TIDMHEIQ

RNS Number : 6244R

HeiQ PLC

30 October 2023

30 October 2023

HeiQ Plc

("HeiQ" or "the Company")

Results for year ended 31 December 2022

Cutting through the headwinds & setting the course for what comes next

HeiQ Plc (LSE:HEIQ), a leading company in materials innovation and hygiene technologies, announces its final results for the full year ended 31 December 2022 ("FY 2022"). These results are published concurrently with the Company's Interim Results for the period ending 30 June 2023.

Annual Report and Restoration of Trading:

The Company's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 will shortly be available to view on HeiQ's website, www.heiq.com/investors . A copy of the Annual Report will also be submitted to the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom via the National Storage Mechanism ("NSM"), available for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism . Copies will be posted to shareholders in the coming days.

Upon uploading the Annual Report to the NSM, expected to be completed today, the Company will make an immediate request to the FCA for the Company's Ordinary Shares to be restored to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange as soon as practicable thereafter. A further announcement will be made confirming the exact time and date of resumption of trading.

Financial Overview:

   --    Revenue reduced 14.8% to US$47.2 million (FY 2021 restated: US$55.4 million*) 
   --    Gross profit margin down 17.3% to 28.5% (FY 2021 restated: 45.8%*) 
   --    Adjusted EBITDA decreased to US-$12.2 million (FY 2021 restated: US$4.5 million*) 
   --    Operating loss of US-$29.2 million (FY 2021 restated: US$-1.4 million*) 
   --    Loss after taxation of US$-29.8 million (FY 2021 restated: US$-1.4 million*) 
   --    Cash at year-end of $8.5m with net debt (including lease liabilities) of US$3.7 million 

* Details on restatements of prior year financial information are disclosed in Note 2 of the Company's Financial Statements.

Operational Overview:

-- Despite a robust first-half performance, the second half of FY 2022 was characterized by a sudden weakening of the markets in which HeiQ operates leading to a decrease in sales and related contribution margin, which impacted financial performance.

-- Unprecedented macroeconomic pressures converged, creating a challenging trading environment not only for HeiQ but also for our competitors and the textile industry at large.

Post Period:

In response to ongoing market challenges, HeiQ has taken rapid, decisive action to enhance resilience and reduce its cost base. The Company has reviewed and prioritized its activities to navigate these turbulent market conditions. Actions taken include:

-- Strategic Reorganization: Business was restructured into three commercial units, each with dedicated leadership and P&L responsibility, being Textiles & Flooring, Antimicrobials and Life Sciences.

   --      Relocated various support functions to the lower-cost location Portugal. 

-- Applied a strong focus on commercialization teams and prioritised high-value opportunities in high-growth markets.

-- Focused on commercialized innovations and mature, sustainable and future-proof products such as HeiQ Allergen Tech and HeiQ Synbio, HeiQ Mint and HeiQ Smart Temp.

-- These initiatives have reduced overheads by 15%, becoming mainly effective from H2 2023 onwards.

While the Board considers the Company has adequate resources, it is in discussions with financial institutions to replace the currently uncommitted credit facilities by committed, long-term facilities.

Carlo Centonze, co-founder and CEO, HeiQ plc, said:

"I would like to first acknowledge the understandable frustration felt by our valued shareholders in regard to the delayed publication of FY 2022 accounts following our 10-month audit and the corresponding 6 month suspension from trading. As the largest shareholder, I share this burden and as Group CEO I have addressed the commercial difficulties it generated for us.

"FY 2022 was a challenging year for our industry and our business, as we faced sudden and dramatic market disruptions in H2 2022, caused by large inventory de-stocking by brands and retailers following reduced consumer demand, high inflation, and rising interest rates globally.

"Since the start of 2023, we have taken focused steps to reduce our cost base and reorganize the business. We have not seen the challenges abate, but actions taken since the start of the year mean we will be in a better position going forward to manage the challenging macro-economic environment, continue building value in our core innovations and preserve our ability to deliver when the market demand turns.

"These post-period initiatives, which are set out in detail in our annual report and interim results reported concurrently with these full-year results, are already having an impact and have delivered an annualized 15% reduction in overheads, becoming effective mainly from H2 2023 onwards. Looking forward we are seeing increasingly positive trends within our markets and consumer preferences quickly adapting to more sustainable solutions, opening up opportunities for growth for HeiQ and its innovative portfolio of sustainable products. With this in mind, we will continue to prioritise innovations close to positive cash flow generation, putting appropriate emphasis on operational excellence and our high potential key innovation initiatives with superior sustainability and profitability profiles."

Equity analyst and shareholder presentations:

Following the resumption of trading in its ordinary shares the Company will announce registration details for two live presentations. These presentations will cover today's results and will be held separately for both equity analysts and investors.

For further information, please contact:

 
 HeiQ Plc 
  Carlo Centonze (CEO)                       +41 56 250 68 50 
 Cavendish Securities Plc (Broker)           +44 (0) 207 397 
  Stephen Keys / Callum Davidson              8900 
                                            ------------------ 
 SEC Newgate (Media Enquiries)               +44 (0) 20 3757 
  Elisabeth Cowell / Tom Carnegie / Molly     6882 
  Gretton                                     HeiQ@s ecnewgate 
                                              .co.uk 
                                            ------------------ 
 

CHAIR'S STATEMENT

Setting the course for what comes next

FY 2022 was an extraordinarily challenging year for HeiQ. Whilst trading performance in the first half remained robust given the circumstances, the markets we operate in became significantly weaker in the second half. An array of macroeconomic pressures converged, creating a very challenging trading environment for HeiQ, its competitors and the textile industry at large.

The sudden decrease in sales and related contribution margin impacted on our performance. In addition, we had to defer previously recognised revenue from partnership agreements and therefore, our financial performance fell short of expectations in FY 2022.

Further, the Board of HeiQ Plc had to announce that the Company could not publish its audited FY 2022 Accounts by 30 April 2023, which regrettably led to the shares being suspended. HeiQ appointed Deloitte as its new auditor in November 2022, to reflect the international expansion and increased complexity of the Group since listing. Following several acquisitions, the Group has grown significantly in terms of capabilities, technology platforms and growth potential, but also in terms of organizational complexity. We have seen a number of businesses with different systems, processes and cultures joining the Group since 2017 and in particular in 2021. In order to integrate these different businesses, the Group started the harmonization of processes, systems and ways of working across the organization in 2022. While this is a challenging project for any organization, the changes in market conditions made this process even more challenging given our lean set-up across the Group, including in support functions. All these factors contributed to a significantly extended year end reporting timetable for 2022 with a related impact on the timing of the external audit work. Further, while reviewing our processes, the Board has also challenged key estimates and judgments in relation to previous reporting periods. This has led to the restatement of prior year financial statements as disclosed in the notes to the financial statements within this Annual Report*.

We understand the frustration of our stakeholders - in particular shareholders - about the delay in reporting audited FY 2022 Accounts and the related suspension of shares from trading on the London Stock Exchange.

With market conditions remaining very challenging during 2023, we have taken rapid, decisive action to build additional resilience and to reduce our cost base, reviewing and prioritizing our activities rigorously, including our innovation pipeline. These activities have allowed us to navigate through 2023 during which time cash management is key given the fragile market conditions and uncommitted nature of the Group's current financing facilities as further discussed in the Financial Review.

Outlook

While we expect the trading conditions for our commercialized product range to continue to be challenging into 2024, we have significantly reduced our cost base and will implement further measures if needed. The Board is also re-assessing the overall strategy and resource allocation of the Group as well as its debt structure to address the uncertainty in relation to financing arising from the uncommitted nature of credit facilities, as disclosed in the notes to our financial statements. This is to ensure a healthy balance between maintaining the long-term growth potential of our key innovation projects, the constraints of the current market conditions for our commercial business activities as well as being prepared to capture opportunities to gain market share once market conditions improve.

We are facing uncertain times, both politically and economically on a global scale, which has impacted many key regions of HeiQ's operation. At the same time, we are seeing increasingly positive trends within our markets and consumer preferences quickly adapting to more sustainable solutions, opening up opportunities for growth for HeiQ and its innovative portfolio of sustainable products.

We thank our stakeholders for their continuing support. We as a Board as well as the whole management team of HeiQ remain committed and motivated to deliver long-term growth and value for our shareholders and all other stakeholders by bringing sustainable technologies to market. With an aggregate holding of approximately 24%, the Board and extended management team continues to be well aligned with the interest of shareholders.

Esther Dale-Kolb

Chair

(R) Details on restatements of prior year financial information are disclosed in Note 2 of the Company's Financial Statements.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW

Cutting through the headwinds: a year in review

I would like to first acknowledge the understandable frustration felt by our valued shareholders in regards to the delayed publication of FY 2022 accounts and the corresponding suspension from trading at LSE. As the largest shareholder I share this burden and as CEO I have addressed the commercial difficulties it generated for us.

The macro picture and FY 2022 performance

FY 2022 was a challenging year for our industry and our business, as we faced sudden and dramatic market disruptions in H2, caused by large inventory de-stocking by brands and retailers following reduced consumer demand, high inflation, and rising interest rates globally. These factors were exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis in Europe has hamstrung the entire European chemical industry. Our business was further exposed to prolonged Covid-19 restrictions in China in H1, and the downturn was protracted by a sectoral recession in our customer segment following the lifting of restrictions and value chain shifts by US brands and retailers out of China. Given that we were investing in scaling up our four ventures with game-changing innovation technologies, the sudden decrease in sales and the related innovation financing by the profits from our commercial businesses not only impacted top line performance, but also Group profitability.

The dramatic disruption in market demand across our value chains also impaired the ability of our recently acquired businesses to achieve their business plans. The Directors therefore have concluded that an impairment of goodwill recognized upon acquisition of some of these businesses is appropriate.

Further, we had to partly defer revenues (and corresponding profits) in respect of certain partnership agreements originally recognized in H1 2022 and H2 2022 to future periods. Previously, we had recognized revenue from these contracts at the point in time of achieving certain technical development milestones. However, upon further review, we concluded that it is appropriate to recognize such revenues over time to coincide with specific exclusivity rights being granted by HeiQ to the partners. Consequently, total revenue of US$4.0 million has been deferred over a period of four years with initial revenues being recognized in H2 2022.

Total revenue for the year amounts to US$47.2 million (2021(R) : US$55.4 million) and the operating loss for the year was US$-29.2 million (2021(R) : US$-1.4 million) after goodwill impairments (aggregated goodwill impairments in 2021 and 2022 amount to US$13 million). The cash balance as of December 31, 2022 was US$8.5 million.

2023 Trading Update

Since the start of 2023, we have taken focused steps to reduce our cost base and reorganize the business. We have not seen the challenges abate in 2023 but actions taken since the start of the year mean we are to be in a better position going forward to manage the challenging macro-economic environment, continue building value in our core innovations and preserve our ability to deliver when the market demand turns.

I am pleased to report that the initiatives set out below have delivered an annualized 15% reduction in overheads, becoming effective mainly from H2 2023 onwards. As set out in our separately reported interim results, for H1 2023, we achieved sales of US$20.5 million (H1 2022(R) : US$27.6 million) with a slight decrease in margins in a buyers-market driven by current overcapacity (H1 2023:40.9% vs. 41.5% for FY 2022). I want to point out that while we have curtailed our investments in our four ventures, we have maintained their value creating momentum and thus face the corresponding costs. The benefits of the reduced cost base will only be felt in H2 2023, so our operating loss for H1 2023 amounts to US$-6.0 million (H1 2022(R) : US$-1.6 million). The cash balance as of June 30, 2023 amounts to US$7.3 million. Our credit facilities have historically and continue to be uncommitted in nature, which casts a material uncertainty on the going concern assessment until appropriate longer-term funding is in place, as disclosed in the Notes to the financial statements. However, the Board considers that the Group has adequate resources and accordingly, the financial statements continue to be prepared on the going concern basis. T he Board is in discussions with financial institutions to replace the currently uncommitted credit facilities by committed, long-term facilities, but the outcome of these discussions cannot be guaranteed.

Reorganizing, right-sizing and re-focusing

At the beginning of the year we reorganized our activities into three commercial business units and one "Other" segment encompassing four innovation ventures with no commercial activities yet, Innovation Services provided internally and externally to a broad range of customers, as well as group functions. The three distinct business units each have their dedicated team leader, management team, and P&L responsibility:

   --    Textiles & Flooring, under the leadership of Mr. Mike Abbott, headquartered out of the US 
   --    Life Sciences, led by Dr. Robin Temmerman, headquartered out of Belgium 
   --    Antimicrobials, led by Mr. Tom Ellefsen, headquartered out of Thailand 

I will give you an update for each of these shortly, but before I do so, it is worth touching on how we have built resilience into the service offerings - Innovation, Differentiation and Regulatory - which are delivered through each business unit as well as internal services like Finance.

Besides streamlining and relocating various support functions out of Switzerland to lower-cost locations, we have created clear goals and responsibilities for all our business and service organizations to optimize operations and to focus resource allocation rigorously. In Innovation, we have focused our R&D investment on innovation technologies which are closest to cash-flow generation or are already being financed by brand partners or through grants. In Differentiation we are leveraging our brand customers to promote HeiQ to a broader (consumer) audience thereby reducing our costs. We have expanded our internal service organization particularly in Finance by implementing a centralized accounting function and will continue to do so to strengthen our financial reporting processes.

In addition, we are applying a strong focus on our commercialization teams, aligning our efforts with our mission to improve the lives of billions through our products. We are prioritizing high value opportunities in high growth markets, where we can leverage competitive advantages and deliver sustainable value for our customers and shareholders. We are focusing on our commercialized innovations and mature, sustainable and future-proof products such as HeiQ Allergen Tech and HeiQ Synbio, HeiQ Mint and HeiQ Smart Temp and are also actively challenging competitors' positions with a better quality-price-terms ratio offering with our HeiQ Pure range.

Textiles & Flooring

We have taken decisive steps to strengthen our position as the market leader for branded, nominated textile innovation. In order to maintain capabilities at a lower cost, we have accelerated the reallocation of our innovation, testing, and product management operations to Portugal, which is a lower-cost country with high education in which to undertake these labor-intensive workstreams. Our production has been moved largely to the US from Switzerland due to lower energy costs and chemical raw material availability. Our top-selling products are being further integrated backwards to improve our margin. Additionally, we are investing in Central America, a region which is increasingly capturing supply from US brand's reducing their exposure to China. We are exploring global local manufacturing partnerships to lower the impact on margins of short notice orders and resulting rapid delivery logistical costs.

Antimicrobials

In our Antimicrobials business, we have reduced the commercial team by focusing on selected markets and expanded our support to our established large channel partners Americhem and Avient. We are further reducing our overheads and divesting from our regional sales hub HeiQ Brazil in order to build up this particular market with a commercialization partner instead. We are focused on strengthening our regulatory assets for inorganic, botanical and natural antimicrobials to enhance our position within specialty antimicrobials and are looking for opportunities to consolidate the industry segment.

Life Sciences

In Life Sciences we have achieved a key milestone with the publication of the study comparing Ecolab disinfectants with our HeiQ Synbio probiotic cleaners at the University Hospital Charité Berlin. The study, which was sponsored by the Melinda & Bill Gates foundation and the German state confirmed that HeiQ's probiotic cleaners are equally effective to Ecolab's disinfectants while significantly reducing resistance gene developments. The study led to a recommendation for probiotic cleaners by the German Robert Koch institute and the finalization of the new European Detergent Regulation, now including probiotic cleaners. With this key regulatory milestone achieved, we are doubling down on securing significant contracts for HeiQ Synbio in the healthcare cleaning market and selecting the best channel partner for global commercialization. We are in negotiations with leading channel partners for an exclusive OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) agreement for our probiotic healthcare cleaners. Additionally, we are revisiting our medical device business strategy as closing of an OEM agreement is not materializing.

Venture Innovations

Innovation remains the lifeblood of our business and future value creation. I talked earlier about our focused strategy for innovation, prioritizing core technologies which are close to positive cash flows or are being funded by customers or grants in order to alleviate the impact of their expensed R&D costs on our net commercial revenues and accelerate their technology and market readiness.

One of our most valuable innovation platforms is HeiQ AeoniQ , the world's first climate-positive fiber. HeiQ AeoniQ has had significant industry support by Hugo Boss, The Lycra Company and MAS Holdings and has been taken to customers as a HUGO BOSS Polo Shirt on consumer shelves as early as January 2023, just 15 months after launching it. Hugo Boss has recently captured global attention for HeiQ AeoniQ with their "THE CHANGE" launch in high fashion. Additionally, Beste, an Italian manufacturer, introduced the first fabric collection featuring HeiQ AeoniQ to a range of major Italian fashion brands.

HUGO BOSS has committed itself to replacing all use of polyester and nylon by 2030 and made the achievement of the same a fundamental part of leadership's remuneration. HeiQ AeoniQ has one objective, to replace polyester, a US$135 billion market with a compounding annual growth rate of 3.5%. Most recently, in July 2023, we secured a further US$2.5 million funding from MAS Holdings, a premium leader in garment making headquartered in Singapore. We have further secured US$1.2 million in grants for our R&D work and up to US$ 8 million government grant contributions over the next two years for our first 3 kilotons (kto) plant scale-up in Portugal. We will continue our efforts to secure funding and offtake agreements with leading brands in order to finance and build our first 30kto capacity production plant scheduled to operate in 2026.

HeiQ GrapheneX is a proprietary technology platform that enables us to directly synthesize porous graphene materials with high performance and versatility. This platform is strategically positioned to capture the growing demand for advanced materials in the batteries and electric vents sectors. We have recently sold our first samples to a Fortune 500 Brand and top three leader in handheld mobile devices. Over the next two years we aim to deliver our first pilot commercialization plant and are currently negotiating product development funding with a key OEM player in the handheld mobile devices industry.

HeiQ ECOS is a transparent conductive coating technology that enables low emissivity. HeiQ ECOS can also be used in defense, to alter the electromagnetic signature of assets making them stealth. We have two existing defense customers paying for the application development for signature management. With the knowledge gained from these projects, we have developed a strong proof of concept for transparent window insulation and yield-enhancing greenhouse films. Less energy is needed to cool down or warm buildings or greenhouses and if utilized in the automotive window space significantly more reach can be conferred on electric vehicles. We are currently validating the technology in field trials with market leading adopters and have been able to secure additional grants to develop further technology applications.

HeiQ BacCell is centered around our precision fermentation technology, utilizing bacteria to manufacture post-biotics (HeiQ Synbio platform). Our aim is to use agricultural and food waste available in large amounts and transform them into bacterial cellulose. The latter is utilized as a feedstock for our HeiQ AeoniQ climate positive fiber and promises additional market application opportunities in packaging, food, cosmetics and medical currently being explored with leading channel partners. By using waste-based feedstock we prevent the burning or fouling of organic waste and thereby contribute to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a potential for carbon credits being awarded.

Sustainability

Our technologies are intrinsically built to bring sustainability downstream to our customers and to consumers. Our biggest contribution to science-based reduction goals is the continuous substitution of hydrocarbon based raw materials in our products with bio-based raw materials. With HeiQ AeoniQ we are bringing to the market a game changing technology, capable of decarbonizing the textile industry with one of the few climate-positive technologies able to reduce the science-based footprint of brands and retailers, contributing significantly to reaching a net zero target. At HeiQ, we are committed to driving impactful game-changing sustainable innovation technologies to market.

Outlook

Looking ahead, our vision remains firm: striving to improve the lives of billions by bringing sustainable technology solutions to market that can make an impact. To achieve this and to weather current challenging market conditions and financial uncertainties, we have taken and will take further actions as and when needed to control our costs and sharpen our strategy. This includes prioritizing innovations close to positive cash flow generation, to put appropriate emphasis on operational excellence as well as to drive our high potential key innovation initiatives with superior sustainability profiles.

We expect the above-mentioned measures beginning to flow through to our bottom line in H2 2023 with corresponding stabilization of our financial performance. However, we remain alert to take additional corrective actions should markets deteriorate further.

As always, I would like to end my statement by thanking our investors, team, advisors and customers for their support during what has been a very challenging period for the market and the company. As a significant shareholder and a founder of HeiQ, my commitment to grow HeiQ and materialize its huge potential remains unchanged.

Carlo Centonze

CEO

FINANCIAL REVIEW

2022 was a difficult year where our financial performance was impacted by highly challenging market conditions and fell short of expectations. Sales suffered from reduced market demand - particularly in the last quarter of the year - while we continued to invest into our key innovation initiatives to maintain the long-term growth potential of the Group. After achieving a revenue growth of 10.0%(R) in the previous year, revenues reduced by 14.8% in 2022 to US$47.2 million (2021(R) : US$55.4 million).

Following several acquisitions, the Group has grown significantly in terms of capabilities, technology platforms and growth potential but also in terms of organizational complexity. The Group has seen a number of businesses with different systems, processes and cultures joining the Group since 2017 and in particular during 2021. In order to integrate the different businesses, the Group commenced the harmonization of processes, systems and operating practices across the organization in 2022. Furthermore, the significant drop in market demand required us to review the valuation of intangible assets and our approach to inventory valuation as we envisaged a short-term fall in demand for certain of our technologies. Accordingly, despite our continued confidence in the mid- to long-term value potential of our market offerings, we have revised forecasts used in certain valuation models related to intangible assets as well as inventory. As a result, the Board has concluded that it is appropriate to impair various goodwill positions as well as inventory positions where we believe quantities on hand exceed demand for the next twelve months. While preparing annual accounts 2022, including reviewing aspects of accounting which rely on significant judgement, the Company has also identified prior period errors that require correction and thus lead to a restatement of prior period financial statements. These factors have contributed to a significant delay in the financial reporting process and the finalization of the work by our auditors.

The Group deemed it appropriate to defer the recognition of revenues (and profits) from certain partnership agreements related to HeiQ AeoniQ to future periods. It was concluded that it is more appropriate to recognize the milestone-payments over time during the agreed exclusivity period rather than at a point in time upon achieving the agreed technical development milestones. Accordingly, US$2.0 million recognized in H1 2022 has been deferred and will be recognized over a 4-year period commencing in H2 2022 and an additional US$2.0 million previously expected to be recognized in H2 2022 has also been deferred.

Accounting aspects relying on significant judgment and estimations that materially affected our 2022 financial performance

Impairment of Goodwill

Considering the challenging trading conditions, we have determined a cumulative impairment charge of US$13 million to be appropriate as of December 31, 2022. As we have corrected the underlying framework for modelling valuation assumptions, we have also applied the same approach retrospectively to the FY 2021 accounts and have concluded that of the cumulative impairment charge of US$13 million, US$2.4 million should be charged against income in 2021 instead of 2022. Further details on the impairment charge can be found in Note 18 and Note 2 (restatement of 2021) to the financial statements.

Allowance on inventory

Due to the deterioration in market conditions, the Group has limited the demand forecast period to assess whether a good is sellable or not to twelve months. Previously, the Group applied a longer period of up to three years. However, the Board concluded that this practice is no longer appropriate given the deterioration in market conditions. This has resulted in recording a significant allowance on inventory of US$4.9 million in 2022. This non-cash expense has a significant impact on the gross margin for 2022 and relates mainly to the raw materials for a limited number of finished products.

Accounting for take-or-pay contracts

Certain customers have agreed, under a "take or pay" contract, to purchase a specified minimum quantity of particular products over a specified period of time, usually in exchange for a specified exclusivity during the same period. However, the customer must pay for the full quantity stated in the contract, irrespective of whether the customer takes delivery of the minimum quantity to which they are committed. Upon payment of the full amount, the contract allows customers to defer their unexercised rights and to consume the remaining units within a twelve-month period, although there is no compulsion to do so. Revenue recognition for the shortfall items is deferred until the customer consumes the units, or, in case of expiry of the rights, typically twelve months after payment by the customer. This represents an amendment to the accounting policy for such contracts as disclosed in Note 2 and has led to prior year restatements as discussed further below.

Consequently, the Directors have also concluded that no revenue should be recognized for a long-term customer contract that the Group is enforcing by way of legal claim in court as the customer has not shown a willingness to execute any business as stipulated in the signed agreement. This has led to a de-recognition of revenue and profits in 2021 (US$0.6 million) and H1 2022 (US$0.7 million).

Financial Performance

 
                                  Year 
                                 ended    Year ended 
                              December      December 
                                   31,           31, 
                                  2022          2021 
                               US$'000       US$'000 
                                          (restated) 
--------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
Revenue                         47,202        55,419 
Gross profit                    13,457        25,397 
--------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
Gross profit margin              28.5%         45.8% 
--------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
Selling and general 
 administrative expenses      (30,969)      (24,680) 
Impairment losses             (12,381)       (2,454) 
Net other income/expenses          648           383 
--------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
Operating loss                (29,245)       (1,354) 
--------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
Operating margin               (62.0%)        (2.4%) 
--------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
Loss after taxation           (29,814)       (1,373) 
--------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
Adjusted EBITDA               (12,174)         4,545 
--------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
EBITDA margin (adjusted)       (25.8%)          8.2% 
--------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
 

Revenues

Market demand for most of our businesses, with the exception of the Chinese market due to lockdowns imposed by the government, was not significantly impacted by geo-political developments, inflation and rising interest rates until late in the year on the back of consumer demand and inventory build-up across the value chain. After the COVID-19 pandemic and supply-chain disruptions in the previous years, industry players have been building up much higher inventory levels than in the past to mitigate possible supply issues which has supported demand. As such, in the first half of the year, HeiQ was able to deliver a revenue growth of 6.8% (H1 2022(R) vs. H1 2021) despite an extremely low level of business activity in China (lockdowns). As inflation continued to increase rapidly in H2 2022, market sentiment weakened based on increasing global recession concerns. Late in the year, this led to a sudden halt in business along the entire supply chain, particularly in the textile industry which, in terms of revenue, is still the most important industry segment for HeiQ. Brands started to cancel orders as they faced uncertain consumer demand coupled with very high levels of inventory. This caused a sudden and severe decrease in manufacturing activity across the value chain. Consequently, revenues for H2 2022 were down 33.7% compared to H2 2021(R) and down 28.7% compared to H1 2022(R) . Given the high inventory levels seen in Q3 2022, we expect demand for our functional ingredients to remain subdued for 2023.

Gross margin

Gross margins were 28.5% for the full year (2021(R) : 45.8%). In H1 2022(R) margin was stable compared to H2 2021(R) (41.5% vs. 42.7%). The increased inventory allowance due to the change in the valuation approach had a negative impact on the gross margin in H2 2022 which stood at 10.3%. Excluding the US$4.9 million allowance on inventory recorded in 2022, the gross profit for FY 2022 would have been US$18.4 million and the corresponding gross margin would have been 38.9% vs. 45.8% for the full year 2021(R) .

Sales and General Administration Expenses

As we have disruptive technologies with high value and market potential in our innovation pipeline, we continued to invest during 2022 in our future and in value creation although we have both prioritized and adjusted the scope of projects as revenues and related cash generation have suffered. Our Sales and General Administration expenses ("SG&A") have grown in 2022 to US$31.0 million, an increase of US$6.3 million or 25.5% (2021(R) : US$24.7 million).

SG&A in H1 2022(R) was US$ 14.0 million, stable compared to H2 2021(R) (US$ 14.0 million) but significantly higher than in H1 2021 (US$10.7 million). Approximately US$1.9 million of this increase in H1 2022 (vs H1 2021) relates to the full year inclusion of acquired companies. Further, in the course of 2021 we invested in our skilled workforce, including the build-up of the HeiQ AeoniQ(TM) fiber team which increased the general cost base for H1 2022 by another US$1.4 million compared to H1 2021.

In H2 2022, SG&A amounted to US$17.0 million which represents an increase of US$3.0 million against H1 2022(R) and US$3.0 million against H2 2021(R) . Audit costs for FY 2022 increased by about US$1.0 million compared to FY 2021.

Impairment losses

Impairment losses have been recorded both on intangible assets (US$11.7 million) - mainly related to goodwill impairments as explained above - as well as on property, plant & equipment (US$0.7 million) as hygiene mask production equipment has been impaired due to a significant decline in demand.

Other Income / Expenses

Other income and other expenses predominantly relate to foreign exchange gains on working capital (other income) and foreign exchange losses (other expenses). Other expenses further include a write-off of intangible assets.

Overall, and including goodwill impairments, HeiQ reports an operating loss of US$-29.2 million for the year 2022 compared to an operating loss of US$-1.4 million in 2021(R) .

Reporting as per new Business Unit structure

As explained in the Chair and CEO statement, the Group has re-organized its management structure into distinct Business Units and therefore has also amended its disclosures on reported segments.

HeiQ reports four segments: the three Business Units as well as "Other activities". Other activities include the Innovation Service function, Business Development initiatives ("Ventures" as well as costs not allocated to one of the three Business Units, including goodwill impairments. In 2022 and 2021, SG&A expenses have been allocated to Business Units only to a limited extent with focus on commercial activities. For 2023 and going forward, the Group intends to allocate costs more extensively to the three Business Units.

 
                      Textiles &         Life                                Other               Total 
                       Flooring         Sciences      Antimicrobials       activities 
US$'000               2022   2021*     2022   2021*     2022    2021*      2022     2021*      2022    2021* 
------------------  ------  ------  -------  ------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  ------- 
Revenue             33,870  39,773    6,894  10,115    3,577    3,379     2,861     1,792    47,202   55,419 
Operating profits 
 (loss)                979  14,196  (1,078)   1,438       53    1,106  (29,199)  (18,096)  (29,245)  (1,354) 
Finance result                                                                                (590)     (35) 
Loss before 
 taxation                                                                                  (29,835)  (1,389) 
Taxation                                                                                         21       16 
------------------  ------  ------  -------  ------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  ------- 
Loss after 
 taxation                                                                                  (29,814)  (1,373) 
------------------  ------  ------  -------  ------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  ------- 
 

*as restated

Revenues within the Textiles & Flooring business unit decreased by US$5.9 million (-15%) to $33.9 million in 2022. This was driven by two previously mentioned main contributors: COVID-19 related lockdowns in one of our main markets, China, as well as the unprecedented, industry wide decrease in demand along the entire value chain towards the end of the year.

Revenues within the Life Sciences business unit decreased by US$3.2 million (-32%) to $6.9 million in 2022 compared to 2021(R) . This decrease reflects the significantly lower sales of hygiene masks in 2022 which was partly offset by an increase in sales of HeiQ Synbio products.

Revenues within the Antimicrobials business unit increased by US$0.2 million (+5.9%) to US$3.6 million.

Revenues allocated to other activities encompass mainly Innovation Services provided to 3(rd) party customers.

Adjusted EBITDA

Reported adjusted EBITDA loss was US$-12.2 million for 2022 compared to a positive EBITDA of US$4.5 million in 2021(R) .

EBITDA is a way of measuring cash generation. HeiQ therefore adjusts EBITDA for share options and rights granted to Directors and employees and significant non-cash items being impairments of goodwill and intangible assets.

 
 Adjusted EBITDA                             2021 
  US$'000                      2022    (restated) 
-------------------------  --------  ------------ 
Operating loss             (29,245)       (1,354) 
Depreciation                  2,220         1,971 
Amortization                  1,435           976 
Impairment losses 
 and write-offs              13,278         2,454 
Share options and 
 rights granted to 
 Directors and employees        138           498 
-------------------------  --------  ------------ 
Adjusted EBITDA            (12,174)         4,545 
-------------------------  --------  ------------ 
 

Statement of Financial Position

Total assets were US$71.1 million as of December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021(R) : US$94.1 million) with equity amounting to US$40.3 million and liabilities of US$30.8 million as of December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021(R) : US$59.5 million equity and US$34.6 million of liabilities). This corresponds to an equity ratio of 57% ( 2021(R) : 63%).

Non-current assets decreased from US$47.3 million (December 31, 2021(R) ) to US$38.7 million as of December 31, 2022, mainly driven by the impairment of intangible assets.

Current assets decreased by 30.9% to US$32.4 million as of December 31, 2022 (US$46.9m as of December 31, 2021(R) ). Trade receivables reduced by US$8.2 million to US$6.5 million as of December 31, 2022 (2021(R) : US$14.7 million). The cash balance decreased by US$6.1 million year-on-year and was US$8.5 million as of December 31, 2022 (2021: US$14.6 million).

The decrease in total liabilities was mainly driven by the settlement of deferred consideration related to the acquisitions made in 2021. Total liabilities decreased by US$3.8 million (11.0%) from US$34.6 million as of December 31, 2021(R) to US$30.8 million as of December 31, 2022. Net debts (including lease liabilities) amount to US$3.7 million as of December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021(R) : net cash position of US$3.7 million).

Cash Flow Statement

As a result of sales below expectation coupled with the (budgeted) increase in our cost base, net cash generated from operating activities in the year 2022 was negative and amounted to US$-2.5 million (2021: US$3.4 million).

Cash used in investing activities amounts to US$8.8 million in 2022 (2021: US$12.7 million) and reflects the continued investment in building long-term value. With US$3.9 million the development and acquisition of intangible assets accounts for the largest share of investment activities. This includes internal R&D activities qualifying for capitalization but also the acquisition of intellectual property rights to further complement the hygiene range of our Antimicrobial business. We also invested US$3.4 million of cash in plant and equipment, predominantly related to the HeiQ AeoniQ(TM) pilot plant located in Austria. Consideration paid for acquisitions (US$1.6 million) relate to earn-out and instalment payments for acquisitions executed in previous periods.

Net cash from financing activities amounted to US$5.9 million (2021: US$-1.3 million net cash used). The largest portion of proceeds is related to the sale of a 2.5% equity stake in HeiQ AeoniQ GmbH to Hugo Boss in H1 2022 (US$4.8 million). Proceeds from borrowings (net) amount to US$2.6 million and relate mainly to fixed advances with a duration of up to 3 months.

The Group reports a cash balance of US$8.5 million as of December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021: US$14.6 million).

Prior Period Adjustments

As describe further above, the Directors have concluded that certain adjustments to prior period financial statements should be recorded. The cumulative impact on the prior period financial statements (FY 2021) is as follows.

 
 In US$                               As published   Total restatements     As restated 
                                        previously 
 Revenue for FY 2021                  57.9 million        (2.5 million)    55.4 million 
 Income (loss) after taxation          2.5 million        (3.9 million)   (1.4 million) 
  for FY 2021 
                                    --------------  -------------------  -------------- 
 Total assets as at December 
  31, 2021                           101.8 million        (7.7 million)    94.1 million 
 Total equity as at December 
  31, 2021                            64.6 million        (5.1 million)    59.5 million 
 Total liabilities as at December 
  31, 2021                            37.2 million        (2.6 million)    34.6 million 
                                    --------------  -------------------  -------------- 
 

These corrections resulted in a significant restatement of the income after taxation. Further details of these corrections as well as additional corrections that did not result in material restatement of the income after taxation are disclosed in Note 2 to the financial statements.

Restatement in respect of a significant take-or-pay contracts

As disclosed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Group has renegotiated a significant take-or-pay contract after the balance sheet date. As a result of renegotiations, the Group has effectively waived unpaid accounts receivable in exchange for a right of first refusal on supply of a wide product range to a large industry player with the expectation to grow this multiple million US$ account significantly over the coming years. The company has reviewed its historic accounting for this contract. The conclusion of this review is that amounts recognized as revenue in 2021 and accounts receivable as at December 31, 2020 and 2021 were overstated as the criteria for revenue recognition under IFRS 15 had not been met. There are also associated impacts on costs of sales, accrued liabilities and tax. The Group has determined that revenues of US$1.8 million and profits of US$0.7 million recognised in 2021 required reversal. Additional revenues and profits of US$0.7 million have been derecognized in relation to another take-or-pay contract in relation to which the Group has filed a claim against the customer in court.

Restatement in regards of goodwill impairments

As highlighted further above and discussed in more detail in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Directors concluded that a portion of the goodwill impairments identified in preparation of the 2022 Annual Accounts should have been identified during the preparation of the 2021 financials, if all available information at the point of publishing the annual report 2021 had been taken into consideration. Consequently, a retrospective review of the 2021 goodwill impairment tests was performed. It was concluded that a portion of the identified impairment amounting to US$2.3 million is to be allocated to the 2021 financial statements.

Going Concern Assessment

To manage its cash balance, the Group has access to credit facilities totalling CHF9.0 million (approximately US$9.8 million as of September 30, 2023). The credit facilities are in place with two different banks and both contracts have materially the same conditions. The facilities are not limited in time, can be terminated by either party at any time and allow overdrafts and fixed cash advances with a duration of up to twelve months.

As of September 30, 2023, the Group has drawn CHF6.3 million of the facilities (CHF2.4 million as December 31, 2022) as follows:

 
 Maturity dates of used credit   Amount 
  facilities: 
 November 27, 2023               CHF 4.5 million 
                                ---------------- 
 June 17, 2024                   CHF 0.8 million 
                                ---------------- 
 September 30, 2024              CHF 1.0 million 
                                ---------------- 
 Total                           CHF 6.3 million 
                                ---------------- 
 

The facilities are not committed, but the Board has not received any indication from financing partners that facilities are at risk of being terminated. Furthermore, the Board is in discussions with financial institutions to replace the currently uncommitted credit facilities by committed, long-term facilities, but the outcome of these discussions remain uncertain.

The Group's directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and operate within its credit facilities for a period of 12 months from date of approval of these financial statements. Nevertheless, the Board acknowledges the uncommitted status of the facilities which could be terminated without notice during the forecast period requiring the refinancing of debts as per above maturity dates, indicates that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the Group's ability to continue as a going concern . Further disclosure on the going concern assessment are made in Note 3b to the financial statements.

Xaver Hangartner

Chief Financial Officer

(R) Details on restatements of prior year financial information are disclosed in Note 2 of the Company's Financial Statements.

Consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income

For the year ended December 31, 2022

 
                                                Year ended             Year ended 
                                                  December 
                                                       31,           December 31, 
                                                      2022                   2021 
                                          Note     US$'000                US$'000 
                                                                      (restated*) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
Revenue                                      7      47,202                 55,419 
Cost of sales                                9    (33,745)               (30,022) 
Gross profit                                        13,457                 25,397 
Other income                                10       4,832                  6,625 
Selling and general administrative 
 expenses                                   11    (30,969)               (24,680) 
Impairment loss on intangible 
 assets                                     18    (11,651)                (2,454) 
Impairment loss on property, 
 plant & equipment                          19       (730)                      - 
Other expenses                              13     (4,184)                (6,242) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
Operating loss                                    (29,245)                (1,354) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
Finance income                              14         683                    534 
Finance costs                               15     (1,273)                  (569) 
Loss before taxation                              (29,835)                (1,389) 
Income tax                                  16          21                     16 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
Loss after taxation                               (29,814)                (1,373) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
 
Other comprehensive income: 
Exchange differences on translation 
 of foreign operations                             (1,914)                (2,550) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
Items that may be reclassified 
 to profit or loss in subsequent 
 periods                                           (1,914)                (2,550) 
Actuarial gains/(losses) from 
 defined benefit pension plans                       1,380                  1,124 
Income tax relating to items 
 that will not be reclassified 
 subsequently to profit or loss                      (276)                  (225) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
Items that will not be reclassified 
 to profit or loss in subsequent 
 periods                                             1,104                    899 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
Other comprehensive loss for 
 the year                                            (810)                (1,651) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
 
Total comprehensive loss for 
 the year                                         (30,624)                (3,024) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
 
Loss attributable to: 
Equity holders of HeiQ                            (29,251)                (1,177) 
Non-controlling interests                            (563)                  (196) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
                                                  (29,814)                (1,373) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
 
  Total Comprehensive loss attributable 
  to: 
Equity holders of the Company                     (30,061)                (2,828) 
Non-controlling interests                            (563)                  (196) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
                                                  (30,624)                (3,024) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------   -------------------- 
Loss per share: 
Basic (cents)**                             17     (21.92)                 (0.91) 
----------------------------------------  ----  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 

*The consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income has been restated in the comparative period as described in Note 2.

**The effect of share options is anti-dilutive and therefore not disclosed.

Consolidated statement of financial position

As at December 31, 2022

 
                                                 As at         As at         As at 
                                              December      December      December 
                                                   31,           31,           31, 
                                                  2022          2021          2020 
                                      Note     US$'000       US$'000       US$'000 
                                                         (restated*)   (restated*) 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 ASSETS 
 Intangible assets                      18      20,442        30,773         5,264 
 Property, plant and equipment          19       9,802         6,865         5,467 
 Right-of-use assets                    20       7,819         7,974         2,564 
 Deferred tax assets                    32         538         1,337         1,288 
 Other non-current assets               21         137           333           206 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Non-current assets                             38,738        47,282        14,789 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Inventories                            22      13,168        13,770        13,540 
 Trade receivables                      23       6,487        14,656        10,080 
 Other receivables and prepayments      24       4,262         3,876         2,609 
 Cash and cash equivalents                       8,488        14,560        25,695 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Current assets                                 32,405        46,862        51,924 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total assets                                   71,143        94,144        66,713 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 
 Issued share capital and 
  share premium                         26     205,874       195,714       184,096 
 Other reserves                         28   (128,017)     (127,195)     (125,968) 
 Retained deficit                       28    (39,466)      (11,525)      (10,348) 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Equity attributable to 
  HeiQ shareholders                             38,391        56,994        47,780 
 Non-controlling interests                       1,948         2,541          (20) 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total equity                                   40,339        59,535        47,760 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Lease liabilities                      30       6,558         7,209         2,304 
 Long-term borrowings                   31       1,445         1,605         1,400 
 Deferred tax liability                 32       1,253         2,333           857 
 Other non-current liabilities          33       4,714         2,619         3,425 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total non-current liabilities                  13,970        13,766         7,986 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Trade and other payables               34       5,322         8,271         5,815 
 Accrued liabilities                    35       4,978         3,386         2,168 
 Income tax liability                   16         314            51         1,495 
 Deferred revenue                       36       1,285         1,004             - 
 Short-term borrowings                  31       2,893         1,157           173 
 Lease liabilities                      30       1,264           905           349 
 Other current liabilities              38         778         6,069           967 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total current liabilities                      16,834        20,843        10,967 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total liabilities                              30,804        34,609        18,953 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total equity and liabilities                   71,143        94,144        66,713 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 

*The consolidated statement of financial position has been restated for the comparative periods as described in Note 2.

The Notes form an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements. The Consolidated Financial Statements were approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on October 26, 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Xaver Hangartner, Chief Financial Officer

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the year ended December 31, 2022

 
 
                                     Issued  Other reserves     Retained         Equity  Non-controlling  Total equity 
                              share capital                      deficit   attributable        interests 
                                  and share                                     to HeiQ 
                                    premium                                shareholders 
                       Note         US$'000         US$'000      US$'000        US$'000          US$'000       US$'000 
---------------------  ----  --------------  --------------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ------------ 
                                                             (restated*)    (restated*)      (restated*)   (restated*) 
---------------------  ----  --------------  --------------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ------------ 
Balance at January 
 1, 2021 (as 
 presented)                         184,096       (125,968)      (8,499)         49,629             (20)        49,609 
Prior year adjustment 
 in respect of 
 revenue 
 recognition                              -               -      (1,849)         (1,849                -       (1,849) 
Balance at January 
 1, 2021 (as 
 restated)                          184,096       (125,968)     (10,348)         47,780             (20)        47,760 
Loss after taxation                       -               -      (1,177)        (1,177)            (196)       (1,373) 
Other comprehensive 
 (loss)/income                            -         (1,651)            -        (1,651)                -       (1,651) 
Total comprehensive 
 (loss)/income for 
 the year                                 -         (1,651)      (1,177)        (2,828)            (196)       (3,024) 
---------------------  ----  --------------  --------------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ------------ 
Issuance of shares       26          11,618               -            -         11,618                -        11,618 
Share-based payment 
 charges                 27               -             424            -            424                -           424 
Amounts arising 
 on business 
 combinations             5               -               -            -              -            2,757         2,757 
Transactions with 
 owners                              11,618             424            -         12,042            2,757        14,799 
---------------------  ---- 
Balance at December 
 31, 2021                           195,714       (127,195)     (11,525)         56,994            2,541        59,535 
---------------------  ----  --------------  --------------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ------------ 
 
Loss after taxation                       -               -     (29,251)       (29,251)            (563)      (29,814) 
Other comprehensive 
 (loss)/income                            -           (810)            -          (810)                -         (810) 
Total comprehensive 
 (loss)/income for 
 the year                                 -           (810)     (29,251)       (30,061)            (563)      (30,624) 
---------------------  ----  --------------  --------------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ------------ 
Issuance of shares       26          10,160               -            -         10,160                -        10,160 
Share-based payment 
 income                  27               -            (12)            -           (12)                -          (12) 
Dividends paid 
 to minority 
 shareholders            28               -               -            -              -            (243)         (243) 
Capital contributions 
 from minority 
 shareholders                             -               -            -              -              764           764 
Adjustments arising 
 from change in 
 non-controlling 
 interests               5a               -               -      (2,445)        (2,445)            (616)       (3,061) 
Transfer of shares 
 to non-controlling 
 interest                5b               -               -        3,755          3,755               65         3,820 
Transactions with 
 owners                              10,160            (12)        1,310         11,458             (30)        11,428 
Balance at December 
 31, 2022                           205,874       (128,017)     (39,466)         38,391            1,948        40,339 
---------------------  ----  --------------  --------------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ------------ 
 

*'The consolidated statement of changes in equity has been restated for the comparative periods as described in Note 2.

Consolidated statement of cash flows

For the year ended December 31, 2022

 
                                               Year ended    Year ended 
                                                 December      December 
                                                      31,           31, 
                                                     2022          2021 
                                        Note      US$'000       US$'000 
 Cash flows from operating                                  (Restated*) 
  activities 
-----------------------------------   ------  -----------  ------------ 
 Loss before taxation                            (29,835)       (1,389) 
 Cash flow from operations 
  reconciliation: 
 Depreciation and amortization          9,11        3,655         2,947 
 Impairment expense                       13       12,380         2,454 
 Net loss on disposal of assets           43          (5)          (34) 
 Write-off of intangible assets           13          897             - 
 Fair value gain on derivative 
  liability                               38        (371)             - 
 Gain on earnout consideration            5g            -          (80) 
 Finance costs                                        273           225 
 Finance income                                       (2)          (18) 
 Pension expense                                      247           156 
 Non-cash equity compensation             12          138           498 
 Gain from lease modification             20         (68)             - 
 Other costs paid in shares               26          235             - 
 Currency translation                                (61)         (793) 
 Working capital adjustments: 
 Decrease in inventories                  43          602         2,028 
 Decrease/(Increase) in trade 
  and other receivables                   43        7,783       (2,305) 
 (Decrease)/Increase in trade 
  and other payables                      43        2,543         2,181 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ------------ 
 Cash generated (used in)/from 
  operations                                      (1,589)         5,870 
 Taxes paid                               16        (870)       (2,462) 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ------------ 
 Net cash generated (used in)/from 
  operating activities                            (2,459)         3,408 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ------------ 
 Cash flows from investing 
  activities 
 Consideration for acquisition 
  of businesses                           43      (1,587)       (8,857) 
 Cash assumed in asset acquisition        26           65             - 
 Purchase of property, plant 
  and equipment                           19      (3,418)         (994) 
 Proceeds from the disposal 
  of property, plant and equipment                     53           138 
 Development and acquisition 
  of intangible assets                    18      (3,865)       (2,969) 
 Interest received                                      2            18 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ------------ 
 Net cash used in investing 
  activities                                      (8,750)      (12,664) 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ------------ 
 Cash flows from financing 
  activities 
 Interest paid on borrowings                        (110)         (108) 
 Repayment of leases                   20,43        (992)         (662) 
 Interest paid on leases                            (163)         (117) 
 Proceeds from disposals of 
  minority interests                      5b        4,792             - 
 Proceeds from borrowings                 43        3,465           546 
 Repayment of borrowings                  43        (904)         (928) 
 Dividends paid to minority 
  shareholders                            28        (243)             - 
 Net cash from/(used in) financing 
  activities                                        5,845      ( 1,269) 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ------------ 
 
 Net decrease in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                     (5,364)      (10,525) 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ------------ 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  - beginning of the year                          14,560        25,695 
 Effects of exchange rate changes 
  on the balance of cash held 
  in foreign currencies                             (708)         (610) 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ------------ 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  - end of the year                                 8,488        14,560 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ------------ 
 

* The consolidated statement of cash flows has been restated for the comparative period as described in Note 2.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2022

   1.             General information 

HeiQ Plc (the Company) is a company limited by shares incorporated and registered in the United Kingdom. Its ultimate controlling party is HeiQ Plc. The address of the Company's registered office is 5th Floor, 15 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DD.

The principal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries (the Group) and the nature of the Group's operations are set out in Note 6.

These financial statements are presented in United States Dollars (US$) which is the presentation currency of the Group, and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars except where otherwise indicated. Foreign operations are included in accordance with the policies set out in Note 3.

2. Changes in accounting policies, prior period error correction and adoption of new and revised standards

Change in accounting policy

Following the acquisitions in 2021, the Group had different accounting policies for inventory in the subsidiaries and therefore aligned the methodology during the financial year 2022 closing process to apply solely a first-in-first-out basis. The Group has assessed the impact on the valuation: the majority of inventory is valued on an individual basis and the impact is limited to functional consumer goods. It was therefore concluded that there was no material impact from the change in policy. See Note 3s for a description of the accounting policy.

Prior period error: Overstatement of lease assets and liabilities and reclassifications

During the compilation of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Group corrected an overstatement of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities assumed in the acquisition of HeiQ Chrisal N.V. It was determined that property capitalized as a right-of-use asset was owned by HeiQ Chrisal N.V. rather than leased - and the corresponding liability was that of a loan rather than a lease in nature. The loan amount payable was reported by Chrisal as short-term payables, and the assets were recognized as property, plant and equipment. In addition, at Group level, the same contracts were also recognized as right-of-use asset and lease liabilities.

Further, certain liabilities arising from customer contracts were incorrectly classified as deferred revenue rather than accrued liabilities and certain other payables are reclassed to short- and long-term borrowings.

The following table summarizes the impact of the prior period error on the financial statements of the Group.

 
                                                                         Year ended 
                                                                           December 
                                                                           31, 2021 
 Consolidated statement of profit 
  or loss                                                                   US$'000 
 Selling and general administrative 
  expenses                                                                       16 
 Finance costs                                                                 (27) 
 Decrease in profit for the financial 
  year                                                                         (11) 
 
 Consolidated statement of financial position 
 Right-of-use assets                                                        (1,105) 
 Trade and other payables                                                     1,088 
 Accrued liabilities                                                          (770) 
 Deferred revenue                                                               770 
 Short-term borrowings                                                        (153) 
 Long-term borrowings                                                         (935) 
 Lease liabilities (current)                                                    149 
 Lease liabilities (non-current)                                                967 
 Decrease in net assets and equity                                             (11) 
 
 

Prior period error: PPA Chrisal: Accounting for 51% of intangible assets acquired instead of 100%

During the purchase price allocation of the Chrisal acquisition, the Group identified and accounted for brand and customer relationship as well as technologies. The Group correctly valued the intangible assets at 51% in the purchase price allocation. However, the Group also consolidated the intangible assets at 51% when it should have accounted for them at 100% with the difference leading to an increase in non-controlling interests. The correction of the error leads to an increase in intangible assets and a higher amortization charge for the reporting period 2021.

The following table summarizes the impact of the prior period error on the financial statements of the Group.

 
                                                                           Year ended 
                                                                             December 
                                                                             31, 2021 
 Consolidated statement of profit 
  or loss                                                                     US$'000 
 Selling and general administrative 
  expenses                                                                      (218) 
 Income tax                                                                        55 
 Decrease in profit for the financial 
  year                                                                          (163) 
 
 Consolidated statement of financial position 
 Intangible assets                                                              1,759 
 Deferred tax liability                                                         (440) 
 Increase in net assets                                                         1,319 
 Non-controlling interests                                                    (1,483) 
 Decrease in shareholders' equity                                               (163) 
 
 

Prior period error: Correcting revenue recognition of take-or-pay contracts

A further restatement concerns two significant take-or-pay contracts which have minimum guaranteed pricing irrespective of amounts delivered to the customer. Following a renegotiation with one customer post year-end, the company has reviewed its historic accounting for this contract. The conclusion of this review is that amounts recognized as revenue in 2021 and accounts receivable as at December 31, 2020 and 2021 were overstated as the criteria for revenue recognition under IFRS 15 had not been met. There are also associated impacts on costs of sales, accrued liabilities and tax.

As a further consequence, the accounting policy has been amended. Revenue from take-or-pay contracts is recognized only upon shipment of the products. See updated accounting policy and additional background on take-or-pay contracts in note 3l. This has led to a restatement for 2021 in relation to a second take-or-pay contract.

The following table summarizes the impact of the prior period error on the financial statements of the Group. The impact of the prior period error on basic earnings per share is presented in Note 17.

 
                                         Year ended 
                                           December 
                                           31, 2021 
 Consolidated statement of profit 
  or loss                                   US$'000 
 Revenue                                    (2,455) 
 Cost of sales                                  876 
 Selling and general administrative 
  expenses                                       19 
 Income tax                                     174 
 Decrease in profit for the financial 
  year                                      (1,386) 
 
 Consolidated statement of financial 
  position 
 Trade receivables                             (37) 
 Other receivables and prepayments          (2,399) 
 Deferred tax asset                             174 
 Accrued liabilities                            876 
 Decrease in net assets and equity          (1,386) 
 

Prior period error: Goodwill impairment and currency translation Chrisal CGU and RAS CGU

In course of the preparation of the 2022 financial statements, the Group identified a goodwill impairment in relation to three CGUs (Chrisal, RAS, Life). It was found that a portion of the goodwill impairment should have already been identified during the preparation of the 2021 financials, if all available information at the point of publishing the annual report 2021 had been taken into consideration. Consequently, a retrospective review of the 2021 goodwill impairment tests was performed and the underlying framework for modelling valuation assumptions was corrected. It was concluded that a portion of the identified impairment amounting to US$2.3 million is to be allocated to the 2021 financial statements whereas US$1.3 million of the impairment charge relates to the Chrisal CGU and US$1.0 million relates to the RAS CGU. No correction to the 2021 impairment test was identified for Life CGU.

IAS 21 - The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates requires that intangible assets including goodwill arising on the acquisition shall be treated as assets of the foreign operation. Chrisal CGU and RAS CGU both have a functional currency which is different to the presentation currency of the Group. Consequently, these intangible assets should be translated from the functional currency of the CGU, Euro, to the presentation currency US$. The company recalculated the US$ balances with the closing rate present as at December 31, 2021. This led to a decrease of the intangible asset balance as well as a charge to other comprehensive loss of US$888,000.

See Note 18 for further details.

 
                                                                             Year ended 
                                                                               December 
                                                                               31, 2021 
 Consolidated statement of profit 
  or loss                                                                       US$'000 
 Impairment loss on intangible assets                                           (2,310) 
 Decrease in profit for the financial 
  year                                                                          (2,310) 
 
 Consolidated statement of financial position 
 Intangible assets                                                              (3,198) 
 Other reserves                                                                     888 
 Decrease in net assets and equity                                              (2,310) 
 
 

Prior period error: foreign currency risk note

The amounts in Note 42d foreign currency risk have been restated as at December 31, 2021, as they contained intercompany balances, related to long-term loans that form part of net investments in foreign operations. Such balances are eliminated at Group level while foreign currency differences that arise between the entities' functional currencies only affect other comprehensive income. The error has no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Impact of error corrections on the Group's consolidated statement of financial position

The effect of error corrections on the financial year ended December 31, 2021 and the balance carried forward from December 31, 2020 is shown in the following tables:

Consolidated statement of financial position December 31, 2020

 
                                                  Restatement 
               US$'000    As presented    revenue recognition   As Restated 
----------------------   -------------  ---------------------  ------------ 
 
 Assets 
 Deferred tax asset                826                    462         1,288 
 Trade receivables              13,437                (3,357)        10,080 
 Total Assets                   69,608                (2,895)        66,713 
 
 Capital and reserves 
 Retained deficit              (8,499)                (1,849)      (10,348) 
 Total Equity                   49,609                (1,849)        47,760 
 
 Liabilities 
 Accrued liabilities             3,214                (1,046)         2,168 
 Total Liabilities              19,999                (1,046)        18,953 
 

Consolidated statement of financial position December 31, 2021

 
                                                         Restatement 
                                          Restatement        revenue    Restatement   Restatement 
                 US$'000   As presented       Leasing    recognition    PPA Chrisal      Goodwill   As Restated 
------------------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Assets 
 Intangible assets               32,212             -              -          1,759       (3,198)        30,773 
 Right-of-use assets              9,079       (1,105)              -              -             -         7,974 
 Deferred tax assets                701             -            636              -             -         1,337 
 Trade receivables               18,050             -        (3,394)              -             -        14,656 
 Other receivables 
  and prepayments                 6,275             -        (2,399)              -             -         3,876 
 Total Assets                   101,845       (1,105)        (5,157)          1,759       (3,198)        94,144 
 
 Capital and reserves 
 Retained deficit               (5,823)             6        (3,235)          (164)       (2,310)      (11,526) 
 Other reserves               (126,307)                                                     (888)     (127,195) 
 Non-controlling 
  interests                       1,053             5              -          1,483             -         2,541 
 Total Equity                    64,637            11        (3,235)          1,319       (3,198)        59,535 
 
 Liabilities 
 Leases (non-current)             8,176         (967)              -              -             -         7,209 
 Long-term borrowings               670           935              -              -             -         1,605 
 Deferred tax liability           1,894             -              -            440             -         2,333 
 Trade and other 
  payables                        9,359       (1,088)              -              -             -         8,271 
 Accrued liabilities              4,538           770        (1,922)              -             -         3,386 
 Deferred revenue                 1,774         (770)              -              -             -         1,004 
 Short-term borrowings            1,004           153              -              -             -         1,157 
 Leases (current)                 1,054         (149)              -              -             -           905 
 Total Liabilities               37,208       (1,116)        (1,922)            440             -        34,609 
 

Impact of adjustment on the Group's statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income

December 31, 2021

 
                 US$'000                                 Restatement                  Restatement 
                                          Restatement        revenue    Restatement      Goodwill 
                           As presented       Leasing    recognition    PPA Chrisal    impairment   As Restated 
------------------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net result for 
  the year 
 Revenue                         57,874             -        (2,455)              -             -        55,419 
 Cost of sales                 (30,898)             -            876              -             -      (30,022) 
 Selling and general 
  administration 
  expense                      (24,465)          (16)             19          (218)             -      (24,680) 
 Impairment losses 
  on intangible assets            (144)                                                   (2,310)       (2,454) 
 Finance costs                    (597)            27              -              -             -         (569) 
 Income tax                       (212)             -            174             55             -          (16) 
 Income (loss) 
  after taxation                  2,474            11        (1,386)          (163)       (2,310)        (1,373 
 Income (loss) after 
  taxation attributable 
  to HeiQ Stockholders            2,676             6        (1,386)          (163)       (2,310)       (1,177) 
 Income after taxation 
  attributable to 
  non-controlling 
  interest                        (202)             5              -              -             -         (196) 
 Income (loss) after 
  taxation                        2,474            11        (1,386)          (163)       (2,310)       (1,373) 
 

Impact of adjustment on earnings per share

December 31, 2021

 
                                                    Restatement                  Restatement 
                                     Restatement        revenue    Restatement      Goodwill 
            US$'000   As presented       Leasing    recognition    PPA Chrisal    impairment   As Restated 
-------------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Basic earnings 
  (loss) per share            2.07          0.01         (1.08)         (0.13)        (1.78)        (0.91) 
 

New standards, interpretations and amendments effective for the current period

Adopted

The following new standards and amendments were effective for the first time in these financial statements but did not have a material effect on the Group:

- Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 Cycle

- Onerous Contracts - Cost of Fulfilling a Contract (Amendments to IAS 37)

- Property, Plant and Equipment - Proceeds before Intended Use (Amendments to IAS 16)

- Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (Amendments to IFRS 3)

New standards, interpretations and amendments not yet effective for the current period

There are a number of standards, amendments to standards, and interpretations which have been issued by the IASB that are effective in future accounting periods that the Group has decided not to adopt early. The most significant of these are as follows:

Effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023:

-- Disclosure of Accounting Policies (Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2);

-- Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current (Amendments to IAS 1);

-- Definition of Accounting Estimates (Amendments to IAS 8); and

-- Deferred Tax Related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction (Amendments to IAS 12).

Management anticipates that these new standards, interpretations and amendments will be adopted in the financial statements as and when they are applicable and adoption of these new standards, interpretations and amendments, will be reviewed for their impact on the financial statements prior to their initial application.

The Directors do not expect these new accounting standards and amendments will have a material impact on the Group's financial statements.

   3.             Significant accounting policies 
   a.    Basis of preparation 

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted international financial reporting standards.

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for certain financial and equity instruments that have been measured at fair value. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange for goods and services.

The preparation of Financial Statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgment in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment and complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the Consolidated Financial Statements are disclosed in Note 4.

   b.    Going Concern 

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the continuity of normal business activity and the realization of the assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business.

The Group's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the Strategic Report. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the CFO Review and in Note 31 to the financial statements. In addition, Notes 41 and 42 to the financial statements include the Group's objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

To manage its cash balance, the Group has access to credit facilities totalling CHF9.0 million (approximately US$9.8 million as of September 30, 2023). The credit facilities are in place with two different banks but with materially the same conditions. The facilities are not limited in time, can be terminated by either party at any time and allow overdrafts and fixed cash advances with a duration of up to twelve months. In case one or the other party terminates the agreement, fixed cash advances become due upon their defined maturity date. The facilities do not contain financial covenants, but they do require the delivery of certain financial and operational information within a defined timeframe after the balance sheet date. As the publication of audited accounts for the year 2022 was delayed, the Company was not able to submit these accounts within the contractually defined timeframe but has received extensions to do so from both banks until October 31, 2023.

As of September 30, 2023, the Group has drawn CHF6.3 million of the facilities (CHF2.4 million as at December 31, 2022) as follows:

 
 Term / Maturity date   Amount 
 November 27, 2023      CHF4.5 million 
                       --------------- 
 June 17, 2024          CHF0.8 million 
                       --------------- 
 September 30, 2024     CHF1.0 million 
                       --------------- 
 

The Group's forecasts and projections for the next 12 months reflect the very challenging trading environment and show that the Group should be able to operate within the level of its current facility for at least 12 months from the date of signature of these financial statements if the facility drawdowns remain available. While the facilities are not committed, the Board has not received any indication from financing partners that the facilities are at risk of being terminated. Furthermore, the Board is in discussions with financial institutions to replace the currently uncommitted credit facilities by committed, long-term facilities, but the outcome of these discussions remains uncertain.

Nevertheless, the Board acknowledges the uncommitted status of the facilities which could be terminated without notice during the forecast period requiring the refinancing of debts as per above maturity date indicates that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the Group's and Parent Company's ability to continue as a going concern, and therefore the Group may not be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.

After considering the forecasts, sensitivities, and mitigating actions available to management and having regard to the risks and uncertainties to which the Group is exposed (including the material uncertainty referred to above), the Group's directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and operate within its credit facilities for the period 12 months from date of signature. Accordingly, the financial statements continue to be prepared at the going concern basis.

   c.     Basis of consolidation 

The Consolidated Financial Statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries listed in Note 6 "Subsidiaries" to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

A subsidiary is defined as an entity over which the Company has control. The Company controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.

Intra-group transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated; unrealized losses are also eliminated unless cost cannot be recovered. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to ensure consistency of accounting policies with those of the Group.

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group's equity therein. Those interests of non-controlling shareholders that are present ownership interests entitling their holders to a proportionate share of net assets upon liquidation may initially be measured at fair value or at the non-controlling interests' proportionate share of the fair value of the acquiree's identifiable net assets. The choice of measurement is made on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis. Other non-controlling interests are initially measured at fair value. Subsequent to acquisition, the carrying amount of non-controlling interests is the amount of those interests at initial recognition plus the non-controlling interests' share of subsequent changes in equity.

The total comprehensive income of non-wholly owned subsidiaries is attributed to owners of the parent and to the non-controlling interests in proportion to their relative ownership interests.

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in compliance with UK adopted international accounting standards requires the Directors to exercise judgment in applying the Company's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the Consolidated Financial Statements are disclosed in Note 4 "Significant judgments, estimates and assumptions" to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

   d.    Business combinations 

Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method. The consideration transferred in a business combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the sum of the acquisition-date fair values of assets transferred by the Group, liabilities incurred by the Group to the former owners of the acquiree and the equity interest issued by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree. Acquisition-related costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred.

At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are recognised at their fair value at the acquisition date, except that:

-- Deferred tax assets or liabilities and assets or liabilities related to employee benefit arrangements are recognised and measured in accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes and IAS 19 Employee Benefits respectively;

-- Liabilities or equity instruments related to share-based payment arrangements of the acquiree or share-based payment arrangements of the Group entered into to replace share-based payment arrangements of the acquiree are measured in accordance with IFRS 2 at the acquisition date (see below);

-- Assets (or disposal groups) that are classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations are measured in accordance with that Standard.

Goodwill is measured as the excess of the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree, and the fair value of the acquirer's previously held equity interest in the acquiree (if any) over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. If, after reassessment, the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair value of the acquirer's previously held interest in the acquiree (if any), the excess is recognised immediately in profit or loss as a bargain purchase gain.

When the consideration transferred by the Group in a business combination includes a contingent consideration arrangement, the contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition-date fair value and included as part of the consideration transferred in a business combination. Changes in fair value of the contingent consideration that qualify as measurement period adjustments are adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding adjustments against goodwill. Measurement period adjustments are adjustments that arise from additional information obtained during the 'measurement period' (which cannot exceed one year from the acquisition date) about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date.

The subsequent accounting for changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that do not qualify

as measurement period adjustments depends on how the contingent consideration is classified. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not remeasured at subsequent reporting dates and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. Other contingent consideration is remeasured to fair value at subsequent reporting dates with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.

When a business combination is achieved in stages, the Group's previously held interests (including joint

operations) in the acquired entity are remeasured to its acquisition-date fair value and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognised in profit or loss. Amounts arising from interests in the acquiree prior to the acquisition date that have previously been recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss, where such treatment would be appropriate if that interest were disposed of.

If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, the Group reports provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is incomplete.

Those provisional amounts are adjusted during the measurement period (see above), or additional assets or liabilities are recognised, to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the amounts recognised as of that date.

   e.    Foreign currency transactions and translation 

The individual entities' functional currencies are listed below:

 
 Subsidiary:                            Functional currency 
 HeiQ Plc, United Kingdom               GBP 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ Materials AG, Switzerland         CHF 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ ChemTex Inc., United States 
  of America                            USD 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ Pty Ltd, Australia                AUD 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ GrapheneX AG, Switzerland         CHF 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ Company Limited, Taiwan           TWD 
                                       -------------------- 
 HX Company Limited, Taiwan             TWD 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ Medica S.L., Spain                EUR 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ Iberia Unipessoal Lda, Portugal   EUR 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ Chrisal N.V., Belgium             EUR 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ RAS AG, Germany                   EUR 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ Regulatory GmbH, Germany          EUR 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ (China) Material Tech LTD,        CNY 
  China 
                                       -------------------- 
 Life Material Technologies Limited,    USD 
  Hong Kong 
                                       -------------------- 
 Life Natural Limited, Hong Kong        USD 
                                       -------------------- 
 Life Materials Latam Ltda, Brazil      BRL 
                                       -------------------- 
 LMT Holding Limited, Thailand          THB 
                                       -------------------- 
 Life Material Technologies Limited,    THB 
  Thailand 
                                       -------------------- 
 HeiQ AeoniQ GmbH, Austria              EUR 
                                       -------------------- 
 ChemTex Laboratories Inc., United      USD 
  States of America 
                                       -------------------- 
 

On a single entity level, transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the rate of exchange on the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the reporting date. The resulting gain or loss is reflected in the "consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income" within operating income or operating expense, if the balance sheet account is of operating nature - e.g. trade and other receivables/payables and within either "Finance income" or "Finance costs", if the balance sheet account is of non-operating nature - e.g. cash and cash equivalents, loans receivable, payable.

Single entities with functional currencies other than US$ are translated into US$ as part of the consolidation where assets and liabilities are translated at closing rate for the year-ended, and profit and loss items are translated at an average rate for the year. Equity transactions are translated at a historic rate. The residual value flows into the currency translation reserve.

The results and financial position of all Group entities that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into US$, the presentation currency, as follows:

-- assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate at the date of the "Statement of Financial Position";

-- income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates (unless this average is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transactions); and

   --      all resulting exchange differences are recognized in other comprehensive income. 

On consolidation, the Group recognizes in "other comprehensive income" the exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign entities, and of monetary items receivable from foreign subsidiaries for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future.

   f.     Property, plant and equipment 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, if any. The cost of an item of property, plant and equipment initially recognized includes its purchase price and any cost that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by the Group.

Property, plant and equipment are generally depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives:

   Machinery and equipment                5 - 15 years 
   Motor vehicles                                     4 - 5 years 
   Computers and related software     3 - 5 years 
   Furniture and fixtures                         5 - 10 years 
   Buildings                                              10 - 20 years 

Freehold land is not depreciated.

The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis.

Property, plant and equipment held under leases are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and estimated useful life.

   g.    Intangible assets 

All intangible assets, except goodwill, are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the amount by which the fair value of the cost of a business combination exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized and is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

The recoverable amount of goodwill is tested for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstance indicate that it might be impaired. Impairment charges are deducted from the carrying value and recognized immediately in the income statement. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group's cash generating units expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. If the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. An impairment loss recognized for goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent period.

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination

Net assets acquired as part of a business combination includes an assessment of the fair value of separately identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets, in addition to other assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities purchased.

Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets acquired in a business combination are reported at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses, on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.

Acquisition-related intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives which are individually assessed.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:

   Brand names                                                        10 years 
   Customer relations                                             5 years 
   Technologies                                                        10 years 
   Other intangible assets                                      5 - 10 years 

Internally developed assets

Internally generated assets represent expenditure incurred on research and development projects. Recognition follows the following principles:

Research expenditure is recognized as an expense when it is incurred. Development expenditure is recognized as an expense except that costs incurred on development projects are capitalized as long-term assets to the extent that such expenditure is expected to generate future economic benefits. Development expenditure is capitalized if, and only if an entity can demonstrate all of the following:

-- its ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the asset under development;

   --      the product or process is technically and commercially feasible; 
   --      its future economic benefits are probable; 
   --      its ability to use or sell the developed asset; 
   --      Its intention to complete and use or sell the developed asset; 

-- the availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the asset under development.

Capitalized development expenditure is measured at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses, if any. Certain internal salary costs are included where the above criteria are met. These internal costs are capitalized when they are incurred in respect of products developed for sale or assets developed to be used.

In the event that it is no longer probable that the expected future economic benefits will be recovered, the development expenditure is written down to its recoverable amount. Development expenditure initially recognized as an expense is not recognized as assets in subsequent periods.

Capitalized development expenditure in relation to projects that are still in development phase are capitalized as asset under construction until they are ready for sale or use. These assets are tested annually for impairment.

Internally developed assets are amortized on a straight-line method over a period of five to ten years when the asset is ready for sale or use.

The estimated useful life is 5-10 years.

Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets include purchased rights, licenses, patent costs, concessions, website designs and domains and trademarks. They are measured initially at purchase cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful life is 5-10 years.

Derecognition intangible assets

An intangible asset is derecognized on disposal, or when no future economic benefits are expected from use or disposal. Gains or losses arising from derecognition of an intangible asset, measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, are recognized in profit or loss when the asset is derecognized.

   h.    Impairment of financial assets 

The expected credit loss model defined in IFRS 9 "Financial Instruments" requires the Group to account for expected credit losses and changes in those expected credit losses at each reporting date to reflect changes in credit risk since initial recognition of the financial assets. The credit event does not have to occur before credit losses are recognized. IFRS 9 "Financial Instruments" allows for a simplified approach for measuring the loss allowance at an amount equal to lifetime expected credit losses for trade receivables and contract assets.

The Group has three types of financial assets subject to the expected credit loss model: trade receivables, contract assets, other receivables.

For trade receivables and contract assets, the company uses a simplified provision matrix to calculate expected credit loss: The expected loss rates are based on the Group's historical credit losses. The historical loss rates are then adjusted for current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the Group's customers.

For other receivables, the company makes use of the low credit risk exemption.

Significant increase in credit risk

In assessing whether the credit risk on a financial instrument has increased significantly since initial recognition, the Group compares the risk of a default occurring on the financial instrument at the reporting date with the risk of a default occurring on the financial instrument at the date of initial recognition. In making this assessment, the Group considers both quantitative and qualitative information that is reasonable and supportable, including historical experience and forward-looking information that is available without undue cost or effort. Forward looking information considered includes the future prospects of the industries in which the Group's debtors operate, obtained from economic expert reports, financial analysts, governmental bodies, relevant think-tanks and other similar organizations, as well as consideration of various external sources of actual and forecast economic information that relate to the Group's core operations.

-- In particular, the following information is taken into account when assessing whether credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition:

-- Significant deterioration in external market indicators of credit risk for a particular financial instrument, e.g. a significant increase in the credit spread, the credit default swap prices for the debtor, or the length of time or the extent to which the fair value of a financial asset has been less than its amortized cost

-- Existing or forecast adverse changes in business, financial or economic conditions that are expected to cause a significant decrease in the debtor's ability to meet its debt obligations

   --      An actual or expected significant deterioration in the operating results of the debtor 
   --      Significant increases in credit risk on other financial instruments of the same debtor 

-- An actual or expected significant adverse change in the regulatory, economic, or technological environment of the debtor that results in a significant decrease in the debtor's ability to meet its debt obligations

Irrespective of the outcome of the above assessment, the Group presumes that the credit risk on a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition when contractual payments are more than 180 days past due, unless the Group has reasonable and supportable information that demonstrates otherwise.

Despite the foregoing, the Group assumes that the credit risk on a financial instrument has not increased

significantly since initial recognition if the financial instrument is determined to have low credit risk at the reporting date. A financial instrument is determined to have low credit risk if:

   --      The financial instrument has a low risk of default 

-- The debtor has a strong capacity to meet its contractual cash flow obligations in the near term

-- Adverse changes in economic and business conditions in the longer term may, but will not necessarily, reduce the ability of the borrower to fulfil its contractual cash flow obligations

The Group regularly monitors the effectiveness of the criteria used to identify whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk and revises them as appropriate to ensure that the criteria are capable of identifying significant increase in credit risk before the amount becomes past due.

Definition of default

The Group considers the following as constituting an event of default for internal credit risk management purposes as historical experience indicates that financial assets that meet either of the following criteria are generally not recoverable:

   --      When there is a breach of financial covenants by the debtor 

-- Information developed internally or obtained from external sources indicates that the debtor is unlikely to pay its creditors, including the Group, in full (without taking into account any collateral held by the Group)

Irrespective of the above analysis, the Group considers that default has occurred when a financial asset is more than 360 days past due unless the Group has reasonable and supportable information to demonstrate that a more lagging default criterion is more appropriate.

Write-off policy

The Group writes off a financial asset when there is information indicating that the debtor is in severe financial difficulty and there is no realistic prospect of recovery, e.g. when the debtor has been placed under liquidation or has entered into bankruptcy proceedings, or in the case of trade receivables, when the amounts are over two years past due unless the Group has reasonable support to assume recoverability, whichever occurs sooner. Financial assets written off may still be subject to enforcement activities under the Group's recovery procedures, taking into account legal advice where appropriate. Any recoveries made are recognized in profit or loss.

   i.      Impairment of non-financial assets 

At each reporting date, the Directors assess whether indications exist that an asset may be impaired. If indications do exist, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the Directors estimate the asset's recoverable amount. An asset's recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's or cash-generating unit's fair value less costs to sell and its value-in-use, and is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets. Where the carrying amount of an asset or cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount, the Directors consider the asset impaired and write the subject asset down to its recoverable amount. In assessing value-in-use, the Directors discount the estimated future cash flows to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. In determining fair value less costs to sell, the Directors consider recent market transactions, if available. If no such transactions can be identified, the Directors utilize an appropriate valuation model.

When applicable, the Group recognizes impairment losses of continuing operations in the "statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income" in those expense categories consistent with the function of the impaired asset.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss to the extent that it eliminates the impairment loss which has been recognized for the asset in prior years. Any increase in excess of this amount is treated as a revaluation increase.

   j.      Leases 

The determination of whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement at inception date: whether fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets or the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset.

Identifying leases

Lessee position:

The Group accounts for a contract, or a portion of a contract, as a lease when it conveys the right to use an asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Leases are those contracts that satisfy the following criteria:

   --      there is an identified asset; 
   --      the Group obtains substantially all the economic benefits from use of the asset; and 
   --      the Group has the right to direct use of the asset. 

In determining whether the Group obtains substantially all the economic benefits that arise from use of the asset, the Group considers only the economic benefits that arise from use of the asset, not those incidental to legal ownership or other potential benefits.

In determining whether the Group has the right to direct use of the asset, the Directors consider whether the Group directs how and for what purpose the asset is used throughout the period of use. If there are no significant decisions to be made because they are pre-determined due to the nature of the asset, the Directors consider whether the Group was involved in the design of the asset in a way that predetermines how and for what purpose the asset will be used throughout the period of use. If the contract or portion of a contract does not satisfy these criteria, the Group applies other applicable IFRSs rather than IFRS 16 "Leases".

Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the contractual payments due to the lessor over the lease term, with the discount rate determined by reference to the rate inherent in the lease unless (as is typically the case) this is not readily determinable, in which case the Group's incremental borrowing rate on commencement of the lease is used, which the Directors have assessed to be between 1.75% and 5%, depending on the nature of the asset and location.

Subsequent to initial measurement lease liabilities increase as a result of interest charged at a constant rate on the balance outstanding and are reduced for lease payments made. Right-of-use assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the lease or over the remaining economic life of the asset if, rarely, this is judged to be shorter than the lease term.

When the Group revises its estimate of the term of any lease (because, for example, it re-assesses the probability of a lessee extension or termination option being exercised), it adjusts the carrying amount of the lease liability to reflect the payments to make over the revised term, which are discounted at the same discount rate that applied on lease commencement. The carrying value of lease liabilities is similarly revised when the variable element of future lease payments dependent on a rate or index is revised. In both cases an equivalent adjustment is made to the carrying value of the right-of-use asset, with the revised carrying amount being amortized over the remaining (revised) lease term.

Right-of-use assets

A right-of-use asset is recognized at the commencement date of a lease. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability, adjusted for, as applicable, any lease payments made at or before the commencement date net of any lease incentives received, any initial direct costs incurred, and an estimate of costs expected to be incurred for dismantling and removing the underlying asset, and restoring the site or asset.

Right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset, whichever is the shorter. Right-of-use assets are subject to impairment or adjusted for any re-measurement of lease liabilities.

The Group has elected not to recognize a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability for short-term leases with terms of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets. Lease payments on these assets are expensed to profit or loss as incurred.

   k.    Taxation 

The income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

Current and deferred tax are recognized in profit or loss, except when they relate to items that are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case the current and deferred tax are also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively. Where current tax or deferred tax arises from the initial accounting for a business combination, the tax effect is included in the accounting for the business combination.

Income taxation

Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount to be recovered from, or paid to, the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date in the jurisdictions where the Group operates and generates taxable income.

Deferred taxation

Deferred tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the reporting date and expected to apply when the related deferred tax is realized or the deferred liability is settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that the future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized.

   l.      Revenue from contracts with customers 

The Group's revenue represents the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the rendering of services, licenses and similar fees as well as for the sale of functional products in different forms (mainly ingredients, materials and consumer goods), net of value added tax and other similar sales-based taxes, rebates and discounts after eliminating intercompany sales.

Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized once the performance obligation has been fulfilled. If the Group fulfills its performance obligations to the customer, revenues recognized are capitalized as contract assets until the Group invoices the customers.

In contrast, if customers pay in advance for the services, a contract liability is recognized and is released at point of revenue recognition.

The Group has the following major revenue streams:

Sale of goods

The Group sells functional ingredients, materials or consumer goods. Revenue from the sale of goods to customers is generally recognized at a point in time, once control over the goods is passed to customers.

Research and development services

HeiQ provides research and development services to customers in exchange for a fee. Revenue is generally recognized at the point in time of completion of the project, for example, with delivery of proof-of-concept to the customer.

Consulting services for research and development projects

HeiQ provides consulting services for customers regarding research and development projects including grant acquisition services, industry cluster services and management services. The revenue for these services is recognized over time based on completion of the project. Any amounts invoiced for stages not completed, are recognized as deferred revenue.

Take or pay arrangements

Certain customers have agreed, under a "take or pay" contract, to purchase a specified minimum quantity of particular products over a specified period of time, usually in exchange for a specified exclusivity during the same period. However, the customer must pay for the full quantity stated in the contract, irrespective of whether the customer takes delivery of the minimum quantity to which they are committed. Upon payment of the full amount, the contract allows customers to defer their unexercised rights and to consume the remaining units within a twelve-month period, although there is no compulsion to do so. The customers are billed for each shipment of products and revenue is recognized at the point in time control over the goods is passed to the customer. At the end of the contractual period, the customer is billed for the amounts not ordered. Revenue recognition for these shortfall items is deferred until the customer consumes the units, or, in case of expiry of the rights, typically twelve months after payment by the customer.

Exclusivity fees

HeiQ grants exclusivity to customers for certain products in certain regions. The contracts restrict HeiQ from selling specific products to competitors for a limited time. The customers pay a fee for exclusivity which increases the price of the goods supplied by HeiQ. In cases where the obligation to grant exclusivity can be valued separately from other obligations in the contract, the exclusivity portion is accounted for over time according to the contractual definition of the exclusivity period.

   m.   Share-based payments 

All of the Group's share-based awards are equity settled. Equity-settled share-based payments to employees are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date. Equity-settled share-based payments to non-employees are measured at the fair value of services received, or if this cannot be measured, at the fair value of the equity instruments granted at the date that the Group obtains the goods or counterparty renders the service. The fair value of such shares issued has been estimated by reference to the cash consideration received for shares issued or material third party transactions at or close to the dates for such non-cash issues.

The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Directors' estimate of equity instruments that will eventually vest, with a corresponding increase in equity. Where the conditions are non-vesting, the expense and equity reserve arising from share-based payment transactions is recognized in full immediately on grant.

At the end of each reporting period, the Directors revise their estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognized in profit or loss such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to other reserves.

   n.    Employee benefits 

Short-term benefits

Short-term employee benefit obligations are measured on an undiscounted basis and are expensed as the related service is provided. A liability is recognized for the amount expected to be paid under short-term cash bonus or profit-sharing plans if the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably.

Long-term benefits

Defined benefit plans

The Group operates a defined benefit pension plan in Switzerland, which requires contributions to be made to a separately administered fund. The cost of providing benefits under the defined benefit plan is determined using the projected unit credit method with actuarial valuations being carried out at the end of each annual reporting period.

Re-measurements, comprising of actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling, excluding amounts included in net interest on the net defined benefit liability and the return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest on the net defined benefit liability), are recognized immediately in the statement of financial position with a corresponding debit or credit to other reserve through "Other Comprehensive Income" in the period in which they occur. Re-measurements are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods.

Past-service costs are recognized in profit or loss on the earlier of:

   --      the date of the plan amendment or curtailment; and 

-- the date that the Group recognizes related restructuring costs, or termination benefits, if earlier.

Net interest is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net defined benefit liability or asset. The Group recognizes the following changes in the net defined benefit obligation under "cost of sales", "administration expenses" and "selling and distribution expenses" in the consolidated statement of profit or loss (by function):

-- service costs comprising current service costs, past-service costs, gains and losses on curtailments and non-routine settlements; and

   --      net interest expense or income. 

Defined contribution plans

The income statement expense for the defined contribution pension plans operated represents the contributions payable for the year.

   o.    Financial instruments 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group's statement of financial position when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss) are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

   p.    Finance income and expenses 

Finance expenses comprise interest payable, lease expenses recognized in profit or loss using the effective interest method, unwinding of the discount on provisions, and net foreign exchange losses that are recognized in the income statement.

Finance income comprises interest receivable on cash deposits and net foreign exchange gains.

Interest income and interest payable is recognized in profit or loss as it accrues, using the effective interest method.

Foreign currency gains and losses are reported on a net basis.

   q.    Cash and cash equivalents 

For the purpose of presentation in the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions, other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value, and bank overdrafts.

   r.     Trade and other receivables 

Trade receivables are recognized initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment.

   s.     Inventories 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is based on the first-in-first-out principle and includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and other costs in bringing them to their existing location and condition.

   t.     Provisions 

A provision is recognized when the Group has a present obligation, legal or constructive, as a result of a past event and it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made. Provisions are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate. If it is no longer probable that an outflow of economic resources will be required to settle the obligation, the provision is reversed. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. When discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as an interest expense.

   u.    Contingent liabilities 

Contingent liabilities are possible obligations whose existence depends on the outcome of uncertain future events or present obligations where the outflow of resources is uncertain or cannot be measured reliably. Contingent liabilities are not recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements but are disclosed unless they are remote.

   4.            Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty 

In applying the Group's accounting policies, which are described in Note 3, the directors are required to make judgements (other than those involving estimations) that have a significant impact on the amounts recognised and to make estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Critical accounting judgements

The following are the critical judgements, apart from those involving estimations (which are presented separately below), that the directors have made in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in financial statements.

Accounting for take-or-pay contracts

Following a change in accounting policy in connection with an identified prior period error (see Note 2), revenue recognition for shortfall items is deferred until the customer consumes the units, or typically twelve months after payment by the customer in case of expiry of the rights (Note 3l). Applying this judgement results in recognition of revenues and pre-tax profit at a later point in time. Revenue and pre-tax profits would have been US$622,000 higher for the reporting year if such revenues were not deferred in 2022.

Allowance for inventory obsolescence

The slowdown of sales in 2022 led to an increase in unsold finished goods and unused raw materials. The Group applied judgement in calculating the allowance for obsolete inventory. For slow-moving items, the Group compared quantities on hand with budgeted sales quantities. The sales projections are inherently uncertain due to the nature of the business and fluctuating market conditions. The inventory allowance calculated as at December 31, 2022 is US$4,912,000 (2021: US$17,000) as presented in Note 22.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting period that may have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are discussed below.

Goodwill impairment testing

Following the assessment of the recoverable amount of goodwill allocated to the CGU "RAS" (allocated goodwill: US$7.2 million), the directors consider the recoverable amount of goodwill allocated to CGU "RAS" to be most sensitive to the achievement of forecasts in 2023 comprising forecasts of revenue, staff costs and operating expenses based on current and anticipated market conditions. Whilst the Group can manage most of RAS CGU's costs, the revenue projections are inherently uncertain due to the nature of the business and fluctuating market conditions. The market for RAS CGU has seen a slowdown in the second half of 2022 due to a decline in customer demand. It is possible that underperformance to estimated revenues as considered in the impairment test may occur in 2023.

The sensitivity analysis for a reasonably possible change in assumptions in respect of the recoverable amount of the CGU "RAS" goodwill is presented in Note 18.

   5.             Business combinations 

Business combinations in 2022

   a.    Acquisition of non-controlling interest in Chrisal N.V. 

On December 14, 2022, HeiQ increased its interest in HeiQ Chrisal N.V. from 51% to 71% after some sellers exercised their put options. HeiQ paid EUR2.9 million (approximately US$3.0 million) for the additional 20% shareholding to the vendors through the issue of 3,348,164 new ordinary shares in the Company. The 20% share was valued at US$0.6 million. The transaction resulted in a US$0.6 million reduction of non-controlling interests and a US$2.4 million charge to retained earnings.

   b.    Transfer of shares in HeiQ AeoniQ GmbH to non-controlling interests 

On February 11, 2022, HeiQ Materials AG reached an agreement with Hugo Boss AG to dispose of 2.5% of

its shareholding in HeiQ AeoniQ GmbH and issued a call option. Under the call option, the Company granted Hugo Boss AG the contractual right to acquire from the Company a further 5% shareholding in HeiQ AeoniQ GmbH for a call option exercise price of EUR10,000,000 (approximately US$10,657,000). The shares and call option were issued for US$4,791,000, the call option was recognized as a derivative liability, see Note 38.

Business combinations in 2021

   c.     Acquisition of Chrisal NV 

On March 9, 2021, HeiQ Iberia Unipessoal Lda acquired 51% of the share capital and voting rights of Chrisal NV, a company incorporated in Belgium. Chrisal NV is a biotechnology company and a leader in innovative ingredients and consumer products that incorporate the benefits of probiotics and synbiotics. It has technology platforms with the purpose of creating healthy and sustainable microbial ecosystems. The application of its proprietary technology includes cosmetics, personal care, textiles, wound dressings, water purification, air treatment and cleaning products. The company has its office, manufacturing site and bottling facility in Lommel, Belgium.

The purchase consideration was payable partly in cash (EUR5,000,000, equivalent to approximately US$6,054,000) and partly by the issue of 1,101,928 new ordinary shares for EUR2,500,000 (US$2,982,000), equivalent to a total consideration of US$9,036,000.

The acquisition is part of the Group's strategy of becoming a global leader in materials innovation and allows access to the broader market of microbial surface management and a bio-based green complementary technology platform to its successful antimicrobials.

Goodwill of US$6,163,000 was recognized and is attributable to anticipated future profit from expansion opportunities and synergies of the business. The goodwill arising from the acquisition has been allocated to the Chrisal CGU (see definition in Note 18). Fair value adjustments have been recognized for property, plant and equipment and acquisition-related intangible assets which are in alignment with accounting policies of the Group.

Transaction costs relating to the acquisition of US$46,000 have been charged to the Statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive Income in the period relating to the acquisition of Chrisal NV.

The sellers of Chrisal N.V. hold buyout options to sell their remaining shareholding to HeiQ. The options are exercisable every year from March 9 (anniversary of the closing date) until December 31 each year at a strike price defined in the respective shareholders' agreement. As of December 31, 2022, four out of five old shareholders have exercised their option (see above, Business combinations in 2022) and sold in total an additional interest of 20% in Chrisal N.V. to the Group. The remaining non-controlling shareholder has partially sold his interest and therefore the Group concludes that the option has lapsed as of December 31, 2022.

   d.    Acquisition of RAS AG 

On April 29, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital and voting rights of RAS AG, a company based in Regensburg, Germany. The acquisition was for an initial consideration of EUR5.1 million (approximately US$6.1 million), with EUR1.25 million (US$1.48 million) payable in cash and EUR3.85 million (US$4.66 million) through the issue of 1,701,821 new ordinary shares by the Company. An additional earn-out of EUR2.7 million (US$3.2 million) was satisfied through the issuance of 2,743,841 new ordinary shares in 2022 resulting in an overall consideration of EUR7.8 million (US$9.37 million).

RAS AG is a materials innovation company that drives the development of resource-efficient and sustainable products. RAS AG develops and manufactures highly functionalized materials for this purpose. This includes the manufacture of antimicrobial, hygiene-enhancing additives and durable antimicrobial coating systems which are sold worldwide under the trademark agpure(R), and transparent electrically conductive and infrared reflective coatings sold under the ECOS(R) trademark. The acquisition is in line with HeiQ's strategic goal to gain market share in hygiene solutions by providing antimicrobial surface hygiene technologies to the healthcare and other sectors. This is building on the acquisition of Chrisal N.V. Belgium concluded earlier in the year, which gives HeiQ expanded access to the healthcare sector through probiotic and synbiotic cleaners.

Goodwill of US$7,234,000 was recognized and is attributable to anticipated future profit from expansion opportunities and synergies of the business. The goodwill arising from the acquisition has been allocated to the RAS CGU (see definition in Note 18). Fair value adjustments have been recognized for acquisition-related intangible assets which are in alignment with the accounting policies of the Group.

Transaction costs relating to the acquisition of US$50,000 have been charged to the Statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income in the period relating to the acquisition of RAS AG.

HeiQ Regulatory GmbH, a joint-venture company previously accounted for under the equity method, became a wholly owned subsidiary on acquisition of RAS AG.

   e.    Acquisition of Life Material Technologies Limited 

On June 15, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital and voting rights of Life Material Technologies Limited, Hong Kong ("LIFE").

The acquisition was for an upfront consideration of US$6.45 million, with US$2.55 million payable in cash (the "Cash Consideration") and US$3.9 million to be satisfied through the issue of new ordinary shares by HeiQ (the "Share Consideration"). Additional earn-out consideration of US$2,038,000 was paid in cash (US$1,400,000) and through the issue of new ordinary shares (US$638,000) in 2022. A further US$614,000 working capital adjustment was paid in shares in 2022 resulting in an overall consideration of US$9.1 million. An additional US$762,000, which is not part of the consideration, was issued in shares and is expensed as remuneration over a five-year period.

The Share Consideration was settled on July 9, 2021 by the issue of 1,887,883 new ordinary shares ("Consideration Shares") to the sellers of LIFE, at a price of GBP1.496201 per share, which was the intraday volume-weighted average price (the "VWAP") of HeiQ shares on the London Stock Exchange in the last five trading days preceding the closing of the Acquisition.

LIFE is a materials technology company that has developed a strong portfolio of smart ingredients and formulations with applications in numerous industries. This includes the development and distribution of bio-based antimicrobial additives and treatments used by manufacturers of plastics, coatings, textiles, ceramics and paper, that inhibit or manage bacteria, fungi, algae, and other micro-organisms that come in contact with treated materials. LIFE has one of the broadest technology platforms in the industry, using inorganic, organic and bio-based botanical active substances.

Goodwill of US$5,202,000 was recognized and is attributable to anticipated future profit from expansion opportunities and synergies of the business. The goodwill arising from the acquisition has been allocated to the Life CGU (see definition in Note 18). Fair value adjustments have been recognized for acquisition-related intangible assets which are in alignment with the accounting policies of the Group.

Transaction costs relating to the acquisition of US$110,000 have been charged to the Statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income in the period relating to the acquisition of LIFE.

   f.     Summary of acquisitions in 2021 

The following table summarizes the consideration paid, the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, goodwill arising on acquisition and non-controlling interests at the acquisition date:

 
                                                                 Life Material 
                                            Chrisal               Technologies 
                                                 NV    RAS AG          Limited        Total 
                                            US$'000   US$'000          US$'000      US$'000 
                                         (restated)                              (restated) 
--------------------------------------  -----------  --------  ---------------  ----------- 
 Consideration: 
 Cash paid to shareholders                    6,054     1,482            2,550       10,086 
 Shares issued to shareholders                2,983     4,656            3,900       11,539 
 
 Contingent consideration payable 
  in cash                                         -         -            1,400        1,400 
 Contingent consideration payable 
  in shares                                       -     3,232              638        3,870 
 Working capital adjustment payable 
  in shares                                       -         -              614          614 
 Total Consideration payable                  9,037     9,370            9,102       27,509 
--------------------------------------  -----------  --------  ---------------  ----------- 
 
 Fair value of net assets acquired: 
 Property, plant and equipment                1,872       179               29        2,080 
 Intangible Assets                               20       159              401          580 
 Other non-current assets                         -         -               17           17 
 Inventory                                    1,277       411              570        2,258 
 Cash                                         1,773       291               73        2,137 
 Trade and other receivables                    874     1,184            1,480        3,538 
 Trade and other payables                   (1,426)     (611)            (460)      (2,497) 
 IAS 19 Pension liability                         -         -             (92)         (92) 
 Borrowings                                 (1,582)         -            (210)      (1,792) 
 Income tax liability                         (198)     (420)             (20)        (638) 
 Right of use assets (restated)                 161       139              122          422 
 Lease liability (restated)                   (161)     (139)            (122)        (422) 
 Intangible assets identified 
  on acquisition: 
 Customer Relationship                        1,308       380              610        2,298 
 Brands                                       1,022         -            1,048        2,070 
 Technology-based assets                      1,704     1,071              561        3,336 
 Deferred tax liability on intangible 
  assets                                    (1,008)     (508)            (111)      (1,627) 
 Total net assets                             5,636     2,136            3,896       11,668 
--------------------------------------  -----------  --------  ---------------  ----------- 
 
 Non-controlling interests                  (2,762)         -                4      (2,758) 
 Goodwill                                     6,163     7,234            5,202       18,599 
 
 Total                                        9,037     9,370            9,102       27,509 
--------------------------------------  -----------  --------  ---------------  ----------- 
 
   g.    Deferred consideration in relation to acquisitions 

Deferred consideration includes earnout payments and a working capital adjustment in relation to the 2021 acquisitions of RAS AG and Life Material Technologies Limited, as presented in the table above in Note 5f. Since these liabilities were due for settlement in 2022, the fair value of the consideration approximated its nominal value.

Additionally, a further amount of deferred consideration pertains to the acquisition of assets from ChemTex Inc. in 2017 and is payable other than in a short timeframe. The fair value of the deferred consideration has been discounted using an imputed interest rate of 6% (being the Group's estimated cost of debt) to take into account the time value of money.

The deferred consideration and related financing expense are summarized below:

 
                                    ChemTex    RAS AG   Life Material     Total 
                                                         Technologies 
                                                              Limited 
                                    US$'000   US$'000         US$'000   US$'000 
 As at January 1, 2021                1,116         -               -     1,116 
 Amortization of fair value 
  discount                               58         -               -        58 
 Additions from acquisitions 
  as per Note 5f                          -     3,232           2,652     5,884 
 Gain on earnout calculation              -      (80)               -      (80) 
 Consideration settled in cash        (908)         -               -     (908) 
 Foreign exchange revaluation            13         -               -        13 
---------------------------------  --------  --------  --------------  -------- 
 As at December 31, 2021                279     3,152           2,652     6,083 
---------------------------------  --------  --------  --------------  -------- 
 Foreign exchange revaluation             -     (276)               -     (276) 
 Consideration settled in cash        (187)         -         (1,400)   (1,587) 
 Consideration settled in shares          -   (2,875)         (1,252)   (4,127) 
 As at December 31, 2022                 92         -               -        92 
---------------------------------  --------  --------  --------------  -------- 
 
 Current liability                       92         -               -        92 
 Non-current liability                    -         -               -         - 
---------------------------------  --------  --------  --------------  -------- 
 Total                                   92         -               -        92 
---------------------------------  --------  --------  --------------  -------- 
 
   6.            Subsidiaries 

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of HeiQ Plc and the subsidiaries listed in the table below.

 
 Company                 Country              Registered office            Principal                Percentage 
                          of registration                                   activity                 of ordinary 
                          or incorporation                                                           shares held 
                                                                           Development, 
                                              Rütistrasse              production 
 HeiQ Materials                                12, 8952 Schlieren           and sale 
  AG                     Switzerland           Zurich                       of chemicals            100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                                                           Development, 
                                              2725 Armentrout               production 
 HeiQ ChemTex                                  Dr, Concord,                 and sale 
  Inc.                   United States         NC 28025                     of chemicals            100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              Level 20/181 
                                               William Street, 
                                               Melbourne, VIC              Research 
 HeiQ Pty Ltd            Australia             3000                         and development         100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              Rütistrasse 
 HeiQ GrapheneX                                12, 8952 Schlieren 
  AG                     Switzerland           Zurich                      Inactive                 100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              No. 14 & 16, 
                                               Ln. 50, Wufu 
                                               1st Rd. Luzhu 
 HeiQ Company                                  District, Taoyuan 
  Limited                Taiwan                City 33850                  Distribution             100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              No. 14 & 16, 
                                               Ln. 50, Wufu 
                                               1st Rd. Luzhu 
 HX Company                                    District, Taoyuan           Trading and 
  Limited                Taiwan                City 33850                   production              66.7% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                                                           Manufacturer 
 HeiQ Medica                                  Plaza de la Estación     of medical 
  S.L.                   Spain                 s/n, 29560 Pizarra           devices                 50.1% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                                                           Sales agency 
 HeiQ Iberia                                  Rua Eng Frederico             and internal 
  Unipessoal                                   Ulrich, n 2650,              services 
  Lda                    Portugal              4470-605 Maia                company                 100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              Priester Daensstraat 
                                               9, 3920 Lommel, 
 Chrisal NV              Belgium               Belgium                     Biotechnology            71% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              Rudolf Vogt Straße      Materials 
 HeiQ RAS AG             Germany               8-10, 93053 Regensburg       innovation              100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
 HeiQ Regulatory                              Rudolf Vogt Straße      Materials 
  GmbH                   Germany               8-10, 93053 Regensburg       innovation              100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              Room 2501, Xuhui 
 HeiQ (China)                                  Commercial Mansion, 
  Material Tech                                No. 168 Yude 
  LTD                    China                 Road, Shanghai              Distribution             100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              Alexandra House, 
 Life Material                                 6th Floor, 16-20 
  Technologies                                 Chater Road,                Materials 
  Limited                Hong Kong             Central                      technology              100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              Alexandra House, 
                                               6th Floor, 16-20 
 Life Natural                                  Chater Road, 
  Limited                Hong Kong             Central                     Inactive                 100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              Rua Cerro Cora 
                                               1851Villa Romano, 
 Life-Materials                                Sao Paulo SP 
  Latam Ltda             Brazil                Brasil CEP 05061350         Sales office             51% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              222 Lumpini Building 
                                               2, 247 Rajdamri 
                                               Road 
 LMT Holding                                   Lumpini, Phatumwan, 
  Limited                Thailand              Bangkok 10330               Holding                  96.45% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              222 Lumpini Building 
                                               2, 247 Rajdamri 
 Life Material                                 Road 
  Technologies                                 Lumpini, Phatumwan, 
  Limited                Thailand              Bangkok 10330               Trading                  99.995% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
 HeiQ AeoniQ                                  Industriestrasse             Materials 
  GmbH                   Austria               35, 3130 Herzogenburg        Innovation              97.5% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              2725 Armentrout              Chemical 
 ChemTex Laboratories                          Dr, Concord,                 production 
  Inc.                   United States         NC 28025                     site                    100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
                                              Room 17B9870, 
                                               Floor 17, 101 
                                               Nei, -4 to 33, 
                                               Building 13, 
 Beijing HeiQ                                  Wangjing Dongyuan 
  Material Tech                                Siqu, Chaoyang 
  Co., Ltd.              China                 District, Beijing           Inactive/Distribution    100% 
                        -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------  ------------- 
 
   7.             Revenue 

The Group's activities are materials innovation which focuses on scientific research, manufacturing and consumer ingredient branding. The primary source of revenue is the production and sale of functional ingredients, materials and consumer goods. Other sources of revenue include services for research and development, take-or-pay and exclusivity.

The following table reconciles HeiQ Group's revenue for the periods presented:

 
                                           Year ended        Year ended 
                                         December 31,      December 31, 
                                                 2022              2021 
 Revenues by form                             US$'000           US$'000 
                                                             (restated) 
---------------------------------------------  ------  ---  ----------- 
 Revenue recognized at a point 
  in time 
 Functional ingredients                        36,175            41,951 
 Functional materials                           2,000               850 
 Functional consumer goods                      6,827            10,069 
 Services                                         160             2,548 
 Revenue recognized over time 
 Services                                       2,040                 - 
-------------------------------      ----------------   --------------- 
 Total revenue                                 47,202            55,419 
 
 
 

Unsatisfied performance obligations

The transaction prices allocated to unsatisfied and partially unsatisfied obligations at 31 December 2022 are as set out below:

 
                                           Year ended     Year ended 
                                         December 31,   December 31, 
                                                 2022           2021 
 Unsatisfied performance obligations          US$'000        US$'000 
-------------------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 Exclusivity services                           2,100          2,400 
 Research and development services              3,750          4,000 
 Total unsatisfied performance 
  obligations                                   5,850          6,400 
--------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Management expects that 19 per cent of the transaction price allocated to the unsatisfied contracts as of the year ended 2022 will be recognized as revenue during the next reporting period (US$1.1 million). The remaining 81 per cent, US$4.8 million will be recognized in the 2024 (US$1.1 million), 2025 (US$3.1 million) and 2026 financial year (US$0.6 million).

Disclosure related to contracts with customers

Contract assets and contract liabilities are disclosed under Note 25 and Note 37, respectively. Impairment losses recognized on any receivables or contract assets arising from the Group's contracts with customers are disclosed under Note 23 and Note 25, respectively.

   8.            Operating Segments 

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Board of Directors of the Company.

For management purposes, the Group is organised into business units and the following reportable segments:

 
 Segment               Activity 
 Textiles & Flooring   Provide innovative ingredients to make textiles 
                        & flooring more functional, durable and sustainable. 
                      ------------------------------------------------------- 
 Life Sciences         Offer biotech solutions to replace harmful 
                        substances in domestic, commercial and industrial 
                        usage, for a more balanced microbiome and environment 
                      ------------------------------------------------------- 
 Antimicrobials        Functionalize different hard surfaces in everyday 
                        products and our surroundings 
                      ------------------------------------------------------- 
 Other activities      All other activities of the Group including 
                        Innovation Services, Business Development, 
                        and other non-allocated functions. 
                      ------------------------------------------------------- 
 

Segment revenues and profits

The following is an analysis of the Group's revenue and results by reportable segment in 2022:

 
 
                          Textiles 
                        & Flooring  Life Sciences  Antimicrobials  Other activities     Total 
Year ended December 
 31, 2022                  US$'000        US$'000         US$'000           US$'000   US$'000 
---------------------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ----------------  -------- 
Revenue                     33,870          6,894           3,577             2,861    47,202 
Operating profits 
 (loss)                        979        (1,078)              53          (29,199)  (29,245) 
Finance result                                                                          (590) 
Loss before taxation                                                                 (29,835) 
Taxation                                                                                   21 
---------------------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ----------------  -------- 
Loss after taxation                                                                  (29,814) 
---------------------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ----------------  -------- 
 
 
Depreciation and 
 amortization 
--------------------  ----  ----  ---  ------  ------ 
Property, plant and 
 equipment             308   260   16     698   1,282 
Right-of use assets      -     -    -     938     938 
Intangible Assets        -     -    -   1,435   1,435 
 
 
Impairment loss 
--------------------  ---  ---      ------  ------ 
Property, plant and 
 equipment              -  730   -       -     730 
Intangible Assets       -    -   -  12,380  12,380 
 
 
 
                          Textiles 
                        & Flooring  Life Sciences  Antimicrobials  Other activities     Total 
Year ended December 
 31, 2021                  US$'000        US$'000         US$'000           US$'000   US$'000 
---------------------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ----------------  -------- 
Revenue                     39,773         10,115           3,739             1,792    55,419 
Operating profits 
 (loss)                     14,196          1,438           1,106          (18,096)   (1,354) 
Finance result                                                                           (35) 
Loss before taxation                                                                  (1,389) 
Taxation                                                                                   16 
---------------------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ----------------  -------- 
Loss after taxation                                                                   (1,373) 
---------------------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ----------------  -------- 
 
 
Depreciation and 
 amortization 
--------------------  ----  ----      ----  ------ 
Property, plant and 
 equipment             300   273   -   683   1,255 
Right-of use assets      -     -   -   716     716 
Intangible Assets        -     -   -   976     976 
 
 
Impairment loss 
------------------     ------  ----- 
Intangible Assets   --- 2,454  2,454 
 

Segment revenue reported above represents revenue generated from external customers. There were no

intersegment sales in the year ended December 31, 2022 (2021: nil).

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group's accounting policies described in Note 3. Segment profit represents the profit earned by each segment without allocation of the central SG&A costs including expenses for infrastructure, R&D and laboratories, directors' salaries, finance income, nonoperating gains and losses in respect of financial instruments and finance costs, and income tax expense. This is the measure reported to the Group's decision-making body for the purpose of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance.

Geographic information

 
                             Year ended     Year ended 
                           December 31,   December 31, 
                                   2022           2021 
                                US$'000        US$'000 
 Revenue by region                          (restated) 
-----------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 North & South America           20,425         19,290 
 Asia                            13,376         19,580 
 Europe                          13,109         16,237 
 Others                             293            312 
------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total revenue                   47,202         55,419 
------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 
                                    Year ended     Year ended 
                                  December 31,   December 31, 
                                          2022           2021 
                                       US$'000        US$'000 
 Non-current assets by region                      (restated) 
------------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 Europe                                 22,290         31,008 
 Asia                                    8,102          8,593 
 North & South America                   7,734          6,860 
 Others                                    612            821 
-------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total non-current assets               38,738         47,282 
-------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Information about major customers

During the year ended December 31, 2022, no customers individually totaled more than 10% of total revenues (2021: none).

   9.            Cost of sales 
 
                                            Year ended         Year ended 
                                          December 31,       December 31, 
                                                  2022               2021 
                                               US$'000            US$'000 
 Cost of sales                                                 (restated) 
---------------------------------------------  -------      ------------- 
 Material expenses                              20,942             23,704 
 Personnel expenses                              2,830              2,164 
 Depreciation of property, plant 
  and equipment                                    652                706 
 Other costs of sales                            9,321              3,448 
-------------------------------------  ---------------      ------------- 
 Total cost of sales                            33,745             30,022 
-------------------------------------  ---------------      ------------- 
 
 

Other costs of goods sold include freight and custom costs, warehousing and allowances on inventory.

   10.          Other income 
 
                                               Year ended     Year ended 
                                                 December 
                                                      31,   December 31, 
                                                     2022           2021 
 Other income                                     US$'000        US$'000 
-------------------------------------------   -----------  ------------- 
 Gain on disposal of property plant 
  and equipment                                        21             54 
 Gain on earnout consideration payable 
  (Note 5g)                                             -             80 
 Foreign exchange gains                             3,539          5,032 
 Fair value gain on derivative liabilities 
  (Note 38)                                           371              - 
 Other income                                         901          1,459 
--------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 Total other income                                 4,832          6,625 
--------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 
   11.           Selling and general administration expenses 
 
                                             Year ended   Year ended 
                                               December     December 
                                                    31,          31, 
                                                   2022         2021 
                                                US$'000      US$'000 
------------------------------------------ 
 Selling and general administration 
  expenses                                                (restated) 
------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Personnel expenses                              14,977       13,074 
 Depreciation of property, plant and 
  equipment                                         630          549 
 Amortization                                     1,435          976 
 Depreciation of right-of-use assets                938          716 
 Net credit losses on financial assets 
  and contract assets                                85          307 
 Other                                           12,904        9,058 
------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Total selling and general administration 
  expense                                        30,969       24,680 
------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

Other selling and general administration expenses include costs for infrastructure, professional services and marketing as well as R&D and laboratory related costs, information technology & data expenses, sales representative & distribution expenses.

Auditor's remuneration

The total remuneration of the Group's auditors, being Deloitte LLP for the audit of the year ended December 31, 2022 and Crowe UK LLP for the audit of the year ended December 31, 2021, for services provided to the Group, and included in other selling and general administration expenses, is analyzed below:

 
                                        Year ended     Year ended 
                                      December 31,   December 31, 
                                              2022           2021 
 Auditor's remuneration                    US$'000        US$'000 
----------------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 Audit of Group                             1,180*            231 
 Audit of subsidiaries                         122             84 
-----------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total fees for audit services               1,302            315 
-----------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Audit related assurance services                -              6 
 Other assurance services                        -              - 
 Total auditor remuneration                      -              6 
-----------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

*: Includes US$180,000 related to the 2021 audit (Crowe UK LLP) which was agreed on after the issuance of the annual report.

   12.          Personnel expenses 
 
                                       Year ended     Year ended 
                                     December 31,   December 31, 
                                             2022           2021 
 Personnel expenses                       US$'000        US$'000 
---------------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 Wages & salaries                          15,274         12,708 
 Social security & other payroll 
  taxes                                     1,685          1,387 
 Pension costs                                710            645 
 Share-based payments                         138            498 
 Total personnel expenses                  17,807         15,238 
----------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 
 Reported as cost of sales (Note 
  9)                                    2,830     2,164 
 Reported as selling and general 
  administration expense (Note 11)     14,977    13,074 
 Total personnel expenses              17,807    15,238 
------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 
 
 The average monthly number of employees 
  was as follows:                            218    221 
 
   13.           Other expenses 
 
                                          Year ended   Year ended 
                                            December     December 
                                                 31,          31, 
                                                2022         2021 
 Other expenses                              US$'000      US$'000 
---------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Foreign exchange losses                       3,050        4,671 
 Loss on disposal of property, plant 
  and equipment                                   16           20 
 Transaction costs relating to mergers 
  and acquisitions                                50          206 
 Write off intangible assets (Note               897            - 
  18) 
 Other                                           171        1,345 
---------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Total other expenses                          4,184        6,242 
---------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 
   14.          Finance income 
 
                                          Year ended    Year ended 
                                            December 
                                                 31,  December 31, 
                                                2022          2021 
Finance income                               US$'000       US$'000 
----------------------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
 Interest income                                   5             4 
 Gains on foreign currency transactions          678           518 
 Other                                             -            12 
 Total finance income                            683           534 
----------------------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 
   15.           Finance costs 
 
                                            Year ended     Year ended 
                                          December 31,   December 31, 
                                                  2022           2021 
 Finance costs                                 US$'000        US$'000 
--------------------------------------- 
                                                           (restated) 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Amortization of deferred finance 
  costs - acquisition costs                          -             58 
 Lease finance expense                             163            117 
 Interest on borrowings                            110            108 
 Bank fees                                          98             55 
 Loss on foreign currency transactions             902            231 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total finance costs                             1,273            569 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
   16.          Income tax 

For the year ending December 31, 2022, the Group had a tax credit of US$21,000 (2021: tax credit of US$16,000). The effective tax rate was 0.1% (2021: 1.2%). The effective tax rate was primarily impacted by non-deductible expenditure following the goodwill impairment expense as well as unrecognized tax losses.

The components of the provision for taxation on income included in the "Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income" are summarized below:

 
                                         Year ended     Year ended 
                                       December 31,   December 31, 
                                               2022           2021 
 Current income tax expense                 US$'000        US$'000 
-----------------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 Swiss corporate income taxes                    58          (282) 
 United States state and federal 
  taxes                                         393           (33) 
 Taiwan corporate income taxes                  118            200 
 Belgium corporate income taxes               (123)            186 
 Germany corporate income taxes                  51            301 
 Others                                          63             43 
 Total current income tax expense               560            415 
------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Deferred income tax expense 
 Switzerland                                     90          (190) 
 United States                                (606)            138 
 China                                          117          (146) 
 Spain                                            -            108 
 Austria                                         20           (25) 
 Belgium                                      (136)          (285) 
 Others                                        (66)           (31) 
 Total deferred income tax expense 
  (income)                                    (581)          (431) 
------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Total income tax expense (income)             (21)           (16) 
------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

In addition to the amount charged to profit or loss, the following amounts relating to deferred tax have been recognized in other comprehensive income:

 
                                         Year ended     Year ended 
                                           December 
                                                31,   December 31, 
                                               2022           2021 
-------------------------------------- 
 Items that will not be reclassified 
  subsequently to profit or loss            US$'000        US$'000 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 Remeasurement of net defined benefit 
  liability                                   (276)          (225) 
 Total income tax recognized in other 
  comprehensive income                        (276)          (225) 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 
                                         Year ended     Year ended 
                                       December 31,   December 31, 
                                               2022           2021 
 Net tax (assets)/liabilities               US$'000        US$'000 
-----------------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 Opening balance - (prepaid taxes)               51          1,495 
 Assumed on business combinations                 -            638 
 Assumed on asset acquisition                  (32) 
 Income tax expense for the year                560            415 
 Taxes paid                                   (870)        (2,462) 
 Foreign currency differences                  (52)           (35) 
------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net tax (asset)/liability                    (343)             51 
------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 
                                    Year ended     Year ended 
                                  December 31,   December 31, 
                                          2022           2021 
 Net tax (assets) liabilities          US$'000        US$'000 
------------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 Prepaid income taxes                    (657)          (444) 
 Income tax liabilities                    314            495 
-------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net tax (asset)/liability               (343)             51 
-------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Since the Group operates internationally, it is subject to income taxes in many different tax jurisdictions. The Group calculates its average expected tax rate as a weighted average of the tax rates in the tax jurisdictions in which the Group operates. This rate changes from year to year due to changes in the mix of the Group's taxable income and changes in local tax rates.

The Group's average expected tax rate was stable at 21.1% in 2022 (2021: 20.6%). During 2022, there were no significant changes to local tax rates in the tax jurisdictions in which the Group operates.

The differences between the statutory income tax rate and the effective tax rates are summarized as follows:

 
                                                    Year ended 
 US$'000                                     December 31, 2022 
---------------------------------------  --------------------- 
 Expected tax at average tax rate           (6,304)      21.1% 
 Increase/(decrease) in tax resulting 
  from : 
 Tax credits                                  (340)       1.1% 
 Unrecognized tax losses                      3,796    (12.7%) 
 Non-deductible expenditure                   2,586     (8.7%) 
 Temporary differences                          165     (0.6%) 
 Other - net                                     76     (0.1%) 
---------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
                                               (21)       0.1% 
 --------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
 
 
 
                                                    Year ended 
 US$'000                                     December 31, 2021 
---------------------------------------  --------------------- 
 Expected tax at average tax rate            (285)       20.6% 
 Increase/(decrease) in tax resulting 
  from: 
 Tax credits                                  (58)        4.1% 
 Unrecognized tax losses                       378     (27.2%) 
 Non-deductible expenditure                    296     (21.3%) 
 Tax exempt income                           (105)        7.6% 
 Temporary differences                       (259)       18.6% 
 Other - net                                    17      (1.2%) 
---------------------------------------  ---------  ---------- 
                                              (16)        1.2% 
 --------------------------------------  ---------  ---------- 
 
 
   17.           Earnings per share 

The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the following data:

Earnings

 
                                         Year ended     Year ended 
                                       December 31,   December 31, 
                                               2022           2021 
                                            US$'000        US$'000 
                                                       (restated*) 
-----------------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 Loss attributable to the ordinary 
  equity holders of the parent 
  entity                                   (29,251)        (1,177) 
 

*Earnings have been restated in the comparative period as described in note 2.

Number of shares

 
                                           Year ended     Year ended 
                                         December 31,   December 31, 
                                                 2022           2021 
 Weighted average number of ordinary 
  shares for the purposes of basic 
  earnings per share                      133,426,953    128,871,639 
 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit/loss after tax attributable to the equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. The effect of share options is anti-dilutive and therefore not disclosed.

   18.          Intangible assets 
 
                                            Internally     Brand names                         Other 
                                             developed    and customer        Acquired    intangible 
                                 Goodwill       assets       relations    technologies        assets        Total 
 Cost                             US$'000      US$'000         US$'000         US$'000       US$'000      US$'000 
                               (restated)                   (restated)      (restated)                 (restated) 
 As at January 1, 2021              3,516        1,851             295               -           491        6,153 
 Reclassification*                      -        (725)               -               -           725            - 
                                                                                                           26,883 
 Additions through 
  business combinations            18,599            -           4,368           3,336           580       26,883 
 Additions arising 
  from internal development             -        2,390               -               -             -        2,390 
 Other acquisitions                     -            -               -               -           579          579 
 Currency translation 
  differences                       (733)          (7)           (160)           (156)          (43)      (1,099) 
----------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
 As at December 31, 
  2021                             21,382        3,509           4,503           3,180         2,332       34,906 
 Additions arising 
  from internal development             -        2,165               -               -             -        2,165 
 Other acquisitions                     -            -               -               -         1,700        1,700 
 Disposals / write-offs                 -         (85)               -               -         (812)        (897) 
 Currency translation 
  differences                       (795)            5           (160)           (165)            14      (1,101) 
----------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
 As at December 31, 
  2022                             20,587        5,594           4,343           3,015         3,234       36,773 
----------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
   Amortization and accumulated impairment 
   losses 
 As at January 1, 2021                  -          432             107               -           350          889 
 Reclassification*                      -         (19)               -               -            19            - 
 Amortization for the 
  year                                  -           50             516             246           164          976 
 Impairment loss                    2,433           21               -               -             -        2,454 
 Currency translation 
  differences                       (128)         (10)            (21)            (12)          (15)        (186) 
----------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
 As at December 31, 
  2021                              2,305          474             602             234           518        4,133 
 Amortization for the 
  year                                  -          198             695             334           208        1,435 
 Impairment loss                   10,576          880              73               -           122       11,651 
 Currency translation 
  differences                       (750)            3            (72)            (45)          (24)        (888) 
----------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
 As at December 31, 
  2022                             12,131        1,555           1,298             523           824       16,331 
----------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
 Net book value 
 As at December 31, 
  2021                             19,077        3,035           3,901           2,946         1,814       30,773 
----------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
 As at December 31, 
  2022                              8,456        4,039           3,045           2,492         2,410       20,442 
----------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
 

*Regulatory registrations have been reclassed from internally developed assets to other intangible assets.

Internally generated assets represent expenditure incurred on development projects and IT.

Other intangible assets include acquired rights, licenses, patent costs, concessions, website designs and domains and trademarks.

Goodwill

Goodwill acquired in a business combination was allocated, at acquisition, to the following cash generating units (CGUs):

 
 CGU        Description of activities 
 ChemTex    This CGU is based on the 2017 acquisition of ChemTex 
             Inc. The CGU's main activities are carpet polymer, 
             industrial polymer, textile finishes, R&D, laboratory 
             work, production and sales. The CGU contributes to 
             the Group's Textiles & Flooring segment. 
           ------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Chrisal    The CGU is based on the 2021 acquisition of Chrisal, 
             a biotechnology company and a leader in innovative 
             ingredients and consumer products that incorporate 
             the benefits of probiotics and synbiotics. The CGU 
             contributes to the Group's Life Sciences segment. 
           ------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 RAS        The CGU is based on the 2021 acquisition of RAS AG. 
             RAS AG develops and manufactures antimicrobial, hygiene-enhancing 
             additives and durable antimicrobial coating systems 
             which are sold under the trademark agpure(R), and 
             transparent electrically conductive and infrared reflective 
             coatings sold under the ECOS(R) trademark. The CGU 
             contributes to the Group's Antimicrobials segment. 
           ------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Life       The CGU is based on the 2021 acquisition of Life Group. 
             LIFE develops and distributes bio-based antimicrobial 
             additives and treatments used by manufacturers of 
             plastics, coatings, textiles, ceramics and paper, 
             that inhibit or manage bacteria, fungi, algae, and 
             other micro-organisms that come in contact with treated 
             materials. The CGU contributes to the Group's Antimicrobials 
             segment. 
           ------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 MasFabEs   The CGU is based on the 2020 acquisition of MasFabEs. 
             The MasFabEs CGU manufactures medical masks and devices. 
             The CGU contributes to the Group's Life Sciences segment. 
           ------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 

Goodwill before impairment losses has been allocated to CGUs as follows:

 
                                    As at          As at 
                             December 31,   December 31, 
                                     2022           2021 
 Goodwill                         US$'000        US$'000 
-------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 ChemTex                            3,393          3,393 
 Chrisal*                           5,428          5,791 
 RAS*                               6,441          6,873 
 Life                               5,202          5,202 
 MasFabEs                             123            123 
 Total goodwill acquired           20,587         21,382 
--------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

*The balances of Chrisal and RAS are revalued from EUR to US$ at each reporting date.

The Group tests goodwill annually for impairment or more frequently if there are indications that these assets might be impaired. The recoverable amount of each CGU is determined based on a value in use calculation which uses cash flow projections based on financial budgets approved by the directors. The projections are based on a five-year period and a pre-tax discount rate of 12 per cent per annum for CGUs ChemTex and RAS and 14 per cent per annum for CGUs Chrisal and Life (2021: 14 per cent per annum). The discount rate is based on pre-tax weighted average cost of capital for an average company in the chemical industry adjusted for relative size and risks of each CGU. The directors expect income from all CGUs over the next five years. The perpetuity growth rate used is based on consumer price index relevant for each CGU.

The assumptions used by management in forecasting revenues for the relevant periods are as follows:

For 2023, forecast has been determined by adjusting the forecast for the year as approved by the Board ("Budget") for any variance of actual performance (to date May 2023) against it. For later periods, revenue growth was estimated based on historic (2018-2022) compound annual growth rate of the respective business. Operating profits are forecast based on historical experience of operating margins, adjusted for the impact of known or expected changes in pricing and regional inflation expectations.

2022 goodwill impairment test

A summary of the key assumptions used in the value-in-use calculation is set below:

 
 Assumption                         ChemTex   Chrisal    RAS     Life 
 Compound annual growth rate for 
  the next five years                  1.2%      3.8%   13.9%   (0.8%) 
                                   --------  --------  ------  ------- 
 Discount factor                      12.2%     13.8%   11.7%    14.1% 
                                   --------  --------  ------  ------- 
 Perpetual growth rate                 2.0%      1.7%    2.0%     2.5% 
                                   --------  --------  ------  ------- 
 

As of end of December 2022, the Group conducted its annual goodwill impairment test review and identified that the aggregated carrying amount of each Chrisal CGU, RAS CGU and Life CGU exceeded its aggregated recoverable amount (based on the value in use approach and post-tax discount rate ranges in the 2022 table above) resulting in a total impairment loss recognized of US$10,576,000 (2021 restatement: US$2,310,000) which is accounted for as "other expenses" in the financial statements.

Goodwill relating to Chrisal CGU saw an impairment loss of US$2,402,000 in the reporting period 2022 (2021 restatement: US$1,275,000). The impairment charge results from the fact that the market development of the new technology is taking longer than anticipated at the time of acquisition of the company and therefore short-term growth assumptions have been adjusted down.

A partial goodwill impairment of US$2,972,000 for the 2022 reporting period (2021 restatement: US$1,035,000) relates to RAS CGU. The impairment loss relates to the fact that the innovation advisory business has been affected by the unexpected, temporary closing of certain government programs. Additionally, investments into innovations in general are under review as global economic markets have destabilized since acquisition. Furthermore, market launch and respective profit contribution is expected to be delayed compared to expectations upon acquisition of RAS in 2021, negatively impacting the years in consideration for the calculation of the recoverable amount of the CGU.

Lastly, the full US$5,202,000 goodwill balance relating to Life CGU was impaired in the reporting year 2022. The reason for the impairment is the significant decrease in sales towards the end of 2022 which has caused the Board to significantly lower growth expectations of the CGU for the years relevant for the calculation of the recoverable amount.

As a result of the impairment losses described above, the following book values remain for each CGU:

 
                                      As at          As at 
                               December 31,   December 31, 
                                       2022           2021 
 Goodwill book value                US$'000        US$'000 
---------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 ChemTex                              3,393          3,393 
 Chrisal                              2,189          4,593 
 RAS                                  2,874          5,889 
 Life                                     -          5,202 
 MasFabEs                                 -              - 
 Total goodwill book value            8,456         19,077 
----------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

*The balances of Chrisal and RAS are revalued from EUR to US$ at each reporting date.

Sensitivity analysis

The Group has conducted an analysis of the sensitivity of the impairment test to reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions used to determine the recoverable amount for each CGU to which goodwill is allocated. In the process, the recoverable amount for RAS CGU was identified as key estimate.

An reasonably possible underperformance against the forecast sales growth rate (13.9%) for RAS CGU by 8.9 percent points, i.e. applying a compound annual growth rate of 5% for the next five years, would lead to an additional impairment charge of US$2.1 million.

2021 goodwill impairment test

In the reporting year ended December 31, 2021, the goodwill related to the MasFabEs CGU was tested for impairment. The MasFabEs CGU manufactures medical masks and devices. Using a discount rate of 14%, the Company calculated a value-in-use of US$544,000 which was less than the carrying amount and accordingly an impairment provision of US$123,000 was posted in the year ended December 31, 2021. The impairment was a consequence of declining customer demand.

Furthermore, as explained in Note 2, the 2021 goodwill impairment test result has been restated which resulted in an impairment charge of US$1,275,000 and US$1,035,000 for Chrisal and RAS CGU respectively.

Internally developed assets under construction

The Group tests internally developed assets under construction on a yearly basis. The Directors consider whether estimated future economic benefits outweigh the costs capitalized by reviewing whether each project:

   --      is still in development phase; 
   --      can be used or sold in the future; and 
   --      can be completed given the technical, financial and other resources available. 

The Group has processes in place for continually reviewing development expenditure to ensure that projects under development are still viable. In the reporting year ended December 31, 2022, a US$880,000 impairment was considered in relation to the GrapheneX project assets as timing of future benefits is not predictable with high enough certainty.

Internally developed assets and other intangibles with finite lives

The Group tests internally developed assets and other intangibles with finite lives for impairment only if there are indications that these assets might be impaired. The Group has processes in place for continually reviewing development expenditure to ensure that projects under development are still viable. For the reporting year ended December 31, 2022, the Company concluded that an impairment of US$122,000 is necessary for capitalized registration fees obtained in the acquisition of RAS following decreased customer demand. Additionally, brand names and customer relations related to the Life CGU saw an impairment of US$73,000 as a result of the sales decline mentioned above in the goodwill impairment test.

   19.          Property, plant and equipment 
 
                                    Machinery      Motor      Computers      Furniture            Land 
                                and equipment   vehicles   and software   and fixtures   and buildings    Total 
Cost                                  US$'000    US$'000        US$'000        US$'000         US$'000  US$'000 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
As at January 1, 2021                   6,779        492            810            132               -    8,213 
Acquisition on business 
 combination                              191         19             24            171           1,675    2,080 
Additions                                 596         67            104            213              14      994 
Disposals                                (30)       (37)              -           (15)            (68)    (150) 
Currency translation 
 differences                            (248)        (5)           (24)           (27)            (98)    (402) 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
As at December 31, 2021                 7,288        536            914            474           1,523   10,735 
Additions                               2,272         26            197             50           2,736    5,280 
Disposals                                (69)       (12)              -              -               -     (81) 
Reclassifications                       (407)         59              -            348               -        - 
Currency translation 
 differences                            (233)        (1)           (21)           (23)            (91)    (369) 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
As at December 31, 2022                 8,851        608          1,090            849           4,168   15,565 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
 
Depreciation and accumulated 
 impairment losses 
As at January 1, 2021                   2,002        242            464             38               -    2,746 
Charge for the year                       797        118            168             55             117    1,255 
Eliminated on disposal                   (13)       (26)              -            (7)               -     (46) 
Currency translation 
 differences                             (63)        (4)           (13)              -             (5)     (85) 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
As at December 31, 2021                 2,723        330            619             86             112    3,870 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Charge for the year                       763         90            218             83             128    1,282 
Eliminated on disposal                   (27)        (5)              -              -               -     (32) 
Impairment loss                           730          -              -              -               -      730 
Reclassifications                       (222)          -              -            222               -        - 
Currency translation 
 differences                             (67)          -            (9)            (3)             (7)     (86) 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
As at December 31, 2022                 3,900        415            828            388             233    5,764 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
 
Net book value 
As at December 31, 2021                 4,565        206            295            388           1,411    6,865 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
As at December 31, 2022                 4,951        193            262            461           3,935    9,802 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
 

Impairment losses recognized in the year

During the year ended December 31, 2022, as a result of the significant decline in demand for of certain types of hygiene masks, the Group carried out a review of the recoverable amount of machinery. The Group recognized an impairment loss of US$730,000 for machinery that was intended to be used to manufacture hygiene masks for which demand declined significantly. The asset was used in the Life Sciences reportable segment.

   20.          Right-of-use assets 
 
                                       Land and                         Machinery 
                                      buildings   Motor vehicles    and equipment        Total 
                                        US$'000          US$'000          US$'000      US$'000 
 Cost                                (restated)                        (restated)   (restated) 
 As at January 1, 2021                    3,701               76               41        3,818 
 Additions through business 
  combinations                              122              300                -          422 
 Additions                                5,147              289              264        5,700 
 Disposals due to expiry 
  of lease                                    -             (33)              (9)         (42) 
 Currency translation differences          (57)             (21)               45         (33) 
----------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 As at December 31, 2021                  8,913              611              341        9,865 
 Additions                                   86              174            1,921        2,181 
 Disposals due to expiry 
  of lease                                    -             (36)                -         (36) 
 Disposals due to business 
  combination*                            (467)                -                -        (467) 
 Modification to lease terms**          (1,199)                -                -      (1,199) 
 Currency translation differences         (381)             (67)             (26)        (474) 
----------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 As at December 31, 2022                  6,952              682            2,236        9,870 
----------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 
 Depreciation 
 As at January 1, 2021                    1,182               60               12        1,254 
 Depreciation for the year                  564               89               63          716 
 Disposals due to expiry 
  of lease                                    -             (32)              (9)         (41) 
 Currency translation differences          (30)              (8)                -         (38) 
----------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 As at December 31, 2021                  1,716              109               66        1,891 
 Depreciation for the year                  730              140               68          938 
 Disposals due to expiry 
  of lease                                    -             (36)                -         (36) 
 Modification to lease terms**            (693)                -                -        (693) 
 Currency translation differences          (34)              (6)              (9)         (49) 
----------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 As at December 31, 2022                  1,719              207              125        2,051 
----------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 
 Net book value 
 As at December 31, 2021                  7,197              502              275        7,974 
----------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 As at December 31, 2022                  5,233              475            2,111        7,819 
----------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 

*With the acquisition of ChemTex Laboratories' property, plant and equipment (Note 26), the Group no longer has a lease liability with a third party.

**The Group agreed to shorten the agreed lease terms of two existing leases from 2032 to 2027. These

modifications have resulted in a reduction in the total amounts payable under the leases and a reduction to both of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities with effect from the date of modification as follows:

 
                      Before revaluation   After revaluation   Revaluation 
 Revaluation                     US$'000             US$'000       US$'000 
-------------------  -------------------  ------------------  ------------ 
 Right-of-use 
  assets                           1,385                 879         (506) 
 Lease liabilities               (1,453)               (879)           574 
-------------------  -------------------  ------------------  ------------ 
 Impact on net 
  assets                              68                   -            68 
-------------------  -------------------  ------------------  ------------ 
 

The impact on net assets was recognized as non-operating income.

Amounts recognized in profit and loss

 
                                                  As at           As at 
                                           December 31,    December 31, 
                                                   2022            2021 
                                                US$'000         US$'000 
                                                             (restated) 
---------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Depreciation expense on right-of-use 
  assets                                            938             716 
 Interest expense on lease liabilities              163             118 
 Expense relating to short-term 
  leases                                            225             189 
 Expense relating to leases of 
  low value assets                                   40              22 
 

Amounts recognized in cash flow statement

 
                                       As at           As at 
                                December 31,    December 31, 
                                        2022            2021 
                                     US$'000         US$'000 
                                                  (restated) 
----------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Total fixed lease payments              992             662 
 Interest paid on leases                 163             117 
----------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
   21.          Other non-current assets 
 
                                              As at           As at 
                                       December 31,    December 31, 
                                               2022            2021 
                                            US$'000         US$'000 
-------------------------  ------------------------  -------------- 
Deposits                                         80             140 
Other prepayments                                57             193 
-------------------------  ------------------------  -------------- 
Other non-current assets                        137             333 
-------------------------  ------------------------  -------------- 
 
   22.          Inventories 
 
                                      As at         As at 
                               December 31,   December 31 
                                       2022          2021 
                                    US$'000       US$'000 
---------------------------   -------------  ------------ 
 Functional ingredients               7,420         7,480 
 Functional materials                 4,000         4,310 
 Functional consumer goods            1,748         1,822 
 Services                                 -           158 
 Total inventories                   13,168        13,770 
----------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
 

The cost of inventories recognized as an expense during the year in respect of continuing operations was US$33,597,000 (2021: US$30,022,000).

The cost of inventories recognized as an expense includes US$4,912,000 (2021: US$17,000) in respect of write-downs of inventory to net realizable value. The write-downs are mainly related to stock that is unlikely to be sold or consumed within 12 months due to a decline in forecasted customer demand.

There have been no reversals of such write-downs for the reporting period (2021: nil).

   23.          Trade receivables 
 
                                                  As at                 As at 
                                           December 31,          December 31, 
                                                   2022                  2021 
 Trade receivables                              US$'000               US$'000 
                                                                      (restated) 
 Not past due                                     2,788                 7,567 
 < 30 days                                          520                 2,930 
 31-60 days                                         781                    55 
 61-90 days                                         215                 1,115 
 91-120 days                                        180                   351 
 >120 days                                        2,407                 2,962 
 Total trade receivables                          6,891                14,980 
----------------------------------      ---------------   ------------------- 
 Provision for expected credit 
  losses                                          (404)                 (324) 
----------------------------------      ---------------   ------------------- 
 Total trade receivables (net)                    6,487                14,656 
----------------------------------      ---------------   ------------------- 
 
 

The average credit period on sales of goods varies by region from 30 - 120 days. No interest is charged on outstanding trade receivables. The Group always measures the loss allowance for trade receivables at an amount equal to lifetime ECL. The expected credit losses on trade receivables are estimated using a provision matrix by reference to past default experience of the debtor and an analysis of the debtor's current financial position, adjusted for factors that are specific to the debtors, general economic conditions of the industry in which the debtors operate and an assessment of both the current as well as the forecast.

As at December 31, 2022, the Group has recognized an expected credit loss of US$404,000 (2021: US$324,000). The following table details the risk profile of receivables based on the Group's provision matrix.

Lifetime Expected credit losses on trade receivables

 
                                       Trade receivables - days past due 
                                 Not past 
                                      due     1-60   61-120  >120 days    Total 
Expected credit loss on trade 
 receivables 2022                 US$'000  US$'000  US$'000    US$'000  US$'000 
-------------------------------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ------- 
Expected credit loss rate              0%       0%       0%        17%       6% 
Estimated total gross carrying 
 amount at default                  2,788    1,301      395      2,406    6,891 
Lifetime ECL as at December 
 31, 2022                               -        -        -        404      404 
 
 
                                       Trade receivables - days past due 
                                 Not past 
                                      due     1-60   61-120  >120 days    Total 
Expected credit loss on trade 
 receivables 2021                 US$'000  US$'000  US$'000    US$'000  US$'000 
-------------------------------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ------- 
Expected credit loss rate              0%       0%       0%        11%       2% 
Estimated total gross carrying 
 amount at default                  7,567    2,985    1,466      2,962   14,980 
Lifetime ECL as at December 
 31, 2021                               -        -        -        324      324 
 

The following table shows the movement in lifetime ECL that has been recognized for trade receivables in

accordance with the simplified approach set out in IFRS 9.

 
                             Individually  Collectively 
                                 assessed      assessed    Total 
Expected credit losses            US$'000       US$'000  US$'000 
--------------------------   ------------  ------------  ------- 
Balance as at January 
 1, 2021                               13            27       40 
Net remeasurement of loss 
 allowance                            288            19      307 
Foreign exchange gains 
 and losses                          (23)             -     (23) 
Balance as at December 
 31, 2021                             278            46      324 
---------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------- 
Net remeasurement of loss 
 allowance                            172           (6)      166 
Amounts written off                  (81)             -     (81) 
Foreign exchange gains 
 and losses                           (4)           (1)      (5) 
Balance as at December 
 31, 2022                             365            39      404 
 
 

The following tables explain how significant changes in the gross carrying amount of the trade receivables contributed to changes in the loss allowance:

 
Increase (decrease) in lifetime expected credit losses 
 for 2022                                                    US$'000 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------- 
Origination of new trade receivables net of those settled, 
 as well as increase in days past 
 due up to 120 days                                              172 
Write-off of receivables older than 120 days                    (81) 
 
Increase (decrease) in lifetime expected credit losses 
 for 2021                                                    US$'000 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------- 
Origination of new trade receivables net of those settled, 
 as well as increase in days past 
 due up to 120 days                                              288 
 
   24.          Other receivables and prepayments 
 
                                             As at          As at 
                                      December 31,   December 31, 
                                              2022           2021 
                                           US$'000        US$'000 
----------------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
 Contract assets                               115            250 
 Receivables from tax authorities            1,864          1,734 
 Prepayments                                 1,023          1,052 
 Other receivables                           1,260            840 
 Total other receivables and 
  prepayments                                4,262          3,876 
-----------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
   25.          Contract assets 

Amounts relating to contract assets are balances due from customers under construction contracts that arise when the Group receives payments from customers in line with a series of performance-related milestones. The Group recognizes a contract asset for any work performed. Any amount previously recognized as a contract asset is reclassified to trade receivables at the point at which it is invoiced to the customer.

 
                                              As at           As at         As at 
                                       December 31,    December 31,    January 1, 
                                               2022            2021          2021 
                                            US$'000         US$'000       US$'000 
-------------------------  ------------------------  --------------  ------------ 
Research and development 
 services                                        65              80             - 
Take-or-pay services                              -             170 
Exclusivity services                             50               -             - 
Total contract assets                           115             250             - 
-------------------------  ------------------------  --------------  ------------ 
 
 
Current assets          115  250  - 
Non-current assets        -    -  - 
Total contract assets   115  250  - 
----------------------  ---  --- 
 

Revenues related to research and development services were recognized at the point of delivering proof of concept and completing testing services. Performance obligations related to exclusivity services were deemed fulfilled by the Group upon completion of the contractual term. Payment for the above services is not due from the customer yet and therefore a contract asset is recognized.

The directors of the Company always measure the loss allowance on amounts due from customers at an amount equal to lifetime ECL, taking into account the historical default experience, the nature of the customer and where relevant, the sector in which they operate. There has been no change in the estimation techniques or significant assumptions made during the current reporting period in assessing the loss allowance for the amounts due from customers under construction contracts.

Lifetime Expected credit losses on contract assets

The following table details the risk profile of amounts due from customers based on the Group's provision matrix. Based on the historic default experience, no expected credit loss has been recognized:

 
                                                    As at           As at 
                                             December 31,    December 31, 
                                                     2022            2021 
                                                  US$'000         US$'000 
-------------------------------  ------------------------  -------------- 
Expected credit loss rate                              0%              0% 
Estimated total gross carrying 
 amount at default                                    115             250 
Lifetime ECL                                            -               - 
-------------------------------  ------------------------  -------------- 
Net carrying amount                                   115             250 
-------------------------------  ------------------------  -------------- 
 
   26.          Issued share capital and share premium 

Movements in the Company's share capital and share premium account were as follows:

 
                                Note    Number of     Share     Share   Totals 
                                           shares   capital   premium 
                                              No.   US$'000   US$'000  US$'000 
------------------------------  ----  -----------  --------  --------  ------- 
Balance as of January 1, 2021         125,891,904    49,559   134,537  184,096 
Issue of shares to acquire 
 Chrisal NV                       5c    1,101,928       456     2,526    2,982 
Issue of shares to acquire 
 RAS AG                           5d    1,701,821       710     3,946    4,656 
Issue of shares to acquire 
 Life Materials                   5e    1,887,883       798     3,182    3,980 
Balance as at December 31, 
 2021                                 130,583,536    51,523   144,191  195,714 
------------------------------  ----  -----------  --------  --------  ------- 
Issue of shares to vendors 
 of Life Materials (a)                    347,552       141       471      612 
Issue of shares as deferred 
 consideration (b)                5g    3,461,615     1,359     2,921    4,280 
Issue of shares to Advisory 
 Board and others (c)                     164,721        60       175      235 
Issue of shares ChemTex Labs 
 (d)                                    2,176,884       795     1,177    1,972 
Issue of shares Chrisal (e)       5a    3,348,164     1,223     1,838    3,061 
Balance as at December 31, 
 2022                                 140,082,472    55,101   150,773  205,874 
------------------------------  ----  -----------  --------  --------  ------- 
 

The par value of all shares is GBP0.30. All shares in issue were allotted, called up and fully paid.

The share premium account represents the amount received on the issue of ordinary shares by the Company in excess of their nominal value and is non-distributable.

The Company issued new ordinary shares for the following:

a) On February 25, 2022, HeiQ Plc issued 347,552 new ordinary shares of GBP0.30 each in the Company. These shares were allotted to the vendors of Life Material Technologies Limited to satisfy a closing working capital adjustment in the amount of US$612,000 in connection with the Company's acquisition of Life in June 2021.

   b)    On May 12, 2022, HeiQ Plc issued a total of 3,461,615 ordinary shares as part of the deferred consideration paid pursuant to the acquisitions of RAS AG, Regensburg, Germany ("RAS AG") and Life Material Technologies Limited ("LIFE"). 

-- In relation to the acquisition of RAS AG, the Company made a payment of EUR2.6 million (approximately US$2.88 million), based on RAS AG's performance for the year ended December 31, 2021. The deferred consideration was settled entirely through the issue of 2,743,941 ordinary shares in the capital of the Company.

-- In relation to the acquisition of LIFE, the Company made a payment of US$2.8 million, based on LIFE's financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2021. The deferred consideration was settled equally in cash (US$1.4 million) and through the issue of 717,674 ordinary shares (US$1.4 million) in the capital of the Company. The share issue satisfied earnout payments as part of the purchase consideration of US$640,000 as well as share-based payments made as remuneration of US$764,000 which were not part of the purchase consideration.

c) On August 9, 2022, the Company issued 164,721 new ordinary shares for a consideration of GBP173,000 (approximately US$235,000) to satisfy certain share payments due to the Company's Innovation Advisory Board, as well as for consultancy and other services provided by third parties.

d) On December 2, 2022, HeiQ Plc completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital and voting rights of ChemTex Laboratories, Inc. ("ChemTex Labs") in North Carolina, USA for a total consideration of US$2.5 million. The purchase consideration was payable partly in cash (US$550,000) and partly by the issue of 2,176,884 new ordinary shares for (US$1.95 million). The acquisition was accounted for as asset acquisition resulting in the addition of land and buildings worth US$2.4 million. The Group also assumed US$65,000 in cash, prepaid income tax of US$32,000 as well as accrued liabilities worth US$9,000.

e) On December 15, 2022, HeiQ increased its interest In HeiQ Chrisal from 51% to 71%. HeiQ paid EUR2.9 million (approximately US$3 million) for the additional 20% shareholding to the vendors of Chrisal through the issue of 3,348,164 new ordinary shares in the Company.

   27.          Share-based payments 

Equity-settled Share Option Scheme

The Company has adopted the HeiQ Plc Option Scheme.

Under the Option Scheme, awards may be made only to employees and executive directors. The Board will administer the Option Scheme with all decisions relating to awards made to executive directors taken by the Remuneration Committee.

Awards under the equity-settled option plan will be market value options, but participants resident in jurisdictions where local securities laws or other regulations are considered problematic may be awarded cash-based equivalents. Any awards made are not pensionable.

All awards made will be subject to one or more performance conditions at the discretion of the Board. Ordinary Shares received on exercise of any options awarded under the Option Scheme may be required to be held for a period of time before they can be disposed of (other than disposals to satisfy any tax payable on exercise).

The total number of Ordinary Shares which can be issued under the Option Scheme (together with any other employees' share scheme operated by the Company) may not exceed 10 per cent. of the Company's ordinary share capital from time to time.

An option-holder has no voting or dividend rights in the Company before the exercise of a Share option.

There are currently four option grants with the same vesting requirements. The key performance indicators attaching to these awards relate to targets for sales growth (65 per cent. of the award) and operating margin (35 per cent. of the award) over a period of three years.

Options are exercisable at a price equal to the average quoted market price of the Company's shares on the date of grant. The vesting period is three years. If the options remain unexercised after a period of ten years from the date of grant the options expire. Options are forfeited if the employee leaves the Group before the options vest.

Details of the share options outstanding during the year are as follows:

 
                                   As at December 31,                As at December 31, 
                                           2022                              2021 
                                  Number            Weighted        Number            Weighted 
                              of options    average exercise    of options    average exercise 
                                                 price (GBP)                       price (GBP) 
--------------------------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ------------------ 
 Outstanding at beginning 
  of year                      8,707,658                1.06     6,260,000                1.12 
 Granted during the year       3,349,125                0.83     2,447,658                0.90 
 Forfeited during the 
  year                         (530,872)                1.05             -                   - 
 Exercised during the                  -                   -             -                   - 
  year 
 Expired during the year               -                   -             -                   - 
--------------------------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ------------------ 
 Outstanding at the end 
  of the year                 11,525,911                0.99     8,707,658                1.06 
--------------------------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ------------------ 
 Exercisable at the end                -                   -             -                   - 
  of the year 
--------------------------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ------------------ 
 

The options outstanding at December 31, 2022 had a weighted average exercise price of GBP0.994 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.5 years. In 2022, options were granted on June 15 and September 26. The aggregate of the estimated fair values of the options granted on those dates is GBP1,117,000 (approximately US$1,304,000). In 2021, options were granted on October 19. The aggregate of the estimated fair values of the options granted on that date was GBP930,000 (approximately US$1,275,000). The inputs into the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

 
                                          Year ended     Year ended 
                                        December 31,   December 31, 
                                                2022           2021 
 Weighted average share price 
  (GBP)                                        0.817          0.900 
 Weighted average exercise price 
  (GBP)                                        0.834          0.903 
 Expected volatility                    69.3%/70.3%*            64% 
 Expected life                       2.6 /2.3 years*        3 years 
 Risk-free rate                         0.19%/0.44%*          0.71% 
 Expected dividend yields                         0%             0% 
 

*In the reporting year ended 2022, there were two grants with different inputs used in the black scholes model.

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group's share price since going public in December 2020. The expected life used in the model is equal to the vesting period.

Due to lower market expectations, the number of options expected to vest dropped to 2,279,236 (2021: 5,204,978). This resulted in an income of US$12,000 arising from these share-based payment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2022 (expense for the year ended December 31, 2021: US$424,000).

Other share-based payments

Remuneration of US$764,000 described in Note 26 in relation to the acquisition of Life Materials Technologies Limited is linked to a service period of five years. An expense of US$150,000 was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2022 (year ended December 31, 2021: US$74,000). The remainder of approximately US$544,000 is expected to be expensed over the period from January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026.

   28.          Other reserves and retained deficit 

Other reserves comprise the share-based payment reserve, the merger reserve, the currency translation reserve and the other reserve.

The retained deficit comprises all other net gains and losses and transactions with owners not recognized elsewhere.

Movements in the other reserves were as follows:

 
                                                Share-                               Currency 
                                         based payment              Merger        translation            Other        Total Other 
                                               reserve             reserve            reserve          reserve           reserves 
                               Note            US$'000             US$'000            US$'000          US$'000            US$'000 
-------------  --------------------  -----------------  ------------------  -----------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 Balance at January 
  1, 2021                                           50   (126,912)                      2,937          (2,043)          (125,968) 
 Other comprehensive 
  (loss)/income                                      -                   -            (2,550)              899            (1,651) 
 Total comprehensive 
  (loss)/income for 
  the year                                           -                   -            (2,550)              899            (1,651) 
--------------------------  -------  -----------------  ------------------  -----------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 Share-based payment 
  charges                        27                424                   -                  -                -                424 
 Transactions with 
  owners                                           424                   -                  -                -                424 
--------------------------  ------- 
 Balance at December 
  31, 2021                                         474           (126,912)                387          (1,144)          (127,195) 
--------------------------  -------  ----------------- 
 Other comprehensive 
  (loss)/income                                      -                   -            (1,914)            1,104              (810) 
 Total comprehensive 
  (loss)/income for 
  the year                                           -                   -            (1,914)            1,104              (810) 
--------------------------  -------  -----------------  ------------------  -----------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 Share-based payment 
  charges                        27               (12)                   -                  -                -               (12) 
Transactions with 
 owners                                           (12)                   -                  -                -               (12) 
Balance at December 
 31, 2022                                          462  (126,912)                     (1,527)             (40)          (128,017) 
                                     ----------------- 
 
 

The share-based payment reserve arises from the requirement to fair value the issue of share options at grant date. Further details of share options are included at Note 27.

The merger reserve was created in accordance with IFRS3 'Business Combinations'. The merger reserve arises due to the elimination of the Company's investment in HeiQ Materials AG. Since the shareholders of HeiQ Materials AG became the majority shareholders of the enlarged Group, the acquisition is accounted for as though there is a continuation of the legal subsidiary's financial statements. In reverse acquisition accounting, the business combination's costs are deemed to have been incurred by the legal subsidiary.

The currency translation reserve represents cumulative foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries and is not distributable by way of dividends.

The other reserve comprises the cumulative re-measurement of defined benefit obligations and plan assets to fair value, and which are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. Such actuarial gains and losses from defined benefit pension plans are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods.

Dividend paid by subsidiary

In June 2022, HeiQ Chrisal N.V. declared and paid a dividend of EUR470,000 (approximately US$496,000) of which 49% or US$243,000 was paid to minority shareholders.

Capital contributions from minority shareholders

The Group received a capital contribution from a minority shareholder of US$764,000 which arose from a waived loan (see Note 31 for details).

   29.          Pensions and other post-employment benefit plans 

The Group operates a defined benefit pension plan in Switzerland, which requires contributions to be made to a separately administered fund. The cost of providing benefits under the defined benefit plan is determined using the projected unit credit method.

Correspondingly the value of the defined benefit obligation at valuation date is equal to the present value of the accrued pro-rated service considering expected salary at eligibility date and the future pension increase.

The pension scheme was administered by Swisscanto pension fund ("Swisscanto Sammelstiftung") until December 31, 2021, and by AXA pension fund from January 1, 2022, following a change in pension fund provider. The Directors have adopted the actuarial valuation as of January 1, 2022.

Pension plan description

The pension plans grant disability and death benefits which are defined as a percentage of the salary insured. Although the Swiss plan operates like a defined contribution plan under local regulations, it is accounted for as a defined benefit pension plan under IAS19 'Employee Benefits' because of the need to accrue a minimum level of interest on the mandatory part of the pension accounts. Upon reaching retirement age, the savings capital will be converted with a fixed conversion rate into an old-age pension. In the event that an employee leaves employment prior to reaching a pensionable age, the cumulative balance of the savings account is withdrawn from the pension plan and invested into the pension plan of the employee's new employer.

Regulatory framework

Pension plan legal structure

HeiQ Materials AG is affiliated to a collective foundation. The collective foundation operates one defined benefit pension plan for HeiQ Materials AG. Under Swiss law, all employees are required to be a member of the pension plan. There are minimum benefits requested by law (for old-age, disability, death and termination). The pension plans cover more than legally requested. Each affiliated company has a pension plan committee. The committee is represented by 50% of employer representatives and the remaining 50% are employee representatives.

Responsibilities of the board of trustees (and/or the employer on the board of trustees)

The highest corporate body of the collective foundation is the board of trustees. The board of trustees is elected out of the affiliated companies and is also represented by 50% of employee and employer representatives (on the level of the collective foundation). This board handles the general management of the pension scheme, ensures compliance with the statutory requirements, defines the strategic objectives and policies of the pension scheme and identifies the resources for their implementation. This board decides also on the asset allocation and is responsible to the authorities for the correct administration of the collective foundation.

Special situation

The pension scheme has no minimum funding requirement (when the pension fund is in a surplus position), although the pension scheme has a minimum contribution requirement as specified below. Under local requirements, where a pension fund is operated in a surplus position, limited restrictions apply in terms of the trustee's ability to apply benefits to the members of the locally determined "free reserves". In instances where the pension fund enters into an underfunded status the active members, along with the employer, are required to make additional contributions until such time the pension fund is in a fully funded position.

Funding arrangements that affect future contributions

Swiss law provides for minimum pension obligations on retirement. Swiss law also prescribes minimum annual funding requirements. An employer may provide or contribute a higher amount than as specified under Swiss law - such amounts are specified under the terms and conditions of each of the Swiss employee's individual terms and conditions of employment.

In addition, employers are able to make one off contributions or prepayments to these funds. Although these contributions cannot be withdrawn, they are available to the Company to offset its future employer cash contributions to the plan. Although a surplus can exist in the fund, Swiss law requires minimum annual funding requirements to continue.

For the active members of the pension plan, annual contributions are required by both the employer and employee. The employer contributions must be at least equal to the employee contributions, but may be higher, separately mentioned in the constitution of the pension plan.

Minimum annual contribution obligations are determined with reference to an employee's age and current salary, however as indicated above these can be increased under the employee's terms and conditions of employment.

In the event of the winding up of HeiQ Materials AG, or the pension fund, HeiQ Materials AG has no right to any refund of any surplus in the pension fund. Any surplus balance is allocated to the members (active and pensioners).

General risk

The Group faces the risk that its equity ratio can be affected by a poor performance of the assets of the pension fund or a change of assumptions. Therefore, sensitivities of the main assumptions have been calculated and disclosed (see below).

The following tables summarize the components of net benefit expense recognized in the statement of profit and loss and the funded status and amounts recognized in the statement of financial position for the plan:

Net benefit obligations

The components of the net defined benefits obligations included in non-current liabilities are as follows:

 
                                                  As at         As at 
                                           December 31,  December 31, 
                                                   2022          2021 
                                                US$'000       US$'000 
Fair value of plan assets                         9,616        10,858 
Defined benefit obligations                    (10,568)      (13,003) 
Funded status (net liability)                     (952)       (2,146) 
 
Duration (years)                                   13.8          16.5 
Expected benefits payable in following 
 year                                             (389)         (393) 
 
                                             Year ended    Year ended 
                                           December 31,  December 31, 
                                                   2022          2021 
Development of obligations and 
 assets                                         US$'000       US$'000 
Present value of funded obligations, 
 beginning of year                             (13,003)       (9,588) 
Employer service cost                             (571)         (521) 
Employee contributions                            (352)         (342) 
Past service cost                                     -            28 
Curtailments/Settlements                              -            65 
Interest cost                                      (45)          (14) 
Benefits paid/(refunded)                            522       (2,589) 
Actuarial (loss)/gain on benefit 
 obligation                                       2,562         (256) 
Currency (loss)/gain                                319           214 
Present value of funded obligations, 
 end of year                                   (10,568)      (13,003) 
 
Defined benefit obligation participants        (10,568)      (13,003) 
Defined benefit obligation pensioners                 -             - 
Present value of funded obligations, 
 end of year                                   (10,568)      (13,003) 
 
Fair value of plan assets, beginning 
 of year                                         10,858         6,311 
Expected return on plan assets                       37            10 
Employer's contributions                            352           342 
Employees' contributions                            352           342 
Benefits (paid)/refunded                          (522)         2,589 
Admin expense                                      (21)          (20) 
Actuarial (loss)/gain on plan 
 assets                                         (1,182)         1,380 
Currency gain/(loss)                              (258)          (96) 
Fair value of plan assets, end 
 of year                                          9,616        10,858 
 
 

Movements in net liability recognized in statement of financial position:

 
                                          Year ended    Year ended 
                                            December 
                                                 31,  December 31, 
                                                2022          2021 
                                             US$'000       US$'000 
Net liability, beginning of year             (2,146)       (3,276) 
Employer service cost                          (571)         (521) 
Interest cost                                   (45)          (14) 
Expected return on plan assets                    37            10 
Admin expense                                   (21)          (20) 
Past service cost recognized in year               -            28 
Curtailment, settlement, plan amendment 
 gain (loss)                                       -            65 
Employer's contributions (following 
 year expected contributions)                    352           342 
Prepaid (accrued) pension cost:                  247           111 
 
    *    operating income (expense)            (240)         (107) 
 
    *    finance expense                         (7)           (4) 
Total gains recognized within other 
 comprehensive income                          1,380         1,124 
Currency loss                                     62           116 
Net liability, end of year                     (952)       (2,146) 
 
Expected employer's cash contributions 
 for following year                              360           361 
 
 

The assets of the scheme are invested on a collective basis with other employers. The allocation of the pooled assets between asset categories is as follows.

Asset allocation

 
                                      As at          As at 
                               December 31,   December 31, 
                                       2022           2021 
                                    US$'000        US$'000 
Cash                                   2.8%           3.6% 
Bonds                                 29.1%          31.7% 
Equities                              33.2%          34.8% 
Property (incl. mortgages)            31.3%          27.0% 
Other                                  3.6%           2.9% 
Total                                100.0%         100.0% 
 
 

Amounts recognized in profit and loss

 
                                          Year ended    Year ended 
                                            December 
                                                 31,  December 31, 
                                                2022          2021 
                                             US$'000       US$'000 
Employer service cost                          (571)         (521) 
Past service cost recognized in year               -            28 
Interest cost                                   (45)          (14) 
Expected return on plan assets                    37            10 
Admin expense                                   (21)          (20) 
Curtailment, settlement, plan amendment 
 gain (loss)                                       -            64 
Components of defined benefit costs 
 recognized in profit or loss                  (600)         (453) 
 

Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income

 
                                                 Year ended    Year ended 
                                                   December 
                                                        31,  December 31, 
                                                       2022          2021 
                                                    US$'000       US$'000 
Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from 
 plan experience                                      2,392       (1,449) 
Actuarial (losses)/gains arising from 
 demographic assumptions                               (23)           744 
Actuarial gains arising from financial 
 assumptions                                            193           449 
Re-measurement of defined benefit obligations         2,562         (256) 
                                                ----------- 
Re-measurement of assets                            (1,182)         1,380 
Deferred tax asset recognized                         (276)         (225) 
Other                                                     -             - 
Total recognized in OCI                               1,104           899 
 

Principal actuarial assumptions (beginning of year):

The principal assumptions used in determining pension and post-employment benefit obligations for the plan are shown below:

 
                                          As at         As at 
                                   December 31,  December 31, 
                                           2022          2021 
                                        US$'000       US$'000 
 
Discount rate                             2.25%         0.35% 
Interest credit rate                      2.25%         1.00% 
Average future salary increases           2.50%         2.00% 
Future pension increases                  0.00%         0.00% 
Mortality tables used               BVG 2020 GT   BVG 2020 GT 
Average retirement age                    65/65         65/64 
 

The forecasted contributions of the Group for the 2023 financial year amount to US$360,000.

Sensitivities

A quantitative sensitivity analysis for significant assumptions is as follows:

 
                                        As at         As at 
                                 December 31,  December 31, 
                                         2022          2021 
Impact on defined benefit 
 obligation                           US$'000       US$'000 
------------------------------ 
Discount rate + 0.25%                   (323)         (524) 
Discount rate - 0.25%                     343           560 
Salary increase + 0.25%                    44            72 
Salary increase - 0.25%                  (43)          (70) 
Pension increase + 0.25%                  167           278 
Pension decrease - 0.25% (not               -             - 
 lower than 0%) 
 

A negative value corresponds to a reduction of the defined benefit obligation, a positive value to an increase of the defined benefit obligation.

The sensitivity analyses above have been determined based on a method that extrapolates the impact on the defined benefit obligation as a result of reasonable changes in key assumptions occurring at the end of the reporting period. The sensitivity analyses are based on a change in a significant assumption, keeping all other assumptions constant. The sensitivity analyses may not be representative of an actual change in the defined benefit obligation as it is unlikely that changes in assumptions would occur in isolation from one another.

Other pension plans

Life Materials Technologies Limited, Thailand, also has a pension scheme which gives rise to defined benefit obligations under IAS 19. This pension plan contributed a net defined benefit obligation of US$92,000 to the net assets acquired in the business combination in 2021. The pension expense in profit and loss was US$1,000 (2021: US$43,000) which results in a US$134,000 net defined liability as at December 31, 2021 (2021: US$135,000).

   30.          Lease liabilities 

Future minimum lease payments associated with leases were as follows:

 
                                              As at           As at 
                                       December 31,    December 31, 
                                               2022            2021 
                                            US$'000         US$'000 
                                                         (restated) 
-----------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Not later than one year                      1,301             959 
 Later than one year and not later 
  than five years                             3,813           3,253 
Later than five years                         3,387           4,905 
Total minimum lease payments                  8,501           9,117 
Less: Future finance charges                  (679)         (1,003) 
                                     --------------  -------------- 
Present value of minimum lease 
 payments                                     7,822           8.114 
 
 Current liability                            1,264             905 
Non-current liability                         6,558           7,209 
                                     -------------- 
                                              7,822           8,114 
 
   31.           Borrowings 

The Group's borrowings are held at amortized cost. They consist of the following:

 
                                                   As at 
                                                December           As at 
                                                     31,    December 31, 
                                                    2022            2021 
                                                 US$'000         US$'000 
                                                          -------------- 
Unsecured bank loans                               3,573           1,159 
Secured bank loans                                   628             778 
Loans from non-controlling interest                  137             825 
Total borrowings                                   4,338           2,762 
 

The other principal features of the Group's borrowings are as follows:

Unsecured bank loans

A credit facility was taken out in December 2022 which incurs interest at a fixed rate of 2.2%. It was repaid on February 28, 2023 and the loan was replaced with a new credit facility worth CHF 4,500,000 (US$ 4,964,000). As at December 31, 2022, CHF 2,400,000 (US$2,574,000) was outstanding.

Several loans amounting to US$1.6 million were assumed through the acquisition of Chrisal. They finance the acquisition of property, plant and equipment as well as the prepayment of provisional taxes. As at December 31, 2022, EUR938,000 (US$999,000) is outstanding (2021: EUR1,019,000 (US$1,159,000)). A further EUR277,000 was taken out in February 2023. The loans are repayable over a period of up to ten 10 years. These loans all have fixed interest rates between 0.78 and 3.95% and the weighted average fixed interest rate on the outstanding balances is 2.21%.

Loans from non-controlling interests

A loan is payable to a minority shareholder of Life-Materials Latam Ltda, Brazil. Interest is fixed at 0.5%. There is no specific repayment date, but the loan is payable once the entity is able to repay it. The balance as at December 31, 2022 is BRL 715,683 (US$137,000).

The balance as at December 31, 2021 included three loans totaling EUR725,000 (US$825,000) payable to a company controlled by a minority shareholder of HeiQ Medica. The loans did not incur any interest and were waived in full by the borrower in December 2022 resulting in a capital contribution from minority shareholders of US$764,000.

Secured bank loans

A bank loan taken out in October 2020 which incurs interest at a fixed rate of 3.25% and which is secured on property owned by a company which is controlled by a minority shareholder of HeiQ Medica. It is repayable in equal monthly instalments of EUR8,000 (US$9,500) over eight years up to September 2028. As at December 31, 2022, EUR590,000 (US$629,000) is outstanding (2021: US$779,000).

The following table provides a reconciliation of the Group's future maturities of its total borrowings for each year presented:

 
                                                       As at           As at 
                                                December 31,    December 31, 
                                                        2022            2021 
                                                     US$'000         US$'000 
                                                                  (restated) 
Not later than one year                                2,893           1,157 
Later than one year but less than 
 five years                                            1,029             951 
After more than five years                               416             654 
----------------------------------  ------------------------  -------------- 
Total borrowings                                       4,338           2,762 
 
   32.          Deferred tax 

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognized by the Group and movements thereon during the current and prior reporting period.

 
                                          Pension  Tax losses  Share-based  Capital allowances,     Total 
                                 fund obligations                 payments         depreciation 
                                                                                      and other 
                                                                                      temporary 
                                                                                    differences 
                                          US$'000     US$'000      US$'000              US$'000   US$'000 
                                                   ----------  -----------  ------------------- 
Balance at January 1, 
 2021                                         655         171            -                (395)       431 
Charge to profit or loss                       22          17           82                  310       431 
Charge to other comprehensive 
 income                                     (225)           -            -                    -     (225) 
Business Combinations                           -           -            -              (1,627)   (1,627) 
Foreign currency differences                 (23)        (10)            3                   26       (4) 
                                -----------------  ----------  -----------                       -------- 
Balance as at December 
 31, 2021                                     429         178           85              (1,686)     (994) 
                                -----------------  ----------  -----------                       -------- 
Charge to profit or loss                       49       (150)            1                  681       581 
Charge to other comprehensive 
 income                                     (276)           -            -                    -     (276) 
Foreign currency differences                 (12)        (28)            5                    9      (26) 
                                -----------------  ----------  -----------                       -------- 
Balance as at December 
 31, 2022                                     190           -           91                (996)     (715) 
 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

 
                                           Year ended     Year ended 
                                         December 31,   December 31, 
                                                 2022           2021 
                                              US$'000        US$'000 
 
Deferred tax 
Deferred tax assets                               538          1,337 
Deferred tax liabilities                      (1,253)        (2,333) 
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)           (715)          (994) 
 
 

Deferred tax assets amounting to US$239,000 were derecognized following remeasurements of defined benefit obligations (see also Note 29). Deferred tax liabilities related to capital allowances and depreciation decreased following the release of excess reserves on inventory and receivables in Switzerland as well as amortization of intangible assets acquired in the business combinations in 2021.

As at December 31, 2021, the Group had approximately US$178,000 of tax losses available to be carried forward against future profits. Management no longer expects the deferred tax asset to be substantially recovered in 2023. Therefore, the deferred tax assets were derecognized as at December 31, 2022.

Some tax losses were not recognized as deferred tax assets. During the year ended December 31, 2022, such tax losses amounted to US$3,175,000 (2021: US$378,000). They arose from aggregated losses of US$17,482,000 (2021: US$1,134,000).

   33.           Other non-current liabilities 
 
                                                     As at 
                                                  December           As at 
                                                       31,    December 31, 
                                                      2022            2021 
                                                   US$'000         US$'000 
                                                            -------------- 
Defined benefit obligation IAS 19 Switzerland 
 (Note 29)                                             952           2,146 
Defined benefit obligation IAS 19 Thailand 
 (Note 29)                                             134             135 
Deferred consideration in relation to 
 ChemTex acquisition (see Note 5g)                       -              88 
Contract liabilities                                 3,614               - 
Deferred grant income                                   14               - 
Others                                                   -             250 
Total other non-current liabilities                  4,714           2,619 
 
   34.          Trade and other payables 
 
                                         As at          As at 
                                  December 31,   December 31, 
                                          2022           2021 
                                       US$'000        US$'000 
                                                   (restated) 
Trade payables                           3,321          4,090 
Payables to tax authorities                375          1,167 
Other payables                           1,626          3,014 
-------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
Total trade and other payables           5,322          8,271 
 

Trade payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. Other payables relate to employee-related expenses, utilities and other overhead costs. Typically, no interest is charged on the trade payables. The Group has financial risk management policies in place to ensure that all payables are paid within the pre-agreed credit terms.

The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to their fair value.

   35.           Accrued liabilities 
 
                                    As at          As at 
                             December 31,   December 31, 
                                     2022           2021 
                                  US$'000        US$'000 
                                              (restated) 
--------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
Costs of goods sold                   875          1,328 
Personnel expenses                  1,737          1,525 
Other operating expenses            2,366            533 
-------------------------- 
Total accrued liabilities           4,978          3,386 
 
   36.          Deferred revenue 
 
                                           As at           As at 
                                    December 31,    December 31, 
                                            2022            2021 
                                         US$'000         US$'000 
                                                      (restated) 
--------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Contract liabilities                       1,176           1,000 
Prepayments for unshipped goods               94               - 
Deferred grant income                         15               4 
--------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Total deferred revenue                     1,285           1,004 
 
   37.           Contract liabilities 
 
                                      As at           As at         As at 
                               December 31,    December 31,    January 1, 
                                       2022            2021          2021 
                                    US$'000         US$'000       US$'000 
                                             --------------  ------------ 
Exclusivity agreements                1,832               -             - 
Research and development 
 services                             2,958           1,000             - 
Total contract liabilities            4,790           1,000             - 
 
 
Current liabilities (Note 
 36)                         1,176  1,000  - 
Non-current liabilities 
 (Note 33)                   3,614      -  - 
Total contract liabilities   4,790  1,000  - 
 

Revenue relating to both exclusivity and research and development services is recognized over time although the customer pays up-front in full for these services. A contract liability is recognized for revenue relating to the services at the time of the initial sales transaction and is released over the service period.

In the reporting year ended December 31, 2021, the Group received a US$ 1 million prepayment for research and development services. The Group is expected to complete its obligations in the reporting year ended December 31, 2024. In 2022, the Group entered into an agreement to grant exclusivity to a customer worth US$2 million and research and development services worth a further US$2 million. The customer has prepaid, and revenue recognition is spread over four reporting periods starting in July 2022 and ending June 2026.

The following table shows how much of the revenue recognized in the current reporting period relates to brought forward contract liabilities.

 
                                                 As at           As at 
                                          December 31,    December 31, 
                                                  2022            2021 
                                               US$'000         US$'000 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Exclusivity agreements                               -               - 
Research and development services                    -               - 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Total revenue recognized from contract 
 liabilities                                         -               - 
 
   38.          Other current liabilities 
 
                                            As at 
                                         December          As at 
                                              31,   December 31, 
                                             2022           2021 
                                          US$'000        US$'000 
Deferred consideration in relation to 
 acquisitions (Note 5g)                        92          5,995 
Deferred consideration in relation to 
 share-based payments (Note 27)                 -             74 
Call option derivative liability              686              - 
Other current liabilities                     778          6,069 
 

Deferred consideration

As more fully described in Note 5, the Company settled a total of US$5.5 million of deferred consideration relating to the acquisition of RAS AG and Life Materials by way of cash and share issuance. A further settlement of deferred consideration of US$187,000 in cash payments related to the ChemTex acquisition in 2017.

Call option derivative liability

As described in Note 5b, HeiQ AeoniQ GmbH's minority shareholder Hugo Boss AG has the contractual right to acquire a further 5% shareholding in HeiQ AeoniQ GmbH for a call option exercise price of EUR10,000,000 (approximately US$10,657,000) which expires on December 31, 2023.

The Group has valued the option at initial recognition at US$1,097,000 based on the Black-Scholes model. As at December 31, 2022, a liability of US$686,000 was recognized with a corresponding US$371,000 debit entry to profit and loss and a US$40,000 charge to currency translation reserve. The inputs into the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

 
 Weighted average share price 
  (EUR)                              4,326.68 
 Weighted average exercise price 
  (EUR)                              5,714.29 
 Expected volatility                    44.7% 
 Expected life                         1 year 
 Risk-free rate                          1.0% 
 Expected dividend yield                   0% 
 
   39.          Contingent assets and liabilities 

On October 10, 2022 the Group announced that it has filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District Of North Carolina, Charlotte Division, against ICP Industrial Inc, for breaching its Exclusive Agreement terms. Because of the claimed contract breach, the Group has not recognized any income or assets from the contract. Within the same legal proceeding, ICP Industrial Inc, has filed a counter claim against the Group. Although the Group is confident in its legal position, the outcome of the legal proceedings as well as the court-mandated mediation remains uncertain. Therefore, while a future economic benefit is expected, it can not be reliably quantified at this point in time and could bear the risk of prejudice given the ongoing legal proceedings.

   40.          Provisions 
 
                                                As at           As at 
                                         December 31,    December 31, 
                                                 2022            2021 
                                              US$'000         US$'000 
---------------------------  ------------------------  -------------- 
Legal/Compliance provision                        339               - 
Total provisions                                  339               - 
                             ------------------------ 
 
 
 Current liability        339  - 
Non-current liability       -  - 
                        ----- 
                          339  - 
 

This provision is reported in Note 35 as Accrued liabilities - Other operating expenses.

 
                                           Legal/Compliance 
                                                  provision    Total 
                                                    US$'000  US$'000 
---------------------------------  ------------------------  ------- 
Balance at January 1, 2021                                -        - 
Additional provision in the year                          -        - 
Utilization of provision                                  -        - 
Exchange difference                                       -        - 
---------------------------------  ------------------------  ------- 
Balance as at December 31, 2021                           -        - 
---------------------------------  ------------------------  ------- 
Additional provision in the year                        339      339 
Utilization of provision                                  -        - 
Exchange difference                                       -        - 
---------------------------------  ------------------------  ------- 
Balance as at December 31, 2022                         339      339 
 

The Group was contacted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") in connection with potential alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act ("FIFRA") pertaining to alleged mislabelling. As at December 31, 2022, the Company has assessed the claim and made a provision for US$339,000 (December 31, 2021: US$nil) which was paid in May 2023.

   41.          Fair value and financial instruments 
   a)    Fair value 

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price tat would be received to sell that asset or paid to transfer that liability in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. In estimating fair value, the Directors utilize valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. Such valuation techniques are consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques include the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. IFRS 13 "Fair Value Measurement" establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is defined as follows:

Level 1: Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets at the measurement date.

Level 2: Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) can include the following:

   --      observable prices in active markets for similar assets; 
   --      prices for identical assets in markets that are not active; 
   --      directly observable market inputs for substantially the full term of the asset; and 

-- market inputs that are not directly observable but are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs which reflect the Directors' best estimates of what market participants would use in pricing the asset at the measurement date.

We have not identified any financial instruments measured at fair value for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022.

There were no transfers between fair value levels during the year ended December 31, 2022 (2021: US$nil).

   b)    Financial instruments 

For trade receivables, the Group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9 "Financial Instruments", which requires expected lifetime losses to be recognized from initial recognition of the receivables.

Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost.

The Group is not a financial institution. The Group does not apply hedge accounting and its customers are considered creditworthy and in general pay consistently within agreed payments terms. In 2022, few customers have shown delays in payment which are closely monitored.

A classification of the Group's financial instruments is included in the table below. These financial instruments are held at amortized cost which is estimated to be equal to fair value.

 
 
                                                 As at         As at 
                                          December 31,  December 31, 
                                                  2022          2021 
                                               US$'000       US$'000 
Financial instruments                                     (restated) 
Cash and cash equivalents                        8,488        14,560 
Trade receivables                                6,487        14,656 
Accrued income and other receivables             3,239         2,824 
Trade and other payables                       (5,322)       (8,271) 
Accrued liabilities                            (4,978)       (3,386) 
Deferred consideration                            (92)       (6,158) 
Call option derivative liability                 (686)             - 
Borrowings held at amortised cost              (4,338)       (2,763) 
Lease liabilities held at present value 
 of lease payments                             (7,823)       (8,114) 
Total financial instruments                    (5,025)         3,348 
 
   42.          Financial risk management 

For the purposes of capital management, capital includes issued capital and all other equity reserves attributable to the equity holders of the Company, as well as debt. The primary objective of the Directors' capital management is to ensure that the Group maintains a strong credit rating and healthy capital ratios in order to support its business and maximize shareholder value.

To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Directors may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares. No changes were made in the objectives, policies or processes during the year.

The Directors manage the Group's capital structure and adjust it in light of changes in economic conditions and the requirements of the financial covenants. The Group includes in its net debt, interest-bearing loans, lease liabilities and borrowings, trade and other payables, less cash and short-term deposits.

The Group's principal financial liabilities comprise of borrowings and trade and other payables, which it uses primarily to finance and financially guarantee its operations.

The Group's principal financial assets include cash and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables derived from its operations.

   a.    Market risk 

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

   b.    Interest rate risk 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. As the Group's borrowings are either on fixed interest terms or interest-free, the Group is not subject to significant interest rate risk.

   c.     Credit risk 

Credit risk is the risk that a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument will not meet its obligations under a contract and arises primarily from the Group's cash in banks and trade receivables.

The Company considers the credit risk in relation to its cash holdings is low because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings.

Trade receivables are due from customers and collectability is dependent on the financial condition of each individual company as well as the general economic conditions of the industry. The Directors review the financial condition of customers prior to extending credit and generally do not require collateral in support of the Group's trade receivables. The majority of trade receivables are current or overdue for less than 30 days and the Directors believe these receivables are collectible. Amounts overdue longer than 120 days relate to a limited number of customers with a long trading history. Collection of these receivables is expected in the course of the year 2023. For doubtful accounts, the Group calculates an expected credit loss provision which is disclosed in Note 23.

As at December 31, 2022, the Group had one customer that individually accounted for more than 10% of total receivables, totaling 29% of total trade receivables (2021: two customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of total receivables, totaling 36.4%).

In order to minimize credit risk, the Group has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties and obtaining sufficient collateral, where appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults. The credit rating information is supplied by independent rating agencies where available and, if not available, the Group uses other publicly available financial information and its own trading records to rate its major customers. The Group's exposure and the credit ratings of its counterparties are continuously monitored and the aggregate value of transactions concluded is spread amongst approved counterparties.

Credit approvals and other monitoring procedures are also in place to ensure that follow-up action is taken to recover overdue debts. Furthermore, the Group reviews the recoverable amount of each trade debt and debt investment on an individual basis at the end of the reporting period to ensure that adequate loss allowance is made for irrecoverable amounts. In this regard, the directors of the Company consider that the Group's credit risk is significantly reduced. Trade receivables consist of a large number of customers, spread across diverse industries and geographical areas. Ongoing credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable and, where appropriate, credit guarantee insurance cover is purchased.

   d.    Foreign currency risk 

Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of an exposure will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The Group's exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates relates primarily to its financing activities (when financial liabilities and cash are denominated other than in a company's functional currency).

Most of the Group's transactions are carried out in US Dollars ($). Foreign currency risk is monitored closely on an ongoing basis to ensure that the net exposure is at an acceptable level.

The Group maintains a natural hedge whenever possible, by matching the cash inflows (revenue stream) and cash outflows used for purposes such as capital and operational expenditure in the respective currencies. The Group's net exposure to foreign exchange risk was as follows:

Functional currency

 
                                   AUD      EUR      GBP      US$   Others    Total 
As at December 31, 2022        US$'000  US$'000  US$'000  US$'000  US$'000  US$'000 
                               ------- 
Financial assets denominated 
 in $                               19       92      206    6,771        3    7,091 
Financial liabilities                -        -        -        -        -        - 
 denominated in $ 
Net foreign currency 
 exposure                           19       92      206    6,771        3    7,091 
 

Functional currency

 
                                      AUD         EUR         GBP         US$      Others       Total 
As at December 31, 2021           US$'000     US$'000     US$'000     US$'000     US$'000     US$'000 
                               (restated)  (restated)  (restated)  (restated)  (restated)  (restated) 
Financial assets denominated 
 in $                                 115         375         284      11,804         622      13,200 
Financial liabilities 
 denominated in $                    (10)     (1,717)       (475)     (2,226)        (55)     (4,483) 
Net foreign currency 
 exposure                             105     (1,342)       (191)       9,578         567       8,717 
 

Foreign currency sensitivity analysis:

The following tables demonstrate the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in foreign currency exchange rates, with all other variables held constant.

The impact on the Group's profit before tax is due to changes in the fair value of monetary assets and liabilities. The Group's exposure to foreign currency changes for all other currencies is not material.

A 10 per cent. movement in each of the Australian dollar (AUD), euro (EUR), British pound (GBP) and US dollar ($) would increase/(decrease) net assets by the amounts shown below. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant.

 
                            AUD      EUR      GBP      US$   Others 
As at December 31, 
 2022                   US$'000  US$'000  US$'000  US$'000  US$'000 
Effect on net assets: 
Strengthened by 10%           2        9       21      677        - 
Weakened by 10%             (2)      (9)     (21)    (677)        - 
 
 
                            AUD      EUR      GBP      US$   Others 
As at December 31, 
 2021                   US$'000  US$'000  US$'000  US$'000  US$'000 
Effect on net assets: 
Strengthened by 10%          11    (134)     (19)      958       57 
Weakened by 10%            (11)      134       19    (958)     (57) 
 
   e.    Liquidity risk 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they are due. The Directors manage this risk by:

-- maintaining adequate cash reserves through the use of the Group's cash from operations and bank borrowings as well as overdraft facilities; and

-- continuously monitoring projected and actual cash flows to ensure the Group maintains an appropriate amount of liquidity.

Overview of financing facilities

The following tables detail the Group's remaining contractual maturity for financial liabilities with agreed repayment periods. The tables have been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial

liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows.

 
                                Less than      2 to 5         > 5 
                                   1 year       years       years       Total 
Year ended December 
 31, 2022                         US$'000     US$'000     US$'000     US$'000 
Trade and other payables            5,322           -           -       5,322 
Borrowings held at amortized 
 cost                               2,893       1,029         416       4,338 
Leases (gross cash flows)           1,302       3,813       3,387       8,502 
Other liabilities                   5,290           -           -       5,290 
As at December 31, 2022            14,807       4,842       3,803      23,453 
                                Less than      2 to 5         > 5 
                                   1 year       years       years       Total 
Year ended December 
 31, 2021                         US$'000     US$'000     US$'000     US$'000 
                               (restated)  (restated)  (restated)  (restated) 
Trade and other payables            8,271           -           -       8,271 
Borrowings                          1,157         951         655       2,763 
Leases (gross cash flows)             959       3,253       4,905       9,117 
Other liabilities                   3,435           -          88       3,524 
As at December 31, 2021            13,822       4,204       5,648      23,674 
 

Unsecured bank overdraft facility

 
                                                       As at           As at 
                                                December 31,    December 31, 
                                                        2022            2021 
Unsecured bank overdraft facility                    US$'000         US$'000 
----------------------------------  ------------------------  -------------- 
Amount used                                            2,790               - 
Amount unused                                          6,861           9,329 
Total                                                  9,651           9,329 
                                    ------------------------ 
 

The bank overdraft facilities are reviewed at least annually.

   f.     Capital risk management 

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as going concerns while maximising the return to shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The Group's overall strategy remains unchanged from 2021.

The capital structure of the Group consists of equity and liabilities of the Group. The Group intends to keep debt low to minimise the interest rate impact.

The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.

The Directors review the capital structure on a semi-annual basis based on the equity ratio and total borrowings. The equity ratio at December 31, 2022 is 57 per cent (see below).

 
 
                                                 As at         As at 
                                          December 31,  December 31, 
                                                  2022          2021 
                                               US$'000       US$'000 
                                                          (restated) 
Equity                                          40,339        59,535 
Total equity and liabilities                    71,143        94,144 
Equity ratio                                       57%           63% 
 
   43.          Notes to the statements of cash flows 

Non-cash transactions

Certain shares were issued during the year for a non-cash consideration as described in Note 5g.

Additions to buildings and land during the year amounting to US$1,862,000 million were financed by share issue (2021: nil).

Gains and losses on disposal of assets

 
                                                               As at           As at 
                                      Note              December 31,    December 31, 
                                                                2022            2021 
Gains and losses on disposal of 
 assets                                                      US$'000         US$'000 
------------------------------------        ------------------------ 
Gain on disposal of property, plant 
 and equipment                          10                      (21)            (54) 
Loss on disposal of property, plant 
 and equipment                          13                        16              20 
Net loss on disposal of assets                                   (5)            (34) 
                                            ------------------------ 
 

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities

The table below details changes in the Group's liabilities arising from financing activities, including both cash and non-cash changes. Liabilities arising from financing activities are those for which cash flows were, or future cash flows will be, classified in the Group's consolidated cash flow statement as cash flows from financing activities.

 
 Liabilities arising from financing          Leases  Borrowings      Total 
  activities                                US$'000     US$'000    US$'000 
Balance at January 1, 2021                  (2,652)     (1,573)    (4,225) 
 Cash flows                                     662         382      1,044 
 Assumed on acquisitions of subsidiaries      (422)     (1,792)    (2,214) 
 New lease agreements                       (5,700)           -    (5,700) 
Exchange differences                            (2)         221        219 
Balance at December 31, 2021                (8,114)     (2,762)   (10,876) 
Cash flows                                      992     (2,561)    (1,569) 
 New lease agreements                       (2,181)           -    (2,181) 
 Revaluation of lease agreements                574           -        574 
 Disposal due to acquisitions                   490           -        490 
 Loans waived by creditors                        -         764        764 
Exchange differences                            416         221        637 
Balance at December 31, 2022                (7,823)     (4,338)   (12,161) 
 

Working capital reconciliation:

The Company defines working capital as trade receivables, other receivables and prepayments less trade and other payables, accrued liabilities, deferred revenue and non-current liabilities excluding pension liabilities.

 
                                                         Assumed 
                                        Opening   on acquisition   Change in    Closing 
                                       balances        of assets     balance   balances 
Year ended December 31, 2022            US$'000          US$'000     US$'000    US$'000 
Inventories                              13,770                -       (602)     13,168 
Trade receivables                        14,656                -     (8,169)      6,487 
Other receivables and prepayments         3,876                -         386      4,262 
Trade and other receivables 
 and prepayments                         18,532                -     (7,783)     10,749 
Trade and other payables                  8,271                -     (2,949)      5,322 
Accrued liabilities                       3,386                9       1,583      4,978 
Deferred revenue incl. non-current 
 contract liabilities                     1,004                -       3,909      4,913 
Trade and other payables, 
 accrued liabilities and deferred 
 revenue                                 12,661                9       2,543     15,213 
 
 
                                                   Assumed 
                                 Opening    on acquisition  Change in    Closing 
                                balances   of subsidiaries    balance   balances 
                                 US$'000           US$'000    US$'000    US$'000 
Year ended December 
 31, 2021                       restated          restated   restated   restated 
Inventories                       13,540             2,258    (2,028)     13,770 
Trade receivables                 10,080             3,538      1,038     14,656 
Other receivables and 
 prepayments                       2,609                 -      1,267      3,876 
Trade and other receivables 
 and prepayments                  12,689             3,538      2,305     18,532 
Trade and other payables           5,815             2,497       (41)      8,271 
Accrued liabilities                2,168                 -      1,218      3,386 
Deferred revenue                       -                 -       1004      1,004 
Trade and other payables, 
 accrued liabilities 
 and deferred revenue              7,983             2,497      2,181     12,661 
 

Consideration for acquisition of businesses

Year ended December 31, 2022 US$'000

 
Consideration payment for acquisition of 
 Life Materials Technologies Ltd              1,400 
Consideration payment for acquisition of 
 ChemTex assets                                 187 
Net consideration payment for acquisitions 
 of businesses and assets                     1,587 
 
 

Year ended December 31, 2021 US$'000

 
Consideration payment for acquisition of 
 Chrisal NV                                       6,054 
Consideration payment for acquisition of 
 RAS AG                                           1,482 
Consideration payment for acquisition of 
 Life Materials Technologies Ltd                  2,550 
Consideration payment for acquisition of 
 ChemTex assets                                     908 
Cash assumed on acquisition of Chrisal NV       (1,773) 
Cash assumed on acquisition of RAS AG             (291) 
Cash assumed on acquisition of Life Material 
 Technologies Ltd                                  (73) 
Net consideration payment for acquisitions 
 of businesses                                    8,857 
 
   44.          Related party transactions 

HeiQ Materials AG supplied materials and services totaling US$46,000 to ECSA, a company controlled by a director of HeiQ Materials AG, in the year ended December 31, 2022 (2021: US$32,000). HeiQ Materials AG in turn supplied US$88,000 in 2021 (2022: US$nil). The transactions were made on terms equivalent to those in arm's length transactions.

There are no loans outstanding with related parties.

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of the directors, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures.

 
                                           Year ended     Year ended 
                                         December 31,   December 31, 
                                                 2022           2021 
                                              US$'000        US$'000 
--------------------------------------                 ------------- 
 Short-term employee benefits                     738            836 
Post-employment benefits                           35             32 
Cash remuneration of key management 
 personnel                                        773            868 
Share-based payment expense (income)             (58)            170 
 Total remuneration of key management 
  personnel                                       715          1,038 
---------------------------------------                ------------- 
 

The cash remuneration for the reporting year ended December 31, 2022 is equivalent to the total compensation of CHF 477,626 and GBP 220,000 (2021: CHF 568,878 and GBP 220,000) which are presented in the annual report on Director's remuneration.

   45.          Material subsequent events 

On January 12, 2023, HeiQ Plc, completed the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Tarn-Pure Holdings Ltd ("Tarn-Pure"). Tarn-Pure is a UK-based intellectual property company holding critical EU and UK regulatory registrations to sell elemental copper and elemental silver for use in disinfecting hygiene applications. To acquire Tarn-Pure, HeiQ have paid the vendors GBP530,000 (approximately US$621,000) in cash with an additional GBP317,000 (approximately US$372,000) to be satisfied through the issuance of 455,435 new ordinary shares of 30p each in the Company (the "Consideration Shares"), issued at a price of 69.6p per share resulting in a total consideration of GBP847,000 (approximately US$993,000). The purchase price allocation for this acquisition is incomplete. Impacts on this acquisition and the results will be included in the 2023 consolidated financial statements.

As communicated on July 06, 2023, HeiQ Plc sold a 1.5% minority interest in HeiQ AeoniQ GmbH to MAS Holdings for US$1.5 million. It was also agreed that a further 1% shareholding will be sold to MAS Holdings for US$1 million subject to the achievement of a mutually agreed milestone.

   46.          Ultimate controlling party 

As at December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any single identifiable controlling party.

Company Statement of Financial Position (registered company number:09040064)

As at December 31, 2022

 
 
                                          As at     As at 
                                       December  December 
                                            31,       31, 
                                           2022      2021 
                                Note    GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
ASSETS 
Non-current assets 
Investments                        4     42,758   101,484 
Amounts due from subsidiaries      5      9,000    18,000 
 
 
                                         51,758   119,484 
 
 
Current assets 
Trade and other receivables        7        798       377 
Cash and bank balances             6        306     1,203 
 
 
                                          1,104     1,580 
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS                             52,862   121,064 
 
 
LIABILITIES 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables           8      (204)     (354) 
                                      4 
 
                                          (204)     (354) 
 
 
NET ASSETS                               52,658   120,710 
 
 
 
EQUITY 
Share capital                         9      42,025           39,175 
Share premium account                 9     114,663          109,460 
Share-based payment reserve          11         340              346 
Accumulated losses                        (104,370)         (28,271) 
 
 
TOTAL EQUITY                                 52,658          120,710 
 
 
 
 

The Company has taken advantage of Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not included a Profit and Loss account in these separate financial statements. The loss attributable to members of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022 is GBP76,099,000 (2021: loss of GBP26,801,000)

The notes form an integral part of these Financial Statements. The Financial Statements were authorized for issue by the board of Directors on October 26, 2023 and were signed on its behalf by.

Xaver Hangartner

Director

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended December 31, 2022

 
                                           Share  Share-based 
                                 Share   premium      payment  Accumulated 
                               capital   account      reserve       losses     Total 
                               GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000 
For the year ended December 
 31, 2021: 
Balance as at January 1, 
 2021                           37,767   102,536           38      (1,470)   138,871 
Loss for the year                    -         -            -     (26,801)  (26,801) 
Issue of shares                  1,408     6,924            -            -     8,332 
Share-based payment charges          -         -          308            -       308 
Transactions with owners         1,408     6,924          308            -     8,640 
 Balance as at December 
  31, 2021                      39,175   109,460          346     (28,271)   120,710 
 For the year ended December 31, 
  2022: 
Loss for the year                    -         -            -     (76,099)  (76,099) 
Issue of shares                  2,850     5,203            -            -     8,053 
Share-based payment charges          -         -          (6)            -       (6) 
Transactions with owners         2,850     5,203          (6)            -     8,047 
Balance as at December 
 31, 2022                       42,025   114,663          340    (104,370)    52,658 
 

Company statement of cash flows

For the year ended December 31, 2022

 
                                               Year ended    Year ended 
                                             December 31,  December 31, 
                                                     2022          2021 
Cash flows from operating activities              GBP'000       GBP'000 
Loss before taxation                             (76,099)      (26,801) 
Cash flow from operations reconciliation: 
Net finance income                                  (377)         (375) 
Impairment provision                               67,180        26,821 
Working capital adjustments: 
(Increase) in trade and other receivables           8,580         (186) 
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other 
 payables                                            (95)         (184) 
Cash used in operations                             (811)         (726) 
Net cash used in operating activities               (811)         (726) 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Interest received                                     377           375 
Consideration payment for acquisitions 
 of businesses                                      (463)             - 
Net cash used in investing activities                (86)           375 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Net cash from financing activities                      -             - 
 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and 
 cash equivalents                                   (897)         (351) 
 
  Cash and cash equivalents - beginning 
  of the year                                       1,203         1,554 
Cash and cash equivalents - end of 
 the year                                             306         1,203 
 

Notes to the Company Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2022

   1.             General information 

The Company was incorporated on May 14, 2014 as Auctus Growth Limited, in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 with company number 09040064. The Company was re-registered as a public company on July 24, 2014. On December 4, 2020, following a reverse takeover of Swiss based HeiQ Materials AG, the Company's name was changed to HeiQ Plc. The Company's registered office is 5th Floor, 15 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DD.

The Company's enlarged share capital is admitted to the standard segment of the Official List and trading on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market under the ticker 'HEIQ'. The ISIN of the Ordinary Shares is GB00BN2CJ299 and the SEDOL Code is BN2CJ29.

The principal activity of the Company is that of a holding company for the Group, as well as performing all administrative, corporate finance, strategic and governance functions of the Group.

The Company's financial statements are prepared in Pounds Sterling, which is the presentational currency for the financial statements.

   2.            Summary of significant accounting policies 
   a.    Basis of preparation 

These Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards applying the FRS101 Reduced Disclosure Framework.

These financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange of assets. The principal accounting policies are set out below.

The Company also produces consolidated accounts which include the results of the Company.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which contemplates the continuity of normal business activities and the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The Directors have assessed both the Company's and the Group's ability to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Company has prepared forecasts and projections which reflect the expected trading performance of the Company and the Group on the basis of best estimates of management using current knowledge and expectations of trading performance. As at December 31, 2022, the Company had GBP306,000 (2021: GBP1,203,000) in cash, which is considered sufficient for its present needs. As described in Note 3b to the consolidated financial statements, there is material uncertainty at the Group level that casts significant doubt upon the company's ability to continue as a going concern and that, therefore, the company may be unable to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.

Nevertheless, after making enquiries and considering the uncertainties described above, the Directors consider there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable, as well as to fund the Company's future operating expenses. The going concern basis preparation is therefore considered to be appropriate in preparing these financial statements.

   b.    Investments 

Fixed asset investments are carried at cost less, where appropriate, any provision for impairment.

   c.     Loans to subsidiaries 

Loans to subsidiaries are measured at the present value of the future cash payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument unless such amounts are repayable on demand. The present value of loans that are repayable on demand is equal to the undiscounted cash amount payable, reflecting the Company's right to demand immediate repayment.

   d.    Foreign currencies 

The company's equity is raised in Pound Sterling (GBP) which is the functional and presentational currency of the Company, and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds except where otherwise indicated. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the contracted rate or the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date and the gains or losses on translation are included in the profit and loss account.

   e.    Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, bank balances, deposits with financial institutions and short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

   f.     Trade and other receivables 

Trade and other receivables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment.

   g.    Income taxes 

The charge for taxation is based on the profit/ loss for the year and takes into account taxation deferred because of timing differences between the treatment of certain items for taxation and accounting purposes.

Deferred tax is provided on timing differences which arise from the inclusion of income and expenses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognized in the financial statements. The following timing differences are not provided for: differences between accumulated depreciation and tax allowances for the cost of a fixed asset if and when all conditions for retaining the tax allowances have been met; and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries, to the extent that it is not probable that they will reverse in the foreseeable future and the reporting entity is able to control the reversal of the timing difference. Deferred tax is not recognized on permanent differences arising because certain types of income or expense are non-taxable or are disallowable for tax or because certain tax charges or allowances are greater or smaller than the corresponding income or expense.

   h.    Share-based payment arrangements 

Equity-settled share-based payments to employees are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date. Equity-settled share-based payments to non-employees are measured at the fair value of services received, or if this cannot be measured, at the fair value of the equity instruments granted at the date that the Company obtains the goods or counterparty renders the service. Details regarding the determination of the fair value of equity-settled share-based transactions are set out in Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements.

The fair vale determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Company's estimate of equity instruments that will eventually vest, with a corresponding increase in equity. Where the conditions are non-vesting, the expense and equity reserve arising from share-based payment transactions is recognized in full immediately on grant.

Where the Company grants an equity-settled share-based payment award to employees of a subsidiary, then the Company classifies the transaction as equity-settled in its separate financial statements. The Company recognises a capital contribution from the subsidiary as a credit to the share-based payment reserve and a corresponding increase in its investment in the subsidiary.

At the end of each reporting period, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognized in profit or loss such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to other reserves.

   i.      Trade and other payables 

Trade and other payables are initially recognized at fair value and thereafter stated at amortized cost using the effective interest method unless the effect of discounting would be immaterial, in which case they are stated at cost.

   j.      Share capital 

Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issuance of new ordinary shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction from the proceeds.

   k.    Financial instruments 

Financial instruments are recognized in the statements of financial position when the Company has become a party to the contractual provisions of the instruments.

Financial instruments are classified as liabilities or equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement. Interest, dividends, gains and losses relating to a financial instrument classified as a liability are reported as an expense or income. Distributions to holders of financial instruments classified as equity are charged directly to equity.

Financial instruments are offset when the Company has a legally enforceable right to offset and intends to settle either on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

A financial instrument is recognized initially at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial instrument not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial instrument.

Financial instruments recognized in the statements of financial position are disclosed in the individual policy statement associated with each item.

   (i)            Financial liabilities 

Financial liabilities are recognized when, and only when, the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument.

All financial liabilities are recognized initially at fair value plus directly attributable transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method other than those categorized as fair value through profit or loss.

Fair value through profit or loss category comprises financial liabilities that are either held for trading or are designated to eliminate or significantly reduce a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise arise. Derivatives are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as hedges. There were no financial liabilities classified under this category.

A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same party on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability, and the difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognized in the profit or loss.

   (ii)           Equity instruments 

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Dividends on ordinary shares are recognized as liabilities when approved for appropriation.

    (iii)   Other financial instruments 

Other financial instruments not meeting the definition of Basic Financial Instruments are recognized initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition other financial instruments are measured at fair value with changes recognized in profit or loss except investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably shall be measured at cost less impairment.

   3.             Critical accounting judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty 

In the application of the Company's accounting policies, which are described in Note 2, management is required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Critical accounting judgements

There were no critical accounting judgements impacting the Company's standalone financial statements 2022 and 2021. Critical accounting judgments affecting the Group are discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

Key sources of estimate uncertainty

Impairment of amounts due from subsidiaries

As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, fixed asset investments are stated at the lower of cost less provision for impairment. The present value of loans to subsidiaries that are repayable on demand is equal to the undiscounted cash amount payable, reflecting the Company's right to demand immediate repayment.

At each reporting date fixed asset investments and loans made to subsidiaries are reviewed to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If there is an indication of possible impairment, the recoverable amount of any affected asset is estimated and compared with its carrying amount. If the estimated recoverable amount is lower, the carrying amount is reduced to its estimated recoverable amount, and an impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

The Directors have carried out an impairment test on the value of the loans due from subsidiaries and have concluded that an impairment provision of GBP9,000,000 (2021: nil) is necessary to reflect the uncertainty around financing of the Group and Company as mentioned in Note 3b to the consolidated financial statements and Note 2a to the Company Financial Statements, respectively.

Impairment of fixed asset investments

The Directors have also carried out an impairment test on the value of the Company's fixed asset investments and considered whether there are any indicators of impairment from external and internal sources of information, including the fact that the market capitalization of the Company has fallen below the net carrying value of such investments which would indicate that the carrying value may have been impaired and have concluded that an impairment provision of GBP94.0m (2021: GBP26.8m) is required to write down these amounts to their estimated recoverable amount.

   4.            Investments 
 
                                            As at          As at 
       Investments in subsidiary     December 31,   December 31, 
        undertakings 
                                             2022           2021 
                                          GBP'000        GBP'000 
       Balance brought forward            101,484        119,609 
       Additions                            8,454          8,696 
       Impairment provision charge       (67,180)       (26,821) 
       Balance at end of year              42,758        101,484 
 

Details of the Company's principal subsidiaries as at December 31, 2022 are set out in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. The Company's investments in subsidiaries are carried at cost less impairment.

The Directors have concluded that the significant devaluation of the Group represents an indicator of impairment as at December 31, 2022. Therefore, the Directors performed an impairment test of the Group and valued the Company's investment in its subsidiaries at GBP51,758,000 (2021: GBP119,484,000 valued based on market capitalization). The carrying value of its investments in subsidiaries was GBP136,759,000 (2021: GBP128,305,000) before impairment provision charges. The amounts due from subsidiaries as at December 31, 2022 was GBP9,000,000 (2021: GBP18,000,000).

The Company has therefore made additional provision for an impairment of GBP94,001,000 (2021: GBP26,821,000) against the carrying value of the Company's investments in subsidiaries to reduce such value to GBP42,758,000 (2021: GBP101,484,000).

Sensitivity

The calculation of the market capitalization of GBP77,045,000 is based on the Company's share price of 55.0 pence as at 31 December 2022. Due to the volatility of the share price, a decrease of 75% in the share price to 13.8 pence is reasonably possible. A decrease in the share price of 75%, would result in a market capitalization of GBP19.3 million and an additional impairment loss of approximately GBP32.4 million.

   5.             Amounts due from subsidiaries 
 
                                                    As at      As at 
                                                 December   December 
                                                      31,        31, 
                                                     2022       2021 
                                                  GBP'000    GBP'000 
       Balance brought forward at beginning of 
        year                                       18,000     18,000 
       Amounts advanced                                 -          - 
       Expected credit loss                       (9,000)          - 
       Balance at end of year                       9,000     18,000 
 

The amounts due from subsidiaries are unsecured, yield 2.5% interest and are repayable on demand. Given the uncertainty described in the going concern review of the Group in Note 3b to the consolidated financial statements, the recoverability of the loan was reassessed. Due to the increased risk of default following the Group's recent performance, it was concluded that an expected credit loss of GBP9,000,000 is appropriate for the financial year ended December 31, 2022.

Sensitivity

The expected credit loss of GBP9,000,000 reflects 50% of the balance due. Had the Directors' assessment been that the whole GBP18,000,000 are not collectible, there would have been an additional expected credit loss of GBP9,000,000.

   6.            Cash and cash equivalents 
 
                                                  As at      As at 
                                           December 31,   December 
                                                               31, 
                                                   2022       2021 
                                                GBP'000    GBP'000 
       Bank balances                                306      1,203 
                                                    306      1,203 
 
 
   7.             Trade and other receivables 
 
                                                                As at       As at 
                                                                         December 
                                                         December 31,         31, 
                                                                 2021        2020 
                                                              GBP'000     GBP'000 
       Prepayments                                                 14         108 
       Vat receivable                                              12           5 
       Other receivables from subsidiaries                        772         264 
                                                                  798         377 
 
 
   8.            Trade and other payables 
 
                                                      As at      As at 
                                               December 31,   December 
                                                                   31, 
                                                       2022       2021 
                                                    GBP'000    GBP'000 
       Trade payables                                     1         16 
       Accruals                                         203        129 
       Taxes and social security                          -          8 
       Deferred consideration                             -         55 
       Other payables                                     -        145 
                                                        204        354 
 
 

The directors consider that the carrying amounts of amounts falling due within one year approximate to their fair values.

   9.            Share capital and share options 

Share capital

Details of the Company's allotted, called-up and fully paid share capital are set out in Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Movements in the Company's share capital were as follows:

 
                                    Number of     Share     Share   Totals 
                                       shares   capital   premium 
                                          No.   GBP'000   GBP'000  GBP'000 
                                                                   ------- 
Balance as of January 1, 2021     125,891,904    37,767   102,536  140,303 
Issue of shares to acquire 
 Chrisal NV                         1,101,928       331      1829    2,160 
Issue of shares to acquire 
 RAS AG                             1,701,821       511      2837    3,348 
Issue of shares to acquire 
 Life Materials                     1,887,883       566      2258    2,824 
Balance as at December 31, 
 2021                             130,583,536    39,175   109,460  148,635 
                                               -------- 
Issue of shares to vendors 
 of Life Materials (a)                347,552       104       347      451 
Issue of shares as deferred 
 consideration                      3,461,615     1,039     2,233    3,272 
Issue of shares Advisory Board        164,721        50       146      196 
Issue of shares ChemTex Labs        2,176,884       653       967    1,620 
Issue of shares Chrisal             3,348,164      1004      1510    2,514 
Balance as at December 31, 
 2022                             140,082,472    42,025   114,663  156,688 
                                               -------- 
 

The par value of all shares is GBP0.30 (2021: GBP0.30). All shares in issue were allotted, called up and fully paid. The Ordinary shares of the Company carry one vote per share and an equal right to any dividends declared.

Share options

Details of the Company's share option scheme and options issued during the year are set out in Note 27 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

   10.          Reserves 

The share premium account represents the amount received on the issue of ordinary shares by the Company in excess of their nominal value and is non-distributable.

The share-based payment reserve arises from the requirement to value share options in existence at the year end at fair value (see Note 28 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

   11.           Share-based payments 

Details of the Company's share options are contained in Note 27 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

   12.          Segment information 

Operating segments are identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Company that are regularly reviewed by the Board. Until its acquisition of HeiQ Materials AG on 7 December 2020, the Company was an investing company and did not trade. On the completion of the acquisition of HeiQ Materials AG and its subsidiaries, the Company became the holding company of the Group.

The Company has one segment, namely that of a parent company to its subsidiaries. Accordingly, no segmental analysis has been provided in these financial statements.

   13.           Employees 

The average monthly number of employees including directors was as follows:

 
                                           Year ended  Year ended 
                                         December 31,    December 
                                                              31, 
                                                 2022        2021 
                                                  No.         No. 
       Directors                                    5           5 
                                                    5           5 
 
 
   14.          Related party transactions 

The only key management personnel of the Company are the Directors. Details of their remuneration are contained in Note 44 to the consolidated financial statements.

Details of amounts due between the Company and its subsidiaries are shown in Notes 5 above.

   15.           Subsequent events 

The Group's share price as at April 30, 2023 closed at 20.2 pence followed by share suspension which will be in place until the consolidated financial statements have been published. Had this been the valuation as at 31 December 2022, market capitalization would have been GBP28,297,000.

Other disclosures in relation to events subsequent to December 31, 2022 are shown in Note 45 to the consolidated financial statements.

   16.          Ultimate controlling party 

As at December 31, 2022, no one entity owns greater than 50% of the issued share capital. Therefore, the Company does not have an ultimate controlling party.

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October 30, 2023 03:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

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