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FY2018 Annual Report · Renewi
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RENEWI PLC

WASTE
NO
MORE

ANNUAL REPORT AND 
ACCOUNTS 2018

WE GIVE 
NEW LIFE 
TO USED 
MATERIALS

The world’s population is growing. The economy is booming  
and this is increasing the strain on our planet. The result?  
Climate change, environmental pollution and an increasing  
scarcity of raw materials. 

Renewi provides tangible solutions to these problems by giving  
new life to used materials. We are working to make the growing 
circular economy a reality and to make our world cleaner and  
more sustainable. To make it a world in which we waste no more. 

Waste no more. 

On the front cover: 
Over the last year Renewi 
recycled enough glass  
to produce around  
2 billion bottles

CONTENTS

CASE STUDIES

44

36

BREAKING 
BARRIERS
Our Netherlands Commercial Division 
has delivered significant synergy 
savings in the treatment of  
C&D and bulky waste

TOWARDS 
A CLEANER 
FUTURE
Integrating Reym and VGIS has 
created a full service that is 
poised to achieve natural growth

50

WINNERS  
IN WASTE
We work with external 
stakeholders to turn waste 
from things like old mobile 
phones into new products 
such as medals

ACCELERATING  
REAL CHANGE 
The hard work and commitment of our  
people has enabled us to build one  
Renewi 

60

SECTIONS

02  OVERVIEW 
03   Financial highlights 
04   Renewi in numbers 
05   Our values 
06  Chairman’s statement 
08  CEO’s review
16 
20  Circular economy

Integration update 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
26  CFO’s review 
32  Executive Committee 
34  Operating review
60  People: Accelerating real change
66  CSR: A strong and steady performance
70  Risk and uncertainties

GOVERNANCE
80  Board of Directors
82 

 Corporate governance:  
Chairman’s introduction
83  Corporate governance report 
86  Audit Committee report 
90  Nomination Committee report 
 Remuneration Committee  
92 
Chairman’s statement

94  Directors’ remuneration policy 
100 Annual report on remuneration 
108 Other disclosures
111 Directors’ responsibilities statement
112 Auditors’ report

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
121 Financial statements

MORE INFORMATION
195 Shareholder information
196 Company information
197 Glossary

56

FUEL OF 
BEANS
In Surrey, Canada, our new organic 
biofuels processing facility is 
innovating to help our customer 
manage its carbon footprint

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

1

OVERVIEW

OUR VISION IS TO BE 
THE LEADING WASTE-TO-
PRODUCT COMPANY

OUR OFFER

Unrivalled  
range of  
products and 
services

Local  
service

International 
expertise

Passionate and committed people

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS THIS YEAR 

89%*

Overall recycling and  
recovery rate

3m

Tonnes of carbon avoidance  
through recycling and recovery

14%

Improvement in our  
>3 day accident rate

2

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Group

Revenue

£1,566m

Up 8% (3% at CER)

By division

Commercial

Revenue

£1,020m
£64.6m

Underlying EBIT

Underlying EBIT

Hazardous Waste

£69.1m

Up 30% (23% at CER)

Revenue

£203m
£17.4m

Underlying EBIT

Reported underlying profit before tax

Monostreams

£51.5m

Up 100% (88% at CER)

Total dividend

3.05p

Maintained at 3.05p per share

Revenue

£180m
£16.0m

Underlying EBIT

Municipal

Revenue

£193m
£(9.3)m

Underlying loss

% change

+5%
+36%

% change

% change

+3%
-20%

% change

% change

+7%
+24%

% change

-7%

% change

N/A

% change

Variances based on constant exchange rates and comparatives use pro forma results for the prior period to include the full performance of Van Gansewinkel as 
if the merger had been completed at the start of the 2016/17 financial year
* For our 2018 reporting, we have calculated our waste statistics on a fully merged basis. We have recalculated our 2017 data to allow for valid year-on-year 
comparisons. As part of this recalculation, our 2017 recycling and recovery rate now stands at 88%

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

3

OVERVIEW

RENEWI IN NUMBERS

Canada

Belgium

2

2

44

0

44 1,954

22

2

0

730

Portugal

1

1

22

0

0

c.8,000*

PEOPLE ACROSS 
RENEWI

UK

Netherlands

Luxembourg

Germany

2

1

25

0

15

1

0

4

0

3

Hungary

1

1

2

0

0

36

656
665

107

4,316

36

2

47

3

25

1,712

France

4

4

76

0

0

KEY

NUMBER OF 
OPERATING
SITES1

NUMBER OF 
EMPLOYEES

NUMBER OF 
OPERATING
SITES WITH 
RECYCLING/
RECOVERY

TOTAL TONNES 
OF WASTE 
HANDLED
(M)

NUMBER OF 
COLLECTION 
AND 
TRANSPORT 
TRUCKS2

1.  Active operating sites; does not include offices and other non- operational sites
2.  Does not include vans, passenger cars, mobile plant and similar
*  Including non-permanent workers. Other employee data excludes  

non-permanent workers unless stated.

4

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

OUR VALUES

WHAT MAKES US 
DIFFERENT

Our values are the foundation for everything we do at Renewi.  
They show that how we act is just as important as what we do.  
We use our new values to guide the way we behave and make decisions at work. 

WHAT WE ARE

HOW WE ACT

Safe
Safety above all else

We work safely or not at all by making 
safety part of all our systems, structures and 
processes. We stick to the rules, promote safety 
in our work and confront unsafe behaviour.

Innovative
Do it better every day

Innovation is what keeps us at the forefront of 
the waste-to-product revolution, helping us to 
deliver better products and services. Together, 
we are actively exploring new ideas and ways of 
working. Listening and sharing is key. 

Sustainable
Make a daily difference to our planet

Sustainability is at the heart of what we  
do. We are proud of our contribution to  
the environment and of the work we do.  
We are at the centre of the circular economy  
and ambitious about our impact on  
future generations. 

Accountable
Do what we say we’ll do

Collectively, we ensure that our operations 
run efficiently. Our team’s performance-driven 
mindset means we are committed to raising 
standards, show active integrity, and deliver 
with energy and pace.

Customer-focused
Add value for our customers

Our customers come first, so we are committed  
to providing excellent customer service to  
each and every one. We do this by being 
consistently reliable and timely, responsive  
and entrepreneurial, and full of friendly,  
positive energy. 

Together
Always open and respectful

Cooperation and supporting each other  
are essential within Renewi. That is why we  
treat each other with respect, listen and  
learn from one another, work together across  
all boundaries, and value every person’s role 
and contribution.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

5

OVERVIEW

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

EVEN BETTER 
TOGETHER

COLIN 
MATTHEWS
Chairman

Renewi provides an important service for 
society by recycling to give new life to used 
materials. During the year our company 
achieved many notable successes and 
also demonstrated the need to improve in 
some areas. Foremost in the latter, we were 
deeply shocked by the deaths of two of our 
colleagues while at work, one in Belgium 
and one in Germany. We took immediate 
action and are determined to raise safety 
standards above historic industry levels 
towards the best in any industry. 

Review of the year
Renewi was born a month before the start of 
the year by merging the previous businesses 
of Shanks and Van Gansewinkel. Integration 
has progressed well, contributing to strong 
financial results, ahead of our expectations 
at the start of the year. In particular, strong 
results in the Netherlands and Belgium, home 
to the great majority of the activities of the 
combined company, more than compensated 
for underperformance elsewhere. We have 
more to do in the coming year to serve 
customers better and more profitably through 
the combination of the two companies.

In common with others operating PFI (private 
finance initiative) contracts, we suffered 
disappointing results in the UK, where 
commercial terms agreed in contracts signed 
six or more years ago proved uneconomic 
today. Recognising future losses associated 
with these contracts for the next 22 years was 

the largest single contributor to our reported 
loss for the year. In addition, it has taken longer 
than originally planned to achieve the required 
performance from new facilities both in the UK 
and Canada. The new management team in 
our Municipal division has made good progress 
with these challenges in the year, including by 
deciding to exit loss making projects at both 
Dumfries & Galloway and Westcott Park. We 
continue to pursue operational and commercial 
improvements across the other projects.

Better together
The results already demonstrate that the 
two businesses are stronger as a result of the 
merger, and we have a bold agenda for further 
improvement in safety, customer service, 
environmental performance and productivity. 
The merged business is active at the heart of 
the growing circular economy. 

The legacy businesses bring together strengths 
in collection and in processing, in recycling 
of glass and electronic goods, and with the 
treatment of organic and hazardous waste. We 
have expertise in logistics and in successfully 
deploying improvement programmes such 
as commercial effectiveness and continuous 
improvement. 

We have designed an operating model 
that remains close to the customer, while 
leveraging strong common platforms and 
processes. The Board therefore believes that 
the combined Group can deliver sustained 

6

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

THE FULLY INTEGRATED RENEWI BUSINESS 
HAS A COMPELLING OFFERING FOR 
CUSTOMERS, COMBINING LOCAL SERVICE, 
INTERNATIONAL EXPERTISE AND AN 
UNRIVALLED BREADTH OF PRODUCTS

organic growth, in addition to the merger cost 
synergy benefits.

we serve in terms of nationality, experience in 
government and gender balance.

Corporate Governance
The Board is committed to the highest 
standards of corporate governance. Details 
of our processes and approach, including 
those relating to the role and effectiveness 
of the Board, and compliance with the 
UK Governance Code, are set out in the 
Governance section on pages 80 to 111. 

The Board and its committees have been 
diligent during the year to learn from the 
latest developments in corporate governance 
and to adopt management and governance 
arrangements adapted to the greater scale of 
our business. In particular, we have focused 
on: the integration of the two businesses; the 
recruitment and promotion of leaders, both in 
key operational roles and also to strengthen 
our corporate functions; the building of a new 
control and reporting framework; and risk 
management.

We undertook an externally facilitated 
review of the Board during the year and were 
encouraged by validation of our effectiveness 
and by constructive suggestions in line with 
our commitment to continuous improvement.

Board changes
The Board has made progress in the year, now 
better reflecting the diversity of the customers 

On 1 September 2017 Luc Sterck was 
appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive 
Director. Luc is a Belgian national with 
extensive experience in the waste industry, 
including serving as Chief Executive of Indaver, 
the leading Belgian waste management 
company. On 1 April 2018 Jolande Sap was 
appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive 
Director. Jolande has been a member of 
parliament in the Netherlands representing 
the Green Party, as well as holding a wide 
range of roles in the corporate and not-
for-profit environments. She brings highly 
relevant expertise in sustainability, the circular 
economy and emerging regulatory trends.

EPS and dividend
Reported underlying basic earnings per share 
for the year grew by 30% at reported currency 
to 4.8 pence (2017: 3.7 pence). I am pleased 
to confirm that we will be recommending an 
unchanged final dividend of 2.1 pence per 
share, payable on 27 July 2018 to shareholders 
on the register on 29 June 2018. The Board 
intends to maintain this level of dividend 
through the integration period until the 
dividend is back within the range of 2.0 to 2.5 
times cover. Once this is the case a progressive 
dividend policy can be resumed.

Summary and outlook
We believe in an exciting future for Renewi. 
The business is well positioned at the heart 
of the emerging circular economy, a market 
whose growth is driven by EU and national 
government legislation. The fully integrated 
Renewi business has a compelling offering 
for customers, combining local service, 
international expertise and an unrivalled 
breadth of products. The full deployment of 
commercial effectiveness and continuous 
improvement programmes will boost 
competitiveness and drive enhanced margins. 
The delivery of the committed cost synergies is 
also expected to drive strong earnings growth 
and cash generation.

On behalf of the Board, I thank all of our 
Renewi employees for their commitment 
over the past year of change. I also thank our 
customers and shareholders for their ongoing 
support for the Board and the management 
team as we deliver the benefits of our 
transformational merger.

Colin Matthews
Chairman

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

7

OVERVIEW

CEO’S REVIEW

GOOD FIRST 
YEAR OF 
PROGRESS

Renewi has had a successful first full year 
since the transformational merger of Shanks 
with Van Gansewinkel Groep (VGG) which 
completed on 28 February 2017. Reported 
underlying profit before tax doubled to 
£51.5m, and we produced a strong cash 
performance. Over the year we made good 
progress with the post-merger integration, 
exceeding our first year synergy target and 
establishing Renewi as a new and powerful 
brand in our core markets.

Our core Commercial Division delivered a strong 
performance, particularly in the Netherlands, 
and along with a strong performance by the 
Monostreams Division, offset headwinds in our 
Hazardous Waste and Municipal Divisions. Our 
overall results demonstrate the scale, breadth 
and resilience of the Group’s expanded portfolio 
of businesses.

DELIVERING A GOOD  
GROUP PERFORMANCE

Group performance
Group revenues grew by 8% to £1,566m at 
reported currency and 3% at constant currency. 
Underlying EBIT increased by 30% to £69.1m 
at reported currency and 23% at constant 
currency. Reported underlying profit before 
tax doubled to £51.5m at reported currency. 
Reported underlying earnings per share grew 
by 30% at reported currency to 4.8p (2017: 
3.7p). Exceptional items totalled £101.5m (2017: 
£87.1m), principally reflecting the planned 
synergy delivery and integration costs of the 
merger and the previously reported actions to 
manage the Group’s portfolio of UK Municipal 
assets, which resulted in a loss before tax for 
the year of £50.0m (2017: £61.4m). The total 
dividend for the year was maintained at 3.05 
pence per share, in line with the Group’s policy.

Strong cash management continued through 
the year. We delivered an underlying free cash 
flow of £79.8m in the first full year which was 
driven by a good working capital performance, 
well controlled replacement capital expenditure 
and delayed soil offset expenditure at ATM. Our 
core net debt at 31 March 2018 was £438.7m, 
representing a multiple of 2.9 times EBITDA, 
comfortably within our covenant level of 3.5x 
and better than our expectations for the year.

Divisional summary
 Î Commercial: strong performance in 
improving markets, particularly in the 
Netherlands, where profit grew 67% at 
constant currency

 Î Hazardous Waste: underlying profit decline 
of 20% at constant currency, as anticipated, 
reflecting soil issues at ATM

 Î Monostreams: 24% underlying profit growth 

at constant currency, with encouraging 
performance from Mineralz, Orgaworld and 
Maltha

 Î Municipal: loss reflects difficult market 
conditions and operational challenges; 
recovery plan being implemented

Driving strong growth in our core 
Commercial Division
Our Commercial Division, representing 
around 65% of our revenues, had a strong 
year, increasing underlying EBIT by 36% at 
constant currency to £64.6m on revenues up 
5% to £1,020m. Margins increased by 140 basis 
points to 6.3% and returns on operating assets 
increased 620bps to 20.6%. The Netherlands 
increased underlying EBIT strongly by 67% 
to £38.8m, while Belgium grew underlying 
EBIT by 7% to £25.8m. Growth was driven 

by a combination of improving inbound 
waste volumes and positive pricing, strong 
operational gearing and initial synergies, 
offsetting a reduction in wood income and in 
paper and plastic recyclate income during the 
second half. The Division focused on enhancing 
margins through the renewal of medium and 
long term contracts at commercial prices to 
reflect the improving broader market conditions 
and successfully delivered a net gain in 
customers over the year. The particularly strong 
growth rate in the Netherlands reflects the 
stronger market recovery in that country and 
the opportunity for greater margin recovery. 
Divisional synergies amounted to €9.2m during 
the year, ahead of our initial expectations.

Addressing the short term challenges of soil 
offset in our Hazardous Waste Division
Hazardous Waste was impacted by the 
previously reported challenges in the offset of 
remediated soil at ATM following a dispute with 
IL&T, a Dutch regulator, over the use of washing 
waters in our treatment process. Revenues 
increased by 3% at constant currency to £203m 
but underlying EBIT reduced by 20% to £17.4m, 
with margins decreasing by 250 basis points 
to 8.6%. Intake of contaminated soil remained 
strong, as was throughput of contaminated 
water and packed chemical wastes. However, 
with limited outlets for the treated soil, we 
temporarily reduced soil throughput to around 
50% of capacity with a corresponding impact 
on ATM’s profitability, particularly in the 
second half. As a result of the ongoing market 
challenges with soil offset, an exceptional 
charge of £2.7m has been reported.

Whilst discussions continue with IL&T, we 
remain confident that our treatment process 
has been in line with all permits and applicable 
laws. We are making good progress in 

8

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

PETER 
DILNOT
Chief Executive  
Officer

OVER THE YEAR WE MADE GOOD 
PROGRESS WITH POST-MERGER 
INTEGRATION, EXCEEDING OUR  
FIRST YEAR SYNERGY TARGET AND 
ESTABLISHING RENEWI AS A NEW 
AND POWERFUL BRAND IN  
OUR CORE MARKETS

developing new opportunities to place the 
treated soil during 2018/19 and for the long 
term. The Reym/VGIS industrial cleaning 
business performed well and also made good 
progress in integrating VGIS operationally into 
the larger Reym organisation, delivering initial 
synergies of €1m during the year. 

Building downstream product 
opportunities in our Monostreams Division
Our Monostreams Division delivered a strong 
performance in its first full year. At constant 
currency, revenues increased by 7% to £180m 
and underlying EBIT grew by 24% to £16.0m. 
Margins increased by 120 basis points to 8.9%. 
Growth was particularly strong in the Mineralz 
segment, with progress in both project related 
landfill volumes and the growing conversion 
of bottom ashes into products for building 
materials. This market will grow in the coming 
years as companies comply with the Green 
Deal between incinerator companies and the 
Dutch Government. In Orgaworld the main 
drivers were strong source segregated organics 
(SSO) volumes and good digester output 
performance. In Maltha, strong glass volumes 
in a diversifying customer portfolio, combined 
with operational improvement programmes, 
improved margins significantly. We also 
signed a new shareholder agreement with our 
joint venture partner Owens-Illinois for the 
Maltha business, strengthening the long term 
relationship between the two partners. Coolrec 
continued its innovative projects with a growing 
number of leading industrial partners in the use 
of recycled plastics and metals.

Action to address and de-risk performance 
in the Municipal Division
As previously reported, Municipal, which 
operates in the UK and Canada, had a 
challenging year. Revenue fell by 7% to £193m 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

9

OVERVIEW | CEO’S REVIEW CONTINUED

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Commercial Waste

Hazardous Waste

Monostreams

Municipal

Group central services

Inter-segment revenue

Mar 18

£m

1,019.6

 203.2 

180.0

192.9

–

925.4

187.9 

159.6 

207.6 

– 

(30.0)

(29.9) 

REVENUE

UNDERLYING EBIT

Mar 17

Variance %

£m

Actual

CER

Mar 18

£m

Mar 17

Variance %

£m

Actual

CER

10%

8% 

13% 

-7% 

5%

3% 

7% 

64.6

17.4 

16.0 

45.2

20.7 

12.3 

-7% 

(9.3) 

(2.6) 

(19.6) 

(22.5) 

– 

69.1 

69.1 

–

53.1 

36.5 

36%

-20%

24%

N/A

15%

23%

43%

-16% 

30% 

N/A 

13% 

30% 

89%

Total (pro forma basis)

1,565.7

1,450.6 

8% 

3% 

Total (reported basis)

1,565.7

779.2 

101% 

CER = at constant exchange rate. 
The figures above are reconciled to statutory measures in note 3 in the consolidated financial statements.

All comparisons to the 2017 results refer to the performance that year on a pro forma basis as if Van Gansewinkel (VGG) had been owned throughout the financial year ended 31 March 2017, 
except where stated as reported. Pro forma includes 12 months of VGG as extracted from management accounts and unaudited. The definition of non-IFRS measures is included on page 182.

36%

Increase in underlying EBIT in 
Commercial Division

24%

Increase in underlying EBIT in 
Monostreams Division

primarily as a result of reduced construction 
revenues following the completion of the 
Surrey facility in Canada. The Division recorded 
an operating loss for the year of £9.3m, with 
increased losses in both the UK and Canada. 
Ongoing operational and portfolio initiatives 
include signing new refuse derived fuel (RDF) 
export agreements to reduce cost, the sale 
of Westcott Park and planned termination of 
the Dumfries & Galloway PFI contract and the 
resolution of operational issues in Canada. 
These initiatives are expected to reduce losses 
materially in the year ahead. As previously 
announced, an exceptional charge of £73m has 
been recorded in the year relating to onerous 
contract provisions and portfolio management.

Synergy delivery in 2017/18 ahead of plan, 
with forecast €40m synergies on track
The delivery of our commitment of €40m of cost 
synergies by 2019/20 underpins the expected 
initial value creation of the merger and we 
made good progress towards that target during 
2017/18. We delivered €15m of initial synergies 
compared with our target of €12m and for a 
lower cost to date than originally planned. 

In addition, the run rate of secured 
annualised cost savings as at March 2018 
was approximately €24m, underpinning our 
confidence in our €30m target for 2018/19.  
The balance will be achieved in the second half, 
primarily from the process and IT migration 
projects which are critical to the next phases 

of planned integration and cost reduction. 
Our initiatives support our total €40m target, 
with further potential new projects being 
identified. Lower than expected exceptional 
synergy delivery costs of £14.6m (2017: £4.5m) 
have been incurred in the year to deliver these 
benefits. 

Waste is on the agenda for  
Brexit discussions
The Brexit vote on 23 June 2016 created 
some uncertainties in the waste market. The 
short-term impact has been limited to the flow 
through of a weakened Sterling on our results, 
both transactional and reported. Through the 
Brexit process, we expect the export of waste 
from the UK to continue as there is a strong 
economic incentive for both the Netherlands 
and the UK to do so. Longer term, we also 
believe the impact on the Dutch market is likely 
to remain limited. This is because an ultimate 
reduction in UK imports was already expected 
due to the commissioning of incinerator 
capacity in the UK and also new waste imports 
into the Dutch incinerators are being identified 
to take up any vacated capacity. Providing that 
there is no significant degradation in Dutch 
incinerator utilisation and pricing, the impact of 
Brexit on our Benelux Divisions is therefore likely 
to be limited. We understand that the Minister 
for DEFRA is aware of the importance of having 
transition, and then permanent, arrangements 
in place in any Brexit deal to address this waste 
issue. We also believe that the UK Government 

10

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

  
will continue to drive environmental policies 
that will encourage recycling after the exit from 
the European Union.

ACTIVE MANAGEMENT TO OUTPERFORM 
IN DYNAMIC RECYCLING MARKETS

Stronger incoming waste market supported 
by positive macroeconomic backdrop
Renewi benefited from generally stronger 
markets for inbound waste in 2017/18, with 
broad based volume growth supported by 
increasing GDP growth in our core Benelux 
market. Specifically:

 Î GDP grew by 3.1% in the Netherlands and 
1.7% in Belgium. While total waste arising 
generally increases by a little less than GDP, 
for Renewi this is more than offset by an 
increasing structural shift towards recycling 
from landfill and incineration;

 Î Dutch construction continued to grow 
strongly for a third consecutive year, 
increasing by 5.6% during 2017 (compared 
with 7.1% and 8.0% in 2016 and 2015 
respectively). The particularly strong growth 
in residential activity of 9.0% in 2017 is 
expected to moderate in 2018/19, replaced 
to some extent by increasing infrastructure 
investment; and

 Î Specific niche markets all showed underlying 
input volume growth, including green waste 
and sludges for Orgaworld, WEEE materials 
and fridges for Coolrec, glass waste for 
Maltha, bottom ashes for Mineralz and 
contaminated soil for ATM.

Volumes were particularly strong in the first half 
of the year, most notably in Dutch construction. 
However, growth slowed during the winter 
season compared with the first eight months, 
partly due to an unusually cold February and 
March. 

As a result of the volume growth over the past 
two years, capacity is increasingly well balanced 
and we have successfully put through selective 
price increases both to  
offset cost inflationary pressures, as described 
in the Operating Review, and to increase 
margins as the market improves. Overall, 
inbound waste markets are expected to  
remain positive in 2018/19.

Volatility in recyclate markets largely 
mitigated by contractual agreements
In July 2017 the Chinese government 
announced the National Sword programme 
to reduce the import of paper and plastic 

SUCCESSFUL BRAND ROLL OUT

The rebranding of the legacy Shanks and Van Gansewinkel (VGG) businesses  
to Renewi has been an essential part of showing our stakeholders that we  
are building something new, drawing on the heritage and the strengths  
of both legacy organisations. The Renewi brand itself reflects our waste- 
to-product business model and our role at the centre of the growing  
circular economy.

We are increasingly encouraged by the reaction to our new brand from both the 
market and our people. There has been a genuine commitment to the new brand 
within the organisation and a growing pride in what it stands for. Initial market 
research has also shown both increasing recognition and very positive associations 
for the new brand.

The heart of the roll out has been the physical rebranding of our assets. Over 120 
sites and 1,500 trucks have been rebranded and we are on track to finish rebranding 
of trucks and sites during this year. We are now underway with the process of 
applying Renewi stickers to all roll-bins at customer locations as well as a long term 
programme to repaint and rebrand our larger metal skips and containers. It is now 
common to see Renewi vehicles and assets throughout the Benelux.

The physical rebranding has been supported by online activity through Renewi social 
media accounts and building on our very successful launch ‘Day one’ video. We have 
also carried out small-scale publicity campaigns, such as one in partnership with the 
Belgian cinema chain Kinepolis in which Renewi encouraged visitors to cinemas to 
recycle their waste bottles and cartons. We launched a Renewi-wide collaboration 
platform in February 2018 and, as part of this, all Renewi employees transitioned 
to a renewi.com email address from 1 March 2018, further enhancing our people’s 
affirmation with our new brand. 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

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OVERVIEW | CEO’S REVIEW CONTINUED

recyclates, especially lower grade and 
contaminated materials. Given that China uses 
approximately 50% of the world’s recycled 
paper, this naturally lead to overcapacity in 
the market for recycled paper. The immediate 
impact was a fall of around 20% in recyclate 
prices from relatively high levels of €155 per 
tonne for cardboard in July to around €125 per 
tonne by September. Prices then stabilised until 
February 2018 when they fell sharply, with a low 
in March 2018 of around €70 per tonne, due in 
part to inventory accumulation in the supply 
chain. Prices stabilised again in April 2018.

Renewi is not materially impacted by 
movements in the plastics market but does 
have an exposure to the paper market. 
Importantly, around 80% of Renewi’s paper 
output in its Commercial Division is subject to 
dynamic pricing within its customer contracts 
through which Renewi’s margin is largely 
protected. This is because changes in paper 
prices are automatically passed through to the 
waste producing customer. In addition, paper 
prices have broadly fallen by significantly less 
(c20%) for the high grade paper in which the 
Commercial Division’s Destra plants specialise, 
as this paper generally goes directly to 
European paper mills. 

The impact of lower paper recyclate prices  
on Renewi was around £3m in the second  
half of 2017/18, as previously reported. Looking 
forward, the mitigated full year impact of 
current paper and plastic prices on Renewi in 
2018/19 is expected to be around £4m, of which 
half is in the Municipal Division which produces 
lower grade product and is unable to pass 
recyclate price changes back to its customers.

Tightening capacity in outlet markets for 
residual waste
Another continuing market trend in 2017/18 
was the tightening of capacity at the 
incinerators in Belgium and the Netherlands for 
burnable waste, including RDF. All the Benelux 
incinerators are now effectively full and there is 
a lack of capacity to treat any significant volume 
growth. Accordingly, incinerator gate fees have 
continued to rise. Renewi is well placed to 
manage these market trends, being the largest 
commercial Benelux supplier with around 2.4 
million tonnes of burnable waste a year and a 
well-balanced contract portfolio for the off-take 
of its residual waste streams. The tightening 
market capacity is also evident in the rising 
costs of disposal of other residues from sorting 
lines, such as sieve sands.

On balance, a lack of incinerator capacity and 
increasing incinerator gate fees is positive for 
Renewi’s Commercial Division as it broadly 
supports pricing recovery for Benelux recyclers. 
It is possible that further strong inbound 
volume growth could result in challenges to 
find sufficient outlets for our residues and a 
requirement to limit some commercial intake in 
the short term. Increasing gate fees is inherently 
a negative for our Municipal Division, however 
this has been largely mitigated by our strategy 
of locking in the vast majority of our output to 
long term contracts at fixed rates.

PFI market remains challenging in the UK
The PFI sector in the UK has continued to 
face significant challenges. An increasing 
number of PFI contracts have come under 
pressure as a result of austerity measures, 
poor performance or because the contracts 

have proven to be inappropriate in the current 
market environment. Within this unfavourable 
market, our Municipal Division’s portfolio of 
assets has been vulnerable contractually to 
the volatile recovered fuel markets, rising 
(continental) European incinerator gate fees 
and the weakness of Sterling. We are actively 
managing this through ongoing operational 
improvements, contractual negotiations 
with customers and, where appropriate, 
management actions to exit specific activities. 

DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE  
LONG TERM GROWTH

Our vision
Our vision is to be the leading waste-to-product 
company. This differentiates Renewi as a 
company that focuses on extracting value from 
waste and supplying high quality secondary raw 
materials, rather than on the disposal of waste 
through mass burn incineration or landfill. 
Our vision positions us higher up the value 
chain in the segments expected to show the 
highest structural growth rates in an industry 
driven by increasing environmental legislation, 
particularly in the European Union where the 
majority of our business operates. We believe 
that our unique focus addresses social and 
regulatory trends and also offers the most 
capital-efficient solution to waste management.

The Circular Economy – a growing  
end market
The markets in which we operate are 
structurally set for long term growth, stimulated 
by environmental need, customer demand and 
by increasing regulation. Renewi is uniquely 
placed to meet the needs of the growing 
circular economy with our waste-to-product 
model. The circular economy is a growing 
business model in which the concept of waste 
is obsolete. The waste produced by society is 
seamlessly reconverted back into secondary 
raw materials so as to prevent contamination 
and preserve scarce virgin materials. There are 
three reinforcing drivers that are combining 
powerfully and increasingly to build a new and 
vibrant circular economy. These are a clear 
environmental need, greater customer demand 
and increasing regulation. We discuss these in 
more detail on page 20 of this report.

Our strategy
We have a clear Group strategy to deliver 
sustained growth and attractive returns through:

 Î Delivering merger benefits, including 

committed annual cost savings of €40m in 
2019/20;

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 Î Driving margin expansion across the 

Group through our self-help initiatives 
of commercial effectiveness, continuous 
improvement and off-take management;

 Î Strategic expansion by investing in 

innovation, broadening our products 
and services, and investing where we are 
structurally advantaged in the growing 
circular economy and can deliver superior 
returns; and

 Î Managing our portfolio of assets and 
businesses: exiting those that are non-
core or under-performing and redeploying 
capital into segments where we can deliver 
increased returns and growth.

The merger has combined two similar 
businesses with complementary inspiring 
visions, organisations, product portfolios and 
geographic footprints. It is on track to deliver 
significant synergies, far greater than just cost 
reduction. Renewi plays an important role as a 
recycler and supplier of high quality secondary 
raw materials in the growing circular economy 
to meet the increasing needs of its customers, 
regulators and society.

The creation of Renewi has widened the range 
of products and services to our combined 
customer base. For example, we are now not 
only providing the Dutch incineration industry 
with high quality recovered fuels from the 
Netherlands, the UK and Belgium, but also 
recycling its bottom ashes into products for 
building materials and immobilising its fly 
ashes through our Mineralz business, providing 
industrial cleaning services through our Reym 
business and managing some of its non-core 
waste streams such as bulky or green waste. We 
have also been able to extend our “Total Care” 
offering that provides industrial cleaning, waste 
collection, logistics and treatment to larger 
industrial customers under a single service.

As a result of combining the two legacy 
businesses, we have also expanded and 
strengthened our geographical footprint and 
now cover the whole of the Benelux and other 
European countries such as Germany, France 
and Portugal. We can serve customers across 
the Benelux more efficiently, saving on logistics 
costs, improving customer care and reducing 
our carbon footprint. Our increased scale also 
means that we can procure certain assets and 
supplies at more competitive prices. 

As expected, we are seeing a wide range of 
benefits from combining the logistics scale and 
expertise of VGG with the broader treatment 
capabilities of Shanks. Significant synergies 
have been delivered through the rerouting of 
waste collected from VGG customers to  
be treated in Shanks facilities, expanding 
margins and optimising asset utilisation. Our 
merger has also resulted in better prices and 
capacity utilisation. 

We are also progressing a further initiative 
regarding the potential benefit of digitalisation 
on our industry and on Renewi. We will focus 
initially on driving efficiency within our own 
company through automation, robotics, and 
digitalising interfaces with customers and 
suppliers. In the longer term, we will focus on 
emerging technologies for the industry such as 
smart bins, web-based customer relationships, 
asset light strategies and other potentially 
disruptive models.

Setting new values 
Finally, an essential part of the creation of 
Renewi is the establishment of a set of values, 
and associated behaviours, that we believe 
both represent Renewi but are also appropriate 

OUR STRATEGY

Commercial

Hazardous

Monostreams

Municipal

Integration 
delivery

Margin 
improvement

Strategic 
expansion

Portfolio 
management

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13

 
 
 
OVERVIEW | CEO’S REVIEW CONTINUED

to supporting the delivery of our vision and 
business strategy. Over the past year we 
undertook an in depth project to shape these 
values based on our vision and input from our 
leaders and from workshops with employees at 
all levels and in all divisions. As a result of this 
we were pleased to launch our new values on 
28 February 2018, our first birthday as a merged 
business.

Three values capture ‘what’ we do: Safe, 
Innovative and Sustainable. Detailed 
programmes are being built up now to ensure 
that we deliver on these values. For example 
we will be launching new and more ambitious 
safety targets as we enhance our group-wide 
safety culture; we will be rolling out our 
continuous improvement programme to be 
“better every day” and thereby enhancing 
productivity and margins; and we will be 
investing to improve our sustainability and 
environmental impact going forward, including 
a transition to using cleaner EURO VI trucks.

Three further values capture ‘how’ we act: 
Accountable, Customer Focused and Together, 
the latter focusing on the teamwork required 
to build our new business in an open and 
transparent way.

GENERATING VALUE  
IN THE YEAR AHEAD

Underpinning our value delivery plans for 
the year ahead is driving a strong business 
performance across the Group. In particular, we 
are focused on three specific commercial goals 
to improve our performance, comprising:

 Î Driving post-merger margin enhancement in 
the Commercial Division through commercial 
effectiveness and continuous improvement;

 Î Securing new soil outlets which will enable 
ATM to return to full production during the 
second half; and

 Î Reducing operating losses in the  

Municipal Division. 

 Alongside these important objectives, we  
will generate value through the delivery of  
our synergy commitments and the 
development of an effective platform for  
long term growth across the Group. This  
will include the rollout of existing post-merger 
margin enhancement tools and the selective 
investment in an innovation pipeline, which 
currently comprises over 100 projects at various 
stages of development. We will also continue to 

develop new sustainability initiatives with OEMs 
to capture the long  
term growth opportunities from the  
growing circular economy. 

POSITIVE FUTURE OUTLOOK

Divisional outlook 
Against a backdrop of positive overall volumes 
and improved pricing across the Benelux waste 
markets, the Commercial Division is expected 
to make continuing progress in the current 
year. We expect that slightly slower growth in 
the construction market, reduced income from 
paper and plastic recyclates and increased cost 
pressures will be more than offset by increasing 
prices for inbound waste, our commercial 
effectiveness and continuous improvement 
initiatives and the delivery of our synergy 
targets. In addition, our active use of dynamic 
pricing in customer contracts will continue to 
mitigate the impact of volatility in recyclate 
prices.

The Hazardous Waste Division is expected 
to deliver a similar performance to 2017/18. 
Whilst we expect to continue to operate at 
50% production at ATM during the first half of 
the year, we are in well-advanced discussions 
with a number of potential new soil outlets 

MANAGING 
CHANGE

The integration of Renewi 
and the delivery of the 
synergy programme 
constitutes a significant 
change programme through 
which we wish to lead our 
people with confidence, 
great communication and 
empathy for the discomfort 
that can come with change. 
We have launched a change 
programme called the iRenew 
Network which delivers 
change management training 
to all leaders in impacted 
areas and which creates 
a network of leaders and 
‘ambassadors’ to ensure 
that we are listening to the 
concerns of people impacted 
by change and are addressing 
those concerns effectively.

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MEASURING FUTURE PERFORMANCE

DIVISIONS:

COMMERCIAL

HAZARDOUS WASTE

MONOSTREAMS

MUNICIPAL

To deliver long term growth from 
increasing demand for recycling 
services and through delivery 
of synergies and application of 
margin enhancing activities.

To deliver growth increasing 
capacity, increasing the range of 
products that can be treated and 
considering geographic expansion 
where competitively advantaged.

To deliver growth from the 
existing businesses and through 
a larger product portfolio of 
secondary materials for the 
growing circular economy.

To deliver recovery plan to 
stabilise and de-risk the business 
including reducing losses and 
commissioning new assets.

GOALS 2018/19

 Î Deliver synergy commitments
 Î
Increase margins through  
extension of commercial 
effectiveness programme

 Î Manage volatility in downstream 
markets, including sieve sands  
and burnable waste
Implement one way of working 
across Netherlands and Belgium  
as per Target Operating Model 

 Î

 Î Open new outlets for treated soil 

and resume full production

 Î Optimise waterside volumes and 

seek additional sludges 

 Î Manage Reym/VGIS productivity 
and cost base to meet expected 
market demand

 Î Deliver synergy commitments
 Î Secure greater returns from 

industrial cleaning

 Î Commission powder line at 
Dintelmond and continue to 
deliver growth through operational 
improvement 
Increase margins at Coolrec through 
dynamic pricing and a focus on 
optimised product quality

 Î

 Î Secure extension for Maasvlakte 
specialist treatment/landfill

 Î Drive growth in Orgaworld through 

improving end markets

 Î Successfully commission Surrey 

 Î

and Derby projects
Implement new off-take contracts 
at improved prices

 Î Address ongoing operational 
challenges in less profitable 
contracts

 Î Continue to reduce costs at loss-

making contracts

 Î Exit Dumfries & Galloway 

operating contract

GROUP:

MARGIN IMPROVEMENT

STRATEGIC EXPANSION

MANAGING THE PORTFOLIO

INTEGRATION DELIVERY

GOALS 2018/19

 Î Use commercial effectiveness 

 Î Build innovation portfolio 

(CE) programme to manage and 
improve margins

and progress most attractive 
opportunities

 Î Commence roll out of continuous 
improvement (CI) initiatives across 
Group, starting in Monostreams

 Î Ensure enlarged Group takes 

 Î Expand in areas of expected market 
growth such as treatment of bottom 
ashes and recycling of plastics
 Î Develop and progress digital 

advantage of scale opportunities 
with regard to group-wide 
coordinated management off-take 
disposal

opportunities

 Î Complete IT strategic roadmap 
to support integration and drive 
efficiency in the coming years

 Î Continue to release value from 
under-performing or non-core 
assets to recycle capital
 Î Remain alert for expansion 

opportunities through accretive 
M&A, exercising capital discipline

 Î Complete exit from Dumfries & 

Galloway contract

 Î Deliver €30m of synergies in FY19
 Î Be on track to deliver €40m in FY20
 Î Position business for further 

synergy opportunity once way of 
working established

 Î Drive programmes to secure 
revenue synergies from cross-
selling, waste internalisation and 
commercial effectiveness

which, if secured, would enable the return to 
full production from October. Stable pricing 
is anticipated for these new soil outlets. In 
addition, we are working on concepts to further 
refine our soil product portfolio and to open 
up new long term markets. Ongoing synergy 
delivery in Reym/VGIS will offset volume falls 
arising from fewer major refinery shutdowns in 
2018 and contracting onshore gas production. 

The Monostreams Division is also expected 
to perform at similar levels to 2017/18, with 
underlying growth offset by the non-recurrence 
of certain high margin projects in Mineralz. We 
anticipate further growth in the processing 
of bottom ashes into secondary products at 
Mineralz alongside broader benefits across 
the Division from the roll out of a continuous 
improvement programme. We remain confident 
that we will secure a long term expansion 
permit for the specialist landfill at Maasvlakte, 
securing earnings streams from that site for 
approximately the next twenty years.

The Municipal Division is expected to report 

materially reduced losses in the year ahead 
as a result of improvements in Canada from 
London volumes and Surrey commissioning, 
and ongoing commercial and operational gains 
in ELWA and Cumbria. 

Group outlook
The Board expects continued good progress in 
2018/19, in line with its expectations. Volumes 
remain positive and both cost inflationary 
pressures and lower recyclate income are 
largely being passed on to inbound waste 
producers. New soil outlets for ATM are 
expected to be open by October, enabling us to 
resume full production in the second half and 
we anticipate a modest recovery in relevant 
recyclate prices towards the year end. With 
run rate annualised synergies of €24m as at 
March 2018, we remain confident of delivering 
synergies of €30m in 2018/19 and €40m in 
2019/20.

increase significantly in the coming years with 
the support of European Union and government 
legislation. Moreover, the fully integrated 
Renewi has a compelling offering for customers, 
combining local service, international expertise 
and an unrivalled breadth of products. 

Our strategic and commercial positioning 
will continue to drive sustainable growth, 
supported by the delivery of our integration 
activities and synergy targets, as well as ongoing 
opportunities for margin expansion and cost 
reduction. With an increasing pipeline of growth 
opportunities through innovation and strategic 
expansion, Renewi is well positioned to deliver 
long term growth and attractive returns. 

Looking forward, our growth drivers are strong. 
Renewi plays an important role in the growing 
circular economy, a market that is expected to 

Peter Dilnot
Chief Executive Officer

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

15

 
OVERVIEW

INTEGRATION UPDATE

INTEGRATION AND 
SYNERGY DELIVERY

The integration of two similar sized entities is complex and has been approached with 
detailed planning, tight operational control and through deploying experienced resources

The first key objective was to create a single new 
and unified management team. Our Renewi 
Executive Committee reflects a balance of 
former Shanks, former VGG and new external 
hires. These new leaders have brought fresh 
perspectives from blue chip backgrounds such 
as GE, SABIC, UTC and Fedex/TNT, while at the 
same time we have retained the deep corporate 
and waste knowledge that is essential to driving 
profitability in the waste industry. Our new 
Executive Committee was completed by the 
end of August 2017, following which we were 
then able to sequentially design and populate 
our organisation structures for the next layers of 
management throughout the organisation. This 
was done in two waves in each of the Belgian 
and Netherlands Commercial businesses and 
in our Group Central Services, completing in 
January 2018.

At the same time as implementing our new 
management structures, we have designed 
a target operating model (TOM), both for 
the whole Group and most specifically for 
the Commercial Division in Belgium and 
the Netherlands (where the two differently 
structured businesses are merging into one way 
of working). The new TOM has been designed 
to maintain excellent customer intimacy 
while creating robust and efficient operating 
platforms that reduce cost and enable future 
expansion. The design phase has been 
completed and we are currently implementing 
pilot studies and expect to migrate the  
majority of our activities during the second  
half of the current year.

IT systems lie at the heart of the integration 
journey. We have reviewed and selected 
core platforms around which we will build 
our processes for the migration to one way 
of working. Many of the systems are now 
undergoing significant modification so they can 
manage the breadth of activities and processes 
required in Renewi. The outcome over the next 
two years will then form a platform for further 
sustained investment and improvement to 
further reduce cost and improve performance.

WE MADE VERY 
GOOD PROGRESS 
DURING 2017/18, 
DELIVERING €15M OF 
SYNERGIES AGAINST 
A TARGET OF €12M

The entire programme is managed by 
integration teams within each relevant 
division led by a dedicated integration leader 
and supported by external experts. The 
programme is managed and reviewed by 
the executive directors with support from a 
small central Integration Management Office 
(IMO). We have created a detailed integration 
master plan to manage both divisional and 
functional integration activities, addressing 
interdependencies and ensuring milestones are 
met. Synergies are tracked from the moment 
they are identified to the time of realisation. 
The synergy plans are, and will continue to be, 
subject to audit both internally and externally 
to ensure that we can be confident that the 
resulting benefits are both real and sustainable. 
The central IMO also keeps close track of 
current and forecast integration costs, whether 
exceptional or capital in nature.

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We have rebranded over 120 sites 
and 1,500 trucks




SYNERGY DELIVERY IN 2017/18  
AHEAD OF PLAN WITH FORECAST  
€40M SYNERGIES ON TRACK

Our commitment to deliver €40m of cost 
synergies by 2019/20 underpins the initial value 
creation of the merger.

We made very good progress during 2017/18, 
delivering €15m of synergies against a target 
of €12m for much lower cost to date than 
originally planned. Encouragingly, the run 
rate of secured cost savings as at March 2018 
was approximately €24m, underpinning our 
confidence in delivering our €30m target for 
2018/19. The balance of this year’s saving will be 
achieved in the second half primarily through 
the process and IT migration projects which are 
critical to the next phases of integration and 
cost reduction. Our initiatives support our total 
€40m target, with further potential new projects 
being identified.

The savings are delivered in three main areas: 
direct, indirect and scale savings:

 Î Direct savings include significant benefits 

from rerouting waste to optimise margins, as 
well as reduced costs from route optimisation 
and site closures. Some of these benefits 
will only be secured following process and 
IT migration. During the year we exited a 
large former VGG site in Utrecht, saving an 
annualised €0.7m, and a further three small 
sites in Hazardous Waste, saving €0.1m. We 
also delivered savings of an annualised €0.3m 
from reduced costs of outbound logistics of 
waste to incineration.

 Î Scale savings include benefits in terms 
of recyclate income, disposal costs and 
procurement. Procurement benefits of over 
€2.5m (annualised) have been delivered and 
this is expected to more than double by the 
end of 2018/19.

 Î Indirect savings include the benefit of a single 
Board and senior management team (€4m) 
as well as other overhead reduction cost 
programmes such as the closure of a small 
shared service centre in Zaventem, Belgium, 
which was integrated into the larger shared 
service centre in Lommel, Belgium, saving an 
annualised €1.5m.

We have over 420 identified synergy projects. 
Around 320 are quick win projects, for 
example local initiatives to make better use 
of waste, and 220 (69%) of these have already 
been completed. We also have 60 mid-size 
and 40 large-size initiatives, many of whose 
implementation is dependent upon the IT and 
process migration. 

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Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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17

OVERVIEW | INTEGRATION UPDATE CONTINUED

INTEGRATION PROGRESS

Top management team 
appointments made in 
Belgium Commercial 
Waste Division

JUNE 
2017

JULY 
2017

SEPTEMBER
2017 

Tooling for tracking 
synergies rolled 
out

 Î Renewi celebrates first 
birthday coinciding 
with launch of new 
values

 Î Rebranding well 

underway with over 
1,000 trucks and 100 
major sites rebranded
 Î Launch of one Renewi 
Collaboration Platform

 Î Target Operating Models defined
 Î Divisional/Group management teams appointed 
 Î Process and systems studies result in clear 
migration strategy for three merger-related 
divisions

 Î First Renewi Leadership Conference  

involving top 150 leaders

FEBRUARY  
2018

MARCH 
2018

APRIL 
2018

 Î Launch of iRenew network to manage 

the people side of change

 Î All team appointments made in 

Hazardous Waste

 Î Feasibility study completed for 
IT migration Commercial Waste 
Netherlands Division

Site rationalisation  
(five locations) finalised 
in Hazardous Waste

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 Î Shared Service Centre (SSC) 

Belgium operations moved from 
Zaventem to Lommel with payroll 
transferring in January 2018

 Î All team appointments made within 
Belgium Commercial Waste Division 

 Î Legal names of legacy 

Shanks and Van 
Gansewinkel entities 
renamed to Renewi
 Î Project and portfolio 
methodology defined
 Î High level integration 
masterplan prepared

All team appointments made within 
Netherlands Commercial 
Waste Division 

OCTOBER 
2017

NOVEMBER 
2017

JANUARY  
2018

First pilot site migration 
in Commercial Waste 
Belgium Division

Migration of all roll-bin 
services, allowing for roll 
route optimisation 

MAY 
2018

OCTOBER
2018

NOVEMBER
2018

 Î Over 1,500 trucks and 
120 sites rebranded

 Î 468 integration 

initiatives identified

 Î 230 integration 

initiatives completed

Netherlands Commercial 
Division SSC  
in Amersfoort will be  
transferred to the  
SSC in Lommel

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Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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19

OVERVIEW

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

TRANSFORMING TO 
A RAW MATERIALS 
SUPPLIER

The markets in which we operate are 
structurally set for long term growth, 
stimulated by environmental need, 
customer demand and increasing 
regulation. Renewi is uniquely placed  
to meet the needs of the growing  
circular economy with our waste- 
to-product model.

These are:

 ` Clear environmental need

 ` Greater customer demand

 ` Increasing regulation 

Three drivers to aid the development  
of the circular economy
The circular economy is a growing business 
model in which the concept of waste is 
obsolete. The waste produced by society is 
seamlessly reconverted back into secondary 
raw materials so as to prevent contamination 
and preserve scarce virgin materials. There are 
three reinforcing drivers that are combining 
powerfully and increasingly to build a new and 
vibrant circular economy. 

Together, these drivers are setting the 
landscape for future manufacturing, creating 
an urgent need both for producers to maximise 
the use of sustainable or secondary raw 
materials and for polluters to reduce their 
waste. The Benelux, our core market, is one 
of the most advanced areas in the world with 
regard to setting the agenda for recycling, 
sustainability and developing a circular 
economy. We believe that by positioning 
ourselves to succeed in the Netherlands and 
Belgium, we will generate skills and capabilities 

Clear 
environmental 
need

Increasing 
regulation

Greater 
customer 
demand

that will over time be applicable in other 
geographies as they adopt UN and EU targets 
for sustainability. The following sections explain 
the compelling basis for future structural 
growth in more detail.

Environmental need 
We are working every day on creating a world 
without waste. This does not mean that there 
will be no waste in the future. Today we collect 
and treat over 14 million tonnes of waste and 
extract value from these materials. We consider 
it our job to make sure that nothing gets wasted 
in this process. 

The major challenges of our generation are 
climate change, environmental pollution and 
scarcity of raw materials, water and food. 
There is a clear pull from societies around the 
world to address these challenges in order to 
preserve a prosperous and secure future. 

In September 2015, the UN adopted 17 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to 
end poverty, protect the planet and ensure 
prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable 
development agenda with specific targets to be 
achieved over the next 15 years. 

At a more local level, we routinely and 
increasingly observe social trends over 
environmental issues such as plastics in 
the ocean, as seen recently following David 
Attenborough’s Blue Planet II series, and 
in recent years by widespread support for 
initiatives such as The Ocean Cleanup project 
led by Boyan Slat, a Dutch entrepreneur.  
Renewi has sponsored the latter, through  
its current and legacy businesses, for the  
past few years. 

Renewi works to prevent global contamination 
by taking in over 14 million tonnes of waste 
every year from companies and households, 
some of it contaminated or even hazardous. 

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RENEWI 
ACTIVELY 
SUPPORTS ITS 
CUSTOMERS 
TO ACHIEVE 
THEIR 
RECYCLING 
TARGETS

We recycle or recover 90% of this waste: around 
65% of it becomes a secondary raw material 
and the remainder is transformed into fuel to 
produce green heat or energy. By doing so, 
Renewi directly works to meet the needs of five 
of the UN’s SDGs, including: 

secondary raw materials. Particular areas of focus 
at the moment include the “cradle to cradle” 
circular use of metals and plastics, the reuse 
rather than destruction of some components out 
of discarded products, and the optimisation and 
effective use of out-of-date food.

drive towards a full circular economy through 
stretching recycling targets within the waste 
framework directive across the EU, the 
implementation of a landfill ban, the packaging 
directive and most recently the Circular 
Economy Package.

 ` Responsible consumption and production;

 ` Sustainable cities and communities;

Overall, there is an increasing demand for the 
recycled, or secondary, products that Renewi 
creates from its operations. 

 ` Climate action;

 ` Affordable and clean energy; 

 ` Clean water and sanitation. 

Its work indirectly further supports even more 
of these goals.

Sustainability is at the core of what we do 
every day. We turn waste back into valuable 
materials. It is therefore unsurprising that 
Renewi is listed on the FTSE4Good Index  
and has recently been able to refinance  
almost its entire borrowings as Green Loans 
and Bonds.

Customer demand
Companies inevitably respond to societal trends 
such as the demand for greater sustainability 
because their customers and employees 
demand it. We see a growing number of major 
OEMs and consumer brands making new 
commitments to reduce their carbon footprint, 
increase their recycling rates and use more 

Renewi actively supports its customers to 
achieve their recycling targets, secure secondary 
raw materials, and even to create a completely 
circular solution in which their products are 
collected, recycled and the raw materials 
supplied back to the start of their manufacturing 
process. Renewi is working with clients such as 
Miele, Philips, Akzo Nobel, Owens-Illinois and an 
increasing number of others to help them give 
new life to their old materials.

Regulatory push
Regulation will drive further structural growth 
to recycling rates and the circular economy. 
The Paris COP21 agreement on climate  
change, the UN’s Sustainable Development 
Goals and the European Union’s Circular 
Economy Package are all examples of how 
leading policy makers are setting an agenda to 
stimulate the markets in which we operate.

Indeed the evolution of the recycling market 
in Europe is mainly due to the implementation 
of EU or national directives and legislation. We 
are now already experiencing an increasing 

Our biggest market, the Netherlands, has a 
stated goal to be a full circular economy by 
2050, being 50% circular by 2030. In practice 
this means, for example, that construction  
companies will need to use 50% secondary  
raw materials from 2030, and government 
tenders already reward bidders who can 
achieve this aim early. The government is 
also seeking to increase recycling rates more 
generally with a stated ambition to increase 
the household waste recycling rate from 
around 50% today to around 75% as soon 
as 2020. Legislation has also been tightened 
with measures such as taxes on incineration 
to stimulate recycling and divert waste from 
incineration. Landfilling waste has for a long 
time been strictly regulated in the Netherlands 
– only waste that cannot be recycled or 
incinerated can be landfilled.

In Belgium, there is also ever stricter 
environmental and recycling legislation.  
The VLAREMA legislation that was introduced  
in Flanders in 2014, promoting separated  
waste collection and recycling, is being 
tightened. OVAM, the Flemish regulator, is 
increasing pressure on waste companies and 
waste producers to ensure effective source 
separation of waste so that it can be most 
effectively recycled.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

21

OVERVIEW | CIRCULAR ECONOMY CONTINUED

UNDERPINNING LONG TERM 
STRUCTURAL GROWTH

The three drivers of environmental need, 
customer demand and regulation are combining 
powerfully to drive structural growth in the 
segments of the market in which Renewi 
operates. Specifically, we can expect to see:

 ` Increasing recycling rates within the waste market 
driving higher volume growth for our recycling 
activities than the overall waste trend;

 ` More stringent legislation on source separation 
over time helping larger and more sophisticated 
waste collectors who are better able to manage 
multiple waste input streams and offer one stop 
solutions to customers;

 ` Growth in the use of secondary raw materials 
in construction supporting the production of 
materials by Netherlands Commercial (wood, 
paper) and ATM (soil) as well as the new 
innovative products under the Forz product name 
developed by Mineralz;

 ` Growth in the use of secondary raw materials 

throughout Europe in packaging glass production 
and insulation products (glass wool) supporting 
volume growth in our Maltha business;

 ` More OEMs seeking partnerships to source stable 
and high quality metal and plastic secondary raw 
materials into their production processes, in the 
volumes companies such as Renewi process;

 ` Growth in available volumes of sludges, source 

segregated organics and out of date food 
materials for organic processing; and

 ` Increased investment and partnership 

opportunities in innovation to convert and 
reprocess waste to create more valuable 
secondary materials, such as waste-to-chemicals, 
organic waste-to-food etc.

22

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

WITH SUSTAINABILITY AT THE VERY CORE OF OUR 
BUSINESS, WE MAKE SUSTAINABILITY TANGIBLE 
FOR OUR CUSTOMERS AND FOR SOCIETY BY 
CREATING VALUE FROM WASTE

Renewi connects the value chain 
In the circular economy we do not believe 
that it will be enough simply to be an efficient 
provider of waste collection and basic 
treatment services. Nor do we believe in the 
longer term in the investment of very large 
amounts of our capital in incinerators that 
destroy the valuable resources hidden in waste. 
We believe in turning waste into product, 
making us uniquely placed to meet the needs 
of this growing market. 

We have an unrivalled breadth of collection and 
treatment services in order to meet the needs 
of the waste producers. This gives us access to 
over 14 million tonnes of used materials from 
which to create the required products to meet 
the needs of buyers of secondary raw materials.

We have unique insight into what is needed 
to connect the value chain, which we then 

deploy in selectively assessing and filtering the 
large number of innovation opportunities that 
we identify or our partners bring to us. We are 
committed to innovating in sustainability, with 
a business model that is set up both to identify 
and select winning opportunities.

The knowledge and experience that we have 
from our operations at both ends of the 
value chain can also be used during the early 
stages of the design of new products or to 
optimise manufacturing processes. We also 
have a unique network of relationships and 
partnerships with governments, regulators, 
municipalities, companies and investors that 
we believe will over time position Renewi as the 
partner of choice for sustainability initiatives. 
With sustainability at the very core of our 
business, we make sustainability tangible for 
our customers and for society by creating value 
from waste.

As an example of this network, Renewi  
was a founding partner of the Circular 
Coalition, a group of around 30 large 
companies in the Netherlands. Partners 
agreed to share knowledge and experience 
in a bid to accelerate the transition towards a 
circular economy. This has been done in the 
past year through a series of masterclasses  
focusing on topics that include circular 
procurement, business modelling and  
product design. A small but very tangible 
outcome was the cooperation with Renewi, 
KPN and KNSB to produce the medals for the 
Dutch speed skating championships from 
precious metals mined by the recycling of old 
mobile phones (see page 50 for more details). 
Renewi is now developing a Circular Coalition 
2.0 that will focus on pilot projects around 
specific material flows or with a specific 
geographical area. 

OUR GROWTH JOURNEY

e
u
l
a
V

Our vision is to be the leading waste-to-
product company. This differentiates Renewi 
as a company that does more than act as a 
collection service for waste generators to one 
that focuses on extracting value from waste, 
rather than on its disposal through mass burn 
incineration or landfill. We have a clear growth 
journey ahead to deliver sustained growth and 
attractive returns in three waves:

I S A T I O N

WAVE 3 
Strategic expansion

WAVE 2 
Improve margins

D I G I T A L

WAVE 1 
Deliver integration

2020 Milestone

Time

 ` Wave 1: Deliver integration 

 ` Wave 2: Improve margins 

 ` Wave 3: Strategic expansion 

including committed annual cost savings 
of €40m in 2019/20.

through our own self-help initiatives of 
commercial effectiveness, continuous 
improvement and off-take management.

by investing in innovation, broadening our 
products and services and investing in the 
growing circular economy.

 ` Underpinning these actions is a further initiative on digitalisation, which is initially focused on driving efficiency through automation, robotics and 

digitalising interfaces with customers and suppliers. 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

23

OVERVIEW | CIRCULAR ECONOMY CONTINUED

INNOVATION PORTFOLIO

The ‘i’ of Renewi stands for Innovation and it is one of our core values

Innovation at Renewi is about improving 
how we do things and improving our range 
of products and services. Our vision to be the 
leading waste-to-product company already 
differentiates us from our competitors. By 
converting waste into product we are at the 
leading edge of sustainability with a focus on 
extracting the maximum value from waste.  
We seek to go beyond simply recycling: we 
aim to produce high quality secondary raw 
materials with a better environmental  
footprint than virgin raw materials and at a 
competitive price.

Innovating our existing processes
Innovation starts with our own operations in 
terms of ‘being better every day’. We demand 
an open mindset of ourselves throughout our 
integration journey and in our general way 
of working. We are seeking to take the ‘best 
of both’ legacy companies as we build our 
new Renewi operating model, and then to 
improve further. This requires our people to 
let go of familiar ways of doing things, in order 
to move to one aligned and common way 
of working. This bold and open approach to 

change is supported by our ‘iRenew’ change 
management programme that is being 
deployed in areas undergoing the greatest 
degree of change. 

Continuous improvement (CI), or LEAN, is a way 
of thinking as well as a well-recognised set of 
practical tools by which organisations become 
more efficient every day. Our legacy Shanks 
business was already rolling out LEAN in its 
main operating facilities before the merger. A 
system of such tools and processes will now 
be rolled out across the whole of Renewi, 
coordinated by Bas Blom, the Managing 
Director of our Monostreams Division. Tactical 
use of CI has already delivered improvements 
in certain facilities such as the bulky waste 
sorting line at Hemweg, Amsterdam. The 
opportunities remain significant and are a 
core part of ‘Wave 2’ of our strategy to improve 
margins.

Innovating new products and services 
The emerging circular economy is a dynamic 
environment that will require agility and 
a commitment to innovation in order to 

maximise the opportunity. Wave 3 of our core 
strategy is strategic expansion and innovation is 
at the heart of this growth.

We are building our portfolio of innovation 
projects, even while we focus on integration. 
We have an innovation portfolio of more than 
100 potential opportunities, many of them 
capital-light where we deploy our expertise 
and our access to waste to support other 
innovators or customers. We are an enabler to 
help partners bring new technologies to market 
using our large base of waste as an input and 
our experience of how to bring the waste up to 
the required quality levels to operate in a stable 
process. All projects must ultimately meet our 
key filters of sustainable competitive advantage 
and target financial returns.

Innovation within Renewi often takes place 
within the divisions and close to our customers 
and partners. It is coordinated by a small 
but experienced central team which both 
supports these divisional projects and focuses 
on some longer term and potentially more 
transformational projects.

EXAMPLES IN OUR INNOVATION PORTFOLIO

PRODUCT

PARTNER

SIZE

STATUS

Duivense Tegel  
A sustainable tile made from residual household waste for paving

Betonindustrie De Hamer  
and AVR

Bio-plastics  
Pilot bioreactor to produce bio-plastics from organic waste

Paques and Delft University  
of Technology

Large

Large 

In production for one incinerator 
and in negotiation with others

Early stage trials

r-ABS Plastics  
Recycled plastic into new Senseo coffee machines

Collect a cup  
Process to separate paper and cardboard from plastic in cups

Purified Metals Company (PMC)  
Removing asbestos from steel

Philips

Small

In production

Wepa (paper mill)

Small

In production

PMC

Small

PMC facility due to open in 2020

Size: Expected EBIT per annum – Small <€0.5m, Medium €0.5-1m, Large >€1m 

24

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

25

STRATEGIC REPORT

CFO’S REVIEW 

A YEAR OF 
DELIVERY

TOBY  
WOOLRYCH
Chief Financial  
Officer

The first full year of Renewi has seen the 
successful delivery of the Group’s strategic 
and commercial plans and the delivery of 
its integration and synergy targets ahead 
of plan. In addition, there have been 
integration and synergy activities within the 
finance function itself that are delivering 
material value to the Group through more 
efficient financing and which will build 
robust and scalable platforms for future 
expansion. We report on some of these 
initiatives later in this review.

For the purposes of understanding the 
underlying business performance, this review 
primarily compares current year underlying 
trading with unaudited pro forma prior period 
figures which include the results of Van 
Gansewinkel as if the latter had been owned 
throughout the prior year comparative period.

Overall, the first year of Renewi has delivered 
well against all our core financial KPIs. Revenues 
grew by 3% at constant currency, growing 
faster in our core Commercial Division, which 
was up 5%. Group trading margins grew by 
70 basis points to 4.4%, increasing significantly 
in Commercial and Monostreams as a result 
of commercial initiatives, synergy delivery, 
volume growth and operational improvements. 
Underlying margins in Hazardous Waste were 
robust but were impacted by the short term 
challenges at ATM, our soil treatment business 
highlighted during the year. Finally, we saw a 
material improvement in our Group return on 
operating assets from 11.5% to 15.9%, driven by 
very strong increases again in the Commercial 

26

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Mar 18 
£m

Mar 17 
£m

Total  
Change 
%

Constant  
Currency  
Change 
%

Pro forma

Revenue

1,565.7

1,450.6

Underlying EBIT

69.1

53.1

Reported

Revenue

Underlying EBIT

Underlying profit before tax

Underlying earnings per share (p)

1,565.7

779.2

69.1

51.5

4.8

36.5

25.7

3.7

8%

30%

101%

89%

100%

30%

3%

23%

93%

78%

88%

18%

Pro forma results in the year to March 2017 are unaudited and include Van Gansewinkel as if owned throughout the year 
rather than from legal completion on 28 February 2017

and Monostreams Divisions. We remain on track 
for the returns from the merger to exceed our 
WACC in 2018/19.

FINANCIAL REVIEW 

The Sterling/Euro exchange rate moved from 
€1.17:£1 at 31 March 2017 to €1.14:£1 at 31 
March 2018, with the average rate for the year 
moving by 4.7% from €1.19:£1 to €1.14:£1.

Revenue grew by 3% at constant currency (an 
increase of 8% at actual rates), with growth 
across all divisions except Municipal. Revenue 
on a reported basis increased by 101% to 
£1,566m. Underlying EBIT improved 23% to 
£69.1m at constant currency (an increase of 
30% at actual rates). Reported underlying 
EBIT increased by 89% on a reported basis. 
The Commercial and Monostreams Divisions 
performed strongly whilst the Municipal Division 
was affected by previously reported challenges 
in both the UK and Canada.

Non-trading and exceptional items 
excluded from pre-tax underlying profits
To enable a better understanding of underlying 
performance, certain items are excluded from 
underlying EBIT and underlying profit due to 
their size, nature or incidence.

Total non-trading and exceptional items from 
continuing operations amounted to £101.5m 
(2017: £87.1m). Onerous contract provision 
increases, as previously reported, amounted 
to £52.7m (2017: £28.2m) representing the net 
present value of future estimated losses at BDR 

and Wakefield over the next 22 years offset by a 
release at Cumbria due to improved operational 
performance. A further charge of £22.5m was 
related to decisive portfolio management 
activity to reduce both losses and future risk 
exposure in UK Municipal and £22.1m (2017: 
£7.4m) related directly to the merger and 
synergy delivery costs. Other charges of £4.2m 
included additional soil, storage and logistics 
costs of £2.7m relating to the soil market offset 
at ATM, amortisation of intangible assets 
acquired in a business combination of £5.8m 
together with the insurance claims for two 
significant fires in the Commercial Division 
earlier in the year. Of these non-trading and 
exceptional items, some £20.5m were non-cash. 
These items are explained further in note 3.4 to 
the financial statements.

The operating loss on a statutory basis, 
after taking account of all non-trading and 
exceptional items, was £32.4m (2017: £39.0m). 

As previously reported, based on current market 
conditions and the delivery of our ongoing 
recovery plans, no further exceptional charges 
are anticipated in respect of the UK Municipal 
assets. With regard to the ATM soil offset market 
challenges, additional costs of up to €3m are 
anticipated in the first half of 2018/19 relating 
to further one-off logistics and storage charges 
pending the re-opening of the offset market.

due to the full year impact of the merger, 
particularly with the post-merger debt, a 
full year’s charge for Van Gansewinkel (VGG) 
finance lease costs and the discount unwind on 
provisions not included in the prior period. We 
were pleased to deliver total finance costs well 
below our expectations, partly through tight 
management of net leverage and also through 
a number of synergy projects in the treasury 
function that reduced the costs of ancillary 
financing items. Total finance income is higher 
in 2017/18 as it includes 12 months of income 
from the subordinated debt funding of £17.5m 
into the Derby PPP project on 31 March 2017. 
The non-trading and exceptional item charge 
of £11.6m in the prior year included the costs of 
arranging the new banking facility to support 
the merger along with the retirement of the 
previous funding arrangements.

Share of results from associates and  
joint ventures 
The principal return comes from our joint 
venture in the anaerobic digestion facility in 
Scotland where operational performance 
remains strong following recent investments.

Loss before tax
Loss before tax from continuing operations 
on a statutory basis, including the impact of 
non-trading and exceptional items, was £50.0m 
(2017: £61.4m).

Net finance costs
Net finance costs, excluding exceptional 
transaction related finance costs, were £7.1m 
higher year on year at £19.9m (2017: £12.8m) 

Taxation
Total taxation for the year on continuing 
operations was a credit of £2.0m (2017: £0.5m). 
The effective tax rate on underlying profits 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

27

STRATEGIC REPORT | CFO’S REVIEW CONTINUED

Earnings per share (EPS) 
Underlying EPS from continuing operations, 
excluding non-trading and exceptional items, 
increased by 30% to 4.8p per share (2017: 3.7p). 
Basic EPS from continuing operations was 6.0p 
loss per share compared to a loss of 11.3p per 
share in the prior year.

Dividend
The Board is recommending an unchanged 
final dividend of 2.1 pence per share. Subject 
to shareholder approval, the final dividend 
will be paid on 27 July 2018 to shareholders 
on the register at close of business on 29 June 
2018. Total dividend cover, based on earnings 
before non-trading and exceptional items from 
continuing operations, is 1.6 times (2017: 1.2 
times).

Discontinued operations
The profit from discontinued operations of 
£0.4m (2017: loss of £0.5m) relates to former UK 
solid waste activities and includes the profit on 
sale of a surplus asset. 

 CASH FLOW PERFORMANCE

A summary of the total cash flows in relation to 
core funding is shown in the table opposite. As 
reported last year, the prior period underlying 
free cash flow of £23.1m is principally on a pre-
merger basis and as such is not comparable to 
the current period. 

Free cash flow conversion in the current 
year benefited from a strong working capital 
performance across the divisions, enhanced 
by good collection activities together with 
the impact of the soil market offset issues 
at ATM which has increased the level of 
accruals for disposal costs. Replacement 
capital expenditure at £75.8m represents 
88% of depreciation (2017: 85%), which is 
slightly lower than our original estimate of 
approximately 90% for this first post-merger 
year. Capital expenditure across all divisions has 
remained tightly controlled across the year and 
integration related expenditure has been lower 
than expected. The cash interest spend in the 
year was significantly higher than last year due 
to increased borrowings following the merger. 
In addition, some £1.0m of loan fees have been 
paid to secure the one year extension option for 
the main credit facility.

WE HAVE PUT IN 
PLACE A WIDE-
RANGING THREE-
YEAR PROGRAMME 
TO INTEGRATE THE 
TWO BUSINESSES AND 
THEN BUILD NEW AND 
IMPROVED CAPABILITY 
AT A LOWER COST

included the £17.5m subordinated debt funding 
into the Derby project.

For acquisitions and disposals, the cash 
outflow principally relates to the purchase of 
the adjacent land on the Moerdijk waterside 
from Martens van Oord in December 2017. The 
receipt in the prior period includes the monies 
received from the sale of 49.99% of the equity 
in the Wakefield SPV which was completed 
in August 2016 and other disposals net of the 
acquisition of the commercial waste activities of 
the City of Leiden.

Synergy and integration related expenditure 
includes £9.4m for initial synergy delivery costs 
including redundancy settlements and £8.5m 
for costs incurred in the merger and integration 
of the two businesses. Transaction related 
expenditure is significantly higher than the 
current year charge as a number of fees and 
costs were not paid by 31 March 2017 given 
that the merger only completed on 28 February 
2017.

The other category includes the £3.0m funding 
for the closed UK defined benefit pension 
scheme along with expenditure of £10.6m 
relating to UK Municipal contractual issues and 
onerous contracts.

Following the merger, net cash generated from 
operating activities increased from £22.6m in the 
prior year to £121.7m in the year ended 31 March 
2018. A reconciliation to the underlying cash flow 
performance as referred to above is included on 
page 183 of the financial statements.

The growth capital expenditure of £3.1m is 
principally in Municipal and relates to operator 
enhancements which are classified as an 
intangible asset. The Canada Municipal funding 
reflects the construction spend on the Surrey 
facility. The prior year UK PFI funding spend 

MERGER RELATED ACCOUNTING 

Transaction and integration costs
As noted last year, these transactions related 
costs will be reported as non-trading and 

from continuing operations was 25.2% at 
£13.0m, up from 23.0% last year reflecting the 
increasing profits in regions with relatively 
higher tax rates, and slightly better than our 
expectations of 25.5%. Both the Dutch and 
Belgian governments indicated recently that 
they were considering a number of corporate 
tax reforms, including lower corporate tax rates. 
These changes were substantively enacted in 
Belgium in early 2018 which resulted in lower 
deferred tax liabilities at 31 March 2018 due 
to the reduced future rates and a tax credit of 
£6.8m which has been recorded as exceptional 
tax. The tax credit arising on the non-trading 
and exceptional items of £101.5m was £8.2m 
given a significant proportion of these are non-
taxable. 

Looking forward, we anticipate the underlying 
tax rate to fall to around 24% in the next few 
years, reflecting the recently enacted rates in 
Belgium. 

The Group statutory loss after tax, including 
all discontinued and exceptional items, was 
£47.6m (2017: £61.4m).

28

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

CASH FLOW

EBITDA

Working capital 
movement and 
other

Mar 18 
£m

156.9

Mar 17 
£m

81.1

20.8

(5.0)

Net replacement 
capital expenditure

(75.8)

(38.2)

Interest and tax

(22.1)

(14.8)

Underlying free 
cash flow

Growth capital 
expenditure

79.8

23.1

(3.1)

(4.2)

UK PFI funding

(2.2)

(20.1)

Canada Municipal 
funding

Acquisitions and 
disposals

(10.2)

(19.6)

(6.5)

3.3

Dividends paid

(24.4)

(15.1)

Restructuring spend

(1.1)

Synergy and 
integration spend

(17.9)

(1.9)

(1.0)

Transaction related 
spend

(10.8)

(19.2)

Other

(13.8)

(16.8)

VGG acquisition – 
net cash

Equity raise  
(net of costs)

0.7

(277.9)

–

136.4

Net core cash flow

(9.5)

(213.0)

Free cash flow 
conversion

113%

63%

All numbers above include both continuing and discontinued 
operations. Free cash flow conversion is underlying free cash 
flow as a percentage of underlying EBIT.
Net core cash flow above reconciles to the movement in net 
debt of £10.6m in note 5.1 after taking into account movements 
in PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt, capitalisation and 
amortisation of loan fees and foreign exchange.

exceptional as they are incurred and have been 
grouped into three segments:

 Î Transaction costs relating to the acquisition 
and related financing which were principally 
all incurred in 2017;

 Î Synergy delivery costs relating to the delivery 
of the €40m cost synergies including the 
costs of site closures, redundancies and other 
reorganisation costs; and

 Î Integration costs relating to the merger and 
integration of the two businesses including 
advisers’ fees, transitional costs arising from 
merging the two organisations and certain 
IT and rebranding costs that cannot be 
capitalised.

The expected total transaction related costs 
to be incurred over the next two years remain 
unchanged at €50m for the cash cost of synergy 
delivery and €20m for other integration costs. 
For synergy delivery costs, some £4.5m (€5.3m) 
was incurred in 2016/17, £12.3m (€13.9m) in 
2017/18 and we expect the split of future costs 
to be approximately €23m in 2018/19 and €8m 
in 2019/20. For integration costs, some £2.9m 
(€3.4m) was incurred in 2016/17, £7.5m (€8.5m) 
in 2017/18 and we expect approximately a 
further €7m in 2018/19 and €1m in 2019/20.

Combinations including a fair value review 
of all assets and liabilities acquired at 28 
February 2017 with the exception of the real 
estate assets. The valuation of these real estate 
assets was concluded in the first half of the 
year and resulted in an increase in the carrying 
value of land and buildings of £31.5m with a 
corresponding decrease in intangible assets 
and goodwill. The provisional fair value as 
reported previously has now been finalised 
given the closure of the 12-month period from 
acquisition and all final adjustments have 
been accounted for at the date of acquisition 
and consequently the amounts reported at 
31 March 2017 have been restated. The final 
goodwill on acquisition was £327.8m together 
with intangible assets of £34.6m.

INTEGRATING THE FINANCE FUNCTION 
TO DELIVER ENHANCED VALUE

Finance transformation programme
We have put in place a wide-ranging three-year 
programme to integrate the two businesses 
and then build new and improved capability 
at a lower cost. This programme is under the 
responsibility of a Finance Transformation 
Director who works with the finance function 
and in the divisions to ensure a seamless 
ongoing capability during the integration 
process.

As previously reported, we expect to incur 
non-cash impairment costs arising from our 
site closure programme and £2.3m has been 
recognised to date. We will advise as to the 
further impact once we have finalised the list  
of sites that are expected to be impacted by  
the integration.

We have previously referred to the requirement 
for integration-related capital investment 
including investment in rebranding, truck 
replacements within the relatively older VGG 
fleet and an investment in new IT platforms for 
growth for the merged business. It has been 
determined that the majority of the rebranding 
spend, expected to be c€12m over the initial 
two-year period, is not capital in nature and  
will therefore be classified as integration  
costs. The truck replacement programme is 
currently underway and is likely to be financed 
via operating lease rather than outright 
purchase. The expected expenditure on  
IT capital investment over the coming two  
years is £20m.

Purchase price accounting (PPA)
As reported on in the 2017 Annual Report, 
the merger with VGG was accounted for in 
accordance with IFRS 3 (Revised) Business 

Treasury programmes to increase liquidity 
and reduce cost
Following the completion of the merger, we 
have put in place numerous projects to increase 
the efficiency of our borrowing structures, 
improving liquidity and reducing borrowing 
costs. Examples include the roll out of a group-
wide treasury management system, increased 
use of cash pooling, the merger of invoice 
discounting programmes on best terms and 
the addition of new and lower cost guarantee 
facilities. Savings equivalent to over €5m in 
financing costs over the next five years have 
been delivered. 

Enhanced capabilities in Risk Management, 
Internal Control and Internal Audit
We have enhanced our investment in Risk 
Management, Internal Control and Internal 
Audit, reflecting the requirements of the 
enlarged Group. Our Risk, Control and Audit 
Manager now reports directly to the CFO and 
is recruiting additional staff. All core Group 
documents such as Accounting Policies Manual, 
Authorisation Document and Control Manual 
have been updated and implemented across 
the Group. In 2018/19 we will be revising our key 
control framework and automating its review 
mechanisms.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

29

STRATEGIC REPORT | CFO’S REVIEW CONTINUED

Reduced transaction costs through  
shared services
One of the material synergy opportunities from 
the merger was the reduction in the cost of 
transactional finance by reducing the number 
of shared service centres (SSC) in the Group. 
During 2017/18 we closed our SSC at Zaventem 
in Belgium, merging it with the larger SSC at 
Lommel in Belgium. During 2018/19 we expect 
to close our SSC in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, 
again transferring activities to Lommel.

INVESTMENT PROJECTS

Expenditure in 2018/19
The Group’s ongoing expectations for 
replacement capital expenditure remain around 
75-80% of depreciation. This underlying level 
may, from time to time, be supplemented with 
larger scale replacement projects. Given 2018/19 
is another year of catch up with a few larger 
projects and the start of the investment in new  
IT platforms, the ratio is therefore expected to 
be around 100% this year. Over the next two to 
three years we expect to spend €15m to replace 
and upgrade major components of Hazardous 
Waste’s soil treatment line and €2m for the 
digestate dryer at Roeselare. Growth capital 
expenditure will also increase next year with the 
planned c. £13m investment in the expansion at 
Maasvlakte and the £4m extension of the Ottawa 
site. 

Group return on assets – pro forma basis
The Group return on operating assets (excluding 
debt, tax and goodwill) from continuing 
operations increased from 11.5% at 31 March 
2017 to 15.9% at 31 March 2018. The Group 
post-tax return on capital employed was 5.6% 
compared with 4.2% at 31 March 2017.

eighteen months with a peak at or around 3.0x 
in mid-2018/19. 

Debt structure and strategy
Core borrowings, excluding PFI/PPP non-
recourse borrowings, are all long term as set  
out in the table below.

At the time of the announcement of the 
proposed merger on 29 September 2016, the 
Group entered into a new five-year €600m 
multi-currency facility with a syndicate of 
banks, comprising both a term and revolving 
credit facility. During the period, €25m of the 
revolving credit facility was cancelled and the 
first one-year extension option was exercised 
such that the facility matures in five years on 29 
September 2022. A further one-year extension 
option remained in place. At 31 March 2018, 
some £291.7m was drawn. The new facility 
has been hedged with a €125m interest rate 
cap and three cross currency swaps totalling 
£150m at fixed Euro interest rates of 2.2% and 
1.7%. In addition, the Group has two retail 
bonds each of €100m, which have an annual 
coupon of 4.23% and 3.65% respectively. As at 
31 March 2018, 93% of our core banking facility 
borrowings were fixed or hedged. At 31 March 
2018, the Group had guarantees of £206.3m 
(2017: £216.4m).

On 22 May 2018 Renewi announced that it 
has signed a new amendment and extension 
to its main banking facility, converting it to a 
€550m Green Loan. Renewi is one of the first 
FTSE250 companies to refinance its entire bank 

TREASURY AND CASH MANAGEMENT

DEBT STRUCTURE

Core net debt and gearing ratios
Core net debt excludes the net debt relating 
to the UK PFI/PPP contracts which is non-
recourse to the Group and is secured over the 
assets of the special purpose vehicles (SPVs). 
The net core cash outflow of £9.5m, along with 
an adverse exchange effect of £6.0m on the 
translation into Sterling of the Group’s Euro 
and Canadian Dollar denominated debt and 
loan fee amortisation, has resulted in a core net 
debt increase to £438.7m. This was lower than 
expected due to the timing of synergy delivery 
and integration costs and lower capital spend 
in the last few months of the year. Net debt 
to EBITDA was 2.9x, comfortably within our 
covenant limit of 3.5x. We continue to expect 
net debt to rise as integration costs and capital 
expenditure are incurred over the following 

€100m Belgian 
retail bond

€100m Belgian 
Green retail bond

€575m Main credit 
facility

Total

Finance leases  
and other

Loan fees

Cash

Drawn 
£m

Term 

87.6

Jul 19

87.6

Jun 22

291.7

Sep 22

466.9

37.2

(1.5)

(63.9)

Core net debt

438.7

borrowings using this green certification. The 
new facility is also one of the first to introduce 
sustainability improvement to the terms of 
the borrowing facility. Accordingly, Renewi 
will benefit from a lower margin payable on its 
borrowings in the event that it achieves each of 
five ambitious sustainability objectives.

Debt borrowed in the special purpose vehicles 
(SPVs) created for the financing of UK PFI/
PPP programmes is separate from the Group 
core debt and is secured over the assets of the 
SPVs with no recourse to the Group as a whole. 
Interest rates are fixed by means of interest rate 
swaps at contract inception. At 31 March 2018, 
this debt amounted to £82.9m (31 March 2017: 
£87.1m). 

DIRECTORS’ VALUATION  
OF UK PFI/PPP PORTFOLIO

The Directors provide a valuation of the 
financial investments in the SPVs used to fund 
the contracts and into which the Group has 
often invested in the form of subordinated  
debt and equity. The benefits of these  
financial assets are not easily assessed from 
the financial statements. As at 31 March 2018, 
the Directors believed that this valuation was 
unchanged at £45m.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Group operates a defined benefit pension 
scheme for certain UK employees which has 
been closed to new entrants since September 
2002. At 31 March 2018, the net retirement 
benefit deficit relating to the UK scheme 
was £11.9m compared with £15.5m at 31 
March 2017. The decrease in the deficit was 
a result of the lower liabilities due to higher 
corporate bond yields partially offset by lower 
asset returns than expected. The most recent 
actuarial valuation of the scheme was carried 
out at 5 April 2015 and a funding plan of £3.1m 
per annum for a further four years has been 
agreed with the trustees. The next actuarial 
valuation is due at 5 April 2018. VGG also 
operates a number of defined benefit pension 
schemes for employees in the Netherlands and 
Belgium which had a net retirement benefit 
deficit of £5.9m (2017: £6.1m).

Toby Woolrych
Chief Financial Officer

30

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

 
MEASURING OUR PERFORMANCE – 2017/18
We have defined key performance metrics based on delivering our divisional strategies

Commercial

Trading margins 
%

2018

2017

Hazardous Waste

Project hours at Industrial Cleaning 
Hours M

2018

2017

Monostreams

Trading margins 
%

2018

2017

Municipal

6.3

4.9

1.6

1.7

8.9

7.7

Return on operating assets 
%

2018

2017

ATM soil volumes processed 
Tonnes M

2018

2017

Return on operating assets 
%

2018

2017

20.6

14.4

0.9

1.2

25.6

19.4

Canada tonnes waste processed 
Tonnes ’000

Operations gross EBIT margin 
%

2018

2017

159.2

172.5

2018

2017

(5.3)%

(2.2)%

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

31

STRATEGIC REPORT

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

NEW TEAM, 
SAME PASSION

FRANCIS SCHRÖDER 
HR Director

GEORGE SLADE
IT Director

PATRICK DEPREZ
Product Sales Director 

BAUKJE DREIMULLER
General Counsel

Appointed: July 2017

Appointed: April 2015

Appointed: Dec 2012

Appointed: Sep 2017

Francis has extensive HR 
leadership experience 
from leading global 
organisations including 
FedEx International, TNT, 
TP Vision and Philips. She 
holds Masters degrees 
in Change Management 
from Vrije Universiteit 
and in Psychological and 
Social Science from the 
University of Amsterdam. 
She has significant 
integration experience 
from the merger between 
FedEx and TNT.

George joined the legacy 
Shanks business as 
IT Director in 2013 to 
focus on improving the 
Group’s IT landscape and 
developing technology 
to support and grow the 
business. During this 
time, he has led a number 
of key projects across 
the business including 
commercial effectiveness 
and the implementation 
of a Group-wide 
collaboration platform. 
He has previously held 
a number of executive 
positions at IMI plc, 
BGL Group, Cable and 
Wireless, Ericsson  
and Level(3).

Baukje has extensive 
experience from leading 
legal firms Simmons & 
Simmons, Ashurst and 
Houthoff. She joined 
Renewi from Houthoff, 
where she held the 
position of senior lawyer 
within the corporate 
transaction (M&A) 
department. In this 
capacity, Baukje was 
very closely involved 
with the VGG - Shanks 
merger having lead much 
of the deal-related legal 
activities. Baukje holds 
Master degrees in both 
Dutch Law and European 
& International Law from 
the Radboud University  
of Nijmegen.

Patrick joined the legacy 
Van Gansewinkel (VGG) 
business in 1998 and was 
the regional director for 
West Belgium until 2002 
when he was appointed 
as Group SHEQ and 
Technical Development 
Director. During this 
period he was responsible 
for leading several quality 
and safety improvement 
programs. Since 2006, 
Patrick has managed the 
strategic waste outlet 
portfolio for VGG and in 
2012 was appointed as 
a member of the VGG 
Executive Committee. 
Before joining VGG, he 
was the head of the 
waste division at B&P 
Sobry NV for almost 
10 years. Patrick has a 
degree in Environmental 
Management.

PETER DILNOT 
Chief Executive Officer

TOBY WOOLRYCH
Chief Financial Officer

Peter and Toby’s 
biographies can be 
found on page 81

32

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Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTTO DE BONT
Managing Director, 
Netherlands 
Commercial

WIM GEENS
Managing Director, 
Belgium Commercial

JONNY KAPPEN
Managing Director, 
Hazardous Waste

BAS BLOM
Managing Director, 
Monostreams & 
Group Continuous 
Improvement Director

JAMES PRIESTLEY
Managing Director, 
Municipal

Appointed: May 2017

Appointed: Nov 2012

Appointed: July 2012

Appointed: Feb 2017

Appointed: Nov 2016

Otto was appointed as 
Managing Director for 
Renewi’s Netherlands 
Commercial Division, 
and as a member of the 
Executive Committee, 
in May 2017. Prior to 
his appointment at 
Renewi, Otto worked for 
a number of blue-chip 
companies including 
United Technologies and 
the Plastics and Security 
divisions of General 
Electric. Most recently, he 
spent six years at United 
Technologies in various 
managerial positions 
culminating in his role as 
President of the Fire  
& Security Field 
Continental Europe.

Wim was appointed 
as Director Belgium, 
Luxembourg and France 
at VGG in May 2015. He 
was appointed to the VGG 
Executive Committee in 
November 2012. Wim has 
been working for VGG 
since 2006. He started 
within operations and 
became Group Director 
Operations/Real Estate/
Procurement in 2009. 
Prior to his appointment 
at VGG, Wim was a 
Director within Carrefour 
NV, a French retail group. 
Before that, Wim was 
a Board member and 
Executive Director in 
several Industries and  
has an MBA and Masters  
in commercial and 
financial sciences.

Jonny has been working 
for Shanks since 2000 
when Shanks took over 
operations from Waste 
Management Inc (WMI). 
He was later appointed 
Managing Director of the 
Hazardous Waste Division 
in 2007. Jonny started his 
career as a civil engineer 
working for Reym in 1979 
as a field engineer and 
he was promoted first 
to Operations Director 
in 1994 and then to 
Managing Director in 1997. 
Jonny is also Chairman 
of the Industrial Cleaning 
Foundation – a Benelux 
Safety Foundation.

Bas is an experienced 
executive leader of 
regional and global 
commercial Business to 
Business organisations, 
business process re-
engineering projects, 
including manufacturing 
operations and joint-
ventures, strategic 
business development 
and M&A. He worked 26 
years for General Electric 
Plastics and its successor 
after acquisition: SABIC 
Innovative Plastics, a 
division of the large global 
chemicals corporation. 
Bas holds an MSc in 
Aerospace Engineering 
and an MBA.

James was appointed as 
Managing Director of the 
Municipal Division and to 
the Executive Committee 
in November 2016. He 
has a wide range of 
experience running and 
improving businesses 
in Europe and America. 
Prior to joining Shanks 
he was interim President 
Americas for Britax Child 
Safety and before this 
President Europe for RGIS, 
an inventory services 
company owned by 
Blackstone. After starting 
his career at ICI he moved 
on to gain extensive 
management experience 
at Ford, British Airways 
and Tesco and consulting 
with Alix Partners. He 
has a degree in Chemical 
Engineering and an MBA.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATING REVIEW

CHANGE  
FOR GOOD

We are outperforming in dynamic markets with our scale, processing expertise and 
commercial effectiveness delivering growth at higher margins and returns

The Operating Review is presented with 
performance variances in local currency and 
the translation impact of currency movements 
excluded unless otherwise stated. For the 
purposes of understanding the underlying 
business performance, the review primarily 
compares current year underlying trading with 
pro forma unaudited prior period figures which 
include the results of Van Gansewinkel as if the 
latter had been owned throughout the prior 
year comparative period. 

COMMERCIAL WASTE

The Commercial Waste Division provides  
a wide range of waste management 
solutions and represents around 64%  
of Renewi’s revenues. 

The commercial waste market covers the 
collection, sorting, treatment and recycling 
of waste materials from a range of sources. It 
also includes the ultimate disposal of waste 
streams that cannot be recycled or incinerated. 
Renewi is the market leader in the Benelux. We 
provide customers with cost-efficient waste 
management solutions and advise them on 
how to optimise source separation of waste 
which can then be converted into high-quality 
raw materials and energy.

Our market is divided into the following 
main segments based on the source of the 
waste: Construction and Demolition (C&D) – 
Netherlands only; Industrial and Commercial 

(I&C); Domestic and Hazardous – Belgium only. 
Renewi deploys part of its own sorting and 
recycling operations for, amongst others things, 
paper, cardboard, wood, plastics, metals and 
C&D waste. Renewi has partnerships with other 
recyclers to make sure that we can offer all of 
our customers the solutions that are best suited 
for their specific waste streams. Other specific 
recycling activities are clustered within the 
Monostreams Division. 

Our unique business model in this market 
allows us to focus on the value that we can 
recover from specific waste streams. We then 
upgrade this waste to new products during its 
sorting and treatment. 

We generally collect a large part of the waste 
ourselves to secure volumes, which we value as 
sources to produce secondary raw materials. 
We maximise recycling based upon the quality 
of the waste we collect and we dispose only of 
the residues that we are unable to convert into 
a reusable product or recyclate. In this way, 
we ‘waste no more’ both environmentally and 
economically. Our general business model is set 
out in the graphic opposite. 

Our Commercial Division operates over 80 sites 
in the Benelux. Our sites have a diverse profile 
in terms of the activities that take place on the 
site as well as the focus on specific sources of 
waste and customer segments, which affects its 
current financial performance and competitive 
strategy as outlined in the following sections.

MARKETS

The Commercial Division serves four main 
market segments across the Benelux: C&D, I&C, 
Domestic and Hazardous – Belgium only.

The I&C segment meets the needs of specific 
markets, sectors and businesses including 
production factories, offices, hospitals, retail, 
shops and restaurants. Waste streams are 
preferably separated at the source to retain 
quality, such as segregated paper or plastic, 
food waste or glass. However, within this sector 
there still is a significant flow of mixed waste. 
For specific situations such as office buildings 
we have developed specific concepts like 
Ecosmart in the Netherlands, which provides 
collection bins and services to maximise source 
separation. 

Due to the relatively high amount of residual 
waste this segment is vulnerable to price 
movements within the incineration market. In 
the past two years the market conditions in this 
segment have improved, with the incinerators 
full and prices beginning to rise. These higher 
prices for incineration also have a positive effect 
on recycling as separation of waste becomes 
more financially viable for our customers. 

In August 2017 the Chinese government 
announced its National Sword legislation to 
block imports of recycled paper and plastic 
in the short term and to enforce stricter purity 
standards going forward. As a result, prices for 

 continued on p38

34

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

COMMERCIAL BUSINESS MODEL

COLLECT OR RECEIVE

SORT

PRODUCE

DISPOSE

Sorting 
lines

Trommels

Optical 
sorters

Magnets

Green 
waste

Sludges

Shredders

Crushers

Balers

Incineration

Pelletisers

Composting

Landfill

Industrial & Commercial
Construction & Demolition
Domestic 

Food and 
supermarket

Industrial  
fats

Eddy current 
separators

 RECYCLATES AND PRODUCTS

Paper

Glass

Solid  
recovered 
fuel

Compost

Wood  
chips

Plastic

Metal

Aggregate ICOPOWER® 

pellets

Green 
electricity

Customers pay us to  
take their waste

Customers purchase  
our products

We minimise the cost 
of disposing  
of the residues

RENEWI IS THE 
MARKET LEADER 
IN THE BENELUX 
AND PROVIDES 
CUSTOMERS 
WITH COST-
EFFICIENT WASTE 
MANAGEMENT 
SOLUTIONS

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

35

STRATEGIC REPORT | CONTINUED
STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED

CASE STUDY

Our Commercial Netherlands Division has delivered significant 
synergy savings by optimising waste flow logistics and sharing  
best practice on the treatment of C&D and bulky waste 

36
36

RENEWI plc
RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018
Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

€2m

of synergy savings delivered  
from operational best practice sharing


Some of the waste recycled by 
our Commercial Netherlands 
Division is rockwool, a type of 
insulation made from stone used 
in horticulture

network of sites; this decreases the need to 
travel further between fewer sites, reducing 
transport costs and carbon emissions;

CASE STUDY: 
PAINT IT BACK

Collaboration within our Commercial 
Netherlands team to improve processes at 
our main sorting lines helped to deliver up 
to €2m of synergy savings in this first year. 

Individual sites saw significant performance 
improvements after increasing the 
implementation of continuous improvement 
(CI) tools. For example, daily ‘communication 
moments’ between the team at Hemweg in 
Amsterdam on the frequency, causes and 
solutions of unplanned downtime resulted in 
a decrease from 17% to 9%.

Introducing efficiency
The Commercial Netherlands Division collects, 
sorts and recycles a mix of construction and 
demolition (C&D) and bulky waste. Originally, 
each of its main sorting lines – in Drachten, 
Burgerbrug, Amsterdam, Wateringen, 
Nieuwegein, Rotterdam and Heerle – tended 
to handle only one type of waste. Now, 
spreading mixed waste streams across all 
installations has helped to increase the speed 
and quality of waste processing, helping to 
deliver the synergy savings.

 Î Delivering waste directly to treatment 

facilities, rather than detouring via waste 
transfer stations;

 Î Optimising the utilisation of treatment 

facilities; and 

 Î Sharing best practice by expanding CI  

on all sorting lines to reduce unplanned 
downtime and improve efficiency.

Making a difference
All divisions across Renewi were tasked with 
coming up with synergy savings as part of 
the integration process. “At Commercial 
Netherlands, we brought legacy Shanks and 
Van Gansewinkel employees together into 
six or seven work streams where we thought 
we could make a difference,” says Bas Bax, 
General Area Manager. The work streams, 
which covered areas such as transport and 
collection, sorting and treatment, were led 
by joint sponsors from each of the legacy 
businesses. The joint sponsors facilitated 
visits to other sites so that employees could 
collaborate and share best practice on 
operating more efficiently.

This better mix of waste streams is just one 
of five CI programmes introduced across 
Commercial Netherlands’ treatment facilities. 
The other initiatives include:

 Î Increasing efficiency in logistics by making 
use of the division’s broader combined 

“It’s great to have such initiatives because 
people can see things happening,” says  
Bas. “CI is a way of working and will lead  
to constant improvements. We’ve now  
created a baseline from where we will be  
able to build into the future by doing it  
better every day.”

Our team in Mol, Belgium is working 
to give new life to used paint – a 
fantastic example of ‘Waste no more’.

Renewi has teamed up with 
multinational paint manufacturer 
AkzoNobel to produce FENIX, which is 
a 100% recycled white paint. The paint 
is suitable for painting basements, 
garages, living areas and classrooms. 
It will be on offer to our customers, 
employees and organisations with 
a social purpose, such as youth and 
sports associations. 

Producing the paint is a multi-step 
process that starts with visually 
inspecting the paint. Contaminated 
products are removed and the paint 
considered suitable for recycling is 
mixed together, sifted and pulverised 
to produce a clean paint. Finally, we 
add chemicals to increase the life and 
durability of the paint. 

FENIX will be certified to comply  
with the Belgian and European  
Union’s REACH regulations, which are 
designed to protect people and the 
environment by encouraging the safe 
use of chemicals.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

37

STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED


Collection in the community
We collect waste in the Benelux to 
process at our facilities

recycled paper and plastics have fallen sharply. 
Renewi is well-positioned due to our high 
quality products and dynamic pricing.

The introduction of dynamic pricing has 
reduced risk to the business operating  
model. Within our dynamic pricing model  
we pass on monthly movements in the value  
of the recyclates by changing the gate fee  
where needed.

The C&D segment is core for Renewi in the 
Netherlands and arises from residential, 
commercial or infrastructure construction. The 
construction market in the Netherlands, which 
had hit a 63-year low in 2014, has continued 
to grow strongly for a third consecutive year, 
increasing by 5% during 2017 (compared with 
7.1% and 8% in 2016 and 2015 respectively). 
The hazardous part in Belgium is highly 
comparable to the Hazardous Waste Division, 
on a smaller scale. 

The domestic segment provides “hands and 
wheels” services in door-to-door municipal 
collection. This can be through a direct service 
agreement or through a form of Public Private 
Partnership in which Renewi controls the 
service provision for a management fee. This 
municipal segment is different to the Municipal 
Division because the contracts tend to be 
much shorter in duration and for collection 
not treatment; in the Netherlands the waste 
remains the property of the municipality.

The Commercial Division also operates 
in a number of niche segments, many of 
which are complementary to the principal 
segments outlined above. These include the 
collection, separation and aggregation for 
treatment of small packed hazardous waste 
such as batteries, paint and out-of-date 
pharmaceuticals, the collection of organic 
waste streams from restaurants, a wood chip 
manufacturing segment and two landfills. 

THE COMMERCIAL 
DIVISION 
PERFORMED 
STRONGLY  
IN 2017/18,  
DELIVERING A  
36% INCREASE  
IN UNDERLYING  
EBIT

38

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

5%

Our core Dutch construction  
market grew strongly for a third 
consecutive year

36%

Increase in underlying EBIT

Over the year there have been improving end 
markets in our Commercial Divisions, with 
economic growth and construction market 
recovery. GDP grew 3.1% in the Netherlands 
and 1.7% in Belgium. Dutch incinerators remain 
effectively full, underpinning more stable pricing 
in the Dutch waste market and recyclate prices 
were generally positive compared to the prior 
year, particularly in metals and paper. 

DIVISIONAL STRATEGY

The Commercial Division’s strategy is to create 
the market leader in waste collection and 
treatment in Belgium and the Netherlands. 
Its combined national coverage, operational 
scale and advantaged technology positions 
it strongly. The division will deliver long 
term growth and attractive returns from 
the increasing demand for its wide range 
of recycling services. This will be reinforced 
through the delivery of synergies and the 
application of margin enhancing initiatives  
such as commercial effectiveness and 
continuous improvement.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 

The Commercial Division performed strongly 
in 2017/18, delivering a 36% increase in 
underlying EBIT to €73.3m on revenues up 5% 
to €1,158m. Margins increased by 140 basis 
points to 6.3% and the return on operating 
assets rose 620 basis points to 20.6%.

Revenues in the Netherlands grew by 7% 
to €736.9m and underlying EBIT by 67% 
to €44.0m. Margins improved by 220 basis 
points to 6.0%. Return on operating assets 

TECHNOLOGIES

Sorting 
lines

Trommels

Crushers

Composting

Magnets

Optical 
sorters

Eddy current 
separators

Balers

PRODUCTS

Paper

Glass

Recovered  
fuels

Biogas

Plastic

Metal

ICOPOWER 
pellets

Digestate/
compost

Wood 
chips

increased by 750 basis points to 18.0%, 
bringing the pre-tax return above the Group’s 
WACC as the operational leverage and merger 
synergies sharply increased returns in our 
core activities. While total waste volumes 
were slightly down as a result of a one off high 
volume contract in the prior year, volumes 
in the core waste streams were positive, with 
7% growth in commercial waste and 9% 
growth in construction waste. These growth 
rates were significantly above the market, 
demonstrating improvements in both market 
share and increasing volumes from other 
waste companies using Renewi as a secondary 
disposer. Average prices increased by 
approximately 6.5% compared with 2016/17. 

The strong increase in operating margin was 
encouraging, particularly given the second half 
headwinds from falling recyclate prices and a 
change in accounting for vehicle maintenance 
costs. Recyclate income fell in the second 
half of the year as a result of the previously 

announced fall in the price of paper and 
plastics. This impacted second half earnings 
by around €3m. As planned, Renewi has 
ended the former VGG policy of capitalising 
maintenance costs on older vehicles, bringing 
around €3m of costs back into the income 
statement. Initial synergies were €4.8m, some 
9% ahead of target.

Belgium revenues increased by 2% to €422.2m 
and underlying EBIT grew by 7% to €29.3m. 
Underlying volume growth was in line with 
the market at around 2%. The core collection 
and treatment business was steady, with 
headwinds in the second half from lower 
recyclate prices and increased maintenance 
costs. The largest impact in recyclate margins 
came in the wood segment where there was a 
reduction in net margin compared to the prior 
year of over €3m as a result of the sale of wood 
moving from an income to a net expense at 
the off-take side. The prices to clients had 
been increased in the prior year to mitigate 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

39

STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED

COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

REVENUE

UNDERLYING EBIT

Mar 18

Mar 17

Variance

Mar 18

Mar 17

Variance

Netherlands Commercial Waste

Belgium Commercial Waste

 736.9 

 422.2 

 690.5 

 415.4 

Intra-segment revenue

(0.9)

(2.5)

Total €m (pro forma)

 1,158.2 

 1,103.4 

Total £m (pro forma at average rate)

 1,019.6 

 925.4 

 46.4 

 6.8 

 1.6 

 54.8 

 94.2 

7%

2%

5%

10%

Total £m (as reported)

 1,019.6 

 388.5 

 631.1 

 44.0 

 29.3 

 - 

 73.3 

 64.6

 64.6 

 26.4 

 27.5 

 - 

 53.9 

 45.2

 23.5 

 17.6 

 1.8 

 - 

 19.4 

 19.4

 41.1 

67%

7%

36%

43%

Netherlands Commercial Waste

Belgium Commercial Waste

Total (pro forma)

UNDERLYING  
EBIT MARGIN

6.0%

6.9%

6.3%

3.8%

6.6%

4.9%

RETURN ON  
OPERATING ASSETS

18.0%

27.4%

10.5%

25.3%

20.6%

14.4%

Pro forma results in the year to March 2017 are unaudited and include Van Gansewinkel (VGG) as if owned throughout the year rather than from legal completion on 28 February 2017.
The return on operating assets for Netherlands includes properties rented from the legacy VGG property company and for Belgium excludes all landfill related provisions

THE COMMERCIAL 
DIVISION PERFORMED 
VERY WELL, 
DELIVERING STRONG 
UNDERLYING 
GROWTH IN 
REVENUES AND 
PROFITS IN ITS 
FIRST YEAR OF 
INTEGRATION

this impact. Belgium has also faced some 
headwinds regarding outlet volumes including 
solid recovered fuel (SRF), as a consequence 
of which higher priced alternative outlets 
had to be used. Profitability of the Cetem 
landfill continued to decline as expected, with 
volumes reducing prior to its closure in 2019. 
Initial synergies of €4.4m were delivered, well 
above target.

OPERATIONAL REVIEW 

The Commercial Division performed very well, 
delivering strong underlying growth in revenues 
and profits in its first year of integration. 

As reported in the Chief Executive’s Statement, 
inbound markets were positive in terms of both 
volume and price, but volatility in end markets 
for our products has required commercial 
agility and careful management. Paper 
and plastic prices fell sharply in the second 
half following the Chinese National Sword 
programme, and the sale of wood products 
moved from being an income to a net expense. 
While most of our volumes to incineration are 
secured at fixed prices, the Division had to 
secure additional capacity at higher prices to 
meet strong inbound waste volumes. Other 

forms of outbound residual wastes have 
also seen sharp increases in disposal cost, 
most notably sieve sands and organic wet 
fractions. The Belgian market has tightened, 
where OVAM, the regulator in Flanders, is 
seeking to enhance recycling rates through the 
management of domestic incineration capacity 
and export licences.

Economic recovery in the Benelux is also driving 
cost inflation beyond our waste residues. 
Wage increases covered by collective labour 
agreements in the Benelux have been around 
3% in 2018 and there are certain categories 
where there is a growing labour shortage. 
Volume increases have also required us to 
contract in both rented trucks and additional 
temporary labour. The truck fleet acquired with 
VGG has also seen repair and maintenance 
costs increase following a planned change in 
accounting policy. Insurance costs have also 
risen substantially. 

Renewi has a proven commercial effectiveness 
approach to enhance margins in these dynamic 
markets. We are committed to restoring 
margins as the economic cycle recovers 
and our commercial teams are increasingly 
focused on margin and not volume, supported 

40

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Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

 We have rebranded over 1,500 
trucks since the launch of our 
Renewi brand


by data-driven analytical tools to manage 
customer and product profitability. Annual price 
increases in January have been successfully 
passed to customers. Longer term tenders and 
contract renewals are subject to scrutiny to 
ensure margins and/or volumes are improving, 
particularly with regard to certain previously 
under-priced VGG contracts. Where appropriate, 
source separated waste streams such as paper, 
wood, glass and plastics are dynamically 
priced, meaning that price is adjusted monthly 
according to an agreed index thereby, 
preserving Renewi’s margin. Around 80% of 
the Division’s paper and plastic volumes are 
covered by this mechanism.

During 2017/18, we implemented a new 
organisation and management structure for 
the Commercial Waste Division in both the 
Netherlands and Belgium. In the Netherlands, 
Otto de Bont was appointed Managing Director 
of Netherlands Commercial from May 2017 
joining us from UTC and GE. We have created a 
new operating model based on four regions and 
two focused businesses (Domestic Collection 
and Specialties). In Belgium, Wim Geens has 
continued as Managing Director, following his 
appointment from VGG. We have organised 
the business into two regions, a hazardous 
business unit and a materials business unit. 
The Netherlands and Belgium Commercial 
organisations share a common new operating 
model which balances customer intimacy with 
the benefits of scale. It also brings together 
logistics and treatment facilities within a region 
to drive a combined margin. Both organisations 
retain an even mix of former Shanks and former 
VGG leaders, bringing together complementary 
skills and experience. 

Across all the regions, local management 
identified quick win projects to enhance 
margins through internalisation of waste 
streams, optimising disposal costs, reducing 
logistic movements and better asset utilisation. 
During 2017/18, the Division achieved total 
synergies of €9.2m, with a run rate of around 
€14m as at 31 March 2018. Feasibility studies 
were also initiated to assess how best to 
manage the complex process of integrating 
two overlapping businesses with very different 
structures, processes and IT systems. The 
target operating model (TOM) for one way of 
working in each Division has been defined 
and progress made towards pilot migrations 
of initial sites in both countries in the first 
half of 2018/19. This is the most technically 
and operationally challenging part of the 
integration and, once successfully proven, a 
migration of the remainder of the Divisions to 
the common platforms will take place during 

the second half of this year and early 2019/20. 
This migration creates the basis for the larger 
savings anticipated from route optimisation 
and selected site closures as well as creating a 
common platform for future efficiency projects 
and continuous improvement.

be made in 2018/19 and 2019/20, funded by 
operating leases, which will bring down the 
cost of maintenance and greatly improve the 
emissions profile and safety features of the 
fleet in operation. A €5m stone crusher will be 
installed in Wateringen in May 2018.

Over €2m of synergy savings year on year were 
created when sharing knowledge and using 
continuous improvement (CI) tools to improve 
processes across our seven main sorting 
lines in the Netherlands Commercial Division. 
Rebalancing mixed waste streams across these 
lines has helped to improve the speed and 
quality of waste processing to generate the 
synergies.

Beyond the rebuilding at Icova and Wandre, 
funded by insurance receipts, capital 
investment in the Division remained tightly 
controlled at €53m, or 91% of depreciation. 
As disclosed at the time of the merger, the 
age of the truck fleet in the former VGG had 
increased beyond its optimum economic life as 
a result of capital constraints in the downturn 
and required reinvestment. After a detailed 
study of future requirements and the creation 
of a harmonised policy and specification for 
Renewi trucks, significant truck purchases will 

We continue to deploy resource to work on 
longer term innovation initiatives. In the 
Netherlands, we won the Heineken innovation 
challenge for return logistics and the recycling 
of a plastic beer keg with aluminium liner. The 
Renewi team’s solution used current glass 
collection infrastructure combined with a 
solution for recycling of the beer keg and reuse 
of materials. In our Belgian business, we have 
collaborated with Reinhard Beck to develop 
and launch Renewi branded pet litter from 
waste wood and we have also worked with Akzo 
Nobel to launch Fenix, a brand of recovered 
and recycled paint. Multiple partnerships with 
others are being explored to assist customers 
with their sustainability goals and to create 
more valuable products from waste.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

41

STRATEGIC REPORT | CONTINUED
STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED

3%

REVENUES 
INCREASED 3% IN A 
CHALLENGING YEAR 
FOR HAZARDOUS 
WASTE 

42
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RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018
Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 


A total care solution:
our Reym trucks pictured at our 
ATM facility unloading waste water

HAZARDOUS WASTE

The Hazardous Waste Division is  
made up of two businesses: Reym  
and ATM. It represents around 13%  
of Renewi’s revenues.

Reym is a leading industrial cleaning 
company in the Netherlands, promoting a 
Total Care solution (cleaning, transport and 
waste management) for heavy industry, 
petrochemical sites, oil and gas production 
(both on and offshore) and the food industry. 
In the past year the Hazardous Waste 
Division successfully integrated the legacy 
Van Gansewinkel Industrial Services (VGIS) 
business into the Reym organisation and CFS 
into ATM. 

ATM is one of Europe’s largest sites for the 
treatment of contaminated soil and water, 
as well as for the disposal of a broad range 
of hazardous waste such as waste paints and 
solvents. In addition, there is a small specialist 
site at Weert called CFS. CFS is a specialised 
chemical physical separation unit that can 
handle highly contaminated waters and 
sludges. The combination of both treatment 
sites gives the Hazardous Waste Division a 
leading position in the market. The business 
model is shown in the graphic below.

Reym’s highly-experienced and trained 
cleaning teams use specialist equipment to 
deliver a reliable, cost-effective and above 
all safe cleaning process in a market where 
the cost of safety and quality is of paramount 
importance. ATM is a leader in water and soil 
treatment because of: the cost advantages 
provided by its fully integrated plant processes; 
its waterside location for the cleaning of 
ships; and its excellent record of compliance 
with the many environmental controls and 
permits required in the hazardous waste 
market. As you can read on page 46, ATM has 
been impacted during the year by specific 
discussions with the regulator on the soil 
cleaning process.

MARKETS

The core market drivers for the Hazardous 
Waste Division are industrial activity in 
the Benelux, particularly in the oil and gas 
sectors and in the Rotterdam and Moerdijk 
region, coupled with construction and site 
remediation activity across Europe. We are 
a trusted party for the processing industry 
in complex and highly-intensive shutdown 
maintenance projects.

The core oil and gas market, which represents 
up to half of the Division’s revenues, 

remained mixed. Oil prices have steadily 
increased to c. $65 per barrel in the period 
and onshore gas production has continued 
to fall because of regulatory restrictions. As 
expected, maintenance and cleaning activity 
at refineries has recovered despite the flat 
backdrop and Reym has been fully deployed 
over the summer, albeit with challenging 
project margins. Improved performance 
at the new Theemsweg site has offset 
weakness in the north where the onshore gas 
production has reduced. The Total Care site 
in Rotterdam, provides a perfect base for our 
established customer base in this important 
industrial area. 

Water intake and treatment at the ATM 
plant has been stable compared to last year. 
Inbound volumes by truck and industrial 
sludge volumes remained weak but ship 
volumes were significantly stronger, supported 
by a large offshore project. The pyro facility 
also delivered an increased performance, 
overcoming operational restrictions as the 
new and enlarged inbound warehouse is 
constructed around the existing activities. 

Soil intake was also strong, particularly 
during the first half. However, as previously 
reported, IL&T, an environmental agency in 
the Netherlands, carried out a review of our 

 continued on p46

HAZARDOUS WASTE BUSINESS MODEL

CUSTOMER

CLEAN

TRANSPORT

PRODUCE

DISPOSE

Industrial 
cleaning 
generates 
contaminated 
water

Heavy industry (Petrochemical)
Industry & Shipping
Industry & Government
Construction & Government

Contaminated 
water

Paint & solvent 
waste

Bio water 
treatment

Pyrolysis

Cleaned water

Inert ash

Contaminated 
soil

Sludge

Gasification

Thermal 
treatment

Clean soil

GROWING REGULATION

For customers: www.renewi.com

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43

STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED
STRATEGIC REPORT | CONTINUED

CASE STUDY

Integrating Reym and VGIS has created a full industrial cleaning 
and waste service, which is poised to achieve natural growth

44

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

 Î The operations departments of the two 
companies worked together on a series 
of ‘Just Do It’ actions: simple ideas that 
delivered significant cost savings. 

“A key challenge of the merger has been 
integrating the two companies on a cultural 
level,” notes Fred Muller, Director of Projects, 
Hazardous Waste. “During the technical part of 
integration, we had good communication on 
different levels and good co-operation with the 
common directors, enabling us to implement 
changes directly,” he says. “The aftercare 
and guiding people is essential to create one 
company with one culture. We are using the 
iRenew network approach to bring our people 
with us on the change journey.”

The new integrated company, which will 
operate under the name of Reym, delivers real 
value through efficiency of people, fleet, sites 
and materials, putting the customer front and 
centre and offering a full cleaning and waste 
service. Financially, the division is already 
operating ahead of its synergy target. 

“Through joining forces, we can offer our 
customers a Total Care service and be the best 
and most effective partner for them,” Fred says. 
“Going forward, our strategy is to continue 
doing what we do best, while broadening our 
business by differentiation to achieve natural 
growth in a very challenging market.”

The integration of Reym and Van 
Gansewinkel Industrial Services  
(VGIS) within Renewi has bolstered  
our leading position in the hazardous  
waste market. 

The combination of the two legacy 
industrial cleaning companies, combined 
with our flagship ATM facility, offers a Total 
Care solution (cleaning, transport and 
waste management) for heavy industry, 
petrochemical sites, oil and gas production 
and the food industry. 

Before joining together as Renewi, Reym and 
VGIS covered two different market segments, 
although they had a number of customers in 
common. Reym covered refinery, chemical 
plants, the food industry and on- and offshore 
drilling locations, while VGIS worked in waste 
to energy facilities as well as chemical sites. 
The integration of these two companies 
means that we are now able to serve the entire 
market. Geographically, the division serves 
the whole of the Netherlands and parts of 
Germany from its five sites around the country. 

The integration of VGIS and Reym centred on 
three main areas. 

 Î Four of VGIS’s rented sites, which were 

located close to those already owned by 
Reym, have been closed, while Reym’s 
Andelst operation has moved into the 
former VGIS site in Duiven. 

 Î We integrated the two companies’ 

technology, with taskforces on logistics, 
systems, purchase and invoicing working to 
ensure that both companies worked on the 
same version of one new system. 

THROUGH JOINING 
FORCES, WE CAN 
OFFER OUR 
CUSTOMERS A TOTAL 
CARE SERVICE AND 
BE THE BEST AND 
MOST EFFECTIVE 
PARTNER FOR THEM

Reym trucks pull in at Renewi’s 
ATM facility in Moerdijk in the 
Netherlands. Both brands are part 
of our Hazardous Waste Division, 
which holds a leading position in 
the industrial cleaning market 


For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

45

STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED

TECHNOLOGIES

Thermal 
treatment

High 
pressure

Ultrasonic

Scrubbing

Vacuum

Chemical

Gasification

Biological

Detonation

Separation

PRODUCTS

Cleaned 
water

Clean soil

Inert ash

soil treatment process and output which 
has negatively affected our off-set of treated 
soil into a market that has been increasingly 
challenging. Accordingly, we voluntarily 
reduced soil treatment volumes from the 
middle of August. 

DIVISIONAL STRATEGY

The Hazardous Waste Division’s strategy is to 
grow by increasing capacity to treat additional 
volumes while retaining attractive returns. 
The Division will also increase the range of 
products that can be treated through its assets 
and consider geographic expansion where 
Renewi can sustain competitive advantage.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 

Hazardous Waste had a challenging year as 
a result of previously reported difficulties in 
placing its treated soil from the ATM business. 
Revenues increased by 3% to €231.0m while 
underlying EBIT decreased by 20% to €19.9m. 
Margins reduced to 8.6% and the return on 
assets reduced by 190 basis points to 24.1%. 
Underlying performance excluding the soil 
treatment process was stable.

Synergies of €1m were delivered in the year, 
well ahead of target. Underlying activity 
continued to recover slightly in the core oil  
and gas market but pressure on productivity 
and margins continues.

Overall revenues at ATM grew by 3.4% to 
€107m. Throughput of water and packed 
chemical waste was broadly flat compared  
to the prior year, while throughput of soil was 
reduced to 50% of capacity or below during 
the second half. The business benefited from 
a large one-off water contract during the year, 
only a portion of which was processed at ATM. 
As part of the integration, the CFS waste water 
treatment facility from former VGG has also 
been transferred to Hazardous Waste. 

OPERATIONAL REVIEW 

ATM, our hazardous waste treatment site, 
has an advantaged location, deep technical 
expertise and a favourable cost position 
with regard to its soil and water treatment 
processes. Given its defensible nature and 
attractive returns, the business has therefore 
been the focus of investment to increase 
capacity and capability. 

The Reym business combined with Van 
Gansewinkel Industrial Services (VGIS) to 
become the largest industrial cleaning and 
services company in the Netherlands. Reym/
VGIS saw revenues increase by 3% to €132m 
with margins increasing by 30 basis points. 

Performance in 2017/18 was affected by the 
previously reported short term challenges 
in the offset of treated soil. Historically, 
ATM had disposed of treated soil for a small 
consideration to a neighbouring company, 
Martens en van Oord (MvO), which placed 

The Reym/VGIS industrial  
cleaning business performed well 
during 2017/18



46

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

HAZARDOUS WASTE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

REVENUE

UNDERLYING EBIT

Mar 18

Mar 17

Variance

Mar 18

Mar 17

Variance

Total €m (pro forma)

 231.0 

 224.3 

Total £m (pro forma at average rate)

 203.2 

 187.9 

Total £m (as reported)

 203.2 

 163.0 

3%

8%

 6.7 

 15.3 

 40.2 

 19.9 

 17.4 

 17.4 

 24.8 

 20.7 

 19.7 

(4.9)

(3.3)

(2.3)

-20%

-16%

Total (pro forma)

8.6%

11.1%

UNDERLYING  
EBIT MARGIN

RETURN ON  
OPERATING ASSETS

24.1%

26.0%

Pro forma results in the year to March 2017 are unaudited and include Van Gansewinkel as if owned throughout the year rather than from legal completion on 28 February 2017.

the treated soil into the market. End uses for 
treated soil include landscaping, industrial 
and infrastructure developments. Disposal 
costs for treated soil have been rising for 
some time, leading to an increasing stockpile 
of soil at MvO. ATM was identifying and in 
the process of directly contracting with 
additional new outlets when it was the 
subject of a review by IL&T, an independent 
Dutch regulator. IL&T publicly alleged there 
were flaws in ATM’s treatment process. ATM 
has strongly refuted the allegations and 
has entered into a resolution process with 
IL&T. Concerns about the treated soil has 
delayed progress with securing new outlet 
opportunities. As previously reported, ATM 
reduced throughput of soil to below 50% 
of capacity for the second half of the year 
with an impact on second half profitability 
of around €6m. Management is confident 
that all treated soil is in full compliance with 
applicable permits and we continue to take 
steps to improve further the soil quality. An 
encouraging pipeline of potential customers 
for the treated soil continues to be developed 
and we remain confident that sufficient new 
outlets will be opened during 2018/19 to 
resume full production by October 2018. The 
final resolution of the discussions with IL&T  
could extend for a further 12-18 months.

ATM has a development programme in 
place to process the treated soil further into 
secondary materials for the construction 

industry. In order to create the space for these 
additional process steps, we were pleased 
to acquire 70,000m2 of adjacent land on the 
Moerdijk waterside from MvO in December 
for a gross consideration of €12.7m, payable 
as €7.2m in cash and through reacquiring 
around 1 million tonnes of treated soil. The 
acquired land not only provides the capacity 
to expand our soil process, but also provides a 
deep water quay for ship cleaning and for the 
logistics movements of soil, water and sludges, 
as well as additional warehousing and land for 
other future capacity expansion plans.

As a result of the soil offset issues, the Group 
incurred an exceptional charge of €3.0m 
relating to the logistics and storage off-site 
of around 200,000 tonnes of soil and an 
obligation to assist with the disposal of a 
further 300,000 tonnes of soil not purchased 
from MvO. 

During the year, we continued our long term 
investment programme to enhance the 
capacity and capabilities of ATM. As previously 
reported, we will install a new burner for the 
TRI in 2018 and will then replace the LUVO 
emissions cleaning unit in 2019. The new 
€7m warehouse for inbound packed chemical 
waste, built to address the latest fire standards, 
will be completed in the first half of 2018/19.

The industrial cleaning market for our Reym/
VGIS business improved slightly compared 
to the previous two years, in particular with 
regard to major customer shutdowns. Good 
growth in the competitive Rotterdam region 
was partially offset by the ongoing long term 
decline in onshore gas production in the north. 
Profitability and productivity continued to be 
challenged by the short notice being given by 
customers in both scheduling and postponing 
major projects.

The other core waste treatment processes 
for the Division performed well. Waste water 
intake was over 650,000 tonnes, with a further 
95,000 tonnes of sludges. In addition, we 
benefited from a large one-off water treatment 
contract relating to the opening of a new 
offshore well. Treatment of packed chemical 
waste through the pyro plant was up 4% 
on last year and average prices remained 
strong. The CFS water treatment facility in 
the southern Netherlands did well, increasing 
profits by 7%.

An important initiative for Reym has been  
the integration of the €26m revenue VGIS 
business into the much larger Reym operation. 
The initial focus has been on consolidating the 
overlapping footprint. By March 2018,  
we had closed three sites, with one more  
to be transferred to Reym in 2018/19 after 
some investment to expand the Amsterdam 
facility. We secured Works Council approval 
for the operational integration of the VGIS 
employees onto the Reym planning systems 
from April 2018. 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

47

STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED

MONOSTREAMS 

The Monostreams Division comprises four 
businesses: Coolrec, Mineralz, Orgaworld 
and Maltha. It represents around 11% of 
Renewi’s revenues.

These businesses produce materials into 
specific markets from waste streams such 
as glass bottlebanks, discarded electrical 
and electronic equipment, source separated 
organics and incinerators’ bottom ashes. Our 
resulting products are used in markets such 
as jars and bottles for food and beverage 
packaging, plastics for new products, green 
energy, soil and fertiliser, and building and 
construction materials in western Europe.

Coolrec is a recycler of electrical and electronic 
appliances, producing recycled plastics and 
both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. It has 
eight sites across Belgium, Netherlands, 
Germany and France with the majority of 
customers on long-term supplier contracts. 

Coolrec has innovative partnerships with 
industry partners such as Philips and Miele 
to keep used products in the same chain. As 
Coolrec is operating in a market with price 
volatility for the materials they produce (both 
for plastics and metals) we have implemented 
dynamic pricing.

The Mineralz business produces building 
materials from bottom ashes (the ashes 
remaining after the incineration of waste), 
extracting both minerals and metals as part 
of the process. The company has grown 
further in this segment over the past year 
and has become an important partner for 
incinerators who need to comply with the 
Dutch Green Deal. The Deal states that 50% of 
the bottom ashes had to be recycled in 2017 
and this increases to 100% by 2020. Mineralz 
has partnerships with producers of building 
materials to turn cleaned materials into 
products like concrete tiles. Mineralz continues 

to operate unique landfill services to manage 
specialist waste streams such as fly ashes and 
NORM waste at the Maasvlakte landfill site in 
Rotterdam. 

Orgaworld is an innovative leader in organic 
waste treatment and is a producer of green 
electricity and soil enhancing materials. It 
has five facilities in the Netherlands, primarily 
based on composting and anaerobic digestion 
and waste water treatment technology. In the 
Amsterdam area, Orgaworld produces green 
energy for 15,000 homes.

Maltha is a European leader in glass recycling, 
focused primarily on recycling flat and 
container glass into “cullet” and glass powder 
for reuse in the glass industry. 33% of the 
Maltha group is owned by Owens-Illinois, a 
world leader in packaging glass. Maltha has 
sites in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, 
Portugal and Hungary.

 continued on p52

MONOSTREAMS BUSINESS MODEL

INPUT

OUTPUT

Fridges

Washing 
machines 

Electronics

Plastics

Non 
Ferrous 
Metals

Plastics

Metals

Industrial 
waste

Soil

Ashes

Clean 
soil

Aggregate

Landfill 
locations

Binder

Coolrec

Mineralz

Orgaworld

Food  
waste

Green  
waste

Digestate/
compost

Green 
electricity

Industrial 
Organics

Maltha

Car  
windscreens

Packaging 
glass

Sheet 
glass

Glass 
cullet

Glass 
Powder

THESE BUSINESSES 
PRODUCE MATERIALS 
INTO SPECIFIC 
MARKETS FROM WASTE 
STREAMS SUCH AS 
GLASS BOTTLEBANKS, 
DISCARDED ELECTRICAL 
AND ELECTRONIC 
EQUIPMENT, SOURCE 
SEPARATED ORGANICS 
AND INCINERATORS’ 
BOTTOM ASHES

48

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Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

100%

OF BOTTOM ASHES 
TO BE RECYCLED  
BY 2020 ACCORDING 
TO LEGISLATION

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018
Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc
RENEWI plc

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STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED

CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY

WINNERS  
IN WASTE

Our relationships with external stakeholders are an important 
part of our success in turning waste into new products

50
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Annual Report and Accounts 2018
Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

The businesses in Renewi’s Monostreams 
Division are dedicated not only to turning 
waste into new, usable products, but also 
to building strong relationships with our 
partners and the communities in which  
we work. 

Last autumn, our Coolrec subsidiary began a 
project with telecommunications company 
KPN and the KNSB (the Royal Dutch Skaters 
Association), to recycle the precious metals 
from old mobile phones and turn them 
into gold, silver and bronze medals. These 
were awarded at the NK All-round & Sprint 
Championships in January 2018. 

Arjen Wittekoek, Director of Coolrec, explains: 
“All the medals are made of a base of copper 
and zinc, with the gold and silver ones 
electroplated with precious metal. There’s a 
lot of metal in mobile phones and the supply 
of gold and silver was no problem, but we 
struggled to get enough zinc.”

Sourcing the medal ribbons from ethical, 
sustainable recycled fabric was a challenge, 
until Arjen and his team thought of the idea to 
recycle old Coolrec flags. 

“What began as a marketing and publicity 
initiative turned into an opportunity to develop 
relationships,” Arjen says. “We are a recycling 
company and we had never designed medals 
before! But the pilot was a great success and 
we hope to repeat it next year.”

Turning food waste into bioplastic
At Renewi’s specialist organic waste subsidiary, 
Orgaworld, a pilot is under way to turn 
household waste into bioplastics. The project 
is taking place in partnership with Delft 
University of Technology and the chemical 
engineering firm Paques. 

“The project has huge potential,” says Klaas 
van den Berg, Managing Director of Orgaworld. 
“Our ambition is to convince every household 
to use a separate bin for food waste, and for 
that waste to be recycled into bioplastics for 
bags to be used in the future. It’s truly circular: 
you make a product from waste that then 
allows more waste to be recycled.” 

People in the community who use Orgaworld’s 
products are already a vital element in the 
partnership, Klaas says. “Every year, we invite 
people who live in the area of our installation 
to come and help themselves to compost for 
their gardens. That’s our way of giving back to 
our public the product that we make from their 
waste. They can also buy the green energy 

we produce. The bioplastics project is a new 
dimension of the process of using waste to 
give back to society.”

Sustainable paving tiles
A partnership between Renewi’s Mineralz 
business, the municipality of Duiven in the 
Eastern Netherlands and concrete producer De 
Hamer has resulted in a sustainable paving tile 
created from what Paul Dijkman, Director of 
Mineralz, describes as “the rest of the rest”. 

“Around the world, the residue of the 
incineration process ends up in landfill,” he 
says. “It’s occasionally used to surface roads, 
but it’s generally regarded as a dirty material. 
Under the recycling Green Deal agreement 
with the Netherlands government, we set a 
goal of upcycling this ‘bottom ash’: bringing 
it higher up in the circular economy, not as a 
dirty construction material but as a clean one.”

The ash is delivered to the Mineralz facility, 
where any valuable metals are extracted. The 
remaining ‘mineral fraction’ is washed and 
used to make FORZ® granules, a substitute for 
sand and gravel in concrete products that is 
itself recyclable. 

“Bottom ash did not have a good reputation,” 
Paul says. “But our partners were willing to 
listen to our ideas and try new things. Now we 
have a product that is clean, safe and has long-
term sustainability.”

WHAT IS THE GREEN DEAL?

 Î Incineration Bottom Ash (IBA) 
is a residual product of waste 
incineration

 Î The Green Deal aims to create new 
technologies to recycle IBA into an 
unrestricted construction material, 
for example as an alternative to 
sand or as aggregate in construction 
materials such as concrete

 Î Before 2017 IBA was only used as a 
secondary construction material in 
situations where there was no risk  
of the material leaching into the soil  
or groundwater

 Î The Green Deal required 50% of all 

bottom ashes to be reprocessed last 
year and this will increase to 100% 
in 2020

22%

of the input into incineration becomes 
“bottom ash”



The FORZ® paving slabs were 
developed by a partnership 
between Renewi’s Mineralz 
business, the municipality of 
Duiven in the Eastern Netherlands 
and concrete producer De Hamer

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

51

STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED

MARKETS

Each of our distinct end markets in the 
Monostreams Division has its own market 
drivers and has customers on both ends of 
the value chain. The companies source their 
materials from the collection and sorting 
market for waste and transform them into 
raw materials to provide customers at the 
other end of the value chain with secondary 
raw materials. Monostreams is also a division 
where Renewi’s waste-to-product strategy is 
becoming very tangible. 

Input volumes have been relatively stable over 
the past years, though the mix is changing 
rapidly, for example old televisions are fading 
out and more and more smart devices are 
appearing. The business can benefit from 
changes in environmental legislation and 
incentive schemes to drive additional recycling, 
and also from technology changes which will 
lead to higher quality output (secondary) raw 
materials. The business is exposed to the value 
of the materials that it recovers, particularly 
non-ferrous metals and plastics, many of which 
have been at low price levels during 2017. 

The Mineralz business is generating good 
growth from creating building materials from 
the bottom ashes. A significant proportion of 
bottom ashes from incinerators are not yet 
being recycled and will need to be in order to 

comply with the Green Deal policy by 2020. 
Mineralz further generates revenues from 
specialist materials requiring landfill. These 
materials have few other disposal options 
and so input volumes are secure, so long as 
there is landfill capacity and permits in place. 
Waste legislation and policy is very specific 
on which waste streams can be landfilled. 
For the Netherlands this means that only 
waste streams that cannot be recycled or 
incinerated can be landfilled. This legislation is 
well-established and has resulted in relatively 
stable waste flows being landfilled. 

At Orgaworld, inbound volumes from 
municipalities are relatively mature and are 
secured on long-term contracts, many of which 
have been renewed over the past year. Growth 
is being driven by operational excellence and 
increased treatment of sludges, which has 
helped to drive improved profitability at our 
composting sites. With a smart commercial 
approach and higher uptime of Amsterdam’s 
anaerobic digestion facility, Orgaworld has 
been able to improve its profit margin.

Our Maltha glass recycling business sources 
waste flat and container glass across Europe. 
Supply has been stable, although pricing 
has been under pressure. The cullet and 
powders produced are sold to leading glass 
manufacturers, including our partner Owens-
Illinois, where demand is currently relatively 
strong for high purity products. 

TECHNOLOGIES

Anaerobic 
digestion

Specialist 
landfill

Composting

Glass 
recycling

Electrical and 
electronic equipment

PRODUCTS

Plastics

Metals

Clean 
soil

Aggregate

Binder

Digestate/
compost

Green 
electricity

Industrial 
Organics

Glass 
cullet

MONOSTREAMS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

REVENUE

UNDERLYING EBIT

Mar 18

Mar 17

Variance

Mar 18

Mar 17

Variance

Total €m (pro forma)

 204.4 

 190.4 

Total £m (pro forma at average rate)

 180.0 

 159.6 

 14.0 

 20.4 

7%

13%

Total £m (as reported)

 180.0 

 30.8 

 149.2 

 18.2 

 16.0 

 16.0 

 14.7 

 12.3 

 3.5 

 3.7 

 3.6 

 12.4 

24%

30%

Total (pro forma)

8.9%

7.7%

UNDERLYING EBIT 
MARGIN

RETURN ON  
OPERATING ASSETS

25.6%

19.4%

Pro forma results in the year to March 2017 are unaudited and include Van Gansewinkel as if owned throughout the year rather than from legal completion on 28 February 2017. 
The return on operating assets excludes all landfill related provisions. 

52

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

DIVISIONAL STRATEGY 

Monostreams is a newly formed division that 
incorporates Maltha, Coolrec and Mineralz 
from VGG with Orgaworld from Shanks. All four 
businesses focus on producing high quality 
product from specific source segregated input 
streams and the Division has the highest 
recycling rate in the Group at 96% of processed 
volumes. The divisional strategy is to deliver 
profitable growth from the existing businesses 
and operational footprint and in the longer 
term to grow profits through a larger product 
portfolio of secondary materials into the 
growing circular economy. 

and also arranged a long term customer 
extension with a major cullet customer in 
Portugal. We have invested in a new glass 
powder processing line at Dintelmond, with 
a number of interested customers, and an 
extension to capacity at Portugal that will 
increase the volume of year round production. 
An ongoing project to reduce dust generation 
at Dintelmond will result in further investment 
of around €0.9m in 2018/19 to reduce dust 
levels by at least 60%. On the back of this 
strong operational performance, we were very 
pleased to renew our long term shareholder 
agreement with our partner Owens-Illinois in 
December 2017.

ALL FOUR 
MONOSTREAMS 
BUSINESSES FOCUS 
ON PRODUCING 
HIGH QUALITY 
PRODUCT FROM 
SPECIFIC SOURCE 
SEGREGATED INPUT 
STREAMS 

Orgaworld delivered ongoing growth in 
volumes treated, in addition to growth 
in inbound green waste. During the year, 
Orgaworld extended two major Source 
Segregated Organics (SSO) contracts as 
well as its ongoing partnership with a 
major supermarket chain for the treatment 
of out of date food waste. An unexpected 
leak in a digester tank at the Amsterdam 
anaerobic digestion (AD) facility caused the 
loss of electricity production as we repaired 
the broken digester tank and performed 
preventative maintenance elsewhere in the 
installation. In February 2018, we announced 
that Orgaworld had started the second phase 
of a project with Delft University and Pacques 
looking into the production of bioplastics 
(PHA) from organic waste.

Coolrec had a mixed year, with flat revenues 
and lower margins. Intake of fridges was 
particularly strong, but other input lines, 
including small domestic appliances and 
TVs (tubes), saw a decline in volumes and 
consequently in margins. Margin pressure 
on the Belgian flotation line due to the 
increasingly competitive market for inbound 
material also caused reduced profits. 
Customer contracts for sustainable long term 
solutions continued to gain traction. Coolrec 
is working with many leading appliance 
manufacturers to produce new appliances out 
of an increasing percentage of recycled metals 
and plastics. 

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 

Monostreams delivered a strong performance 
in 2017/18, growing revenues by 7% to 
€204.4m and underlying EBIT by 24% to 
€18.2m. Margins improved by 120 basis points 
to 8.9% and return on operating assets by 620 
basis points to 25.6%.

Revenue and profit growth were driven by 
strong performances in the Mineralz and 
Maltha businesses. Orgaworld delivered profit 
growth on broadly flat revenues, offsetting 
the impact of a digester tank leak during the 
summer of 2018 that materially disrupted 
production for three months. Coolrec saw 
profitability decline on flat revenues, with 
particular challenges in the profitability of the 
processing of TVs (tubes) and small domestic 
appliances and the flotation line in Belgium. 

OPERATIONAL REVIEW 

The Mineralz business had a good year. 
Underlying volumes to its three landfill sites 
were strong, in particular the Braine site in 
Belgium. Volumes of bottom ashes processed 
into building materials increased by over 200% 
and strategic discussions are being held with 
a number of Dutch incinerators to expand this 
important sustainable initiative. Constructive 
negotiations have also continued with the Port 
of Rotterdam and with associated regulatory 
bodies regarding a long term extension to the 
Maasvlakte landfill in the Europoort, which 
offers unique safe immobilisation and storage 
in the Netherlands for waste streams such as 
fly ashes and low level NORM waste.

Maltha, our glass recycling business, is 33% 
owned by Owens-Illinois a leading global glass 
producer. The business delivered a strong 
recovery in 2017/18 from production lows. 
Maltha secured important additional inbound 
glass streams in the UK and Scandinavia 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

53

STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED

BOTH PFI AND PPP 
CONTRACTS ARE 
UNDERPINNED 
BY GUARANTEED 
REVENUES AND 
TONNAGES FROM 
THE ASSOCIATED 
COUNCIL

MUNICIPAL 

The Municipal Division operates waste 
treatment facilities for UK and Canadian 
city and county councils under long-term 
contracts, typically 25 years. Such contracts 
are established primarily to divert waste 
away from landfill in a cost-effective and 
sustainable way. It represents around 12% 
of Renewi’s revenues.

In the UK, the capital cost of the infrastructure 
we operate is financed with non-recourse bank 
debt and in the case of PFI contracts, is also 
supported by central government funding. 
Both PFI and PPP contracts are underpinned 
by guaranteed revenues and tonnages from 
the associated council. The business model is 
shown in the graphic below. 

In a typical PFI or PPP contract, a special 
purpose vehicle (SPV) is created to finance 
the construction of the treatment assets and a 
club of banks provides the funding. During the 
only remaining build phase in Derby, Renewi 
has not been the construction contractor. On 

completion and commissioning of the assets, 
Renewi has historically injected up to 20% of 
the invested capital of the SPV in the form of 
subordinated debt, which then earns a return 
of around 12% pre-tax. 

Once operational, there are two potential 
income streams from the PFI or PPP contract. 
The first is the income for treatment of the 
waste under the operating contract, which 
is signed with the Municipal Division as the 
supplier. The operating contract provides 
guaranteed volumes under agreed terms, 
typically with some form of price indexation. 
However, the contracts are not always 
linked to the variable cost of the disposal of 
processed off-take and changes in this market 
have resulted in severe margin pressure as 
described on the following pages.

The second income stream is the interest 
from the subordinated debt and ultimately a 
dividend stream from the SPV.

The Municipal Division has historically sold 
the majority of its interest in its SPVs, following 

MUNICIPAL BUSINESS MODEL

 RECEIVE

SORT

PRODUCE

DISPOSE

Sorting 
lines

Trommels

Shredding

In-vessel 
composting

Landfill

Local Authorities  
in the UK and Canada

Magnets

Optical 
sorters

Anaerobic 
digestion

Mechanical 
biological

INPUT

RECYCLATES

PRODUCTS

Black bag 
waste

Dry  
recyclate

Paper

Glass

Solid recovered 
fuel

Green 
electricity

Green 
waste

Food 
waste

Plastic

Metal

Refuse 
derived fuel

Digestate/
compost

54

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

commissioning, to a third party; so this is 
currently a minor part of our income. However, 
we maintain an open stance on our ownership 
of SPV stakes.

In Canada, the facilities are generally funded 
from our own balance sheet, supported 
by long-term contracts. In some cases, the 
customer may provide some funding support.

waste, especially organic waste, from landfill. 
Renewi has a good overview of the pipeline 
of potential opportunities in Canada and into 
parts of the US. We are currently completing 
the final stages of commissioning of our 
flagship organic processing plant in Surrey 
(Vancouver). This facility will convert food 
waste into bio-fuel to power the city’s fleet of 
waste collection vehicles. 

MARKETS

The Municipal Division has continued to be 
impacted by a range of challenges during 
2017/18, offsetting the effect of improvement 
initiatives. 

Incinerator gate fees continued to rise and 
whilst this is positive for our Commercial 
Division, as it broadly supports pricing 
recovery for Benelux recyclers, it is inherently 
a negative for the Municipal Division. This 
has been largely mitigated by our strategy of 
locking in the vast majority of our recovered 
fuel to long term contracts at fixed rates. 

The bidding and building process for major 
waste treatment PFI/PPP opportunities in 
the UK is largely complete, with only our 
Derby project now in the final stages of 
commissioning. 

The Canadian market is still in a growth 
phase, with many municipalities yet to 
invest in the infrastructure required to divert 

The Municipal Division, having secured its 
input waste under long-term contracts, 
then competes in a number of downstream 
markets, in particular with regard to the 
provision of SRF to cement manufacturers 
and RDF to energy from waste companies. A 
large proportion of these disposal routes is 
now secured under long-term agreements 
and progress was made in the year with new 
contracts signed with AEB and Ferrybridge. 

The Municipal Division also operates a 
commercial Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facility 
under a joint venture partnership. The 
Cumbernauld facility has benefited from the 
Zero Waste Scotland initiative with a good 
supply of source segregated organic waste in 
the Edinburgh/Glasgow area.

DIVISIONAL STRATEGY

The Municipal Division’s strategy is to deliver 
a recovery plan that will stabilise and de-risk 
the business. This will involve reducing losses 
resulting from adverse market dynamics, 

and ensuring the successful completion and 
commissioning to full operational capability 
of its new assets both under construction or 
recently commissioned.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 

Municipal revenues fell by 7% at constant 
currency to £192.3m and the business reported 
an underlying trading loss of £9.2m at constant 
currency (2017: loss of £2.6m). Canada 
performed particularly poorly, reporting a loss 
of £3.4m, as a result of operational challenges 
in its London facility and contractor delays 
with construction at the Surrey facility. Good 
progress has been made to resolve these 
issues and Canada is expected to return to 
profit in 2018/19. The UK PFI facilities made 
increased underlying losses of £1.6m reflecting 
underperformance of the Wakefield facility, 
including the reduction in Feed in Tariff (FIT) 
subsidy, losses at the Westcott Park facility and 
ongoing challenges in the export of RDF from 
ELWA.

The UK business reported revenues up 1% 
to £176.4m and made a trading loss of £5.8m 
(2017: loss of £4.2m). The key drivers of the 
ongoing losses, as previously reported, were 
margin pressure in the recovered fuels market, 
recyclate price falls in the fourth quarter, 
the sensitivity of the legacy business model 
to market shifts, and specific operational 
optimisation issues. The biggest risk remains 
the paper and plastic recyclate market and 

 continued on p58

TECHNOLOGIES

PRODUCTS

Sorting 
lines

Trommels

Shredding

In-vessel 
composting

Paper

Glass

Solid recovered 
fuel

Green 
electricity

Magnets

Optical 
sorters

Anaerobic 
digestion

Mechanical 
biological

Plastic

Metal

Refuse 
derived fuel

Digestate/
compost

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

55

STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED

CASE STUDY

Our new organic biofuels processing facility in Surrey, 
Canada is innovative in process, financing and helping 
customers manage their carbon footprint

FUEL OF 
BEANS

115,000 
TONNES

The amount of domestic and commercial 
organic waste the site can convert to 
biomethane gas every year

56

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

49,000
TONNES

of emissions will be avoided – the same as taking 10,000 cars off the roads

abatement system, which treats more than 
200,000m3 of air per hour. The building is 
under negative pressure, sucking in fresh air 
whenever a bay door is opened. With local 
residents living within one kilometre of the site, 
the odour abatement system is critical to our 
efforts to be a good corporate citizen.

Truly waste no more
True to our ‘waste no more’ approach, we are 
leveraging every recycling opportunity at the 
site, even extracting recyclable materials from 
the odours created by the organic waste. The 
odour abatement system features an ammonia 
scrubber, which uses sulphuric acid to extract 
ammonia from the water droplets created 
within the damp environment. That ammonia 
is collected and recycled into ammonia 
sulphate, a mild fertiliser.

Other recycled products include compost, a 
few thousand tonnes of which will be given 
away to local residents free of charge at 
open-house events that will seek to bring the 
community together to learn more about what 
we do at the facility.

The site itself is built to high environmental 
standards, achieving gold certification 
under Canada’s Leadership in Energy and 
Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, 
which provides independent verification 
that a building has been designed and built 
with human and environmental health in 
mind. LEED takes account of sustainable site 
development, water savings, energy efficiency, 
materials selection and indoor environmental 
quality. The Surrey facility is also the first waste 
sector infrastructure project in North America 
to be awarded the Institute for Sustainable 
Infrastructure’s Envision Platinum Award  
for sustainability.

This year, our Municipal Division pushed the 
boundaries of innovation in the Canadian 
market, achieving multiple ‘firsts’ at our 
organic biofuels processing facility in the City 
of Surrey, part of the Metro Vancouver area.

Not only does the 60m Canadian Dollars site 
bring three processing technologies – standard 
in-tunnel composting, dry anaerobic digestion 
and wet fermentation – together under one roof 
for the first time in North America, it is the first 
waste recycling facility in Canada to be built 
under a public–private partnership (P3) financing 
model. 

Funded in partnership with the City of Surrey 
and the Government of Canada, Renewi 
provided the upfront capital costs and will 
operate the facility over a 25-year term. 

The site will convert up to 115,000 tonnes  

of domestic and commercial organic waste  

per year into biomethane gas, which 
will power Surrey’s fleet of 18 waste-
collection trucks and other operational 
vehicles. Using the renewable gas 
to power the collection trucks that 
supply the site with organic waste 
makes it a fully closed loop facility 
– a living example of our efforts to 
play a connecting role in the circular 
economy. 

The facility is expected to supply 
the national grid with more 
renewable gas than the City of 
Surrey needs, making it the first 
municipality in Canada to have a 
negative carbon footprint.

Being a good corporate citizen
We started accepting first waste 
for commissioning in December, 
expect to supply first gas to the 
national grid by the end of May, 
and will be fully operational in the 
summer. 

Alongside the innovative combination 
of waste processing technologies, 
the site has a state-of-the-art odour 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

57

STRATEGIC REPORT | OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED

A NEW 100,000 
TONNE RDF 
CONTRACT 
WITH THE AEB 
INCINERATOR 
IS EXPECTED 
TO IMPROVE 
PERFORMANCE AT 
ELWA NEXT YEAR

the commissioning of the Derby facility, which 
we will take control of when it has passed its 
full service commencement tests. Exceptional 
costs of £72.3m were incurred in the year 
relating to decisive portfolio management 
and further onerous contract provisions which 
are discussed below. Management do not 
anticipate further exceptional costs relating to 
the UK assets. 

The Canadian business reported revenues 
down by 52% to £15.9m reflecting the end 
of the construction phase of the new Surrey 
facility. The business reported a disappointing 
trading loss of £3.4m primarily due to the 
previously reported recurrence of operational 
difficulties at the London facility and 
contractor construction issues at Surrey.

OPERATIONAL REVIEW – UK

As previously reported, the UK business 
continued to be impacted by a range of 
challenges during 2017/18, offsetting the  
effect of improvement initiatives. 

At ELWA, the operating performance continued 
to be impacted by weak FX rates and higher 
RDF export fees into the Netherlands 
and Germany. A new 100,000 tonne per 
annum contract with the AEB incinerator 

at Amsterdam is expected to improve 
performance next year. Following successful 
management action to resolve operational 
 and compliance issues in Cumbria, the 
Group has released £4m of onerous contract 
provisions that are no longer required. We 
have therefore been able to reverse its  
onerous contract status and the contract will 
be reported through the income statement 
during 2018/19.

Operational stability at the new Wakefield 
and Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham 
(BDR) facilities improved over the year with 
all performance tests passed at Wakefield. 
However, as previously reported, the facilities 
did not achieve the anticipated gains in 
underlying profitability. In particular, the 
Wakefield anaerobic digestion (AD) facility 
was impacted by an 80% reduction in the 
FIT renewable subsidy awarded by the 
government compared to that included in 
the original bid model. Additionally, it was 
discovered, once in operation, that the gas 
yield on the residual waste fraction was less 
than half that originally expected. Throughput 
at the BDR facility was also curtailed as 
the marginal cost of processing additional 
commercial waste became loss making 
largely due to the high cost of disposal as 
RDF. As noted in the Chief Financial Officer’s 

MUNICIPAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

REVENUE

UNDERLYING EBIT

Mar 18

Mar 17

Variance

Mar 18

Mar 17

Variance

UK Municipal

Canada Municipal

 176.4 

 174.8 

 1.6 

1%

 15.9 

 32.8 

(16.9)

-52%

Total £m (at constant currency)

 192.3 

 207.6 

(15.3)

Total £m (at average rate as reported)

 192.9 

 207.6 

(14.7)

-7%

-7%

(5.8)

(3.4)

(9.2)

(9.3)

(4.2)

 1.6 

(2.6)

(2.6)

(1.6)

(5.0)

(6.6)

(6.7)

UK Municipal

Canada Municipal *

Total*

UNDERLYING  
EBIT MARGIN

-3.3%

-34.3%

-2.4%

7.4%

-5.0%

-1.8%

All numbers for Canada are shown at a constant exchange rate 
*For comparability, the Canadian trading margin excludes Surrey construction revenue and profits.

58

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

review, the significant progress made to 
stabilise performance across both facilities in 
the year has assisted management in being 
able to assess the required onerous contract 
provisions taken to reflect the expected future 
losses from these two contracts, resulting in 
an exceptional onerous contract provision 
increase of £56.6m.

The Derby facility made encouraging progress 
following the 2016 insolvency of a major 
technology supplier to the EPC contractor 
for the Derby project, Interserve plc. The 
facility has now accepted first waste for 
commissioning, and was granted renewable 
obligation certificates (ROCs) after generating 
electricity from the thermal treatment unit, 
thereby removing one of the main remaining 
risks to the future profitability of the facility. 
Commissioning is well underway, and 
full service commencement is scheduled 
during 2018 once a full range of operational 
performance tests have been passed. 

During the year we took decisive action to exit 
loss-making contracts or facilities where we 
have been unable to restore profitability and 
where there is a defined exit route that makes 
good sense for shareholders. In March 2018, 
we sold our loss-making facility at Westcott 
Park to Olleco for an undisclosed sum. This 
has resulted in a non-cash write-off of £8m  
and cash exit costs of £6m, saving annual 
losses of around £1.5m per annum going 
forward. We have also entered into 
negotiations regarding the Dumfries & 
Galloway PFI contract with a view to exiting 
the operating contract held between Renewi 
and Shanks Dumfries And Galloway Limited. 
This fifteen-year-old contract was not capable 
of meeting the new regulations that require 
greater diversion from landfill in Scotland, 
and long-running negotiations were unable 
to agree the required amendments without 
materially increasing the risk to Renewi. The 
contract generated a loss of £3m in 2017/18 
and an additional provision of £9m was taken 
to cover the costs of termination.

We accepted first waste at our 
 new facility in Surrey, Canada,  
in December 2017


Energen Biogas, our 50% joint venture in 
Scotland, delivered another year of solid profit 
growth based on good availability of volumes 
due to the Zero Waste Scotland policy. 
Investments in the past two years to increase 
capacity and provide a gas-to-grid capability 
are generating strong returns.

OPERATIONAL REVIEW – CANADA

Our Canadian assets experienced challenges 
in 2017/18 that are largely expected to be 
resolved enabling improved performance and 
profitability in 2018/19. New management 
has now been put in place and is driving 
wide ranging commercial and operational 
improvements.

The Ottawa facility saw a reduction in 
profitability due to higher costs of residual 
disposal. The London plant experienced a 
recurrence of operational issues relating to 
the stability of the biology in the composting 
process. This initially reduced throughput 
whilst consequent odour challenges delayed 
the ramp up to full production. Outstanding 
issues have been settled with MOECC, the 
Canadian regulator. The plant has recently 
learned that it has been unsuccessful in 
renewing its contract with the City of Toronto, 
partly as a result of these issues. This will 
reduce committed tonnage into London by 
around 35% for 2018/19 however, a pipeline of 
alternative inputs is being progressed. 

The innovative bio-fuel facility in Surrey, 
Canada experienced commissioning delays as 
a result of contractor issues in construction. 
These have now been addressed and first 
waste was accepted in December 2017 and the 
facility was formally opened in March 2018. Full 
service commencement is expected later in the 
year and the facility should significantly reduce 
or eliminate losses during 2018/19.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

59

STRATEGIC REPORT

PEOPLE

ACCELERATING 
 REAL CHANGE

The hard work and commitment 
of our people has enabled us to 
build one Renewi and deliver our 
committed synergies for the year.  
We are engaging our people 
through the integration process and 
accelerating real change to deliver 
future growth

Our people bring Renewi to life 
Our people are at the heart of Renewi. It is the 
hard work they put in every day that has driven 
a successful first year for Renewi. Our skilled 
and passionate team has enabled us to deliver 
our committed synergies for the year and build 
a firm platform for future growth. 

We have been through a significant period of 
change since our merger, with the launch of 
a complex integration programme across the 
Benelux. This involves much more than the 
delivery of cost synergies. Our goal is to create 
a strong, cash-generative business with one 
efficient operating model, robust and scalable 
processes and a widely recognised and 
appealing brand, underpinned by a skilled and 
passionate team.

Over the past year we have been focused  
on bringing our people together to build  
a winning team. It has been equally  
important that our people feel part of one 
Renewi team, as we eradicate our legacy  
brand names. 

The Renewi logo reflects our position at the 
centre of the circular economy and captures 
our vision to bring new life to used materials. 
We have brought our brand to life over the past 
year so it is seen, lived and felt by our people. 
We have been through a significant rebranding 
process with new signage on our buildings, 
trucks, stationery and uniforms to name a few. 
It has been important for our people to see the 
new brand come to life around them so they 
can focus on our Renewi future.

On 28 February 2018, we celebrated our 
one year anniversary as Renewi, and all we 
have achieved together in this first year. We 

held ‘Town Hall’ meetings at each of our 
locations, during which our leaders presented 
our achievements and strategy as well as 
launching our new values. The face-to-face 
format of the sessions enabled our people 
to ask questions and have open discussions 
around how we will shape our future together.

Working together for the first time
Since our merger, we have all adjusted  
to become open to new ideas and new  
ways of working. We have met and  
starting working with new colleagues,  
over a broader geography and with a clear 
goal: waste no more.

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2 

KNOWN

Communicate the 
transition vision and case 
for change and begin to 
create ownership of the 
solution

The iRenew 
Network is 
based on 5 
principles, 
to make 
change:

3 

REAL

Translate the transition 
vision into reality for 
people in the organisation 
and define what it means 
for them

4 

HAPPEN

1 

CLEAR

Align leaders around the 
strategic aims, ambition 
and scale of change

5 

STICK

Ensure there is capability 
in the organisation to 
sustain the changes made. 
Ensure there is  
full transition

Move the organisation 
towards the end state and 
equip people to work in 
new ways

As part of this adjustment, we ran our Benelux 
divisions, for a number of months, with 
two management teams due to the strict 
appointment process with the Works Councils. 
The parallel running of duplicate management 
teams had a number of challenges but was 
dealt with skilfully by our Managing Directors. 

Our teams have also pulled together through 
adversity. When a fire broke out at our legacy 
Icova facility in Amsterdam in May 2017, they 
all came together to ensure continuity for our 
customers. Good teamwork and planning 
between the two legacy teams, who had only 
been working together for a few months, 
enabled us to continue to serve our customers 
by diverting waste to our nearby locations. 

Communicating widely in a time of change 
We have a goal to over-communicate during 
times of change and this rule has never 
been as important than during our post-
merger integration phase. There is a range 
of integration change happening which has 
affected the majority of our people in the 
Benelux, whether that be a new line manager, 
a new system or new ways of doing things.

We have developed a Communications Matrix 
to ensure we are able to offer multi-channel 
solutions to our communications needs. The 
matrix outlines the main online and offline 
channels available within Renewi and the 
audiences that the channel will reach. TV 
screens, merger newsletters and our new 

Renewi-wide magazine called Renews are just 
some the channels we have been using to 
communicate. 

We never underestimate the benefits of face-
to-face communications, and so we have run 
“Flagship Events” wholly dedicated to our 
divisional and functional leaders gathering to 
present and discuss our integration successes 
and challenges. We have a regular rhythm of 
Renewi Leadership Team calls with our top 120 
leaders and a number of functional leadership 
calls and events for functional leaders 
including finance and SHEQ. 

Equipping our leaders to  
manage the transition
Throughout the integration we have been 
taking every opportunity to become “better 
together”. Whilst this has greatly benefited our 
business it has also involved significant change 
for most of our people. 

Successfully leading the change process has 
required knowledge and leadership. It has 
been important to recognise the different 
phases of the change process and ensure 
we take our people with us on the journey. 
Our focus has remained on maintaining 
engagement and continuously communicating 
through change.

An important part of this has been to 
provide our people with the necessary skills, 
training and support. We have done this 
using a range of tools and processes. One of 
the most important has been the “iRenew 
Network”. iRenew was launched in March 
2018 and although still in its infancy, it has 
ambitious plans to upskill Renewi leaders 
with comprehensive change management 
capability which will be an integral part of how 
we lead our people.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

61

STRATEGIC REPORT | PEOPLE CONTINUED

OUR VALUES WERE 
LAUNCHED ON OUR 
FIRST BIRTHDAY. WE 
ARE PROUD THAT 
THESE VALUES WERE 
NOT CREATED IN A 
BOARDROOM BY A 
SMALL GROUP OF 
PEOPLE, BUT WERE 
CRAFTED AND SHAPED 
BY OUR PEOPLE

Working with our people’s representatives 
to shape the journey
In the Benelux, Works Councils and Unions 
have specific rights regarding corporate 
activities and restructuring plans. Early 
and constructive engagement with both 
Works Councils and Unions has been very 
important throughout the process to deliver 
organisational changes in a smooth and 
negotiated manner and in full compliance 
with good employment practice. The Works 
Councils have proved to be a very constructive 
partner in the integration process. 

To be able to deliver the next waves of growth, 
our Renewi team will work even more closely 
together, as well as being open to new ideas 
and ways of working. 

Our values have been carefully crafted over 
the past year. They are the foundation for 
everything we do. They guide the way we 
behave and make decisions, outline what is 
important to us, how we operate and what 
differentiates us from our competitors. Most 
importantly, they show that ‘how’ we do things 
is just as important as ‘what’ we do. 

Our values were launched on our first  
birthday. We are proud that these values  
were not created in a boardroom by a small 
group of people, but were crafted and  
shaped by our people.

The initial behaviours which shaped our 
values were crafted by our top 120 leaders 
at our first Renewi Leadership Conference in 
September 2017. In the following months, 
these behaviours were turned into concrete 
values by our Executive Committee and sense-
tested with focus groups across Renewi. Using 
this approach, we have been able to ensure 
that the values are owned and felt throughout 
the organisation. 

Each of our six values has an attributing “idea 
to live by”. This explains the meaning of each 
value in a concise way and therefore makes 
the values clearer and more memorable. The 
values each have four subsidiary behaviours 
which give further context to their meaning 
and how they can be used in practice. 

We have solid foundations in place and will 
live our values to build on this to accelerate 
our growth journey to integrate, improve  
and expand.

During the last year, we have worked with 
Works Councils and Unions to:

 ` Complete the appointments in our 

Executive Committee

 ` Define management structures

 ` Implement a unified and digitalised 

Our six values are split into two categories:

collaboration platform 

WHAT WE ARE

HOW WE ACT

 ` Agree full operating models and 

organisational structures in Commercial 
Divisions

 ` Agree transition of back offices to new 

Shared Service Centre (SSC)

 ` Agree site consolidations and future ways of 

working in industrial cleaning

 ` Launch our new values which are the 
foundation for everything we do

Defining a new culture, values  
and behaviours
The success or failure of the merger was 
based not only on the financial stability and 
operational gains from bringing the two 
companies together but also importantly on 
the ability to define and embed a new culture, 
values and behaviours. This has involved 
taking the best from both companies to create 
something new. 

It has been important not to rush this process. 
We have taken our time to carefully listen 
to our people and decide together the kind 
of company we want Renewi to become. 
The journey to defining this started with the 
launch of our new vision and strategy. These 
foundations have helped provide clear direction 
for our people on our growth journey ahead.

Safe
Safety above
 all else

Accountable
Do what we say 
we’ll do

Innovative
Do it better  
every day

Customer-
focused
Add value for our 
customers

Sustainable
Make a daily 
difference to our 
planet

Together
Always open and 
respectful

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For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

Safety is our first value – we put 
safety above all else


For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

63

STRATEGIC REPORT | PEOPLE CONTINUED

We have also measured the gender pay 
gap across the remainder of our business. 
These investigations show a similar position 
with a negligible mean pay gap and higher 
difference in bonus levels. As part of our  
new Renewi culture, we are working on  
new ways to attract more women and are  
working on improving their leadership 
capabilities and progression with inclusivity 
firmly at our heart.

Around 16% of our workforce is female, with 
approximately 1,023 women employed. We 
currently have two female Board members 
following the appointment of Jolande Sap on 
1 April 2018. 

This report does not contain information 
about any policies of the business in relation 
to human rights, since it is not considered 
necessary for an understanding of the 
development, performance or position of 
Renewi’s activities. 

During the year Renewi reviewed its policies 
concerned with combating the possibility of 
human trafficking and slavery in any of its 
businesses or supply chains. In compliance 
with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, our 
statement on this matter is considered  
and approved by the Board on an annual 
basis and can be found on our website:  
www.renewiplc.com.

GENDER DIVERSITY

16%

of our workforce are female

25%

of the Board members of Renewi plc 
are female

Measuring our success
We have spent a lot of time and effort ensuring 
that our integration programme is a success. 
However, the success of how we are doing 
cannot be defined without feedback from our 
key stakeholders – our people.

The first Renewi employee survey called Pulse 
was launched in March 2018. The survey aimed 
to ‘test the pulse’ of the organisation and gain 
an insight into how our people are feeling in a 
number of key areas such as their work, team 
and development. 

Over 62% of our people completed the 
survey across a range of blue and white collar 
functions and across our full geography. The 
results showed that in general our people 
enjoy their work and working together, they 
are satisfied with their manager and the 
conditions at their workplace and are proud to 
work at Renewi. More than 75% of respondents 
are engaged with their job and committed to 
Renewi. 

We take the outcome of this important survey 
very seriously. We will use the outcome to 
improve together for the future. This starts with 
understanding the results at lower levels and 
then creating team-managed action plans to 
improve together. 

The retention of our people is also a key indicator 
of our success. In Renewi’s first year of operation, 
retention levels have been high. Despite an 
increasingly tight and attractive labour market, 
we are encouraged that many of our employees 
are keen to continue our exciting journey through 

the integration process. Whilst retention rates 
are good, our absenteeism level is too high and 
additional measures are being taken to reduce 
this.

Our ethics
We benefit enormously from our diverse 
workforce. Our people come with different 
backgrounds and from a wide range of cultures, 
creating a vibrant workforce where we can all 
learn from one another. One of our six core 
values is ‘together’ which means that we are 
always open and respectful to each other. 

We work across all boundaries to listen and 
learn from one another and value everyone’s 
role and contribution. The importance of 
diversity, equality and non-discrimination is 
highlighted in our Code of Conduct which can 
be found on our website: www.renewiplc.com.

We are an equal opportunities employer, 
which means that full and fair consideration 
is given to applications from, the continuing 
employment, career development and 
training of disabled people. 

The UK Government has set regulations 
for annual Gender Pay Gap Reporting 
(GPGR) for UK companies with more than 
250 employees. For our UK trading entity 
(Renewi UK Services Ltd), the data suggests 
that although our total female population 
employed is significantly lower than our total 
male population (82%), the difference within 
the mean pay gap category is negligible.  
The full GPGR can be found on our website: 
www.renewiplc.com.

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Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

65

STRATEGIC REPORT

CSR

 A STRONG 
 AND STEADY 
 PERFORMANCE

We continue to make good progress towards achieving our ambitious 2020  
CSR targets, helped by the commitment and passion of our people

We made strong and steady progress in 
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) this 
year, but we were also reminded of the need 
to improve in some areas. We were deeply 
shocked and saddened by the deaths of two of 
our colleagues while at work, one in Belgium 
and one in Germany. 

Ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our 
people is crucial to our success. We take our 
responsibility to our people very seriously. This 
is why ‘Safe’ – and our mantra of ‘Safety above 
all else’ – is the first of our six core values that 
underpin ‘what’ we are and ‘how’ we act.

Although we made positive progress on some 
of our key performance indicators in the area 
of health and safety, our performance was not 
as good in other areas. We exceeded our 2020 
targets on our >3 day accident rate (accidents 
that result in an employee being off work for 
more than three days), accident severity rate 
and near-miss close-out rate. On the year, our 
>3 day accident rate improved by 14% and 
our accident severity rate fell from 31.6 to 17.4. 
However, our number of lost time injuries 
has increased and the number of near misses 
raised has fallen. We have, however, improved 
the close-out rate of these near misses. There 
can be no recompense for the two fatal 
workplace accidents that occurred.

We have a clear plan of action to raise safety 
standards even further than where they 
currently stand.

In 2017, we produced Renewi’s first Safety 
Priority Plan in conjunction with our 
Executive Committee and Board. The plan 
focuses on our key risk areas and features a 
series of initiatives designed to improve our 
management of safety risks. 

These initiatives include:
 ` Revising and improving our safety leadership 

scheme and rolling it out across Renewi;

 ` Training more than 60 of our local safety 
personnel on key risk areas such as 
machinery safety and fire risk;

 ` Conducting audits on machinery lock-off 
and fire risk management at more than 
100 sites, resulting in improvement plans 
and actions across all of our sites and our 
responsibility to our people; and

 ` Producing and cascading guidance  

and standards on our key risk areas to  
all employees.

We have made good progress on this plan, 
as demonstrated by the improvement in our 
health and safety performance figures. We 
will continue with, and expand on, the plan to 
ensure we continue to improve through the 
coming year.

Accidents and near-misses

Indicator1

2017/18

2016/17

Number fatal 
accidents2

Number >3 day 
accidents

1

0

108

128

>3 day accident rate

1,505

1,750

Number lost time 
injuries (LTI)

LTI frequency rate

Severity rate

Number near- 
misses raised

Number near-misses 
closed-out

Near-miss close-out 
rate

172

12.5

17.4

158

10.9

31.6

10,934

13,473

9,097

10,750

83%

80%

1. Minor restatement of some 2017 data as the result of analysis 
of merged company data during the year
2. In addition to the above workplace accidents, one of our 
waste truck drivers was involved in a fatal road traffic accident 
in April 2017

Key
>3 day accident: Accident which results in a person being 
off-work for more than three days
>3 day accident rate: Number >3 day accidents / FTE x 
100,000 = rate
LTI (lost time injury): Accident which results in a person 
being off work for a day or more
LTI frequency rate: Number LTIs / total number hours worked 
x 1,000,000 = rate
Severity rate: Total number days lost as result of accidents / 
total number LTIs
Near-miss: An accident which nearly, but did not, happen. 
Also called risk reports, close-calls etc
Near-miss close-out rate: Number near-misses closed-out / 
number near-misses raised as a %

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Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

ENSURING THE 
HEALTH, SAFETY 
AND WELLBEING 
OF OUR PEOPLE 
IS CRUCIAL TO 
OUR SUCCESS. 
WE TAKE OUR 
RESPONSIBILITY  
TO OUR PEOPLE 
VERY SERIOUSLY

Recycling and recovery performance1

Indicator

2017/18

2016/17

Total waste handled at sites (million tonnes)

Materials recycled (million tonnes)2,3

Materials recovered for energy production from waste (million tonnes)2,3

Total materials recycled and recovered for energy production (million 
tonnes)

Recycling as % of total waste handled

Recycling and recovery as % of total waste handled

14.02

14.68

9.30

3.19

9.78

3.09

12.49

12.87

66%

89%

67%

88%

1. For our 2017 reporting we calculated our waste statistics using data from our two legacy companies, summing this to give totals. 
For our 2018 reporting we have calculated our waste statistics on a fully merged basis. This includes the removal of internal waste 
transfers between our sites which may have formerly been operated by Van Gansewinkel or Shanks. This avoids double-counting. 
We have recalculated our 2017 data to allow valid year-on-year comparison, and restated our 2017 waste statistics accordingly.
2. Recycled is materials given a ‘second life’ for reprocessing into new goods/materials. Recovery is waste used for energy production 
such as production of waste derived fuels, bio-mass and similar
3. Includes water recovery and moisture loss during treatment for some technologies employed

Further initiatives in the pipeline include:

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

 ` Carrying out targeted on-site traffic safety 

audits and employee engagement sessions 
at all of our sites;

 ` Implementing employee engagement

 ` schemes aimed at involving our entire 
workforce in safety improvements;

 ` Implementing our SHEQ (Safety, Health, 

Environment and Quality) covenant, which 
sets the basic safety standards we expect 
from all of our operations; and

 ` Spreading our safety leadership scheme 

down through management to local level.

We protect the environment by giving new 
life to used materials. This helps to protect 
the world’s natural resources and preserve 
the planet for future generations. Our work is 
integral to protecting the environment and it 
puts us at the heart of the circular economy.

We handled more than 14 million tonnes 
of waste in 2017/18. Our overall recycling 
and recovery rate rose 1% to 89% using our 
recalculated and restated 2016/17 waste 
statistics. For an explanation, please refer to 
the footnote in the table above. Our recycling 
and recovery rate was boosted by an increase 
in waste recovered for energy production. 
This was some 3.19 million tonnes, from 3.09 
million tonnes last year. 

We continued to take positive steps towards 
reducing our own carbon footprint, decreasing 
our emissions. Carbon avoidance as a result of 
our activities decreased, although some of this  
is related to a reduction in the amount of 
waste handled.

Our green energy production has helped 
us to achieve a negative carbon footprint at 
two of our sites this year: in Zoeterwoude in 
the Netherlands and at our Waste Treatment 
Centre in Derby, in the UK. We are seeking  
to reduce our carbon emissions even further 
by optimising our waste collection routes  
in the Randstad area of the Netherlands as  
part of our efforts to deliver synergies from  
our merger. 

Despite reductions in throughput and some 
difficult market conditions in the short term, 
we still increased our overall recycling and 
recovery performance. 

Protecting the environment is at the heart  
of what we do. We are proud of our already 
high rates in areas such as recycling and 
recovery, and we are committed to, and 
passionate about, improving our already  
good performance.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

67

STRATEGIC REPORT | CSR CONTINUED

CARBON PERFORMANCE

Emissions from our activities (CO2 equivalent ‘000 tonnes)1

Source

Process based emissions

Emissions from green composting

Emissions from hazardous waste treatment

Emissions from landfill

Emissions from other processes (mechanical biological treatment – MBT - and anaerobic digestion - AD)

Transport based emissions

Fuel used by waste collection and transport vehicles

Business travel (cars, trains, flights and similar)

Energy use emissions

Electricity used on sites and in offices

Gas used on sites and in offices

Fuel used on sites for plant/machinery and equipment / heating

Total emissions from significant sources

2017/18

2016/17

42

254

94

67

110

7

116

20

32

741

41

304

94

71

111

7

116

20

32

797

Carbon avoidance as a 
result of our activities

Greenhouse gas emissions and 
avoidance intensity ratios

Source

2017/18

2016/17

Ratio1

2017/18

2016/17

Renewable energy 
generated

Waste derived fuels 
produced and sold2

56

63

946

983

Materials separated for 
re-use/recycling2

1,699

1,823

Energy from waste 
used on site as a fuel

Total potential  
avoided emissions

305

349

3,006

3,218

1. Figures rounded to nearest 1,000 tonnes – totals may 
reflect rounding. Some data based on carbon ‘factors’. These 
vary from country to country and are periodically updated, 
such as by Government agencies
2. See footnote to recycling and recovery performance table. 
Restatement of waste data also affects carbon avoidance 
from recycling and recovery. As a result some of the data 
above relating to carbon avoidance from recycling and 
recovery is also restated

Million tonnes 
greenhouse gases 
emitted (CO2 
equivalent) per million 
tonnes waste handled

Million tonnes 
greenhouse gases 
avoided by our activities 
(CO2 equivalent) per 
million tonnes waste 
handled

0.053

0.054

0.214

0.219

1. In previous years Renewi used unit of revenue as the 
denominator to calculate intensity ratios. However, this 
use was affected by variables such as currency exchange 
rates. For 2018 we have moved to using tonnes of waste 
handled as a more appropriate denominator, less affected by 
variables such as exchange rates. 2017 data above has been 
recalculated to allow year-on-year comparison

WE ARE ONE OF THE 
FIRST COMPANIES 
IN THE WASTE-TO-
PRODUCT SECTOR TO 
ESTABLISH A GREEN 
FINANCE FRAMEWORK. 
THE MOVE IS TIMELY AS 
THERE IS A GROWING 
APPETITE AMONG 
INVESTORS FOR 
OPPORTUNITIES WITH 
GREEN CREDENTIALS 

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For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

GREEN FINANCE

As announced in May 2018, we brought our 
financing activities within the fold of our CSR 
work through two innovative initiatives: the  
Renewi Green Finance Framework (GFF) and  
a green scorecard. 

The GFF is an extension of our existing 
commitment to green bonds. In 2015, 
our legacy Shanks business raised €100m 
through a Belgian green bond, issued to 
finance infrastructure investment. The GFF 
positions us as a pure player within the green 
financing sector, reassuring investors that any 
investment in Renewi can be counted as a 
green investment. 


We have created a vibrant Renewi 
team where we can all learn from 
one another

Sustainalytics, an independent global provider 
of ESG and corporate governance research and 
ratings to investors, has reviewed the Renewi 
GFF and its second party opinion is available 
on the “Our Responsibilities” page of our 
website. 

The KPIs focus on:

 ` Recycling and recovery rate

 ` Carbon avoidance

We are one of the first companies in the waste-
to-product sector to establish a GFF. The move 
is timely as there is a growing appetite among 
the investment community for opportunities 
with green credentials. 

The green scorecard – another financing 
innovation where we are leading the sector – 
focuses on our relationship with our six main 
banks. Due to come into play in 2018/19, the 
scorecard outlines five CSR-related KPIs and 
corresponding targets for us to achieve. 

 ` Efficiency of waste collection (litres of fuel 

used per tonnes of waste collected)

 ` Euro VI compliance (reduction in harmful 

exhaust emissions)

 ` Accident rate

Achieving our scorecard targets will result in 
lower interest payments on our loans, while 
missing them will result in higher payments.

The Green Finance Framework and green 
scorecard are two of many CSR initiatives that 
our people deliver on each and every day. It 
is their commitment to and passion for our 
Waste no more goal that drives our sustainable 
business forward.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

69

STRATEGIC REPORT

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

TURNING RISK INTO OPPORTUNITY

Our continuously improving approach to risk management 
has allowed us to adapt to a volatile risk environment

INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT

Risks are inevitable in doing business and 
the existence of risk presents both threats 
and opportunities. Key risks are considered 
downside risks that represent a potential threat 
to achieving our objectives. We operate in a 
rapidly changing environment with specific 
industry, commercial, regulatory and other key 
risks, including some beyond our control.

Effective management of risk is essential to 
the delivery of our strategy and objectives, 
achievement of sustainable shareholder value, 
the protection of our reputation and good 
corporate governance and ethical conduct. 
Sound risk management enhances our ability 
to achieve our objectives.

During the year we have completed risk 
assessment initiatives across the Group, 
its divisions, certain specific functions and 
projects. One of the significant changes to our 
risk profile involves our top risks that have 
shifted from being input market related to 
output market driven. 

Favourable economic factors are resulting 
in growing input volumes which are putting 
increased pressure on outlets that are largely 
full. Recyclate markets have been disrupted by 
Chinese import bans and commodity market 
fluctuations that can result in less demand 
for our recycled and recovered products. The 
majority of the impact has been offset through 
dynamic pricing and targeted price rises, 
demonstrating that our mitigations are broadly 
effective. During last year however, some risks 
have materialised and impacted us.

Environmental regulation continues to tighten 
in most countries we operate in. A review at 
our ATM facility was carried out by IL&T, an 
environmental agency in the Netherlands, on 
the soil treatment process and output, which 
has negatively affected our offset of treated 
soil into a market that has been increasingly 

challenging. Accordingly, we voluntarily reduced 
soil treatment volumes from the middle of 
August, which impacted our performance.  
We are addressing the matters raised by IL&T 
and broadening our range of soil outlets.

and is a fundamental element of strategic 
planning to achieve our objectives. The  
core elements of our risk management 
framework include:

Within our Municipal Division increased 
onerous contract provisions demonstrated 
significant inherent risks in long-term PFI 
contracts. These ongoing challenges have 
reinforced the Board’s caution with regard 
to complex long term contracts. Further 
investments in control frameworks are 
underway and in detailed implementation of 
learnings and recovery plans.

To ensure a balanced approach to risk the 
Board assigned significant resources to meet 
our risk management objectives. 

Despite having implemented extensive new 
fire procedures over the course of the year, the 
property and business interruption insurance 
market for waste management facilities and 
activities continues to tighten, resulting in 
premiums and capacity pressures. Property 
and business interruption insurance is a critical 
cover which offers essential protection to our 
business. We have successfully introduced a 
new insurance captive for 2018/19 in order to 
maintain affordable coverage. 

Our focus remains to exercise good risk 
management during integration to ensure we 
deliver the value capture and other benefits 
of integration. We have a specific risk register 
and risk meetings to manage this, as well as 
individual risk registers embedded into all 
major project plans.

OUR RISK FRAMEWORK

Our risk framework encompasses a systematic 
process for evaluating and addressing the 
likelihood and impact of risks in a structured 
and cost effective way. Risk management is a 
cornerstone of sound management practice 

 ` Our schedule of matters reserved for the 
Board and our strict adherence to it. This 
ensures that all significant issues affecting 
strategy, structure, viability and financing 
are properly managed by the Directors;

 ` Our risk management framework.  

This ensures that each of our businesses 
identifies the risks it faces and their 
importance, designs and implements 
effective mitigations to control key risks  
and that these mitigations are monitored 
and remain effective. The output of this 
process is a summary of all our significant 
strategic, operational, financial and 
compliance risks, our mitigating controls 
and the action plans necessary to reduce 
risks to a level aligned with our risk appetite. 
Formal responsibility for risk management 
is positioned firmly in the line through the 
divisional management teams, coordinated 
by the Divisional Finance Directors. Risk 
registers, mitigations and alignment with 
risk appetite are reviewed by divisional 
management, our Risk Committee, Audit 
Committee and the Board to ensure the 
appropriateness of the risks identified  
and the effectiveness of the controls and 
actions reported;

 ` Change being managed carefully 
through project management and 
approval processes, with embedded 
risk management in day to day project 
management activities;

 ` Embedded risk management systems 

that are part of our day-to-day operations. 
These underpin the effectiveness of our 
risk management processes by involving 
a wide audience in risk systems, such as 
divisional registers, to ensure all risks are 

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Five objectives of our risk 
management framework:

Identify and evaluate our 
universe of potential risks 
to allow the creation and 
management of registers of 
risks faced by the Group.

Know what risks 
we face

Maintain and improve  
a system of internal  
controls to manage risks in 
decision making, contract 
management and  
financial transactions.

Control  
systemic risk

Know what  
risk we want  
to accept

Manage a risk strategy 
in which the tolerance 
and appetite of the 
Group for differing 
levels and types of risk 
is clearly understood.

Ensure that 
management is 
trained in the effective 
identification, 
assessment and 
management of risk.

Train our  
people  
in risk  
management

Manage  
or mitigate  
our risks

Ensure that all 
identified key risks  
are effectively mitigated 
or, where appropriate, 
transfer risks through 
insurance.

considered and ranked appropriately and 
that mitigations are informed and practical;

 ` Enhanced risk assessment for all major 

capital requests. This ensures we allocate 
funds in a risk aware manner to maximise 
the value of our investments and minimise 
the risk of under-performance; and

 ` Review of key risks at each divisional review 
meeting which ensures that we monitor our 
key risks and mitigations at an appropriate 
level. It also supports risk management 
as an embedded feature of our decision-
making process.

OUR RISK RESPONSIBILITIES  
AND ARCHITECTURE

Our operating divisions and business unit 
management have responsibility for the 
assessment and management of risk, with 
formal responsibility assigned to the Divisional 
Finance Directors.

Our Risk Committee, working with the Risk 
Manager, promotes an appropriate risk 
culture in Renewi in which an awareness 
and management of risk in all its forms is 
considered by management in their daily 
activities and ensures that the Board approved 
Group Risk Management Framework is 
implemented and effective. 

Risk management responsibilities

RENEWI PLC BOARD

Independent 
review

Audit Committee

Executive Committee

Risk  
reporting

Risk Committee

Risk:
 Î Coordination
 Î Consistency
 Î Culture
 Î Best practice review
 Î Systems

Operating divisions

Business unit  
management

Risk:
 Î Assessment
 Î Management
 Î Responsibility

The Risk Committee supports how we manage 
risk through information, frameworks, policy, 
strategy and processes. Reporting through our 
Audit Committee and Executive Committee 
ensures the identification and communication 
of critical risks, and that key risks are brought 

to the attention of the Board. The decisions 
of the Board and their risk appetite are 
cascaded back through our risk architecture to 
ensure that the approach to risk appetite and 
tolerance are aligned and consistent across all 
of our activities.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

71

STRATEGIC REPORT | RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

OUR PROGRESS AGAINST 2017 OBJECTIVES AND THE FUTURE

In our 2017 Annual Report we committed to further actions to improve our risk management processes in 2017/18. Despite the potential distractions of our integration, 
good progress has still been made on our day-to-day risk management. A summary of this progress as well as our objectives for 2018/19 are shown below.

What we said we would do in 2017/18

How we did

Through our new integrated Risk Committee, produce revised and 
new divisional risk registers aligned with our new company, and 
upload these to our web-based risk tool

A close collaboration between our risk manager, our operating 
divisions and the risk committee has established revised and new 
divisional risk registers aligned with our new organisation.

Continue the approach of guest spots into our Risk Committee 
agenda to ensure we consider the whole of our risk spectrum with 
input from both internal and external sources.

Review quality of business continuity planning across our larger 
company

Integrate existing fire system standards into one high-quality 
package for our larger company

Integrate existing risk management policies, incorporating the 
best from both merged companies to provide high quality policies 
and processes in our larger company. Ensure easy access to these 
policies by all employees

Conduct series of deep-dive studies of key insurance covers during 
2017 to ensure best risk approach for our larger merged company 
at 2018 insurance renewals. Investigate alternative retained risk 
mechanisms

During our first integrated Risk Committee we included several 
internal guest spots from different functions and levels across 
our company. We will continue to use internal and external guest 
spots as necessary. 

The business continuity project has been completed including 
a thorough review of the quality of business continuity planning 
across Renewi.

Fire systems standard is at final draft stage - final comments from 
insurers have been received and we have confirmed the standard 
at a fire improvement group meeting on 22 February.

We have reviewed, revised and integrated our risk management 
framework and policies.

Insurance deep dives were conducted 2017, and are now 
completed.

Investigate use of web-based risk tool as an audit tracking and 
reporting package across our larger company

We are currently still in the process of selecting a web-based risk 
tool.

Reallocate leaders in line with new and revised divisional risk 
registers reflecting our new merged divisional structure

Organisation structure and assignment of responsibilities for risk 
have been completed. Most important change is that Divisional 
Finance Directors are assigned formal responsibility for risk 
management within their division.

Investigate options for risk management knowledge sharing via 
ICT systems in our larger company

Our new ICT platform has been rolled out and will enable us to 
further improve risk management knowledge sharing.

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Risk Management Objective

Actions for 2018/19

Know what risks we face

 ` Establish bottom up divisional and functional risk register processes. Further improve our 

divisional risk registers and increase the revision interval.

 ` Establish functional risk registers for ICT, Product Sales, SHEQ, Finance and HR.

 ` Establish risk registers at business unit level for Monostreams businesses.

 ` Further improve the robustness of our risk management procedures with development 

and implementation of a methodology for identification of unknown risks.

Know what risks we want to accept

 ` Formalisation of the risk appetite at divisional level, aligned with Group risk appetite and 

taking into account and addressing potential aggregation risks.

 ` Creation of risk awareness through effective communication of risk management 

strategy, risk appetite, policies and processes

Manage or mitigate our risks

 ` Identification and execution of additional mitigating actions required on key risks

 ` Development of Group Key Risk Indicators

 ` Implementation of a key control framework

Train our people in risk 
management

 ` Expand a strong risk culture through creation of risk awareness by training and sharing 
best practices as well as making steps in the creation of an open culture where we learn 
from past instances. 

 ` Creation of additional risk awareness through effective communication of risk 

management strategy, risk appetite, policies and processes

Control systemic risk

 ` Further embedding risk management in core day to day processes

 ` Implementation of a key control framework, supported by an ICT tracking and tracing 

tool.

 ` Establish monthly key control compliance reports

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

73

STRATEGIC REPORT | RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

KEY RISKS AND MITIGATIONS

Our key risks are outlined in the heat diagram on the 
right and in the table on the following pages. For 2018 
our key risks have been discussed in detail by both 
our Risk Committee and senior leaders, and include 
revisions to risk rating and additions. The heat diagram 
has been commented on by our Audit Committee. The 
final version has been approved by the Board.

t
c
a
p
m

I

Key risks

1 Output pricing and demand
2 Outlet capacity
3 Environmental permit risk
4 Changes in law and policy
5 Long-term contracts
6 Labour availability and cost
7 Integration risks
8 Brexit
9 Input pricing competition
10 Talent development/leadership
11 Operational failure
12 Investment and Growth
13 Digitalisation
14 Health and safety risk
15 Input volumes
16 ICT failure and cyber threat

The arrows indicate the risk development compared to 
previous year with a circle indicating the risk is stable. Yellow 
circles highlight new risks.

8

7

12

15

16

3

4

9

10

13

14

11

1

2

5

6

Likelihood

Overarching key risks
All risk levels shown in the heat diagram are net risks and therefore include the current 
level of mitigation.

A description of each risk can be found in the table below.

SUMMARY OF KEY RISKS

Reference numbers are consistent with those used in the heat diagram (above) 

Key risk

Key mitigation

Commentary

1 Output pricing and demand
That the value we receive for recycled 
and paid for recovered product falls or 
worsened

Risk direction:

 ` Focus on improving product quality
 `  Maximise off-take pricing leverage, 

where appropriate

 `  Cost control to offset impact of lost 

revenue

 `  Sustainable technologies used align 

with market needs and international and 
national policy

 `  Renegotiation of long-term and 

fixed price off-take contracts where 
appropriate
 ` Dynamic pricing

Increased significantly over last year with 
cost inflation in off-take markets and falling 
recyclate prices due to Chinese import bans. 

The majority of the impact has been offset 
through dynamic pricing and targeted price 
rises, demonstrating that our mitigations 
are broadly effective.

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SUMMARY OF KEY RISKS

Reference numbers are consistent with those used in the heat diagram (left) 

Key risk

Key mitigation

Commentary

2 Outlet Capacity
Lack of capacity at outlets/increased price 
of disposal of burnable waste and other 
residues.

Risk direction:

 `  Investment in technologies which fit with 

market needs for products

 `  Experienced employees dedicated to 

product off-take markets

 `  Diversity of product off-takers to spread 

risk

 `  Quality control systems in place to 

ensure quality of products is as required

Growing input volumes are putting 
increased pressure on outlets that are 
largely full. Recyclate markets disrupted by 
Chinese import bans. 

Balancing input and output volumes is 
an ongoing risk to short term profits that 
Renewi is working to mitigate.

3 Environmental permit risk
That our environmental permits to operate 
are restricted or removed

Risk direction:

4 Changes in law and policy
Adverse impacts from changes in law and 
policy, including environmental, tax and 
similar legal and policy regimes

Risk direction:

 `  Effective management of all 

environmental matters arising

 `  Environment management systems and 
regular inspections and audits in place
 `  Monthly environmental issues reporting 

across all levels of organisation

 `  Experienced and competent 

environmental specialist employees in 
place

 `  Community environmental engagement 
performance in place as key business 
objective

 ` Horizon scanning by competent internal 

specialists to ensure changes are 
planned for and managed, and potential 
opportunities captured

 `  Alignment of business model with 

national and international policy and 
law towards more sustainable waste 
management practices

5 Long-term contracts
That we enter into long-term contracts 
at disadvantageous terms or we rely on a 
small number of large contracts

Risk direction:

 `  Strict Board controls on entering into 

any new major contracts
 `  Selective bidding on contracts
 `  Detailed risk assessment and due 

diligence on contracts

 `  Tight controls and reviews on build 
programmes to ensure on track

New long-term off-take contracts signed for 
Municipal Division guarantee capacity. 

Pressure on environmental permits through 
increasingly strict regulation has grown 
over recent years. Internal management of 
compliance through competent specialists 
is recognised as key. 

Current challenges at ATM being carefully 
monitored and addressed by management.

Our business model is in line with society’s 
needs for sustainable waste management. 
Many changes in law and policy provide 
opportunities for Renewi. Potentially 
adverse changes are planned for and 
managed. The potential impacts of a 
disparate approach in the UK, in particular 
in environmental policy, following Brexit is 
being tracked.

Developments and performance in UK 
PFI operations have underscored the 
importance of this risk. 

Ongoing challenges in the Municipal 
Division have reinforced the Board’s 
caution with regard to complex long term 
contracts. Further investments in control 
frameworks are underway and in detailed 
implementation of learnings and recovery 
plans.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

75

STRATEGIC REPORT | RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

Key risk

Key mitigation

Commentary

6 Labour availability and costs 
That there are shortages of certain labour 
types leading to unavailability or severe 
wage inflation

Risk direction:

NEW RISK

7 Integration risks
That integration of the two companies 
including the creation of a strong corporate 
culture and migration of IT systems is 
ineffective and/or fails to deliver anticipated 
synergies.

Risk direction:

8 Brexit
That a hard Brexit disrupts the export 
of waste and recyclates internationally, 
creating offtake costs in UK and over-
capacity of incineration in the Benelux

Risk direction:

NEW RISK

9 Input pricing competition
That market pricing may put pressure on 
our margins

Risk direction:

10 Talent development/leadership
That we lack the required management 
capabilities

Risk direction:

NO CHANGE

 ` Make the company an attractive place to 

work. Employer of choice

 `  Measure employee engagement and 

satisfaction through surveys

 `  Retention
 ` Offer competitive wages

New risk as a result of general economic 
recovery, combined with a relative 
unwillingness of the younger generation to 
undertake certain forms of physical labour.

 ` Comprehensive and in-depth due 

diligence prior to merger

 ` Use of competent external advisors 

We have a clear vision of where value 
capture from our merger lies, and a clear 
plan to achieve it. 

where required

 ` Clear integration plan with road map to 

successful integration in place

 ` Dedicated divisional integration teams 

supported by central integration 
management office in place

 `  Clear targets in place for integration 

performance communicated to all key 
employees

 ` Regular “flagship events” to coordinate 

teams and share learnings

 ` Monthly detailed reviews of divisional 

and functional projects

 ` Scenario planning for hard Brexit 

capacity management

 ` Flexible/prudent approach to hedging 

strategies

 ` Identify potential new offtake solutions 

in the UK

 ` Constant reporting and monitoring of 

price via operational systems

 ` Cost management, both structural and 

operational, to deliver cost leadership in 
core markets

 ` Use of long-term contracts, where 

appropriate

 ` Effective commercial organisations to 

maximise margins

 ` Targeted price increases

 ` Performance appraisal process in place
 ` Talent mapping and development 

process

 ` Leadership programmes in place
 ` HR Director and divisional teams to 

ensure good HR leadership
 ` Engagement surveys in place
 ` Key objectives set for absence 
management and employee 
development

Clear reporting for value capture 
performance and tracking against 
integration plan is in place.

We have beaten our plan in the first year 
and have clear visibility for achieving the 
remainder. Principle outstanding risk is the 
migration of core processes and IT systems. 

Brexit is very likely to have at least some 
impact on export of waste and recyclates 
internationally. Higher impact scenarios 
however, are considered less likely than 
lower impact scenarios. Only the hard 
Brexit, high impact scenario is considered a 
key risk.

Delivered reduced costs and increased price 
competitiveness. Set against this, macro-
economic pressures remain, although in 
many markets is improving.

Commercial effectiveness projects and 
detailed tender review to ensure margin 
recovery.

The recovering economy means that talent 
is in increasingly short supply. The Renewi 
organisation is now much more settled and 
in place. 

Promoting the Renewi brand and our 
values to increase the attractiveness of the 
company as a place to work.

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For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

Key risk

Key mitigation

Commentary

11 Operational failure
Operational failure and/or fire at a key 
facility leading to business interruption and 
other costs

Risk direction:

NO CHANGE

12 Investment and growth 
That funding is not available or that 
funding sources are available, but that cash 
generation is insufficient to allow access to 
funding.

Risk direction:

13 Digitalisation 
That a disruptive technology or business 
model deployed by a competitor or new 
entrant impacts our ability to compete

Risk direction:

NEW RISK

14 Health and safety risk
Injury or loss of life. That we incur 
reputational loss, or civil and criminal costs.

Risk direction:

 `  Effective insurance programmes 

supported by experienced brokers
 `  Improvements in fire control through 
new and stricter fire control standards

 `  Fire risk survey process in place 

including engagement with insurers, and 
with competent external advice

 `  Business continuity planning in place at 

all major sites

 `  Mechanical breakdown insurance in 

place for at-risk facilities and reviewed 
on a regular basis for adequacy

 `  Highly-experienced operational teams 
with in-depth knowledge of processes
 ` Regular annual and other shutdowns at 
key facilities to ensure they remain well 
invested and maintained

 ` Business continuity planning includes 

breakdown risk and mitigation measures

 ` Continuous improvement of cash control
 ` Continuing portfolio management
 ` Reinvest only where profitable
 ` Good budget control on capital projects
 ` Good balance of leased and owned 

assets

 `  Diverse range of financing options and 

timings

 ` Good quality external advice
 ` Strong relations with investors
 `  Good management reputation and 

planning

 `  IT Director part of Executive 

Committee with remit to identify future 
opportunities and risks

 `  Sustained investment to move to core 
Renewi IT platforms and then invest in 
next generation systems.

 ` Invest in robotics and automation
 `  Implement master data management 

programme in preparation for the future
 `  Closely monitoring new entrants into the 

marketplace.

 `  Top agenda item on all management 

meetings

 `  Corporate Health and Safety Manager 
and competent internal specialists in 
place

 ` Defined and tracked health and safety 

priorities plan in place

 ` Active engagement with regulators
 ` Safety leadership programme in place
 `  Coherent targets in place for accident, 

near-miss and other key safety 
performance parameters

Implemented extensive new fire procedures 
over the course of the year. And we have 
introduced a new insurance captive in order 
to maintain affordable coverage.

Resilience at our major unique facilities 
remains our concentration, with high- 
quality maintenance and lifecycle 
programmes in place. Across our general 
recycling and recovery plants, our larger 
company provides greater flexibility to 
divert wastes and retain value internally in 
the event of breakdown.

On track with synergy delivery and 
integration, resulting in stronger cash 
generation and cash position. 

We are strategically planning to ensure we 
have access to existing and new forms of 
capital.

First four robots now in place in the shared 
service centre.

Ongoing investment to put the post merger 
foundations in place.

We have competent internal specialists 
in place. A safety priorities plan has been 
produced, and initiatives such as on 
machinery safety have been completed. 

Safety reporting of performance is in place. 
New safety culture programme to be a core 
focus of 2018/19.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

77

STRATEGIC REPORT | RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

Key risk

Key mitigation

Commentary

 `  Strong reporting of incoming waste 
volumes across the Group for rapid 
response to market changes

 `  Continued investment to secure new 

waste streams and volumes
 `  Market-facing customer-focused 

organisation 

 `  Major capital deployed only if backed by 

long term contracts

We handle in excess of 14 million tonnes of 
waste a year. Our wide geographical spread 
provides access to multiple markets. 

Improved economic environment has 
resulted in rising volumes. 

Public opinion is shifting towards increased 
recycling rather than incineration.

 `  Business continuity planning in place for 

GDPR compliance completed on time. 

ICT integration plans now fully developed 
and pilot scheme underway.

ICT and is tested

 `  Assessment of ICT resilience conducted 
by insurers with high-quality result

 `  IT Director in place to deliver ICT 

leadership

 ` Development of greater centralisation 
of ICT systems to allow common risk 
approach

 ` Continued investment in upgraded 

systems and infrastructure

Commodity price risk
Renewi is exposed to diesel price changes 
which are managed using forward contracts. 
The Group manages other exposures to prices 
of paper, plastics, metals, residual fuels and 
other recyclates associated with off-take 
through commercial contracting as they are 
not commoditised.

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss where 
counterparties are not able to meet their 
obligations. The Group has implemented 
the setting and monitoring of appropriate 
customer credit limits. Credit limits and 
outstanding receivables are reviewed monthly. 
The Group has a policy to ensure that any 
surplus cash balances are held by financial 
institutions, meeting minimum acceptable 
credit ratings.

Fraud risk
To mitigate the exposure to losses arising 
from fraud committed on the Group or by 
Group employees, robust internal controls and 
financial procedures are reviewed and tested 
regularly.

15 Input volumes
That incoming waste volumes in  
the market may fall should macro economic 
conditions reverse.

Risk direction:

16 ICT failure and cyber threat
That ICT failure and/or cyber crime causes 
business interruption or loss

Risk direction:

FINANCIAL RISKS

Renewi takes action to insure or hedge against 
the most material financial risks. Details of our 
key policies for control of financial risks are:

Interest rate risk 
Renewi has continued to limit its exposure 
to interest rate risk on core borrowings by 
using fixed rate retail bonds, fixed rate finance 
leases, cross currency interest rate swaps 
and an interest rate cap. At the end of March 
2018, circa 93% of core borrowings were fixed 
or hedged. Additionally, the PFI/PPP non-
recourse floating rate borrowings are hedged 
for the duration of the contracts using interest 
rate swaps entered into as part of financial 
close of the project.

Foreign exchange risk
Renewi is exposed to foreign exchange risk 
for movements between the Euro, Canadian 
Dollar and Sterling. The Group has limited 
transactional risk as the Group’s subsidiaries 
conduct the majority of their business in their 
respective functional currencies. Some risk 
arises in Euros on the export of processed 
waste from the UK to Europe which is 
managed through the use of forward exchange 
contracts. The Group does not hedge its 
foreign currency exposures on the translation 
of profits into Sterling. Assets denominated 
in Euros and Canadian Dollars are hedged by 
borrowings in the same currency to manage 
translational exposure.

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For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

INTEGRATING OUR  
RISK COMMITTEE

Our Risk Committee is a critical component of our risk  
management architecture. The Committee:

 ` Produces and proposes risk management 
processes and policies for consideration 
and approval by our Audit Committee and 
Board

 ` Ensures the Board approved Group Risk 

Management Framework is implemented 
and effective 

 ` Promotes an appropriate risk culture in 

Renewi in which an appropriate awareness 
and management of risk in all its forms is 
considered by management in their daily 
activities 

 ` Supports the Renewi risk culture through 
the delivery of risk training, sharing of 
learnings and best practices and review of 
risk failures 

 ` Reviews selected risks from risk registers to 
ensure consistency of risk appetite being 
borne and the mitigations in place

 ` Reviews occurrences of risk management 
failure to identify root cause, identify and 
share lessons learned to mitigate risk of 
repetition

VIABILITY STATEMENT

In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code, the Board 
has assessed the prospects of the Group 
over a longer period than 12 months and 
has adopted a period of three years for the 
assessment. The Board’s strategic planning 
horizon is five years. However, the first three 
years of the plan were selected for the testing 
as this remains the key time horizon for the 
delivery of the integration and synergies 
following the recent merger with VGG.

The Board assessed the principal risks to the 
business as set out in the preceding pages and 
concluded that four severe but plausible risk 
scenarios should be explicitly modelled. The 
scenario modelling included further challenges 
in the off-take markets together with 
restrictions in front end pricing, the impact of 
a disruptive and hard Brexit and a sustained 

 ` Drives consistency in approach, use of tools 

and risk appetite across Renewi

given in the heat diagram and table starting on 
page 74. 

 ` Provides access to expertise in managing 
risks, where appropriate, from across 
Renewi or from outside specialists

Following the formation of a new executive 
team, integration and role changes we 
reconstituted our Risk Committee and revised 
our risk registers through a number of risk 
assessment initiatives across the Group, 
its Divisions, certain specific functions and 
change projects. 

We have merged existing risk policies, 
frameworks and processes, developed our 
divisional key risks registers so they are aligned 
with our operating structure and activities, and 
produced the structures which will allow us to 
practise effective risk management.

In collaboration with the risk manager, 
operating Divisions and our Executive 
Committee, the reconstituted risk committee 
refined and reviewed the top-line key risks 
register for our Audit Committee to review. A 
summary of this combined Group register is 

Our Risk Committee continues to consist of 
internal senior people from a wide spectrum 
of specialisms from finance, commercial 
and operations to environmental permitting, 
insurance and health and safety disciplines. 
This broad composition ensures we capture 
all of our potential risks and can rank them 
effectively no matter what risk area they fall 
into.

Future tasks for our Risk Committee include 
the establishment of functional risk registers 
and processes, further cascading down the risk 
policies and appetite, development of Key Risk 
Indicators and a systematic contribution to a 
strong risk culture within Renewi.

Toby Woolrych and Baukje Dreimuller
Risk Committee Chairs

period of shutdown at our key Hazardous 
Waste site.

The key assumptions made in Renewi’s long 
term financial model are: completion of 
the synergy plans in the year ending March 
2020 together with steady market growth 
resulting in margin improvements, no portfolio 
management and no change to the current 
debt maturity profile.

For each scenario the Group has also 
identified the mitigation steps it would take 
to reduce the risk and performed the scenario 
testing on that basis. These mitigations 
include the identification of structural cost 
programmes, business continuity and 
commercial effectiveness plans and deferral  
of capital expenditure.

The Group’s liquidity and financial  
headroom have all been assessed and 
incorporated within the risk scenario 
modelling. Based on the consolidated 
financial impact of the sensitivity analysis  
and associated mitigating actions that are 
either in place or could be implemented, it  
has been demonstrated that the Group 
broadly maintained adequate headroom in 
the event of the scenarios occurring.

Based on the results of this analysis, the 
Directors confirm they have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will be able to 
continue in operation and meet its liabilities as 
they fall due over the period of assessment.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

79

GOVERNANCE

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COLIN MATTHEWS CBE, 
FREng
Chairman
Appointed: March 2016

JACQUES PETRY,  
MBA  
Snr Independent Director 
Appointed: September 2010 

ALLARD CASTELEIN,  
MD  
Non-Executive Director 
Appointed: January 2017

JOLANDE SAP,  
MSC 
Non-Executive Director 
Appointed: April 2018 

Skills and experience:  
Colin currently chairs Highways 
England Company Limited, 
formerly the Highways Agency. 
In his executive career he has 
been Chief Executive Officer 
of Heathrow Airport, Hays plc 
and Severn Trent plc. He has 
also been Managing Director 
of Transco and Engineering 
Director of British Airways. 
Earlier he worked in the motor 
industry in Japan and the UK, 
in strategy consulting and for 
General Electric in the UK, France 
and Canada. He has also served 
as a Non-Executive Director for 
Mondi plc, Severn Trent plc and 
Johnson Matthey plc. Colin is a 
Fellow of the Royal Academy of 
Engineering and was awarded 
the CBE in 2014 for his services to 
aviation. Colin was appointed as 
the Non-Executive Chairman of 
EDF Holdings Limited, a wholly-
owned subsidiary of the EDF 
Group, in November 2017.

Skills and experience: 
Jacques is currently Chairman 
of energy provider Albioma, 
having held the position of 
both Chairman and CEO until 
1 June 2016. He was Chairman 
and Chief Executive of SITA 
and its parent company, Suez 
Environnement. In 2005 he was 
appointed Chief Executive of 
Sodexo Continental Europe 
and South America. Since 
2007 he has advised corporate 
and financial sponsors, 
specialising in Infrastructure 
and Environmental Services 
investments worldwide. He has 
extensive global non-executive 
and executive experience.

Skills and experience: Allard 
is currently President and Chief 
Executive Officer of the Port 
of Rotterdam, having been 
appointed in 2014. He qualified as 
a medical doctor before pursuing 
a career in the Energy sector, 
holding a number of senior 
positions at Shell, culminating 
in becoming the Vice President 
Environment for Royal Dutch 
Shell in 2009. Allard also holds 
a number of Supervisory Board 
positions including those at Isala 
Klinieken, Rotterdam Partners, 
Sohar Industrial Port Company 
and the Ronald McDonald House 
Sophia Rotterdam. He is a senior 
member of several Dutch trade 
organisations including Logistiek 
Nederland, Economische 
Programmaraad Zuidvleugel 
and the General Council of the 
Confederation of Netherlands 
Industry and Employers.

Skills and experience: Jolande 
has represented the Green 
Party, GroenLinks, in the lower 
house of the Dutch parliament, 
including two years as party 
leader. Between 1996 and 2003 
Jolande worked at the Dutch 
Ministry of Social Affairs and 
Employment and amongst 
other responsibilities headed 
the Incomes Policy Department, 
before being appointed a director 
of LEEFtijd, a consultancy for 
sustainable employment issues, 
until 2008. Jolande is currently 
on the Board of the Netherlands 
National Green Fund, a member 
of the Supervisory Boards of 
KPMG (Netherlands), Royal KPN 
N.V. and the Springtij Forum. She 
chairs the Supervisory Boards of 
the Netherlands Public Health 
Federation, Arkin and Fairfood 
International. Jolande graduated 
from the Tilburg University in 
economics having specialised in 
political economy and philosophy. 

R

N

A R

N

A R

N

NR

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RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

Key: 

Committee Membership:
A

 Audit 

R

N

 Remuneration

 Nomination

 Chair

LUC STERCKX,  
MSC, PhD  
Non-Executive Director 
Appointed: September 2017

MARINA WYATT,  
MA, FCA  
Non-Executive Director 
Appointed: April 2013 

PETER DILNOT,  
B.Eng 
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed: February 2012

TOBY WOOLRYCH, 
MA, ACA 
Chief Financial Officer
Appointed: August 2012 

Skills and experience: Luc 
started his career at Exxon 
Chemicals, then became the 
CEO of Indaver before joining 
the executive committee of 
PetroFina in which capacity he 
served as Managing Director of 
Fina Holding Deutschland and 
as Group Senior Vice President 
for SHEQ matters worldwide. 
He was then appointed CEO of 
Oleon where he led a successful 
management buyout. Luc was 
subsequently appointed as 
CEO of SPE-Luminus in 2005, 
the second largest power & gas 
company in Belgium, created as 
a result of a multi-party merger. 
Luc is an INSEAD certified 
international director and a 
specialist in Internal Governance. 
He currently holds a number 
of non-executive and advisory 
positions, specialising in the 
fields of energy and chemicals, 
renewables and corporate 
governance.

Skills and experience: Marina 
is a Fellow of the Institute of 
Chartered Accountants and is 
currently the Chief Financial 
Officer at UBM plc. Following 
nine years with Arthur Andersen 
in London and the US, she then 
joined Psion plc as its Group 
Controller and became Group 
Finance Director in 1996. In 
2002 she was appointed Chief 
Financial Officer of Colt Telecom 
plc and joined TomTom as 
its Chief Financial Officer in 
September 2005, where she 
remained until taking up her 
current position at UBM plc in 
September 2015. Marina will 
be stepping down from the 
Board of UBM plc following 
its takeover by Informa plc, 
which is expected to complete 
in Summer 2018. Marina is a 
Member of the Supervisory 
Board at Lucas Bols N.V.

Skills and experience: Prior 
to joining Renewi, Peter was 
a senior executive at Danaher 
Corporation, a leading global 
industrial business listed on 
the NYSE. He held a number of 
progressive general management 
roles including President Danaher 
Middle East, Group President 
Emerging Markets, and President 
EMEA and Asia of its Gilbarco 
Veeder-Root subsidiary. Before 
Danaher, Peter spent seven years 
at the Boston Consulting Group 
(BCG) in London and Chicago, 
working with industrial and 
pharmaceutical clients and was 
a leader in BCG’s global Sales & 
Marketing Practice. Peter’s earlier 
career, after graduating from 
RMA Sandhurst, was spent as an 
officer in the British Armed Forces 
where he saw active service with 
both NATO and the UN. Peter is 
an independent non-executive 
director of FTSE 250 global 
engineering business, Rotork plc.

A R

N

A R

N

Skills and experience: Toby 
began his career at Arthur 
Andersen where he qualified as 
a chartered accountant before 
becoming Finance Director of 
Medicom International Ltd, a 
medical publishing company, in 
1992. He then joined Johnson 
Matthey plc as Corporate 
Development Manager in 1997, 
going on to become Divisional 
Finance Director and then 
Managing Director of one of 
Johnson Matthey’s global 
speciality chemicals business 
units. From 2005 to 2008, he 
was the Chief Financial Officer 
and Chief Operating Officer at 
Acta SpA, a renewable energy 
company, before joining 
Consort Medical plc as Group 
Finance Director.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

81

 
GOVERNANCE

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE REPORT

We remain committed to achieving the highest standards 
of legal compliance, environmental protection and safety

COLIN MATTHEWS
Chairman

Introduction
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to 
present our Corporate Governance Report 
and confirm our compliance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code for the year 
ended 31 March 2018. We believe that both the 
Board collectively and directors individually 
have a responsibility to set and demonstrate 
high standards of corporate governance. 
The following pages outline the structures, 
processes and procedures by which the 
Board ensures that these high standards are 
maintained throughout the Group.

The non-executive directors, all of whom 
the Company regard as independent, bring 
considerable international experience to 
the Board across a number of sectors. They 
play a full role in constructively challenging 
and developing strategic proposals, as 
well as chairing and being members of 
Board committees. The executive directors 
implement Board strategy, with a view 
to driving margin expansion, investing in 
infrastructure and actively managing the 
portfolio of businesses, all to deliver profitable 

growth and increased returns. In particular, 
the Board ensures that the Group as a whole 
remains committed to achieving the highest 
standards of legal compliance, environmental 
protection and safety. 

The Board is required to confirm that the 
Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a 
whole, is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
performance, business model and strategy. 
The Audit Committee has again assisted the 
Board in their assessment of these matters 
together with those of Going Concern and 
Viability Statement disclosures. The full Audit 
Committee Report is set out on pages 86 to 89.

Both the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committees had busy agendas during the year 
as set out in their Reports on pages 90 to 91 
and 92 to 107 respectively.

are intended to sharpen the current Code 
and, if enacted, would facilitate greater 
alignment between UK and US corporate 
governance laws and regulations. The 
proposed revisions are focused on changes 
in the areas of leadership, division of Board 
and management responsibilities, Board 
composition, succession and evaluation, 
audit, remuneration, risk and internal control. 
The final revised Code is set for publication 
in Summer 2018 and to then enter into force 
for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 
January 2019.

The Board will continue to monitor 
developments and are confident that they will 
be able to report their compliance with any 
revised governance provisions in next year’s 
annual report.

In December 2017, the Financial Reporting 
Council published proposed revisions to 
the UK Corporate Governance Code which 

Colin Matthews
Chairman

OUR CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORTING MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

RENEWI PLC BOARD

Principal Board Committees

AUDIT

REMUNERATION

NOMINATION

Executive Management

Specialist Committees

RISK

Divisional Management

EXECUTIVE  
COMMITTEE

OPERATING  
DIVISIONS

SHEQ (SAFETY, HEALTH, 
ENVIRONMENT AND 
QUALITY) COMMITTEE*

CSR (CORPORATE 
SOCIAL 
RESPONSIBILITY) 
COMMITTEE

GREEN FINANCE 
COMMITTEE

*Additional reporting line to Renewi plc Board

82

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

The Board fully supports the principles of 
good corporate governance. This report, 
together with the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on pages 92 to 107, explains how 
the Group has applied and complied fully 
with the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code in force for the year to 31 
March 2018.

thereby ensuring that no individual or group 
dominates the decision-making process. Non-
executive directors are not eligible to participate 
in any of the Company’s share option or 
pension schemes. The Chairman also meets 
and communicates regularly with the non-
executive directors without the presence of the 
executive directors.

The Board
The Board comprises the Chairman, a further 
five independent non-executive directors, the 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer. 

The Chairman, who is independent, has primary 
responsibility for running the Board. The Chief 
Executive Officer is responsible for the operations 
of the Group and for the development of strategic 
plans and initiatives for consideration by the 
Board. The formal division of responsibilities 
between the Chairman and the Chief Executive 
Officer has been agreed by the Board and 
documented, a copy of which is available on the 
Group’s website.

Following the retirement of Eric van Amerongen 
at last year’s AGM, Jacques Petry was appointed 
Senior Independent Director. The Senior 
Independent Director will be available to 
shareholders should they have concerns 
which contact through the normal channels 
of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or Chief 
Financial Officer has failed to resolve or where 
such contact is inappropriate.

The table on the right details the number of 
formal Board meetings held in the year and the 
attendance record of each director.

The calendar of meetings of the Board and its 
committees for 2017/18 is shown below.

Director

Board meetings

Colin Matthews 
(Chairman)

Allard Castelein

Peter Dilnot

Jacques Petry

Stephen Riley

Luc Sterckx 

Eric van Amerongen

Toby Woolrych

Marina Wyatt

11 (11)

10 (11)

11 (11)

10 (11)

3 (4)

7 (7)

4 (4)

11 (11)

11 (11)

Bracketed figures indicate maximum potential attendance 
of each director. Eric van Amerongen and Stephen Riley 
retired from the Board on 13 July 2017. Luc Sterckx was 
appointed to the Board on 1 September 2017.Jolande 
Sap was appointed to the Board from the start of the new 
financial year on 1 April 2018 .

The non-executive directors bring a wide range 
of experience to the Group and are considered 
by the Board to be independent of management 
and free from any business or other relationship 
which could materially interfere with the exercise 
of their independent judgement. 

The non-executive directors make a significant 
contribution to the functioning of the Board, 

Board governance
There is a formal schedule of matters reserved 
specifically for the Board’s decision. These 
include approval of financial statements, 
strategic policy, acquisitions and disposals, 
capital projects over defined limits, annual 
budgets and new borrowing facilities. The 
Board meets regularly, having met 11 times 
during the year. 

The Board is provided with appropriate 
information in a timely manner to enable it to 
discharge its duties effectively. All directors have 
access to the Company Secretary, whose role 
includes ensuring that Board procedures and 
regulations are followed. In addition, directors 
are entitled, if necessary, to seek independent 
professional advice in connection with their 
duties at the Company’s expense.

THE CALENDAR OF MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES FOR 2017/18

April

May

June

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Board

˜

Audit Committee

Remuneration Committee

Nomination Committee

˜

Shareholder (AGM)

˜

˜˜

˜

˜

˜

˜

˜

˜

˜

˜

˜

˜

˜

˜

˜

˜˜

˜

˜

˜

In addition, 16 duly authorised Board Committee meetings, comprising at least two directors, were held during the year. These were primarily in connection with authorising the allotment of shares 
under employee share plans.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

83

GOVERNANCE | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

In recognition of the importance of their 
stewardship responsibilities, the first standing 
item of business at every scheduled Board 
meeting is the consideration of the Safety, 
Health, Environment and Quality report. Other 
regular reports include those from the Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer 
covering business performance, markets and 
competition, investor and analyst updates as 
well as progress against strategic objectives 
and capital expenditure projects.

All directors are required to notify the Company 
on an ongoing basis of any other commitments 
and, through the Company Secretary, there 
are procedures for ensuring that the Board’s 
powers for authorising directors’ conflicts of 
interest are operated effectively.

The work of the Board is further supported by 
three formal Committees (Audit, Remuneration 
and Nomination). In addition, while not a 
Committee with specific powers of its own 
delegated by the Board, the Chief Executive 
Officer is assisted in the performance of his 
duties by the Executive Committee. This 
Committee meets monthly and comprises 
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer, the Divisional Managing Directors and 
Corporate Function Directors. In addition, there 
are three main specialist committees covering; 
Risk, SHEQ and CSR.

In reviewing Renewi’s overall corporate 
governance arrangements, the Board 
continues to give due consideration to 
balancing the interests of customers, 
shareholders, employees and the wider 
communities in which Renewi operates.

Board induction and professional 
development
On appointment, directors are given an 
introduction to the Group’s operations, 
including visits to principal sites and meetings 
with operational management.

Specific training requirements of directors 
are met either directly or by the Company 
through legal/regulatory updates. Non-
executive directors also have access to 
PricewaterhouseCoopers’ non-executive 
database and course programme. There is a 
rolling programme of holding Board meetings 

at different Group locations in order to review 
local operations, with a focus on health and 
safety during site visits. 

Diversity
The Committee at the current time has not 
determined to set a specific female Board 
member quota. However, the Committee 
recognises both the Lord Davies and Hampton-
Alexander Reviews on female representation 
at Board level, including the recommendation 
that 33% of FTSE350 Board positions should 
be held by women by 2020. Appointments to 
the Board and throughout the Group continue 
to be based on the diversity of contribution 
and required competencies, irrespective of 
gender, age, nationality or any other personal 
characteristic.

GENDER DIVERSITY 

Female

Male

Total

Board

2 (25%)

6 (75%)

Executive  
Committee

Group

2 (18%)

9 (82%)

1,203 
(16%)

6,204 
(84%)

7,407

8

11

BOARD BALANCE 

● EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 
2
● NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS  6

BOARD DIVERSITY 

● FEMALE 
● MALE 

2

6

The Committee and the Board continue 
to closely monitor all aspects of diversity 
in recruitment and promotions across the 
workforce. 

Statistical employment data for the Group can 
be found in the Corporate Social Responsibility 
Report which will be available on the Renewi 
website from July 2018. Further summary 
details, in addition to those shown below 
including those on gender pay gap reporting, 
can also be found in the People section on 
page 64.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee met four times in the 
year and is formally constituted with written 
terms of reference which are available on 
the Group’s website. The Committee is solely 
comprised of non-executive directors: Marina 
Wyatt who chairs the Committee, Jacques 
Petry, Allard Castelein and, since 1 September 
2017, by Luc Sterckx. Eric van Amerongen and 
Stephen Riley were also members until their 
retirement from the Board on 13 July 2017.

As required under the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, Marina Wyatt has current 
and relevant financial experience. She is a 
chartered accountant and currently holds 
the position of Chief Financial Officer at UBM 
Plc. In addition, the Board consider that the 
Audit Committee as a whole has competence 
relevant to the waste-to-product sector.

The Chairman, the executive directors and 
representatives from the external auditors 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are regularly 
invited to attend meetings. The Committee 
also has access to the external auditors’ 
advice without the presence of the executive 
directors.

The Audit Committee Report on pages 86 to 89 
sets out the role of the Committee and its main 
activities during the year.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee met three times 
in the year and is formally constituted with 
written terms of reference which are available 
on the Group’s website. The Committee is 
solely comprised of non-executive directors: 
Allard Castelein, Colin Matthews, Jacques 

84

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

 
 
APPOINTMENTS TO THE 
BOARD CONTINUE TO BE 
BASED ON THE DIVERSITY 
OF CONTRIBUTION

Petry, Marina Wyatt and, since 1 September 
2017 and 1 April 2018, by Luc Sterckx and 
Jolande Sap respectively. Eric van Amerongen 
chaired the Committee and Stephen Riley 
was also a member until their retirement from 
the Board on 13 July 2017. The Committee, 
which is chaired by Allard Castelein, formulates 
the Company’s Remuneration Policy and 
the individual remuneration packages for 
executive directors. The Committee also 
determines the remuneration of the Group’s 
senior management and that of the Chairman. 

The Committee recommends the 
remuneration of the non-executive directors 
for determination by the Board. In exercising 
its responsibilities, the Committee has access 
to professional advice, both internally and 
externally, and may consult the Chief Executive 
Officer about its proposals. The Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 92 to 107 
contains particulars of Directors’ remuneration 
and their interests in the Company’s shares.

MEETING ATTENDANCE 

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee met four times 
in the year and is formally constituted with 
written terms of reference which are available 
on the Group’s website. The Committee is 
chaired by Colin Matthews and is comprised 
solely of non-executive directors: Jacques 
Petry, Marina Wyatt, Allard Castelein and since 
1 September 2017 and 1 April 2018, by Luc 
Sterckx and Jolande Sap respectively. Eric 
van Amerongen and Stephen Riley were also 
members until their retirement from the Board 
on 13 July 2017.

The Committee is responsible for making 
recommendations to the Board on the 
appointment of Directors and succession 
planning. It also reviews organisation and 
resourcing plans for the purpose of providing 
assurance that appropriate processes are 
in place to ensure a sufficient supply of 
competent executive and senior management.

The Nomination Committee Report on pages 
90 to 91 sets out the role of the Committee in 
further detail and its main activities during  
the year.

Other information
Other information, necessary to fulfil the 
requirements of the Corporate Governance 
Statement, relating to the Company’s share 
capital structure and the appointment and 
powers of the directors, can be found in the 
Other Disclosures section on pages 108 to 110.

Audit
Committee meetings

Remuneration
Committee meetings

Nomination
Committee meetings

Director

Director

Director

Marina Wyatt (Chair)

Allard Castelein

Jacques Petry

Stephen Riley

Luc Sterckx

Eric van Amerongen

4 (4)

3 (4)

4 (4)

2 (2)

2 (2)

2 (2)

Eric van Amerongen (Chair)*

Allard Castelein (Chair)*

Colin Matthews

Jacques Petry

Stephen Riley

Luc Sterckx 

Marina Wyatt

1 (1)

2 (3)

3 (3)

3 (3)

1 (1)

2 (2)

2 (3)

Colin Matthews (Chair)

Allard Castelein

Jacques Petry

Stephen Riley

Luc Sterckx 

Eric van Amerongen

Marina Wyatt

4 (4)

4 (4)

4 (4)

1 (2)

2 (2)

2(2)

4(4)

Bracketed figures indicate maximum potential attendance of each director. 
* Eric van Amerongen and Stephen Riley retired from the Board on 13 July 2017 following which Allard Castelein succeeded Eric van Amerongen as chairman of the Remuneration Committee. Luc 
Sterckx was appointed to the Board and all three Committees on 1 September 2017. Jolande Sap was appointed to the Board and the Nomination and Remuneration Committees from the start of 
the new financial year on 1 April 2018.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

85

GOVERNANCE

AUDIT COMMITTEE 
REPORT

On behalf of the Board I am pleased to present the Audit 
Committee Report for the year ended 31 March 2018

MARINA WYATT
Chair of the  
Audit Committee

The primary objective of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its 
corporate governance responsibilities relating to the Group’s corporate reporting, 
risk management systems and internal controls and any other matters referred to it 
by the Board. This covers:

 ` Monitoring the integrity of the financial statements including annual and half 

yearly reports

 ` Reviewing and challenging the consistency of and changes to significant 

accounting policies, the methods used to account for significant or unusual 
transactions and appropriate estimates and judgements

 ` Keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness of internal financial 

controls and internal control and risk management systems

 ` Reviewing the adequacy of procedures for detecting fraud and ensuring that 

appropriate arrangements are in place to allow for company employees to raise 
concerns, in confidence, about possible wrongdoing in financial reporting or 
other matters

 ` Monitoring and review of the effectiveness of the internal audit function in the 

context of the overall risk management system

 ` The appointment, terms of engagement, effectiveness, objectivity and 

independence of the external auditors and the nature and scope of the audit

 ` The development and implementation of policy on the engagement of the 

external auditor to supply non-audit services

Committee Chair:
Marina Wyatt

Committee Members:
Allard Castelein, Jacques Petry, Luc Sterckx (appointed 1 September 2017)

Terms of Reference:
www.renewiplc.com/audit

At their meetings in May 2017, the Committee 
considered corporate governance compliance, 
taxation and the 2017 financial statements. 
The November meeting was concerned 
primarily with the interim results, reviews of 
life extending maintenance, non-trading and 
exceptional items policy and new accounting 
standards for revenues and leases. The 
March 2018 meeting considered Group Risk 
Management Strategy and Policy, preparation 
of the 2018 financial statements and all other 
year end accounting matters and treatments 
and the external audit plan.

During the year the Committee was again 
responsible for reviewing the approach 
and framework to assist the Board in their 
preparation of the Viability Statement as 
required by provision C.2.2 of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. This included reviewing 
the process and the selection of principal risks 
to be subject to stress testing and scenario 
modelling. The Group’s Viability Statement 
on page 79 confirms the Board’s reasonable 
expectation that the Company and the Group 
will be able to continue in operation and meet 
its liabilities as they fall due over the three year 
period ending 31 March 2021.

Accounting policies and issues
In carrying out its duties, the Committee 
reviewed and made recommendations in 
respect of the full year and interim financial 
statements. There was particular focus 
on the appropriateness of the Group’s 
accounting policies and practices, material 
areas in which significant judgements have 
been applied and compliance with financial 
reporting standards and relevant financial 
and governance reporting requirements. The 
significant accounting issues considered by the 
Committee during the year were:

 Î Accounting for onerous contracts in UK 
Municipal. Given the long-term nature 
of these contracts, these provisions are 
judgemental. Detailed papers setting out 

86

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

 
THE COMMITTEE IS SATISFIED THAT  
THE APPROPRIATE DISCLOSURES IN 
RELATION TO KEY JUDGEMENTS AND 
ESTIMATES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN  
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

expected future cash flows and assumptions 
on a contract by contract basis have been 
reviewed and discussed with management. 
Following this process, the Committee has 
concluded that an appropriate level of 
provisions has been reflected in the balance 
sheet as at 31 March 2018. 

 Î Presentation of non-trading and 

exceptional items. The Group discloses non-
trading and exceptional items separately due 
to their size or incidence to enable a better 
understanding of performance. This is a key 
judgemental area which has been subject to 
recent pronouncements on quantum and 
presentation from the Financial Reporting 
Council. Based on a review of the supporting 
papers and calculations from management, 
the Committee considers that these items 
have been appropriately classified.

 Î Impairment. A number of significant 
assumptions have to be made when 
preparing cash flow projections including 
long-term growth rates, discount rates and 
future profitability. The Committee has 
reviewed the annual impairment review 
papers and supporting documentation 
prepared by management and concluded 
that there are no significant impairments this 
year end for property, plant and equipment. 
In the year the goodwill arising on the VGG 
acquisition has been allocated to the new 

reportable segments and the annual review 
has confirmed no impairments. The goodwill 
note in the financial statements includes 
appropriate disclosures for any reasonably 
possible changes in assumptions.

 Î Revenue recognition and the impact of 
the new revenue standard from 1 April 
2018. A detailed work programme for the 
assessment of the impact of IFRS 15 was 
concluded during the year. The Committee 
has reviewed the papers and discussed this 
with management and concluded that the 
new standard will not have a material impact 
on revenue recognition in the Group. As 
stated in section 1 of the financial statements 
the operating profit will remain unchanged 
but there will be a relatively minor increase in 
revenue and in cost of sales.

 Î Landfill and other liability provisioning. 
Landfill provisions due to their nature 
are judgemental as they are subject to a 
number of factors including changes in 
legislation and uncertainty over timing of 
payments. The acquisition of VGG in the last 
year resulted in a significant increase in the 
landfill-related provisions in the Group. The 
annual review of provisions has confirmed 
that the assumptions taken including the 
period of liability and discount rates were 
acceptable and the closing balances were 
appropriate.

 Î Accounting for various tax related matters 
including the level of provisions. The most 
significant judgements in 2017/18 related 
to the recognition of deferred tax assets 
and the impact of recently communicated 
corporation tax changes in Belgium and the 
Netherlands. The Committee received verbal 
and written reports from senior management 
and the external auditors and the balances 
recognised at March 2018 were considered 
appropriate. It was agreed that the impact of 
the recently enacted corporation tax rates in 
Belgium, which reduced the carrying value of 
deferred tax liabilities, was of a sufficient size 
that it should be recorded as an exceptional 
rather than an underlying tax credit.

 Î Acquisition accounting. In the 12 month 
period following the acquisition of VGG on 
28 February 2017, the fair value of the assets 
and liabilities acquired has been revisited. 
This included the completion of the external 
market appraisal for the real estate which 
was left at book value at the prior year end 
along with a final reassessment across all 
other assets and liabilities which resulted 
in amendments to onerous contract 
provisions and tax liabilities. The Committee 
has reviewed the papers and supporting 
documentation prepared by management 
and concluded that the final fair value 
and associated goodwill and acquisition 
intangibles is appropriate. 

The Committee is satisfied that the judgements 
made by management are reasonable and 
the appropriate disclosures in relation to key 
judgements and estimates have been included 
in the financial statements.

Fair, balanced and understandable
The Committee has assisted the Board in 
their consideration as to whether the Annual 
Report and Accounts are fair, balanced and 
understandable, such that shareholders are 
provided with the necessary information to 
assess the Group’s performance, business 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

87

GOVERNANCE | AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

model and strategy. Having reviewed the 
results of the year end internal verification and 
approval processes at their meeting in May 
2018, the Committee was able to confirm this 
to be the case.

External audit
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) were 
appointed as the Company’s external auditors 
by shareholders at the AGM in 1994. Renewi 
plc has committed to scheduling a competitive 
tender process for external audit no later 
than 2020. The Committee believes that 
such a timetable is in the best interests of the 
Company and its members following on from 
the transformational merger between Shanks 
Group plc and Van Gansewinkel Group, as it 
allows for an appropriate passage of time, post 
integration, for new operating models and 
processes to have been embedded before new 
auditors are then engaged.

The Committee continues to review the 
performance, effectiveness and independence 
of the auditors on an annual basis. PwC 
rotate their lead audit engagement partner 
as a minimum at least every five years, as 
required by their own rules and by regulatory 
bodies. Rotation ensures a fresh look without 
sacrificing institutional knowledge. The 
rotation of lead audit partners, other partners 
including specialist partners and senior 
engagement personnel is reviewed on a 
regular basis by the lead audit engagement 
partner in consultation with the Committee. 
PwC’s rotation rules require the lead audit 
partner and key partners involved in the 
audit to rotate every five years, and other 
partners and senior staff members every 
seven or ten years. Accordingly, the Audit 
Committee confirms that the Company is in 
compliance with the provisions of the Statutory 
Audit Services for Large Companies Market 
Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive 
Tender Processes and Audit Committee 
Responsibilities) Order 2014.

The Committee’s responsibility to monitor 
and review the objectivity and independence 
of the external auditor is supported by a 
non-audit services policy. Specified services 
may be provided by the external auditor 
subject to a competitive bid process other 
than in situations where it is determined by 
the Committee, that the work is closely related 
to the audit or when a significant benefit can 
be obtained from work previously conducted 
by the external auditor. While the CFO may 
approve any new engagement up to the 
value of £25,000, anything in excess requires 
Committee approval up to an agreed annual 

A RESOLUTION WILL BE 
PUT TO SHAREHOLDERS 
AT THE FORTHCOMING 
AGM PROPOSING PWC’S 
REAPPOINTMENT AS 
GROUP AUDITORS

they provided corporate finance services 
as part of their appointment as reporting 
accountant for the capital markets work 
relating to the VGG merger. The total audit 
fees, as disclosed in note 3.2 of the financial 
statements, amounted to £1.3m (2017: £1.2m).

A resolution will be put to shareholders at 
the forthcoming AGM proposing PwC’s re-
appointment as Group auditors.

aggregate limit of 50% of the prior year’s  
audit fee. In exceptional circumstances, this 
limit may be exceeded with the approval of  
the Board. 

In determining whether or not to engage 
the external auditor to provide any non-
audit services, consideration will be given 
to whether this would create a threat to 
their independence. Similarly, the external 
auditor will not be permitted to undertake any 
advocacy role for the Group such that their 
objectivity may be compromised. The external 
auditor may not provide services involving the 
preparation of accounting records or financial 
statements, the design, implementation and 
operation of financial information systems, 
actuarial and internal control functions or the 
management of internal audits. 

During the year £34,000 of non-audit services 
were provided by PwC, which is significantly 
down on the prior year spend of £3.2m when 

As part of the external audit process, the 
Committee discusses and agrees the scope of 
the audit which is based around a structured 
methodology to help ensure quality and rigour 
as well as regulatory compliance. The 2017/18 
audit process was based on PwC’s acceptance 
and independence procedures reflecting their 
understanding of the business and focusing on 
scoped areas determined to be of highest risk.

During the year, tax and other professional 
services have also been provided to the Group 
by the audit firms KPMG, Deloitte and EY.

Internal audit
The internal audit function is an independent 
and objective function which aims to 
improve Renewi’s overall control framework 
and evaluate and improve the design and 
effectiveness of control processes. Reviews 
on financial processes and cycles are carried 
out and investigation activities are performed 
on control failures to identify root cause and 
provide recommendations for resolution and 
prevention. The Committee annually reviews 
and approves the internal audit charter, 

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defining the role and mandate of internal 
audit. The Committee monitors and reviews 
the effectiveness of its work and approves its 
annual plan. 

Consistent with previous years, internal audit 
services from suitably qualified external providers 
were also engaged during the year. KPMG 
performed a control review which covered the 
consolidation process across Renewi. 

The detailed findings from all reviews 
were presented to and considered by the 
Committee. Any necessary actions, including 
improvements from both the internal and 
external reviews, are acted upon by local 
divisional teams with regular follow-up at 
monthly business review meetings. 

Accountability and audit
The responsibilities of the directors and the 
auditors in relation to the financial statements 
are set out on pages 111 to 120.

Risk management
The Group risk management framework, major 
risks and the steps taken to manage these risks 
are outlined on pages 70 to 79.

Internal control responsibility
The system of internal control is based on a 
continuous process of identifying, evaluating 
and managing risks including the risk 
management processes outlined on pages 
70 to 79. The Board of directors has overall 
responsibility for the Group’s system of internal 
control and for reviewing its effectiveness. The 
Board recognises that internal control systems 
are designed to manage rather than eliminate 
the risk of failure to achieve business objectives 
and can therefore only provide reasonable 
and not absolute assurance against material 
misstatements, losses and the breach of laws 
and regulations.

Annual assessment of the effectiveness  
of the risk management and internal 
control systems
In addition to the Board’s ongoing internal 
control monitoring process, it has also 
conducted an annual effectiveness review of 
the Group’s risk management and internal 
control systems in compliance with provision 
C.2.1 of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
and Turnbull guidance. This covered risk 
management systems and all significant 
material controls including financial, 
operational and compliance controls.

Specifically, the Board’s review included 
consideration of changes in the risk universe 
and the Group’s ability to respond to these 
through its review of business risk registers 
controls and improvement action plans. It 
also reviewed the six-monthly certification 
by divisional management to ensure that 
appropriate internal controls are in place as 
well as reports by internal audit and external 
auditors.

The main elements of the internal control 
framework which contribute towards its 
continuous monitoring are as follows:

 ` A defined schedule of matters for decision 

by the Board;

 ` A Group finance manual setting out 

financial and accounting policies, minimum 
internal financial control standards and the 
delegation of authority matrix over items 
such as capital expenditure, pricing strategy 
and contract authorisation;

 ` Prompt review by the Committee of any 

fraudulent activity or whistle-blowing reports 
with appropriate rectifying action. 

Where weaknesses in the internal control 
system have been identified through the 
monitoring processes outlined above, plans for 
strengthening them are put in place and action 
plans regularly monitored until complete. The 
Board confirms that no material weaknesses 
were identified during the year and therefore no 
remedial action is required in relation to them.

Financial reporting
In addition to the general risk management and 
internal control processes described above, 
the Group has implemented internal controls 
specific to the financial reporting process and 
the preparation of the annual consolidated 
financial statements. The main control aspects 
are as follows:

 ` Formal written financial policies and 

procedures applicable to all business units;

 ` A comprehensive planning and budgeting 

exercise. Performance is measured 
monthly against plan and prior year results 
and explanations sought for significant 
variances. Key performance indicators are 
also extensively used to help management 
of the business and to provide early warning 
of potential additional risk factors;

 ` A detailed reporting calendar including the 
submission of detailed monthly accounts 
for each business unit in addition to the year 
end and interim reporting process;

 ` Detailed management review to Board level 
of both monthly management accounts and 
year end and interim accounts;

 ` Monthly meetings and visits to key 

operating locations by the executive 
directors and most senior managers to 
discuss performance and plans;

 ` Appointment and retention of appropriately 
experienced and qualified staff to help 
achieve business objectives;

 ` An annual risk-based internal audit plan 

approved by the Committee. Summaries of 
audit findings and the status of action plans 
to remedy significant failings are discussed 
at Group Board and Committee meetings on 
a regular basis;

 ` A range of quality assurance, safety and 

environmental management systems are 
in use across the Group. Where appropriate 
these are independently certified to 
internationally recognised standards and 
subject to regular independent auditing;

 ` A minimum of three scheduled Committee 
meetings each year, to consider all key 
aspects of the risk management and 
internal control systems; and

 ` Consideration by the Board of whether 
the Annual Report is fair, balanced and 
understandable;

 ` Bi-annual certification by divisional 
managing and finance directors and 
executive directors on compliance with 
appropriate policies and accuracy of 
financial information; and

 ` The Committee receives regular reports from 
the Group Tax Manager on the Group’s tax 
policy, tax management and compliance.

Anti-bribery and corruption
Legacy Shanks and VGG whistle-blowing 
facilities continued to be in place throughout 
the year, providing 24/7 confidential reporting. 
In the course of 2018 these will be harmonised 
under the existing Integrity Management 
framework as part of the implementation of a 
new Renewi Code of Conduct and Reporting 
and Investigation Protocol. 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

89

GOVERNANCE

NOMINATION COMMITTEE 
REPORT

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Nomination Committee Report  
for the year ended 31 March 2018 

THE ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE IS TO: 

 Î Review the structure, size and 

composition (including the skills, 
knowledge, experience and 
diversity) of the Board and make 
recommendations to the Board with 
regard to any changes 

 Î Give full consideration to succession 
planning for directors and other 
senior executives and in particular for 
the key roles of Chairman and Chief 
Executive Officer

 Î Keep under review the leadership 

needs of the Company, both executive 
and non-executive, with a view to 
ensuring the continued ability of the 
organisation to compete effectively in 
the marketplace

 Î Identify and nominate for the 

approval of the Board, candidates  
to fill Board vacancies as and when 
they arise

 Î Recommend the re-election by 

shareholders of directors under the 
annual re-election provisions, having 
due regard to their performance 
and contribution in the light of the 
knowledge, skills and experience 
required and the need for progressive 
refreshing of the Board

 Î Review the results of the  

annual Board performance  
evaluation process. 

The Committee met four times during the 
year and details of members’ attendance are 
provided in the Corporate Governance section 
on page 85. The Committee was particularly 
focused this year on the recruitment of 
two new non-executive directors and the 
commissioning of Renewi’s first externally 
facilitated Board evaluation process.

SUCCESSION PLANNING

Having already appointed Allard Castelein as a 
non-executive director in January 2017 and in 
recognition of the planned retirement of Eric 
van Amerongen and Stephen Riley at the July 
2017 AGM, the Committee continued to work 
closely with independent search consultants, 
Egon Zehnder International to refresh non-
executive director representation on the Board.

Searches were undertaken for two new 
non-executive directors with the requisite 
skills and experience to supplement those 
already covered by existing Board members. 
The process involved short listing followed by 
interviews by the Chairman, other Committee 
members and the Chief Executive Officer before 
final recommendations were made by the 
Committee to the Board.

Luc Sterckx’s appointment as a non-executive 
director was announced on 3 August 2017 
and took effect on 1 September 2007. Luc has 
significant experience and knowledge relevant 
to Renewi, including his successfully leading 
a range of international businesses in, and 
adjacent to, our sector. His direct experience of 
post-merger integrations in the Benelux region 
will also be particularly helpful for Renewi at this 
stage of the Company’s evolution.

COLIN MATTHEWS
Chairman of the  
Nomination Committee

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: 
Colin Matthews

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: 
Jacques Petry, Marina Wyatt, Allard Castelein, 
Luc Sterckx (appointed 1 September 2017), 
Jolande Sap (appointed 1 April 2018)

TERMS OF REFERENCE: 
www.renewiplc.com/nomco

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Jolande Sap’s appointment as a non-executive 
director was announced on 13 March 2018 
and took effect on 1 April 2018. Operating in 
a highly regulated sector and with increasing 
Governmental focus on recycling policy and 
the Circular Economy, Jolande’s experience will 
provide the Renewi Board with an additional 
and valuable perspective.

Any new director appointed to the Board is 
subject to election by shareholders at the 
first opportunity after their appointment. All 
directors are required under the Company’s 
Articles of Association to stand for re-election at 
each AGM. 

BOARD TENURE 

● 0-3 YEARS 
● 4-6 YEARS 
● 7-9 YEARS 

4

2

2

BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE OF 
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

● ENERGY/CHEMICALS 
● POLITICS/SOCIO-ECONOMICS   
● TELECOMS/MARKETING 
● TRANSPORT 
● WATER/WASTE 

2

1

1

1

1

BOARD EVALUATION

Key findings from the 2016/17 review.

1  Further strategic analysis of the market and 
technology drivers of the circular economy, 
specifically in the Benelux markets in which 
Renewi operates.

  Action: Progress has been made including 
refinement of the high level approach 
to initiating the next wave of growth as 
introduced at the inaugural Renewi Capital 
Markets Day in September 2017.

2  Greater exposure for members of the 
Executive Committee to the Board 
through formal presentations and site visit 
opportunities.

 Î Continuity provided by the two Executive 

Directors who have been in post for six years 

 Î Engagement and skill of the Chairman in 

leading the Board

  Action: Board agendas now regularly include 

Divisional and Functional updates and 
presentations from Executive Committee 
members. Five Board meetings during the 
year were held at operational locations which 
included site tours. 

 Î Complementary experience and skills of the 

non-executive directors

 Î Excellent Board support from the Company 

Secretary. 

Having considered IAL’s observations and 
recommendations the Board then agreed 
specific 2018/19 action plans across four main 
areas.

1   A refocused strategy process positioning 
Renewi for long-term success and value 
creation beyond the merger benefits; 

2   Supplementary corporate support bandwidth 

to support the Executive Directors; 

3   A review of Board Committee structure and 

membership; and

4   A number of added value corporate 

governance enhancement/improvement 
actions.

As part of the annual process, the Senior 
Independent Director reviewed the Chairman’s 
performance with the other Directors and met 
with him to provide feedback. The Chairman 
also provided feedback to each Director on 
their individual contributions to the Board 
and considered their development priorities. 
Following the review, the Board concluded 
that, along with its Committees, it continued to 
operate effectively during the year and that each 
director continued to demonstrate commitment 
to their role and perform effectively. The Board 
was therefore able to recommend the election 
and re-election of all those directors standing at 
the forthcoming AGM.  

Colin Matthews 
Chairman of the Nomination Committee

3  Refreshing talent reviews and succession 
plans for senior executives throughout the 
combined business. 

  Action: The Senior Leadership Team, 
comprised of former Shanks and VGG 
members as well as new hires, is now in 
place having secured necessary Benelux 
Works Council approvals. Succession and 
development plans are now being put in 
place in conjunction with a Group wide HR 
harmonisation programme. 

2017/18 REVIEW

The Board agreed that the 2017/18 review 
should be carried out by an external facilitator. 
A number of suppliers took part in a tender 
process following which it was determined that 
Independent Audit Limited (IAL) be appointed 
to conduct the Board evaluation. The review 
explored a broad range of areas including 
strategy, operational priorities, the Board’s 
role, its structure and balance, succession, risk 
management and governance. The review was 
conducted from November 2017 to January 
2018. IAL were given access to Board and 
Committee papers and minutes, and individual 
meetings were held with all Directors and the 
Company Secretary. As part of the process IAL 
also attended and observed the December 
2017 Board meeting held on site in Evergem 
in Belgium. IAL prepared a report which was 
discussed with the Chairman and Company 
Secretary and then discussed at the full Board in 
January 2018. 

Against the background of the Board’s 
necessary focus during the year on overseeing 
the initial integration of Shanks Group plc and 
VGG, IAL concluded that their overall impression 
was of a Board that was coping well with the 
significant change caused by a transformational 
merger. They noted a number of strengths in the 
Renewi Board including:

 Î Constructive relationships and a collegiate 

atmosphere at the Board

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION REPORT

The Remuneration Committee is focused on designing and implementing  
a Remuneration Policy that promotes the long-term success of the Company 
by enabling the Company to hire and retain the most appropriate people, 
aligning their financial interests with those of shareholders

ALLARD CASTELEIN
Chairman of the  
Remuneration Committee

This Report, prepared by the Remuneration 
Committee on behalf of the Board, takes full 
account of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code and the latest Investment Association 
(IA) Principles of Remuneration and 
Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) 
UK and Ireland Proxy Voting Guidelines, 
and has been prepared in accordance with 
the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, 
the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct 
Authority and the Large and Medium-Sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and 
Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013. 
The Act requires the Auditor to report to 
the Group’s shareholders on the audited 
information within this Report and to state 
whether in their opinion those parts of the 
Report have been prepared in accordance 
with the Act. The Auditor’s opinion in this 
regard is set out on page 119 and those 
aspects of the Report which have been 
subject to audit are clearly marked.

CONTENTS

 92  Section 1: The Annual Statement

 94 

 Section 2: Remuneration Policy 
Details the Remuneration Policy  
which was approved by shareholders 
at, and applied since, the 2017 AGM

100   Section 3: Annual Report on 

Remuneration 
Details how the Remuneration  
Policy was implemented during  
the year ended 31 March 2018 and 
how the Committee intends the  
Policy to apply for the year ending  
31 March 2019

1. REMUNERATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL STATEMENT

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year 
ended 31 March 2018 which is my first report as 
the Chairman of the Committee.

I have summarised below the key decisions 
the Committee has taken during the year and 
provided explanation of the context in which 
they were made. 

WORK OF THE COMMITTEE  
DURING THE YEAR

The Committee met three times during 
2017/2018 and details of members’ attendance 
at meetings are provided in the Corporate 
Governance section on page 85.

The main Committee activities during the year 
(full details of which are set out in the relevant 
sections of this report) included:

 Î Reviewing the changes to the Remuneration 
Policy, including Executive Directors base 
salaries, in advance of the 2017 AGM and 
consulting on the changes with major 
investors and representative bodies; 

 Î Agreeing the performance against the targets 
and payout for the 2016/17 annual bonus 
awards;

2017/18 PERFORMANCE, DECISIONS 
AND REWARD OUTCOMES 

Performance
The variable elements of Executive Directors’ 
remuneration have been particularly impacted 
by share price performance towards the end of, 
and following the year end. As detailed below 
and in the Annual Report on Remuneration, 
the share price performance measure relating 
to the 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan has 
significantly reduced the vesting percentage 
outcome. In addition, the Committee has also 
applied their discretion to reduce the level of 
LTIP awards in 2018 for the Executive Directors.

2017/18 Annual bonus
Strong underlying profit before tax and 
underlying free cash flow performance has 
contributed to corresponding bonus awards in 
respect of financial targets although personal 
objectives were only partially met due in part to 
Municipal Division challenges and with Health 
& Safety performance. This resulted in bonus 
awards of 88% and 89% of the maximum for 
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer respectively. One third of the bonus 
will be deferred into shares, vesting 50% over 
three years, 25% over four years and 25% over 
five years in line with the Remuneration Policy. 
Further details are set out on page 102.

 Î Setting the performance targets for the 

2017/18 annual bonus;

 Î Agreeing the award levels and performance 

targets for the 2017 LTIP awards; and

 Î Agreeing Executive Directors’ base salary 
increases and the Chairman’s fee from  
1 April 2018.

2015 LTIP vesting in 2018 
The Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) granted in 
2015 was designed to incentivise and reward 
the achievement of financial (EPS and ROCE) 
and share price performance over the three-
year performance period to 31 March 2018. 
Although the threshold ROCE and share price 
targets were not met, resulting in both of these 
parts of the LTIP award lapsing, the threshold 

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EPS target was exceeded and as a result, will 
trigger partial vesting of the 2015 LTIP awards. 
This will result in 21.5% of the LTIP awards 
vesting. Further details are set out on page 103.

As the Directors’ Remuneration Policy was 
put to a binding shareholder vote at the 2017 
AGM and is considered at the current time 
to remain fit for purpose, no policy changes 
will be proposed at the 2018 AGM. As such, 
the only remuneration-related resolution 
which will be tabled will be in respect of this 
Annual Statement and the Annual Report on 
Remuneration. That said, while the Policy is 
intended to remain in place for a maximum 
of three years, the Committee intends to keep 
the policy under review during the next 12 to 
24 months to ensure it remains aligned with 
business needs and strategic priorities.

Implementing the Remuneration  
Policy for 2018/19
The Remuneration Committee intends to 
operate the Remuneration Policy for Executive 
Directors for 2018/19 as follows:

 Î Executive Director base salaries were 

increased from 1 April 2018 (the normal 
salary review date) in line with the general 
workforce increase;

 Î Annual bonus provision will remain at 150% 
of salary and targets will continue to measure 
profit before tax, free cash flow and personal 
objectives. No changes will be made to the 
deferral, whereby two thirds of any bonus is 
payable in cash and one third will be deferred 
in shares, vesting 50% after three years, 25% 
vesting after four years and 25% vesting after 
five years;

 Î Reflecting the disappointing share price 
performance towards the end of, and 

following, the year end, the Committee has 
agreed to reduce the 2018 LTIP awards which 
will shortly be granted to Executive Directors. 
The Chief Executive Officer’s LTIP award will 
be reduced from 150% to 112.5% of salary 
while the Chief Financial Officer’s award 
will be reduced from 120% to 90% of salary. 
Targets will continue to measure EPS, share 
price and ROCE. A two year post-vesting 
holding period will apply to 2018 and future 
awards granted to Executive Directors.

Looking forward
At the 2017 AGM, the Directors Remuneration 
Policy received the support of 96.9% of votes 
cast while our Annual Report on Remuneration 
received 99.5% support. The Committee thanks 
shareholders for their continued support and 
asks that they support the 2018 AGM resolution.

A resolution seeking the approval of the Annual 
Statement and Annual Report on Remuneration 
for the year ended 31 March 2018 will be put to 
shareholders at the 2018 AGM. 

Finally, on behalf of the Board, I would like to 
thank Eric van Amerongen, who successfully 
chaired this Committee for ten years up to the 
2017 AGM. 

Allard Castelein
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
24 May 2018

The role of the  
Committee is to:

•  Determine the Group’s policy on 

remuneration and monitor its careful 
implementation

•  Review and set performance targets 

for incentive plans

•  Set the remuneration of the Group’s 

senior management

•  Approve the specific remuneration 
package for each of the Executive 
Directors

•  Determine the remuneration of the 

Chairman

•  Determine the terms on which LTIP 
and Sharesave awards are made to 
employees

•  Determine the policy for and scope 
of pension arrangements for the 
Executive Directors.

Committee members:  
Allard Castelein (from 3 January 2017, 
Committee Chairman from 13 July 
2017) 
Eric van Amerongen (Committee 
Chairman to 13 July 2017) 
Colin Matthews 
Jacques Petry  
Jolande Sap (from 1 April 2018) 
Stephen Riley (to 13 July 2017) 
Luc Sterckx (from 1 September 2017) 
Marina Wyatt

Terms of Reference:  
www.renewiplc.com/remco

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

93

 
 
 
 
GOVERNANCE | DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

2. DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION POLICY

The principal objective of the Remuneration 
Committee is to design and implement a 
Remuneration Policy that promotes the long-
term success of the Company. The Committee 
seeks to ensure that the senior executives 
are fairly rewarded in light of the Group’s 
performance, taking into account all elements 
of their remuneration package. A significant 
proportion of executive remuneration is 
performance related, comprising an annual 
bonus and a Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). 

POLICY TABLE

The fixed portion of remuneration comprises 
basic salary, benefits and a payment in lieu of 
pension.

Policy scope
The Policy applies to the Chairman, Executive 
Directors and Non-Executive Directors.

AGM on 13 July 2017 and received 96.9% 
support. The Policy will apply from the date 
of approval for a maximum of three years 
although the Committee reserves the right to 
revisit the Policy within this period to ensure 
that it remains aligned with business needs 
and strategic priorities. 

Policy duration
This Directors’ Remuneration Policy Report 
was put to a binding shareholder vote at the 

BASE SALARY: To pay a competitive basic salary to attract, retain and motivate the talent required to operate and develop the Group’s 
businesses

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE METRICS

Base salaries are generally reviewed on an 
annual basis or following a significant change 
in responsibilities.

Salary levels are reviewed by reference to 
FTSE-listed companies of similar size and 
complexity. The Committee also has regard 
to individual and Group performance and 
changes to pay levels across the Group.

Any basic salary increases are applied in line with the outcome of the 
review.

None.

For Executive Directors, it is anticipated that salary increases will 
normally be in line with those of salaried employees as a whole. In 
exceptional circumstances (including, but not limited to, a material 
increase in job size or complexity or a material market misalignment), 
the Committee has discretion to make appropriate adjustments to 
salary levels to ensure they remain market competitive.

PENSION: To provide an opportunity for executives to build up a provision for income on retirement

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE METRICS

Executive Directors receive a cash 
pension allowance in lieu of company 
pension scheme contributions.

Executive Directors may receive a cash allowance of up to 25% 
of salary.

None.

BENEFITS: To provide market-competitive benefits

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE METRICS

Benefits include life assurance, medical 
insurance, income protection and car/travel 
allowances.

Benefits may vary by role. However, the total cost of taxable benefits 
will not normally exceed 10% of salary.

None.

The Committee retains discretion to approve a higher cost in 
exceptional circumstances (e.g. relocation or expatriation) or in 
circumstances where factors outside the Group’s control have changed 
(e.g. increases in market insurance premiums).

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ALL EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEMES: To encourage Group-wide share ownership

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE METRICS

Executive Directors may participate in all-employee share 
arrangements on the same terms offered to employees.

The maximum opportunity will 
not exceed the relevant HMRC 
limits, where applicable.

None.

ANNUAL BONUS: To motivate senior executives to maximise short-term performance and help drive initiatives which support long-term 
value creation

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE METRICS

Performance measures, targets and weightings are set at the start 
of the year. The maximum bonus is payable only if all performance 
targets are met in full.

For Executive Directors, the 
maximum annual bonus 
opportunity is 150% of salary.

For threshold performance, 
the bonus earned is generally 
25% of maximum and for 
on-target performance, 80% of 
maximum.

At least one third of any annual bonus award is deferred into shares 
for at least three years, subject to continued employment. The 
Group’s current policy is for 50% of the bonus to vest after three 
years, 25% to vest after four years, and 25% to vest after five years.

Deferred bonus awards are in the form of Renewi plc ordinary 
shares. Dividend equivalents may accrue over the relevant vesting 
periods but would be paid only on shares that vest.

MALUS & CLAWBACK:
Malus provisions exist which entitle the Committee, at its 
discretion, to reduce the final award or deem it to have lapsed (to 
the extent it has not yet vested) in exceptional circumstances, e.g. 
material financial misstatement or gross misconduct.

The bonus is also subject to clawback, i.e. recovery of paid 
amounts for material financial misstatement or conduct justifying 
summary dismissal.

Executive Director performance is assessed 
by the Committee on an annual basis by 
reference to Group financial performance 
such as profit or cash flow measures (majority 
weighting) and the achievement of personal 
or strategic objectives (minority weighting).

Bonus targets are generally calibrated with 
reference to the Group’s budget for the year.

The Committee has the discretion to adjust 
the formulaic bonus outcomes both upwards 
(within the plan limits) and downwards, to 
ensure that payments are a true reflection of 
performance over the performance period, 
e.g. in the event of unforeseen circumstances 
outside management control.

Details of the measures, weightings and 
targets applicable for the financial year under 
review are provided in the Annual Report on 
Remuneration.

LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (LTIP): To motivate and retain senior executives and managers to deliver the Group’s strategy and long-
term goals and to help align executive and shareholder interests

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE METRICS

The maximum award limit in 
normal circumstances under 
the 2011 Long Term Incentive 
Plan will be 150% of salary 
(up to 200% in exceptional 
circumstances).

Threshold performance will 
result in vesting of no more 
than 25% of maximum under 
each element.

Vesting of LTIP awards will be subject to 
continued employment and financial and/
or share price-related performance targets 
measured over a period of at least three years.

In addition to the Group achieving the 
financial/share price targets, the Committee 
must satisfy itself that the recorded outcome is 
a fair reflection of the underlying performance 
of the Group. The Committee has discretion 
(within the limits of the scheme) to adjust 
the formulaic performance outcomes to 
ensure that payments fairly reflect underlying 
performance over the period. Adjustments 
may be upwards or downwards. Details of LTIP 
targets are included in the Annual Report on 
Remuneration.

Executive Directors and senior employees may be granted awards 
annually, as determined by the Committee. The vesting of these 
awards is subject to the attainment of performance conditions.

Awards are in the form of Renewi plc ordinary shares. Dividend 
equivalents may accrue over the vesting period but would be paid 
only on shares that vest.

Awards made under the LTIP have a performance and vesting 
period of at least three years. If no entitlement has been earned at 
the end of the relevant performance period, then the awards will 
lapse. Once vested awards may, at the discretion of the Committee, 
be subject to further holding in whole, or in part, for a period of up 
to two years following the end of the performance period.

For LTIP awards granted to Executive Directors following the 2017 
AGM a two year post-vesting holding period applies.

MALUS & CLAWBACK:
Malus provisions exist which entitle the Committee to reduce the 
final award or deem it to have lapsed during the period between 
the granting and end of the later of the vesting or holding period, 
if there has been material misstatement, gross misconduct or 
something which causes significant reputational damage to the 
Group.

LTIP awards (from 2015 onwards) are also subject to clawback, i.e. 
recovery of vested awards for material financial misstatement or 
conduct justifying summary dismissal.

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GOVERNANCE | DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Notes to the policy table

Payments from existing awards
The Group will honour any commitment 
entered into, and Executive Directors will 
be eligible to receive payment from any 
award made, prior to the approval and 
implementation of the Remuneration Policy 
detailed in this report, including previous 
share awards and associated dividend 
equivalent payments under the LTIP and 
deferred share bonus plan. Details of any such 
awards are disclosed in the Annual Report on 
Remuneration.

Use of discretion
The Committee may apply discretion as 
detailed below. Under each element of 
remuneration, a full description of how 
discretion can be applied is set out in line with 
UK reporting requirements.

To ensure fairness and align executive 
remuneration with individual and underlying 
company performance the Committee may 
adjust up or down the outcome of the annual 
bonus and LTIP or the performance measures 
of inflight awards under either plan. Any 
adjustments in light of ‘non-regular events’ 
(including, but not limited to, corporate 
events (including Rights Issues), changes in 
the Group’s accounting policies, minor or 
administrative matters, internal promotions, 
external recruitment and terminations of 
employment) are expected to be made on 
a ‘neutral’ basis – i.e. adjustments will be 
designed so that the event is not expected 
to be to the benefit or the detriment of 
participants. Adjustments to incentives to 
ensure that outcomes reflect underlying 
performance may be made in exceptional 
circumstances to help ensure outcomes are fair 
to shareholders and participants.

Performance measurement selection
The measures used in the annual bonus are 
selected annually to reflect the Group’s main 
business priorities for the year, and capture 
both financial and non-financial objectives. 
Group financial performance targets relating 
to the annual bonus plan are based around 
the Group’s annual budget, which is reviewed 
and approved by the Board prior to the start of 
each financial year. Underlying profit before tax 
and underlying free cash flow are typically used 
as the key financial performance measures 
in the annual bonus plan because they are 
clear and well-understood measures of Group 
performance.

Performance targets are reviewed annually 
and set to be stretching and achievable, taking 
into account the Group’s resources, strategic 
priorities and the economic environment 

in which the Group operates. Targets are 
set taking into account a range of internal 
and external reference points, including the 
Group’s strategic plan and broker forecasts 
for both the Group and sector peers. The 
Committee believes that the performance 
targets are stretching, and that to achieve 
maximum outcomes requires truly outstanding 
performance.

shareholders through building up significant 
shareholdings in the Group. Share ownership 
guidelines were increased from the 2017 AGM, 
requiring Executive Directors to acquire a 
holding equivalent to 200% of their salaries. 
Executive Directors will be required to retain 
50% of any LTIP and deferred bonus shares 
acquired on vesting (net of tax) until they reach 
their ownership guideline.

The Committee considers the combination of 
three-year EPS growth, ROCE improvement  
and share price growth currently operated for 
the LTIP to be key indicators of success for  
the Group. These measures are transparent, 
visible and motivational to participants, 
balance growth and returns, and provide  
good line-of-sight for executives and alignment 
with shareholders.

Remuneration policy for our senior leaders
The Group’s approach to annual salary reviews 
is broadly consistent across the Group, with 
consideration given to the scope of the role, 
level of experience, responsibility, individual 
performance and pay levels for comparable 
roles in comparable companies. The broader 
Remuneration Policy across the Group is also 
consistent with that set out in this report for the 
Executive Directors. For example, remuneration 
is linked to Group and individual performance 
in a way that is ultimately aimed at reinforcing 
the delivery of shareholder value.

Senior employees generally participate in an 
annual bonus scheme with a similar structure 
to that described for the Executive Directors. 
Opportunities and specific performance 
conditions vary by organisational level, with 
business area-specific metrics incorporated 
where appropriate.

Members of the Executive Committee and other 
senior managers may participate in the LTIP 
on a similar basis to, but at lower levels than, 
Executive Directors. Such awards may be on 
the same terms as those granted to Executive 
Directors or they may differ in respect of vesting 
periods, holding periods and performance 
targets (i.e. the targets used and/or whether 
performance targets apply for some or all of  
the awards).

All UK employees are eligible to participate 
in the Sharesave Scheme on the same 
terms although other all-employee share 
arrangements may be introduced if considered 
appropriate.

Share ownership guidelines
The Committee recognises the importance of 
Executive Directors aligning their interests with 

APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT 
REMUNERATION

External appointments
In the cases of hiring or appointing a new 
Executive Director, the Committee may make 
use of any of the existing components of 
remuneration, as described in the Policy Table 
on pages 94 and 95. The maximum limits for 
variable pay (excluding buy-outs) will be as for 
existing Executive Directors.

In determining the appropriate remuneration 
for a new Executive Director, the Committee 
will take into consideration all relevant factors 
(including the overall quantum and nature of 
remuneration, and the jurisdiction from which 
the candidate is being recruited) to ensure that 
all such arrangements are in the best interests 
of Renewi and its shareholders.

The Committee may also make an award in 
respect of a new appointment to buy-out 
incentive arrangements forgone on leaving a 
previous employer on a like-for-like basis, in 
addition to providing the normal remuneration 
elements.

In constructing a buy-out, the Committee 
will consider all relevant factors including 
time to vesting, any performance conditions 
attached to awards, and the likelihood of those 
conditions being met. Any such buy-out awards 
will typically be made under the existing 
annual bonus and LTIP schemes, although in 
exceptional circumstances the Committee may 
exercise the discretion available under the FCA 
Listing Rule 9.4.2 R to make awards using a 
different structure. Any buy-out awards would 
have a fair value no higher than that of the 
awards forgone.

Internal appointments
In cases of appointing a new Executive Director 
by way of internal promotion, the Committee 
will determine remuneration in line with 
the policy for external appointees. Where 
an individual has contractual commitments 
made prior to promotion to the Board, the 
Group will continue to honour these. Incentive 
opportunities for below Board employees are 
typically no higher than for Executive Directors, 

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£’000

2,195

1,430

665

£’000

1,393

945

443

but measures may vary to ensure they are 
relevant to the role.

Non-Executive Director recruitment
In recruiting a new Non-Executive Director, the 
Committee will use the policy as set out in the 
table on page 99. A base fee in line with the 
prevailing rate for Board membership would be 
payable, with additional fees payable for acting 
as Senior Independent Director or chairing a 
Committee, as appropriate.

PROPORTION OF FIXED AND VARIABLE  
REMUNERATION

Chief Executive Officer 

Maximum 

On-target 

30%

46%

35%

35%

40%

14%

PAY SCENARIO CHARTS

Minimum 

100%

The following charts provide an estimate of 
the potential future reward opportunities 
for the Executive Directors, and the potential 
split between the different elements 
of remuneration under three different 
performance scenarios: ‘Minimum’, ‘On-target’ 
and ‘Maximum’.

Potential reward opportunities are based on 
the Remuneration Policy, applied to basic 
salaries as at 1 April 2018. Note that the 
projected values exclude the impact of any 
share price movements and dividends.

The ‘Minimum’ scenario shows basic salary, 
pension and estimated benefits (i.e. fixed 
remuneration). These are the only elements of 
the Executive Directors’ remuneration packages 
which are not at risk.

The ‘on-target’ scenario reflects fixed 
remuneration as above, plus a target bonus 
of up to 80% of maximum and threshold LTIP 
vesting of 25%.

The ‘Maximum’ scenario reflects fixed 
remuneration plus full pay-out of all incentives, 
excluding any share price appreciation and 
dividends (as per the current regulations).

SERVICE CONTRACTS  
AND EXIT PAYMENT POLICY

Executive Director service contracts, including 
arrangements for early termination, are 
carefully considered by the Committee. The 
Committee has agreed that the policy with 
regard to the notice period for Executive 
Directors is one year’s written notice from the 
Group and from the individual. The contracts 
provide for an obligation to pay salary plus 
contractual benefits for any portion of the 
notice period waived by the Group. The Group 
has the ability to pay such sums in instalments, 
requiring the Director to mitigate loss (for 
example, by gaining new employment) over 
the relevant period.

Chief Financial Officer 

Maximum 

32%

38%

30%

On-target 

47%

42%

11%

Minimum 

100%

SALARY, PENSION AND BENEFITS

ANNUAL BONUS

LONG-TERM INCENTIVES

arrangements. These will be used sparingly 
and only entered into where the Committee 
believes that it is in the best interests of the 
Group and its shareholders to do so.

When considering exit payments, the 
Committee reviews all potential incentive 
outcomes to ensure they are fair to both 
shareholders and participants. The table on 
page 98 summarises how the awards under 
the annual bonus and LTIP are typically 
treated in different circumstances, with the 
final treatment remaining subject to the 
Committee’s discretion.

Executive Director

Date of service contract

Peter Dilnot

1 February 2012

Toby Woolrych

27 August 2012

If employment is terminated by the Group, 
the departing Executive Director may have a 
legal entitlement (under statute or otherwise) 
to certain payments, which would be met. In 
addition, the Committee retains discretion 
to settle any other amounts reasonably due 
to the Executive Director, for example to 
meet the legal fees incurred by the Executive 
Director in connection with the termination of 
employment, where the Group wishes to enter 
into a settlement agreement (as provided 
for below), and the individual must seek 
independent legal advice.

In certain circumstances, the Committee may 
approve new contractual arrangements with 
departing Executive Directors including (but 
not limited to) settlement, confidentiality, 
restrictive covenants and/or consultancy 

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GOVERNANCE | DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Treatment of awards on exit

Scenario

ANNUAL CASH BONUS

Ill-health, disability, death, retirement (with 
Group consent) or any other reasons the 
Committee may determine in its absolute 
discretion.

Change of control.

Timing of vesting

Treatment of Awards

Normal payment date, although the 
Committee has discretion to accelerate.

Cash bonuses will only be paid to the extent that Group 
and personal objectives set at the beginning of the year 
have been achieved. Any resulting bonus will generally be 
pro-rated for time served during the year.

Immediately.

Performance against targets will be assessed at the 
point of change of control and any resulting bonus will 
generally be pro-rated for time served.

Any other reason.

Not applicable.

No bonus is paid.

DEFERRED ANNUAL BONUS (DAB)

Ill-health, disability, death, retirement (with 
Group consent) or any other reasons the 
Committee may determine in its absolute 
discretion.

Change of control.

Any other reason.

LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (LTIP)

Ill-health, disability, death, retirement (with 
Group consent) or any other reasons the 
Committee may determine in its absolute 
discretion.

Normal payment date, although the 
Committee has discretion to accelerate.

Any outstanding DAB awards will generally be pro-rated 
for time served.

Immediately.

Any outstanding DAB awards will generally be pro-rated 
for time served.

Not applicable.

Awards lapse.

Normal vesting date, although the 
Committee has discretion to accelerate.

Any outstanding LTIP awards will generally be pro-rated 
for time served and performance.

Change of control.

Immediately.

Any outstanding LTIP awards will generally be pro-
rated for time served and performance, subject to the 
Committee’s discretion.

In the event of a change of control, awards may 
alternatively be exchanged for new equivalent awards in 
the acquirer where appropriate.

Any other reason.

Not applicable.

Awards lapse.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

The Non-Executive Directors do not have 
service contracts as their terms of engagement 
are governed by letters of appointment. 
These letters and the Company’s Articles of 
Association make provision for annual renewal 
at each AGM. Details of the Non-Executive 
Directors’ terms of appointment are shown in 
the table on the right. The appointment and 
re-appointment and the remuneration of Non-
Executive Directors are matters reserved for 
the full Board.

The Non-Executive Directors are not eligible to 
participate in the Group’s performance-related 
incentive plans and do not receive any pension 
contributions.

Non-Executive Director

Initial agreement date

Renewal date

Colin Matthews (Chairman)

7 March 2016

Allard Castelein

Jacques Petry

Jolande Sap

Luc Sterckx

Marina Wyatt

10 November 2016

30 September 2010

13 March 2018

3 August 2017

2 April 2013

31 July 2018

31 July 2018

31 July 2018

31 July 2018

31 July 2018

31 July 2018

Shareholder approval was obtained at 
the 2017 AGM to increase the cap on Non-
Executive Directors’ fees in the Company’s 

Articles of Association from £400,000 to 
£750,000, this last having been increased in 
2005.

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Details of policy on fees paid to Non-Executive Directors are set out in the table below:

OBJECTIVE

To attract and retain Non-
Executive Directors of the 
highest calibre with broad 
commercial and other 
experience relevant to the 
Group.

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE METRICS

None.

Fee levels are reviewed annually, with any 
adjustments effective 1 April each year.

The fee paid to the Chairman is determined 
by the Committee and fees to Non-
Executive Directors are determined by the 
Board.

Additional fees are payable for acting as 
Senior Independent Director and chairing 
the Board’s Committees and subsidiary 
company Supervisory Boards.

Fee levels are reviewed by reference to 
FTSE-listed companies of similar size and 
complexity. The required time commitment 
and responsibilities are taken into account 
when reviewing fee levels.

Non-Executive Directors may receive 
benefits (including travel and office support, 
together with any associated tax liability 
that may arise).

Non-Executive Director fee increases 
are applied in line with the outcome of 
the review. Fees in respect of the year 
under review, and for the following year, 
are disclosed in the Annual Report on 
Remuneration.

It is expected that any increases to Non-
Executive Director fees will normally be 
in line with those for salaried employees. 
However, in the event that there is a 
material misalignment with the market or 
a change in the complexity, responsibility 
or time commitment required to fulfil a 
Non-Executive Director role, the Board 
has discretion to make an appropriate 
adjustment to the fee level.

advance of any significant Remuneration 
Policy changes.

The Committee will continue to monitor 
trends and developments in corporate 
governance and market practice to ensure that 
the structure of the executive remuneration 
remains appropriate.

Further details of the votes received in relation 
to last year’s Annual Report on Remuneration 
and Remuneration Policy are provided below:

EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

The Committee acknowledges that Executive 
Directors may be invited to become Non-
Executive Directors of other quoted companies 
which have no business relationship with 
the Group and that these duties can broaden 
their experience and knowledge to the benefit 
of the Group. Executive Directors are limited 
to holding one such position, and the policy 
is that fees may be retained by the Director, 
reflecting the personal risk assumed in such 
appointments. On 1 September 2017 Peter 
Dilnot was appointed as a Non-Executive 
Director of Rotork plc, a FTSE250 global 
engineering business, with an associated fee 
of £47,000 per annum.

employment conditions for the broader 
employee population when determining 
Remuneration Policy for the Executive 
Directors.

In the Benelux, early and constructive 
engagement with Works Councils and Unions 
has been particularly important throughout 
the post merger integration period to deliver 
organisational changes in a smooth and 
negotiated manner and in full compliance with 
good employment practice. Most recently this 
has included discussion and agreement on 
bonus scheme harmonisation.

CONSIDERATION OF  
SHAREHOLDER VIEWS

CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONS 
ELSEWHERE IN THE GROUP

Although the Committee does not consult 
directly with employees on executive 
Remuneration Policy, the Committee does 
consider general basic salary increases across 
the Group, remuneration arrangements and 

When determining executives’ remuneration, 
the Committee takes into account views of 
shareholders and best practice guidelines 
issued by institutional shareholder bodies.  
The Committee is always open to feedback 
from shareholders on Remuneration 
Policy and arrangements, and commits to 
undergoing shareholder consultation in 

2016/17 ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION 
AGM on 13 JULY 2017

REMUNERATION POLICY  
AGM ON 13 JULY 2017

Total number of votes

% of votes cast

Total number of votes

% of votes cast

For (including discretionary)

Against

544,066,134

2,582,356

Total votes cast (excluding withheld votes)

546,648,490

Votes withheld

124,935,419

99.53%

0.47%

100%

-

547,859,771

17,407,656

565,267,427

106,316,482

96.92%

3.08%

100%

-

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GOVERNANCE | DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

3. ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION

The following section provides details of how our Remuneration Policy will be implemented during the year ending 31 March 2019 and how it was 
implemented during the financial year ended 31 March 2018.

IMPLEMENTATION OF REMUNERATION POLICY FOR 2017/18

Basic salary
Executive Director basic salaries were 
increased in line with the general workforce 
rate of increase from 1 April 2018. 

Executive Director

Basic salary at 
1 April 2017

Basic salary from 
1 April 2018

Percentage 
increase

Peter Dilnot

Toby Woolrych

£500,000

£345,000

£510,000

£351,900

2%

2%

Pension
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer will continue to receive a cash 
supplement in lieu of pension of 25% and 
20% of salary, respectively, or an equivalent 
pension contribution.

Annual bonus
The maximum annual bonus opportunity for 
Executive Directors in 2018/19 will remain 
unchanged at 150% of salary, with one third 
of any bonus pay-out deferred into shares 
vesting 50% after three years, 25% after four 
years and 25% after five years. Pay-out for 
achievement of target performance will be 
80% of maximum.

Bonuses will be based 50% on underlying 
profit before tax, 25% on underlying free 
cash flow and 25% on personal objectives. 
Proposed target levels have been set to be 
challenging relative to the 2018/19 business 
plan. The specific targets are currently deemed 
to be commercially sensitive, however we will 
disclose them retrospectively in the 2018/19 
Annual Report.

LTIP
Reflecting the disappointing share price 
performance towards the end of, and 
following, the year end, the Committee has 
agreed to reduce the 2018 LTIP awards for 
the Executive Directors. The Chief Executive 

Officer’s LTIP award will be reduced from 150% 
to 112.5% of salary while the Chief Financial 
Officer’s award will be reduced from 120% to 
90% of salary. The performance conditions 
will continue to be based on EPS, share 
price growth and ROCE weighted 50%, 25% 
and 25% respectively. Further details on the 
measures, targets and vesting schedule can 
be found on page 103. For any shares to vest, 
the Committee will also need to satisfy itself 
that the recorded outcome is a fair reflection of 
the overall performance of the Company over 
the period. A two year post vesting holding 
period will be applied rather than the previous, 
phased approach which applies to the 2017 
and earlier awards.

Chairman and Non-Executive Director fees
Current Chairman and Non-Executive Director fees are set out in the table below.

Base fees

Chairman

Non-Executive Director

Additional fees

Audit Committee Chair

Remuneration Committee Chair

Senior Independent Director

Basic fee at 
1 April 2017

Basic fee from 
1 April 2018

£150,000

£48,000

£8,500

£8,500

£6,000

£153,000

£48,960

£8,670

£8,670

£6,120

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 SINGLE TOTAL FIGURE OF REMUNERATION FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS (AUDITED)

The table below sets out a single figure for the total remuneration received by each Executive Director for the year ended 31 March 2018 and the 
prior year. 

Basic salary

Taxable benefits1

Pension2

Single-year variable3

Multiple-year variable4

Other5

Total

PETER DILNOT

TOBY WOOLRYCH

2016/17
£000

2017/18
£000

2016/17
£000

2017/18
£000

452

27

113

326

–

6

924

500

27

125

660

160

9

1,481

296

21

59

209

–

2

587

345

21

69

461

84

5

985 

1 Taxable benefits comprise car allowance and medical insurance.
2 During the year, Peter Dilnot and Toby Woolrych received cash supplements in lieu of pension contribution of 25% and 20% of salary respectively.
3 Payment for performance during the year under the annual bonus including any deferred annual bonus. (See following sections for further details.)
4  Based on the estimated value of the 2015 LTIP award, assuming 21.5% vesting and a three month average share price to 31 March 2018 of 94.5 pence and including the estimated value of 

dividend equivalents.

5 Includes Sharesave awards, valued based on embedded gain at grant, life assurance and income protection

SINGLE TOTAL FIGURE OF REMUNERATION FOR NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS (AUDITED)

The table below sets out a single figure for the total remuneration received by each Non-Executive Director for the year ended 31 March 2018 and 
the prior year.

BASE FEE

ADDITIONAL FEES

TOTAL

2016/17 
£000

2017/18
£000

2016/17 
£000

2017/18
£000

2016/17 
£000

2017/18
£000

Colin Matthews (Chairman)

150

150

Allard Castelein1

Jacques Petry2

Stephen Riley3

Eric van Amerongen3,4

Luc Sterckx5

Marina Wyatt6

10

40

40

40

–

40

48

48

16

16

28

48

–

–

–

–

25

–

7

–

6

5

–

14

–

9

150

150

10

40

40

65

–

47

54

53

16

30

28

57

1 Allard Castelein was appointed to the Board on 3 January 2017. His additional fee is in respect of his role as the Chair of the Remuneration Committee from July 2017.
2 Jacques Petry’s additional fee is in respect of his role as the Senior Independent Director from July 2017.
3 Both Stephen Riley and Eric van Amerongen retired from the Board on 13 July 2017.
4 Eric van Amerongen’s additional fees comprised amounts for his role as the Senior Independent Director and as the Chair of the Remuneration Committee to July 2017. He also received a fee of €10K in 
the period for his ongoing Chairmanship of the Supervisory Board of Renewi Netherlands Holdings BV. This fee has been stated in Sterling at an exchange rate of £1: €1.1353.
5 Luc Sterckx was appointed to the Board on 1 September 2017.
6 Marina Wyatt’s additional fee is in respect of her role as the Chair of the Audit Committee.
7 Jolande Sap was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2018 and as such received no fees in the 2017/18 financial year. 

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GOVERNANCE | DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

INCENTIVE OUTCOMES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2018

Performance-related annual bonus in respect of 2017/18 performance
The annual bonus was measured against underlying profit before tax (50% weighting), underlying free cash flow (25% weighting) and the 
achievement of personal objectives (25% weighting). Actual performance against the targets set for each of these elements is shown below.

Financial element outcomes
The financial targets and corresponding outcomes for the 2017/18 annual bonus are shown below.

Measure

Weighting

2017/18  
Final outcome

Threshold

Max

Underlying profit before tax

Underlying free cash flow

50%

25%

£47.6m

£71.6m

£32.9m

£(6.5)m

£40.2m

£(6.5)m

Bonus payout  
(% of max)

100%

100%

Both the underlying profit before tax and underlying free cash flow are set based on the Group’s expected budget outcome for the year with all 
values for the Divisions converted to Sterling at the budgeted rates of exchange. Actual performance is also measured at this constant exchange rate.

In October 2017 the Board upgraded expected profits by circa 30% over budget/consensus. The profit element of the plan still comfortably met 
maximum pay-out at Renewi Group level due to the delivery of a strong financial performance, despite challenges in both Municipal and Hazardous 
Waste Divisions and recent market headwinds from recyclate pricing. This was driven by excellent trading in the Commercial and Monostreams 
businesses, coupled with synergies being delivered ahead of plan. 

The cash position was also materially better than budget expectations throughout the year with cash having been managed tightly during the first 
year of post-merger integration, resulting in the achievement of each quarterly underlying free cash flow target at an overall Renewi level. 

Personal element outcomes
The personal performance measures were based on individual objectives, as detailed below.

Personal objectives during the year

Target

Committee’s assessment  
of performance

Bonus payout  
(% of max)

Peter 
Dilnot

1. Implement safety improvements throughout Renewi 
2.Drive successful post-merger integration 
3.Deliver target €12m merger synergies
4. Ensure Municipal division recovery 

Toby 
Woolrych

1. Implement safety improvements throughout Renewi 
2. Drive successful post-merger integration
3. Deliver target €12m merger synergies
4. Ensure Municipal division recovery 
5. Build strengthened finance management capability within Renewi 

6%
7%
6%
6%
25%

4%
5%
5%
5%
6%
25%

0%
7%
6%
0%
13%

0%
5%
5%
0%
4%
14%

52%

56%

While the Committee was satisfied that objectives 2 and 3 were met in full, despite progress being made in the year, objectives 1 and 4 were not met.

Overall bonus outcomes

Executive Director

Peter Dilnot

Toby Woolrych

Financial element bonus outcome  
(% of salary)

Personal element bonus outcome  
(% of salary)

Overall bonus outcome  
(% of salary/£)

112.5%

112.5%

19.5%

21.0%

132% / £660,000

133.5% / £460,575

One third of the bonus will be awarded in shares, which will vest in the proportion 50%, 25% and 25% on the third, fourth and fifth anniversary of 
the date of grant, respectively.

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2015 LTIP vesting in 2018
Peter Dilnot and Toby Woolrych were granted LTIP awards in 2015 over shares equal to the value of circa 150% and 120% of salary respectively 
which would vest in 2018 based on three-year performance to 31 March 2018. Vesting was dependent on three-year adjusted underlying EPS, 
share price performance and ROCE. The vesting schedules, targets and the performance against targets are set out below:

Measure

EPS CAGR

Share price CAGR

Improvement in ROCE

Total vesting

Weighting

Targets

Actual performance

% of this part 
of award (% of 
maximum) 

50%

25%

25%

0% vesting below 5% p.a.
25% vesting for 5% p.a.
50% vesting for 10% p.a.
100% vesting for 15% p.a.
Straight-line vesting between these points

8.6%  

43% (21.5%)

0% vesting below 9% p.a.

0% vesting below +0.5%

<9%

<+0.5%

0%

0%

21.5%

Share price growth was calculated using three-month average share prices immediately prior to the start and end of the performance period.

Based on the above, the vesting of the 2015 LTIP for the Executive Directors on 29 May 2018 will be:

Executive Director

Peter Dilnot

Toby Woolrych

Awards  
granted1

Shares vesting based 
on performance 
(21.5% of maximum)

Dividend  
equivalent shares 
(Estimated)

Total shares 
expected to vest

Estimated value  
at vesting2  
(£’000)

715,650

375,083

153,865

80,643

15,875

8,320

169,740

88,963

£160

£84

1. As adjusted for the November 2016 Rights Issue based on the standard theoretical ex-rights price formula.
2. Based on the average 3 month share price to 31 March 2018 of 94.50 pence.

SHARE AWARDS GRANTED IN 2017/18 (AUDITED)

Long-term incentive plans
Peter Dilnot and Toby Woolrych were granted awards under the Renewi plc 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan on 1 June 2017 as follows: Details of 
the performance targets are as follows:

Executive Director

Date of grant

Base salary

Basis of award

Share price1

Face value

Peter Dilnot

Toby Woolrych

1 June 2017

£500,000

150% of salary

1 June 2017

£345,000

120% of salary

93.25p

93.25p

£678,428

£355,392

1. Based on the three-day average dealing price prior to the grant date.

Number of 
shares

804,000

443,000

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

103

 
GOVERNANCE | DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Details of the performance targets are as follows:

Measure (weighting)

EPS CAGR (50%)

Share price CAGR (25%)

Improvement in ROCE (25%)

Targets

0% vesting below 5% p.a. / 25% vesting for 5% p.a. / 50% vesting for 10% p.a. / 100% vesting for 15% p.a.
Straight-line vesting between these points

0% vesting below 9% p.a. / 25% vesting for 9% p.a. / 50% vesting for 13% p.a. / 100% vesting for 17% p.a.
Straight-line vesting between these points

0% vesting below +0.5% / 25% vesting for +0.5% / 100% vesting for +2.0%
Straight-line vesting between these points

For any shares to vest, the Committee will also need to satisfy itself that the recorded outcome is a fair reflection of the overall performance of the Group over the period. Awards will vest on the 
third anniversary of grant. Half of any amounts earned will be released in June 2020 (i.e. three years from grant) and the remaining portion will be subject to holding periods with delivery to the 
individuals in two equal tranches in June 2021 and June 2022 respectively. 

DEFERRED ANNUAL BONUS (DAB)

Peter Dilnot and Toby Woolrych were granted awards under the Renewi plc Deferred Annual Bonus Plan on 1 June 2017 as follows: 

Executive Director

Date of grant

2016/17  
annual bonus

Basis of deferred 
award

Share price1

Face value of 
bonus deferred

Number of 
shares

Peter Dilnot

Toby Woolrych

1 June 2017

£325,645

1/3rd of bonus

1 June 2017

£208,793

1/3rd of bonus

93.25p

93.25p

£108,548

£69,598

116,405

74,636

1. Based on the three-day average dealing price prior to the grant date.
50% of the awards will vest on the third anniversary of grant, 25% of awards will vest after four years and 25% will vest after five years, subject to continued employment.

EXIT PAYMENTS AND PAYMENTS MADE TO PAST DIRECTORS MADE IN THE YEAR (AUDITED)

No exit payments or payments to past Directors were made in the year.

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF SPEND ON PAY

The table shows the percentage change in total employee pay expenditure and shareholder distributions (i.e. dividends) from the financial year 
ended 31 March 2017 to the financial year ended 31 March 2018. The Directors are proposing a final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2018 of 
2.1 pence per share (2017: 2.1p).

Distribution to shareholders

Employee remuneration

2016/17 
£m

15.1

178.2

2017/18 
£m

24.4

368.6

% change

61.6%

106.8%

The increase in distribution to shareholders is attributable to the increased share capital following the equity raise, placement and consideration shares in connection with the merger of Shanks 
Group plc and van Gansewinkel Groep BV which completed in February 2017
The increase in employee remuneration is due to 2016/17 only including the enlarged Group for one month post merger, whereas 2017/18 is on a total annual basis.

104

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

PAY FOR PERFORMANCE

The graph shows the total shareholder return 
(TSR) of Renewi plc over the nine-year period 
to 31 March 2018. While there is no comparator 
index or group of companies that truly 
reflects the activities of the Group, the FTSE 

Support Services sector has been selected as 
a comparator index as it is the sector in which 
Renewi is classified and is an index against 
which the performance of the Group is judged. 
As at the date of this Report Renewi plc is also 
a member of the FTSE 250 index, having re-
entered that index in October 2017. The table 

below the graph details the Chief Executive 
Officer’s single figure remuneration and actual 
variable pay outcomes over the same period.

Historical TSR Performance
Growth in value over nine years of 
a hypothetical £100 invested at 31 
March 2009.

RENEWI PLC
FTSE ALL-SHARE SUPPORT  
SERVICES INDEX
FTSE ALL-SHARE INDEX

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

)
0
0
1
o
t
d
e
s
a
b
e
r
(
n
r
u
t
e
r

l

r
e
d
o
h
e
r
a
h
S

l
a
t
o
T

Source: Datastream (Thomson Reuters)

31 MAR 09

31 MAR 10

31 MAR 11

31 MAR 12

31 MAR 13

31 MAR 14

31 MAR 15

31 MAR 16

31 MAR 17

31 MAR 18

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S SINGLE FIGURE OF REMUNERATION OVER THE NINE YEAR PERIOD TO 31 MARCH 2018

2009/10

2010/11

2011/12

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

TOM DRURY1

PETER DILNOT2

Chief Executive Officer single 
figure of remuneration (£’000)

Annual bonus outcome  
(% of maximum)

LTIP vesting outcome  
(% of maximum)

663

840

284

157

657

860

902

1,063

924

1,481

38%

69%

0%

0%

0%

0%

87%

19%

66%

47%

 69%

48%

88%

–

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

21.5%

1 Tom Drury resigned as Chief Executive Officer on 30 September 2011.
2 Peter Dilnot was appointed as Chief Executive Officer on 1 February 2012.

PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REMUNERATION

The table below shows the percentage change in the Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration from the prior year compared to the average 
percentage change in remuneration for all UK-based employees. This group was selected because the Committee believes it provides a sufficiently 
large comparator group to give a reasonable understanding of underlying increases that are based on similar incentive structures, while on 
the other hand reducing any distortion arising from including all of the geographies in which the Group operates, with their different economic 
conditions. To provide a meaningful comparison, the analysis includes all UK based employees and is based on a consistent set of employees.

Salary

Taxable benefits

Single-year variable

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

OTHER EMPLOYEES

2016/17
£’000

2017/18
£’000

452

27 

326

500

27 

660

% 
Change

10.6%

 0%

102.5%

% 
Change

4%

0%

85%

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

105

 
 
 
 
 
GOVERNANCE | DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS (AUDITED)

The interests of the Directors and persons 
closely associated in the ordinary shares of the 
Group during the year and as at 24 May 2018 
were as shown below. Details of Directors’ 
interests in shares and options under the  
long-term share schemes are set out in the 
sections below.

Ordinary shares at  
1 April 2017

Ordinary shares at 
31 March 2018 and 24 May 2018

Colin Matthews (Chairman)

Allard Castelein 

Peter Dilnot

Jacques Petry

Jolande Sap (appointed 
April 2018)

Luc Sterckx (appointed 
September 2017)

Toby Woolrych

Marina Wyatt

137,500

–

131,364

–

–

–

54,753

–

250,000

–

143,691

–

–

 –

162,235

11,600

DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDING (AUDITED)

The table below shows the shareholding of each Executive Director, against their respective shareholding requirement as at 31 March 2018:

SHARES HELD

OPTIONS HELD

Owned 
outright  
or vested

Unvested 
but subject 
to holding 
period

Unvested and 
subject to 
performance 
conditions

Vested but  
not exercised

Exercised 
during  
the year

Unvested and 
subject to 
continuous 
employment

Shareholding 
requirement1 
(% salary)

Current 
shareholding2 
(% salary)

Requirement 
met?

Peter Dilnot

143,691

446,666

2,482,650

Toby Woolrych

162,235

290,896

1,322,083

–

–

12,327

12,327

25,648

25,648

200%

200%

22%

35%

On track

On track

1 Share ownership guideline increased from 100% of salary to 200% of salary from the 2017 AGM.
2 Shareholdings were calculated using the mid-market price at 31 March 2018 of 75 pence and salary as at 31 March 2018.

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS IN SHARES OPTIONS AND SHARES IN THE DEFERRED  
ANNUAL BONUS PLAN, LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AND ALL-EMPLOYEE PLANS (AUDITED)

The Executive Directors have been made awards under the Renewi Deferred Annual Bonus Plan:

Outstanding 
awards at 31 
March 2017

Awards  
made during  
the year

Awards 
lapsed during 
the year

Awards 
exercised 
during the 
year

Outstanding 
awards at 31 
March 2018

Date of award

Share price on 
date of award 
(pence)

Restricted 
period end1

Peter Dilnot

110,072

220,189

–

–

–

116,405

72,077

Toby Woolrych

144,183

–

–

–

74,636

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

110,072

29.05.15

108.92

29.05.20

220,189

23.11.16

116,405

01.06.17

93.50

93.25

23.11.21

01.06.22

72,077

29.05.15

108.92

29.05.20

144,183

23.11.16

74,636

01.06.17

93.50

93.25

23.11.21

01.06.22

1. 50% of the awards will be released three years after the date of award, 25% after four years and the remaining 25% after five years.

106

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

The Executive Directors have been made notional allocations of shares under the Renewi Long Term Incentive Plan:

Outstanding 
awards at 
31 March 
20171

Awards 
made 
during 
the year

Awards 
lapsed 
during the 
year2

Awards 
vested 
during the 
year

Outstanding 
awards at 
31 March 
20183

Date of 
award

Share price 
on date 
of award 
(pence

Performance 
period end

Restricted 
period end4

Peter Dilnot

715,650

963,000

–

–

–

804,000

375,083

Toby Woolrych

504,000

–

–

–

443,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

715,650

29.05.15

108.92

31.03.18

29.05.18

963,000

23.11.16

93.50

31.03.19

23.11.19

804,000

01.06.17

93.25

31.03.20

01/06/20

375,083

29.05.15

108.92

31.03.18

29.05.18

504,000

23.11.16

93.50

31.03.19

23.11.19

443,000

01.06.17

93.25

31.03.20

01/06/20

1 Awards granted prior to the November 2016 Rights Issue were adjusted based on the standard theoretical ex-rights price formula.
2 Awards lapse to the extent the performance conditions are not met.
3 The performance conditions relating to the vesting of outstanding awards are shown on page 104.
4 For LTIP awards made in 2014 to 2017, half of the awards will be released following the end of the three-year performance period, with the remaining shares delivered in two 
equal tranches after a further one and two years respectively.

The Executive Directors held options to subscribe for ordinary shares under the Renewi Sharesave Schemes:

Date of 
grant

Normal 
exercise 
dates from

Normal 
exercise 
dates to

Option price 
(pence)1

Number at  
1 April 2017

Granted  
in year

Lapsed  
in year

Exercised  
in year

Number at 
31 March 
2018

25.09.14

01.11.17

30.04.18

Peter Dilnot

24.09.15

01.11.18

30.04.19

13.09.17

01.11.20

30.04.21

25.09.14

01.11.17

30.04.18

Toby Woolrych

24.09.15

01.11.18

30.04.19

13.09.17

01.11.20

30.04.21

73.01

65.18

76.00

73.01

65.18

76.00

12,327

13,806

–

–

–

11,842

12,327

13,806

–

–

–

11,842

–

–

–

–

–

–

12,327

–

–

–

13,806

11,842

12,327

–

–

–

13,806

11,842

1 The option price is the price at which the option was granted. The price is set by the Remuneration Committee but is not less than 80% of the average market price of the 
shares over the last three dealing days immediately preceding the date of the invitation to subscribe. Options granted prior to the November 2016 Rights Issue were adjusted 
based on the standard theoretical ex-rights price formula.

The highest closing mid-market price of the 
ordinary shares of Renewi plc during the year 
was 108.2 pence and the lowest closing mid-
market price during the year was 75 pence. The 
mid-market price at the close of business on 
31 March 2018 was 75 pence.

OTHER INTERESTS

None of the Directors had an interest in the 
shares of any subsidiary undertaking of the 
Group or in any significant contracts of the 
Group.

ADVICE PROVIDED TO THE COMMITTEE 
DURING THE YEAR

FIT Remuneration Consultants LLP (‘FIT’) was 
appointed by the Remuneration Committee 
during 2016 to provide independent advice 
on Committee matters. In 2017/18, FIT 
provided independent advice on executive 
remuneration. FIT reports directly to the 
Chairman of the Committee. Their total fees for 
the provision of remuneration services to the 
Committee in 2017/18 were £20,860 charged 
on a time and materials basis. FIT provides no 
other services to the Group.

FIT is a member of the Remuneration 
Consultants Group and are signatories to 
the Code of Conduct for Remuneration 
Committees consultants which can be found at 
www.remunerationconsultantsgroup.com

The Committee periodically undertakes due 
diligence to ensure that the Remuneration 
Committee advisers remain independent 
of the Group and that the advice provided 
is impartial and objective. The Committee 
is satisfied that the advice provided is 
independent.

By order of the Board 

Allard Castelein
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
24 May 2018

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

107

 
 
 
 
GOVERNANCE 

OTHER DISCLOSURES

THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES 
 OF ASSOCIATION

Many of the matters described below are 
governed by the Company’s Articles of 
Association as well as by current legislation and 
regulations. The Articles can be viewed on the 
Company website at www.renewiplc.com

STRATEGIC REPORT

The Overview and Strategic Report sections  
set out on pages 2 to 79 provide a fair review  
of the Group’s business for the year ended  
31 March 2018. They also explain the objectives 
and strategy of the Group, its competition and 
the markets in which it operates, the principal 
risks and uncertainties it faces, the Group’s 
financial position, key performance indicators 
and likely future developments of the business. 
The Overview and Strategic Report were 
approved by a duly authorised committee of  
the Board on 24 May 2018 and signed on its 
behalf by the Company Secretary.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The Directors’ Report comprises pages 80 to 
111. The Directors’ Report was approved by 
a duly authorised committee of the Board on 
24 May 2018 and signed on its behalf by the 
Company Secretary.

OTHER INFORMATION

Apart from the details of the Company’s 
Long Term Incentive Plans, as set out in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages  
92 to 107, no further information requires 
disclosure for the purposes of complying  
with the Financial Conduct Authority’s  
Listing Rule 9.8.4C.

DIRECTORS

The composition of the Board at the date 
of this Report, together with directors’ 
biographical details, are shown on pages  
80 to 81. All served on the Board throughout  
the financial year under review with the 
exception of Luc Sterckx and Jolande Sap.  
Eric van Amerongen and Stephen Riley retired 
from the Board at the conclusion of the 2017 

AGM. Following their appointments  
in September 2017 and April 2018, Luc  
Sterckx and Jolande Sap will be standing for 
election by shareholders at the 2018 AGM.  
In accordance with governance best practice, 
all remaining directors will be offering 
themselves for re-election at the 2018 AGM.

APPOINTMENT AND REPLACEMENT  
OF DIRECTORS

The Company’s minimum requirement 
is to appoint at least two directors. The 
appointment and replacement of directors 
may be made as follows:

 Î The Company’s members may, by ordinary 

resolution, appoint any person who is willing 
to act to be a director;

 Î The Board may appoint any person who is 
willing to act to be a director. Any director  
so appointed shall hold office only until  
the next AGM and shall then be eligible  
for election;

 Î Each director shall retire from office at every 
AGM but may be re-appointed by ordinary 
resolution if eligible and willing;

 Î The Company may, by special resolution, 

remove any director before the expiry of his 
or her period of office or may, by ordinary 
resolution, remove a director where special 
notice has been given and the necessary 
statutory procedures are complied with; and

 Î A director must vacate their office if any 
of the circumstances in Article 100 of the 
Articles of the Company arise.

POWERS OF DIRECTORS

exercise of powers by the directors include 
the following:

 Î Pre-emptive rights and new issues of shares 
– under the Companies Act 2006, (the Act), 
the directors of a company are, with certain 
exceptions, unable to allot any equity 
securities without express authorisation, 
which may be contained in a company’s 
Articles or given by its shareholders in a 
general meeting. In addition, under the Act, 
the Company may not allot shares for cash 
(otherwise than pursuant to an employee 
share scheme) without first making an offer 
to existing shareholders to allot such shares 
to them on the same or more favourable 
terms in proportion to their respective 
shareholdings, unless this requirement 
is waived by a special resolution of the 
Company’s shareholders. The Company 
received authority at the last AGM to allot 
shares for cash on a non pre-emptive  
basis up to a maximum nominal amount  
of £3,999,129. This authority lasts until  
the earlier of the AGM in 2018 or  
30 September 2018;

 Î Repurchase of shares – subject to 

authorisation by shareholder resolution, 
the Company may purchase all or any of 
its own shares in accordance with the Act 
and the Listing Rules. Any shares that have 
been bought back may be held as treasury 
shares or, if not so held, must be cancelled 
immediately upon completion of the 
purchase, thereby reducing the amount  
of the Company’s issued share capital.  
The Company received authority at the  
last AGM to purchase up to 79,982,584 
ordinary shares. This authority lasts  
until the earlier of the AGM in 2018 or  
30 September 2018; and

The business of the Company is managed 
by the Board which may exercise all the 
powers of the Company, whether relating 
to the management of the business of the 
Company or not. This power is subject to 
any limitations imposed on the Company by 
legislation. It is also limited by the provisions 
of the Articles and by any directions given 
by special resolution of the members of the 
Company. Specific provisions relevant to the 

 Î Borrowing powers – the directors are 

empowered to exercise all the powers of the 
Company to borrow money and to mortgage 
or charge all or any part of the Company’s 
assets, provided that the aggregate  
amount of borrowings of the Group 
outstanding at any time does not exceed 
the limit set out in the Articles, unless 
sanctioned by an ordinary resolution of  
the Company’s shareholders.

108

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITIES

As at the date of this Report, the Company has 
granted indemnities to the extent permitted 
by law, in respect of certain liabilities incurred 
as a result of carrying out the role of a 
director of the Company. The indemnities are 
qualifying third party indemnity provisions 
for the purposes of the Companies Act 
2006. In respect of those liabilities for which 
the directors may not be indemnified, the 
Company maintained a Directors’ and Officers’ 
liability insurance policy throughout the 
financial year and has renewed that policy.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Board is fully committed to high standards 
of corporate governance. Details relating 
to the Company’s compliance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code for the financial 
year are given in the Corporate Governance 
and Directors’ Remuneration Reports on pages 
82 to 107.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Renewi plc is a leading international waste-to-
product company. Information on Corporate 
Social Responsibility (CSR) matters, including 
those on environment, social, community and 
employment policies and health and safety are 
set out in the CSR section on pages 66 to 69, 
and in the People section on pages 60 to 65 of 
the Strategic Report. These include disclosures 
on greenhouse gas emissions reporting as well 
as human rights and gender diversity policies. 
Further details on the Company’s approach 
to carbon avoidance and the benefits of 
sustainable waste management can also  
be found in the Group CSR Report and  
CSR Policy, both of which will be available on  
the Company’s website from July 2018.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS

The Group’s Consolidated Income Statement, 
which appears on page 122 and note 2 to  
the financial statements, shows the 
contribution to revenue and profits made  
by the different segments of the Group’s 
business. The Group’s loss for the year was  
£47.6m (2017: loss of £61.4m).

The directors recommend a final dividend of 
2.1 pence (2017: 2.1 pence) per share be paid 
on 27 July 2018 to ordinary shareholders on the 
register of members at the close of business 
on 29 June 2018. This dividend, if approved 
by shareholders, together with the interim 
dividend of 0.95 pence (2017: 0.95 pence) per 

share already paid on 5 January 2018, will make 
a total dividend for the year of 3.05 pence per 
share (2017: 3.05 pence). 

GOING CONCERN AND VIABILITY

After making enquiries, the directors have 
formed the view, at the time of approving the 
financial statements, that the Company and 
Group have adequate resources to continue 
to operate and that the Group’s business is a 
going concern. For this reason the directors 
continue to adopt the going concern basis in 
preparing the financial statements.

Taking account also of the Company’s current 
position and principal risks, the Board set 
out on page 79 how they have assessed the 
prospects of the Company and, in compliance 
with UK Corporate Governance Code provision 
C.2.2, confirm that they have a reasonable 
expectation that the Company and the Group 
will be able to continue in operation and meet 
its liabilities as they fall due over the three year 
period ending 31 March 2021.

SHARE CAPITAL

The Company’s share capital comprises 
ordinary shares of 10 pence each par value. 
As at 31 March 2018 and as at the date of this 
Report, there were 800,133,252 ordinary shares 
in issue. During the year ended 31 March 2018 
no ordinary shares were issued other than in 
respect of the exercise of options or awards 
under the Company’s share schemes, details 
of which are given in note 7.3 to the financial 
statements.

PRINCIPAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS 
ATTACHING TO SHARES

 Î Dividend rights – the Company may, by 

ordinary resolution, declare dividends but 
may not declare dividends in excess of the 
amount recommended by the directors. The 
directors may also pay interim dividends. 
No dividend may be paid other than out of 
profits available for distribution. Payment 
or satisfaction of a dividend may be made 
wholly or partly by distribution of assets, 
including fully paid shares or debentures 
of any other company. The directors may 
deduct from any dividend payable to a 
member all sums of money (if any) payable 
by such member to the Company in respect 
of their ordinary shares.

 Î Voting rights – on a poll, every shareholder 
who is present in person or by proxy or 
represented by a corporate representative 

has one vote for every share held by that 
shareholder. In the case of joint holders of 
an ordinary share, the vote of the senior 
who tenders a vote shall be accepted to 
the exclusion of the votes of the other 
joint holders. Seniority is determined by 
the order in which the names of the joint 
holders appear in the Company’s register of 
members in respect of the joint holding.  
The deadline for appointing proxies to 
exercise voting rights at any general meeting 
is set out in the notice convening the  
relevant meeting. The Company is not  
aware of any agreements between holders 
of its shares that may result in restrictions  
on voting rights.

 Î Return of capital – in the event of the 

liquidation of the Company, after payment 
of all liabilities and deductions taking 
priority, the balance of assets available for 
distribution will be distributed amongst 
the holders of ordinary shares according to 
the amounts paid up on the shares held by 
them. A liquidator may, with the sanction of 
a special resolution of the shareholders and 
any other sanction required by law, divide 
among the shareholders in kind the whole or 
any part of the Company’s assets or vest the 
Company’s assets, but no shareholder may 
be compelled to accept any assets upon 
which there is any liability.

SHARE RESTRICTIONS

There are no limitations under the Company’s 
Articles of Association that restrict the rights 
of members to hold the Company’s shares. 
Certain restrictions may from time to time be 
imposed on the transfer of the Company’s 
shares by laws and regulations such as insider 
trading laws. In limited situations, as permitted 
by the Articles, the Board may also decline to 
register a transfer. The Company is not aware of 
any agreements between holders of its shares 
that may result in restrictions on the transfer  
of securities.

EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEMES –  
CONTROL RIGHTS

The Company operates a number of employee 
share schemes. Under some of those schemes, 
ordinary shares may be held by trustees on 
behalf of employees. Employees are not 
entitled to exercise directly any voting or  
other control rights in respect of any shares 
held by such trustees. The trustees have full 
discretion to vote or abstain from voting at 
general meetings of the Company in respect  
of such shares.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

109

facilities in the Netherlands including those 
representing the Commercial Netherlands, 
Hazardous Waste and Monostreams Divisions. 
The event provided an opportunity; to explain 
Renewi’s business and showcase some high 
quality assets; to meet Renewi’s leadership 
team; to provide an update on core markets 
and strategy and provide clarity around 
Renewi’s growth journey. Presentation 
materials from the event are available on  
the Renewi website. 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice of the AGM of the Company to be held at 
the offices of Ashurst LLP, Broadwalk House,  
5 Appold Street, London EC2A 2HA on 
Thursday, 12 July 2018 at 11.00am will be made 
available to shareholders, together with a 
form of proxy, and will also be available on the 
Company website at www.renewiplc.com. The 
directors consider that all the AGM resolutions 
are in the best interests of the Company 
and they recommend unanimously that all 
shareholders vote in favour, as they intend to 
do in respect of their own shareholdings.

By order of the Board 

Philip Griffin-Smith  
Company Secretary 
24 May 2018

Renewi plc 
Registered in Scotland no. SC077438

GOVERNANCE | OTHER DISCLOSURES CONTINUED

RETAIL BONDS

As at 31 March 2018 the Company had in issue 
two Retail Bonds: the first, comprising €100m 
4.23% guaranteed notes due 30 July 2019; 
and the second, comprising €100m 3.65% 
guaranteed notes due 16 June 2022. There 
are no restrictions under the instruments 
governing these notes that restrict the rights 
of investors to hold or transfer them. The 
Company is not aware of any agreements 
between the holders of the notes that may 
result in restrictions on their transfer.

The rules of the Company’s employee share 
plans provide that awards and options may 
vest and become exercisable on a change of 
control of the Company.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Group spent £556,000 (2017: £44,000) on 
research and development during the year. 
This primarily related to a number of projects 
undertaken by the Monostreams Division, 
including research into the recovery and use 
of materials from incinerator bottom ash, 
geopolymer technologies and bioplastics. 

CHANGE OF CONTROL –  
SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS

POLITICAL DONATIONS

The Group’s principal financing instrument 
at 31 March 2018, a €575m multi-currency 
revolving credit facility and term loan with 
six major banks, contains an option for 
those banks to declare by notice that all 
sums outstanding under that agreement are 
repayable immediately in the event of a change 
of control of the Company. Any such notice 
may take effect no earlier than 30 days from  
the change of control and, if exercised at 
31 March 2018, would have required the 
repayment of £291.6m (2016: £279.6m) in 
principal and interest.

The Group’s Retail Bonds issued in July 2013 
and in June 2015 require notice to be given to 
bondholders within seven business days of a 
change of control following which the holders 
have an option to seek repayment at a 1% 
premium, within 60 days of that notice. Such 
repayment must be made within ten business 
days of the expiry of the option period. If 
exercised at 31 March 2018, repayment of 
£182.1m (2016: £177.6m) in principal and 
interest would have been required.

No donations were made by the Group for 
political purposes during the financial year 
(2017: £nil).

NOTIFIABLE INTERESTS

The Company has been notified of direct and 
indirect interests in voting rights equal to or 
exceeding 3% of the ordinary share capital of 
the Company as set out in the table below.

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Renewi has an active investor relations 
programme to engage with institutional 
investors, analysts, press and other 
stakeholders. The Company uses a number 
of channels to do this including its AGM, 
face-to-face meetings, roadshows, analyst 
workshops, videos, presentations, reports 
and its corporate website. During the year the 
Company hosted a successful Capital Markets 
event in the Netherlands for institutional 
investors and analysts. This was held in 
September 2017 at a number of Renewi’s 

NOTIFIABLE INTERESTS

Notifications received up to 24 May 2018

Number of  
shares

Issued share  
capital %

Kabouter Management LLC

Avenue Europe International Management LP

FMR LLC

Paradice Investment Management LLC

Cross Ocean Partners

Neptune Investment Management Limited 

Sterling Strategic Value Fund

97,571,428

45,946,642

41,620,714

40,898,333

34,079,882

29,925,720

25,675,000

12.19

5.74

5.20

5.11

4.26

3.74

3.21

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For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

 
 
DIRECTORS’
RESPONSIBILITIES
STATEMENT

The Directors are responsible for 
preparing the Annual Report, the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report 
and the financial statements in 
accordance with applicable law 
and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare 
financial statements for each financial year. 
Under that law the Directors have prepared 
the Group and parent company financial 
statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted by the European Union. 

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 loss of the Group and 
parent company 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 IFRSs as 

adopted by the European Union have 
been followed for the Group and 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 responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that are 
sufficient to show and explain the Group 
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 and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation.

 ` The Group financial statements, which have 
been prepared in accordance with IFRSs 
as adopted by the European Union, give a 
true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position and loss of the Group; 

 ` The Overview and Strategic Report include 

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 it faces; 

 ` There is no relevant audit information of 
which the Group and parent company’s 
auditors are unaware; and

 ` They have taken all the steps that they 

ought to have taken as a director in order 
to make themselves aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that the 
Group and parent company’s auditors are 
aware of that information. 

By order of the Board 

Philip Griffin-Smith  
Company Secretary 
24 May 2018

Renewi plc 
Registered in Scotland no. SC077438

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 the 
maintenance and integrity of the parent 
company’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 annual 
report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, 
balanced and understandable and provides 
the information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Group and parent company’s 
performance, business model and strategy.

Each of the Directors whose names and 
functions are listed on pages 80 and 81 of the 
Annual Report confirm that, to the best of their 
knowledge:

 ` The parent company financial statements, 
which have been prepared in accordance 
with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union, give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities, financial position and loss 
of the company;

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

111

 
 
GOVERNANCE 

INDEPENDENT 
AUDITORS’ REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF 
RENEWI PLC

Report on the audit of the financial statements

OPINION

In our opinion, Renewi plc’s Group financial 
statements and parent company financial 
statements (the ‘financial statements’):

 Î Give a true and fair view of the state of the 
group’s and of the parent company’s affairs 
as at 31 March 2018 and of the group’s loss 
and the group’s and the parent company’s 
cash flows for the year then ended;

 Î Have been properly prepared in accordance 
with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union and, as regards the parent company’s 
financial statements, as applied in 
accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006; and

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

We have audited the financial statements, 
included within the Annual Report, which 
comprise: the consolidated and parent 
company balance sheet as at 31 March 2018; 
the consolidated income statement and 
consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, the consolidated and parent company 
statements of cash flows, and the consolidated 
and 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 
to the group or the parent company.

Other than those disclosed in note 3.2 to  
the financial statements, we have provided  
no non-audit services to the group or the 
parent company in the period from 1 April  
2017 to 31 March 2018.

OUR AUDIT APPROACH

Overview
 ` Overall group materiality: £7.5m (2017: 
£3.8m), based on 0.5% of revenue.

 ` Overall parent company materiality: £5.2m 
(2017: £3.8m), based on 1% of net assets.

Audit scope
 ` We performed an audit over the complete 
financial information of five out of the 
seven reporting units being Hazardous 
Waste, Netherlands Commercial, Belgium 
Commercial, UK Municipal and Group 
Central Services divisions. Additional 
analytical reviews and specified audit 
procedures were performed over 
the remaining reporting units, being 
Monostreams and Canada Municipal.

 ` We obtained coverage of approximately 

88% of the Group’s revenue and 81% of the 
Group’s underlying profit before tax from 
the audit procedures performed on full 
scope components. 

Key audit matters
 ` Fraud and error in revenue recognition.

 ` Impairment of tangible and intangible 

assets.

 ` PFI contract accounting.

 ` PFI onerous contracts.

 ` Accounting for other provisions.

 ` Accounting for taxation.

 ` Presentation of non-trading and exceptional 

items.

The scope of our audit
As part of designing our audit, we determined 
materiality and assessed the risks of material 
misstatement in the financial statements. In 
particular, we looked at where the directors 
made subjective judgements, for example in 
respect of significant accounting estimates that 
involved making assumptions and considering 
future events that are inherently uncertain. 

We gained an understanding of the legal 
and regulatory framework applicable to the 
group and the industry in which it operates, 
and considered the risk of acts by the group 

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that were contrary to applicable laws and 
regulations, including fraud. We designed 
audit procedures at group and significant 
component level to respond to the risk, 
recognising that 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. We focused on laws and regulations 
that could give rise to a material misstatement 
in the group and parent company financial 
statements, including, but not limited to, 
the Companies Act 2006, the Listing Rules, 
Pensions legislation, UK tax legislation 
and equivalent local laws and regulations 
applicable to significant component teams. 
Our tests included, but were not limited to, 
review of the financial statement disclosures 
to underlying supporting documentation, 
enquiries of management and review of 
significant component auditors’ work. There 
are inherent limitations in the audit procedures 
described above and the further removed non-
compliance with laws and regulations is from 
the events and transactions reflected in the 
financial statements, the less likely we would 
become aware of it.

We did not identify any key audit matters 
relating to irregularities, including fraud. As 
in all of our audits we also addressed the risk 
of management override of internal controls, 
including testing journals and evaluating 
whether there was evidence of bias by the 
directors that represented a risk of material 
misstatement due to fraud. 

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. 

KEY AUDIT MATTER

HOW OUR AUDIT ADDRESSED  
THE KEY AUDIT MATTER

Fraud and error in revenue recognition
The nature of the Group’s performance 
obligations under revenue contracts 
varies from business to business and from 
customer to customer. In Netherlands 
Commercial and Belgium Commercial 
a number of contracts give rise to an 
obligation to process waste received. In 
the Hazardous Waste division, the majority 
of the contracts give rise to an obligation 
to process waste received. Where such 
obligations exist, revenue is deferred when 
invoices to customers are raised in advance 
of processing the waste. The calculation 
of deferred revenue in the Hazardous 
Waste Division is based on a number of 
assumptions and judgements, principally 
in relation to the quantity of unprocessed 
material on site at the year end, which 
impact the quantum of revenue recognised 
in the year.

At 31 March 2018 the Group has £44.6m of 
deferred revenue on its balance sheet. See 
note 4.8 to the financial statements.

We assessed the accuracy of management’s 
calculation of deferred revenue, which is 
calculated based on waste tonnages and 
pricing, by:

 Î Attending year-end inventory counts of 
unprocessed waste to test the existence 
and completeness of waste tonnages at 
year-end;

 Î Considering the reasonableness of 

management’s assumptions included 
in the calculation of deferred revenue 
by benchmarking data points used by 
management to external sources of 
information;

 Î Performing substantive tests of detail 
on the pricing of individual waste 
components by tracing to invoices raised 
to customers; and

 Î Re-performing management’s calculation 

of deferred revenue at year-end.

Due to the varying nature of the Group’s 
contractual obligations and the judgemental 
nature of the amount of unprocessed 
material on site at the year-end, we have 
focused effort on this area to address the 
risk of undetected material errors in the 
recording of revenue and deferred revenue. 

Having performed the procedures  
above we were satisfied that the 
assumptions and judgements taken by 
management in calculating quantities 
of unprocessed waste at year-end were 
supportable and that appropriate prices 
had been used to calculate the deferred 
revenue balance.

Impairment of tangible and  
intangible assets
At 31 March 2018, the Group had £606.3m of 
goodwill and intangible assets and £623.0m 
of tangible assets on the Group balance 
sheet. See notes 4.1 and 4.2 to the financial 
statements respectively.

The Group is required to annually assess 
the carrying value of goodwill by calculating 
the recoverable amount based on the 
future cash flow estimates of the relevant 
cash generating unit (CGU). As a result of 
performing value in use calculations, no 
goodwill impairment charges have been 
recorded by the Group for the year ended 
31 March 2018. We focused on this area 
because the value in use calculations 

For all CGUs, we obtained the 
discounted cash flow forecasts prepared 
by management. Details of the key 
assumptions included in the cash flow 
forecasts prepared by the Group are 
included in notes 4.1 and 4.2.

We evaluated the reasonability of the future 
cash flow forecasts by comparing them 
with the latest Board approved budgets 
and considering the historic accuracy of 
management’s forecasts by comparing 
prior year forecasts to actual outturn.

Further, we challenged management on:

 Î Forecast revenue growth rates and 

trading margins for the CGUs over the 
period of the forecasts;

For customers: www.renewi.com

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113

GOVERNANCE | INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

KEY AUDIT MATTER

HOW OUR AUDIT ADDRESSED  
THE KEY AUDIT MATTER

include key assumptions and judgements in the calculation of the 
recoverable amounts, namely forecast revenue growth rates, trading 
margin, the long term growth rate and discount rate assumptions. 

 Î The key assumptions for long term growth rates in the forecasts 
by comparing them with historical results and economic and 
industry forecasts; and

Separate to the consideration of the carrying value of goodwill, the 
Group must also consider whether any indicators of impairment 
have been identified in relation to other intangible assets subject to 
amortisation and tangible assets subject to depreciation in CGUs 
without goodwill.

Accordingly, we focused on this area because the consideration of 
whether indicators of impairment exist in CGUs without goodwill is 
judgemental.

An impairment charge of £3.0m has been recognised against 
plant and equipment, of which £1.8m relates to the fires in the 
Netherlands and Belgium and £1.2m in the commercial division as 
part of the synergy delivery programme.

A further £3.2m impairment has been recognised against intangibles, 
relating to £1.9m of contract right intangibles in UK Municipal as it 
has been determined they are no longer recoverable, and £1.3m 
of software intangibles in the Commercial Division due to the 
integration plans.

We focused on these impairments to verify whether the  
assumptions used in determining the quantum of the  
asset impairments were appropriate.

 Î The discount rate used. Specifically, we recalculated the Group’s 

weighted average cost of capital using market comparable 
information and compared it to the rate calculated by 
management.

 Î We also performed sensitivity analysis on the discounted cash 
flow forecasts and on the ability of the Group to generate the 
forecast cash flows. Having ascertained the extent of change in 
those assumptions that either individually or collectively would 
be required for the goodwill, intangible and/or tangible assets to 
be impaired, we considered the likelihood of such a movement in 
those key assumptions arising and whether this would impact the 
assessment that no impairment is recognised for the year ended 
31 March 2018.

For all CGUs with goodwill, we were satisfied that the carrying value 
of goodwill was supported by the value in use calculations and no 
impairment charge was required.

PFI contract accounting
The Group has the operating contracts for seven PFI contracts  
in the UK – A&B, D&G, Derby, ELWA, Cumbria, Derbyshire, BDR  
and Wakefield.

See below for discussion of onerous contracts.

We have considered the appropriateness of the additions to the 
financial asset in Surrey which primarily relate to rectification works 
that are required to bring the plant into an operable state. We have 
confirmed that these represent the fair value of construction services 
and therefore have been appropriately added to the financial asset, 
in line with IFRC 12.

Separately, the Group is the primary obligor in connection with 
the construction and delivery of a waste management facility in 
Surrey Canada. The key accounting judgements and estimates that 
management have applied in accounting for PFI/PPP contracts are 
disclosed in note 4.4.

PFI onerous contracts
As disclosed in note 4.9 to the financial statements, the Group has 
onerous contract provisions of £95.9m in the Municipal division. In 
2018 a provision was recognised in relation to Wakefield, and there 
was an increase to the BDR operating contract provision. There were 
also further increases to the D&G provision.

Our audit work on provisions focused on:

 Î Reading significant contracts entered into by the Group to 
determine whether any other contracts, other than those 
identified by management, are onerous;

Due to their nature, these provisions are judgemental. Where an 
onerous contract provision is recognised, the amount recognised 
is based on assumptions and estimates to calculate the expected 

 Î Reading Board minutes to identify any relevant matters reported 

to the Board; and

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Annual Report and Accounts 2018

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KEY AUDIT MATTER

HOW OUR AUDIT ADDRESSED  
THE KEY AUDIT MATTER

returns from the operating agreements over the life of the 
agreement. These include the level of anticipated operational 
efficiency, the cost base required, consumer behaviour  
regarding waste and recycling, and the use of an appropriate  
risk free discount rate.

Accounting for other provisions
The Group operates in different jurisdictions and in an industry 
that is heavily regulated and subject to change. Non-compliance 
with laws and regulations has the potential to lead to litigation and 
associated financial or reputational damage.

In addition to onerous contracts discussed above, as disclosed in 
note 4.9 to the financial statements, the Group has long term landfill 
provisions for site restoration and aftercare of £117.1m at  
31 March 2018. Separately the Group has other provisions of £29.8m 
principally comprising restructuring obligations, dilapidations, long-
service employee awards, legal claims, warranties and indemnities.

Due to their nature, these provisions are judgemental. Changes to 
the environment in which the Group operates can impact both the 
amounts required to settle the provision and the period over which 
the provision is recognised. 

 Î Discussions with management to understand the basis of the 

calculation of the provision.

We reviewed the reasonableness of management’s models which were 
used to estimate the expected returns on the operating agreements. 
We did this by considering the estimation accuracy of management’s 
forecasts in light of actual outturn in the year and our knowledge of 
current market conditions. Further, we challenged management on the 
forecast levels of operational efficiency, the estimated level of forecast 
costs required to deliver that operational performance, their views 
on future consumer behaviour and the impact that may have on the 
calculations, as well as the discount rate used.

Based on this work, we concluded that management’s forecasts were 
reasonable and that where provisions were recognised, these had been 
calculated on an appropriate basis.

Our audit work on provisions focused on:

 Î Understanding the processes and controls in place to ensure 

compliance and a discussion of any instances of non-compliance 
in the year with management;

 Î Reading significant contracts entered into by the Group to 
determine whether any other contracts, other than those 
identified by management, are onerous;

 Î Reading Board minutes to identify any relevant matters reported 

to the Board;

 Î Meeting with in-house legal counsel to determine the status of 

known claims against the Group and assess the appropriateness 
of the associated provisions held; and

 Î Discussions with management to understand the basis of the 

calculation of the provision.

In addition to the procedures above, for the Group’s long term 
landfill provisions we specifically:

 Î Considered the estimation accuracy of the forecast spend on 

which the provision is based on our knowledge of the industry, the 
sites and contracts involved; and

 Î Considered the appropriateness of the discount rates applied to 
the forecast future cash flows in light of market risk free rates and 
the nature of the risks in the future cash flows.

Having performed the procedures above we found that the  
key assumptions applied to each provision, which differed 
depending on the nature of and duration of the provision,  
were appropriately supported. 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

115

GOVERNANCE | INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

KEY AUDIT MATTER

HOW OUR AUDIT ADDRESSED  
THE KEY AUDIT MATTER

Accounting for taxation
The Group has recognised £19.0m of a total potential deferred tax 
asset of £59.2m in respect of historic losses as at 31 March 2018. See 
note 3.5 to the financial statements.

As part of our work on deferred tax, we have considered the 
appropriateness of management’s assumptions and estimates in 
relation to the likelihood of generating suitable future taxable profits 
to support the recognition of deferred tax assets.

The amount of deferred tax assets recognised is judgemental and  
is determined by reference to future forecasts of taxable profits.  
In the current year, the Group has increased the level of deferred  
tax asset recognised on historic losses with a corresponding  
change in deferred tax assets on temporary differences mainly  
due to the changes in the new UK corporate tax loss relief rules.  
Future forecasts of taxable profits remained largely unchanged.

Presentation of non-trading and exceptional items
The Group presents two measures of performance in the Income 
Statement; statutory and underlying, the latter after adjusting for 
certain items of income or expense as management believes these 
measures provide additional useful information on the underlying 
trends, performance and position of the Group.

The determination of which items of income or expense are 
classified as exceptional or non-trading is subject to judgement and 
therefore users of the accounts could be misled if amounts are not 
classified appropriately.

A description of the amounts presented as non-trading or 
exceptional is included in note 3.4 to the financial statements.

.

Specifically we assessed:

 Î Board approved budgets and forecasts against historic 

performance by legal entity;

 Î Whether taxable differences result in taxable amounts against 

which unused tax losses can be utilised; and

 Î The historic level of utilisation of deferred tax assets.

Having performed the procedures above we consider that the 
assumptions applied in the recognition of deferred tax assets at  
31 March 2018 were reasonable.

We considered the appropriateness of the amounts classified as 
non-trading and exceptional. In order to do this we considered:

 Î The Group’s accounting policy on exceptional and non- 

trading items; and

 Î Pronouncements by the Financial Reporting Council on  

this matter.

We challenged management on the appropriateness of the 
classification of such items being mindful that classification 
should be even handed between gains and losses, the basis for the 
classification clearly disclosed, and applied consistently from one 
year to the next.

Our work highlighted certain items that management had classified 
as exceptional which were judgemental. Having considered the 
nature and quantum of these items, overall we are satisfied that the 
presentation of non-trading and exceptional items in the financial 
statements for the year ended 31 March 2018 is appropriate.

We determined that there were no key audit 
matters applicable to the parent company to 
communicate in our report.

accounting processes and controls, and the 
industry in which they operate.

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 

The Group’s accounting function is structured 
into local or regional finance centres for 
each of the territories in which the Group 
operates. These functions maintain their own 
accounting records and controls and reports to 
the head office finance team in Milton Keynes 
UK through integrated consolidation system.

The Group financial statements are a 
consolidation of seven reporting units 
being Netherlands Commercial, Belgium 
Commercial, Hazardous Waste, UK Municipal, 
Canada Municipal, Monostreams and Group 
Central Services. Of the Group’s seven 
reporting units, we identified Netherlands 
Commercial, Belgium Commercial, Hazardous 
Waste, UK Municipal and Group Central 
Services which, in our view, required an audit 

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of their complete financial information due to 
their size compared to the Group.

Additional procedures were performed over 
non-reporting components, which included 
specified procedures and analytical review.

In establishing the overall approach to the 
Group audit, we determined the type of work 
that needed to be performed at the reporting 
units by us, as the Group engagement team 
(who were also responsible for the audit of 
the Municipal reporting unit), or component 
auditors from other PwC network firms 
operating under our instruction. Where the 
work was performed by our component  

audit teams we determined the level of 
involvement we needed to have in the audit 
work at those reporting units to be able to 
conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit 
evidence had been obtained as a basis for our 
opinion on the Group financial statements as  
a whole. This included attendance at a 
planning day held with the component 
teams in Eindhoven as well as attendance 
by the Group engagement team at the 
clearance meetings held for the Netherlands 
Commercial, Belgium Commercial, Hazardous 
Waste and Monostreams reporting units and  
a review of the audit working papers of  
our component teams by the Group 
engagement team.

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by 
our application of materiality. We set certain 
quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, 
together with qualitative considerations, 
helped us to determine the scope of our 
audit and the nature, timing and extent of our 
audit procedures on the individual financial 
statement line items and disclosures and in 
evaluating the effect of misstatements, both 
individually and in aggregate on the financial 
statements as a whole.

Based on our professional judgement, we 
determined materiality for the financial 
statements as a whole as follows:

Group financial statements

Parent company financial statements

Overall materiality

£7.5m (2017: £3.8m)

How we determined it

0.5% of revenue.

£5.2m (2017: £3.8m)

1% of net assets.

Rationale for 
benchmark applied

Given the growth of the Group through the acquisition of Van 
Gansewinkel Groep BV in prior year, we considered that the 
benchmark applied historically did not adequately reflect 
the scale of the enlarged Group’s operations. In determining 
materiality for 2018, we considered a range of benchmarks, 
including underlying profit before tax, EBITDA and revenue. 
This resulted in an indicative overall materiality ranging up to 
£14.7m. In our professional judgement, we concluded that an 
appropriate level of materiality for the 2018 audit would be 
neither at the upper nor lower end of the range. Therefore, we 
selected an overall materiality level of £7.5m which equates to 
0.5% of revenue for the year. 

We believe that net assets is the primary measure used by 
the shareholders in assessing the performance of the parent 
company, and is a generally accepted auditing benchmark. 
In determining materiality for 2018, we considered a range 
of benchmarks including total assets which we felt inflated 
materiality and as such have chosen a net asset materiality  
for 2018. 

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 £3.0m and £6.9m. 
Certain components were audited to a local 

statutory audit materiality that was also less 
than our overall group materiality.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that 
we would report to them misstatements 
identified during our audit above £365,000 

(Group audit) (2017: £200,000) and £259,000 
(parent company audit) (2017: £200,000) as 
well as misstatements below those amounts 
that, in our view, warranted reporting for 
qualitative reasons.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

117

GOVERNANCE | INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

Going concern
In accordance with ISAs (UK) we report as follows:

Reporting obligation

Outcome

We are required to report if we have anything material to add or draw 
attention to in respect of the directors’ statement in the financial statements 
about whether the directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements and the 
directors’ identification of any material uncertainties to the group’s and the 
parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern over a period of at 
least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements.

We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. However, because 
not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a 
guarantee as to the group’s and parent company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern.

We are required to report if the directors’ statement relating to Going 
Concern in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent 
with our knowledge obtained in the audit.

We have nothing to report.

Reporting on other information 
The other information comprises all of the 
information in the Annual Report other than 
the financial statements and our auditors’ 
report thereon. The directors are responsible 
for the other information. Our opinion on 
the financial statements does not cover the 
other information and, accordingly, we do 
not express an audit opinion or, except to the 
extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, 
any form of assurance thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial 
statements, our responsibility is to read 
the other information and, in doing so, 

consider whether the other information is 
materially inconsistent with the financial 
statements or our knowledge obtained in the 
audit, or otherwise appears to be materially 
misstated. If we identify an apparent material 
inconsistency or material misstatement, we are 
required to perform procedures to conclude 
whether there is a material misstatement 
of the financial statements or a material 
misstatement of the other information. If, 
based on the work we have performed, we 
conclude that there is a material misstatement 
of this other information, we are required to 
report that fact. We have nothing to report 
based on these responsibilities.

With respect to the Strategic Report and 
Directors’ Report, we also considered whether 
the disclosures required by the UK Companies 
Act 2006 have been included. 

Based on the responsibilities described above 
and our work undertaken in the course of the 
audit, the Companies Act 2006 (CA06), ISAs 
(UK) and the Listing Rules of the Financial 
Conduct Authority (FCA) require us also 
to report certain opinions and matters as 
described below (required by ISAs (UK) unless 
otherwise stated).

STRATEGIC REPORT AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT  
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report 
for the year ended 31 March 2018 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal 
requirements. (CA06)

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and 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. (CA06)

118

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

THE DIRECTORS’ ASSESSMENT OF THE PROSPECTS OF THE GROUP AND OF THE PRINCIPAL  
RISKS THAT WOULD THREATEN THE SOLVENCY OR LIQUIDITY OF THE GROUP  
We have nothing material to add or draw attention to regarding:

 Î The directors’ confirmation on page 79 of the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 

the group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity.

 Î The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated.

 Î The directors’ explanation on page 79 of the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the group, over what period 
they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a reasonable 
expectation that the group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, 
including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

We have nothing to report having performed a review of the directors’ statement that they have carried out a robust assessment of the 
principal risks facing the group and statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the group. Our review was substantially less in scope 
than an audit and only consisted of making inquiries and considering the directors’ process supporting their statements; checking that the 
statements are in alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”); and considering whether the 
statements are consistent with the knowledge and understanding of the group and parent company and their environment obtained in the 
course of the audit. (Listing Rules)

OTHER CODE PROVISIONS  
We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when: 

 Î The statement given by the directors, on page 111, that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced and 

understandable, and provides the information necessary for the members to assess the group’s and parent company’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the group and parent company obtained in 
the course of performing our audit.

 Î The section of the Annual Report on page 86 describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 

communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

 Î 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

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION  
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006. (CA06)

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 set out on page 
111, 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. 

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.

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

119

GOVERNANCE | INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

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:

 Î We have not received all the information and explanations we require for  

our audit; or

 Î 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

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

 Î The parent company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ 

Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with  
the accounting records and returns. 

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 1994 to audit the financial statements for 
the year ended 31 March 1995 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is 24 years, covering the years 
ended 31 March 1995 to 31 March 2018.

Matthew Mullins 
(Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
London
24 May 2018

120

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

121

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 
For the year ended 31 March 2018 

2018
Non
 trading & 
exceptional 
items
£m
–
(70.7)
(70.7)
(30.8)
(101.5)
–
–
–
(101.5)
15.0
(86.5)

Trading
£m
1,565.7
(1,276.9)
288.8
(219.7)
69.1
12.3
(32.2)
2.3
51.5
(13.0)
38.5

Total
£m
1,565.7
(1,347.6)
218.1
(250.5)
(32.4)
12.3
(32.2)
2.3
(50.0)
2.0
(48.0)

2017 
Non 
 trading & 
exceptional 
items 
£m 
– 
(43.3) 
(43.3) 
(32.2) 
(75.5) 
– 
(11.6) 
– 
(87.1) 
6.4 
(80.7) 

Trading 
£m 
779.2 
(653.3) 
125.9 
(89.4) 
36.5 
10.3 
(23.1) 
2.0 
25.7 
(5.9) 
19.8 

Total
£m
779.2
(696.6)
82.6
(121.6)
(39.0)
10.3
(34.7)
2.0
(61.4)
0.5
(60.9)

(0.1)
38.4

0.5
(86.0)

0.4
(47.6)

– 
19.8 

(0.5) 
(81.2) 

(0.5)
(61.4)

38.0
0.4
38.4

(85.8)
(0.2)
(86.0)

(47.8)
0.2
(47.6)

20.1 
(0.3) 
19.8 

3.7 
– 
3.7 

3.7 
– 

3.7 

(81.2) 
– 
(81.2) 

(15.0) 
(0.1) 
(15.1) 

(15.0) 
(0.1) 

(15.1) 

(61.1)
(0.3)
(61.4)

(11.3)
(0.1)
(11.4)

(11.3)
(0.1)

(11.4)

Revenue 
Cost of sales 
Gross profit (loss) 
Administrative expenses 
Operating profit (loss) 
Finance income 
Finance charges 
Share of results from associates and joint ventures 
Profit (loss) before taxation 
Taxation 
Profit (loss) for the year from continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
(Loss) profit for the year from discontinued operations 
Profit (loss) for the year 

Attributable to: 
Owners of the parent 
Non-controlling interests 

Note

2

3.4

3.4

2,3.4

5.4

5.4

4.3

3.5

6.2

5.9

(6.0)
–
(6.0)

(6.0)
–

(6.0)

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to owners of the parent (pence per share) 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

3.6

3.6

4.8
–
4.8

(10.8)
–
(10.8)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to owners of the parent (pence per share) 
(10.8)
Continuing operations 
–
Discontinued operations 

4.8
–

3.6

3.6

The notes on pages 127 to 180 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

4.8

(10.8)

 122 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
For the year ended 31 March 2018 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange differences on translation of foreign subsidiaries
Fair value movement on cash flow hedges 
Deferred tax on fair value movement on cash flow hedges
Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:
Actuarial gain (loss) on defined benefit pension schemes
Deferred tax on actuarial gain (loss) on defined benefit pension schemes

Note 

5.5 

3.5 

4.3 

7.2 

3.5 

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax
Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Attributable to: 
Owners of the parent 
Non-controlling interests 
Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Total comprehensive loss attributable to owners of the parent arising from:
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

The notes on pages 127 to 180 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

2018
£m

7.3
7.2
(1.5)
0.7
13.7

3.0
(0.6)
2.4

16.1
(47.6)
(31.5)

(32.3)
0.8
(31.5)

(32.7)
0.4
(32.3)

2017
£m

14.7
1.3
(0.7)
0.3
15.6

(10.7)
1.7
(9.0)

6.6
(61.4)
(54.8)

(54.3)
(0.5)
(54.8)

(53.8)
(0.5)
(54.3)

123

 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 
As at 31 March 2018 

Assets 
Non-current assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Investments 
Loans to associates and joint ventures  
Financial assets relating to PFI/PPP contracts
Trade and other receivables 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deferred tax assets 

Current assets 
Inventories 
Loans to associates and joint ventures 
Financial assets relating to PFI/PPP contracts
Trade and other receivables 
Derivative financial instruments 
Current tax receivable 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Assets classified as held for sale 

Total assets 
Liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings – PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt
Borrowings – Other 
Derivative financial instruments 
Other non-current liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Provisions 
Defined benefit pension schemes deficit 

Current liabilities 
Borrowings – PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt
Borrowings – Other 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other payables 
Current tax payable 
Provisions 

Total liabilities 
Net assets 
Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium 
Exchange reserve 
Retained earnings 
Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests 
Total equity 

31 March 
2018 
£m 

606.3 
623.0 
16.7 
13.9 
166.4 
4.6 
0.5 
24.9 
1,456.3 

23.3 
5.9 
13.5 
257.8 
1.4 
0.1 
63.9 
365.9 
0.3 
366.2 
1,822.5 

(81.7) 
(489.7) 
(29.1) 
(6.9) 
(62.9) 
(201.7) 
(22.3) 
(894.3) 

(1.2) 
(12.9) 
(0.1) 
(472.1) 
(18.4) 
(41.1) 
(545.8) 
(1,440.1) 
382.4 

80.0 
377.4 
46.2 
(126.5) 
377.1 
5.3 
382.4 

Restated*
31 March
2017
£m

585.7
615.9
15.8
14.2
165.5
3.1
0.3
31.3
1,431.8

19.9
5.7
13.3
234.7
–
0.1
74.9
348.6
0.3
348.9
1,780.7

(85.0)
(482.4)
(30.0)
(5.1)
(77.5)
(146.9)
(26.9)
(853.8)

(2.1)
(16.4)
(0.8)
(410.8)
(14.4)
(45.0)
(489.5)
(1,343.3)
437.4

79.9
377.2
39.1
(63.3)
432.9
4.5
437.4

Note

4.1
4.2
4.3
4.3
4.4
4.7
5.5
3.5

4.6
4.3
4.4
4.7
5.5

5.2

6.3

5.3
5.3
5.5
4.8
3.5
4.9
7.2

5.3
5.3
5.5
4.8

4.9

5.9
5.9

5.9

*The balance sheet as at 31 March 2017 has been restated for acquisition accounting adjustments in relation to the Van Gansewinkel Groep (VGG) acquisition. 

The notes on pages 127 to 180 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.  

The Financial Statements on pages 122 to 180 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 24 May 2018. They were 
signed on its behalf by: 

Colin Matthews 

Toby Woolrych 

Chairman 

Chief Financial Officer 

124 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
For the year ended 31 March 2018 

Balance at 1 April 2017 
(Loss) profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income (loss): 
Exchange gain on translation of foreign subsidiaries
Fair value movement on cash flow hedges 
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension schemes
Tax in respect of other comprehensive income items
Share of other comprehensive income of investments 
accounted for using the equity method 
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year 

Share-based compensation
Movement on tax arising on share-based compensation
Proceeds from exercise of employee options 
Own shares purchased by the Employee Share Trust
Dividends 
Balance as at 31 March 2018

Balance at 1 April 2016 
Loss for the year 
Other comprehensive income (loss): 
Exchange gain on translation of foreign subsidiaries
Fair value movement on cash flow hedges 
Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension schemes
Tax in respect of other comprehensive income items
Share of other comprehensive income of investments 
accounted for using the equity method 
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year 

Share-based compensation
Movement on tax arising on share-based compensation
Proceeds from share issues, net of transaction costs
Issue of ordinary shares in consideration for a  
business combination 
Proceeds from exercise of employee options 
Non-controlling interest on acquisition of a subsidiary
Dividends 
Balance as at 31 March 2017

Share
capital
£m
79.9
–

Share
premium
£m
377.2
–

Exchange 
reserve 
£m 
39.1 
– 

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
0.1
–
–
80.0

39.8
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
21.1

19.0
–
–
–
79.9

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
0.2
–
–
377.4

100.2
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
115.2

161.7
0.1
–
–
377.2

7.1 
– 
– 
– 

– 
7.1 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
46.2 

24.4 
– 

14.7 
– 
– 
– 

– 
14.7 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
39.1 

Restated*
Non-
controlling
interests 
£m
4.5
0.2

0.2
0.4
–
–

–
0.8

–
–
–
–
–
5.3

(2.0)
(0.3)

–
(0.2)
–
–

–
(0.5)

–
–
–

–
–
7.0
–
4.5

Retained 
earnings 
£m 
(63.3)
(47.8)

– 
6.8 
3.0 
(2.1)

0.7 
(39.4)

1.8 
(0.2)
– 
(1.0)
(24.4)
(126.5)

20.4 
(61.1)

– 
1.5 
(10.7)
1.0 

0.3 
(69.0)

0.5 
(0.1)
– 

– 
– 
– 
(15.1)
(63.3)

Total
equity
£m
437.4
(47.6)

7.3
7.2
3.0
(2.1)

0.7
(31.5)

1.8
(0.2)
0.3
(1.0)
(24.4)
382.4

182.8
(61.4)

14.7
1.3
(10.7)
1.0

0.3
(54.8)

0.5
(0.1)
136.3

180.7
0.1
7.0
(15.1)
437.4

Note

5.5
7.2
3.5

4.3

7.3
3.5
5.9
5.9
5.10

5.5
7.2
3.5

4.3

7.3
3.5
5.9

5.10

*The non-controlling interests as at 31 March 2017 have been restated for acquisition accounting adjustments in relation to the VGG acquisition. 

The notes on pages 127 to 180 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

The exchange reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising since 1 April 2005 from the translation of the financial statements of foreign 
operations as well as from the translation of liabilities that hedge the Group’s net investment in foreign operations. 

.

125

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
For the year ended 31 March 2018 

Loss before tax 
Finance income 
Finance charges 
Share of results from associates and joint ventures 
Operating loss from continuing operations
Operating profit (loss) from discontinued operations 
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment  
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Impairment of investments 
Increase in service concession arrangement receivable 
Exceptional loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Exceptional loss on disposal of subsidiaries 
Exceptional gain on insurance proceeds in relation to fires in the Netherlands and Belgium
Net increase in provisions 
Payments to fund defined benefit pension schemes deficit 
Share-based compensation 
Operating cash flows before movement in working capital 
Increase in inventories 
Increase in receivables 
Increase in payables 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Income tax paid 
Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Investing activities 
Purchases of intangible assets 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment 
Disposals of property, plant and equipment 
Exceptional disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Insurance proceeds in relation to fires in the Netherlands and Belgium
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired
Acquisition of business assets 
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary  
Receipt of deferred consideration 
Payment of deferred consideration 
Dividends received from associates and joint ventures 
Loans granted to associates and joint ventures
Repayments of loans granted to associates and joint ventures  
Outflows in respect of PFI/PPP arrangements under the financial asset model
Capital received in respect of PFI/PPP financial assets 
Finance income 
Net cash (outflow) inflow from investing activities 

Financing activities 
Finance charges and loan fees paid 
Proceeds from share issues 
Costs in relation to share issues 
Investment in own shares by the Employee Share Trust 
Dividends paid 
Repayment of the VGG loan and derivatives acquired as part of the business combination
Proceeds from bank borrowings 
Repayment of PFI/PPP net debt 
Repayments of obligations under finance leases 
Net cash (outflow) inflow from financing activities 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

The notes on pages 127 to 180 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

 126 

Note

4.1
4.2

4.3

7.3

6.1

4.3
4.3
4.3

5.9
5.9
5.9
5.10

5.2

2018 
£m 
(50.0) 
(12.3) 
32.2 
(2.3) 
(32.4) 
0.4 
15.9 
81.9 
2.1 
0.9 
(10.2) 
11.5 
– 
(5.1) 
45.6 
(3.1) 
1.8 
109.3 
(3.1) 
(17.0) 
39.2 
128.4 
(6.7) 
121.7 

(7.9) 
(77.3) 
4.2 
(3.8) 
3.6 
(5.6) 
(0.2) 
– 
0.2 
(0.6) 
1.3 
(0.1) 
0.2 
(2.0) 
4.0 
9.9 
(74.1) 

(26.8) 
0.3 
– 
(1.0) 
(24.4) 
– 
10.2 
(4.2) 
(13.3) 
(59.2) 

(11.6) 
0.6 
74.9 
63.9 

2017
£m
(61.4)
(10.3)
34.7
(2.0)
(39.0)
(0.5)
8.6
48.6
(0.5)
–
(19.6)
(0.5)
0.2
–
29.0
(3.1)
0.5
23.7
(1.5)
(4.1)
9.8
27.9
(5.3)
22.6

(7.0)
(37.0)
2.8
–
–
53.3
(1.1)
1.1
4.6
(1.3)
0.1
(18.5)
–
(2.1)
3.5
9.9
8.3

(28.9)
141.5
(5.1)
–
(15.1)
(289.5)
211.2
(4.0)
(3.2)
6.9

37.8
2.4
34.7
74.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Section 1. Basis of preparation 

This section provides general information about the Group and the accounting policies that apply to the consolidated financial 
statements as a whole. Accounting policies that are specific to a particular note are provided within the note to which they relate. 
This section also details the new or amended accounting standards adopted during the year as well as the anticipated impact of 
future changes to accounting standards that are not yet effective.  

Renewi plc is a public limited company listed on the London Stock Exchange and is incorporated and domiciled in Scotland under the 
Companies Act 2006, registered number SC077438. The address of the registered office is given on page 196. The nature of the Group’s 
operations and its principal activities are set out in section 2. 

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and related interpretations issued 
by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) adopted by the European Union (EU) and therefore comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS 
Regulation and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for derivative financial instruments, share-based 
payments and assets classified as held for sale, which are stated at fair value. The accounting policies adopted in the consolidated financial 
statements have been consistently applied. The Group has applied all accounting standards and interpretations issued relevant to its 
operations and effective for accounting periods beginning on 1 April 2017. The consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds 
sterling and all amounts are rounded to the nearest £0.1m unless otherwise stated. 

There were no new standards, amendments to standards or interpretations adopted for the first time for the Group’s financial year beginning  
1 April 2017 that had a significant impact on these financial statements. 

Comparative information 
The comparative information in the consolidated balance sheet for the year ended March 2017 has been restated for acquisition accounting 
adjustments in relation to the Van Gansewinkel Groep BV (VGG) acquisition in accordance with IFRS 3 Business Combinations, see note 6.1 for 
the impact of the restatement. 

Changes in presentation 
The Group changed the composition of its reporting segments from 1 April 2017, following the VGG acquisition which in the prior year was 
reported as a separate reportable segment. A new divisional structure has been created as a result of the merger of Shanks and VGG which is 
both market facing and customer-focused. Accordingly, the segmental information presented in these financial statements has been restated 
to reflect the information now provided to the chief operating decision maker in order to assess performance and to make decisions on 
allocating resources. The following changes have been made to the Group’s reportable segments as reported at 31 March 2017: 
  The Commercial Waste reportable segment comprises the former Shanks Commercial Divisions in the Netherlands and Belgium and the 

former VGG Collections Division in the Netherlands and Belgium.  

  The Hazardous Waste reportable segment comprises the former Shanks Hazardous Waste Division and now includes VGIS (previously Van 

Gansewinkel Industrial Services) and CFS (previously Van Gansewinkel CFS).  

  Monostreams is a new reportable segment which includes the three former businesses of the Recycling Division of VGG and the former Shanks 

Dutch Orgaworld business previously included in the Commercial Waste reportable segment. 

  The Group Central Services reportable segment comprises the former Shanks and former VGG corporate head office functions. 
  The Municipal reportable segment is unchanged. 

As required under IFRS 8 Operating Segments, the Group has restated the corresponding segment information for the prior year to enable 
comparisons to the new structure. 

Going concern 
Having assessed the principal risks and other matters in connection with the viability statement, the Directors consider it appropriate to adopt 
the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these consolidated financial statements. 

127

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted 
Standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) are only applicable if endorsed by the European 
Union. At the date of approval of these financial statements, the following standards and interpretations were in issue but not yet effective: 

Accounting standard 
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments 

Requirements 
This standard addresses the classification, 
measurement and recognition approaches for 
financial assets and liabilities and requires additional 
disclosures in relation to hedging activities. 

Impact on financial statements 
The Group has performed an initial assessment of the 
impact of this standard.  Following adoption of the 
standard, increased disclosures on hedging will be 
required, otherwise we do not expect 
implementation will have a material impact.  

IFRS 15 Revenue Recognition and 
IFRS 15 (amendment) 

Effective for periods beginning on or after  
1 April 2018. 
IFRS 15 applies to all contracts with customers 
excluding those covered by other IFRSs such as  
lease contracts, insurance contracts and financial 
instruments. 

Core principle of the standard: 
Recognise revenue to depict the transfer of goods or 
services to customers in an amount that reflects the 
consideration to which the entity expects to be 
entitled in exchange for those goods or services. 

The Group has performed an assessment of the 
impact of this standard. Adoption of the standard will 
not have a material impact on the Income Statement, 
operating profit will be unchanged but there will be a 
relatively minor increase in revenue and cost of sales 
in relation to non-cash consideration.  There will be 
no impact on the Balance sheet. 

IFRS 16 Leases 

Effective for periods beginning on or after  
1 April 2018. 
This standard changes the way leases are recognised, 
measured, presented and disclosed. Almost all 
operating leases will be recognised as a liability 
together with a corresponding “right of use asset”.  

Effective for periods beginning on or after  
1 April 2019. 

The Group is currently performing an assessment of 
this standard. It is expected to have a material impact 
on the Balance sheet as it will result in the Group 
recognising assets and lease liabilities. The assets will 
be depreciated and interest charged on the lease 
liabilities, which replaces the operating lease costs 
currently recognised in the Income Statement. This 
may initially result in the Group recognising a higher 
lease expense than the current operating lease cost. 
It is not expected to have a material impact on the 
Income Statement but the exact value will depend on 
the leases held in the future. The current level of 
operating leases held by the Group is disclosed in 
note 3.3.

There are no other IFRSs or IFRS IC interpretations not yet effective that would be expected to have a material impact on the Group and there 
were no new IFRSs or IFRS IC interpretations which were early adopted by the Group. 

 128 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 1. Basis of preparation continued 

Basis of consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of Renewi plc (the Company), all its subsidiary undertakings 
(subsidiaries) and the Group’s interests in joint ventures and associates.  

Subsidiaries are entities which are directly or indirectly controlled by the Group. Control exists where the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, 
variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. Where there  
is a non-controlling interest this is identified separately from the Group’s equity. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been adjusted where 
necessary to ensure consistency with those used by the Group. The results of subsidiaries acquired or sold during the year are included in the 
consolidated financial statements from or up to the date control passes. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are 
eliminated on consolidation.  

A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net assets of the 
arrangement. An associate is an entity, other than a subsidiary or joint venture, over which the Group has significant influence. Significant influence 
is the power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of an entity but is not in control or joint control over those policies. Investments 
in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognised at cost or, in the case of a 
disposal of the majority shareholding, at fair value. The cumulative post-acquisition profits or losses and movements in other comprehensive 
income are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment. When the Group’s share of losses exceeds the carrying amount of the joint 
venture or associate, the carrying amount is reduced to nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has 
incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the joint venture or associate. Accounting policies of associates and joint 
ventures have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies of the Group.  

Where the Group is party to a jointly-controlled operation, the Group proportionately accounts for its share of the income and expenditure, 
assets and liabilities and cash flows on a line-by-line basis in the consolidated financial statements. 

Equity investments in entities that are neither associates, joint ventures nor subsidiaries are held at cost, less any provision for impairment. 

Foreign currencies 
The financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the 
entity operates (the functional currency). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Sterling, which is the Group’s  
presentation currency. 

The results and financial position of all the Group entities that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are 
translated into the presentation currency of the Group as follows: 
  assets and liabilities at each balance sheet date are translated into Sterling at the closing year end exchange rate; 
 
 

income and expenses in each Income Statement are translated into Sterling at the average rate of exchange for the year; and 
the resulting exchange differences are recognised in the exchange reserve in other comprehensive income.  

Cumulative exchange differences are recognised in the Income Statement in the year in which an overseas subsidiary undertaking is disposed of. 

The most significant currencies for the Group were translated at the following exchange rates: 

Value of £1 
Euro 
Canadian Dollar 

31 March
2018
1.14
1.81

Closing rates
31 March
2017
1.17
1.67

Change
(2.4)%
8.5 %

31 March 
2018 
1.14 
1.71 

Average rates
31 March
2017
1.19
1.79

Change
(4.7)%
(4.1)%

The Group applies the hedge accounting principles of IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement relating to net investment 
hedging to offset the exchange differences arising on foreign currency denominated borrowings with the translation of foreign operations. Net 
investment hedges are accounted for by recognising exchange rate movements in the exchange reserve, with any hedge ineffectiveness being 
charged to the Income Statement in the period the ineffectiveness arises. 

129

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 1. Basis of preparation continued 

Critical accounting judgements and estimates 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that 
affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenditure. The areas involving a higher degree of 
judgement or complexity are set out below and in more detail in the related notes. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on 
factors that are considered to be relevant and are reviewed on an ongoing basis. 

Judgements in applying the Group's accounting policies 
Underlying business performance – The Group uses alternative performance measures as they believe these measures provide additional 
useful information on the underlying trends, performance and position of the Group. These measures are used by the Group for internal 
performance analysis and incentive compensation arrangements for employees. The term ‘underlying’ refers to the relevant measure being 
reported for continuing operations excluding non-trading and exceptional items, financing fair value remeasurements and amortisation of 
acquisition intangibles. These include underlying earnings before interest and tax (underlying EBIT), underlying profit before tax, underlying 
profit after tax, underlying free cash flow, underlying earnings per share and EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and 
amortisation). The terms ‘EBIT’, ‘exceptional items’ and ‘underlying’ are not defined terms under IFRS and may therefore not be comparable 
with similarly titled profit measures reported by other companies. They are not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP 
measurements of profit. ‘Underlying EBIT’ is defined as continuing operating profit before amortisation of acquisition intangibles and 
exceptional items. Landfill related expenses and provisioning are no longer an adjusting item in determining the Group’s EBITDA as it is part of 
the underlying business. A full list of alternative performance measures and non-IFRS measures together with reconciliations are set out on 
pages 182 to 183. 

PPP contracts in the Netherlands – Following the acquisition of VGG, the Group now participates in PPPs with local governments in the 
Netherlands with regard to waste collecting activities. The PPP entities are each 100% owned by the local government municipality with the 
Group wholly responsible for the management of the legal entity. In addition to 100% ownership by the municipality, the considerations taken 
into account in reaching this conclusion are that the municipality has the ability to direct the activities that significantly affect the investee’s 
returns through approval of budgets, investment plans and business plans and has the ability to terminate the operating agreement. The Group 
has considered all relevant factors in the contractual arrangements between the parties and has concluded that the municipality has control 
over the PPPs and therefore the PPP entities are not consolidated within the Group’s financial statements. 

Non-trading and exceptional items – Management uses judgement to determine items to be classified as non-trading and exceptional to 
enable a better understanding of the underlying financial performance of the Group. Further details are given in note 3.4. 

Estimates and assumptions 
Impairment of intangible assets – Impairment testing is carried out annually on a cash generating unit (CGU) level. The Group estimates the 
recoverable amount of a CGU using a value in use model by projecting future cash flows. Further details are given in note 4.1. 

Provisions – The Group has landfill related provisions of £117.1m (2017: £113.4m) and onerous contract provisions of £95.9m (2017: £46.1m),  
of which £89.2m (2017: £35.9m) relates to UK Municipal PPP/PFI long term contracts. These provisions are long term in nature and are based  
on the best estimate of the likely future cash flows discounted to present value. Further details are given in note 4.9. 

Defined benefit pension schemes – The calculation of the present value of the defined benefit pension schemes is determined by using 
actuarial valuations based on assumptions including discount rate, life expectancy and inflation rates. Further details are given in note 7.2. 

Taxation – Deferred tax assets based on unused tax losses are recognised based on management’s projections of future profits. Further details 
are given in note 3.5.  

 130 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 2. Segmental information 

This section shows the performance, net assets and other information on a segmental basis. The Group’s segmental reporting 
reflects the management structure which is aligned with the core activities of the Group.  

The Group’s chief operating decision maker is considered to be the Board of Directors. The Group’s reportable segments 
determined with reference to the information provided to the Board of Directors in order for it to allocate the Group’s resources 
and to monitor the performance of the Group are set out below. Following the implementation of the new divisional structure on  
1 April 2017 the Group’s reportable segments are: 

Commercial Waste 
Hazardous Waste 
Monostreams 

Collection and treatment of commercial waste in the Netherlands and Belgium. 
Industrial cleaning and treatment of hazardous waste in the Netherlands. 
Production of materials from waste streams in specific end markets such as glass, electrical and 
electronic equipment, organics and minerals in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany,  
Hungary and Portugal. 
Operation of waste management facilities under long-term municipal contracts in the UK and Canada. 

Municipal 
Group central services  Head office corporate function. 

Segmental reporting 
The Commercial Waste reportable segment includes the Netherlands and Belgium operating segments and the Municipal reportable segment 
includes the UK and Canada operating segments, based on geographical location. Operating segments within the Commercial Waste and Municipal 
divisions have been aggregated and reported as one reportable segment as they operate in similar markets in relation to the nature of the products, 
services, processes and type of customer. The Monostreams reportable segment includes three businesses from the former VGG Recycling Division 
and the former Shanks Dutch Orgaworld business. 

The profit measure the Board of Directors uses to evaluate performance is underlying EBIT. Underlying EBIT is continuing operating profit before 
the amortisation of acquisition intangibles, fair value measurements, non-trading and exceptional items. The Group accounts for inter-segment 
trading on an arm’s length basis. 

Revenue 

Netherlands Commercial Waste 
Belgium Commercial Waste
Intra-segment 
Commercial Waste 

Hazardous Waste 

Monostreams 

UK Municipal 
Canada Municipal 
Municipal 

Inter-segment revenue 
Total revenue from continuing operations 

*The comparatives have been restated to reflect the new reportable segments. 

2018
£m
648.7
371.7
(0.8)
1,019.6

Restated*
2017
£m
245.8
142.7
–
388.5

203.2

163.0

180.0

176.4
16.5
192.9

(30.0)
1,565.7

30.8

174.8
32.8
207.6

(10.7)
779.2

131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 2. Segmental information continued 

Results 

Netherlands Commercial Waste 
Belgium Commercial Waste 
Commercial Waste 

Hazardous Waste 

Monostreams 

UK Municipal 
Canada Municipal 
Municipal 

Group central services 

Total underlying EBIT 
Non-trading and exceptional items 
Total operating loss from continuing operations 
Finance income 
Finance charges 
Finance charges – non-trading and exceptional items 
Share of results from associates and joint ventures 
Loss before taxation and discontinued operations 

*The comparatives have been restated to reflect the new reportable segments. 

2018 
£m 
38.8 
25.8 
64.6 

17.4 

16.0 

(5.8) 
(3.5) 
(9.3) 

(19.6) 

69.1 
(101.5) 
(32.4) 
12.3 
(32.2) 
– 
2.3 
(50.0) 

Restated*
2017
£m
15.4
8.1
23.5

19.7

3.6

(4.2)
1.6
(2.6)

(7.7)

36.5
(75.5)
(39.0)
10.3
(23.1)
(11.6)
2.0
(61.4)

Net Assets 

31 March 2018 
Gross non-current assets 
Gross current assets 
Gross liabilities 
Net assets (liabilities) 
31 March 2017* 
Gross non-current assets 
Gross current assets 
Gross liabilities 
Net assets (liabilities) 

Commercial 
Waste  
£m 

Hazardous
Waste
£m

Monostreams
£m

Municipal#
£m

Group central 
services
£m

704.9 
173.1 
(314.0) 
564.0 

691.2 
152.0 
(280.5) 
562.7 

224.1
32.8
(77.2)
179.7

196.8
34.7
(47.2)
184.3

164.9
38.2
(132.0)
71.1

179.4
30.5
(120.6)
89.3

250.1
52.4
(159.2)
143.3

246.4
51.8
(112.6)
185.6

86.9
4.3
(61.7)
29.5

86.4
4.9
(73.8)
17.5

Tax, net  
debt and 
derivatives 
£m  

25.4 
65.4 
(696.0) 
(605.2) 

31.6 
75.0 
(708.6) 
(602.0) 

Total 
£m

1,456.3
366.2
(1,440.1)
382.4

1,431.8
348.9
(1,343.3)
437.4

*The comparatives have been restated to reflect the new reportable segments. 
#Municipal includes discontinued non-current assets of £0.6m (2017: £0.8m), current assets of £0.2m (2017: £nil) and gross liabilities of £0.1m (2017: £0.2m). 

 132 

  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 2. Segmental information continued 

Other disclosures 

31 March 2018 
Capital expenditure: 
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Depreciation charge 
Amortisation of intangibles
Impairment charge: 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 

31 March 2017* 
Capital expenditure: 
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Depreciation charge 
Amortisation of intangibles
Impairment charge: 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 

Commercial 
Waste 
£m

Hazardous
Waste 
£m

Monostreams
£m

Municipal# 
£m 

Group central
services 
£m

55.8
1.7
48.5
4.1

1.2
3.0

23.3
2.1
24.4
3.1

–
0.3

13.5
0.8
11.6
0.5

–
–

7.3
0.3
10.0
0.6

–
–

8.8
–
11.2
3.9

–
–

2.6
–
3.7
1.0

–

1.1 
3.6 
3.2 
0.6 

1.9 
– 

0.9 
8.4 
3.3 
0.2 

3.2 
6.5 

3.5
3.3
4.4
3.6

0.1
–

0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5

–
–

Total 
£m

82.7
9.4
78.9
12.7

3.2
3.0

34.3
11.1
41.8
5.4

3.2
6.8

*The comparatives have been restated to reflect the new reportable segments. 
#Municipal includes impairment of property, plant and equipment of £0.5m for discontinued activities in the year ended March 2017. 

Geographical information – continuing operations 
The Group’s revenue from external customers and information about its segment assets (non-current assets being intangible assets, property plant 
and equipment, investments in joint ventures, associates and other unlisted investments) by geographical location are detailed below: 

Netherlands 
Belgium 
UK 
Canada 
France 
Portugal 
Germany 
Hungary 

Revenue from external customers 

Non-current assets*

2018
£m
911.2
430.5
176.4
16.5
20.4
7.2
2.8
0.7
1,565.7

2017 
£m 
423.0 
145.7 
174.8 
32.8 
1.8 
0.9 
0.2 
– 
779.2 

2018
£m
828.8
318.3
28.5
36.9
26.3
5.6
1.0
0.6
1,246.0

2017
£m
802.3
317.4
36.1
28.1
26.8
5.1
1.1
0.5
1,217.4

*The non-current assets as at 31 March 2017 has been restated for acquisition accounting adjustments in relation to the VGG acquisition. 

133

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 3. Operating profit and tax 

This section contains the notes that relate to the results and performance of the Group during the year, along with the related 
accounting policies that have been applied.  

3.1 Revenue recognition  
Accounting policy 
Revenue represents the fair value of consideration received or receivable, including landfill tax but excluding sales taxes, discounts and inter-
company sales, for goods and services provided in the normal course of business. Revenue is recognised when it can be reliably measured and 
when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity. 

Revenue recognition criteria for the key types of transaction are as follows: 
  Waste collection services – revenue is recognised once the waste is delivered to the transfer station or processing facility. 
  Waste processing services – where the Group’s revenue contracts include an obligation to process waste, revenue is recognised  

as processing occurs. 

  Hazardous waste industrial cleaning – revenue is recognised by reference to the stage of completion based on services performed to date. 
  Sales of recyclate materials and products from waste – revenue is based on contractually agreed prices and is recognised when the risks and 

 

rewards have passed to the buyer. 
Income from power generated from gas produced by processes at anaerobic digestion facilities and landfill sites is recognised at the time of 
supply based on the volumes of energy produced and an estimation of the amount to be received. 

  Construction services under the Canada Municipal service concession arrangement – revenue is recognised based on the stage  

of completion of the work performed.  

Accrued income at the balance sheet date is recognised at the fair value based on services provided and contractually agreed prices. It is 
subsequently invoiced and accounted for as a trade receivable. 

Unprocessed waste may give rise to deferred revenue, where invoices to customers are raised in advance of performance obligations being 
completed, or require an accrual for the costs of disposing of residual waste once the Group has an obligation for its disposal. These amounts 
are shown in deferred revenue or accruals in the financial statements as appropriate. 

The Group’s Private Finance Initiative/Public Private Partnership (PFI/PPP) contracts in the Municipal Division are waste management contracts 
which require the building of new infrastructure and all rights to the infrastructure pass to the local authority at the termination or expiry of the 
contract. The Group applies IFRIC 12 (Service Concession Arrangements) which specifies the accounting treatment applied by concession 
operators. Under IFRIC 12, the operator’s rights over infrastructure operated under concession arrangements should be accounted for based on 
having considered the extent to which the grantor (the local authority) controls the assets, over what services the operator must provide with 
the infrastructure, to whom it must provide them and at what price. Having considered these factors the Group applies the ‘financial asset’ 
model to account for the infrastructure as it has an unconditional right to receive cash. The Group splits the local authority payment between a 
service element as revenue and a repayment element that is deducted from the financial asset. The part of the service element which covers 
the obligation to undertake major refurbishments and renewals (lifecycle expenditure) to maintain the infrastructure such that it is handed over 
to the local authority in good working order is deferred and only recognised as revenue when the service is provided. Income and costs relating 
to specific rights and obligations within the contracts are transferred to deferred revenue or other receivables and either released or charged to 
the Income Statement over the period of delivery.  

134 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 3. Operating profit and tax continued 

3.2 Operating profit  
Detailed below are the key amounts recognised in arriving at operating profit for the year: 

Continuing operations 
Staff costs 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Repairs and maintenance expenditure on property, plant and equipment
Net loss (profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Non-trading and exceptional items 
Trade receivables impairment 
Operating lease costs: 
– Minimum lease payments
– Less sub-lease rental income 

Note 

7.1 

4.2 

4.1 

3.4 

4.7 

2018
£m
368.6
78.9
12.7
81.7
2.1
101.5
2.2

35.6
(0.3)
35.3

2017
£m
178.2
41.8
5.4
42.8
(0.5)
75.5
1.4

15.8
(0.3)
15.5

The total remuneration of the Group’s auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and its associates, for services provided to the Group during the 
year was: 

– Audit of parent company and consolidated financial statements
– Audit of subsidiaries pursuant to legislation 
Fees payable to the auditors pursuant to legislation
Corporate finance services 
Other non-audit services 
Total fees 

2018
£m
0.2
1.1
1.3
–
–
1.3

2017
£m
0.2
1.0
1.2
3.1
0.1
4.4

Corporate finance services in the year to March 2017 related to professional services performed in respect of the acquisition of VGG. The 
Corporate Governance section on page 88 includes an explanation of how the external auditors’ objectivity and independence are safeguarded 
when non-audit services are provided by the external auditors. 

3.3 Operating leases 
Accounting policy 
All leases other than finance leases are treated as operating leases. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the Income 
Statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease.  

Minimum lease payments 
The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows: 

Within one year 
Later than one year and less than five years 
More than five years 

Future minimum lease payments expected to be received under non-cancellable sub-leases

2018
£m
32.2
69.7
131.5
233.4
(0.5)
232.9

2017
£m
31.1
70.8
140.3
242.2
(0.6)
241.6

135

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 3. Operating profit and tax continued 

3.4 Non-trading and exceptional items  

To improve the understanding of the Group’s financial performance, items which are not considered to reflect the underlying 
performance are presented in non-trading and exceptional items. Items classified as non-trading and exceptional are disclosed 
separately due to their size or incidence to enable a better understanding of performance. These include, but are not limited to, 
significant impairments, significant restructuring of the activities of an entity including employee associated severance costs, 
acquisition and disposal related transaction costs, integration costs, synergy delivery costs, significant fires, onerous contracts, profit 
or loss on disposal of properties or subsidiaries, as these are irregular, and amortisation of acquisition intangibles. The Group incurs 
costs each year in maintaining intangible assets which include acquired customer relationships, permits and licences and excludes 
amortisation of these assets from underlying EBIT to avoid double counting such costs within underlying results. 

Exceptional items are considered individually and assessed at each reporting period. 

Merger related costs: 
Synergy delivery costs – cash 
Synergy delivery costs – non-cash 
Integration costs 

Portfolio management activity: 
UK Municipal  
Acquisition costs 
Industrial Cleaning disposal in Belgium 
Disposals in the Netherlands 

Other items: 
UK Municipal onerous contract provisions 
ATM soil issues 
Restructuring charges and employee related costs 
(Income) costs relating to fires 
Other UK Municipal contract issues 

Exceptional finance costs 
Impairment of assets  
Amortisation of acquisition intangibles 
Non-trading and exceptional items in loss before tax (continuing operations)
Tax on non-trading and exceptional items 
Exceptional tax credit 
Non-trading and exceptional items in loss after tax (continuing operations)
Discontinued operations 
Total non-trading and exceptional items in loss after tax 

The above non-trading and exceptional items include the following: 

Note

4.1

6.2

2018 
£m 

12.3 
2.3 
7.5 
22.1 

22.5 
0.4 
– 
– 
22.9 

52.7 
2.7 
0.1 
(2.3) 
(2.5) 
50.7 

– 
– 
5.8 
101.5 
(8.2) 
(6.8) 
86.5 
(0.5) 
86.0 

2017
£m

4.5
–
2.9
7.4

–
18.9
0.4
(0.3)
19.0

28.2
–
2.4
1.6
5.3
37.5

11.6
9.5
2.1
87.1
(6.4)
–
80.7
0.5
81.2

Merger related costs 
Due to the significance of the merger on the Group and the associated synergy delivery projects these costs are considered to be exceptional. 
Synergy delivery costs of £14.6m (2017: £4.5m) and integration costs of £7.5m (2017: £2.9m) were incurred as the Group executes merger plans 
for generating value. Synergy delivery costs include £2.3m of non-cash impairments of assets at the Belgium Commercial Zaventem shared 
service centre and property in Netherlands Commercial identified as part of site rationalisation. The total cost of £22.1m (2017: £7.4m) was split 
£4.2m (2017: £nil) in cost of sales and £17.9m (2017: £7.4m) in administrative expenses.  

136 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 3. Operating profit and tax continued 

Portfolio management activity 
UK Municipal charge of £22.5m (2017: £nil) included the exit of its loss-making anaerobic digestion facility at Westcott Park and the decision  
to initiate the termination of the D&G PFI operating contract. The Group completed the sale of the Westcott Park facility on 28 March 2018 
resulting in a loss on disposal and related costs totalling £14.0m. Discussions are ongoing with the D&G council and other stakeholders with 
termination of the operating contract expected in the next financial year therefore the onerous contract was increased together with a non-
cash write down of the investment totalling £9.0m. Additionally a provision of £0.5m in relation to a previous disposal was released as no  
longer required. 

Further transaction costs of £0.4m (2017: £18.9m) relating to the merger of Van Gansewinkel Groep BV have been incurred in the year, 
principally comprising legal and other advisory costs. These are considered exceptional as part of the overall total transaction costs. 

The total cost of £22.9m (2017: £19.0m) was split £8.3m (2017: £nil) in cost of sales and £14.6m (2017: £19.0m) in administrative expenses. 

Other items 
UK Municipal onerous contract provisions charge of £52.7m (2017: £28.2m) relates to additional provisions of £27.1m (2017: £8.6m) and £29.5m 
(2017: £nil) at BDR and Wakefield respectively given the financial and operational performance of these assets this year and specifically the 
material underperformance in organic throughput, subsidies and off-take pricing compared with the original contractual assumptions made 
many years ago. This charge is net of a £3.9m release in relation to Cumbria following successful management action to resolve operational 
and compliance issues. The prior year charge also included increases to the Cumbria and D&G onerous contract provisions, a specific loss-
making contract under the ELWA operating contract and provisions for incremental capital works required at BDR and Wakefield to enable the 
plants to function as intended. 

The charge for ATM soil issues of £2.7m (2017: £nil) relates to the soil offset market and includes additional costs of logistics and off-site storage. 

Restructuring charges and employee related costs were incurred for structural cost reduction programmes across the Group in place prior to 
the merger of £0.1m (2017: £1.5m) and reassessment of prior year employee related provisions of £nil (2017: £0.9m).   

Net credit of £2.3m (2017: £1.6m charge) as a result of significant fires during the year at two Commercial sites, one in the Netherlands and  
one in Belgium. At each site property, plant and equipment has been impaired totalling £1.8m and clean-up costs have been incurred. These 
have been partly offset by the insurance recovery of £5.1m of which £3.6m has been received in cash. In addition insurance funds of £0.6m  
were received in relation to a prior year claim for a fire at a legacy VGG site. The prior year charge related to incremental operating costs which 
were unable to be reclaimed under the Group’s business interruption insurance following the fire at the UK Municipal East London site in 
August 2014. 

The other UK Municipal contract issues of £2.5m credit (2017: £5.3m charge) includes settlement of a claim with a guarantor in relation to the 
Wakefield construction contract and a Cumbria settlement offset by the impairment of contract rights in the ELWA contract of £1.9m (2017: 
£nil). The prior year charge included costs in relation to the Derby contact due to a delay in commissioning, reinstatement of leased land and  
a legal claim in Canada.  

The total charge of £50.7m (2017: £37.5m) was split £51.9m (2017: £32.0m) in cost of sales and £1.2m credit (2017: £5.5m charge) in 
administrative expenses. 

Finance costs 
The prior year charge of £11.6m includes the costs of arranging the banking facility, extinguishment of the previous facility together with the 
settlement of the Pricoa deferred premium. 

Impairment of assets  
Impairment of assets of £9.5m in the prior year related to plant and equipment at the Westcott Park UK Municipal facility (£6.0m), contract 
rights in UK Municipal (£3.2m) and Shanks branding on trucks in Netherlands Commercial (£0.3m). The total charge of £9.5m was split £9.2m  
in cost of sales and £0.3m in administrative expenses. 

Amortisation of acquisition intangibles 
Amortisation of intangible assets acquired in business combinations of £5.8m (2017: £2.1m) is all recorded in cost of sales. 

Exceptional tax 
The exceptional tax credit of £6.8m (2017: £nil) relates to the change in Belgium tax rate, see note 3.5 for further details. 

137

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 3. Operating profit and tax continued 

3.5 Taxation 

This section details the accounting polices applied for tax, the current and deferred tax charges or credits in the year, a 
reconciliation of the total tax expense to the accounting profit and the movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities. 

Accounting policy 
Current tax is based on taxable profit or loss for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit before tax in the Income Statement because it 
excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years or that are never taxable or deductible. The asset or liability 
for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted, or substantively enacted, at the balance sheet date. 

Deferred tax is recognised in full where the carrying value of assets and liabilities in the financial statements is different to the corresponding tax 
bases used in the computation of taxable profits. 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 the taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary 
differences can be utilised. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that have been enacted, or substantively enacted, at the balance sheet 
date. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the Income Statement, except where it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity in 
which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred income tax liabilities are not provided on taxable temporary differences arising 
from investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint arrangements as the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by 
the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset 
when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities, when they relate to income taxes levied by the 
same taxation authority. 

The Group operates principally in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, France and Canada, all of which have their own tax legislation. Deferred tax 
assets and liabilities have been calculated based on the substantively enacted tax rates in the relevant jurisdictions at the balance sheet date or 
those rates expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled. The Group has available tax 
losses, some of which have been recognised as a tax asset and some have not based on management’s best estimate of the ability of the Group 
to utilise those losses.  

Income statement  
The tax credit based on the loss for the year from continuing operations is made up as follows: 

Current tax:  
UK corporation tax 
– Current year 
Overseas tax 
– Current year 
– Prior year 
Total current tax charge 
Deferred tax  
– Origination and reversal of temporary differences in the current year
– Adjustment in respect of  the prior year 
Total deferred tax credit 
Total tax credit for the year 

2018 
£m 

1.2 

8.7 
0.2 
10.1 

(11.7) 
(0.4) 
(12.1) 
(2.0) 

2017
£m

1.4

3.7
0.2
5.3

(5.3)
(0.5)
(5.8)
(0.5)

138 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 3. Operating profit and tax continued 

3.5 Taxation continued 
The tax on the Group’s loss for the year from continuing operations differs from the UK standard rate of tax of 19% (2017: 20%), as  
explained below: 

Total loss before taxation

Tax credit based on UK tax rate of 19% (2017: 20%)
Effects of: 
Adjustment to tax charge in respect of prior years
Profits taxed at overseas tax rates 
Non-deductible other items
Non-deductible transaction costs 
Unrecognised deferred tax assets 
Exceptional credit relating to change in Belgian tax rate 
Change in tax rate 
Total tax credit for the year

2018
£m
(50.0)

(9.5)

(0.2)
1.5
1.8
0.2
11.4

(6.8)
(0.4)
(2.0)

2017
£m
(61.4)

(12.3)

(0.3)
0.8
1.3
1.9
6.4

–
1.7
(0.5)

Changes to the UK corporation tax rate were substantively enacted as part of Finance Bill 2016 (on 7 September 2016). This included a 
reduction in the main corporation tax rate from 19% to 17% by 1 April 2020. As a result the UK deferred tax for the year has been calculated 
based on the substantively enacted rates. 

Exceptional credit relating to change in Belgium tax rate 
For the accounting period ended 31 March 2018, the standard Belgian corporate income tax rate is 33.99%. Under the corporate income tax 
reform as enacted by the Belgian government on 22 December 2017, there will be a phased reduction of this tax rate to 29.58% for accounting 
periods starting on or after 1 January 2018 and furthermore 25% from 1 January 2020. As a result, the Belgian deferred tax has been calculated 
at the substantively enacted rates depending on when the timing differences are expected to reverse. This has resulted in an exceptional tax 
credit of £6.8m in the current year. 

Deferred tax 
Deferred tax is provided in full on temporary differences under the liability method using applicable local tax rates. Deferred tax assets and 
liabilities are only offset where there is a legally enforceable right of offset and there is an intention to settle the balances net. 

The analysis of the net deferred tax liability and the deferred tax credit in the Income Statement is as set out below: 

Retirement benefit schemes
Tax losses 
Derivative financial instruments 
Capital allowances 
Other timing differences 
At 31 March  

Balance sheet 

Income Statement

2018
£m
4.5
19.0
3.7
(52.7)
(12.5)
(38.0)

Restated* 
2017 
£m 
5.3 
15.0 
5.2 
(56.3) 
(15.4) 
(46.2) 

2018
£m
(0.5)
4.0
–
4.7
3.9
12.1

*The deferred tax balance as at 31 March 2017 has been restated for acquisition accounting adjustments in relation to the VGG acquisition. 

2017
£m
(0.4)
4.6
–
(1.9)
3.5
5.8

139

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 3. Operating profit and tax continued 

3.5 Taxation continued 

The movement in the deferred tax balance during the year is: 

Net deferred tax liability at 1 April  
Acquisitions through business combination (note 6.1) 
Credited to Income Statement 
(Charged) credited to equity 
Exchange 

Analysed in the balance sheet, after offset of balances within countries, as:
Deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax liabilities 

2018 
£m 
(46.2) 
(0.7) 
12.1 
(2.3) 
(0.9) 
(38.0) 

24.9 
(62.9) 
(38.0) 

Restated*
2017
£m
(11.7)
(38.7)
5.8
0.9
(2.5)
(46.2)

31.3
(77.5)
(46.2)

*The deferred tax balance as at 31 March 2017 has been restated for acquisition accounting adjustments in relation to the VGG acquisition. 

The majority of the £24.9m (2017: £31.3m) deferred tax asset and the majority of the £62.9m (2017: £77.5m) deferred tax liability are expected  
to be recovered after more than one year. 

As at 31 March 2018, the Group had unused trading losses (tax effect) of £59.2m (2017: £61.2m) available for offset against future profits.  
A deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of £19.0m (2017: £15.0m) of such losses and recognition is based on management’s 
projections of future profits in the relevant companies. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of the remaining £40.2m  
(2017: £46.2m) due to the uncertainty of future profit streams. Tax losses may be carried forward indefinitely in the relevant companies  
with the exception of the Netherlands where the losses expire after 9 years (£2.6m recognised and £21.6m unrecognised). 

No liability has been recognised on the aggregate amount of temporary differences associated with undistributed earnings of subsidiaries. This is 
because the Group is in a position to control the timing and method of the reversal of the differences and it is probable that such differences will not 
give rise to a tax liability in the foreseeable future. The total temporary difference at 31 March 2018 amounted to £218.0m (2017: £194.3m) and the 
unrecognised deferred tax on the unremitted earnings is estimated to be £0.1m (2017: £0.3m) which relates to taxes payable on repatriation and 
dividend withholding taxes levied by overseas jurisdictions. UK tax legislation relating to company distributions provides for exemption from tax for 
most repatriated profits, subject to certain exemptions. 

140 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 3. Operating profit and tax continued 

3.6 Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to the owners of the parent entity by the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares outstanding at the year end. 

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing profit for the year attributable to the owners of the parent entity by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of any commitments 
made by the Group to issue shares in the future. 

Underlying basic and diluted earnings per share excludes amortisation of acquisition intangibles, the change in fair value of 
derivatives, non-trading and exceptional items net of related tax. Exceptional items are those items that need to be disclosed 
separately on the face of the Income Statement, because of their size or incidence, to enable a better understanding of 
performance. The Directors believe that adjusting earnings per share in this way enables comparison with historical data 
calculated on the same basis to reflect the business performance in a consistent manner and reflect how the business in managed 
and measured on a day to day basis. 

Continuing operations 

Underlying profit after tax
Non-controlling interests 
Underlying earnings per share 
Adjustments: 
Non-trading and exceptional items 
Tax on non-trading and exceptional items 
Exceptional tax 
Non-controlling interests 
Basic loss per share 
Dilutions 
Diluted loss per share 

Underlying earnings per share  
Dilutions 
Underlying diluted earnings per share 

Discontinued operations
Basic earnings (loss) per share 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share 

Underlying loss per share 
Underlying diluted loss per share  

2018
Weighted 
average 
number of 
shares
million

Earnings
per share
pence

799.9

4.8

799.9
0.5
800.4

799.9
0.5
800.4

799.9
800.4

799.9
800.4

(6.0)
–
(6.0)

4.8
–
4.8

–
–

–
–

Earnings 
£m
38.5
(0.4)
38.1

(101.5)
8.2
6.8
0.2
(48.2)
–
(48.2)

38.1
–
38.1

0.4
0.4

(0.1)
(0.1)

Earnings  
£m 
19.8 
0.3 
20.1 

(87.1) 
6.4 
– 
– 
(60.6) 
– 
(60.6) 

20.1 
– 
20.1 

(0.5) 
(0.5) 

– 
– 

2017

Weighted 
average
 number of 
shares
million

Earnings
 per share
pence

536.3

3.7

536.3
0.9
537.2

536.3
0.9
537.2

536.3
536.3

536.3
536.3

(11.3)
–
(11.3)

3.7
–
3.7

(0.1)
(0.1)

–
–

141

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities 

This section contains balance sheet notes showing the assets and liabilities used to generate the Group’s results and the related 
accounting policies. 

4.1 Intangible assets 
Accounting policy 
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets at the date of 
acquisition and is measured at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill arising on acquisitions prior to the date of transition to IFRS 
(31 March 2004) has been retained at the previous UK GAAP net book value following impairment tests.  

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to those cash generating units (CGUs) or groups of CGUs that are expected to 
benefit from the synergies of the business combination. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more frequently if events or changes in 
circumstances indicate a potential impairment. Any impairment is charged immediately to the Income Statement and is not reversed in a 
subsequent period. In conducting the impairment review on goodwill and intangibles, management is required to make estimates of pre-tax 
discount rates, future profitability and growth rates.  

Landfill void represents the acquisition of a landfill operation in the Netherlands in 2006, the landfill void was capitalised based on the fair value 
of the void acquired. This asset is amortised over its estimated useful life on a void usage basis and measured at cost less accumulated 
amortisation. The estimated remaining useful life is 17 years.  

Other intangible assets are capitalised on the basis of the fair value of the assets acquired or on the basis of costs incurred to purchase and 
bring the assets into use. They are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation. They are amortised over the estimated 
useful life on a straight-line basis, as follows: 

Contract right relating to leasehold land 
Contract right relating to PFI/PPP contracts in Municipal 
Computer software 
Acquisition related intangibles: 
Waste permits and licences 
Customer relationships 

Term of the lease 
Term of the contract
1 to 5 years

5 to 20 years
Up to 14 years

142 

 
 
 
 
 
Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities continued 

4.1 Intangible assets continued 
Intangible assets are analysed as follows: 

Cost 
At 1 April 2016 
Acquisition through business combination – VGG (note 6.1)
Acquisition through business combination – other
Additions 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2017 
Purchase price allocation adjustment (note 6.1) 
At 31 March 2017 - restated 
Additions 
Acquisition through business combinations (note 6.1)
Disposals 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2018 
Accumulated amortisation and impairment 
At 1 April 2016 
Amortisation charge 
Impairment charge 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2017 
Amortisation charge 
Impairment charge 
Disposals 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2018 
Net book value 
At 31 March 2018 
At 31 March 2017 
At 31 March 2016 

Goodwill
£m

Landfill void
£m

Computer  
software and  
others 
£m 

 Acquisition
related 
intangibles
£m

219.5
337.2
0.2
–
17.6
574.5
(9.4)
565.1
–
13.0
–
13.9
592.0

50.5
–
–
4.0
54.5
–
–
–
1.4
55.9

536.1
510.6
169.0

20.3
–
–
–
1.6
21.9
–
21.9
–
–
–
0.5
22.4

11.9
1.4
–
1.0
14.3
1.3
–
–
0.3
15.9

6.5
7.6
8.4

21.4 
9.1 
– 
11.1 
1.0 
42.6 
1.2 
43.8 
9.4 
– 
(1.3) 
0.6 
52.5 

8.3 
1.9 
3.2 
0.6 
14.0 
5.6 
3.2 
(1.3) 
0.2 
21.7 

30.8 
29.8 
13.1 

26.0
44.0
0.8
–
2.2
73.0
(9.4)
63.6
–
0.2
–
1.4
65.2

22.0
2.1
–
1.8
25.9
5.8
–
–
0.6
32.3

32.9
37.7
4.0

Total
£m

287.2
390.3
1.0
11.1
22.4
712.0
(17.6)
694.4
9.4
13.2
(1.3)
16.4
732.1

92.7
5.4
3.2
7.4
108.7
12.7
3.2
(1.3)
2.5
125.8

606.3
585.7
194.5

The additions of £9.4m (2017: £11.1m) include £6.0m (2017: £3.0m) of software and £3.4m (2017: £8.1m) contract rights in relation to  
Municipal contracts.  

Of the total amortisation charge of £12.7m (2017: £5.4m), £5.8m (2017: £2.1m) related to intangible assets arising on acquisition. Of the 
remaining amortisation expense of £6.9m (2017: £3.3m), £2.2m (2017: £1.9m) has been charged in cost of sales and £4.7m (2017: £1.4m)  
has been charged in administrative expenses.  

The impairment charge of £3.2m (2017: £3.2m) related to £1.9m (2017: £3.2m) of contract right intangibles in UK Municipal as it has been 
determined that they are no longer recoverable and £1.3m (2017: £nil) of software in the Commercial Division as part of the synergy  
delivery programme.  

The net book value of acquisition related intangibles of £32.9m (2017: £37.7m) included customer relationships of £20.2m (2017: £21.5m), 
permits of £6.3m (2017: £7.3m) and licences of £5.8m (2017: £8.2m).  

143

 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities continued 

4.1 Intangible assets continued 
Goodwill impairment 
Impairment testing is carried out at a cash generating unit (CGU) level on an annual basis.  

The Group has revised the CGUs for the year ended March 2018 in line with the operating segments. The significant CGUs are Netherlands 
Commercial Waste, Belgium Commercial Waste, Hazardous Waste and Monostreams which are in line with the operating segments explained  
in section 2. The following is a summary of the goodwill allocation for each reporting segment: 

Commercial Waste 
Hazardous Waste 
Monostreams 
Municipal 
Total goodwill 

2018 
£m 
322.3 
125.5 
72.3 
16.0 
536.1 

Restated*
2017
£m
314.5
109.9
70.5
15.7
510.6

*The comparatives have been restated as a result of purchase price accounting adjustments as included in section 6.1 and to reflect the new reportable segments from  
1 April 2017. 

The Group estimates the recoverable amount of a CGU using a value in use model by projecting cash flows for the next five years together with 
a terminal value using a growth rate. The key assumptions underpinning the recoverable amounts of the CGUs tested for impairment are 
forecast revenue and underlying EBIT. The forecast revenues in these models are based on management’s predictions of overall market growth 
rates, including both volume and price. Underlying EBIT margin is the average EBIT margin as a percentage of revenue over the five-year 
forecast period. The five-year plans used in the impairment models are based on management’s past experience and future expectations of 
performance and reflect the planned changes in the CGUs as a result of restructuring programmes and actions instigated in the current year 
together with limited recovery and improvement in general market and economic conditions.  

For each of the CGUs with significant goodwill in comparison with the total carrying value of goodwill of the Group, the key assumptions, long-
term growth rate and discount rate used in the value in use calculations are shown below.  

31 March 2018 
Revenue (% annual growth rate) 
Underlying EBIT margin (average % of revenue)
Long-term growth rate 
Pre-tax discount rate 

31 March 2017 
Revenue (% annual growth rate) 
Underlying EBIT margin (average % of revenue)
Long-term growth rate 
Pre-tax discount rate 

Netherlands 
Commercial 
Waste
3.4%
7.9%
2.0%
8.7%

Belgium 
Commercial 
Waste
3.8%
6.2%
2.0%
9.1%

Netherlands 
Commercial 
Waste
3.6%
7.8%
2.0%
8.6%

Hazardous 
 Waste 
3.4% 
11.0% 
2.0% 
8.6% 

Hazardous  
Waste 
1.2% 
14.1% 
2.0% 
8.7% 

Monostreams
1.7%
7.6%
2.0%
9.1%

VGG
1.0%
4.7%
2.0%
8.9%

The recoverable amounts of all CGUs were in excess of the carrying values and it is considered unlikely that any reasonably possible change to 
key assumptions would result in an impairment charge.  

144 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities continued 

4.2 Property, plant and equipment 
Accounting policy 
Property, plant and equipment, except for freehold land and assets under construction, is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and 
provision for impairment. Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working 
condition for its intended use. The asset’s residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted if appropriate at the end of each  
reporting period. 

Assets other than goodwill are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be 
recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The 
recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are 
discounted to their present value. An impairment loss is recognised immediately as an operating expense and at each subsequent reporting 
date the impairment is reviewed for possible reversal. 

Depreciation is provided to write off cost (less the expected residual value) on a straight line basis over the expected useful economic lives  
as follows: 

Buildings  
Fixtures and fittings 
Plant and installations 
Cars and service vehicles 
Trucks 
Other items of plant and machinery 
Computer equipment 
Landfill site development costs including engineering works

Property, plant and equipment are analysed as follows: 

Up to 30 years
Up to 10 years
Up to 20 years
5 to 10 years
Up to 12 years
5 to 15 years
3 to 5 years
Up to 30 years (over the operational life of the site)

Land and
buildings
£m

Landfill 
sites 
£m 

Plant and
 machinery
£m

Cost 
At 1 April 2016 
Acquisition through business combination (note 6.1)
Additions 
Disposals 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2017 
Purchase price allocation adjustment (note 6.1) 
At 31 March 2017 - restated 
Acquisition through business combination (note 6.1)
Additions 
Disposals 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2018 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment 
At 1 April 2016 
Depreciation charge 
Impairment charge 
Disposals 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2017 
Depreciation charge 
Impairment charge 
Disposals 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2018 
Net book value 
At 31 March 2018 
At 31 March 2017 
At 31 March 2016 

252.8
140.4
7.8
(4.4) 
20.4
417.0
31.5
448.5
4.9
16.5
(9.8) 
6.4
466.5

101.9
10.0
0.5
(2.6) 
8.1
117.9
16.2
2.6
(3.8) 
1.6
134.5

332.0
330.6
150.9

39.9 
3.9 
0.1 
– 
3.1 
47.0 
– 
47.0 
– 
0.7 
(0.8) 
0.9 
47.8 

37.3 
0.4 
– 
– 
2.7 
40.4 
1.1 
– 
(0.4) 
1.0 
42.1 

5.7 
6.6 
2.6 

493.8
140.8
26.4
(18.7)
37.7
680.0
(3.0)
677.0
2.8
65.5
(36.1)
17.0
726.2

350.3
31.4
6.3
(17.0)
27.3
398.3
61.6
0.4
(28.8)
9.4
440.9

285.3
278.7
143.5

Total
£m

786.5
285.1
34.3
(23.1)
61.2
1,144.0
28.5
1,172.5
7.7
82.7
(46.7)
24.3
1,240.5

489.5
41.8
6.8
(19.6)
38.1
556.6
78.9
3.0
(33.0)
12.0
617.5

623.0
615.9
297.0

145

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities continued 

4.2 Property, plant and equipment continued 
Depreciation expense of £76.4m (2017: £40.0m) has been charged in cost of sales and £2.5m (2017: £1.8m) in administrative expenses. 

The impairment charge of £3.0m (2017: £6.8m) includes £1.8m in relation to the fires in the Netherlands and Belgium and £1.2m in the Commercial 
Division as part of the synergy delivery programme. The prior year charge related principally to plant and machinery at the UK Municipal 
anaerobic digestion facility as a result of adverse market developments. The impairment charge was split £2.8m (2017: £6.0m) cost of sales, £0.2m 
(2017: £0.3m) administrative expenses and in the prior year £0.5m in discontinued cost of sales. 

Plant and machinery includes assets under construction of £10.1m (2017: £9.8m) and land and buildings includes assets under construction  
of £9.6m (2017: £2.7m). 

Included in plant and machinery are assets held under finance leases with a net book value of £38.0m (2017: £55.2m) and in land and buildings 
are assets under finance leases with a net book value of £4.8m (2017: £8.9m). 

4.3 Investments and loans to joint ventures and associates 
Accounting policy 
Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognised at cost or, in the 
case of a disposal of the majority shareholding, at fair value. The cumulative post-acquisition profits or losses and movements in other 
comprehensive income are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment. When the Group’s share of losses exceeds the carrying amount 
of the joint venture or associate, the carrying amount is reduced to nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the 
Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the joint venture or associate. Accounting policies of associates 
and joint ventures have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies of the Group.  

The carrying amount of investments and loans to associates and joint ventures is represented as follows: 

At 1 April 2016 
Additions 
Acquisitions through business combinations (note 6.1) 
Share of retained profits 
Dividend income 
Fair value adjustment on cash flow hedges 
Exchange  
At 31 March 2017 
Additions 
Share of retained profits 
Dividend income 
Fair value adjustment on cash flow hedges 
Impairment charge 
Repayments 
Exchange  
At 31 March 2018 

Loans

Loans to
associates and
 joint ventures 
£m
1.3
18.5
0.1
–
–
–
–
19.9
0.1
–
–
–
–
(0.2)
–
19.8

Investments 

Associates
£m
3.9
–
1.1
0.5
(0.1)
0.3
–
5.7
–
0.8
(0.6)
0.7
(0.7)
–
–
5.9

Other unlisted 
investments 
£m 
2.7 
– 
1.0 
– 
– 
– 
0.3 
4.0 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
0.1 
4.1 

Total investments
£m
10.8
–
2.5
2.0
(0.1)
0.3
0.3
15.8
–
2.3
(1.3)
0.7
(0.9)
–
0.1
16.7

Joint ventures
£m
4.2
–
0.4
1.5
–
–
–
6.1
–
1.5
(0.7)
–
(0.2)
–
–
6.7

The impairment charge of £0.9m (2017: £nil) relates to UK Municipal investments and has been recorded in administrative expenses. 

Where investments in joint ventures are held at nil as the Group’s share of losses exceeds the carrying amount, the Group’s share of profits  
in the year was £3.4m (2017: £1.7m losses), cumulatively losses of £8.4m (2017: £11.8m) are unrecognised.  

In the prior year the loans to joint ventures and associates increased by £18.5m which included £17.5m in relation to the subordinated debt 
injection into Resource Recovery Solutions (Derbyshire) Limited. The loans to joint ventures and associates is split £5.9m current (2017: £5.7m) 
and £13.9m non-current (2017: £14.2m). 

Where the associate or joint venture holds non-recourse PFI/PPP debt there is a restriction on payment of dividends, which is due to the terms 
of the financing facility agreements and as such requires lender approval. 

Details of joint ventures and associated investments are shown in note 8.1. No joint venture or associate is considered individually material to 
the Group for further disclosure. 

146 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities continued 

4.4 Financial assets relating to PFI/PPP contracts 

Financial assets result from the application of IFRIC 12 on accounting for concession arrangements relating to the UK and Canada 
PFI/PPP Municipal contracts.  

Accounting policies and key judgements 
Financial assets relating to PFI/PPP contracts are classified as loans and receivables and are initially recognised at the fair value of 
consideration receivable and subsequently at amortised cost. These service concession arrangements under IFRIC 12 represent the present 
value of the future cash flows of the contract. These cash flows are dependent on, amongst other things, tonnages, indexation, recycling rates 
and labour costs. 

UK PFI/PPP contracts  
The Group’s UK PFI/PPP arrangements involve the construction of waste management facilities to be provided to local authorities. The building 
of the facilities is governed by the engineer, procure and construct contract entered into by the Group. The construction work is undertaken by 
third party contractors with drawdowns of financing from the UK PFI/PPP funders used to pay the subcontractor for the construction works. 

The Group has considered all relevant factors in the contractual arrangements between the parties to determine whether the Group acts as 
agent or principal during the construction phase of the contracts. The considerations taken into account in reaching this conclusion are:  
  The Group obtains quotes for the fixed price construction contract from a number of contractors as part of the preparation to submit a bid to 

the municipality. Once the Group has been selected as preferred bidder it has no further opportunity to vary the prices it has bid other than 
indexation for inflation following delay to financial close. The detailed specification and prices of the works are agreed in advance and 
milestone payments are only made against works to the agreed specification. In the event that a revision to the specification of works is 
required these and the pricing adjustment are jointly agreed with the municipality and the funders. 

  At the date of financial close direct agreements are signed between the municipality, the funders and the construction contractors which 

govern the procedures for the completion of the waste management facilities. 

  The Group has an obligation to pay the construction contractor from the non-recourse bank debt regardless of any non-payment by the 

municipality. In the event that the municipality fails to pay tonnage fees after the construction period there is a termination procedure which 
calculates the amount of damages due to all parties including fully repaying the debt. We consider that the likelihood of the risk of the 
municipality becoming insolvent is remote. Therefore in our view the weight of this factor in coming to our overall judgement is reduced. 
In the event that the construction contractor fails to perform under the terms of the contract the Group holds performance and retention 
bonds which guarantee the obligations of the contractor. Any additional costs arising from having to replace the contractor, should they arise, 
would be satisfied by payments from the bonds. 

 

  The Group earns certain fixed fees in connection with UK PFI/PPP arrangements. These fees represent consideration for services delivered 

before financial close or for ongoing project management.  

In summary we consider that, on the basis that the construction contractor is known to the municipality at the date of financial close and in view of 
the negligible credit risk taken by the Group, on balance, despite some overall risk residing with the Group for delivery of services, we consider that 
we act as agent versus principal in the provision of construction services. Accordingly, revenue and costs for the construction are not recognised 
gross in the Income Statement. 

In light of these conclusions and the presentation of the revenue and costs associated with the construction services net in the Income 
Statement, we consider that the most appropriate classification of the PFI/PPP non-recourse debt cash flows associated with the construction 
of the waste management facilities in the Statement of Cash Flows is as financing and investing cash flows respectively and not as operating 
cash flows. This classification has been consistently applied to all periods presented in the financial statements. 

The Group is the operator for one class of service concession arrangements, that of the provision of waste treatment and waste treatment 
facilities, and these are classified as service concession arrangements in accordance with IFRIC. If the Group underperforms, including failure  
to divert waste from landfill, the contract can be terminated before the end of its term. 

147

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities continued 

4.4 Financial assets relating to PFI/PPP contracts continued  
Canadian PPP contract  
The Group’s Canadian PPP arrangement involves the construction of waste management facilities to be provided to the City of Surrey. The 
building of the facilities is governed by the design-build agreement entered into by the Group. The construction work is undertaken by third 
party contractors with the financing provided from the Group’s core bank facilities. All relevant factors in the contractual arrangements 
between the parties have been considered to determine whether the Group acts as agent or principal during the construction phase of the 
contracts. Given the level of risks and rewards borne by the Group it has been concluded that we act as principal in this contract. Revenue and 
costs for the construction are therefore recognised gross in the Income Statement and the cash flows associated with the construction of the 
waste management facilities are classified as operating cash flows in the Statement of Cash Flows. For the year ended March 2018 the 
construction revenue recognised was £5.9m (2017: £20.8m). 

Other information for PFI/PPP contracts  
The table below sets out the Group’s interest in service concession arrangements as at 31 March 2018. 

Contract 

Financial close 

Full Service Commencement
(actual or forecast)
April 2003 

September 2001 

June 2009 

April 2013 

Contract Expiry

Interests in Special Purpose Vehicle 

September 2026

June 2034

Renewi: 100% 

Renewi: 100% 

January 2013

December 2015

February 2038

Argyll & Bute 

Cumbria 

Wakefield 

Barnsley, Doncaster  
and Rotherham 

Derby City  
and Derbyshire 

City of Surrey (Canada) 

February 2015

March 2012 

Mid 2018 

July 2015 

May 2043

June 2040

August 2014 

Mid 2018 

March 2042

Dumfries and Galloway 

November 2004

February 2007

November 2029

East London  
Waste Authority 

December 2002

August 2007

December 2027

Renewi: 50.001% 
Equitix Infrastructure 4  
Limited: 49.99% 

Renewi: 100% 

Renewi: 75%  
SSE Generation Limited: 25% 

Renewi: 50% 
Interserve Developments No 4 
Limited: 50% 

Renewi: 20% 
John Laing Environmental Assets 
Group (UK) Limited: 80% 

Renewi: 20% 
John Laing Environmental Assets 
Group (UK) Limited: 80% 

The City of Surrey service concession arrangement has experienced commissioning delays as a result of contractor issues in construction. 
These have now been addressed and first waste was accepted in December 2017. The facility was formally opened in March 2018 and full 
service commencement is expected later in the year. 

Negotiations commenced with the SPV owners and the Council at the Dumfries and Galloway PFI contract with a view to exiting the operating 
contract. This contract was not capable of meeting the waste regulations in Scotland requiring full diversion from landfill and long-running 
negotiations were unable to agree the required amendments without materially increasing risk to Renewi, see note 3.4 for further details. 

There have been no changes to the other arrangements during the year ended 31 March 2018. Further disclosures in respect of service 
concession arrangements as required by paragraph 6 SIC 29 are provided on pages 54 to 59 of the Municipal operating review.  

 148 

 
 
 
 
 
Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities continued 

4.4 Financial assets relating to PFI/PPP contracts continued 
The movements in financial assets during the year are as follows: 

At 1 April 2016 
Income recognised in the Income Statement: Interest Income (note 5.4)
Advances 
Repayments 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2017 
Income recognised in the Income Statement: Interest Income (note 5.4)
Advances 
Repayments 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2018 
Current 
Non-current 
At 31 March 2018 
Current 
Non-current 
At 31 March 2017 

4.5 Capital commitments 

Contracts placed for future capital expenditure on financial assets
Contracts placed for future capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment
Contracts placed for future intangible assets 
Joint venture contracts placed for future capital expenditure including financial assets

4.6 Inventories 
Accounting policy 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value and are measured on a first in first out basis. 

Inventories are analysed as follows: 

Raw materials and consumables 
Finished goods 

2018
£m
0.7
16.8
0.3
3.0

2018
£m
12.3
11.0
23.3

£m
158.6
9.6
21.4
(13.1)
2.3
178.8
9.7
8.1
(13.4)
(3.3)
179.9
13.5
166.4
179.9
13.3
165.5
178.8

2017
£m
1.9
18.9
1.3
10.4

2017
£m
9.8
10.1
19.9

149

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities continued 

4.7 Trade and other receivables 
Accounting policy  
Trade receivables do not carry interest and are recognised initially at their fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost less 
provision for impairment. A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not 
be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. The amount of the provision is the difference between the 
asset’s carrying value and the value of estimated future cash flows. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited in the 
Income Statement. 

The Group has entered into invoice finance facilities whereby certain of its trade receivables are sold to third parties on a monthly basis. Trade 
receivables subject to these arrangements are derecognised when the Group’s rights to receive cash flows and substantially all the risks and 
rewards of ownership have been transferred. For trade receivables where the Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the 
risks and rewards of ownership and control has not passed to the third party, the Group continues to recognise part of the trade receivable 
according to the Group’s continuing exposure to the risks and rewards of the financial asset. This is determined by the extent to which the 
Group remains exposed to changes in the value of the transferred asset being the remaining late payment risk and is included within trade 
receivables and other payables. The Group continues to perform the servicing of the receivables sold and is not authorised to use the 
receivables sold other than in its capacity as servicer. The value of this service is not considered material for specific disclosure. 

Other receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. 

Deferred consideration receivable is provided for at the NPV of the Group’s expected receipt at the date of disposal. The likelihood of receipt for 
deferred consideration where conditional on meeting certain performance targets is considered on disposal.  

Trade and other receivables are analysed as follows: 

Non-current assets 
Deferred consideration 
Prepayments 

Current assets 
Trade receivables 
Provision for impairment of receivables 
Trade receivables – net 
Accrued income 
Deferred consideration 
Other receivables 
Prepayments 

2018 
£m 

0.6 
4.0 
4.6 

162.2 
(7.2) 
155.0 
56.1 
0.2 
30.4 
16.1 
257.8 

2017
£m

0.8
2.3
3.1

144.5
(8.5)
136.0
53.0
–
30.7
15.0
234.7

As at 31 March 2018, the carrying amount included in trade and other receivables representing the Group’s continuing involvement in trade 
receivables, subject to invoice finance facilities, totalled £3.8m (2017: £4.0m) in trade receivables and £12.9m (2017: £12.9m) in other receivables. 

Movement in the provision for impairment of receivables: 

At 1 April 
Charged to Income Statement 
Utilised 
Exchange 
At 31 March 

The allowance for bad and doubtful debts is equivalent to 4.4% (2017: 5.9%) of gross trade receivables. 

2018 
£m 
8.5 
2.2 
(3.5) 
– 
7.2 

2017
£m
7.5
1.4
(1.0)
0.6
8.5

 150 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities continued 

4.7 Trade and other receivables continued 

Ageing of trade receivables that are past due but not impaired: 

Neither impaired nor past due 
Not impaired but overdue by less than three months
Not impaired but overdue by between three and six months
Not impaired but overdue by more than six months
Impaired 
Impairment provision 

2018
£m
124.4
26.1
1.8
2.7
7.2
(7.2)
155.0

2017
£m
99.6
31.5
1.7
3.2
8.5
(8.5)
136.0

Past due and current amounts are not impaired where collection is considered likely. The Group considers that the carrying amount of trade 
and other receivables approximates their fair value. There is no concentration of credit risk with respect to trade and other receivables as the 
Group has a large number of customers internationally dispersed with no individual customer owing a significant amount. 

The carrying amounts of trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies: 

Sterling 
Euro 
Canadian Dollar 

2018
£m
34.9
224.9
2.6
262.4

2017
£m
34.8
201.6
1.4
237.8

151

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities continued 

4.8 Trade and other payables and other non-current liabilities 
Accounting policy 
Trade and other payables are not interest bearing and are measured initially at fair value and subsequently held at amortised cost. 

Trade and other payables and other non-current liabilities are analysed as follows: 

Current liabilities 
Trade payables 
Other tax and social security payable 
Other payables 
Accruals 
Deferred revenue 
Deferred consideration 

Non-current liabilities 
Other payables 
Deferred revenue 
Deferred consideration 
Government grants 

2018 
£m 

196.5 
37.9 
56.2 
140.3 
41.1 
0.1 
472.1 

2.9 
3.5 
0.3 
0.2 
6.9 

The carrying amounts of trade and other payables and other non-current liabilities are denominated in the following currencies: 

Sterling 
Euro 
Canadian Dollar 

2018 
£m 
65.7 
409.0 
4.3 
479.0 

2017
£m

177.1
34.9
46.4
121.1
30.6
0.7
410.8

2.9
1.6
0.4
0.2
5.1

2017
£m
73.5
336.8
5.6
415.9

4.9 Provisions 
Accounting policy 
Provisions are recognised where there is a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event and it is probable that an outflow 
of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the 
obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material the value of a provision is the present value of the expenditures expected to 
be required to settle the obligation. A discount is applied to recognise the time value of money and is unwound over the life of the provision. 
The discount rates are reviewed at each year end with consideration given to appropriate market rates and the risk in relation to each 
provision. The unwinding of the discount to present value is included within finance costs. 

The Group’s policies on provisions for specific areas are: 

Site restoration and aftercare provisions are recognised at the net present value (NPV) of the estimated future expenditure required to settle the 
Group’s restoration and aftercare obligations at its landfill and mineral extraction sites. Full provision is made for the Group’s unavoidable costs 
in relation to restoration liabilities.  Provision is made for the NPV of post closure costs (aftercare) as the aftercare liability arises. Costs are 
charged to the Income Statement based on the quantity of waste deposited in the year and when the obligation recognised as a provision gives 
access to future economic benefits an asset is recognised in property, plant and equipment.  

Onerous contract provisions are recognised when under a contract the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligation under the contract exceed 
the economic benefits expected to be received. 

Provision for restructuring costs is recognised when a detailed formal plan exists and those affected by that plan have a valid expectation that 
the restructuring will be carried out. 

 152 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 4. Operating assets and liabilities continued 

4.9 Provisions continued 
Provisions are analysed as follows: 

At 1 April 2017 
Purchase price allocation adjustment (note 6.1) 
At 31 March 2017 – restated
Provided in the year 
Released in the year 
Finance charges – unwinding of discount (note 5.4)
Utilised in the year 
Reclassified to deferred revenue 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2018 
Current 
Non-current 
At 31 March 2018 
Current 
Non-current 
At 31 March 2017 

Site
restoration
 and
aftercare
£m
115.2
(1.8)
113.4
0.3
–
4.1
(3.6)
–
2.9
117.1
4.8
112.3
117.1
5.0
108.4
113.4

Restructuring  
£m
6.4
–
6.4
8.8
(0.2) 
–
(7.6) 
–
0.5
7.9
7.9
–
7.9
6.4
–
6.4

Onerous 
contracts 
 £m 
40.6 
5.5 
46.1 
65.6 
(3.9) 
1.4 
(13.4) 
– 
0.1 
95.9 
20.2 
75.7 
95.9 
23.0 
23.1 
46.1 

Other
£m
26.0
–
26.0
3.4
(0.6)
0.1
(3.8)
(3.5)
0.3
21.9
8.2
13.7
21.9
10.6
15.4
26.0

Total
£m
188.2
3.7
191.9
78.1
(4.7)
5.6
(28.4)
(3.5)
3.8
242.8
41.1
201.7
242.8
45.0
146.9
191.9

Site restoration 
The site restoration provision at 31 March 2018 related to the cost of final capping and covering of the landfill sites and mineral extractions sites. 
The Group’s minimum unavoidable costs have been reassessed at the year end and the net present value fully provided for. These costs are 
expected to be paid over a period of up to 33 years from the balance sheet date and may be impacted by a number of factors including changes 
in legislation and technology. 

Aftercare 
Post-closure costs of landfill sites, including such items as monitoring, gas and leachate management and licensing, have been estimated by 
management based on current best practice and technology available. These costs may be impacted by a number of factors including changes 
in legislation and technology. The dates of payments of these aftercare costs are uncertain but are anticipated to be over a period of at least  
30 years from closure of the relevant landfill site. 

Restructuring 
The restructuring provision relates to redundancy and related costs incurred as part of previous structural cost programmes in the legacy 
businesses and more recently, restructuring initiatives including the delivery of merger related synergies. As at 31 March 2018 the provision  
is expected to be spent in the following year as affected employees leave the business. 

Onerous contracts 
Onerous contracts are provided at the net present value of either exiting the contracts or fulfilling our obligations under the contracts. The 
provisions are to be utilised over the period of the contracts to which they relate with the latest date being 2040. Further details of the additions 
in the year principally relate to the UK Municipal business and are shown in note 3.4. 

Other 
Other provisions principally cover dilapidations, long-service employee awards, legal claims, warranties and indemnities. Under the terms of 
the agreements for the disposal of certain businesses, the Group has given a number of warranties and indemnities to the purchasers which 
may give rise to payments. 

153

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 5. Capital structure and financing 

This section outlines how the Group manages its capital structure and related financing costs. It includes cash, borrowings, 
derivatives and the equity of the Group. The instruments in place enable the Group to maintain the required capital structure  
in order to finance the activities both now and in the future. 

Net debt reflects the Group’s cash and cash equivalents, core borrowings and PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt. 

Core net debt includes cash and cash equivalents but excludes the non-recourse net debt relating to the UK PFI/PPP contracts. 

5.1 Movements in core net debt and total net debt 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Bank loans and overdrafts 
Retail bonds 
Finance leases 
Total core net debt 
PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt 
Total net debt 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
Net decrease in borrowings and finance leases
Capitalisation of loan fees 
Cash and borrowings acquired through the VGG business combination
Total cash flows in net debt 
Finance leases entered into during the year 
Amortisation of loan fees 
Exchange loss 
Movement in net debt 
Net debt at beginning of year 
Net debt at end of year 

At 1 April 2017
£m
74.9
(283.4)
(170.2)
(45.2)
(423.9)
(87.1)
(511.0)

Cash flows
£m
(11.6)
(10.2)
–
13.3
(8.5)
4.2
(4.3)

Other 
non-cash 
changes
£m
–
0.9
(0.2)
(1.0)
(0.3)
–
(0.3)

Exchange 
movements 
£m 
0.6 
(1.2) 
(4.2) 
(1.2) 
(6.0) 
– 
(6.0) 

At 31 March 
2018
£m
63.9
(293.9)
(174.6)
(34.1)
(438.7)
(82.9)
(521.6)

2018 
£m 
(11.6) 
7.3 
1.0 
– 
(3.3) 
(1.0) 
(0.3) 
(6.0) 
(10.6) 
(511.0) 
(521.6) 

2017
£m
(40.4)
72.9
–
(240.4)
(207.9)
(1.1)
(1.8)
(16.5)
(227.3)
(283.7)
(511.0)

5.2 Cash and cash equivalents 
Accounting policy 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits with a maturity of three months or less. Where the Group has a legal right 
to offset with a financial institution and the intention to settle net, then bank overdrafts are offset against the cash balances. 

Cash and cash equivalents are analysed as follows: 

Cash at bank and in hand 
Short-term deposits 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents are denominated in the following currencies: 

Sterling 
Euro 
Canadian Dollar 

 154 

2018 
£m 
63.8 
0.1 
63.9 

2018 
£m 
12.3 
50.8 
0.8 
63.9 

2017
£m
74.8
0.1
74.9

2017
£m
18.1
56.2
0.6
74.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 5. Capital structure and financing continued 

5.3 Borrowings 
Accounting policy 
Interest bearing loans and retail bonds are recorded at their initial fair value which normally reflects the proceeds received, net of direct issue 
costs. When the Group exchanges with an existing lender one debt instrument for another one with substantially different terms, such exchange 
is accounted for as an extinguishment of the original financial liability and the recognition of a new financial liability. Similarly the Group 
accounts for substantial modifications of the terms of an existing liability or part of it as an extinguishment of the original financial liability and 
the recognition of a new liability. The terms are considered to be substantially different if the discounted present value of the cash flows under 
the new terms, including any fees paid and discounted using the original effective rate, is at least 10% different from the discounted present 
value of the remaining cash flows of the original financial liability. Any gain or loss on extinguishment is recognised in the Income Statement. 

Where the Group has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a leased asset, the lease is treated as a finance lease. Leased assets 
are included in property, plant and equipment at the total of the capital elements of the payments during the lease term and the corresponding 
obligation is included in borrowings. Depreciation is provided to write down the assets over the shorter of the expected useful economic life 
and the lease term, unless there is reasonable certainty that the Group will obtain ownership of the asset by the end of the lease term, in which 
case it is depreciated over its useful economic life. 

Borrowings are analysed as follows: 

Current borrowings 
Bank overdraft 
Finance lease obligations 
Other loans 
Core borrowings 
PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt 

Non-current borrowings 
Retail bonds 
Term loan 
Revolving credit facility 
Finance lease obligations 
Other loans 
Core borrowings 
PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt 

2018
£m

3.1
9.8
–
12.9
1.2
14.1

174.6
118.8
172.0
24.3
–
489.7
81.7
571.4

The table below details the maturity profile of non-current borrowings: 

Between one and two years
Between two years and five years 
Over five years 

2018

PFI/PPP non-
recourse net 
debt
£m
2.5
11.1
68.1
81.7

Core
 borrowings
£m
94.2
388.1
7.4
489.7

Total
£m
96.7
399.2
75.5
571.4

2017

PFI/PPP non-
recourse net
 debt
£m
2.5
9.3
73.2
85.0

Core 
 borrowings 
£m 
9.5 
379.0 
93.9 
482.4 

The carrying amounts of borrowings are denominated in the following currencies: 

Sterling 
Euro 
Canadian Dollar 

2018
£m
202.9
320.2
62.4
585.5

2017
£m

4.0
12.3
0.1
16.4
2.1
18.5

170.2
123.0
156.2
32.9
0.1
482.4
85.0
567.4

Total
£m
12.0
388.3
167.1
567.4

2017
£m
132.1
398.7
55.1
585.9

155

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 5. Capital structure and financing continued 

5.3 Borrowings continued 
Core borrowings  
The Group’s core bank loans and retail bonds are unsecured and have cross guarantees from members of the Group.  

At 31 March 2018, the Group had a core Euro denominated multicurrency bank facility of €575m (2017: €600m) consisting of a €143.8m (2017: 
€143.8m) term loan and €431.2m (2017: €456.2m) revolving credit facility. The facility matures on 29 September 2022 following the exercise of the 
first one year extension option and is subject to a further one year extension option. At 31 March 2018 the term loan was fully drawn at £118.8m  
(2017: £123.0m) and £172.0m (2017: £156.2m) of the revolving credit facility was drawn for borrowings in Euros, Canadian dollars and Sterling. The 
remaining £205.0m (2017: £233.9m) was available for drawing under the revolving credit facility of which £46.1m (2017: £69.7m) was utilised for 
ancillary guarantee facilities. 

At 31 March 2018 the Group had two issues of retail bonds to investors in Belgium and Luxembourg which are listed on the London Stock 
Exchange. The retail bonds due July 2019 of £87.5m (€100m) (2017: £85.2m (€100m)) have an annual coupon of 4.23% and the green retail 
bonds due June 2022 of £87.1m (€100m) (2017: £85.0m (€100m)) have an annual coupon of 3.65%. 

Included within core borrowings are capitalised loan fees of £1.5m (2017: £0.8m). 

The Group’s finance lease liabilities are payable as follows: 

Within one year 
Between one and five years 
More than five years 

2018

2017 

Minimum
 lease 
payments
£m
10.4
20.2
7.4
38.0

Interest
£m
(0.6)
(1.7)
(1.6)
(3.9)

Principal
£m
9.8
18.5
5.8
34.1

Minimum
lease
payments
£m
13.4
25.9
10.7
50.0

Interest 
£m 
(1.1) 
(2.0) 
(1.7) 
(4.8) 

Principal
£m
12.3
23.9
9.0
45.2

The Group has an option to purchase leased assets at the end of the lease term. There are no restrictions imposed by lessors to take out further 
debt or leases. 

PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt 
The PFI/PPP non-recourse debt is held in three PFI/PPP companies: Argyll & Bute, Cumbria and Barnsley, Doncaster & Rotherham with 
maturities on 15 January 2023, 30 September 2032 and 30 June 2037 respectively. Each UK Municipal PFI/PPP company has non-recourse loan 
facilities which are secured by a legal mortgage over any land and a fixed and floating charge over the assets of the PFI/PPP company. 

PFI/PPP cash and cash equivalents are offset against the non-recourse gross debt as they are subject to offsetting arrangements under the  
debt facilities. 

2018 
Bank Loans 
PFI/PPP  
non-recourse 
net debt 
£m 
99.2 
(16.3) 
82.9 

2017
Bank Loans 
PFI/PPP 
non-recourse 
net debt
£m
102.7
(15.6)
87.1

PFI/PPP non-recourse gross debt 
PFI/PPP cash and cash equivalents 
PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt 

 156 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Section 5. Capital structure and financing continued 

5.3 Borrowings continued 
Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group does not have sufficient financial resources to meet its obligations as they fall due. The Group primarily 
manages liquidity risk by monitoring forecast cash flows to ensure that revolving credit facility drawdowns are arranged as necessary and an 
adequate level of headroom is maintained. The way the Group manages liquidity risk has not changed from the previous year. 

Unutilised committed borrowing facilities: 

Expiring between one and two years 
Expiring in more than two years 

Core borrowings

2018
£m
–
158.9
158.9

2017
£m
21.4
161.6
183.0

PFI/PPP non-recourse 
net debt 
2018
£m
–
1.9
1.9

2017 
£m 
– 
1.9 
1.9 

Total 

2018
£m
–
160.8
160.8

2017
£m
21.4
163.5
184.9

In addition, the Group had access to £3.8m (2017: £4.3m) of undrawn uncommitted working capital facilities. 

In the majority of cases subsidiaries holding non-recourse PFI/PPP debt and financial assets are restricted in their ability to transfer funds to the 
parent in the form of cash dividends or to repay loans and advances. This is due to the terms of the financing facility agreements and require 
lender approval to make such transfers. 

The following table analyses the Group’s financial liabilities and net settled derivative financial instruments into relevant maturity groupings. 
The maturities of the undiscounted cash flows, including interest and principal, at the balance sheet date are based on the earliest date on 
which the Group is obliged to pay. 

Within  
one year 
£m 

Between one 
and five years
£m

Over 
five years
£m

At 31 March 2018 
Retail bonds 
Bank loans – core borrowings
Bank loans – PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt 
Finance lease liabilities 
Net settled derivative financial instruments  
Trade and other payables 

At 31 March 2017 
Retail bonds 
Bank loans – core borrowings
Bank loans – PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt 
Finance lease liabilities 
Net settled derivative financial instruments  
Trade and other payables* 

6.9 
11.1 
6.7 
10.4 
1.8 
393.1 
430.0 

6.7 
11.6 
6.8 
13.4 
3.1 
345.3 
386.9 

191.8
317.0
28.7
20.2
10.9
0.6
569.2

105.2
307.6
26.2
25.9
12.2
0.6
477.7

*The trade and other payables value as at March 2017 has been restated for acquisition accounting adjustments in relation to the VGG acquisition. 

–
–
102.7
7.4
17.9
2.6
130.6

88.6
–
108.4
10.7
23.0
2.7
233.4

157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 5. Capital structure and financing continued 

5.4 Net finance charges 
Accounting policy 
Finance charges, including direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accruals basis in the Income Statement using the effective interest rate 
method. Interest receivable on financial assets relating to PFI/PPP contracts is added to the financial asset based on the rate implied at the 
start of the PPP/PFI project.  

Net finance charges are analysed as follows 

Finance charges 
Interest payable on borrowings wholly repayable within five years
Interest payable on borrowings repayable after five years 
Interest payable on PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt 
Unwinding of discount on provisions (note 4.9)
Interest charge on the retirement benefit schemes (note 7.2) 
Amortisation of loan fees 
Other finance costs 
Total finance charges 
Finance income 
Interest receivable on financial assets relating to PFI/PPP contracts (note 4.4)
Unwinding of discount on deferred consideration receivable 
Interest receivable on other loans and receivables 
Total finance income 

Exceptional finance charges (note 3.4) 
Net finance charges 

2018 
£m 

16.6 
– 
7.0 
5.6 
0.6 
0.3 
2.1 
32.2 

(9.7) 
(0.2) 
(2.4) 
(12.3) 

– 
19.9 

2017 
£m

7.9
2.9
7.3
2.6
0.3
1.0
1.1
23.1

(9.6)
(0.2)
(0.5)
(10.3)

11.6
24.4

5.5 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities  
Accounting policy 
In accordance with its treasury policy, the Group only holds derivative financial instruments to manage the Group’s exposure to financial risk. 
The Group does not hold derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. 

Interest risk and foreign exchange risk on the Group’s variable rate borrowings;  

The exposure to financial risk includes: 
 
  Commodity risk in relation to diesel consumption; and 
  Foreign exchange risk on the Group’s off-take contacts in the UK Municipal business. 

The Group manages these risks through a range of derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, cross-
currency interest rate swaps, forward foreign exchange contracts and fuel derivatives. 

Derivative financial instruments are considered to be used for hedging purposes when they alter the risk profile of an underlying exposure  
of the Group in line with the Group’s risk management policies. At the inception of the hedge relationship, the Group formally designates and 
documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and hedged item, along with its risk management objectives and its strategy for 
undertaking various hedge transactions. Such hedges are expected at inception to be highly effective and are assessed on an ongoing basis to 
determine that they have been highly effective throughout the financial reporting periods for which they are designated. Changes in the fair 
value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recognised in other comprehensive income 
and subsequently reclassified into profit or loss as the hedged cash flows occur. Any ineffectiveness is recognised in the Income Statement as  
a non-trading income or charge. Certain derivative financial instruments do not quality for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of such 
instruments are recognised immediately in the Income Statement as a non-trading income or charge. 

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, exercised or no longer qualifies for hedge 
accounting. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised in equity is retained in equity until the forecast 
transaction occurs at which point it is recognised in the Income Statement. If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net 
cumulative gain or loss recognised in equity is recognised in the Income Statement immediately. 

 158 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 5. Capital structure and financing continued 

5.5 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities continued 
Derivative financial instruments are analysed as follows: 

Relating to core financing 
Cross-currency interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges
Cross-currency interest rate swaps – at fair value through profit or loss
Fuel derivatives – cash flow hedges 
Forward foreign exchange contracts – cash flow hedges
Interest rate cap – cash flow hedge 
Relating to PFI/PPP contracts 
Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges 
Interest rate swaps – at fair value through profit or loss
Total 
Current 
Non-current 
Total 

2018

Assets
£m

Liabilities 
£m 

2017

Assets
£m

Liabilities
£m

0.4
–
1.5
–
–

–
–
1.9
1.4
0.5
1.9

5.3 
0.1 
– 
0.1 
– 

23.6 
0.1 
29.2 
0.1 
29.1 
29.2 

–
–
–
–
0.3

–
–
0.3
–
0.3
0.3

1.1
–
0.8
0.1
–

28.6
0.2
30.8
0.8
30.0
30.8

The fair value of a derivative financial instrument is classified as a non-current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item 
is more than one year and as a current asset or liability when the remaining maturity is less than one year.  

Cumulative losses recognised in equity on the derivative financial instruments at 31 March 2018 were £22.2m (2017: £29.4m) with a gain of 
£7.2m recognised in the current year (2017: £1.3m) in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. There was no ineffectiveness to be recorded for 
the cash flow hedges (2017: £nil). The foreign exchange gain on translation of the borrowings under the cross currency interest rate swaps of 
£2.3m (2017: £0.9m) is included within the £7.2m (2017: £1.3m) gain recognised in other comprehensive income.  

Cross-currency interest rate swaps 
The notional principal amount of the outstanding forward cross currency interest rate swaps at 31 March 2018 was £147.6m (2017: £75.0m). The 
Group holds three contracts: a floating rate term loan borrowing of Canadian dollar $50.0m swapped to €36.1m at a fixed interest rate of 2.18% 
expiring February 2020, a floating rate revolving credit facility (RCF) borrowing of Sterling £45m swapped to €53.0m at a fixed interest rate of 
2.17% expiring February 2020 and a RCF borrowing of Sterling £75m swapped to €85.0m at a fixed rate of 1.71% expiring September 2019.  

Interest rate cap 
The notional principal amount of the outstanding interest rate cap contract at 31 March 2018 was £109.6m (2017: £106.9m). Under this contract 
the 3-month Euribor interest rate payable on £109.6m (2017: £106.9m) (€125m) of term loan and RCF borrowings is capped at 0.25% until 
February 2020.  

Fuel derivatives 
The value of wholesale fuel covered by fuel derivatives at 31 March 2018 amounted to £12.6m (2017: £12.6m). The combined Group has annual usage 
across the Netherlands and Belgium of approximately 53m litres of diesel per annum of which approximately 33m litres has been fixed at an average  
of €0.36 per litre for the year to 31 March 2019 and a further 7m litres has been fixed at an average of €0.37 per litre for the year to 31 March 2020. 

Forward foreign exchange contracts 
The notional principal amount of the outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts at 31 March 2018 was £11.4m (2017: £10.1m). Under these 
contracts the UK Municipal business has fixed the Sterling rate of underlying Euro off-take contracts on a monthly basis at an average GBP:EUR 
rate of 1.12 expiring March 2019. 

Interest rate swaps relating to PFI/PPP contracts 
The notional principal amount of the outstanding interest rate swap contracts at 31 March 2018 was £97.1m (2017: £100.4m). Under these 
contracts the Libor rate of PPP/PFI non-recourse borrowing for Argyll & Bute, Cumbria and Barnsley Doncaster & Rotherham projects are fixed 
at rates of 5.8%, 4.8% and 3.4% respectively from inception to expiry on 16 January 2023, 30 September 2032 and 30 June 2037 respectively. 
The gains and losses recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income for cash flow hedges will be released to the Income Statement 
within finance costs until the repayment of the non-recourse borrowings.  

159

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 5. Capital structure and financing continued 

5.6 Fair value hierarchy, fair values and carrying values of financial instruments 
Fair value hierarchy 
The Group uses the following hierarchy of valuation techniques to determine the fair value of financial instruments: 
  Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities 
  Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly  

or indirectly; 

  Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data 

During the year ended 31 March 2018, there were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 fair value measurements and no transfers into and out 
of level 3. 

Valuation techniques used to derive Level 2 fair values 
The fair values of interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, cross-currency interest rate swaps, forward foreign exchange contracts and fuel 
derivatives are determined by discounting the future cash flows using the applicable period-end yield curve. For the retail bonds, the fair value 
is based on indicative market pricing. 

The table below presents the Group’s assets and liabilities measured at level 2 fair values: 

Assets 
Derivative financial instruments (note 5.5) 

Liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments (note 5.5) 
Retail bonds 

Carrying value of financial assets and financial liabilities 

Financial assets 
Loans and receivables 
Loans to associates and joint ventures 
Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments* 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Financial assets relating to PFI/PPP contracts
Derivative financial instruments 
Fuel derivatives 
Interest rate cap 
Cross-currency interest rate swaps  
Available for sale financial assets 
Unlisted investments 

 2018 
£m 

1.9 
1.9 

29.2 
176.6 
205.8 

2018 
£m 

19.8 
242.3 
63.9 
179.9 

1.5 
– 
0.4 

4.1 
511.9 

2017
£m

0.3
0.3

30.8
177.4
208.2

2017
£m

19.9
220.5
74.9
178.8

–
0.3
–

4.0
498.4

Note

4.3

4.7

5.2

4.4

5.5

5.5

5.5

4.3

*The trade and other receivables excluding prepayments value as at March 2017 has been restated for acquisition accounting adjustments in relation to the VGG acquisition. 

 160 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 5. Capital structure and financing continued 

5.6 Fair value hierarchy, fair values and carrying values of financial instruments continued 

The Group considers that the fair value of financial assets is not materially different to their carrying value. For unlisted investments the carrying 
value is measured at cost as the range of possible fair values is significant and the Group has no current plans to dispose of these investments. 

Financial liabilities 
Financial liabilities at amortised cost 
Bank overdraft  
Term loan, revolving credit facility and other loans
Retail bonds 
Finance lease obligations 
Trade and other payables excluding non-financial liabilities*
Bank loans – PFI/PPP non-recourse net debt 
Derivative financial instruments 
Cross-currency interest rate swaps 
Fuel derivatives 
Forward foreign exchange contracts 
Interest rate swaps relating to PFI/PPP contracts

Note 

5.3 

5.3 

5.3 

5.3 

4.8 

5.3 

5.5 

5.5 

5.5 

5.5 

2018
£m

3.1
290.8
174.6
34.1
396.3
82.9

5.4
–
0.1
23.7
1,011.0

2017
£m

4.0
279.4
170.2
45.2
348.6
87.1

1.1
0.8
0.1
28.8
965.3

*The trade and other payables excluding non-financial liabilities value as at March 2017 has been restated for acquisition accounting adjustments in relation to the VGG 
acquisition. 

The Group considers that the fair value of bank loans, trade and other payables and finance lease obligations are not materially different to 
their carrying value. 

5.7 Financial risk management objectives and policies 

The Group is exposed to market risk (interest rate risk and commodity price risk), foreign exchange risk, liquidity risk and 
counterparty credit risk. The Group’s Treasury Committee is charged with managing and controlling risk relating to the financing 
and liquidity of the Group under policies approved by the Board of Directors. The Group does not enter into speculative 
transactions. 

Interest rate risk 
Changes in interest rates could have an impact on the interest cover covenant of the Group’s core facilities and on the interest charge in the 
Income Statement. In order to monitor and manage the risk, borrowings and the expected interest cost for the year are frequently forecasted 
and sensitised for potential changes.  

The Group has continued to limit its exposure to interest rate risk by using fixed rate retail bonds, fixed rate finance leases, cross currency 
interest rate swaps and an interest rate cap. The proportion of the Group’s core borrowing that was fixed or hedged at 31 March 2018 was 
£466.6m (2017: £387.1m) or 93% (2017: 78%). Additionally the PFI/PPP non-recourse floating rate borrowings are hedged using interest rate 
swaps which hedge the interest cash flows.  

The interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps are accounted for under IAS 39 with changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps being 
recognised directly in reserves, as they are effective hedges. The interest rate swap in relation to Argyll & Bute has not been designated as a 
hedge by the Group therefore it is classified as held for trading in accordance with IAS 39.  

161

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 5. Capital structure and financing continued 

5.7 Financial risk management objectives and policies continued 
Interest rate sensitivity for core borrowings 
Interest on the floating rate term and revolving credit facilities will vary as interest rates increase or decrease. If rates had moved by 1% the 
impact on profit before tax would have been a loss or gain of £1.1m (2017: £0.8m) based on the average core bank borrowing during the year.  

The fair values of cross currency interest rate swaps for hedging the core borrowing are determined with reference to floating market interest 
rates. A 1% increase in interest rates would have reduced the fair value of the interest rate hedge liabilities and resulted in a pre-tax gain in other 
comprehensive income of £2.7m (2017: £2.3m). A 1% decrease in interest rates would have increased the fair value of the interest rate hedge 
liabilities and led to a pre-tax loss in other comprehensive income of £2.7m (2017: £2.4m).  

The fair value of the interest rate cap used for hedging the core borrowing was determined with reference to floating market interest rates. A 1% 
increase in interest rates would have increased the fair value of the interest rate cap asset and resulted in a pre-tax gain in other comprehensive 
income of £1.0m (2017: £1.6m). A 1% decrease in interest rates would not have impacted the fair value of the interest rate cap asset in the 
current year, in the prior year a 1% decrease would have reduced the fair value of the interest rate cap and led to a pre-tax loss in other 
comprehensive income of £0.2m.  

Interest rate sensitivity for PFI/PPP non-recourse borrowings 
There is no unhedged amount of the PFI/PPP facilities. The fair values of interest rate swaps used for hedging of PFI/PPP non-recourse 
borrowings are determined with reference to floating market interest rate. A 1% increase in interest rates would have reduced the fair value of 
the interest rate swap liabilities and resulted in a pre-tax gain in other comprehensive income of £9.6m (2017: £11.0m). A 1% decrease in 
interest rates would have increased the fair value of the interest rate swap liabilities and led to a pre-tax loss in other comprehensive income of 
£10.9m (2017: £12.6m).  

Foreign exchange risk 
The Group operates in Europe and Canada and is exposed to translation risk on the value of assets denominated in Euros and Canadian Dollars 
into Sterling. This exposure is reduced by borrowing in Euros and Canadian Dollars. The Group applies hedge accounting principles to net 
investments in foreign operations and the related borrowings. 

The Group has limited transactional risk as the Group’s subsidiaries conduct the majority of their business in their respective functional 
currencies. Some risk arises in Euros on the export of processed waste from the UK to Europe which is managed through the use of forward 
exchange contracts.  

The Group has designated the carrying value of Euro borrowings (excluding finance leases) of £283.3m (2017: £349.8m) (fair value of £285.3m 
(2017: £357.0m)) as a net investment hedge of the Group’s investments denominated in Euros. The hedge was 100% effective for the year ended 
31 March 2018 (2017: 100%) and as a result the related exchange loss of £9.8m (2017: £17.2m) on translation of the borrowings into Sterling has 
been recognised in the exchange reserve. 

Foreign exchange sensitivity 
The impact of a change in foreign exchange rates of 10% on the Group’s profit before tax would be £3.6m (2017: £2.3m) and the impact on 
underlying profit before tax would have been £6.0m (2017: £3.4m). 

The fair values of cross currency interest rate swaps for hedging the core borrowing are determined with reference to spot foreign exchanges 
rates. A 10% increase in the Euro foreign exchange rate against the Canadian Dollar and Sterling would have increased the fair value of the cross 
currency interest rate swap liabilities and resulted in a pre-tax loss in other comprehensive income of £13.9m (2017: £7.3m). A 10% decrease in 
the Euro foreign exchange rate against the Canadian Dollar and Sterling would have reduced the fair value of the cross currency interest rate 
swap liability or created an asset and led to a pre-tax gain in other comprehensive income of £17.0m (2017: £8.9m).  

Commodity price risk and sensitivity 
The Group is exposed to diesel price changes which are managed using forward contracts. The Group manages other exposures to prices of 
paper, plastics, metals, residual fuels and other recyclates associated with off-take through commercial contracting. The impact of a change in 
unhedged wholesale fuel prices (excluding duty) of 10% on the Group’s profit before tax would have been £0.9m (2017: £0.4m). 

 162 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 5. Capital structure and financing continued 

5.7 Financial risk management objectives and policies continued 
Credit risk 
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss where counterparties are not able to meet their obligations. At 31 March 2018 the amount of credit risk on 
cash and short-term deposits totalled £63.9m (2017: £74.9m). 

Trade and other receivables mainly comprise amounts due from customers for services performed. Management considers that the exposure  
of any single customer is not significant and that where credit quality is in doubt, adequate provision has been made for probable losses.  
At 31 March 2018 the amount of credit risk on trade and other receivables amounted to £242.3m (2017: £220.5m). The Group does not hold  
any collateral as security. 

The financial assets relating to PFI/PPP contracts are recoverable from the future revenues relating to these contracts. Management consider 
that as the counterparties for the future revenues are local authorities or councils, there is minimal credit risk. At 31 March 2018 the amount  
of credit risk on financial assets amounted to £179.9m (2017: £178.8m). 

5.8 Capital management 
The Group actively manages the capital available to fund the Group, comprising equity and reserves together with core debt funding. In order 
to make decisions over where capital is allocated, the Group monitors the return on capital employed. The Group has a funding strategy to 
ensure there is an appropriate debt to equity ratio as well as an appropriate debt maturity profile. The strategy is based on the requirements  
of the Company’s Articles of Association, which state that borrowings should be limited to three times the level of capital and reserves, which  
is the equity attributable to the owners of the parent. 

The Group monitors capital on the basis of the gearing ratio. This ratio is calculated as core net debt divided by total capital. The gearing ratios 
at 31 March 2018 and 2017 were as follows: 

Total core borrowings 
Less: cash and cash equivalents 
Core net debt 
Total equity 
Total capital 
Gearing ratio 

  Note 

5.3 

5.2 

2018
£m
502.6
(63.9)
438.7
382.4
821.1
53%

2017
£m
498.8
(74.9)
423.9
437.4
861.3
49%

The Group has to comply with a number of banking covenants which are set out in the core bank facility agreements including interest cover 
and the ratio of debt to EBITDA of the Group. There are other restrictions in the loan documentation concerning acquisitions, disposals, security 
and other issues. The Group has complied with its banking covenants during the year. 

5.9 Equity 
Accounting policy 
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new ordinary shares or share options are shown  
in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. Any excess of the net proceeds over the nominal value of any shares issued is credited  
to the share premium account. 

Share capital and share premium 

Share capital – Ordinary shares 
of 10p each 

Share premium

Number 

£m

£m

Share capital allotted, called up and fully paid 
At 1 April 2016 
Issued under rights issue and firm placing 
Consideration shares issued as consideration for acquisition of subsidiary
Issued under share option schemes 
At 31 March 2017 
Issued under share option schemes 
At 31 March 2018 

398,189,557 
211,201,962 
190,187,502 
233,202 
799,812,223 
321,029 
800,133,252 

39.8
21.1
19.0
–
79.9
0.1
80.0

100.2
115.2
161.7
0.1
377.2
0.2
377.4

163

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 5. Capital structure and financing continued 

5.9 Equity continued 

During the year 321,029 (2017: 233,202) ordinary shares were allotted following the exercise of share options under the Savings Related Share 
Option Schemes for an aggregate consideration of £232,475 (2017: £156,017). Further disclosures relating to share-based options are set out  
in note 7.3. 

The Renewi plc Employee Share Trust owns 1,308,652 (0.2%) (2017: nil) of the issued share capital of the Company in trust for the benefit  
of employees of the Group. The Trust waives its dividend entitlement. 

In the prior year a firm placing of 45,000,000 shares was completed at a price of 100p per share and a 3 for 8 rights issue of 166,201,962 shares  
to qualifying shareholders was completed at 58p per share. The Company raised £136.3m net of £5.1m issuance costs. On 28 February 2017 the 
Group issued 190,187,502 shares as part of the purchase consideration for 100% of the ordinary share capital of Van Gansewinkel Groep B V. 
The ordinary shares issued have the same rights as the other shares in issue.  

Non-controlling interests 
The information below reflects the amounts included in the Group’s Income Statement and Balance Sheet for subsidiaries with material non-
controlling interests. 

Revenue 
Profit after tax 
Other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income 
Total profit (loss) allocated to the non-controlling 
interests 

Non-current assets 
Current assets 
Non-current liabilities 
Current liabilities 
Net assets (liabilities) 
Accumulated non-controlling interests 

2018

2017* 

Maltha Groep BV
£m
47.9
1.0
–
1.0

Others
£m
36.7
(0.3)
1.9
1.6

0.3

0.3

28.8
17.2
(4.5)
(22.3)
19.2
6.4

71.9
10.0
(60.5)
(23.7)
(2.3)
(1.1)

Total
£m
84.6
0.7
1.9
2.6

0.6

100.7
27.2
(65.0)
(46.0)
16.9
5.3

Maltha Groep BV
£m
4.2
(0.1) 
–
(0.1) 

Others 
£m 
18.3 
(1.2) 
(0.7) 
(1.9) 

–

(0.5) 

28.6
14.0
(5.3) 
(19.6) 
17.7
5.8

73.6 
9.5 
(62.1) 
(24.6) 
(3.6) 
(1.3) 

Total
£m
22.5
(1.3)
(0.7)
(2.0)

(0.5)

102.2
23.5
(67.4)
(44.2)
14.1
4.5

Net (decrease) increase  in cash and cash equivalents 

(0.3)

0.5

0.2

0.3

(0.3) 

–

*The balance sheet as at 31 March 2017 has been restated for acquisition accounting adjustments in relation to the VGG acquisition. 

5.10 Dividends 
Accounting policy 
Dividend distributions to the equity holders are recognised in the period in which they are approved by the shareholders in general meeting. 
Interim dividends are recognised when paid. 

Dividends recognised and proposed: 

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:
Final dividend paid for the year ended 31 March 2017 of 2.1p per share (2016: 2.35p)
Interim dividend paid for the year ended 31 March 2018 of 0.95p per share (2017: 0.95p)

Proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2018 of 2.1p per share (2017: 2.1p)
Total dividend per share 

2018 
£m 

16.8 
7.6 
24.4 

16.8 
3.05p 

2017
£m

9.4
5.7
15.1

16.8
3.05p

 164 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
Section 6. Acquisitions and disposals  

The Group completed a major acquisition on 28 February 2017 for the Van Gansewinkel Groep BV (VGG) and the purchase price 
accounting has been completed in the current year. Two small acquisitions were made in the current year and there were no 
business disposals. 

6.1 Acquisitions 
Accounting policy 
The Group applies the acquisition method to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of the 
subsidiary is the fair value of assets transferred, liabilities incurred or assumed including the equity interests issued by the Group. Identifiable 
assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed, meeting the conditions for recognition under IFRS 3, are recognised at their 
fair value at the acquisition date. The fair value of businesses acquired may include waste permits, licences and customer relationships with the 
value calculated by discounting the future attributable revenue streams, which are recognised as intangible assets and amortised. The Group 
recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity on an acquisition by acquisition basis either at fair value or at the non-controlling 
interest’s proportionate share of the acquired entity’s net identifiable assets. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the 
Group’s share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The costs of acquisition are charged to the Income Statement in 
the year in which they are incurred. 

Van Gansewinkel Groep (VGG) acquisition 
On 28 February 2017, the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of Van Gansewinkel Groep BV (VGG) for £204.9m being £24.9m cash paid, 
consideration shares of £180.7m net of £0.7m received subsequently in accordance with the terms of the Purchase agreement. The fair value of 
the 190,187,502 shares issued was based on the published share price on the date of acquisition of 95p per share. 

The fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired in respect of the VGG acquisition were: 

Intangible assets: Customer relationships 
Intangible assets: Licenses 
Intangible assets: Permits 
Intangible assets: Software 
Intangible assets: Leasehold title 
Property, plant and equipment 
Investments 
Trade and other receivables
Assets held for sale 
Inventory 
Deferred taxation 
Current tax receivable 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other payables 
Provisions 
Defined benefit pension schemes deficit 
Deferred tax liability 
Current tax payable 
Derivatives 
Borrowings – Syndicated facility 
Borrowings – Finance leases, overdraft and other loans

Net identifiable assets acquired 
Less: Non-controlling interests 
Add: Goodwill arising on acquisition 
Net assets acquired 

£m
20.9
8.2
5.5
8.6
1.7
313.6
2.5
107.8
0.3
11.1
5.6
0.1
78.2
564.1

(188.4)
(100.2)
(8.1)
(44.3)
(7.8)
(12.6)
(276.9)
(41.7)
(680.0)

(115.9)
(7.0)
327.8
204.9

165

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 6. Acquisitions and disposals continued 

6.1 Acquisitions continued 

At 31 March 2017 the fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired in respect of the VGG acquisition were provisional. These have 
now been retrospectively adjusted to reflect new information obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition 
date. The impact of the restatement has been to increase property, plant and equipment by £28.5m, other intangibles by £1.2m, trade and 
other receivables by £0.7m, trade and other payables by £1.5m, provisions by £3.7m, deferred tax liability by £3.9m and corporation tax liability 
by £3.2m with a reduction in goodwill of £9.4m, acquisition intangibles of £9.4m and non-controlling interests of £0.7m. The goodwill arising on 
the acquisition is attributable to management’s expectations in regard to VGG’s growth prospects and margin improvements as well as 
synergies to be achieved post acquisition. None of the goodwill on this acquisition is expected to be deductible for tax. 

Other acquisitions 
In December 2017 ATM in the Hazardous Waste division acquired MVO Moerdijk BV, subsequently renamed ATM Terra BV, for a consideration of 
£6.3m. The business comprises a waterside quay and warehousing under a long-term lease from the Dutch authorities and a permit together 
with soil offset and deferred tax liabilities. The provisional fair value of the total identifiable net liabilities acquired was £6.7m resulting in 
goodwill of £13.0m representing the possibilities for strategic expansion. 

In March 2018 the Netherlands Commercial division made a small tuck in business combination comprising of plant and equipment and 
customer relationships for a consideration of £0.2m. 

6.2 Discontinued operations 
The table below show the results of the UK Solid Waste discontinued operations which are included in the Income Statement. 

Administrative expenses 
Trading loss before exceptional and non-trading items 
Exceptional and non-trading items 
Operating profit before tax on discontinued operations 
Taxation 
Profit after tax on discontinued operations 

2018 
£m 
(0.1) 
(0.1) 
0.5 
0.4 
– 
0.4 

2017
£m
–
–
(0.5)
(0.5)
–
(0.5)

The £0.5m non-trading item related to profit on sale of an unused piece of land which was impaired in the previous year. The net cash inflow 
generated from the discontinued operations included in the consolidated cash flow statement was £0.4m (2017: £0.4m). 

6.3 Assets classified as held for sale 
Accounting policy 
Assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Assets are classified as held 
for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as 
met only when the sale is highly probable and the assets are available for sale in their present condition. 

Assets classified as held for sale 
At 31 March 2018 the Group had £0.3m (2017: £0.3m) of property, plant and equipment held for sale. These assets were acquired through the 
VGG acquisition and consist of a piece of land on the Maarheeze site in the Netherlands which was formerly used as a waste collection site. 

 166 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 7. Employee benefits 

7.1 Employee costs and employee numbers 

This note shows the staff costs and the average monthly number of employees analysed by reportable segment. 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Share-based benefits 
Other pension costs 
Total staff costs 

The average number of employees by reportable segment during the year was:
Commercial Waste 
Hazardous Waste 
Monostreams 
Municipal 
Group central services 
Total average number of employees 

Note 

7.3 

7.2 

2018
£m
286.6
52.5
1.8
27.7
368.6

2018

4,742
943
461
700
254
7,100

2017
£m
139.5
25.4
0.5
12.8
178.2

Restated*
2017

2,099
773
71
665
37
3,645

*For 2017 the average number of VGG employees was reported as 309 and this has been restated to reflect the new reportable segments. The actual number of VGG 
employees for the month of March 2017 was 3,709. 

7.2 Retirement benefit schemes 

The Group operates defined benefit and defined contribution schemes in the UK and overseas. For the defined benefit schemes 
actuarial valuations are carried out as determined by the trustees at intervals of not more than three years. 

Accounting policy 
The Group accounts for pensions and similar benefits under IAS 19 (revised) Employee Benefits.  

The pension cost for the defined benefit schemes is assessed in accordance with management’s best estimates using the advice of an 
independent qualified actuary and assumptions in the latest actuarial valuation. For defined benefit plans, obligations are measured at 
discounted present value whilst plan assets are recorded at fair value. The operating and financing costs of the plans are recognised separately 
in the Income Statement. Interest is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net defined pension liability. Actuarial gains and losses are 
recognised in full through the Statement of Comprehensive Income; surpluses are recognised only to the extent that they are recoverable. 
Movements in irrecoverable surpluses are recognised immediately in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

Payments to defined contribution schemes are charged to the Income Statement as they become due. The Group participates in several multi-
employer schemes in the Netherlands and Belgium. With the exception of certain schemes in Belgium, these are accounted for as defined 
contribution plans as it is not possible to split the assets and liabilities of the schemes between participating companies, and the Group has 
been informed by the schemes that it has no obligation to make additional contributions in the event that the schemes have an overall deficit.  

Retirement benefit schemes costs 

UK defined contribution scheme 
UK defined benefit scheme 
Overseas defined benefit schemes 
Other overseas pension schemes 

2018
£m
1.1
0.3
2.1
24.2
27.7

2017
£m
1.1
0.3
0.2
11.2
12.8

167

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 7. Employee benefits continued 

7.2 Retirement benefit schemes continued 
UK defined benefit scheme 
The UK defined benefit pension scheme (called the Shanks Group Pension Scheme) covers eligible UK employees and is closed to new 
entrants. The defined benefit plan provides benefits to members in the form of a guaranteed level of pension payable for life and the level of 
benefits provided depends on the members’ length of service and salary. Plan assets are managed by the trustees. There are four trustees, two 
appointed by the Company and two nominated by members, who are responsible for ensuring the scheme is run in accordance with the 
members’ best interests and the pension laws of the UK (which are overseen by The Pensions Regulator). 

The most recent triennial actuarial valuation of the Scheme, which was performed by independent qualified actuaries for the trustees of the 
Scheme, was carried out as at 5 April 2015. The Group has agreed that it will aim to eliminate the pension plan deficit with an agreed annual deficit 
contribution of £3.1m for a further four years. The total estimated contributions expected to be paid to the scheme in the year ending 31 March 2019 
are £3.3m. 

The scheme’s assets of £168.3m (2017: £174.0m) are invested via Aon’s Delegated Consulting Service which is a fiduciary investment 
management platform managed by Hewitt Risk Management Services Limited. The delegated mandate is split into a growth and a hedging 
component and the allocation to each is determined by the investment objectives set by the trustees. The growth component of £108.1m 
(2017: £97.0m) comprises the following asset classes: equities, fixed income, debt, property, infrastructure and hedge funds. The hedging 
component of £60.2m (2017: £77.0m) comprises a mix of leveraged gilt funds and cash. 

The significant actuarial assumptions adopted at the balance sheet date were as follows: 

Discount rate 
Rate of price inflation 
Consumer price inflation 

2018 
% p.a. 
2.7 
3.2 
2.1 

2017
% p.a.
2.6
3.3
2.2

The discount rate assumption is derived from the single agency curve based on high quality AA rated bonds. The mortality assumptions are 
based on standard mortality tables which allow for future mortality improvements. The assumptions are that a member currently aged 65 will 
live on average for a further 23 years if they are male and for a further 25 years if they are female. For a member who retires in 2038 at age 65 the 
assumptions are that they will live on average for around a further 25 years after retirement if they are male or for a further 27 years after 
retirement if they are female. The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is approximately 20 years.  

The sensitivity of the net defined benefit obligation to changes in the weighted principal assumptions is: 

Discount rate 
Rate of price inflation 
Consumer price inflation 

Life expectancy 

Impact on net defined benefit obligation
Change in 
assumption 
%
0.25
0.25
0.25

Increase in  
assumption 
£m 
8.7 
(4.9) 
(4.9) 

Decrease in
 assumption
£m
(9.0)
4.9
4.9

Increase  
by 1 year in  
assumption 
£m 
(6.6) 

Decrease 
by 1 year in 
assumption
£m
6.7

The above sensitivity analyses are based on a change in an assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. In practice, this is unlikely 
to occur, as changes in assumptions may be correlated. When calculating the sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to significant actuarial 
assumptions the same method (present value of the defined benefit obligation calculated with the projected unit credit method at the end of 
the reporting period) has been applied as when calculating the pension liability recognised within the balance sheet. 

 168 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 7. Employee benefits continued 

7.2 Retirement benefit schemes continued 
Overseas defined benefit schemes 
The overseas net defined benefit obligation relates to funded plans, mainly insurance contracts managed by insurers, in both the Netherlands 
and Belgium. There are various schemes which are based on final salaries and in some cases on average salaries. The assets consist of 
qualifying insurance policies which match the vested benefits. The vested benefits will be financed immediately for the pension plan. The build-
up of rights for inactives are indexed on the basis of additional interest and rights of active employees are being indexed unconditionally with 
the price-inflation figure. There are no unfunded plans. The total estimated contributions expected to be paid to the schemes in the year ending  
31 March 2018 are £2.4m. 

The significant actuarial assumptions adopted at the balance sheet date for the most significant scheme were as follows: 

Discount rate 
Rate of salary inflation 
Rate of price inflation 

2018
% p.a.
2.2
2.5
2.0

2017
% p.a.
2.2
2.5
2.0

The discount rate assumption is based on interest rates applying to high quality corporate bonds with a term approximately equal to the  
term of the related pension liability. The mortality assumptions are based on standard mortality tables which allow for future mortality 
improvements. The assumptions are that a member currently aged 65 will live on average for a further 22 years if they are male and for a further 
24 years if they are female. For a member who retires in 2038 at age 65 the assumptions are that they will live on average for around a further  
24 years after retirement if they are male or for a further 26 years after retirement if they are female. 

The sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to changes in the weighted principal assumptions is: 

Discount rate 
Rate of price inflation 

Impact on net defined benefit obligation
Change in  
assumption  
% 
0.25 
0.25 

Increase in 
assumption
£m
2.7
(0.2)

Decrease in
 assumption
£m
(2.9)
0.2

The above sensitivity analysis is based on a change in an assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. In practice, this is unlikely 
to occur, as changes in assumptions may be correlated. When calculating the sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to significant actuarial 
assumptions the same method (present value of the defined benefit obligation calculated with the projected unit credit method at the end of 
the reporting period) has been applied as when calculating the pension liability recognised within the balance sheet. 

The amounts recognised in the financial statements for the defined benefit schemes are as follows: 

Income Statement 

Current service cost 
Interest expense on scheme net liabilities 
Net retirement benefit charge before tax 

Statement of comprehensive income 

Actuarial gain (loss) on scheme liabilities 
Actuarial (loss) gain on scheme assets 
Actuarial gain (loss)  

UK
£m
0.3
0.5
0.8

UK
£m
4.6
(2.8)
1.8

2018

Overseas
£m
2.1
0.1
2.2

2018

Overseas
£m
1.3
(0.1)
1.2

Total
£m
2.4
0.6
3.0

Total
£m
5.9
(2.9)
3.0

UK 
 £m 
0.3 
0.3 
0.6 

UK 
 £m 
(33.2) 
22.5 
(10.7) 

2017

Overseas
£m
0.2
–
0.2

2017

Overseas
£m
–
–
–

Cumulative actuarial gains and losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income since 1 April 2004 are losses of £33.4m  
(2017: £36.4m). 

Total
£m
0.5
0.3
0.8

Total
£m
(33.2)
22.5
(10.7)

169

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 7. Employee benefits continued 

7.2 Retirement benefit schemes continued 

Balance sheet 

Present value of funded obligations 
Fair value of plan assets 
Pension scheme deficit 
Related deferred tax asset (note 3.5) 
Net pension liability 

UK
 £m
(182.6)
168.3
(14.3)
2.4
(11.9)

2018

Overseas
£m
(55.7)
47.7
(8.0)
2.1
(5.9)

Total
£m
(238.3)
216.0
(22.3)
4.5
(17.8)

UK
£m
(192.7)
174.0
(18.7)
3.2
(15.5)

2017 

Overseas 
£m 
(52.8) 
44.6 
(8.2) 
2.1 
(6.1) 

The movement in the pension scheme deficit recognised in the balance sheet for total defined benefit schemes: 

At 1 April 2016 
Acquisition through business combination (note 6.1) 
Current service cost 
Interest expense 
Net actuarial losses recognised in the year 
Contributions from employer 
At 31 March 2017 
Current service cost 
Interest expense 
Net actuarial gains recognised in the year 
Contributions from employer 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2018 

Reconciliation of the defined benefit obligation: 

At 1 April 2016 
Acquisition through business combination 
Current service cost 
Interest expense 
Remeasurements: 

Actuarial loss on scheme liabilities arising from changes in financial assumptions
Actuarial gain on scheme liabilities arising from changes in experience
Actuarial loss on scheme liabilities arising from changes in demographic assumptions

Contributions from plan participants 
Benefit payments 
At 31 March 2017 
Current service cost 
Interest expense 
Remeasurements: 

Actuarial gain on scheme liabilities arising from changes in financial assumptions
Actuarial (loss) gain on scheme liabilities arising from changes in experience
Contributions from plan participants 

Benefit payments 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2018 

 170 

UK
£m
(10.7)
–
(0.3)
(0.3)
(10.7)
3.3
(18.7)
(0.3)
(0.5)
1.8
3.4
–
(14.3)

UK
£m
(161.5)
–
(0.3)
(5.5)

(33.3)
1.1
(1.0)
(0.1)
7.9
(192.7)
(0.3)
(4.9)

5.2
(0.6)
(0.1)
10.8
–
(182.6)

Overseas 
£m 
– 
(8.1) 
(0.2) 
– 
– 
0.1 
(8.2) 
(2.1) 
(0.1) 
1.2 
1.5 
(0.3) 
(8.0) 

Overseas 
£m 
– 
(52.4) 
(0.2) 
(0.1) 

– 
– 
– 
(0.1) 
– 
(52.8) 
(2.1) 
(1.1) 

0.7 
0.6 
(0.7) 
1.1 
(1.4) 
(55.7) 

Total
£m
(245.5)
218.6
(26.9)
5.3
(21.6)

Total
£m
(10.7)
(8.1)
(0.5)
(0.3)
(10.7)
3.4
(26.9)
(2.4)
(0.6)
3.0
4.9
(0.3)
(22.3)

Total
£m
(161.5)
(52.4)
(0.5)
(5.6)

(33.3)
1.1
(1.0)
(0.2)
7.9
(245.5)
(2.4)
(6.0)

5.9
–
(0.8)
11.9
(1.4)
(238.3)

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 7. Employee benefits continued 

7.2 Retirement benefit schemes continued 
Reconciliation of plan assets: 

At 1 April 2016 
Acquisition through business combination 
Interest income 
Remeasurements: 

Return on plan assets excluding interest expense

Contributions from employer
Contributions from plan participants 
Benefit payments 
At 31 March 2017 
Interest income 
Remeasurements: 

Return on plan assets excluding interest expense

Contributions from employer
Contributions from plan participants 
Benefit payments 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2018 

UK 
 £m 
150.8 
– 
5.2 

22.5 
3.3 
0.1 
(7.9) 
174.0 
4.4 

(2.8) 
3.4 
0.1 
(10.8) 
– 
168.3 

Overseas
£m
–
44.3
0.1

–
0.1
0.1
–
44.6
1.0

(0.1)
1.5
0.7
(1.1)
1.1
47.7

Total
£m
150.8
44.3
5.3

22.5
3.4
0.2
(7.9)
218.6
5.4

(2.9)
4.9
0.8
(11.9)
1.1
216.0

Significant defined benefit pension scheme risks 
Through its defined benefit pension schemes the Group is exposed to a number of risks, the most significant of which are set out below. 

Asset volatility - The UK scheme liabilities are calculated using a discount rate set with reference to corporate bond yields and if plan assets 
underperform this yield, this will result in a deficit. The UK pension scheme’s assets are held in a portfolio of pooled funds which are single 
priced at the net asset value. The investment objective of the portfolio is to achieve long-term total returns in excess of a nominal portfolio of 
long-dated Sterling bonds through a diversified portfolio of collective investment schemes, which may include derivatives. Investments are well 
diversified, such that the failure of any single investment would not have a material impact on the overall level of assets. The trustees have 
agreed an underlying strategy with the Company so that any ongoing improvements in the scheme’s funding position would trigger 
movements from growth assets to non-growth assets in order to protect and consolidate such improvements. The assets in the overseas 
pension schemes consist of qualifying insurance policies which match the benefits that will be paid to employees. 

Inflation risk - The majority of benefit obligations are linked to inflation and higher inflation will lead to higher liabilities. For the UK scheme 
caps on the level of inflationary increases are in place to protect the plan against extreme inflation. 

Life expectancy - The majority of the scheme’s obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the member, so increases in the life of the 
member will result in an increase in the liabilities. 

Changes in bond yields - A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase plan liabilities, although this will be partially offset by an increase in 
the value of the scheme’s bond holdings. 

171

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 7. Employee benefits continued 

7.2 Retirement benefit schemes continued 
Other overseas schemes 
The total cost in the year for other overseas pensions was £24.2m (2017: £11.2m). 

In the Netherlands in particular, most employees are members of either a multi-employer pension scheme or other similar externally funded 
schemes, including Government funded schemes. These schemes are treated as defined contribution plans as it is not possible to separately 
identify the Group’s share of the assets and liabilities of those schemes. The Group has been informed by the schemes that it has no obligation 
to make additional contributions in the event that the schemes have an overall deficit. In addition there are a number of pension schemes in 
Belgium which are considered as defined benefit schemes under IAS 19. At 31 March 2018 the potential liability to the Group was estimated and 
determined as not significant.  

7.3 Share-based payments 

As described in the Remuneration Report, the Group issues equity-settled share-based payments under a Savings Related Share 
Option Scheme (SRSOS), a Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and a Deferred Annual Bonus (DAB) arrangement. Further details and 
performance metrics of both LTIPs and DABs can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 92 to 107. 

Accounting policy 
The Group issues equity-settled share-based awards to certain employees. The fair value of share-based awards is determined at the date of 
grant and expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period with a corresponding increase in equity based on the Group’s estimate of 
the shares that will eventually vest. At each balance sheet date the Group revises its estimates of the number of options that are expected to 
vest based on service and non-market performance conditions. The amount expensed is adjusted over the vesting period for changes in the 
estimate of the number of shares that will eventually vest, except for changes resulting from any market-related performance conditions. 

Outstanding options  

SRSOS

LTIP 

DABS

Outstanding at 1 April 2016 
Rights issue adjustment* 
Granted*  
Forfeited*  
Expired * 
Exercised*  
Outstanding at 31 March 2017 
Granted 
Forfeited 
Expired 
Exercised 
Outstanding at 31 March 2018 
Exercisable at 31 March 2018 
Exercisable at 31 March 2017 
Weighted average share price at date of exercise
At 31 March 2018: 
Range of price per share at exercise 
Weighted average remaining contractual life 

*All information is given as if the Rights Issue in 2016 occurred on 1 April 2016 to enable comparison. 

Number of 
options 
10,597,000 
1,595,447 
4,710,000 
(598,288) 
(4,868,019) 
– 
11,436,140 
4,812,000 
(311,581) 
(3,161,724) 
– 
12,774,835 

Number of 
options
158,313
23,836
364,372
–
–
–
546,521
191,041
–
–
–
737,562

Number of 
options
1,333,467
198,294
537,060
(277,833)
(86,679)
(233,202)
1,471,107
1,003,765
(236,988)
(70,198)
(321,029)
1,846,657
9,364
35,143

Weighted
average
exercise
price
77p
(10p)
83p
69p
67p
66p
73p
76p
75p
75p
73p
74p
73p
63p
103p

65.2p to 82.6p
1 – 2 years

 172 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 7. Employee benefits continued 

7.3 Share-based payments continued 
Fair value of options granted during the year 

Valuation model 
Weighted average fair value
Weighted average share price
Weighted average exercise price 
Expected volatility 
Expected life 
Risk-free interest rate 
Dividend yield 

SRSOS

LTIP 

2018
Black-
Scholes
22p
95p
76p
29%
3 years
0.3%
3.5%

2017
Black-
Scholes
19p
92p
71p
25%
3 years
0.1%
3.9%

2018
Share price
95p
95p
–
–
3 years
–
–

2017 
Share price 
89p 
89p 
– 
– 
3 years 
– 
– 

2018
Monte
Carlo
31p
95p

28%
3 years
0.3%
–

2017
Monte
Carlo
34p
89p
–
27%
3 years
0.3%
–

For the LTIP awards granted, the fair value of the element subject to non-market conditions has been calculated based on the share price at the 
award date and the expense recognised is based on expectations of these conditions being met which are reassessed at each balance sheet 
date. The Monte Carlo valuation model is used to determine the weighted average fair value of the market conditions element of awards 
granted. Expected volatility has been calculated using average volatility historical data over a three-year period from the grant date. The risk-
free interest rate is based on the implied yield of zero-coupon government bonds with a remaining term equal to the expected life. The 
expected life used in the models equals the vesting period.  

The awards granted in 2016/17 vest after three years, three and a half years and four and a half years. The awards granted during 2015/16 and 
2017/18 vest after three years, four years and five years. There is no service condition after three years on any of the awards granted, just a 
holding period of between half a year and two years.  

Charge for the year 
The Group recognised a total charge of £1.8m (2017: £0.5m) relating to equity-settled share-based payments. The DAB awards for the year 
ended March 2018 have not yet been granted and therefore the charge is based on an estimate. 

173

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 8. Other notes 

8.1 Subsidiary undertakings and investments at 31 March 2018 

The structure of the Group includes a number of different operating and holding companies that contribute to the consolidated 
financial performance and position. 

Subsidiary undertakings 
In accordance with section 409 of the Companies Act, a full list of subsidiaries at 31 March 2018 is disclosed. All are wholly-owned by the Group 
and have a 31 March year end, unless otherwise stated, and all operate in the waste management sector and have been consolidated in the 
Group’s financial statements. Those subsidiaries owned by Renewi plc, the parent company, are indicated with an asterix. 

Subsidiary 

Address of the registered office

Incorporated in the Netherlands 
AB Civiel Beheer B.V. 
ATM B.V. (previously Afvalstoffen Terminal Moerdijk B.V.) 
ATM Terra B.V. 
A&G Holding B.V. 
B.V. Twente Milieu Bedrijven 
CFS B.V. (previously Van Gansewinkel CFS B.V.)
Coolrec B.V. 
Coolrec Nederland B.V. 
Coolrec Plastics B.V. (previously Plastic Herverwerking  
Brakel B.V.) 
EcoSmart Nederland B.V. 
Glasrecycling Noord-Oost Nederland B.V. 
IMMO CV  
Maltha Glasrecycling Nederland B.V. (67%) 
Maltha Glassrecycling International B.V. (67%)
Maltha Groep B.V. (67%) 
Mineralz B.V. (previously Van Gansewinkel Milieutechniek B.V.) 
Mineralz Maasvlakte B.V. (previously Van Gansewinkel  
Maasvlakte B.V.) 
Mineralz Zweekhorst B.V. (previously Van Gansewinkel  
Zweekhorst B.V.) 
Orgaworld International B.V. 
Orgaworld Nederland B.V. 
Orgaworld WKK 1 B.V. 
Orgaworld WKK II B.V. 
Orgaworld WKK III B.V. 
Renewi Beheer B.V.(previously Smink Beheer B.V.) 
Renewi Commercial BV (previously Shanks Nederland B.V.) 
Renewi Contrans B.V. (previously Transportbedrijf Van  
Vliet B.V.)  
Renewi Hazardous Waste B.V. (previously Shanks Hazardous 
Waste B.V.) 
Renewi Icopower B.V. (previously Icopower B.V.) 
Renewi Icova B.V. (previously Icova B.V.) 
Renewi Klok B.V. (previously Klok Containers B.V.) 
Renewi Nederland B.V. (previously Van Gansewinkel 
Nederland B.V.) 
Renewi Netherlands Holdings B.V. (previously Shanks  
Netherlands Holdings B.V.) 
Renewi Overheidsdiesten B.V. (previously Van Gansewinkel 
Milieuservices Overheidsdiensten B.V.) 
Renewi Smink B.V. (previously Smink Afvalverwerking B.V.) 

Valgenweg 7, 9936HV, Farmsum, Netherlands
Vlasweg 12, 4782 PW, Moerdijk, Netherlands
Vlasweg 12, 4782 PW, Moerdijk, Netherlands
Flight Forum 240, 5657 DH Eindhoven, Netherlands 
Flight Forum 240, 5657 DH Eindhoven, Netherlands 
Wetering 14, 6002 SM Weert, Netherlands
Flight Forum 240, 5657 DH Eindhoven, Netherlands 
Grevelingenweg 3, 3313 LB Dordrecht, Netherlands
Van Hilststraat 7, 5145 RK Waalwijk, Netherlands

Spaarpot 6, 5667 KX Geldrop, Netherlands
Columbusstraat 20, 7825 VR Emmen, Netherlands
Loswalweg 50, 3199 LG Maasvlakte Rotterdam, Netherlands 
Glasweg 7-9, 4794 TB Heijningen, Netherlands
Glasweg 7-9, 4794 TB Heijningen, Netherlands
Glasweg 7-9, 4794 TB Heijningen, Netherlands
Flight Forum 240, 5657 DH Eindhoven, Netherlands 
Loswalweg 50, 3199 LG Maasvlakte Rotterdam, Netherlands 

Doesburgseweg 16, 6902 PN Zevenaar, Netherlands 

Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL Amersfoort, Netherlands 
Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL Amersfoort, Netherlands 
Hornweg 69, 1044 AN Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hornweg 69, 1044 AN Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hornweg 69, 1044 AN Amsterdam, Netherlands
Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL, Amersfoort, Netherlands 
Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL, Amersfoort, Netherlands 
Wateringveldseweg 1, 2291 HE Wateringen, Netherlands 

Computerweg 12D, 3821 AB Amersfoort, Netherlands 

Kajuitweg 1, 1041 AP Amsterdam, Netherlands 
Kajuitweg 1, 1041 AP Amsterdam, Netherlands
Molenvliet 4, 3076 CK Rotterdam, Netherlands
Flight Forum 240, 5657 DH Eindhoven, Netherlands 

Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL, Amersfoort, Netherlands 

Touwslagerstraat 1, 2984 AW Ridderkerk, Netherlands 

Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL, Amersfoort, Netherlands 

 174 

 
 
 
Section 8. Other notes continued 

Subsidiary  

Incorporated in the Netherlands 

Address of the registered office 

Renewi Van Vliet Groep B.V. (previously B.V. van Vliet Groep 
Milieu-Dienstverleners) 
Renewi Vliko B.V. (previously Vliko B.V.) 
Reym B.V. 
Robesta Vastgoed Acht B.V.
Robesta Vastgoed B.V. 
Semler B.V. 
Shanks Belgium Holding B.V.
Shanks B.V. 
Shanks European Investments 1 Coop WA 
Shanks European Investments 2 Coop WA* 
Shanks Netherlands Investments B.V. 
Van Gansewinkel Industrie B.V. 
Van Gansewinkel International B.V. 
Van Gansewinkel Recycling B.V. 
Verwerking Bedrijfsafvalstoffen Maasvlakte (V.B.M.) CV 
VGIS B.V. (previously Van Gansewinkel Industrial Services B.V.)

Grote Wade 45, 3439 NZ Nieuwegein, Netherlands 

Industrieweg 24c, 2382 NW Zoeterwoude, Netherlands
Computerweg 12, 3821 AB Amersfoort, Netherlands 
Flight Forum 240, 5657 DH Eindhoven, Netherlands 
Flight Forum 240, 5657 DH Eindhoven, Netherlands 
Ockhuizenweg 5-A, 5691 PJ Son, Netherlands 
Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL Amersfoort, Netherlands
Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL Amersfoort, Netherlands
Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL, Amersfoort, Netherlands
Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL, Amersfoort, Netherlands
Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL, Amersfoort, Netherlands
Flight Forum 240, 5657 DH Eindhoven, Netherlands 
Flight Forum 240, 5657 DH Eindhoven, Netherlands 
Flight Forum 240, 5657 DH Eindhoven, Netherlands 
Loswalweg 50, 3199 LG Maasvlakte Rotterdam, Netherlands
Theemsweg 32, 3197 KM Botlek Rotterdam, Netherlands

Incorporated in Belgium
Belgo-Luxembourgeoise de Services Publics SA 
Coolrec Belgium NV  
EcoSmart NV 
Enviro+ NV 
Maltha Glasrecyclage Belgie BVBA 
Mineralz ES Treatment NV (previously Van Gansewinkel ES 
Treatment NV) 
Recydel SA (80%) 
Renewi Belgium NV (previously Shanks Belgium NV) 
Renewi Logistics NV (previously Shanks Logistics NV)
Renewi NV (Van Gansewinkel NV) 
Renewi Valorisation & Quarry NV (previously Shanks Valorisation 
& Quarry SA)  
Renewi Wood Products NV (previously Shanks Wood 
Products NV)  

Rue de Rolleghem 381, 7700 Mouscron, Belgium 
Baeckelmansstraat 125, 2830 Tisselt, Belgium 
Nijverheidsstraat 2, 2870 Puurs, Belgium 
John Kennedylaan 4410, 9042 Gent, Belgium 
Fabrieksstraat 114, 3920 Lommel, Belgium 
Berkebossenlaan 7, 2400 Mol, Belgium 

Rue Wérihet 72, 4020 Liège, Belgium 
Gerard Mercatorstraat 8, B-3920, Lommel, Belgium 
John Kennedylaan 4410, 9042 Gent, Belgium 
Berkebossenlaan 7, 2400 Mol, Belgium 
Gerard Mercatorstraat 8, B-3920, Lommel, Belgium 

John Kennedylaan 4410, 9042 Gent, Belgium 

Incorporated in Germany
ATM Entsorgung Deutschland GmbH (Year end 31 December)
Reym GmbH 
Coolrec Deutschland GmbH (Year end 31 December)
Ocean Combustion Services NV 

Kaldenkirchener Strasse 25, D-41063, Mönchengladbach, Germany
Hansestrasse 14-16, 49685 Schneiderkrug, Germany 
Donatusstraße 127-129, 50259 Pulheim, Germany 
Terlindenhofstraat 36, B-2170 Meerksem, Antwerpen, Germany

175

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 8. Other notes continued 

Subsidiary 

Incorporated in France  
Coolrec France SAS (90%) 
Maltha Glass Recycling France SAS (67%) 

Address of the registered office

Rue Iéna Parcelle 36, 59810 Lesquin, France
Zone Industrielle, 33450 Izon, France

Incorporated in Hungary 
Maltha Hungary Uvegujrahasznosito Kft. (67%)

1214 Budapest, Orion utca 14, Hungary

Incorporated in Luxembourg 
Renewi Luxembourg SA (previously Van Gansewinkel 
Luxembourg SA) 

z.a. Gadderscheier, B 64008, Luxembourg

Incorporated in Portugal 
Maltha Glass Recycling Portugal L.D.A. (67%) 

Parque Industrial da Gala, Lotes 26 e 27, 3081-801 Figueira da Foz, Portugal

Incorporated in the UK 
Renewi European Holdings Limited (previously Shanks  
European Holdings Limited) 
Renewi Financial Management Limited (previously Shanks 
Financial Management Limited) 
Renewi Holdings Limited* (previously Shanks Holdings Limited)  Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, 

Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, 
Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, 
Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom

Renewi PFI Investments Limited* (previously Shanks PFI 
Investments Limited) 
Renewi SRF Trading Limited (previously Shanks SRF Trading 
Limited) 
Renewi UK Services Limited* (previously Shanks Waste 
Management Limited) 
Safewaste Limited 

Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, 
Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, 
Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, 
Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, 
Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom

 176 

 
 
 
 
 
Section 8. Other notes continued 

Subsidiary 

Address of the registered office 

Incorporated in Canada 
Orgaworld Canada LTD 
Orgaworld Design-Builder General Partner LTD 
Orgaworld Design-Builder Limited Partnership 
Orgaworld Surrey General Partner LTD 
Orgaworld Surrey Limited Partnership 

2940 Dingman Drive, London ON N6N 1G4, Canada 
20th Floor, 250 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC VGC 3R8, Canada
20th Floor, 250 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC VGC 3R8, Canada
20th Floor, 250 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC VGC 3R8, Canada
20th Floor, 250 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC VGC 3R8, Canada

Subsidiary undertakings holding UK PFI/PPP contracts
Renewi Argyll & Bute Limited (previously Shanks Argyll & Bute 
Limited) 
Renewi Argyll and Bute Holdings Limited* (previously Shanks 
Argyll & Bute Holdings Limited) 
Renewi Cumbria Limited (previously Shanks Cumbria Limited)

16 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DF, United Kingdom

16 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DF, United Kingdom

Renewi Cumbria Holdings Limited) Shanks Cumbria Holdings 
Limited 
3SE (Barnsley, Doncaster & Rotherham) Holdings Limited (75%) Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, 

Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, 
Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom 
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, 
Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom 

3SE (Barnsley, Doncaster & Rotherham) Limited (75%) 

Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom 
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, 
Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom 

177

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 8. Other notes continued 

Joint ventures, joint operations and associates 
At 31 March 2018 the Group through wholly-owned subsidiaries had the following interests in joint venture companies, joint operations and 
associates, all of which operate in the waste management sector.  

Joint ventures, joint operations and 
associates 

% Group 
holding 

Most recent 
year end

Address of the registered office 

Incorporated in the Netherlands 
Afval Loont Holding B.V. 

22%  31 December 2017

Afval Loont Barendrecht B.V. 

22%  31 December 2017

Afval Loont Exploitatie 1 B.V. 

22%  31 December 2017

Afval Loont Rotterdam B.V. 

22%  31 December 2017

Afval Loont Shared Service Centre B.V. 

22%  31 December 2017

Afval Loont Spaarders B.V. 

22%  31 December 2017

AMP B.V. 
Baggerspecieverwerking Noord-Nederland V.O.F. 
Dorst B.V. 

33%  31 December 2017
50%  31 December 2017
50%  31 December 2017

Middenbaan-Noord 5, 3191 EM Hoogvliet Rotterdam, 
Netherlands
Middenbaan-Noord 5, 3191 EM Hoogvliet Rotterdam, 
Netherlands
Middenbaan-Noord 5, 3191 EM Hoogvliet Rotterdam, 
Netherlands
Middenbaan-Noord 5, 3191 EM Hoogvliet Rotterdam, 
Netherlands
Middenbaan-Noord 5, 3191 EM Hoogvliet Rotterdam, 
Netherlands
Middenbaan-Noord 5, 3191 EM Hoogvliet Rotterdam, 
Netherlands
Victoriberg 18, 2211 DH Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands
Newtonweg 1, 8912 BD Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Wateringveldseweg 1, 2291 HE Wateringen, 
Netherlands
Graafsebaan 67, 5248 JT Rosmalen, Netherland 
Flight Forum 240, 5657 DH Eindhoven, Netherlands
Forellenweg 24, 4941 SJ Raamsdonksveer, 
Netherlands
Bennebroekerdijk 244, 2142 LE, Cruquius, Netherlands
Coevorderweg 48, 7737 PG Stegeren, Netherlands
Maxwellstraat 31, 6716 BX Ede, Netherlands 
Lindeboomseweg 15, 3825 AL Amersfoort, Netherlands
Bennebroekerdijk 244, 2142 LE Cruquius, Netherlands
Oostkade 5 4541 HH Sluiskil, Netherlands 
Newtonweg 1, 8912 BD Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Baanhoekweg 42, 3313 LA Dordrecht, Netherlands
Baanhoekweg 46, 3313 LA Dordrecht, Netherlands

50%  31 December 2017
67%  31 December 2017
50%  31 December 2017

50%  31 December 2017
50%  31 December 2017
50%  31 December 2017
50%  31 December 2017
50%  31 December 2017
40%  31 December 2017
50%  31 December 2017
33%  31 December 2017
33%  31 December 2017

45%  31 December 2017

L. Coiseaukaai 43 8380 Dudzele, Belgium 

50%  31 December 2017
50%  31 March 2018

Reinaertlaan 82, 9190 Stekene, Belgium 
Regenbeekstraat 7C 8800 Roeselare, Belgium 

23%  31 December 2017
30%  31 December 2017

Westvaartdijk 95, 1850 Grimbergen, Belgium 
Rue des trois Burettes 65 1435 Mon-Saint-Guibert, 
Belgium

Hydrovac V.O.F. 
Induserve V.O.F. 
Octopus V.O.F. 

PQA B.V. 
Recycling Maatschappij Bovenveld B.V. 
Reym HMVT B.V. 
Smink Boskalis Dolman V.O.F.  
SQAPE B.V. 
Tankterminal Sluiskil B.V. 
TOP Leeuwarden V.O.F. 
Zavin B.V. 
Zavin C.V. 

Incorporated in Belgium 
Marpos NV 

Recypel BVBA 
Silvamo NV 

SUEZ PCB Decontamination NV 
Valorem SA 

 178 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 8. Other notes continued 

Joint ventures, joint operation and associates

Incorporated in Austria 
EARN Elektrogeräte Service GmbH 

% Group
holding

Most recent 
year end

Address of the registered office

33% 31 December 2017

Albert Schweitzer-Gasse 11,1140 Wien, Austria

Incorporated in the UK 
Caird Evered Holdings Limited 

Caird Evered Limited 

ELWA Limited 

ELWA Holdings Limited 

Energen Biogas Limited 

50% 31 December 2017

50% 31 December 2017

20% 31 March 2018

20% 31 March 2018

50% 31 March 2018

Resource Recovery Solutions (Derbyshire) Holdings 
Limited 
Resource Recovery Solutions (Derbyshire) Limited 

50% 31 March 2018

50% 31 March 2018

Shanks Dumfries And Galloway Holdings Limited

20% 31 March 2018

Shanks Dumfries And Galloway Limited 

20% 31 March 2018

Wakefield Waste Holdings Limited 

50.001% 31 March 2018

Wakefield Waste PFI Holdings Limited 

50.001% 31 March 2018

Wakefield Waste PFI Limited

50.001% 31 March 2018

Bardon Hall, Copt Oak Road, Markfield, Leicestershire, 
LE67 9PJ, United Kingdom 
Bardon Hall, Copt Oak Road, Markfield, Leicestershire, 
LE67 9PJ, United Kingdom 
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton 
Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton 
Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom
16 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DF, United 
Kingdom
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton 
Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton 
Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom
16 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DF, United 
Kingdom
16 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DF, United 
Kingdom
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton 
Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton 
Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, Milton 
Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK1 1BU, United Kingdom

8.2 Related party transactions 
Transactions between the Group and its associates and joint ventures 
The Group had the following transactions and outstanding balances with associates and joint ventures, in the ordinary course of business: 

Sales 
Purchases 
Management fees 
Interest on loans to associates and joint ventures
Receivables at 31 March 
Payables at 31 March 
Loans made by Group companies at 31 March 
Loans made to Group companies at 31 March 

Associates 
2018
£m
63.4
1.7
0.7
–
4.8
0.2
0.8
–

2017 
£m   
64.1   
1.5   
0.7   
–   
7.2   
0.3   
1.0   
–   

Joint ventures

2018
£m
79.9
1.1
0.8
2.3
5.7
0.2
19.0
0.5

2017
£m
74.6
0.4
0.8
0.1
4.1
0.2
18.9
0.5

The receivables and payables are due one month after the date of the invoice and are unsecured in nature and bear no interest. 

179

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Section 8. Other notes continued 

8.2 Related party transactions continued 
Remuneration of key management personnel 
Key management personnel comprises the Board of Directors and the members of the Group’s Executive Committee. The disclosures required 
by the Companies Act 2006 and those specified by the Financial Conduct Authority relating to Directors’ remuneration (including retirement 
benefits and incentive plans), interests in shares, share options and other interests, are set out within the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
pages 92 to 107, and form part of these financial statements. The emoluments paid or payable to key management personnel were: 

Short-term employee benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Share-based payments 

2018 
£m 
5.2 
0.2 
0.8 
6.2 

2017
£m
3.9
0.2
0.2
4.3

8.3 Contingent liabilities 
Due to the nature of the industry in which the business operates, from time to time the Group is made aware of claims or litigation arising  
in the ordinary course of the Group’s business. Provision is made for the Directors’ best estimate of all known claims and all such legal actions 
in progress. The Group takes legal advice as to the likelihood of success of claims and actions and no provision is made where the Directors 
consider, based on that advice that the action is unlikely to succeed or a sufficiently reliable estimate of the potential obligation cannot  
be made. 

Under the terms of sale agreements, the Group has given a number of indemnities and warranties relating to the disposed operations for which 
appropriate provisions are held.  

In respect of contractual liabilities the Group and its subsidiaries have given guarantees and entered into counter indemnities of bonds and 
guarantees given on their behalf by sureties and banks totalling £206.3m (2017: £216.4m). 

8.4 Events after the balance sheet date 
On 22 May 2018 the Group announced that it had signed an amendment and extension to its multicurrency bank facility, converting it to  
a €550m Green Loan. The €550m loan has been extended until May 2023 with options to extend to 2025. 

 180 

 
  
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY 

Consolidated income statement 
Revenue1  
Underlying EBIT from continuing operations1 
Finance charges – interest 
Finance charges – other 
Share of results from associates and joint ventures
Profit from continuing operations before exceptional items and tax 
(underlying profit) 
Non-trading and exceptional items 
(Loss) profit before tax from continuing operations
Taxation 
Exceptional tax and tax on exceptional items 
(Loss) profit after tax from continuing operations
Profit (loss) after tax from discontinued operations
Loss for the year 
(Loss) profit attributable to:
Owners of the parent 
Non-controlling interests 

Consolidated balance sheet
Non-current assets 
Other assets less liabilities 
Net debt 
Net assets 
Equity attributable to owners of the parent 
Share capital and share premium 
Reserves 

Non-controlling interests 
Total equity 

Financial ratios 
Underlying earnings per share – continuing operations2
Basic (loss) earnings per share – continuing operations2
Dividend per share 

2018
£m

1,565.7
69.1
(12.1)
(7.8)
2.3

51.5
(101.5)
(50.0)
(13.0)
15.0
(48.0)
0.4
(47.6)

(47.8)
0.2
(47.6)

1,456.3
(552.3)
(521.6)
382.4

457.4
(80.3)
377.1
5.3
382.4

4.8p
(6.0)p
3.05p

2017
£m

779.2
36.5
(8.3) 
(4.5) 
2.0

25.7
(87.1) 
(61.4) 
(5.9) 
6.4
(60.9) 
(0.5) 
(61.4) 

(61.1) 
(0.3) 
(61.4) 

1,431.8
(483.4) 
(511.0) 
437.4

457.1
(24.2) 
432.9
4.5
437.4

3.7p
(11.3)p
3.05p

2016 
£m 

614.8 
33.4 
(9.7) 
(3.7) 
1.0 

21.0 
(23.5) 
(2.5) 
(2.3) 
0.8 
(4.0) 
0.1 
(3.9) 

(3.9) 
– 
(3.9) 

670.4 
(203.9) 
(283.7) 
182.8 

140.0 
44.8 
184.8 
(2.0) 
182.8 

4.2p 
(0.9)p 
3.45p 

2015
£m

601.4
34.3
(10.6)
(2.8)
0.8

21.7
(42.2)
(20.5)
(1.7)
4.0
(18.2)
1.3
(16.9)

(17.0)
0.1
(16.9)

737.3
(170.6)
(377.6)
189.1

139.8
51.1
190.9
(1.8)
189.1

4.4p
(4.1)p
3.45p 

1 Revenue and underlying EBIT from continuing operations is stated before non-trading and exceptional items as set out in note 3.4. 
2 Underlying earnings and basic (loss) earnings per share for continuing operations have been restated to reflect the bonus factor within the 2016 equity raise. 

2014
£m

633.4
45.6
(11.7)
(4.1)
0.3

30.1
(22.5)
7.6
(7.2)
1.4
1.8
(30.0)
(28.2)

(28.3)
0.1
(28.2)

744.4
(166.8)
(304.1)
273.5

139.7
134.0
273.7
(0.2)
273.5

5.1p
0.4p
3.45p

181

 
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
EXPLANATION OF NON-IFRS MEASURES 

The Directors use alternative performance measures as they believe these measures provide additional useful information on the underlying 
trends, performance and position of the Group. These measures are used for internal performance analysis. These terms are not defined terms 
under IFRS and may therefore not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by other companies. These measures are not intended to 
be a substitute for, or superior to, IFRS measurements. The alternative performance measures used are set out below. 

How we define it 
Operating profit from continuing operations 
excluding amortisation of intangible assets arising 
on acquisition, fair value remeasurements, non-
trading and exceptional items
Underlying EBIT as a percentage of revenue

Underlying EBIT before depreciation, amortisation 
and profit or loss on disposal of plant, property  
and equipment  
Profit before tax from continuing operations before 
non-trading and exceptional items, amortisation of 
intangible assets arising on acquisition and fair 
value remeasurements 
Earnings per share before non-trading and 
exceptional items, amortisation of intangible assets 
arising on acquisition and fair value 
remeasurements 
Last 12 months underlying EBIT divided by a 
13 month average of total net assets excluding core 
net debt, derivatives, tax balances, goodwill and 
acquisition intangibles 
Last 12 months underlying EBIT as adjusted by the 
Group effective tax rate divided by a 13 month 
average of total net assets excluding core net debt 
and derivatives 
Net cash generated from operating activities 
principally excluding non-trading and exceptional 
items and including interest, tax and replacement 
capital spend 
The ratio of underlying free cash flow to underlying 
EBIT 
Core net debt includes cash and cash equivalents 
but excludes the net debt relating to the UK  
PFI/PPP contracts 

Why we use it
Provides insight into ongoing profit generation  
and trends 

Provides insight into ongoing margin development 
and trends 

Measure of earnings and cash generation to assess 
operational performance  

Facilitates underlying performance evaluation 

Facilitates underlying performance evaluation 

Provides a measure of the return on assets across the 
Divisions and the Group excluding goodwill and 
acquisition intangible balances 

Provides a measure of the Group return on assets 
taking into account the goodwill and acquisition 
intangible balances 

Measure of cash available after regular replacement 
capital expenditure to pay dividends, fund growth 
capital projects and invest in acquisitions 

Provides an understanding of how our profits convert 
into cash
The borrowings relating to the UK PFI/PPP contracts 
are non-recourse to the Group and excluding these 
gives a suitable measure of indebtedness for the 
Group
Commonly used measure of financial leverage and 
consistent with covenant definition 

Core net debt divided by an annualised EBITDA with 
a net debt value based on the terminology of 
financing arrangements and translated at an 
average rate of exchange for the period 
11 months to 28 February 2017 for VGG as extracted 
from unaudited management accounts are added 
to 11 months of legacy Shanks plus the month of 
March 2017 for the combined Group to give the pro 
forma 2017 numbers 
The effective tax rate on underlying profit before tax Provides a more comparable basis to analyse our 

Provides a comparable measure of performance 
across both periods 

tax rate

Financial Measure 
Underlying EBIT (previously 
referred to as trading profit) 

Underlying EBIT/Trading margin 
(previously referred to as trading 
profit margin) 

EBITDA 

Underlying profit before tax 

Underlying EPS 

Return on operating assets 

Post-tax return on capital 
employed 

Underlying free cash flow 

Free cash flow conversion 

Core net debt 

Net debt to EBITDA 

Pro forma information 

Underlying effective tax rate 

 182 

 
 
 
Reconciliations of certain non-IFRS measures are set out below: 

Reconciliation of underlying EBIT to EBITDA from continuing operations 

Underlying EBIT 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of intangible assets (excluding acquisition intangibles)
Non-exceptional loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
EBITDA from continuing operations 

2018
£m
69.1
78.9
6.9
2.1
157.0

Restated*
2017
£m
36.5
41.8
3.3
(0.5)
81.1

*The definition of EBITDA excludes an adjustment for landfill related expense and provisioning and consequently the comparatives have been restated. 

Reconciliation of underlying free cash flow as presented in the CFO Review 

Net cash inflow from operating activities 
Exclude provisions, working capital and restructuring spend
Exclude payments to fund UK defined benefit pension scheme
Exclude increase in service concession arrangement
Include finance charges and loan fees paid (excluding exceptional finance charges)
Include finance income received 
Include purchases of replacement items of intangible assets
Include purchases of replacement items of property, plant and equipment
Include proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
Underlying free cash flow

2018
£m
121.7
36.0
3.1
10.2
(25.3)
9.9
(7.9)
(71.6)
3.7
79.8

2017
£m
22.6
25.5
3.1
19.6
(19.4)
9.9
(3.1)
(37.9)
2.8
23.1

183

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PARENT COMPANY BALANCE SHEET  
As at 31 March 2018 

Assets 
Non-current assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Investments 
Trade and other receivables 
Deferred tax assets 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Derivative financial instruments 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 
Liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings  
Derivative financial instruments 
Defined benefit pension scheme deficit 

Current liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other payables 
Current tax payable 
Provisions 

Total liabilities 
Net assets 

Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium 
Retained earnings* 
Total equity 

31 March 
2018 
£m 

31 March
2017
£m

Note

6

7

8

9

10

9

13

11

12

13

16

13

14

15

17

17

– 
0.3 
376.2 
276.4 
9.4 
662.3 

184.7 
0.6 
11.8 
197.1 
859.4 

(174.6) 
– 
(14.3) 
(188.9) 

(0.1) 
(147.7) 
(0.4) 
(0.6) 
(148.8) 
(337.7) 
521.7 

80.0 
401.4 
40.3 
521.7 

0.2
0.3
411.2
272.6
7.0
691.3

183.5
–
18.1
201.6
892.9

(170.2)
(0.1)
(18.7)
(189.0)

(0.8)
(120.2)
–
(0.9)
(121.9)
(310.9)
582.0

79.9
401.2
100.9
582.0

*As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act, the Company has elected not to present its own Income Statement or Statement of Comprehensive Income.  
The Company reported a loss for the year ended 31 March 2018 of £38.3m (2017: £111.8m). 

The notes on pages 186 to 194 are an integral part of these financial statements. 

These Financial Statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 24 May 2018. They were signed on its behalf by: 

Colin Matthews 

Toby Woolrych 

Chairman 

Chief Financial Officer 

 184 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PARENT COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

Balance at 1 April 2017 
Loss for the year 
Other comprehensive income: 
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension scheme
Tax in respect of other comprehensive income items
Total comprehensive loss for the year 
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:
Share-based compensation
Movement on tax arising on share-based compensation
Proceeds from exercise of employee options 
Own shares purchased by the Employee Share Trust
Dividends 
Balance at 31 March 2018 

Balance at 1 April 2016 
Loss for the year 
Other comprehensive loss: 
Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension scheme
Tax in respect of other comprehensive income items
Total comprehensive loss for the year 
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:
Share-based compensation
Movement on tax arising on share-based compensation
Proceeds from exercise of employee options 
Proceeds from share issues, net of transaction costs
Issue of ordinary shares in consideration for a business combination
Dividends 
Balance as at 31 March 2017

Note

Share 
Capital 
£m 
79.9 
– 

Share 
Premium 
£m 
401.2 
– 

Retained
Earnings
£m
100.9
(38.3)

16

3

17
17
5

16

3

17

5

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
0.1 
– 
– 
80.0 

39.8 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
21.1 
19.0 
– 
79.9 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
0.2 
– 
– 
401.4 

124.2 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
0.1 
115.2 
161.7 
– 
401.2 

PARENT COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 

Note 

19 

Cash flows from operating activities 
Income tax received (paid) 
Net cash inflow from operating activities 
Investing activities 
Investment in subsidiaries 
Finance income 
Net cash inflow (outflow)from investing activities
Financing activities 
Finance charges and loan fees paid 
Proceeds from share issues
Costs in relation to share issues 
Investment in own shares by the Employee Share Trust
Dividends paid 
Repayment of bank borrowings 
Net cash (outflow) inflow from financing activities
Net (decrease) increase  in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

1.8
(0.3)
(36.8)

1.8
(0.2)
–
(1.0)
(24.4)
40.3

236.4
(111.8)

(10.7)
1.7
(120.8)

0.5
(0.1)
–
–
–
(15.1)
100.9

2018
£m
10.8
0.2
11.0

–
18.2
18.2

(10.4)
0.3
–
(1.0)
(24.4)
–
(35.5)
(6.3)
18.1
11.8

Total
Equity
£m
582.0
(38.3)

1.8
(0.3)
(36.8)

1.8
(0.2)
0.3
(1.0)
(24.4)
521.7

400.4
(111.8)

(10.7)
1.7
(120.8)

0.5
(0.1)
0.1
136.3
180.7
(15.1)
582.0

2017
£m
1.2
(0.4)
0.8

(43.4)
6.9
(36.5)

(13.2)
141.5
(5.1)
–
(15.1)
(56.9)
51.2
15.5
2.6
18.1

185

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1. Accounting policies  

General information 
Renewi plc is a public limited company listed on the London Stock Exchange and is incorporated and domiciled in Scotland under the 
Companies Act 2006, registered number SC077438. The address of the registered office is given on page 196. The nature of the Company’s 
principal activity is a head office corporate function. 

Basis of preparation 
The separate financial statements of the Company are presented in compliance with the requirements for companies whose shares are listed 
on the London Stock Exchange. They have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for derivative financial instruments and share-
based payments, which are stated at fair value. The policies set out below have been consistently applied. The Company has applied all 
accounting standards and interpretations issued relevant to its operations and effective for accounting periods beginning on 1 April 2017.  

Going concern 
Having assessed the principal risks and other matters in connection with the viability statement, the Directors consider it appropriate to 
continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these financial statements. 

Statement of compliance 
The financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and related interpretations issued 
by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) adopted by the European Union (EU) and therefore comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS 
Regulation and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. 

Adoption of new and revised accounting standards and interpretations 
There were no new standards, amendments to standards or interpretations adopted for the first time for the Company’s financial year 
beginning 1 April 2017 that had a significant impact on these financial statements. 

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted 
Standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) are only applicable if endorsed by the  
European Union.  

At the date of approval of these financial statements, the following standard was in issue but not yet effective: 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. This standard addresses the classification, 
measurement and recognition approaches for financial assets and liabilities and requires additional disclosures in relation to hedging activities. 
The Company has performed an initial assessment of the impact of this standard and does not expect a material impact. 

There are no other IFRSs or IFRS IC interpretations not yet effective that would be expected to have a material impact on the Company. 

Intangible assets 
Computer software is capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to purchase and bring the assets into use. These costs are amortised over 
the estimated useful life ranging from one to five years on a straight-line basis. 

 186 

 
 
 
 
 
1. Accounting policies – Company continued 

Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment, except for freehold land, is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and provision for impairment. Cost 
includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use. 
Freehold land is not depreciated. The asset’s residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted if appropriate at the end of each 
reporting period. 

Assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An 
impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount  
is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their 
present value. An impairment loss is recognised immediately as an operating expense and at each subsequent reporting date the impairment  
is reviewed for possible reversal. 

Depreciation is provided on fixtures and fittings to write off their cost (less the expected residual value) on a straight line basis over an expected 
useful life of up to 10 years. 

Investments in subsidiary undertakings 
Investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost in the Company’s balance sheet less any provision for impairment in value. 

Provisions 
Provisions are recognised where there is a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event and it is probable that an outflow 
of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of  
the obligation.  

Employee benefits 
Retirement benefits 
The Company accounts for pensions and similar benefits under IAS 19 (revised) Employee Benefits. For defined benefit plans, obligations are 
measured at discounted present value whilst plan assets are recorded at fair value. The operating and financing costs of the plans are 
recognised separately in the Income Statement. Interest is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net defined pension liability. 
Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full through the Statement of Comprehensive Income; surpluses are recognised only to the extent 
that they are recoverable. Movements in irrecoverable surpluses are recognised immediately in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

Payments to defined contribution schemes are charged to the Income Statement as they become due.  

Share-based payments 
The Company issues equity-settled share-based awards to certain employees. The fair value of share-based awards is determined at the date of 
grant and expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period with a corresponding increase in equity based on the Company’s estimate of 
the shares that will eventually vest. At each balance sheet date the Company revises its estimates of the number of options that are expected to 
vest based on service and non-market performance conditions. The amount expensed is adjusted over the vesting period for changes in the 
estimate of the number of shares that will eventually vest, save for changes resulting from any market-related performance conditions. 

187

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1. Accounting policies – Company continued 

Taxation 
Current tax 
Current tax is based on taxable profit or loss for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit before tax in the Income Statement because it 
excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years or that are never taxable or deductible. The asset or liability 
for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted, or substantively enacted, at the balance sheet date. 

Deferred tax 
Deferred tax is recognised in full where the carrying value of assets and liabilities in the financial statements is different to the corresponding tax 
bases used in the computation of taxable profits. 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 the taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary 
differences can be utilised. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that have been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred 
tax is charged or credited in the Income Statement, except where it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity in which case the 
deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. 

Foreign currencies 
The functional currency of the Company is Sterling. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the year end are 
translated at the period end exchange rate. Foreign currency gains or losses are credited or charged to the profit and loss account as they arise.  

Financial instruments 
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost less provision for 
impairment. A provision for impairment is established when there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all 
amounts due according to the original terms of the receivable.  

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits with a maturity of three months or less. 

External borrowings 
Interest bearing loans and retail bonds are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Finance charges, including premiums 
payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accruals basis in the Income Statement using the effective 
interest rate method. 

When the Company exchanges with an existing lender one debt instrument for another one with substantially different terms, such exchange is 
accounted for as an extinguishment of the original financial liability and the recognition of a new financial liability. Similarly, the Company 
accounts for substantial modifications of the terms of an existing liability or part of it as an extinguishment of the original financial liability and 
the recognition of a new liability. The terms are considered to be substantially different if the discounted present value of the cash flows under 
the new terms, including any fees paid and discounted using the original effective rate, is at least 10% different from the discounted present 
value of the remaining cash flows of the original financial liability. Any gain or loss on extinguishment is recognised in the Income Statement. 

Trade payables 
Trade payables are not interest bearing and are stated initially at fair value and subsequently held at amortised cost. 

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings 
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently held at amortised cost. 

Other receivables and other payables 
Other receivables and other payables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. 

Derivative financial instruments  
In accordance with its treasury policy, the Company only holds derivative financial instruments to manage the Group’s exposure to financial 
risk. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company’s derivatives 
financial instruments are not designated as hedges and the changes in fair value are recognised in the Income Statement. Details of the fair 
values of the derivative financial instruments are disclosed in note 5.5 and 5.6. 

 188 

 
 
1. Accounting policies – Company continued 

Called up share capital 
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new ordinary shares or share options are shown in 
equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. Any excess of the net proceeds over the nominal value of any shares issued is credited to 
the share premium account. 

Dividends 
Dividend distributions to the equity holders are recognised in the period in which they are approved by the shareholders in general meeting. 
Interim dividends are recognised when paid 

2. Key accounting estimates  

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 
application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenditure. The areas involving a higher degree of 
judgement or complexity are set out below and in more detail in the related note. 

Defined benefit pension scheme 
The Company operates a defined benefit scheme in the UK for which an actuarial valuation is carried out as determined by the trustees  
at intervals of not more than three years. The pension cost under IAS 19 (revised) Employee Benefits is assessed in accordance with 
management’s best estimates using the advice of an independent qualified actuary and assumptions in the latest actuarial valuation.  
The principal assumptions in connection with the retirement benefit schemes are set out in note 7.2 of the Group financial statements. 

Impairment of investments in subsidiary undertakings 
Investments in subsidiary undertakings are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not 
be recoverable. The carrying value is estimated based on projected cash flows which may be long term in nature. 

3. Employees 

Staff costs 
Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Share-based benefits 
Other pension costs 
Total staff costs 

2018
£m
3.9
0.5
1.8
0.1
6.3

2017
£m
3.4
0.4
0.5
0.1
4.4

The average number of people (including executive directors) employed by the Company was 17 employees (2017: 18). 

See pages 92 to 107 of the Directors’ Remuneration report for details of the remuneration of executive and non-executive Directors and their 
interest in shares and options of the Company. 

See note 7.3 of the Group financial statements for details of share based payments. 

4. Auditors’ remuneration 

The auditors’ remuneration for audit services to the Company was £0.1m (2017: £0.1m). Fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and its 
associates for non-audit services for the Company are disclosed in note 3.2 of the Group financial statements. 

5. Dividends 

See Note 5.10 of the Group financial statements for details of the dividends of the Company. 

189

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

6. Intangible assets 

Cost 
At 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017 
Disposal 
At 1 April 2016, 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018 
Accumulated amortisation and impairment
At 1 April 2016 
Amortisation charge 
At 31 March 2017 
Amortisation charge 
Impairment 
Disposal 
At 31 March 2018 
Net book value 
At 31 March 2018 
At 31 March 2017 
At 31 March 2016 

7. Property, plant and equipment 

Cost  
At 1 April 2016, 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018 
Accumulated amortisation and impairment
At 1 April 2016, 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018 
Net book value 
At 31 March 2018 
At 31 March 2017 
At 31 March 2016 

8. Investments 

At 1 April 2016 
Additions 
Disposals 
Impairment 
At 31 March 2017 
Impairment 
At 31 March 2018 

Computer
Software
£m

1.2
(0.2)
1.0

0.9
0.1
1.0
0.1
0.1
(0.2)
1.0

–
0.2
0.3

Total
£m

0.3

–

0.3
0.3
0.3

Investments
 in subsidiary 
undertakings
£m
498.8
43.4
(29.4)
(101.6)
411.2
(35.0)
376.2

Land 
£m

Fixtures and 
fittings 
£m 

0.1

–

0.1
0.1
0.1

0.2 

– 

0.2 
0.2 
0.2 

The impairment of £35.0m (2017: £101.6m) related to the investment in Renewi UK Services Limited (previously Shanks Waste Management 
Limited) as a result of the difficult trading conditions being encountered in the UK Municipal division. The prior year addition of £43.4m related 
to a loan to Renewi UK Services Limited which was capitalised on 31 March 2017 and the disposal of £29.4m related to investments in dormant 
non-trading subsidiaries which were placed into voluntary liquidation. 

190 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
9. Trade and other receivables 

Non-current assets 
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 
Current assets 
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 
Other receivables 
Prepayments 

2018
£m

276.4

183.9
0.3
0.5
184.7

2017
£m

272.6

183.0
0.4
0.1
183.5

Interest on amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings is received at rates of between 0% and 14% (2017: 0% and 13%), the balances are 
unsecured and repayable either on demand or in accordance with the loan agreement with the final repayment due on 30 September 2039. 

The carrying amounts of trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies: 

Sterling 
Euro 
Canadian Dollar 

10. Deferred tax asset 

2018
£m
64.0
368.1
29.0
461.1

2017
£m
62.3
362.8
31.0
456.1

Deferred tax is provided in full on temporary differences under the liability method using the applicable tax rate.  

At 1 April 2016 
(Charge) credit to Income Statement 
Credit to equity 
At 31 March 2017 
(Charge) credit to Income Statement 
(Charge) credit to equity 
At 31 March 2018 

Retirement
benefit
schemes
£m
1.9
(0.4)
1.7
3.2
(0.5)
(0.3)
2.4

Tax losses
£m
–
2.9
–
2.9
3.5
–
6.4

Derivative 
 financial  
instruments 
£m 
0.6 
(0.4) 
– 
0.2 
(0.3) 
– 
(0.1) 

Other
timing
differences
£m
0.6
–
0.1
0.7
0.1
(0.1)
0.7

Total
£m
3.1
2.1
1.8
7.0
2.8
(0.4)
9.4

The majority of the £9.4m (2017: £7.0m) deferred tax asset is expected to be recovered after more than one year. 

As at 31 March 2018, the Company has unused tax losses (tax effect) of £6.4m (2017: £6.6m) available for offset against future profits. A deferred 
tax asset has been recognised in respect of £6.4m (2017: £2.9m) of such losses and recognition is based on management’s projections of future 
profits in the Company. Tax losses may be carried forward indefinitely. 

11. Cash and cash equivalents 

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents of £11.8m (2017: £18.1m) was denominated in the following currencies: 

Sterling 
Euro 

.

2018
£m
11.7
0.1
11.8

2017
£m
10.0
8.1
18.1

191

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
NOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

12. Non-current borrowings 

Retail bonds 

The table below details the maturity profile of non-current borrowings: 

Between two years and five years 
Over five years 

The carrying amounts of borrowings are denominated in Euros. 

2018 
£m 
174.6 

2018 
£m 
87.5 
87.1 
174.6 

2017
£m
170.2

2017
£m
85.2
85.0
170.2

The terms of the retails bonds are detailed in the Group financial statements note 5.3. The retail bonds are carried at amortised cost and are not 
subject to the consolidated hedging arrangements. 

13. Derivative financial instruments 

The Company held a fuel derivative current asset of £0.6m (2017: £0.7m current liability and £0.1 non-current liability). The notional value of the 
wholesale fuel covered by fuel derivatives as at 31 March 2018 amounted to £4.2m (2017: £12.6m). Forward foreign exchange contracts were 
held with a current liability of £0.1m (2017: £0.1m) and a notional value of £11.4m (2017: £10.6m).  

14. Trade and other payables 

Trade payables 
Other tax and social security payable 
Other payables 
Accruals 
Amounts owed to Group undertakings 

2018 
£m 
0.2 
0.6 
0.2 
8.6 
138.1 
147.7 

2017
£m
7.5
0.3
0.1
12.4
99.9
120.2

Interest on amounts owed to Group undertakings is charged at rates of between 0% and 2.65% (2017: 0% and 2.15%) and these balances are 
unsecured and repayable upon demand. 

The carrying amounts of trade and other payables and other non-current liabilities are denominated in the following currencies: 

2018 
£m 
59.3 
88.4 
147.7 

2017
£m
82.9
37.3
120.2

Sterling 
Euro 

 192 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15. Provisions 

At 1 April 2017 
Utilised in the year 
At 31 March 2018 

Restructuring  
£m 
0.2 
(0.2) 
– 

Other
£m
0.7
(0.1)
0.6

Total
£m
0.9
(0.3)
0.6

The restructuring provision related to redundancy and related costs incurred as part of the delivery of merger related synergies.  

Other provisions principally cover warranties, under the terms of the agreements for the disposal of certain businesses, the Company has  
given warranties to the purchasers which may give rise to payments. 

16. Retirement benefit scheme 

The Renewi plc defined benefit pension scheme (called the Shanks Group Pension Scheme) covers eligible UK employees and is closed to new 
entrants. The defined benefit plan provides benefits to members in the form of a guaranteed level of pension payable for life and the level of 
benefits provided depends on the members’ length of service and salary. See note 7.2 of the Group financial statements for further details. 

17. Share capital and share premium 

Share capital allotted, called up and fully paid 
At 1 April 2016 
Issued under rights issue and firm placing 
Consideration shares issued
Issued under share option schemes 
At 31 March 2017 
Issued under share option schemes 
At 31 March 2018 

Ordinary shares
 of 10p each
£m

Number 

Share
 premium
£m

398,189,557 
211,201,962 
190,187,502 
233,202 
799,812,223 
321,029 
800,133,252 

39.8
21.1
19.0
–
79.9
0.1
80.0

124.2
115.2
161.7
0.1
401.2
0.2
401.4

During the year 321,029 (2017: 233,202) ordinary shares were allotted following the exercise of share options under the Savings Related Share 
Option Schemes for an aggregate consideration of £232,475 (2017: £156,017).  

In the prior year a firm placing of 45,000,000 shares was completed at a price of 100p per share and a 3 for 8 rights issue of 166,201,962 shares to 
qualifying shareholders was completed at 58p per share. The Company raised £136.3m net of £5.1m issuance costs. On 28 February 2017 the 
Group issued 190,187,502 shares as part of the purchase consideration for 100% of the ordinary share capital of Van Gansewinkel Groep B V. 
The ordinary shares issued have the same rights as the other shares in issue.  

Renewi plc Employee Share Trust 
The Renewi plc Employee Share Trust owns 1,308,652 (0.2%) (2017: nil) of the issued share capital of the Company in trust for the benefit of 
employees of the Group. The Trust waives its dividend entitlement. Retained earnings includes ordinary shares held by the Trust to satisfy 
future share awards which are recorded at cost.  During the year ended 31 March 2018 1,308,652 shares were purchased by the Trust at a cost  
to £1.0m. 

193

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

18. Financial instruments 

The carrying value of the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities is shown below: 

Financial assets 
Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Fuel derivatives 

Financial liabilities 
Retail bonds 
Trade and other payables excluding non-financial liabilities 
Fuel derivatives 
Forward foreign exchange contracts 

Note

9

11

13

12

14

13

13

2018 
£m 

460.6 
11.8 
0.6 
473.0 

174.6 
147.1 
– 
0.1 
321.8 

2017
£m

456.0
18.1
–
474.1

170.2
119.9
0.8
0.1
291.0

The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities is not materially different to their carry value except for the retail bonds which have a fair 
value of £176.6m (2017: £177.4m). 

19. Notes to the statement of cash flows 

Loss before tax 
Fair value gain on financial instruments 
Finance income 
Finance charges 
Operating loss from continuing operations 
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 
Exceptional provision against investment in subsidiary 
Exceptional loss on disposal of subsidiaries 
Net (decrease) increase in provisions 
Payments to fund defined benefit pension scheme deficit 
Share-based compensation 
Exchange gain  
Operating cash flows before movement in working capital 
Decrease (increase) in receivables 
Increase (decrease) in payables 
Cash flows from operating activities 

20. Contingent liabilities 

2018 
£m 
(41.0) 
(1.5) 
(20.7) 
10.2 
(53.0) 
0.2 
35.0 
– 
(0.3) 
(3.1) 
1.8 
(1.9) 
(21.3) 
4.8 
27.3 
10.8 

2017
£m
(113.9)
(2.1)
(8.4)
14.8
(109.6)
0.1
101.6
29.4
0.1
(3.1)
0.5
1.9
20.9
(1.5)
(18.2)
1.2

In addition to the contingent liabilities in Note 8.3 of the Group financial statements the Company has given guarantees in respect of the 
Group’s subsidiary and joint venture undertakings’ borrowing facilities totalling £344.2m (2017: £338.4m). The Company also has contingent 
liabilities in respect of both VAT and HM Revenue & Customs group payment arrangements of £1.6m (2017: £1.4m). 

21. Related party transactions 

A list of the Company’s subsidiaries is set out in note 8.1 of the Group financial statements. Transactions with subsidiaries relate to interest  
on intercompany loans and management charges. Net interest income was £20.0m (2017: £7.9m) and management charges were £6.7m  
(2017: £7.3m). Total outstanding balances are listed in notes 9 and 14. 

 194 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MORE INFORMATION

SHAREHOLDER 
INFORMATION

ANALYSIS OF SHAREHOLDERS AS AT 31 MARCH 2018

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

Holders

%

Shares held

Private shareholders

Corporate shareholders

Total

1779

632

2411

73.8

26.2

9,668,614

790,464,638

100.0

800,133,252

100.0

%

1.2

98.8

Size of shareholding

Holders

%

Shares held

1-5,000

5,001 - 25,000

25,001 - 50,000

50,001 - 100,000

100,001 - 250,000

250,001 - 500,000

over 500,000

Total

1527

520

96

58

53

36

121

63.3

21.6

4.0

2.4

2.2

1.5

5.0

 2,796,779 

 5,592,835 

 3,277,038 

 4,246,296 

 9,006,493 

 13,171,391 

 762,042,420 

 2,411 

100.0

 800,133,252 

%

0.4

0.7

0.4

0.5

1.1

1.7

95.2

100.0

28 June 2018
Ex-dividend date for final 2018 dividend

29 June 2018
Record date for final 2018 dividend

12 July 2018
Annual General Meeting

27 July 2018 
Payment of final 2018 dividend

November 2018 
Announcement of interim results and 
dividend

31 March 2019 
2019 financial year end

May 2019 
Announcement of 2019 results and 
dividend recommendation

For updates to the calendar during 
the year, please visit the Company 
website: www.renewiplc.com

Registrar services
Administrative enquiries concerning 
shareholdings in the Company should be 
made to the Registrar, Computershare  
Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, 
Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZZ. 
Computershare can also be contacted by 
telephone on 0370 707 1290. Shareholders 
can also manage their holding online by 
registering at www.investorcentre.co.uk.

General Data Protection Regulation 
New regulations are now in force giving 
individuals more control over their personal 
data and providing greater protections. 
Shareholders’ personal data is maintained 
in accordance with the Companies Act 
2006 and processed by Renewi’s Registrars, 
Computershare Investor Services PLC. The 
security of shareholders’ data is of the utmost 
importance to Renewi and Computershare, 
neither of whom will use shareholders’ data 

for marketing purposes. Computershare’s 
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions can 
be found at www.investorcentre.co.uk.

Dividends
Shareholders are strongly encouraged to 
receive their cash dividends by direct transfer 
as this ensures dividends are credited 
promptly and efficiently. Shareholders who  
do not currently have their dividends 
paid directly to a bank or building society 
account, and who wish to do so, should 
complete a mandate form obtainable from 
Computershare. Overseas shareholders 
wishing to receive their dividend payment 
in local currency can now do so using 
Computershare’s Global Payments Service.

Dividend tax allowance
The announcement made by the Chancellor 
in the 2017 Spring Budget that the annual 
dividend tax allowance will be reduced from 

£5,000 to £2,000 per annum came into effect 
April 2018. For the financial year 2018/19 
dividends received amounting to less than 
£2,000 are tax free. Dividends in excess of this 
allowance will continue to be taxed at 7.5% 
for basic rate taxpayers, 32.5% for higher 
rate taxpayers and 38.1% for additional rate 
taxpayers. Renewi plc will continue to provide 
registered shareholders with a confirmation 
of the dividends paid by the Company. Any 
dividends received from Renewi plc should be 
added to all other dividend income received 
by shareholders for the respective year when 
calculating and reporting their total dividend 
income for tax purposes. It is the responsibility 
of the shareholder to include all dividend 
income from all shares held in all companies, 
when calculating any tax liability.

ShareGift
If shareholders have only a small number 
of shares, the value of which makes it 

For customers: www.renewi.com

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RENEWI plc

195

MORE INFORMATION | CONTINUED

COMPANY 
INFORMATION

PRINCIPAL OFFICES 

Netherlands Commercial 
Division
Renewi Nederland B.V.
Flight Forum 240 
5657 DH Eindhoven
The Netherlands

Belgium Commercial 
Division
Renewi Belgium S.A./N.V.
Gerard Mercatorstraat 8
B-3920
Lommel
Belgium

Monostreams Division
Van Gansewinkel Recycling B.V.
Flight Forum 240 
5657 DH Eindhoven
The Netherlands

Hazardous Waste 
Division
Renewi Hazardous Waste B.V.
Vlasweg 12
4782 PW Moerdijk
The Netherlands

Municipal Division
Renewi UK Services Limited
Dunedin House
Auckland Park, Mount Farm
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire MK1 1BU

Registered Office
Renewi plc
16 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh
EH2 4DF
Registered in Scotland
No.SC077438

Corporate Head Office
Renewi plc
Dunedin House
Auckland Park, Mount Farm
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire MK1 1BU
Tel: 00 44 (0)1908 650580

Company Secretary
Philip Griffin-Smith, FCIS

Email: 
info@renewi.com

Websites: 
For investors:
www.renewiplc.com
For customers:
www.renewi.com

CORPORATE ADVISORS

Independent Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Principal Bankers
ING Bank N.V. 
Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. 
ABN Amro Bank N.V. 
KBC Bank N.V. 
BNP Paribas Fortis S.A./N.V. 
HSBC Bank plc

Financial Advisers
Greenhill & Co International LLP

Corporate Brokers
Investec 
Peel Hunt

Solicitors
Ashurst LLP 
Dickson Minto W.S.

PR Advisers
FTI Consulting

uneconomic to sell, they may wish to  
consider donating them to the charity 
ShareGift (registered charity no. 1052686). 
Further information may be obtained from 
their website at www.sharegift.org or by  
calling 020 7930 3737.

Electronic shareholder communication
Shareholders may elect to receive future 
shareholder documents and information by 
email or via the Company’s website. This is 
intended to help the environment by reducing 
paper and transport as well as enabling 
the Company to save on administration, 
printing and postage costs. Please contact the 
Company Registrar for details.

Share fraud warning
Fraudsters use persuasive and high pressure 
tactics to lure investors into scams. They 

may offer to sell shares that turn out to be 
worthless or non-existent, or to buy shares 
at an inflated price in return for an upfront 
payment.  
While high profits are promised, if you buy  
or sell shares in this way you will probably  
lose your money.

unauthorised firms to avoid at www.fca.org.
uk/scams. If you buy or sell shares from an 
unauthorised firm, you will not have access 
to the Financial Ombudsman or Financial 
Services Compensation Scheme. You should 
always consider getting independent financial 
advice before any transaction.

How to avoid fraud
Firms authorised by the Financial Conduct 
Authority (FCA) will rarely contact you out 
of the blue with an offer to buy or sell your 
shares. If you feel that the person contacting 
you is not legitimate, note their name and the 
firm they work for; you can check the Financial 
Services Register at www.fca.org.uk to see if 
the person and firm is authorised by the FCA. 
Call the FCA on 0800 111 6768 if the firm does 
not have contact details on the register or 
they are out of date. You can search the list of 

Report a scam
If you are approached by a fraudster please  
tell the FCA using the share fraud reporting 
form at www.fca.org.uk/scams, where you  
can find out more about investment  
scams, or call the FCA Consumer Helpline  
on 0800 111 6768. If you have already paid  
money to share fraudsters, you should  
contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

196

RENEWI plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

For investors: www.renewiplc.com 

 
 
GLOSSARY

A&B

AD

AGM 

BDR

Argyll & Bute

Anaerobic Digestion

Annual General Meeting

Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham 

BENELUX

The economic union of Belgium,  
the Netherlands and Luxembourg

C&D

CE

CER

CFS

CI

CORE NET DEBT

CSR

DAB

D&G

EBITDA

ELWA

EPC

EPS

ESG

EU

Construction and Demolition

Commercial Effectiveness

Constant Exchange Rate

A brand in the legacy  
Van Gansewinkel portfolio

Continuous Improvement

Borrowings less cash from core 
facilities excluding PFI/PPP  
non-recourse debt

Corporate Social Responsibility

Deferred Annual Bonus

Dumfries & Galloway

Trading profit before Interest, Tax, 
Depreciation and Amortisation

East London Waste Authority

Engineering, Procurement  
and Construction

Earnings Per Share

Environment, Social and Governance

European Union

EXCOM

Executive Committee

FCA

GFF

Financial Conduct Authority

Green Finance Framework

I&C

IBA

ICT

IFRS

IMO

KPI

LTIP

M&A

MBT

NORM

OEM

PPA

PFI

PPP

RDF

ROCE

SHEQ

SPV

SRF

SSC

TOM

TSR 

VGG

VGIS

Industrial and Commercial

Incinerator Bottom Ash

Information and Communications 
Technology

International Financial  
Reporting Standards

Integration Management Office

Key Performance Indicator

Long Term Incentive Plan

Mergers and Acquisitions

Mechanical Biological Treatment

Naturally Occuring Radioactive 
Materials

Original Equipment Manufacturer

Purchase Price Accounting

Private Finance Initiative

Public Private Partnership

Refuse Derived Fuel

Return on Capital Employed

Safety, Health, Environment and 
Quality

Special Purpose Vehicle

Solid Recovered Fuel

Shared Service Centre

Target Operating Model

Total Shareholder Return

Van Gansewinkel Groep B.V.

Van Gansewinkel Industrial Services

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Wardour www.wardour.co.uk

Printed by Newnorth on FSC® certified  
paper with 100% vegetable inks. 

100% of the inks used are vegetable  
oil-based, 95% of press chemicals are

recycled for further use and, on average,  
99% of any waste associated with this 
production will be recycled.

Newnorth is FSC and PEFC certified. Its 
Environmental Management System is 
accredited to ISO14001 and its procedures  
are accredited to ISO9001.

This document is printed on Satimat green 
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free coated papers produced using a high 
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compromising quality. Manufactured  
with 75% recycled fibre and 25% virgin  
fibre, FSC® certified.

Please see details on page 196 on  
how to receive electronic copies 
of future documentation from  
Renewi plc.

 
 
 
 
Renewi plc
Dunedin House, Auckland Park, Mount Farm, 
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK1 1BU

2