Financial Report
2020
@
Table of Contents
Key Information
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Consolidated Income Statement
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of the Statutory Auditor
Income Statement of Syngenta AG
Balance Sheet of Syngenta AG
Notes to the Financial Statements of Syngenta AG
Appropriation of Available Earnings of Syngenta AG
Report of the Statutory Auditor of Syngenta AG
Financial Report 2020
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2
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20
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24
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97
98
Key Information
Selected Financial Data
Financial Report 2020
Syngenta has prepared the consolidated financial statements in US dollars ($) and in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS). Financial figures are presented in millions of dollars ($m)
except where otherwise stated. The basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements and the key accounting policies are
discussed in Note 1 and in Notes 2 and 26, respectively, to the consolidated financial statements.
The selected financial highlights information in accordance with IFRS presented below has been extracted from the consolidated financial
statements of Syngenta. Investors should read the entire consolidated financial statements and not rely on the summarized information. The
information includes the results of operations and the net assets of FarmShots, Inc. from February 1, 2018, Nidera Seeds Holdings B.V. from
February 6, 2018, Abbott & Cobb from March 30, 2018, Strider Desenvolvimento de Software Ltda from April 30, 2018, Icepage Limited from
July 26, 2018, The Cropio Group from August 30, 2019, Sanbei Seeds Co. Ltd. from November 1, 2019, Woodbridge Seed, LLC. from July
24, 2020, Sensako (Pty) Ltd. from August 14, 2020, Valagro S.p.A. from October 1, 2020, Progeny Advance Genetics, Inc. from December 3,
2020 and Hollar & Co., Inc. from December 16, 2020.
Financial highlights
($m)
Amounts in accordance with IFRS
Income statement data:
Sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Operating expenses
Operating income
Income/(loss) before taxes
Net income/(loss)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Syngenta AG
shareholder
Cash flow data:
Cash flow from operating activities
Cash flow used for investing activities
Cash flow used for financing activities
Capital expenditure on tangible fixed assets
Balance sheet data:
Current assets less current liabilities
Total assets
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Share capital
Total shareholders’ equity
All activities were in respect of continuing operations.
Year ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
14,287
(8,113)
6,174
(4,067)
2,107
1,610
1,422
1,421
2,050
(1,337)
(124)
(555)
3,556
25,283
(10,547)
(20,793)
(6)
(4,434)
13,582
(7,383)
6,199
(4,272)
1,927
1,503
1,456
1,450
838
(248)
(204)
(521)
3,799
22,397
(9,181)
(17,926)
(6)
13,569
(7,288)
6,281
(4,151)
2,130
1,731
1,451
1,447
1,367
(1,641)
(350)
(448)
3,828
21,182
(9,073)
(17,038)
(6)
12,649
(6,491)
6,158
(6,104)
54
(116)
(96)
12,790
(6,507)
6,283
(4,636)
1,647
1,361
1,181
(98)
1,178
1,839
(577)
(303)
(394)
5,341
20,333
(5,615)
(12,333)
(6)
1,807
(521)
(1,134)
(425)
5,089
19,068
(4,830)
(11,097)
(6)
(4,397)
(4,118)
(7,976)
(7,950)
1
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Introduction
The following discussion includes forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainty. See “Forward-looking statements” at the
beginning of this document. This discussion also includes non-GAAP financial data in addition to GAAP results. See Appendix A to this
section for a reconciliation of this data and explanation of the reasons for presenting such data.
Constant exchange rates
Approximately 43 percent of Syngenta’s sales and 60 percent of Syngenta’s costs in 2020 were denominated in currencies other than US
dollars. Therefore, Syngenta’s results for the period covered by the review were significantly impacted by movements in exchange rates.
Sales in 2020 were 5 percent higher than 2019 on a reported basis, 13 percent higher when calculated at constant rates of exchange. The
Company therefore provides analysis of results calculated at constant exchange rates (“CER”) and also actual results to allow an assessment
of performance before and after taking account of currency fluctuations. To present CER information, current period results for entities
reporting in currencies other than US dollars are converted into US dollars at the prior period’s exchange rates, rather than the exchange rates
for this year. An example of this calculation is included in Appendix A of this section.
Overview
Syngenta is a world leading agribusiness operating in the crop protection, seeds, professional solutions and flowers markets. Crop protection
chemicals include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and seed treatments to control weeds, insects and diseases in crops, and are essential
inputs enabling growers around the world to improve agricultural productivity and food quality. In Seeds, Syngenta operates in the high value
commercial sectors of field crops (including corn, oilseeds, and cereals) and vegetables. The Professional Solutions business provides turf
and landscape and professional pest management products, and the flowers business provides flower seeds, cuttings and young plants to
professional growers and consumers.
Syngenta’s results are affected, both positively and negatively, by, among other factors: general economic conditions; weather conditions,
which can influence the demand for certain products over the course of a season and the quantity and cost of seeds supply; commodity crop
prices; and exchange rate fluctuations. Government measures, such as subsidies or rules regulating the use of agricultural products,
genetically modified seeds, or areas allowed to be planted with certain crops, also can have an impact on Syngenta’s industry. Syngenta’s
results are also affected by the growing importance of biotechnology to agriculture and the use of genetically modified crops. In future years,
climate change may have both positive and negative impacts on Syngenta’s results. Climate change may make growing certain crops more
or less viable in different geographic areas, but is not likely to reduce overall demand for food and feed. Syngenta currently sells and is
developing products to improve the water productivity of plants and increase tolerance to drought and heat. Legislation may be enacted in the
future that limits carbon dioxide emissions in the manufacture of Syngenta’s products or increases the costs associated with such emissions.
Syngenta works actively to make its production operations more energy efficient and to reduce the rate of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of
sales revenue.
Syngenta operates globally to capitalize on its technology and marketing base. Syngenta’s largest market in 2020 was Latin America, which
represented approximately 31 percent of consolidated sales (2019: 31 percent), followed by Europe, Africa and the Middle East at 28 percent
(2019: 29 percent), North America at 25 percent (2019: 25 percent), and Asia Pacific at 16 percent (2019: 15 percent). Markets for agricultural
products in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and North America are seasonal resulting in both sales and operating profit for Syngenta in
these markets being weighted towards the first half of the calendar year, which largely reflects the northern hemisphere planting and growing
cycle. Latin America has its main selling season in the second half of the year due to its location in the southern hemisphere. Asia Pacific
sales and operating profit are more uniform throughout the year.
Syngenta’s most significant manufacturing and research and development sites are located in Switzerland, the United Kingdom (“UK”), the
United States of America (“USA” or “US”) and China. Syngenta has major research centers focused on identifying new active ingredients in
Stein, Switzerland and Jealott’s Hill, UK. Syngenta’s primary center for agricultural genomics and biotechnology research is in the USA.
References in this document to market share estimates are based where possible on global agrochemical and biotechnology industry
information provided by a third party or on information published by major competitors and are supplemented by Syngenta marketing staff
estimates.
The consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars, as this is the major currency in which revenues are denominated.
However, significant, but differing proportions of Syngenta’s revenues, costs, assets and liabilities are denominated in currencies other than
US dollars. Approximately 13 percent of sales in 2020 were denominated in Euros, while a significant proportion of costs for research and
development, administration, general overhead and manufacturing were denominated in Swiss francs and British pounds sterling
(approximately 18 percent in total). Sales in Swiss francs and British pounds sterling together made up approximately 2 percent of total sales.
Marketing and distribution costs are more closely linked to the currency split of the sales. As a result, operating profit in US dollars can be
significantly affected by movements in exchange rates, in particular movements of the Swiss franc, British pound sterling, Euro and Brazilian
real, relative to the US dollar, and the relative impact on operating profit may differ from that on sales. Sales in emerging markets are over 50
percent of Syngenta’s total sales. Where it is not commercially disadvantageous, Syngenta sets sales prices in these markets in US dollars,
particularly in parts of Latin America and the CIS. However, in many emerging territories Syngenta sells in the local currency of the countries
in the territory and as a result has a long exposure to multiple emerging market currencies. The effects of currency fluctuations within any one
year have been reduced by risk management strategies such as hedging and the aforementioned US dollar sales pricing. For further
information on these strategies please refer to Note 24 of the consolidated financial statements.
The consolidated financial statements are based upon Syngenta’s accounting policies and, where necessary, the results of management
estimations. Syngenta believes that the critical accounting policies and estimations underpinning the financial statements are in the areas of (i)
royalty and license income, (ii) capitalization of development costs, (iii) impairment, (iv) acquisition accounting, (v) adjustments to revenue and
trade receivables, (vi) deferred tax assets, (vii) uncertain tax positions, (viii) seeds inventory valuation and allowances, (ix) environmental
provisions and (x) defined benefit post-employment benefits. These policies are described in more detail in Notes 2 and 26 to the consolidated
financial statements.
2
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Summary of results
Net income in 2020 attributable to Syngenta’s shareholder was $1,421 million, compared to $1,450 million in 2019.
Sales in 2020 were 5 percent higher than 2019, 13 percent higher at constant exchange rates, with a 10 percent increase in sales volumes
and a further 3 percent increase in local currency sales prices. Currency movements reduced reported sales by 8 percent, with a lower BRL in
particular, though with adverse impacts also in Europe and Asian currencies. Sales of Crop Protection products increased by 6 percent, 15
percent at constant exchange rates, with double-digit volume growth led by Latin America, but with local currency sales prices in Brazil only
partially recovering the impact of the weaker BRL. Seeds sales were 4 percent higher than 2019, 8 percent at constant exchange rates, with
double-digit sales volume increases in Latin America and Asia. Local currency sales prices were 3 percent higher in Crop Protection, driven
by the partial sales price dollarization in Brazil and 2 percent higher in Seeds, where local currency sales prices were higher in all regions.
Operating income as a percentage of sales was 14.7 percent in 2020. Excluding restructuring costs, operating income as a percentage of
sales increased by 1 percent in 2020 compared with 2019, largely due to reduced gross profit margins in Crop Protection products from the
lower US dollar sales prices in Brazil, which more than offset a lower ratio of operating expenses below gross profit to sales. Including costs
reported in cost of goods sold, restructuring and impairment charges were $188 million in 2020 before related taxation, compared to $337
million in 2019. Currency exchange rate impacts reduced operating income by approximately $827 million.
Excluding cash paid to settle the US AGRISURE VIPTERA® litigation of $1,110 million in 2019, cash flow from operating activities was $102
million higher in 2020 with higher net financial payments partly offset by higher inflow from change in net working capital. Change in net
working capital was an inflow of $496 million compared to an outflow of $27 million in 2019 due mainly to lower growth in inventories. Cash
flow used for investing activities in 2020 was $1,337 million compared to $248 million in 2019, due to net purchases of marketable securities in
2020 compared to net sales in 2019, lower proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment due to the sale and leaseback of
buildings in Switzerland and the UK in 2019, and outflows for business acquisitions in 2020 including the acquisition of Valagro S.p.A. Cash
flow used for financing activities was $80 million lower than in 2019, due to a lower dividend payment partly offset by the acquisition of non-
controlling interests in a subsidiary in India.
Gross profit margin was approximately 2.4 percentage points lower in 2020, due to lower margins in Crop Protection from lower US dollar
sales prices, particularly in Brazil but with adverse impacts from a stronger US dollar against a broad range of currencies including the Euro.
Marketing and distribution expenses decreased by 1 percent, but increased by 2 percent at constant exchange rates, from higher variable
selling and distribution costs due to the increased volumes and the impact of salary inflation, which more than offset a lower charge for
doubtful receivables. Research and development expense was 6 percent higher than 2019, 7 percent at constant exchange rates, with
increases in both Crop Protection and Seeds to accelerate new product development.
General and administrative, including divestment gains and restructuring and impairment, the components of which are described under the
Restructuring and impairment heading below, decreased by $227 million compared with 2019. General and administrative excluding
restructuring and impairment and divestment gains was $179 million lower than 2019, including foreign exchange hedging gains of $51 million
in 2020 compared with losses of $38 million 2019. Excluding all currency effects, General and administrative excluding restructuring and
impairment was $84 million lower in 2020, with cost savings as a result of travel restrictions due to COVID-19 and gains on selling stocks of a
high value metal catalyst used in production more than offsetting salary inflation and increased staff short term incentives.
Acquisition and divestment gains in 2020 included $107 million on acquisition of the Muttenz manufacturing facility described below.
Acquisition and divestment gains in 2019 included the mandated divestment of some Crop Protection products in India required following the
acquisition of Syngenta AG by ChemChina and the sale and leaseback of buildings at Syngenta’s Basel HQ. Other Restructuring and
impairment expenses in 2020, including $6 million reported in cost of goods sold, were $297 million (2019: $365 million, including $1 million
reported in cost of goods sold). Cash restructuring costs were $161 million (2019: $179 million) and non-cash impairments (including reversal
of inventory step ups reported in cost of goods sold) were $136 million (2019: $186 million). These costs are described in more detail in Note 6
to the consolidated financial statements.
Financial expense, net was $72 million higher than 2019, largely due to higher net currency losses. The tax rate was 12 percent, compared to
3 percent in 2019 which included a $195 million one-off deferred tax revaluation gain following Swiss tax reform.
Acquisitions, divestments and other significant transactions
2020
On July 24, 2020, Syngenta acquired 100 percent equity interest of Woodbridge Seed, LLC, a California based processing tomato seed
breeder. The acquisition provides an opportunity for Syngenta to enter the strategically critical global processing tomato market.
On August 14, 2020, Syngenta acquired 100 percent control over Sensako (Pty) Ltd., a South African research and development seeds
company with a strong wheat market position. The acquisition will accelerate Syngenta’s entry into the South African seeds market and
provide a platform to accelerate the introduction of Syngenta’s Viptera trait technology into South Africa.
On August 31, 2020, Syngenta completed the acquisition of a manufacturing facility in Muttenz, Switzerland from Novartis Pharma
Schweizerhalle AG, a subsidiary of Novartis International AG, by acquiring the manufacturing assets and transferring employees. The facility
will provide additional capacity to support the early launch phase of new active ingredients coming through Syngenta’s research and
development pipeline.
On September 3, 2020, Syngenta purchased a privately held corn seed business from a Chinese breeder and other related third parties. The
acquisition will enable Syngenta to improve its position in China’s key spring corn market.
On October 1, 2020, Syngenta acquired 100 percent of the issued shares of Valagro S.p.A., a producer of innovative Biologicals with a global
presence and a strong position in biostimulants and specialty nutrients. The acquisition enables Syngenta to build a global Biologicals
business, reinforcing Syngenta’s strategy to provide farmers with more complementary product and technology choices.
3
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
On December 1, 2020, Syngenta acquired the remaining 3.7 percent shareholding in Syngenta India Ltd. which it did not already own.
On December 3, 2020, Syngenta acquired 100 percent equity interest of Progeny Advance Genetics, Inc., a California based lettuce breeding
corporation. The acquisition provides an opportunity for Syngenta to increase its market share in the US lettuce segment.
On December 16, 2020, Syngenta acquired 100 percent equity interest of Hollar & Co., Inc., a Colorado based vegetable seed corporation
that specializes in breeding and development of cucurbits. With this acquisition, Syngenta will enter the mid-tier vegetable seed segment.
2019
On January 3, 2019, Syngenta divested certain crop protection products in India, pursuant to commitments given to the Indian antitrust
authority Competition Commission of India relating to ChemChina’s acquisition of Syngenta.
On January 3, 2019, Syngenta completed the sale and leaseback transaction for the remaining buildings and land at its Basel site which were
not disposed of in 2018.
On June 6, 2019, Syngenta acquired the cyclamen flowers business of Varinova, a specialized breeding company based in the Netherlands,
in order to enhance Syngenta’s portfolio and breeding pipeline.
On August 30, 2019, Syngenta acquired The Cropio Group, an agricultural technology company with a primary focus in Eastern Europe. The
Cropio platform is an equipment-integrated, end-to-end software solution that provides imaging, recordkeeping, and equipment tracking.
Significant opportunities for collaboration across Syngenta’s other digital agriculture platforms are expected.
On November 1, 2019, Syngenta obtained control of Sanbei Seeds Co. Ltd., China, a former associate in which Syngenta has held a 49
percent equity ownership since 2008, as a result of the transactions and agreements involving China National Agrochemical Corporation
(CNAC), a ChemChina group subsidiary.
During December 2019, as part of Syngenta’s real estate portfolio monetization strategy, Syngenta completed a sale-and-leaseback
transaction for two of its global research and development sites.
Restructuring programs
In February 2014, Syngenta announced the AOL restructuring program to drive further improvement in operating income margins and
accelerate delivery of operational leverage. The program targeted an improvement in profitability as a percentage of sales over the period up
to 2018 from a reduction in the ratios of cost of goods sold, marketing and distribution, research and development and general and
administrative expenses to sales. The program included plans to further improve efficiency in customer facing operations, research and
development and production and to enable an improvement in the ratio of trade working capital to sales. In 2019, specific initiatives started
under the AOL restructuring program were completed and restructuring activity focused on continuing efforts to simplify the management
structures and various new productivity initiatives to improve information systems and drive operating efficiencies. Cash spend to complete the
AOL program in 2020 was $9 million. Restructuring costs are discussed in further detail in section 6 “Restructuring” below.
4
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Results of operations
2020 compared with 2019
Sales commentary
Syngenta’s consolidated sales for 2020 were $14,287 million, compared with $13,582 million in 2019, an increase of 5 percent year on year.
At constant exchange rates sales increased by 13 percent. The analysis by product line is as follows:
($m, except change %)
Product line
Selective herbicides
Non-selective herbicides
Fungicides
Insecticides
Seedcare
Professional solutions
Biologicals
Other crop protection
Total Crop Protection
Corn and soybean
Diverse field crops
Other seeds
Vegetables
Flowers
Total Seeds
Elimination1
Total Syngenta
1 Crop Protection sales to Seeds
2020
2,831
953
3,438
2,098
1,205
475
58
150
2019
2,619
919
3,269
2,065
1,128
470
‐
118
11,208
10,588
1,706
1,632
635
5
653
194
3,193
(114)
619
12
621
199
3,083
(89)
14,287
13,582
Volume %
Local price %
CER % Currency %
Actual %
Change
+14
+19
+10
+10
+11
+1
-
+61
+12
+8
+1
-56
+7
-6
+6
n/a
+10
-1
+1
+4
+6
+4
+2
-
-6
+3
+3
+2
-
+1
+3
+2
n/a
+3
+13
+20
+14
+16
+15
+3
-
+55
+15
+11
+3
-56
+8
-3
+8
n/a
+13
-5
-16
-9
-14
-8
-2
-
-28
-9
-6
-1
-
-3
-
-4
n/a
-8
+8
+4
+5
+2
+7
+1
-
+27
+6
+5
+2
-56
+5
-3
+4
n/a
+5
Crop Protection
Selective herbicides: major brands ACURON®, AXIAL®, CALLISTO® family, DUAL MAGNUM®, BICEP II MAGNUMTM, FUSILADE® MAX,
FLEX®, TOPIK®
Sales increased by 8 percent, 13 percent at constant exchange rates with double-digit growth in sales volumes driven by Latin America and
Asia Pacific and recovery from the very adverse conditions in the United States in 2019.
Non-selective herbicides: major brands GRAMOXONE®, TOUCHDOWN®
Sales increased by 4 percent, 20 percent at constant exchange rates with strong sales volume growth in TOUCHDOWN® in Latin America
and Asia Pacific.
Fungicides: major brands ALTO®, AMISTAR®, BONTIMA®, BRAVO®, ELATUSTM, MIRAVISTM (based on ADEPIDYNTM fungicide) ,
MODDUS®, REVUS®, RIDOMIL GOLD®, SCORE®, SEGURIS®, UNIX®
Fungicide sales increased by 5 percent, 14 percent at constant exchange rates with a very strong sales performance of the newly launched
ADEPIDYNTM, growth of SOLATENOL® in Europe and AMISTAR® in Latin America and Asia Pacific.
Insecticides: major brands ACTARA®, DURIVO®, FORCE®, KARATE®, PROCLAIM®, VERTIMEC®
Sales were 2 percent higher, 16 percent at constant exchange rates with driven by sales volume growth in Latin Americs particularly in
ACTARA®, DURIVO®, and VERTIMEC®. DURIVO® also grew strongly in North America and Asia Pacific.
Seedcare: major brands AVICTA®, CRUISER®, DIVIDEND®, CELEST®/MAXIM®, VIBRANCETM
Seedcare sales were 7 percent higher, 15 percent higher at constant exchange rates with growth in Latin America in sales of CRUISER® and
the recently launched FORTENZATM and in Europe of VIBRANCETM.
Seeds
Corn and soybean: major brands AGRISURETM, GOLDEN HARVEST®, NK®
Sales increased by 5 percent, 11 percent at constant exchange rates with volume growth and higher local currency sales prices in corn in
Latin America and soybean volume growth in North America.
Diverse field crops: major brands NK® oilseeds
Sales increased by 2 percent, 3 percent at constant exchange rates, with growth masked by a one-off change of control royalty received in
2019; otherwise growth was driven by higher local currency sales prices in Eastern Europe and higher sales volumes and local currency
prices in Latin America.
Vegetables: major brands ROGERSTM, S&G®
Vegetables sales increased by 5 percent, 8 percent at constant exchange rates with growth a constant exchange rates in all regions, but
particularly in Asia Pacific and Latin America.
5
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Flowers: major brands GOLDSMITH® SEEDS, YODER®, SYNGENTA® FLOWER
Flowers sales decreased by 3 percent, 3 percent at constant exchange rates, with lower sales in Europe in the first half of the year due to
COVID-19, but a significant recovery in the second.
Sales by region for Crop Protection are as follows:
($m, except change %)
Region
Europe, Africa and Middle East
North America
Latin America
Asia Pacific
China
Other
Total Crop Protection
2020
2,717
2,657
3,644
1,489
328
2019
2,665
2,534
3,450
1,385
300
373
11,208
254
10,588
Volume %
Local price %
CER % Currency %
Actual %
Change
+5
+8
+21
+10
+13
n/a
+12
-
-3
+10
-
-2
n/a
+3
+5
+5
+31
+10
+11
n/a
+15
-3
-
-25
-2
-2
n/a
-9
+2
+5
+6
+8
+9
n/a
+6
Europe, Africa and Middle East
Sales increased by 2 percent, 5 percent at constant exchange rates with strong volume growth in Russia and a good sales performance in
Europe South despite market impacts from COVID-19 more than offsetting a weaker sales performance in cereals in North West Europe due
to dry weather.
North America
Sales increased by 5 percent, 5 percent at constant exchange rates benefitting from new product introductions and with a partial recovery
from the very adverse weather conditions seen in 2019 that was held back by delayed planting from cold weather and excessive rain also in
the second quarter of 2020.
Latin America
Sales increased by 6 percent, 31 percent at constant exchange rates with very strong sales volume growth in Brazil that compensated for
lower US dollar sales prices in the face of a very volatile and weak BRL exchange rate. Sales volume growth was also strong in Argentina
despite a difficult economic background.
Asia Pacific
Sales increased by 8 percent, 10 percent at constant exchange rates with a recovery in Australia from the exceptional weather conditions of
2019 and continued positive sales momentum in India.
China
Sales were 9 percent higher, 11 percent at constant exchange rates from a successful launch of the new ADEPIDYNTM fungicide and growth
in Syngenta Group China’s Modern Agricultural Platform (MAP) stores.
Sales by region for Seeds are as follows:
($m, except change %)
Region
Europe, Africa and Middle East
North America
Latin America
Asia Pacific including China
Other
Flowers
Total Seeds
2020
1,003
811
740
400
45
194
2019
982
738
741
343
80
199
3,193
3,083
Volume %
Local price %
CER % Currency %
Actual %
Change
+1
+7
+14
+17
n/a
-6
+6
+3
+3
+1
+1
n/a
+3
+2
+4
+10
+15
+18
n/a
-3
+8
-2
-
-15
-1
n/a
-
-4
+2
+10
-
+17
n/a
-3
+4
Europe, Africa and Middle East
Sales increased by 2 percent, 4 percent at constant exchange rates with an estimated market share gain in sunflower and corn held back by
limited corn seed availability and higher sales into the distribution channels at the end of 2019.
North America
Sales increased by 10 percent, also at constant exchange rates with a recovery in growing area for corn and soybean after the very poor
weather of 2019 and an estimated gain in market share in soybean.
Latin America
Sales were flat, but increased by 15 percent at constant exchange rates with a recovery in sunflower planted area in Latin America South
(LAS), an estimated gain in market share in corn in Brazil and LAS and higher royalty income significantly offset by the impact of the weaker
BRL. Seeds sales and product costs in Brazil are largely denominated in local currency.
Asia Pacific including China
Sales increased by 17 percent, 18 percent at constant exchange rates with continued positive sales momentum in Indonesia and India and
the full year consolidation of Sanbei in China, a former joint venture when control was gained in the final quarter of 2019.
6
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Operating income
Variances in the tables below reflect the profit impact of changes year on year. For example, an increase of sales or a decrease in costs is a
positive variance and a decrease in sales or increase in costs is a negative variance.
Syngenta Operating
Income
($m, except change %)
Sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
as a percentage of sales
Total as reported under
IFRS
Change
Restructuring and
impairment
Before restructuring
and impairment1
Change before
restructuring and
impairment1
2020
14,287
2019 Actual %
+5%
13,582
(8,113)
(7,383)
-10%
6,174
43%
6,199
46%
-
+1%
-6%
CER %
+13%
-11%
+16%
-2%
-7%
2020
‐
(6)
(6)
‐
‐
2019
‐
(1)
(1)
2020
2019
14,287
13,582
Actual %
+5%
(8,107)
(7,382)
-10%
6,180
43%
6,200
46%
-
CER %
+13%
-11%
+16%
‐
‐
(2,210)
(2,239)
(969)
(918)
+1%
-6%
-2%
-7%
Marketing and distribution
(2,210)
(2,239)
Research and development
(969)
(918)
General and administrative:
Restructuring
Gains on acquisitions and
divestments
Other general and
administrative
Operating income
as a percentage of sales
(291)
(364)
+20%
+19%
(291)
(364)
109
134
-19%
-26%
109
(706)
2,107
15%
(885)
1,927
14%
+20%
+9%
+10%
+52%
‐
(188)
28
‐
(337)
‐
‐
‐
n/a
n/a
106
-100%
-100%
(706)
2,295
16%
(885)
2,264
17%
+20%
+1%
+10%
+38%
In 2019, Syngenta adopted revisions to its segment reporting to reflect changes in management structure. There are five operating segments,
which have been aggregated into the global Crop Protection segment, including Professional Solutions and the global Seeds segment,
including Field Crops, Vegetables and Flowers.
Operating Income
($m, except change %)
Crop Protection
Seeds
Total segments
2020
2,161
134
2,295
2019
2,199
65
2,264
Change %
-2%
+107%
+1%
Restructuring
Syngenta
The two tables above do not represent income statements prepared under IFRS. Please refer to the information reported in the consolidated financial statements.
1 Amounts before restructuring and impairment are non-GAAP measures. Please refer to Appendix A of the Operating and Financial Review for a more detailed description
(337)
1,927
(188)
2,107
+44%
+9%
Overall Syngenta operating income
Operating income in 2020 was 9 percent higher than 2019. 2020 included $355 million capitalized development costs (2019: $344 million)
and $109 million gains on acquisitions and divestments (2019: $28 million). Excluding these acquisition and divestment gains, restructuring
charges including reversals of inventory step-ups charged to cost of goods sold were $68 million lower in 2020 and included lower impairment
charges. Restructuring and impairment charges are described in more detail in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. Including the
gains on acquisitions and divestments, restructuring costs were $188 million in 2020 compared to $337 million in 2019. Excluding
restructuring, operating income in 2020 was $2,295 million compared to $2,264 million in 2019. Sales were 5 percent higher than 2019, 13
percent at constant exchange rates and are explained in more detail above. Excluding restructuring, gross profit margin was 3 percentage
points lower, largely due to lower USD sales prices in Brazil where the impact of a significantly weaker BRL was only partially recovered in
local currency sales prices, though with a strong gain in sales volumes. Lower other operating costs, excluding restructuring, cost of goods
sold and gains on acquisitions and divestments, in US dollars partly reflected the impact of relative US dollar strength and more favorable
hedge result. At constant exchange rate, increased expenditure on research and development, salary inflation and increased staff incentives
were more than offset by lower charges for doubtful receivables, cost savings in part due to travel restrictions related to COVID-19 and gains
on selling a high value metal catalyst used in production. Currency exchange rate movements reduced 2020 operating profit by an estimated
$827 million, despite hedging gains of $51 million compared to losses of $38 million in 2019.
For further discussion on Syngenta operating income, see Summary of results above.
7
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Operating income by segment
Crop Protection
($m, except change %)
Sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
as a percentage of sales
Marketing and distribution
Research and development
General and administrative:
Gains on acquisitions and divestments
Other general and administrative
Operating income
Total as reported under
IFRS
Change
2020
11,094
2019
10,499
Actual %
+6%
(6,408)
(5,723)
4,686
42%
4,776
46%
(1,486)
(1,503)
(577)
(546)
-12%
-2%
+1%
-6%
CER %
+15%
-12%
+18%
-3%
-5%
‐
(462)
2,161
88
-100%
-100%
(616)
2,199
+25%
-2%
+13%
+36%
as a percentage of sales
This table does not represent an income statement prepared under IFRS. Please refer to the segmental information reported in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
21%
20%
Reported sales were 6 percent higher than 2019, 15 percent at constant exchange rates with sales volumes 12 percent higher and local
currency prices averaging 3 percent higher. See the Sales commentary section above for further information on sales.
Gross profit margin was 4 percentage points lower in 2020, but was 1 percentage point higher a constant exchange rates. The decline largely
reflected the lower US dollar sales prices in Brazil noted above. The benefit of a lower oil price in cost of goods sold is largely deferred into
2021 due to time lags in supply costs and the inventory carry and is estimated at $16 million in 2020.
Marketing and distribution costs were 1 percent lower, but 3 percent higher at constant exchange rates from higher variable selling and
distribution costs related to the increased sales volumes and salary inflation, more than offsetting a lower charge for doubtful receivables.
Research and development costs were 6 percent higher, 5 percent at constant exchange rates, with increased expenditure to accelerate new
product development.
Other general and administrative costs, excluding gains on acquisitions and divestments were 25 percent lower, 13 percent at constant
exchange rates with salary inflation more than offset by the gains on selling the catalyst noted above.
Seeds
($m, except change %)
Sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
as a percentage of sales
Marketing and distribution
Research and development
General and administrative:
Gains on acquisitions and divestments
Other general and administrative
Operating income
Total as reported under
IFRS
Change
2020
2019
3,193
3,083
(1,699)
(1,659)
1,494
1,424
Actual %
+4%
-2%
+5%
CER %
+8%
-7%
+9%
47%
(724)
(392)
‐
(244)
134
46%
(736)
(372)
+2%
-5%
-2%
-9%
18
(269)
-100%
-100%
+9%
+3%
65 +107% +102%
2%
as a percentage of sales
This table does not represent an income statement prepared under IFRS. Please refer to the segmental information reported in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
4%
Sales were 4 percent higher in US dollars, 8 percent higher at constant exchange rates, with sales volumes 6 percent higher and local
currency sales prices 2 percent higher. See the Sales commentary section above for further information on Seeds sales.
Gross profit margin was 1 percentage point higher in 2020, with increased local currency sales prices and lower seed write-offs.
Marketing and distribution costs were 2 percent lower in US dollars and 2 percent higher at constant exchange rates from increased sales
volumes, salary inflation and increased resource to drive market share growth, which offset a lower charge for doubtful receivables.
Research and development expense was 5 percent higher, 9 percent at constant exchange rates with salary inflation and increased
resources to drive longer term market share growth.
Other general and administrative costs were 9 percent lower in 2020, 3 percent at constant exchange rates, with cost savings partly linked to
the travel and other constraints arising from COVID-19.
8
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Defined Benefit Pensions
Defined benefit pension expense was $95 million in 2020 compared with $97 million in 2019.
Syngenta contributions to defined benefit pension plans were $174 million in 2020 compared with $128 million in 2019. In 2021, Syngenta
expects contributions to defined benefit pension plans, excluding early retirement contributions associated with restructuring actions, to
decrease to approximately $130 million due to an additional $40 million deficit reduction payment made to the UK Pension Plan in 2020.
Restructuring and impairment
Restructuring and impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, broken down into the main restructuring initiatives,
consist of the following:
($m)
Accelerating operational leverage and other productivity programs:
2020
2019
Cash costs
Non-cash costs
Acquisition, divestment and related costs:
Other acquisition and related integration costs
Non-cash items
Other restructuring and impairment:
Cash costs
Non-cash costs and other non-current asset impairments
Total
55
‐
55
6
51
130
297
61
‐
45
9
73
177
365
In 2020, $6 million for the reversal of inventory step ups reported on acquisitions is presented within Cost of goods sold in the consolidated
income statement (2019: $1 million). The other costs above for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are presented within
Restructuring in the consolidated income statement.
In addition to the above, $109 million (2019: $28 million) of acquisition and divestment gains were recognized as described in Note 3 to the
consolidated financial statements.
Analysis of restructuring costs
2020
Accelerating operational leverage and other productivity programs
Cash costs of $55 million, including $29 million of severance charges, were incurred for productivity initiatives consisting of $26 million
incurred to better align the organization in EAME with the business strategies, $10 million for system projects, including digital tools and
automation initiatives and an upgraded financial reporting and analytics platform and $19 million across a number of individually small
initiatives driving operational efficiencies.
Acquisition, divestment and related costs
Cash costs include $24 million incurred for merger and acquisition projects and other transaction costs, $17 million incurred for integration
projects and $14 million of costs related to the formation of the Syngenta Group, described in Note 14, consisting of communications,
consultancy and project management office expenses. Non-cash costs are the reversal of inventory step-ups reported on acquisitions.
Other restructuring
Other cash costs consist of $21 million related to the closure of a manufacturing site in the USA announced in June 2019, $10 million related
to transitioning the acquired manufacturing facility described in Note 3 to optimal capacity and $9 million to provide for a Seeds development
contract where forecasted demand is less than minimum future commitments. Further costs of $11 million were incurred for strategic
alignment, mainly in the Seeds business.
Other non-current asset impairments consist of $26 million for capitalized development costs, $23 million to write off the value of a
collaboration agreement where the value of the development project has proven too costly to pursue, $19 million to write down unusable
inventories acquired in previous acquisition transactions, $46 million of tangible, intangible and right-of-use asset impairments related to
assets disposed or transferred to held-for-sale, and $16 million for other smaller impairments where asset values are not supported by future
business plans.
2019
Accelerating operational leverage and other productivity programs
Cash costs of $61 million, including $36 million of severance and pension charges, $12 million of consultancy and external services costs and
$4 million for information systems projects, were incurred for the completion of projects started under the Accelerating Operational Leverage
program and further productivity initiatives to simplify the layers of management, including at the global headquarters.
Acquisition, divestment and related costs
Cash costs for acquisition and related integration costs include $20 million for merger and acquisition projects and other transaction costs and
$25 million for integration projects, particularly related to the Nidera acquisition completed in 2018. Non-cash costs include $8 million for the
loss incurred to acquire control of Sanbei Seeds, previously an Associate, and $1 million for the reversal of inventory step ups reported on
acquisitions.
9
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Other restructuring
Cash costs consist of $39 million related to the closure of a manufacturing site in the USA announced in June 2019, including charges to
provide for environmental remediation and severance, $24 million to provide for a seeds processing contract where forecast demand is less
than minimum future commitments and $10 million of costs incurred to relocate the Seeds operations in the USA.
Other non-current asset impairments consist of $92 million for property, plant and equipment and $15 million for maintenance spares and
other unusable inventories at the closing manufacturing site; $41 million for capitalized agreements related to a seed technology where future
value is expected to be lower than previous projections due to increasing competition and a reduced market; $17 million for sites that are
expected to be sold during 2020; $10 million for a licensing agreement that has been terminated, and $2 million of other small impairments.
Financial expense, net
Financial expense, net increased by $72 million in 2020 to $497 million. Net interest expense at $378 million was $9 million higher than 2019
due mainly to an increased average level of factoring. Currency-related financial expenses in 2020 of $91 million were $65 million higher than
2019 due to lower hedge income in Syngenta’s Swiss franc exposure from the lower gap between US dollar and Swiss franc short term
interest rates and to increased hedging costs in Argentina.
Taxes
In 2020, Syngenta recorded net tax expense of $188 million on a profit before taxes of $1,610 million, an effective tax rate of 12 percent. The
2020 effective rate reflects the effects of the US CARES Act, closure of tax audits where the outcome differed significantly from the position
previously expected and the effect of recognition and derecognition of deferred tax assets. Syngenta’s Swiss domestic applicable statutory tax
rates have changed due to the Swiss tax reform for some cantons in 2019 and for others in 2020. The Swiss tax rates range from 13 to 19
percent.
In Basel-Stadt, the canton where Syngenta has its headquarters, the ordinary effective tax rate is 13 percent in 2020 (2019: 13 percent).
Certain intellectual property income is subject to tax at a reduced rate.
In 2019, Syngenta recorded net tax expense of $47 million on a profit before taxes of $1,503 million, an effective tax rate of 3 percent. A 12
percent rate change impact was seen in 2019 due to the $195 million favorable one-time impact caused by the Swiss tax reform.
Income taxed at different rates increased the effective tax rate by 3 percent in 2020. This item includes rate differences from the domestic
Swiss tax rate attributable to income generated from in-market distributor companies that are taxable at higher rates. A 3 percent decrease in
2020 has been caused by income not subject to tax and other non-tax deductible expenditures.
A write-down of investments for local tax purposes decreased the effective tax rate by 1 percent whereas changes in statutory tax rates in
various countries increased it by 1 percent. Recognition of deferred tax assets on temporary differences in the US and tax losses in Brazil
decreased the effective tax rate by 2 percent each.
Changes to prior year income tax estimates and other tax items increased the tax rate by 2 percent in 2020. This includes the CARES Act
impact, a law intended to address the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, which came into effect on March 27, 2020.
Among many other provisions, the CARES Act increases the tax deduction for net operating losses from 80 percent to 100 percent, for 2018,
2019, and 2020 and allows net operating losses from 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to up to five years, resulting in retroactive tax
refunds, decreasing the tax rate by 2 percent in 2020. Non-recognition of deferred taxes in Brazil, Zambia and Philippines increased the tax
rate by 1 percent.
The tax rate on restructuring and impairment was 25 percent in 2020 compared with a tax rate of 21 percent in 2019. Most charges are tax
deductible and are mainly caused by expenses in Switzerland, the US, Brazil, France and China. Future rates applicable to restructuring and
impairment will be dependent on the nature and size of the charges and may vary from year to year.
Net income for the period and other supplementary income data
Net income attributable to Syngenta’s shareholder in 2020 was $1,421 million, compared to $1,450 million in 2019.
Sales in 2020 were 5 percent higher than 2019 and operating income margin was 0.5 percentage points higher in 2020 than 2019 as noted
above. After the higher financial expense, income before taxes was 7 percent higher in 2020. The 2020 tax rate was 12 percent, compared to
3 percent in 2019 as described above. After this higher tax rate, net income in 2020 was 2 percent lower than 2019.
After related taxation, restructuring and impairment expense was $127 million lower at $140 million in 2020 compared with $267 million in
2019, which reflected lower restructuring charges, including a reduced level of non-cash costs and other non-current asset impairments and
acquisition and divestment gains described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
Foreign operations and foreign currency transactions
Syngenta’s subsidiaries use their local currency as their functional currency for accounting purposes except where the use of a different
currency more fairly reflects their actual circumstances.
Syngenta operates worldwide and its business has grown significantly in emerging markets over the last years, with a broadening of the
currency effects that need to be closely monitored. Syngenta regularly analyzes how currency fluctuations will impact its operating results and
manages the impact with a combination of commercial actions, such as product pricing, and financial risk management strategies, such as
hedging. Next to the Euro, the Swiss franc and the British pound, the Brazilian real gives rise to a major currency exposure due to the large
size of Syngenta’s business activities in Brazil. Sales prices to customers in Brazil largely are linked to the US dollar, which limits the impact of
fluctuations in the US dollar/Brazilian real exchange rate. Similarly, Syngenta manages its currency exposure in Argentina and parts of the
CIS, mainly Russia and particularly the Ukraine, by linking local currency sales prices to the US dollar to compensate for the fluctuations in
sales value from the currency devaluation. During 2020, the Argentine peso devalued by 41 percent against the US dollar, the Russian ruble
by 20 percent and the Ukrainian hryvnia by 19 percent.
10
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Syngenta regularly monitors receivables exposure in all countries in which it operates. In the Eurozone, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain
have experienced weak macro-economic conditions. In recent years, Syngenta has increased sales significantly in East Europe where
exchange rate volatility and other macroeconomic factors cause overall credit risk to be higher. In Latin America, Argentina and Brazil have
also been experiencing economic and financial difficulties and this has led to constraints in the availability of credit. In Argentina the economy
has been hyperinflationary since the middle of 2018 putting pressure on liquidity. In Venezuela, exchanging local currency into US dollars to
pay for imported goods continues to be difficult. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has created economic uncertainty impacting global
markets, including currency values and commodity prices, agriculture has continued to operate as an essential activity in most countries.
The decrease in gross trade receivables is mainly attributable to Argentina, where a very strong collection performance was experienced in
2020, compared to a declining collection performance in 2019, and to Russia, where collection times also improved significantly from 2019.
Receivables exposure from customers in Russia and the Ukraine decreased during 2020, with 60 percent of 2020 sales in those countries
having been collected as of December 31, 2020 compared with 50 percent of 2019 sales. Trade receivables past due for more than 180 days
increased in the Ukraine, but decreased in all the other above named countries. The provision for doubtful trade receivables declined
significantly in Argentina and Brazil.
The following table outlines for the above-named countries the aggregate, gross trade receivables, those past due for more than 180 days
and the related provision for doubtful receivables at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
($m)
Gross trade receivables
Past due for more than 180 days
Provision for doubtful trade receivables
2020
2,444
272
300
2019
2,616
333
331
At December 31, 2020, approximately 59 percent of Syngenta’s cash and cash equivalents was held in US dollars, approximately 19 percent
in Indian rupees, approximately 4 percent in Euros, approximately 3 percent in Russian rubles and approximately 2 percent in Argentinian
pesos. No other individual currency made up more than 2 percent.
Liquidity and capital resources
Syngenta’s principal source of liquidity is cash generated from operations.
Working capital fluctuations due to the seasonality of the business are supported by short-term funding available from a $2.5 billion Global
Commercial Paper program and a $3 billion committed, revolving, multi-currency syndicated credit facility. Operating in a seasonal business,
Syngenta typically obtains funds from its short-term facilities during the first half of the year to fund operations during the northern hemisphere
growing season and repays these funds during the second half when receivables are collected. Longer-term capital resources include
unsecured non-current bonds issued under a Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) program, unsecured non-current bonds issued in the Swiss
public debt market, unsecured non-current Notes issued under a Note Purchase Agreement in the US Private Placement market, unsecured
non-current bonds issued in the US public debt market and a long-term loan.
See Capital markets and credit facilities for details of outstanding debt.
For information on Syngenta’s funding and treasury policies and objectives in terms of the manner in which treasury activities are controlled,
see Note 24 to the consolidated financial statements.
Syngenta reported cash and cash equivalents on December 31, 2020 and 2019 of $2,517 million and $1,933 million, respectively. At
December 31, 2020 and 2019, Syngenta had current financial debt of $2,063 million and $2,226 million, respectively, and non-current
financial debt of $8,418 million and $7,329 million, respectively.
Capital markets and credit facilities
Funds for Syngenta’s working capital needs were available during the year from its $2.5 billion Global Commercial Paper program and a $3
billion committed, revolving, multi-currency syndicated credit facility, which was increased, extended and amended following the change of
control related to the ChemChina takeover in May 2017. In 2019, the credit facility was extended by one year and will now mature in 2024.
The amount drawn under the syndicated credit facility at December 31, 2020 was $nil (2019: $nil). The average outstanding balance under
the syndicated credit facility for the year 2020 was $126 million (2019: $32 million). The amount drawn under the Global Commercial Paper
program at December 31, 2020 was $nil (2019: $878 million). The average outstanding balance under the Global Commercial Paper program
for the year 2020 was $996 million (2019: $1,292 million).
Absent major acquisitions, Syngenta targets maintaining an investment grade credit rating, as recognized by major third-party rating agencies,
which it currently believes provides an optimal balance between financial flexibility and the cost of capital. At December 31, 2020, Syngenta’s
credit ratings were as follows: Fitch Ratings Ltd BBB/F-3; Standard & Poor's Rating Services BBB-/A-3; and Moody's Investors' Services
Limited Ba2/NP (December 31, 2019: Fitch Ratings Ltd BBB/F-3; Standard & Poor’s Rating Services BBB-/A-3; and Moody’s Investors’
Services Limited Ba2/NP). There are no material legal or economic restrictions on the ability of subsidiaries to transfer funds to the Company
in the form of cash dividends except as disclosed in the consolidated cash flow statement.
11
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
The table below summarizes Syngenta’s unsecured notes in issuance at December 31, 2020:
($m)
1.875% Eurobond 2021
3.933% US dollar bond 2021
3.125% US dollar bond 2022
0.125% CHF bond 2022
4.441% USD bond 2023
1.250% CHF bond 2023
1.625% CHF bond 2024
4.892% USD bond 2025
5.350% US dollar private placement 2025
3.375% Eurobond 2026
0.700% CHF bond 2026
1.250% Eurobond 2027
5.182% USD bond 2028
2.125% CHF bond 2029
5.590% US dollar private placement 2035
4.375% US dollar bond 2042
5.676% USD bond 2048
Total
Issuance date
March 2014
April 2018
March 2012
February 2020
April 2018
September 2020
March 2014
April 2018
December 2005
March 2020
February 2020
March 2015
April 2018
March 2014
December 2005
March 2012
April 2018
Carrying amount
Value at issue
614
750
514
227
997
301
283
747
55
1,125
159
610
996
170
11
248
498
689
750
500
207
1,000
287
283
750
55
1,008
145
559
1,000
170
11
250
500
8,305
8,164
In addition, Syngenta has a long-term loan with a floating interest rate which matures in 2024. The balance at December 31, 2020 was $1,000
million (2019: $500 million).
Other than refinancing future maturing bonds over the short to medium term, management is of the opinion that, absent a major business
acquisition or a very significant deterioration in working capital or the rate of receivables collections from that currently expected, the funding
available from the sources described above will be sufficient to satisfy Syngenta’s working capital, capital expenditures and debt service
requirements for the foreseeable future, including cash expenditures relating to restructuring programs. In the event of a major business
acquisition, Syngenta would seek additional funding from capital markets or other sources. Syngenta regards as sufficiently remote the
likelihood that a very significant deterioration in working capital or unexpected decline in the rate of receivables collections will occur as not to
require the development of a detailed contingency funding plan.
Cash flow
The following table sets out certain information about cash flow for each of the periods indicated:
($m)
Cash flow from operating activities
Cash flow used for investing activities
Cash flow used for financing activities
Year ended December 31,
2020
2,050
(1,337)
(124)
2019
838
(248)
(204)
Cash flow from operating activities
2020 compared with 2019
Cash flow from operating activities increased by $1,212 million to $2,050 million in 2020. 2019 included the payment of $1,110 million related
to the settlement of the US AGRISURE VIPTERA® litigation. Income before taxes after the reversal of non-cash and other reconciling items
was $2,860 million in 2020 compared to $2,805 million in 2019. Cash paid in respect of other provisions, which included the above litigation
amounts, was $1,105 million lower than 2019. Other financial receipts were $63 million lower in 2020 due to settlement of derivative contracts,
and Other financial payments were $349 million higher in 2020 due to higher derivative settlements and realized currency losses. Change in
net working capital was an inflow of $496 million in 2020 compared to $27 million in 2019. Change in inventories was an outflow of $277
million in 2020 compared to $701 million in 2019, with an inventory build in Crop Protection in 2019 in anticipation of sales volume growth in
2020 more than a further build in 2020 from accelerated purchases to reduce risk of supply shortages from COVID-19. Change in trade and
other working capital assets was an outflow of $148 million in 2020 compared to an inflow of $125 million in 2019; trade receivables were an
outflow in 2020 despite being lower as a percentage of sales than 2019, with overdues also reduced and other working capital assets
increased from higher VAT recoverable and third party advances. The level of factoring was broadly flat with the level at the end of 2019.
Change in trade and other working capital liabilities was an inflow of $921 million in 2020 compared to $603 million in 2019, with a further
increase in trade payables as a percentage of sales, including an increase in supplier financing programs with key suppliers and higher
accruals for staff incentives.
Cash flow used for investing activities
2020 compared with 2019
Cash flow used for investing activities was $1,337 million in 2020, $1,089 million higher than in 2019. Additions to property, plant and
equipment were $34 million higher. Purchases of intangible assets were $46 million higher, with an increase in purchases of product rights.
Purchases of investments in associates and other financial assets were $38 million higher mainly due to net purchases of marketable
securities in 2020, compared to net sales in 2019. Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment were $489 million lower due to
the sale and leaseback of buildings in Switzerland and the UK in 2019, while proceeds from disposals of intangible and financial
assets decreased by $150 million due mainly to the net sales of marketable securities in 2019. Cash for business acquisitions was an
outflow of
12
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
$324 million in 2020 including the acquisition of Valagro S.p.A., compared to an inflow of $8 million in 2019 due to cash acquired with Sanbei
Seeds.
Cash flow used for financing activities
2020 compared with 2019
Cash flow used for financing activities of $124 million was $80 million lower than in 2019. Net cash received from interest-bearing debt
decreased by $80 million. In 2020 Syngenta issued $1.8 billion of new bonds, raised a $500 million term loan, repaid a $750 million bond at
maturity and had no commercial paper outstanding at the end of the year; in 2019 Syngenta issued $828 million of commercial paper, raised
a term loan of $500 million and repaid a CHF350 million bond maturity. Syngenta paid $39 million in 2020 to acquire the remaining non-
controlling interest in one of its subsidiaries, Syngenta India Ltd. The dividend paid to shareholders in 2020 was $700 million, compared to
$900 million in 2019.
Research and development (“R&D”)
Syngenta’s Research and Development organization is dedicated to developing quality crop protection and seeds products, as well as crop-
focused solutions which integrate multiple technologies. R&D focuses on taking a holistic approach to help customers grow their specific crop
using the best technology to address their needs, be it a single technology, a combination of technologies, or technologies and services.
Syngenta is committed to improving crop yield and quality in a sustainable way and, through its global product safety group and global
regulatory team, is committed to developing and registering products that are safe and effective. Syngenta maximizes its innovation potential
by leveraging its industry expertise and partnering with other technology leaders across the globe.
The total spent on research and development was $1,324 million in 2020 and $1,262 million in 2019. This included $355 million (2019: $344
million) of internal product development costs that were capitalized. For the attribution of research and development costs to reported
operating segments, see Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
There are no off-balance sheet financing transactions associated with research and development activity.
Contractual obligations, commitments and contingent liabilities
At December 31, 2020 Syngenta had contractual obligations to make future payments in the periods indicated in the following:
($m)
Financial debt
Interest on fixed rate financial debt
Other liabilities
Capital lease payments
Capital expenditures
Pension contribution commitments
Unconditional purchase obligations
Long-term research agreements and other long-term
commitments
Total
Notes to the
financial
statements
reference
16, 18
24
18
19
21
19
19
Total
9,918
2,102
502
563
125
166
Less than
1 year
1,961
276
406
103
77
51
2,223
1,578
160
94
1–3 years
3–5 years
5–10 years
2,055
454
2,085
348
3,060
398
93
126
47
102
411
47
3
65
1
13
234
12
‐
96
‐
‐
‐
7
15,759
4,546
3,335
2,761
3,561
More than
10 years
757
626
‐
173
‐
‐
‐
‐
1,556
Of the total financial debt, floating rate financial debt is $613 million (mainly local bank loans and overdraft facilities), all of which is due within
one year. No interest obligation in respect of this debt is included in the table above. There is no contractual obligation to renew this debt. The
debt amount, and the interest payments associated with it, will vary over time according to Syngenta’s funding requirements and future
interest rates.
Fixed rate debt of $9,305 million is comprised primarily of the outstanding Eurobonds, Swiss franc domestic bonds, $ bonds and private
placement notes. Fixed rate interest payments of $2,102 million on these are included above.
Other liabilities arise from deferred payments related to acquisitions and license agreements.
Provisions for long-term liabilities totaling $904 million shown in Syngenta’s consolidated balance sheet have not been included in the above
table because the timing of their payment is not contractually fixed and cannot be estimated with sufficient certainty within the context of the
time periods in the table. This applies particularly to those amounts which are not expected to be paid during 2020. Note 19 to the
consolidated financial statements presents the components of the estimated $162 million of provisions that are expected to be paid during
2021.
The supply agreements for materials giving rise to the unconditional purchase obligations are entered into by Syngenta to ensure availability
of materials meeting the specifications required by Syngenta. Where suppliers have made significant capital investment, these agreements
generally provide for Syngenta to pay penalties in the event that it terminates the agreements before their expiry dates.
Pension contribution commitments totaling $166 million represent unconditional fixed payments to the UK pension fund according to the
revised schedule of contributions agreed during 2018. Contributions for future service in the UK and Switzerland which are calculated as a
fixed percentage of employees’ pensionable pay are not included in the above table. The rules of the Swiss pension fund commit Syngenta to
contributing a fixed percentage of employees’ pensionable pay to the fund.
As disclosed in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements, Syngenta expects to pay $130 million of contributions to its defined benefit
pension plans in 2021, excluding restructuring costs and excluding any accelerated payments which Syngenta may decide to make as
13
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
business and financial market conditions develop during 2020. $51 million of those contributions are included as commitments in the table
above. The remaining $79 million represents 2021 service contributions, which are not included as commitments in the table above.
The above table excludes income tax liabilities of $491 million in respect of uncertain tax positions. These are presented within current income
tax liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet because it is not possible to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the actual period of cash
settlement with the respective taxing authorities.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
Syngenta had no off-balance sheet arrangements as at December 31, 2020, other than the above contractual obligations, commitments and
contingent liabilities. Syngenta has no unconsolidated special purpose entities that are likely to create material contingent obligations.
Critical accounting estimates
Critical accounting estimates and new accounting pronouncements are discussed in Notes 2 and 26 to the consolidated financial statements.
Recent developments
Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements provides details of events which occurred between the balance sheet date and February 3,
2021 that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.
14
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Trend and Outlook
Sales in 2020 were 5 percent higher than in 2019, 6 percent excluding royalties received related to change of control, including estimated
market share growth, particularly in the Seeds business, but also in several of the main Crop Protection markets. Underlying sales revenue is
currently expected overall to grow at a similar mid-single digits level in 2021 in crop protection and seeds markets that are both expected to
continue to show low single-digit growth.
Based on exchange rates prevailing at the date of publication, currency movements are expected to have a low single digit favorable impact
on 2021 sales relative to 2020. The impact of exchange rate movements on operating income is discussed below.
Syngenta will continue to focus on and drive productivity savings in 2021. Research and development expenditure was approximately 9.2
percent of sales excluding the capitalization of certain development costs; overall, before capitalizing development costs, expenditure as a
percentage of sales is expected to be at a broadly similar level in 2021 at constant exchange rates. Capitalized costs are currently expected at
a similar level as 2020. Marketing and distribution costs currently are expected broadly to grow in line with sales, with productivity savings
reinvested to support market share growth, particularly in Seeds, further growth in mid-tier markets in Crop Protection in Latin America and
China and with a full year of Valagro, acquired in 2020. General and administrative costs (excluding restructuring) in 2020 included gains on
the sale of high value metal catalysts; similar gains are not currently expected to recur in 2021 and General and administrative costs
accordingly currently are expected to show reported growth above the level of sales growth.
In 2020, Syngenta recorded a pre-tax gain on acquisitions and divestments of $109 million as noted above; no similar gain is expected to be
recorded in 2021. Restructuring charges in 2020 included non-cash costs and other non-current asset impairments of $130 million within
Other restructuring and impairment; it is generally not possible to forecast future non-cash impairments. Cash restructuring costs in 2020
totaled $161 million. Further productivity and other restructuring programs will continue in 2020 and charges currently are foreseen at a
broadly similar level. However, in general, the timing of the recognition of charges for particular restructuring events, which is dependent on
when irreversible commitments to the events occur, makes it difficult to predict such costs with certainty.
In 2019, oil prices (Brent) traded in a range between $50 and $75 per barrel, with the peak in April. In 2020, prices were very volatile and
traded in a range from approximately $70 per barrel at the start of the year to below $10 in April, recovering to approximately $50 by the end of
the year. The average of monthly prices in 2020 was approximately $47 per barrel, compared to approximately $62 in 2019 and
approximately $68 per barrel in 2018. With its current product mix and at these relatively low oil prices, Syngenta estimates that each $10
movement in the price of a barrel of oil impacts its Cost of goods sold by approximately $22 million to $24 million. However, due to supplier
production chains and Syngenta’s own inventory, it can take from nine to 12 months for movements in the oil price to feed through into Cost of
goods sold, so that the impact of oil prices on Cost of goods sold in 2021 is largely driven by changes between 2019 and 2020. Subsequent
price movements take time to pass through to Syngenta’s cost of goods but increases ultimately may have an adverse impact if Syngenta is
not able to pass on the increase through increased sales prices. In 2020, Syngenta estimates that disruption to logistics due to the COVID-19
virus increased costs by approximately $17 million. It is not possible to predict the extent to which further disruption will impact on costs in
2021; in particular, a current shortage in shipping containers may have an adverse impact on supply costs.
In 2020, 57 percent of Syngenta’s sales were in emerging markets. Emerging markets continue to have higher long-term growth potential
because significant crop yield gaps exist versus developed markets; this growth potential is further supported by ongoing technology adoption.
Managing volatility in such markets, in particular credit and currency exposures, is integral to Syngenta’s business model.
Overall, Syngenta has significant currency exposures, which at a high level can be summarized as:
a short position against the US dollar in Swiss francs and British pounds;
a net long position in Euros over the course of a full year, relatively minor compared with sales in Euros, but with a long position in the
first half selling season and a short position in the second half from more evenly spread Euro-based operating costs including raw
material costs;
a long position in Japanese yen, Australian and Canadian dollars and many emerging market currencies.
In Brazil and Argentina, a significant portion of sales are effectively priced in US dollars, resulting in a net short local currency exposure,
though the linkage has weakened in Brazil, particularly in 2020, and there can be a time lag before local currency prices are adjusted.
Syngenta has also acted to link local currency pricing of sales in Russia and particularly the Ukraine (both of which export grain to the global
market) to US dollars to reduce the long exposure to these currencies.
Forecast transaction exposures in the major currencies are hedged under a rolling 12-month program, largely through forward contracts. In
2020, Syngenta estimates the net impact on underlying sales and operating costs of exchange rate movements to have been approximately
$918 million adverse to 2019, which together with a net hedging gain of $51 million compared with a cost of $38 million in 2019, resulted in an
adverse year-on-year impact on operating income from exchange rate movements of approximately $829 million when compared with 2019.
The largest driver of the adverse underlying net impact was a weaker Brazilian real; accordingly, the negative exchange movement impact
was partly offset by local currency sales price increases as noted above. At rates prevailing in January 2021, Syngenta expects only positive
impact on sales but a low to mid-single digit adverse impact on operating income from the currency movements relative to 2020, including the
impact of a stronger Swiss franc, Chinese renminbi and British pound on operating costs. A significant portion of emerging market currency
exposures in particular are unhedged, so the actual impact may differ positively or negatively from the above estimate. The net hedging result
is reported within General and administrative in the consolidated income statement.
15
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Appendix A
Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to equivalent GAAP measures
A non-GAAP measure is a numerical measure of financial performance, financial position or cash flows that either:
includes, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including, amounts that are excluded in the most directly comparable
measure calculated and presented under IFRS; or
excludes, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding, amounts that are included in the most directly comparable
measure calculated and presented under IFRS.
Syngenta uses non-GAAP measures in this report where they are regarded by management as important for the investor to fully understand
Syngenta’s performance. The non-GAAP measures presented in this report are measures adjusted for exchange rate movements and to
exclude restructuring gains and losses, impairment losses and divestment gains and losses. The Company presents these measures
because:
movements in exchange rates historically have had, and in the future are expected to have, a significant impact on sales and operating
income from period to period; and
restructuring and impairment charges historically have fluctuated, and in the future are expected to fluctuate, significantly from period to
period and thereby have a volatile impact on results.
Syngenta has been engaged in significant restructuring activities since the formation of the Company in 2000, including programs to integrate
and extract synergies from the combined operations of the Zeneca agrochemicals business and the Novartis agribusiness, the integration of
business combinations, the Operational Efficiency programs, the implementation of the integrated crop strategy and, beginning in 2014, the
AOL program. The incidence of restructuring charges is periodic and volatile, reflecting the timing of irrevocable commitments related to
specific sites and operations. Therefore, the impact on reported performance varies from period to period and there is limited continuity in the
specific composition or size of such charges. Internal financial reporting and management and employee incentive plans are substantially
based on financial measures excluding the charges for restructuring and impairment so that management is incentivized to deliver the
benefits of the associated restructuring and not to achieve short-term financial targets by deferring implementation of restructuring plans.
Restructuring programs typically deliver benefits with a payback over several years, similar to capital investments, and control over
restructuring expenditures is performed on a similar project basis to that applied with capital investments.
Syngenta presents non-GAAP measures on operating income before restructuring and impairment at both the segmental and Syngenta AG
group levels. Restructuring and impairment charges have had a material effect on operating income in the period covered by the review. In
the opinion of management, reporting operating performance excluding restructuring and impairment in addition to the GAAP measures
provides a more thorough understanding of business performance. Together with disclosure of the material elements within restructuring and
impairment and of the overall anticipated size and timeframe of restructuring programs, these measures may assist investors in forecasting
future operating performance.
Syngenta presents non-GAAP information on income before taxes excluding restructuring and impairment together with income tax expense
before restructuring and impairment to assist investors to calculate the Syngenta tax rate both including and excluding the impact of
restructuring and impairment charges. The tax rate on restructuring and impairment charges has been volatile and different from the tax rate
on income before taxes excluding restructuring and impairment, due in part to many categories of restructuring or impairment charges not
being deductible for tax purposes.
In addition to GAAP measures, Syngenta uses these measures excluding restructuring and impairment in internal reporting to management
and the Board of Directors, and these measures are used in the incentive plans for Syngenta management and other employees.
Restructuring and impairment charges have been incurred in all the periods covered by the review and are expected to continue to arise and
have a material effect on operating performance in future periods. Consequently, non-GAAP measures of operating income before
restructuring and impairment do not present a complete picture of operating performance and these measures should be seen only as
supplementary to the GAAP measures.
For improved clarity, the definitions of these non-GAAP measures and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the appropriate GAAP
measure are provided below. The tables below are included to show the reconciliation of the GAAP measures to the non-GAAP measures
used in the report and do not represent income statements prepared under IFRS.
16
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
Reconciliation of net income excluding restructuring and impairment (non-GAAP measure) to profit for the period (GAAP measure)
2020 ($m, except percentage, share and per share amounts)
Operating income
Income/(loss) from associates and joint ventures
Financial expense, net
Income/(loss) before taxes
Income tax (expense)/benefit
Net income/(loss)
Attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income/(loss) attributable to Syngenta AG shareholder
Tax rate
2019 ($m, except percentage, share and per share amounts)
Operating income
Income/(loss) from associates and joint ventures
Financial expense, net
Income before taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
Attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to Syngenta AG shareholder
Tax rate
2018 ($m, except percentage, share and per share amounts)
Operating income
Income/(loss) from associates and joint ventures
Financial expense, net
Income before taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
Attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to Syngenta AG shareholders
Tax rate
2017 ($m, except percentage, share and per share amounts)
Operating income
Income/(loss) from associates and joint ventures
Financial expense, net
Income before taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
Attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to Syngenta AG shareholders
Tax rate
Restructuring
and impairment
(188)
Before
restructuring
and impairment
2,295
‐
‐
(188)
48
(140)
‐
(140)
26%
‐
(497)
1,798
(236)
1,562
(1)
1,561
13%
Restructuring and
impairment
Before
restructuring and
impairment
(337)
‐
‐
(337)
70
(267)
‐
(267)
21%
2,264
1
(425)
1,840
(117)
1,723
(6)
1,717
6%
Restructuring and
impairment
Before
restructuring and
impairment
51
‐
‐
51
12
63
‐
63
(24)%
2,079
2
(401)
1,680
(292)
1,388
(4)
1,384
17%
Restructuring and
impairment
Before
restructuring and
impairment
(453)
‐
‐
(453)
92
(361)
‐
(361)
20%
507
8
(178)
337
(72)
265
(2)
263
21%
Total
2,107
‐
(497)
1,610
(188)
1,422
(1)
1,421
12%
Total
1,927
1
(425)
1,503
(47)
1,456
(6)
1,450
3%
Total
2,130
2
(401)
1,731
(280)
1,451
(4)
1,447
16%
Total
54
8
(178)
(116)
20
(96)
(2)
(98)
17%
17
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Financial Report 2020
2016 ($m, except percentage, share and per share amounts)
Operating income
Income/(loss) from associates and joint ventures
Financial expense, net
Income before taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
Attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to Syngenta AG shareholders
Tax rate
Restructuring and
impairment
Before
restructuring and
impairment
(477)
‐
‐
(477)
87
(390)
‐
(390)
18%
2,124
5
(291)
1,838
(267)
1,571
(3)
1,568
15%
Total
1,647
5
(291)
1,361
(180)
1,181
(3)
1,178
13%
Constant exchange rates
Syngenta compares results from one period to another period in this report using variances calculated at constant exchange rates (“CER”). To
present that information, current period results for entities reporting in currencies other than US dollars are converted into US dollars at the
prior period’s exchange rates, rather than the exchange rates for the current year. See Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements for
information on average exchange rates in 2020 and 2019. For example, if a European entity reporting in CHF sold CHF 100 million of
products in 2020 and 2019, Syngenta’s financial statements would report $106 million of revenues in 2020 (using 0.94 as the rate, which was
the average exchange rate in 2020) and $101 million in revenues in 2019 (using 0.99 as the rate, which was the average exchange rate in
2019). The CER presentation would translate the 2020 results using the 2019 exchange rates and indicate that underlying revenues were flat.
Syngenta presents this CER variance information in order to assess how its underlying business performed before taking into account
currency exchange fluctuations. Syngenta also presents its actual reported results in order to provide the most directly comparable data under
GAAP.
18
Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Consolidated Income Statement
(for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019)
($m)
Sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Marketing and distribution
Research and development
General and administrative:
Restructuring
Gains on acquisitions and divestments
Other general and administrative
Operating income
Income from associates and joint ventures
Interest income
Interest expense
Other financial expense
Currency losses, net
Financial expense, net
Income before taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
Attributable to:
Syngenta AG shareholder
Non-controlling interests
Net income
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
All activities were in respect of continuing operations.
Notes
4, 5
6
3, 9
25
25
25
7
2020
14,287
(8,113)
6,174
(2,210)
(969)
(291)
109
(706)
2,107
‐
54
(432)
(28)
(91)
(497)
1,610
(188)
1,422
1,421
1
1,422
2019
13,582
(7,383)
6,199
(2,239)
(918)
(364)
134
(885)
1,927
1
98
(467)
(30)
(26)
(425)
1,503
(47)
1,456
1,450
6
1,456
19
Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
(for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019)
($m)
Net income
Components of other comprehensive income (OCI)
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:
(Losses)/gains on equity investments at fair value through OCI
Actuarial losses of defined benefit post-employment plans
Income tax relating to items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Unrealized losses on derivatives designated as cash flow and net investment hedges and
related hedging costs
Currency translation effects
Income tax relating to items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Total OCI
Total comprehensive income
Attributable to:
Syngenta AG shareholder
Non-controlling interests
Total comprehensive income
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
All activities were in respect of continuing operations.
Notes
2020
1,422
2019
1,456
25
14, 21
7
24
7
(5)
(89)
24
(70)
(39)
(522)
(40)
(601)
(671)
751
745
6
751
9
(45)
(53)
(89)
(54)
(174)
47
(181)
(270)
1,186
1,182
4
1,186
20
Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(at December 31, 2020 and 2019)
($m)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables
Other accounts receivable
Inventories
Derivative and other financial assets
Other current assets
Income taxes recoverable
Total current assets
Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Intangible assets
Deferred tax assets
Financial and other non-current assets
Investments in associates and joint ventures
Total non-current assets
Total assets
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable
Contract liabilities
Current financial debt and other financial liabilities
Income taxes payable
Other current liabilities
Provisions
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities:
Notes
2020
2019
25
8, 25
25
10
25
9
11
22
12
7
13, 25
14
15, 25
15
16, 25
17, 25
19
2,517
4,314
661
5,434
381
407
88
1,933
4,358
546
4,973
314
353
96
13,802
12,573
3,691
395
5,127
1,306
794
168
11,481
25,283
(4,654)
(790)
(2,934)
(665)
(1,041)
(162)
3,251
430
4,201
1,187
608
147
9,824
22,397
(4,146)
(542)
(2,453)
(551)
(870)
(183)
(10,246)
(8,745)
Financial debt and other non-current liabilities
18, 25
(8,654)
(7,611)
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholder's equity:
Issued share capital
Retained earnings
Other reserves
Total shareholder's equity
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
7
19
(989)
(904)
(10,547)
(20,793)
(6)
(3,427)
(1,001)
(4,434)
(56)
(4,490)
(25,283)
(778)
(792)
(9,181)
(17,926)
(6)
(2,782)
(1,609)
(4,397)
(74)
(4,471)
(22,397)
21
Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
(for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019)
($m)
Income before taxes
Reversal of non-cash and other reconciling items
Cash (paid)/received in respect of:
Interest received
Interest paid
Other financial receipts
Other financial payments
Income taxes
Restructuring costs
Contributions to pension plans, excluding restructuring costs
Other provisions
Operating cash flow before change in net working capital
Change in net working capital:
Change in inventories
Change in trade and other working capital assets
Change in trade and other working capital liabilities
Cash flow from operating activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
Purchases of intangible assets and capitalized development costs
Purchases of investments in associates and other financial assets
Proceeds from disposals of intangible and financial assets
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Business divestments
Cash flow used for investing activities
Proceeds from increase in third party interest-bearing debt
Repayments of third party interest-bearing debt
Acquisition of non-controlling interests
Distributions paid to shareholders
Cash flow used for financing activities
Net effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents
Net change 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
Notes
20
19
19
19
11
12
3
20
20
3
2020
1,610
1,250
51
(387)
52
(587)
(190)
(55)
(174)
(16)
1,554
(277)
(148)
921
2,050
(555)
33
(454)
(75)
37
(324)
1
(1,337)
2,553
(1,937)
(39)
(701)
(124)
(5)
584
1,933
2,517
2019
1,503
1,302
64
(385)
115
(238)
(248)
(55)
(126)
(1,121)
811
(701)
125
603
838
(521)
522
(408)
(37)
187
8
1
(248)
1,616
(920)
‐
(900)
(204)
(16)
370
1,563
1,933
Of total cash and cash equivalents of $2,517 million (2019: $1,933 million), $21 million (2019: $36 million) is required to meet insurance
solvency requirements of Syngenta’s insurance subsidiaries. These amounts therefore were not readily available for the general purposes
of Syngenta. There are no other significant restrictions on Syngenta’s ability to use assets or settle liabilities.
At December 31, 2020 cash equivalents totaled $1,380 million (2019: $1,618 million) and consisted of bank and money market fund deposits.
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
22
Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
(for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019)
($m)
January 1, 2019
Net income
OCI
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owner:
Distributions paid to
shareholder
Distribution in kind: Treasury
shares
Non-controlling interest in
Sanbei Seeds Co. Ltd. on
acquisition
Other
December 31, 2019
Net income
OCI
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owner:
Distributions paid to
shareholders
Acquisition of non-controlling
interest
Other
December 31, 2020
Attributable to Syngenta AG shareholder
Par value of
ordinary
shares
Additional
paid-in
capital
Treasury
shares, at
cost
Fair value
reserves
Cumulative
translation
adjustment
6
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
6
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
6
3,416
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
3,416
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
3,416
(67)
‐
‐
‐
‐
67
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
(25)
‐
14
14
(1,610)
‐
(186)
(186)
Retained
earnings
2,398
1,450
(96)
1,354
Total share-
holder's
equity
4,118
1,450
(268)
1,182
(900)
(900)
(67)
‐
(3)
2,782
1,421
(64)
‐
‐
(3)
4,397
1,421
(676)
745
Non-
controlling
interests Total equity
26
6
(2)
4
‐
‐
44
‐
74
1
5
6
4,144
1,456
(270)
1,186
(900)
‐
44
(3)
4,471
1,422
(671)
751
‐
‐
‐
‐
(1,796)
‐
(527)
(527)
1,357
‐
(700)
(700)
(1)
(701)
(3)
‐
(2,326)
(13)
1
(16)
8
3,427
4,434
(23)
‐
56
(39)
8
4,490
‐
‐
‐
‐
(11)
‐
(85)
(85)
‐
‐
7
(89)
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
The amount available for dividend distribution is based on Syngenta AG’s shareholder’s equity determined in accordance with the legal
provisions of the Swiss Code of Obligations. On October 13, 2020, a dividend of $700 million ($7.56 per share) was declared. This was paid
to Syngenta’s parent company, CNAC Saturn (NL) B.V. on December 11, 2020. On April 12, 2019, a dividend of $900 million ($9.74 per
share) was declared. On April 24, 2019, $450 million was paid to CNAC Saturn (NL) B.V. and the remaining $450 million was paid on
November 15, 2019.
There were 92,578,149 ordinary shares of par value CHF 0.10 that were authorized, issued, fully paid and outstanding at December 31, 2020
and 2019. Each ordinary share carries one vote at the shareholder’s meetings of Syngenta AG. In June 2019, Syngenta distributed the
remaining 195,676 Treasury shares as an in-kind dividend to its parent company, CNAC Saturn (NL) B.V.
Included within the fair value reserves are (i) cash flow hedge reserves, which comprise the effective portion of the cumulative net change in
the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments related to hedged items that have not yet been recognized in profit or loss, and (ii) fair value
reserves, which comprise the cumulative net change in the fair value of equity investments at fair value through OCI. Movements in the cash
flow hedge reserves are shown in Note 24. Movements in the fair value reserves for equity investments are shown in Note 25. Amounts within
OCI related to actuarial gains and losses of defined benefit post-employment plans are presented within retained earnings.
The cumulative translation adjustment comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the translation of the financial statements
of foreign operations, as well as from the translation of long-term monetary items that are part of net investments in foreign subsidiaries.
During 2020, Syngenta acquired the remaining non-controlling interest in Syngenta India Ltd. During 2019, Syngenta acquired control of
Sanbei Seeds Co. Ltd. Further details of these transactions are given in Note 3.
23
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
1. Basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS or IFRSs)
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a
historical cost basis, except for items that are required by IFRSs to be measured at fair value, principally certain financial instruments and
biological assets, which are valued at fair value less costs to sell.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of Syngenta AG, a company domiciled and incorporated
in Switzerland, and all of its more than 150 subsidiaries globally (together referred to as “the Syngenta AG group”) and the Syngenta AG
group’s interests in associates and joint ventures. Approximately 40 subsidiaries are considered to be significant legal entities. There are no
material non-controlling interests, except for Sanbei Seeds Co. Ltd. as disclosed in Note 3, and no material structured entities. The Syngenta
AG group’s main research and development facilities are located in Switzerland, UK and USA and its main production sites are in Switzerland,
UK, USA, France, China and Brazil. Syngenta AG’s principal executive offices are at Rosentalstrasse 67, 4002 Basel, Switzerland.
The parent of Syngenta AG is CNAC Saturn (NL) B.V., a private company incorporated in the Netherlands. The ultimate parent of Syngenta
AG is China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina), a state-owned enterprise of the People’s Republic of China.
The consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars (“$”) as this is the major currency in which revenues are
denominated. “$m” refers to millions of United States dollars. With effect from January 1, 2019 the functional currency of Syngenta AG
changed from the Swiss franc to the $, which is now the main currency in which its funding, receipts and payments are denominated.
The Syngenta AG group is a world leading agribusiness operating in the crop protection, seeds, professional solutions and flowers markets.
Crop protection chemicals include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and seed treatments to control weeds, insects and diseases in crops,
and are essential inputs enabling growers around the world to improve agricultural productivity and food quality. In Seeds, the Syngenta AG
group operates in the high value commercial sectors of field crops (including corn, oilseeds and cereals) and vegetables. The Professional
Solutions business provides turf and landscape and professional pest management products, and the Flowers business provides flower
seeds, cuttings and young plants, to professional growers and consumers.
The preparation of financial statements requires management to exercise judgment when applying accounting policies and to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimated. Note 2 below includes further discussion of certain critical accounting estimates.
Significant changes in the current reporting period
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) a pandemic and governments around the
world implemented stringent restrictions to limit business operations and movement of people. Most governments, however, have declared
agriculture as an “essential activity” allowing Syngenta to continue operating to the fullest extent possible. Syngenta is managing the impacts
of COVID-19 through emergency management teams at global, regional, country and site levels. To date, there have not been significant
disruptions to supply and mitigation plans are in place to manage potential risks to supply chains. During March 2020, remote working was
implemented where possible and remains in place according to local guidance. Non-critical business travel has been restricted since the
beginning of the pandemic. These measures have not significantly affected Syngenta’s ability to maintain business operations. Syngenta
regularly monitors the economic uncertainty impacting global markets, including currency values and commodity prices; COVID-19 has not
resulted in significant adjustments to carrying amounts of assets and liabilities or revisions to critical accounting estimates.
2. Significant accounting policy changes, judgments and estimates
This note describes the impact on Syngenta’s consolidated financial statements of significant accounting judgments made when applying
IFRSs and critical assumptions and accounting estimates.
Application of critical accounting policies
Royalty and license income
Individual agreements licensing to third parties the right to use Syngenta technology can and do have unique terms and, consequently, the
accounting judgments required to apply IFRS 15 to each such agreement can differ significantly. Syngenta recognizes revenue for non-
refundable lump sum and guaranteed minimum license income at the start of a license only when the license is distinct from any related
Syngenta obligations to supply licensed products during the license term and Syngenta has performed any obligations related to the license
grant. For licenses of seed germplasm and trait technology, Syngenta considers that these criteria are met when the license has become
effective, the licensee either has control of biological material from which it can independently breed, produce and sell seeds containing the
technology Syngenta has licensed to it under the agreement or can obtain any seed purchase requirements in the market from producers
other than Syngenta. For licenses of crop protection technology, Syngenta considers that these criteria are met when the license grants the
right to manufacture and sell chemical products containing the licensed technology, the right to obtain related manufacturing and formulation
know-how and the right to use existing regulatory data necessary for the licensee to establish its own independent registration to sell the
licensed products.
Research and development expense
Research costs are expensed as incurred. Costs arising from internal product development projects are recognized as intangible assets if,
and only if, Syngenta is able to, has sufficient resources to and intends to complete and use or sell the technology or product being developed,
and such completion and use or sale is technically feasible and commercially viable. Government grants, including tax credits accounted for
as government grants, that are directly related to development projects are accounted for in the same way as the project costs to which they
relate. During 2019 Syngenta introduced enhanced project planning and reporting processes that have enabled it to measure reliably, and
hence to capitalize, the costs of intangible assets arising from development undertaken after January 1, 2019. The amount of development
costs capitalized is disclosed in Note 12 and is determined by reconciling project cost analyses in development planning systems to actual
costs incurred that are recorded in the related accounting cost centers in the period.
Costs of projects to develop new crop protection chemical active ingredients that have not yet obtained regulatory approval are expensed as
incurred because their technical feasibility and commercial viability cannot be demonstrated until such approval has been obtained. Costs of
24
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
projects to develop new formulations or extend the use of existing formulations of active ingredients that have regulatory approval, or widen
product label indications of existing products already on the market to include additional uses of such products, are capitalized as intangible
assets throughout the duration of the projects, which is approximately 4 to 5 years, and are amortized over the useful economic lives of the
related new products, starting from the date they are ready for use or sale. Useful economic lives are disclosed under ‘Intangible Assets’ in
Note 26. Costs capitalized for a project are immediately and fully impaired if the project is discontinued before completion. Costs of projects to
re-register active ingredients with existing approvals are expensed as incurred because such projects are considered to maintain existing
intangible assets rather than generate new intangible assets.
Costs of seed breeding programs that include genetically modified traits that require regulatory approval are expensed as incurred because
their technical feasibility and commercial viability cannot be demonstrated until such approval has been obtained. Costs of other seed
breeding programs are capitalized starting from the breeding stage in which new seed hybrids or varieties are identified as potential
candidates for commercialization until the launch of the output of the related breeding program, which is approximately 6 to 7 years. Qualifying
breeding programs are monitored and measured by crop and region to align the amortization period with the life of the program. Breeding
program costs taken into account for capitalization include costs of all functions within Research and development that are directly attributable
to the breeding activity. Capitalized costs are impaired before completion of breeding if product launches are no longer expected as a result of
major changes to Syngenta’s seed crop portfolio. Costs capitalized for a breeding year are amortized over the average commercial life of a
new seed product, as disclosed in Note 26, starting from launch.
Impairment
For purposes of testing goodwill for impairment, goodwill is allocated to cash generating units (CGUs). Syngenta generally defines each crop
protection product active ingredient and each seed crop as a CGU. However, where one active ingredient is sold in mixture with other active
ingredients to a significant extent, the active ingredients concerned are grouped together into a single CGU because independent cash inflows
only exist at this higher level. Each CGU is generally defined on a global basis, reflecting the international nature of the business, and contains
tangible assets such as property, plant and equipment (PP&E) as well as intangible assets such as product and patent rights.
North America corn and soybean seeds are defined as a single CGU because of common intellectual property and other interdependencies
between these two crops, which do not apply to other crops. Goodwill on certain major acquisitions, principally Zeneca agrochemicals
business goodwill of $548 million, was allocated to each Syngenta operating segment in proportion to each such segment’s relative value at
the time Syngenta established its current basis of segmentation, and is tested for impairment at those levels by relating the allocated amount
for each segment to the total cash flows of the respective segment. The goodwill amounts allocated to segments and significant other CGUs
are disclosed in Note 12.
For CGUs to which no goodwill is allocated, a reduction in forecast sales within management’s five-year forecast horizon compared with the
previous year’s five-year forecast cycle, combined with a reduction in latest forecasts of current year sales compared with the current year
budget, is generally considered an indicator of market related impairment and results in the performance of detailed impairment tests.
Syngenta also performs detailed impairment tests when there are asset specific indicators of impairment such as withdrawal of or restrictions
placed upon product registrations, plans to divest products or, for property, plant and equipment, plans to restructure or close a site. Higher
discount rates are used to test property, plant and equipment for impairment in the case of restructuring because of the higher risk associated
with remaining cash flows when operations are being physically relocated. The value in use calculation takes account of cash flows from the
remaining period of operations and includes decommissioning costs.
If a CGU becomes impaired, the impairment loss is allocated first to any goodwill in the CGU, and then to reduce the CGU’s other assets
pro rata.
Critical accounting estimates
Acquisition accounting
Applying the acquisition method of accounting requires significant management judgment to estimate the fair values and useful lives of the
acquired assets, in particular intangible assets such as intellectual property (IP) related to currently marketed products and in-process
research and development (IPR&D). In 2020, Syngenta recognized new intangible assets, excluding goodwill, of $430 million (2019: $44
million) resulting from acquisitions, principally Valagro SpA. These acquisitions and the fair values recognized for the acquired intangible
assets are set out in Note 3. Key valuation assumptions include market size and share, sales pricing trends and competitors’ reaction, cost
and efficiency of the production process for the products, and the period over which the products are likely to generate economic benefits.
Forecast cash flows for each asset are discounted using a rate developed from the estimated Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) of
the acquired company. Where Syngenta considers the risks applicable to an asset are not fully reflected in the forecast data available, it
incorporates a risk premium into the discount rate. If actual cash flows are materially different from those used in calculating fair values, this
may lead to changes in amortization expense or asset specific impairment losses in future periods.
Adjustments to revenue and trade receivables
Syngenta’s products are consumed mainly by growers, but Syngenta invoices the majority of its sales to distributors. The timing and amount
of cash inflows received by growers is impacted by a broad range of economic and political risks, including crop yields and prices, the
availability of credit, and the cost of agricultural inputs such as the products sold by Syngenta and its competitors. The cash flows of
distributors that supply Syngenta’s products to growers and represent the majority of Syngenta’s customers are also impacted by these
factors. These distributors vary in size and nature from large publicly owned entities to small or medium sized owner-managed businesses.
Syngenta’s customer base reflects the geographical diversity of its operations, which encompass more than 90 countries and all significant
agriculture areas. Considerable management effort and judgment is applied to actively manage and mitigate the risks to Syngenta from these
factors and to determine the accounting estimates associated with them, which are set out below:
the estimated cost of incentive programs that provide rebates and discounts is dependent upon achievement of sales targets, as well as
cash discounts for punctual payment of accounts receivable. Syngenta records the estimated cost of these programs when the related
sales are made, based on the programs’ terms, market conditions and historical experience. At December 31, 2020, trade accounts
payable include $1,697 million (2019: $1,542 million) of accruals for customer rebates and incentive programs.
commercial terms in certain markets also provide a right of return, subject to eligibility restrictions by product and either an annual cap
equal to a percentage of sales in the immediately prior year, or a return period typically extending up to the end of the agricultural season
in which the product was originally sold, which can be 9 months. Accruals for estimated product returns are based on contractual sales
25
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
terms and on historical experience of actual returns where Syngenta considers these to be reliable estimates of future returns. At
December 31, 2020, trade accounts payable includes $326 million (2019: $305 million) of accruals for sales returns. Actual returns can
vary significantly from estimates in market segments where the distribution channel holds several months’ sales of Syngenta products at
the reporting date; forecast consumption of those products by growers could be materially affected if market or weather conditions after
the reporting date were significantly different from those expected and the volume of products returned by distributors varies with
changes in grower consumption. This is especially relevant to Brazil and certain other markets in the southern hemisphere given
Syngenta’s financial reporting year-end falls in the middle of the peak demand season for Syngenta’s crop protection products. Actual
sales returns in 2019 in Brazil of crop protection products Syngenta sold during 2018 were $82 million, representing 5 percent of
relevant sales. This was less than the $113 million provided at December 31, 2018. Actual sales returns in 2020 in Brazil of crop
protection products Syngenta sold during 2019 were $42 million, representing 2 percent of relevant sales. This is less than the $130
million provided at December 31, 2019. The main reason for the lower returns in 2020 is that the market in Brazil had a strong season,
driven by reasonable in-channel inventory levels and growers’ profitability gains coming from high commodity prices. In accordance with
IFRS 15, sales subject to returns are recognized only to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of
revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the amount of returns is subsequently resolved. At December
31, 2020, Syngenta has recorded a $72 million allowance for sales returns of crop protection products in Brazil, representing 4 percent
of relevant sales in 2020.
allowances for doubtful receivables, which are estimated by critically analyzing individual receivable account balances, taking into
account historical levels of recovery and the value of any security held or agreed barter programs which mitigate credit exposure, the
economic condition of individual customers, and the overall economic and political environment in relevant countries. As shown in Note
8, the provision for doubtful receivables at December 31, 2020 amounted to $468 million, or 10 percent (2019: $465 million or
10 percent) of total trade receivables, of which $88 million, $60 million and $77 million (2019: $113 million, $60 million and $86 million)
related respectively to sales made to the Brazilian, Venezuelan and Argentine markets. In 2020, Syngenta reported $62 million bad debt
expense (2019: $106 million). The decrease is mainly related to improved collection performance in Argentina and Ukraine.
Syngenta records these estimates as separate allowances, but its estimation process recognizes their interdependency, as the level of credits
to accounts receivable for discounts and product returns may affect the probability of receiving full payment of the net receivable balances.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets
At December 31, 2020, Syngenta’s deferred tax assets are $1,306 million (2019: $1,187 million), as further analyzed in Note 7. Included in
this balance are deferred tax assets for unused tax losses and tax credits of $73 million (2019: $89 million), of which $33 million (2019: $75
million) relates to tax losses. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during
the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or in which tax losses can be utilized. The tax effect of unused tax losses
is recognized as a deferred tax asset when it becomes probable that the tax losses will be utilized. In making assessments regarding deferred
tax assets, management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax
planning strategies.
At December 31, 2020, based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which
deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes that it is more likely than not that Syngenta will realize the benefits of these
deductible differences. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable could however be reduced in subsequent years if estimates
of future taxable income during their carry forward periods are reduced, or rulings by the tax authorities are unfavorable. Estimates are
therefore subject to change due to both market-related and government-related uncertainties, as well as Syngenta’s own future decisions on
restructuring and other matters. Syngenta is unable to accurately quantify the future adjustments to deferred income tax expense that may
occur as a result of these uncertainties.
The principal jurisdictions where deferred tax assets have not been recognized at December 31, 2020 are Brazil and the USA (2019: Brazil
and the USA). At December 31, 2020, Syngenta has recognized $117 million (2019: $83 million) of net deferred tax assets in Brazil and has
not recognized $16 million (2019: $46 million) of deferred tax assets. The improved 2020 business performance in Brazil as well as the overall
lower level of net deferred tax assets resulted in a lower restriction of the amount recognized, decreasing 2020 deferred income tax expense
by $22 million (2019: $32 million). Syngenta has assumed local profitability in 2021 and future years similar to the historical average. In
making this assessment, the forecast horizon used for taxable profits is 5 years. Taxable profits that may arise beyond the 5-year horizon are
subject to greater uncertainty and have not been considered.
At December 31, 2020, Syngenta has recognized $235 million (2019: $228 million) of net deferred tax assets in the USA, and has not
recognized $63 million (2019: $92 million) of deferred tax assets relating to a temporary difference for interest carryforwards. Syngenta has
performed an analysis in order to determine the amount of deferred tax asset it should recognize, taking into account the current plans of debt
financing Syngenta’s US subsidiaries.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”)
The CARES Act, a law intended to address the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, came into effect on March
27, 2020. Among many other provisions, the CARES Act increases the tax deduction for net operating losses from 80 percent to 100 percent,
for 2018, 2019, and 2020 and allows net operating losses from 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to up to five years, resulting in
retroactive tax refunds. As a result, Syngenta recorded an estimated $27 million favorable one-time impact (tax credit) within income tax
expense during 2020.
Swiss Corporate Income Tax Reform
The Swiss public voted on May 19, 2019 to adopt the Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing (“TRAF”) which reforms corporate
taxation in Switzerland. The tax reform has several consequences including a change of the Swiss Cantonal and Communal Income Tax
Harmonization Act (“CCITHA”) which provides guidance on provisions in the cantonal tax laws for income and capital taxes. The changed
CCITHA entered into force at federal level on January 1, 2020. To the extent that the tax reform measures relate to cantonal and communal
income tax law changes, the measures will effectively be implemented through modification of the cantonal tax law.
As a result of the changes, described in detail in Note 2 to Syngenta’s 2019 annual consolidated financial statements, Syngenta revalued its
Swiss deferred tax positions that will be settled or realized in tax year 2020 onwards, recording an estimated $195 million favorable one-time
26
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
impact (tax credit) within income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2019, and a $70 million unfavorable one-time impact (tax
charge) within OCI for deferred tax positions related to pension actuarial losses charged to OCI.
Uncertain tax positions
Syngenta estimates and accrues taxes that will ultimately be payable when reviews or audits by tax authorities of tax returns are completed.
These estimates include significant management judgments about the eventual outcome of the reviews and audits of all open years based
on the latest information available about the positions expected to be taken by each tax authority. Actual outcomes and settlements may differ
significantly from the estimates recorded in these consolidated financial statements. This may affect income tax expense reported in future
years’ consolidated income statements.
Syngenta has a global supply chain, and intellectual property rights owned by Syngenta are used internationally within the Syngenta AG
group. Transfer prices for the delivery of goods and charges for the provision of services, which include contract research and development,
contract manufacturing and internal financing arrangements, by one Syngenta subsidiary to another may be subject to challenge by the
national tax authorities in any of the jurisdictions in which Syngenta operates. Syngenta has a global transfer pricing policy in place and
applies, to the maximum extent possible, a consistent methodology on a global basis. Transfer pricing determination in general, and the
benchmarking process in particular, involve significant judgment and therefore a certain level of uncertainty remains as to whether tax
authorities will challenge the pricing applied in the light of the new, complex transfer pricing guidelines in connection with the Base Erosion and
Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative.
At December 31, 2020, Syngenta’s balance sheet includes assets of $88 million (2019: $96 million), and liabilities of $665 million (2019: $551
million), for current income taxes. These liabilities include $491 million in respect of the uncertain tax positions described above (2019: $458
million).
Releases of uncertain tax liabilities during 2020 and 2019 related to changes in tax legislation, closure of previously open tax computations
through expiry and settlement of tax audits. The liability for uncertain income tax positions that Syngenta expects will be resolved in 2021 is
approximately 8% percent of total recognized current income tax liabilities.
Significant management judgment has been required to estimate the income tax benefits associated with the $1,500 million Viptera litigation
settlement payments described in Note 19 because the Syngenta entities named as parties to the litigation are incorporated in different tax
jurisdictions. Syngenta’s estimates at December 31, 2020 and 2019 assume that all of the Viptera settlement costs will be deductible for
income taxes but that deductions will be claimed in more than one jurisdiction. Syngenta estimated the benefit using an average of the tax
rates of the relevant jurisdictions and the amounts it has recognized in 2020 and 2019 for both current and deferred income taxes reflect this
estimate. The ultimate benefit realized may be different from this estimate and this difference may have a material effect on Syngenta’s
income tax expense for 2021 and/or future periods.
In Brazil, Syngenta received adverse rulings at administrative court level in transfer pricing disputes for fiscal years 2003 and 2011 and has
filed appeals at civil court level. Additionally, Syngenta has appealed at administrative level against transfer pricing assessments for fiscal
years 2013 to 2015 and won in first degree of administrative level cancelling those assessments. Syngenta believes it will succeed and has
recognized no liability for the estimated aggregate $130 million (2019: $170 million) contingent liabilities in these disputes.
Seeds inventory valuation and allowances
Inventories of $5,434 million (2019: $4,973 million) reported in Note 10 include $1,237 million (2019: $1,229 million) of seeds, which are
subject to the risk of loss through physical deterioration at all stages of the operating cycle. Syngenta accounts for normal losses that occur
during production, both in the pre-harvest growing and the post-harvest processing stages, as part of the cost of inventories of in-process and
finished seeds. Normal losses in production, which include the cost of seeds discarded before processing because they do not meet
Syngenta’s quality standards, are therefore expensed when the related finished seed is sold to customers. Losses of finished seeds are
expensed as incurred. Syngenta records allowances against the cost of seeds inventories for both quality and obsolescence. Syngenta
records allowances for quality for finished seed which is currently of defective quality and for finished seed which is expected to deteriorate
physically before sale, based on past experience. Syngenta records allowances for obsolescence for excess seed for which there is
insufficient forecast customer demand over the expected remaining commercial life of each seed variety. For excess seeds that Syngenta is
likely to be able to sell in the commodity market, the allowance is the cost of the seed minus its net realizable value, which is estimated as the
expected net proceeds of commodity sale. If commodity sale is not probable, the allowance is the full cost of the excess seed inventories.
To determine the allowances required, management effort and judgment is applied to analyze at crop, variety and batch level seed inventory
quantity, quality and forecast sales data, developing commercial practices, available markets and the speed of expected product portfolio
changes. The rapidly evolving combination of corn seed genetics and trait stacks in North America and Latin America result in shorter
commercial lives of a typical hybrid seed variety than in other crops and regions, with variation between actual and previously forecast sales
and consequent greater risk of excess seed at individual hybrid level. Excess seed quantities are also affected by harvest yield, which is
influenced by unpredictable weather and growing conditions. Seeds inventory allowance expense for 2020 was $149 million (2019: $196
million), with decreased provision expense driven largely by improved volume planning processes in Latin America and the allowance balance
at December 31, 2020 was $261 million (2019: $242 million), with higher seeds inventory provisions required for flowers where the business
experienced significant sales reductions due to the global pandemic.
Impairment review
At December 31, 2020, Syngenta has reported intangible assets of $2,500 million (2019: $2,199 million) for goodwill and $2,627 million (2019:
$2,002 million) for intangible assets other than goodwill, as reported in Note 12. The recoverable amount for goodwill has been determined
based on value in use of the relevant operating segment, CGU or group of CGUs to which the goodwill is allocated. The recoverable amounts
of all material intangible assets and property, plant and equipment (PP&E) have also been based on their value in use.
The main assumptions used in determining the recoverable amounts for operating segments and other CGUs include market size and
Syngenta’s market share, future sales prices and volumes, future development expenditures required to maintain products’ marketability and
registration in the relevant jurisdictions, and products’ lives. At operating segment level, the key assumptions related to sales volume and
value are expressed separately for each product line, market segment and crop. At CGU level, assumptions are expressed by product. The
assumptions are reviewed annually as part of management’s budgeting and strategic planning cycles. These assumptions can be subject to
significant adjustment from such factors as changes in crop growing patterns in major markets (for example, as a result of movements in crop
prices), changes in product registration, or pressure from competitor products. Prior to 2020, estimated cash flows for operating segments and
other CGUs were based on Syngenta management forecasts, generally covering a five-year horizon, except where a longer horizon was
27
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
required to reflect cash flows from the development and introduction of new products due to the length of the product development cycle, and
included a terminal value which assumed a 2.0 percent long-term growth rate. In 2020, for substantially all CGUs relating to Syngenta’s seeds
business, a ten-year forecast horizon was used and terminal values assumed long-term growth rates of between -1.0 and 4.0 percent. The
longer forecast horizon and higher long-term growth rates were introduced to better reflect these higher-growth business streams and the
length of the product development cycle for the development and introduction of new products in these business streams.
Management believes, based on recent and expected future growth in agricultural markets, that there are long-term prospects for continued
growth in Syngenta’s business.
The key inputs used to calculate the pre-tax discount rates used to discount the estimated future cash flows included in the value in use
calculations are as follows:
post-tax weighted average cost of capital: 7.6 percent (2019: 6.1 percent);
risk-free rate: 1.5 percent (2019: 2.1 percent) equal to market yields on 30-year government bonds at the date of performing the annual
impairment test;
equity risk premium: 7.0 percent (2019: 5.0 percent).
The discount rate is considered to include market estimates of an industry sector risk premium. Syngenta’s CGUs generally reflect the global
nature of its Crop Protection and Seeds product sales, and a country risk premium is applied only to those CGUs where the geographical
scope of operations and cash flows is limited. The equity risk premium was increased to 7.0 percent in the year as a result of the significant
uncertainty in the macro-economic outlook due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to lower market stock prices in most
sectors, resulting in higher long-term growth expectations. The pre-tax discount rates used for all segments, CGUs and groups of CGUs
ranged from 7.9 percent to 9.2 percent (2019: 6.8 percent to 7.6 percent), with the increase primarily being driven by the change in the equity
risk premium.
Management believes that any reasonably possible change in any of the key assumptions described above would not cause the aggregate
carrying amount of the CGUs to exceed their recoverable amounts.
At December 31, 2020, the largest amounts of goodwill were allocated to the Crop Core operating segment ($1,276 million), the North
America corn and soybean CGU ($316 million) and the Rest of World (excluding North America) corn and soybean CGU ($457 million) and
the pre-tax discount rates used were 9.1 percent for Crop Core, 8.8 percent for the North America corn and soybean CGU and 7.9 percent for
the Rest of World corn and soybean CGU. At December 31, 2019, the largest amounts of goodwill were allocated to the Crop Core operating
segment ($943 million), the North America corn and soybean CGU ($316 million) and the Rest of World (excluding North America) corn and
soybean CGU ($502 million) and the pre-tax discount rates used were 7.2 percent for Crop Core, 7.2 percent for the North America corn and
soybean CGU and 7.1 percent for the Rest of World corn and soybean CGU. The forecast terminal growth rates used were 2.0 percent for
Crop Core, 2.6 percent for the North America corn and soybean CGU and 2.9 percent for the Rest of World corn and soybean CGU. For
December 31, 2019 forecast terminal growth rates of 2.0 percent were used for all the above CGUs.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, impairment losses for intangible assets were $82 million, of which $17 million relates to a seeds crop
CGU where further development of certain technologies held by Syngenta is not considered cost effective and activities have been reduced.
At December 31, 2020, the recoverable amount of this CGU was $24 million and its carrying amount included non-current assets of $41
million. For the year ended December 31, 2019, impairment losses for intangible assets were $52 million, of which $41 million relates to a
seeds crop CGU where further development of certain technologies held by Syngenta is not considered cost effective and activities have
been reduced. At December 31, 2019, the recoverable amount of this CGU was $2,519 million and its carrying amount included non-current
assets of $745 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, impairment losses for property, plant and equipment were $23 million (2019: $110 million) relating
mainly to the withdrawal from a specific seeds-based technology.
Environmental provisions
At December 31, 2020, Syngenta reported in Note 19 provisions for environmental remediation of $179 million (2019: $180 million), some of
which are included within restructuring provisions. Remediation of environmental damage at sites with which Syngenta is associated typically
takes a long time to complete due to the substantial amount of planning and regulatory approvals normally required before remediation
activities can begin. The assumptions used by Syngenta to estimate its environmental provisions may change significantly before or during
the remediation period due to changes in the extent of remediation required or the method used to remediate the damage. In addition,
increases in or releases of environmental provisions may be necessary whenever new developments occur or additional information becomes
available. The major uncertainties that impact the outcome of remediation are:
the extent of the contaminated land area, which is not always limited to land occupied by the Syngenta site. Ongoing monitoring or
remediation work may identify changes in the area believed to be contaminated;
the nature of the work Syngenta will be obliged to perform or pay for. This depends upon the current or proposed use of contaminated
land, substantively enacted legislation, and land zoning by and negotiation with the relevant regulatory authorities. In Switzerland,
proposed remediation plans at certain sites may be subject to public referenda;
sharing of costs with other past and present occupiers of Syngenta’s sites. At certain shared sites, Syngenta is responsible for an
agreed proportion of remediation costs, which may change following discussions with authorities and the affected third parties. At other
sites, third parties have agreed to reimburse Syngenta for some or all of the costs it incurs.
Consequently, environmental provisions can change significantly. Because of the inherent uncertainties in estimating such long-term future
obligations, Syngenta periodically supplements its internal expertise with external expertise when determining environmental provisions.
In 2020, $9 million of environmental provisions were recognized due to updated estimates of costs for remediation activity. In 2019, $13 million
of environmental provisions were recognized related to remediation triggered by the announced closure of a US manufacturing site. In 2020,
$5 million (2019: $8 million) of provisions were released due to regulatory and other indications that remediation requirements at various sites
were substantially complete. Otherwise, in 2020 and 2019, except for $14 million (2019: $9 million) of cash outflows reflecting remediation
activity, there were no significant changes to environmental provisions.
28
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Proposals have been made suggesting remediation of the existing contamination on certain shared sites in preference to monitoring and
containment. Syngenta will negotiate the proposals with the relevant authorities but the final adopted solution is subject to regulatory
uncertainty and the ultimate liability may be higher or lower than the amount provided. Taken together, the provisions at December 31, 2020,
for these shared sites comprise approximately 26 percent of total environmental provisions. The top ten exposures at the end of 2020
comprise approximately 80 percent of the total environmental provisions. In the opinion of management, reasonably possible increases in the
provisions related to these top 10 exposures would not exceed 92 percent of the total environmental provision recognized at December
31, 2020.
At Syngenta’s Monthey, Switzerland, production site, the majority of the work currently needed to remediate groundwater and soil
contamination at the site has been carried out. During 2019, assessments indicated additional costs and a longer timeframe to complete
remediation were likely and an additional $4 million was provided. No significant change to the provision was made in 2020. Future
expenditure will be related to the ongoing remediation of contamination hot spots and the groundwater treatment programs. The responsibility
for these activities lies with Syngenta and one other chemical enterprise. In management’s opinion, based on its current knowledge,
Syngenta’s environmental provisions are adequate to cover Syngenta’s share of the expected costs to perform this remediation, however, the
final extent of the remediation work required, the cost estimates and their allocation continue to be subject to uncertainty.
Defined benefit post-employment benefits
At December 31, 2020, Syngenta has reported other non-current assets of $1 million (2019: $1 million) and provisions of $542 million (2019:
$455 million) as net defined benefit (DB) pension assets and liabilities, respectively, as set out in Note 21. These amounts may change
significantly from one accounting period end to another due not only to expense recognized in profit and loss and cash payments, but also to
changes in the actuarial assumptions used to measure the defined benefit obligation (DBO) and to variances between those assumptions and
actual outcomes (“experience variances”), both of which are recognized in OCI. Significant judgment is required when selecting key
assumptions for measuring post-employment benefit expense for a period and the DBO at the period end for each defined benefit plan. The
specific assumptions used and experience variances are disclosed in Note 21. These variances were caused principally by external financial
market movements in corporate bond yields used to benchmark the discount rate, and in asset prices affecting the actual return on assets.
These factors are outside Syngenta’s direct control, and it is reasonably possible that future variances will be at least as great as past
variances.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, for each of Syngenta’s three largest defined benefit pension plans, the sensitivity of the DBO to a change in
each significant actuarial assumption is as follows:
($m)
2020
2019
Increase (decrease) in DBO
Discount rate – 25 basis point decrease in rate
Discount rate – 25 basis point increase in rate
Pension increase – 25 basis point increase in rate
Pension increase – 25 basis point decrease in rate
Interest credit rate – 25 basis point increase in rate
Interest credit rate – 25 basis point decrease in rate
Life expectancy1
1 The life expectancy sensitivity is calculated using the difference between the reported DBO amount and the DBO amount projected using a one year increase, compared with the
assumptions actually used, in the life expectancy for each plan member. This alternative projection is calculated using mortality rates that produce an immediate increase of one
year for a plan member at normal retirement date, with corresponding changes at other ages.
Switzerland
128
(120)
n/a
n/a
20
(20)
89
Switzerland
112
(105)
n/a
n/a
18
(17)
76
UK
119
(116)
107
(105)
n/a
n/a
119
UK
120
(117)
109
(107)
n/a
n/a
118
USA
27
(25)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
11
USA
26
(25)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
10
Each sensitivity amount is calculated assuming that all other assumptions are held constant. It should be noted that economic factors and
conditions often affect multiple assumptions simultaneously. For the UK pension plan, the discount rate and pension increase sensitivities
shown are relative to price inflation, because limited price indexation of pensions in payment and deferred pension rights is required both by
the Syngenta UK pension plan rules and by UK statutory pension regulations. For Syngenta’s Swiss and US plans, the sensitivities are for
changes in the nominal discount rates, because the rules and statutory regulations applicable to those plans contain no inflation linkage and
indexation of benefits to inflation is not general market practice in those countries. Syngenta is not able to predict the extent of likely future
changes in the discount rate or life expectancy assumptions, but based on past experience, the discount rate for each plan could change by
up to 150 basis points (bp) within a twelve-month period. Pensionable pay is now permanently frozen for the UK DB pension plan as
explained below, and the sensitivity of the DBO to the assumed rate of increase in pensionable pay is not material for the Swiss or US plans.
To select the discount rate, Syngenta uses yields of AA rated corporate bonds. The relevant yield is determined either by analyzing
a population of bonds whose cash flows collectively approximate the estimated cash flow profile of benefit payments by a Syngenta plan (UK
and USA), or by using the yield of a published bond index and adjusting it in line with the relevant market yield curve to the extent that the
average maturity of the bonds in the index is different from that of the relevant Syngenta benefits (Switzerland). In 2020, Syngenta excluded
government-backed and asset-backed bonds from the bond population used to estimate its UK discount rate. The effect of this change in
estimate was to increase the discount rate by approximately 15 bp. Nominal discount rates at December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Switzerland 0.18 percent (2019: 0.25 percent)
1.46 percent (2019: 1.99 percent)
UK
2.55 percent (2019: 3.30 percent)
USA
In valuing the UK DBO at December 31, 2020, the UK long-term rate of retail price inflation (RPI) is assumed to be 2.94 percent (2019: 2.99
percent). Future statutory pension increases are based on consumer price inflation (CPI). Most Syngenta UK pension plan members have
benefits specifically linked to RPI in accordance with the plan rules, but some members will see increases linked to CPI. CPI is assumed to be
45 basis points (2019: 70 basis points) below RPI.
Over the last 20 years, life expectancy estimates steadily increased in all major countries in which Syngenta sponsors pension plans, although
available data for the UK and USA for the two most recent years indicates a slowing of the rate of increase compared to previous projections,
and Syngenta’s projections of future life expectancy improvement have reduced accordingly. Syngenta sets mortality assumptions after
considering the most recent statistics practicable. Syngenta uses generational mortality tables to estimate probable future mortality
29
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
improvements. These tables assume that the trend of increasing life expectancy will continue, resulting in pension benefit payments to
younger members being likely to be paid for longer time periods than older members’ pensions, given that assumed retirement ages are
those defined in the rules of each plan. At December 31, 2020, the UK DBO was estimated using mortality rates based on the UK Institute
and Faculty of Actuaries’ CMI SAPS Pensioner Amounts Light Tables with 1.75 percent per annum long-term trend from 2002-2018 (2019:
CMI SAPS Pensioner Amounts Light tables with 1.75 percent per annum long term trend from 2002-2018), with assumed future improvement
of 1.25 percent (2019: 1.25 percent) per annum in line with the CMI Core Projections model 2019 (2019: CMI Core Projections model 2018).
The default smoothing parameter which determines how much importance should be given to evidence of more recent mortality improvement
data as opposed to longer-term historical data changed in the CMI 2018 model from 7.5 in CMI 2017 to 7.0. Syngenta adopted the default
value of 7.0 as mortality experience suggests more weight should be placed on recent data. This reduced the DBO by $31 million in 2019.
Mortality assumptions were updated in 2018 following the most recent triennial valuation for UK statutory purposes at March 31, 2018,
reducing the DBO by $54 million (2.2 percent). The next statutory valuation of the plan will be performed at the latest at March 31, 2021.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019 Syngenta valued the benefit obligation for its Swiss pension plan using mortality, disability and employee
turnover assumptions from the BVG 2015 generational table. When Syngenta began to apply that table in 2016, the Swiss DBO increased by
$75 million (3.4 percent). At December 31, 2020, Syngenta valued the benefit obligation for its US pension plan using mortality assumptions
from the PRI-2012 generational mortality table together with Scale MP-2019 mortality improvements starting with base year 2012 (2019: base
year 2012). This resulted in no material change in the benefit obligation compared to the assumptions previously used.
Syngenta’s major pension plans give members lump sum or annuity benefit payment options. Syngenta values its pension liabilities on the
assumption that the choices made by members who will retire in the future will be consistent with choices made by members who have retired
recently.
For calculating benefits of UK plan members, pensionable pay will remain frozen at January 1, 2016 levels. The plan remains open to benefit
accrual for existing members, and pay increases awarded after January 1, 2016, which are not part of defined benefit pensionable pay, are
pensionable under the Syngenta Group Personal Pension (GPP), a separate defined contribution plan, for those who choose to join.
Employees who choose to leave the defined benefit section of the UK pension plan are able to join the GPP. Recent regulatory changes allow
members aged at least 55 to transfer their benefits out of the plan into arrangements which allow flexible cash withdrawals, in contrast to the
previous requirement that members take at least 75 percent of their benefit in annuity form. Market conditions in recent years have resulted in
transfer values favorable to members. These factors resulted in $44 million (2019: $46 million) of benefit payments out of the UK plan as
certain members withdrew all their benefits. Syngenta has not made any allowance for future transfers out in connection with the regulatory
changes. Available data indicates that if transfers were to continue at the current rate until the next statutory valuation, this would not cause
Syngenta to recognize a material actuarial gain or loss in its consolidated financial statements.
Certain UK pension plans, including the Syngenta UK plan, were required by legislation in force between 1978 and 1997 to accrue part of
their members’ pension (“GMP”) in a way that gave rise to inequalities between men and women, but also had a formula independent of GMP
for the total pension, resulting in the non-GMP part of total pension also being unequal. The European Court of Justice in Barber v Guardian
Royal Exchange Assurance Group [1991] ruled that pensions earned from that point onwards must treat men and women equally. However,
given GMP benefits were unequal but were prescribed in legislation, it was unclear what would need to be equalized or how. This remained
the case until the October 2018 UK High Court decision in Lloyds Trustees vs Lloyds Bank PLC and Others (the Lloyds case), which
confirmed that pension plans are required to equalize the non-GMP part of members’ benefits earned between 1990 and 1997, when
legislation changed so that GMPs ceased to accrue. The Lloyds case decision also indicated that the employers could require the plan
trustees to choose a particular approach to equalization, “Method C2”, which requires comparison of the pension payable to each member
with the pension that would be payable to a notional member identical to the member in all respects except gender, and retrospective
payment of accumulated pension equal to the higher of the unequalized male or female benefit, together with interest on the underpaid
amount. Syngenta has increased the UK DBO in 2018 by $22 million to reflect the effect of applying Method C2 as set out in the Lloyds case
decision using estimates based on current aggregate member data, accounting for this as an actuarial loss. This estimate is subject to
significant uncertainty because certain points remain to be clarified following the court judgment, detailed calculations by member are not yet
available and the actual effect of equalizing benefits may differ. On November 20, 2020, a further court judgement on the Lloyds case clarified
that historical transfers out also require allowance for GMP equalization. As a result, Syngenta has increased the DBO by $4 million to reflect
the effect of this judgement.
IFRSs require Syngenta to estimate the economic benefit it can obtain from the amount by which the fair value of assets held in a DB plan
exceeds the DBO measured in accordance with IAS 19 (“surplus”), and recognize a reduction in the net DB asset to the extent that the future
economic benefit is lower than the actual surplus at the reporting date, or an increase in the net DB liability if the future economic benefit is
lower than the projected future surplus that would arise when Syngenta meets an existing minimum funding obligation. Accounting recognition
of a surplus in Syngenta’s UK defined benefit pension plan is supported by the economic benefit of future contribution savings and, when that
benefit is less than the surplus, also by the future refund, net of applicable taxes, which will be unconditionally available to Syngenta when all
liabilities have been settled. At December 31, 2020, Syngenta recognized $nil (2019: $28 million) additional liability, mainly because the
projected surplus decreased due to lower discount rate assumptions (2019: mainly because the projected surplus decreased due to lower
discount rate assumptions). This additional liability represents taxes Syngenta would suffer on the portion of the projected surplus supported
by Syngenta’s refund rights. Benefit accrual for existing members of Syngenta’s main US pension plan was frozen as from December 31,
2018, as further described in Note 21 below. At December 31, 2020, Syngenta has recognized $nil (2019: $nil) of the $20 million (2019: $2
million) surplus as an asset, because without future service cost there is no economic benefit from future contribution savings, and US
pension regulations do not permit a refund. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, there was no surplus in Syngenta’s Swiss pension plan.
Litigation provisions
Syngenta’s accounting estimates related to provisions for litigation are disclosed in Note 19.
30
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
3. Acquisitions, divestments and other significant transactions
The following significant transactions occurred during 2020 and 2019.
2020
Acquisitions
On September 3, 2020, Syngenta purchased a privately held corn seed business from a Chinese breeder and other related third parties. The
acquisition will enable Syngenta to improve its position in China’s key spring corn market.
On October 1, 2020, Syngenta acquired 100 percent of the issued shares of Valagro S.p.A. (“Valagro”), a joint stock company incorporated in
Italy, for $596 million in cash and a final purchase price adjustment depending on net working capital value and other items transferred to be
determined in accordance with the share purchase agreement. Additional contingent consideration of $48 million was recognized, to be paid
over a three-year period to the extent Valagro’s performance for each earn-out period exceeds agreed minimum thresholds. Valagro is a
producer of innovative Biologicals with a global presence and a strong position in biostimulants and specialty nutrients. The acquisition
enables Syngenta to build a global Biologicals business, reinforcing Syngenta’s strategy to provide farmers with more complementary product
and technology choices.
On July 24, 2020, Syngenta acquired 100 percent equity interest of Woodbridge Seed, LLC, a California-based processing tomato seed
breeder. The acquisition provides an opportunity for Syngenta to enter the strategically critical global processing tomato market. On August
14, 2020, Syngenta acquired 100 percent of the shares of Winter Grain Production Solutions Pty Ltd., an entity holding 60 percent of the
shares of Selectria Investments 38 (Pty) Ltd., and the remaining 40 percent shares of Selectria Investments 38 (Pty) Ltd., giving it 100 percent
control over Sensako (Pty) Ltd., a South African research and development seeds company with a strong wheat market position. The
acquisition will accelerate Syngenta’s entry into the South African seeds market and provide a platform to accelerate the introduction of
Syngenta’s Viptera trait technology into South Africa. On December 3, 2020, Syngenta acquired 100 percent equity interest of Progeny
Advance Genetics, Inc., a California-based lettuce breeding corporation. The acquisition provides an opportunity for Syngenta to increase its
market share in the US lettuce segment. On December 16, 2020, Syngenta acquired 100 percent equity interest of Hollar & Co., Inc., a
Colorado-based vegetable seed corporation that specializes in breeding and development of cucurbits. With this acquisition, Syngenta will
enter the mid-tier vegetable seed segment. The acquisition-date fair values of assets, liabilities and consideration for the aforementioned
acquisitions were not individually and in aggregate material, and therefore are presented in ‘Others’ in the table below. The unallocated
purchase price relates to the two acquisitions completed in December for which purchase price accounting is at an early stage.
($m)
Cash and cash equivalents
Inventories
Trade receivables and other current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Deferred tax and other non-current assets
Trade and other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets acquired
Purchase price
Goodwill
Unallocated purchase price
Cash flow from these acquisitions was as follows:
($m)
Total cash paid
Net cash acquired
Net cash outflow
Corn seed
business
Valagro
Others
-
-
-
-
81
-
-
-
81
90
9
-
46
45
50
51
289
7
(100)
(88)
300
622
322
-
4
14
1
12
60
-
(1)
(9)
81
86
5
45
Corn seed
business
15
-
15
Valagro
Others
278
(46)
232
75
(4)
71
Total
50
59
51
63
430
7
(101)
(97)
462
798
336
45
Total
368
(50)
318
Deferred consideration payments of $397 million are included within Current financial debt and other financial liabilities and $41 million are
included in Financial debt and other non-current liabilities. Payments of deferred consideration related to acquisitions completed in prior
periods were not material.
For the Valagro acquisition, amounts included in the 2020 consolidated income statement were sales of $58 million and net profit of $4 million.
The net profit includes both the purchase accounting impacts of $4 million for reversal of inventory step up and $5 million of amortization of
intangible assets. The amounts that would be included in a 2020 consolidated income statement on a pro forma basis, as though the
acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2020, are estimated sales of $189 million and net losses of $3 million. For the other acquisitions the
amounts are not material.
In addition to the acquisitions shown in the table above, on August 31, 2020, Syngenta completed the acquisition of a manufacturing facility in
Muttenz, Switzerland from Novartis Pharma Schweizerhalle AG, a subsidiary of Novartis International AG, by acquiring the manufacturing
assets and transferring employees. The facility will provide additional capacity to support the early launch phase of new active ingredients
coming through Syngenta’s research and development pipeline. Syngenta acquired the facility for a nominal consideration as Novartis had
decided to close the facility and through this transaction could avoid significant costs of supporting and ultimately demolishing an idle building,
31
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
dismantling equipment and reducing the workforce. Based on the valuation of the facility, Syngenta recognized a gain on purchase of $107
million, net of a provision for demolition of $9 million and pension liabilities of $11 million, in Gains on acquisitions and divestments for 2020.
On December 1, 2020, Syngenta acquired the remaining 3.7 percent shareholding in Syngenta India Ltd. which it did not already own. The
consideration was $39 million in cash.
2019
Acquisitions
On June 6, 2019, Syngenta acquired the cyclamen flowers business of Varinova, a specialized breeding company based in the Netherlands,
in order to enhance Syngenta’s portfolio and breeding pipeline.
On August 30, 2019, Syngenta acquired The Cropio Group, an agricultural technology company with a primary focus in Eastern Europe. The
Cropio platform is an equipment-integrated, end-to-end software solution that provides imaging, recordkeeping, and equipment tracking.
Significant opportunities for collaboration across Syngenta’s other digital agriculture platforms are expected.
The acquisition-date fair values of assets, liabilities and consideration for these 2019 business combinations are immaterial, both individually
and in aggregate.
On November 1, 2019, Syngenta obtained control of Sanbei Seeds Co. Ltd., China (“Sanbei”), a former associate in which Syngenta has held
a 49 percent equity ownership since 2008, for no consideration, as a result of the transactions and agreements involving China National
Agrochemical Corporation (CNAC), a ChemChina group subsidiary and a related party of Syngenta. Due to Syngenta’s previous 49 percent
non-controlling ownership interest in Sanbei, the acquisition is considered to have occurred in stages, requiring Syngenta to fair value its
existing Sanbei investment immediately prior to the acquisition date. This resulted in a reduction in the carrying value of the investment value
in Sanbei by $8 million, with a corresponding loss recognized in Restructuring in the income statement. During 2020, the assets and liabilities
recognized, which were provisional at December 31, 2019, have been finalized as follows:
($m)
Cash and cash equivalents
Inventories
Trade receivables and other current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Deferred tax and other non-current assets
Trade and other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets acquired
Fair value of non-controlling interest
Fair value of 49 percent equity interest previously held by Syngenta
Goodwill
Total
25
25
1
23
30
10
(35)
(5)
74
44
33
3
The changes in fair values of the net assets acquired and goodwill recognized are not considered material to the 2019 consolidated financial
statements and therefore the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 has not been restated.
Cash flow from acquisitions amounted to a net $8 million cash inflow due to the acquired cash and cash equivalents of Sanbei Seeds with no
corresponding outflow for consideration, offset by the cash consideration for Cropio and the Varinova cyclamen business and deferred
consideration payments on acquisitions completed in prior years.
Divestment of remedy assets
On January 3, 2019, Syngenta divested certain crop protection products in India, pursuant to commitments given to the Indian antitrust
authority Competition Commission of India relating to ChemChina’s acquisition of Syngenta. The gain on this disposal was $28 million. The
proceeds are reported as Proceeds from disposals of intangible and financial assets in the consolidated cash flow statement. With this
transaction, Syngenta has completed all remedy divestments it committed to make in connection with ChemChina’s acquisition of Syngenta.
Sale and leaseback transactions
On January 3, 2019, Syngenta completed the sale and leaseback transaction for the remaining buildings and land at its Basel site which were
not disposed of in 2018. The total gain on this 2019 disposal was $128 million, of which $87 million is recognized as a gain at the disposal
date and $41 million, corresponding to the value of the retained leaseback, is deferred in accordance with IFRS 16, through reduction in the
amount recognized for the right-of-use asset, and is being amortized over a 10-year period from the disposal date. The proceeds are reported
as Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment in the consolidated cash flow statement.
During December 2019, as part of Syngenta’s real estate portfolio monetization strategy, Syngenta completed a sale and leaseback
transaction for two of its global research and development sites. The sale of the sites resulted in $19 million aggregate divestment gains and
$238 million cash inflows, reported as Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment, together with the recognition of $202 million
of lease liabilities, of which $119 million is repayable over 30 years and $83 million is repayable over 20 years, and $90 million right-of-use
assets, of which $69 million will be depreciated over 30 years and $21 million over 20 years.
32
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
4. Segmental breakdown of key figures for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Syngenta has five operating segments consisting of the Crop Core, Professional Solutions, Field Crops, Vegetables and Flowers businesses.
These have been aggregated into the global Crop Protection reporting segment, consisting of Crop Core and Professional Solutions, and the
global Seeds reporting segment, consisting of Field Crops, Vegetables and Flowers. Aggregation is based on internal management structures
and underlying economic similarity. Crop Core and Professional Solutions have been aggregated because the similarities in their products,
production processes, distribution methods and regulatory environments are much more significant than the differences in the market
segments to which their respective customer bases sell, and they each have similar economic performance. Field Crops, Vegetables and
Flowers have been aggregated because the extensive similarities which each of these businesses has with the others in their products and
customers, their production and distribution processes and the regulatory environment for their products are much more significant than their
respective differences, which relate to regulatory processes for GM traits used in certain Field Crops products and to the differences in a
proportion of their respective customer bases. Also, the economic performance of these businesses is expected to be similar. Segment
performance is managed based on segment operating income before restructuring costs and divestments, which is the measure of segment
profit or loss presented, and is based on the same accounting policies as consolidated operating income.
Transactions between segments are generally priced based on the third party selling prices achieved by the purchasing segment less an
allowance for selling and distribution profit margins for the purchasing segment.
2020 ($m)
Product sales - to third parties
Royalty and license income - from third parties
Total segment sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Marketing and distribution
Research and development
General and administrative:
Restructuring
Gains on acquisitions and divestments
Other general and administrative
Operating income
Included in the above operating income are:
Personnel costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and
right-of-use assets
Amortization of intangible assets
Impairment of property, plant and equipment, right-of-
use, intangible and financial assets
Other non-cash items including charges in respect of
provisions
Gains on hedges reported in operating income
Crop Protection
Seeds Total segments
11,069
25
11,094
(6,408)
4,686
(1,486)
(577)
‐
‐
(462)
2,161
2,923
270
3,193
(1,699)
1,494
(724)
(392)
‐
‐
(244)
134
13,992
295
14,287
(8,107)
6,180
(2,210)
(969)
‐
‐
(706)
2,295
Restructuring
‐
‐
‐
(6)
(6)
‐
‐
(291)
109
‐
(188)
Syngenta
13,992
295
14,287
(8,113)
6,174
(2,210)
(969)
(291)
109
(706)
2,107
(2,081)
(983)
(3,064)
(50)
(3,114)
(308)
(130)
-
(90)
69
(131)
(124)
-
4
6
(439)
(254)
-
(86)
75
-
-
(112)
63
-
Operating income reconciles to consolidated income before taxes as follows:
2020 ($m)
Operating income
Financial expense, net
Income before taxes
(439)
(254)
(112)
(23)
75
2,107
(497)
1,610
33
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
2019 ($m)
Product sales - to third parties
Royalty and license income - from third parties
Total segment sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Marketing and distribution
Research and development
General and administrative:
Restructuring
Gains on acquisitions and divestments
Other general and administrative
Operating income
Included in the above operating income are:
Personnel costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and
right-of-use assets
Amortization of intangible assets
Impairment of property, plant and equipment, right-of-
use, intangible and financial assets
Other non-cash items including charges in respect of
provisions
Gains/(losses) on hedges reported in operating
income
Crop Protection
Seeds
Total segments
10,492
7
10,499
(5,723)
4,776
(1,503)
(546)
‐
88
(616)
2,199
2,795
288
3,083
(1,659)
1,424
(736)
(372)
‐
18
(269)
65
13,287
295
13,582
(7,382)
6,200
(2,239)
(918)
‐
106
(885)
2,264
Restructuring
‐
‐
‐
(1)
(1)
‐
‐
(364)
28
‐
Syngenta
13,287
295
13,582
(7,383)
6,199
(2,239)
(918)
(364)
134
(885)
(337)
1,927
(2,008)
(869)
(2,877)
(39)
(2,916)
(287)
(129)
-
(6)
23
(125)
(121)
-
(10)
(7)
(412)
(250)
-
(16)
16
-
-
(162)
(54)
-
Operating income reconciles to consolidated income before taxes as follows:
2019 ($m)
Operating income
Income from associates and joint ventures
Financial expense, net
Income before taxes
The analysis of revenue by major product line for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
($m)
Selective herbicides
Non-selective herbicides
Fungicides
Insecticides
Seedcare
Professional solutions
Biologicals
Other crop protection
Total Crop Protection before interbusiness eliminations
Elimination of Crop Protection sales to Seeds
Total Crop Protection
Corn and soybean
Diverse field crops
Other seeds
Vegetables
Flowers
Total Seeds
Total Syngenta
2020
2,831
953
3,438
2,098
1,205
475
58
150
11,208
(114)
11,094
1,706
635
5
653
194
(412)
(250)
(162)
(70)
16
1,927
1
(425)
1,503
2019
2,619
919
3,269
2,065
1,128
470
‐
118
10,588
(89)
10,499
1,632
619
12
621
199
3,193
14,287
3,083
13,582
34
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
The analysis of revenue by primary geographical market for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
($m)
Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME)
North America
Latin America
Asia Pacific
Total sales
2020
4,053
3,533
4,474
2,227
2019
3,953
3,355
4,234
2,040
14,287
13,582
Summarized additional information on the nature of expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
($m)
Salaries, short-term employee benefits and other personnel expense
Pension and other post-employment benefit expense
Total personnel costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets
Amortization of intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets
2020
2,941
173
3,114
439
30
254
82
2019
2,761
155
2,916
412
110
250
52
5. Regional breakdown of key figures for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
The following countries individually accounted for more than 5 percent of one or more of the respective Syngenta totals for the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019.
($m, except %)
Sales1
Total non-current assets2
Country
Argentina
Brazil
Switzerland
UK
USA
Rest of world
Total
1 Sales by location of third party customer
2 Excluding deferred tax assets, defined benefit pension assets and derivative financial assets
2019
588
2,905
54
175
2,932
6,928
13,582
2020
682
2,945
48
139
3,085
7,388
14,287
%
5
21
-
1
22
51
100
%
4
22
-
1
22
51
100
2020
533
809
3,243
629
2,152
2,492
9,858
%
5
8
33
6
22
26
100
2019
541
958
2,712
547
1,956
1,817
8,531
%
6
11
32
6
23
22
100
No single customer accounted for 10 percent or more of Syngenta’s total sales.
35
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
6. Restructuring
Restructuring for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, broken down into the main restructuring initiatives, consists of the following:
($m)
Accelerating operational leverage and other productivity programs:
2020
2019
Cash costs
Charged to provisions
Expensed as incurred
Acquisition, divestment and related costs:
Cash costs
Charged to provisions
Other, expensed as incurred
Non-cash items
Other restructuring:
Cash costs
Non-cash costs and other non-current asset impairments
Total restructuring
29
26
10
45
6
51
130
297
36
25
3
42
9
73
177
365
In 2020, $6 million for the reversal of inventory step ups reported on acquisitions is presented within Cost of goods sold in the consolidated
income statement (2019: $1 million). The other costs above for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are presented within
Restructuring in the consolidated income statement.
Analysis of restructuring costs
2020
Accelerating operational leverage and other productivity programs
Cash costs of $55 million, including $28 million of severance charges, were incurred for productivity initiatives consisting of $26 million
incurred to better align the organization in EAME with the business strategies, $10 million for system projects, including digital tools and
automation initiatives and an upgraded financial reporting and analytics platform and $19 million across a number of individually small
initiatives driving operational efficiencies.
Acquisition, divestment and related costs
Cash costs include $24 million incurred for merger and acquisition projects and other transaction costs, $17 million incurred for integration
projects and $14 million of costs related to the formation of the Syngenta Group, described in Note 14, consisting of communications,
consultancy and project management office expenses. Non-cash costs are the reversal of inventory step-ups reported on acquisitions.
Other restructuring
Other cash costs consist of $21 million related to the closure of a manufacturing site in the USA announced in June 2019, $10 million related
to transitioning the acquired manufacturing facility described in Note 3 to optimal capacity and $9 million to provide for a Seeds development
contract where forecasted demand is less than minimum future commitments. Further costs of $11 million were incurred for strategic
alignment, mainly in the Seeds business.
Other non-current asset impairments consist of $13 million for capitalized development costs, $17 million for capitalized agreements related to
a seed technology where future value is expected to be lower than previous projections due to reduced market; $23 million to write off the
value of a collaboration agreement where the value of the development project has proven too costly to pursue, $18 million to write down
unusable inventories acquired in previous acquisition transactions, $43 million of tangible, intangible and right-of-use asset impairments
related to assets disposed or transferred to held-for-sale, and $16 million for other smaller impairments where asset values are not supported
by future business plans.
2019
Accelerating operational leverage and other productivity programs
Cash costs of $61 million, including $36 million of severance and pension charges, $12 million of consultancy and external services costs and
$4 million for information systems projects, were incurred for the completion of projects started under the Accelerating Operational Leverage
program and further productivity initiatives to simplify the layers of management, including at the global headquarters.
Acquisition, divestment and related costs
Cash costs for acquisition and related integration costs include $20 million for merger and acquisition projects and other transaction costs and
$25 million for integration projects, particularly related to the Nidera acquisition completed in 2018. Non-cash costs include $8 million for the
loss incurred to acquire control of Sanbei Seeds, previously an Associate (see Note 14), and $1 million for the reversal of inventory step ups
reported on acquisitions.
Other restructuring
Cash costs consist of $39 million related to the closure of a manufacturing site in the USA announced in June 2019, including charges to
provide for environmental remediation and severance, $24 million to provide for a seeds processing contract where forecast demand is less
than minimum future commitments and $10 million of costs incurred to relocate the Seeds operations in the USA.
Other non-current asset impairments consist of $92 million for property, plant and equipment and $15 million for maintenance spares and
other unusable inventories at the closing manufacturing site in the USA; $41 million for capitalized agreements related to a seed technology
36
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
where future value is expected to be lower than previous projections due to increasing competition and a reduced market; $17 million for sites
that are expected to be sold during 2020 (see Note 9); $10 million for a licensing agreement that has been terminated, and $2 million of other
small impairments.
7. Income taxes
Income before taxes for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 consists of the following:
($m)
Switzerland
Foreign
Total income before taxes
2020
930
680
2019
952
551
1,610
1,503
Income tax (expense)/benefit on income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 consists of the following:
2020
2019
($m)
Current income tax (expense):
Switzerland
Foreign
Total current income tax (expense)
Deferred income tax (expense)/benefit:
Switzerland
Foreign
Total deferred income tax benefit
Total income tax (expense)/benefit:
Switzerland
Foreign
Total income tax (expense):
The components of current income tax (expense)/benefit on income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are:
($m)
Current tax (expense) relating to current years
Adjustments to current tax for prior periods
Total current income tax (expense)
2020
(322)
76
(246)
The components of deferred income tax (expense)/benefit on income the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are:
($m)
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Changes in tax rates or legislation
Other adjustments to deferred tax for prior periods
Utilization of tax losses previously recognized as deferred tax assets
Benefit of previously unrecognized deferred tax assets
Non-recognition of deferred tax assets
Total deferred income tax benefit
2020
111
(9)
(18)
(41)
28
(13)
58
(61)
(185)
(246)
(73)
131
58
(134)
(54)
(188)
(104)
(235)
(339)
170
122
292
66
(113)
(47)
2019
(361)
22
(339)
2019
152
180
(21)
(10)
35
(44)
292
37
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
OCI and Income tax relating thereto, for each component of equity, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or
loss:
Fair value reserves: Equity investments
at fair value through OCI
Retained earnings: Actuarial
gains/(losses)
Items that may be reclassified to profit or
loss:
Fair value reserves: Cash flow and net
investment hedges
Currency translation effects
Total
2020
2019
Pre-tax
Tax
Post-tax
Pre-tax
Tax
Post-tax
(5)
(89)
(39)
(522)
(655)
(1)
25
(40)
‐
(16)
(6)
(64)
(79)
(522)
(671)
9
(45)
(54)
(174)
(264)
(2)
(51)
61
(14)
(6)
7
(96)
7
(188)
(270)
In 2019, due to the enacted Swiss tax rate change (as referred to in Note 2), there is a $70 million unfavorable deferred tax impact within OCI
related to pension actuarial losses charged to OCI.
Income tax (charges)/credits recognized in OCI on cash flow and net investment hedges were $(37) million (2019: $63 million). Income tax
charges/(credits) reclassified to profit or loss were $(3) million (2019: $(2) million).
No income tax was (charged)/credited to shareholder’s equity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Analysis of tax rate
The table below presents the main elements causing Syngenta’s effective tax rate to differ from the statutory tax rate for the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019. Syngenta’s statutory tax rate consists of the ordinary tax rate applicable in the canton of Basel Stadt, where
Syngenta is headquartered. Syngenta applies the domestic Swiss tax rate as it believes this is more meaningful than using a weighted
average tax rate.
The Swiss domestic rate applicable in the canton of Basel Stadt is 13 percent and has been used for the tax rate reconciliation (2019: 13
percent).
Statutory tax rate
Effect of income taxed at different rates
Effect of other disallowed expenditures and income not subject to tax
Tax deduction for amortization and impairments not recognized for IFRS
Effect of changes in tax rates and laws on previously recognized deferred tax assets and liabilities
Effect of recognition of previously unrecognized deferred tax assets
Effect of recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses
Changes in prior year estimates and other items
Effect of non-recognition of deferred tax assets
Effective tax rate
2020 %
13
3
(3)
(1)
1
(2)
(2)
2
1
12
2019 %
13
1
(3)
‐
(12)
(2)
(1)
4
3
3
Effect of income taxed at different rates includes rate differences from the domestic Swiss tax rate attributable to income generated from in
market distributor companies which are taxable at higher rates.
Changes to prior year income tax estimates and other tax items increased the tax rate by 2 percent in 2020. The CARES Act, a law intended
to address the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, came into effect on March 27, 2020. Among many other provisions, the
CARES Act increases the tax deduction for net operating losses from 80 percent to 100 percent for 2018, 2019, and 2020 and allows net
operating losses from 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to up to five years, resulting in retroactive tax refunds, decreasing the tax rate
by 2 percent in 2020.
In 2019, effect of changes in tax rates and laws on previously recognized deferred tax assets and liabilities includes among other effects a
$195 million deferred tax benefit as a result of the remeasurement of deferred tax liabilities in Switzerland due to the enacted Swiss tax rate
change.
38
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
The movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:
2020 ($m)
Assets associated with:
Inventories
Accounts receivable
Pensions and employee costs
Provisions
Unused tax losses and tax credits
Financial instruments, including
derivatives
Other
Deferred tax assets
Liabilities associated with:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Inventories
Financial instruments, including
derivatives
Other provisions and accruals
Other
Deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)
January 1
Recognized in
net income
Recognized in
equity and OCI
Currency
translation
effects
Other
movements and
acquisitions
December 31
464
281
118
439
89
35
73
1,499
(232)
(363)
(155)
(24)
(249)
(67)
(1,090)
409
138
14
(15)
4
(10)
11
14
156
6
(39)
16
(36)
(28)
(17)
(98)
58
‐
‐
25
‐
‐
4
‐
29
‐
‐
‐
(1)
‐
‐
(1)
28
(68)
(27)
8
(2)
(5)
(2)
(5)
(101)
(2)
8
14
4
(13)
‐
11
(90)
(1)
‐
‐
5
(1)
‐
‐
3
‐
(91)
‐
‐
‐
‐
(91)
(88)
533
268
136
446
73
48
82
1,586
(228)
(485)
(125)
(57)
(290)
(84)
(1,269)
317
The movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2019 are as follows:
2019 ($m)
Assets associated with:
Inventories
Accounts receivable
Pensions and employee costs
Provisions
Unused tax losses and tax credits
Financial instruments, including
derivatives
Other
Deferred tax assets
Liabilities associated with:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Inventories
Financial instruments, including
derivatives
Other provisions and accruals
Other
Deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)
January 1
Recognized in net
income
Recognized in
equity and OCI
Currency
translation effects
Other
movements and
acquisitions
December 31
362
253
132
469
101
16
51
1,384
(299)
(405)
(115)
(49)
(279)
(56)
(1,203)
181
134
46
38
(28)
(10)
19
22
221
68
20
(39)
‐
32
(10)
71
292
(14)
‐
(51)
‐
‐
‐
‐
(65)
(1)
‐
‐
25
‐
‐
24
(41)
(18)
(18)
(1)
(2)
(2)
‐
‐
(41)
‐
21
(1)
‐
(2)
(1)
17
(24)
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
1
‐
‐
‐
‐
1
1
464
281
118
439
89
35
73
1,499
(232)
(363)
(155)
(24)
(249)
(67)
(1,090)
409
39
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
The deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2020 and 2019 reconcile to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet
as follows:
($m)
Deferred tax assets
Adjustment to offset deferred tax assets and liabilities 1
Adjusted deferred tax assets
2020
1,586
(280)
1,306
2019
1,499
(312)
1,187
Deferred tax liabilities
Adjustment to offset deferred tax assets and liabilities 1
Adjusted deferred tax liabilities
1 Deferred tax assets and liabilities relating to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on the same taxable entity or on entities which intend to settle current tax assets
and liabilities on a net basis or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously are offset for presentation on the face of the consolidated balance sheet where a legal
right of set-off exists
(1,090)
(989)
(778)
280
312
(1,269)
The gross value at December 31, 2020 and 2019 of unused tax loss carry forwards and other deductible temporary differences for which no
deferred tax asset has been recognized, by expiration date, is as follows:
($m)
One year
Two years
Three years
Four years
Five years
More than five years
No expiry
Total
2020
2019
1
‐
2
2
4
11
182
202
5
‐
‐
1
1
10
173
190
The above losses for 2020 and 2019 consist mainly of Brazil, UK and Belgium tax loss carry forwards.
A $252 million (2019: $367 million) temporary difference for deferred deduction of interest paid in one jurisdiction had not been recognized.
Deferred tax assets, other than those related to unused tax losses, are not subject to expiry except as follows:
A $86 million (2019: $54 million) unrecognized tax credit carry forward in one jurisdiction will expire in more than five years
A deferred tax liability has not been recognized at December 31, 2020 and 2019 on the following items:
($m)
Temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries
2020
509
2019
873
There are no income tax consequences for Syngenta of paying a dividend to its shareholder.
8. Trade and other accounts receivable
Trade receivables at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
Trade receivables, gross
Provision for doubtful trade receivables
Trade receivables, net
2020
4,782
(468)
4,314
2019
4,823
(465)
4,358
40
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Information relating to Syngenta’s credit risk exposure at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and movements in the provision for expected credit
losses (ECL) on trade and other receivables and amortized cost financial assets in accordance with IFRS 9 for the years ended December
31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
Maximum exposure to credit risk
Collateral held
Impairment provisions
January 1
Additions due to business acquisitions
Amounts credited/(charged) to income
Amounts written off
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
2020
2019
12-month ECL
584
-
Lifetime ECL
(collectively
assessed)
4,782
104
12-month ECL
545
-
Lifetime ECL
(collectively
assessed)
4,823
170
(5)
-
-
-
-
(5)
(465)
(3)
(62)
27
35
(468)
(7)
-
-
2
-
(5)
(375)
-
(106)
18
(2)
(465)
Carrying value, net
579
4,314
540
4,358
The analysis of gross carrying amount by internal rating grades for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
($m)
Amounts not yet due
Amounts past due:
0-90 days
90-180 days
180 days-1 year
More than 1 year
Maximum exposure to credit risk
2020
2019
Lifetime ECL
(collectively
assessed)
4,033
Lifetime ECL
(collectively
assessed)
3,890
281
70
252
146
4,782
363
102
248
220
4,823
The carrying amount of trade receivables includes $23 million (2019: $29 million) that are due more than one year from the balance sheet
date.
The carrying amount of trade receivables transferred in full and partial recourse factoring arrangements, but not derecognized is $71 million
(2019: $66 million). Related current liabilities of $55 million (2019: $58 million) are disclosed in Note 16 and related non-current liabilities of $16
million (2019: $8 million) are included within Liabilities to banks and other financial institutions in Note 18. The amount of these receivables
before the transfer transactions was $69 million (2019: $66 million).
9. Other current assets
Other current assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
Prepaid expenses
Assets held under barter agreements
Other
Assets held for sale
Combined total
2020
316
59
5
27
407
2019
271
50
3
29
353
Assets held for sale at December 31, 2020 and 2019 relate to various sites planned for disposal under integration and site rationalization
plans. During 2020, $2 million of divestment gains were recognized on sale of three sites held for sale at December 31, 2019.
41
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
10. Inventories
Inventories at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
Raw materials and consumables
Biological assets
Work in progress
Finished products
Total
2020
526
39
2,258
2,611
5,434
2019
598
39
1,972
2,364
4,973
Finished products include $175 million (2019: $150 million) of inventory held by customers under a sale with a right of return.
Movements in inventory write-downs for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
January 1
Additions charged to income
Reversals of inventory write-downs
Amounts utilized on disposal of related inventories
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
2020
(352)
(247)
45
175
31
2019
(308)
(262)
22
178
18
(348)
(352)
Reversals of inventory write-downs arise in the normal course of business when actual outcomes are more favorable than assumptions made
in prior periods about Syngenta’s future ability to sell inventories that are subject to risks of degradation and obsolescence, such as
germination of seeds.
Movements in biological assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows.
($m)
January 1
Changes in fair value
Additions to cost
Sales and harvest
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
Of which: carried at fair value less costs to sell
2020
39
130
6
2019
37
132
9
(138)
(138)
2
39
39
(1)
39
37
Syngenta’s inputs for measuring the fair value of those assets that are carried at fair value less costs to sell include both market data from
actual sales and inputs based on the stage of growth of immature assets, which is not observable in the market. The fair values therefore
represent a level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy as defined by IFRS 13. Their sensitivity to changes in the unobservable inputs is
not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Quantities of biological assets in inventories at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are:
(Millions of plants)
Plants
Cuttings
(Thousands of hectares cultivated)
Growing crops
2020
2019
61
588
68
559
1
1
42
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
11. Property, plant and equipment
Movements in property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:
2020 ($m)
Cost
January 1
Additions
Additions due to acquisitions
Disposals
Transfers between categories
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
January 1
Depreciation charge
Impairment losses
Depreciation on disposals
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
Net book value – December 31
Land
Buildings
Machinery and
equipment
Assets under
construction
122
1,963
5,248
‐
2
(3)
‐
‐
121
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
121
32
66
(27)
63
48
2,145
(1,019)
(66)
(9)
22
(57)
(1,129)
1,016
188
112
(94)
178
217
5,849
(3,449)
(262)
(7)
85
(147)
(3,780)
2,069
412
337
10
(9)
(241)
5
514
(26)
‐
(7)
4
‐
(29)
485
Total
7,745
557
190
(133)
‐
270
8,629
(4,494)
(328)
(23)
111
(204)
(4,938)
3,691
Additions to property, plant and equipment of $557 million (2019: $523 million) comprise $555 million (2019: $521 million) of cash purchases
and $2 million (2019: $2 million) of capitalized borrowing costs.
Movements in property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:
2019 ($m)
Cost
January 1
Reclassified on implementation of IFRS 16
Additions
Additions due to acquisitions
Disposals
Classified as held-for-sale
Transfers between categories
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
January 1
Reclassified on implementation of IFRS 16
Depreciation charge
Impairment losses
Depreciation on disposals
Classified as held-for-sale
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
Net book value – December 31
Land
Buildings
Machinery and
equipment
Assets under
construction
156
‐
‐
1
(4)
(23)
‐
(8)
122
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
122
2,065
5,154
(9)
49
6
(232)
(20)
106
(2)
(116)
185
6
(155)
(11)
142
43
1,963
5,248
(1,088)
(3,311)
1
(69)
(25)
140
19
3
61
(246)
(59)
122
8
(24)
(1,019)
944
(3,449)
1,799
386
‐
289
‐
(1)
‐
(248)
(14)
412
‐
‐
‐
(26)
‐
‐
‐
(26)
386
Total
7,761
(125)
523
13
(392)
(54)
‐
19
7,745
(4,399)
62
(315)
(110)
262
27
(21)
(4,494)
3,251
43
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
12. Intangible assets
Movements in intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:
2020 ($m)
Cost
January 1
Additions from business combinations
Additions from internal development
Other additions
Retirements and disposals
Currency translation effects
December 31
Accumulated amortization and
impairment losses
January 1
Amortization charge
Impairment losses
Retirements and disposals
Currency translation effects
December 31
Net book value – December 31
Product
Goodwill
rights Trademarks
Patents
Software
Capitalized
developme
nt costs
Other
intangibles
2,470
336
3,431
252
‐
‐
‐
(27)
‐
71
(13)
124
2,779
3,865
159
67
‐
1
(4)
(11)
212
42
577
‐
‐
‐
‐
3
2
‐
28
(4)
47
362
‐
364
‐
‐
44
720
109
‐
4
‐
(6)
45
650
770
827
9,148
Total
7,761
766
364
104
(21)
174
(271)
(2,499)
(57)
(30)
‐
(2)
‐
(6)
(143)
(45)
13
(90)
(279)
(2,764)
2,500
1,101
(9)
(4)
4
(1)
(67)
145
(2)
‐
‐
(2)
(34)
11
(404)
(55)
‐
4
(36)
(491)
159
‐
(5)
(13)
‐
(1)
(19)
751
(299)
(3,560)
(40)
(18)
‐
(10)
(254)
(82)
21
(146)
(367)
(4,021)
460
5,127
Additions in 2020 and 2019 include intangible assets arising from license agreements involving non-monetary exchanges or where the cash
flows related to the acquisition of the asset are payable over several years. Cash paid to acquire and develop intangible assets was $454
million (2019: $408 million).
Amortization is included within Cost of goods sold, Research and development and General and administrative expenses.
Other intangibles consist principally of values assigned to supply contracts, production know-how and customer relationships acquired in
business combinations.
Movements in intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:
Product
Goodwill
rights Trademarks
Patents
Software
Capitalized
development
costs
Other
intangibles
2019 ($m)
Cost
January 1
Additions from business combinations
Additions from internal development
Additions
Retirements and disposals
Currency translation effects
December 31
Accumulated amortization and
impairment losses
January 1
Amortization charge
Impairment losses
Retirements and disposals
Currency translation effects
December 31
2,486
13
‐
‐
‐
(29)
3,451
1
‐
13
(31)
(3)
2,470
3,431
162
1
‐
‐
‐
(4)
159
40
‐
‐
1
‐
1
42
562
2
‐
14
(7)
6
577
(2,345)
(49)
(28)
(353)
(271)
‐
‐
‐
‐
(271)
(150)
(10)
10
(4)
(2,499)
(8)
‐
‐
‐
(57)
102
(2)
‐
‐
‐
(30)
12
(53)
(1)
7
(4)
(404)
173
‐
‐
362
‐
‐
‐
362
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
Total
7,386
57
362
32
(40)
(36)
685
40
‐
4
(2)
(7)
720
7,761
(223)
(3,269)
(37)
(41)
1
1
(250)
(52)
18
(7)
(299)
(3,560)
Net book value – December 31
2,199
932
362
421
4,201
44
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
The net book value at December 31, 2020 and 2019 of goodwill is allocated to Syngenta’s operating segments and other CGUs
as summarized below:
($m)
Allocated to operating segments:
Crop Core
Professional Solutions
Field Crops
Vegetables
Flowers
Total allocated to operating segments
Allocated to other individual CGUs:
North America Corn and Soybean seed
Corn and Soybean seed rest of world
Other, not individually significant
Total allocated to other individual CGUs
Total goodwill
2020
2019
1,276
40
23
67
15
1,421
316
457
306
1,079
2,500
943
39
24
67
14
1,087
316
502
294
1,112
2,199
The total amount of goodwill attributable to the Field Crops operating segment is $949 million (2019: $988 million), consisting of $23 million
(2019: $24 million) allocated at the operating segment level and a further $926 million (2019: $964 million) allocated to other individual CGUs
that form part of the overall operating segment as follows: Corn and Soybean seed rest of world $457 million (2019: $502 million), North
America Corn and Soybean seed $316 million (2019: $316 million) and $153 million (2019: $146 million) allocated to Other, not individually
significant CGUs.
The total amount of goodwill attributable to the Crop Core operating segment is $1,429 million (2019: $1,091 million), consisting of $1,276
million (2019: $943 million) allocated at the operating segment level and a further $153 million (2019: $148 million) allocated to Other, not
individually significant CGUs that form part of the overall operating segment.
13. Financial and other non-current assets
Financial and other non-current assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:
($m)
Equity securities at fair value through OCI
Precious metal catalysts
Royalties receivable
Long-term marketable securities
Other non-current receivables
Post-employment benefit assets (Note 21)
Long-term derivative financial assets (Note 25)
Total financial and other non-current assets
2020
151
42
106
18
160
81
236
794
2019
140
44
125
31
163
68
37
608
45
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
14. Associates, Joint ventures and transactions and agreements with related parties
Associates and joint ventures
Investments in associates and joint ventures at December 31, 2020 are $168 million (2019: $147 million).
None of Syngenta’s investments in associates and joint ventures are publicly quoted. At December 31, 2020, these investments consist
mainly of $128 million (2019: $113 million) for a 50 percent ownership of the joint venture CIMO Compagnie Industrielle de Monthey SA,
Switzerland (CIMO), which provides utility services to Syngenta and other occupants of the Monthey manufacturing site and $34 million (2019:
$30 million) for a 40 percent ownership of the associate Maisadour Semences SA, France (Maisadour). Maisadour produces and sells seeds,
with Syngenta being one of Maisadour’s customers.
As described in Note 3, effective November 1, 2019, Syngenta obtained control of Sanbei, a former associate in which Syngenta has held a
49 percent equity ownership since 2008. Accordingly, Sanbei is now considered to be a subsidiary of Syngenta and Syngenta began to
consolidate it from November 1, 2019.
During 2020, Syngenta’s share of CIMO’s actuarial gains recognized in OCI is $4 million (2019: losses of $4 million). Other effects on
Syngenta’s consolidated income statement for the periods presented, or any financial statement line items of the above associates and joint
ventures themselves, are not material.
Transactions between Syngenta and its associates and joint ventures during the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Goods and services provided by Syngenta to its associates and joint ventures $5 million (2019: $6 million)
Goods and services provided by associates and joint ventures to Syngenta $85 million (2019: $73 million)
At December 31, 2020 Syngenta has accounts receivable and accrued income from associates and joint ventures of $3 million (2019: $nil)
and accrued liabilities to associates and joint ventures of $12 million (2019: $4 million).
A bank overdraft guarantee of $11 million (2019: $6 million) has been provided to an associate.
On November 12, 2013 Syngenta agreed to advance EUR 9 million ($11 million at December 31, 2020 currency translation rates) to
Maisadour for a minimum of 7 years to help finance the planned expansion of corn seed processing capacity in Maisadour Ukraine LLC, a
subsidiary of Maisadour, which is a supplier of corn seeds to Syngenta. This current account advance will be made in instalments when called
by Maisadour and bears a market rate of interest. At December 31, 2020 the balance outstanding was $7 million (2019: $7 million) and
Syngenta and Maisadour were in discussions to agree timelines for repayment. By a deed between Syngenta, Maisadour and the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), repayment of the principal is subordinated to a loan between the EBRD and Maisadour
Ukraine LLC which is guaranteed by Maisadour.
Key management personnel
Key management personnel are considered to be the members of the Syngenta Executive Team and the Board of Directors. Their
compensation is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
($m)
Fees, salaries and other short-term benefits
Post-employment benefits
Payments to end of contractual notice period
Total
2020
40
1
3
44
2019
27
1
-
28
Members of the Syngenta Executive Team and Board of Directors receive their cash compensation in Swiss francs, except one member of
the Executive Team who is based in the US and is paid in US dollars. The compensation amounts presented above have been converted into
US dollars using the average currency exchange rate in effect during each year reported. The average Swiss franc per US dollar exchange
rate for the year ended December 31, 2020 is 0.94 (2019: 0.99).
Post-employment benefits include healthcare, disability, death in service and pension costs.
ChemChina and its subsidiaries
The Transaction Agreement between ChemChina, its subsidiary China National Agrochemical Corporation (CNAC) and Syngenta AG
provides that four out of ten members of Syngenta’s Board of Directors shall be persons who have no affiliation with ChemChina or its
affiliates (each, an Independent Director). Certain matters will require the affirmative vote of at least two Independent Directors, including,
among others, (i) any change in the location of Syngenta’s headquarters, (ii) any raising of new debt or making of distributions which would
lower the rating of Syngenta to a level below investment grade (by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s), (iii) any reduction in Syngenta’s
Research and Development budget in any given year to a level below 80 percent of the average Research and Development spend in the
years 2012– 2015, (iv) any material change in the agricultural sustainability programs or reduction of funding of the Syngenta Foundation for
Sustainable Agriculture to a level below 80 percent of the average funding per year 2012–2015, (v) any material change to Syngenta’s Health,
Safety and Environment Policy and Standards and (vi) any material change to Syngenta’s Code of Conduct. Approval by the Independent
Directors will also be required, subject to certain exceptions, for any transaction between any member of the ChemChina group, on the one
hand, and any member of the Syngenta AG group, on the other hand, if the transaction is not made at market terms. The above corporate
governance arrangements shall remain in place until the earlier of (i) five years following the transaction and (ii) a re-listing of Syngenta shares
through an initial public offering.
46
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Syngenta Group
On January 5, 2020, ChemChina announced a planned reorganization to bring together its Crop Protection and Seeds businesses, consisting
of ChemChina’s holdings in the Syngenta AG group and in Adama Ltd., as well as major agricultural assets to be acquired from Sinochem
Group. On June 18, 2020, the parent company, Syngenta Group Co. Ltd., announced the official launch of the Syngenta Group, a new global
leader in agricultural science and innovation. The new entity, which is domiciled in China, but operationally headquartered in Switzerland,
encompasses four business units: Syngenta Crop Protection, based in Basel, Switzerland; Syngenta Seeds, based in Chicago, USA; Adama,
based in Airport City, Israel; and Syngenta Group China, based in Shanghai, China. The formation of the Syngenta Group resulted in a
significant increase in the number of entities related to the Syngenta AG consolidated group.
Transactions between the Syngenta AG consolidated group and fellow subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures of ChemChina, its ultimate
parent company, during the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Goods and services provided to fellow subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures of ChemChina $178 million (2019: $166 million)
Goods and services provided by fellow subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures of ChemChina $429 million (2019: $79 million)
At December 31, 2020, the Syngenta AG consolidated group has accounts receivable from fellow subsidiaries of ChemChina of $42 million
(2019: $36 million) and accounts payable to fellow subsidiaries of ChemChina of $18 million (2019: $22 million). A Syngenta AG subsidiary
has provided a loan guarantee to a fellow subsidiary of ChemChina for up to RMB 500 million ($77 million at December 31, 2020 exchange
rates) until November 17, 2022.
Other related party transactions
Transactions and balances between Syngenta and its employee post-retirement benefit plans are disclosed in Note 21.
15. Trade accounts payable and contract liabilities
The contractual maturities of trade accounts payable at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
2020
2019
Total
4,654
4,146
0–90 days
90–180 days
180 days–1 year
2,804
2,431
538
235
1,312
1,480
The carrying amount of trade accounts payable includes $75 million (2019: $83 million) that are due more than one year from the balance
sheet date.
Trade accounts payable include $212 million (2019: $33 million) other payables arising from reverse factoring arrangements between
suppliers and financial institutions. Syngenta has presented these under trade accounts payable because they represent liabilities to pay for
goods and services, formally agreed with suppliers and are part of the normal operating cycle.
Included within trade accounts payable are rebates payable and provisions for sales returns. Movements in these liabilities with customers for
the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
January 1
Changes in liabilities recognized in the period from:
Products supplied in the period
Changes in prior period estimates
Rebates settled and product returns received
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
2020
1,847
3,257
(104)
(2,915)
(62)
2,023
Contract liabilities consist of advance payments from customers and deferred revenue, mainly from customer loyalty programs.
Movements in contract liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
January 1
Advance payments received from customers
Performance obligations recognized in the period
Revenue recognized in the period from:
Amounts included in the contract liability at the beginning of the period
Contract liabilities applied to current period
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
2020
542
2,578
115
(575)
(1,837)
(33)
790
2019
1,862
2,619
(42)
(2,569)
(23)
1,847
2019
445
1,548
204
(484)
(1,222)
51
542
At December 31, 2020, contract liabilities for customer loyalty programs are $84 million (2019: $95 million) and will be recognized as revenue
as the promised goods and services are transferred to the customers, which is expected to occur over the next three years.
47
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
16. Current financial debt and other financial liabilities
Current financial debt and other financial liabilities at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
Short-term financial debt:
Bank and other financial debt
Receivables factored with recourse
Total short-term financial debt
Current portion of long-term financial debt:
Unsecured bonds
Liabilities to banks and other financial institutions
Lease liabilities
Total current portion of long-term financial debt (Note 18)
Total current financial debt
Short-term derivative and other financial liabilities
Total
2020
2019
534
55
589
1,363
8
103
1,474
2,063
871
2,934
1,273
58
1,331
788
4
103
895
2,226
227
2,453
The contractual maturities of current financial debt at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
2020
2019
Total
2,063
2,226
0–90 days
90–180 days
180 days–1 year
407
1,208
853
873
803
145
The maturities of short-term derivatives are presented in Note 24. The maturities of other financial liabilities are as follows: $459 million 0-90
days; $58 million 90-180 days and $17 million 180 days-1 year (2019: $33 million 0-90 days; $42 million 90-180 days and $5 million 180 days-
1 year).
Information about fair values of financial liabilities is presented in Note 25.
17. Other current liabilities
Other current liabilities at December 31, 2020 and 2019 consist of the following:
($m)
Accrued short-term employee benefits
Taxes other than income taxes
Accrued utility costs
Social security and pension contributions
Other payables
Other accrued expenses
Total
2020
533
158
75
52
75
148
1,041
2019
447
121
59
52
67
124
870
The maturities of other current liabilities are as follows. For liabilities without a contractual maturity date, the analysis represents the estimated
timing of cash outflows.
($m)
2020
2019
Total
1,041
870
0–90 days
792
542
90–180 days
168
180 days-1 year
81
87
241
48
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
18. Financial debt and other non-current liabilities
In March 2020, Syngenta issued a CHF 200 million 0.125% bond with a maturity date of December 2022 and a CHF 140 million 0.700% bond
with a maturity date of December 2026. In April 2020, Syngenta issued a EUR 600 million 3.375% bond with a maturity date of April 2026,
and in October and November 2020 raised further EUR 300 million as an additional amount to this bond. In October 2020, Syngenta issued a
CHF 265 million 1.250% bond with a maturity date of October 2023.
In April 2019, Syngenta raised a $500 million loan with a floating interest rate and a term of 5 years and in March 2020 Syngenta raised an
additional $500 million on this loan. This loan is reported within Liabilities to banks and other financial institutions in the table below.
Financial debt and other non-current liabilities at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
3.698% USD bond 2020
$ private placement notes
1.875% Eurobond 2021
3.933% USD bond 2021
3.125% $ Notes 2022
0.125% CHF bond 2022
4.441% USD bond 2023
1.250% CHF bond 2023
1.625% CHF bond 2024
4.892% USD bond 2025
3.375% Eurobond 2026
0.700% CHF bond 2026
1.250% Eurobond 2027
5.182% USD bond 2028
2.125% CHF bond 2029
4.375% $ Notes 2042
5.676% USD bond 2048
Unsecured bond issues and US private placement notes
Liabilities to banks and other financial institutions
Lease liabilities (Note 22)
Less: current portion of financial debt (Note 16)
Total non-current financial debt
Non-current derivative financial liabilities
Other non-current liabilities and deferred income
Total
2020
‐
66
614
750
514
227
997
301
283
747
1,125
159
610
996
170
248
498
8,305
1,024
563
(1,474)
8,418
68
168
8,654
2019
750
104
560
748
511
‐
997
‐
258
747
‐
‐
557
996
155
248
498
7,129
516
579
(895)
7,329
139
143
7,611
Information about fair values of financial liabilities is presented in Note 25.
Other non-current liabilities and deferred income relates to license and acquisition agreements with several counterparties and long-term
incentive programs. Of the $168 million, related cash flows of $97 million (2019: $50 million) are payable between one and five years, $71
million (2019: $83 million) of deferred income will be recognized as related licensed product sales occur and $nil (2019: $10 million) of
deferred income will be recognized as related intangible assets are amortized.
Interest paid on non-current financial debt was $285 million (2019: $288 million). All non-current debt ranks equally.
Syngenta AG has fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any
premium and interest on the debt securities issued by Syngenta Finance AG, which is a direct, wholly-owned finance subsidiary, and
Syngenta Finance N.V., which is an indirect, wholly-owned finance subsidiary. The guarantees rank equally with all of Syngenta’s other
unsecured and unsubordinated debt. No other subsidiary of Syngenta guarantees such debt securities.
49
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
19. Provisions, commitments and contingencies
Provisions
Provisions at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
Restructuring provisions
Employee benefits:
Pensions (Note 21)
Other post-retirement benefits (Note 21)
Other long-term employee benefits
Environmental provisions
Provisions for legal and product liability settlements
Other provisions
Total
($m)
Current portion of:
Restructuring provisions
Employee benefits
Environmental provisions
Provisions for legal and product liability settlements
Other provisions
Total current provisions
Total non-current provisions
Total
2020
91
538
21
63
171
92
90
1,066
2019
103
451
19
61
164
92
85
975
2020
2019
41
65
9
12
35
162
904
1,066
75
61
7
9
31
183
792
975
The timing of payment in respect of non-current provisions is, with few exceptions, not contractually fixed and cannot be estimated with
certainty. Key assumptions and sources of estimation uncertainty are discussed in Note 2.
At December 31, 2020, Syngenta recognized $20 million (2019: $14 million) in Financial and other non-current assets in respect of
virtually certain reimbursements related to the above provisions.
Syngenta has recorded provisions for environmental liabilities at some currently or formerly owned, leased and third party sites throughout the
world. These provisions are estimates of amounts payable or expected to become payable and take into consideration the number of other
potentially responsible parties at each site and the identity and financial positions of such parties in light of the joint and several nature of
certain of the liabilities. The material components of Syngenta’s environmental provisions are based on a risk assessment involving
investigation of the various sites.
It is reasonably possible that Syngenta may be required to make expenditures in excess of the established provisions to remediate
environmental liabilities at some currently or formerly owned, leased and third party sites throughout the world. Further, in cases where it is not
possible to estimate reliably the remediation costs that may be incurred in the future for environmental damage that has occurred at sites
currently in operation and having no present obligation for environmental damage remediation, no provisions have been made. This is
because it is neither possible to determine a time limit beyond which the sites will no longer be operated, nor what remediation costs may be
required upon their eventual closure.
In the USA, Syngenta and/or its indemnitors or indemnitees, have been named under federal legislation (the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended) as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) in respect of several sites.
Syngenta expects to be indemnified against a proportion of the liabilities associated with a number of these sites by the sellers of the
businesses associated with such sites and, where appropriate, actively participates in or monitors the clean-up activities at the sites in respect
of which it is a PRP.
Provisions for legal and product liability settlements, all of which are individually immaterial, relate to various legal proceedings incidental to the
normal conduct of Syngenta’s business, including proceedings involving product liability claims, commercial claims, employment and wrongful
termination claims, patent infringement claims, competition law claims, indirect tax assessment claims, regulatory compliance claims, waste
disposal claims and tort claims relating to the release of chemicals into the environment.
Other provisions mainly comprise provisions for long-term contractual obligations under license and other agreements.
50
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Movements in provisions for the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:
($m)
Restructuring provisions:
Employee termination costs
Other third party costs
Employee benefits:
Pensions
Other post-retirement benefits
Other long-term employee benefits
Environmental provisions
Provisions for legal and product liability
settlements
Other provisions
Total
January 1
Charged to
income
Release of
provisions
credited to
income
Payments
Actuarial
losses
Transfers
offset in
defined
benefit
pension
assets
Currency
translation
effects/
other
December
31
29
74
451
19
61
164
92
85
975
47
7
(8)
(1)
(45)
(10)
‐
‐
108
(13)
(174)
103
1
13
9
15
13
213
(2)
(4)
(5)
(19)
(11)
(63)
‐
(3)
(8)
(6)
1
(245)
1
‐
‐
‐
‐
104
‐
(2)
-
2
-
-
-
-
‐
5
(5)
63
-
(4)
11
10
2
82
28
63
538
21
63
171
92
90
1,066
Within restructuring provisions, employee termination costs include severance, pension and other costs directly related to affected employees
and other third party costs principally include payments for early termination of contracts with third parties related to redundant activities. Other
movements include provisions acquired through the business combinations described in Note 3.
Commitments
Commitments for the purchase of property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2020 are $125 million (2019: $117 million).
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, Syngenta had entered into long-term commitments to purchase minimum quantities of certain raw
materials, long-term research agreements with various institutions to fund various research projects, and other commitments. The estimated
timing of minimum future committed payments is as follows:
($m)
Within one year
From one to two years
From two to three years
From three to four years
From four to five years
After more than five years
Total
2020
2019
Materials purchases
1,577
260
152
134
100
-
2,223
Other
95
30
16
8
4
7
160
Materials purchases
Other
1,240
287
148
104
116
74
1,969
78
21
10
5
2
‐
116
Syngenta’s sales are made subject to normal warranties, which cover product technical specifications and, in some cases, products’
performance effect on grower crop yields. Certain license agreements indemnify the other party against liabilities arising from claims related
to the intellectual property licensed to or by Syngenta. Leases may require indemnification for liabilities Syngenta’s actions may create for the
lessor or lessee. Syngenta has also issued warranties to purchasers of businesses or product lines relating to events that arose before the
sales. It is not possible to predict the maximum future payments possible under these or similar provisions because it is not possible to predict
whether any of these contingencies will occur.
Syngenta has obtained licenses from others for the rights to sell certain products, or products containing certain technology, under
agreements which require Syngenta to pay royalties based on its future sales of those products or that technology.
Contingencies
Litigation matters
Litigation is subject to many uncertainties, and the outcome of individual matters cannot be predicted with certainty. Consequently, it is
reasonably possible that the final resolution of some of these matters could require Syngenta to make expenditures in excess of the
established provisions that are reported above. Further, the range of amounts involved, as well as the period of time over which many of these
expenditures may be made, cannot be reasonably estimated.
Syngenta maintains general liability insurance, including product liability insurance, covering claims on a worldwide basis with coverage limits
and retention amounts which management believes to be adequate and appropriate in relation to Syngenta’s businesses and the risks to
which it is subject.
Significant recent or on-going legal proceedings are described below.
VIPTERA™
Beginning on September 12, 2014, several thousand lawsuits were filed against Syngenta in state and federal courts in the United States by
plaintiffs seeking damages from Syngenta for commercializing its AGRISURE VIPTERA® (MIR162) and DURACADE™ corn seed in the
51
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
United States without having obtained import approval from China for those products. Many of these lawsuits were filed by individual plaintiffs
(including growers, grain elevators and exporters such as Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland (“ADM”) and Louis Dreyfus), and approximately 107
by putative classes of growers and others allegedly affected, including ethanol plants, on the theory that China’s 2013 rejection of U.S. corn
based on the alleged presence of MIR162 caused increased costs and U.S. commodity prices to drop. The cases were pending in multiple
jurisdictions, including (1) cases that were initially filed in federal court that were consolidated for pre-trial proceedings in a federal multi-district
litigation (“MDL”) action in the District of Kansas; (2) a consolidated state court proceeding in Hennepin County, Minnesota; (3) federal court in
the Southern District of Illinois; and (4) various state courts in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Michigan, and Ohio. In September
2016, the federal MDL court certified a nationwide class of corn growers alleging violations of the Lanham Act and eight statewide classes of
corn growers, and in November 2016, the court presiding over the Minnesota state court consolidated proceedings certified a class of
Minnesota corn growers. In April 2017, the federal MDL court granted significant portions of Syngenta’s motion for summary judgment,
including by dismissing plaintiffs’ Lanham Act claim and thereby eliminating the sole basis for a nationwide class, while allowing plaintiffs’
state-law negligence claims to proceed. In September 2017 plaintiffs and Syngenta reached a pending settlement to resolve all claims on
behalf of all U.S. non-Viptera and Viptera producers as well as grain elevators and ethanol plants. On April 10, 2018, preliminary court
approval was granted in respect of the pending settlement, and the establishment of a Qualified Settlement Fund of $1.51 billion was granted
for the submission of claims by eligible claimants who contracted to price corn or DDGs (distillers dried grains with solubles) after September
2013. Syngenta was directed to make the first and second installments of $200 million each into an escrow account. Final approval of the
settlement was provided by court order dated December 7, 2018, dismissing the claims of producers, grain elevators, and ethanol plants on a
class wide basis except for sixteen individual producers and one ethanol plant that timely and validly opted out of the settlement. Syngenta
made its final payment of $1.1 billion to the settlement fund on March 29, 2019. Objectors to the settlement appealed the court’s final approval
order. That appeal has now been resolved (by the MDL plaintiffs and the objectors) and the settlement is now final.
The settlement of the producer cases does not cover claims of the exporter plaintiffs such as Cargill, ADM, Louis Dreyfus, Trans Coastal
Supply Company, Inc. (“Transcoastal”), The DeLong Company (“DeLong”), and Agribase International, Inc. ADM and Syngenta reached in
December 2017 a settlement of the Viptera litigation that ADM had brought against Syngenta in Louisiana Court. Louis Dreyfus and Syngenta
reached a settlement in May 2019. Agribase and Syngenta reached a settlement in February 2020. Trans Coastal and Syngenta reached a
settlement in October 2020. These settlements do not resolve the lawsuits brought by other grain exporters such as Cargill (trial date not
currently scheduled), and DeLong (trial date April 2021), which will continue. The ethanol plant that opted out of the settlement, Heartland
Corn Products (“Heartland”), filed suit against Syngenta in November 2019; the court has granted Syngenta’s motion to dismiss the Viptera
claims. The case continues as to the Duracade claims. Cargill claims to have suffered damages relating to delayed, rejected and re-routed
shipments of U.S. corn to China of over $90 million and additional lost profits. DeLong’s claimed damages are significantly smaller than those
sought by Cargill. Heartland has not yet provided information regarding its claimed damages. Syngenta strongly believes that the claims in
these cases are without merit and will vigorously defend the lawsuits.
In December 2015, a claim was filed in Ontario, Canada by a proposed representative plaintiff on behalf of a putative class comprising all
farmers in Canada against Syngenta Canada Inc. and Syngenta AG seeking damages from Syngenta for commercializing its AGRISURE
VIPTERA® (MIR162) and DURACADE™ corn seed in the North American corn market without having obtained import approval from China
for those products. The causes of action referred to in the lawsuit include negligence and negligent misrepresentations. The allegations
include claims that Syngenta actively misled farmers about the importance of the Chinese market, the timing and substance of the application
for approval in China, its ability to channel VIPTERA™ corn into non-Chinese markets and its ability to contain the infiltration of VIPTERA™
corn to the North American corn supply. The proposed representative plaintiff is seeking on behalf of the putative class general and special
damages of 300 million Canadian dollars ($235 million at December 31, 2020 exchange rates), punitive and aggravated damages of 100
million Canadian dollars ($78 million at December 31, 2020 exchange rates), the costs of distributing all monies awarded to class members,
pre-judgment interest, and costs on a substantial indemnity basis. Syngenta’s motion to strike this action was argued in April 2018, and on
November 28, 2018, the judge dismissed the plaintiff’s action in its entirety. The plaintiff has appealed this decision. The appeal was heard in
June 2019 and while the Court of Appeal denied plaintiff’s appeal of the lower court’s decision dismissing the claim as to the negligent
misrepresentation and Competition Act claims, it granted the appeal as to the premature commercialization claim which would allow the
lawsuit to continue as to that claim alone. Syngenta has filed the documents necessary to seek leave to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision
to the Supreme Court of Canada. On December 10, 2020, Syngenta’s application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was
denied. Syngenta believes that this lawsuit is without merit and will continue to vigorously defend it.
On February 14, 2017, a similar action was filed in Quebec against Syngenta Canada Inc. and Syngenta AG. The Petitioners are seeking
essentially the same relief as in the Ontario action on behalf of all corn producers conducting business in Quebec who sold corn for
commercial purposes after November 18, 2013. They allege that Syngenta was negligent and engaged in illegal commercial practices,
contrary to the Competition Act and the Civil Code of Quebec, and that damages (amount unspecified) will continue to accrue until the corn
business between North America and China is re-established at the levels that existed before Syngenta’s negligence occurred. Punitive
damages, pre-judgment interest and costs are also claimed. Syngenta has entered an appearance in the action. No other steps have been
taken. Syngenta is continuing to vigorously defend against the Canadian actions and strongly believes that they are without merit.
Canada beekeeper lawsuits
In September 2014, a claim was filed in Ontario, Canada by two proposed representative members on behalf of a putative class comprising
all beekeepers who have owned or continue to own and operate honey producing, pollinating, and/or queen bee rearing businesses in
Canada since January 1, 2006, against a number of Syngenta legal entities together with certain entities of a second manufacturer of
neonicotinoid insecticides. Plaintiffs allege negligence through the sale by that manufacturer and by Syngenta of products containing such
insecticides in the knowledge that they would be injurious to bees and by virtue of misrepresentations and concealment relating thereto.
Plaintiffs claim 400 million Canadian dollars ($314 million at December 31, 2020 exchange rates) general and 50 million Canadian dollars
($39 million at December 31, 2020 exchange rates) punitive damages. The pleadings in the Ontario proceedings were subsequently
amended by plaintiffs’ counsel to add waiver of tort and unlawful conspiracy to the single cause of action, negligence, which was previously
pleaded. Both of the additional causes of action are ancillary to and largely dependent on the negligence claim. The class has not yet been
authorized.
In October 2014, a Motion for Authorization was filed by the same firm of plaintiffs’ counsel in Montréal, Quebec seeking permission to bring a
similar class proceeding in that province. The proposed representative plaintiff operates a family business specialized in the breeding of queen
bees. The Quebec litigation closely resembles the original Ontario lawsuit claiming negligence except that, rather than a nationwide class, it
alleges a class limited to Quebec. At this early stage damages are unspecified. The Motion for Authorization was argued in November 2017.
52
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
The Quebec class has been authorized on August 20, 2018, and notices have been sent to potential class members. Plaintiffs’ motion to add
Syngenta AG as a defendant has been granted.
Syngenta will defend these lawsuits, the claims in which are without foundation.
Atrazine related litigation
In August 2013, a personal injury complaint relating to atrazine was filed under seal in St. Clair County, Illinois state court, on behalf of a minor
and his parents against Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, Syngenta AG, a third party distributor, and three local dealers. The Court granted the
minor permission to proceed in the public record under the fictitious name “James Doe” - and for his parents to use the names “Jane Doe” and
“John Doe”. The lawsuit alleges that James Doe’s congenital birth defect, hypospadias, was caused by his mother consuming atrazine-
contaminated drinking water while she was pregnant. The Complaint alleges public nuisance, strict liability and negligence, and seeks
unspecified damages together with the costs of suit. Answers and Affirmative Defenses were filed on behalf of the defendants in January and
February 2014. Fact discovery in the litigation started in early 2014 and is continuing. No trial date has been fixed to date. No further claims
have been filed. Syngenta strongly believes that the claims are without merit and is vigorously defending against the action.
Paraquat Parkinson’s disease litigation
In September 2017, a complaint was filed in St. Clair County, Illinois state court on behalf of plaintiffs Thomas Hoffmann and Diana Hoffmann
against Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Syngenta AG, and Growmark, Inc. The complaint alleges that Mr. Hoffmann suffers from Parkinson’s
disease caused by chronic exposure to the herbicide paraquat while working as a farmer in Illinois.
On October 6, 2017 an amended complaint was filed in the same court on behalf of 12 plaintiffs (seven men who are said to have been
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and five of their wives), including Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann who were named in the initial complaint, against
Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Syngenta AG, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, and Growmark, Inc. The amended complaint alleges
the following counts: (1) Strict Liability - Design Defect; (2) Strict Liability - Failure to Warn; (3) Negligence; (4) Public Nuisance; (5) Consumer
Fraud & Deceptive Business Practices Act; and (6) Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability. Syngenta’s Motion to Dismiss was denied
in July 2018. Syngenta filed its answer to the amended complaint in October 2018. In that case, the parties are now engaged in discovery with
trial scheduled to begin in April 2021.
On December 13, 2018, the same counsel filed a further complaint in St. Clair County, Illinois state court on behalf of plaintiffs Marvin Wendler
and his wife against Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Syngenta AG, and various third parties. The complaint asserts the same claims as the
Hoffmann complaint. An additional complaint was filed by the same counsel in St. Clair County, Illinois state court on December 21, 2018, on
behalf of plaintiffs Lloyd Pulcher and his wife against Syngenta AG and Growmark, Inc. This new complaint asserts the same claims as the
Hoffmann complaint. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC filed its answer to the Wendler complaint in February 2019, and Syngenta AG filed its
answers to the two complaints, Wendler and Pulcher, in March 2019.
In April 2019, the same plaintiffs’ counsel filed ten complaints in California state court (five in San Francisco County and five in Contra Costa
County) on behalf of 16 plaintiffs (including ten men who are said to have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and six of their wives).
The complaints name Syngenta AG and Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, and various distributors as additional defendants. The ten California
complaints allege the following counts: (1) Strict Products Liability; (2) Negligence; (3) Public Nuisance; (4) California Consumer Legal
Remedies Act; and (5) Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability. The California cases have been consolidated for pretrial purposes. On
December 23, 2019, the court denied in part and granted in part defendants’ motion to dismiss such that the California Consumer Legal
Remedies Act claim has been dismissed and the remaining claims may proceed. No case schedule has been set and the California cases
remain at an early stage. In late 2020, two of the complaints were dismissed because the plaintiffs passed away.
On July 16, 2020, the state court presiding over the St. Clair County, Illinois cases dismissed without prejudice the claims brought by Diana
Hoffmann, individually and as administrator of the Estate of Thomas Hoffmann, and three other plaintiffs pursuant to a motion for withdrawal
filed by those plaintiffs.
On July 22, 2020, a complaint was filed in Scott County, Missouri on behalf of two plaintiffs (a married couple). The complaint names
Syngenta AG, Syngenta Corporation, Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, and Chevron USA, Inc. The plaintiffs allege the following counts: (1)
strict liability in tort - design defect; (2) strict liability in tort - failure to warn; (3) negligence; (4) breach of implied warranty; and (5) loss of
consortium. The case was removed to the Eastern District of Missouri on July 29, 2020, and Syngenta filed a motion to dismiss on September
9, 2020. The motion to dismiss is still pending, and no case schedule has been set.
On December 16–17, 2020, six additional complaints were filed in California state court on behalf of nine plaintiffs (including six men who are
said to have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and three of their wives). The complaints name Syngenta AG and Syngenta Crop
Protection LLC and variously name Chevron USA, Inc. and/or Wilbur-Ellis Company, LLC as additional defendants. These complaints do not
include a California Consumer Legal Remedies Act claim, but they otherwise allege the same counts as the April 2019 California complaints.
On December 22, 2020, a complaint was filed in St. Clair County, Illinois state court on behalf of plaintiffs Michael Kearns and Jean Kearns
against Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC; Syngenta AG; and Growmark, Inc. The complaint alleges the following counts: (1) strict liability -
design defect; (2) strict liability - failure to warn; (3) negligence; (4) public nuisance; (5) Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices
Act; and (6) breach of implied warranty of merchantability.
Syngenta believes that all of these claims are without merit and will defend the lawsuits.
Tax matters
Significant management judgment is required to estimate the tax liabilities related to the eventual outcome of reviews and audits by tax
authorities of tax returns filed by Syngenta’s subsidiaries. Tax returns filed by many of Syngenta’s subsidiaries during the past several years
are either currently under examination by tax authorities or are open for future examination until expiry under statutes of limitation. In
Syngenta’s opinion, the likelihood is remote that a material amount in excess of recorded provisions will result from the resolution of any such
examination or case. Syngenta is also subject to certain tax claims pending before the judiciary. See Note 2 “Uncertain tax positions” for detail
regarding two on-going transfer pricing disputes in Brazil. Syngenta believes it will successfully defend its position in these disputes. However,
it is reasonably possible that actual outcomes and settlements may differ significantly from the estimated liabilities shown in the consolidated
balance sheet for income taxes and in Note 17 for other taxes.
53
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Contingencies summary
Given the inherent difficulties in estimating liabilities relating to litigation, tax, environmental and certain other matters due to uncertainty
concerning both the amount and timing of future expenditures, it is reasonably possible that additional costs may be incurred materially in
excess of provisions recorded for such liabilities. Such expenditures, in excess of established provisions, could have a material effect on
Syngenta’s consolidated operating results and cash flows for a particular reporting period, but management does not believe they will have a
materially adverse effect on Syngenta’s consolidated financial position or liquidity, although there can be no assurances in this regard.
20. Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement
Non-cash and other reconciling items included in income before taxes
The following table analyzes non-cash and other reconciling items included in income before taxes for the years ended December 31, 2020
and 2019:
($m)
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of:
Property, plant and equipment (Note 11)
Right-of-use assets (Note 22)
Intangible assets (Note 12)
Deferred revenue and other gains and losses
Gains on disposal of non-current assets
Charges in respect of pension provisions (Note 19)
Charges in respect of other provisions (Note 19)
Financial expense, net
Gains on hedges reported in operating income
Income from associates and joint ventures
Total
Change in liabilities arising from financing activities
2020
2019
351
118
336
(100)
(27)
95
55
497
(75)
‐
1,250
425
97
302
10
(133)
97
96
425
(16)
(1)
1,302
Movements in assets and liabilities arising from financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:
2020 ($m)
Bonds and US private placement notes
(Note 18)
Lease liabilities (Note 18)
Other long-term debt (Note 18)
Short-term debt (Note 16)
Total financial debt
Bond hedges net liability/(asset)
Margin deposit liability
Margin deposit asset
Net liabilities arising from financing
activities
Cash flows from
financing
activities
Changes in fair
value
January 1
7,129
579
516
1,331
9,555
120
17
(206)
879
(119)
465
(693)
532
‐
37
47
2
‐
‐
‐
2
(168)
‐
‐
9,486
616
(166)
Currency
translation
effects
December 31
290
27
‐
(36)
281
84
‐
‐
8,305
563
1,024
589
10,481
(22)
54
(159)
365
10,354
Other
5
76
43
(13)
111
(58)
‐
‐
53
Other movements include $68 million of new leases in the year, $5 million of lease liabilities and $32 million of other long-term debt acquired
as part of the Valagro acquisition, and $58 million of cash outflows on bond hedges, which are reported as operating cash flows.
Movements in assets and liabilities arising from financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 are as follows:
2019 ($m)
Bonds and US private placement notes
(Note 18)
Lease liabilities (Note 18)
Other long-term debt (Note 18)
Short-term debt (Note 16)
Total financial debt
Bond hedges net liability/(asset)
Margin deposit liability
Margin deposit asset
Net liabilities arising from financing
activities
January 1
Cash flows from
financing activities
Changes in fair
value
Other
Currency
translation effects
December 31
7,485
61
4
553
8,103
95
44
(111)
8,131
(354)
(105)
513
806
860
(42)
(27)
(95)
696
9
‐
‐
‐
9
91
‐
‐
100
6
613
‐
‐
619
(37)
‐
‐
582
(17)
10
(1)
(28)
(36)
13
‐
‐
(23)
7,129
579
516
1,331
9,555
120
17
(206)
9,486
54
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Other movements include $200 million lease liabilities recognized on implementation of IFRS 16, $412 million new leases in the year and $37
million cash outflows on bond hedges which are reported as operating cash flows.
See Note 24 for a description of bond hedges and margin deposits. Bond hedges are presented in the consolidated balance sheet as follows:
non-current assets of $145 million (2019: $19 million) are included within “Financial and other non-current assets”, current liabilities of $58
million (2019: $nil) are included within “Current financial debt and other financial liabilities” and non-current liabilities of $65 million (2019: $139
million) are included within “Financial debt and other non-current liabilities”.
Margin deposit liabilities are included within “Current financial debt and other financial liabilities”, and margin deposit assets are included within
“Derivative and other financial assets”.
Cash flows are presented in the consolidated cash flow statement as follows:
($m)
Proceeds from increase in third party interest-bearing debt
Repayments of third party interest-bearing debt
Net
21. Post-employment benefits
2020
2,553
(1,937)
616
2019
1,616
(920)
696
Syngenta has, apart from legally required social security arrangements, numerous independent pension plans, which are either “defined
contribution” plans where company contributions and resulting benefit costs are a set percentage of employees’ pay or “defined benefit” plans
where benefits are generally based on employees’ length of service and pensionable pay. Syngenta’s contributions to defined contribution
plans were $74 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 (2019: $58 million). Approximately 30 percent of Syngenta’s employees are
members of defined benefit plans and a significant proportion of these are members of both defined benefit and defined contribution plans. All
of Syngenta’s major defined benefit plans are funded through legally separate trustee administered funds. The cash funding of these plans,
which may from time to time involve special payments, is designed to ensure that present and future contributions should be sufficient to meet
future liabilities. Syngenta’s main defined benefit pension plans are in the UK, Switzerland and the USA.
UK
In accordance with its rules, Syngenta’s UK Pension Fund (the UK Fund) is governed by a company (the Trustee) that is controlled by
a publicly listed independent professional trustee corporation. That corporation appoints the Trustee’s directors, including its own
representative, Syngenta nominated and member nominated directors. The Trustee manages the UK Fund and appoints professional
advisers independently to assist it in doing so. The UK Fund is subject to UK pensions legislation, is regulated by the UK Pensions Regulator
and is exempt from most UK taxation through its registered status. The defined benefit section of the UK Fund has been closed to new
members since 2002. New employees since 2002 instead joined a defined contribution pension plan also within the UK Fund. This was open
to new members until August 31, 2013. After that date, new employees join a separate defined contribution plan. The defined benefit section
of the UK Fund is open to future accrual for employees who were members before 2002; however, effective January 1, 2016, pensionable
pay for these employees has been frozen, as described in Note 2. At retirement date, defined benefit members have the right to take up to 25
percent of the value of their benefits as a lump sum, with the balance being paid as an annuity. Alternatively, after taking appropriate advice,
members may transfer their defined benefits to a different authorized pension arrangement.
The Trustee is required by the UK Fund’s rules to increase pensions in payment and accrued deferred pension rights each year by the lower
of 5 percent and price inflation, as measured by the UK Retail Price Index (RPI) or Consumer Price Index (CPI), as applicable.
An independent actuary is required to value the UK Fund’s liabilities in accordance with UK pension regulations and certify the required
contributions, both for future service and elimination of any deficit, at least every three years. Following each such valuation, employer
contribution amounts must be formally agreed between Syngenta and the Trustee, subject to review by the Pensions Regulator, and remain
binding until re-assessed in the following valuation. The solvency of the UK Fund, defined as its ability to pay benefits as they fall due, is
guaranteed by the sponsoring subsidiary, Syngenta Ltd., and by Syngenta AG. In addition, certain benefits under the UK Fund are
guaranteed by the UK Pension Protection Fund.
The Trustee agrees the investment strategy for the UK Fund’s assets and implements it through an investment sub-committee (the UK
Investment Committee) it appoints from among the Trustee directors. The investment objectives are to ensure the assets are appropriately
diversified and liquid to generate sufficient returns to meet the benefit liability and control the long-term costs of the UK Fund. These objectives
are achieved through appointing and monitoring a number of third party investment managers, each with specific investment mandates that
collectively cover a wide range of investment classes and geographical markets and utilize both asset liability matching and return seeking
strategies. Asset liability matching is achieved both through underlying investment class selection (e.g. fixed interest) and through using
derivatives to limit the potential impact of changes in interest rates, price inflation and foreign currency exchange rates on the benefits payable
by and assets of the UK Fund. The Trustee continues to reshape the investment portfolio reducing the overall investment risk and hence
expected return. This is in line with the funding agreement between the Trustee and Syngenta Limited. As a result, the Trustee has invested
certain of the plan’s assets to purchase insurance policies with UK local insurers to cover around 13 percent of the pension liabilities. The
insurers pay the Trustee an income flow to match a defined set of benefit payments.
Switzerland
The Swiss federal law on occupational old age, disability and survivors’ pensions (“BVG”) sets minimum standards for occupational pension
plans, which Syngenta’s Swiss pension fund (the Swiss Fund) exceeds. All employees having had an employment contract for more than
three months with any of Syngenta’s Swiss subsidiaries or with its CIMO joint venture entity (see Note 14) and whose age and income exceed
the minimum stipulated by BVG are automatically insured in the Swiss Fund. The benefits payable on retirement are calculated according to
the capital sums that each member accumulates through transfer of benefits from previous employments, employer and employee
contributions during service with Syngenta or with CIMO, interest and member voluntary contributions. Disability and survivors’ death
in service benefits are defined on the basis of the member’s insured remuneration. Leavers before retirement are required to transfer their
55
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
accumulated retirement and capital savings to the occupational pension plan of their new employment. The Swiss Fund is governed by a
twelve member Board of Trustees. Six members, including the President, are nominated by Syngenta (five members) and CIMO (one
member), and six are elected by insured plan members from among the employees. Its decisions regarding certain items, including rates of
retirement credits for service and interest credits, conversion rates on retirement and plan asset investment strategy require a two-thirds
majority vote. Legal conformity of the Swiss Fund’s regulations is verified by the Swiss Pension Inspectorate. Syngenta’s legal obligations,
including required employer contributions, are defined in the pension fund rules which are agreed by the Board of Trustees.
Employer and employee contributions are payable according to an age related scale of percentages of pay. Under BVG, the Swiss Fund
guarantees the vested benefit amount as confirmed annually to members. Interest may be added to member balances at the discretion of the
Board of Trustees. Members have the right to take their retirement benefit as a lump sum, an annuity or part as a lump sum with the balance
converted to a fixed annuity at the rates defined in the Fund’s rules. The Board of Trustees may increase the annuity at their discretion subject
to the Swiss Fund’s funded status including sufficient free funds as determined according to Swiss statutory valuation rules. Syngenta
accounts for the Swiss Fund as a defined benefit pension plan.
An actuarial balance sheet is usually drawn up annually by the Swiss Fund’s actuary. If the balance sheet reveals a deficit, the Board of
Trustees defines appropriate measures to eliminate the deficit. If necessary, and after consultation with the actuary, the contributions payable
by employees and by Syngenta may be increased or the benefits, may be adjusted to the funds available. The Board of Trustees manages
the Swiss Fund’s assets in conformity with the investment policy rules laid down by Swiss law, with the objectives of achieving investment that
is secure, produces an appropriate yield and meets the liquidity needs of the Swiss Fund. This is implemented through an investment sub-
committee similar to the UK Investment Committee mentioned above.
USA
Syngenta’s main US defined benefit pension plan (the US Plan) is a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan subject to the provisions of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA) and the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(Code). In addition, certain benefits under the US Plan are guaranteed by the US Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. The US Plan was
closed to new members effective January 1, 2009. Employees joining Syngenta after that date participate in a defined contribution pension
plan. The defined benefits of existing members of the US Plan were not affected by this change. The US Plan offers members the choice of
taking their retirement benefits, which are generally based on their age, pay and years of service, as a full lump sum at retirement date or as a
fixed annuity. In these consolidated financial statements, the benefit obligation has been valued assuming that 80 percent of current eligible
members will take the lump sum option at normal retirement or other permissible commencement dates. This assumption is consistent with
historical and expected future member choices.
US plan assets are held in a separate trust with State Street Bank and Trust Company as trustee and custodian. The assets must generally
remain in the trust until all pension benefits are paid. An Investment Committee of Syngenta employees (the US Investment Committee),
appointed by the Board of Directors of Syngenta Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Syngenta AG, oversees the investment of the plan
assets, either directly or through the appointment of investment managers. The US Investment Committee develops and implements an
investment strategy that takes into account the liability profile of the US Plan. Asset classes are selected that include equities, fixed income
and alternative assets. Interest rate derivatives may be used to hedge the interest rate risk of the US Plan. The Plan’s key risks include
interest rate risk that impacts the value of the liability and the fixed income assets of the US Plan, investment performance volatility, and to a
lesser degree inflation and longevity risk. An actuarial valuation is required each year and is used to determine the valuation and
characteristics of the liability of the US Plan.
Syngenta Corporation’s funding policy is to contribute to the US Plan amounts necessary on an actuarial basis to at least satisfy the minimum
funding requirements of the Code. Additional discretionary contributions above the minimum funding requirements can be made and are
generally based on the annual administrative expense of the plan, along with an adjustment for any over/under funding.
Benefits under the plan were frozen effective December 31, 2018, and no participants shall accrue additional benefits after that date.
Syngenta has accounted for this change as a plan amendment.
In 2020, the US Plan made a one-time lump sum offer to active employees aged 59 and a half-year or older through the administration of a
lump sum window made possible by the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (“SECRUE”) Act, and made $41 million in
lump sum payments as a result. Syngenta accounted for this as a settlement of these participants’ defined benefit obligations which were $46
million at the 2.65% discount rate at the settlement date. As a result, Syngenta recognized a settlement gain of $5 million in Other general and
administrative in 2020.
56
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Defined benefit plan disclosures
The status of Syngenta’s defined benefit plans at December 31, 2020 and 2019 using actuarial assumptions determined in accordance with
IAS 19 is summarized below. The following tables provide reconciliations of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the defined
benefit pension plans to the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
($m)
Benefit obligations
January 1
Current service cost
Past service gain
Settlements
Employee contributions
Interest cost
Actuarial losses/(gains):
From changes in demographic assumptions
From changes in financial assumptions
From actual experience compared to assumptions
Benefit payments
Additions due to acquisitions
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
Of which arising from:
Funded plans
Wholly unfunded plans
($m)
Plan assets at fair value
At January 1
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Benefit payments
Settlements
Additions due to acquisitions
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
Actual return on plan assets can be analyzed as follows:
($m)
Interest on plan assets
Actuarial gains
Total
Funded status
Effect of asset ceiling
Net accrued benefit liability
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:
Prepaid benefit costs (Note 13)
Accrued benefit liability
Net amount recognized
2020
2019
6,425
5,826
103
(9)
(46)
36
89
3
346
(15)
(319)
57
391
90
‐
‐
33
122
‐
(37)
559
(15)
(300)
‐
147
7,061
6,425
6,868
193
6,256
169
2020
2019
6,015
5,496
306
174
36
(319)
(41)
44
341
6,556
2020
83
223
306
(505)
(36)
(541)
1
(542)
(541)
517
128
33
(300)
‐
‐
141
6,015
2019
115
402
517
(410)
(44)
(454)
1
(455)
(454)
57
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
All material changes in the amount shown for the asset ceiling arose from the effect of applying the ceiling at each period end. Changes in the
asset ceiling amount due to interest and foreign currency translation during 2020 and 2019 were immaterial.
Of the accrued benefit liability for pensions of $542 million at December 31, 2020, $538 million is included in Note 19 as pension provisions
and $4 million as restructuring provisions (2019: $451 million as pension provisions; $4 million as restructuring provisions).
The following table shows the estimated undiscounted future defined benefit payments that are projected to occur within ten years from the
balance sheet date. Actual payments may differ from those shown because of uncertain future events, including members’ choice of benefit
options as described above.
($m)
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Years 2026-2031
Total 2021-2031
308
302
299
307
310
1,519
3,045
Syngenta’s estimate of employer contributions to be paid to defined benefit plans in 2021 is $130 million, excluding restructuring costs. Actual
payments could differ materially from this estimate if any new funding regulations or laws are enacted or due to business and market
conditions, which may result in Syngenta prepaying contributions. Additional contributions, the amount and timing of which are uncertain, may
also be required as Syngenta’s restructuring programs are implemented.
In accordance with UK pension regulations, Syngenta has agreed with the Trustee to pay fixed contributions to meet the valuation deficit
determined at each valuation date, administration costs and part of the costs of employee service. The balance of the costs of employee
service is payable as a percentage of pensionable pay in each year. In 2020 and 2019, $37 million and $36 million of fixed contributions were
paid respectively. During 2017 and 2018, Syngenta agreed revised pension funding arrangements with the Trustee. Under these
arrangements, as long as the Fund is in deficit on a UK statutory basis, in addition to future service contributions, the fixed contributions
required to repair the deficit in the Fund are $37 million per annum from October 1, 2018 until March 31, 2024, and two additional payments
were paid of $62 million by January 31, 2018 and $39 million by December 31, 2020. This agreement will apply until March 30, 2021.
58
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
The fair values of assets and liabilities of the major defined benefit pension plans, together with aggregated data for other defined benefit
plans, are as follows. Unquoted investments represent investments in pooled funds in which the underlying investments are unquoted or
those where the pooled fund does not have liquidity on at least a weekly basis:
At December 31, 2020
Switzerland
UK
USA
Other plans
Total
Investments quoted in active markets:
Fair value ($m, except assumptions)
15
‐
31
12
‐
‐
1
-
4
6
69
(230)
(161)
(16)
(177)
7
991
401
2,610
32
160
580
404
447
950
(19)
6,556
(7,061)
(505)
(36)
(541)
95
-
1.4
Equities
Real estate funds
Bonds
Other assets
Unquoted investments:
Equities
Real estate
Bonds
Insurance policies
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Fair value of assets
Benefit obligation
of which:
Active members
Deferred members
Pensioners and dependents
Funded status
Effect of asset ceiling
Net pension liability
Net periodic benefit cost
Significant actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate (%)
Inflation (RPI) (%)
Pensionable pay increase (%)
Pension increase (%)
Interest credit rate (%)
Remaining life expectancy (years)
male aged 63 in 2020
female aged 63 in 2020
male aged 63 in 2040
female aged 63 in 2040
Weighted average duration of benefit
obligation (years)
720
401
844
36
102
183
‐
49
446
163
2,944
(3,093)
(1,609)
n/a
(1,484)
(149)
‐
(149)
72
0.2
n/a
1.3
-
1.0
24.6
26.8
26.4
28.5
16
197
‐
1,194
(16)
35
397
403
398
430
(218)
2,820
(3,016)
(513)
(1,811)
(692)
(196)
‐
(196)
18
1.5
2.9
‐
2.9
n/a
25.1
26.7
26.5
28.2
17
59
‐
541
‐
23
‐
‐
-
70
30
723
(722)
(361)
(105)
(256)
1
(20)
(19)
(2)
2.6
n/a
‐
n/a
n/a
22.3
24.4
24.0
26.0
15
%
15
6
41
‐
2
9
6
7
14
‐
100
59
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
%
12
7
33
2
4
8
6
5
16
7
100
At December 31, 2019
Switzerland
UK
USA
Other plans
Total
Investments quoted in active markets:
Fair value ($m, except assumptions)
Equities
Real estate funds
Bonds
Other assets
Unquoted investments:
Equities
Real estate
Bonds
Insurance policies
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Fair value of assets
Benefit obligation
of which:
Active members
Deferred members
567
422
802
27
59
38
‐
43
434
154
103
‐
598
71
180
451
368
267
431
225
2,546
(2,727)
(1,403)
n/a
2,694
(2,768)
(440)
(622)
Pensioners and dependents
(1,324)
(1,706)
Funded status
Effect of asset ceiling
Net pension liability
Net periodic benefit cost
Significant actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate (%)
Inflation (RPI) (%)
Pensionable pay increase (%)
Pension increase (%)
Interest credit rate (%)
Remaining life expectancy (years)
male aged 63 in 2019
female aged 63 in 2019
male aged 63 in 2039
female aged 63 in 2039
Weighted average duration of benefit
obligation (years)
(181)
‐
(181)
67
0.3
n/a
1.3
-
1.0
24.5
26.6
26.3
28.4
16
(74)
(28)
(102)
18
2.0
3.0
‐
3.0
n/a
25.0
26.5
26.4
28.1
17
56
‐
526
‐
18
‐
‐
-
90
19
709
(725)
(392)
(89)
(244)
(16)
(2)
(18)
3
14
‐
33
10
‐
‐
‐
-
5
4
740
422
1,959
108
257
489
368
310
960
402
66
(205)
6,015
(6,425)
(139)
(14)
(153)
9
(410)
(44)
(454)
97
3.3
-
2.1
n/a
‐
n/a
n/a
22.3
24.3
23.9
25.9
15
Other assets include investments in private equity funds, diversified hedge funds, infrastructure funds, insurance funds and inflation, interest
rate and foreign currency derivatives.
The following table provides an analysis of the benefit costs recorded in the consolidated income statement for the defined benefit pension
plans for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
($m)
Current service cost
Past service gain
Curtailments and settlements
Interest on the net defined benefit liability/(asset)
Net periodic benefit cost
2020
103
(9)
(5)
6
95
2019
90
‐
‐
7
97
60
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Amounts recognized in OCI were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
($m)
Actuarial losses
Effect of asset ceiling
2020
111
(8)
2019
105
(51)
The sensitivity of the benefit obligation to the significant actuarial assumptions is discussed in the “Critical accounting estimates” section of
Note 2.
Other post-retirement benefits
Syngenta’s most significant other post-retirement benefit plan is the retiree medical plan in the USA. The plan is self-insured and the principal
benefit for the majority of eligible participants is a subsidy of their medical insurance premiums after retirement. The subsidy amount varies
based on age and service at retirement. Retirees who are eligible for Medicare enroll in individual Medicare plans available in the open market
or public exchange, and are responsible for paying the full cost of coverage in excess of the subsidy. The assumed healthcare cost trend rate
for this plan at December 31, 2020 was 6.25 percent, decreasing in each successive year from 2020 onwards, to reach an ultimate rate of 5.0
percent in 2027 (December 31, 2019: 6.5 percent decreasing to 5.0 percent in 2026).
Syngenta had a net benefit asset for other post-retirement benefits at December 31, 2020 of $80 million (2019: $67 million) reported within
Defined benefit post-employment benefit asset in Note 13 and a net benefit liability of $21 million (2019: $19 million) reported within Other
post-retirement benefits provision in Note 19. Actuarial gains recognized in OCI for the period were $10 million (2019: $13 million). Expense
recognized in the consolidated income statement, contributions to the other post-retirement benefit plans and benefit payments by the plans
were not material for 2020 and 2019.
22. Leases
Lease activities
Land and buildings
Syngenta leases land and buildings for use in its manufacturing, warehousing and administration activities. The terms for these leases are
negotiated on an individual basis to reflect Syngenta’s requirements for the underlying asset and to ensure Syngenta complies with any
relevant legal regulations and range from 1 to 76 years in length, with a weighted average lease term of 17 years. Lease payments are usually
agreed in advance, with some leases providing for additional payments that are based on changes in local price indices, or upon rent reviews
conducted to periodically align rental payments with the prevailing market rate. Additionally, in order to allow operational flexibility some land
and building leases also grant Syngenta options to extend the lease beyond its initial term or to terminate the lease early. The likelihood of
exercising these options is assessed by Syngenta on a lease by lease basis and if the option is considered to be reasonably certain it directly
impacts upon the lease term used in calculating the right-of-use asset and lease liability values.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, Syngenta entered into a number of sale and leaseback arrangements on its land and buildings as
disclosed in Note 3.
Machinery and equipment
Machinery and equipment leases relate primarily to Syngenta’s car fleet, which is used by the management and sales functions. The average
contract duration for fleet assets is 2 years.
Right-of-use assets
Movements in right-of-use assets for the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:
2020 ($m)
Cost
January 1
Additions
Disposals
Currency translation effects
December 31
Accumulated depreciation
January 1
Depreciation charge
Impairment losses
Depreciation on disposals
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
Net book value – December 31
Land
Buildings
Machinery and
equipment
35
6
(6)
1
36
(3)
(5)
‐
3
‐
(5)
31
345
34
(23)
16
372
(47)
(59)
(4)
23
(4)
(91)
281
143
33
(17)
‐
159
(43)
(47)
(3)
17
‐
(76)
83
Total
523
73
(46)
17
567
(93)
(111)
(7)
43
(4)
(172)
395
61
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Movements in right-of-use assets for the year ended December 31, 2019 are as follows:
Land
Buildings
Machinery and
equipment
2019 ($m)
Cost
January 1
Reclassified on implementation of IFRS 16 (Note 11)
Recognized on implementation of IFRS 16
Additions
Disposals
Currency translation effects
December 31
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
January 1
Depreciation charge
Depreciation on disposals
December 31
Net book value – December 31
Lease liability maturity
‐
‐
35
‐
‐
‐
35
‐
(3)
‐
(3)
32
‐
8
121
214
(2)
4
345
‐
(50)
3
(47)
298
The maturities of lease liabilities as at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
Within one year
One to two years
Three to five years
More than five years
Total
Present value (Note 18)
Total
‐
63
200
262
(4)
2
523
‐
(97)
4
(93)
430
2019
113
89
150
336
688
579
‐
55
44
48
(2)
(2)
143
‐
(44)
1
(43)
100
2020
113
85
137
331
666
563
As detailed in Note 26, the value of the lease liability is dependent upon a number of judgments around the duration of the lease terms applied
to individual leases, together with an assessment as to whether any purchase options contained within leases are reasonably certain of being
exercised. The current lease liability represents Syngenta’s current assessment of these judgmental areas, with the range of hypothetical
lease liabilities that Syngenta’s lease portfolio could give rise to being $491 million to $859 million.
Other lease disclosures
The amounts charged to the income statement in respect of leases are as follows:
($m)
Interest on lease liabilities
Expenses relating to variable lease payments
Expenses relating to short-term leases
Expenses relating to leases of low value assets
2020
(20)
(2)
(4)
-
2019
(11)
(4)
(33)
(1)
Total cash outflows included in the cash flow statement as at December 31, 2020 in respect of leases amount to $125 million (2019: $143
million).
Syngenta accounts for short-term leases and leases of low value by applying the recognition exemptions permitted in IFRS 16 “Leases”, with
lease payments expensed as they are incurred.
62
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
23. Principal currency translation rates
Year end rates used for the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, to translate the following currencies into $, are:
Swiss franc
British pound sterling
Euro
Brazilian real
Russian ruble
Ukrainian hryvnia
2020 per $
0.88
0.73
0.81
5.20
74.72
28.26
2019 per $
0.97
0.76
0.89
4.03
62.17
23.69
Average rates during the years ended December 31, used for the consolidated income and cash flow statements, to translate the following
currencies into $, are:
Swiss franc
British pound sterling
Euro
Brazilian real
Russian ruble
Ukrainian hryvnia
24. Risk management of financial risks
Risk management framework
2020 per $
2019 per $
0.94
0.78
0.88
5.16
72.26
26.85
0.99
0.78
0.89
3.94
65.11
26.04
The nature of Syngenta’s business and its global presence exposes it to a range of financial risks. These risks include (i) market risks, which
include potential unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates, commodity prices and other market prices (equities, credit
spreads etc.), (ii) counterparty risk and (iii) liquidity and refinancing risk.
A financial risk management framework is in place in the form of a Treasury policy approved by the Board of Directors. This policy provides
guidance over all Treasury and finance related matters, is underpinned by delegated authority guidelines and is additionally supported by
detailed procedures in place across Syngenta. In accordance with its Treasury policy, Syngenta actively monitors and manages financial risk
with the objectives of reducing fluctuations in reported earnings and cash flows from these risks and providing economic protection against
cost increases. These objectives are achieved through (a) a monthly assessment of the impact of market risks against defined risk limits (see
following section), which take into account the risk appetite of Syngenta and (b) the use of a variety of derivative and non-derivative financial
instruments.
Financial instruments available for use to mitigate these risks are selected by Syngenta according to the nature of the underlying risk. These
instruments are designed to economically hedge underlying risks arising from operational activities and from funding and investment positions.
Syngenta does not enter into any speculative financial transactions.
The fair values and the volumes of the derivatives (including the time periods being hedged) used to manage financial market risks at
December 31, 2020 and 2019 are below, classified by accounting treatment: CF and FV indicate derivatives where cash flow hedge and fair
value hedge accounting is applied, respectively; and M2M indicates derivatives that are marked to market through profit or loss and hedge
accounting is not specifically required. The transactions are managed to minimize the potential adverse movement for the entire portfolio of
the net transactional flows, rather than on an individual currency basis. As such, for some derivatives there is no single average strike or price
of the derivatives.
2020
Risk
Foreign exchange risk ($m)
Trading transaction – committed
Trading transaction – uncommitted
Trading transaction – uncommitted
Issued financial debt and interest
Interest rate risk
Commodity price risk
Gas2
Soft commodities3
Soft commodities4
Total
Fair value of
outstanding derivatives1
Maturity profile in $m
Accounting
treatment
Quantity
Assets
$m
Liabilities
$m
0-90
days
90-days
-1 year
1-5
years
>5 years
M2M
CF
M2M
CF
FV
CF
M2M
CF
9,945
3,528
14
2,591
1,500
5
345
128
18,055
76
75
-
126
19
-
88
16
400
(201)
(58)
-
(78)
(45)
-
(19)
(4)
(405)
(80)
1
-
-
-
-
28
-
(51)
(45)
16
-
(57)
0
-
34
12
(40)
-
-
-
(11)
(26)
-
7
-
(30)
-
-
-
116
-
-
-
-
116
63
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Fair value of
outstanding derivatives1
Maturity profile in $m
Accounting
treatment
Quantity
Assets
$m
Liabilities
$m
0-90
days
90-days
-1 year
1-5
years
>5 years
2019
Risk
Foreign exchange risk ($m)
Trading transaction – committed
Trading transaction – uncommitted
Trading transaction – uncommitted
Issued financial debt and interest
M2M
CF
M2M
CF
FV
12,300
1,772
-
1,494
1,000
38
30
-
3
16
(134)
(12)
-
(124)
(15)
Interest rate risk
Commodity price risk
Gas2
-
Soft commodities3
23
Soft commodities4
12
Total
122
1 The fair values of derivatives are reported in the consolidated Balance Sheet as shown in Note 25
2 1,760,937 million (2019: 2,500,000 million) British thermal units
3 Mainly 214,838,636 lbs (2019: 188,493,398 lbs) of coffee
4 7,715,000 bushels (2019: 6,875,000 bushels) of soybean and 7,935,000 bushels (2019: 5,595,000 bushels) of corn
6
270
89
16,931
(1)
-
-
(286)
CF
M2M
CF
(56)
3
-
-
-
-
-
8
(45)
(40)
15
-
-
-
(1)
5
4
(17)
-
-
-
(110)
1
-
-
-
(109)
-
-
-
(11)
-
-
18
-
7
Of the derivatives listed in the table above, hedge accounting is applied wherever possible. Exceptions to this are derivatives where the fair
value movements of the hedges and the retranslation of the underlying exposures are largely offset in profit or loss (hedging foreign exchange
risk of committed monetary items); or derivatives placed, which do not fulfil the specific requirements of the accounting standard to achieve
hedge accounting (hedging foreign exchange risk of uncommitted forecast transactions; commodity price risk: soft commodities, principally
Brazil coffee purchases as part of barter programs).
For those transactions which are not designated for hedge accounting purposes where the transactions do not fulfil the specific requirements
of the accounting standard to achieve hedge accounting, the gains and losses on those hedging instruments for the year 2020 were as
follows:
Foreign currency forward contracts that are effective economic hedges of forecast cash flows arising from anticipated sales
and purchases between Syngenta affiliates and third parties. The amount recorded in profit or loss in 2020 is a loss of $49 million (2019:
loss of $18 million).
Commodity derivative contracts that are effective economic hedges of the anticipated purchases of raw materials or purchases,
principally purchases related to corn and soybean in North America and Latin America, and the resale of various crops in barter
arrangements. The amount recorded in profit or loss in respect of these derivatives in 2020 is a gain of $26 million (2019: gain of $38
million). The profit or loss impact from the corresponding forecasted transactions occurs when the related finished product inventories
are sold, which is generally in the year following recognition of the gain or loss on the hedge.
Assessment of the impact of market risks
The impact of market risks is assessed using a variety of Value-at-Risk (VaR) and Earnings-at-Risk (EaR) methods. These methods are
adjusted to reflect the nature of the exposures and the impact of the exposures on profit or loss of the financial year. The specific methods
used to assess the impact of financial risks are described below:
Risk
Foreign exchange risk
Trading transaction – committed
Trading transaction – uncommitted
Issued financial debt and interest
Translation
Interest rate risk
Commodity price risk
Method
Exposure (financial statement item)
Time horizon (months)
VaR
EaR
VaR
VaR
EaR
EaR
Monetary asset and liability carrying amounts
Operating income
Monetary liability carrying amounts
Cumulative translation adjustment in OCI
Interest expense
Operating income
1
12
1
1
12
12
VaR and EaR calculations are risk management tools designed to statistically estimate with a pre-set probability the maximum amount
of potential losses in value (VaR) or earnings (EaR) over a specific (holding) time period given current and forecast positions and possible
movements in market prices. The VaR and EaR methods used by Syngenta estimate the gross impact on the consolidated financial
statements if the underlying items were not hedged and the net impact of the combined underlying hedged items and the related hedging
instruments. VaR and EaR calculations attempt to recognize that holding different assets and liabilities or incurring different future cash flow
exposures may reduce portfolio risk through diversification. Such diversification effects are captured within the calculations, which aim to
present the risk based on Syngenta’s currency exposure as a whole, rather than the sum of the exposures to the individual currency pairs
within the portfolio of exposures. Using historical data, the VaR and EaR calculations are designed to predict possible changes in the markets
in the future at a 99 percent confidence level, with a 1 percent probability that actual results will be worse than calculated. The time horizon
used to calculate the VaR figures for each risk is determined by the time period over which management forecasts and monitors changes in
the risk and in Syngenta’s exposure to it and takes mitigating actions in response to those changes.
The assessment of the impact of market risks is performed monthly and the results are compared against annually defined risk limits. In cases
where the net impact is higher than a risk limit, Syngenta enters into derivative financial instrument transactions in order to stay within the risk
limits approved in the risk management policy. Breaches of risk limits, should they occur, are immediately reported to senior management.
64
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Syngenta cannot predict future movements in risk variables precisely, therefore calculations of the impact of market risks neither represent
actual losses nor consider the effects of potential favorable movements in underlying risk variables. Accordingly, these calculations may only
be an indication of future movements to the extent the historic market patterns repeat in the future.
Foreign exchange risk
Operating worldwide exposes Syngenta to foreign exchange transaction and translation risk at both the Syngenta AG group and subsidiary
level. Syngenta’s policy is to hedge the effect of foreign exchange translation risk on shareholder’s equity only in specific circumstances, for
example to protect the value of temporary excess foreign currency denominated cash positions.
Foreign exchange transaction risk – committed
Syngenta’s individual subsidiaries predominantly transact their operational activities in their respective functional currencies. However, the
globally integrated nature of Syngenta’s business results in its subsidiaries bearing some amount of transactional balance sheet risk, because
some monetary items (including financial liabilities) are denominated in foreign currencies.
Such committed foreign currency exposures are largely generated by the routing of products from Syngenta’s central manufacturing sites to
its foreign locations. The risk management strategy is to ensure that these committed exposures are fully hedged, unless otherwise approved
by Group Treasury, for example where not deemed cost-effective or where there is no forward market for a specific currency.
The derivative instruments that Syngenta’s risk management policy allows to be used to manage the risk are foreign exchange forward
contracts and cross currency swaps with the same risk (foreign exchange currency index), where the fair value movements of the hedges and
the retranslation of the underlying committed exposures are largely offset in profit or loss.
The derivative instruments are placed with the same maturity as the expected cash flows of the hedged transactions so that the timing of the
cash flows of the items within the hedged exposure effectively matches the timing of the cash flows of the derivative instrument.
Net committed transactional currency exposures are identified and reported on a monthly basis by business units. The impact of the hedging
program can be illustrated in the below VaR calculations for committed exposures, which relate to the revaluation of exposures relative to spot
rates over a monthly period. The impact of interest differentials and other factors is not included in these calculations.
($m, except risk reduction %)
Underlying currency (1-month holding period)
Swiss franc
Brazilian real
British pound sterling
Russian ruble
Argentine peso
Rest of world
Total undiversified
Diversification
Net VaR
December 31, 2020
Value-at-Risk
Net
impact
5
-
-
-
10
21
36
(23)
13
Gross
impact
267
31
23
35
11
102
469
(162)
307
Risk
reduction
98%
100%
100%
100%
9%
80%
92%
86%
96%
December 31, 2019
Value-at-Risk
Gross
impact
308
12
41
29
4
84
478
(146)
332
Net
impact
2
4
-
-
4
13
23
(17)
6
Risk
reduction
99%
67%
100%
100%
0%
85%
95%
89%
98%
At December 31, 2020, the Value-at-Risk for a one-month holding period, after hedges, at a 99 percent confidence level was $14 million
(December 31, 2019: $6 million).
The largest exposures arise in Swiss franc, Russian ruble, Brazilian Real and British pound sterling. Switzerland and Great Britain house large
research and manufacturing sites.
Foreign exchange transaction risk – uncommitted
Uncommitted transactions are expected, highly probable future transactions for which Syngenta does not yet have a contractual right or
obligation (mainly sales and costs).
The US dollar represents the biggest single currency for both sales and costs. However, currency mismatches arise from Syngenta having
a centralized cost base, denominated mainly in Swiss francs, British pounds and US dollars, against a local selling base, denominated mainly
in US dollars, Euros and various other currencies, including those in emerging markets. In addition, due to the seasonality of Syngenta’s
business, the majority of sales occur during the first half of the year whereas costs tend to occur more linearly throughout the year.
The risk management objective is to minimize the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates on the operating income forecasted to result
from these transactions. Syngenta considers hedging this exposure unless it can reliably expect that operating income could, without
significant adverse economic impact, be protected by adjusting the pricing of forecast transactions for changes in foreign exchange rates
before those transactions occur. Hedging transactions are managed to minimize the potential adverse movement for the entire portfolio of the
net transactional flows, rather than on an individual currency basis. Transactions in a specific calendar year are managed cumulatively in
separate portfolios.
The cumulative diversified risk of the whole portfolio can be reduced by entering into derivative transactions for a portion or the full amount of
the individual transactions so that the remaining risk of the whole portfolio is at acceptable levels within clearly defined risk limits. The risk
management objective is applicable for transactions in the following 24 months. Currently transactions for the next 12-month period are being
hedged.
The derivative instruments that Syngenta’s risk management policy allows to be used to manage the risk are:
foreign exchange forward contracts and net purchased currency options with the same risk (foreign exchange currency index) which are
eliminating or reducing the uncertainty in the cash flows.
placed mainly with the same or (to a lesser extent) with shorter maturity than the timing of the cash flows being hedged so that the timing
of the cash flows of the hedged transactions effectively matches the timing of the cash flows of the derivative instrument.
65
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
The impact of the hedging program on operating income can be illustrated in the Earnings-at-Risk calculation performed for anticipated net
transactional currency flows for the following year taking into account related currency hedges.
($m, except risk reduction %)
Underlying currency (12-month holding period)
Swiss franc
Argentine peso
Brazilian real
Russian ruble
Euro
British pound sterling
Rest of world
Total undiversified
Diversification
Net EaR
December 31, 2020
Earnings-at-Risk
Net
impact
53
7
79
11
39
47
109
345
(202)
143
Gross
impact
123
7
92
21
38
60
177
518
(329)
189
Risk
reduction
57%
-
14%
49%
-3%
21%
39%
33%
39%
24%
December 31, 2019
Earnings-at-Risk
Net
impact
73
14
30
7
24
45
116
309
(205)
104
Gross
impact
101
14
75
15
24
50
137
416
(273)
143
Risk
reduction
27%
-
60%
51%
-
11%
15%
26%
25%
27%
At December 31, 2020, the total potential adverse movement for 2021 net transactional flows after hedges relative to year-end, at a 99
percent confidence level, was $143 million (December 31, 2019: $104 million).
The largest exposures are to the Swiss franc, where Syngenta has a significant cost base in Switzerland with no material offsetting sales, and
the Brazilian real, where a significant cost base is only partially offset by sales because sales in Brazil are partially dollarized.
Foreign exchange transaction risk – issued financial debt and interest
Syngenta has a funding strategy which involves securing a diversification of funding sources in different markets and maintaining an optimal
currency mix of debt.
This additional foreign currency exposure arises from the debt issuances in Euro and in Swiss franc under the Euro Medium Term Note
(EMTN) program. The risk management objective is to minimize the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates on these foreign currency
denominated debt interest and principal repayments.
The foreign exchange risk on the foreign currency denominated debt is managed mostly by derivative instruments, and partially within a
portfolio of other committed transactions.
The derivative instruments which Syngenta’s risk management policy allows to be used to manage the risk are:
cross currency swaps designated as hedges of foreign exchange risk of future interest and principal payments on foreign currency
financial debt which are eliminating or reducing the uncertainty in the cash flows.
placed mainly with the same terms as the items being hedged so that the timing of the interest and principal repayments of the hedged
transactions effectively matches the timing of the cash flows of the derivative instrument.
Foreign exchange translation risk
Translation exposure arises from the consolidation of foreign currency denominated financial statements of Syngenta’s subsidiaries. This is
reported as currency translation effects in OCI.
Translation risk can be significant; however, Syngenta regards its equity base to be of sufficient magnitude generally to absorb the short- to
medium-term impact of exchange rate movements.
Syngenta can use both foreign currency denominated debt and net investment hedging to manage this exposure. The latter incorporates
specific actions to protect the value of temporary excess foreign currency denominated cash positions. No hedging was undertaken for
exposures of this type during the years ended December 31, 2020 or 2019. The exposure is deemed to be mitigated by the large net asset
base of Syngenta and consequently no additional management of the exposure was undertaken in 2020 or 2019.
The table below presents the 1-month translation Value-at-Risk:
($m)
Currency of net investment in subsidiary (1-month holding period)
Swiss franc
Brazilian real
Euro
British pound sterling
Indian rupee
Mexican peso
Chinese renminbi
Rest of world
Total undiversified
Diversification
Net VaR
December 31, 2020
Value-at-Risk
December 31, 2019
Value-at-Risk
Gross impact
284
161
39
37
33
14
14
84
666
(350)
316
Gross impact
222
168
25
36
39
1
11
127
629
(297)
332
At December 31, 2020, the Value-at-Risk for a one-month holding period at a 99 percent confidence level was $316 million (December 31,
2019: $332 million).
66
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
The two largest single currency exposures arise in the Brazilian real and Swiss franc, driven by the large operations and investments in
facilities in Switzerland and Brazil.
Interest rate risk
Syngenta is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates on its borrowings (including forecasted borrowings) and excess cash. While the majority
of Syngenta’s borrowings have fixed interest rates, portions of Syngenta’s net borrowings, including its short-term commercial paper program,
drawings under the syndicated credit facility and local borrowings, are subject to changes in short-term interest rates.
Syngenta monitors its interest rate exposures and analyzes the potential impact of interest rate movements on net interest expense. The risk
management strategy involves ensuring an efficient fixed/floating mix of total debt within approved interest rate limits.
The risk can be managed by the use of interest rate derivatives relating to future interest payments of financial debt liabilities. The derivative
instruments are placed with the same maturity as the expected cash flows of the hedged transactions so that the timing of the cash flows of
the hedged transactions effectively matches the timing of the cash flows of the derivative instrument.
At December 31, 2020, the net amount of Earnings-at-Risk on floating rate debt due to potential changes in interest rates (a parallel shift of
100 bps was applied) was $27 million (2019: $35 million). The net amount of Earnings-at-Risk on net debt, as defined under “Capital
structure” below, due to potential changes in interest rates was immaterial at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Commodity price risks
Operating in the agribusiness sector, changes in certain commodity prices affect Syngenta’s reported operating results and cash flows. On a
limited basis, Syngenta enters into derivative transactions to hedge the exposure of its cost base to commodity prices. This activity comprises
oil and natural gas hedging in the UK and USA, as well as soft commodity hedging for corn and soybean purchases by the Seeds business in
the USA, Canada, Brazil and Argentina, where Syngenta contracts to purchase various seed crops from growers and hedges the cost of the
purchases. In barter arrangements where Syngenta sells products in exchange for receiving a certain amount of a commodity crop, Syngenta
hedges the value of the crop. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, open hedging transactions for US, Brazil and Argentina coffee, corn and
soybean price risk were an asset of $104 million (December 31, 2019: $35 million) and a liability of $23 million (December 31, 2019: nil).
Syngenta has indirect exposure to oil price fluctuations mainly through the impact of oil prices on the cost of both raw materials, especially
chemical intermediates in the Crop Protection business, and distribution activities. At December 31, 2020, there was no hedge protection
outstanding (December 31, 2019: none). As the exposure to oil is indirect, Syngenta does not calculate the Earnings-at-Risk due to potential
changes in oil prices.
Natural gas exposure occurs in Syngenta’s primary manufacturing sites and Syngenta is managing the exposure by hedging the main risk
component, which is the natural gas market price, contractually linked to the NYMEX natural gas benchmark price. The other risk components
within the exposure are immaterial. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, open hedging transactions for natural gas were not material.
The main objective of managing commodity price risk is to reduce the impact of commodity price changes on operating income and to provide
economic protection against future cost increases. Syngenta uses fixed price contracts and derivatives (both Over-the-Counter (OTC) and
exchange traded instruments, including commodity option and futures contracts) to achieve this objective. The derivative instruments are
placed with the same maturity as the expected cash flows of the hedged transactions so that the timing of the cash flows of the hedged
transactions effectively matches the timing of the cash flows of the derivative instrument.
At December 31, 2020, the net amount of Earnings-at-Risk due to potential changes in natural gas prices was not material. Earnings-at-Risk
due to potential changes in prices of soft commodities, principally corn and soybean, assuming a 12-month holding period are presented
below.
($m, except risk reduction %)
December 31, 2020
Earnings-at-Risk
December 31, 2019
Earnings-at-Risk
Soft commodities
Total undiversified1
1 As the main soft commodities are largely correlated to each other, the impact of diversification is immaterial
Gross impact
46
Net impact
14
Risk reduction
70%
Gross impact
50
Net impact
26
Risk reduction
48%
The Earnings-at-Risk of soft commodities is driven by their high price volatility compared to other asset classes. The hedging program
reduces overall 12-month Earnings-at-Risk at December 31, 2020 to $14 million (December 31, 2019: $26 million). The decrease in net risk in
2020 is due to higher hedge ratios at year end.
Derivatives and hedge accounting
Syngenta seeks to apply, wherever possible, hedge accounting to present its financial statements in accordance with the economic purpose
of the hedging activity. Hedges for which hedge accounting is not adopted either (a) do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting
treatment under IFRS or (b) when combined with the accounting for the underlying hedged items, impact the financial statements in a manner
aligned with the economic purpose of the hedging transaction without the need to adopt hedge accounting treatment, for example hedges of
monetary items denominated in foreign currency.
Syngenta determines the economic relationship between the hedged items and the hedging instruments by reviewing the critical terms of the
hedged items and the hedging instruments. As a result Syngenta concludes that the risk being hedged for the hedged items and risk inherent
in the hedging instruments are sufficiently aligned, there is no inherent mismatch in the hedging relationship and a 100 percent hedge ratio
applies both for the actual quantities hedged and for the hedge accounting, except as described below. The impact of the critical terms is also
assessed using historical scenario analysis supported by statistical methods (regression analysis).
For the hedging of foreign currency risk of uncommitted forecasted trading transactions, because the exposures are largely generated by the
routing of products from Syngenta’s central manufacturing sites to its foreign locations, the profit or loss impact from the corresponding
transactions occurs when the related finished product inventories are sold to third parties. When entering into derivative hedging contracts,
Syngenta selects maturity dates based on the forecast period for which Syngenta holds inventories of its products for each commercial market
by hedged currency exposure. Limited variability in the holding period occurs mainly due to timing of the third-party sales transactions
(“inventory holding period mismatch”).
67
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
For the hedging of commodity price risk of soy and corn, there is variability between the index being hedged (CBOT) and the drivers of the
actual exposures (local soy elevator prices based on CBOT and Syngenta seeds production and selling prices based on CBOT). The
variability is, however, limited to individual transactions within the group of transactions in this hedging program – and a hedge ratio of 100
percent is observed for the whole group of transactions.
The following table summarizes the accounting treatment, sources of ineffectiveness and the effectiveness assessment method for the
identified financial market risks:
Risk
Foreign exchange risk:
Trading transaction – uncommitted
Issued financial debt and interest
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk
Commodity price risk:
Gas
Soft commodities
Accounting
treatment
Potential sources of ineffectiveness
Method
Frequency
Effectiveness assessment
CF
CF
FV
CF
CF
CF
Lower volume of hedged items;
inventory holding period mismatch Critical terms match
Lower volume of hedged items Critical terms match1
Lower volume of hedged items Critical terms match
Lower volume of hedged items Critical terms match
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Lower volume of hedged items Critical terms match
Lower volume of hedged items;
Semi-annually
index mismatch Regression analysis
Quarterly
1 except EUR 900 million 3.375% Eurobond where a quantitative assessment is applied
Ineffectiveness is recognized in the consolidated income statement in Other general and administrative for hedges of uncommitted foreign
currency forecast transactions, in Financial expense, net for hedges of committed foreign currency monetary items, in Financial expense, net
for hedges of interest rate risk and in Cost of goods sold for hedges of commodity price risk. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019 none of the above potential sources of ineffectiveness, individually or collectively, resulted in material amounts of actual ineffectiveness
being reported for any hedge accounting relationships.
Fair Value Hedge Accounting
The amounts being reported in the statement of financial position for the fair value hedging relationships at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are
as follows:
Risk ($m)
Interest rate risk – for continuing hedging relationships
Interest rate risk – for hedged items that have ceased to be adjusted
Total
Carrying amount
of hedged item
Accumulated amount
of fair value adjustment
Liabilities
Liabilities
2020
514
-
514
2019
511
39
550
2020
(15)
-
(15)
2019
(12)
(1)
(13)
The carrying amounts of the hedged items, including the fair value adjustments to the hedged items, are reported under Current financial debt
and other financial liabilities and Financial debt and other non-current liabilities.
The decrease in the value of the hedged items during the period for hedge effectiveness purposes was $36 million (2019: decrease of
$10 million).
Cash flow hedges
The gains/(losses) on derivative instruments recognized in and classified out of the cash flow hedge reserve during the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows. The amounts shown exclude related income tax effects, which are disclosed in Note 7.
2020 ($m)
Opening balance
(Losses)/gains recognized in OCI:
on hedges as designated
Transferred directly to assets or
liabilities
Reclassifications to profit or loss:
Losses/(gains) on hedges as
designated:
Cost of goods sold
General and administrative
Financial expense, net
Closing balance
Continuing hedging relationships
Issued financial
Foreign exchange risk
Trading
transaction –
uncommitted
16
debt and
interest
(3)
Commodity price risk
Gas
-
Soft
commodities
2
Hedge accounting
no longer applied
Foreign
exchange risk –
translation
(70)
Subtotal
15
1
-
-
-
(3)
-
14
77
-
-
-
-
(117)
(43)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12
-
-
3
-
-
17
90
-
-
3
(3)
(117)
(12)
(3)
-
-
-
-
-
(73)
Total
(55)
87
-
-
3
(3)
(117)
(85)
68
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
2019 ($m)
Opening balance
(Losses)/gains recognized in OCI:
on hedges as designated
Transferred directly to assets or
liabilities
Reclassifications to profit or loss:
Losses/(gains) on hedges as
designated:
Cost of goods sold
General and administrative
Financial expense, net
Closing balance
Continuing hedging relationships
Foreign exchange risk
Trading
transaction –
uncommitted
5
Issued financial
debt and interest
60
Commodity price risk
Gas Soft commodities
2
-
Subtotal
67
Hedge accounting
no longer applied
Foreign
exchange risk –
translation
(69)
(9)
-
-
20
-
16
(113)
-
-
-
50
(3)
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1)
-
1
-
-
2
(123)
-
1
20
50
15
(1)
-
-
-
-
(70)
Total
(2)
(124)
-
1
20
50
(55)
Amounts reclassified from the cash flow hedge reserve into profit or loss are recognized in the consolidated income statement in Other
general and administrative for hedges of uncommitted foreign currency forecast transactions, in Financial expense, net for hedges of
committed foreign currency monetary items and for hedges of interest rate risk and in Cost of goods sold for hedges of commodity price risk.
Credit risk
Credit risk arises from the possibility that counterparties involved in transactions with Syngenta may default on their obligation, resulting in
financial losses to Syngenta. Credit risk relates both to financial assets (including derivatives, marketable securities and money market
contracts) as well as to operational assets managed by Syngenta’s businesses (such as trade receivables).
Syngenta’s maximum exposure to credit risk is the carrying values of its financial assets and receivables, including derivatives with positive
market values. These amounts are disclosed in Note 25.
Syngenta has policies and operating guidelines in place to ensure that financial instrument transactions are only entered into with high credit
quality banks and financial institutions. These include limits in respect of counterparties to ensure that there are no significant concentrations of
credit risk. Syngenta continuously monitors the creditworthiness of its counterparties based on credit ratings and credit default swap data.
At December 31, 2020, Syngenta had no treasury or derivative transactions representing a significant concentration of credit risk. No credit
losses have been incurred from investments in derivative financial instruments during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
To minimize its exposure to derivative positions, Syngenta enters into netting agreements under an International Swaps and Derivatives
Association (ISDA) master agreement with its respective counterparties. In addition, for almost all derivative positions, Syngenta has entered
into Credit Support Annex contracts (CSAs) under which cash is exchanged as collateral. The CSA contracts cumulatively limit either
Syngenta’s or the counterparty’s aggregate credit risk exposure to no more than $1 million per counterparty on a weekly settlement basis for
the positions for which CSA contracts have been agreed. There are no constraints on the cash exchanged and held between counterparties
and the collateral can be used as part of operations. At December 31, 2020, an asset amounting to $158 million (2019: $206 million), and a
liability amounting to $54 million (2019: $17 million) were recorded representing cash paid and received by Syngenta as collateral under these
CSAs.
The impact of credit risk on the fair value of derivatives is considered through market observable credit default swap spreads for Syngenta and
its counterparties. The impact on the fair value of Syngenta’s derivative positions at December 31, 2020 and 2019 of the risk of default by
financial counterparties was not material.
The credit risk to operational assets is managed through the use of credit limits and is partially mitigated through commercial activities, which
include barter operations, cash sales incentives and obtaining other security from customers where appropriate.
The following tables show the effect of set off rights that apply to financial assets and liabilities under the above ISDA and CSA agreements at
December 31, 2020 and 2019. Syngenta’s rights under these arrangements would become enforceable in the event of a future default of the
respective counterparty.
($m)
Gross recognized derivative financial instrument fair values (Note 25)
Amounts offset in consolidated balance sheet
Net amounts per consolidated balance sheet
Amounts subject to conditional set-off rights but not offset in
consolidated balance sheet:
ISDA Master netting agreements for derivative financial instruments
Collateral (received) / paid by Syngenta under CSA agreements
Net amounts in the event that all conditional set-off rights are applied
2020
2019
Assets
400
-
400
Liabilities
(405)
-
(405)
Assets
122
-
122
Liabilities
(286)
-
(286)
(162)
(54)
184
162
158
(85)
(43)
(17)
62
43
206
(37)
69
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Liquidity risk and refinancing risk
Within Syngenta’s risk management framework, liquidity risk is defined as the risk of being unable to raise funds to meet payment obligations
when they fall due.
Refinancing or funding risk is defined as the risk of being unable, on an ongoing basis, to borrow in the market to fund actual or proposed
commitments. Syngenta mitigates its liquidity and refinancing risk by: maintaining a committed unsecured funding facility; ongoing discussions
with its core banks to best monitor its funding capacity; simulations; and diversification of its debt portfolio.
Syngenta’s liquidity risk policy is to maintain at all times sufficient liquidity reserves both at the Syngenta AG Group and subsidiary level in
order to meet payment obligations as they become due and also to maintain an adequate liquidity margin. The planning and supervision of
liquidity is the responsibility of the subsidiaries and Group Treasury. Liquidity requirements are forecasted on a weekly basis. Syngenta
operates regional or country cash pools to allow efficient use of its liquidity reserves.
Short-term liquidity
Two of Syngenta’s largest markets are Europe, Africa and the Middle East and North America. Both sales and operating profit in these two
regions are seasonal and are weighted towards the first half of the calendar year, reflecting the northern hemisphere planting and growing
cycle. Latin America is another large market for Syngenta and sales and operating profit there are weighted towards the second half of the
calendar year, reflecting the southern hemisphere planting and growing cycle. This seasonal operating activity results in seasonal working
capital requirements.
Syngenta’s principal source of liquidity consists of cash generated from operations. Working capital fluctuations due to the seasonality of the
business are supported by short-term funding available from a $2.5 billion Global Commercial Paper program and a $3 billion committed,
revolving, multi-currency syndicated credit facility. In 2019, the credit facility was extended by one year and will now mature in 2024. The
amount drawn under the syndicated credit facility at December 31, 2020 was $nil (2019: $nil). The average outstanding balance under the
syndicated credit facility for the year 2020 was $126 million (2019: $32 million).The amount drawn under the Global Commercial Paper
program at December 31, 2020 was $nil (2019: $878 million). The average outstanding balance under the Global Commercial Paper program
for the year 2020 was $996 million (2019: $1,292 million).
The maturity analyses for Syngenta’s current financial liabilities other than short-term derivative liabilities are presented in Notes 16 and 17.
The maturities of short-term derivative liabilities are as follows:
($m)
2020
2019
Total
337
147
0–90
days
166
81
90–180
days
78
47
180 days–
1 year
93
19
Long-term financing
Long-term capital employed is currently financed through fifteen unsecured bonds and two unsecured notes issued under the Note Purchase
Agreement in the US Private Placement market. Movements in long-term capital are described in Note 18, Financial debt and other non-
current liabilities.
The following table shows Syngenta’s contractually agreed (undiscounted) interest and principal repayments on long-term financing-related
non-derivative financial liabilities and the related derivatives held at December 31, 2020 and 2019. Non-derivative financial liabilities are
recorded at amortized cost (less related issuance costs) unless subject to fair value hedge accounting, in which case the liability is adjusted for
the change in fair value of the hedged risk to the extent the hedge relationship is effective. Derivative financial liabilities are recorded at fair
value. The table therefore shows the total carrying amount of Syngenta’s financial debt adjusted for the effect, if any, of applying fair value
hedge accounting.
2020 ($m)
Less than 1 year
1-3 years
3-5 years
5-10 years
More than 10 years
Total payments
Net carrying amount
Fixed rate
interest
276
454
348
398
626
2,102
Non-derivative financial liabilities
(Unsecured bonds and notes)
Variable rate
interest
15
30
7
-
-
52
Principal
repayment
1,364
2,028
2,089
3,048
761
9,290
Derivative financial liabilities
(Interest rate and cross-currency swaps)
Fixed rate
interest
(18)
(22)
(14)
(15)
-
(69)
Variable rate
interest Repayment1
(52)
-
1
-
-
(51)
(12)
(23)
(6)
-
-
(41)
Total
1,655
2,512
2,444
3,446
1,387
11,444
9,305
Derivative financial liabilities
(Interest rate and cross-currency swaps)
Variable rate
2019 ($m)
Less than 1 year
1-3 years
3-5 years
5-10 years
More than 10 years
Total payments
Net carrying amount
1 The repayments above (and the net carrying amount of the derivative financial liabilities) do not include the amounts paid as collateral
Total
1,067
2,273
2,097
2,961
1,427
9,825
7,129
Non-derivative financial liabilities
(Unsecured bonds and notes)
Variable rate
interest
17
33
24
-
-
74
Principal
repayment
788
1,811
1,759
2,521
761
7,640
Fixed rate
interest
(20)
(33)
(24)
(21)
-
(98)
Fixed rate
interest
262
429
314
440
666
2,111
interest Repayment1
-
(90)
(24)
(15)
-
(129)
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total
(82)
(45)
(19)
(15)
-
(161)
123
Total
(20)
(123)
(48)
(36)
-
(227)
139
70
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Forecast data for liabilities that may be incurred in the future is not included in the table above. Amounts in foreign currency were translated
to US dollars at the closing rate at the reporting date. Variable payments at each year end arising from financial instruments were calculated
based on the forward interest rate yield curve and the spread that Syngenta pays on its outstanding debt and open derivatives at December
31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Non-derivative financial liabilities, repayment of which can be demanded by the counterparty at any time,
have been assigned to the earliest repayment period.
Capital structure
Absent major acquisitions, Syngenta targets maintaining an investment grade credit rating, as recognized by major third-party rating agencies,
which it currently believes provides an optimal balance between financial flexibility and the cost of capital. At December 31, 2020, Syngenta’s
credit ratings were as follows: Fitch Ratings Ltd BBB/F-3; Standard & Poor's Rating Services BBB-/A-3; and Moody's Investors' Services
Limited Ba2/NP.
Syngenta manages capital by monitoring levels of net debt, as calculated below, and equity against targets. Syngenta defines net debt as
excluding financing-related derivatives and related collateral paid and received under CSA agreements as these balances offset each other.
Capital is returned to the shareholder primarily through dividend payments.
The net debt to equity ratio was 177 percent at December 31, 2020 (172 percent at December 31, 2019).
The components of net debt at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
($m)
Current financial debt
Non-current financial debt
Cash and cash equivalents
Marketable securities1
Net debt at December 31
1 Included within ‘Derivative and other financial assets’ and ‘Financial and other non-current assets’
The movements in net debt are as follows:
($m)
Opening balance at January 1
Initial recognition of lease liabilities on adoption of IFRS 16
New leases in the year
Other non-cash items
Cash (received)/paid under CSAs, net
Cash paid on financing-related derivatives
Foreign exchange effect on net debt
Dividends paid
Free cash flow
Closing balance at December 31
2020
2,063
8,418
(2,517)
(67)
7,897
2020
7,572
-
69
46
(84)
-
579
701
(986)
7,897
2019
2,226
7,329
(1,933)
(50)
7,572
2019
6,326
200
412
16
122
42
(163)
900
(283)
7,572
Syngenta defines free cash flow as cash flow from operating and investing activities, excluding investments in and proceeds from marketable
securities, which are included in investing activities; excluding cash flows from and used for foreign exchange movements and settlement of
related hedges on inter-company loans, which are included in operating activities; and including cash flows from acquisitions of non-controlling
interests, which are included in financing activities.
71
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
25. Financial assets and liabilities
The following tables show the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and liabilities by category of financial instrument and
reconciliation to where they are presented in the balance sheet at December 31, 2020 and 2019. The fair value hierarchy level is shown for
those financial assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value in the balance sheet.
2020 ($m)
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables, net
Other accounts receivable:
Financial assets
Non-financial assets
Total
Derivative and other financial assets:
Derivative financial assets4
Other current financial assets
Total
Financial and other non-current assets:
Loans, receivables and pooled investments
Equity investments at fair value through OCI
Other, not carried at fair value
Derivative financial assets4
Total
Trade accounts payable
Current financial debt and other financial liabilities:
Lease liabilities
Other non-derivative financial liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities4
Total
Other current liabilities:
Financial liabilities
Non-financial liabilities
Total
Financial debt and other non-current liabilities:
Lease liabilities
Carrying amount (based on
measurement basis)
Amortized
cost
2,517
4,314
Fair value
level 1
-
-
Fair value
level 2
-
-
Fair value
level 31
-
-
Total
2,517
4,314
Comparison
fair value
2,5172
4,3142
216
-
-
163
200
-
-
4,654
103
2,494
81
-
-
-
16
54
18
-
-
-
-
-
-
4
-
-
-
-
148
-
-
-
-
236
-
-
-
333
-
-
-
-
-
-
151
-
-
-
-
-
-
216
445
661
164
217
381
218
151
189
236
794
4,654
103
2,494
337
2,934
81
960
1,041
2162
-3
164
2172
2185
1511
-3
236
4,6542
-3
2,4942
337
812
-3
-
-
-
-
460
7,998
-
-
68
-
-
-
460
7,998
68
128
8,654
-3
8,2816
68
-3
Other non-derivative financial liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities4
Non-financial liabilities
Total
1 The main valuation input for these transactions is the price from their most recent shareholder financing transactions. Where the most recent shareholder financing transactions
-
-
are not considered representative of fair value, pricing models are used
2 Carrying amount approximates the estimated fair value due to the short-term nature of the financial instruments
3 Fair value is not required to be disclosed for non-financial assets, including defined benefit pension assets, for non-financial liabilities and for lease liabilities
4 Derivative financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value through profit or loss except that gains and losses on cash flow hedges of forecast transactions are not
recognized in profit or loss until the hedged transaction is recognized in profit or loss
5 Fair values of these receivables are measured by discounting their cash flows at interest rates derived using observable yields on government bonds with maturities and currencies
that match those of the respective receivable and the estimated credit risk of each receivable. The total fair value disclosed in respect of loans and receivables at amortized cost is
due from counterparties that have not issued traded bonds and represents a level 3 fair value measurement
6 Financial liabilities represent both exchange traded bonds and non-exchange traded private placement notes issued by Syngenta. The fair value disclosed consists of level 2 fair
value measurements derived from observable price quotations for these bonds
72
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
2019 ($m)
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables, net
Other accounts receivable:
Financial assets
Non-financial assets
Total
Derivative and other financial assets:
Derivative financial assets4
Other current financial assets
Total
Financial and other non-current assets:
Loans, receivables and pooled investments
Equity investments at fair value through OCI
Other, not carried at fair value
Derivative financial assets4
Total
Trade accounts payable
Current financial debt and other financial liabilities:
Lease liabilities
Other non-derivative financial liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities4
Total
Other current liabilities:
Financial liabilities
Non-financial liabilities
Total
Financial debt and other non-current liabilities:
Lease liabilities
Carrying amount (based on
measurement basis)
Amortized
cost
1,933
4,358
Fair value
level 1
-
-
Fair value
level 2
-
-
Fair value
level 31
-
-
Total
1,933
4,358
Comparison
fair value
1,9332
4,3582
156
-
-
210
174
-
-
-
4,146
103
2,203
-
64
-
-
-
12
19
58
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
73
-
31
-
-
37
-
-
-
147
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
140
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
156
390
546
85
229
314
263
140
168
37
608
4,146
103
2,203
147
2,453
64
806
870
1562
-3
85
2292
314
2635
1401
-3
37
4,1462
- 3
2,2032
147
642
-3
476
6,856
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
139
-
-
-
-
-
476
6,856
139
140
7,611
-3
7,1136
139
-3
Other non-derivative financial liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities4
Non-financial liabilities
Total
1 The main valuation input for these transactions is the price from their most recent shareholder financing transactions. Where the most recent shareholder financing transactions
are not considered representative of fair value, pricing models are used
2 Carrying amount approximates the estimated fair value due to the short-term nature of the financial instruments
3 Fair value is not required to be disclosed for non-financial assets, including defined benefit pension assets, for non-financial liabilities and for lease liabilities
4 Derivative financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value through profit or loss except that gains and losses on cash flow hedges of forecast transactions are not
recognized in profit or loss until the hedged transaction is recognized in profit or loss
5 Fair values of these receivables are measured by discounting their cash flows at interest rates derived using observable yields on government bonds with maturities and currencies
that match those of the respective receivable and the estimated credit risk of each receivable. The total fair value disclosed in respect of loans and receivables at amortized cost is
due from counterparties that have not issued traded bonds and represents a level 3 fair value measurement
6 Financial liabilities represent both exchange traded bonds and non-exchange traded private placement notes issued by Syngenta. The fair value disclosed consists of level 2 fair
value measurements derived from observable price quotations for these bonds
The levels of fair value hierarchy used above are defined as follows:
Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for
the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and
Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not
based on observable market data.
Equity investments at fair value through OCI consist mainly of unquoted companies whose proprietary technologies are still at the
development stage. The last round financing price is used as fair value for all classes of shares held by Syngenta if either:
the round took place less than 12 months before the reporting date and there are no terms where any class of shares would not convert
into common shares at the last round valuation; or
Syngenta has information showing that the investee company has progressed according to plan in meeting its technological, operational
and financial objectives.
73
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Otherwise, fair value of each material investment is estimated using accepted valuation methodologies, consisting of the following steps:
1. calculation of the investee company’s Enterprise Value (EV) from projected revenues using M&A transaction multiples and public
company comparable revenue multiples
2. solving for the value of equity by adjusting EV for debt and applying a discount for lack of control
3. allocating the equity value to all shares of all classes:
equally if investors’ most likely exit is through an initial public offering (IPO) or if the total equity value is so high that all classes would
convert to common shares;
in other circumstances, using the Option-Pricing Method to model uncertainty regarding future exit outcomes. This method models
common and preferred shares as call options on the future distributable value of the investee enterprise’s equity, at exercise prices
based on their liquidation preferences at specified liquidity events. Valuation inputs are estimated individually for each investee
enterprise and vary based on the maturity of its business and stage of development of its proprietary technologies.
If an investee undergoes an IPO, the fair value of the investment at subsequent period ends is based on quoted market prices. Shareholdings
subject to a lock-up period where the underlying shares are actively traded on a stock exchange are fair valued by applying a discount to the
quoted price for lack of marketability and these measurements are classified as level 2. They are reclassified as level 1 on expiry of the lock-
up period. In 2020 and 2019, there were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 or into or out of level 3 of the fair value hierarchy or between
the fair value and amortized cost categories.
Movements in level 3 financial assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
($m)
January 1
Unrealized gains recognized on equity instruments at fair value through OCI
Additions due to issues
Currency translation effects and other
December 31
2020
140
(5)
14
2
151
2019
123
9
11
(3)
140
Income, expense, gains and losses relating to financial instruments recognized in profit or loss during the years ended December 31, 2020
and 2019 are as follows:
2020 ($m)
Recognized within Financial expense, net 1:
Interest income
Interest expense
Currency gains/(losses), net
Recognized within Marketing and distribution:
Impairment charges
Total
2019 ($m)
Recognized within Financial expense, net 1:
Interest income
Interest expense
Currency gains/(losses), net
Recognized within Marketing and distribution:
Impairment charges
Amortized cost
loans and
receivables
Derivative
assets and
liabilities
Lease
liabilities
Other liabilities
carried at
amortized cost
54
(2)
-
(62)
(10)
-
(29)
(91)
-
(120)
-
(16)
-
-
(16)
-
(385)
-
-
(385)
Amortized cost
loans and
receivables
Derivative
assets and
liabilities
Lease
liabilities
Other liabilities
carried at
amortized cost
98
-
-
(106)
(8)
-
(37)
(26)
-
(63)
-
(11)
-
-
(11)
-
(419)
-
-
(419)
Total
1 Financial expense, net also includes $28 million of bank charges (2019: $30 million)
Total
54
(432)
(91)
(62)
(531)
Total
98
(467)
(26)
(106)
(501)
74
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
26. New IFRSs and accounting policies
Adoption of New IFRSs
Syngenta has adopted the following new or revised IFRSs from January 1, 2020. Except where indicated below, these IFRSs have not been
early adopted and their adoption had no material impact on these consolidated financial statements:
“Definition of Material”, Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8;
“Interest Rate Benchmark Reform”, Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7;
“Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions”, Amendment to IFRS 16, was issued in May 2020 and provides an exception that allows rent
concessions occurring as a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic not to be accounted for as a lease modification. Syngenta
has not received rent concessions that meet this requirement and is therefore not applying this exception.
The relevant new or revised IFRSs that Syngenta has not yet adopted are the following:
“Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture”, Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28, was
issued in September 2014 and requires Syngenta to recognize gains and losses on such sales or contributions only to the extent they
relate to the interest in the Associate or Joint Venture that is held by investors other than Syngenta. In December 2015, the IASB
postponed mandatory application of the amendments indefinitely. Based on the associates and joint ventures in which it has
investments at December 31, 2020, Syngenta does not believe that the amendments will have a material impact on its consolidated
financial statements.
IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts” and “Amendments to IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts”; IFRS 17 was issued in May 2017 and establishes
principles for accounting and disclosure of insurance contracts issued and reinsurance contracts held. Insurance contracts held as a
policyholder are not within the scope of IFRS 17. The effective date of IFRS 17 is January 1, 2023. Syngenta does not believe that IFRS
17 will have a material impact on its financial statements.
“Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current”, Amendments to IAS 1, was issued in January 2020 and “Classification of
Liabilities as Current or Non-current – Deferral of Effective Date”, Amendment to IAS 1, defers the effective date of the amendments to
January 1, 2023.
The amendments clarify that:
o
o
o
financial debt is classified as non-current if there is a right to defer payment for more than 12 months after the end of the
reporting period, even if management intend to repay the debt within 12 months;
financial debt for which the lender can demand repayment if conditions specified in covenants related to the debt are
breached is classified as non-current if those conditions are met at the end of the reporting period; and
an equity conversion option that a counterparty has the right to exercise is ignored in determining the classification of a
debt as current or non-current if the option is accounted for as an equity instrument, but is considered when determining
classification if the option is accounted for as a liability.
Syngenta’s existing accounting policy is consistent with the amendments.
“Reference to the Conceptual Framework”, Amendments to IFRS 3, was issued in May 2020 and aligns the asset and acquisition
accounting recognition criteria with the asset and liability definitions in the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting, issued in
2018. The amendment provides exception to liabilities and contingent liabilities within the scope of IAS 37 or IFRIC 21. The
amendments are effective from January 1, 2021. Syngenta does not believe that the amendments will have a material impact on its
consolidated financial statements.
“Onerous Contracts-Cost of fulfilling a Contract”, Amendments to IAS 37, was issued in May 2020 and provides clarification on costs
that can be included when assessing whether a contract is onerous. The amendments are effective from January 1, 2021. Syngenta
does not believe that the amendments will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
“Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use”, Amendments to IAS 16, was issued in May 2020 and states that
proceeds from sale of output during production test runs should be recognized in the income statement and not deducted from the cost
of the asset. The amendments are effective from January 1, 2021. Syngenta does not believe that the amendments will have a material
impact on its consolidated financial statements.
“Annual Improvement to IFRS Standards” 2018-2020 Cycle, was issued in May 2020 and clarifies accounting requirements for:
subsidiary as a first-time adopter of IFRS; determination of fees in the ’10 per cent’ test for the derecognition of financial liabilities; lease
incentives; and taxation in fair value measurements for biological assets. Syngenta must adopt these amendments on January 1, 2021.
Syngenta does not believe that the amendments will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
“Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2”, Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16, was issued in August
2020 and provides guidance on how IFRS Standards should be applied when transitioning from benchmark interest rates, such as
interbank offer rates (IBORs), to alternative rates. The amendments provide practical relief for changes in the basis for determining
contractual cash flows of financial assets, financial liabilities and lease liabilities as a result of benchmark interest rate reform and specific
hedge accounting requirements. The amendment also requires Syngenta to disclose additional information about its exposure to risk
arising from benchmark interest rate reforms. The amendments are effective from January 1, 2021.
Syngenta has created an IBOR Transition project team who have undertaken a comprehensive review evaluating the extent of
Syngenta’s exposure to IBOR reference rates and are managing the transition to alternative rates. Included in this review were
Syngenta’s exposures to the reference rates through contracts (internal and external) and derivatives, as well as the impact on
accounting and systems and processes.
Syngenta has examined the extent to which its hedge accounting relationships are subject to uncertainty driven by the IBOR reform
as at December 31, 2020. Syngenta reviews critical terms to determine the economic relationship between the hedged items and
75
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
the hedging instruments and to assess hedge effectiveness. Hedged items and hedging instruments continue to reference quoted
IBOR benchmark rates, primarily USD LIBOR. Syngenta has a limited volume of hedging relationships where both the hedged
items and hedging instruments settlement amounts are impacted by the transition to alternative rates. Syngenta currently assumes
that the replacement rates will be materially the same for the hedged items and the hedging instruments and thus does not expect
material ineffectiveness on these hedging relationships.
As at December 31, 2020, Syngenta’s exposure to IBOR rates that are designated in hedging relationships include interest rate
swaps with a total nominal amount of $1,500 million hedging the 3.125% $ Notes 2022 and the $1,000 million floating interest rate
loan, as well as the $1,000 million principal amount of this floating rate loan itself.
Syngenta enters into netting agreements under an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master agreement with
its respective counterparties. Syngenta has adhered to the ISDA 2020 IBOR Fallbacks Protocol and is monitoring whether its
counterparties will also adhere. This protocol will become effective in January 2021 and covers legacy contracts open beyond
January 2021 as well as any new contracts. If there are counterparties who will not adhere to the protocol, Syngenta will negotiate
with them the inclusion of new fallback clauses. No derivative instruments have been modified as at December 31, 2020.
Principles of consolidation
Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are those entities which Syngenta controls. Syngenta controls all its subsidiaries through ownership of a majority of their voting
rights. Syngenta fully consolidates the income, expenses, assets, liabilities and cash flows of subsidiaries from the date it acquires control up
to the date control ceases. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.
Associates and joint ventures
Syngenta has no interests in entities that it does not consolidate that would meet the definition of joint operations. Syngenta accounts for both
associates and joint ventures using the equity method.
Business combinations
Syngenta accounts for business combinations in accordance with IFRS 3 (revised October 2018), using the acquisition method. For this
purpose, a business is an integrated set of activities and assets that includes, as a minimum, an input and a substantive process and is
capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing goods or services to customers, generating investment income or
other income from ordinary activities, and the fair value of which does not consist substantially exclusively of a single identifiable asset or
group of similar identifiable assets. At the date it acquires control of another business, Syngenta records the fair value of the agreed
consideration payable, including the estimated fair value of any contingent consideration and of any pre-existing ownership interest it holds in
the acquired entity. Directly attributable acquisition transaction costs are expensed as incurred. The assets and liabilities of acquired
businesses are identified and recorded in the consolidated financial statements at their acquisition date fair values, with certain exceptions as
set out in IFRS 3. Acquired intangible assets are generally valued based on the income approach: the relief from royalty method is generally
used for brand names, the distributor method for customer relationships, and the residual income method for product technology rights.
Acquired land and buildings are valued based on the market approach and specialized plant and equipment based on the cost approach.
Non-controlling interests which consist of actively traded financial instruments, arise from transactions in which no consideration is transferred
or do not represent a proportionate ownership interest in the acquired entity to which they relate are recorded at their fair value. All other non-
controlling interests are recorded at their proportionate share of the fair value of the acquired business’s net assets, measured using the non-
controlling shareholders’ share of equity ownership, which may differ from their share of the voting rights in the acquired business.
Other accounting policies
Foreign currencies and hyperinflation
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the rate prevailing at the
balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, stated at historical cost or fair value, are translated
into the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction or the date the fair value was determined,
respectively. Foreign currency transactions are translated into the relevant functional currency at the exchange rate prevailing at the date of
the transaction. With exceptions for Syngenta AG and certain regional supply centers, holding and finance subsidiaries, which have the $ as
their functional currency because their funding, receipts and payments are predominantly transacted in $, each Syngenta subsidiary uses the
local currency of its country of operations as its functional currency. Unrealized gains or losses related to equity loans, designated cash flow
and net investment hedging arrangements and gains and losses on remeasuring equity investments designated at fair value through OCI are
recognized in OCI. All other resulting foreign exchange transaction gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss. Equity loans are
intercompany loans to subsidiaries that are not expected to be repaid in the foreseeable future and therefore considered part of Syngenta’s
net investment in the subsidiary.
Income, expense and cash flows of foreign operations are translated into US dollars using average exchange rates prevailing during the
period. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated to US dollars using exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date.
Foreign exchange differences arising on these translations are recognized directly in OCI. Upon disposal or loss of control of a foreign
subsidiary, the cumulative currency translation difference relating to the subsidiary, including exchange gains and losses on equity loans to
which the subsidiary is or has been a party, is reclassified from equity to profit or loss as part of the gain or loss on disposal.
The consolidated historical cost of inventories that have been transferred between Syngenta AG group entities since their initial purchase or
manufacture is measured by translating the currencies in which the costs of purchase or manufacture were incurred into US dollars at the
exchange rates prevailing at the date when those costs were incurred, and foreign exchange differences arising on retranslating these
amounts to US dollars at the rates at the balance sheet date or the date the inventories were sold, as applicable, are recognized in OCI.
Syngenta considers the economy of a country to be hyperinflationary if reliable statistical evidence indicates that its cumulative consumer price
inflation rate over the previous three years has exceeded 100% and is likely to continue to exceed 100% throughout the year following the
balance sheet date. Syngenta subsidiaries whose functional currency is the currency of a hyperinflationary economy are consolidated as
follows: amounts of non-monetary assets and liabilities and income and expense items in the subsidiaries’ financial statements are indexed to
76
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
current price levels at the balance sheet date using a recognized general consumer price index. The resulting financial statements, including
income statement and cash flows, are translated into US dollars at the rate prevailing at the balance sheet date.
Revenue
Syngenta’s main source of revenue is product sales. Control of products passes to Syngenta’s customers, and revenue for product sales is
recognized, at a point in time which is usually upon delivery, subject to reasonable assurance of collectability. Delivery is defined based on the
terms of the sale contract. Syngenta also derives revenue from licensing the right to use its intellectual property (IP), principally its seeds
germplasm and traits. Each licensing contract Syngenta enters into has unique terms and certain licensing contracts may involve significant
upfront or milestone payments in addition to sales-based royalties.
Revenue is measured at the amount of consideration to which Syngenta expects to be entitled in exchange for the products or license rights it
transfers to customers. If the consideration is receivable more than 12 months after the transaction date and the effect of discounting is
material, the revenue amount recognized is discounted to its present value at the transaction date, using a discount rate which reflects
customer risk, and the unwinding of this discount is recognized as financial income over the period until the date the consideration is due.
Revenue in contracts with non-cash consideration is measured at the fair value of the consideration at contract inception.
The main forms of variable revenue for Syngenta are as follows and the judgments associated with estimating their amount are discussed in
Note 2:
cash incentive programs that provide rebates and discounts dependent on achievement of targets for purchase of Syngenta products,
and cash discounts for punctual or early payment of invoices. Syngenta recognizes sales minus an allowance for rebates, and a refund
liability presented within Trade accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheet. The allowance and liability are measured at the
amount expected to be refunded or credited to customers, estimated based on the programs’ terms, market conditions and historical
experience.
sales returns, which arise both in markets where the customer has a legal or contractual right of return and in markets where customers
do not have such rights but Syngenta’s commercial practice is to accept returns. In either case, Syngenta recognizes sales minus an
allowance for expected returns, an estimated refund liability, and an asset for the right to recover its products corresponding to the
expected returns. The refund liability and the asset are presented within Trade accounts payable and Inventories respectively in the
consolidated balance sheet. The allowance and liability are measured at the amount expected to be refunded or credited to customers
and the asset is measured at the standard purchase or production cost of the underlying Syngenta products, minus allowances for
transportation and obsolescence where relevant.
in certain markets, sales terms allow customers to exchange purchased products at a later date for other Syngenta products of their
choice, to the same value. For these sales, Syngenta recognizes revenue upon delivery of the original products, minus a provision for
products expected to be exchanged. This provision is released, and the corresponding revenue is recorded, when the substitute
products are delivered or the customer’s right to exchange the products expires, whichever is earlier.
In licenses which grant the right to use Syngenta’s IP as it exists when the license is granted, and in which Syngenta receives revenue
for non-refundable lump sums and minimum guaranteed income amounts which can be reliably estimated and for which there are no
related future Syngenta performance obligations or contingencies other than the passage of time, Syngenta recognizes that revenue on
signature of or on the effective date of the license, whichever is later. Revenue for lump sum milestone payments which are contingent
on product regulatory approvals is recognized only when the competent regulatory authorities have granted the relevant approvals.
Sales-based royalty income is recognized in the period that the licensees make sales in respect of which the royalties are payable.
In certain markets, sales terms allow customers the option of a one-time, non-repeatable extension of credit, for a defined additional period, in
respect of a defined proportion of purchases made during a defined period, if the customers still have the inventories on hand upon expiration
of the initial agreed credit period. Customers have no right to return these inventories, and must pay unconditionally when the additional credit
period expires. In accordance with IFRS 15, revenue for these sales is recognized upon product delivery.
Where third parties hold Syngenta inventories on a consignment basis, revenue is recognized in the period that inventories are withdrawn
from consignment and delivered to customers.
For product sales which are qualifying purchases in customer loyalty incentive programs, Syngenta allocates revenue between its qualifying
product sales and the incentive awards of additional free or discounted products or services (“incentives”) based on the value of incentives to
which customers are expected to be entitled, the relative stand-alone selling prices of the respective product sales and incentives and, where
awards are subject to expiry, the extent to which customers are expected to redeem their rights based on historical experience of similar
programs. Syngenta recognizes estimated liabilities for the incentives in the period in which it recognizes the associated product sales, and
presents these liabilities as Contract liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. In programs where the incentive is either a product normally
sold by Syngenta, a third party product which Syngenta is primarily responsible for supplying to customers or for which Syngenta bears
inventory risk, or a service provided to customers by a third party acting under Syngenta’s direction, Syngenta obtains control of the incentives
before transferring them to customers, and so supplies the incentives as a principal. For these programs, Syngenta recognizes the revenue
allocated to the incentives when customers receive them or redeem their right to an award. Revenue related to these programs is presented
as part of Sales, and associated costs are presented within Cost of goods sold or Marketing and distribution expense as appropriate. In other
programs, Syngenta acts as agent for a third party who supplies the incentives, and Syngenta recognizes any net income from supply of the
incentive when the third party becomes obliged to supply the awards.
Syngenta periodically enters into prepayment contracts with customers whereby it receives advance payments for products to be delivered in
a future period. These advance payments are recorded as liabilities and presented as part of Contract liabilities in the consolidated balance
sheet. Advance payment liabilities are released and revenues associated with such advance payment transactions are recognized when
control of the prepaid products passes to the customer.
Syngenta has not presented a separate line in the consolidated balance sheet for Contract assets because all material relevant assets are
presented either as Inventories or Trade receivables. Incremental costs of obtaining customer contracts with a term of one year or less are
expensed. Except for payments made to customers at inception of contracts which are recognized as intangible assets and purchase and
production costs recognized as inventories, Syngenta has no other material incremental costs of obtaining contracts or direct costs of fulfilling
contracts that qualify for recognition as an asset.
77
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
For certain customers in certain markets, trade receivables are settled either with proceeds from sales by such customers of agricultural
commodities or by delivery of commodities to Syngenta by such customers. For these arrangements, Syngenta recognizes revenue when it
has a legally enforceable receivable, the amount of which is reliably measurable based on an agreed price for the Syngenta products. Where
Syngenta has a contract with the customer for physical delivery of a commodity at a fixed price which is hedged using derivative financial
instruments, an embedded derivative is recognized for the fair value of the contract until physical delivery. When Syngenta subsequently
resells the commodity, it classifies additional revenue as sales only to the extent that the original contract for the sale of Syngenta products
included revenue that was contingent upon the commodity sales proceeds. Any remaining gains or losses on the commodity sale
are recorded in Marketing and distribution expense in the consolidated income statement.
Research and development
Research expenses are charged to the consolidated income statement when incurred. As disclosed in Note 2, internal development costs are
capitalized as intangible assets only when there is an identifiable asset that can be completed and is expected to generate future economic
benefits and when the cost of such an asset can be measured reliably. Costs incurred internally to develop new chemical or biological crop
protection products based on active ingredients that have not yet obtained regulatory approval, or to develop new seed varieties containing
genetically modified (GM) traits that have not yet obtained regulatory approval, are expensed as incurred because of the uncertainty inherent
in the outcome of the regulatory approval process. Costs incurred in the design, development and testing of new or improved non-GM seed
varieties and hybrids, of formulations of existing registered chemical active ingredients or projects to extend the application range of existing
crop protection products, or of new and improved production processes that do not themselves require regulatory approval and that can be
applied to products which have already obtained approval, are capitalized if the processes are technically feasible, Syngenta intends and has
sufficient resources to complete the development, the product or process will generate future economic benefits, and expenditure attributable
to developing the product or process can be measured reliably. Government grants received in respect of research and development costs,
including tax credits treated as government grants for accounting purposes, are recognized in profit or loss in the same periods as the costs to
which they relate. Development expenses Syngenta incurs to develop technology on behalf of a third party under a collaboration agreement
are capitalized and amortized over the agreement term if Syngenta expects to recover the costs under the terms in that agreement.
Costs of purchasing distribution rights, patent rights and licenses to use or sell products, or technology or registration data are capitalized as
intangible assets. Costs of applying for patents for internally developed products, costs of defending existing patents and costs of challenging
patents held by third parties where these are considered invalid, are considered part of development expense and expensed as incurred.
Expenses by function
Cost of goods sold includes costs of purchasing and producing inventories that have been sold to third parties, inbound and inter-site
distribution expenses, impairment of inventories, environmental remediation costs associated with ongoing Syngenta manufacturing sites, and
general overhead expenses of Syngenta’s Production and Supply function which are expensed as incurred. Marketing and distribution
includes costs of selling products, providing technical support for products sold, marketing and promotional expenses, distribution of finished
products to third party customers, and impairment of trade and other receivables. Research and development includes the expenses of
Syngenta’s research sites and third party research collaboration agreements, expenses incurred during the regulatory process for Syngenta
products and the costs of Syngenta’s global field trials organization. General and administrative includes expenses of general management,
finance, human resources, information systems, legal affairs and taxes, corporate affairs and communications, business planning and
corporate development functions. Services provided by these departments to the Production and Supply, Marketing and Distribution and
Research and Development functions are allocated to and included within those other functions. Gains and losses arising on routine asset
disposals and gains and losses reclassified from OCI when hedged forecast foreign currency trading transactions affect profit or loss are also
reported within General and administrative. Restructuring is a separate general and administrative function as it is managed through a project
management office which is accountable to the Executive Team. Impairment of property, plant and equipment that results from restructuring
plans, rather than ongoing activities of the functions responsible for the assets, is included in Restructuring. Impairment of goodwill and
intangible assets is also included in Restructuring unless a specific function is accountable for the impairment loss. Non-current asset
depreciation and amortization are charged to the functions responsible for the related assets.
Restructuring
Restructuring represents the effect on reported performance of initiating and enabling business changes that are considered major and that, in
the opinion of management, will have a material effect on the nature and focus of Syngenta’s operations, and therefore require separate
disclosure to provide a more thorough understanding of business performance. Restructuring includes the incremental costs of closing,
restructuring or relocating existing operations, and gains or losses from related asset disposals. Restructuring also includes the effects of
analyzing and preparing for potential industry consolidation transactions as well as completing and integrating significant business
combinations and divestments, including related transaction costs, gains and losses. Recurring costs of normal business operations and
routine asset disposal gains and losses, including those arising from sale and leaseback transactions carried out to optimize Syngenta AG
group financing, are excluded.
Income taxes
Income taxes for the year comprise current and deferred taxes, calculated using rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet
date. Current tax is the expected tax payable on taxable income for the year and any adjustments to tax payable in respect of previous years.
Deferred tax is recognized using the liability method and thus is calculated on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and
liabilities and their respective carrying amounts in the consolidated balance sheet. Syngenta accounts for income tax credits as a reduction in
income tax expense if they are receivable solely through offset against an income tax liability, and treats them as government grants for
accounting purposes if they are receivable in cash if no income tax liability arises against which Syngenta is required or permitted to offset the
tax credits. Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, except
where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference can be controlled and it is probable that the difference will not reverse in the
foreseeable future. Deferred tax liabilities are not recognized on the initial recognition of goodwill if the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its
tax base. Deferred tax assets, including those related to unused tax losses, are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable
profit will be available against which the assets can be utilized. Income tax expense, current and deferred, is recognized in profit or loss unless
it relates to items recognized in OCI or in equity in which case the tax expense is also recognized in OCI or equity, respectively.
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Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Syngenta’s policy is to comply fully with applicable tax regulations in all jurisdictions in which Syngenta’s operations are subject to income
taxes. Syngenta’s estimates of current income tax expense and liabilities are calculated assuming that all tax computations filed by
Syngenta’s subsidiaries will be subject to review or audit by the relevant tax authorities. Syngenta and the relevant tax authorities may have
different interpretations of how regulations should be applied to actual transactions. Syngenta records provisions for taxes it estimates will
ultimately be payable when the reviews or audits have been completed, including allowances for any interest and penalties which may
become payable. Syngenta releases these provisions when the tax audit of the applicable year is completed or an Advance Pricing
Agreement (APA) settlement is reached that impacts previous years’ tax payments, or otherwise when the statute of limitations for
the applicable year expires, unless there is evident reason for earlier release.
Leases
IFRS 16 “Leases” requires a lessee to account for all leases, unless exempt as described below, by recognizing a lease asset (right-of-use
asset) for the right to use the asset underlying the lease (underlying asset) and a corresponding liability for lease payments during the lease
term, defined as the non-cancellable period of the lease and any additional periods for which the lessee has an option to use the asset that it
is reasonably certain to exercise. In assessing whether such periods are reasonably certain, Syngenta considers the length of the non-
cancelable lease period in each lease, contractual terms and conditions relating to the optional period(s) and to exercising the option(s), recent
or planned future leasehold improvements, the impact of terminating the lease on its operations and associated termination costs, and
whether Syngenta is reasonably certain to continue unchanged all other significant terms in the current lease. The lease liability includes
payment for an option to purchase the underlying asset if, and only if, Syngenta is reasonably certain to exercise that option.
As permitted by IFRS 16:
Syngenta has included in the lease liability payments for services associated with leases of cars, but not with leases of other types of
asset;
Syngenta accounts for short term and low value item leases by expensing costs on a straight-line basis over the lease term, without
recognizing right-of-use assets and liabilities. Short term leases are all leases with a term of less than one year on inception. Low value
item leases are all leases of underlying assets worth $5,000 or less when new and which are independent of other assets.
For all other leases, on their commencement Syngenta recognizes:
a liability equal to the present value of payments required over the lease term for the use of the asset, excluding contingent payments,
discounted at Syngenta’s incremental borrowing rate (IBR). Syngenta’s IBR is comprised of a reference rate based on cash and swap
curves for the currency and maturity of the lease payments and a financing spread adjustment which differentiates between asset
classes based on the value of the collateral offered by the nature of the underlying asset. The spread adjustment for leases of land and
buildings is derived from market data for spreads on debt funded transactions to purchase commercial real estate. The spread
adjustment for leases of other assets is derived from the spread on Syngenta’s senior unsecured notes;
a right-of-use asset equal to the lease liability, adjusted by lease payments made or incentives received, by initial direct costs of
obtaining the lease and by an estimate of costs associated with obligations to decommission or restore the underlying asset or the site
where it is located.
Where Syngenta sells an asset to a third party and then subsequently leases back the asset, the transaction is accounted for as a sale-and-
leaseback transaction in accordance with IFRS 16. Each sale and leaseback transaction is accounted for either as a sale or a financing.
Syngenta applies the revenue recognition guidance in IFRS 15 to determine whether control of the underlying asset passes to the buyer-
lessor, in which case Syngenta accounts for the transaction as a sale. IFRS 15 guidance is also applied to any variable consideration in the
sale contract to determine the amount of proceeds to recognize immediately on completion of the transaction. Where the sale of the asset is
considered to have satisfied the performance obligation requirements of IFRS 15, the original asset is derecognized, a lease liability is
recognized for the leaseback as described in the paragraph immediately above, and the right-of-use asset arising from the subsequent
leaseback is recognized at the proportion of the previous carrying amount of the asset that relates to the right of use retained. Accordingly,
only part of the gain or loss on disposal of the underlying asset is recognized immediately as any gain or loss arising on the transaction relates
to the rights transferred. The deferred gain is therefore recognized through reduced depreciation charges for the right-of-use asset over the
lease term. Where the sale of the asset is not considered to have satisfied the performance obligation requirements of IFRS 15, then no
disposal of the original asset is considered to have taken place and none is accounted for. Syngenta instead recognizes a financial liability
equal to the proceeds received from the buyer-lessor.
After commencement, the right-of-use asset is amortized systematically over the lease term, except where Syngenta is reasonably certain to
exercise a purchase option in the lease agreement, in which case the asset is amortized over the same useful life that Syngenta would use to
depreciate an item of Property, plant and equipment similar to the underlying asset, and is subject to review for impairment. The lease liability
is accounted for at amortized cost using the IBR at lease commencement. The resulting interest cost is presented within Interest expense in
the consolidated income statement. Lease payments which are contingent on use of the underlying asset are not included in the lease liability
and are expensed as incurred.
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Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Financial Instruments
Trade and other accounts receivable
Trade and other accounts receivable include invoiced amounts less adjustments for expected credit losses. Syngenta holds trade receivables
to collect their contractual cash flows, and classifies and measures them at amortized cost, except for certain foreign currency sales
transactions in which Syngenta offers to its customers a written exchange rate option embedded into the sales contract. Trade
receivable/option contracts that result from these foreign currency sales transactions are classified as at fair value through profit or loss. The
fair value of these trade receivables is measured by:
(a) remeasuring the embedded exchange rate option at fair value;
(b) retranslating the underlying trade receivable into the selling entity’s functional currency using closing spot exchange rates at the balance
sheet date; and
(c) adjusting the resulting carrying amount of the combined receivable contract to reflect changes in customer credit risk. Syngenta includes
this adjustment in the provision for doubtful receivables.
Factoring arrangements transferring substantially all economic risks and rewards associated with accounts receivable to a third party are
accounted for by derecognizing the accounts receivable upon receiving the cash proceeds of the factoring arrangement. Factoring
arrangements that transfer to a third party some, but not substantially all economic risks and rewards are accounted for by continuing to
recognize Syngenta’s continuing rights over the receivable and by recognizing any related obligation to the third party factor.
Credit risk management practices
Syngenta’s Corporate Financial Risk Group (CFFORG) monitors, proposes and coordinates country risk, credit management policies and
processes including credit limit setting for major customers, approval of credit exceeding 360 days and credit insurance and risk transfer
objectives. The CFFORG is supported by Regional, Territory and Country Trade Finance Credit Managers (TFCM) and Credit Committees
(CC) with defined authority levels. The CC defines risk mitigation programs at country and customer level such as barter, collateral policy,
payment terms, early payment rebates, and refinancing. The CC also defines the optimal credit risk level at customer and country level,
approves customer credit facilities, credit scoring and payment terms, defines and reviews collection strategies including credit hold and
release processes, treatment of critical customer cases and taking legal actions when collection efforts are insufficient to collect overdue
balances, and sets yearly targets for accounts receivable performance. The TFCM coordinates the CC and is responsible for risk analysis,
executing trade financing programs, collection negotiations and dispute resolution, and, where necessary, currency risk, export financing
programs, documentary credits and commercial bank guarantees and credit risk insurance. The TFCM is supported by a Credit Operations
team responsible for collection and dispute management.
Syngenta manages credit risk to operational assets through country and customer risk limits. Countries are assigned a risk rating based on
external analysis of their economic, business and political risk and internal analysis of agricultural risk. Country exposure limits and minimum
security requirements are applied in some defined high risk countries. A standardized credit scoring methodology is applied to all customers
generating a creditworthiness score computed using a points-based system which takes into consideration financial and non-financial
attributes and credit limits. Based on the total score achieved each customer is classified in a credit risk class which drives policy relating to
sales order release, collection process and credit limit. Each customer’s credit position is consolidated across all relevant systems to provide a
total business view of credit status and history.
Collateral is an important part of the risk mitigation strategy. Collateral is based on a list of locally accepted securities which may include cash,
other financial instruments, barter operations or third party credit enhancements such as guarantees or insurance, but normally excludes non-
financial assets. Collateral is validated based on its probability of and time to legal enforcement.
Receivable balances are written off only when there is no realistic prospect of their being collected, after completion of related legal actions
and permanent cessation of business activity with the defaulting customer. Write-offs are subject to defined authority levels and are not used
to solve small payment differences or valid commercial disputes with continuing customers.
Estimation of expected credit losses
To estimate expected credit losses, trade receivables are grouped into portfolios by credit risk class and country and a provision matrix
method is used. The principal inputs when determining matrix percentages are historical records of amounts written off in previous years,
amounts currently subject to insolvency proceedings and the likelihood of eventual write offs of those amounts, the average credit period, past
due information and historical experience. Assumptions are also made about forecast conditions for market credit, commodity price, currency
and country risk, competition and regulation over the remaining credit period of the trade receivables outstanding at the balance sheet date.
These assumptions are consistent with those used to prepare operational budgets for the following period. Rebate credits and validated
collateral valued at its expected value are deducted from outstanding receivable balances when determining the maximum exposure to credit
loss to which matrix percentages are applied. Expected recoveries under credit insurance policies which are not part of the agreement with
the customer are accounted for separately from the expected credit losses and are recognized as assets when the insurer has agreed the
claim.
Expected credit losses on other receivables and amortized cost financial assets are generally estimated by assessing each receivable
individually. For balances reported as other receivables and current financial assets, lifetime expected credit losses are estimated. For
balances reported as non-current financial assets, 12-month expected credit losses are estimated unless the credit risk has increased
significantly since the asset was first recognized, in which case lifetime credit losses are estimated. Amounts more than 90 days past due are
considered to be in default for this purpose.
Derivative and other financial instruments
Regular way purchases and sales of marketable securities are recognized at settlement date.
Financial assets and liabilities which have remaining contractual maturities of 12 months or less at the balance sheet date are presented
within Total current assets and Total current liabilities, respectively. Financial assets and liabilities which have remaining contractual maturities
of more than 12 months are presented within Financial and other non-current assets and Financial debt and other non-current liabilities,
respectively.
Equity investments in other entities which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures of Syngenta are included in Financial and other
non-current assets. They are classified and measured at fair value through OCI and are revalued to fair value at each reporting date, with all
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Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
changes in fair value recognized within OCI. In Syngenta’s opinion, presenting gains and losses on these investments in OCI is more
consistent with Syngenta’s strategic investment objectives than presenting those gains and losses within profit and loss. The fair value of
equity investments is measured as described in Note 25.
Other non-current receivables represent royalty and license receivables, loans to employees and other third parties, and amounts recoverable
from third parties in reimbursement of environmental remediation and other costs. These receivables are stated at amortized cost, less
provision for impairment where appropriate.
Financial debt is recognized initially at its fair value less transaction costs, which represents the net proceeds from issuing the debt.
Subsequently, financial debt is stated at amortized cost using the effective interest method, except where subject to a fair value hedge
relationship, in which case the carrying amount of the debt is adjusted by the change in the fair value of the hedged exposure during the
hedge relationship.
Derivative financial instruments are recorded initially at their fair value when Syngenta becomes a party to the instrument. They are revalued
to fair value at each reporting date and presented as financial assets when the fair value is positive and as financial liabilities when the fair
value is negative.
Fair values of publicly traded derivatives are based on quoted market prices of the specific instruments held at the balance sheet date.
Fair values of non-publicly traded derivatives are valued using accepted economic methodologies for pricing these financial instruments, such
as discounted cash flow analysis or option pricing models. The valuation models seek to make maximum use of market inputs existing at the
balance sheet date. The methods used to determine the fair value of specific types of non-publicly traded derivatives are as follows:
Interest rate and cross-currency swaps are calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows. The future cash flows are
determined using relevant market forward interest rates at the balance sheet date and are discounted using the zero-coupon rates with
equivalent maturities for AA rated entities at the balance sheet date, as adjusted for the counterparty’s credit risk. These discount rates
incorporate the impact of net credit risk present in those derivative instruments. For cross-currency swaps, the discount rates reflect the
impact of the currency basis on the future cash flows denominated in different currencies;
Forward contracts are determined using relevant market exchange rates at the balance sheet date;
Currency options are valued using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model, which incorporates spot exchange rates,
zero coupon rates with equivalent maturities for entities with credit ratings which approximate Syngenta’s counterparty credit risk,
and implied volatility in the market forward exchange rates at the balance sheet date; and
Commodity options are valued using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model, which incorporates future commodity price curves
with equivalent maturities and implied volatilities in the commodities markets at the balance sheet date, adjusted for counterparty credit
risk.
Realized gains and losses on disposal of amortized cost financial assets, revaluation gains and losses on derivatives not designated as
accounting hedges, and gains and losses corresponding to the ineffective portion of derivatives designated as accounting hedges are
recorded in profit or loss as they arise.
Syngenta applies hedge accounting as follows:
Fair value hedges
The designated hedging instruments are remeasured to fair value and the underlying hedged items are remeasured by the amount of change
in the fair value of the hedged risk. The resulting remeasurement gains or losses are recognized in profit or loss as they occur.
Cash flow hedges
For the effective portion of the hedge, gains and losses on remeasuring designated hedging instruments to fair value are recognized in OCI as
part of the cash flow hedge reserve. If the hedged transaction results in recognition of a non-financial asset such as inventories, the
cumulative hedge gain or loss is reclassified as part of the carrying amount of the related inventories. For other hedged transactions, the
cumulative hedge gain or loss is reclassified from OCI into profit or loss in the period (or periods) during which the underlying hedged cash
flows affect profit or loss.
When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for cash flow hedge accounting, any cumulative
unrealized gain or loss on the hedging instrument remains in equity until the underlying hedged item affects profit or loss. However, if a
hedged forecasted transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative unrealized gain or loss on the hedging instrument is immediately
reclassified into profit or loss.
Time value of options
When Syngenta designates a derivative financial instrument that is, or contains, an option as a hedging instrument in a hedge accounting
relationship, the time value of the options as measured using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model is excluded from the hedge
designation and accounted for as a cost of hedging, as follows. The change in the fair value of the option during its term is recognized in OCI
to the extent that the option terms are aligned with the attributes of the hedged exposure. If the hedged item is a transaction, the cumulative
change in time value is included in the initial carrying amount of any non-financial asset or liability recognized when the hedged transaction
occurs, or otherwise is recognized in profit and loss when the cash flows from the hedged transaction affect profit and loss. If the hedged item
is a risk that may affect profit or loss during the option term, the cumulative amount recognized in OCI is amortized into profit and loss on a
straight line basis over the option term.
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Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Net working capital
For the purposes of presenting consolidated cash flows, the balance sheet items included in Net working capital are Inventories, Trade
receivables, Other accounts receivable, Trade accounts payable, Contract liabilities, Other current assets, Other current liabilities, and similar
items due after more than one year, such as minimum royalties from multi-year license agreements.
Inventories
Purchased products are recorded at acquisition cost while own-manufactured products are recorded at manufacturing cost including a share
of production overheads based on normal capacity. Cost of inventories is determined on a first-in-first-out basis. Allowances are made
for inventories with a net realizable value less than cost, or which are slow moving. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the
ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and costs to sell. Costs to sell include direct marketing, selling and
distribution costs. Unsaleable inventories are fully written off.
Biological assets
Biological assets represent growing plants and cuttings in Syngenta’s Flowers business and sugar cane seedlings within its Sugar cane
business. In Flowers, young plants and cuttings are measured at fair value less costs to sell, with key inputs being current average third party
net selling prices, actual average selling costs and, for immature assets, estimated stage of growth relative to mature assets. Sugar cane
seedlings are measured at cost less impairment because fair value is not reliably measurable due to the nature of the asset not corresponding
to traded assets or products in the market. The carrying amount of current consumable biological assets measured using the cost model is
tested for impairment by comparing it with the assets’ net realizable value determined in accordance with IAS 2, “Inventories”. Syngenta
classifies gains and losses from remeasuring biological assets to fair value, and impairment losses for biological assets measured at cost less
impairment, within Cost of goods sold.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at acquisition or production cost, less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses.
Eligible borrowing costs are capitalized as part of the asset cost if construction is expected to take more than one year to complete.
Capitalization ceases when the asset is ready for its intended use. Depreciation is charged on a straight-line basis to the income statement,
starting from the date the asset is ready for use, over the following estimated useful lives:
Buildings
Machinery and equipment
Furniture and vehicles
Computer hardware
20 to 40 years
10 to 25 years
5 to 20 years
3 to 7 years
Land is recorded at acquisition cost and is not subject to depreciation. Bearer biological assets are accounted for as Property, plant and
equipment using the cost model and depreciated over their productive lives.
Expenditures made for existing property, plant and equipment that will provide future economic benefit are capitalized and depreciated over
the revised remaining useful life of the asset.
Intangible assets other than goodwill
Intangible assets, other than goodwill, are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization and any impairment losses. Currently, all such
intangible assets are assigned a finite estimated useful life. The cost of acquired intangible assets other than goodwill consists of the purchase
price including transaction costs. The cost of internally generated intangible assets consists of direct internal and external design,
development, and testing costs incurred to make the asset ready for use in the manner intended by management. Borrowing costs associated
with internal projects to develop new products or software are capitalized to the extent that the costs of the project itself are capitalized and the
project is expected to take more than one year from inception to complete. Capitalization ceases when the products or software are ready for
their intended uses.
Intangible assets are amortized starting from the date the asset is ready for use. In respect of product rights, this is when regulatory approval
has been obtained. Asset lives are reviewed annually. The straight-line method of amortization is used except where another systematic basis
better reflects the pattern of consumption of the economic benefits represented by the asset. Amortization is charged within the consolidated
income statement to the function responsible for the asset, or to General and administrative.
Useful lives assigned to acquired product rights are based on the period over which Syngenta expects economic benefit from the product
rights. Estimated lives assigned to most product rights upon acquisition are between 10 and 20 years and do not exceed 20 years for any
asset.
Patents and trademarks are amortized over their estimated economic or legal life, whichever is shorter. Lives assigned are between 5 and
20 years.
Business combinations give Syngenta access to the distribution channels and customer relationships of the acquired business.
These relationships normally continue to generate economic benefit to Syngenta following the acquisition. The useful lives of customer
relationships are determined from management estimates of customer attrition rates. Estimated lives assigned are between 5 and 30 years.
Acquired in-process research and development (IPR&D), is valued at fair value at acquisition. It is assessed for impairment annually until it
has been successfully developed and is available for use at which time it begins being amortized over its estimated useful life. Lives assigned
are between 10 and 20 years.
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Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Costs of successfully completed internal development projects which are capitalized because they meet the criteria described in Note 2 are
amortized starting from launch of the related products, over periods that depend on the nature of the project, as follows:
New crop protection formulations
Extension of existing crop protection formulations
Extension of product label applications for existing crop protection products
Seed breeding costs
20 years
15 years
10 years
4 to 9 years
Assets attributable to long-term supply agreements are amortized as part of cost of goods sold over the period of the supply agreements.
Premiums paid for land use rights are amortized over the period of the rights, which are between 30 and 50 years.
Purchased software licenses are amortized over their remaining license terms. Internally developed software is amortized from the date it is
ready for use until the sooner of its expected replacement date or the date significant costs are expected to be incurred to upgrade it.
Lives assigned are between 3 and 10 years.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the fair value of an acquired business over the fair value of its identifiable net assets at the acquisition date. Goodwill
is recognized as an asset and presented within intangible assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested annually for impairment and reduced
by any impairment losses.
Impairment
Property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets, intangible assets and investments in associates and joint ventures are tested for
impairment (“tested”) in accordance with IAS 36 unless classified as held-for-sale. Goodwill and intangible assets not yet ready for use are
tested annually and are also reviewed at each interim and annual reporting date to determine whether conditions changed since the most
recent review or annual test. Individual other non-current assets are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether events or changes
in conditions indicate that the carrying amount of each asset may not be recoverable. If any such indication exists, the asset is tested for
impairment. Syngenta estimates an asset’s recoverable amount as the higher of the asset’s fair value less selling costs and its value in use,
which is the present value of the cash flows expected from the asset’s use and eventual disposal. An impairment loss is recorded in the
consolidated income statement to the extent that the carrying amount of the tested asset exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses
are not reversed for goodwill, but are reversed for other assets if their recoverable amounts subsequently increase.
Non-current assets held-for-sale
Non-current assets and groups of assets are reclassified as held-for-sale when the assets are available for immediate sale in their present
condition and a sale within one year is highly probable. Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets held-for-sale are remeasured at
the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell at the date they meet the held-for-sale criteria at which time depreciation and
amortization also ceases. Any resulting impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss. Fair value is measured based on bids received from
potential buyers of the assets.
Provisions
A provision is recognized in the balance sheet when Syngenta has a legal or constructive obligation to a third party or parties as a result of
a past event, the amount of which can be reliably estimated and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the
obligation. The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the balance sheet
date. Syngenta self-insures or uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance for certain risks. Provisions for these risks are estimated
in part by considering historical claims experience and other actuarial assumptions and, where necessary, counterparty risk.
Environmental provisions
Provisions for remediation costs are made when there is a present obligation, it is probable that expenditures for remediation work will
be required within ten years (or a longer period if specified by a legal obligation) and the cost can be estimated within a reasonable range
of possible outcomes. The costs are based on currently available facts: technology expected to be available at the time of the clean up; laws
and regulations presently or virtually certain to be enacted; and prior experience in remediation of contaminated sites.
Environmental liabilities are recorded at the estimated amount at which the liability could be settled at the balance sheet date, and are
discounted if the impact is material and if cost estimates and timing are considered reasonably certain.
Syngenta’s restructuring programs have involved closure of several sites to date. Remediation liabilities recognized when site closures
are announced are accounted for as restructuring provisions.
Legal and product liability settlements
For claims for which, according to Syngenta’s assessment, it is not probable that a liability exists or that there will be a future cash outflow or
other sacrifice of economic benefits, Syngenta provides for the costs of defense only. For claims where an outcome unfavorable to Syngenta
is assessed as more likely than not, provision is made for the estimated amount of damages and settlement, including directly attributable
legal costs. No provision is made where the legal procedures are at too early a stage to estimate the outcome with any reliability.
Restructuring provisions and costs
Restructuring costs are accrued (charged to provisions) when Syngenta has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan and the
restructuring has either commenced or been announced publicly and they qualify for recognition in accordance with IAS 37. Provisions for
severance payments and related employment termination costs that do not depend on future service, are made in full when employees are
given details of the restructuring plan and the termination benefits that will apply to individual employees should their contracts be terminated.
Retention and other payments that depend on future service are recognized over the required service period. Restructuring costs relating to
ongoing activities, such as relocation, training and information systems, do not qualify for provisioning under IAS 37 and are expensed when
incurred.
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Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Report 2020
Post-employment benefits
For defined benefit plans, plan assets are measured at fair value. The plans’ holdings in publicly quoted investments are valued at closing
prices at the balance sheet date. The plans’ holdings in pooled investment vehicles (PIVs) that are not publicly quoted are valued at the
respective investment managers’ current estimate of fair value, on a basis consistent with each PIV’s most recent audited financial
statements. Derivative contracts entered into directly by the pension plans are included within plan assets. Exchange traded derivatives are
valued at quoted balance sheet date bid prices for contracts which are assets, or offer prices for contracts which are liabilities, at the balance
sheet date. Fair values of over the counter derivatives are measured using independent third party pricing services. Insurance policies under
which the plan will receive payments that match the timing and amount of specific plan benefits and can be used only to fund those benefits
are valued at the same amount as the linked benefits within the related defined benefit obligation. Defined benefit obligations are measured at
the present value of future benefit payments attributable to employee service rendered up to the balance sheet date, according to the benefit
formula set out in the relevant pension plan rules and employment terms at the balance sheet date. Where a surplus of plan assets over the
benefit obligation exists at the balance sheet date or would arise upon payment of the minimum funding commitment applicable to the pension
plan, Syngenta evaluates the extent to which it will be able to realize the surplus over time through refund rights and reductions in the present
value of its future contributions to the plan. To the extent that Syngenta cannot realize the surplus, the net defined benefit asset is reduced
and, where applicable, an additional liability for minimum funding contributions is recognized. Benefit expense charged to profit or loss
comprises current service cost, which is the cost to Syngenta of the increase in benefits earned from employee service in the period, gains
and losses arising from amendments to and settlements of benefits that occurred during the period, and interest on the net defined benefit
asset or liability, which is the change in the present value of that asset or liability arising from the passage of time during the period, measured
using the rate used to discount the defined benefit obligation at the previous period end. In the consolidated income statement, current service
cost is presented within the same function line as the other personnel costs of the related employees, and net interest cost is presented within
Financial expense, net. The benefit obligation and cost are attributed to periods using the projected unit credit actuarial method and are
measured using long-term assumptions about expected future length of employee service, increases in pay and pensions, longevity, and for
healthcare plans, medical costs. Assumptions are reviewed annually. Gains and losses arising from variances between assumptions and
actual outcomes, and from changes to assumptions, are recognized in OCI in the period in which they arise, and are not subsequently
reclassified to profit and loss.
Contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognized as an expense in profit or loss when they are due.
Employee Incentive plans
Syngenta operates annual and long-term cash incentive plans to reward employee performance. Under the long-term plans, awards are
subject to Syngenta performance over a three-year period. Syngenta accounts for annual and long-term plans respectively as short-term and
long-term employee benefits in accordance with IAS 19.
Dividends and capital distributions
Dividends payable to the shareholder of Syngenta AG are recorded as liabilities and as a reduction in shareholder’s equity when they are
approved by the shareholder of Syngenta AG and any conditions for payment are satisfied.
Treasury shares
Treasury shares are shown as a separate component of shareholder’s equity and stated at the amount paid to acquire them. Differences
between this amount and the amount received upon their disposal are recorded as a movement in consolidated shareholder’s equity.
27. Subsequent events
On January 25, 2021, in order to pro-actively manage its debt portfolio and reduce future interest expense, Syngenta commenced a cash
tender offer for any and all of its outstanding 4.375% USD Notes 2042 and 5.676% USD bond 2048 (see Note 18 for carrying values). The
tender offer expired on January 29, 2021 with valid tenders received totaling approximately $278 million.
Approval of the Consolidated Financial Statements
These consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on February 3, 2021.
84
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Statutory Auditor’s Report to the General Meeting of
Syngenta AG, Basel
Report on the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements
Opinion
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Syngenta AG and its subsidiaries (the Group), which
comprise the consolidated balance sheet as at December 31, 2020 and the consolidated income statement,
consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated cash flow statement and consolidated statement of
changes in equity for the year then ended, and notes to the consolidated financial statements, including a summary
of significant accounting policies.
In our opinion the accompanying consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the consolidated
financial position of the Group as at December 31, 2020, and its consolidated financial performance and its
consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS) and comply with Swiss law.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law, International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and Swiss Auditing
Standards. Our responsibilities under those provisions and standards are further described in the Auditor’s
Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of
the Group in accordance with the provisions of Swiss law and the requirements of the Swiss audit profession, as
well as the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ International Code of Ethics for Professional
Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (IESBA Code), and we have fulfilled our other ethical
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Responsibility of the Board of Directors for the Consolidated Financial Statements
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements that give a true
and fair view in accordance with IFRS and the provisions of Swiss law, and for such internal control as the Board of
Directors determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Board of Directors is responsible for assessing the Group’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 Board of Directors either intends to liquidate the Group or to cease
operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s 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 Swiss law, ISAs and Swiss Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it
© 2021 KPMG AG, a Swiss corporation, is a subsidiary of KPMG Holding AG, which is a member
firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International
Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.
Syngenta AG, Basel
Statutory Auditor’s Report on
the Audit of the Consolidated
Financial Statements to the
General Meeting
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
consolidated financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with Swiss law, ISAs and Swiss Auditing Standards, we exercise professional
judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to
fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement
resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional
omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Group’s internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and
related disclosures made.
Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board of Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and,
based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that
may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material
uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the
consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions
are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or
conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the
disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events
in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities
within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the
direction, supervision and performance of the Group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.
We communicate with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee regarding, among other matters, the planned
scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control
that we identify during our audit.
Syngenta AG, Basel
Statutory Auditor’s Report on
the Audit of the Consolidated
Financial Statements to the
General Meeting
Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements
In accordance with article 728a para. 1 item 3 CO and Swiss Auditing Standard 890, we confirm that an internal
control system exists, which has been designed for the preparation of consolidated financial statements according
to the instructions of the Board of Directors.
We recommend that the consolidated financial statements submitted to you be approved.
KPMG AG
Michael Blume
Licensed Audit Expert
Auditor in Charge
Basel, February 3, 2021
Artem Chumakov
Financial Statements of Syngenta AG
Income Statement
(for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019)
Income:
Dividend income
Other financial income
Total income
Expenses:
Financial expenses
Operating expenses
Direct taxes
Total expenses
Net income
Notes
2020
(USD million)
2020
(CHF million)
2019
(USD million)
2019
(CHF million)
2
2
964
57
1,021
(13)
(6)
(7)
(26)
852
50
902
(11)
(5)
(6)
(22)
1,930
68
1,998
(16)
(11)
(6)
(33)
1,869
66
1,935
(16)
(10)
(6)
(32)
995
880
1,965
1,903
88
Financial Statements of Syngenta AG
Balance Sheet
(at December 31, 2020 and 2019)
Assets
Current assets:
Short-term loans to subsidiaries
Prepayments and accrued income
Total current assets
Non-current assets:
Investments in subsidiaries
Total non-current assets
Notes
2020
(USD million)
2020
(CHF million)
2019
(USD million)
2019
(CHF million)
480
1
481
424
1
425
191
1
192
185
1
186
3
5,381
5,381
4,757
4,757
5,381
5,381
5,211
5,211
Total assets
5,862
5,182
5,573
5,397
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:
Short-term liabilities:
Short-term liabilities to subsidiaries
Accrued expenses and deferred income
Total short-term liabilities
Equity
Share capital
Legal reserves:
Legal reserves from capital contributions
Legal reserves from retained earnings
Voluntary retained earnings:
Other reserves
Cumulative translation adjustment
Retained earnings
Net income
Total shareholders’ equity
-
(16)
(16)
(9)
(28)
(2)
-
(14)
(14)
(9)
(27)
(2)
(8)
(14)
(22)
(9)
(28)
(2)
(8)
(14)
(22)
(9)
(27)
(2)
(1,653)
(1,461)
(1,653)
(1,601)
-
(3,159)
(995)
(5,846)
3
(2,792)
(880)
(5,168)
-
(1,894)
(1,965)
(5,551)
1
(1,834)
(1,903)
(5,375)
4
4
4
4
4
4
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
(5,862)
(5,182)
(5,573)
(5,397)
89
Notes to the Financial Statements of Syngenta AG
1. Accounting policies
Ownership
Syngenta AG, domiciled in Basel, Switzerland, is a fully owned subsidiary of CNAC Saturn (NL) B.V.
On January 5, 2020, China National Chemical Corporation (“ChemChina”) announced a planned reorganization to bring together its Crop
Protection and Seeds businesses, consisting of ChemChina’s holdings in the Syngenta AG group and in Adama Ltd., as well as major
agricultural assets to be acquired from Sinochem Group. On June 18, 2020, the parent company, Syngenta Group Co. Ltd., announced the
official launch of the Syngenta Group, a new global leader in agricultural science and innovation. The new entity, which is domiciled in China,
but operationally headquartered in Switzerland, encompasses four business units: Syngenta Crop Protection, based in Basel, Switzerland;
Syngenta Seeds, based in Chicago, USA; Adama, based in Airport City, Israel; and Syngenta Group China, based in Shanghai, China.
The ultimate parent company of Syngenta AG is ChemChina.
General aspects
These financial statements were prepared according to the provisions of the Swiss Law on Accounting and Financial Reporting (32nd title of
the Swiss Code of Obligations) (the “Law”). The significant accounting and valuation principles applied that are not prescribed by the Law are
described below.
On January 1, 2019, the accounting functional currency was changed from Swiss Franc (CHF) to US Dollar (USD). The change was made to
reflect that Syngenta AG, under the ownership of ChemChina, has the USD as its predominant currency for the majority of its cash flows,
which includes dividend payments made to CNAC Saturn (NL) B.V.
All references to the “Syngenta AG group” relate to Syngenta AG and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
Exchange rate differences
Exchange rate differences recorded in the financial statements in USD:
Except for investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, which are translated at historical rates, all assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies are translated into USD using year-end rates of exchange. Realized exchange gains and losses arising
from these as well as those from business transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded in the income statement. Net
unrealized exchange losses are recorded in the income statement; net unrealized gains, however, are deferred within accrued liabilities.
Exchange rate difference arising on translation of the financial statements from USD to CHF:
All income statement and balance sheet positions were translated at the closing rate approved by the tax authorities of canton Basel-Stadt,
which was 0.8839 for December 31, 2020. Share capital and legal reserves were translated at historical rates. The change in foreign
exchange rate as compared to the closing rate of the previous year created a translation difference on the net assets, which was reflected as
translation difference directly in voluntary retained earnings.
Investments in subsidiaries
Investments are recorded at acquisition cost less any impairment loss.
Foregoing a cash flow statement and additional disclosures in the notes
In accordance with the Law, Syngenta AG has decided to forego presenting additional information on interest-bearing liabilities and audit fees
in the notes, as well as a cash flow statement, because it has prepared its consolidated financial statements in accordance with a recognized
accounting standard (International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board).
2. Information on income statement and balance sheet items
Dividend income
Dividend income in the current year consists entirely of dividends received from subsidiaries related to earnings from the previous business
year.
Other financial income
Other financial income consists mainly of guarantee and other fees received from subsidiaries.
Short-term interest-bearing loans to/from subsidiaries
Syngenta AG receives loans from Syngenta AG group companies and provides loans to Syngenta AG group companies.
90
Notes to the Financial Statements of Syngenta AG
3. Investments in subsidiaries
The following are the significant legal entities in the Syngenta group of companies (the “Group”). The disclosure criteria are as follows:
Companies directly owned by Syngenta AG
Companies indirectly owned by Syngenta AG with sales in excess of USD 100 million or equivalent or total assets in excess of one
Domicile
Capital and voting rights owned by Syngenta1
percent of total Group assets
Companies with a financing function
None of the legal entities are publicly listed.
Country
Argentina
Syngenta Agro S.A.
Australia
Syngenta Australia Pty Limited
Bangladesh
Syngenta Bangladesh Limited
Brazil
Syngenta Proteção de Cultivos Ltda.
Syngenta Seeds Ltda.
Canada
Syngenta Canada Inc.
China
Buenos Aires
North Ryde
Dhaka
São Paulo
São Paulo
Guelph
Syngenta (China) Investment Company Limited
Shanghai
France
Syngenta France S.A.S.
Syngenta Holding France SA
Germany
Syngenta Agro GmbH
Hungary
Syngenta Hungary Kft.
India
Syngenta India Limited
Indonesia
PT Syngenta Indonesia
Italy
Syngenta Italia S.p.A.
Japan
Syngenta Japan K.K.
Mexico
Saint-Sauveur
Guyancourt
Maintal
Budapest
Pune
Jakarta
Milano
Tokyo
Syngenta Agro, S.A. de C.V.
México City, D.F.
Netherlands
Syngenta Seeds B.V.
Syngenta Finance N.V.
Syngenta Treasury N.V.
Pakistan
Syngenta (Pakistan) Ltd.
Panama
Enkhuizen
Enkhuizen
Enkhuizen
Karachi
Syngenta Crop Protection S.A.
Panama City
Poland
Syngenta Polska Sp.z.o.o.
Russian Federation
OOO Syngenta
Warsaw
Moscow
100%
100%
60%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
91
Notes to the Financial Statements of Syngenta AG
3. Investments in subsidiaries (continued)
Country
Spain
Syngenta España S.A.
Switzerland
Syngenta Crop Protection AG2
Syngenta Crop Protection
Monthey SA2
Syngenta Agro AG
Syngenta Agroservices Asia AG2
Syngenta Finance AG2
Syngenta Participations AG2
Syngenta South Asia AG2
Ukraine
Syngenta Limited Liability Company
United Kingdom
Syngenta Limited
Syngenta UK Limited
USA
Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC
Syngenta Seeds, LLC
Syngenta Corporation
Domicile
Madrid
Basel
Monthey
Dielsdorf
Basel
Basel
Basel
Basel
Kiev
Bracknell
Fulbourn
Wilmington
Wilmington
Wilmington
Capital and voting rights owned by Syngenta1
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
1 Except for the merger of Nidera Seeds Argentina SAU into Syngenta Agro S.A., the capital and voting rights in 2020 have not changed compared to 2019. Syngenta (Pakistan) Ltd. has been included in the list for 2020
as the company reported sales in excess of USD 100 million in 2020.
2 Direct holding of Syngenta AG
92
Notes to the Financial Statements of Syngenta AG
4. Equity
In 2019 the accounting functional currency was changed from Swiss Franc (CHF) to US Dollar (USD). See Note 1 for further details.
Share capital and legal reserves
Voluntary retained earnings
(USD million)
Balance at December 31, 2018
Appropriation of available earnings
Dividend payment
Net income of the period
Balance at December 31, 2019
Appropriation of available earnings
Dividend payment
Net income of the period
Balance at December 31, 2020
Share
capital
9
-
-
-
9
-
-
-
9
From
capital
contribution
28
-
-
-
28
-
-
-
From
retained
earnings
2
Other
reserves
1,653
-
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,653
-
-
-
28
2
1,653
Retained
earnings
2,293
566
(965)
-
1,894
Net
income
566
(566)
-
1,965
1,965
1,965
(1,965)
(700)
-
3,159
-
995
995
Treasury
shares
(65)
-
65
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total
4,486
-
(900)
1,965
5,551
-
(700)
995
5,846
Net
income
Treasury
shares
(CHF million)
Balance at December 31, 2018
Appropriation of available earnings
Translation difference
Dividend payment
Net income of the period
Balance at December 31, 2019
Appropriation of available earnings
Translation difference
Dividend payment
Net income of the period
Balance at December 31, 2020
Share capital and legal reserves
Share
capital
From
capital
contribution
From
retained
earnings
Other
reserves
9
-
-
-
-
9
-
-
-
-
9
27
-
-
-
-
27
-
-
-
-
27
2
-
-
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
2
1,628
-
(27)
-
-
1,601
-
(140)
-
-
1,461
Voluntary retained earnings
Cumulative
translation
difference
-
-
(1)
-
-
(1)
Retained
earnings
2,257
556
(43)
(936)
-
1,834
556
(556)
-
-
1,903
1,903
-
(2)
-
-
(3)
1,903
(1,903)
(326)
(619)
2,792
-
-
880
880
Total
4,415
-
(71)
(872)
1,903
5,375
-
(468)
(619)
880
5,168
(64)
-
-
64
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
On December 11, 2020 a dividend of $700 million was paid to Syngenta AG’s parent company, CNAC Saturn (NL) B.V.
On April 26, 2019 and on November 15, 2019, cash dividends of $450 million, in total $900 million, were paid to Syngenta AG’s parent
company, CNAC Saturn (NL) B.V. In June 2019, Syngenta distributed the remaining 195,676 treasury shares as an in-kind dividend to its
parent company, CNAC Saturn (NL) B.V.
At December 31, 2019 and 2020, Syngenta AG had 92,578,149 registered shares with par value of CHF 0.10 per share.
93
Notes to the Financial Statements of Syngenta AG
5. Contingent liabilities
External borrowing activities:
Euro medium-term notes
USD bonds1
Private placement notes
Commercial paper
Credit facilities and loans
Promissory note
Group treasury lending, borrowing,
hedging and investing activities
Maximum
amount
December 31,
2020
(CHF
millions)
2019
(USD millions)
3,067
4,199
58
2,210
3,536
262
1,535
5,500
104
2,500
3,500
-
2020
(USD
millions)
3,470
4,750
66
2,500
4,000
296
Amount in
effect at
December 31,
2019
(CHF millions)
2020
(USD
millions)
2020
(CHF
millions)
2019
(USD millions)
2019
(CHF millions)
1,486
5,326
100
2,421
3,389
-
3,470
4,750
66
-
1,000
296
3,067
4,199
58
-
884
262
1,535
5,500
104
877
500
-
1,486
5,326
100
850
484
-
37,948
33,542
22,244
21,540
21,403
18,918
13,339
12,917
46,874
Total
1 Issued under Rule 144/Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 notes
53,030
35,383
34,262
30,985
27,388
21,855
21,163
External borrowing activities
Syngenta AG has fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any
premium and interest on the debt securities issued by Syngenta Finance N.V., which is an indirect wholly-owned finance subsidiary, and
Syngenta Finance AG, which is a direct, wholly-owned finance subsidiary. The guarantees rank equally with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated debt of the group. No other subsidiary of Syngenta AG guarantees such debt securities. Due to guaranteed intercompany on-
lending of external borrowings, transactions with the same nature as external borrowings are listed more than once.
Promissory note
Syngenta AG guarantees a promissory note issued by Syngenta Crop Protection AG in the amount of USD 296 million. The amount was
settled by Syngenta Crop Protection AG on January 4, 2021.
Group Treasury - lending, borrowing, hedging and investing activities
Syngenta AG guarantees intercompany lending, borrowing and hedging activities as well as external investments for the Syngenta AG group
for a maximum amount of USD 37,948 million (CHF 33,542 million) as at December 31, 2020, out of which USD 21,403 million (CHF 18,918
million) are outstanding as at December 31, 2020.
External hedging activities – financial instruments
External hedging activities refer to financial instruments where Syngenta Crop Protection AG is the contractual party hedging exposures
arising in the Syngenta AG group with external counterparties.
These financial instruments are transacted under International Swap and Derivative Association (ISDA) contracts. In addition, for certain
financial instruments positions, Credit Support Annex (CSA) contracts are in place under which cash is exchanged as collateral.
Syngenta AG guarantees the financial instruments transactions entered into under these ISDA contracts. The contingent liabilities related to
these financial instruments are significantly limited by the credit risk mitigation measures applicable under the ISDA and the CSA contracts
and amount to USD 15 million (CHF 14 million) at December 31, 2020 (2019: USD 25 million; CHF 24 million).
Litigation matters
Viptera/Duracade
Since September 12, 2014, several thousand lawsuits were filed against various Syngenta legal entities, among them Syngenta AG, in state
and federal courts in the United States by plaintiffs seeking damages from Syngenta for commercializing its Agrisure Viptera® (MIR162) and
DuracadeTM corn seeds in the U.S. without having obtained import approval from China for those products. In September 2017, a settlement
of USD 1.5 billion to resolve all claims on behalf of U.S. non-Viptera and Viptera producers as well as grain elevators and ethanol plants was
reached. The settlement amount, which was to be paid by Syngenta entities in the U.S. and in Switzerland, was included in the net result
2017 of the Syngenta AG group. On April 10, 2018, preliminary court approval was granted in respect of the pending settlement, and the
establishment of a Qualified Settlement Fund of $1.51 billion was granted for the submission of claims by eligible claimants who contracted to
price corn or DDGs (distillers dried grains with solubles) after September 2013. The Syngenta AG group was directed to make the first and
second installments of $200 million each into an escrow account. Final approval for the pending settlement was granted by court order dated
December 7, 2018. On March 29, 2019 the Syngenta AG group made its final payment of USD 1.1 billion. The settlement does not cover
claims of certain exporter plaintiffs such as Cargill (separate settlements were reached with exporters ADM, Louis Dreyfus, Agribase and
Trans Coastal), and there are 16 producers and one ethanol plant that opted out of the settlement. The ethanol plant that opted out of the
settlement, Heartland Corn Products (“Heartland”), filed suit against Syngenta in November 2019. The court has granted Syngenta’s motion to
dismiss Heartland Viptera claims. The case continues as to the Duracade claims. The Syngenta AG group is continuing to defend against
94
Notes to the Financial Statements of Syngenta AG
claims of exporters and plaintiffs that opted out of the settlement. It strongly believes that those claims are without merit and will vigorously
defend the lawsuits.
Putative class actions similar to those in the U.S. were filed in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, against Syngenta Canada Inc. and Syngenta AG
in December 2015 and February 2017, respectively. In the Ontario action, the judge granted Syngenta’s motion to strike and, by decision
dated November 28, 2018, dismissed the action in its entirety. The plaintiff appealed and, while the Court of Appeal denied plaintiff’s appeal of
the lower court’s decision dismissing the claim as to the negligent misrepresentation and Competition Act claims, it granted the appeal as to
the premature commercialization claim which would allow the lawsuit to continue as to that claim alone. The Syngenta AG group filed the
documents necessary to seek leave to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision to the Supreme Court of Canada. On December 10, 2020, the
Supreme Court of Canada denied Syngenta’s application for leave to appeal. The Quebec action is at a very early stage. The Canadian
actions are not covered by the settlement in the U.S. The Syngenta AG group is continuing to vigorously defend against the Canadian actions
and strongly believes that they are without merit.
Atrazine
In August 2013, a personal injury complaint relating to atrazine was filed under seal in St. Clair County, Illinois, State Court on behalf of an
unnamed minor and his parents against Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, Syngenta AG and certain dealers and distributors. The Court granted
the minor permission to proceed in the public record under the fictitious name “James Doe” - and for his parents to use the names “Jane Doe”
and “John Doe”. The lawsuit alleges that James Doe’s congenital birth defect, hypospadias, was caused by his mother consuming atrazine
contaminated drinking water while she was pregnant. The complaint alleges public nuisance, strict liability, and negligence and seeks
unspecified damages together with the costs of suit. Fact discovery in the litigation started in early 2014 and is continuing. Syngenta strongly
believes that the claims are without merit and is vigorously defending against the action.
Paraquat
On September 15, 2017, a complaint was filed in St. Clair County, Illinois state court on behalf of plaintiffs Thomas Hoffmann and Diana
Hoffmann against Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC; Syngenta AG; and Growmark, Inc. The complaint alleges that Mr. Hoffmann suffers from
Parkinson’s disease caused by chronic exposure to the herbicide paraquat while working as a corn, soybean, and wheat farmer in Illinois. On
October 6, 2017, an amended complaint was filed in St. Clair County, Illinois state court on behalf of twelve plaintiffs (seven men who are said
to have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and five of their wives) against Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, Syngenta AG and certain
dealers and distributors. The complaint alleges that the seven men suffer from Parkinson’s disease due to chronic exposure to paraquat and
states the following counts: (1) Strict Liability – Design Defect; (2) Strict Liability – Failure to Warn; (3) Negligence; (4) Public Nuisance; (5)
Consumer Fraud & Deceptive Business Practices Act; and (6) Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability. The Syngenta AG group’s
motion to dismiss was denied by court order dated July 31, 2018, and the case is now at the discovery stage. In December 2018, a complaint
was filed in St. Clair County, Illinois state court on behalf of plaintiffs Marvin Wendler and Lorena Wendler against Syngenta Crop Protection,
LLC, Syngenta AG, and certain dealers and distributors. The complaint asserts the same claims as the Hoffmann complaint. Also, in
December 2018, a complaint was filed in St. Clair County, Illinois state court on behalf of plaintiffs Lloyd Pulcher and Patricia Pulcher against
Syngenta AG and a distributor. The complaint asserts the same claims as the Hoffmann complaint. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC filed its
answer to the Wendler complaint in February 2019, and Syngenta AG filed its answers to the two complaints, Wendler and Pulcher, in March
2019.
In April 2019, ten complaints were filed in California state court on behalf of 16 plaintiffs (including ten men who are said to have been
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and six of their wives). The complaints name Syngenta AG and Syngenta Crop Protection LLC and
various distributors. The ten California complaints allege the following counts: (1) Strict Products Liability; (2) Negligence; (3) Public Nuisance;
(4) California Consumer Legal Remedies Act; and (5) Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability. The California cases have been
consolidated for pretrial purposes. On December 23, 2019, the court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss. No case schedule has been set
and the California cases remain at an early stage. In late 2020, two of the complaints were dismissed because the plaintiffs passed away.
On July 16, 2020, the state court presiding over the St. Clair County, Illinois cases dismissed without prejudice the claims brought by Diana
Hoffmann, individually and as administrator of the Estate of Thomas Hoffmann, and three other plaintiffs pursuant to a motion for withdrawal
filed by those plaintiffs.
On July 22, 2020, a complaint was filed in Scott County, Missouri on behalf of two plaintiffs (a married couple). The complaint names
Syngenta AG, Syngenta Corporation, Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, and Chevron USA, Inc. The plaintiffs allege the following counts: (1)
Strict Liability in Tort - Design Defect; (2) Strict Liability in Tort - Failure to Warn; (3) Negligence; (4) Breach of Implied Warranty; and (5) Loss
of Consortium. The case was removed to the Eastern District of Missouri on July 29, 2020, and Syngenta filed a motion to dismiss on
September 9, 2020. The motion to dismiss is still pending, and no case schedule has been set.
On December 16–17, 2020, six additional complaints were filed in California state court on behalf of nine plaintiffs (including 6 men who are
said to have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and 3 of their wives). The complaints name Syngenta AG and Syngenta Crop
Protection LLC and variously name Chevron USA, Inc. and/or Wilbur-Ellis Company, LLC as additional defendants. These complaints do not
include a California Consumer Legal Remedies Act claim, but they otherwise allege the same counts as the April 2019 California complaints.
On December 22, 2020, a complaint was filed in St. Clair County, Illinois state court on behalf of plaintiffs Michael Kearns and Jean Kearns
against Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC; Syngenta AG; and Growmark, Inc. The complaint alleges the following counts: (1) Strict Liability -
Design Defect; (2) Strict Liability - Failure to Warn; (3) Negligence; (4) Public Nuisance; (5) Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business
Practices Act; and (6) Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability.
The Syngenta AG group strongly believes that the claims are without merit and is vigorously defending against the actions.
Canada beekeeper lawsuits
In September 2014, a claim was filed in Ontario, Canada by two proposed representative members on behalf of a putative class comprising
all beekeepers who have owned or continue to own and operate honey producing, pollinating, and/or queen bee rearing businesses in
Canada since January 1, 2006, against a number of Syngenta AG group legal entities together with certain entities of a second manufacturer
of neonicotinoid insecticides. Plaintiffs allege negligence through the sale by that manufacturer and by Syngenta AG group of products
containing such insecticides in the knowledge that they would be injurious to bees and by virtue of misrepresentations and concealment
relating thereto. Plaintiffs claim 400 million Canadian dollars ($314 million at December 31, 2020 exchange rates) general and 50 million
95
Notes to the Financial Statements of Syngenta AG
Canadian dollars ($39 million at December 31, 2020 exchange rates) punitive damages. The pleadings in the Ontario proceedings were
subsequently amended by plaintiffs’ counsel to add waiver of tort and unlawful conspiracy to the single cause of action, negligence, which was
previously pleaded. Both of the additional causes of action are ancillary to and largely dependent on the negligence claim. The class has not
yet been authorized. The Syngenta AG group strongly believes that the claims are without merit and is vigorously defending against the
action.
In October 2014, a Motion for Authorization was filed by the same firm of plaintiffs’ counsel in Montréal, Quebec seeking permission to bring a
similar class proceeding in that province. The proposed representative plaintiff operates a family business specialized in the breeding of queen
bees. The Quebec litigation closely resembles the original Ontario lawsuit claiming negligence except that, rather than a nationwide class, it
alleges a class limited to Quebec. At this early stage damages are unspecified. The Motion for Authorization was argued in November 2017.
The Quebec class has been authorized on August 20, 2018, and notices have been sent to potential class members. Plaintiffs’ motion to add
Syngenta AG as a defendant has been granted. The Syngenta AG group strongly believes that the claims are without merit and is vigorously
defending against the action.
Other
In a Deed of Guarantee dated December 6, 2017, Syngenta AG guaranteed to Syngenta Pensions Trustee Limited (the “Fund”), that if
Syngenta Limited, or other Syngenta affiliates (“Employers”), which participate in the Fund, do not pay punctually amounts they owe to the
Fund, then Syngenta AG will pay that amount instead of the Employers.
In a Deed of Guarantee dated December 23, 2019, Syngenta AG guaranteed to Jealott’s Hill Unit Trust the rental payments for the Jealott’s
Hill research station to be paid by Syngenta Limited.
Syngenta AG is part of a group of Swiss entities of Syngenta which are jointly and severally liable for the whole Swiss VAT amount due to the
Swiss Tax authorities by this group.
6. Full-time equivalents
Syngenta AG does not have any employees.
7. Subsequent events
On January 25, 2021, in order to pro-actively manage its debt portfolio and reduce future interest expense, Syngenta Finance N.V., which is
an indirect wholly-owned finance subsidiary, commenced a cash tender offer for any and all of its outstanding 4.375% USD Notes 2042 and
5.676% USD bond 2048 for which Syngenta AG acted as guarantor. The tender offer expired on January 29, 2021 with valid tenders received
totaling approximately $278 million.
96
Appropriation of Available Earnings of Syngenta AG
Available earnings:
Balance brought forward from previous year
Net profit of the year
Total available earnings
Appropriation of available earnings:
Payment of a cash dividend proposed to the AGM
Total available earnings after appropriation
2020
(USD millions)
2020
(CHF millions)
3,159
995
4,154
-
4,154
2,792
880
3,672
-
3,672
97
KPMG AG
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kpmg.ch
Report of the Statutory Auditor to the General Meeting of Shareholders of
Syngenta AG, Basel
Report of the Statutory Auditor on the Financial Statements
As statutory auditor, we have audited the accompanying financial statements of Syngenta AG, which comprise the
income statement, balance sheet and notes for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Board of Directors’ Responsibility
The board of directors is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the require-
ments of Swiss law and the company’s articles of incorporation. This responsibility includes designing, implementing
and maintaining an internal control system relevant to the preparation of financial statements that are free from
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. The board of directors is further responsible for selecting and
applying appropriate accounting policies and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit
in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Auditing Standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of
material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments,
the auditor considers the internal control system relevant to the entity’s preparation of the financial statements in
order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control system. An audit also includes evaluating the appropri-
ateness of the accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made, as well as evaluating
the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient
and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 comply with Swiss law and the
company’s articles of incorporation.
© 2021 KPMG AG, a Swiss corporation, is a subsidiary of KPMG Holding AG, which is a member
firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International
Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.
Syngenta AG, Basel
Report of the Statutory Auditor
on the Financial Statements
to the General Meeting of Shareholders
Report on Other Legal Requirements
We confirm that we meet the legal requirements on licensing according to the Auditor Oversight Act (AOA) and
independence (article 728 CO) and that there are no circumstances incompatible with our independence.
In accordance with article 728a paragraph 1 item 3 CO and Swiss Auditing Standard 890, we confirm that an internal
control system exists, which has been designed for the preparation of financial statements according to the instruc-
tions of the board of directors.
We further confirm that the proposed appropriation of available earnings complies with Swiss law and the company’s
articles of incorporation. We recommend that the financial statements submitted to you be approved.
KPMG AG
Michael Blume
Licensed Audit Expert
Auditor in Charge
Basel, February 3, 2021
Artem Chumakov
Enter your title her
This publication is available on the
Internet:
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Syngenta AG
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Switzerland
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Editorial completion: March 2021
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Cautionary statement regarding forward-
looking statements: This document
contains forward-looking statements,
which can be identified by terminology
such as “expect”, “would”, “will”,
“potential”, “plans”, “prospects”,
“estimated”, “aiming”, “on track” and
similar expressions. Such statements
may be subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause the actual results to
differ materially from these statements.