12% p.a.

18% p.a.

Between threshold and maximum the LTIP awards will vest on a straight-line basis

The TSR performance condition is based on the Group’s TSR relative to a group of competitor companies. The following companies were 
selected:

Amcor

BillerudKorsnäs

Domtar

DS Smith 

Holmen

Huhtamaki

International Paper 

Sappi 

The Navigator Company

Mayr-Melnhof

Metsä Board

Smurfit Kappa 

Stora Enso

UPM

WestRock

The committee has discretion to amend the vesting outturn should any formulaic output be inappropriate (e.g. unreflective of underlying 
performance). Where the provision is utilised the committee will seek to explain clearly the basis for this decision. 

Payments to past directors (audited)
Payments made with regards to Peter Oswald, who stepped down as Group CEO on 31 March 2020, were disclosed in the 2020 and 2019 
remuneration reports. In respect of the 2018 LTIP award, Peter received a value on vesting of €815,565 and a dividend equivalent bonus of 
€115,996. There were no other payments made to past directors during the period.

Payments for loss of office (audited)
There were no payments for loss of office made to directors during the period.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021157

Directors’ contracts and notice periods 
Executive Directors 
Andrew King’s and Mike Powell’s service contracts provide for termination on one year’s notice by either party. The Group may elect to 
make a payment in lieu of notice and, if it does so, to apply mitigation. Payment in lieu of notice would comprise base salary, benefits and 
pension contributions for the notice period (or, if applicable, the balance of the notice period).

Notice periods for the executive directors who served during the period under review are as follows:

Executive director

Andrew King

Mike Powell

  Unexpired term/notice period 

  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.

Non-executive directors
All non-executive directors have letters of appointment with 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 Meeting. Appointments may be terminated by either party 
with six months’ notice. No compensation is payable on termination, other than accrued fees and expenses. 

CEO pay ratio
The table below sets out the CEO pay ratio based on total remuneration and salary of the Group CEO to the 25th, 50th (median) and 75th 
percentile of all permanent UK employees of the business:

Year

2021

2020

2021

Salary

Total pay and benefits

Method

Option A

Option A

25th percentile 
pay ratio

Median  
pay ratio

75th percentile 
pay ratio

50:1

48:1

36:1

34:1

24:1

27:1

CEO

25th percentile

£988,000

£3,565,713

£61,257

£71,995

Median 
 pay ratio

£76,145

£98,772

75th percentile

£114,083

£149,578

Mondi employs fewer than 250 people in our UK operations and as such is no longer required to report on the pay ratio. However, we 
choose to voluntarily disclose this ratio in line with our commitments to fairness and transparency. Despite the fact that this is a voluntary 
disclosure, we have chosen to continue to use Option A as our methodology, where the total annual pay for all UK colleagues is calculated 
to identify those at median, 25th and 75th percentile. This calculation methodology was selected as the data was felt to be the most 
accurate way of identifying the percentiles. CEO remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2021 is based on the aggregated total 
remuneration earned by Andrew King as Group CEO during 2021. No element of the workforce remuneration was excluded for the 
purposes of calculating the CEO pay ratio. The total full-time equivalent remuneration for the relevant employees has been calculated 
based on the amount paid or receivable in respect of the financial year (unless stated otherwise). For administrative practicality, the bonus 
figures used for employees represent the bonuses paid during the relevant financial year in relation to the previous year. Mondi’s UK annual 
average employee number in 2021 was 50 (2020: 173), approximately 0.18% and approximately 0.65% of our global workforce, respectively. 
The decrease in the UK workforce is due to the closure of our plants in Deeside and Nelson during 2020. Throughout the Group, pay is 
positioned to be fair and market competitive in the context of the talent market for the relevant role, fairly reflecting local market data 
and other relevant benchmarks. The committee notes the limited comparability of pay ratios across companies and sectors, given the 
diverse range of business models and employee population profiles which exist across the market. A significant proportion of the CEO’s 
total remuneration is delivered in variable remuneration, and particularly via long-term share awards. In order to drive alignment with 
shareholders, the value ultimately received from LTIP awards is linked to stretching company performance targets and long-term share 
price movement. As a result, the pay ratio is likely to be driven largely by the CEO’s LTIP outcome and may therefore fluctuate significantly 
on a year-to-year basis. The committee has confirmed that the ratio is consistent with the Company’s wider policies on employee pay, 
reward and progression.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements158

Remuneration report
Annual report on remuneration continued

Percentage change in directors’ remuneration
The table below shows the percentage change in each director’s salary/fees, benefits and bonus between the year ended 31 December 
2021 and 31 December 2020, and the average percentage change in the same remuneration over the same period in respect of the 
employees of the Group on a full time equivalent basis. The disclosure is based on Group employees given the low number of UK 
employees. 

The average employee change has been calculated by reference to the average of employee pay. Svein Richard Brandtzaeg, Sue Clark 
and Dame Angela Strank were appointed to the Board during the year ended 31 December 2021 and both Enoch Godongwana and 
Stephen Harris stepped down from the Board during the year ended 31 December 2021. Accordingly, they have been excluded from the 
table below. 

Salary/fees

Taxable benefits2

Annual bonus

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

Average 
employee

3.6%

0.6%

N/A

N/A

18.1%

5.2%

Andrew 
King1

5.4%

-1.3%

-23.8%

233.9%

173.9%

-6.8%

Mike 
Powell2

3.5%

N/A

-78.0%

N/A

146.4%

N/A

Philip 
Yea3 

16.7%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Tanya  
Fratto

Dominique 
Reiniche4

9.2%

-9.6%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

11.8%

-9.3%

391.5%

18.4%

N/A

N/A

Stephen 
 Young

27.9%

-7.4%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

1  Andrew King’s salary as Group CEO from 1 April 2020 has been annualised, using the average exchange rate to 31 December 2020 of 0.8897. The reduction in taxable benefits reflects a decrease in tax 

advice fees and gross-up

2  Mike Powell joined Mondi on 1 November 2020. Therefore, to provide a meaningful comparison his 2020 remuneration has been annualised, using the 12-month average exchange rate to 31 December 
2020 of 0.8897. The reduction in taxable benefits for Mike Powell reflects the annualisation of his 2020 value being greater than his 2021 value. In most of the Group the majority of benefits are provided 
through social security. Additional benefits represent less than 5% of the salary bill

3  Philip Yea was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2020. To enable comparison and to provide meaningful reflection of the annual percentage change, his fees for the year ended 31 December 2020 have 

been annualised

4  Dominique Reiniche’s tax advice value increased as a result of travel restrictions imposed in response to COVID-19 

5  The majority of the non-executive directors’ increase in 2021 relative to 2020 was as a consequence of the simplification of the fees as disclosed in the 2020 remuneration report
6  Directors’ salaries and fees are denominated in pound sterling. For the purposes of the above table, these have been converted into Euro amounts using a 12-month average exchange rate to 

31 December 2021 of 0.8596 (EUR/GBP) and a 12-month average exchange rate to 31 December 2020 of 0.8897 (EUR/GBP) 

7  The exchange rate also has an impact on the variances shown above. The variances in the denominated salaries (GBP), absent of any exchange rate impact, are as follows: Andrew King 1.9% (2021), 
Mike Powell 0% (2021), Philip Yea 13% (2021), based on his annualised 2020 fee, where 2020 includes NED fees earned prior to his appointment as Chair, Tanya Fratto 6% and -8% (2021 and 2020 
respectively), Dominique Reiniche 8% and -8% (2021 and 2020 respectively), Stephen Young 24% and -6% (2021 and 2020 respectively)

Relative importance of spend on pay 
The table below shows the total remuneration paid across the Group together with the total dividend and share buybacks in respect of 
2021 and 2020. There have been no share buybacks during 2021 and 2020.

€ million

Overall remuneration expenditure1

Dividends 

1  Remuneration expenditure for all Mondi Group employees

2021

1,107

298

2020

1,051

237

% change

5%

26%

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021159

Statement of directors’ shareholdings and share interests (audited) 
The CEO is required to achieve and maintain a minimum shareholding equivalent to 300% of base salary, and other executive directors 
a minimum shareholding of 250% of base salary. New appointees are required to meet the relevant requirement within five years 
from appointment. Therefore, Andrew King and Mike Powell have until 31 March 2025 and 31 October 2025 to meet their respective 
shareholding requirements. Until the shareholding guidelines are met, the executive’s deferred bonus awards under the BSP (after 
tax) will count towards the requirement. LTIP shares that have vested (after tax) and within the two-year post-vesting holding period 
will count towards the holding requirement. As at 31 December 2021, both Andrew King and Mike Powell were below their minimum 
shareholding requirement.

The beneficial and non-beneficial share interests of the directors and their connected persons as at 1 January 2021, and as at 31 December 
2021 were as follows:

Executive directors (audited)

Shareholding at 
1 Jan 2021 

Shareholding at 
31 Dec 2021 

Total 
shareholding as 
multiple of base 
salary1 (%)

Deferred 
BSP shares 
outstanding at
 31 Dec 20212

Deferred BSP 
shares as multiple 
of salary1 (%)

Deferred 
LTIP shares 
outstanding at
 31 Dec 20213

Deferred LTIP 
shares as multiple 
of base salary1 (%)

Andrew King

Mike Powell

112,734

—

132,515

11,172

242%

32%

49,809

2,038

91%

6%

328,112

183,554

600%

527%

1  The one-month volume weighted average share price of £18.07 as at 31 December 2021 was used in calculating the percentage figures shown above divided by the executive’s respective salary as at 

31 December 2021

2  BSP shares subject to service condition. 30,190 shares of the number shown in this column were awarded as nil-cost options to Andrew King. All shares shown in this column for Mike Powell were 

awarded as nil-cost options

3  LTIP shares subject to service and performance conditions. 269,433 shares of the number shown in this column were awarded as nil-cost options to Andrew King. All shares shown in this column for 

Mike Powell were awarded as nil-cost options 

Non-executive directors 

Philip Yea

Svein Richard Brandtzaeg1

Sue Clark1

Tanya Fratto

Enoch Godongwana2

Stephen Harris3

Dominique Reiniche

Dame Angela Strank1

Stephen Young

1  Appointed to the Board on 22 April 2021
2  Stepped down from the Board on 6 August 2021
3  Stepped down from the Board on 6 May 2021

Shareholding at  
1 Jan 2021  
(or, if later,  
on appointment)

Shareholding  
at 31 Dec 2021  
(or, at the date 
 of resignation,  
if earlier)

20,000

25,000

—

—

1,000

—

1,000

1,000

—

2,026

1,250

4,000

1,000

—

1,000

1,000

271

2,026

There has been no change in the interests of the directors and their connected persons between 31 December 2021 and the date of this 
report other than the amounts shown in the footnote to the ‘SIP’ table on page 160.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements160

Remuneration report
Annual report on remuneration continued

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, unless stated otherwise. 

Awards under BSP and LTIP

Type of 
award

Awards held  
at beginning  
of year

Awards 
granted 
during year

Shares 
lapsed

Awards 
exercised 
during year

Exercise 
price

Date of 
award

Awards held 
as at  
31 December 

2021 Release date

Status

Andrew King BSP

BSP

BSP

BSP

LTIP1

LTIP2

LTIP3

LTIP4

Buy-out 
LTIP5

Buy-out 
LTIP5

BSP

LTIP

Mike Powell

12,501

19,619

11,220

—

—

—

—

18,970

52,719

58,679

140,758

—

—

—

—

128,675

69,211

39,427

—

—

—

—

2,038

74,916

—

—

—

—

12,501

£17.89 Mar 2018

0 Mar 2021

Vested

—

—

—

— Mar 2019

19,619 Mar 2022

Unvested

— Mar 2020

11,220 Mar 2023

Unvested

— Mar 2021

18,970 Mar 2024

Unvested

26,359

26,360

£17.89 Mar 2018

0 Mar 2021

Vested

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— Mar 2019

58,679 Mar 2022

Unvested

— May 2020

140,758 Mar 2023

Unvested

— Mar 2021

128,675 Mar 2024

Unvested

— Dec 2020

69,211 Mar 2022

Unvested

— Dec 2020

39,427 Mar 2023

Unvested

— Mar 2021

2,038 Mar 2024

Unvested

— Mar 2021

74,916 Mar 2024

Unvested

1  The performance conditions applying to the 2018 LTIP are set out on page 141 of the 2020 Integrated Report
2  The performance conditions applying to the 2019 LTIP are set out on page 155
3  The performance conditions applying to the 2020 LTIP are set out on page 142 of the 2020 Integrated Report. These were awarded as nil-cost options
4  The performance conditions applying to the 2021 LTIP are set out on page 156. These were awarded as nil-cost options
5  Details of the buyout awards granted to Mike Powell are set out on page 142 of the 2020 Integrated Report. These were awarded as nil-cost options

All-employee share plans (audited)
The Group currently operates one HM Revenue & Customs approved all-employee share plan in the UK.

Share Incentive Plan (SIP)
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

Andrew King1

Mike Powell1

Shares held at 
beginning of year or 
on appointment to 
the Board

6,206

—

Partnership shares 
acquired during 
the year

Matching shares 
awarded during 
the year

Shares released 
during year

Total shares held as at 
31 December 2021

95

54

95

54

—

—

6,396

108

1  Since 1 January 2022 up to the date of this report Andrew King acquired 17 partnership shares and was awarded 17 matching shares and Mike Powell acquired 16 partnership shares and was awarded 

16 matching shares

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021161

Statement of voting at Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting was held on 6 May 2021. All resolutions were passed. The voting result in respect of the remuneration report 
is given below. Overall in excess of 76% of the total Group shares were voted.

Resolution

Votes for

%

Votes against

%

Votes total

% of ISC voted

Votes withheld

To approve the remuneration report 
(other than the policy)

367,497,634

98.42

5,906,792

1.58

373,404,426

76.90%

203,939

The remuneration policy was last approved at the AGM held on 7 May 2020, with a 92.81% vote for the resolution and 7.19% against, with 
1,602,867 votes withheld.

Remuneration Committee governance
The Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is a formal committee of the Board (see composition of the Remuneration Committee on page 136). 
Its remit is set out in terms of reference adopted by the Board. 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:

 — to make recommendations to the Board on the Group’s framework of executive remuneration;

 — to determine individual remuneration packages within that framework for the executive directors and certain senior executives;

 — to determine the remuneration of the Board Chair; and

 — to oversee the operation of the Group’s share schemes.

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.

Deloitte was appointed as the committee’s independent remuneration consultant with effect from 29 September 2020 following a 
competitive tender process. Total fees paid to Deloitte for providing remuneration advice to the committee were determined based 
on time and materials and amounted to £73,500 for the year ended 31 December 2021. Deloitte also provided other tax, risk and controls 
services to the Mondi Group during the year. All advice to the Remuneration Committee, received from Deloitte, was objective and 
independent. Deloitte is a founder member of the Remuneration Consultants Group, and as such, voluntarily operates under the Code 
of Conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting in the UK.

The committee reviews the appointment of its advisers annually and is satisfied that the advice it receives is objective and independent.

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 plc 
(‘the Company’), or while a director of the Company, as a director of any of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings, or as a director of any 
other undertaking of which he/she was (while a director of the Company) a director by virtue of the Company’s nomination, or otherwise 
in connection with the management of the Company or any undertaking during the year to 31 December 2021.

Tanya Fratto 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements162

Other statutory information

For the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, the disclosures below, including those incorporated by reference, together with the 
Corporate governance report set out on pages 100-135, 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 12-99:

 — Dividends page 41

 — Research and development activities pages 31, 38-40, 46-49

 — Financial risk management objectives and policies pages 84-85

 — GHG emissions and energy consumption pages 55-57

 — Principal risks pages 86-97

 — Employees pages 50-54

 — Likely future developments in the business pages 24-41, 78-81

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 rules 9.8.4 (12) and (13) in relation to dividend waivers can be found on page 205. 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. 

Employee and stakeholder engagement
Information relating to engagement with employees and other stakeholders, including customers and suppliers, can be found in the 
Strategic report on pages 20-23 and in the Corporate governance report on pages 109-112.

Share capital
Full details of Mondi’s share capital can be found in note 22 to the financial statements.

Substantial interests
As at 31 December 2021, the Company 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

Public Investment Corporation Limited

Aggregate of abrdn plc affiliated investment management entities with delegated voting rights on 
behalf of multiple managed portfolios

Investec Asset Management Limited

AXA S.A.

Standard Life Investments Limited

Old Mutual plc

Norges Bank

Sanlam Investment Management Proprietary Limited

Number of  
voting rights

21,530,677

24,953,964

24,352,221

18,352,708

17,210,471

16,476,021

11,978,984

14,588,006

10,936,128

%1

5.86

5.14

5.02

4.99

4.69

4.49

3.26

3.00

3.00

1  Percentage provided was correct at the date of notification. No further notifications have been received under DTR Rule 5 as at the date of this report, except as detailed below

The following changes in interests have been notified between 1 January 2022 and the date of this report.

Date

Shareholder

27 January 2022

3 February 2022

Aggregate of abrdn plc affiliated investment management entities with 
delegated voting rights on behalf of multiple managed portfolios

Aggregate of abrdn plc affiliated investment management entities with 
delegated voting rights on behalf of multiple managed portfolios

18 February 2022

Aggregate of abrdn plc affiliated investment management entities with 
delegated voting rights on behalf of multiple managed portfolios

2 March 2022

Aggregate of abrdn plc affiliated investment management entities with 
delegated voting rights on behalf of multiple managed portfolios

Number of  
voting rights

%

Below 5%

Below 5%

24,353,567

5.02

Below 5%

Below 5%

24,354,186

5.02

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021163

Additional information for shareholders
The information for shareholders required pursuant to the Companies Act 2006 can be found on pages 248-249 of this report. 

Political donations
No political donations were made during 2021 and it is Mondi’s policy not to make such donations.

Auditor
Each of the directors of Mondi plc at the date when this report was approved confirms that:

 — so far as each of the directors is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Group’s and parent company’s auditor is 

unaware; and

 — 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 and parent company’s auditor is aware of that information.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) has indicated its willingness to continue as auditor of Mondi plc. The Board has decided that a 
resolution to reappoint PwC will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 5 May 2022. 

The reappointment of PwC has the support of the Audit Committee, which will be responsible for determining its audit fee on behalf of 
the directors (see pages 130-131 for more information). 

Note 4 to the financial statements sets out the auditor’s fees both for audit and non-audit work.

Events occurring after 31 December 2021
In addition to the final dividend proposed for 2021, included in note 9 to the financial statements 2021, there have been the following 
material reportable events since 31 December 2021:

 — On 16 February 2022, the Group agreed to sell its Personal Care Components business (PCC) to Nitto Denko Corporation for an 

enterprise value of €615 million, which is also the approximate cash consideration payable to Mondi at completion. By simplifying its 
portfolio, the sale will enable the Group to focus on its core packaging and paper businesses and enhance its ability to pursue the 
Group’s strategic priority to grow in sustainable packaging. Further details can be found in note 32 of the financial statements. 

 — We have significant operations in Russia, representing around 12% of the Group’s revenue by location of production in 2021, including 

our high-margin, cost-competitive integrated pulp, packaging paper and uncoated fine paper mill located in Syktyvkar (Komi Republic). 
Over the last three years, our Russian operations have generated around 20% of the Group’s underlying EBITDA. Our businesses 
primarily serve the domestic market. In Ukraine Mondi has one paper bag plant located in Lviv, west of the country, employing 
approximately 100 people. We are actively monitoring this rapidly evolving situation, the international response and the implications for 
the Group. 

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 10:30 (UK time) on Thursday 5 May 2022 at Haberdashers’ Hall, 18 West Smithfield, London 
EC1A 9HQ, UK. We are also offering shareholders the ability to attend, participate and vote electronically. The notice convening the 
meeting, which is sent separately to shareholders, provides further details including the business to be considered and explanatory notes 
for each resolution. The notice is available on the Mondi Group website at: www.mondigroup.com. 

This Directors’ report was approved by the Board on 2 March 2022 and is signed on its behalf. 

Jenny Hampshire
Company Secretary
Mondi plc
Ground Floor, Building 5 
The Heights 
Brooklands
Weybridge
Surrey
KT13 0NY
Registered No. 6209386

2 March 2022

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements164

SkillED 
+ 
Inclusive

Financial statements

Directors’ responsibility statement 

Independent auditors’ report 

Financial statements 

Group financial record 

Production statistics and exchange rates 

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

Alternative Performance Measures 

Additional information for shareholders 

Shareholder information 

Glossary of terms 

167

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165

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Read more about how we are unpacking 
opportunities across the business

Ambition + Action

Page 12-13

Collaboration + Innovation

Page 100-101

Mondi Group  Integrated report and financial statements 2021

Unpacking  the opportunity  of  empowered  peopleMondi’s purpose is central to how we attract and retain talented colleagues around the world. More and more, people want to be part of organisations where they can contribute to tackling the biggest sustainability challenges of our time – and in our case, they have the opportunity to do so by creating packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design.Maximising the potential of our passionate colleagues is a strategic imperative for our continued sustainable growth. We focus on building diverse and inclusive workplaces in which colleagues can Grow. Create. Inspire. Together. Mondi’s training, development and succession planning roadmaps under MAP2030 are crucial for achieving this. Shaped by the actions of our Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Steering Committee, these initiatives focus on upskilling programmes to identify and develop the expertise, behaviour, enablers and cross-cultural competencies integral to our long-term success.  
 
166

Financial statements

Directors’ responsibility statement

Independent auditors’ report to the members of Mondi plc

Consolidated income statement

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of financial position

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Notes to the consolidated financial statements:

Note 1 

Note 2

Basis of preparation

Operating segments

Notes 3–7

Notes to the consolidated income statement

Notes 8–9

Per share measures

Notes 10–19

Notes to the consolidated statement of financial position

Notes 20–23

Capital management

Note 24

Retirement benefits

Notes 25-26

Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows

Notes 27–32

Other disclosures

Note 33

Accounting policies

Mondi plc parent company balance sheet

Mondi plc parent company statement of changes in equity

Notes to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements

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192

194

202

208

212

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Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Directors’ responsibility statement

167

The directors are responsible for preparing the Integrated report and the financial statements 2021 in accordance with applicable law 
and regulation.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared 
the Group financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and the Mondi plc parent company 
financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards, comprising FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”, and applicable law). In preparing the Group financial statements, the 
directors have also elected to comply with International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (IFRSs issued by IASB).

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

 — select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 — state whether applicable UK-adopted international accounting standards and IFRSs issued by IASB have been followed for the Group 
financial statements and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 have been followed for the parent company 
financial statements, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

 — make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

 — prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and parent company 

will continue in business.

The directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and parent company and hence for taking reasonable steps 
for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s and parent 
company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and parent company and 
enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the Directors’ Remuneration report comply with the Companies Act 2006.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Group’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the 
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The directors consider that the Integrated report and financial statements 2021, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s and parent company’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy.

Directors’ confirmations
Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed in the Governance section of the Integrated report confirm that, to the best 
of their knowledge:

 — the Group financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and 

IFRSs issued by IASB, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group;

 — the parent company financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, 

comprising FRS 101, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Mondi plc parent company; and

 — the Strategic report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group and 

parent company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that the Group and parent company face.

 The Directors’ responsibility statement was approved by the Board on 2 March 2022 and is signed on its behalf by:

Andrew King 
Director 

Mike Powell 
Director

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Independent auditors’ report to the members of Mondi plc

Report on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion
In our opinion:

 — Mondi plc’s Group financial statements and parent company financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true and fair view 

of the state of the Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2021 and of the Group’s profit and the Group’s cash 
flows for the year then ended;

 — the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards;

 — the 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

 — the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements, included within the Integrated Report and financial statements 2021 (the “Integrated Report”), 
which comprise: the consolidated statement of financial position and Mondi plc parent company balance sheet as at 31 December 2021; 
the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of cash flows and 
the consolidated and Mondi plc parent company statements of changes in equity for the year then ended; and the notes to the financial 
statements, which include a description of the significant accounting policies.

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit Committee.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities 
under 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 opinion.

Independence
We 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.

Other than those disclosed in note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, we have provided no non-audit services to the Group in the 
period under audit.

Our audit approach

Overview
Audit scope
 — We identified three components (2020: three) as individually significant components, which required an audit of their complete financial 
information due to their financial significance to the Group, and a further two components (2020: two) where we have concluded that 
the component engagement leader is a Key Audit Partner (as defined under ISAs (UK)). These five components (2020: five) are located 
in Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Russia and South Africa (2020: Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Russia). We obtained full 
scope audit reporting from an additional 24 components (2020: 23), including operating units and treasury operations. Audit of specific 
financial statement line items was performed at a further 14 components (2020: 19).

 — In aggregate, the locations subject to audit procedures represented 80% (2020: 79%) of the Group’s revenue. 

Key audit matters
 — Impairment of goodwill and property, plant and equipment (Group)

 — Taxation (Group)

 — Carrying value of shares in Group undertakings (parent company)

Materiality
 — Overall Group materiality: €52 million (2020: €52 million) based on approximately 5% of a three-year rolling-average of profit before tax 
adjusted for special items, rounded up based on our professional judgement to remain consistent with the prior year overall materiality.

 — Overall parent company materiality: €39 million (2020: €35 million) based on 1% of total assets.

 — Performance materiality: €39 million (2020: €39 million) (Group) and €29 million (2020: €26 million) (parent company).

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021169

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 planning our work, including identifying areas of audit risk and determining an appropriate response, we were mindful of the increased 
focus on the impact of climate change risk on companies and their financial reporting, and also that the Group has identified climate 
change as a principal risk. Climate change risk is expected to have a significant impact on the Group’s business as the operations and 
strategy of the Group evolve to address the potential physical and transition risks that could arise and the opportunities associated 
with climate change. Climate change initiatives and commitments impact the Group in a variety of ways, as described within the 
Integrated Report.

We made enquiries of management, and read relevant Group pronouncements and public statements on climate change to understand 
the extent of the potential impact of climate change risk on the Group financial statements, including considering the Mondi Action Plan 
2030 (“MAP2030”) science-based targets as detailed within the Integrated Report.

We also considered the key financial statement line items and estimates that are most likely to be impacted by climate risks, as set out 
in note 1 of the Group financial statements. Given that the impact of climate change on the Group is likely, principally, to crystallise in the 
medium to long-term, we concluded that the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements associated with climate change 
relate primarily to the valuation of forestry assets and estimates of future cash flows, which are used, for example, when testing assets for 
impairment. Management considers that the impact of climate change does not give rise to a material financial statement impact. 

We discussed with management the ways in which climate change disclosures should continue to evolve as the Group further develops its 
response to the impact of climate change. We also considered the consistency of the disclosures in relation to climate change made in the 
other information within the Integrated Report with the financial statements and our knowledge from our audit. 

Where applicable, our audit response to climate change risk is included in relevant key audit matters below. Refer also to notes 1, 12, 14 and 
33 of the Group financial statements for disclosures related to climate change.

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 and 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.

Special items and COVID-19, which were key audit matters last year, are no longer included because of the items recognised as special 
items in the current year being immaterial (€7 million) in comparison with the previous year (€57 million), and a reduction in the level of 
uncertainty associated with the future impact of COVID-19 and resulting impact on the amounts presented in the financial statements. 
Otherwise, the key audit matters below are consistent with last year.

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Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Impairment of goodwill and property, plant and equipment (Group)

The Group has goodwill of €926 million 
(2020: €923 million) and property, plant 
and equipment (“PPE”) of €4,870 million 
(2020: €4,641 million).

We satisfied ourselves as to the level at which goodwill is monitored for impairment by 
review of the internal reporting of financial performance by the Group to ensure the level 
of monitoring is consistent with, and not at a higher level than, the Group’s identified 
operating segments.

For the groups of cash generating units 
(“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 to dispose (“FVLCD”), 
requires judgement and estimation 
by management. This is because the 
determination of recoverable amount 
reflects management’s consideration of 
key internal inputs and external market 
conditions (taking into account the impact 
of climate change, where relevant), such 
as future paper prices, customer demand 
and forecast growth rates, which all impact 
future cash flows, and the determination 
of the most appropriate discount rate. 
Therefore, we considered it to be a key 
audit matter.

Management has also assessed whether 
indicators of impairment or impairment 
reversal existed in relation to PPE as at 
31 December 2021. The determination of 
whether an indicator of impairment or 
impairment reversal exists is judgemental. 
Where an indicator of impairment 
or impairment reversal is identified, 
management must estimate the recoverable 
amount of the relevant CGU.

Refer to notes 1, 10, 12 and 33 of the 
Group financial statements, and the Audit 
Committee’s views set out on page 128.

We challenged the basis for management’s estimates of growth rates and future 
cash flows, with reference to historical trading performance, market expectations and 
independent third party support where available. We used our internal valuation experts 
to independently recalculate the discount rates applied and checked the mathematical 
accuracy of management’s valuation models.

We evaluated how the risks and opportunities associated with climate change have been 
considered in the preparation of the cash flow forecasts and related sensitivity.

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 
assessments.

We focused our procedures on the goodwill balance allocated to Engineered Materials, 
as the carrying value of goodwill is a higher proportion of the asset base of this group of 
CGUs, relative to other goodwill balances, and therefore has a greater inherent sensitivity 
to changes in the assumptions used in the impairment test.

We also considered the implications of the planned disposal of the Group’s Personal 
Care Component (“PCC”) business announced on 17 February 2022 on the impairment 
assessment of the goodwill balances allocated with Engineered Materials. 

In relation to PPE, we satisfied ourselves as to the appropriateness of the judgement 
related to the level at which impairment of these assets is assessed, being the lowest level 
at which largely independent cash inflows can be identified (the “CGU”).

We evaluated management’s assessment of impairment and impairment reversal indicators 
by comparison of actual performance with the budget and consideration of other internal 
and external factors, including the conclusions reached. In relation to the CGUs where 
impairment indicators were identified, 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 by management and evaluate the long-term growth assumptions. We also checked 
the mathematical accuracy of management’s valuation models. Where management 
had obtained independent, third party valuations to determine the fair value less costs to 
dispose of individual assets in specific CGUs, we assessed the external valuation reports 
and the professional qualifications of these third party valuers.

Based on the procedures performed, we noted no material issues from our work.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021171

Key audit matter

Taxation (Group)

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 1, 7 and 33 of the Group 
financial statements, and the Audit 
Committee’s views set out on page 129.

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Our audit work, which involved taxation audit specialists at the Group level 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 risks and related corporate tax provisions. We also evaluated 
the tax consequences of significant transactions completed by the Group in the period.

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 addition, we verified underlying documentation, including third party 
evidence, to assess the maximum exposures determined by management.

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 were recognised in accordance with the relevant 
accounting standards.

We considered the appropriateness of the related disclosures in the Group financial 
statements. Based on the procedures performed, we noted no material issues from 
our work. 

Carrying value of shares in Group undertakings (parent company)

The parent company holds an investment 
in Mondi South Africa (Pty) Ltd with 
a carrying amount of €666 million 
(2020: €666 million).

Management identified an impairment 
indicator in the investment, following which 
an impairment test indicated that the 
carrying amount of the parent company’s 
investment is recoverable and, accordingly, 
no impairment was recorded in the year 
ended 31 December 2021. We focused 
on this area because of the judgement 
and estimation involved in the impairment 
assessment undertaken by management. 
The recoverable amount of the investment 
is based on the future cash flows of the 
underlying South Africa operations.

Refer to note 6 of the parent company 
financial statements

We considered the adequacy of management’s impairment indicator analysis as at 
31 December 2021.

We assessed the appropriateness of the underlying VIU methodology applied to determine 
the recoverable amount and agreed the forecasts used in the impairment models to the 
three-year budget approved by the Board. 

We obtained our valuation experts’ view on the nominal long-term growth rates and the 
discount rates applied. We also evaluated the appropriateness of the cash flow forecasts 
used in the impairment assessment and agreed these to underlying supporting information, 
including third party evidence, where available. 

We evaluated how the risks and opportunities associated with climate change had been 
considered in the preparation of the cash flow forecasts.

We also considered the appropriateness of the disclosures in the parent company 
financial statements.

Based on the procedures performed, we noted no material issues from our work.

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How we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements as 
a whole, taking into account the structure of the Group and the parent company, 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 (2020: three) as significant components (as defined within ISAs (UK)) 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 two components (2020: two), where we concluded that the component engagement leader is a Key 
Audit Partner (as defined under ISAs (UK)), and an additional 24 components where full scope audits were performed (2020: 23). Together, 
these components were in 11 countries (2020: 11), representing the Group’s principal businesses, and accounted for 66% (2020: 64%) of the 
Group’s revenue. The Group engagement team performed work at two of these components, with component auditors operating under 
our instruction performing the work on the other 27 full scope components.

Audit of specific financial statement line items was performed at a further 14 (2020: 19) components. The Group engagement team 
performed the work at two of these components (2020: two), with component auditors operating under our instruction performing the 
work on the other 12 components where specific financial statement line items were audited. Central testing was also performed on 
selected items, such as goodwill, primarily to ensure appropriate audit coverage. In aggregate, the locations subject to audit procedures 
represented 80% (2020: 79%) 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’s key financial 
statement line items (in particular revenue and profit before tax adjusted for special items), 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 on 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 attendance at certain component audit clearance 
meetings through the use of video conferencing technologies, as well as reviewing and assessing any matters reported. Due to the ongoing 
COVID-19 pandemic, we again instructed our components to evaluate the potential impact of the pandemic on the audit and directed them 
to perform further procedures to address potential risks arising from COVID-19. We also held a planning meeting jointly with management 
and the component auditors ahead of the year-end audit to agree on effective remote working arrangements given travel restrictions in place. 
We reviewed selected audit working papers for certain in-scope component teams,including all financially significant components and the 
further two components where we concluded that the component engagement leader is a Key Audit Partner.

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.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021173

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows::

Overall materiality

€52 million (2020: €52 million).

Financial statements – Group

How we determined it

Rationale for benchmark 
applied

Based on approximately 5% of a three-year rolling-average 
of profit before tax adjusted for special items, rounded up 
based on our professional judgement to remain consistent 
with the prior year overall materiality.

For overall Group materiality, we chose an adjusted profit 
before tax measure based on a three-year rolling-average 
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, rounded up based on our professional judgement 
to remain consistent with the prior year overall materiality.

Financial statements – parent company

€39 million (2020: €35 million).

Based on approximately 1% of total assets.

For overall Mondi plc parent company 
materiality, we determined the materiality 
based on total assets, which is more 
appropriate than a performance-related 
measure as the parent company is an 
investment holding company for the Group. 
Using professional judgement, we determined 
materiality for this year at €39 million 
(2020: €35 million), which equates to 
approximately 1% of the current year’s 
total assets.

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 €2.5 million (2020: €2.5 million) and €39 million (2020: €35 million). 

We use performance materiality to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected 
misstatements exceeds overall materiality. Specifically, we use performance materiality in determining the scope of our audit and the 
nature and extent of our testing of account balances, classes of transactions and disclosures, for example in determining sample sizes. 
Our performance materiality was 75% (2020: 75%) of overall materiality, amounting to €39 million (2020: €39 million) for the Group 
financial statements and €29 million (2020: €26 million) for the parent company financial statements.

In determining the performance materiality, we considered a number of factors – the history of misstatements, risk assessment and 
aggregation risk and the effectiveness of controls – and concluded that an amount at the upper end of our normal range was appropriate.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above €2.5 million (Group 
audit) (2020: €2.5 million) and €2.5 million (parent company audit) (2020: €2.5 million) as well as misstatements below those amounts that, 
in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Conclusions relating to going concern
Our evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the Group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting included:

 — We assessed management’s going concern cash flow projections, agreeing them to the latest Board approved forecasts;

 — We evaluated management’s future cash flows with reference to historical trading performance, market expectations from industry or 

economic reports and management capital investment plans;

 — We tested the available committed debt facilities to our year end audit work, including checking that the key terms were applied 

appropriately in the going concern assessment related to the maturity dates of available committed debt facilities and satisfied ourselves 
that there are no financial covenants in these facilities;

 — We considered the potential downside sensitivities that management had applied and considered their likelihood and whether more 

severe scenarios could arise and the associated impact on available liquidity;

 — We assessed management’s reverse stress test and considered the likelihood of events arising that could erode liquidity within the 

forecast period;

 — We assessed the performance of the Group since year end and compared it with the Board approved cash flow forecast; 

 — We evaluated the implications of events occurring after 31 December 2021 on the going concern assessment; and

 — We read the basis of preparation note to the financial statements and validated that it accurately described management’s going 

concern considerations.

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Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually 
or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of 
at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation 
of the financial statements is appropriate.

However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this conclusion is not a guarantee as to the Group’s and the parent 
company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

In relation to the directors’ reporting on how they have applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material to add or 
draw attention to in relation to the directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether the directors considered it appropriate 
to adopt the going concern basis of accounting.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Reporting on other information
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, which includes reporting based on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (“TCFD”) recommendations. 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 Directors’ Report, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies 
Act 2006 have been included.

Based on our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 requires us also to report certain opinions and matters 
as described below.

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 Directors’ Report 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable 
legal requirements.

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, 
we did not identify any material misstatements in the Strategic report and Directors’ Report.

Directors’ Remuneration
In our opinion, the part of the Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Corporate governance statement
The Listing Rules require us to review the directors’ statements in relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that part of the 
corporate governance statement relating to the parent company’s compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
specified for our review. Our additional responsibilities with respect to the corporate governance statement as other information are 
described in the Reporting on other information section of this report.

Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the corporate governance 
statement, included within the Corporate Governance Report, is materially consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge 
obtained during the audit, and we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to:

 — The directors’ confirmation that they have carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks;

 — The disclosures in the Integrated Report that describe those principal risks, what procedures are in place to identify emerging risks and 

an explanation of how these are being managed or mitigated;

 — The directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting in preparing them, and their identification of any material uncertainties to the Group’s and parent company’s ability to 
continue to do so over a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements;

 — The directors’ explanation as to their assessment of the Group’s and parent company’s prospects, the period this assessment covers 

and why the period is appropriate; and

 — The directors’ statement as to whether they have a reasonable expectation that the parent company will be able to continue in operation 

and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of its assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any 
necessary qualifications or assumptions.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021175

Our review of the directors’ statement regarding the longer-term viability of the Group was substantially less in scope than an audit and 
only consisted of making inquiries and considering the directors’ process supporting their statement; checking that the statement is in 
alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code; and considering whether the statement is consistent with 
the financial statements and our knowledge and understanding of the Group and parent company and their environment obtained in the 
course of the audit.

In addition, based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the corporate 
governance statement is materially consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge obtained during the audit:

 — The directors’ statement that they consider the Integrated Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable, and provides 
the information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s and parent company’s position, performance, business model and 
strategy;

 — The section of the Integrated Report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems; and

 — The section of the Integrated Report describing the work of the Audit Committee.

We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when the directors’ statement relating to the parent company’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.

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit
Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement, 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 they 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 the parent company’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 or the parent company 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 (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.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our 
responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our 
procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

Based on our understanding of the Group and industry, 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, 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 Companies Act 2006 and relevant tax legislation. 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 
and judgements. 

The Group engagement team shared this risk assessment with the component auditors 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:

 — Discussions with management, internal audit and the Group’s internal legal counsel, including consideration of potential instances of 

non-compliance with laws and regulation and fraud;

 — Assessment of matters reported through the Group’s whistleblowing helpline and the results of management’s investigation of such 

matters;

 — Testing controls in relation to IT systems within the Group, in part to identify if opportunities exist to carry out fraud through 

inappropriate access to systems and data;

 — Testing a sample of journal entries posted to revenue based on specific risk criteria; and

 — Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its accounting estimates or judgements, in particular in relation to 

the assessment of impairment of goodwill.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements176

Independent auditors’ report to the members of Mondi plc continued

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-
compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. 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.

Our audit testing might include testing complete populations of certain transactions and balances, possibly using data auditing techniques. 
However, it typically involves selecting a limited number of items for testing, rather than testing complete populations. We will often seek to 
target particular items for testing based on their size or risk characteristics. In other cases, we will use audit sampling to enable us to draw 
a conclusion about the population from which the sample is selected.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at:  
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors’ report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the parent company’s members as a body in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do 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 our prior consent in writing.

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

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

 — adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from 

branches not visited by us; or

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

 — the parent company financial statements and the part of the 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 is five 
years, covering the years ended 31 December 2017 to 31 December 2021.

Other matter
In due course, as required by the Financial Conduct Authority Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule 4.1.14R, these financial 
statements will form part of the ESEF-prepared annual financial report filed on the National Storage Mechanism of the Financial Conduct 
Authority in accordance with the ESEF Regulatory Technical Standard (“ESEF RTS”). This auditors’ report provides no assurance over 
whether the annual financial report will be prepared using the single electronic format specified in the ESEF RTS.

Simon Morley
(Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP  
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
London

2 March 2022

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2021

177

€ 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/(loss) from joint ventures

Investment income

Foreign currency losses

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

Notes

Underlying

2021

Special items 
(note 3)

—

—

—

—

—

5

(2)

3

4

7

—

—

—

—

7

2

9

—

9

2

7,723

(3,777)

(639)

3,307

(391)

5

(1,107)

(306)

1,503

(439)

1,064

6

6

(2)

(98)

976

(212)

764

17

747

2

15

6

6

6

7a

31

8

8

8

8

2020

Special items 
(note 3)

—

—

—

—

—

(21)

(10)

(31)

(26)

(57)

—

—

—

—

(57)

12

(45)

—

(45)

Total

Underlying

7,723

6,663

(3,777)

(3,120)

(639)

3,307

(391)

(558)

2,985

(346)

(1,102)

(1,051)

(235)

1,353

(428)

925

(3)

5

—

(100)

827

(180)

647

20

627

(308)

1,506

(435)

1,071

6

6

(2)

(98)

983

(210)

773

17

756

155.9

155.8

154.0

153.9

Total

6,663

(3,120)

(558)

2,985

(346)

(1,072)

(245)

1,322

(454)

868

(3)

5

—

(100)

770

(168)

602

20

582

120.0

120.0

129.3

129.3

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
178

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2021

€ million

Profit for the year

Items that may subsequently be reclassified to the 
consolidated income statement

Fair value (losses)/gains arising from cash flow hedges

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Share of other comprehensive income of joint ventures

Items that will not subsequently be reclassified to the 
consolidated income statement

Remeasurements of retirement benefits plans:

Return on plan assets

Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from changes in financial 
assumptions

Actuarial gains arising from experience adjustments

Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the year

Other comprehensive income/(expense) attributable to:

Non-controlling interests

Shareholders

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Non-controlling interests

Shareholders

Total comprehensive income for the year

2021

2020

Before tax 
amount

Tax 
charge

Net of tax 
amount

Before tax 
amount

Tax  
charge

Net of tax 
amount

602

4

(367)

—

—

—

—

(3)

(5)

773

(1)

26

1

—

—

—

(4)

8

4

(367)

—

(2)

11

(17)

4

(4)

34

(365)

(3)

(368)

(1)

26

1

12

(5)

17

—

38

(4)

38

13

794

807

(9)

(359)

11

223

234

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of financial position
as at 31 December 2021

179

€ million

Property, plant and equipment

Goodwill

Intangible assets

Forestry assets

Investments in joint ventures

Financial instruments

Deferred tax assets

Net retirement benefits asset

Other non-current assets

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

Share capital

Own shares

Retained earnings

Other reserves

Total attributable to shareholders

Non-controlling interests in equity

Total equity

Notes

10

12

13

14

15

7b

24

16

17

26b

21

18

19

21

24

7b

19

22

22

31

2021

4,870

926

76

348

17

33

43

26

1

6,340

1,099

1,333

12

4

473

—

2,921

9,261

(124)

(1,444)

(116)

(33)

(18)

(1,735)

(2,104)

(197)

(283)

(35)

(18)

(2,637)

(4,372)

2020

4,641

923

70

372

10

31

39

21

—

6,107

849

1,006

11

11

382

1

2,260

8,367

(128)

(1,116)

(85)

(55)

(6)

(1,390)

(2,050)

(215)

(278)

(35)

(17)

(2,595)

(3,985)

4,889

4,382

97

(18)

4,760

(341)

4,498

391

4,889

97

(18)

4,300

(377)

4,002

380

4,382

The Group’s consolidated financial statements, including related notes 1 to 33, were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 
2 March 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:

Andrew King 
Director 

Mike Powell
Director

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
180

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2021

€ million

At 1 January 2020

Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive expense

Retirement benefit plan settlement transferred to 
retained earnings

Transactions with shareholders in their capacity 
as shareholders:

Dividends

Purchases of own shares

Distribution of own shares

Mondi share schemes’ charge

Issue of shares under employee share schemes

Other movements in non-controlling interests

Share 
capital Own shares

Retained 
earnings

Other 
reserves

97

(25)

3,963

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(6)

13

—

—

—

582

582

—

(6)

(237)

—

(12)

—

12

(2)

(20)

(359)

—

(359)

6

—

—

—

8

(12)

—

Equity 
attributable 
to 
shareholders

Non-
controlling 
interests

4,015

370

223

582

(359)

—

(237)

(6)

1

8

—

(2)

11

20

(9)

—

(4)

—

—

—

—

3

Total  
equity

4,385

234

602

(368)

—

(241)

(6)

1

8

—

1

At 31 December 2020

97

(18)

4,300

(377)

4,002

380

4,382

Total comprehensive income for the year

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Transactions with shareholders in their capacity 
as shareholders:

Dividends

Purchases of own shares

Distribution of own shares

Mondi share schemes’ charge (see note 23)

Issue of shares under employee share schemes

Acquired through business combinations 
(see note 25)

Non-controlling interests bought out (see note 25)

Other movements

At 31 December 2021

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(7)

7

—

—

—

—

—

756

756

—

(298)

—

(7)

—

9

—

—

—

38

—

38

—

—

—

9

(9)

—

—

(2)

794

756

38

(298)

(7)

—

9

—

—

—

(2)

13

17

(4)

(6)

—

—

—

—

7

(3)

—

807

773

34

(304)

(7)

—

9

—

7

(3)

(2)

97

(18)

4,760

(341)

4,498

391

4,889

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Consolidated statement of cash flows 
for the year ended 31 December 2021

181

€ 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 joint ventures

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

Loans advanced to related and external parties

Interest received

Other investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from Eurobonds

Repayment of Eurobonds

Proceeds from other medium and long-term borrowings

Repayment of other medium and long-term borrowings

Net repayment of short-term borrowings

Repayment of lease liabilities

Interest paid

Dividends paid to shareholders

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Purchases of own shares

Non-controlling interests bought out

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from debt-related derivative financial instruments

Other financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase 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

Notes

2021

2020

26a

13

14

25

26c

26c

26c

26c

26c

26c

26c

9

9

25

26c

26c

26c

26b

1,339

1

(190)

1,150

(573)

(17)

(45)

(1)

22

—

(63)

(1)

4

4

1,485

1

(168)

1,318

(630)

(18)

(43)

—

12

1

—

(1)

4

—

(670)

(675)

—

—

59

—

(4)

(23)

(78)

(298)

(6)

(7)

(3)

(12)

—

(372)

108

348

108

(1)

455

744

(500)

—

(86)

(136)

(24)

(82)

(237)

(4)

(6)

—

59

4

(268)

375

(7)

375

(20)

348

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
182

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021

1 Basis of preparation
These consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2021 comprise Mondi plc and its subsidiaries (referred 
to as the ‘Group’), and the Group’s share of the results and net assets of its associates and joint ventures.

The Group’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards 
and with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies reporting under those standards. On 31 December 
2020, IFRS as adopted by the EU at that date was brought into UK law and became UK-adopted International Accounting Standards, 
with future changes being subject to endorsement by the UK Endorsement Board. The Group transitioned to UK-adopted International 
Accounting Standards in its consolidated financial statements on 1 January 2021. This transition constitutes a change in accounting 
framework. However, there is no impact on recognition, measurement or disclosure, as well as no changes in the accounting policies from 
the transition. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out in note 33 and were applied consistently throughout the year and 
preceding year.

The Group also applies IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and there are no differences with applying 
IFRS adopted for use in the United Kingdom which may significantly affect the Group’s accounting policies.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The directors have reviewed the Group’s budget, 
considered the assumptions contained in the budget, including the principal risks which may impact the Group’s performance in the near 
term. At 31 December 2021, the Group had €803 million of undrawn, committed debt facilities. The weighted average maturity of the 
Group’s committed debt facilities was 4.7 years. In addition, the Group had €455 million of cash and cash equivalents available to fund its 
short-term needs. The assessment of going concern is further described in the Strategic report as part of the Viability statement under 
the heading ‘Going concern’ on page 99 which is incorporated by reference into these financial statements. Based on this evaluation, the 
Board considered it appropriate to prepare the consolidated financial statements on the going concern basis.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost basis of accounting, as modified by forestry assets, 
pension assets, financial assets and financial liabilities held at fair value through profit and loss and assets acquired and liabilities assumed 
in a business combination.

The Group presents certain measures of financial performance, position or cash flows that are not defined or specified according to IFRS. 
These measures, referred to as Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), are defined on pages 243-247.

Significant accounting estimates
The preparation of the Group’s 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 significant accounting estimates with a significant risk of a material change to the carrying value of assets and 
liabilities within the next year in terms of IAS 1, ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’, are:

 — Fair value of forestry assets – refer to note 14

 — Actuarial valuations of retirement benefit obligations – refer to note 24

Other areas of judgement and accounting estimates
The consolidated financial statements include other areas of judgement and accounting estimates. While these areas do not meet the 
definition under IAS 1 of significant accounting estimates or critical accounting judgements, the recognition and measurement of certain 
material assets and liabilities are based on assumptions and/or are subject to longer term uncertainties. The other areas of judgement and 
accounting estimates are:

 — Taxation – refer to notes 7 and 33 

 — Residual values and useful economic lives of property, plant and equipment – refer to notes 10 and 33

 — Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations – refer to note 25

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021183

Climate change
Management has considered the impact of climate change in preparing the consolidated financial statements, in particular in the context 
of the disclosures included in the Strategic report, including the Group’s Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) science-based targets as 
detailed in the taking action on climate section on pages 55-67. These considerations, which are integral to the Group’s strategy, did not 
have a material impact on the key accounting estimates and judgements, including the following areas:

 — the estimates of future cash flows used in the impairment assessment of goodwill – refer to note 12

 — the assumptions used in the fair value measurement of forestry assets – refer to note 14

 — the assessment of residual values and estimated useful economic lives of property, plant and equipment – refer to note 33

 — the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations – refer to note 25

While these considerations did not have a material impact on the areas set out above, this may change in future periods as management 
evolves its understanding of climate change related impacts on the Group.

Impact of COVID-19 on the consolidated financial statements at 31 December 2021
Management continued to consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the estimates and judgements it has to exercise in applying 
the accounting policies, including impairment of property, plant and equipment and goodwill, recoverability of trade receivables and net 
realisable value of inventories. No material adjustments have been made to the carrying values of the Group’s assets and liabilities for the 
year ended 31 December 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2 Operating segments

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 in line with the shipment 
terms agreed with customers. Customer payment terms vary within the Group due to its global operations and 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 €87 million (2020: €74 million) in the current financial year, which is recognised over time. The stage of completion is used to determine 
the amount of revenue recognised, which is based on the transportation days completed at the reporting date relative to the total 
expected delivery days.

The material product types from which the Group’s operating segments derive their internal and external revenues are as follows: 

Operating segments

Corrugated Packaging

Flexible Packaging

Engineered Materials

Uncoated Fine Paper

Product types

Containerboard

Corrugated solutions

Pulp

Kraft paper

Paper bags

Consumer flexibles

Pulp

Personal care components

Functional paper and films

Uncoated fine paper

Newsprint

Pulp

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
184

2 Operating segments continued

Year ended 31 December 20211

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Segment revenue

Internal revenue

External revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Depreciation and impairments2

Amortisation

Underlying operating profit/(loss)

Special items before tax

Operating segment assets

Operating segment net assets

Trailing 12-month average capital employed

Additions to non-current non-financial assets

Capital expenditure cash payments

Underlying EBITDA margin (%)

Return on capital employed (%)

Average number of employees (thousands)3

Year ended 31 December 20201

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Segment revenue

Internal revenue

External revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Depreciation and impairments2

Amortisation

Underlying operating profit/(loss)

Special items before tax

Operating segment assets

Operating segment net assets

Trailing 12-month average capital employed

Additions to non-current non-financial assets

Capital expenditure cash payments

Underlying EBITDA margin (%)

Return on capital employed (%)

Average number of employees (thousands)3

Notes:
1  See pages 243-247 for definitions of APMs
2  Includes only impairment not classified as special items
3  Presented on a full time employee equivalent basis

Corrugated 
Packaging

Flexible 
Packaging

Engineered 
Materials

Uncoated 
Fine Paper

Corporate

Intersegment 
elimination

2,510

2,889

(40)

(94)

2,470

2,795

670

(134)

(7)

529

—

2,722

2,338

2,025

293

223

26.7

26.1

7.5

526

(151)

(8)

367

2

3,200

2,632

2,485

166

176

18.2

15.0

10.5

876

(37)

839

71

(27)

(1)

43

5

773

632

580

36

33

8.1

7.4

2.1

1,652

(33)

1,619

270

(108)

(2)

160

—

1,933

1,595

1,350

188

139

16.3

11.9

6.2

—

—

—

(34)

(1)

—

(35)

—

7

(1)

(91)

6

2

—

—

0.1

(204)

204

—

—

—

—

—

—

(110)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Corrugated 
Packaging

Flexible 
Packaging

Engineered 
Materials

Uncoated 
Fine Paper

Corporate

Intersegment 
elimination

1,879

2,667

(32)

(66)

1,847

2,601

518

(115)

(6)

397

—

2,331

2,087

1,764

268

249

27.6

22.5

6.7

519

(146)

(11)

362

(8)

2,942

2,475

2,468

178

162

19.5

14.5

10.4

801

(31)

770

80

(27)

(9)

44

(49)

695

589

590

73

74

10.0

7.5

2.2

1,485

(40)

1,445

266

(111)

(2)

153

—

1,873

1,582

1,349

183

145

17.9

11.3

6.3

—

—

—

(30)

(1)

—

(31)

—

5

(3)

(96)

—

—

—

—

0.1

(169)

169

—

—

—

—

—

—

(96)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total

7,723

—

7,723

1,503

(421)

(18)

1,064

7

8,525

7,196

6,349

689

573

19.5

16.9

26.4

Total

6,663

—

6,663

1,353

(400)

(28)

925

(57)

7,750

6,730

6,075

702

630

20.3

15.2

25.7

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Reconciliation of operating segment assets

€ million

Group total

Unallocated

Investments in joint ventures

Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

Other non-operating assets/(liabilities)1

Group capital employed

Financial instruments/(net debt)

Total assets/equity

185

2021

2020

Segment  
assets

Segment  
net assets/
(liabilities)

Segment  
assets

Segment  
net assets/
(liabilities)

8,525

7,196

7,750

6,730

17

43

201

8,786

475

9,261

17

(240)

(321)

6,652

(1,763)

4,889

10

39

177

7,976

391

8,367

10

(239)

(328)

6,173

(1,791)

4,382

Note:
1 

Includes non-current financial instruments and current tax assets/(liabilities) as presented in the consolidated statement of financial position, provisions for restructuring costs, employee related and 
other provisions (see note 19), derivative financial instruments (see note 29d) and other non-operating receivables/(payables) of €152 million and €324 million, respectively, as at 31 December 2021 
(2020: €125 million and €328 million)

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

Czech Republic

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

2021

2020

2021

2020

441

56

497

409

55

464

1,134

1,062

882

3

699

766

28

641

2,718

2,497

602

1,243

1,198

3,043

899

480

—

86

520

983

833

2,336

796

481

—

89

394

272

666

159

996

193

1,517

2,865

223

707

1,055

1,985

703

804

128

572

309

254

563

140

863

179

1,344

2,526

178

548

791

1,517

622

731

107

597

7,723

6,663

7,723

6,663

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 or contract liabilities as at 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020. 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 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements186

2 Operating segments continued

Net assets by location

€ million

Africa

South Africa

Rest of Africa

Africa total

Western Europe

Austria

Germany

United Kingdom

Rest of western Europe

Western Europe total

Emerging Europe

Czech Republic

Poland

Rest of emerging Europe

Emerging Europe total

Russia

North America

South America

Asia and Australia

Group total

2021

2020

Non-current 
non-financial 
assets

Segment  
assets

Segment  
net assets

Non-current 
non-financial 
assets

Segment  
assets

Segment 
net assets

778

62

840

471

657

34

608

898

118

1,016

937

943

60

780

805

114

919

665

806

57

695

755

62

817

456

650

35

607

893

109

1,002

796

862

58

751

796

103

899

563

748

56

680

1,770

2,720

2,223

1,748

2,467

2,047

878

723

989

2,590

753

161

7

100

958

991

1,382

3,331

921

363

10

164

846

850

1,067

2,763

814

317

10

150

838

725

959

2,522

673

145

2

99

907

922

1,200

3,029

802

297

2

151

819

822

1,026

2,667

712

266

1

138

6,221

8,525

7,196

6,006

7,750

6,730

Average number of employees by principal location of employment1

thousands

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

2021

1.4

0.4

7.0

10.0

5.3

1.6

0.7

26.4

2020

1.4

0.3

7.1

9.2

5.3

1.7

0.7

25.7

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021187

3 Special items
The Group separately discloses special items, an APM as defined on page 243, on the face of the consolidated income statement to assist 
its stakeholders in understanding the underlying financial performance achieved by the Group on a basis that is comparable from year 
to year.

€ million

Operating special items

Impairment of assets

Reversal of impairment of assets

Restructuring and closure costs:

Personnel costs

Other restructuring and closure costs

Settlement of claim relating to the 2012 Nordenia acquisition

Total special items before tax

Tax credit (see note 7)

Total special items

2021

2020

—

4

5

(2)

—

7

2

9

(27)

1

(21)

(9)

(1)

(57)

12

(45)

The operating special items resulted in a cash outflow of €15 million for the year ended 31 December 2021 (2020: €28 million).

To 31 December 2021
The special items during the year ended 31 December 2021 comprised:

 — Flexible Packaging

 — Release of restructuring and closure provision of €2 million, partly offset by additional restructuring costs of €1 million, and reversal of 

impairment of assets of €1 million were recognised. All credit/(charges) related to special items from prior years.

 — Engineered Materials

 — Release of restructuring and closure provision of €2 million and partial reversal of impairment of assets of €3 million were recognised 
relating to the closure of a functional paper and films plant in the US. The credits are linked to a special item from the prior year, of 
which total costs now accumulate to €9 million.

To 31 December 2020
The special items during the year ended 31 December 2020 comprised:

 — Flexible Packaging

 — Closure of two consumer flexibles plants in the UK. Additional restructuring and closure costs of €8 million and related reversal of 
impairment of assets of €1 million were recognised. These costs were a continuation of the special item from prior year with total 
costs amounting to €12 million.

 — Additional costs of €1 million for the settlement of a claim relating to the 2012 Nordenia acquisition were recognised. The costs 

related to a special item from prior years with total costs amounting to €17 million.

 — Engineered Materials

 — Closure of a functional paper and films plant in the US. Restructuring and closure costs of €5 million and related impairment of assets 

of €9 million were recognised with total costs amounting to €14 million.

 — Restructuring of the personal care components focused operations in Gronau (Germany). Restructuring costs of €17 million and 

related impairment of assets of €18 million were recognised with total costs amounting to €35 million.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements188

4 Auditors’ remuneration

€ million

Fees payable to the auditors for the audit of Mondi plc’s annual financial statements

Fees payable to the auditors and their associates for the audit of Mondi plc’s subsidiaries

Total audit fees

Audit-related and other assurance services

Other services

Total non-audit fees

Total fees

5 Personnel costs

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Within underlying operating costs

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Defined contribution retirement plan contributions (see note 24)

Defined benefit retirement plan service costs net of gain from settlement (see note 24)

Share-based payments (see note 23)

Total within underlying 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

2021

1.7

3.9

5.6

0.4

—

0.4

6.0

2020

1.3

3.7

5.0

0.4

—

0.4

5.4

2021

2020

896

186

14

2

9

853

174

12

4

8

1,107

1,051

(5)

3

2

5

21

3

3

6

1,107

1,078

26.4

25.7

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
6 Net finance costs

€ 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 24)

Total interest expense

Less: Interest capitalised

Total finance costs

Net finance costs

189

2021

2020

6

(2)

(80)

(13)

(5)

(98)

—

(98)

(94)

5

—

(83)

(12)

(6)

(101)

1

(100)

(95)

Net interest expense, as defined on page 244, for the year was €87 million (2020: €90 million).

The weighted average interest rate applicable to capitalised interest on general borrowings for the year ended 31 December 2021 was 
2.9% (2020: 3.9%) and was related to investments in Finland and Germany (2020: the Czech Republic and Germany).

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 2021 was 22% (2020: 22%).

€ million

UK corporation tax at 19% (2020: 19%)

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

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

2021

—

216

4

220

(4)

(4)

212

(1)

(1)

(2)

210

2020

—

155

5

160

26

(6)

180

(5)

(7)

(12)

168

The Group’s current tax charge for the year was €219 million (2020: €155 million) and the deferred tax credit for the year was €9 million 
(2020: deferred tax charge of €13 million).

As the Group operates in a number of countries, each with different tax systems, a degree of tax risk is inevitable as tax laws are 
complex and subject to changes in legislation and to differing interpretations. Consequently, provision has been made for such tax risk 
exposures within current tax liabilities of €63 million (2020: €51 million), mainly in relation to transfer pricing risks arising from cross border 
transactions. There is not expected to be any material change to the tax risk exposures or associated provisions within the next 12 months.

In the Spring Budget 2020, the UK Government announced that from 1 April 2020 the corporation tax rate would remain at 19% (rather 
than reducing to 17%, as previously enacted). The Government made a number of budget announcements on 3 March 2021. These include 
confirming that the rate of corporation tax will increase to 25% from 1 April 2023. This new law was substantively enacted on 24 May 2021. 
There is no material impact on the Group’s current and deferred taxation balances.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements190

7 Taxation continued

Factors affecting tax charge for the year
The Group’s total tax charge for the year can be reconciled to the tax on the Group’s profit before tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 
19% (2020: 19%), as follows:

€ million

Profit before tax

Tax on profit before tax, calculated at the UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2020: 19%)

Tax effects of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Special items not tax deductible

Other non-deductible expenses

Temporary difference adjustments

Fixed asset revaluation1

Current year tax losses and other temporary differences not recognised

Prior year tax losses and other temporary differences not previously recognised

Other adjustments

Current tax prior year adjustments

Tax incentives2

Effect of differences between local rates and UK rate

Other adjustments

Tax charge for the year

Notes:
1  Fixed asset revaluation in Turkey has resulted in a one-off tax uplift
2  The tax incentives principally relate to capital investments in the Czech Republic and Turkey (2020: the Czech Republic)

2021

983

187

7

—

7

(1)

(4)

7

(4)

17

4

(13)

13

13

2020

770

146

7

1

6

3

—

9

(6)

12

5

(13)

10

10

210

168

(b) Deferred tax

€ million

At 1 January

Credited/(charged) to the consolidated income statement

Charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Acquired through business combinations (see note 25)

Currency movements

At 31 December

The amount of deferred tax credited/(charged) to the consolidated income statement comprises:

€ million

Capital allowances in excess of depreciation

Fair value adjustments

Tax losses recognised

Other temporary differences

Total

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

2021

39

4

—

—

—

43

2020

49

(9)

—

—

(1)

39

2021

(278)

5

(4)

(4)

(2)

2020

(301)

(4)

(3)

—

30

(283)

(278)

2021

(23)

6

1

25

9

2020

(13)

(4)

2

2

(13)

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021191

Deferred tax comprises:

€ million

Capital allowances in excess of depreciation

Fair value adjustments

Tax losses1

Other temporary differences1

Total2

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

2021

(16)

—

11

48

43

2020

(17)

—

18

38

39

2021

(288)

(93)

26

72

(283)

2020

(255)

(99)

16

60

(278)

Notes:
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
2  Deferred tax balances have been shown after offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority and it is intended to settle current assets and liabilities on a net basis

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

2021

29

14

43

2020

20

19

39

2021

(5)

(278)

(283)

2020

(1)

(277)

(278)

The Group has the following amounts in respect of which no deferred tax asset has been recognised as it is not considered probable that 
there will be future profit streams or gains against which these could be utilised:

€ million

Tax losses – revenue

Tax losses – capital

Other temporary differences

Total

2021

1,448

16

21

2020

1,567

16

27

1,485

1,610

Of the total of €1,485 million (2020: €1,610 million), €1,272 million (2020: €1,409 million) relates to tax losses (with no expiry date) and 
other timing differences not recognised in the UK and Luxembourg due to lack of future profit streams.

There were no significant changes during the year in the expected future profit streams or gains. 

Included in unrecognised tax losses are losses that will expire as follows:

€ million

Expiry date

One to five years

After five years

No expiry date1

Total

2021

2020

22

45

1,397

1,464

6

43

1,534

1,583

Note:
1  During the year ended 31 December 2021, €173 million of brought forward unrecognised tax losses (with no expiry date) were extinguished as a result of a simplification of the holding company 

structure. There was no impact on the effective tax rate in the period from the simplification

No deferred tax liability is recognised on gross temporary differences of €1,146 million (2020: €1,017 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. As a 
result, the gross temporary differences at 31 December 2021 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. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements192

8 Earnings per share (EPS)

euro cents

Basic EPS

Diluted EPS

Basic underlying EPS

Diluted underlying EPS

Basic headline EPS

Diluted headline 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 attributable to shareholders (see note 3)

Related tax (see note 3)

Underlying earnings for the year

Special items attributable to shareholders not excluded from headline earnings

Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment

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

EPS attributable to shareholders

2021

155.9

155.8

154.0

153.9

155.3

155.2

Earnings

2021

756

(7)

(2)

747

3

1

2

753

2020

120.0

120.0

129.3

129.3

123.9

123.9

2020

582

57

(12)

627

(31)

(2)

7

601

Weighted average number of shares

2021

485.0

0.3

485.3

2020

484.9

—

484.9

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 20219 Dividends

euro cents per share

Final dividend paid (in respect of prior year)

Interim dividend paid

Paid in respect of the prior year

Paid in respect of current year

Final dividend proposed

€ million

Final dividend paid (in respect of prior year)

Total interim dividend paid

Paid in respect of the prior year

Paid in respect of current year

Total dividends paid

Final dividend proposed

Declared by Group companies to non-controlling interests

193

2021

41.00

20.00

—

20.00

2020

—

48.75

29.75

19.00

45.00

41.00

2021

201

97

—

97

298

218

6

2020

—

237

145

92

237

199

4

The final dividend proposed in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2021 has been recommended by the Board and is subject 
to the approval of the shareholders of Mondi plc at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 5 May 2022.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
194

10 Property, plant and equipment

€ million

Net carrying value

At 1 January 2020

Additions

Disposal of assets

Depreciation charge for the year

Impairment losses recognised2

Impairment losses reversed3

Reclassification

Currency movements

At 31 December 2020

Cost

Accumulated depreciation and impairments

Acquired through business combinations (see note 25)

Additions

Disposal of assets

Depreciation charge for the year

Impairment losses reversed3

Reclassification

Currency movements

At 31 December 2021

Cost

Accumulated depreciation and impairments

Land and
buildings1

Plant and 
equipment

Assets under 
construction

Other

Total

1,350

43

(7)

(70)

(6)

1

51

(106)

1,256

2,168

(912)

37

72

(18)

(75)

4

133

10

1,419

2,405

(986)

2,718

148

(3)

(288)

(18)

—

259

(195)

2,621

7,244

(4,623)

18

212

(5)

(302)

—

378

34

2,956

7,824

(4,868)

592

410

—

—

—

—

(337)

(44)

621

638

(17)

—

237

—

—

—

(529)

7

336

353

(17)

140

40

(3)

(42)

(3)

—

25

(14)

143

435

(292)

2

43

(2)

(44)

—

16

1

159

471

(312)

4,800

641

(13)

(400)

(27)

1

(2)

(359)

4,641

10,485

(5,844)

57

564

(25)

(421)

4

(2)

52

4,870

11,053

(6,183)

Notes:
1  The land carrying value included in ‘Land and buildings’ is €188 million (2020: €174 million)
2  Impairment losses include €nil (2020: €27 million) classified as special items (see note 3) and €nil (2020: €nil) of other impairments
3  Impairment losses reversed are classified as special items (see note 3)

The Group recognised income from insurance reimbursements relating to damages of property, plant and equipment of €2 million 
(2020: €1 million) in other net operating expenses within the consolidated income statement. 

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. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
195

11 Leases
The Group has entered into various lease agreements. Leases over land and buildings have a weighted average term of 40 years 
(2020: 41 years), plant and equipment a weighted average term of 13 years (2020: 9 years) and other assets a weighted average term of 
4 years (2020: 4 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.

Russian forestry leases
The majority of the forestry lease agreements were entered into by the Group in 2007, 2008, 2015, 2020 and 2021 for an average term 
of 46 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. Variable lease payments are included in the lease liability and 
calculated at the consumer price index. The Group applied the practical expedient per IFRS 16 not to separate non-lease components 
from lease components, consistent with prior years. 

Office building
The Group entered into an office building lease agreement in Vienna (Austria) 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. The Group does not intend to exercise the termination options, as described 
above, and thus these were not considered in the calculation of the right-of-use asset.

Right-of-use assets

€ million

Land and buildings

Plant and equipment

Other

Total

Right-of-use assets

Depreciation charge

2021

126

39

12

177

2020

115

37

10

162

2021

(13)

(7)

(5)

(25)

2020

(12)

(6)

(5)

(23)

Additions to the right-of-use assets during 2021 were €37 million (2020: €25 million). 

Lease liabilities

€ million

Maturity analysis – contractual undiscounted cash flows

Less than one year

One to two years

Two to five years

More than five years

Total undiscounted cash flows

Total lease liabilities

Current

Non-current

The total cash outflow for leases during 2021 was €40 million (2020: €39 million).

Amounts recognised in the consolidated income statement 

€ million

Depreciation charge

Interest on lease liabilities

Expenses relating to short-term leases

Expenses relating to leases of low-value assets

2021

2020

31

27

63

328

449

204

20

184

2021

(25)

(13)

(2)

(2)

29

23

57

289

398

187

18

169

2020

(23)

(12)

(2)

(1)

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements  
 
 
196

12 Goodwill

(a) Reconciliation

€ million

Net carrying value

At 1 January

Currency movements

At 31 December

2021

2020

923

3

926

948

(25)

923

(b) Assumptions
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. 
As described further in the accounting policies in note 33, goodwill is assessed for impairment at least annually. In performing this 
impairment test, 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

Corrugated Packaging

Flexible Packaging

Engineered Materials

Uncoated Fine Paper

Total goodwill

Weighted average 
pre-tax discount rate

Growth rate 
beyond year 3

Carrying value

2021

8.7%

8.7%

7.9%

2020

9.1%

8.6%

7.9%

10.7%

10.6%

2021

3%

2%

2%

0%

2020

2%

2%

2%

0%

2021

341

341

214

30

926

2020

338

342

213

30

923

Key assumptions
The key assumptions in the value-in-use calculations are:

 — cash flow forecasts which are derived from the budget most recently approved by the Board covering the three-year period to 

31 December 2024;

 — 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 and expected industry capacity changes;

 — the impact from climate change such as regulatory risks on carbon pricing, yield losses on plantations or impacts from droughts in 
the budget period is considered in the cash flow forecasts. The Group’s climate change-related risks and opportunities identified 
according to the TCFD recommendations are disclosed on pages 60-67 of this report. The effect of climate change-related risks and 
opportunities in the budget period is not material for the Group;

 — 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 all years beyond the budget period; and

 — capital expenditure forecasts are based on historical experience and include expenditure necessary to maintain the assets in their 

current condition.

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. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021197

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. Risks associated with increased operating costs such as carbon pricing 
mechanisms have also been considered.

Sensitivity analyses of reasonably possible changes in the underlying assumptions for each group of CGUs included:

 — 100 bps increase in discount rate;

 — 0% growth rate assumed for cash flow projections beyond three years;

 — 5% decrease in sales prices in the Corrugated Packaging, Flexible Packaging and Uncoated Fine Paper groups of CGUs; and

 — 3% decrease in gross margin in the Engineered Materials group of CGUs.

None of these downside sensitivity analyses indicated the need for an impairment.

13 Intangible assets

€ million

Net carrying value

At 1 January

Acquired through business combinations (see note 25)

Additions

Amortisation charge for the year

Reclassification

Currency movements

At 31 December

Cost

Accumulated amortisation and impairments

2021

2020

70

6

17

(18)

2

(1)

76

259

(183)

81

—

18

(28)

3

(4)

70

259

(189)

The intangible assets comprise mainly software development costs.

Research and development expenditure incurred by the Group and charged to the consolidated income statement during the year 
amounted to €23 million (2020: €23 million).

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
198

14 Forestry assets

€ million

At 1 January 

Investment in forestry assets

Fair value (losses)/gains

Felling costs

Currency movements

At 31 December

Mature

Immature

2021

372

45

(7)

(62)

—

348

217

131

2020

411

43

27

(59)

(50)

372

227

145

The Group has 253,680 hectares (2020: 253,680 hectares) of owned and leased land available for forestry activities, all of which is in 
South Africa. 80,854 hectares (2020: 80,538 hectares) are set aside for conservation activities and infrastructure needs. 1,044 hectares 
(2020: 1,038 hectares) relate to non-core activities. The balance of 171,782 hectares (2020: 172,104 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. The maturity 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:

 — 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 2021, the net selling 
price used ranged from the South African rand equivalent of €14 per tonne to €44 per tonne (2020: €15 per tonne to €45 per tonne) 
with a weighted average of €24 per tonne (2020: €28 per tonne).

 — The conversion factor, which is used to convert hectares of land under afforestation to tonnes of standing timber, is dependent on the 
species, the maturity profile of the timber, the geographic location and a variety of other environmental factors, such as the anticipated 
impact of climate change on water scarcity and fire risks. In 2021, the conversion factors ranged from 8.3 to 24.1 (2020: 8.2 to 23.6).

 — The risk premium on immature timber of 12.9% (2020: 14.3%) is based on an assessment of the risks associated with forestry assets 
in South Africa and is applied for the years the immature timber has left to reach maturity. A risk premium on mature timber of 4.0% 
(2020: 4.0%) was applied. The risk premium applied to immature and mature timber include factors for the anticipated impact of 
climate change on water scarcity and fire risks. An increase in the severity and frequency of extreme weather events, such as higher 
temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns and drought conditions, may result in higher timber losses in future years caused by stronger 
winds, erosion, fires, pests and diseases. The decrease in the risk premium on immature timber was triggered by an identified reduction 
in the historical incident risk factor.

The valuation of the Group’s forestry assets is determined in South African rand and converted to euro at the closing exchange rate on 
31 December of each year.

The Group has performed sensitivity analyses of reasonably possible changes in the significant assumptions and the EUR/ZAR exchange 
rate, taking into account historical experience. The sensitivity table is based on an illustrative % change, however the estimates may vary 
by greater amounts. Therefore the Group considers the forestry assets valuation to be a key estimate. 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 €5/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 10% increase in EUR/ZAR exchange rate

2021

71

3

(5)

(32)

2020

68

4

(6)

(34)

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202115 Investments in joint ventures

€ million

At 1 January 

Share of profit/(loss)

Additions

Currency movements

At 31 December

16 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

Consolidated income statement

€ million

Within materials, energy and consumables used

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense

Write-down of inventories to net realisable value

Aggregate reversal of previous write-downs of inventories

Within other net operating expenses

Green energy sales and disposal of emissions credits

199

2021

10

6

1

—

17

2020

14

(3)

—

(1)

10

2021

2020

20

4

8

32

499

134

434

1,067

1,099

165

32

6

19

57

364

109

319

792

849

95

2021

2020

(3,276)

(2,815)

(46)

33

62

(41)

23

85

The reversal of previous write-downs of inventories relates to goods that had been written down to net realisable value and were sold 
subsequently above their carrying value. 

17 Trade and other receivables

€ million

Trade receivables

Credit loss allowance

Net trade receivables

Other receivables

Tax and social security

Prepayments

Accrued income

2021

1,173

(29)

1,144

23

133

32

1

2020

877

(29)

848

13

118

24

3

Total trade and other receivables

1,333

1,006

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
200

17 Trade and other receivables continued

Trade receivables: credit risk
The Group has a large number of unrelated customers and does not have 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

Net exposure to credit risk

2021

2020

1,173

(968)

205

877

(703)

174

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 €5 million (2020: €6 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. 

To the extent that recoverable amounts are expected to be less than their associated carrying values, impairment charges have been 
recorded in the 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 €45 million (2020: €50 million).

Included within the Group’s aggregate trade receivables balance are specific debtor balances with customers totalling €112 million 
(2020: €88 million) which are past due and the Group considers that their credit quality remains intact. 

The expected credit loss allowance for trade receivables was determined as follows:

2021/€ million, unless otherwise stated

Within terms

< 1 month

1-2 months

2-3 months

> 3 months

Total

Past due by

Expected loss rate %

Trade receivables

Credit loss allowance

1

1,041

(9)

2

93

(2)

33

3

(1)

76

21

(16)

1,173

(29)

7

15

(1)

Past due by

2020/€ million, unless otherwise stated

Within terms

< 1 month

1-2 months

2-3 months

> 3 months

Total

1

767

(7)

3

67

(2)

7

15

(1)

25

4

(1)

75

24

(18)

877

(29)

Expected loss rate %

Trade receivables

Credit loss allowance

Movement in the credit loss allowance

€ million

At 1 January 

Increase in allowance recognised in consolidated income statement

Amounts written-off or recovered

Currency movements

At 31 December

2021

2020

29

11

(7)

(4)

29

28

10

(6)

(3)

29

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021201

2021

823

56

71

60

419

15

1,444

2020

549

100

55

56

343

13

1,116

Restructuring 
costs

Employee related 
provisions

Environmental 
restoration

Other

Total

32

2

—

(7)

(18)

—

9

9

—

29

6

—

—

(5)

—

30

5

25

4

—

—

—

—

—

4

—

4

25

13

1

(3)

(12)

1

25

19

6

90

21

1

(10)

(35)

1

68

33

35

18 Trade and other payables

€ million

Trade payables

Capital expenditure payables

Tax and social security

Other payables

Accruals

Deferred income

Total trade and other payables

19 Provisions

€ million

At 1 January 2021

Charged to consolidated income statement

Unwinding of discount

Released to consolidated income statement

Amounts applied

Currency movements

At 31 December 2021

Current

Non-current

The provisions for restructuring costs relate primarily to restructuring and closure costs recognised as a special item (see note 3) and 
are expected to be settled over the next year. Restructuring provisions include severance costs, when management has made a formal 
decision to eliminate certain positions and this has been communicated to the groups of employees affected, and other related costs that 
are typically expected to be incurred in the course of a restructuring programme. 

Employee related provisions comprise provisions for jubilee awards and other short-term benefits. Given the nature of jubilee provisions, 
the amounts are likely to be settled over many years. 

The Group provides for the costs of environmental remediation that have been identified at the time of plant closure, as part of acquisition 
due diligence or in other circumstances where remediation by the Group is required and a probable outflow of economic resources 
is identified. Judgement and experience is used by management in determining the expected timing, closure and decommissioning 
methods, which can vary over time and between locations in response to the relevant legal requirements in each territory or the impact of 
applying new technologies. As of 31 December 2021, such provisions totalled €4 million (2020: €4 million).

The Group does not provide for any potential future environmental remediation or asset retirement obligations in respect of plants that the 
Group continues to own and operate into the foreseeable future based on the existing strategy of the Group, unless a legal or constructive 
obligation exists at the reporting date. 

Provisions may be identified at a future date if a change in strategy results in planned plant closure or disposal and the Group identifies the 
need for future environmental remediation subject to the existence of a legal or constructive obligation.

Other provisions are mainly attributable to potential claims against the Group and onerous contracts, none of which are individually 
significant. The Group expects to settle the majority of the provisions over the next year.

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.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements202

20 Capital management
The Group defines its capital employed as equity, as presented in the 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 26c)

Capital employed (see page 245)

Trailing 12-month average capital employed (see page 245)

2021

4,498

391

4,889

1,763

6,652

6,349

2020

4,002

380

4,382

1,791

6,173

6,075

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. 

The principal loan arrangements in place are the following:

€ million

Financing facilities

Syndicated Revolving Credit Facility

Syndicated Revolving Credit Facility

€500 million Eurobond

€600 million Eurobond

€750 million Eurobond

European Investment Bank Facility

Long Term Facility Agreement

Other

Total committed facilities

Drawn

Total committed facilities available

Maturity

Interest rate %

2021

2020

July 2022

June 2026

April 2024

April 2026

April 2028

June 2025

December 2026

Various

EURIBOR/LIBOR + margin

EURIBOR + margin

1.500%

1.625%

2.375%

EURIBOR + margin

EURIBOR + margin

Various

—

750

500

600

750

33

70

57

750

—

500

600

750

43

70

59

2,760

(1,957)

803

2,772

(1,903)

869

The effective interest rate was 4.6% (2020: 4.5%) based on trailing 12-month average net debt of €1,875 million (2020: €2,012 million).

On 3 June 2021, the Group entered into a new €750 million 5-year revolving multi currency credit facility agreement (RCF) to refinance 
the existing €750 million facility that was due to mature in July 2022. It includes options to extend the RCF by one or two years with each 
bank’s approval. The new RCF has no financial covenant and the facility was not drawn at 31 December 2021. The RCF incorporates key 
sustainability targets linked to MAP2030 (Mondi’s Action Plan to meet its ambitious 2030 sustainability goals), classifying the facility as a 
Sustainability Linked Loan. Under the terms of the agreement, the margin will be adjusted according to the Group’s performance against 
specified sustainability targets.

Short-term liquidity needs are met from cash and the RCF. As at 31 December 2021, the Group had no financial covenants in any of its 
financing facilities.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021203

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:

Pre-tax weighted average cost of capital (%)

Gearing (%) (see page 247)

Net debt to underlying EBITDA (times) (see page 246)

Return on capital employed (%) (see page 246)

2021

10.0

26.5

1.2

16.9

2020

10.0

29.0

1.3

15.2

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.

21 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

Committed facilities drawn

Uncommitted facilities drawn

2021

2020

Current

Non-current

Total

Current

Non-current

Total

2

20

22

—

77

25

102

124

1

184

185

1,840

79

—

1,919

2,104

3

204

207

1,840

156

25

2,021

2,228

1,957

271

2

18

20

—

86

22

108

128

3

169

172

1,838

39

1

1,878

2,050

5

187

192

1,838

125

23

1,986

2,178

1,903

275

The Group’s borrowings as at 31 December are analysed by nature and underlying currency as follows:

2021/€ million

Euro

Pounds sterling

South African rand

Turkish lira

US dollar

Russian rouble

Other currencies

Carrying value

Fair value

Floating rate 
borrowings

Fixed rate 
borrowings

Total carrying 
value

125

1,904

2,029

Fair value

2,154

—

15

25

—

—

4

169

169

4

23

16

9

82

21

2,059

2,184

4

38

41

9

82

25

2,228

4

38

41

9

82

25

2,353

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
204

21 Borrowings continued

2020/€ million

Euro

Pounds sterling

South African rand

Turkish lira

US dollar

Russian rouble

Other currencies

Carrying value

Fair value

Floating rate 
borrowings

Fixed rate 
borrowings

Total carrying 
value

61

—

33

23

—

1

6

124

124

1,905

1,966

1

23

24

11

69

21

2,054

2,237

1

56

47

11

70

27

2,178

Fair value

2,149

1

56

47

11

70

27

2,361

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.

The maturity analysis of the Group’s borrowings, presented net of interest, is as follows:

< 1 year

1–2 years

2–5 years

> 5 years

2021/€ 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

2020/€ million

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

—

79

20

25

124

51

175

—

25

16

—

41

46

87

1,096

55

33

—

1,184

111

1,295

< 1 year

1–2 years

2–5 years

—

88

18

22

128

51

179

—

10

13

1

24

45

69

498

32

30

—

560

120

680

744

—

135

—

879

221

1,100

> 5 years

1,340

—

126

—

Total1

1,840

159

204

25

2,228

429

2,657

Total1

1,838

130

187

23

1,466

2,178

212

1,678

428

2,606

Note:
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 debt into other currencies through the foreign exchange market as disclosed in note 29.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021205

22 Share capital and other reserves
Mondi plc is not restricted in the number of shares that can be issued. Any issue of shares is subject to shareholder approval. Mondi plc 
ordinary shares issued on the London Stock Exchange and Johannesburg Stock Exchange have a nominal value of €0.20. All ordinary 
shares are called up, allotted and fully paid.

2021 & 2020

Mondi plc €0.20 ordinary shares issued

Number of 
shares

Share capital 
in € million

485,553,780

97

Own shares
Own shares represent the cost of shares in Mondi plc purchased in the market to satisfy share awards under the Group’s employee share 
schemes (see note 23). These costs are reflected in the consolidated statement of changes in equity.

at 31 December

Mondi Incentive Schemes Trust

Mondi Employee Share Trust

Own shares held

2021

2020

Number of 
shares held

Average price 
per share

Number of 
shares held

Average price 
per share

186,760

ZAR214.13

211,424

ZAR217.29

426,230

GBP16.87

435,882

GBP16.02

Dividend waivers are in place in respect of the shares held by the Mondi Incentive Schemes Trust and the Mondi Employee Share Trust.

Other reserves

€ million

At 1 January 2020

Other comprehensive (expense)/income 
for the year

Mondi share schemes’ charge

Issue of shares under employee share schemes

Retirement benefit plan settlement transferred to 
retained earnings

Cumulative 
translation 
adjustment 
reserve

Post-
retirement 
benefits 
reserve

(680)

(52)

(358)

—

—

—

(5)

—

—

6

At 31 December 2020

(1,038)

(51)

Other comprehensive income/(expense) 
for the year

Mondi share schemes’ charge (see note 23)

Issue of shares under employee share schemes

Other

At 31 December 2021

31

—

—

—

8

—

—

—

(1,007)

(43)

Share-based 
payment 
reserve

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve

Merger 
reserve

667

Other 
sundry 
reserves

29

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

667

29

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(2)

27

(4)

4

—

—

—

—

(1)

—

—

—

(1)

667

Total

(20)

(359)

8

(12)

6

(377)

38

9

(9)

(2)

(341)

20

—

8

(12)

—

16

—

9

(9)

—

16

Cumulative translation adjustment reserve
Exchange differences arising on the translation of the Group’s overseas operations into the presentation currency of the Group are 
recognised in other comprehensive income, as described in note 33, and accumulated in the cumulative translation adjustment reserve. 
The cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss only on disposal or partial disposal of the overseas operation.

Post-retirement benefits reserve
Actuarial gains and losses and the return on plan assets arising from the Group’s defined benefit pension and post-retirement medical 
plans are recognised in other comprehensive income, as described in note 33, and accumulated in the post-retirement benefits reserve. 
Remeasurements recorded in other comprehensive income are not recycled to the consolidated income statement, but those amounts 
recognised in other comprehensive income may be transferred to retained earnings within equity.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements206

22 Share capital and other reserves continued

Share-based payment reserve
The share-based payment reserve is used to recognise the grant date fair value of options issued to employees but not exercised and the 
grant date fair value of shares awarded to employees but not yet vested, as described in note 33.

Cash flow hedge reserve
The cash flow hedge reserve is used to recognise the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that 
are designated as hedges of future cash flows, as described in note 33. 

Merger reserve
The merger reserve was recognised in respect of the Simplification of the dual listed company structure in 2019 and the demerger from 
Anglo American plc in 2007. 

Other sundry reserves
The other sundry reserves comprise various other reserves, which individually are not material and are typically not subject to 
material changes.

23 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:

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

Date of grant

Vesting period (years)

Expected leavers p.a. (%)

Grant date fair value per instrument (GBP)

ROCE component

TSR component2

Grant date fair value per instrument (ZAR) 

ROCE component

TSR component2

Number of shares conditionally awarded

BSP 2021

BSP 2020

BSP 2019

12 March 2021

26 March 2020

29 March 2019

3

5

18.46

383.47

234,516

3

5

13.87

279.76

205,633

3

5

16.98

318.78

365,679

LTIP 2021

LTIP 20201

LTIP 2019

12 March 2021

26 March 2020

29 March 2019

3

5

18.46

4.62

383.47

95.87

506,519

3

5

14.42

3.60

279.76

69.94

534,276

3

5

16.98

4.25

318.78

79.70

465,710

Notes:
1  All participants, except the Group CEO and Group CFO, were granted an award on 26 March 2020. The Group CEO was granted an award on 11 May 2020 after the remuneration policy approval 
at the Mondi plc AGM. The Group CFO was granted a LTIP 2020 and a LTIP 2019 award on 2 December 2020. The weighted average grant date fair value is reflected in the table. All performance 
requirements are identical for all 2020 LTIP awards

2  The base fair value has been adjusted for contractually-determined market-based performance conditions

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021207

All of these scheme awards, subsequent to the 2019 scheme awards, will be settled at the end of the vesting cycle in either the award of 
ordinary shares in Mondi plc or the award of nil-cost options to ordinary shares in Mondi plc. The 2019 scheme awards are settled by the 
award of ordinary shares in 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 plc – Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Mondi plc – London Stock Exchange

A reconciliation of share award movements for the Mondi share schemes is shown below:

number of shares

At 1 January 2020

Shares conditionally awarded

Shares vested

Shares lapsed

At 31 December 2020

Shares conditionally awarded

Shares vested

Shares lapsed

At 31 December 2021

2021

2020

4

5

9

5

3

8

2021

2020

ZAR377.46

ZAR327.60

GBP17.97

GBP16.02

BSP

725,808

205,633

(282,852)

(17,516)

631,073

234,516

(223,228)

(20,827)

LTIP

1,264,993

534,276

(426,421)

(160,264)

1,212,584

506,519

(157,767)

(233,729)

621,534

1,327,607

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements208

24 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 €14 million (2020: €12 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 2022 are €14 million.

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.

Except for the actuarial risks set out below, the Group has not identified any additional specific risks in respect of these plans.

Defined benefit plans typically expose the Group to the following actuarial risks:

Investment risk (Asset volatility)

Interest risk

Longevity risk

Salary 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. 

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.

Medical cost inflation risk

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.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021209

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

South 
Africa

10.3

6.2

7.2

—

7.7

2021

Europe

1.3

2.5

2.6

2.8

—

Other 
regions

10.2

6.7

8.1

2.3

—

South 
Africa

9.1

5.2

6.2

—

6.7

2020

Europe

Other 
regions

0.8

2.1

2.7

2.7

—

8.0

5.9

6.6

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

2021

Europe

2020

Other 
regions

South 
Africa

Europe

Other 
regions

13.6-23.2

15.3-20.7

17.5-25.5

17.7-25.3

13.6-25.5

15.3-20.0

17.5-27.8

17.7-25.3

16.3

20.3

21.9

26.0

14.1-23.2

15.3-20.4

17.9-25.4

17.7-23.1

14.1-25.5

15.3-20.0

17.9-27.8

17.7-25.3

South 
Africa

16.3

20.4

22.0

26.1

The mortality assumptions have been based on published mortality tables in the relevant jurisdictions.

The amounts recognised in the 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

Plan liabilities net of plan assets

Amounts reported in 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

South 
Africa

(37)

—

(37)

—

(37)

—

—

—

(37)

(37)

2021

Europe

(115)

(128)

(243)

131

(112)

26

26

(138)

—

(138)

Other 
regions

(22)

—

(22)

—

(22)

—

—

(22)

—

(22)

South 
Africa

(38)

—

(38)

—

(38)

—

—

—

(38)

(38)

2020

Europe

(129)

(138)

(267)

133

(134)

21

21

(155)

—

(155)

Other 
regions

(20)

(2)

(22)

—

(22)

—

—

(22)

—

(22)

Total

(174)

(128)

(302)

131

(171)

26

26

(160)

(37)

(197)

Total

(187)

(140)

(327)

133

(194)

21

21

(177)

(38)

(215)

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
210

24 Retirement benefits continued

The changes in the present value of defined benefit liabilities and fair value of plan assets are as follows: 

€ million

At 1 January

Included in consolidated income statement

Current service cost

Past service cost

Gain from settlement

Interest

Included in consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Remeasurement gains/(losses)

Return on plan assets

Acquired through business combinations (see note 25)

Contributions paid by employer

Benefits paid

Currency movements

At 31 December

Defined benefit liabilities

Fair value of plan assets

Net liability

2021

(327)

2020

(338)

2021

133

2020

130

2021

(194)

2020

(208)

(5)

3

—

(7)

17

—

(2)

—

25

(6)

(5)

—

1

(8)

(13)

—

—

—

20

16

(302)

(327)

—

—

—

2

—

(5)

—

4

(12)

9

131

—

—

—

2

—

11

—

2

(6)

(6)

(5)

3

—

(5)

17

(5)

(2)

4

13

3

(5)

—

1

(6)

(13)

11

—

2

14

10

133

(171)

(194)

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

2021

2020

Defined benefit 
pension plans

Post-retirement 
medical plans

10

10

28

205

4

4

12

102

Total

14

14

40

307

Defined benefit 
pension plans

Post-retirement 
medical plans

12

10

29

202

4

4

12

98

Total

16

14

41

300

The weighted average duration of the defined retirement benefits liability for South Africa is 8 years (2020: 9 years), Europe 13 years 
(2020: 13 years) and other regions 13 years (2020: 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 2022 are €15 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

2021

2020

Quoted

Unquoted

Total

Quoted

Unquoted

Total

—

—

—

1

—

1

2

69

23

—

36

2

69

23

1

36

130

131

—

—

—

1

—

1

4

73

25

—

30

4

73

25

1

30

132

133

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021211

The majority of the Group’s plan assets are located in the UK and the asset-liability matching/investing strategy in the UK is that the 
trustees invest in diverse portfolios of pooled funds and insured annuities. 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 value of equity, bonds and insurance contracts are determined in accordance with IAS 19.

The actual return on plan assets in respect of defined benefit plans was a loss of €3 million (2020: gain of €13 million).

The market value of assets is used to determine the funding level of the plans and is sufficient to cover 102% (2020: 95%) 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 2021, 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.

The sensitivity table is based on an illustrative 1% change, however the estimates may vary by greater amounts. Therefore the Group 
considers the retirement benefit obligations a key estimate.

€ million

Discount rate

(Decrease)/increase in current service cost

(Decrease)/increase in net retirement benefits liability

Rate of inflation

Increase in current service cost

Increase/(decrease) in net retirement benefits liability

Rate of increase in salaries

Increase 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

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

1% increase

1% decrease

1

39

—

(24)

(1)

(10)

(1)

(13)

—

(3)

(1)

(33)

—

27

—

10

(1)

14

1

3

1 year increase

—

11

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements212

25 Business combinations
To 31 December 2021 
On 31 May 2021, Mondi acquired 90.38% of the outstanding shares in Olmuksan International Paper Ambalaj Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş 
(Olmuksan) for a total consideration of €66 million, which implies an enterprise value of €88 million on a 100% basis. Olmuksan is a leading 
and well-established corrugated packaging producer in Turkey, listed on the Istanbul stock exchange. Its network of five plants provides a 
diverse customer base with high-quality sustainable packaging for food, beverage, agriculture and industrial applications. On 26 July 2021, 
Mondi completed a mandatory tender offer to acquire an additional 1.62% of the outstanding shares for a total consideration of €3 million 
resulting in a total ownership interest in Olmuksan of 92.00%.

Property, plant and equipment has been measured at fair value using relevant valuation methods accepted under IFRS 13, with related 
deferred tax adjustments. The fair value uplift on intangible assets arises from long lasting customer relationships.

Olmuksan’s revenue for the year ended 31 December 2021 was €216 million with a profit after tax of €18 million. Olmuksan’s revenue of 
€132 million and profit after tax of €10 million since the date of acquisition have been included in the consolidated income statement.

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

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Trade and other payables

Income tax liabilities

Other current liabilities

Net retirement benefits liability

Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

Total liabilities (excluding debt)

Short-term borrowings

Medium and long-term borrowings

Debt assumed

Net assets acquired

Non-controlling interests in equity

Cash acquired net of overdrafts

Net cash paid per consolidated statement of cash flows

Book value

Revaluation

Fair value

24

—

27

62

3

116

(54)

(1)

(4)

(2)

3

(58)

(16)

(1)

(17)

41

33

6

—

—

—

39

—

—

—

—

(7)

(7)

—

—

—

32

57

6

27

62

3

155

(54)

(1)

(4)

(2)

(4)

(65)

(16)

(1)

(17)

73

(7)

(3)

63

Transaction costs of €4 million were charged to other net operating expenses into the consolidated income statement.

The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations are level 3 measures in terms of the fair value 
measurement hierarchy. Management has considered the impact of environmental and climate risks on Olmuksan’s customers and the 
estimated fair values of property, plant and equipment. These considerations did not have a material impact.

The fair value accounting of this acquisition is provisional pending final determination of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired. 
In particular, the fair values of the assets and liabilities disclosed above have only been determined provisionally, because the independent 
valuations have not been finalised. If necessary, any adjustments to the fair values recognised will be made within 12 months of the 
acquisition date.

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 as presented.

To 31 December 2020
There were no business combinations during the year ended 31 December 2020.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 202126 Consolidated cash flow analysis 

(a) Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations

€ million

Profit before tax

Depreciation and amortisation

Share-based payments

Net cash flow effect of current and prior year special items

Net finance costs

Net (profit)/loss from joint ventures

(Decrease)/increase in provisions

Decrease in net retirement benefits

Net movement in working capital

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

(Increase)/decrease in operating receivables

Increase in operating payables

Fair value losses/(gains) on forestry assets

Felling costs

Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Other adjustments

Cash generated from operations

(b) Cash and cash equivalents

€ million

Cash and cash equivalents per consolidated statement of financial position

Bank overdrafts included in short-term borrowings

Cash and cash equivalents per consolidated statement of cash flows

213

2021

983

439

9

(22)

94

(6)

(7)

(15)

(205)

(238)

(334)

367

7

62

1

(1)

2020

770

428

8

29

95

3

3

(12)

125

68

8

49

(27)

59

(2)

6

1,339

1,485

2021

473

(18)

455

2020

382

(34)

348

The cash and cash equivalents of €473 million (2020: €382 million) include money market funds of €340 million (2020: €136 million) 
valued at fair value through profit and loss, with the remaining balance carried at amortised cost.

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents carried at amortised cost approximate their carrying values presented.

The Group operates in certain countries where the existence of exchange controls may restrict the use of certain cash balances outside of 
those countries. These restrictions are not expected to have any material effect on the Group’s ability to meet its ongoing obligations.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements214

26 Consolidated cash flow analysis continued 

(c) Movement in net debt
The Group’s net debt position is as follows:

€ million

At 1 January 2020

Cash flow

Additions to lease liabilities

Disposal of lease liabilities

Movement in unamortised loan 
costs

Net movement in fair value of 
derivative financial instruments

Reclassification

Currency movements

At 31 December 2020

Cash flow

Additions to lease liabilities

Disposal of lease liabilities

Acquired through business 
combinations (see note 25)2

Movement in unamortised loan 
costs

Net movement in fair value of 
derivative financial instruments

Reclassification

Currency movements

At 31 December 2021

Cash and  
cash  
equivalents

Current 
financial asset 
investments

(7)

375

—

—

—

—

—

(20)

348

108

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1)

455

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1

Total assets

(6)

375

—

—

—

—

—

(20)

349

108

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1)

456

Debt due 
within one
year1

(699)

660

(5)

1

—

—

(71)

20

(94)

27

(9)

1

(16)

—

—

(39)

24

Debt due  
after one  
year

(1,496)

(658)

(17)

2

(2)

—

71

50

(2,050)

(59)

(26)

1

(1)

(2)

—

39

(6)

(106)

(2,104)

Debt-related 
derivative 
financial 
instruments

(6)

59

—

—

—

(49)

—

—

4

12

—

—

—

—

(25)

—

—

(9)

Total debt

Total net  
debt

(2,201)

(2,207)

61

(22)

3

(2)

(49)

—

70

436

(22)

3

(2)

(49)

—

50

(2,140)

(1,791)

(20)

(35)

2

(17)

(2)

(25)

—

18

88

(35)

2

(17)

(2)

(25)

—

17

(2,219)

(1,763)

Notes:
1  Excludes bank overdrafts of €18 million as at 31 December 2021 (31 December 2020: €34 million, 1 January 2020: €81 million) which are included in cash and cash equivalents (see note 26b)
2  Cash acquired net of overdrafts through business combinations included in ‘Cash flow’ is €3 million (2020: €nil) (see note 25)

The Group expensed interest of €93 million relating to its bank overdrafts, loans and lease liabilities (2020: €95 million) and paid interest of 
€78 million (2020: €82 million).

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021(d) Cash flow generation

€ million

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Investment in property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents

Investment in joint ventures

Dividends paid to shareholders

Net (proceeds)/repayment of borrowings

Proceeds from Eurobonds

Repayment of Eurobonds

Proceeds from other medium and long-term borrowings

Repayment of other medium and long-term borrowings

Net repayment of short-term borrowings

Repayment of lease liabilities

215

2021

108

573

63

1

298

(32)

—

—

(59)

—

4

23

2020

375

630

—

—

237

2

(744)

500

—

86

136

24

Cash flow generation

1,011

1,244

27 Capital commitments
Capital expenditure contracted for at the end of the reporting period but not recognised as liabilities is as follows:

€ million

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Total capital commitments

2021

2

353

355

2020

3

288

291

28 Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities comprise aggregate amounts as at 31 December 2021 of €8 million (2020: €3 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 consolidated 
statement of financial position for either year presented.

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 fully, or partly, insured 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.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements216

29 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 Board 
and are overseen by the Executive Committee. In turn, the 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

2021/€ million

Financial assets

Trade and other receivables2

Financial asset investments

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

2020/€ million

Financial assets

Trade and other receivables2

Financial asset investments

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents3

Total

Fair value
hierarchy1

At amortised 
cost

At fair value 
through profit 
or loss

At fair value 
through OCI

Level 2

Level 2

Level 1

1,168

14

—

133

1,315

—

19

4

340

363

—

—

—

—

—

Fair value
hierarchy1

At amortised 
cost

At fair value 
through profit 
or loss

At fair value 
through OCI

Level 2

Level 2

Level 1

864

13

—

246

1,123

—

19

9

136

164

—

—

1

—

1

Total

1,168

33

4

473

1,678

Total

864

32

10

382

1,288

Notes:
1  Fair value hierarchy level is disclosed for assets measured at fair value
2  Excludes tax, social security and prepayments
3  The comparative period has been re-presented to reflect money market funds included as cash equivalents, with €136 million reclassified from held at amortised cost to held at fair value through 

profit or loss at 31 December 2020 (1 January 2020: €nil). The money market funds were classified as level 1 as the units in the fund are actively traded with their net asset value being published on the 
website of the funds on a daily basis which is the most reliable evidence of fair value

The fair values of financial assets investments represent the published prices of the securities concerned.

2021/€ million

Financial liabilities

Borrowings – bonds

Borrowings – loans and overdrafts

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables2

Derivative financial instruments

Total

Notes:
1  Fair value hierarchy level is disclosed for liabilities measured at fair value
2  Excludes tax, social security and deferred income

Fair value
hierarchy1

At amortised 
cost

At fair value 
through profit 
or loss

At fair value 
through OCI

(1,840)

(184)

(204)

(1,358)

—

(3,586)

—

—

—

—

(17)

(17)

—

—

—

—

(1)

(1)

Level 2

Total

(1,840)

(184)

(204)

(1,358)

(18)

(3,604)

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021217

2020/€ million

Financial liabilities

Borrowings – bonds

Borrowings – loans and overdrafts

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables2

Derivative financial instruments

Other non-current liabilities

Total

Notes:
1  Fair value hierarchy level is disclosed for liabilities measured at fair value
2  Excludes tax, social security and deferred income

Fair value
hierarchy1

At amortised 
cost

At fair value 
through profit 
or loss

At fair value 
through OCI

(1,838)

(153)

(187)

(1,048)

—

(17)

(3,243)

—

—

—

—

(6)

—

(6)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Level 2

Total

(1,838)

(153)

(187)

(1,048)

(6)

(17)

(3,249)

(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 consolidated financial 
statements approximate their fair values.

€ million

Financial liabilities

Borrowings

Carrying amount

2021

2020

Fair value

2021

2020

2,228

2,178

2,353

2,361

The fair values of the Eurobonds represent level 1 fair values and are estimated with reference to the last price quoted in the secondary 
market. The fair values of all other borrowings represent level 3 fair values and 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.

(c) Financial risk management
Market risk
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.

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 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements218

29 Financial instruments continued

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

Net monetary foreign currency exposures – assets/(liabilities)1

2021

EUR

Other

2020

EUR

—

12

11

(13)

(1)

5

(1)

(46)

(6)

2

—

—

(4)

(1)

(4)

5

—

(8)

(4)

25

(12)

5

(11)

(31)

Other

(29)

1

—

1

—

—

(1)

14

Notes:
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

Functional to foreign currency net monetary exposure sensitivity
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 consolidated income statement if these currency movements had occurred.

€ million

Functional currency zones

Polish zloty

Turkish lira

Russian rouble

Other

Income/(expense)

2021

+5%

(1)

—

—

(1)

-5%

1

—

—

1

2020

+5%

1

(1)

(1)

(1)

-5%

(1)

1

1

1

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 €nil (2020: €nil). 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.

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 20).

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.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021219

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 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

2021

2020

EUR

2,029

(1,838)

(66)

(357)

(232)

Other

199

(17)

(138)

(116)

(72)

Total

2,228

EUR

1,966

(1,855)

(1,836)

(204)

(473)

(304)

(69)

(265)

(204)

Other

212

(31)

(118)

(117)

(54)

Total

2,178

(1,867)

(187)

(382)

(258)

Included in other is net variable exposure to various currencies, the most significant of which are Turkish lira and Russian rouble (2020: 
South African rand and Russian rouble).

The potential impact on the Group’s consolidated equity resulting from the application of a 50 basis points increase to the variable interest 
rate exposure would be a profit of €2 million and vice versa for a 50 basis point reduction.

In addition to the above, the Group swaps euro and sometimes 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

Short-dated contracts with tenures of less than 12 months

Pound sterling

Czech koruna

Polish zloty

Russian rouble

Swedish krona

US dollar

South African rand

Other

Total swapped against the euro

2021

2020

13

266

202

(37)

64

117

154

187

966

15

256

301

(7)

59

109

76

169

978

Credit risk
The Group’s principal credit risk is 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 17. Additionally, the Group has credit risk on the investment of cash with certain financial institutions. The Group treasury 
manages the risk on these investments within approved credit limits.

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.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements220

29 Financial instruments continued

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

One to two years

Two to five years

Above five years

Total committed facilities available (see note 20)

2021

2020

47

6

750

—

803

119

690

46

14

869

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 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 2021, the Group recognised total derivative assets of €4 million (2020: €10 million) and derivative liabilities of €18 million 
(2020: €6 million). The net liability of €14 million (2020: net asset of €4 million) will mature within one year.

The notional amount of €1,619 million (2020: €1,783 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 €1,619 million (2020: €1,783 million) aggregate notional amount, 
€1,608 million (2020: €1,774 million) primarily 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 consolidated statement of financial position. The amount subject to an enforceable master netting 
arrangement or similar agreement that is not netted off is €3 million (2020: €5 million).

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 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.

The Group designates both the spot and forward element of forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge its currency risk and applies 
a hedge ratio of 1:1. The Group determines the existence of an economic relationship between the hedging instrument and hedged item 
based on the currency, amount and timing of their respective cash flows. The Group’s policy is for critical terms of the forward exchange 
contracts to align with the hedged items and uses the same method to determine hedge ineffectiveness.

Fair value gains of €2 million (2020: losses of €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 consolidated income statement arising on cash flow hedges for 
both years presented.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021221

30 Related party transactions

The Group and its subsidiaries, in the ordinary course of business, enter into various sale, purchase and service transactions with 
associated undertakings in which the Group has a material interest. The related party transactions entered into by the Group have been 
contracted on an arms-length basis. These transactions, in total, are not considered to be significant.

Transactions between Mondi plc and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, and transactions between its subsidiaries have been 
eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.

€ million

Sales to related parties

Purchases from related parties

Trade and other receivables from related parties

Trade and other payables due to related parties

Loans receivable from related parties

Joint ventures

2021

6

238

2

50

9

2020

8

184

—

39

8

Compensation for the Board 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 plc. The Board and those members of the Group 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

2021

8.3

1.2

0.6

0.8

4.3

15.2

2020

6.5

1.0

0.6

0.6

3.5

12.2

Details of the transactions between the Group and its pension and post-retirement medical plans are disclosed in note 24.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements222

31 Group companies
Composition of the Group
The subsidiaries of the Group as at 31 December 2021 are set out in note 11 of the Mondi plc parent company financial statements. All of 
these interests are consolidated within the Group’s financial statements. 

The Group has no material joint ventures or associates.

Refer to Mondi’s global footprint on pages 8-9 of the overview to the Integrated report for more information on the places of operation.

A list of subsidiaries taking advantage of an exemption from audit under section 479A of the Companies Act 2006 is disclosed in note 9 of 
the Mondi plc parent company financial statements.

Details of non-wholly-owned subsidiaries

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Mondi SCP, a.s. and its subsidiaries

Individually immaterial subsidiaries with 
non-controlling interests

Total

Proportion of ownership interests 
and voting rights held by 
non-controlling interests (%)

2021

49

2020

49

Profit attributable to 
non-controlling interests

Equity attributable to 
non-controlling interests

2021

(1)

18

17

2020

7

13

20

2021

306

85

391

2020

307

73

380

Summarised financial information of the Group’s material non-controlling interest is as follows:

Mondi SCP, a.s. and its subsidiaries

€ 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)

(Loss)/profit for the year

Attributable to owners of the company

Attributable to non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the year

Statement of cash flows

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net cash inflow/(outflow)

2021

2020

788

276

(264)

(167)

633

327

306

874

(877)

(3)

(2)

(1)

(3)

86

(79)

34

41

777

184

(201)

(125)

635

328

307

672

(657)

15

8

7

15

82

(158)

22

(54)

The summarised financial information represents amounts before intra-group eliminations. The subsidiary’s registered office as set out in 
note 11 of the Mondi plc parent company financial statements is also its principal place of business.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
223

32 Events occurring after 31 December 2021
Aside from the final dividend proposed for 2021 (see note 9), there have been the following material reportable events since 
31 December 2021:

 — On 16 February 2022, the Group agreed to sell its Personal Care Components business (PCC) to Nitto Denko Corporation for an 

enterprise value of €615 million (the Transaction), which is also the approximate cash consideration payable to Mondi at completion. 
By simplifying its portfolio, the sale will enable the Group to focus on its core packaging and paper businesses and enhance its ability to 
pursue the Group’s strategic priority to grow in sustainable packaging. 
PCC, part of the Group’s Engineered Materials business unit, manufactures a range of components for personal and home care 
products needed in everyday life such as diapers, feminine care, adult incontinence and wipes. For the financial year ended 31 December 
2021, PCC generated an underlying EBITDA of €27 million and as at 31 December 2021, its gross assets were €444 million, including an 
appropriate allocation of part of the goodwill that is currently recorded in the Engineered Materials business unit. 
Prior to the disposal agreement being reached, the Group assessed, based on the criteria in IFRS 5, Non-current Assets Held for Sale 
and Discontinued Operations, whether the relevant assets and liabilities (the disposal group) were required to be classified as held for 
sale as at 31 December 2021. For this to be the case, the disposal group must have been, at that date, available for immediate sale and 
the sale must have been highly probable. Management has applied judgement in assessing whether the sale was highly probable at 
the balance sheet date. Taking into account that discussions at that time with potential buyers were in their early stages, a number of 
stakeholder matters had to be resolved, the perimeter of the Transaction was uncertain and that it was not considered highly probable 
that any sale would proceed as at 31 December 2021, management concluded that the held for sale classification criteria were not met 
as at 31 December 2021. 
The Transaction remains subject to competition clearance and other customary closing conditions, with completion expected in the 
second half of 2022. A profit on disposal is expected to arise on completion.

 — We have significant operations in Russia, representing around 12% of the Group’s revenue by location of production in 2021, including 

our high-margin, cost-competitive, integrated pulp, packaging paper and uncoated fine paper mill located in Syktyvkar (Komi Republic). 
Over the last three years our Russian operations have generated around 20% of the Group’s underlying EBITDA. Our businesses 
primarily serve the domestic market. In Ukraine Mondi has one paper bag plant located in Lviv, west of the country, employing 
approximately 100 people. We are actively monitoring this rapidly evolving situation, the international response and the implications for 
the Group.

33 Accounting policies
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, equity and cash flows of Mondi plc and its 
subsidiaries (the Group), and the Group’s share of associates and joint ventures 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 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 
consolidated income statement and are classified as either operating or financing consistent with the nature of the monetary item giving 
rise to them.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements224

33 Accounting policies continued

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 or loss only on disposal or partial 
disposal of the overseas operation.

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 
consolidated financial statements, are based on the following fair value measurement hierarchy:

 — level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 — 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

 — 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 as set out in note 25.

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.

Specific valuation methodologies used to value financial instruments include:

 — the fair values of foreign exchange contracts are calculated as the present value of expected future cash flows based on observable 

yield curves and exchange rates;

 — 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

 — 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 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 four distinct segments.

Measurement of operating segment revenues, profit or 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), as defined on pages 243-247, by segment to supplement the user’s understanding. All intra-group transactions 
are conducted on an arm’s length basis.

Revenue from contracts with customers (note 2)
Sale of goods
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.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021225

Transport revenue
Transport revenue is considered distinct when the Group provides transport services after the point in time when control of goods has 
passed to the customer. Such revenue is recognised over time. 

Other income
Sale of green energy and CO2e credits (note 16)
Income generated from the sale of green energy and CO2e credits issued under international trading schemes are accounted for as 
government grants and are measured at the consideration received in exchange for transferring such credits. The income is recorded 
within other net operating expenses in the 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.

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 subject 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. Current tax is presented as a 
special item if the corresponding taxable income/expense is accounted for as a special item. 

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 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 is presented as a special item if the corresponding temporary 
difference arises from a special item.

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. 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.

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 consolidated income statement, except to the extent 
that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognised in other 
comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

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.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements226

33 Accounting policies continued

Earnings per share (EPS) (note 8)
Basic EPS
The basic EPS is calculated by dividing net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of Mondi plc 
shares in issue during the year, net of own shares.

Diluted EPS
For diluted EPS, the weighted average number of Mondi plc ordinary shares in issue, net of own 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.

Non-current non-financial assets excluding goodwill, deferred tax and net retirement benefit assets
Property, plant and equipment (note 10)
Property, plant and equipment principally comprise land and buildings, plant and equipment and assets under construction.

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Land and assets under 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 recognised 
immediately as an expense.

Depreciation is charged to the consolidated income statement so as to write off the cost of assets, other than freehold land and assets 
under construction, over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis to their estimated residual values, of nil or scrap value. 

Residual values and useful lives are reviewed at least annually. Depreciation commences when the assets are ready for their intended 
use. An adjustment is made to the estimated useful lives of assets where climate change is anticipated to have a material impact. 
Estimated useful lives range from 3 years to 25 years for items of plant and equipment and other categories and to a maximum of 40 years 
for buildings.

Leases (note 11)
To the extent that a right-of-control exists over an asset subject to a lease, a right-of-use asset, representing the Group’s right to use 
the underlying leased asset, is recognised within property, plant and equipment in the consolidated statement of financial position. 
A corresponding lease liability, representing the Group’s obligation to make lease payments, is recognised, depending on the maturity 
of the underlying lease payments, within short-term borrowings or medium and long-term borrowings in the 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 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 implicit interest rate cannot be readily determined, the lessee’s incremental borrowing 
rate is used. Finance charges are recognised within finance costs in the 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 not recognised in the consolidated statement 
of financial position, and are charged to the consolidated income statement when incurred. Low-value assets are determined based on 
quantitative criteria.

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 3 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.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021227

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.

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 (taking into account depreciation or amortisation in the intervening period) had no impairment been 
recognised for the asset, or CGU, in prior years. A reversal of an impairment is recognised in the consolidated income statement.

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 based 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, climate 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 consolidated income statement within other net operating expenses. At point of harvest, the 
carrying value of forestry assets is transferred to inventory and recorded as a felling cost reduction to the fair value of forestry assets.

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.

Investments in joint ventures (note 15)
A joint venture is an entity in which the Group holds a long-term interest with a contractually agreed sharing of control over the strategic, 
financial and operating decisions with one or more other venturers. Typically, the Group owns between 20% and 50% of the voting equity 
of its joint ventures. Investments in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method, after initially being recognised at cost in the 
consolidated statement of financial position.

Business combinations (note 25)
Identifiable net assets
The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are, with limited exceptions, 
measured initially at their fair values on the 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. Any non-controlling interest in the acquiree is recorded 
at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquired net assets.

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 and recognised within other net operating expenses into the consolidated income statement.

Goodwill (note 12)
Any excess of the consideration 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.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements228

33 Accounting policies continued

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 the higher of value-in-use or its fair value less costs of disposal. 
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 Board. Projected revenues and costs are determined taking into consideration relevant 
industry forecasts for individual product lines, climate change, internal management 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 derived from 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 consolidated income statement. Impairments of goodwill are not subsequently reversed.

Current non-financial assets
Inventories (note 16)
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.

Provisions (note 19)
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
Own shares (note 22)
The purchase by any Group entity of Mondi plc’s equity instruments results in the recognition of own shares. The consideration paid or 
payable is deducted from equity. Where own shares are subsequently sold, reissued or otherwise disposed of, any consideration received 
or receivable is included in equity attributable to the shareholders of Mondi plc, net of any directly attributable incremental transaction 
costs and the related tax effects.

Dividend payments (note 9)
The dividend distributions to Mondi plc’s ordinary shareholders are recognised as a liability when the dividends are declared and approved. 
Final dividends are accrued when approved by Mondi plc’s ordinary shareholders at its Annual General Meeting and interim dividends are 
recognised when paid.

Share-based payments (note 23)
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 
consolidated income statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021229

Financial instruments (note 29)
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s 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 
consolidated income statement.

Cash and cash equivalents (note 26b)
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 
consolidated statement of financial position. Cash and cash equivalents presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows are net 
of overdrafts.

Trade receivables (note 17)
Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate 
method, less an allowance for impairment.

Impairment of trade receivables (note 17)
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. 

Trade payables (note 18)
Trade payables are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. 

Borrowings (note 21)
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 
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. 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 consolidated income statement in the period in which they are incurred.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting (note 29d)
The Group enters into forward 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 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 consolidated income statement and are classified within operating profit or net finance costs, depending on the type of 
risk to which the derivative relates.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements230

33 Accounting policies continued

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 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 
consolidated income statement in the same period in which the hedged item affects profit or 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 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 consolidated income statement.

Retirement benefits (note 24)
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 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 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 consolidated income statement within 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 consolidated income statement, but those amounts 
recognised in other comprehensive income may be transferred within equity.

New accounting policies, early adoption and future requirements
Amendments to published Standards effective during 2021
The following amendments to Standards have been adopted for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2021, and have had no significant 
impact on the Group’s results:

 — Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 – Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2

The following amendment is a voluntary practical expedient that was not applied by the Group due to no COVID-19 related rent 
concessions being received:

 — Amendments to IFRS 16 – Leases – Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions beyond 30 June 2021

The IFRS IC agenda decision on configuration and customisation costs in cloud computing arrangements published 2021 had no 
significant impact on the Group’s results.

Amendments to published Standards that are not yet effective 
The following amendments to Standards will be effective for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2022 and are not expected to have a 
significant impact on the Group’s results:

 — Annual improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 cycle

 — Amendments to IAS 16 – Property, Plant and Equipment – Proceeds before Intended Use

 — Amendments to IAS 37 – Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets – Onerous Contracts – Cost of Fulfilling a Contract

 — Amendments to IFRS 3 – Business Combinations – References to the Conceptual Framework

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2021 continuedMondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Mondi plc parent company balance sheet
as at 31 December 2021

231

€ million

Tangible assets

Shares in group undertakings

Total debtors: due within one year

Total assets

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Provisions

Total liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Profit or loss account

Merger reserve

Capital redemption reserve

Share-based payments reserve

Total shareholders’ funds

Notes

5

6

7

8

8

2021

4

3,604

371

3,979

(9)

(4)

(1)

(14)

3,965

97

3,189

637

29

13

2020

—

3,604

4

3,608

(56)

—

(1)

(57)

3,551

97

2,775

637

29

13

3,965

3,551

Mondi plc reported a profit of €710 million (2020: profit of €42 million) for the year ended 31 December 2021. The balance sheet and 
statement of changes in equity of Mondi plc and related notes 1 to 11 were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 2 March 
2022 and were signed on its behalf by:

Andrew King 
Director 

Mike Powell
Director

Mondi plc company registered number: 6209386

Mondi plc parent company statement of changes in equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2021

€ million

At 1 January 2020

Total comprehensive income for the year

Dividends

Issue of shares under employee share 
schemes

Purchases of own shares

Mondi share schemes’ charge

Merger reserve transferred to profit or loss 
account

At 31 December 2020

Total comprehensive income for the year

Dividends

Mondi share schemes’ charge

Issue of shares under employee share 
schemes

Purchases of own shares

At 31 December 2021

Share 
capital

97

—

—

—

—

—

—

97

—

—

—

—

—

Profit or loss 
account

2,846

42

(237)

13

(6)

—

117

2,775

710

(298)

—

9

(7)

Merger 
reserve

754

Capital 
redemption 
reserve

29

—

—

—

—

—

(117)

637

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

29

—

—

—

—

—

97

3,189

637

29

Share-based 
payments reserve

17

—

—

(12)

—

8

—

13

—

—

9

(9)

—

13

Total  
equity

3,743

42

(237)

1

(6)

8

—

3,551

710

(298)

9

—

(7)

3,965

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
232

Notes to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2021

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 and the Companies Act 2006.

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 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 Companies 
Act 2006.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The assessment of going concern is disclosed in the Strategic 
report as part of the viability statement under the heading ‘Going concern’ on page 99 which is incorporated by reference into these 
financial statements.

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 33 to the Group’s consolidated 
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, that 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.

Impairment reviews are performed when there is an indicator that the carrying value of the shares in Group undertakings could exceed 
their recoverable amounts based on their value in use or fair value less costs to dispose. Value in use is calculated by discounting future 
expected cash flows. These calculations use cash flow projections based on Board-approved budgets and forecasts which reflect 
management’s current experience and future expectations of the markets in which the Group undertaking operates.

Costs incremental and directly attributable to the acquisition of investments are capitalised.

Critical accounting judgements and significant accounting 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. No critical accounting judgements or significant accounting estimates were identified.

2 Auditors’ remuneration and employee information
Disclosure of the audit fees payable to the auditors for the audit of Mondi plc’s financial statements is set out in note 4 of the 
Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Mondi plc had 27 employees during the year (2020: 25).

3 Share-based payments
The share schemes and the underlying assumptions used to estimate the associated fair value charge are set out in note 23 of the 
Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021233

4 Deferred tax
No deferred tax asset is recognised on gross temporary differences of €17 million (2020: €11 million) relating to share-based payment 
arrangements. Mondi plc has tax losses of €176 million (2020: €160 million) in respect of which no deferred tax asset has been recognised 
due to the low probability of future taxable profit streams or gains against which these could be utilised. Although Mondi plc receives 
dividend income from its subsidiaries, this dividend income is exempt from corporation tax.

In the Spring Budget 2020, the UK Government announced that from 1 April 2020 the corporation tax rate would remain at 19% (rather 
than reducing to 17%, as previously enacted). The Government made a number of budget announcements on 3 March 2021. These include 
confirming that the rate of corporation tax will increase to 25% from 1 April 2023. This new law was substantively enacted on 24 May 2021. 
There is no material impact on the current and deferred taxation balances of Mondi plc.

5 Tangible assets
Mondi plc entered into an office building lease agreement for a total term of 10 years from 2 August 2021 and recognised a right-of-use 
asset of €4 million accordingly. The lease may only be terminated by Mondi plc after 5 years. Mondi plc does not intend to exercise the 
termination option, and thus it was not considered in the calculation of the right-of-use asset.

6 Shares in group undertakings

€ million

Unlisted

Shares at cost

Accumulated impairment

Total fixed asset investments

2021

2020

3,721

(117)

3,604

3,721

(117)

3,604

The investments are in Mondi Investments Limited (incorporated in the UK), a wholly-owned subsidiary which acts as an investment 
holding company, and Mondi South Africa (Pty) Limited (incorporated in South Africa), a wholly-owned subsidiary which manages forestry 
operations and manufactures pulp, uncoated fine paper and containerboard.

In prior year, management performed an impairment test for the investment in Mondi South Africa (Pty) Limited and concluded that an 
impairment of €117 million be charged to the profit or loss for 2020. This was due to lower profitability during the prior year and lower 
medium and long-term cash flow expectations.

7 Total debtors: due within one year
Amounts held on deposit in a cash pool facility with a subsidiary of €369 million are included within debtors due within one year (2020: 
liability of €47 million included in creditors due within one year). No provision on expected credit losses is recognised at 31 December 2021 
(2020: €nil).

8 Capital and reserves
Full disclosure of the share capital of Mondi plc is set out in note 22 of the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

The merger reserve was recognised in respect of the Simplification of the dual listed company structure in 2019. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements234

Notes to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 continued

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 (2020: €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

2021

83

3

2,998

3,084

2020

78

23

3,151

3,252

The following subsidiaries have taken advantage of an exemption from audit under section 479A of the Companies Act 2006. As the 
ultimate parent, Mondi plc has provided a statutory guarantee for any outstanding liabilities of those subsidiaries. All subsidiary 
undertakings have been included in the consolidation of the Group.

 — Mondi Packaging Limited (registered number: 01846191)

 — Mondi Packaging UK Holdings Limited (registered number: 03714255)

 — Mondi Scunthorpe Limited (registered number: 01446927)

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 2021
Aside from the final dividend proposed for 2021, included in note 9 of the Group’s consolidated financial statements, there have been no 
material reportable events since 31 December 2021.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021235

11 List of subsidiaries and associated undertakings and other significant holdings as at 31 December 2021 
All shares are held indirectly through a subsidiary or associated undertaking except where noted. Except where stated, the shares held are 
ordinary shares.

Company

Austria

Mondi AG

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

Company

Bulgaria

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

Marxergasse 4A, 1030 
Vienna

Holding, Corporate

100.00

Mondi Coating Zeltweg 
GmbH

Bahnhofstrasse 3, 
8740 Zeltweg

Production, 
Engineered Materials

Mondi Consumer 
Packaging GmbH

Marxergasse 4A, 1030 
Vienna

Holding, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Corrugated 
Holding Österreich 
GmbH

Marxergasse 4A, 1030 
Vienna

Holding, Corrugated 
Packaging

Mondi Corrugated 
Services GmbH

Marxergasse 4A, 1030 
Vienna

Service, Corrugated 
Packaging

Mondi Engineered 
Materials GmbH

Marxergasse 4A, 1030 
Vienna

Holding, Engineered 
Materials

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Mondi Finance Europe 
GmbH

Marxergasse 4A, 1030 
Vienna

Service, Corporate

100.00

Mondi Stambolijski E.A.D 1 Zavodska Street, 
Stambolijski 4210, 
Plovdiv Region

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

China

Mondi (China) Film 
Technology Co., Ltd.

Mondi Trading (Beijing) 
Co., Ltd.

Colombia

Mondi Cartagena SAS

No 29 Xinggang Road, 
Taicang Port Development 
Zone

0912, Air China Plaza, 
Building 1, No.36 Xiaoyun 
Road, Chaoyang, Beijing

Production, 
Engineered Materials

100.00

Dormant, Engineered 
Materials

100.00

LT No CA-4 Zona Franca la 
Candelaria, Sector Cospique, 
Zona Industrial Mamonal, 
Cartagena, Bolivar

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Frantschach 
GmbH

Frantschach 5, 
9413 St. Gertraud

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Côte d’Ivoire

Mondi Abidjan S.A.

Mondi Grünburg GmbH Steyrtalstrasse 5, 

4594 Grünburg

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging

100.00

Zone Industrielle de 
Yopougon 01, Abidjan, 
BP 5676

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

50.00

Mondi Holdings Austria 
GmbH

Marxergasse 4A, 1030 
Vienna

Holding, Corporate

100.00

Czech Republic

Mondi Industrial Bags 
GmbH

Marxergasse 4A, 1030 
Vienna

Holding, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Korneuburg 
GmbH

Stockerauer Strasse 110, 
2100 Korneuburg

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Neusiedler GmbH Theresienthalstrasse 50, 

3363 Ulmerfeld-Hausmening

Production, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

Mondi Oman Holding 
GmbH

Marxergasse 4A, 1030 
Vienna

Holding, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Paper Sack 
Zeltweg GmbH

Bahnhofstrasse 3, 
8740 Zeltweg

Distribution, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Paper Sales 
GmbH

Marxergasse 4A, 1030 
Vienna

Distribution, 
Corrugated Packaging, 
Flexible Packaging, 
Uncoated Fine Paper

100.00

100.00

51.00

70.00

100.00

100.00

EURO WASTE a.s.

Litoměřická 272, 41108 Štětí Service, Flexible 

100.00

Packaging

Labe Wood s.r.o.3

Litoměřická 272, 41108 Štětí Production, Flexible 

24.99

Packaging

Mondi Bags Štětí a.s.

Litoměřická 272, 41108 Štětí Production, Flexible 

100.00

Packaging

Mondi Bupak s.r.o.

Papírenská 41, 37052 České 
Budějovice

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging

100.00

Mondi Coating Štětí a.s.

Litoměřická 272, 41108 Štětí Production, 

100.00

Engineered Materials

Mondi Štětí a.s.

Litoměřická 272, 41108 Štětí Production, Flexible 

100.00

Packaging

Mondi Štětí White Paper 
s.r.o

Litoměřická 272, 41108 Štětí Production, Flexible 

100.00

Mondi Release Liner 
Austria GmbH

Waidhofnerstrasse 11, 
3331 Hilm

Production, 
Engineered Materials

100.00

Wood & Paper a.s.3

Hlina 57/18, 66491 Brno

Packaging

Service, Flexible 
Packaging

46.50

Mondi Styria GmbH

Bahnhofstrasse 3, 
8740 Zeltweg

Mondi Uncoated Fine & 
Kraft Paper GmbH

Marxergasse 4A, 1030 
Vienna

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Holding, Corrugated 
Packaging, Flexible 
Packaging, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

Papierholz Austria 
GmbH3

Frantschach 5, 
9413 St. Gertraud

Service, Flexible 
Packaging

Ybbstaler Zellstoff GmbH Theresienthalstrasse 50, 

3363 Ulmerfeld-Hausmening

Production, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

25.00

51.00

Belgium

Mondi Poperinge N.V.

Nijverheidslaan 11, 
8970 Poperinge

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

100.00

Egypt

100.00

Mondi Cairo for 
Packaging Material 
S.A.E.

Plots No. 6 and No. 7 in 
the Northern Expansion 
Area, Industrial Zone, 6th of 
October, Giza

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Suez Bags Company 
(S.A.E.)

30 Maadi Road, Katameya, 
Kilo 138, Cairo

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

98.30

Finland

Harvestia Oy

Selluntie 142, 70420 Kuopio Service, Corrugated 

100.00

Packaging

Mondi Finland Services 
Oy

Selluntie 142, 70420 Kuopio Holding, Corrugated 

100.00

Packaging

Mondi Powerflute Oy

Selluntie 142, 70420 Kuopio Production, 

100.00

Corrugated Packaging

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements236

Notes to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 continued

11 List of subsidiaries and associated undertakings and other significant holdings as at 31 December 2021 continued

Mondi Paper Sales 
France Sarl

Germany

Mondi Ascania GmbH

Company

France

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

Company

Italy

Registered office

Principal activities

Mondi Gournay Sarl

5, rue Vernet, 75008 Paris

Mondi Lembacel SAS

11 Rue de Reims, 
51490 Bétheniville

5, rue Vernet, 75008 Paris

Service, Flexible 
Packaging

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Distribution, 
Corrugated Packaging

100.00

Mondi Gradisac S.r.l.

100.00

Mondi Italia S.r.l.

100.00

Mondi Padova S.r.l.

Via dell´Industria 11, 34072 
Gradisca d´Isonzo, Gorizia

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Via Balilla 32, 24058 Romano 
di Lombardia, Bergamo

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Via Mazzini 21, 35010 San 
Pietro in Gu, Padua

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Daimlerstrasse 8, 
06449 Aschersleben

Production, 
Engineered Materials

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, 
Corrugated Packaging, 
Flexible Packaging, 
Uncoated Fine Paper

Mondi Silicart S.r.l.

Via Mazzini 21, 35010 San 
Pietro in Gu, Padua

Dormant, Engineered 
Materials

Mondi Consumer 
Packaging International 
GmbH

Jöbkesweg 11, 48599 Gronau Holding, Flexible 

100.00

Packaging

Mondi Tolentino S.r.l.

Via Giovanni Falcone 1, 
62029 Tolentino, Macerata

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Eschenbach 
GmbH

Am Stadtwald 14, 
92676 Eschenbach

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging

100.00

Mondi Estonteco GmbH1 Jöbkesweg 11, 48599 Gronau Dormant, Corrugated 

100.00

Packaging

Mondi Gronau GmbH

Jöbkesweg 11, 48599 Gronau Production, 

100.00

NATRO TECH S.r.l.

Via Copernico snc, 24053 
Brignano Gera d’Adda

Service, Flexible 
Packaging

Powerflute Italia S.r.l.

Via Giacomo Matteotti 2, 
21013 Gallarate

Distribution, 
Corrugated Packaging

Japan

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Engineered Materials

Mondi Tokyo KK

7th floor 14-5, Akasaka 
2-chrome, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Service, Engineered 
Materials

100.00

Jordan

Jordan Paper Sacks 
Co. Ltd.

Al Salt, Industrial Area, P.O. 
Box 119, 19374, Balqa

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

67.74

Mondi Halle GmbH

Wielandstrasse 2, 33790 
Halle

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Hammelburg 
GmbH

Thüringenstrasse 1-3, 
97762 Hammelburg

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

100.00

Jöbkesweg 11, 48599 Gronau Holding, Corporate

100.00

Mondi Holding 
Deutschland GmbH

Mondi Inncoat GmbH

Mondi Jülich GmbH

Angererstrasse 25, 
83064 Raubling

Rathausstrasse 29, 
52428 Jülich

Production, 
Engineered Materials

Production, 
Engineered Materials

Mondi Paper Sales 
Deutschland GmbH

Oberbaumbrücke 1, 
20457 Hamburg

Distribution, 
Corrugated Packaging

Mondi Sendenhorst 
GmbH

Thüringenstrasse 1-3, 
97762 Hammelburg

Distribution, Flexible 
Packaging

Republic of Korea

Krauzen Co., Ltd.

Mondi KSP Co., Ltd.

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Lebanon

Mondi Lebanon SAL

Mondi Trebsen GmbH

Erich-Hausmann-Strasse 1, 
04687 Trebsen

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Wellpappe 
Ansbach GmbH

wood2M GmbH3

Greece

Robert-Bosch-Strasse 3, 
91522 Ansbach

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging

100.00

Luxembourg

Hauptstrasse 16, 
07366 Blankenstein

Service, Corporate

50.00

Mondi Packaging S.à r.l.

Mondi S.à r.l.

Mondi Thessaloniki A.E. Sindos Industrial Zone – 

Block 18, 57022 Thessaloniki

Distribution, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Services S.à r.l.

Hungary

Mondi Bags Hungária 
Kft.

Tünde u. 2, 4400 
Nyíregyháza

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Békéscsaba Kft.

Tevan Andor u. 2, 5600 
Békéscsaba

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Szada Kft.

Vasút u. 13, 2111 Szada

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

100.00

100.00

Malaysia

Mondi Kuala Lumpur 
Sdn. Bhd.

Mexico

Caja de Ahorro de 
Personal de Mondi 
Mexico Servicios A.C.

Iraq

Mondi Kaso Iraq 
Industrial Bags Ltd.

Takya, Bazian, Sulaimaniyah

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

34.55

Mondi Mexico S. de R.L. 
de C.V.

1420, Keumkang-Penterium 
IT tower, 282 Hakeui-ro, 
Dongang-gu, Anyang-si, 
Gyunggi-do

48-29, 439 Hongandaero, 
Dongang-gu, Anyang-si, 
Gyunggi-do

Service, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Distribution, Flexible 
Packaging

95.00

7th Floor, Bloc C, Kassis 
Building, Antelias Highway, 
Antelias

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

66.00

1, rue Hildegard von Bingen, 
1282

1, rue Hildegard von Bingen, 
1282

1, rue Hildegard von Bingen, 
1282

Holding, Corporate

100.00

Holding, Corporate

100.00

Holding, Corporate

100.00

Lot Nos.PT 5034 & 5036, 
Jalan Teluk Datuk 28/40, 
40000 Shah Alam, Selangor

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

62.00

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, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021237

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Company

Morocco

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

Company

Poland

Registered office

Principal activities

Dormant, Flexible 
Packaging

80.64

Agromasa Sp. z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 1, 86-100 
Świecie

Service, Corrugated 
Packaging

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Fredonia Investments 
Sp. z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 1, 86-100 
Świecie

Service, Corrugated 
Packaging

Ensachage Moderne Sarl Km 16, Route d´El Jadida, 

Mondi Tanger S.A.1

Casablanca

Lot N 28 Zone D’exploitation 
de la Zone Franche , 
D.Exploitation de Tanger 
Automobile Cite Dite Tac 2, 
Tanger, Jouamaa Province 
Fahsanjra

Pap Sac Maghreb SA

Km 16, Route d´El Jadida, 
Casablanca

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

80.64

Netherlands

Mondi Coating B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 
Maastricht

Holding, Engineered 
Materials

Mondi Consumer Bags & 
Films B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 
Maastricht

Holding, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Consumer Bags & 
Films Benelux B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 
Maastricht

Distribution, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Corrugated B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 
Maastricht

Holding, Corrugated 
Packaging

Mondi Corrugated 
Poland B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 
Maastricht

Holding, Corrugated 
Packaging

Mondi Heerlen B.V.

Imstenraderweg 15, 6422 PM 
Heerlen

Production, 
Engineered Materials

Mondi Industrial Bags 
B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 
Maastricht

Holding, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi International 
Holdings B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 
Maastricht

Holding, Corrugated 
Packaging

Mondi Maastricht N.V.

Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 
Maastricht

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi MENA B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 
Maastricht

Holding, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Packaging Paper 
B.V.

Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 
Maastricht

Holding, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Paper Sales 
Netherlands B.V.

Bruynvisweg 14, 1531 AZ 
Wormer

Mondi SCP Holdings B.V. Fort Willemweg 1, 6219 PA 

Maastricht

Distribution, 
Corrugated Packaging, 
Flexible Packaging, 
Uncoated Fine Paper

Holding, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

70.00

100.00

100.00

Mondi Bags Mielec Sp. 
z o.o.

ul. Wojska Polskiego 12, 
39-300 Mielec

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Bags Świecie Sp. 
z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 12, 86-100 
Świecie

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi BZWP Sp. z o.o.

ul. Zamenhofa 36, 57-500 
Bystrzyca Kłodzka

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging

Mondi Corrugated 
Świecie Sp. z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 1, 86-100 
Świecie

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging

Mondi Dorohusk Sp. 
z o.o.

Brzezno 1, 22-174 Brzezno

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging

Mondi Krapkowice Sp. 
z o.o.1

ul. Opolska 103, 47-300, 
Krapkowice

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Poznań Sp. z o.o.

ul. Wyzwolenia 34/36, 
62-070 Dopiewo

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Recykling Polska 
Sp. z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 1, 86-100 
Świecie

Service, Corrugated 
Packaging

Mondi Simet Sp. z o.o.

Grabonóg 77, 63-820 Piaski Production, 

100.00

Corrugated Packaging

Mondi Solec Sp. z o.o.

Solec 143, 05-532 Baniocha Production, Flexible 

100.00

Packaging

Mondi Świecie S.A.

ul. Bydgoska 1, 86-100 
Świecie

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging

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

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

PLWD Sp. z o.o.1, 3

ul. Bydgoska 1, 86-100 
Świecie

Service, Corrugated 
Packaging

Świecie Rail Sp. z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 1, 86-100 
Świecie

Service, Corrugated 
Packaging

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

50.67

100.00

100.00

100.00

Świecie Recykling Sp. 
z o.o.

ul. Bydgoska 1/417, 86-100 
Świecie

Service, Corrugated 
Packaging

Norway

Mondi Moss AS

Oman

Mondi Oman LLC

Rådmann Sirasvei 1, 
1712 Grålum

Distribution, Flexible 
Packaging

Romania

100.00

Mondi Bucharest S.R.L.

P.O. Box 20, 124, Muscat 
Governorate, As Seeb, 
Al Rusayl

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

49.00

Russia

LLC Mondi Aramil

LLC Mondi Lebedyan

Filderman Wilhelm Nr. 
4/3/19, Sector 3, 030353 
Bucharest

Distribution, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

25 Klubnaya Street, 62400 
Aramil, Sverdlovskii Region

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Lva Tolstogo, Building 80, 
Office 52, 399612 Lebedyan, 
Lipetsk Region

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging

100.00

100.00

LLC Mondi Pereslavl

Mendeleeva sq. 2, Building 
55, 152025 Pereslavl-Zalesski

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

LLC Mondi Syktyvkar 
Energy Company

pr. Bumazhnikov 2, 167026 
Syktyvkar, Komi Republic

Service, Uncoated Fine 
Paper

100.00

OJSC Mondi Syktyvkar4 pr. Bumazhnikov 2, 167026 

Syktyvkar, Komi Republic

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging, 
Uncoated Fine Paper

100.00

OOO Mondi Sales CIS

1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya, 21, 
123047, Moscow

Distribution, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

100.00

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements238

Notes to the Mondi plc parent company financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 continued

11 List of subsidiaries and associated undertakings and other significant holdings as at 31 December 2021 continued

Company

Serbia

Mondi Šabac d.o.o. 
Šabac

Singapore

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

Severna 4 No.2, 15000 Šabac Production, Flexible 

100.00

Packaging

Company

Registered office

Principal activities

Zimshelf Eight 
Investment Holdings 
Proprietary Limited

4th Floor, No 3 Melrose 
Boulevard, Melrose Arch, 
2196

In liquidation, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

Spain

100.00

Mondi Bags Ibérica 
S.L.U.

Autovía A-2, Km 582, 
08630 Abrera

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Packaging Paper 
Sales Asia Pte. Ltd.

77 Robinson Road, #13-00, 
Robinson 77, Singapore, 
068896

Distribution, Flexible 
Packaging

Slovakia

East Paper, spol. s.r.o.3

Mondi SCP, a.s.

Rastislavova 98, 
04346 Kosice

Tatranská cesta 3, 
03417 Ružomberok

26.01

51.00

Service, Corrugated 
Packaging

Production, Corrugated 
Packaging, Flexible 
Packaging, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

Obaly SOLO, s.r.o

Tatranská cesta 3, 
03417 Ružomberok

Production, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

51.00

RECOPAP, s.r.o.3

Bratislavska 18, 90051 Zohor Service, Corrugated 

25.50

Mondi Ibersac S.L.U.

Calle La Perenal 4, 
48840 Güeñes, Bizcaia

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Sales Ibérica S.L. Calle Joaquin Costa 36 2a, 

28002 Madrid

Distribution, Flexible 
Packaging

Powerflute International 
S.L.

Josep Irla I Bosch, 1-3 P.6 
PTA.2, 08034 Barcelona

Distribution, 
Corrugated Packaging

Sweden

Mondi Dynäs AB

87381 Väja

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Örebro AB

Papersbruksallen 3A, 
Box 926, 70130 Örebro

Production, 
Engineered Materials

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Slovpaper Collection 
s.r.o.

Tatranská cesta 3, 
03417 Ružomberok

Slovpaper Recycling s.r.o. Tatranská cesta 3, 
03417 Ružomberok

SLOVWOOD 
Ružomberok a.s.

Tatranská cesta 3, 
03417 Ružomberok

STRÁŽNA SLUŽBA 
VLA-STA s.r.o.

Tatranská cesta 3, 
03417 Ružomberok

South Africa

Packaging

Service, Corrugated 
Packaging

Service, Corrugated 
Packaging

Distribution, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

Service, Uncoated Fine 
Paper

51.00

51.00

33.66

51.00

Switzerland

Dipeco AG

Thailand

Mondi Bangkok 
Company, Limited

Mondi Coating (Thailand) 
Co. Ltd. 

Arctic Sun Trading 17 
Proprietary Limited2

380 Old Howick Road, 
Mondi House, Hilton, 3245

Distribution, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

50.00

Bongani Development 
Close Corporation

Merebank Mill, Travencore 
Drive, Merebank, 4052

Dormant, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

Mondi Africa Holdings 
Proprietary Limited

4th Floor, No 3 Melrose 
Boulevard, Melrose Arch, 
2196

Dormant, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

100.00

100.00

Bruehlstrasse 5, 
4800 Zofingen

Distribution, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

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

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Service, Engineered 
Materials

100.00

Mondi TSP Company 
Limited

110, Moo 3, Nong Chumphon 
Nuea, Khao Yoi District, 
Petchaburi Province, 76140

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

97.55

Trinidad and Tobago

Mondi Forests Partners 
Programme Proprietary 
Limited

Mondi Sacherie 
Moderne Holdings 
Proprietary Limited

380 Old Howick Road, 
Mondi House, Hilton, 3245

Service, Uncoated Fine 
Paper

100.00

TCL Packaging Ltd.2

Southern Main Road, 
Claxton Bay

Dormant, Flexible 
Packaging

20.00

Merebank Mill, Travencore 
Drive, Merebank, 4052

Holding, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

100.00

Doğal Kağıt 
Hammaddeleri Sanayi ve 
Ticaret Limited Şirketi1

Esentepe Mahallesi Harman 
1 sk.Nida Kule Levent Ap. 
No:7/9/54 Şişli, İstanbul

Service, Corrugated 
Packaging

92.00

Turkey

Mondi South Africa (Pty) 
Limited5

Merebank Mill, Travencore 
Drive, Merebank, 4052

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging, 
Uncoated Fine Paper

100.00

Mondi Istanbul Ambalaj 
Limited Şti.

Mondi Timber (Wood 
Products) Proprietary 
Limited

Merebank Mill, Travencore 
Drive, Merebank, 4052

Holding, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

100.00

Mondi Zimele Job Funds 
Proprietary Limited

380 Old Howick Road, 
Mondi House, Hilton, 3245

Service, Uncoated Fine 
Paper

100.00

Mondi Zimele Proprietary 
Limited

380 Old Howick Road, 
Mondi House, Hilton, 3245

Service, Uncoated Fine 
Paper

100.00

Mondi Kale Nobel 
Ambalaj Sanayi Ve 
Ticaret A.Ş.

Mondi Olmuksan Kağıt 
ve Ambalaj Sanayi A.Ş1

MZ Business Services 
Proprietary Limited

380 Old Howick Road, 
Mondi House, Hilton, 3245

In liquidation, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

100.00

Mondi Tire Kutsan Kagit 
Ve Ambalaj Sanayi A.Ş.

MZ Technical Services 
Proprietary Limited

380 Old Howick Road, 
Mondi House, Hilton, 3245

In liquidation, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

56.00

Ukraine

No. 12A Türkgücü OSB Mah. 
Yilmaz Alpaslan Caddesi 
Corlu, Tekirdag, 59870

Sevketiye Cobancesme 
Kavsagi, A2 Blok, No. 
229/230 Yeşilköy, Bakirköy/
Istanbul

Esentepe Mahallesi Harman 
1 sk.Nida Kule Levent Ap. 
No:7/9/54 Şişli, İstanbul

Toki Mahallesi, Hasan Tahsin 
Caddesi, No. 28, Tire, Izmir 
35900

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging

92.00

Production, 
Corrugated Packaging

79.15

Professional Starch 
Proprietary Limited

380 Old Howick Road, 
Mondi House, Hilton, 3245

In liquidation, Uncoated 
Fine Paper

100.00

Mondi Packaging Bags 
Ukraine LLC

Fabrychna Street 20, 
Zhydachiv, Lviv Region, 81700

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Siyaqhubeka Forests 
Proprietary Limited

Merebank Mill, Travencore 
Drive, Merebank, 4052

Service, Uncoated Fine 
Paper

51.00

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021239

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Company

UK

Registered office

Principal activities

% of 
shares 
held by 
Group

Company

USA

Registered office

Principal activities

Dormant, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Akrosil, LLC

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington DE 19808

Holding, Engineered 
Materials

Frantschach Holdings UK 
Limited

Hypac Limited

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Dormant, Corrugated 
Packaging

100.00

Medway Packaging 
Pension Trustee Limited

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Service, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Aberdeen Limited Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Distribution, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Bags USA, LLC

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington DE 19808

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Jackson LLC

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington DE 19808

Production, Flexible 
Packaging, Engineered 
Materials

Mondi Minneapolis, Inc.

220 South Sixth Street, Suite 
2200, Minneapolis 55402

Service, Engineered 
Materials

Mondi Romeoville LLC

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington DE 19808

Production, Flexible 
Packaging

Mondi Consumer Goods 
Packaging UK Ltd

Mondi Finance plc

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Dormant, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Tekkote LLC

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington DE 19808

Production, 
Engineered Materials

Service, Corporate

100.00

Notes:
1  % of shares held by the Group in 2020: nil
2  Associate
3  Joint venture
4  These companies have ordinary and preference shares
5  These companies are held directly

Mondi Holcombe Limited Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Dormant, Corrugated 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Investments 
Limited5

Mondi Packaging (Delta) 
Limited

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Holding, Corporate

100.00

Dormant, Corrugated 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Packaging Limited Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Dormant, Corrugated 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Packaging UK 
Holdings Limited

Mondi Pension Trustee 
Limited5

Mondi Scunthorpe 
Limited4

Mondi Services (UK) 
Limited

Powerflute Group 
Holdings Limited

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Ground Floor, Building 5, 
The Heights, Brooklands, 
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

Dormant, Corrugated 
Packaging

100.00

Service, Corporate

100.00

Dormant, Flexible 
Packaging

100.00

Service, Corporate

100.00

Dormant, Corrugated 
Packaging

100.00

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements240

Group financial record 

Financial performance 2012–2021
Consolidated income statement

€ million, unless otherwise stated

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Group revenue

Underlying EBITDA

7,723

1,503

6,663

1,353

7,268

1,658

7,481

1,764

7,096

1,482

6,662

1,366

6,819

1,325

6,402

1,126

6,476

1,068

Corrugated Packaging

Flexible Packaging

Engineered Materials

Uncoated Fine Paper

Corporate

Underlying operating profit

Special items (before tax)

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)1

670

526

71

270

(34)

1,064

7

(94)

747

756

154.0

155.9

5,790

927

249

276

51

383

(32)

574

(91)

518

519

80

266

(30)

925

(57)

583

543

122

444

707

461

112

516

477

442

136

464

(34)

(32)

(37)

1,223

1,318

1,029

(16)

(126)

(61)

408

380

131

481

(34)

981

(38)

427

365

119

448

(34)

957

(57)

381

317

111

349

(32)

767

(52)

341

302

96

359

(30)

699

(87)

(95)

(104)

627

582

129.3

120.0

829

812

171.1

167.6

(88)

916

824

189.1

170.1

(85)

(101)

(105)

(97)

(115)

(110)

721

668

148.9

137.9

667

638

137.8

131.8

647

600

133.7

124.0

519

471

107.3

97.4

460

386

95.0

79.8

334

242

69.2

50.1

65.00

60.00

57.03

76.00

62.00

57.00

52.00

42.00

36.00

28.00

Note:
1  A special dividend of 100 euro cents was paid in 2018 in addition to the 2017 ordinary dividend

Significant ratios

Underlying EBITDA growth/(decline) 
(%)

Underlying EBITDA margin (%)

Underlying operating profit margin (%)

ROCE (%)

Net debt to underlying EBITDA (times)

Dividend cover (times)

PE Ratio

Mondi plc (LSE) – Share price at end 
of year (GBP pence per share)

Mondi plc (JSE) – Share price at end 
of year (ZAR per share)

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

11.1

19.5

13.8

16.9

1.2

2.4

(18.4)

(6.0)

20.3

13.9

15.2

1.3

2.2

22.8

16.8

19.8

1.3

3.0

14.1

14.8

12.2

19.0

23.6

17.6

23.6

1.3

2.5

9.6

8.5

20.9

14.5

19.3

1.0

2.4

3.1

20.5

14.7

20.3

1.0

2.4

17.7

19.4

14.0

20.5

1.1

2.6

5.4

17.6

12.0

17.2

1.4

2.6

15.2

16.5

10.8

15.3

1.5

2.6

(3.8)

16.0

9.9

13.6

2.0

2.5

14.6

14.2

13.5

12.6

13.2

11.9

1,826

1,720

1,773

1,634

1,931

1,666

1,334

1,050

1,046

670

395

343

326

304

319

279

309

190

181

91

Market capitalisation (€ million)

10,555

9,342 10,165

8,901 10,523

9,457

8,803

6,563

6,081

4,001

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021241

2012

849

(83)

(109)

(294)

(92)

Significant cash flows

€ million

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

Cash generated from operations

1,339

1,485

1,635

1,654

1,363

1,401

1,279

1,033

1,036

Working capital cash flows

Income tax paid

Capital expenditure cash outflows

Interest paid

Ordinary dividends paid to 
shareholders1

(205)

(190)

(573)

(78)

125

(168)

(630)

(82)

35

(248)

(757)

(96)

(117)

(248)

(709)

(73)

(122)

(151)

(611)

(97)

68

(173)

(465)

(82)

9

(160)

(595)

(93)

(87)

(106)

(562)

(125)

(27)

(126)

(405)

(124)

(298)

(237)

(396)

(309)

(273)

(274)

(209)

(193)

(138)

(128)

Note:
1  A special dividend of €484 million was paid in 2018 in addition to the 2017 ordinary dividend

Consolidated statement of financial position

€ million

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Property, plant and equipment

4,870

4,641

4,800

4,340

4,128

3,788

3,554

3,432

3,428

3,709

Goodwill

Working capital

Other assets

Other liabilities

Net assets excluding net debt

Equity

Non-controlling interests in equity

Net debt

Capital employed

926

988

558

923

739

557

948

952

620

942

972

540

698

899

530

681

799

532

590

794

422

545

811

434

550

711

429

561

764

503

(690)

(687)

(728)

(749)

(716)

(721)

(675)

(715)

(653)

(789)

6,652

4,498

391

1,763

6,652

6,173

4,002

380

1,791

6,173

6,592

4,015

370

2,207

6,592

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

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements242

Production statistics

Containerboard

Kraft paper

Uncoated fine paper

Newsprint

Pulp

Internal consumption

Market pulp

Corrugated solutions

Paper bags

Consumer flexibles

Engineered materials

Exchange rates

versus euro

South African rand (ZAR)

Czech koruna (CZK)

Polish zloty (PLN)

Pound sterling (GBP)

Russian rouble (RUB)

Turkish lira (TRY)

US dollar (USD)

000 tonnes

000 tonnes

000 tonnes

000 tonnes

000 tonnes

000 tonnes

000 tonnes

million m2

million units

million m2

million m2

2021

2,724

1,253

1,564

164

4,432

3,953

479

2,187

5,928

2,629

4,844

Average

Closing

2021

17.48

25.64

4.57

0.86

87.15

10.51

1.18

2020

18.77

26.46

4.44

0.89

82.72

8.05

1.14

2021

18.06

24.86

4.60

0.84

85.30

15.23

1.13

2020

2,525

1,145

1,422

169

4,484

3,767

717

1,771

5,435

2,472

5,068

2020

18.02

26.24

4.56

0.90

91.47

9.11

1.23

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Alternative Performance Measures

243

The Group presents certain measures of financial performance, position or cash flows in the consolidated financial statements that are not 
defined or specified according to IFRS in order to provide additional performance-related measures to its stakeholders. These measures, 
referred to as Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), are prepared on a consistent basis for all periods presented in this report. 

By their nature, the APMs used by the Group are not necessarily uniformly applied by peer companies and therefore may not be 
comparable with similarly defined measures and disclosures applied by other companies. Such measures should not be viewed in isolation 
or as a substitute to the equivalent IFRS measure.

Internally, the Group and its operating segments apply the same APMs in a consistent manner in planning and reporting on performance 
to management and the Board. Underlying EBITDA and ROCE, two of the Group’s APMs, link to the Group’s strategic framework as 
described on pages 42-43 and form part of the executive directors and senior management remuneration targets. The Group has not 
adjusted its APMs for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The most significant APMs used by the Group are described below, together with a reconciliation to the equivalent IFRS measure. 
The reconciliations are based on Group figures.

APM description and purpose

Special items

Financial 
statement 
reference

Closest IFRS 
equivalent 
measure

Special items are generally material, non-recurring items that exceed €10 million. The Audit Committee 
regularly assesses the monetary threshold of €10 million and considers the threshold in the context of 
both the Group as a whole and individual operating segment performance. 

Note 3

None

The Group separately discloses special items on the face of the consolidated income statement to 
assist its stakeholders in understanding the underlying financial performance achieved by 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

Operating profit before special items, depreciation, amortisation and impairments not recorded as 
special items provides a measure of the cash generating ability of the business that is comparable 
from year to year.

Consolidated 
income 
statement

Operating 
profit

Underlying EBITDA margin

Underlying EBITDA expressed as a percentage of Group revenue (segment revenue for operating 
segments) provides a measure of the cash generating ability relative to revenue.

None

APM calculation:

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Underlying EBITDA (see consolidated income statement)

Group revenue (see consolidated income statement)

Underlying EBITDA margin (%)

Underlying operating profit

2021

1,503

7,723

19.5

2020

1,353

6,663

20.3

Operating profit before special items provides a measure of operating performance that is comparable 
from year to year.

Consolidated 
income 
statement

Operating 
profit

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
244

Alternative Performance Measures continued

APM description and purpose

Underlying operating profit margin

Financial 
statement 
reference

Closest IFRS 
equivalent 
measure

Underlying operating profit expressed as a percentage of Group revenue (segment revenue for operating 
segments) provides a measure of the profitability of the operations relative to revenue.

None

APM calculation:

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Underlying operating profit (see consolidated income statement)

Group revenue (see consolidated income statement)

Underlying operating profit margin (%)

2021

1,064

7,723

13.8

2020

925

6,663

13.9

Net interest expense

Net interest expense comprises interest expense on bank overdrafts, loans and lease liabilities net of 
investment income. 

None

Net interest expense provides an absolute measure of the net cost of borrowings.

APM calculation:

€ million

Investment income (see note 6)

Interest on bank overdrafts and loans (see note 6)

Interest on lease liabilities (see note 6)

Net interest expense

Effective interest rate

2021

6

(80)

(13)

(87)

2020

5

(83)

(12)

(90)

Trailing 12-month net interest expense expressed as a percentage of trailing 12-month average net debt. 

None

Effective interest rate provides a measure of the net cost of borrowings.

APM calculation:

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Net interest expense (see above)

Trailing 12-month average net debt (see note 20)

Effective interest rate (%)

Underlying profit before tax

2021

87

1,875

4.6

2020

90

2,012

4.5

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.

Consolidated 
income 
statement

Profit before 
tax

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
APM description and purpose

Effective tax rate

245

Financial 
statement 
reference

Closest IFRS 
equivalent 
measure

Underlying tax charge expressed as a percentage of underlying profit before tax. 

None

A measure of the Group’s tax charge relative to its profit before tax expressed on an underlying basis.

APM calculation:

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Tax charge before special items (see note 7)

Underlying profit before tax (see consolidated income statement)

Effective tax rate (%)

Underlying earnings (and per share measure)

Net profit after tax attributable to shareholders, before special items. 

Note 8

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 earnings (and per share measure)

The presentation of headline earnings (and the related per share measure based on the basic, weighted 
average number of ordinary shares outstanding) is mandated under the Listings Requirements of the JSE 
Limited and is calculated in accordance with Circular 1/2021, ‘Headline Earnings’, as issued by the South 
African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Note 8

2021

212

976

22

2020

180

827

22

Profit for 
the period 
attributable to 
shareholders 
(and per share 
measure)

Profit for 
the period 
attributable to 
shareholders 
(and per share 
measure)

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 ordinary dividend payments.

None

APM calculation:

euro cents, unless otherwise stated

Basic underlying EPS (see note 8)

Total ordinary dividend per share (see note 9)

Dividend cover (times)

2021

154.0

65.00

2.4

2020

129.3

60.00

2.2

Capital employed (and related trailing 12-month average capital employed)

Capital employed comprises total equity and net debt. Trailing 12-month average capital employed 
is the average monthly capital employed over the last 12 months adjusted for spend on major capital 
expenditure projects which are not yet in production. 

Note 20

Total equity

These measures provide the level of invested capital in the business. Trailing 12-month average capital 
employed is used in the calculation of return on capital employed.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
246

Alternative Performance Measures continued

APM description and purpose

Return on capital employed (ROCE)

Financial 
statement 
reference

Closest IFRS 
equivalent 
measure

Trailing 12-month underlying operating profit, including share of associates’ and joint ventures’ net profit/
(loss), divided by trailing 12-month average capital employed. ROCE provides a measure of the efficient 
and effective use of capital in the business.

None

APM calculation:

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Trailing 12-month underlying operating profit (see consolidated income statement)

Trailing 12-month underlying net profit/(loss) from joint ventures (see consolidated income statement)

Trailing 12-month underlying profit from operations and joint ventures

Trailing 12-month average capital employed (see note 20)

ROCE (%)

Net debt

2021

1,064

6

1,070

6,349

16.9

2020

925

(3)

922

6,075

15.2

A measure comprising short, medium, and long-term interest-bearing borrowings and the fair value of 
debt-related derivatives less cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts, and current financial asset 
investments. 

Note 26c

None

Net debt provides a measure of the Group’s net indebtedness or overall leverage.

Net debt to underlying EBITDA

Net debt divided by trailing 12-month underlying EBITDA. A measure of the Group’s net indebtedness 
relative to its cash-generating ability.

None

APM calculation:

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Net debt (see note 26c)

Trailing 12-month underlying EBITDA (see consolidated income statement)

Net debt to underlying EBITDA (times)

2021

1,763

1,503

1.2

2020

1,791

1,353

1.3

Operating segment assets and operating segment net assets

Operating segment assets and operating segment net assets comprise total assets (excluding financial 
instruments) and capital employed respectively but exclude investments in associates and joint ventures, 
deferred tax assets and liabilities and other non-operating assets and liabilities. 

Note 2

Total assets 
Net assets

Operating segment assets and operating segment net assets provide a measure of the assets and net 
assets required in the daily operation of the business.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
247

APM description and purpose

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 annualised Group revenue, which is calculated based on 
an extrapolation of average monthly year-to-date revenue. A measure of the Group’s effective use of 
working capital relative to revenue.

Financial 
statement 
reference

Closest IFRS 
equivalent 
measure

None

APM calculation:

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Inventories (see note 16)

Trade and other receivables (see note 17)

Trade and other payables (see note 18)

Working capital

Group revenue (see consolidated income statement)

Working capital as a percentage of revenue (%)

Gearing

2021

1,099

1,333

(1,444)

988

7,723

12.8

2020

849

1,006

(1,116)

739

6,663

11.1

Net debt expressed as a percentage of capital employed provides a measure of the financial leverage of 
the Group.

None

APM calculation:

€ million, unless otherwise stated

Net debt (see note 26c)

Capital employed (see note 20)

Gearing (%)

Cash flow generation 

2021

1,763

6,652

26.5

2020

1,791

6,173

29.0

A measure 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 associates and joint ventures, payment of dividends to shareholders and proceeds from and 
repayment of borrowings. 

Note 26d

Net increase/
(decrease) in 
cash and cash 
equivalents

Cash flow generation is a measure of the Group’s ability to generate cash through-the-cycle before 
considering deployment of such cash.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
248

Additional information for shareholders

The disclosures below form part of the Directors’ report on pages 162-163 of this report. 

Introduction
Set out below is a summary of certain provisions of Mondi’s articles of association (Articles) and applicable English law concerning 
companies (the Companies Act 2006). This is a summary only and the relevant provisions of the Articles and/or the Companies Act 2006 
should be consulted (as applicable) if further information is required.

Share capital
Mondi’s issued share capital as at 31 December 2021 comprised 485,553,780 ordinary shares of 20 euro cents each (the Ordinary Shares) 
representing 100% of the total share capital.

Purchase of own shares
Subject to the provisions of the Articles and the Companies Act 2006, Mondi 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. At the Annual General Meeting held on 
6 May 2021, authority was given for Mondi to purchase, in the market, up to 24,277,689 Ordinary Shares. This authority will expire at the 
conclusion of the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2022 and, in accordance with usual practice, a resolution to renew such authority 
for the next year will be proposed.

Ordinary Shares
Dividends and distributions
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, Mondi 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, 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’s shares, from a person 
with a 0.25% interest or more in nominal value of the issued shares, if such a person has been served with a notice after failure to provide 
Mondi with information concerning interest in those shares required to be provided under the Companies Act 2006.

Voting rights and restrictions
Subject to the Articles generally and to any special rights or restrictions as to voting attached by or in accordance with the Articles 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 their 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 they are 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 2006, members are entitled to appoint a proxy, who need not be a member of Mondi, 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. Where a shareholder appoints more than one corporate representative 
in respect of its shareholding, but in respect of different shares, those corporate representatives can act independently of each other, and 
validly vote in different ways.

No member shall be entitled to vote either in person or by proxy at any general meeting or class meeting, or to exercise any other right 
conferred by membership in relation to such meetings, in respect of any shares held by them, if any call or other sum then payable 
by them to Mondi in respect of that share remains unpaid. In addition no member shall be entitled to vote if they have been served 
with a notice after failing to provide Mondi with information concerning interests in those shares required to be provided under the 
Companies Act 2006.

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.

Variation of rights
Subject to the Companies Act 2006, 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 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021249

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. 
Notwithstanding this, the relevant plan rules provide that any shares held by the trustee of the Mondi Share Incentive Plan from time 
to time will not be voted. 

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. The transferor shall remain the holder of the shares concerned until the name of the transferee is entered 
into the register of members in respect of those shares. Transfers of shares which are in uncertificated form are effected by means of the 
CREST system.

The directors may 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 two months after the date on which the letter of allotment or 
transfer was lodged with Mondi, send to the allottee or transferee a notice of the refusal.

The directors may decline to register any instrument of transfer unless the instrument of the transfer: (i) is in respect of only one class 
of share; (ii) is lodged at the transfer office (duly stamped if required), accompanied by the relevant share certificate(s) and such other 
evidence as the directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer (and, if the instrument of transfer 
is executed by some other person on their behalf, the authority of that person to do so); and (iii) is fully paid.

Subject to the Companies Act 2006 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, or of other shareholders of Mondi, for a transfer of shares to take place.

Notwithstanding the above, some of the Mondi employee share plans include restrictions on transfer of shares while the shares are subject 
to such plan.

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 by way of 
qualification. Mondi may by special resolution increase or reduce the maximum or minimum number of directors. Each director shall retire 
at the Annual General Meeting held in the third calendar year following the year in which the director was elected or last re-elected by 
Mondi, or at such earlier Annual General Meeting as the directors resolve. 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 (or if the notice of the next Annual General Meeting 
has already been sent at the time of such person’s appointment, the Annual General Meeting following that one) and shall then be eligible 
for re-election.

Subject to the Articles, the Companies Act 2006 and any directions given by special resolution, the business of Mondi will be managed by 
the Board who may exercise all the powers of Mondi.

The Board may exercise all the powers of Mondi 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 or of any third party.

Indemnities
As at the date of this report, indemnities are in force under which Mondi has agreed to indemnify its directors, to the extent permitted by 
law and the Articles in respect of all losses arising out of, or in connection with, the execution of their powers, duties and responsibilities, as 
directors of Mondi or any of its subsidiaries. 

Significant agreements: change of control
All of Mondi’s employee 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 and under 
certain plans, time pro-rating. The Group also has in place certain borrowing facilities and banking arrangements, some of which could be 
cancelled, become immediately payable or subject to acceleration upon a change of control of Mondi. Of these arrangements, only two 
facility agreements are considered to be significant to the Group. There are no other significant agreements that would take effect, alter or 
terminate upon a change of control following a takeover bid. 

Amendment of the Articles
Any amendments to the Articles may be made in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 by way of special resolution. 

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements250

Shareholder information

Mondi plc is a company registered in the UK. It has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the 
JSE Limited.

Financial calendar

May 2022

May 2022

May 2022

August 2022

2022 Annual General Meeting

Trading update

Payment date for 2021 final dividend 

2022 half-year results announcement

September/October 2022

2022 interim dividend payment

October 2022

Trading update

Please go to www.mondigroup.com for the most up-to-date calendar

Analysis of shareholders
As at 31 December 2021 Mondi plc had 485,553,780 ordinary shares in issue, of which 144,984,165 were held on the South African 
branch register.

By size of holding

Number of shareholders

1,901

421

502

455

359

62

3,700

% of shareholders

Size of shareholding

Number of shares

% of shares

51.38

11.38

13.57

12.30

9.70

1.67

100.00

1 – 500

501 – 1000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 50,000

50,001 – 1,000,000

1,000,001 – highest

384,530

302,187

1,178,154

8,951,886

89,279,082

385,457,941

485,553,780

0.08

0.06

0.24

1.84

18.39

79.39

100.00

Managing your shares
Registrars
To manage your shares or if you have any queries, please contact the relevant Registrar:

Shares held on the UK register

Shares held on the South African branch register

Registrar

Postal address

Helpline number

Link Market Services

10th Floor
Central Square
29 Wellington Street
Leeds
LS1 4DL
UK

JSE Investor Services (Pty) Limited (JSE Investor Services)

PO Box 4844
Johannesburg, 2000
South Africa

0371 664 0300
(calls are charged at the standard geographic rate 
and will vary by provider; 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)

011 713 0800
(if calling from South Africa)
+27 11 713 0800
(if calling from outside South Africa)

Email

Online

shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk

info@jseinvestorservices.co.za

www.signalshares.com

Not available

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021251

Sign up to email communications 
Many of our shareholders have chosen to receive shareholder information electronically rather than by post. Benefits include faster 
notification of shareholder information, reduced costs and being more environmentally friendly.

Shareholders on the UK register can sign up to email communications by contacting Link Market Services or via their online portal, 
Signal Shares.

Shareholders on the South African branch register holding their shares in certificated form can sign up to email communications by 
contacting JSE Investor Services or by emailing ecomms@jseinvestorservices.co.za. 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
Shareholders on the UK register can sign up to Signal Shares, a free secure online site provided by Link Market Services, where you 
can manage your shareholding quickly and easily. You can:

 — View your holding and get an indicative valuation

 — Change your address

 — Arrange to have dividends paid into your bank account

 — Request to receive shareholder communications by email rather than post

 — View your dividend payment history

 — Make dividend payment choices

 — Buy and sell shares and access stock market news and information

 — Register your proxy voting instruction

 — 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.

Dividends
A proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2021 of 45.00 euro cents per ordinary share will be paid to shareholders in 
accordance with the below timetable. 

Payment of the final dividend is subject to the approval of shareholders at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 5 May 2022. 

Last date to trade shares cum-dividend

JSE Limited
London Stock Exchange

Shares commence trading ex-dividend
JSE Limited
London Stock Exchange

Record date

Tue 5 April 2022
Wed 6 April 2022

Wed 6 April 2022
Thu 7 April 2022

Fri 8 April 2022

Last date for receipt of Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) elections by Central Securities Depository Participants

Thu 14 April 2022

Last date for DRIP elections to South African Transfer Secretaries by shareholders

Last date for DRIP elections to UK Registrar by shareholders

Payment date

DRIP purchase settlement dates  
(subject to the purchase of shares in the open market):
South African Register
UK Register

Currency conversion dates
ZAR/euro
Euro/sterling

Tue 19 April 2022

Tue 26 April 2022

Mon 16 May 2022

Fri 20 May 2022
Wed 18 May 2022

Thu 3 March 2022
Tue 3 May 2022

Share certificates on Mondi plc’s South African register may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Wednesday 6 April 2022 and 
Friday 8 April 2022, both dates inclusive, nor may transfers between the UK and South African registers take place between Wednesday 
30 March 2022 and Friday 8 April 2022, both dates inclusive.

Dividend tax will be withheld from the amount of the gross final dividend paid to shareholders on the South African branch register at the 
rate of 20%, unless a shareholder qualifies for an exemption.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements252

Shareholder information continued

Your dividend currency
All dividends are declared in euro. Dividends are paid in euro with the following exceptions:

UK residents

South African residents

pound sterling

South African rand

Shareholders on the UK register resident in the UK may however elect to receive their dividends in euro and shareholders on the UK 
register resident outside the UK may elect to receive their dividends in pound sterling. 

Shareholders on the UK register wishing to elect to receive their dividends in an alternative currency should contact Link Market Services 
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.

Shareholders on the UK register:

 — Shareholders with a UK bank account can elect to receive dividends directly into their bank account via Signal Shares or by contacting 

Link Market Services.

 — Shareholders without a UK bank account may be able to take advantage of the International Payment Service offered by Link Market 

Services. Find out more via Signal Shares or by contacting Link Market Services.

Shareholders on the South African branch register:

 — The 2019 Interim dividend was the last dividend to be paid by cheque. Shareholders who previously received cheques should contact 

JSE Investor Services, if they have not already done so, to provide their bank details and ensure they continue to receive their dividends.

 — 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 JSE Investor Services or any CSDP.

Reinvest your dividends
The dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) provide an opportunity for shareholders to have their cash dividends reinvested in Mondi plc 
ordinary shares.

The plans are available to all 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 the UK or JSE 
Investor Services in South Africa as appropriate.

South African dematerialisation
Mondi encourages 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. 

Find out more by contacting JSE Investor Services or any CSDP.

Shareholders who previously held Mondi Limited shares 
Prior to 26 July 2019, Mondi had a dual listed company (DLC) structure comprising Mondi Limited, a company registered in South 
Africa and Mondi plc. Following the completion of the corporate simplification on 26 July 2019, this changed to a single holding 
company structure under Mondi plc. Mondi Limited (now Mondi South Africa (Pty) Limited) became a subsidiary of Mondi plc and 
the DLC arrangements between the two companies were terminated. Mondi Limited shareholders received Mondi plc shares held 
on the South African branch register. Shareholders who have any questions relating to their old Mondi Limited shares should contact 
JSE Investor Services.

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 2021253

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:

Shares held on the UK register

Shares held on the South African branch register

Postal address

ShareGift

PO Box 72253
London
SW1P 9LQ
UK

Helpline number

+44 (0)20 7930 3737

Email

Online

help@sharegift.org 

www.sharegift.org

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/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/strate_charity_
shares_donation_form_2020-1.pdf

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 Market Services in the UK, JSE Investor Services in South Africa or Mondi’s company secretarial 
department on +44 (0) 1932 826300.

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 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. 

Mondi plc
Registered office
Ground Floor, Building 5
The Heights
Brooklands
Weybridge
Surrey
KT13 0NY
UK
Tel. +44 (0) 1932 826300

Registered in England and Wales
Registered No. 6209386

Website: www.mondigroup.com

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements254

Glossary of terms

In addition to the terms explained below, the Group’s Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) are defined on pages 243-247. 
A full glossary of sustainability-related terms and partner organisations can be found in Mondi’s Sustainable Development report 2021.

Sustainable Development report 
www.mondigroup.com/sd21

Certified wood
Certified wood is produced from wood 
fibre which originates from sustainably 
managed forest lands. The most recognised 
forest certification schemes are:

FSCTM
Forest Stewardship CouncilTM 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 
CertificationTM is an international not-
for-profit non-government organisation, 
founded in 1999, dedicated to promoting 
sustainable forest management through 
independent third-party certification.

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 within this, business models.

Chain-of-Custody
Chain-of-Custody is a tracking system 
that allows manufacturers and traders 
to demonstrate that wood comes from 
a forest that is responsibly managed in 
accordance with credible standards.

CO2e
Other greenhouse gases (such as CH4, 
CFCs or N2O) can be converted into an 
equivalent amount of CO2 according to 
their global warming potential. Total GHG 
emissions are the sum of the equivalent 
amount of CO2 for each GHG, abbreviated 
as CO2e.

COD
Chemical oxygen demand is a measure 
of the oxygen-consuming capacity of 
inorganic and organic matter present 
in waste water; it quantifies the amount 
of oxidisable pollutants in water and is 
measured in tonnes.

Controlled Wood
Controlled Wood is wood of known origin 
with a minimum risk that it is harvested in 
an unacceptable way. The Controlled Wood 
system defines the minimum standards for 
wood that can be mixed with FSC wood. 
Products made from such material can use 
the FSC Mix label.

GHG
Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases that 
have the property of absorbing infrared 
radiation (net heat energy) emitted from 
Earth’s surface and re-radiating it back 
to Earth’s surface, thus contributing to 
the greenhouse effect. The GHG that 
contribute to the greenhouse effect are 
listed in the Kyoto Protocol of the United 
Nations Framework Convention on Climate 
Change (UNFCCC)

Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD)
The process through which companies 
identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for 
how they address their actual and potential 
adverse impacts on human rights, as an 
integral part of decision-making and risk 
management systems.

Net-Zero target
Net-Zero target setting supports the 
rapid decline of a company´s value-chain 
emissions to limit global temperature rise 
to 1.5°C. Net-Zero covers the entire value 
chain, including Scope 1, Scope 2 and 
Scope 3 emissions.

Science-based target
A carbon emission target is defined as 
‘science-based’ if it is in line with the scale 
of reductions required to keep global 
temperature rise to well-below 2°C above 
pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to 
limit warming to 1.5°C.

Scope 1 emissions
Total direct 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 wastewater 
treatment, make-up chemicals and 
other GHGs.

Scope 2 emissions
Total indirect GHG emissions from sources 
that are related to generation of purchased 
energy outside the company boundaries.

Scope 3 emissions
Total indirect GHG emissions from the 
production of fuel and raw materials; 
business travel; raw materials; transport 
of products and raw materials; and 
employee commuting.

Specific
Measurement of emissions or consumption 
normalised to volume, measured in saleable 
production tonnes.

SDGs
The United Nations Sustainable 
Development Goals, a set of universal goals 
that meet the urgent environmental, political 
and economic challenges facing our world.

TRCR
Total recordable case rate is calculated as 
the number of total recordable cases (the 
sum of fatalities, lost-time injuries, restricted 
work cases and medical treatment cases), 
multiplied by 200,000 and divided by the 
total hours worked for the selected period.

TRS
Total reduced sulphur compounds are 
generated in the pulping process and are 
the sum of the reduced malodorous sulphur 
compounds. It is a metric for emissions to 
air and is measured in tonnes.

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 2021255

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 position estimates prepared by the Group based on industry 
publications and management estimates. Main industry publication sources are: 

Fastmarkets RISI, Henry Poole Consulting, Eurosac, Freedonia, Alexander Watson Associates, 
PCI Wood Mackenzie, EMGE, EURO-GRAPH, Pulp and Paper Products Council and SBO.

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021OverviewStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements256

Notes

Mondi Group Integrated report and financial statements 2021Mondi investor relations team 
Ground Floor, Building 5,  
The Heights, Brooklands,  
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY,  
United Kingdom 
+44 1932 826 300

www.mondigroup.com

Our 2021 suite of reports
Please visit our Group website and year in review where our reports can be downloaded: 
www.mondigroup.com/year-in-review-2021

Opportunity 
unpacked

Mondi Group  
Integrated report and financial statements 2021

Mondi Group 
Sustainable Development report 2021

Opportunity 
unpacked

Integrated report and financial statements 2021
A balanced overview of Mondi’s strategic, operational  
and financial performance in 2021. 

Sustainable Development report 2021
A comprehensive view of our approach to sustainable 
development and our performance in 2021.

www.mondigroup.com/ir21

www.mondigroup.com/sd21

Printed on certified Mondi PERGRAPHICA® 
Classic Rough in 300gsm, 120gsm and 90gsm
Design and production: Radley Yeldar | www.ry.com
Printing: Park Communications | www.parkcom.co.uk